École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence
Weekly Update – Friday June 19 | Message de la semaine – vendredi 19 juin
Quote: Teachings come from everywhere when you open yourself to them. That’s the trick of it really, to open yourself to everything and everything opens itself to you. ― Richard Wagamese, Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations
Hello Tiger Families!
What a beautiful week of learning together with our community! This week was a celebration of student learning as we began final exams and continued PATs. This week, students participated in learning experiences in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is officially marked on the Solstice on June 21. As part of our learning, students had the opportunity to participate in an exploration of the medicine wheel and traditional games, including hand games, which continue to be played to this day for more than just entertainment. They are connected to community and place and teach teamwork, observation, communication, and cultural traditions while bringing communities together. Our student leaders also honoured this day by drumming for our school community and sharing the story of our school garden, reminding us all of the deep connection between land, learning, and culture. We are grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful learning that honours Indigenous cultures and helps students build understanding, appreciation, and respect for the rich cultures of First Peoples. The Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Peoples’ Day are marked on June 21st . The longest day of the year, solstice holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous communities and is a time to celebrate community, connection, and tradition. National Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a day for community to come together in remembrance, strength, and hope. There will be many events hosted on the 21st to mark National Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the community that your family may wish to attend.
Next week, we look forward to many off-site activities and, of course, our grade 9 farewell. We want to take this moment to honour our grade 9s' journey at David Thompson. The Grade 9 Farewell celebrations bring us together in community as we look back at the work our Grade 9s have done and the relationships built, and look forward to a new school next year and the next step in the rest of their educational journey.
As families start planning wonderful summer break activities we are already excitedly looking forward to the new school year. Supply lists for next year are already available on our Back-to-School page https://davidthompson.cbe.ab.ca/back-to-school.We encourage families to review the lists and gather supplies before classes begin. We are excited to begin another fantastic school year and can't wait to see our students back in the building!
Warmly,
The David Thompson School Team
Items in this update:
- Happenings
- Tiger Pride in Action: Athletics and PE Highlights
- Grade 5 French Summative Writing Project
- Grade 8 Year-end Trips
- Computers will be re-imaged in the fall
- Grade 9 SALTS Sailing Trip Interest 2027
- Back to School
- Lost and Found
- Grade 9 Farewell
- City of Calgary, Free and Fun Activities
- Important Dates
- Dates of Significance
Happenings
Tiger Pride in Action: Athletics and PE Highlights
The Tigers had plenty to roar about this year! Despite some unfortunate circumstances this year, our athletics program continued to provide many opportunities for students to develop their skills, teamwork, and school spirit. Due to factors beyond our control, our soccer, basketball, and track and field seasons were cancelled. However, our cross-country, volleyball, and badminton teams proudly represented our school and achieved excellent results. Shout-out to our Senior Girls Volleyball Team, who captured first place in their tournament.
Within Physical Education classes, students participated in a variety of in-class tournaments, class-versus-class competitions, and leadership opportunities. Older students took on mentoring roles, helping younger students learn and improve in various sports and activities, fostering a strong sense of community and sportsmanship throughout the school. Students also had the opportunity to participate in exciting dance and fencing residencies, allowing them to experience activities that were completely new to many of them. Throughout the year, our focus on daily physical activity, sportsmanship, skill development, and trying new experiences helped support students’ physical health, mental wellness, confidence, and overall enjoyment of being active.
As the school year comes to an end, we encourage all students to stay active throughout the summer. Get outside, explore your community, try a new sport or activity, and make time for movement each day. Have a safe, healthy, and active summer, Tigers!
Grade 5 French Summative Writing Project
Grade 5 students wrapped up the school year with a French summative writing project that showcased their growth as writers. Through creative writing, students demonstrated their understanding of key French language concepts, including the correct use of nouns, determiners, adjectives, and verbs.
To further explore the rich details of their imaginative creations, we incorporated artificial intelligence to bring their creatures to life. Thanks to the support of a generous parent volunteer with expertise in this technology, students had the opportunity to see their written descriptions transformed into visual representations.
During this experience, students also learned about both the potential and the limitations of AI, discussing how these tools can be used creatively and responsibly.
Below, you will find an AI-generated introduction to the unique creatures imagined and described by our talented Grade 5 writers!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RUzy9ZExpWhCj7BQfJSZOXP95nbcFefw/view?usp=sharing
Grade 8 Year-end Trips
We are still in need of volunteers to accompany grade 8 groups on Monday (PM), Tuesday (PM), and Wednesday (AM) trips. If you are able to volunteer for one or more of these days, please contact your homeroom teacher or Mrs. Matheson at mammatheson@cbe.ab.ca
A reminder that volunteers must have a valid Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search prior to the trip.
Computers will be re-imaged in the fall
If there is anything that students would like to back up, they have until the end of the school year to do so. Please plan accordingly and come in during a supervised lunch time to do so.
Grade 9 SALTS Sailing Trip Interest 2027
We are seeking to gauge interest in organizing a sailing trip for students in the spring of 2027 for Grade 9 students at Ecole David Thompson School. Spring dates are May 3-7, 2027.
Please fill out this form to indicate your interest.
Grade 9 SALTS Sailing Trip Interest 2027 – Fill out form
About the Trip:
This is a 5 day (Monday to Friday) off-site activity where students live, eat, sleep, on a 70 ft tall ship while learning to sail in the Lower Gulf Islands near Victoria, BC. SALTS (Sail and Life Training Society) are the service provider. Students learn valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and grit, while also developing a greater understanding of the natural world as they explore the Gulf Islands – marine ecosystems, local Indigenous history, environmental issues and sustainability.
The approximate cost of this trip would be $2500. This fee covers the cost of flights, transportation, accommodations and food during the trip. You can find more information on group sails at www.salts.ca.
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.
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 12:30-2:00pm.
City of Calgary, Free and Fun Activities
Park n' Play (age 6-12) and LEAD (age 12-15) free programing around Calgary this summer. Attached is the digital poster for families.
Important Dates
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)
Jun 29-30 - Non-Instructional Day
“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