École David Thompson Weekly Update | A Community of Excellence
Weekly Update – October 02| Message de la semaine – le 02 octobre
“If there is to be reconciliation, first there must be truth.”|
« Pour qu'il y ait la réconciliation, il faut d'abord qu'il y ait la vérité. » Timothy B Tyson
Bonjour Tiger Families!
As we wrap up our first month of school, I hope your children are sharing stories about enjoying their time at David Thompson and that have told you about something beyond the classroom that they have joined or are excited to try. Our Grade 5 students headed out bowling on Monday, D&D Club had over 70 students attend the first meeting and our Senior Boys basketball team had a nail biter game against Marshall Springs that ended in a pre-season win. We're proud of the effort , teamwork and connection they bring to both learning together and strengthening connection as they settle into middle school.
Our whole-school trip to Fish Creek Park on Tuesday was a wonderful success! Thank you to our parent volunteers and staff who helped make this day possible. Relational walking and talking circles created opportunities to listen, share and connect with one another and the land. We were happy to see so many students wearing orange and have been especially pleased with their thoughtful reflections about these connections and Truth and Reconciliation. Their willingness to listen and share supports our TRC commitment and a community where every voice matters.
Thank you to the families and students who participated in Individualized Program Plan (IPP) conversations over these past few weeks. Strong home-school partnerships help ensure students receive the supports they need while developing self-awareness and confidence in advocating for their learning goals. IPPs will be finalized and shared with parents over the next two weeks.
This weekend, I encourage you to ask your child what they are proud of from their first month, and also what is still feeling a little tricky. Then encourage them to choose a small goal for next month, such as trying a club, asking for help in class or reaching out to a new classmate. A listening ear and some cheering from behind can make all the difference for taking that next step.
Merci et bon week-end!
Warmly,
The David Thompson School Team
Happenings
Before and After-School Safety
With 750 students arriving and leaving at the same time, everyone needs to take extra care around buses, cars and pedestrians. Remind students riding bikes or scooters to please put their phones away, stay alert and follow traffic rules. After dismissal, please remind students to head home promptly and walk bikes and scooters off school property before riding. Students who want to stay on the school property should move to the back of the school away from the busses and pick up zones. Thank you for helping keep everyone safe.
Video Surveillance System
Our school has a video surveillance system to help maintain a safe and secure environment at the school for students, staff and the public, and to help address vandalism and criminal activity on school property.
The video surveillance system is installed and reviewed in accordance with Administrative Regulation 1066. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Education Act and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), specifically section 10(1) and the Access to Information Act (ATIA).
This technology can be placed in areas such as the school parking lot, building entrances and exits, stairwells, and hallways. This information is recorded and collected to help maintain a safe and secure environment in the school and on school property. The users of this information are the principal or designate and law enforcement personnel in the case of reported incidents that would require an investigation. Only authorized persons will review video surveillance information.
Inquiries concerning the video surveillance system, or the collection and use of recorded information may be made by contacting the school office.
Grade 8 Eastern Canada Trip: Parent Information Meeting
This year, we will once again be offering the Grade 8 Eastern Canada trip, visiting Ottawa, Montréal and Quebec. This is an amazing opportunity for grade 8 students to immerse themselves in French culture and language, providing authentic opportunities for students to practice their French! If you are interested in the trip, there is a mandatory parent information session next week:
Date: Tuesday, October 6
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Main Gym, École David Thompson School
We hope to see you there!
2027 Grade 9 SALTS Sailing Trip: Parent Inforation Meeting
We will also be offering an exciting opportunity for Grade 9 students to take part in the SALTS (Sailt and Life Training Society) Sailing Trip.
This is a five-day off-site activity, taking place from May 3-7, 2027, during which students will live, eat, and sleep on a 70-ft tall ship while learning to sail in the Lower Gulf Islands near Victoria, BC; SALTS 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.
Next week, we will be having a parent information meeting for families of Grade 9 students who are interested in taking part, taking place right after the Grade 8 Eastern Canada Meeting:
Date: Tuesday, October 6
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Learning Commons, École David Thompson School
Clothing Store
Our clothing store is now open! You can get t-shirts for Athletics teams, D&D shirts, and various DTS Spirit Shirts, Pants, Hoodies, and Toques for all students who want to show DTS pride!
Online Store Deadline: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Please know that all sale are final exchanges cannot be made, as it is a third party distributer.
Scan the QR code below or go online to
https://dtssportsapparel.itemorder.com/
Yearbooks
The 2026-2027 yearbooks are on sale now, and we are offering an exclusive back to school offer! Save money on your school yearbook if you order by October 23rd! In addition to this EARLY BIRD OFFER, with the purchase of a personalization on your yearbook, students can get FREE ICONS added on their yearbook if you order by October 23rd!
Students can order their yearbooks here: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09700295
Band
Here is the link, to the document for all band information for this year
We Scare Hunger
Become a hunger hero today. DTS is doing the WE scare hunger food drive for the first year! Do your part and bring in some non-perishable food items. Simply bring them in and put them on your house table in the front hallway. Each item you bring in is worth a tiger point! So, help scare the hunger pains in your community this Halloween and get points for your team too!
Attention all students in Grade 7, 8 and 9s!
We are excited to announce the City of Calgary's Leadership program, LEAD, starting September 22nd. The LEAD program will be run Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the school year from 2:30pm – 4:30pm in the Aux Gym. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a positive impact in your community and have some fun!
In the LEAD program, youth will participate in various activities and games that focus on:
Leadership styles
Communication
Teamwork
Time management
Personal wellness
Problem solving
Leisure Education
Diversity
Conflict management
Participants will also volunteer in the community for 20hr. Upon the completion of the program the participants will receive a highly revised LEAD certificate.
If you have any questions, please email Steven Kapteyn at steven.kapteyn@calgary.ca or pick up a registration form at the school office.
Homework Club
Stuck on a challenging concept, need extra time to finish an assignment, or looking for a quiet place to make up a quiz? Homework Club is here to help!
Students are welcome to drop in every day during lunch from 11:30 a.m.–12:00 pm in the computer lab (room 32) room 20 for help with assignments, extra work time, or a quiet place to catch up.
Teachers and parents may recommend attendance, but students are also welcome to attend whenever they need extra support.
Join the French Club!
French Club will begin on Wednesday, October 7, every Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for a fun and engaging hour of French games, activities, culture, and conversation! We are looking forward to having the students join us and enjoy some fun French activities together!
The French Club is a wonderful opportunity for students to build confidence, practice their French, discover French-speaking cultures, make new friends, and most importantly, have fun while learning! We look forward to seeing our students there!
Important Dates
Soccer Schedule 2026
Girls:
Currently, a tentative schedule is available, as several schools don't have enough players for full girls' teams. If any changes to the schedule are to be made, your students coach will communicate the change with you and your student.
Boys:
Important Dates
Sept 28 - Grade 5 Bowling Trip
Sept 29 - Orange Shirt Day
Sept 30 - NID Truth and Reconciliation Day – No School
Oct 06 - Grade 5 Trip to Carburn Park 9:00-1:30 PM
Oct 08 - 09 - Late French Immersion overnight camp
Oct 12 - NID - Thanksgiving
Oct 13 - Grade 7, Cobbs Adventure Park, 930-2:15pm
Oct 14 - Picture Retakes
Oct 14 - Grade 8&9, Fall Band Clinic, 3:00-4:30pm
Oct 15 - Grade 7, Fall Band Clinic, 3:00-4:30pm
Oct 19 - NID – No School
Oct 20 - Grade 9, Riverwatch
Oct 21 - Grade 9, Riverwatch
“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