Our first few weeks of school has been quite exciting as we welcomed 543 students to the school community.

During the first month of school the goal has been for teachers and students to get to know each other. At all grade levels, teachers focused on learning activities that were intended to build student self - awareness and understanding of others as a way to build classroom communities that foster a sense of belonging for every child.

Thank you for joining us at our first “official” parent conferences when teachers were so pleased to connect and meet with you and to mutually share information about your child. Please know that teachers are available to communicate with you through phone, email or to meet with you if needed at a prearranged meeting any time throughout the year.


Hope Springs Eternal

This ancient proverb describes how the feeling of hopefulness endlessly renews itself. Hope is goal-directed thinking.  Hoping that things will be better drives us to take action to make that happen- and taking action leads to results.

The theme of hope has guided our school opening activities, including our Terry Fox Run, and our assembly and week long classroom-based learning commemorating Orange Shirt Day through the CBE National Truth and Reconciliation Week from Sept. 23 to 27.


Orange Shirt Day

Students spent time reflecting on the meaning of Orange Shirt Day during the week and classroom discussions focused on how hope gives rise to actions that lead to change and improvement. Grade three students organized and presented an assembly on September 23 for the entire school to bring focus to the week.

This grade 3 student shows understanding that reconciliation involves hope for the future:

Teachers accessed the school’s collection of Indigenous picture books to serve as a springboard for conversation and learning activities. For example, several classes read the picture book called “My Suitcase: Nii Sookayis” by author Christina Fox (iitsisaanoowa). 

Students were very interested to learn a few Blackfoot words from the story. The main character in the story tells about her time at a school far away from her traditions and family. Students talked about how this would feel. They made a list of things they could do to make others feel like they matter.

Each child in the school traced an image of their own hand to add to our “Every Child Matters” banner that lines the entrance to the gymnasium (see image on our website) The children felt great pride in seeing their hand become a part of the group collective of all students at the school. The banner represents unity and belonging for each child in the school. Other age-appropriate activities related to Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural significance took place in all classrooms.

Terry Fox Run

September 25 marked the day for our annual Terry Fox Run that is intended to raise awareness and funds in support of cancer research.

Through the generosity of the community, the school raised $2,025. As always, MTS families, showed their care and kindness for others in supporting this cause.

The children were delighted to learn that having surpassed our fund-raising goal, Mr. Van Sluys, our 6 ft. 4 inch P.E. teacher will carry out his promise to wear a tutu for the day at school on Friday, October 4.

Mr. V. has demonstrated in the past that he is a great “sport” wearing a tutu as he had students chuckling and giggling at him all day!

This year, in solidarity with Mr. V. students and staff are invited to don a tutu on October 4 and join in the fun!


Residencies

  1. Students in K-2 enjoyed their dance residency with Sound Creations professional dance company. Sound Creations offers an engaging and socially encouraged method of developing a student's Physical Literacy, Mindfulness and appreciation for the creative process through the exploration of Dance and Movement. Sound Creations are in-school dance residency program specialists who create a safe environment for students to take risks and succeed. Students celebrated their learning with parents at sharing assemblies at the end of the residency.
  2. Our grade 3 and 4 students and our EES classes will participate in the Aline-In-Line skating residency from October 1- 11.  The residency has proven to be a fun learning experience for students in past years. The residency provides students the opportunity to gain beginning skills on roller blades, and for others, with more experience, the chance to extend their abilities and skill level.

Thank you to parents at MTS for their financial support of these amazing opportunities for our students. Through your dedicated fund-raising efforts, we are able to provide these curricular related exceptional experiences to our students.


Dogs on School Grounds

We would like to thank our dog owners who are walking their dogs to school on a leash and saying their goodbyes from the sidewalk or school ground boundaries. It is sometimes hard to understand that our beloved companions could be intimidating to anyone, but children who are not familiar with pets, often are fearful. As well, city bylaws exist that do not allow dogs on school grounds.

Thank you so much for your cooperation.


Toys at School- No!

We would like to remind parents that it is not advisable for children to bring toys to school. Toys are a diversion from the focus on learning at school and can become an issue/conflict if they are lost or taken by another child.

We encourage our students to be active during their recess and lunch breaks and to engage with the physical activity resources that are available at the school such as basketballs and soccer balls, Please note that trading cards such as POKEMON are not allowed at the school, outside at recess or lunch, or on the bus.


Looking Forward

The month of October will hold many exciting events and learning opportunities. I encourage you to keep up to date with events at the school by checking our website and teacher blogs and through updates provided via School Messenger.

I look forward to continuing to get to know our students and parents over the year.


Dr. Lorraine Slater, Principal