March 2022 Newsletter

CASINO UPDATE

THANK YOU to all our casino volunteers!

We were able to raise over $60,000 in funds to help our GATE schools with exciting learning enrichment opportunities. These funds are allocated amongst Queen Elizabeth, Hillhurst, Henry Wise Wood and Louis Riel schools. If your child’s school/administration have funding requests, please tell them to contact us at info@gatecalgary.ca

UPCOMING PARENT EDUCATION SESSIONS

The Community Education Service (CES) is offering the following sessions for parents and families. Sessions are offered at no cost but registration is required.

**CLICK HERE TO REGISTERclick on the PDF icon below the correct session to register**

March 29: LGBTQ2S+ – What Grandparents need to know 

Grandparents and Elders play an important role in the health and well-being of the young people in their lives. You will build on your ability to help all of the youth in your life feel loved, safe and like they belong by learning about:

  • SOGIE related terms
  • Personal, family and cultural values
  • Health, education and social impacts of stigma
  • Inclusive language
  • Safer family strategies

April 5: Building Resiliency in the Family Unit

How to talk to my child about substances & the impact of addiction on the family & self-care & accessing school and community resources.

April 6: Helping your Child Foster a Positive Relationship with Food

This presentation will look at the following:
1. What does having a healthy relationship with food look like?
2. What are warning signs for disordered eating?
3. What can families do to promote a healthy relationship with food?
4. Resource sharing & supports

April 7: The 5 Essentials of Math Intervention for Students Struggling in Math 

**This session offered by Foothills Academy – click here to register**

In this webinar, we’ll focus on five essential components of math intervention. We’ll review and provide examples of ways to boost your delivery of math instruction by using explicit instruction, clear and concise language, and multiple representations. Then, we’ll describe the importance of providing daily fluency practice and word-problem instruction.

April 11: ADHD & Executive Functioning for Children and Youth  

The session will be an overview of ADHD and how issues with impulsivity and/or inattention impact children’s ability to manage their environments. The session will also explore the impact ADHD has on Executive Functioning and how it relates to managing everyday tasks, and meeting daily expectations at home and at school, including social, emotional, behavioural and academic demands.

April 12: Circle of Security Parenting – Building Secure Attachment

The Circle of Security Parenting Program answers parenting questions such as: 

  • What does my child need from me?
  • How can I support my child’s independence?
  • Why do some of my child’s behaviours affect me so much?
  • Can parenting be less stressful?

It is an attachment based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. This presentation is designed to give parents an understanding of the goals of the program, help parents to make sense of their child’s behaviours, learn strategies to support secure attachment with their children and make parenting less stressful.

April 13: Brain Science: Sciences of Hope and Resilience

This session exists to support caregivers with the fundamental elements of brain science with a focus on the strengths of knowing how this can positively impact children and youth development. The interactive session will provide insight into brain structure and the stress response. In addition, we will explore adverse childhood experiences and Covid-19 as they relate to brain development, while providing information and strategies to build resilience.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in getting involved? We are looking to fill the following roles on the GATE Parent Association Board: 

  • General Fundraising Chair – manage and take on general fundraising initiatives as the need arises
  • Parent Education Chair – who will work with presenters and venues (or online resources) to schedule and organize parent education sessions 
  • Site Representative for Henry Wise Wood – who can attend school council meetings, provide a summary of GATE activities, and report any news or concerns to the executive team

To read more about these roles, click on the link below.
https://gatecalgary.ca/who-is-gate/about-our-roles/

If you would like to help and be part of our team, please contact us at info@gatecalgary.ca

NOTE: If your child is enrolled in GATE in the 2021-2022 school year, you are automatically a member of the GATE Parent Association. You are eligible to vote at business meetings and can be elected to our executive and board at our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

You can view previous meeting minutes on our website. 

Indigo Gift Cards

Support GATE by buying books! This ongoing fundraiser allows members to support the GPA, the GATE program, their students, and our GATE teachers. Shop for things you buy anyway, and earn funds to help enhance the GATE program. 

Click below to buy a gift card, and 15% of the purchase price goes to support the work that we do, including funding for teacher professional development and public information seminars and events. Gift cards may be used at all Chapters, Indigo, and Coles stores, and online.

Click on the image below to purchase.

How can we help you?

GATE Gifted and Talented Parent Association logo

How can we help you?

GATE Gifted and Talented Parent Association logo