Blackfoot Value of the Month: Atsiimoyihkaan – I can take on tasks independently
Oki, Dadánastáda, Âba Wathtec, Tânisi, Taanishi, Bonjour, Hello Families,
Parent Advisory Council Invitation
You are warmly invited to attend our upcoming Parent Advisory Council meeting on Thursday, May 21, at 12:00 PM.
This will be an opportunity to meet and connect with our Admin team, as well as spend time with other families. We welcome your ideas, perspectives, and participation as we continue working together to support our school community.
Lunch will be provided, so please let us know if you plan to attend.
Please RSVP by May 20 by contacting the school office.
We look forward to connecting with you.
Fee Waiver Support:
Following the Parent Advisory Council Meeting, CBE Community Liaisons will also be on-site from 1:00-3:00 PM to assist families with applying for waivers to cover student fees and transportation costs.
Fee Waiver Documentation Needed:
Families who would like to apply for a CBE fee waiver must apply through their MyCBE account and upload supporting documents. Applications without the required documents cannot be processed.
Families may qualify using one of the following types of documentation:
- Government Support / Low Income
- City of Calgary Fair Entry letter, or
- Alberta Child Health Benefit letter and card, or
- Social Services benefit card or current letter confirming benefits
- Sudden Loss of Income
- Current Notice of Assessment for all adults
- Proof of income loss, such as EI statement, disability benefits, or pay stubs
- Refugee Status
- Refugee Protection Claimant document, or
- Notice of Decision letter
- Family Emergency or Serious Life Event
- Current Notice of Assessment for all adults
- Supporting documentation such as a police report, doctor’s note, insurance claim, court order, or eviction notice
- Death of a Parent/Guardian or Student
- Documentation related to the loss
- Shelter or Social Services Protection
- Letter from a recognized shelter or social services organization
All documents must be valid within one year of the school year. Families must complete a new waiver application each school year, and the deadline to apply is June 30.
Planning Ahead for the Upcoming School Year – We Value Your Input
As we begin planning for the 2026–2027 school year, we would greatly value your input and feedback. At Piitoayis Family School, our work is grounded in holistic development and Blackfoot values, including:
- Kimmapiiypitsinni — I can show compassion and kindness in action
- Kakyosin — I can be aware of my environment; I can be observant
- Aatsimmoiyihkanni — I can engage in Spirituality/Ceremony
- Aksistoiypaittapiisinni — I can take on tasks independently
- Mookakiit Iikakiimaat — I can persevere and try hard
Your voice helps us strengthen our relationships and ensure we meet the academic, social, emotional, and cultural needs of our students. We remain deeply committed to strong literacy and numeracy instruction, high expectations for learning, and providing the targeted support necessary for every student to experience academic growth and success within a caring and connected community.
We invite you to share any insights about your child’s strengths, needs, interests, or hopes for next year. Please follow the link below to add your input and feedback. Your responses will directly inform our planning as we continue building a culture of holism together.
Please complete the family survey by Friday, May 29, 2026. All families who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a smudge kit, which includes a mini frying pan, braids of sweet grass, and charcoal.
Piitoayis Family School Planning for 2026-2027 – Fill out form
Learning From the Land & Spirit North
Our Learning from the Land (LFL) experiences are ongoing and continue to be an important part of learning at Piitoayis Family School. Students also have opportunities to learn with Spirit North, who support culturally grounded, land-based movement and wellness activities aligned with our holistic approach to education.
Please ensure students are dressed appropriately for outdoor learning.
Learning From the Land (LFL) – 'The Ripple' Teachings and River Walk Along. Bring visual journals, pencils, pencil crayons and sharpeners.
- Monday: NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday: Lindsay (Grades 3 & 4B)
- Friday: Prabh (Grades 5 & 6A)
Spirit North-Focus: Bike Safety, Helmet Safety, Road Awareness, and Biking Skill
Please ensure your child’s hair is styled in a way that allows a helmet to fit safely and properly. Helmets will be provided; however, hairstyles such as space buns or high ponytails/pigtails may prevent the helmet from sitting correctly on your child’s head. Thank you for helping us keep students safe and ready to participate.
- Wednesday: Amber (Grades 1 & 2A) Bike Safety, Helmet Safety, Road Awareness and then Outdoor Survival. As per email sent home last week, SN does not have the equipment for grade ½ bike riding.
- Thursday: Kelsey (Grades 3 & 4A) Bike Safety, Helmet Safety, Road Awareness, and Biking Skills. Ensure your child’s permission form is returned to the school by this day.
Physical Education
Focus: Target Skills. Basketball: dribbling, passing, aiming, shooting baskets. Don’t forget to wear safe shoes for PE activities. Boots, crocs, and sandals are not safe to wear during PE activities. Please ensure your child has their indoor shoes at school every day.
June is National Indigenous History Month
- June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour and celebrate the histories, languages, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. In alignment with the Education Plan, all students and staff are invited to deepen knowledge, understanding and relationships, to include Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing, and knowing across schools and service units. To support planning and engagement, check out these events. Everyone is invited and welcome. ❤️
- City of Calgary Aboriginal Awareness Week: From June 15-21, the City of Calgary offers many events to honour Aboriginal Awareness Week culminating on Sunday, June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day. Everyone is invited to join the activities.
- The Gathering at Moh'kinsstis: A one-day community gathering grounded in culture, connection, and ceremony to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday, June 21 from 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. at ContainR Art Park & The Alexandra Centre (922 & 925 9 Avenue SE in Inglewood).
- Heritage Park Celebration: A full day of community-led programming on Saturday, June 20, rooted in tradition. The centerpiece of the day is a vibrant Pow Wow, a powerful gathering that brings together dancers, drummers, and community in celebration of culture, identity and connection.
Hand to Heart,
Crystal Fox and Shauna Penner
Principal & Assistant Principal
Coming Events and Important Dates
See our School Calendar for all upcoming events.
This Week
Date: | |
Monday, May 18 | No School, Victoria Day |
Tuesday, May 19
| Breakfast: Oranges, Yogurt, Muffins Lunch: Soup, Sandwiches (whole wheat bread: ham & cheese, turkey & cheese, jelly, wow butter and jelly, or egg salad), Fruit, Veggies Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit |
Wednesday, May 20
| Breakfast: Apples, Milk, Cereal Lunch: Salad, Sandwiches (whole wheat bread: ham & cheese, turkey & cheese, jelly, wow butter and jelly, or egg salad), Oranges, Veggies Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit |
Thursday, May 21
| Breakfast: Bananas, Yogurt, Wowbutter Granola Bars Lunch: Soup, Sandwiches (whole wheat bread: ham & cheese, turkey & cheese, jelly, wow butter and jelly, or egg salad), Oranges, Veggies Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit
|
Friday, May 22
| Breakfast: Apples & Oranges, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Muffins Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit |
Reminders
School Hours: Mon-Thurs: 8:48 am - 3:22 pm, Friday 8:48 am- 12:30 pm
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs: 8:15 – 4:00pm, Friday 8:15 – 1:00 pm
If you are picking up your child, instead of him/her going on the bus, you must let us know by 2:00 pm Monday-Thursday & 11:00 am Friday. PFS is NOT able to make last minute changes to bus boards.
Bus Information: What can families do?
- If you are picking up students, let the school know by 2 pm
- Update changes to stops or addresses on MyCBE account ASAP
- Report any issues with bussing to the bus company and/or CBE Transportation, 403-817-7433
- Arrive at bus stop 5 minutes before your scheduled time
- Review bus safety rules with your children
Contact Information:
- First Student (Buses C, G, H, J): 403-531-3900; https://firstfeedback.com/
- First Student Bus App: School Code is O7A9Z
- Dreams Transportation (Buses A, B, D, E, F, I): 403-590-7433
- CBE Transportation: 1-403-817-7433; transportation@cbe.ab.ca
Transportation Concerns and Issues:
- If you need to report a concern, please follow this procedure:
- Driver Concern: Contact the Bus Company (phone numbers above)
- Route Timing, Delays, Missed Stop: Contact CBE Transportation, transportation@cbe.ab.ca
- Student Conduct or Behaviour on the Bus: Call the School
Access to Report Cards, Student Information, Fees:
Instructions for Parent MyCBE account: Click Here