Special Events : Gala

Held annually, the Gala is an opportunity for guests to socialize and meet other CFIS parents and community partners. Each year, a Gala Committee made up of dedicated volunteer parents determines the event’s format and each year a creative new surprise is revealed.

back to Soirée Info

2004 Groovy Gala

Our thanks to everyone who attended and participated in this year’s successful Groovy Gala. We hope you all had a great time and we look forward to seeing you next year.

“Groovy Gala”
May 8, 2004
SAIT Heritage Hall

Special thanks to this year’s corporate sponsors:

What People Had to Say about the Groovy Gala

Darren Forrester, Principal, Calgary French & International School
“Often, the literature on effective schools will cite celebration and the gathering as a community as important ingredients to creating a successful learning environment. The Gala, while it is a fundraiser, also acts as a celebration for all of our stakeholders in the CFIS community to gather and share our commitment for our school.

We do indeed have much to celebrate. As a school we have wonderful, curious and motivated students. Our future is exciting as we move forward into Junior and Senior High school. We are progressive in our thinking as we move away from being an insular ‘island’ of learning to a school that embraces partnership with other institutions like SAIT and the University of Calgary.

The Gala, in my opinion, is a vehicle for people to exhibit their passion for CFIS. The success of this event is due largely to the hard work of the Gala committee – they deserve congratulations and our sincere appreciation. Enjoy this evening and remember that behind all the wonderful food and drink, the prizes and the activities, this evening is done for the students of CFIS.”

Natalie Crump, Grade 8
“This is a great opportunity to thank you very much for all the work and effort you have put into this school and making the CFIS community come together. It’s been hard for all of us to get things organized. We have taken a long stride to achieving our goals and to make this whole year possible for all of us. The kids aging from preschool to junior high have appreciated this new school since last year, when we all contributed to throwing a stone into a hole. We couldn’t have made any of this possible if it wasn’t for you. I can’t believe how far we have come. We have wonderful facilities, excellent teachers and we have a great principal, Mr. Darren Forrester. But besides all the above, we have you. The ones who do not hesitate in giving time and effort to our school in a very quiet way. For all of you… Thanks, merci, gracias!”

Dr. Nicholas G. Zekulin, Director, University of Calgary language Research Centre
“On this occasion, as you celebrate your first year in the new school premises, on behalf of the Language Research Centre at the University of Calgary, I would like to congratulate the entire CFIS community, parents, staff and students. It is a particular pleasure to do so as the LRC marks its connection with the CFIS with our first joint research project, under the direction of Professor Mary O’Brien, a project which, we believe, will be of benefit to the CFIS, to the LRC and well beyond. Congratulations.”

Karen Kryczka, MLA, Calgary West
“I am very pleased to congratulate Calgary French & International School on its 35th anniversary and to say what a pleasure it has been to welcome them to their ‘new home’ in Calgary–West.

Your presence as a centre of excellence in language and cultural learning will indeed enhance the high standard for learning in Calgary and Alberta. CFIS has been an innovative and faithful supporter of communities of Calgary–West, working diligently in partnership with them to create facilities that meet their needs. You represent a successful P# (public, private, partnership) and are a benchmark for others to follow. I am certain your Gala on May 8 will be a very successful, fun evening for parents, staff , friend and the community.”

Irene Lewis, President, SAIT
“Congratulations on this, the fourth gala and Calgary French & International School’s thirty-fifth year of delivering education.

Once again SAIT faculty were privileged to work with staff and students of your school. The Information and Communications Technologies department offered a five-day course including electronic, motor and mechanical design theory, circuit fabrication, printed circuit board creation, and programming principles.

The students built a sumo-wrestling robot, a robotic artificial life form (cybug) and enjoyed a number of different challenges involving Lego mindstorms. I dropped by the event and witnessed the students being inspired by the intellectual challenges with which they were presented as well as having fun building their robots.

Congratulations and we look forward to our continued association.”

Craig Burrows, Alderman, Ward 6
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Ward 6 as your new home. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit your new school and meet passionate volunteers, staff, parents and students.

Congratulations on your 35th anniversary. As Alderman for Ward 6 I am delighted to have CFIS and its volunteers working with our communities to form a P3 (public, private, partnership) that benefits both community and school.

The current CFIS/Cougar Ridge community-use gym, built on time and on budget, has proven to be a very successful project that has helped build stronger relationships in our communities with sports and recreational programs taking place on a regular basis. I have participated in CFIS’s initiatives since 2001 and have been very impressed by the dedication and commitment of its volunteers. They have made an extraordinary effort to work with their neighboring communities. This successful P3 stands as a model for future projects of this type throughout our City and Province.

I see a great future and look forward in helping in anyway that I can.

A Bientot!”

Shawn Ripley, President, West Springs/Cougar Ridge Community Association
“CFIS has demonstrated to the surrounding communities a strong commitment to be an integral part of and asset to the community. WSCR is a community that does not have a community centre. The current CFIS facilities have been made available on a number of occasions for the use of the community for key events and meetings. In addition, spring and summer outdoor community programs such as summer playground programs in conjunction with the Community & Neighbourhood Services Department of the City of Calgary have been planned. Without the obvious commitment of CFIS to the community, these programs would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to offer at this time.

Congratulations on reaching your 35th milestone!”