DTS Message de la semaine - 24 octobre, 2024
David Thompson Newsletters are always available on our website!
Items in this update:
- Take Our Kids to Work Day - Grade 9
- Halloween
- System Student Accommodation Plan
School Conferences
Teams and Clubs
- Eastern Canada Information Session
- SALTS Sign Up
- Magic of Christmas
Important Dates
Take Our Kids to Work Day - Grade 9
Take Our Kids to Work Day is Nov 6, 2024 for Grade 9 students. A form was sent home to families of Grade 9 students with further instructions and a form to complete and return to school. Those students who opt to remain at school will participate in related workshops led by DTS staff. Questions or concerns may be directed to Ben Beaudoin at bbbeaudoin@cbe.ab.ca.
Halloween
Students of David Thompson School will have the opportunity to participate in Halloween activities on October 31. Students are welcome to come to school wearing their costumes, donning an orange and black outfit, wearing their pajamas, or coming dressed in regular clothing. There are some parameters around costumes we would like students and caregivers to follow:
- Avoid excessive gore
- Weapons of any kind are not permitted
- No masks
- Please use discretion when choosing attire, remembering the school environment includes students with varying sensitivities
- Ensure costumes are bathroom friendly and easy to get into and out of
- Ensure costumes allow for safe and easy movement at school and will not interfere with your child's ability to participate in regular class work and in gym class.
In the afternoon, students will be able to choose between attending the dance or taking part in several alternate, teacher-run activities.
System Student Accommodation Plan (SSAP)
The Calgary Board of Education produces the Three-Year System Student Accommodation Plan (SSAP) report every spring. This report helps identify schools facing student accommodation challenges, such as high enrolment pressure, a decline in enrolment, or a change in the demographics of students at the school. The solution to these challenges may affect one or more schools and needs careful consideration. David Thompson School has been identified in the CBE’s 2024-27 SSAP.
In developing the SSAP each year, CBE reviews current enrolment trends, demographic changes, community growth or decline, birth data, and other relevant factors to understand educational opportunities for students based on where they live.
Please use this link to read the full letter from the Director of Planning.
We shared information about the SSAP at our school council meeting on October 16 and answered questions. You can view detailed information on the corporate website here.
School Conferences
School conferences have begun:
October 24, 2024 In-Person at 4:00pm - 7:30pm
October 25, 2024 Online at 8:00am - 1:30pm
Sessions will be 10 minutes in length. School conferences are an opportunity to engage in conversation about your child’s learning. Parents/guardians, students and teachers are able to connect and communicate openly about student learning, especially with respect to areas of strength and areas of growth. They help build and sustain respectful relationships that allow both parties to share information and develop strategies to support student success. Prior to conferences, take time with your child(ren) to review PowerSchool for updated grades and D2L for course content and topics to support a focused and informed discussion. If possible, please ensure your child is present for the conferences as their voice is vital to the steps necessary to their own improvement and success.
After booking your conference, the booking details will appear in your MyCBE account. We recommend creating events in the email calendar to keep track of meeting times and links (if applicable).
Teams and Clubs
Pickleball Club
- Meet every Wednesday and Thursday @ lunch in the Main Gym. Bring your paddle!
The GSA started up last week!
- We aim to create a community where everyone belongs - students who identify as LGBTQ+, their allies, and those who want to learn more or join a supportive community.
Yearbook Club
- Meets every Wednesday during lunch in room 46, and the last Monday of every month after school from 2:30 - 3:30pm.
Garden Advisory Group
- meets once a month to share ideas about making Niso Nitoyis (Four Lodges) garden an even better space. We look forward to gathering voices and working together!
Field Trips
- Oct 16 - Grade 6 Storybook Theatre
- Nov 20 - Outdoor Ed Climbing Trip
Magic of Christmas
Magic of Christmas referrals are now open. If you feel your family would benefit from the support of a referral to this program, please contact Tracy Evans at tcevans@cbe.ab.ca to discuss.
Important Dates
October 24 & 25 School Conferences
October 25 - No Classes
October 31 - Halloween Activities (PM)
November 1st - SALTS sign up due
November 6th - Take Our Kids to Work Day (Grade 9s only)
November 7 Remembrance Day Ceremony
November 8 - System professional learning day - No classes
November 11-13 Fall Break - No classes
November 20 Grade 7 Outdoor Ed. Climbing Trip
November 20 School Council (Virtual Meeting)
November 29 Non-instruction day - No classes