École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence
Weekly Update – November 06 | Message de la semaine – le 06 novembre
“We sacrificed equally. And some of us lost our lives equally.” | « Nous avons tous fait les mêmes sacrifices. Et certains d’entre nous ont tous perdu la vie de la même manière. » - Jocelyne Eastman, Indigenous Canadian veteran | Ancien combattant autochtone canadien
Bonjour, Tiger Families!
As we head into our Fall Break, Remembrance Day offers us a moment to slow down, reflect and appreciate the peace and freedoms we sometimes take for granted. It is also an opportunity to think about the kind of world we want to help create and the responsibility we share in caring for one another.
This week, our Military History students visited Calgary's Field of Crosses through Valour Canada's Classroom at the Crosses program. As we approach Remembrance Day, it's worth remembering people like Sergeant Tommy Prince, one of Canada's most decorated Indigenous veterans, who earned 11 medals for his service during the Second World War and Korean War. Despite his extraordinary service, Prince faced discrimination at home and went on to advocate for Indigenous rights. His story reminds us that courage takes many forms and that the freedoms we honour must be freedoms we work to extend to everyone.
On Thursday evening, M. Beaudoin was invited to speak as part of the Veterans’ Week Speaker Series, sharing his reflections with a group of Navy League Cadets. We were especially proud to learn that the group’s cadet chief is one of our own Grade 7 Late Immersion students. It is a wonderful example of our students taking on leadership and service in the wider community.
And in some exciting David Thompson news, this year's school musical is Legally Blonde! Auditions are coming up, and we can't wait to see our Tigers bring this production to life. Whether students love to sing, dance, act or just want to try something new, it's a great opportunity to get involved, make new friends and have some fun. We hope lots of students will give it a try!
A little homework for families over the break: Ask your child, "What does peace look like in your everyday life?" It might be standing up for someone, including someone who feels left out, resolving a disagreement with kindness or having the courage to do what's right. Small actions matter, and they are how we build the kind of school and community we all want to be part of.
A reminder that there is no school Wednesday, November 11 through Friday, November 13 for Fall Break. Classes resume Monday, November 16. Whether your family marks Remembrance Day through a ceremony, a moment of silence or a conversation at home, I hope you find some time to reflect, rest and enjoy being together. Thank you to our families and tireless educators for all you do to make David Thompson a place where students can learn, belong and grow.
Warmly,
The David Thompson School Team
Happenings
Attendance
If your student is going to be absent, late or has an appointment, please send an email to our general mailbox with the following information,davidthompsom@cbe.ab.ca. Or call our attendance line, 403-777-7470, opt 1. Please, notify the school of their child’s absence or late prior to the start of the school day.
Please include:
Student’s Full Name (spelling the last name)
Date(s) of absences and reason for the absence
Calling All Performers! Our School Musical is... LEGALLY BLONDE jr.!
Get ready to bend and snap! This year, our school production will be Legally Blonde jr: The Musical! We are so excited by the incredible enthusiasm already shown by our students, with so many attending both our play announcement and audition preparation meetings!
We are looking for enthusiastic students who are interested in singing, acting, dancing, or being part of the backstage crew. Whether you have lots of theatre experience or are trying something new for the first time, there is a place for you!
Auditions will take place on November 17th and 18th from 2:45–5:00 p.m. Students interested in auditioning must sign up for an audition time on the callboard outside the Drama Room.
If you are interested in getting involved or have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Ganchar. We can't wait to see what this cast can do!
Remembrance Day Ceremony
Our School will have our Remembrance Day Assembly on November 10th in the morning. We would like to specially invite parents that are serving in the Military, Police Officers, Peace Officers, Paramedics, Firefighter to join us in uniform if they can. Please inform Monsieur Beaudoin if you can attend.
Additionally, our Grade 9 Drama class will be presenting a special performance as part of the assembly. Parents and families of students in this class are warmly welcome to attend
Food drive numbers are in!
Red house collected 98 items, White house collected 114 and Black house collected 115 for the win! The total collection was 327 items! The Veterans Food bank will come by this week to collect. Thank you to the DTS community for your generosity!
Switch Witch: Share your Halloween candy!
Thank you to everyone who donated to this year’s Switch Witch campaign!
Today we have the results for that project. Students organized all candies, counted, separated into groups and packed them up ready to go... Pop-up!!
We collected 4385 candies this year. That represents 47 more than last year's quantity (2025 quantity =4338) ... Then we received more candy (558) at the last minute. So, the accurate number is 4385+558 = 4943 candies
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences will be held on November 26 & 27, 2026. Bookings will open November 18 at 8:00am for families and close on November 26 at 12:00pm.
Conferences will be 10 minutes in length.
November 26 – in Person Conferences
4:00pm to 8:00pm
November 27 – Online Conferences
8:00am to 1:00pm
Please check our school website for more information on conferences and how to book. https://davidthompson.cbe.ab.ca/teacher-conference
Parenting in the Online World webinars for the 2026/2027 school year.
These sessions are offered by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and will provide insights into concerning trends seen through operations of Cybertip.ca — Canada’s tipline to report the online sexual exploitation of children — and offer considerations and resources for talking with children and youth about online safety. The first webinar will be taking place on Wednesday, November 18th at 6:00pm Central Daylight Time. You can sign up at this link: https://protectkidsonline.ca/webinar.
Basketball Season Reminder
As basketball season gets underway, please remember that if students are staying to watch games at DTS or attending games at another school, they must have a parent/guardian supervisor sitting with them in the gym at all times.
Students who do not have a parent/guardian supervisor will be asked to leave after the first game. Thank you for helping us create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone! GO TIGERS!
Boys, Schedule
Tuesday, November 10: Quarterfinals @Fairview, opponent and time TBD
Tuesday, November 17: Semifinals @DTS, opponent and time TBD
Thursday, November 19: Finals @Sam Shaw, opponent and time TBD
Band
Students interested in Jazz Band should sign up on the list on the band room door. Jazz Band will be on Wednesdays after school from 3:00-4:30.
Supporting Our Band 🎶
Our David Thompson Band students are busy fundraising to support their music education and upcoming opportunities. Families interested in supporting our musicians can find more information through our Band Program Information link below.
Orders close November 16, with pickup at the school on December 1, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm.
Thank you for supporting our student musicians!
Here is the link, to the document for all band information for this year
Lifetouch Studio Retakes
Studio Retakes are now available on November 13 and 21.
Please use the QR code to book a time.
When making the booking, select Studio Calgary from the Book Session.
Our studio is located at:
#30, 5329 72 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
Western High School Open House
Is your child thinking about the International Baccalaureate (IB) program? Western Canada High School is holding its IB Open House for the 2027-28 school year on Wednesday, December 2, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm (641 17 Ave SW). Doors open at 6:00 pm, and families should go to the Main Gym.
Families will learn about the benefits of IB, how students move from honours courses to IB over three years, the difference between the full IB Diploma and taking individual IB courses, and how students who live outside Western’s boundary can transfer in.
The open house is meant for families who live in Western’s boundary. Please check the CBE’s Find a School page to confirm your designated school. If you have questions before the event, contact Western at 403-228-5363 or westerncanada@cbe.ab.ca.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
Future IB Warriors and families! The Henry Wise Wood High School International Baccalaureate Program Information Evening is happening on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00pm in the HWW King Gymnasium for current Grade 9 students looking to apply for the IB program for the 2027-28 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. Additional information regarding the program can be found at http://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
Nov 10 - Remembrance Day Ceremony, All day
Nov 13 - 15 - No school, Fall Break
Nov 25 - Parent Council Meeting (In Person), 7:30 PM
Nov 26 - 27 – Parent-Teacher Conferences
Dec 02 - Band Parent Society Meeting (Online), 8:00 PM
Dec 09 - Band Winter Concert, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Dec 10 - Winter Showcase 5:30 - 7:30 PM
“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