October 23, 2026 Principal Message

Good afternoon, Robina Families,

It was so great to see so many families last night during our book fair, parent-teacher interviews, and open gym! We hope you had a great moment of connection in our school community.

Last night at parent-teacher interviews, our Grade 1-3 parents had an opportunity to review results from the government-mandated screeners this fall. If you didn’t get a chance to come for interviews, teachers will be sending these home in the coming week. 

Please see this brief explanation of screeners to help you better understand the literacy and numeracy screeners: 

Strong reading and math skills start early. In Alberta, Kindergarten to Grade 5 students complete brief literacy and numeracy assessments (called screeners) to help teachers identify who might need additional support during these critical early years of learning.

What parents need to know:

• They monitor progress: Screeners are quick check-ins that help teachers track your child’s growth over time.
• They use trusted tools: Our schools use government-provided tools to complete the screenings.
• They are part of a bigger picture: A screener doesn't replace regular grading or daily classroom activities. It simply gives teachers one more helpful piece of information to combine with their own everyday observations.
• They guide our conversations: Your child's teacher is available to discuss the results of the screeners with you should you have questions or concerns. 

Ultimately, these screening tools help guide teachers' instruction to support students' literacy and numeracy needs. 

Please note: Grade 4 results are expected to be available late next week. Kindergarten students completed division screeners. Government screeners will be administered in January. 

If you have questions after reviewing your child’s screener results, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher. 

Have a great weekend!

Mr. Coffin

Bear Tracks Ice Melter

Order Deadline: November 12th

Delivery Date: TBA once order is placed

Pickup location: Devon TBD

We are selling 16 kg pails of Bear Tracks Ice-Melt for $31.50 each.

How to order:

- Fill out the order form.

- e-Transfer your total to rbesfundraising@gmail.com.

- You will be contacted once the pickup date and times are confirmed.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who supported the Book Fair this week! We will let you know next week how we did and how many new books we will be able to purchase for the library. We are keeping the Book Fair open during the dance so you have one more chance to pick up any books or gift items!

Being Kind To Yourself Is Good For Your Kids

Did you know we can think up to 3,000 words per minute…but only speak about 150? That means there’s a whole lot of conversation happening inside our heads every day!

As parents, we hear a lot about self-care, but it can feel expensive, time-consuming, and hard to prioritize when we’re busy worrying about everyone else.

But what if one of the best ways to support our kids starts with how we talk to ourselves?

Instead of chasing self-esteem, which can take a hit when we make mistakes, there is research that points to something more helpful: self-compassion!

Why Self-Esteem Isn’t the Whole Story

Self-esteem often depends on how well we think we’re doing. We might even get defensive or avoid admitting when we’re wrong.

Self-compassion offers a different approach:

• Self-kindness: Treating ourselves with kindness instead of beating ourselves up.
• Acknowledging we are human: Remembering that messy days and mistakes are part of living and learning, not a sign we’re failing.
• Mindfulness: Noticing our stress without letting it take over.

What the Research Shows

Research links self-compassion with lower anxiety and stress, and a better ability to bounce back after mistakes. When we’re kinder to ourselves, it can also be easier to admit when we’re wrong; and learn from it..

The 2-for-1 Parent Hack

The best part? It costs nothing and takes very little time to put it to the test.

When we speak kindly to ourselves out loud, our kids hear it, too. We’re showing them how to handle mistakes, frustration, and hard days with a little more kindness.

I hate the thought of my own kids having an inner voice as mean as mine can sometimes be to me. So maybe we can start changing that, one thought at a time.

Not just for ourselves, but for them, too.

We don’t have to get it right all the time. We just have to keep practicing.

Remember - I am around to help brainstorm other ideas about how and when to be kind to ourselves.

Warmly, 

Chantel Handfield

Your Family School Liaison

Here is a really great online seminar to learn more about how to be kind to yourself. It is online and runs by donation Think Kind, Be Kind: Shifting Your Inner Narrative

Student Accident Insurance

Did you know that Black Gold School Division's insurance partner offers optionalVoluntary Student Accident Insurance?

Coverage is completely voluntary, paid for by parents, and separate from the blanket accident insurance plan held by the Division. For details on available coverage and to compare plans, please visit StudyInsured Website.