blue box of chocolates

Spring News – Important Updates for GATE Parents

As our families prepare for the spring break in this time of uncertainty, we want to wish you all good health. Whether you are travelling or staying home, we hope you are able to enjoy this time with loved ones. See below for some ideas to keep the kids busy if you are staying at home.

We also want to thank our parent volunteers for their important work this fall and winter, and the many parents who sent direct donations. See below for details on how your help and donations are put to good use. We could not do it without all of you!Your GPA Executive Team


Wondering how to explain the coronavirus to your kids? This comic might help:

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus


Purdys Spring Fundraiser

Support the GATE classroom AND your sweet tooth!

25% of sales go directly to the GATE PARENT ASSOCIATION and LOUIS RIEL SCHOOL COUNCIL

Order Deadline: March 20th at 6:00pm

Order pickup: April 7th, 2020, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Louis Riel School

Please see online ordering steps below. 


PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT CHANGES:

We will no longer be hand delivering orders to students in classrooms. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PICKED UP by either a student or parent.

If the school is open, pickup will likely occur in the foyer or in front of the school. In the case of school closure, pickup will still occur on school property, likely in or around the staff parking lot. 

During pickup, we will be taking all necessary precautions such as using hand sanitizer, wearing gloves when handling orders, and maintaining social distancing protocols. 

We are no longer able to offer free delivery on orders over $500. 

Our schools, teachers, and students thank-you for your support!


Online ordering steps:

1. Visit https://fundraising.purdys.com/4393-73648
2. Enter your email address
3. Log in or register
4. Click on your name (in the top right hand corner beside logout) and type your name, your child’s name, homeroom teacher, and class number in the “Last Name” field.
5. Click “Shop Online” (third tab under Purdy’s logo)
6. “Use Online Order Form” or “Marketplace” to place your order

blue box of chocolates

Questions about this fundraiser?
Email: info@gatecalgary.ca

Questions about ingredients/allergies?
Contact Purdy’s: 1-800-661-2378


Prefer to make a direct donation?

We understand that it can be difficult to keep up with the many fundraising requests that land in your inbox. For this reason, we do try to keep our fundraising requests to a minimum focusing on our Casinos, Purdys fundraisers, and our ongoing Indigo fundraiser. 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.


Staying at home for Spring Break?

Here are some ideas to keep the kids busy this spring break!

Set up an obstacle course in the basement or garage:
https://mommypoppins.com/new-york-city-kids/boredom-busters/build-an-indoor-obstacle-course-for-kids-in-7-steps

Challenge your child’s math skills:
https://ab.mathgames.com/

Help them learn something new:
http://www.openculture.com/free_k-12_educational_resources

The folks at Well Trained Mind are currently offering courses free of charge:
https://welltrainedmind.com/c/resources-for-parents/workshops-seminars/

Try a new card game: 
https://www.considerable.com/entertainment/card-games/card-games/

We have snow! Create a fort outside for a friendly snowball fight: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7HjTKYk8E

Take a virtual museum tour!: 
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

Have an idea for a spring break activity? Share it with us!
Email * Facebook * Instagram


Alberta Health Community Education Services Classes

Alberta Health Services is offering online sessions which may be of interest to our members:

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

Myths About Gifted Students

March 8th was International Women’s Day! 
Guidance for Gifted Girls

For more articles, follow us on Facebook and Instagram


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.

Have you heard? We’re now on Instagram! You can also find us on Facebook

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. 


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.

Indigo Logo

How can we help you?

GATE Gifted and Talented Parent Association logo

Thank you for joining the GATE Parent Association mailing list.