Briar Hill Families
“The things we do for children today will shape the world they live in tomorrow.”
— Maria Montessori
It’s hard to believe we’ve already finished the third week of September. There’s a feeling around the school that we’re settling into our rhythm. Classroom routines are becoming familiar, the Terry Fox Run brought our school together on Monday, provincial assessments are underway, and our calendar is beginning to fill with field trips and experiences that will give students opportunities to learn, explore and connect beyond their classrooms.
I’ve really enjoyed watching the school settle back into some of our familiar routines and traditions. At the same time, there’s always room to pause, notice what our students need, and make thoughtful adjustments along the way. For me, that’s part of what makes a school community strong, knowing who we are, while continuing to grow with the students in front of us.
As always, please never hesitate to reach out.
Nathan deBoer - Principal
🏃 Terry Fox
Our goal was to raise $1,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation, and our Briar Hill community has gone well beyond that goal!
As of September 18, 2026, we have raised $1,563.50 through online and cash donations.
Well done, Briar Hill! Thank you to our students, families, and staff for coming together to support such an important cause.
👕 Briar Hill School Clothing & Spirit Wear
Our Briar Hill School Clothing & Spirit Wear Store is open!
We will open the store 2–3 times throughout the school year so families have a few opportunities to order Briar Hill clothing and spirit wear.
The store is open until October 2 at midnight. Once it closes, individual orders will be combined into one school order and delivered to Briar Hill for distribution.
Visit the Briar Hill School Clothing & Spirit Wear Store HERE
🏠 Home Alone & Babysitting Courses
We are hoping to offer Home Alone and Babysitting courses through Child Safe Canada this year. Both courses will be offered at school during lunchtime.
- Home Alone: Beginning of November | Ages 10+ (siblings 7+) | $35
- Babysitting: Beginning of April | Ages 10+ | $60
Each course requires a minimum of 15 participants and can accommodate a maximum of 30 participants.
Stay tuned! Registration information will be shared with families in the next couple of weeks.
📋 Reminder: Please Complete Online Forms
Last week, all families received a message from the CBE about completing important annual forms. You will find all required forms on School Engage.
If you have not yet completed these forms, please take a few minutes to do so. The school may also follow up directly with families who still have outstanding forms.
🧡 Honouring Orange Shirt Day — September 29
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. As there is no school on September 30, we will honour Orange Shirt Day together at Briar Hill on Tuesday, September 29.
This is an important opportunity for our school community to learn, reflect, and remember the experiences of Indigenous children and families impacted by the residential school system. It is also a time to consider the work of reconciliation and the importance of creating a school community where every child feels a sense of belonging, connection, and care.
We encourage all students and staff to wear orange on September 29 as we recognize the day and honour the message that Every Child Matters.
🌳 School Council & Foundation
Our Briar Hill Parent Council and Foundation are an important part of our school community, with volunteer parents working together to bring events, activities, and opportunities to our school throughout the year.
This year’s plans include Pizza Lunch, Fun Lunch through Healthy Hunger, our Back-to-School BBQ, Halloween Howler, Movie Night, and more!
The Parent Council will be sharing a monthly newsletter with information and links to upcoming lunches, events, and volunteer opportunities. If you would like your child to participate, please be sure to subscribe to the newsletter. Once you sign up, you’ll receive direct links to register, order, and volunteer.
Our first events are coming up quickly, so sign up now so you don’t miss out!
Subscribe to the Parent Council newsletter
Visit the Briar Hill Foundation website
🌭 Welcome Back BBQ & Meet the Teacher — Thursday, September 24
Our Welcome Back BBQ & Meet the Teacher is coming up this Thursday! We’re looking forward to having families back at Briar Hill for an evening of food, conversation, and time together.
4:30 p.m. — Front doors open! Families can come and go as they please, visit classrooms, connect with teachers, and see where their children are learning. There is no formal presentation or program.
4:30–6:30 p.m. — The Book Fair will also be open for browsing and purchases. If you are available to help with the Book Fair Thursday evening, please email Val Olafson at vfolafson@cbe.ab.ca.
6:00–6:30 p.m. — Teachers will join families outside for supper and conversation.
If you haven’t already, you can order your BBQ food through the Briar Hill Foundation website. We are also still looking for a few volunteers to help make the evening run smoothly.
We hope you can join us! It will be a great opportunity to connect with other Briar Hill families, meet teachers, and spend some time together as a school community.
👥 School Council Meetings
Our first School Council meeting is September 29, with meetings held throughout the year in the Learning Commons at Briar Hill School.
Meetings begin at 12:05 p.m. and families are welcome to join in person or online. A Microsoft Teams link will be shared in the Update to Parents closer to each meeting date.
2026–27 Meeting Dates
- September 29
- October 20
- November 24
- January 19
- February 23
- March 16
- April 20
- May 18
🍕 Student Pizza & Fun Lunches
Student Fun Lunches are a much-loved part of the Briar Hill school year and an important fundraiser organized and supported by our School Council. Throughout the year, families can order Pizza Lunch and Healthy Hunger lunches for their children.
Please visit the Briar Hill Foundation website for Pizza Lunch ordering and information, and use Healthy Hunger to order Healthy Hunger lunches.
Briar Hill Foundation
Healthy Hunger
Here are the dates to put on your calendar:
- Sept. 24 — Pizza Lunch
- Oct. 8 — Healthy Hunger
- Oct. 22 — Pizza Lunch
- Nov. 19 — Healthy Hunger
- Nov. 26 — Pizza Lunch
- Dec. 10 — Healthy Hunger
- Dec. 17 — Pizza Lunch
- Jan. 7 — Healthy Hunger
- Jan. 21 — Pizza Lunch
- Feb. 4 — Healthy Hunger
- Feb. 18 — Pizza Lunch
- Mar. 4 — Healthy Hunger
- Mar. 18 — Pizza Lunch
- Apr. 8 — Healthy Hunger
- Apr. 22 — Pizza Lunch
- May 6 — Healthy Hunger
- May 20 — Pizza Lunch
- June 3 — Healthy Hunger
- June 17 — Pizza Lunch
🍎 School Council Apple Fundraiser
Support Briar Hill while enjoying delicious apples from Davison Orchards in the Okanagan Valley! Apples are sold in 15 lb. boxes, with several varieties to choose from.
Orders are due September 22, with pickup on October 22 from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at the Briar Hill School courtyard.
📱 Stay Connected
Instagram: @briarhillschool
School Website: Briar Hill School
Briar Hill Foundation Website: Briar Hill Foundation
📅 Important Dates
Sept. 21–25: Scholastic Book Fair
Sept. 24: Pizza Lunch
Sept. 24: 4:30–6:30 p.m. — Welcome Back BBQ & Meet the Teacher
Sept. 25: Non-Instructional Day — No Students
Sept. 29: BHS Honours Orange Shirt Day
Sept. 29: School Council Meeting
Sept. 29: Value Awards
Sept. 30: No School — Orange Shirt Day & National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Oct. 2: IPPs Sent Home — for students on an IPP
Oct. 5: Picture Day — Individual & Class Photos
Oct. 7: Grade 6 Immunizations
Oct. 8: Healthy Hunger / Fun Lunch
Oct. 12: No School — Thanksgiving