Elementary School

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.

Last week, all students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 enjoyed engaging artist and author presentations.

On Wednesday, September 30, all members of the STS Community were encouraged to wear an orange shirt to school as part of their uniform. 

This year, instead of our annual run on campus, we have been celebrating Terry Fox with a week of activities – kicking off with 80s dress day on Friday, September 18 and its Prefect-run photo booth. 

It has been a few weeks since our community has returned to campus and the spirit of 'together apart' is prevalent as we become accustomed to new norms, reconnect with familiar faces, engage in learning and discovery, and enjoy some much-needed laughs. 

As the doors of all schools in Alberta were abruptly closed by order of the provincial Chief Medical Officer on March 16, 2020, countless STS community members stepper up to the opportunity to help.

STS siblings, Caleb ’28 and Raya S. ’31, have teamed up with Discovery House to produce 100 lunches for their clients every week indefinitely. 

In March 2020, when schools around the world had to close their doors to keep students, staff and their loved ones safe, at STS we made a firm commitment to our families: a promise to not only finish the school year and cover the required outcomes, but to continue to provide enrichment and a strong sense of community while ensuring our students flourished and succeeded.

Many parents are wondering how they can help their kids continue learning over the summer months. We may picture summer learning as something similar to some of our school experiences-  worksheets, textbooks, memorization and a lot of reading books we didn’t really enjoy. 

The DiversiTEAM is excited to share highlights from Diversity Week 2020 which took place April 27 to May 1, 2020. Read more as the DiversiTEAM subcommittees share their work and highlights from the week. 

Happy Diversity Week 2020! The STS DiversiTEAM set out to film things at STS that they found beautiful and their result will bring a smile to your face.

Getting outside has always been good for one's learning, health and wellbeing, but with the current orders to stay home and social distance, it's become essential now more than ever to keep moving and stay active.

STS recognizes that we are all experiencing trying circumstances that create increased stress for students and their families. Families are experiencing increased pressure as living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens become classrooms and office spaces, as parents evolve as 'triple-threats' with working, parenting and now, home-schooling. 

Ms. Chapman, Elementary Teacher-Librarian at STS has complied resources for young children including a clickable guide to author read-alouds, illustrator drawing lessons and printables, kid-friendly coronavirus information, virtual field-trips and more!