École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence
Weekly Update – Friday May 15 | Message de la semaine – vendredi 15 mai
Quote: A word after a word after a word is power. Margaret Atwood
Hello Tiger Families!
Another wonderful week at David Thompson! Between Band Festival, River Watch, and Outdoor Education Camp, our students have been buzzing with learning. Our Grade 6s wrapped up their robotics unit with a friendly competition that had tiny bots navigating the halls, responding to student prompts and bringing plenty of smiles along the way. Grade 9s ran a jellybeans-in-a-jar challenge, Grade 7 plant projects are growing beautifully, and our school-wide math competition saw record participation. It was a week full of rich learning connections across every subject and classroom. Looking back on this stretch of events and trips, we are filled with gratitude. A heartfelt thank you to our parent volunteers, School Council, and the Band Parent Society for making so many of these experiences possible.
Today, our teachers are working in the Learning Commons alongside system English Language Learning strategists and colleagues from other schools to calibrate writing assessment benchmarks. This kind of collaborative, cross-school professional learning helps us see student growth clearly and identify where targeted support can make the biggest difference. We are proud of the commitment our staff brings to this work and confident it will have a meaningful impact on every student's learning journey.
The long weekend is here, and we hope you find time to relax and reconnect. If you are heading outdoors, it is a perfect moment to invite your child to notice the world around them, and to write about it. One of the best ways to build writing strength is through regular, low-stakes practice. This weekend, encourage your child to write a short paragraph about something they observed outside. Prompt them to reach for specific, sensory details: What did it look, sound, smell, or feel like? This kind of descriptive writing builds exactly the vocabulary and detail that strong written responses require. Even five minutes makes a real difference.
Merci et bonne fin de semaine.
Warmly,
The David Thompson School Team
Items in this update:
- Happenings
- Bottle Drive Fundraiser
- Spring Showcase
- Volunteer Appreciation Tea
- Parent Info Sessions
- David Thompson T-Shirts available
- Youth Decide
- Important Dates
- Dates of Significance
Happenings
Bottle Drive Fundraiser
David Thompson School is hosting a bottle drive to help fundraise, this year’s Grade 9 Farewell! Families are invited to support by dropping off their bottles at either the Chinook Bottle Depot or the South Pointe Bottle Depot. Simply let the depot know you are donating to “DT School Graduation Committee”, and the funds will go directly toward the farewell planning committee.
The bottle drive is running now until May 25. Thank you for helping make this a memorable celebration for our Grade 9 students!
Spring Showcase
Come and experience our school production of A Wrinkle in Time, adapted by James Sie! Since January, our talented cast and crew have been working hard to bring this exciting adventure to life. We would love for families and community members to come out and support our amazing arts program. Join us for an evening of imagination, courage, and wonder!
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Main Gymnasium
Volunteer Appreciation Tea
Calling all our wonderful volunteers! You’re warmly invited to our Volunteer Appreciation Tea.
If you’ve volunteered at any point this school year—on a field trip, in the school, or in any other way—we would love to celebrate and thank you for your support. Light refreshments will be served.
Please email cmcollins@cbe.ab.ca to let us know if you’re able to attend.
Date: May 26
Time: 1:30–2:15pm.
Location: Learning Commons
Parent Info Sessions
Parenting isn’t always easy - especially when it comes to talking to your kids about friendships, dating, and boundaries.
That’s why Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence at the University of Calgary created ConnectED Parents – a free text message program that sends parents and caregivers practical tips to help young people aged 6–20 build healthy, respectful relationships. We have already reached 300 parents across Canada and just opened registration for our sixth cohort.
Starting in June 2026, participants will get 2–3 short texts each week with tips, tools, and ideas you can use right away. Over 6-7 months, you’ll get about 70 messages to help you:
✔️ Start open, honest conversations about relationships and dating
✔️ Feel more confident connecting with your child
✔️ Support healthy relationships early and prevent teen dating violence
Want to learn more or sign up?
https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_1KW5g9xFRLnnmYu
Have questions? Email shift.training@ucalgary.ca and stay up to date with ConnectED Parents on social media.
Let’s help the next generation build safe, strong relationships - it all starts with you!
David Thompson T-Shirts Available
Date: Until May 29
Time: During lunch hour
Location: Main Foyer
Youth Decide
Important Dates
May 15 - Non-Instructional Day
May 18 - Victoria Day – No School
May 19 - Grade 6 PAT FLA Part A
- Vaccines gr. 7, 8 & 9, 8:30-11:30am
May 20 - Grade 9 PAT FLA Part A
- Gr. 5 Fieldtrip to Carburn Park 9:00-2:00pm
May 21 - Grade 9 ELA A 9:00-11:00am
- Grade 7 Band ABA Festival Performance
May 22 – Tour for Families who missed the open House
May 25 - May 29 - Spirit Week
May 25 - Military History classes- Nanton Bomber Museum
- Grade 6 ELA A
May 26 - Volunteer Appreciation Tea, 1:30-2:15pm
May 27 - Spring Band Concert, 7:00pm
May 28 - Play Performance Night - Jazz Band - Arts Showcase Feeder Tours
- Spring Showcase, 5:30-8:30pm
May 29 - Evening Play Performance
- Feeder School Tours
June 01 - Track and Field Day
June 03 - Grade 9 Field Trip - Vertigo Theatre
“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