Dear Families,
We are now heading into the last month of the school year and are excited about what’s ahead. June marks several significant events including National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. June also holds time for year-end activities and celebrations, including field trips, sports day, and a farewell assembly.
TRC Commitment
June 21st will mark the renewal of our school's Truth and Reconciliation Commitment. We aim to proceed thoughtfully and align our actions with the work ahead. As we look forward, we want to continue to learn on the land, and have enriching learning opportunities where we learn from the land. We have started to have conversations with staff, students, parents, and our Ian Baz neighbours, about a potential shared outdoor learning space.
To help get us started, we consulted Elder John Snow from Stoney Nakoda regarding a potential outdoor learning space. He offered us valuable advice and asked whether our students understand the Calls to Action. This question prompted us to closely examine the Calls to Action and which ones are most significant to our school community and context. Students and staff explored the Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. After engaging in this conversation, we then asked the question, "What should an outdoor learning space could look like, feel like, and sound like, and which Calls to Action inspire us?"
The thoughts and ideas we gathered are being organized and will help us to formulate our 2024-2025 TRC Commitment. We look forward to sharing back with you soon!
National Indigenous History Month
People in Canada celebrate National Indigenous History Month every June and recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. These are great opportunities to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples, to learn about their histories, cultures and ways of life. At Valley View School, we are happy to be acknowledging this month through various learning opportunities.
We’re delighted to share that Sandra Lamouche, a Cree artist and storyteller through movement, dance, art, writing and speaking, will be presenting a hoop dance for all students on Tuesday June 11th. We are thankful to the community donors who generously provided the funds for Sandra to share her talent with our school community.
Adrian Goulet, is a Métis and Cree teacher who shares his talents with others. He will share cultural teachings and practices with our students on Monday June 17th. He will be bringing a tipi with him and will teach us how to set up and take down the traditional tipi.
Elder John Snow will be joining us on Tuesday June 18th for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Elder John Snow is from Stoney Nakoda, and he will share stories from the Stoney people with all our students. He will also follow up with our students about what they learned from the Calls to Action.
The CBE is committed to ensuring 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 Valley View School, we have honoured and recognized our unique school community throughout the school year with events such as Orange Shirt Day, Métis Week, Asian History Month and Black History month, and more.
June is Pride Month Internationally or Aug. 26-Sept. 4 is Calgary Pride Week, 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 Valley View School, we will recognize this occasion by highlighting our collection of inclusive books in our Learning Commons. We will also share some stories of prominent 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians over the morning announcements. Each classroom is a safe space, and teachers consistently work with students to have supportive discussions.
We acknowledge that each family and community have unique experiences with different recognitions and celebrations, and any commemorative activities in our schools may be perceived differently. However, classroom-based activities and lessons that promote diversity and inclusion are not subject to exemptions under the Education Act.
Upcoming Dates:
Early Dismissal at 12:15 PM (Grades 1-5 attend; no school for Kindergarten)