As we approach Thanksgiving, we are thoughtful in our gratitude for our new and returning students and families. In our classrooms, students are engaging in course work and BRACE activities. Our days are full, creating meaningful relationships between staff and students, and students getting to know each other more and supporting each other in the classroom.

The staff at BRACE also sincerely thank our students and families for a great start-up this year. It was wonderful to meet students' families at our "Meet the Teacher" night, sharing successes and how best to support our learners.

Please ensure to check out our Instagram @braceschool_brsd to check for announcements, updates, and happenings!

On Friday, September 27th, we gathered to hear and share stories about the ongoing effects of residential schools and the impact stories can have on reconciliation. We shared knowledge and personal experiences about Residential Schools in Alberta. We also learned some background about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action.

Jax's Joy

We are grateful to have such a giving student in our BRACE community: Hayden Jackson. Hayden is a kind and thoughtful person who believes in the power of giving and shares their time and talents within our community. On Monday's, Hayden and Jax's Joy share their delicious muffin creations with our students. Please thank Hayden for this delicious snack as she hands you a muffin!

Hope Mission

We also thank Hope Mission and all their volunteers for thinking of the well-being of our students and providing a weekly lunch. We are grateful for their thoughtfulness and generosity.

ECCHS

The foods staff at ECCHS have created new lunch options this year which are so delicious, and they still have our favourites too! We are grateful to have access to this delicious service!

Camrose Community

When you take a look at the list of organizations and business below, you may be overcome with gratitude, like we are, at how many people care about the well being of others within our community.

September 24, 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians of BRSD:

It has been a great start to the BRSD school year! September has been filled with excitement and energy, as our schools have come alive with many welcome back activities, barbecues, extracurricular programs, and rich learning opportunities. It's wonderful to see our students, staff, and families reconnecting with our school communities.

This month, our students and staff have engaged in meaningful learning experiences around significant events. As we approach National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, our schools have been involved in activities and discussions to honour and reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools. This is a vital part of our commitment to reconciliation, and we are dedicated to fostering understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures and histories within our school communities.

Additionally, our schools have participated in the Terry Fox Run, continuing the tradition of honoring a courageous Canadian hero whose determination continues to inspire us all. It has been heartening to see our students come together to celebrate Terry's legacy and raise awareness and funds for cancer research. BRSD has raised over $1.06 million during 447 division events.

Our focus remains on our vision, Every Student, Every Day, a Success, while we continue to enact a variety of strategies to support our Three Year Educational Plan. Schools are implementing programs and supporting literacy and numeracy improvement in all grade levels across the division. In addition to this, seventeen BRSD teachers are piloting the new social studies curriculum in our schools. This pre-implementation activity for social studies will enable our teachers to gain experience and develop expertise in the new curriculum which will support student learning this year and in future years.

All of our Kindergarten to Grade 6 classrooms have been equipped with sound field systems. This benefits all students in classrooms, as students will be able to hear more clearly. Our technology team continues with the installation of ViewSonic Interactive ViewBoards. These initiatives are designed to support staff in an engaging student learning environment.

We have already seen great enthusiasm from our students participating in extracurricular activities. This participation plays a vital role in building confidence and teamwork and fosters a sense of belonging. I want to thank our staff coaches, community volunteer coaches, supervisors and referees who make this possible.

Our school start-up has been fast, furious and fun. Here is a media release that sums up September. As we advance into the school year, we are excited about endless learning opportunities for our students. Thank you for your ongoing support and trust in our division. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Rhae-Ann Holoien
Superintendent of Schools

Mrs. Kroetch led students in a fall activity, creating a decoration with students!

Harvest Craft!

Upcoming Activity

Ms. Cardinal will be leading a beginner beading exercise October 8th from 12:30pm - 2:00pm. Students will be beading a poppy pin for Remembrance Day.

If you are, please speak with the office!

The “Cell phone policy” has gotten lots of media attention this summer. We know that phones have a negative effect on attention and a negative effect on learning. Working with families and students to ensure a positive learning environment for our students is our goal.

Call the office if you need to get a hold of your student! Please do not call or text them in the middle of class.

Please ensure you are aware of the policy in our Handbook:

BRSD AP 135 - USE OF PERSONAL MOBILE DEVICES AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN SCHOOLS governs device use.

Specifically to BRACE:

1. Students will keep their devices in their backpack or bag and will not use it during instructional time unless for instructional purposes as directed by staff.

2. Students may use their phone at break times and may use it in the classroom only during lunch time.

3. Students need to discuss special circumstances with their teacher and administration. Administration will meet with families to discuss the need and a medical note may be required.

Progressive discipline will be implemented as per AP 135.

If you happen to be a new student, please make sure you are checking your school email for an introduction and welcome email from your teachers. If you are having difficulties logging into Moodle, please read below on how to access Moodle.

Check out the 2024-25 Handbook!

We are at based out of École Camrose Composite High School at 6205-48 Ave. When you come in the main parking lot, there is a set of parking spots in the North West corner of the parking lot, marked BRACE Parking. There are a set of stairs on the outside of the North East corner of the building that you would go up and then enter through the NORTH DOOR. A big sign is on the North East corner of the building to help out!

We are not providing night school anymore, but we are now open Fridays. So we are open Monday-Friday 8:40-3:00pm.

8:40-9:45 Instructional Time

9:45-9:50 Break

9:50-11:00 Instructional Time

11:00-11:05 Break

11:05-12:00 Instructional Time

12:00-12:30 Lunch

12:30-1:45 Instructional Time

1:45-1:50 Break

1:50-3:00 Instructional Time

Click here for the BRSD 2024-25 Printable Calendar

Friday, Oct. 11 - Staff Meeting/PD - School Closed

Monday, Oct 14 - Holiday - School Closed

Administrative Assistant

Laural Hoff

Educational Assistants

Lynette Fitzgerald

Shannon Olson

Teachers

Amanda Cardinal

Sonja Cummings

Lance Gulbraa

Dianna Kroetch

Jennifer Lindstrand

Jessica Ohm

Alex Price

Bob Whitrow

Principal

Mark Chanasyk

Our Career Counsellors have been busy! Career Counselling Newsletter

and follow them on Instagram @hsplusbrsd!

Loran Scholars

Applications are currently open for the 2025 cohort of Loran Scholars — and university-bound students from Alberta are currently significantly under-represented in our applicant pool.

We need your immediate support urging your secondary school principals and educators to promote this prestigious opportunity widely—throughout their student and parent communities—to ensure that your students know they are eligible for the country’s largest and most comprehensive post-secondary award. Please make use of the resources in our online media kit to supplement your communications.

This year, 36 Loran Awards will be offered to university-bound students from across Canada who demonstrate strength of character, a deep commitment to service, and intrinsic leadership potential. Presently, there are 14 exceptional Loran Scholars who hail from Alberta. You can filter by home province—read about them here.

The only scholarship of its kind in Canada, the Loran Award offers a four-year leadership-enrichment program, financial support for undergrad, diverse opportunities for experiential learning, and a long-term supportive community of peers and mentors, renewable over four years of university undergraduate studies.

In addition to naming the 36 Loran Scholars, we will grant more than $400,000 in additional one-time awards to 54 Loran Finalists and 70 Loran Provincial & Territorial recipients. Because there are so many opportunities for young people to succeed in our selection process, applying is always worth the effort!

At this point in the application period, we have received roughly half the applications we typically receive from Alberta students. This compromises our organization’s ability to recognize and celebrate the most deserving students from your school board when we select our 2025 Loran Scholars from across Canada. Applications close Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. ET.

Please help us support your students by imploring all of your educators to spread awareness of this opportunity today.

Feel free to get in touch with any questions.

Warmly,

Lisa Paul, Community Engagement & Communications, Manager

(she/her)

416.646.2120 x 227

ScholarTree

ScholarTree is back for another year of helping graduating students find scholarships. Over the summer, we have added over $2,300,000 in new scholarships to our database. We remain committed to continually improving how students find scholarships and increasing the number of scholarships available to students studying in Canada.

A handful of the larger scholarships are available right at the start of the school year, so we encourage students to apply immediately.

Here are a couple of significant scholarships that are available now:

• https://scholartree.ca/scholarship/td-scholarship-for-community-leadership/NFjon0Fff

• https://scholartree.ca/scholarship/loran-scholars-foundations-scholarship/0q6c1o346

• https://scholartree.ca/scholarship/schulich-leader-scholarship/ytym0pt18

Did you know you can check your student’s grades any time! We now use a tool called PowerSchool so that students and families can see their grades in real time - as soon as we enter a grade in, you can see it! More information is provided in another newsletter!

If you need bussing or would like to see if it is a possibility, please call us!