Panther News

As we head into the month of December, we have so much to be grateful for. At the middle school and high school, our volleyball teams have been representing Bentley School with pride and enthusiasm, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

In the elementary school, students recently took part in an award ceremony that highlighted the many wonderful things they accomplish each day. During our parent-teacher interviews, our book fair was a huge success, and it was fantastic to see so many students excited about choosing new books to read.

As a school community, we have settled back into the rhythm of daily school life, and it has been encouraging to see everyone reconnect and find their stride again.

Looking ahead, December can be both a joyful and challenging time for families. As a school, we are committed to supporting our community and doing all we can to ensure everyone has something to celebrate. We spent time carefully planning our December events calendar, and we believe the activities we have prepared will be among our students’ favourites.

This season is all about connection, excitement, and caring for one another. From our school family to yours, we wish you a safe, warm, and joyful month ahead.

Warm regards,

Adam Sia

We are excited to invite families to this year’s Christmas Concert, What Christmas Means to Me. Our students have been working hard, and we can’t wait to celebrate the season together on Friday, December 12 at 1:00 PM in the Elementary Gym.

Kinder Parents: Please note that the extra Kindergarten day in December has been switched from December 19 to December 12 for the Christmas Concert.

Alongside the concert, Bentley School will once again be running our christmas raffle in support of families in need within our school community—not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.

🎁 Christmas Raffle Donations
Each division will be collecting items for themed gift baskets or the gift card tree:

• K – Grade 3: Family Night Basket

• Grades 4 – 6: Gift Card Tree

• Grades 7 – 8: Death by Chocolate Basket

• Grades 9 – 12: Warm Wishes Holiday Basket

Teachers will be reaching out with suggestions and ideas on how families can help contribute.
Donations will be accepted until Wednesday, December 10.

🎟 Raffle Ticket Sales
Raffle tickets will go on sale the day of the Christmas Concert.

• 1 ticket for $5

• 5 tickets for $20

Tickets will be available from Friday, December 12 to Wednesday, December 17 at the elementary office.

The draw will take place on Thursday, December 18.

Thank you for supporting our school community and helping make the holiday season brighter for families in need. We look forward to celebrating with you on December 12!

We are, once again partnering with Earthy Accents to provide Christmas arrangements to the Care Centre, Oxford Court and Westview Apartments in Bentley. Toonie Collection bins will be in each classroom. Toonies will be accepted until Wednesday, December 10.

Make someone's day with a holiday gram on sale outside the elementary office from Monday, December 8 - Thursday, December 11. Delivery on Wednesday, December 17.

Get festive and show your Christmas Spirit with our special theme days for Grade 1 - 8.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Day - Wednesday, December 17

Christmas PJ Day - Friday, December 19.

For students in Grade 7 - 8. Parents, please watch for an email with all the details.

High school students (Gr. 9 - 12) earn points for their teams by participating in the daily spirit event.

Registration opens December 1.

Sign-up via the PowerSchool and Online Payments Parent Portal under the student fees tab.

Registration deadline is December 12, 2025.

This year the club is offering two trips.

Nakiska Ski/Snowboard Club - Gr. 9 - 12 Only - January 30, 2026

Canyon Ski/Snowboard Club - Gr. 1 - 12 - February 27 & March 13, 2026

Please click each link for full details on each trip. Students in Gr. 9 - 12 are welcome to register for both trips.

Support Bentley School and stock up on your favourite goodies from Mom’s Pantry!

Order deadline: December 3

How to Order:

1. Go to momspantry.ca and click Shop Now
2. Add your items to your cart
3. Choose Group Pick Up at checkout

Enter these details:

• Order Number: 412424
• Group Passcode: 11783
• Seller Name: the student’s name

Delivery Window: December 17–19
Watch your email for the confirmed delivery date.
All orders must be picked up on delivery day — no exceptions!

Thank you for supporting Bentley School Chest Society!
Questions? Contact Stephanie Smith at 403-896-9842

Each winter, Bentley School students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 have the opportunity to skate at the Bentley Arena. Thanks to a $5,000 Every Kid Every Community Program Grant from the Hockey Alberta Foundation, our school was able to purchase new helmets and skates to replace outdated and unsafe equipment, ensuring that every child—regardless of skill level or access to gear—can participate safely.

The skating program has become a well-loved tradition that brings students, staff, and families together while promoting healthy, active living. Bentley School extends heartfelt thanks to the Hockey Alberta Foundation for helping our students experience the joy and confidence that come from being on the ice.

Thanks to the generosity of our Bentley School community, we collected 293 pairs of socks for our Socktober campaign. These will be donated to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Red Deer. Our We Scare Hunger campaign brought in an amazing 1,096 food items, all of which will be donated to our local Blessing Pantry to support families in need.

A big congratulations to Mrs. Schofer’s class, who won the pizza party with an outstanding 261 items donated! Thank you to every student, family, and staff member who contributed to these important initiatives—your kindness makes a difference.

Thank you to everyone who supported our November Scholastic Book Fair. Thanks to your enthusiasm and participation, we were able to add over $1,500 worth of new books to our school libraries.

Congratulations to Delila Duberville, winner of the family door prize draw! Your support helps foster a love of reading in our school community.

January hot lunch orders will be open from December 1 - 7. Be sure to place your orders during this window.

Volunteers Needed for Hot Dog & Popcorn Days We are seeking parent volunteers to come in to assist with hot dog days and popcorn days. Please click the link to sign up: Sign up Here!

We’re excited to share that our school has once again been selected to receive Oral Health Services as part of the PCA Oral Health Action Plan (OHAP) for the 2025–2026 school year. This program aims to prevent dental disease in children through free, in-school dental services such as fluoride varnish applications and dental sealants.

✅ What Services Will Be Offered?

With parent/guardian consent, the following services will be provided by trained dental hygienists and assistants from PCA:

• Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2

  • Visual dental checks

  • Two fluoride varnish applications (at least 3 months apart)

• Grade 1 and 2

  • Dental sealants applied to molars (where resources allow)

💡 What Are These Treatments?

• Fluoride Varnish: A protective coating brushed onto teeth to help prevent cavities.

• Dental Sealants: A thin plastic layer applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to reduce tooth decay.

📝 What’s Next?

Services will be provided on site December 10 - 12 for students who returned consent forms.

Volleyball season has come to an end and what a great season it was!

The jr. A girls won gold at their home tournament, a silver finish at the Caroline tournament and bronze at the Wetaskiwin tournament. They captured the 2J CWAJHAA Championship in Ponoka on November 22. Thank you Jill Moore and Jannah Bertin for coaching.

Congratulations to the sr. girls volleyball team for placing 4th at their home tournament and bronze at the Delburne tournament. They finished 2nd in the league and competed at Zones on November 21 & 22 in Daysland. Thank you to Chad Kimmel for coaching and Carmen Hrynk, staff supervisor.

The Jr A boys placed silver at their home tournament and finished 3rd at their CWAJHAA qualifiers. Thank you to Jane Moore for coaching and to Erin Schofer, staff supervisor.

The sr. boys volleyball team won gold at their home tournament and at Caroline's tournament, finished 2nd in the league and become the 1A CASAA Zone Champions on November 22 in Alix! The competed in provincials in Calgary November 27-29. Even though they didn’t finish in the top five, where they truly deserved to be, we are beyond proud of this team for showing incredible resilience. They never quit. Finishing 9th in the province for 1A schools is a huge accomplishment and something we should all celebrate. This is also the first time our senior boys’ volleyball team has made it to provincials since 2009 - an achievement in itself! Thanks to Mr. Lush for coaching and to Mrs. Lush for all the behinds the scene work to make the season possible.

Jr B girls teams gained skills and confidence throughout their season. They competed hard and finished their season strong! Thanks to Mrs. Stephenson for coaching.

Jr C girls teams gained skills and confidence throughout their season. They competed hard and finished their season strong! Thank you to Mrs. Kimmel for coaching.

Panther Basketball Season Update

Thank you to all the coaches and supervisors for stepping up this year! All team practice schedules have now been added to the Athletics Calendar. There will be a try out for Jr. A boys the first week in December. If you are interested in joining a team and haven't signed up, please reach out to either school office.

Jr A Boys (Gr. 7–9) Tryouts
Dec 1 & 3 (Mon & Wed)
3:30–4:45 pm
High School Gym

Practices: Mon/Wed from 3:30-4:45 in HS gym | League play begins Jan 6 |

Home Tournament Feb 7
Coach: Craig Torry

Team Highlights

• Jr A/B Girls – Coach Becca McKernon
  Practices: Tues/Thurs (lunch) | Games: Wed starting Jan 7 | Year-End: Mar 4

• Jr B Boys – Coach Haley Kirsch
  Practices: Mon (3:30–5) & Wed (lunch) | Games: Wed starting Jan 7 | Year-End: Mar 4

• Jr C Boys – Coach Shannon Landry
  Supervisors: Leslie Anderson & Kelsey Ruttan
  Practices: Mon/Wed (lunch) | Games: Mon starting Jan 12 | Year-End: Mar 2

• Sr Boys – Coach Stephen Lush
  Practices: Tues/Thurs (3:30–5 HS Gym) | Games: Mon/Wed starting Dec 15 | Home Tourn: Jan 10

• Sr Girls – Coaches Shyla Baile & Taylor Siverson
  Practices: Tues/Thurs (3:30–5 Elem Gym) | Games: Mon/Wed starting Dec 15

School Reach practice for Grades 9 and 10 will take place every Thursday during the lunch hour in the High School Library. All interested students are welcome to join!

Local community clubs and events can be advertised here for free.