École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence
Weekly Update – Thursday December 18 | Message de la semaine – jeudi 18 decembre
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”
— Anne Lamott
David Thompson Newsletters are always available on our website!
8-1 Renaissance art projects, channeling their inner DaVinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello.
Hello Tiger Families!
As we approach the final day of school in 2025, I want to take a moment to encourage a pause—a reflection on the beauty of the season. December was full: full of music, laughter, and light. There is joy in the halls, and it is also true that the stimulation of the season asks a lot from us.
So, as we close this calendar year together, I offer the gentle reminder to give yourself and your children permission to take some quiet. A pause is not a luxury, it’s a tool. We’ve held space for and encouraged our community, and now I hope you hold a little space for yourself too. Peace in you creates peace around you.
It’s important to model check-ins with our families and children. Over the break try a check-in conversation when you're driving around one day. Ask your child: What’s something that made you feel calm today? These conversations help build emotional vocabulary, self-awareness, and connection, all things our middle years learners need deeply.
Wishing you a week filled with small glimmers of peace, joy, and rest. Thank you for the care you bring to our school community every single day. Have a safe and restorative winter break.
Warmly,
The David Thompson School Team
Items in this update:
- Happenings
- Lost and found
- 50/50 Draw Winner Announcement
- Dites-le en Français contest Winners
- Volleyball Tryouts
- Band
- International Baccalaureate Program Information
- Important Dates
- Dates of Significance
Happenings
Lost and found
Are your students missing any clothing? Reminder: Please have your child clean out their locker and check the lost and found before the break. Any unclaimed items in the lost and found will be donated in the new year. If items are not collected, they will be donated.
50/50 Draw Winner Announcement
Congratulations to Elisha Callihoo, the winner of the David Thompson School Band Society’s Winter Showcase 50/50 Draw! The total jackpot was $752, with $376 awarded to the winner.
A huge thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and supported our band program. We would also like to extend our appreciation to our students and volunteers for their fantastic work running the concession. Thanks to these efforts and the schools continued support of music and the arts at David Thompson School.
Dites-le en Français contest Winners
Congratulations to the DTS students who won the National Dites-le en Français contest put on by Canadian Parents for French! This annual contest asks students to create a video, no longer than 3 minutes, about any subject they want, and DTS students really showed up!
- In the Early French Immersion Category, Yera in Grade 6 won first place, with a video about South Korea.
- In the same category, Isla won second place for the Grade 7 contingent with her video about Mexico.
- And in the Francophone category, Maimouna won second place for Grade 9 with her video about Artificial Intelligence.
Their efforts and hard work are seen, appreciated, and celebrated. David Thompson Tigers are proud of their dedication to self-expression and learning!
Volleyball Tryouts
Any student in grades 6-9 is welcome to come to volleyball tryouts when we return in January.
Day | Lunch 11:20-12:05pm | After School 2:45-4:00pm |
Monday, Jan 5 | Junior Girls (Grades 6-8) | Senior Boys (Grade 9) *7s and 8s can tryout |
Tuesday, Jan 6 | Junior Boys (Grades 6-8) | Senior Girls (Grade 9) *7s and 8s can tryout |
Wednesday, Jan 7 | Senior Boys (Grade 9) *7s and 8s can tryout | Junior Boys (Grades 6-8) |
Thursday, Jan 8 | Senior Girls (Grade 9) *7s and 8s can tryout | Junior Girls (Grades 6-8) |
Band
Parents of Jazz Band Students – Upcoming Field Trip on Friday, January 16th, 2026. E.P. Scarlett High School Jazz Workshop. Please see an email sent from Mr. McClary at the end of this week.
CBE Junior Honour Band – Students interested in applying for the CBE Junior Honour Band should see Mr. McClary right away. Please contact Mr. McClary for a letter with information.
General for Band Students – Students whose instruments need maintenance over the Winter break need to leave their instruments in Mr. McClary’s office before the end of this week.
International Baccalaureate Program Information
Future IB Warriors and families! A virtual Henry Wise Wood High School International Baccalaureate Program Information Evening is happening on Thursday, January 8th at 6:00pm for current Grade 9 students looking to apply for the IB program for the 2026-27 school year. Topics will include an overview of the IB program at Henry Wise Wood with components and requirements, university recognition, costs and benefits of the program. The evening will be available online - the link and subsequent video can be found at info.hwwib.ca. If you have any questions about the evening or the IB Program at Henry Wise Wood High School, you can email the IB Diploma Coordinator (Mr.Glenn Finockio) at gofinockio@cbe.ab.ca
- Important Dates
- Dec 22 - Jan 2 - Holidays - No School
- Mon, Jan 5 – 11:20 – Jr Girl VB Tryouts
- 2:45 – Sr Boy VB Tryouts
- Tue, Jan 6 – 11:20 – Jr Boy VB Tryouts
- 2:45 – Sr Girl VB Tryouts
- Wed, Jan 7 – 11:20 – Sr Boy VB Tryouts
- 2:45 – Jr Boy VB Tryouts
- Thu, Jan 8 – Nanton Military Studies Field Trip
- 11:20 – Sr Girl VB Tryouts
- 2:45 – Jr Girl VB Tryouts
- Tue, Jan 13 – Gr 6 Rothney Observatory Field Trip
- Fri, Jan 16 – EP Scarlett Jazz Workshop
“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