- Upcoming General Meeting Announcement
- Purdys Spring Fundraiser Update
- Casino Fundraiser Update
- General Fundraising Notes
- …and more
Notice of General Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 9th
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Place: Online via Zoom
Advance registration is required. Register online at gatecalgary.ca or Click HERE.
NOTE: You can now view previous meeting minutes online.
An agenda for this meeting will be sent to all registrants along with a link to attend the Zoom meeting.
Do you have questions or concerns about what the 2020-2021 school year will look like for GATE students? Forward them to us and we will do our best to address them at this meeting.
Purdys Spring Fundraiser
The world changed dramatically just as our Purdys spring fundraiser was getting under way, but thanks to you we we were still able to raise a few hundred dollars for GATE students and bring some chocolate smiles to our families. Thank-you for your support!
Thank-you to our fundraising chair, Stefanie, and volunteers Traci and Nancy, for making sure everyone got their chocolate safely.
Casino Update
The GATE Parent Association (GPA) was scheduled to have its next Casino in Q4 of this year. We have received notice from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) that Q4 casino scheduling has been postponed until further notice. How long we will have to wait for a new casino fundraiser date will depend on when Casinos reopen. The administration staff of our four schools have been notified of the postponement of future casinos.
There are still funds remaining from our previous casino fundraiser. Schools may not be able to spend these funds by the deadline (Q1 2021, 2 years from the date of the casino fundraiser), or may wish to extend the deadline not knowing when they may receive additional casino funds. We have confirmed with the AGLC that extension requests will be honoured during the COVID-19 crisis.
For additional information and updates, be sure to attend our upcoming general meeting.
General Fundraising Notes
As you can see, fundraising is going to be a challenge during the COVID-19 crisis, yet our schools need our help now more than ever. If you have an idea for a fundraiser that may work under these extraordinary circumstances, please contact us. We are looking at new ways to raise funds in lieu of a casino, such as online fundraisers.
In the meantime, you can always support GATE students through our ongoing Indigo fundraiser. 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.
Use your gift card to purchase items through our link, and earn an additional 3%.
Through these ‘unrestricted’ (non-Casino) funds, we were recently able to provide professional development opportunities for teaching and administration staff from all four of our schools. Thank-you for your continued support!
Prefer to make a direct donation?
We couldn’t do the work we do for our GATE students, parents, and teachers without your generous donations. If you prefer to donate directly, cheques can be mailed to:
GATE Parent Association
c/o Louis Riel School
9632 Oakfield Dr SW
Calgary, AB
T2V 0L1
Charitable Registration # 875716417 RR 0001
We also accept donations via PayPal.Visit our website for more ways to give.
Summer Break Ideas?
Summer break is just around the corner. Have an idea for an educational or entertaining activity our families might like? Share it with us and we’ll include your idea in our upcoming newsletter!
Alberta Health Community Education Services Classes
Alberta Health Services is offering online sessions which may be of interest to our members, such as:
- May 27 or May 28 – Kids Have Stress Too
- June 4 – Emotional Regulation Using Mindfulness
- June 9 – Mental health for highly sensitive teens; unique struggles for these emotional feelers
- June 11 – Taming Anxiety Gremlins: Avoiding anxiety traps while promoting resilience
- June 15 – Supporting a Smooth Transition into the 2020-2021 School Year
- June 22 – Fostering Hope and Resilience in Times of Uncertainty – Hold on to Your Teen
Register online at http://community.hmhc.ca/sessions/?p=online
For additional details and full calendar, visit http://community.hmhc.ca/
Werklund School of Education
The Integrated Services in Education (ISE) Clinic at Werklund School of Education is now accepting applications for Psychoeducational Assessment Services to be completed in the Spring Term (May & June) of 2020. Apply today at:
https://werklund.ucalgary.ca/integrated-services
Volunteer opportunities for children:
https://live-werklund.ucalgary.ca/integrated-services/about-us/child-and-youth-volunteers
Links to Helpful Articles
Are your kids struggling right now? While anxiety and acting out are normal responses to the crisis we are all facing, there are some ways you can help your child cope. Check out this great article on supporting your child during COVID-19.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more articles on parenting gifted children and current gifted education news.
Parent Education Sessions
As a result of COVID-19 and restrictions on gatherings, we have no parent education sessions scheduled at this time. We will be looking into the possibility of online information sessions for 2020-2021 school year.
If you are interested in volunteering your time, or have questions or suggestions for future information sessions, please contact us. Information about our executive and board member roles can be found here: Our Roles
What we do
Fundraising – With your help, we raise funds through our Casinos, Purdys, and Indigo fundraisers. Some ways that schools have used these funds are:
• artists in residence • writers in residence • drama workshops • Wordfest
• field trips • computing competitions • math competitions • math resources
• microphones • robotics equipment • cameras • smart boards
• scientists in residence • science kits • Beakerhead • Professional Development
Education – We support GATE families through education sessions on topics like:
• growth mindset • executive functioning • anxiety, perfectionism, and depression
• study skills • resilience • underachievement • social dynamics • mindful parenting
• the high school experience
Communication – Through our newsletters and social media accounts, we provide information about upcoming events at schools and other organizations of interest to our members, links to resources of interest to gifted students and their families, and other gifted education news. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Advocacy – The GATE Parent Association executive meets with the CBE, school administrations, and other stakeholders to stay informed about current research and updates and to advocate for gifted education.