École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence 

Weekly Update – Friday November 14 | Message de la semaine – vendredi 14 novembre 

Quote: “We must cherish our inheritance. We must preserve our nationality for the youth of our future. The story should be written down to pass on.” – Louis Riel 

David Thompson Newsletters are always available on our website! 

Hello Tiger Families!  

This is our window of opportunity. Students who establish consistent home learning routines by Winter Break show measurably stronger academic progress by spring. You have the power to set this pattern now. We're asking every family to commit to just 20 minutes of intentional learning each evening, even on nights without formal homework. Choose an activity that suits your family: 

• Readers: 20 minutes with any book, magazine, or Raz-Kids/Epic! 
• Writers: Journal about their day, practice spelling words, or summarize one thing they learned 
• Language Learners: Practice on Duolingo or discuss their day in both languages 
• Math Builders: Practice fact fluency with flashcards, math apps (Prodigy, Khan Academy), or real-world problems (cooking measurements, counting money, calculating tips) 

Looking Ahead: Picture retakes, yearbook cover contests, field trips, and service projects are coming up quickly before winter break. Watch for our weekly updates to stay connected. 

Your partnership makes the difference, 

The David Thompson School Team  

Items in this update:  

• Happenings  
• Bullying Awareness Week  
• Student Study Guides and Digital Resources  
• Band Clinics 
• Our School Survey 
• Rec. Leadership Field Trips: Acadia Recreation Complex 
• 2025 Magic of Christmas Visit Referral 
• Attendance and requesting a different bus 
• Important Dates  
• Dates of Significance   

Happenings  

Bullying Awareness Week 

The goal for this year’s  Bullying Awareness Week is to encourage students, teachers, and parents to speak up against bullying and understand how and when to seek help if needed. CBE’s ongoing efforts focus on bullying prevention and helping students recognize risk and how they can influence positive action.   

To delve deeper into bullying awareness, prevention, and support, you can explore the resources available on our website and through the Government of Alberta:  

• Bullying Prevention at the CBE  
• The Government of Alberta Bullying Resources 

Student Study Guides and Digital Resources  

Education Matters and Castle Rock Research are offering educational resources for purchase that are aligned with the Alberta curriculum at a discounted price to support student learning this year. This offer will be shared directly in a message separate from this newsletter to caregivers who have opted in to receive commercial messages. If you are interested in receiving this offer but don’t receive David Thompson messages with commercial information, please contact the school office by email and we will forward the link. This offer is available until November 26. 

Band Clinics 

Band Fall clinics have been rescheduled 

Grade 7 – Wednesday, Nov. 19^th, 

Grade 8 & 9 – Thursday, November 20^th 

Jazz Band will have its first rehearsal on Wednesday, November 26^th 

OurSchool Survey 

David Thompson School will once again be participating in an online school perception survey for students called the OurSCHOOL Student Survey. This anonymous survey is completely voluntary for all CBE students. The CBE’s Education Plan prioritizes student voice and well-being in our decision-making processes. Responses from this survey are used at the system and school level to recognize and improve what is necessary for students to feel safe, welcome, and cared for when at school. 

Grades 4-12 students provide feedback on: 

• sense of belonging 
• positive relationships 
• anxiety 
• feeling safe at school 
• life satisfaction 
• general health 
• orientation to well-being 
• goal-oriented 
• self-regulation 
• cultural awareness of others 

Additionally, Grades 6-12 students provide feedback on: 

• depression 
• self-esteem 
• cultural awareness of self 

Demographic questions are also asked on this survey for norming purposes. These are: 

Grades 4-12 general (age, gender, Indigenous status, immigrant status, home language) 

Grades 6-12 specific (grade repeater, reasons for changing schools, disability or medical conditions that limits participation in school activities or learning) 

David Thompson Datea: November 19 - November 27 

Location 

Who: 5-7 

If you have questions or would like to request more information about our upcoming implementation of the OurSCHOOL Student Survey, please contact tcevans@cbe.ab.ca. 

Rec. Leadership Field Trips: Acadia Recreation Complex 

Homerooms 7-2, 8-2, 9-1, and 9-2 will be going on a walking field trip to Acadia Recreation Complex to play Wallyball from November 24 to November 27. Please see the detailed schedule below for specific class dates. Additionally, walking field trip paperwork will be sent via School Messenger and fees will be added to your child’s MyCBE Account. 

If you are a parent volunteer with a valid police clearance and would be willing to accompany us on this field trip to support your child’s class, please email Ms. Brown at  librown@cbe.ab.ca. 

2025 Magic of Christmas Visit Referral 

It’s that special time of year again! Referrals are now open for Christmas 2025. If you would like to be a referred family who could be nominated for the Magic of Christmas in 2025, please email kmmunroe@cbe.ab.ca with your phone number and some context and Dr. Munroe will connect with you.  

Attendance and requesting a different bus 

If students are going to be late or absent, please email davidthompson@cbe.ab.ca or phone the DTS absence line 403-777-7470 opt 1. Please complete this form and have your student return it to the office. Alternatively, you can email  davidthompson@cbe.ab.ca. Please note that riders must be a current bus student and end-of-day submissions will not be permitted.  

Important Dates  

• Nov 17 – Nov 21 – Bullying Awareness Week  
• Nov 19 - Central Memorial High School Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) open house from 7-9pm 
• Band Clinics Grade 7 
• Nov 20 – Band Clinics Grade 8&9  
• Nov 24 – Picture Retakes 
• 7-2 Rec Leadership Trip 
• Nov 24 - Western Canada High School French Immersion International Baccalaureate (IB)  information session from 6:30-8pm  
• Nov 26 - Grade 9 O.E. Climbing Trip (8-12:30) 
• 9-1  Rec Leadership Trip 
• 6pm Virtual School Council 
• Nov 27 - Henry Wise Wood High School English International Baccalaureate (IB) information session from 6-8pm 
• 9-2 Rec Leadership Trip 
• Nov 27 – Conferences – 4-8 pm (in-person) 
• Nov 28 - Non-Instructional Day – Conferences – 8:30-2:30 pm (virtual) 

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