École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence
Weekly Update – Friday December 12 | Message de la semaine – vendredi 12 decembre
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin
Hello Tiger Families!
This past week, our school was filled with creativity, connection, and community during our Week of Arts & Wellness! From hands-on arts-based wellness workshops to a stunning student drama and band performance and an art show, the week highlighted the power of the arts to support well-being and self-expression. A huge thank-you to the students and staff who organized and participated.
As nights get longer, some of our students are getting more screentime. We encourage families to take time for conversations around digital citizenship and making respectful, informed and safe choices online. A great resource to help guide these discussions is MediaSmarts.ca – Canada’s digital and media literacy center, offering parent tip sheets, family activities, and conversation guides.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting their learning and well-being.
Warmly,
The David Thompson School Team
Items in this update:
- Happenings
- Attendance and requesting a different bus
- Grade 9 Options request form
- Breakfast Club Launching Tuesday!
- D&D club
- Lunchtime Activities: Stay Engaged This Winter!
- Le Festival du Flying Canoë Volant
- Knitting Club
- French Connections
- Christmas Movie in French at La Cité des Rocheuse
- L'Alliance Française
- Canadian Parents for French
- Important Dates
- Dates of Significance
Happenings
Attendance and requesting a different bus
If students are going to be late or absent, please email ONLY davidthompson@cbe.ab.ca or phone the DTS absence line 403-777-7470 opt 1. For students requesting a different bus, please complete this form and have your student return it to the office. Alternatively, you can email davidthompson@cbe.ab.ca. Please note that riders must be a current bus student and end-of-day submissions will not be permitted.
Grade 9 Options request form
Forms for Grade 9s to request options changes and for students who are missing options for next semester are due Wednesday. Forms require a parent's signature, as well as teacher signatures for the option being requested.
Breakfast Club Launching Tuesday!
Mme Vicky and Mme Bensebti have kindly completed the food-handling training course. Thanks to School Council, this program is free for all students. Breakfast items will rotate and may include items like granola bars, fruit cups, juice boxes, cheese strings, and yogurt tubes. The short 10-minute window gives students time to grab a quick snack before class, and we’ll keep a few items in the office for the occasional late bus.
Date - Tuesdays
Time - 7:50 to 8:00 am
Location - Atrium
D&D club
D&D club is taking a long rest. We will adventure again starting the first week of February.
Lunchtime Activities: Stay Engaged This Winter!
Everyday
- The Band Room – to practice their instruments.
- Socializing Club – Room 26
- Room 40 or Room 44 – quiet game spaces. Students can check each day to see which room, or if both rooms are open.
Monday
- Manga & Anime Club – Room 11
- Math & Science Homework Help – Room 44
- Chess Club – Construction Room
- Tech Club – LC-1 (January Start)
- Intramurals (Grade 7) – Gym
Tuesday
- Art Homework Catch-Up – Art Room
- ELA Homework Help – LC-1
- Intramurals (Grades 5 & 6) – Gym
Wednesday
- Diversity & Anti-Racism Club – Room 2/Zen Den
- Music Practice – Band Room
- Intramurals (Grade 8) – Gym
Thursday
- GSA – Room 11
- Knitting Club – Room 45 (January Start)
- Book Club – LC-1
- Games Club – Room 27
- ELA Homework Help – Room 43
- Intramurals (Grade 9) – Gym
Le Festival du Flying Canoë Volant
Want to go a staycation to Edmonton and cultivate French connections for you and your learner? This is a fun and Francophone-Métis focused event that happens in Edmonton every year. In 2026, it is happening January 28-31 and is put on by La société Francophone in Edmonton. There are artists, activities, tire à l'érable and so much more! The Festival du Flying Canoë Volant is a creative and interactive cultural celebration created to highlight local history and all that is fun during a long winter's night. To learn more, follow this link: Le Festival du Flying Canoë Volant
Knitting Club
Ms. Feke is starting a knitting club! She would really appreciate donations of any yarn, needles that you no longer need in your house! Donations can be dropped off in the office any time between now and the end of January. The club will be for grades 7, 8, and 9’s.
Date - Thursdays, January 8 - March 19
Time - During Lunch
Location - Room 45
French Connections
Want more French Fun in your life? Calgary has some wonderful French culture and resources to offer families interested in engaging with French in our community:
Christmas Movie in French at La Cité des Rocheuse
La Cité des Rocheuses, a French cultural hub in the city of Calgary, is screening a Christmas movie in French throughout December: À la suite de Père Noël. Visit their website here for more information and to purchase tickets.
L'Alliance Française
This dream took root in Calgary in 1947 with the founding of the Alliance Française of Calgary (AFC). Since then, we have remained committed to promoting French language and culture, welcoming over 1,200 students each year who come to learn, connect, and immerse themselves in a vibrant Francophone environment. Beyond our classes, we offer a rich cultural program and access to the largest fully French library in Western Canada.
Canadian Parents for French
Canadian Parents for French started in 1977 by parents who wanted to ensure that children would have the opportunity to become bilingual in the Canadian school system. More than 40 years later, we have become a national network with branches and chapters across Canada, continuing to advocate for FSL learning opportunities for Canadians.
Important Dates
Dec 15-19 – Spirit Week & Winter Themed Intramurals
Dec 15 – Crazy Hair Day
Dec 16 – Ugly Sweater Day
Dec 16 - Grade 8 O.E. Snowshoe Trip
Dec 17 – Anything But a Backpack Day
Dec 18 - Canyon Meadows G7 & G8
Dec 18 – Twin Day
Dec 19 - Last day of classes before winter break.
Dec 19 – Pajama Day-Talent Show
Dec 22 - Jan 2 - Holidays - No School
“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