It has been a very positive first week at Arbour Lake School, and we are pleased with how smoothly students have settled in. Monday and Tuesday gave students time to reconnect with homerooms, routines, and expectations, while Complementary classes and Physical Education began Wednesday.

Students may be reporting that classes feel smaller this year, and they are correct! Our average class size across Grades 6 to 9 is currently about 25 students, with most classes ranging from 23 to 28. With additional teaching positions provided through the Government of Alberta's class size funding and a smaller student population this year, we are optimistic about the opportunities this will provide to better support students within our inclusive classrooms.

This week, I also met with each grade to review the rights and responsibilities of being a student at ALS. Our message was simple: respect yourself, respect others, and respect our school and community. We talked about protecting everyone's right to learn, making positive choices, managing peer relationships and social media responsibly, and knowing when to remove ourselves from situations or conflicts that do not need our involvement. We appreciate families reinforcing these expectations at home.

Finally, work is underway on the portable wing as part of required structural engineering mitigation and is expected to continue through the end of September. Construction fencing is now in place, and students are reminded to stay well clear of the fenced area at all times. At this time, we do not anticipate the work will interrupt teaching and learning, and we will continue to work with the construction team to minimize any impact on students and staff.

Overall, it has been a smooth and encouraging start, and we are looking forward to a great year ahead!

A few important dates and reminders:

September 7: Labour Day, school closed

September 11: Welcome Back BBQ

September 15: School Council Meeting – 6:30PM

September 24: Orientation Night – 6:30PM to 8:00PM

Please review the additional information and reminders below, and feel free to reach out anytime if there is anything I can do to support you at nmlisi@cbe.ab.ca.

Have a wonderful and safe Labour Day long weekend!

Best regards,

Dr. Nancy Lisi
Principal