Dear DGS Families,
Last week, we were provided our budget information for the upcoming school year. As you are likely aware, our enrollment numbers continue to grow, and we will be welcoming back Grade 5 students to our school in the Fall of 2024. At this time, I can share we will be adding four Grade 5 homerooms that will be taught by generalist teachers. Parents provided feedback into our School Development Plan and Budget in March of 2024. Additionally, we worked with teachers and support staff yesterday to further determine priorities for staffing related to how we support students with their learning. We will be adding resources to directly impact our English as an Additional Language students so that they are able to acquire the basic interpersonal communication skills (conversational language) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (academic language) skills that are necessary for success. Additionally, we will be adding one 15 hour a week EA to our existing team of two Education Assistants in order to better support students in classrooms. We will be able to share more related to this in the weeks to come.
The results of the Parent Engagement Survey related to our School Development Plan and Budget are ready for your review. These results are located here:
We want to again extend our thanks to those of you who completed the survey, as it will be an important guide for staff as we plan learning experiences and fieldtrips for the 2024-2025 school year.
Y Mind Teen at the YMCA
Y Mind is a FREE 7-week mental wellness program for teenagers (13-18 years old). The program aims to support and provide resources for teenagers experiencing mild to moderate levels of stress and/or anxiety. Y Mind is grounded on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness and allows participants to learn more about different ways of how to manage their stress and anxiety. This program is facilitated by trained mental health professionals and there will always be two facilitators at each session. The YMCA has seen proven results nationally of reduced stress and anxiety related symptoms, increased overall wellbeing, and an increased ability to cope with difficult emotions. Please see the attached flyer for program and registration information.
Literacy Afternoon
What/When:
Grade 6-9 Humanities teachers are looking to welcome students and parents/guardians on May 10 from 2-4pm to view ongoing work exploring the conceptual question: “What influences change?” This question has been a collaborative effort of the Literacy Professional Learning Community this year and has been taken up in each grade level according to the specific Programs of Studies and individualized vocabulary targets determined by each grade level.
Why:
Every two weeks, the grade 6-9 teachers belonging to the Literacy cohort have met to build students’ capacity to understand and apply academic language as one of our ongoing goals to increase student comprehension in all core subject areas related to reading, writing, and speaking. Academic language is defined as “the specialized words and phrases that are commonly used within academic settings such as classrooms, higher level fiction, scholarly articles, and educational discussions. These terms are typically more formal, precise, and specific than everyday language and are essential for understanding and communicating effectively within instructional contexts.”
Although each grade approached the same conceptual question each grade targeted 3 words from their programming to highlight as essential/key.
Overarching Conceptual Question: “What influences change?” Grades 6-9 | |
Academic Vocabulary Grade 6 |
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Academic Vocabulary Grade 7 |
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Academic Vocabulary Grade 8 |
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Academic Vocabulary Grade 9 |
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The purpose of this event is NOT to serve as a formal interview, but rather to invite students to speak to the ongoing work that is occurring in the classroom, highlighting the (beautifully chaotic) process that has been taken to engage in the question and exploration of the academic vocabulary. Parents are welcome to view any/all of the work that grades have produced as a means to visualize how skill development occurs between each grade.
Where:
Grades 7, 8, and 9 will have tables/spaces upstairs out in the hallway with student work displayed. Grade 6’s will have tables and a space downstairs by the Learning Commons.
We look forward to seeing you!
Grade 6-9 Literacy Team
Provincial Achievement Test Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to help with PAT(s). If you are available and have a Valid Police Clearance, Please click on the link below to sign-up.
Possible supports that we might need you for during the exam will be the following:
- Scribes and Readers
- Hallway Monitor
Volunteers will most likely not be staying to the end of the designated time as many students will be finished at this point.
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday April 19, 2024
- Non- Instructional Day (No School for students)
Friday April 26
- Cotton Candy
Monday May 13, 2024
- Grade 9 ELA Exam- Part A
Friday May 17, 2024
- Non- Instructional Day (No School for students)
Monday May 20, 2024
- Victoria Day (School Closed)
As always, I am available to answer questions- csmalette@cbe.ab.ca
Chantal Malette
Principal, Dr. George Stanley School
Calgary Board of Education | www.cbe.ab.ca
t | 403.817.3556