NLC Welcome Back to School Information 2026-27
Oki, Danit'ada, Âba wathtec, Tânisi, Taanishi, Bonjour, Hello Families!
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year at Niitsitapi Learning Centre! We are excited to welcome back our returning students and families and to meet those joining our learning community for the first time.
As an Indigenous Early Learning and Early Academic Engagement Centre, NLC is committed to supporting students through strong relationships, a positive cultural identity, early intervention, and engaging learning experiences that build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and overall well-being. We look forward to partnering with families to make this a successful year for every child.
Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast
Preschool-Grade 2 Students and Families | Monday, August 31
Join us as we kick off the school year together with our annual Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast.
Families are invited to stay, connect with staff, and enjoy breakfast together before students begin their first day. If your child arrives by school bus, staff will help ensure they connect with their classmates and teacher.
Breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 a.m.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Calgary Stampede Batter Crew for their generous support of our Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast and for helping us create a warm and welcoming start to the school year for our students and families.
Teacher and Class Assignments
Families will receive communication from their child's teacher prior to the start of the school year. This information will include classroom details, teacher contact information, and important information about the first day of school.
On the first day, staff will be outside welcoming students, supporting transitions, and helping students connect with their classroom teacher.
Welcoming Mr. Shane
We are pleased to welcome Mr. Shane Spriggs, Assistant Principal, to the Niitsitapi Learning Centre team this year. We are excited for students and families to get to know him and look forward to the contributions he will make to our learning community.
School Office Hours
Office hours are as follows:
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (closed from 12:30-1:00 p.m.)
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Phone Calls & Voicemail
If you call the school and no one is available to answer, please leave a voicemail. Include your name, your child's name, and the reason for your call. We check messages regularly and will return your call as soon as possible during office hours.
Moved Since June or Moving Soon?
If you have recently moved or have a move planned, please contact the school office as soon as possible to update your contact information and transportation details.
Please note that transportation changes may take up to four weeks to be processed. Updating your information promptly helps ensure a smooth transportation transition for your child.
School Transportation and Updates
Important: Bus routes will be updated weekly until the end of September as students are added to and removed from routes due to moves, new registrations, and transportation adjustments.
Please check your MyCBE/PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly for the most current bus stop locations and pick-up and drop-off times.
Who Do I Call?
Questions about bus stop locations, bus arrival times, delays, or a bus that has not arrived?
Call Dreams Transportation directly at 403-590-7433.
Please save this number in your phone. Dreams Transportation is responsible for bus routing, bus stop locations, and daily transportation operations.
Niitsitapi Learning Centre cannot answer questions about bus locations, bus delays, bus stop assignments, or transportation schedules.
Moving or changing your home address?
Contact the NLC office immediately.
If your home address changes at any time during the school year, please notify the school office as soon as possible so we can update your student records and transportation information. Transportation changes may take up to two weeks to process.
Meals at School: Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks
Our nutrition program helps ensure students are ready to learn by providing healthy meals and snacks throughout the week.
Monday through Thursday, students are provided with breakfast, snacks, and lunch.
Friday, students are provided with breakfast and snacks only. Lunch is not served on Fridays as students are dismissed at 12:00 p.m.
Weekly menus will continue to be shared through the Niitsitapi News newsletter. Families are also welcome to send healthy food choices from home if they prefer.
Communication Channels
Stay informed about school events and activities through our weekly Niitsitapi News newsletter, which is posted on the school website weekly. The newsletter includes important dates, school updates, celebrations, and learning opportunities.
If you have questions about your child's learning, please contact their classroom teacher. For attendance matters, transportation questions, or general inquiries, please contact the school office.
The Importance of Attendance
We love having your children at school and miss them when they are not here. Consistent attendance plays an important role in your child's success. Every day of learning helps build the academic, social, emotional, and cultural foundations students need to thrive.
If your child will be absent, please call the school office and leave a message on the attendance line at 403-817-3404. Regular attendance helps students build strong routines, develop positive relationships, and take full advantage of learning opportunities.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's success.
Important CBE Administrative Regulations
At Niitsitapi Learning Centre, we are committed to maintaining a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment for all students, families, and staff. We encourage families to review the following Calgary Board of Education Administrative Regulations, which support positive relationships, communication, and student success.
- AR 6031: Welcoming, Caring, Respectful and Safe Learning and Work Environments
View AR 6031 - AR 6006: Progressive Student Discipline
View AR 6006
These regulations outline expectations that help create safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments and support positive student behaviour through proactive, preventative, and restorative approaches
Basic Items for Students
Please ensure your child comes to school with:
- Indoor shoes
- A change of clothing
- Weather-appropriate outdoor clothing
- Any personal items clearly labelled with their name
Labelling belongings helps us return lost items quickly. Our lost and found filled up quickly last year, so a name on items makes a big difference.
School Bell Schedule
Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 (starting August 31)
Monday-Thursday
- Doors Open & Breakfast: 8:25 a.m.
- Learning Begins: 8:32 a.m.
- First Lunch: 11:30-11:50 a.m.
- Second Lunch: 12:10-12:30 p.m.
- Dismissal: 3:05 p.m.
Friday
- Doors Open & Breakfast: 8:25 a.m.
- Learning Begins: 8:32 a.m.
- Dismissal: 12:00 p.m.
Preschool Program (starting September 14)
Monday-Thursday
- AM Class: 8:25-11:15 a.m.
- PM Class: 12:15-3:05 p.m.
Friday
- No Preschool Programming
NLC Instructional Calendar 2026-27
Please review the NLC Instructional Calendar 2026-27 for important dates, including professional learning days, non-instructional days, holidays, and school breaks.
We encourage families to review the calendar and save it for future reference throughout the school year.
Please note: Dates are subject to change if directed by the Calgary Board of Education. We will communicate any updates to families through Niitsitapi News and our school website.
Save the Date: Meet the Teacher
Please mark your calendars for our Meet the Teacher Evening on Thursday, September 17.
This event provides an opportunity for families to meet staff, visit classrooms, learn about school routines and programming, and strengthen the important partnership between home and school. Additional details will be shared in an upcoming edition of Niitsitapi News.
Teacher Preparation and Planning
Teachers and staff have been busy preparing for the school year from August 26-28 through professional learning, collaborative planning, classroom setup, and the preparation of learning materials and supports for students.
We are excited to welcome students back and look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, connection, and success.
We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year and are excited for another wonderful year of learning at NLC.
Respectfully,
Ms. Tracy Rand
Principal
