June 21, 2024 There is much to report on as we embark upon the final week of the school year... This week we completed the grade 6 PAT’s, enjoyed a sunny, fun-filled Sports Day, and put final touches on our reporting processes in advance of report cards. Next week we will welcome Elder Shirley Hill to work with all of our students on Monday & Tuesday and will celebrate our grade 6 students on Wednesday as they embark upon the next phase of their journey into Junior High. Thank you to Lindsay Ogden & Candace Bjornsen As the current school year comes to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for the incredible dedication and hard work of our outgoing School Council & Parent Association Chair, Lindsay Ogden and our outgoing School Council & Parent Association Vice-Chair, Candace Bjornsen. Throughout their tenure, Lindsay and Candace have been a beacon of leadership within our community. Their unwavering commitment to our school’s vision and mission has been steadfast. They have both tirelessly advocated for our students, supported our teachers and staff, and fostered a sense of unity and collaboration among all members of our school community. Under their leadership we have witnessed achievements that have significantly enriched our school community. Notably, they spearheaded the completion of the new CJP Playground and Discovery Gardens. They also reinstated parent information evenings through the Speaker Series and revitalized school community events, including family picnics, family dances, and Sip & Social connection opportunities. Their efforts extended to promoting innovative school fundraising initiatives that showcased student artwork and establishing a volunteer coordinator position to streamline the organization of volunteer activities. Furthermore, they supported the reintroduction of school patrols, enhancing safety and student leadership. Constantly seeking ways to enhance student learning, they provided thoughtful support to our support staff, teachers, and the leadership team at CJP. These accomplishments have not only enriched the educational experience of our students but also left a lasting positive impact on our entire school community. Lindsay and Candace, your vision, dedication, and passion have set a high standard for us all. You have not only been leaders, but mentors and friends to many. Personally, I am grateful for the time and support you both extended to me upon my arrival at CJP. Your legacy will continue to inspire us in the days ahead. On behalf of the entire school community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to you both. We wish you all the best as you step away from your duties as Chair and Vice-Chair, and look forward to the continued positive impact you will undoubtedly make here at CJP in your new positions on School Council. Thank you once again for your exceptional service and leadership. June is Pride Month The Calgary Board of Education strives to ensure that all our schools are safe and caring places for all students and staff. As a public school system, we welcome and celebrate students from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs. At CJP we have honoured and recognized our unique school community throughout the school year with events such as Orange Shirt Day, Black History Month, and Maatoomsii’Pookaiks (CBE system-wide Indigenous Education Professional Learning Day). June is Pride Month Internationally, a time to recognize the pursuit of equality and rights for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. The CBE reaffirms its commitment to creating safe and caring learning and work environments for 2SLGBTQ+ students and staff. At CJP, we are celebrating this occasion with a variety of learning opportunities throughout the school, including: - Celebrating Student Uniqueness and Family Diversity: Activities and lessons that highlight the unique qualities of each student and the diverse backgrounds of their families.
- Understanding Pride: Engaging lessons on “What is Pride?” and “Why is it important?” to help students grasp the significance of Pride Month.
- LGBTQ+ Vocabulary: Age-appropriate discussions explaining the letters in LGBTQ+ and their meanings.
- Learning about Glen Burke: Lessons about Glen Burke, the gay baseball player who popularized the high five on TV in 1975. His story has inspired our “Pride High Five” art pieces displayed throughout the school, featuring messages of inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Inspired by Literature: Using the book “Looking Like Me” by Walter Dean Myers, students created poetry celebrating their diverse identities and engaged in discussions about the importance of being proud of who they are.
- Addressing Discriminatory Language: Conversations about derogatory and discriminatory language, emphasizing respect and understanding.
These activities aim to foster an inclusive and supportive environment, celebrating the diversity and individuality of all students. Indigenous Peoples Month (June) / Day (June 21st) At CJP, we are proud to recognize Indigenous Peoples Month, a time dedicated to honoring and celebrating the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Throughout the month, our school has been engaging in a variety of educational activities and events designed to deepen our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous communities. Our objectives for Indigenous Peoples Month include: educating on Indigenous histories, celebrating Indigenous cultures, understanding current issues, and promoting respect and inclusivity. Through these initiatives, we aim to cultivate an environment of respect and appreciation for Indigenous peoples, while empowering our students with knowledge and understanding that will inspire them to be informed and compassionate members of society. At CJP, we are celebrating this occasion with a variety of learning opportunities throughout the school, including: - Land Acknowledgements: Learning about and sharing land acknowledgements to recognize the traditional territories on which we live and learn.
- History of National Indigenous Peoples Day: Understanding the significance of National Indigenous Peoples Day, including its history, purpose, and its connection to the summer solstice.
- The Seven Sacred Teachings: Exploring the seven sacred teachings, valued and practiced by many Indigenous peoples, which guide individuals to live a good and balanced life.
- Culture of the Blackfoot People of Treaty 7: Delving into the culture of the Blackfoot people, including traditional dances like the fancy dance and jingle dance, and important plants such as sage wheatgrass, and chokecherries.
- Stories and Teachings: Reading “Birdsong” by Cree-Metis author, Julie Flett, and connecting with Cree teachings about the phases of the moon, including the Frog Moon, Budding Moon, and Hatching Moon/Heart Berry Moon through art projects. Reading “I Hope” by Cree/Lakota author, Monique Gray Smith, inspiring students to write about their hopes, and using the book as inspiration for the Grade 6 Farewell.
- Treaty Education: Exploring three key Alberta treaties (Treaty 6, 7, and 8) to understand the treaty areas, the parties involved, and the key points of the treaties.
- Plants of the Indigenous Peoples: Studying plants such as sweetgrass, sage, cedar, and tobacco, including their medicinal uses and where they can be found.
- Sharing Circles and Sit Spots: Using sharing circles for community building and sit spots to observe, listen, and learn from the land.
- Book Review: Reviewing “The Girl and the Wolf” by Metis author, Katherine Vermette and Cree-Metis illustrator, Julie Flett to further appreciate Indigenous storytelling.
- The Medicine Wheel: Learning about the Medicine Wheel in connection to “Outdoor Adventure Time” where students recognize their needs and choose activities like sketching in the Discovery Garden.
- Culminating Assembly: This month’s activities wculminated in an assembly on June 21 to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, bringing together all the learnings and celebrations.
- Elder Shirley Hill Visit: Elder Shirley Hill will visit the school on June 24 & June 25 to continue her work with all students in the area of belonging and share her Hoop Dancing skills.
Through these initiatives, we aim to foster a deep respect and understanding of Indigenous culture, histories, and contributions, enriching our school community and empowering our students with knowledge and appreciation of the rich heritage of Indigenous peoples. Updated CJP Commitment to Truth & Reconciliation In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, and in alignment with the CBE Education Plan, CAPTAIN JOHN PALLISER SCHOOL acknowledges and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action, and uses Call to Action #63.iii as inspiration: We call upon the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues, including building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect. We make the following commitment to action for the 2024-2025 school year: We, at CJP, commit to enhancing the capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect among our students and staff. We will continue our Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) efforts by deepening our sense of belonging through our relationships with the land and community and broadening our understanding and inclusion of diverse systems of knowledge. Our initiatives include conducting weekly belonging meetings, purposefully integrating Indigenous pedagogy, ensuring full school participation with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and actively engaging with our parent community. Through these efforts, we aim to intertwine our connections to the land, our shared histories, and each other, walking together in mutual understanding and respect for all. June 20, 2024 Student Medication If your student has medication stored at the office, we will send it home with them on the last day of school (June 27). If your student is absent that day, you are welcome to pick up the medication from the office on Friday, June 28 (9am-12pm). Stampeders Family Day Game - Saturday, June 29thCBE Schools have a special ticket offer for the Stampeders Family Day game on Saturday, June 29th. Get your tickets to join for a fun filled evening with plenty of activities at McMahon Stadium while taking in the game. $5 from every ticket sold from the discounted ticket link HERE, will go directly to the school you select at checkout. The school that sells the most tickets and tops the leaderboard will win a visit from a Stampeders player and Ralph the Dog. Important Upcoming Dates Monday, June 24 & Tuesday June 25 – Elder Shirley Hill at CJP Wednesday, June 26 – Grade 6 Farewell Assembly (AM) Wednesday, June 26 – Report Cards viewable in PowerSchool Thursday, June 27 – Early dismissal @ 1:21 pm | Last day of school From CJP School Council Parent/Guardian Volunteers: A heartfelt thank you to our amazing parent/guardian volunteers! Your exceptional support in classrooms, event organizing, Work Bee, Fun Lunches, and other programs has significantly enriched our school community and our children’s educational experience. Thank you for your invaluable contributions and for exemplifying the spirit of community and generosity. We look forward to continuing these wonderful partnerships with you. Toria Fundraising Survey: We've raised over $13,000 this year through all our fundraising campaigns. Thank you!!! We would love your input on the various fundraisers the Parents Association ran this year, whether you participated or not. This information will help inform our decisions around next year's fundraisers. Please complete this survey: https://forms.gle/h5eJHrw7UKjFvseV6 (your responses are anonymous). Your feedback is valuable to us! Mural Survey: Captain John Palliser School is inviting local artists to submit proposals to create original artwork for outdoor murals on the front of the school. Students were asked to contribute their thoughts and ideas around belonging and community to be used as inspiration for the commissioned artists. We would now like to open up some of these questions to the greater community of CJP https://forms.gle/WqxGD5DWcJ3at2K48 Casino Fundraiser: Save the Date! Our Casino Fundraiser is set for Oct 1st & 2nd at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino! This major event supports our school by funding initiatives like Mobile Escape Residency, the upcoming Robotics Residency, field trip transportation, books, music supplies and more. Your volunteer efforts at this event make a big impact! Sincerely, Oliver Fisher Principal, CJP |
