Elementary School

Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) is a unique and special place as it is one of only a few K-12 continuum International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Canada. The IB framework is an integral part of our school’s identity and the Flourish 2031 Strategic Plan. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is the framework that the Elementary School uses to teach the Alberta Program of Studies. The heart of the PYP is inspiring students to take action in their community in order to leave the world better than they found it. The Primary Years Programme is where students are introduced to their schooling journey and it is where teachers instill a love of learning and encourage curiosity.

One of the best parts of being in a K-12 school is having our older and younger kids build friendships that are rooted in storytelling and inter-grade literacy.

As many of you may know, February is Black History Month! This month is all about recognizing, amplifying, and celebrating Black voices both in the past and the present. Three Grade 11 students, Bolu K. ’23, Anaya T. ’23, and Tanusri B. ’23, have created a working group to share some of the messages and themes of Black History Month with the school community.

The theme this year is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.” I find this a very valuable statement. Take the time to learn about the many accomplishments and important stories of the Black people of Canada. The Government of Canada website includes lots of information to get started with. After discovering these, keep them in your heart not only during this month but remember them every day! 

Encore is a co-curricular option that gives students agency in their learning. As part of the Elementary School Encore group, Grade 6 students chose to donate their own time and resources creating products for sale to our school community through a Maker Market. Embodying our vision, mission, and motto, the students brought awareness and support to four different causes through the sale of their products.

Recently, students in Grade 1 explored the computational thinking concepts of decomposition and algorithms. First, they reflected and discussed how other areas of their learning were broken down into their parts, such as story writing, numbers in math, and the PYP Approaches to Learning skills. After this review, they took on the challenge: decomposition of a device - old handheld games and phones. Using their hands, screwdrivers, flashlights, and wearing safety goggles, the students “decomposed” their device step by step.

Giving back to the community made me feel amazing, helpful, and all warm and fuzzy inside. Purchasing gifts and imagining seeing the smile on people’s faces when they receive them is an exceptional feeling. I encourage anyone to help their community in any way they can. When a community comes together, many small donations can go a long way.

The new STS climbing boulder and climbing wall mats are getting a workout as are the students and faculty who are using them. Mr. Straub has continued his creative route setting, building an expanding range of climbing and bouldering routes that engage climbers regardless of age or ability, now on an increased number of surfaces. 

In October, Grade 6 students participated in their annual outdoor camp which included various activities around the STS campus and the Nihahi Ridge hiking trail near Kananaskis.

Last week Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School students and employees took part in numerous activities for the 37th annual celebration of Marti McKay Week. Founded in 1984, Marti McKay Week promotes the creative arts, honouring the memory of Marti McKay, an STS student and gifted poet who passed away in 1981.

On October 8, 12 STS teachers across all three grade divisions attended a workshop at Dodginghorse Ranch on Tsuut’ina Nation. Facilitated by Sonya Dodginghorse, 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.