Dear NBS Families,

As we approach the final week before Spring Break, excitement is building! Monday kicks off with St. Patrick’s Day, and there may be a leprechaun, or two,  on the loose—rumour has it, there have already been a few sightings. On Monday and Tuesday, our Grade 2 students will be taking part in the Passion for Glass art residency, and on Thursday, our Grade 4 classes will be hosting our World Down Syndrome Awareness Day event.

Additionally, Thursday evening and Friday morning will be our parent-teacher conferences, which will be held online due to the ongoing CUPE job action.

Word Down Syndrome Awareness Day @ NBS on March 20

World Down Syndrome Awareness Day is observed each year on March 21. The 21st day of the 3rd month represents the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome. This year, WDSD falls on Friday, March 21, 2025.

One fun and meaningful way to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and raise awareness is by participating in "Rock Your Socks." To join in, wear bright, mismatched socks on March 20th (since there is no school on March 21st). The socks serve as a conversation starter. When someone asks about your funky socks, you can share, "I'm rocking my socks to spread Down syndrome awareness and advocate for acceptance and inclusion."

We encourage students to participate and help spread awareness by rocking their socks this Thursday!

Learn and Share | School Planning  

We know we make better decisions to support student learning when we build understanding and work together. That’s why we’ll be sharing information about school planning and asking you to share your perspectives.

During this engagement, you will have the opportunity to:

1.    Learn About

  • School planning, which includes the school development plan, school budget and school fees
  • How the school development plan sets the overall focus and direction for a school to improve student learning outcomes
  • How the school budget provides funding to implement our school development plan
  • School fees and why they are necessary

 2.    Participate

  • Participate in our school council meeting on March 19th at 6:00 Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams to learn more about school planning. There will be an opportunity to provide feedback at this meeting.
  • Share your perspectives through an online survey open from March 7th to March 23rd.
  • Please click here to complete the survey starting March 7th.

Watch this short video to learn about the planning work schools do to improve and support student learning.  

Your input is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your perspectives.  

 

CUPE Local 40 Job Action

  • As you are likely aware, CUPE Local 40 members have served strike notice to the Calgary Board of Education
  • The union, which includes school facilities and cleaning staff, are set to withdraw services beginning Monday, February 24
  • Information to families regarding the strike action will be communicated centrally by the CBE – not by individual schools
  • The information below is messaging from the Calgary Board of Education regarding the pending strike action:
  •  
    • The CBE is prioritizing in-person learning – all CBE schools and buildings will remain open and classes will continue
    • However, a strike will have an impact on schools and operations
    • We are committed to ensuring schools remain a place where students, staff and families feel valued, supported and safe
    • CUPE Local 40 members are an important part of our school communities
    • We value the contributions of all employees who support student success, and we respect the bargaining process
    • We are committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a new collective agreement
  • The following link will take you to extensive information and updates regarding the strike: CBE Labour Action Page

 

The 2024-2025 Yearbook is available for order on PowerSchool.

Please see the following steps to order and reserve your copy of the 2024-2025 yearbook by clicking here. We may not have additional copies this year; do not miss out. Order yours today! Yearbooks will be distributed in June.

 

Update from the New Brighton School Parent's Association and School Council

Exciting News – Casino Fundraiser Success!
We are thrilled to announce that our recent casino fundraiser brought in an incredible total of $82,956.03! This amazing achievement will make a huge impact on our school community. These funds will help us purchase essential learning equipment, support exciting extracurricular activities, and enhance the overall student experience. A huge thank you to all the parents and volunteers who made this possible! If you're interested in joining us for the Q4 - 2026 Deerfoot Inn Casino event, we've created a sign-up link to get first dibs on your favourite position! There are many perks to volunteering for casino events, such as front-row seating at our big school concerts thanks to Ms.Lysak! Sign up Link: https://forms.gle/UqERcMzPDJPzvGgK7

Parent Survey – We Need Your Input!
We kindly ask all parents to take a few moments to fill out this survey: https://forms.gle/Do1HDdJKqovm6W5h9. Your feedback is crucial in helping us plan activities and fundraisers for the 2025/2026 school year. Your input truly helps us better serve our school community.

New Fundraiser
We are excited to announce our partnership with Pedalheads! Sign up for any Spring or Summer Bike Camps using our school code to save $25 while also raising $25 for the school! Please use code NEWBRIGHT25 upon registration.

On-Going Fundraisers

- Mabel's Labels: mabelslabels.ca/fundraising/support

- Cobs Bread 130th: Mention "supporting NBS School" at checkout  

Stay Connected

Email: nbs.parentsassociation@gmail.com  

Website: newbrightonschool.com

Facebook: @NewBrightonSchoolParentAssociation  

Instagram: @nbsparentsassociation  

 

School Apparel Store Now Open Online 

New Brighton School Apparel is now available to order online by clicking here. The orange NBS Every Child Matters t-shirt will also be sold through the online store, and all profits from the sale of those t-shirts will go to the Orange Shirt Society.

If you are interested in ordering a New Brighton School t-shirt, hoodie or toque have a look at all the options.

 

Fun Lunches

The next fun lunches are Coco Brook on April 3rd and Subway on April 17th. If you are interested in ordering a fun lunch for your child please make sure to get your order in by the Saturday of the week before. To order any of our Fun Lunches you need to set up an account online at https://healthyhunger.ca/. 

*Unfortunately, fun lunches are not available for kindergarten students unless specifically stated*

 

Follow us on Social Media  

New Brighton School has an Instagram account that will be used to share what is happening in and around the school. Be sure to follow us at newbrightonschool_cbe. You can also find us on Twitter at @NewBrightonSch1.  

Important Dates: 

• March 20 – Grade 4 Assembly – World Down Syndrome Day

• March 20 and 21 - Parent-Teacher Conferences, Kindergarten students no school on both days, grades 1-5 come to school on March 20, conferences in the evening and no school on March 21

• March 17 and 18 – Grade 2 – Passion for Glass

• March 20 – World Down Syndrome Awareness Day Assembly – hosted by grade 4

• March 24-28 – Spring Break – No School

 

Sincerely,

Patrick Murphy

New Brighton School, Principal