DTS Message de la semaine - jeudi, le 17 octobre, 2024

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 Information Session

·         Magic of Christmas

·         Important Dates 

Take Our Kids to Work Day - Grade 9

Take Our Kids to Work Day is Nov 1, 2023 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

We are looking forward to school conferences. The following is the schedule and format for October conferences:

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. When booking conferences, please allow adequate time to move (physically or virtually) from one booking to the next.  The conference manager is now open and will close at 6:00pm on Wednesday, October 23.  To book conferences, please log into your MyCBE account. Once you are in your account, click on "Book and Manage Meeting Times".  Next, click "Book a Conference".

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. 

Field Trips

• Oct 16 - Grade 6 Storybook Theatre
• Nov 20 - Outdoor Ed Climbing Trip

Eastern Canada Information Session

Is your Grade 8 child interested in this year’s Eastern Canada trip? We are hosting an information meeting for guardians and students Thursday, October 17th at 5:30pm (tonight!)  in the main gym at David Thompson School. At the meeting, we will provide detailed information including the itinerary, purpose, expectations, cost, etc. Hope to see you there!

SALTS Information Session

Is your Grade 9 child interested in this year’s sailing trip with SALTS (Sail and Life Training Society)? Information about this trip will be shared with students the week of October 14th. We are hosting an information meeting for guardians and students on Thursday, October 17th at 6:15pm (tonight!) in the Atrium at David Thompson School. If you have any questions about this off-site activity, please do not hesitate to contact Margaret Matheson (mammatheson@cbe.ab.ca) or Kris Bains (kmbains@cbe.ab.ca)

 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 17                      Eastern Canada (Grade 8s) Information Meeting @ 5:30pm

October 17                      SALTS (Grade 9s) information Meeting @ 6:15pm

October 24 & 25           School Conferences 

October 25                      No Classes

October 31                      Halloween Activities (PM)

November 7                    Remembrance Day Ceremony

November 8                    System professional learning day - No classes

November 11-13          Fall Break - No classes