There were a lot of things going on at Thorsby High School today, as you can see from the couple of quick snapshots I've included to the left. Keep your eyes peeled for a gallery from the day in next week's newsletter.

We had our annual Staff Vs. Students volleyball game which was won by the STUDENTS!. It was a hard fought game with a lot of support from the students in the crowd and played in good spirits.

It was also our first annual Christmas hotdog and veggie cup barbeque. It's definitely something I can get behind as Christmas in New Zealand happens in the middle of the summer (more about that next week).

A huge thanks to all the students and staff that made both of these events possible and helped to create some good memories of school life in Thorsby.

Miss Scholten had the 9's do collaborative poems. They each had to write a line for the poem and fold it up so the next person can't see. This is their poem on cheese: Cheese 

We are once again offering Subs on Wednesdays. Order forms are up on Powerschool. Please place your orders online on Mondays. Subs are $5.50 each for a 6" sub. Next sub order day is December 18 orders are due December 16

Our grad class has begun a battery drive as their next fundraiser. Please contact Kaleb deBoer at 825 995 5043 if you have any batteries taking up space in your yard or shop.

Check out the minutes from the PTA AGM meeting here.

Check out the minutes from the PTA meeting here

Students in Grades 7, 8 and 9 have the opportunity to participate in Hockey Hooky again this year. This year, the game is on Wednesday, March 12. Forms are up on Powerschool. Forms are due on December 19 to ensure good seats. Payment is due before the game.

Ski Club is back again! Our next ski night will be on Monday, January 13.. Fees and Forms are up on Power School. Deadline for each ski night is 3 days prior to the night. Deadline for the the next ski night is Friday January 9 at noon. This year, we will leave by 3:30 pm and will return to the school by 8:45 pm. 

Ski Nights are on: January 13

February 3 and 13

March 20 and 21

The Marmot trip will be March 20 and 21. 

(dates are subject to change in event of snow days, extreme weather)

Transportation: $18 (mandatory)

Lift Pass: $28.00

Ski Rental     $23.00

Snowbaord Rental   $23.00

• We are seeking to ensure all grade 11 and 12 students have access by the end of semester one and that grade 10 students have access by the end of semester two!

• myPass is essential for students as they enter high school.  All students need to create an account so they can:

• myPass is an Alberta Education self-service website for students to:

  • • Order high school transcripts in English and French

    • View diploma exam marks

    • Register to write or rewrite diploma exams with online payment

    • View and print Detailed Academic Reports (DAR) (can be used as an unofficial transcript)

    • View progress towards a credential (diploma or certificate)

    • Order additional copies of an awarded credential in English or French

    • Receive notifications for important messages

• Watch the videos to learn how to get an account AND to ensure you understand what the service is!

As a token of appreciation, this holiday season, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography.

*50% off a purchse of $50+ with code CDEC50

*40% off a purchase of $40+ with code CDEC40

*30% off a purchase of $30+ with code CDEC30

Valid through December 14

We are fortunate to be able to participate in the hot lunch program offered by the Elementary School. Hot lunch coupons are available on Powerschool. No cash will be accepted this year. 

December 17: Pancakes and sausage

December 20: Chicken Caesar wraps

January 7: Cheeseburgers

January 10: Taco in a Bag

January 14: Meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy

January 17: Grilled Cheese

Quality sleep supports the immune system, aids in muscle recovery, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. It also boosts concentration, memory, and problem-solving abilities​​.

But have you ever had an tough day at work, come home still firing on all cylinders, and then, in the hour before going to bed, found yourself fuming over the day’s events while also planning strategies for the next day? How did you end up sleeping that night? Did you fall asleep quickly? No?

We need to decompress and allow ourselves to recover and regenerate, which means calming down in the hours leading up to when you want to fall asleep.

What can you do?  Defend Your Last Hour!

Create a calming pre-sleep routine, such as avoiding screens, engaging in relaxing activities, and establishing a consistent sleep schedule.

• First, do not check your electronic devices within two hours of when you plan to go to sleep unless you absolutely have to.  You don’t need to be activating your brain at night; you need it to wind down and relax.

• In the last hour before you want to fall asleep I suggest having a few activities that help you decompress and de-activate.

• Take a hot bath.

• Read a great fiction book.

• Meditate.

• Journal.

• Talk to your loved ones. 

Imagine your life in a year from now if you deliberately and intentionally practice a wind-down ritual that helps you to sleep better. Mentally compare that to a year of doomscrolling social media, email and the news. Let’s defend our last hour and get some sleep! Zzzzzzzz.

Morning drop off and afternoon pick up can be frantic at times; we have had several near misses this week that we would like to prevent moving forward.  

Please remember the following in the school zone to ensure the safety of our students:

• The High School side is solely for drop off by busses. 

• If a student is injured and needs easier access to the school, please pull into the high school parking lot for drop off at the parking lot door.

  • Subsequently, students, please be patient in the parking lot.

• Please do not U-Turn in the school zone.  Utilize the key at the top of the road to turn around.

• Please ensure students have fully crossed the street before proceeding to drive across the crosswalk.

• Please do not let your child(ren) out when you are stopped for the students crossing the crosswalk.  Please ensure you are pulled over to avoid further delaying traffic and for pedestrian safety.

• Everyone must cross the road at the crosswalk.

• Students are not to cross in front of busses or between busses.  They are to proceed to the elementary crosswalk and then across the high school crosswalk.

• Please yield to busses.

Around the school there are several driveways and areas where bylaw has said they will ticket people parking. For example, on both sides of the street at the entrance to our cul-de-sac, and now also on the high school side of the road outside the new house.

It's also important for student safety, at pick up and drop off time especially, that the area on the town side of the crosswalk is kept free of cars to allow for maximum visibility of students crossing the street.

Please keep this in mind when making your parking decisions around the school.