Dear Tom Baines Families,

I hope your summer was both restful and enjoyable. As we begin a new school year, I am excited to welcome all our students and families to the 2026-27 school year at Tom Baines.

Our goal is to provide a safe, caring, and engaging environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe that student success is built on strong partnerships between home and school, and we encourage open communication and family involvement. Our dedicated teachers and staff are here to support your child at every stage of their journey, and we truly value the contributions you make to our school community.

As we prepare to launch the school year ahead, I would like to share a few important updates with you.

School Start-up Information

Monday, August 31 will be the first day for students. A copy of our school calendar at the links below:

School Calendar page (Constantly Updated)

2026-2027 Tom Baines School Instructional Calendar 

Monday August 31 will be a staggered entry start for students. Grade 6/7students will attend from 9am (doors open at 8:45) until 12:00pm. Parent Council will be providing a Walking Taco lunch (ground beef, Doritos, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and salsa) for all grade 6 and 7 students at 11:20am. Students are welcome to bring their own lunch if they prefer.

Grade 8/9 students will start their year at 1 pm (doors open at 12:45) and finish at 3:30.

Regular school hours will start on September 1 at 8:50 am (doors open at 8:35).

Please note: There will be no designated Calgary Transit bussing available at 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM. This means that Tom Baines Designated Calgary Transit Busses (#796 & #797) will be available in the morning to take the Grade 6 and 7 students to school, but they will not be available at 12:00 PM for students to take home. They will not be available to bring the Grade 8 and 9 students to school at 1:00 PM but will be available at 3:30 PM for the trip home. The regular transit routes (#154 & #54) will be running on their regular schedule as per the Calgary Transit Website.

School Hours

Homeroom Classroom Assignments

Families can expect an email from their child’s homeroom teacher by the end of the day on Thursday, August 28^th welcoming students to a new school year.

Creating class lists is a thoughtful and intentional process that our staff takes very seriously, with the goal of providing the best possible learning environment for every child. This work began last May and involved carefully considering many factors, such as gender balance, individual learning needs, classroom dynamics, and positive peer connections.

We understand that students may sometimes feel disappointed if they are not placed in the class they were hoping for. As parents, your guidance and support in helping your child navigate these feelings is invaluable. Learning to manage challenges and disappointments is an important part of growth, and building resiliency in these moments will benefit students throughout their lives.

Please know that each class has been thoughtfully created to set all TBS learners up for success. Class requests and changes will not be accommodated due to the above reasons. 

General Information

Structures & Routines

As we begin the new school year, there is lots of excitement and energy in our building. At the same time, we know that adjusting from the flexibility of summer to the structure of a full school day can take time for some students. To support this transition, teachers will be introducing classroom routines and structures designed to help students feel regulated, focused, and ready to learn.

We also encourage families to establish healthy routines at home that complement this work (such as consistent bedtimes, morning habits, regular reading, family time, physical activity, and thoughtful screen use). Together, these routines provide children with stability and balance.

Morning Drop-Off Reminder

To help foster student independence and smooth morning routines, we kindly ask that parents ensure students arrive on time and enter the school on their own each day. If your child is arriving late after an appointment, please check in at the office. To support school parking lot congestion and student safety, we recommend identifying a drop off and pick up location off school grounds.

Cell Phone use at Tom Baines

In alignment with Alberta’s cellphone policy, middle school students are required to keep personal mobile devices stored in their lockers throughout the school day. Cellphones may not be used during class time, breaks, or between classes unless otherwise authorized by school administration. This expectation supports a focused learning environment and encourages positive social interactions and engagement in school activities.

Contacting students or teachers

To support a positive learning environment, phone calls will not be connected directly to students or teachers during class time.

In the event of an emergency, please contact the office and explain the situation so staff can assist appropriately. Parents are also asked not to call or text their child during class time. Staff can be contacted by email and will respond outside of instructional hours.

Thank you for trusting us to be a part of your child’s educational journey. We’re looking forward to an amazing school year ahead, full of growth, discovery, and unforgettable moments.

If you have any questions or need assistance as we begin the school year, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office at 403-777-7190.

Take care, 

Steve Ross

Principal, Tom Baines School

Key Dates