Sneak Peak

I wanted to give everyone a sneak peak at Ramona's efforts in the ramp hallway. It is very bright and airy and the pillars of care are being represented in a beautiful foothills setting. The pictures don't do it justice...

Summer Holidays are Almost Here!

With the Grade Six farewell taking place today at Haultain, and activity day scheduled for tomorrow, there's a palpable feel of Summer Holiday in the air.

Yesterday's Haultain talent show, by all accounts, was a resounding success - congratulations to all the participants, who did a great job. "Canadian Idol" will have a lot of fodder for future episodes, if the talent revealed yesterday is any indication.

I'm putting my mouse on ice for two weeks in July (right beside the beer) - but will continue to post stories of interest to parents, and post updates from the CBE as well as the Haultain administration when I'm not holidaying.

Congratulations to the students and staff for another successful year! Make the most of the summer holidays - get as much sun and fun in as you can before the end of August, when it all starts up again!

- Nick Newton, Haultain Parent Council/Association's Key Communicator

A lifetime of bike safety starts with mom and dad

Changing Behaviour; Appeal to good sense, fashion and otherwise
By Dr . Tim Rindlisbacher, National Post

Parents don't need a lecture on the wisdom of wearing a bicycle helmet. It's the kids who put up a fight. How are parents supposed to get rambunctious youngsters into the habit of donning a helmet when boarding a bike?

According to experts, it's best to give your child age-appropriate reasons for wearing a helmet, and to be firm and consistent by insisting it must always be worn. Lastly, (this should go without saying): Set a good example and always wear a helmet yourself.

Read the full article here.

Father's Day

Father's Day is always a blast for me. This year I almost single-handedly bankrupted Smuggler's during the all-you-can-eat buffet to which I was treated. With my rolling chair and serving tray (skip the plates please - just give me a big fork) I must have consumed 4 or 5 pounds of food... then I had dessert!

A good father takes the whole thing very seriously and from golf balls to the obligatory ties, they display their gifts with pride...

See the pic of a proud Dad at work as a great example: Good going Brian!

Talent Show Today!

The Haultain talent show takes place today at one o'clock in the Haultain gymnasium - get out and enjoy the acts! Performer autographs are available after the show. For a price.

Kids often over-scheduled during summer holidays

By Jeff Heinrich, Canwest News Service

A generation or two ago, summer meant freedom. Now, for many young children, it means keeping busy.

Today's kids are hyper-organized: day camps, overnight camps, summer tutorials, swimming lessons, tennis lessons, trips abroad — they do them all.

Call it a symptom of our overactive times. But is all this a curse or a blessing?

People who know children best — parents, teachers, day-care workers, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists — come at the question two ways.

Read the full story here.

Only a quarter of Calgary Catholic school girls get HPV vaccination

CBC Website

Only about 25 per cent of Grade 5 girls in Calgary's Catholic schools have received the HPV vaccine, compared with about 70 per cent of girls in public schools, Alberta Health Services says.

Last year, the province launched a campaign to immunize Grade 5 girls against the human papillomavirus, which can be transmitted through sexual contact and can cause cervical cancer.

The vaccine was delivered through Alberta schools, but Bishop Fred Henry said it wouldn't be appropriate in Catholic schools, because it would encourage premarital sex.

Calgary Catholic School District trustees refused to allow the clinics in its schools, so the province distributed the vaccine through community clinics.

Click here for the full article.