Students and staff are settling nicely into the routines and rhythm of the new school year. Our first few weeks of school have been quite exciting as we welcomed 536 students to the school community. Teachers have been busy building connections to the land and community as we begin our journey together into a new school year.
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. We are pleased that the results of the Alberta Education Quality Assurance survey completed in spring 2026, by grade 4 students, parents and all teachers, show that 91.8% of the respondents indicate that MTS is a caring, respectful and inclusive learning environment where students feel safe and that they belong.
Belonging is a central tenet of inclusionary education and, as a school community, developing a sense of belonging is explicit within our wellness goal in our School Development Plan. The results of the 2026 survey speak to the focus of the developmental work over the years at MTS that continues in importance as our population grows, changes, and evolves.
Terry Fox Run
September 23 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 $1693.15. As always, MTS families, showed their care and kindness for others in supporting this cause. The children were delighted to see that we surpassed our goal of raising $1,600. They were all very proud to have set personal goals for the run and achieve them with their best effort.
Jump Rope for Heart
Last school year, in February 2026, MTS participated in the Jump Rope for Heart Campaign. This year, we were pleased to receive acknowledgement and congratulations on being named one of the Top 25 School Recognition Award Winners for Jump Rope for Heart! Our school raised an amazing $10,495.
Please see this message sent to our school recently on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Fund:
“On behalf of Heart & Stroke, thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to helping students get active while making a meaningful impact in the fight to beat heart disease and stroke. McKenzie Towne School - Calgary efforts this year have truly stood out, and we are excited to celebrate your achievement.
Your school has been awarded a $500 prize and a commemorative trophy in recognition of your outstanding participation.
Thank you again for being an incredible school community and for inspiring students to make a difference.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Kindest regards and Happy Jumping!!”
We are honoured to be recognized for our fundraising efforts on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Fund. The $500 gift to the school will be used to purchase resources for the PE program - maybe more jump ropes, since we will be jumping again in February 2027, as our school once again participates in this most worthy fundraising and health awareness program!
Orange Shirt Day
Students spent time reflecting on the meaning of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day during the week of September 21-25.
Teachers accessed the school’s collection of Indigenous picture books to serve as a springboard for conversation and learning activities.
The week culminated with the whole school assembly organized and presented by the grade 3 classes, where students heard a story about the history of Orange Shirt Day enacted by the grade 3 students. All students participated in an art project depicting children wearing orange shirts conveying the message that All Children Matter. Their art is proudly displayed in our front hallway in a circular design for everyone to admire and to feel a part of in terms of their individual contribution.
Teacher Blogs- “What did you do at school today?”
Please be sure to check your child’s teacher’s blog each week. The blogs are posted each Friday on our website. The blog is a great way to keep up to date on what your child is currently learning in class in terms of curriculum and provides useful information that enables you to have conversations with your child, with specificity, about what and how they are learning. Teachers often include pictures of the learning in action which provide a wonderful window into your child’s classroom learning environment. I personally read every teacher’s blog every week and I can assure you that the blogs are informative, useful and provide excellent insight to you as parents about “what’s happening” in the classroom that can prompt further conversation with your child.
Looking Forward
The month of October will hold with many exciting events and learning opportunities. I encourage you to keep up to date with events at the school by checking our website, teacher blogs and through updates provided via School Messenger sent on a weekly basis.
I look forward to continuing to get to know our students and parents over the year. My greatest joy is to be able to be in classrooms working with students and teachers.
Dr. Lorraine Slater
Principal, MTS