Hello Tom Baines Families,

Spring is here and we are excited for the final few months of school. As always, there is a lot going on. Please see below for important information.

Important Dates:

April 17 – Semi-formal Day

April 17 – School Dance/Spring Fling 4:00 – 6:00 pm

April 18 – Good Friday – No School

April 21 – Professional Learning Day – No School

April 19 – 25 – Grade 9 French trip to Quebec

April 28 – School Council @ 7:00 pm in the Learning Commons

April 28 – May 2 – Grade 9 Band trip to Disney

Complementary Course Showcase – Save the date! May 15 from 6:30 – 7:30pm will be our Comp Showcase. Please plan to attend to see the amazing work being done by our students in their complementary courses. This event is for families so please do not send your child alone. All children must be accompanied by a parent.

Athletics – Badminton season is upon us and tryouts are wrapping up. Final team lists will be made soon and all practice and competition information will be provided by the coaches to their families. Go Boas!

Cell Phones – reminder of our Away for the Day expectations at Tom Baines. Students are not permitted to have their cell phones in the classroom as per Alberta Government guidelines. The first offense is a warning. The second is the office keeping the phone until after school and the third is the office keeps it until a parent comes to pick it up. We are seeing an increase of improper cell phone use. Please have this discussion with your children.

Hats – hats are allowed at Tom Baines, but no hats that cover a student’s ears. This includes toques. Students will be asked to remove their hat if it covers their ears or could cover their ears. Thank you for your support.

Spring Fling – we are having a dance for all students on April 17 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Tickets are $5.00 and are on sale during the lunch hour. Cash only. We look forward to seeing you there!

Next School Year – All Grades 6-8 Families, if you are not planning on attending Tom Baines School for the 2025 – 2026 school year, please email the office at tombaines@cbe.ab.ca to let us know. This really helps us with planning. Thank you!

Exam Information - Provincial Achievement Exams are quickly approaching for students in Grades 6 and 9. Students in Grades 7 and 8 will write regular final exams.

May 28 – Grade 6 ELA Part A – 9:00 – 11:00 – regular timetable for all other students

May 29 – Grade 9 ELA Part A – 9:00 – 11:00 – regular timetable for all other students

June 12 – ELA Exam for all grades

June 13 – Math Part A (only Grade 6 and Grade 9) – regular timetable

June 17 – Math Exam for all grades

June 18 – Social Studies Exam for all grades

June 19 – Science Exam for Grades 7-9 (no Grade 6 Science exam)

For June exams – Grade 9 students will write in the morning and can go home afterwards with permission. Grades 6-8 students will write their exams in the afternoon and will be expected to stay at school all day.

General Information:
Recovery Alberta and Community Education Services – Online Sessions for Families and Caregivers.

• The following is a list of Online sessions that are in partnership with Community Education Services and Recovery Alberta. The sessions are presented below with a link to register for the webinars. Please share the sessions in your school newsletter to guardians and parents as you see fit. 

Navigating Social Media and Teens | April 16 | 6:00-8:00pm 

• The world of social media is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up. This session will look at some of the most popular platforms among Canadian youth and how to protect privacy and keep everyone safe. We will also discuss the effects of social media use on teen mental health and how to promote healthy social media habits in a digital world. 

Building Resiliency in Today’s Youth | April 17 | 11:30-1:30pm 

• Before High School graduation, one-third of adolescent girls will experience depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm or an eating disorder. However, there is an incredible power in caregivers who can support our youth, both young women and men, before they seek therapy. At Juno House®, we believe in the extraordinary healing power of parents, caregivers, coaches, and teachers. In our 1.5 hour workshop presentation, we will share steps and strategies from the Juno House Therapeutic Model® that will provide effective emotional coaching tools for today’s youth as they develop through adolescence and into young adulthood. 

•  PHE Canada’s Blueprint for Action: evidence-based interventions to address substance-related harms among youth.  

•  Free school lunch resources from Teach Nutrition and Alberta Health Services 

Thank you all for your continued support. We love being part of this community.

Derek Siakaluk, Principal

Chelsea O’Leary, Assistant Principal