DTS Weekly Update – DATE
DTS Message de la semaine – March 13, 2025
“It takes all stripes to be a tiger.”
“Il faut toutes les qualités pour être un tigre.”
David Thompson Newsletters are always available on our website!
Image | Winds from the South
Hello Tiger Families!
It’s been a wonderful week at David Thompson. We are so proud of our Tigers for an incredible volleyball season! Their teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship made us all proud. A huge thank you to our coaches and families for their support! We also want to celebrate our talented musicians who took part in Winds from the South at the Jack Singer. What an amazing performance and experience! Go Tigers!
And as we head into the final week before Spring Break, we also welcome the Spring Equinox on March 19—the moment when day and night are nearly equal, marking the official shift into a new season. In Blackfoot culture, spring is a time of renewal and balance, deeply connected to nature and the rhythms of the land. Across many cultures and traditions, this season is a time of rebirth and fresh beginnings, whether it’s Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, or Easter and Passover, spring is universally a season of growth, hope, and renewal.
As we wrap up this week, let’s embrace that energy. Let’s take time to reflect, reset, and look ahead with optimism. It is also a wonderful time to remind your child to clean out the school locker, return library books and check the lost and found before the break.
Speaking of reflection and new opportunities, we’re looking forward to school conferences! Hope to “see” you soon!
Items in this update:
- Complimentary Course Interest Survey 2025-2026
- Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs): Information for Families
- Conferences
- Book Fair
- Winds of the South
- Athletics report
Complimentary Course Interest Survey 2025-2026
It’s the time of year when planning for next year’s offerings begins to happen! In order to do this, we would like to gather student voice on their complimentary course interests next year. Please review course options here with your child and have your child select their top 3 options. Options cannot be ranked.
Provincial Achievement Tests: Information for Families
In May and June of this year, Grade 6 and 9 students across the province will participate in the Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs). Grade 9 students will complete PATs in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
For the 2024/25 school year, the Grade 6 PAT in Science and the French Immersion Language Arts and Literature (FILAL) will not be administered. However, the Grade 6 Social Studies PAT will continue to be offered, aligning with the current Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum. The Grade 6 Mathematics and English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL) PATs will be administered, reflecting the new curriculum.
The Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) will provide insight into student performance relative to provincial standards at the end of Grade 6 and 9. For families supporting students’ preparation for the PATs, here are a few tips:
- Study Schedule: Break study time into manageable sessions.
- Review Materials: Have students revisit key concepts and past assignments.
- Create a Positive Environment: Acknowledge efforts and encourage a calm, positive mindset.
Homework Guidelines (CBE):
- Grade 6: 30 minutes to 1 hour per day.
- Grade 9: 1 to 1.5 hours per day.
Conferences
Conferences regarding your child’s progress at school are coming up March 20 and 21st. Due to the ongoing labor action, all conferences will be online at this time. Conferences will be set for 5-minute time slots. If you feel you need more time, you can book a maximum of two (for a 10-minute slot) instead. If you run into any issues with booking, please email the teacher, and they’ll support you in getting this sorted. As always, if you're unable to book a time, just reach out to the teacher, and they’ll do their best to arrange a meeting at a different time.
March 12 at 12:00 PM - March 19th at 6:00 PM: Conference bookings open
March 20 (4:00 PM-7:30 PM): evening conferences
March 21 (8:00 AM – 1:00PM): daytime conferences
Book Fair
Bring on the Book joy! The Scholastic Book Fair is almost here. Get ready…your favourite characters and series, cool posters, and all the awesome stuff you need to help you create your own story are coming to David Thompson School on March 17-20, 2025. Parents come to the book fair Thursday morning from 7:30-8:00 am. check out our webpage here https://bookfairs.scholastic.ca/bf/davidthompsonmiddleschool5 (English)
https://bookfairs.scholastic.ca/bf-fr/davidthompsonmiddleschool5 (French)
We’re so excited for the best week of the year! Catch you at the Fair!
Thanks
Melanie
Winds from the South
Congratulations to the Grade 8 & 9 Symphonic Band on their amazing performance at Winds from the South on Tuesday March 11th. Our ensemble has been bombarded with numerous compliments, praise, and kind words from so many different people since the performance. Well, done Grade 8’s & 9’s, your performance was exceptional!
Mr. McClary would like to thank band students, and their parents & guardians for their ongoing support and participation in band at David Thompson School.
Mr. McClary would also like to thank Mr. Paul Brown, Mr. Kevin Willms, and the Dr. EP Scarlett Music Parents Society for organizing the Winds from the South concert.
Best,
Mr. Casey McClary
Athletics Report
A big shout out to ALL our volleyball teams. Last night was playoffs for all our teams.
Junior Boys came away with a 4th place win. Our Junior Girls, Senior Girls and Senior Boys all came away with third place wins.
Great job, Tigers!!
Badminton Season is Postponed until further notice.
If/When the CUPE labor action ceases – a plan to resume CMLSAA athletics will be communicated to families. Until then, we are unable to move forward with tryouts, practices and games against other schools.
Erin Hidalgo
Physical Education and Athletics Learning Leader
French Immersion students
Starting at the beginning of March, French Immersion students of all grades are participating in Manie Musicale. They will be introduced to a variety of singers and musical groups and vote on a winner every couple of days. Students are learning about French culture and reinforcing their oral listening skills through this much appreciated activity. To support learning at home, as well as strengthen appreciation of French culture, students are encouraged to listen to French content including music, podcasts, videos or movies at home.
Important Dates
March 17 – St Patrick’s Day (Wear Green)
March 17 – 21 Book Fair
March 20-21 Conferences
March 24-28 Spring Break
March 31 – Eastern Canada Parent Meeting
April 2-4 Band Camp
April 9 – Band Parent Society Meeting
April 10 – Grade 9 to Carburn Park
April 14 – Salts Second Parent Meeting
April 15 – Grade 7 to Carburn Park
April 18 – No School
April 21 – System Professional Day – No School for students
Dates of Significance
“Go Tigers!”
École David Thompson School
9320 Arbour Crescent SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0X8 Calgary Board of Education | cbe.ab.ca t | 403-777-7470