École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence
Weekly Update – Friday June 10 | Message de la semaine – vendredi 10 juin
Quote: We are made for goodness. We are made for love. We are made for togetherness.~ Desmond Tutu
Bonjour Tiger Families!
Two weeks. That is what we have left together this year, and if this past week is any indication, we are going to finish beautifully. Spirit Week brought our whole school to life. Jersey Day, Twin Day, Beach Day, Decade Day, and Blackout/White Out Day filled our hallways with colour, laughter, and the kind of joy that reminds us what school is really for. Seeing students and staff show up for each other, fully and joyfully, is exactly the kind of community we are always working toward. A heartfelt thank you to every family who gave their time this week, whether braving the rain to support Kona Ice on Beach Day, joining our Grade 5s at the Hangar Museum, or attending what I affectionately called the marathon council meeting. You make this place what it is.
Speaking of council, our final School Council meeting of the year brought some genuinely exciting news. Through the Province's Class Size Grant, we have received two additional teachers specifically allocated to support our Grade 8 and 9 students. Because we do not have additional physical space for new homerooms, we have designed a creative solution: two ELA or FLA classes will share a space using our sliding room dividers, with a third teacher joining them. Three teachers supporting two classes at the same time means more individualized attention, more responsive teaching, and more opportunity for every learner. Constraints can be invitations to think differently, and we are excited about what this means for our Grade 8 and 9 community.
Our students have continued to show up with real focus and effort through PATs, and that matters. If you are looking for a way to support learning at home this week, try the "teach it back" strategy. Ask your child to explain something they are studying as if you have never heard of it. If they can teach it, they know it. If they get stuck, that is where the real conversation begins. A reminder that Individual Program Plans were sent home this week in a sealed envelope. Please check your child's backpack, take time to review it, and return the signed signature sheet by June 18. These documents capture your child's growth and transition planning for next year, and your signature helps us keep their Official Student Record complete.
Finally, next week we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. Our student leaders have taken genuine ownership of this day, and I cannot wait to experience what they have created for us all.
Have a wonderful weekend, Tiger Families.
Warmly,
The David Thompson School Team
Items in this update:
- Happenings
- Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week
- Class Size Reduction Grant, 2026-27
- Bus reminders
- Lost and Found
- Band
- Grade 9 Farewell
- Healthy Hunger
- Camp Bonaventure
- Future Lancer Athletes
- 2026 Healthcare Career Exploration
- Library Books Due
- French Summer Opportunity : Camping en Français 2026
- Important Dates
- Dates of Significance
Happenings
Next Week is Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week
June is when we honour and celebrate the histories, languages, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. In alignment with the Education Plan, all people connected with the CBE are invited to deepen knowledge, understanding and relationships, to include Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing, and knowing across schools and service units. To support planning and engagement, check out these events. Everyone is invited and welcome.
City of Calgary Aboriginal Awareness Week: From June 15-21, the City of Calgary offers many events to honour Aboriginal Awareness Week culminating on Sunday, June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day. Everyone is invited to join the activities.
The Gathering at Moh'kinsstis: A one-day community gathering grounded in culture, connection, and ceremony to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday, June 21 from 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. at ContainR Art Park & The Alexandra Centre (922 & 925 9 Avenue SE in Inglewood).
Heritage Park Celebration: A full day of community-led programming on Saturday, June 20, rooted in tradition. The centerpiece of the day is a vibrant Pow Wow, a powerful gathering that brings together dancers, drummers, and community in celebration of culture, identity and connection.
Class Size Reduction Grant, 2026-27
We are pleased to share that David Thompson has been allocated two additional teaching positions for the 2026-27 school year through the Government of Alberta's Class Size Reduction Grant. This grant funds teaching positions that support improved learning conditions in kindergarten to Grade 9 classrooms, with priority given to schools experiencing the greatest class size pressures.
This funding is specifically intended to help reduce class sizes in core subject areas, including English Language Arts, French Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The allocation was determined using system-wide data that considers the number of classes exceeding provincial class size benchmarks, projected enrolment and class organization, and school programming and grade configuration. Our goal is to ensure students benefit from increased teacher attention, improved classroom learning environments, and greater support for diverse learning needs. We remain committed to supporting strong learning environments for all students and using our resources thoughtfully and strategically.
Bus reminders
Together, we can ensure that students’ trips to and from school are safe and successful. Students are reminded to be at their bus stop and ready to board at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pull-away time. At the end of the day, students may only exit at their assigned stop unless prior arrangements have been made through a bus transfer form from the office. Bus transfer requests must be completed 30 minutes before the end of the school day. Last-minute changes cannot be accommodated as these procedures are in place to support student safety.
Families are asked to please also review safe bus expectations with your child, including:
- Remaining seated at all times with knees facing forward and behind the seat in front of them
- Refraining from eating on the bus
- Keeping conversations at a respectful, conversational volume
- Musical instruments, including recorders, are permitted on the bus only if there is adequate space, and all instruments must remain in their cases at all times and stored away.
The bus change form is available here.
Lost and Found
Yearend locker clean outs! Next week and the week after classes begin locker clean outs and the lost and found will become very full. Please remind your students to check lost and found and start bringing stuff home. We will be their belongings to the Good Will Thursday, June 25.
Band
Please make sure all instruments, music, or other supplies that may be at home are returned to school. Grade 7 & 8 Band students must return their band shirts. Grade 9 Band students may keep their shirt; if, however, they choose not to keep their shirt it can be returned to the school. Please let Mr. McClary know if your child would like to rent an instrument over the summer via email. The fee is $30.00. He will prepare the forms to send home with those students before the end of next week.
Grade 9 Farewell
It's time to celebrate our grade nine students, bid them farewell, and help them solidify fond memories of their time at École David Thompson School - many of our students have been together since kindergarten! To that end, we are planning a farewell ceremony to be held the morning of Thursday, June 25th from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Please note that the Farewell Ceremony on June 25th is NOT meant to be a highly formal event. Students are encouraged to wear smart, semi-formal attire (similar to a holiday or family celebration). Formal attire is not required.
Following the ceremony, the Student Farewell Committee has organized a potluck and LICS food truck for students and families to enjoy. If you would like to contribute to the potluck, please fill out what you intend to bring here: Potluck 2026
There will also be a dance and outdoor activities for Grade 9 students only. This will be from 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Healthy Hunger
Please note Bannock tasting on June 19thIs for our Grade 9 students who will be taking PATs during this special assembly. Students not in Grade 9 who order these items will receive a refund and be removed from the order. Thank you for understanding and support as we celebrate our grade 9s.
Camp Bonaventure
Every summer, Between Friends, a Calgary-based non-profit organization that provides inclusive recreational and social programs for people with different abilities, hosts Camp Bonaventure, an outdoor summer day camp for youth ages 4–17 (June 29 - August 21, 2026) that brings together individuals of all abilities in a supportive and welcoming environment. Between Friends is currently recruiting volunteers (ages 12+) to support us this summer at Camp Bonaventure. This is a great opportunity for students to gain volunteer hours, develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, and build meaningful connections while supporting an inclusive camp community.
For more information, please visit:
- Between Friends Website: https://betweenfriends.ab.ca/
- Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering Opportunities
- Camp Bonaventure Volunteer Application: Volunteer Application Form
2026 Healthcare Career
Registration for the 2026 Healthcare Career Exploration Days is now open. Interested students can see healthcare careers in action! Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience exploring a variety of careers in healthcare. Participants will have the chance to try different procedures, tools, and skills while learning directly from healthcare professionals working in the field.
Each camp is unique, giving participants the opportunity to explore the many departments and roles required to keep a hospital or healthcare facility running — from skilled trades and support services to frontline clinical care and even air ambulance helicopters. The program is open to students entering Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 who are interested in learning more about career opportunities within our health care system and the educational pathways required to get there. Once an application is submitted, participants will receive a confirmation email and additional event details.
Please note: Attendees may be exposed to real medical situations, images, smells and information that some individuals may find graphic or unsettling
- Calgary (Peter Lougheed Centre) – August 12
- Edmonton (University of Alberta Hospital) – August 26–27
To register or learn more, please visit: Healthcare Career Exploration Camp | Alberta Health Services
Library Books Due
As the school year comes to a close, we need your help getting our library shelves ready for September. Please check your home, bookshelves, and backpacks for any outstanding school library books.
- Due Date: Friday, June 5.
- Action Required: Return all books directly to the school library book return bin
- Penalty: Unreturned books will result in replacement fees.
French Summer Opportunity: Camping en Français 2026
Important Dates
Jun 15 - Indigenous Awareness Week Begins
- Grade 6 Math Part A
Jun 16 - Grade 9 Math PAT Part A
Jun 17 - Indigenous Peoples Activity Day
Jun 18 - Grade 6 Math PAT Part B
- Grade 7&8 ELA Finals
Jun 19 - Grade 7&8 Math Finals
- Grade 9 Math PAT Part B
- Indigenous Peoples Day Assembly
Jun 22- Grade 6, Bowling
- Grade 7&8 Social Finals
- Grade 9 Social Studies PAT
- 5.1 & 5.2 in-school field trip – Ancient Civilizations
- Grade 8 Field Trip – Escape Room, PowerPlay
- Wakefield Brewsters Grade 8 Workshop 1
Jun 23 - Grade 7&8 Science Finals
- Grade 9 Science PAT
- 5.3 in school field trip – Ancient Civilizations
- Grade 6 Tennis
- Grade 7 Chinook Theatre Trip
- Grade 8 Field Trip – Escape Room, PowerPlay
- Wakefield Brewsters Grade 8 Workshop 2
Jun 24 - Gr 6 -St. Jean Baptiste Celebration- Gr. 6
- Gr 8s Escape/Activate (AM)
- Gr 8s Wakefield Brewster (PM)
- 9s Calaway Park
Jun 25- Grade 8s to Canyon Meadows (AM)
- Grade 9 Farewell Celebration 10:30-12:00pm.
Jun 26 - Year End Celebration of Learning Assembly (9am Grade 5&6, 10am Grade 7&8)
“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