École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence 

Weekly Update – Friday, February 27 | Message de la semaine – vendredi 27 février 

  Quote: In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. - Albert Camus 

Our latest David Thompson newsletter is now available on our website! Notre plus récent bulletin d’information de l’École David Thompson est maintenant disponible sur notre site Web.   

DTS Leadership Students meeting up with their Acadia Elementary Buddies 

Hello Tiger Families!  

Can you believe it’s almost March already? Remember how long January felt, and now we’re turning the corner toward spring. 

As the days stretch a little longer and the sun carries a bit more warmth, I always notice how quickly our energy shifts too. This week at David Thompson was full in the best way. Our leadership students took part in Pink Shirt Day learning and attended the Horizons Leadership Conference at Centennial High School. Grade 8 students headed to Theatre Calgary for The Tale of the Gifted Prince, and our Grade 9 Rec Leadership students visited their Grade 6 buddies at Acadia School, connection and leadership in action.  Alongside that, our regular rhythm continued with vaccines, practices, rehearsals, the Pascal Math Contest, and ongoing high school transition meetings. 

Report cards went live, and I hope they created a helpful pause for your family to notice learning growth, set a goal, and name what is working. A report card is one snapshot in a much bigger story, the real value is in the conversations it can spark about habits, effort, and next steps. If you have a quiet moment this weekend, here are a few simple reflection questions you might try at home: What are you most proud of from this past month? What is one thing you want to get better at next, and what would help? When learning feels tricky, what helps you keep going? 

Today, our staff are learning together about Neurolinguistic Approach to task design, with support from our system specialist Laurelle and the respected Dr. Mueller, who has a connection with members of our team. Teachers are the most important players in impacting student success, and I’m grateful they continue to strengthen classroom learning through thoughtful professional learning. 

Here’s to a new month and all the possibility it brings. 

Warmly,  

The David Thompson School Team  

PS 

This was written yesterday...Calgary weather...change is the only constant!  

Items in this update:  

• Happenings 
• Last Chance to Buy Your Yearbook! 
• Band Permission Forms Due!  
• Yoga Update 
• French Immersion Math AP at EP Scarlett: What Families Need to Know 
• Transportation 
• Culture Makes Moves at David Thompson  
• Tiger Time Talk: Bringing the Learning Home 
• Boys Soccer 
• Grade 9 Transitions Mini Round Dance 
• Planning for Next Year 
• School Council Meeting Invitation 
• Important Dates  
• Dates of Significance 

Happenings  

Last Chance to Buy Your Yearbook! 

Attention, DTS families! This is your last week to buy yearbooks! The last day to purchase a 2025-2026 yearbook is Friday, February 27th! You can purchase this year’s yearbook here. 

Please direct any questions to Natasha Andrews at NaAndrews@educbe.ca. 

Band Permission Forms Due 

The Dr. E.P. Scarlett music program has invited feeder schools to the Winds from the South Band Concert. Students, families, and guests alike will witness fine music making! Winds from the South Forms permission forms were due this week. For extenuating circumstances, please email Mr. McClary. 

Yoga Update 

Date: Mondays & Thursdays until March Spring Break 

Time: 2:45pm-4:00pm 

Location: Drama Room 

We are offering this for two days due to availability. Since drama rooms often have specialized flooring or props, you might want to remind your students to bring their own mats, so they aren't sliding around on bare floor. If they don’t have a mat, we have extras.  

French Immersion Math AP at EP Scarlett: What Families Need to Know 

As students look toward their next steps in learning, they may have questions about French Immersion Math Advanced Placement (AP), specifically Math 10C AP. Each year, Math 10C AP is included on the French Immersion course selection list. EP Scarlett’s capacity to offer a French Immersion Math 10C AP class depends on student interest and enrollment. To create a French Immersion Math 10C AP cohort for the 2026–2027 school year, a minimum of 30 students must select the course. Families’ decisions may be influenced by the following: 

• If enrollment numbers decrease significantly in future years, the French AP cohort may be dissolved, and students continuing in AP Math could transition to the English AP cohort. 
• If students continue in French Math AP through Grade 12, the Advanced Placement exam is written in English, regardless of the language of instruction. 
• If a French AP cohort cannot be created, students may still enroll in English Math 10C AP and remain fully eligible to earn their French Immersion Certificate of Achievement. 

If this course feels like a strong fit for your child, please be sure to select Math AP during course selection. If you have already submitted your selections and would like to make a change, you may submit a new form, and the most recent submission will be used. Questions about French AP math may be directed to: EP Scarlett to the attention of Kate Malayko, kgmalayko@cbe.ab.ca and Myles Gibbs, myagibbs@cbe.ab.ca 

Transportation 

Families are reminded of the importance of consistent and supportive routines for students who take school bus transportation. Students who are regular bus riders may access any regular bus route where there is available space to safely accommodate them and may use an alternate bus stop on occasion with advance notice. To support this process, families are asked to complete the bus change form available on our website. For safety purposes, all advance notice requests must include a parent/guardian signature and a phone number in case of emergency. The form may be used to request an alternate route or stop and must be verified in the office before 2:00 PM. Please note that, for student safety, last-minute changes may not be accommodated. If students are regularly using unassigned bus stops, Calgary Board of Education Transportation offers families the option, for an additional fee, to add a second address to their transportation registration. This can help support childcare arrangements and evolving family schedules. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to ensure students travel safely between home and school. 

Culture Makes Moves at David Thompson  

Great news! The Calgary Board of Education featured David Thompson students, alongside Lester B. Pearson High School, on the main CBE News Centre for a Black History Month story, highlighting our Artist-in-Residence, Ajay Musodi, and the powerful learning happening for our students through movement, and culture. Families can read the full article here. Link: Where Culture Moves 

Tiger Time Talk: Bringing the Learning Home  

Tiger Time is officially underway! Students in Grades 5–9 are diving deep into targeted sessions, tailored to their specific needs. Whether they are mastering French verbs, sharpening their writing, or building stronger executive functioning habits, there is a lot of growth happening in just 40 minutes! Ask your students about their session! Instead of the usual "How was school?", try one of these specific "Tiger Time" conversation starters this week: 

• "What’s one 'pro-tip' or shortcut you learned in your Reading/Math/French group today?" 
• "What’s a new trick you’re trying out to stay organized or manage your time? 
• "What was the main 'vibe' or focus of your group discussion this week?" 

Boys Soccer 

The Boys’ Soccer Team is having their team party on March 2, 9:30-12:00. Students will play an intersquad game on the indoor boarded fields then enjoy pizza! All forms must be returned to Ms. Miller by the end of this week by paper or email to temiller@cbe.ab.ca. 

Grade 9 Transitions Mini Round Dance  

Mark your calendars! On April 30, 2026, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the CBE Indigenous Education Team invites Grade 9 Indigenous students, their families, and school staff to be celebrated at the third-annual CBE Grade 9 Transitions Mini Round Dance. This will be an evening to honour self-identified Indigenous students who are transitioning from Grade 9 to high school. Hosted at Ernest Manning High School, this event will include a bagged lunch feast, Indigenous artisans, special dances, an honour song, and a giveaway. All CBE students, families, and staff are invited to attend.    

Planning for Next Year 

As we begin planning for the next school year, we want to thank you for being part of the David Thompson School community. We are already looking ahead to another wonderful year of learning, growth, and connection. Please note that once your child is registered at David Thompson School, their registration continues from year to year unless we are informed otherwise. If your child will be returning next year, no action is needed. We are excited to welcome your family back. If your child will not be attending David Thompson School in September, for example if your family is moving or your child has accepted a place at another school, please email Maria at mffelix@cbe.ab.ca. If you have more than one child at the school, please include each child in your message. 

If you have any questions about your child’s eligibility or need assistance, please contact the school office. We kindly ask that any updates be shared by Friday, March 13 to help us plan effectively for the year ahead. 

School Council Meeting Invitation 

Our next School Council meeting is coming up, and we would love to “see” you there!  

• Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 
• Time: 6:30 pm 
• Format: Virtual Meeting Linked Here 

At this meeting you will have a chance to learn about school planning, including our school development plan, school budget, and school fees and you will also get to hear a short presentation from Belcanfran exchange coordinators Lise and Ron May about the Belcanfran exchange opportunity for French Immersion students. We hope you can make it, your voice matters, and it helps us make the best decisions for kids. 

Important Dates  

Feb 27 - Non-Instructional Day – No School  

Mar 02 - Jr Girls Volleyball Hosting 4:00-6:30pm  

- Winds from the South 6:30-8:30pm 

Mar 04 - School Council meeting (Virtual) 6:30-9:00pm 

Mar 06 - Sr Girls Volleyball Tournament 12:00-6:30pm 

Mar 09 - Acadia Buddies. Gr 9 Rec Leadership 

- Grade 5 Movie La Cité des Rocheuses 9:00-12:00pm  

Mar 10 - Jr Boys Hosting 4:00-6:30pm 

- Acadia Buddies. Gr 9 Rec Leadership 

Mar 11 - Spring picture day 

Mar 16 - Grade 8, Outdoor Education, cross country ski field trip  

Mar 18 - Grade 6, Field Trip, Women in Curling, Winsport 

Mar 19 - Conferences 4:00-8:00pm (in-person) *Last day to pick up lost and found items before they are donated. 

Mar 20 – Conferences 9-1 (virtual) 6:00-8:00pm 

Mar 23 – Mar 27 – Holidays – No School 

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