Happy Winter Solstice/Holiday 

I'taamomahkatoyiksistiko (Blackfoot) 

Gwâdánánátin Áschásváti Dzinisá Yik'á (Tsuutina) 

Dáâgine îchiyam (Stoney Nakoda) 

Miyo-manitowi-kîsikanisi (Cree) 

Manitô Olâsikâw (Metis) 

Joyeux Noël (French) 

We celebrate the Winter Solstice and the holiday season in the many languages and traditions that make up our community. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Winter Solstice Ceremony with Elder Jim SWAG and Elder Shirley Hill.

In Blackfoot tradition, the Winter Solstice marks a sacred time when Grandfather Sun visits Grandmother Moon. This symbolizes balance and invites us to reflect on the lessons of the past year while setting intentions for the new Sun of the year ahead. 

Celebrating Learning Growth 

As Winter Break begins, we celebrate the growth in our students’ learning and look forward to continued progress in the coming months. Here are some fun, optional activities you can try at home to support your child’s learning in a relaxed and enjoyable way. 

Reading & Writing Progress: Building the Foundation 

Students continue to make great strides in reading and writing. Each day, they practice spelling and learn how letters and sounds form words, and how words come together to create sentences and stories. Every small success builds confidence and joy in learning. 

Here are some playful activities to continue building these skills at home: 

• Letter Hunt: Use written or magnetic letters to challenge your child to find objects matching the letter sounds. 
• Rhyming Pairs: Say a word and invite your child to find rhymes (e.g., "dog" – "fog"). 
• Spelling Memory Game: Create word cards for a matching game to reinforce spelling. 
• Read Together: Read a book aloud, pointing to the words and discussing the story to build comprehension. 
• Letter Tracing: For a sensory experience, trace letters with a finger, pencil, or even in a tray of salt or sand. 
• Sentence Writing: Invite your child to write one simple sentence about their day or a picture, using starters like: I like… I can see… My favourite thing is…. 

These fun activities can help your child practice early reading and writing skills in a relaxed and enjoyable way! 

Numeracy Growth: Strengthening Skills Together 

Our students have also made great progress in numeracy, mastering number recognition, counting, and basic addition and subtraction. These skills lay the groundwork for more advanced math concepts, and we celebrate their achievements. 

Try these fun math games at home to continue building their skills: 

• Counting Fun: Use simple items like coins, buttons, or beans to practice grouping into sets of 2, 5 or 10.  
• Roll and Count: Roll a dice and have your child count the dots. You can also have them add or subtract the numbers rolled. Use two dice for more practice with adding numbers together.  
• Everyday Counting: Count steps, jumps, claps, toys, or snacks during daily routines like walking, cleaning up, or getting ready for bed. 
• Number Scavenger Hunt: Turn everyday items like clocks, books, or packaging into a learning opportunity by exploring the numbers you see together. 
• Number Line Hop: Use masking tape or chalk to create a number line on the floor (0 to 20 or higher). Call out a number and have your child hop to it. You can also place small objects like buttons on the line for your child to jump to while counting or practicing addition and subtraction 
• Shape & Length Comparison: Use household items to compare lengths and shapes; name circles, squares, rectangles, etc. 

These interactive games make learning math a fun and shared experience. 

Physical Wellness: Movement for Growth 

We believe in the powerful connection between body, heart, mind, spirit, and the land. Movement keeps us healthy, strengthens our minds, and enhances focus and self-regulation while connecting to the land grounds us and nurtures our well-being. 

In Phys Ed, students continue to strengthen their bodies and spirits through activities like boat poses and planks, building stability, endurance, and gross motor skills. These practices, combined with outdoor experiences, deepen their connection to the land and support holistic growth. 

Over the winter break, here are some fun and simple activities you can try together to continue supporting their growth: 

• Winter Walks: Bundle up and explore your neighbourhood! Encourage your child to count their steps or spot winter-themed items like pinecones or snowflakes. 
• Obstacle Course: Use pillows, chairs, and other household items to create a fun indoor course. This promotes coordination and burns off energy. 
• Snow Art: Head outside and create designs or shapes in the snow using sticks or footprints. It's a creative way to enjoy the season and stay active. 

These small moments of movement renew your child's focus and provide joyful opportunities to connect with na'a (Mother Earth) while continuing to strengthen their body and mind. 

A Time of Gratitude and Renewal 

These activities are designed to enrich learning in joyful ways. Whether you explore them or simply enjoy time together, we hope your winter break is restful and meaningful. 

As we reflect on 2025 and look forward to 2026, our hearts are full of gratitude for our students, families, and community. A heartfelt thank you to the Calgary Police Youth Foundation for the books and gift cards shared with our students, and to RBC for the beautifully wrapped Santa gifts for each child. We also extend our appreciation to Mr. Malcolm for leading our students in joyful and festive holiday singing, and to Elder Shirley and her bear, Lemon, for sharing cultural teachings, stories, and wisdom throughout her school residency this week. Thank you to Cummins Group for generously donating the gift basket for our Winter Solstice Ceremony draw, and congratulations to the lucky winner. A special thank you to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule at the North Pole to visit our students and bring joy. With the generosity, time, and care of our parents and community, we nurture belonging, support growth, and guide our students to become confident and capable learners. 

Wishing you a joyful Winter Solstice and a peaceful holiday season. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, January 5. 

Hand to Heart, 

Ms. Tracy 
Principal