Dear Arbour Lake Families,

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable winter break. January is already off to a busy start, and it’s wonderful to see students back at school, ready to learn and take part in the many activities we have planned.

Our Grade 6 students had a fantastic two days at Winsport this week. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and many students are thrilled to have learned a new skill. For some, this experience has opened the door to a fun weekend activity they can now enjoy with friends—a wonderful way to stay active and connected. Huge thank you to our teachers that organized this opportunity. Our Grade 7-9 will have access to a similar opportunity later in the year.

Volleyball tryouts took place this week, and the final rosters have been posted. Congratulations to those students who made the team, and congratulations to everyone who participated! Trying out for a team takes courage, and we are incredibly proud of all the students who put themselves out there. While only 13 spots are available on each team, as determined by the athletic association, we recognize how difficult it can be for students who did not make the final roster. Please encourage your child to reflect on the resilience and growth that come from stepping out of their comfort zone, whether or not they made the team.

We also want to reassure families that every student who tries out has an equal opportunity to make the team, regardless of whether they have played on our teams in past seasons, or how long they’ve been at Arbour Lake School. A huge thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteer coaches, who give their time and energy to make these opportunities possible. Their efforts go far beyond the sport itself, helping students learn teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of representing our school positively.

This season, we are implementing a new communication process for parents of student athletes. More detailed information about this will be sent directly to those families. Moving forward, parents will be asked to wait 24 hours before approaching a coach with concerns after a game. All communication should be sent via email, with me copied, to ensure respectful and constructive conversations. Howver, anything egregious or that parents deem an emergency, can be directed to me right away.

This policy comes in response to challenges experienced during previous seasons. Our volunteer coaches dedicate countless hours to supporting our students, and it’s important that they feel appreciated and respected. Negative interactions risk discouraging future coaching participation, something we want to avoid and that puts at risk the opportunities we are able to offer our students. Thank you for supporting this policy and helping us maintain a positive environment for everyone.

Report cards will be available at the end of the month. Teachers should have already contacted families if there are concerns about a child’s progress, so the report card should serve as a formal record rather than a surprise. As always, parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers at any time with questions about their child’s learning.

Finally, a reminder about traffic safety during drop-off and pick-up times. Please avoid making U-turns near the school, particularly on Arbour Crest Road and Arbour Lake Road. Pay attention to our patrols, and avoid parking in the bus zone. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of everyone in our community. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

As always, if there is anything you need that I may be able to assist you with, please never hesitate to reach out to me. My email address is nmlisi@cbe.ab.ca.

Wishing you a fantastic weekend!

Sincerely,
Dr. Nancy Lisi
Principal, Arbour Lake School