Blackfoot Value of the Month: Aatsimoyihkaanni

I Can Embrace Spirituality

Oki, Dadánast’áda, Âba Wathtec, Tânisi, Taanishi, Bonjour, Hello Families,

Meet the Teacher Pancake Breakfast

Friday, September 25 | 9:00–11:00 AM

Families are warmly invited to join us for our annual Meet the Teacher Pancake Breakfast on Friday, September 25 from 9:00–11:00 a.m. 

Please remember that September 25 is a Professional Learning Day, so there will be no regular classes for students. Families are encouraged to come to school with their children to enjoy breakfast, meet teachers and staff, and spend time connecting with our school community. 

We are honoured to welcome Elder Jackie Bromley and Elder Edmee Comstock, who will share words of wisdom and lead us in a blessing. We are also grateful to the Batter Boys from the Calgary Stampede for preparing breakfast and to Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids for generously sponsoring the event. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, share what is important for us to know about your child, and talk about their strengths, interests, learning needs, and the supports that help them be successful at school. Your voice and knowledge of your child are an important part of how we plan for and support their learning. 

We will have staff from the CBE Fees & Waivers Team on site to help families with applying for waivers for student fees.  

We look forward to sharing breakfast and spending the morning together! 

We are honoured to welcome Elder Jackie Bromley and Elder Edmee Comstock, who will share words of wisdom and lead us in a blessing. We are also grateful to the Batter Boys from the Calgary Stampede for preparing breakfast and to Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids for generously sponsoring the event. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, share what is important for us to know about your child, and talk about their strengths, interests, learning needs, and the supports that help them be successful at school. Your voice and knowledge of your child are an important part of how we plan for and support their learning. 

We will have staff from the CBE Fees & Waivers Team on site to help families with applying for waivers for student fees.  

We look forward to sharing breakfast and spending the morning together! 

Fee Waiver Support: 

During the Meet the Teacher Pancake Breakfast, CBE Community Liaisons will also be on-site from 9:00-11:00 am 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. 

Fall Equinox 

As we move into the Fall Equinox on September 22, we are reminded that this is a time of balance—when day and night are equal, and the earth prepares for change. In Blackfoot teachings, balance is central to living Aatsimoyi’p—to live in a good way. This means finding harmony within ourselves, with others, and with the natural world. Just as the land shifts with the seasons, we too are called to pause, reflect, and realign our responsibilities to community and to each other. 

Together, the Fall Equinox and the upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Day remind us that healing and balance come through honesty, care, and walking forward in a good way. We encourage families to take time this week to reflect with your children: What does balance mean in your life? How can we act with truth and kindness in our daily choices? 

May this season of change bring peace, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to walking together in reconciliation. 

Treaty 7 Day 

On September 22, we also recognize Treaty 7 Day — a time to honor the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877 between the Crown and the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda Nations. This day reminds us of the importance of understanding our shared history, respecting the spirit and intent of treaties, and strengthening relationships with the Indigenous Peoples whose traditional lands we learn and live on. At Piitoayis Family School, we will take time with our students to reflect, learn, and participate in activities that build awareness of Treaty 7 and its ongoing significance today. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event 

All CBE staff, students, families, and friends are invited to continue their learning and show their support on Wednesday, Sept. 30 (9:00-10:30 a.m.) at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day event taking place at the Confluence Historic Site. This important event is a collaboration between the City of Calgary, CBE, Calgary Catholic School District, Calgary Police Service and Calgary Fire Department. 

To learn more about this event and others, visit the City of Calgary Orange Shirt Day website. 

Food & Drinks at School 

A reminder that breakfast, lunch, and snacks are available for all students every school day. Students are always welcome to bring their own snacks or lunch from home as well. 

To help us keep our school safe and manageable for everyone, we ask families to please not send pop or other caffeinated drinks, candy, gum, foods containing nuts, or foods that need to be heated or cooked. With the number of students we serve each day, staff are not able to heat or prepare individual meals. Thank you for helping us keep mealtimes safe, healthy, and running smoothly.  

Personal Mobile Devices – “Away for the Day” 

Students are not permitted to use personal mobile devices during the school day. This includes items such as cellphones, smartwatches, tablets, gaming devices, headphones, and earbuds. CBE’s Away for the Day guidelines require personal mobile devices to be powered off or set to silent and stored out of sight during the school day.  

At Piitoayis Family School, we have secure lockboxes where these items can be safely stored for the day and returned to students at dismissal. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please contact the school office and we will help connect you with them. CBE also asks families to avoid contacting students directly on their personal devices during the school day.  

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, focused, and supportive learning environment for all students. 

Hand to Heart,  
Crystal Fox and Shauna Penner 
Principal & Assistant Principal 

Reminders

School & Office Hours

Student Pick-Up

If you are picking up your child instead of having them take the bus, you must let the school know by 2:00 PM Monday–Thursday and 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 your student, let the school know by 2:00 PM.
• Update changes to stops or addresses on your MyCBE account as soon as possible.
• Report any issues with bussing to the bus company and/or CBE Transportation at 403-817-7433.
• Arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before your scheduled time.
• Review bus safety rules with your children.

Contact Information

First Student
Buses A and G

• 403-531-3900
• First Student Feedback
• Google: Google/Android Phones 
• Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/firstview-1-0/id6477656451 

First Student Bus App
School Code: O7A9Z

Dreams Transportation
Buses B, C, D, E, F, H, I, J and K

• 403-590-7433

CBE Transportation

• 403-817-7433
• transportation@cbe.ab.ca

Transportation Concerns and Issues

MyCBE Account

Parents can use their MyCBE account to access report cards, student information and fees.

Instructions for Parent MyCBE Account

Breakfast, Lunch & Snack Menu

Sandwich options include ham & cheese, turkey & cheese, jelly, Wowbutter and jelly, or egg salad on whole wheat bread.