Tomorrow is Picture Day for Sunrise students and staff!

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. This day provides opportunities to raise awareness, reduce stigma and improve supports for mental health issues. This year's theme is "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change."

If you or someone you know is looking for mental health support, call 2-1-1 or text INFO to 2-1-1 for crisis support and help in connecting to local mental health services. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We’re excited to share that our school receives funding from @pc_childrens_charity, helping us provide nutritious
food for students at school. #PowerFullKids #FeedingHungryMinds

Originally founded over 25 years ago, Sunrise School was opened by passionate local educators as an outreach program for students who required alternative and flexible education for a multitude of reasons. Throughout the years, Sunrise has seen many changes in its delivery of services, class sizes and course offerings, not to mention the look and feel of our building. We are so proud of this school, and have realized that many long-standing staff within Grasslands Public Schools have never visited our school and that the community of Brooks may have limited knowledge about who we are and what we do.

Here is a little glimpse into our space - featuring the amazing bulletin boards created by our wonderful EA, Jodi, with help from our students and staff, as well as a large, collaborative artwork done by a past art class with Mr. Jones.

To our teachers here at Sunrise and throughout Grasslands Regional Division No.6, we thank you for everything you do!

Parents are invited to attend our first School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting on Monday, October 5th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Meetings will be held the first Monday of each month (unless otherwise scheduled) from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

A school council is a vehicle to support meaningful parental involvement in decisions that affect the school and its operations. School council provides the venue for parents to reflect the wishes of the broader community for the education of its students and to actively participate in giving advice and support to the principal in the operations of the school.
The actual decision-making authority of the school council is limited to:

-determining the school council operating procedures
-setting policies to govern school council activities at the school level, as described in the Education Act
-planning engagement activities that align with school council’s legislated purpose
-choosing to provide advice to the principal and school board

Mr. Lachapelle enjoyed seeing our partnership between Grasslands Public Schools and Medicine Hat College in action this week.

Sunrise School offers a variety of programs: in-person learning for students that are referred from other schools within our division, outreach distance learning for flexible academic upgrading and Sunrise Collegiate, a program that allows students to upgrade high school courses, work toward future post-secondary opportunities, or return to school after time away.

September 30th marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

Don't forget....our first Fun Swim is tomorrow at the JBS Centre. Any students that want to swim need to have their permission forms signed and returned. If you'd like to verify if your student has turned in their form, please contact our office at (403) 793-2025. Those students who do not wish to go swimming are expected to be in class as usual.

Terry Fox Started a marathon against cancer.
Together we can end it.

Students and staff will be participating in a Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 25th starting at 9:45am.

Visit the official website to learn how you can help.

https://terryfox.org/terry-fox-run

Thank you to all the parents and families that attended this year's Welcome Back BBQ! We love to get to spend time with everyone, strengthen relationships and celebrate the amazing people that make Sunrise what it is today.

World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organization. On this day we focus on reducing stigma and encouraging conversations with empathy and support. We work towards creating open, safe environments where people feel able to speak up and seek help, and improving access to quality care.

You matter.

Starting next week we will be approving students for our Sunrise Outreach Distance Learning program, and we are now accepting applications! This program offers flexible, year-round outreach distance learning for high school courses to help students of all backgrounds earn an Alberta High School diploma or upgrade their course marks. Unfortunately, Sunrise School - Outreach Distance Learning does not have the capacity for students to complete their entire Alberta High School Diploma through our program.

If you meet the following criteria, our program may be a good fit for you:

-Earn a few credits to earn a High School Diploma
-Repeat or upgrade a course
-Finish those couple classes needed for post-secondary programs after not completing high school
-Balance school with other responsibilities, such as being a single parent or managing a medical condition
-Students who, due to extenuating circumstances, cannot attend in-person school full-time

Please complete an Interest Form online at https://sunrise.grasslands.ab.ca (Select PROGRAMS, and click on the link '2026/27 DISTANCE LEARNING INTEREST FORM'.) We will be in touch with after September 14th.

"As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day, we reaffirm literacy as a fundamental human right and a powerful force for transforming lives, economies and societies."

Khaled El-Enany
Director-General of UNESCO

The first week back to school is over and what a wonderful week it has been! We commend our students and families for a smooth transition and positive attitudes!

A reminder that Monday is Labour Day and there is no school. Attached is the Sunrise School September calendar.


We look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday.

It's only a few short days until we get to see all of our new and returning students and families! Sunrise School does not operate a traditional bell system, but our students will use the attached schedule for their classes. Our doors open at 8:25am.

Be on the lookout for a newsletter by email welcoming you all back. It's going to be a great year!

As we prepare for students to begin school on Monday, August 31st, we would like to ensure our families are aware of an extreme but allergy in the school. Please note our building is NUT FREE, including all tree nuts and peanuts. Thank you!

Is your child getting ready for their first school bus ride?

Join Grasslands Public Schools for My First Bus Ride! This fun, helpful opportunity lets new bus riders and their families learn about bus safety, meet our transportation staff, and take their first ride on a school bus!

*August 27th
*9:00–11:00 a.m.
*Grasslands Public Schools Central Office
745–2nd Avenue E., Brooks

We’re excited to help our newest riders feel comfortable, confident and ready for the school year! 🚌☀️

No registration required- just stop by and join us!

The 2026–27 school year is almost here! We’ve put together important back-to-school information to help families prepare for the year ahead.

Find details about:
*School opening dates and the first day of classes
*The 2026–27 school year calendar
*New student registration
*School supply lists
*City of Brooks and rural bus transportation
*Walking School Bus opportunities
*The Grasslands Public Schools app

Visit our website to read the full Back to School Information update and find everything you need to get ready for the new school year.

We’re looking forward to welcoming students and families back soon!

https://www.grasslands.ab.ca/article/17256

#GrasslandsPublicSchools #BackToSchool #GrasslandsSchools