Week Ahead

Upcoming Important Dates

The Big 5 for Mental Health

To build strong physical and mental health, there are various lifestyle factors that we can implement. The second of these Big 5 is Physical Activity. Dr. Stan Kutcher shares, “What is good for your bicep is good for your brain”. Regular physical activity is important for both our physical and mental health. Learn more about the benefits of exercise and simple changes you can make as a family on The Big 5 for Mental Health page of the Mental Health Literacy website. 

Alberta Education Assurance (AEA) Survey | Grades 4-6

Every year, Alberta Education surveys students, their parents and all teachers to assess what is working well and where there is room for improvement. The survey asks stakeholders about their thoughts, feelings and experiences in school. Students in Grades 4-6 will complete the survey at school over the next few weeks. Due to the population size of our school, parents of students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 will be surveyed. You should have received a survey package from Alberta Education via Canada Post with information of how to complete the parent/guardian survey online. All responses are anonymous and use random access codes. Your voice is important and provides valuable feedback in shaping the future of education in Alberta. The deadline to complete the survey is March 1, 2024. Thank you for your engagement!

Invite | Family Literacy Night

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Family Literacy Night. In this one-hour session, caregivers will learn about the Science of Reading and come away with some practical tips and tools to support their children in building their literacy skills. The event will start with adults in the gym for a 30-minute presentation, while students are in classrooms playing literacy games. For the last half of the evening, caregivers will join their children to learn and play a game that they can play at home. We hope you will join us for this event. If you plan on attending, please click this link to RSVP so we can plan accordingly (chairs, supplies, etc.).

Who – All HMS Families, we will talk about strategies for ALL grade levels, K-6

What – A 30-minute presentation for adults, followed by family literacy game time

When – Thursday, February 29, 2024, 6:00 – 7:00 PM

Where – In the gym and in students’ classrooms

Why – To give families strategies and tools to support their child’s literacy development 

Jump Rope for Heart

Skipping is a quick, low-cost and effective way to get a great workout in just 10-20 minutes. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, ten minutes of skipping has the health benefits of thirty minutes of running. Here are a few of the benefits of skipping:

• helps to improve heart rate and blood pressure
• a good workout for all fitness levels
• provides a full body workout which uses the abdominal muscles to stabilize the body and legs for jumping & shoulders and arms for turning the rope
• improves flexibility, coordination and balance
• improves muscle tone
• it’s low cost and can be done anywhere
• and…it’s FUN!

Students and families are invited to collect donations for the Heart & Stroke Foundation to help them advance life-saving research and provide education about heart disease and stroke prevention. Our Jump Rope for Heart fundraising campaign will be open from February 9 until March 1, 2024. We have a school goal of raising $500.

• Sign up online at https://www.jumpropeforheart.ca/
• Click register then search for Haultain Memorial School or copy & paste our school link: jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/51513
• Customize your fundraising page, download a personal QR code and have fun!