Blackfoot Value of the Month: Kimmapiiypitsinni – Showing Compassion and Kindness
Oki, Dadánastáda, Âba Wathtec, Tânisi, Taanishi, Bonjour, Hello Families,
As we move through Eagle Moon (Piitaiki'soom), we begin to notice the days slowly growing longer – a quiet reminder that light always returns. Over the past weeks, our community has shown strength and care for one another as we have navigated some very cold winter days together. In Blackfoot teachings, Eagle Moon is a time of vision, patience, and resilience, when the eagle flies high to see what is ahead. As we look forward, we are excited to continue learning, playing, and enjoying the snowy days still to come, embracing winter as a season for reflection, connection, and joy.
Hand to Heart,
Crystal Fox and Shauna Penner
Principal and Assistant Principal
Short Week Reminder
Please note that this is a short week. There is no school on Friday, February 27 – it is a Professional Learning Day.
Report Cards
Report cards for Term 1 will be available for viewing starting on Tuesday, February 24 through your MyCBE account. If your child has an Individualized Program Plan, a copy will be sent home on Tuesday, February 24 – please sign and return the signature page to the school as soon as possible.
Pink Shirt Day – Wednesday, February 25
Pink Shirt Day commemorates a powerful act of kindness that began when students stood up for a peer who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Since then, Pink Shirt Day has grown into a reminder that each of us has a responsibility to stand up for others, to choose kindness, and to help create spaces where everyone feels safe and respected.
On Wednesday, February 25 at 2:30 PM, Piitoayis Family School and Colonel Walker School will come together for a joint assembly and Round Dance. We are honoured to welcome Skip Wolfleg, who will lead some of our students in drumming. This gathering allows us to share culture, community, and important teachings with CWS students and staff.
Throughout the day, classes will engage in learning about kindness, friendship, and making good choices, grounded in the Blackfoot value of Kimmapiiypitsinni – showing compassion and care through our words and actions. Students are encouraged to wear a pink shirt as a visible sign of their commitment to kindness and standing up for others.
Learning From the Land and Spirit North
Our Learning From the Land (LFL) experiences continue to be an important part of learning at Piitoayis Family School. Students also have opportunities to learn from Spirit North, who support culturally grounded, land-based movement and wellness activities aligned with our holistic approach to education.
Classes participating with Spirit North (Tuesday: Kelsey, Grades 3 and 4; Wednesday: Lindsay, Grades 3 and 4) will participate in cross-country skiing. On Monday (Ms. Patrice's Grades 1 and 2) and Thursday (Ms. Prabh's Grades 5 and 6), students will take part in Learning from the Land, which may include exploration of the nearby Wildlands – participating in animal tracking, bird watching, and observations of nature.
Please ensure students are dressed for outdoor activity: winter jacket, snow pants, mitts or gloves, hat, and boots. If weather is extremely cold, outdoor sessions will shift to indoor learning opportunities.
Weekly Menu
Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Snacks and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Monday, February 23 | Grapes, Cheese Strings, Wowbutter Granola Bars | Chicken Tacos, Apples, Cucumbers | Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit CBE and Alberta Ed. Surveys (Grades 4-6) |
Tuesday, February 24 | Oranges, Yogurt, Muffins | Soup, Sandwiches (whole wheat: ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, jelly, Wowbutter and jelly, or egg salad), Fruit, Veggies | Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit Be Brave Hitmen Hockey Game (Grades 5 and 6) Kickstart Program (Grades 3 and 4) |
Wednesday, February 25 | Apples, Milk, Cereal | Salad, Sandwiches (whole wheat: ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, jelly, Wowbutter and jelly, or egg salad), Oranges, Veggies | Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit Pink Shirt Day – Anti-Bullying Day Grade 1 Vaccinations Grade 6 Students at Speed Skating 2:30 PM Pink Shirt Day Assembly and Round Dance |
Thursday, February 26 | Bananas, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Wowbutter Granola Bars | Soup, Sandwiches (whole wheat: ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, jelly, Wowbutter and jelly, or egg salad), Oranges, Veggies | Assorted Snacks: Granola Bars, Apple Sauce, Crackers, Fruit CBE and Alberta Ed. Surveys (Grades 4-6) Constable Hamel Presentations (Grades 2 and 4) |
Friday, February 27 | No School – Professional Learning Day | ||
Reminders
School Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:48 AM–3:22 PM | Friday 8:48 AM–12:30 PM
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:15 AM–4:00 PM | Friday 8:15 AM–1:00 PM
Early Pick-Up Notice: If picking up your child instead of them taking the bus, please notify the school by 2:00 PM Monday–Thursday and 11:00 AM on Fridays. PFS is not able to make last-minute changes to bus boards.
Bus Information
- Let the school know by 2:00 PM if you are picking up your student
- Update any changes to stops or addresses on your MyCBE account as soon as possible
- Report bussing issues to the bus company 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
First Student (Buses C, G, H, J): 403-531-3900 | firstfeedback.com
First Student Bus App School Code: O7A9Z | Download on Apple | Available on Google/Android
Dreams Transportation (Buses A, B, D, E, F, I): 403-590-7433
CBE Transportation: 403-817-7433 | transportation@cbe.ab.ca
For concerns: Driver issues → contact the bus company. Route timing or missed stops → contact CBE Transportation. Student conduct on the bus → call the school.
For instructions on accessing your MyCBE parent account for report cards, student information, and fees, please click here.