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Elementary School

Learning with Saa'Kokoto | STS's First Nation Elder-in-Residence

A teacher, historian, storyteller, and visual artist - Saa’kokoto is providing STS students with a deep understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. His lessons carry a wealth of first hand experience, drawn both from his years as a business leader in his community and as an ambassador of his culture. “I learned a lot about the people, the land. I come from the largest First Nation in Canada which is Kainai west of Lethbridge, and we have two elementary schools, a middle school and high school, and our own college. In my last term in office, I taught a course there at the college and it was accredited through the University of Lethbridge. It was on governance - (a concept) that I could share.” 

Nurturing the Spark

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.

Recognize Black Voices

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.

Black History Month 2022

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! 

Grade 6 Encore Maker Market

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.

Grade 1 Students Explore Decomposition and Algorithms

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.

Elementary School Encore Group Winter Giving Campaign

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.

37th Annual Marti McKay Week

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.

Honouring Truth and Reconciliation in Elementary School

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. 

Terry Fox Run 2021

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. 

Happy 50th Anniversary STS!

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.

Elementary Speech Day Celebration 2021

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.  

Making summer special

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.

Supporting health and wellness during difficult times

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.