Elementary School - Where it all begins

On October 8, twelve STS teachers across all three grade divisions attended a workshop at Dodinghorse Ranch on Tsuut’ina Nation. Facilitated by Sonya Dodinghorse, teachers engaged in meaningful learning, collaborating, and sharing that focused on Indigenous culture and diversity awareness.

While Canada observes its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, STS strives to create meaningful engagements to promote the ongoing process of truth and reconciliation. However, the question arises for Elementary Educators and parents of young students alike: How do we approach this important but painful legacy in an age-appropriate way? During conversations this week, I discovered that Elementary Teachers at STS kept this important question in mind while staying true to the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation. 

Thank you to the STS student and staff community for your participation in our class runs during the week of September 20 – 24, 2021.  It was an amazing demonstration of caring, encouragement and fun! The STS Terry Fox Run is a part of one of Canada’s biggest displays of solidarity against cancer while setting an example of compassion, fostering school spirit, and encouraging physical activity! Our participation over the past 37 years exemplifies our dedication to supporting Terry Fox. 

The Grade 2s have been hard at work this month learning all about PATTERNS! 

Grade 3 student, Izmir K. '31, ran a half marathon this weekend to raise money for Afgan girls to gain access to education. He ran a total of 21.1 km in 2 hours and 49 minutes!

50 years ago, it all began with an idea. In 1971, a group of forward-thinking, courageous leaders and educators broke ground on a new campus in a remote, rural area just south of Calgary, Alberta. Little did they know that this tiny school with big ideas would go on to become the gold standard of independent private education in Canada − and around the world. The STS of today is the result of five decades of vision, hard work, commitment, and love.

This year, our annual Elementary Speech Day Celebration was presented in the C.A. Smith Arts Theatre. Despite restrictions regarding the size and cohorting of audience members, we were able to invite the Grade 5 and 6 students to view their respective grades’ performances live in the theatre.  

Are you a kid who has always wanted to fly a drone across 220-acres of open space just to explore the landscape from 300-metres in the air? Or maybe you’re a student who’s watched the Royals playing the complex sport of polo on TV and wondered what it’s like to ride a pony while trying to hit a ball with a mallet. Or a parent thinking that if your child loves those darned video games so much maybe they should try to program one.

Our Grade 5 Spartans have developed quite the reputation; a cohort with grit and perseverance! Despite -30 weather landing right on top of our outdoor school, students bundled up and took experiential learning to a whole new level.

It was quite an atypical year to say the least! STS worked hard to encourage student engagement and reduce feelings of isolation during several months of RAPID (Remote Alternate Program Instructional Delivery), due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From themed days like crazy hat day and bring-a-stuffed-animal-to-zoom, to our own version of the newscast 'Some Good News', students had opportunities to connect and have a good laugh. 

For more than 115-years, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) has been a proud member of the Calgary and Foothills community — and community is at the centre of all we do. It inspires us, shapes us, and motivates us every single day — especially in the STS enrollment office. 

Our Grade 6 students launched their inquiry into citizen participation in a unique way this year. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet virtually with Mayor Bill Robertson of Okotoks. 

This past fall STS offered a variety of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programs again for students in Grades 3-9. A number of Grades 7-9 students signed up for the Level I and II Python coding workshops.