Grande Cache BEST

01/22/2026

Come join us at the Grande Cache Library on February 5th & 6th during teacher’s convention for a day of mindfulness activities!

01/21/2026

Check out this week’s Wellness Wednesday!

💬 How to Talk to Your Kids About Online Safety

Talking about online safety with children and teens is one of the most effective ways to protect them from risks like cyberbullying, privacy issues, and online exploitation. The Government of Canada and law enforcement experts recommend regular, open conversations where kids feel safe to share what they experience online.

🧠 Start Early & Be Ongoing
• Make online safety a regular topic of conversation—not a one-time talk.
• Ask open questions like “What sites or apps do you enjoy?” and “Has anything online ever made you uncomfortable?”
• Let kids know they can always come to you without fear of judgment.

📍 Cover Key Safety Topics
• Personal information: Remind kids not to share private details
• Friend requests & strangers: Only accept requests from people they actually know in real life.
• Online behaviour: Explain that what they post can be permanent and visible to others now and later.
• Cyberbullying & respect: Tell them to talk to you if they see or experience mean or threatening behaviour, and that there are ways to report and block harmful content.

👂 Listen Without Judgment
If your child shares something upsetting, focus on support, not punishment. Let them know your priority is their safety. This encourages honesty and trust.

📚 Trusted Canadian Resources for Parents:
• ProtectKidsOnline.ca – Practical tips for keeping kids safe online at all ages.
• RCMP Online Safety Tips for Parents – Guidance from law enforcement.
• Cybertip.ca – Canada’s national tipline to report online exploitation.
• Canada.ca Cyberbullying Info – Canadian public safety guidance on cyberbullying.
• Be Internet Awesome (Google) – Family-friendly digital citizenship and safety activities.

📌 Reminder: Open dialogue and ongoing connection help children feel safe to come forward if something online doesn’t feel right. You don’t have to have all the answers,just be willing to talk and listen.

01/21/2026

📚 Homework Help is Back This October!
We're excited to announce that Homework Help will be returning with a brand-new time slot ⏰ — now available during lunch from 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM! 🍽️✏️

🧠 Support will be available for all grades, so whether you're brushing up on the basics or tackling tougher assignments, we've got you covered! ✅

Take advantage of this opportunity to get help while you eat and stay on top of your studies! 💡📈

01/19/2026

Don’t miss out on this fun program offered by the Grande Cache Municipal Library!

Join us on February 4th, 2026, for our next Craft Cafe! We'll be making Book page flower arrangements!
https://libraryaware.com/3AGEBY

01/14/2026

Check out these Week’s Wellness Wednesday!

🧠 Healthy Social Media Habits for Students

Research shows social media use can affect mental health, sleep, and self-esteem. Families can support healthy habits:

✅ Set time limits – Encourage balance between online and offline activities
✅ Protect privacy – Review settings and talk about sharing safely
✅ Address bullying early – Teach kids to block, report, and speak up
✅ Encourage positive content – Follow supportive and age-appropriate accounts
✅ Prioritize offline connection – Time with friends, family, and hobbies matters

💬 Conversation Starters for Families:
• “How does social media make you feel?”
• “Has anything online been bothering you?”
• “Who would you talk to if something online didn’t feel safe?”
• “What helps you take a break from your phone?”

📌 Support is Available
Kids Help Phone: Call or text 686868 (24/7 in Canada)
In an emergency, call 911.

🔗 Learn more: MediaSmarts: Tips for Parents

01/12/2026

Make sure you dont’t miss out on these free virtual workshops offered by Recovery Alberta!

Take time for your mental health and wellness this year and join a free virtual workshop!

The Emergency Preparedness workshop shares ways to be emotionally, socially, and practically prepared for a disaster or an emergency.

Wellness Exchange is an online series designed to help increase your ability to cope with change, build resilience, and improve overall well-being.

The D-Stress workshop explores coping skills and strategies, and participants leave with a personal stress reduction action plan.

Visit https://recoveryalberta.ca/page14050.aspx to register. Workshops are open to all Albertans.

01/07/2026

Check out this week’s Wellness Wednesday!

As we head into a new year, it is a great time to gently reset our family’s digital habits.

For children and teens, screens can impact sleep, mood, focus, and connection. Small changes can make a big difference.

A few simple ideas to try at home:
• Create tech free times, especially during meals and before bed
• Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight
• Talk openly about what your child is doing online, not just how long they are online
• Model healthy screen habits yourself
• Encourage offline activities like reading, creative play, outdoor time, and family connection

Healthy digital habits are not about perfection. They are about balance, boundaries, and building skills that support wellbeing now and in the future.

This year, aim for progress, not pressure.

01/07/2026

Be sure to check out this exciting new program offered by the Grande Cache Municipal Library! Registration required.

New program alert! Registration Required

01/07/2026

Check out this upcoming program offered by Misfits Gym and Youth Connections! Ages 10-17.

Upcoming program! 💪🏻

01/07/2026

Join the Grande Cache Municipal Library for some laser tag fun this month! Ages 8-12.

https://libraryaware.com/3AB155

01/07/2026

Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity for your youth 7+ to join Kawaii Sewing Club at the Grande Cache Municipal Library! Limited spots available.

Kawaii Sewing Club for January.
https://libraryaware.com/3AB9XC

01/03/2026

Check out this week’s Wellness Wednesday!

Did you know? 🛡️ Many apps automatically track your location in the background. A quick "Digital Wellness" win today is helping your teen check their privacy settings and toggle off location services for any apps that don't strictly need them. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect their digital footprint!

As we kick off 2026, our Wellness Team is focusing on a topic that’s top of mind for many families: Online Safety & Digital Wellness.

The digital world offers so many opportunities for our kids to learn and connect, but it also comes with challenges. This month’s Parents’ Corner is packed with practical tips to help you navigate these conversations at home.

Join us in welcoming Karalyn Horst and Teigan Lalonde to the Wellness Team. They joined us in December as BEST Coaches in their areas!

Check out the flyer below for the full team contact list and more digital safety tips!