May 19, 2010 ................Equine Assisted Learning
May 21, 2010 ................Professional Development, No School for Students
May 24, 2010 ...............Victoria Day, No School
May 25, 2010...............Language and Culture Meeting, Everyone Welcome!
May 26, 2010...............Kinder Graduation, Everyone Welcome!
May 28, 2010...............Family Fun Day, Full Day of School, Everyone Welcome!
May 28, 2010................Last Day for Kindergarten Students
May 31-June 4, 2010....Staff Appreciation Week
June 3-11, 2010............Provincial Achievement Tests, Grades 3, 6, and 9
June 8, 2010 ................Councilor at the School
June 14, 2010 ..............Gymnastics Trip to Rocky
June 16, 2010 ...............Last day of Classes
June 16, 2010...............Grade 9 Graduation, Everyone Welcome!
June 17, 2010............... Awards Ceremony at Treaty Day
August 23, 2010............Staff Back to Work (Teacher Orientation)
August 30, 2010............Registration Day for 2010/2011
August 31, 2010............First Day of Classes for 2010/2011

Ah-neen! We are down to the wire for the 2009/2010 school year. I have been informed by the younger students who have been counting the number of days that there are only 22 full days of school left this year! We have been doing a lot of planning for the next school year, and the most exciting project underway is the development of the Language and Culture Curriculum that we are developing specifically for our community. Thank you to the parents, community members and Elders who are participating in this momentous occasion. There is no curriculum document for Saulteaux speakers in Alberta, and we are creating our own based on O’Chiese’s unique language, culture and tradition. It is very exciting work!

“We’ve got to learn what’s going on today in the world, and we’ve got to get an education so that we can survive.” These words from Jimmy Jackson, an Ojibwa First Nations, are at the centre of how we are attempting to adapt our classroom setup for the grades 4-9. Given the current situation where INAC funding is inadequate for hiring a necessary teaching complement, we are creatively developing a new scheduling format for our students in grades 4-9. Our current plan will enable us to have smaller class sizes in grades 4 and 5, and a more traditional approach in multiple ages working together for different classes. Our core sections of language arts, math, science and social will be smaller ability groups. Classes such as PE will be larger to enable more participatory curriculum for the junior high students. Shop and Art will allow students to have diversification in their learning environment. All students will be provided ample Saulteaux Instruction with our newly developed curriculum. We anticipate that these changes will enable students to have significant academic growth, while working in unique social groupings in an attempt to bring a holistic education pedagogy into the school. We are examining different styles of education and applying it to the way we teach so that students are exposed to enriching learning environments. It has been an exciting planning year!

Sincere Regards,

Submitted by Lara Jollymore, Principal

Only after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Then will you find that money cannot be eaten. -Cree Prophecy