OCTOBER 20, 2017

STS Express Weekly Newsletter

CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL ........................................................................ 3 INSPIRING POSSIBILITIES .................................................................................................. 4

A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO DONATE ......................................................................................................... 4

IMPORTANT DATES ........................................................................................................... 4 OCTOBER ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

NOVEMBER ................................................................................................................................................. 4

SCHOOL CALENDARS ................................................................................................................................... 4

UPCOMING EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDAR! ............................................................ 5 THANK YOU TO OUR GRADE SOCIAL HOSTS AND PLEASE R.S.V.P. TO YOUR UPCOMING GRADE SOCIAL(S) ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

VOLUNTEER COFFEE MORNING – NOVEMBER 14 ...................................................................................... 6

SENIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL – LES MISÉRABLES ............................................................................................ 6

SAVE THE DATE FOR APRIL’S EXPERTS IN EDUCATION SPEAKER SERIES EVENT ......................................... 7

FULL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS ................................................................................... 8 PHOTO RETAKE DAY – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 ............................................................................................ 8

VOTE FOR STS – READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS ............................................................................................. 8

FIRST STUDENT CANADA WINTER BUSSING PROCEDURES ........................................................................ 9

HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE .................................................................................................................. 9

CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSE STS COMMUNITY .......................................................................................... 9

Diwali Celebrations ................................................................................................................................. 9

VOLUNTEER COFFEE MORNING – NOVEMBER 14 .................................................................................... 12

VOLUNTEER AT STS – WE NEED YOU! ....................................................................................................... 12

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ..................................................................................................... 12 PHOTO RETAKE DAY - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 ........................................................................................... 12

SCHOOL MUSICAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ................................................................................................. 13

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS .................................................................. 14 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE 2017-2018 ........................................................................ 14

TRICK OR TREAT? ...................................................................................................................................... 14

MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS ..................................................... 15 MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS ............................................................... 15

GRADE 8 MODERN LANGUAGE TRIPS ....................................................................................................... 15

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GRADES 10 -11 SPAIN/FRANCE TRIP – PARENT BRIEF .............................................................................. 16

GRADE 7 BAND CONCERT AND PIZZA NIGHT - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24 ................................................... 16

WE SCARE HUNGER................................................................................................................................... 16

SENIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ALUMNI SPEED MENTORING EVENT – REGISTER TODAY! .................. 17

CLASS OF 2018 - BABY PHOTOS NEEDED!! ............................................................................................... 17

STUDENT SERVICES ......................................................................................................... 18 DROP-IN TUTORIAL SESSIONS (PEER TUTORING PROGRAM) ................................................................... 18

STUDENT SERVICES TIPS AND RESOURCES - GROWTH MINDSET ............................................................. 18

UNIVERSITY PLANNING PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT ........................................................................... 19

OUT OF PROVINCE UNIVERSITY FAIR ........................................................................................................ 19

UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES VISITING STS ........................................................................................... 19

UNIVERSITY SEARCH TOOLS ...................................................................................................................... 20

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS ................................................................................ 21 ROUND SQUARE STUDENTS UNITE TO IGNITE THE FIRE WITHIN IN SOUTH AFRICA ............................... 21

GRADE 8 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM BRING GOLD HOME .......................................................................... 22

BEARSPAW VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT .................................................................................................. 22

FIRST SPEECH TOURNAMENT UNDER OUR BELT ...................................................................................... 23

KINDERGARTEN to GRADE 3 STUDENTS INSPIRED DURING MARTI MCKAY WEEK .................................. 24

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MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL THE FINISH LINE IS NOW WITHIN SIGHT As our incredible new building is now reaching the final stages of completion, I would like to provide you with a brief summary of our progress on funding the project. As of today, we are approximately $1.5 million short of our $27 million goal. Since the beginning of the school year, approximately $138,000 has been raised. We are hoping to have the building fully funded by the time of its completion, as this will eliminate the need to borrow the additional funds, which creates debt-servicing costs putting upward pressure on tuition. I am so proud of our community and the generous support that we have received to this point. At this juncture, I am appealing to those who have yet to give to help propel us over the finish line so that we can soon celebrate this great achievement together as a community.

There are a number of ways that donors have been stretching their gifts and the most common has been by making a pledge that is paid out over 3 to 5 years. This, along with the tax refund (approximately 50% of your gift), has enabled many families to extend the timeframe and value of their gifts in a manageable way. The School is also able to accept gifts of securities, which is helpful to some from a tax perspective.

It is the combination of all gifts, regardless of their size, that will get us to the finish line. Please consider joining parents, alumni and staff by participating in this final stretch of our campaign. I look forward to cutting the ribbon in a spectacular learning facility that is also debt free. This will serve our students both now and in the future and ensure the long-term stability of our school. Please welcome our calls and participate now in the final phase of our campaign.

Dr. William Jones Head of School

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INSPIRING POSSIBILITIES

A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO DONATE "As parents who are very concerned about our children's education we took the time to do extensive research on Canadian and International private schools before choosing STS. As our eldest son started Kindergarten this fall, our time with the school has been limited. However, the initial experiences for both ourselves as parents and our son as a student have been overwhelmingly positive. We understand that the remarkable facilities are all funded through private donors and felt it a privilege to be able to donate towards them." James and Inoka Upshall

As we are in the final stretch of the Inspiring Possibilities campaign, every donation will make a difference to help us collectively reach our fundraising goal and make our best even better.

IMPORTANT DATES In addition to the listed dates below, be sure to check for new events throughout the year online – the following calendar can be downloaded in an iCal format.

OCTOBER October 27, 2017 Out of Province University Fair at STS

October 31, 2017 Casual Dress Day/Halloween costumes

NOVEMBER November 3, 2017 Grade 12 Social Picture retake day

SCHOOL CALENDARS For more important dates and upcoming events, the following school calendars can be found on the STS website: 2017 – 2018 School Holiday Calendar Upcoming Events Calendar

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UPCOMING EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

THANK YOU TO OUR GRADE SOCIAL HOSTS AND PLEASE R.S.V.P. TO YOUR UPCOMING GRADE SOCIAL(S) Thanks to our hosts Carolyn and Tony Pensak for hosting the Grade 5 & 6 social and to Ali and Sorrayah Bhojani for hosting the Grade 8 social. The two socials were well attended with so many families mingling and sharing stories and conversations while enjoying the delicious appetizers and drinks.

Please note the new date for the Grade 11 Parent Social, Saturday, November 18, 7:00 to 9:00 pm., Thanks to Barbara and Drew MacIntyre for hosting the social. You should have received your personal invitation by now to your Grade 11 parent social.

Friday, November 3, Grade 12, Kim and Tim Hart

NEW DATE: Saturday, November 18, Grade 11, Barbara and Drew MacIntyre

Friday, February 9, Grade 9, Richard Baverstock and Jennifer Browning

Thursday, February 22, Grades 3 and 4, Suzanne and Scott Henuset

Saturday, March 10, Grade 10, Deborah Petriuk and Miles Pittman

If you have any questions regarding the socials, please contact Caroline Banadar at 403-938-8344, banadac@sts.ab.ca.

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VOLUNTEER COFFEE MORNING – NOVEMBER 14 The Volunteer Coffee Morning, hosted by the Parents' of STS (POSTS) Executive is coming

soon. All volunteers, past, present and future, are invited to join us for a chance to meet new friends and catch up with old ones! We want to meet and thank you for your time supporting our school. Tuesday, November 14, 2017 9:30-11:30 am At the Kherani residence - 155 Eagle Ridge Dr SW

Please RSVP to POSTS President, Tara Black, at rtblack@shaw.ca.

SENIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL – LES MISÉRABLES Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School Fine Arts Department is proud to present the epic tale of broken dreams, passion and redemption Les Miserables School Edition, November 29, 30 and December 1, 2, 2017. Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. Now adapted for high school performers, Les Misérables School Edition features one of the most memorable scores of all time and some of the most memorable characters to ever grace your stage.

In nineteenth century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a lifelong struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by

police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter.

The cast, band, and crew have been hard at work rehearsing songs and blocking and building props for the show.

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You will be able to order tickets online for all performances beginning November 11, 2017 for only $16.00.

SAVE THE DATE FOR APRIL’S EXPERTS IN EDUCATION SPEAKER SERIES EVENT STS will host Dr. Karyn Gordon, acclaimed teen and relationship expert, on April 26, 2018. Stay tuned for more details!

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FULL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

PHOTO RETAKE DAY – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Photo retakes will take place on Friday, November 3, 2017 in the Peter B. Ditchburn Library’s breakout room. Remember to be in your formal uniform if you plan on having your school photos retake.

Photo Retake Schedule – 2017 Breakout Room

Friday, November 3, 2017

8:45 am Individual Staff/Faculty Pictures

9:00-9:30 am Grades K, 1, 2

9:30-9:55 am Grades 3, 4

9:50-10:20 am Grades 5, 6

10:20-11:00 am Grades 7, 8

11:00-11:40 am Grades 9, 10

11:40 am -12:20 pm Grades 11, 12

12:20-12:40 pm Faculty, Staff, Remaining students

VOTE FOR STS – READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS STS is in the running this year to be voted best private school in Calgary Herald’s Readers’ Choice Awards. To win back this title we need your vote. Find the “What is your favourite Charter / Private School?” question near the bottom

of the form and Vote for STS! Voting ends October 31.

http://calgaryreaderschoice.hscampaigns.com/#enter-now

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FIRST STUDENT CANADA WINTER BUSSING PROCEDURES With winter approaching we would like to remind you of what you need to do before heading out to meet your bus, while you are waiting for the bus, and what to do if your bus doesn’t show up at its usual time.

Click here to refer to winter bussing procedures.

HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE This year for Halloween, in addition to the Elementary School pumpkin carving contest, the Prefects will once again be running a haunted house for all grades. It will be open from 11:45 am to 2:00 pm for students to partake in some haunting entertainment! We encourage all students to come explore room 51 to celebrate this occasion. Please ensure that Halloween dress is school-appropriate. We look forward to having some spooky fun with everyone on Halloween!

CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSE STS COMMUNITY We are happy to celebrate our diverse STS community and learn about each other’s cultures, traditions and customs throughout the year. If you would like us to feature a special holiday or custom in the STS Express, please send an email to news@sts.ab.ca. We have asked students to contribute to this new feature. Please enjoy our second submission written by Grade 12 student, Jyoti Ruparell ’18.

Diwali Celebrations Diwali (or Deepavali) translates to the Festival of Lights and is the celebration of the return of Lord Ram, from 14 years of exile. The whole city lit up their homes so that after such a long time away, he would find his way home. This celebration lasts five days, on different dates each year based on a lunar calendar. This year the five days of Diwali were from October 17 - 21.

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras. Lakshmiji, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped this day, with the hopes of families being blessed by her. It is the day diyas (small clay candles) are lit inside and outside homes to welcome the gods and goddesses into their homes. It is also the day when families will purchase precious metals, specifically gold or silver, in hopes that the future year will have many more days filled like this.

The second day of Diwali is called Kali Chauvdas. It is a day that mostly symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. In some parts of India it is also a day when Goddess Kali is worshipped, and ancestors are remembered and offerings made in their name.

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Diwali Day is always the third day of the celebration. Diyas continue to be lit and prayers are offered to the Lord Ganesh (the remover of all obstacles) and Goddess Lakshmi. It is a day filled with good food, friends and families, firecrackers and sparklers.

The fourth day is celebrated in various forms all across India. In the Western states of India like Gujarat this day is celebrated as New Year's Day, Bestu Varas, according to their lunar calendar. This day is also called as Annakut when literally hundreds of different varieties of sweets and savouries are offered in the temples, and then shared out to everyone. The last day is focused on family; however, it focuses on the relationship between brothers and sisters. Bhai Bij is a day for brothers and sisters to spend together, and appreciate each other through prayer, gifts and of course great food!

Diwali is a beautiful and creative celebration and I am so happy that for the past 15 years, STS has been able to celebrate this with us. Through dressing the faculty, staff and students in festive gear, making Diwali crafts in Elementary School, and the sharing of samosas and chocolates, my sister Asha ('15) and I have so many wonderful memories, and really appreciate the openness, acceptance and diversity of our STS community.

Wishing you all a very SHUBH DIWALI

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VOLUNTEER COFFEE MORNING – NOVEMBER 14 The Volunteer Coffee Morning, hosted by the Parents' of STS (POSTS) Executive is coming

soon. All volunteers, past, present and future, are invited to join us for a chance to meet new friends and catch up with old ones! We want to meet and thank you for your time supporting our school. Tuesday, November 14, 2017 9:30-11:30 am At the Kherani residence - 155 Eagle Ridge Dr SW

Please RSVP to POSTS President, Tara Black, at rtblack@shaw.ca.

VOLUNTEER AT STS – WE NEED YOU! Parent/guardian volunteer participation at STS provides wonderful opportunities to support our children, make friends, and share your time and talents within our unique and exceptional community.

There are many volunteer options to suit everyone: sharing one or two hours (or more) of your time WILL make a difference! Check out our current volunteering opportunities or consult our Volunteer Handbook for many others that are coming up, soon. If you have any questions, or need help filling out the volunteer registration form, please contact us at volunteer@sts.ab.ca.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED POSTS welcomes all new and returning volunteers! Just a friendly reminder that all volunteers (new and old) must fill in a Volunteer Registration Form or register online prior to any volunteer duties. Volunteer Registration Forms are also available at reception.

PHOTO RETAKE DAY - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 One or two parents are needed from 8:40 am – 12:40 pm to assist the Life Touch photographers with photo retakes; including organizing students, uniform checks and IDs. To sign-up, please email Tracy Maybaum at volunteer@sts.ab.ca. Refer to the photo retake schedule in Full School Announcements above.

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SCHOOL MUSICAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Here are two great ways to get involved with the Senior School musical production of Les Miserable. 1) Mr. Hall, director of this year's production, requires several volunteers for the weekend of November 4 – 5 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. (NOTE: you can volunteer for a half day, full day or both days, depending on your availability). Lunch is provided both days. You will be working on props, set construction and costumes so Mr. Hall is looking for those who can share their creative, crafty, artistic and construction skills. No set-production knowledge or experience needed - just a willingness to participate and have fun! 2) Ms. Harrison is looking for one to two experienced sewers to help with costumes. (NOTE: Ms. Harrison’s volunteer team already includes parents who are helping with buying, mending, and finding items, but she would love to have a couple sewers join the team.) If you have your own machines you can even work from home. To sign up for either volunteer opportunity, please respond to Tracy Maybaum, POSTS volunteer coordinator at tmaybaum@telus.net or through the volunteer email at volunteer@sts.ab.ca. Thank you for considering these opportunities.

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE 2017-2018 September to New Facility Opening: Location: Small Gym

Time: 3:00 pm

Once in New Facility: Location: C.A. Smith Arts Centre (Theatre)

Time: 2:50 pm

Assembly Dates: October 27

November 17

December 8

January 19

January 26

February 2

February 9

February 23

March 9 – PYP Exhibition Assembly

March 23

April 13

April 20

May 18

June 1

June 8

TRICK OR TREAT? From the playfully dressed-up to the downright spook-takular, it’s time to show off your creativity! Halloween will soon arrive and to promote the haunting, boo-tiful season, the Prefects will be hosting a Pumpkin Carving Contest for the Elementary School students.

This year, students’ home-carved pumpkins will be judged by the Prefects. Pumpkins can be carved using any inspiration so get creative, bring out your carving tools, and join in the fun! Prizes will be awarded.

Pumpkins should be brought to the School between October 24 and October 25 at 9:00 am. Your amazing creations should be placed on the tables set up in the Black Watch Bistro and be labelled for the contest. If you would like to keep your pumpkin, please pick it up on October 26 or 27 (after the Elementary School assembly). We hope to see your fantastic pumpkins out there! Happy Halloween!

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MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS Middle and Senior School parent-teacher interviews will be held on November 7, from 4:00-8:00 pm, November 9 from 1:00-6:00 pm and November 14 from 4:00-8:00 pm. We encourage both students and their parents to attend interviews as this is an opportunity to collaboratively discuss progress to-date and strategies for future success. All members of our Academic Leadership Team are also available for meetings during these evenings.

Meetings are booked using the following link: https://sts.schoolappointments.com. Attached are instructions that walk you through this process. For your convenience, the aforementioned link and the instructions are posted in the Managebac calendar. Please note that booking for interviews will open on October 30 at 3:30 pm, prior to the digital publication of fall interim report cards. Please consider some tips to make the most of these evenings:

• Review your child’s progress to date in each of their courses in the Academic tab in Managebac. This will allow you to survey areas of greatest need

• Review the instructions for school appointments and ensure you have created or updated your account

• Consider the locations of the interviews when booking them to ensure you have sufficient travel time to move around the school between interviews. A school map is here to aid in this process: https://www.sts.ab.ca/file/school-map.pdf.

Middle and Senior School fall interim reports will be released digitally via Managebac on November 2, 2017. The purpose of fall interim reports is to communicate course progress to date and provide feedback to students and parents on learning skills that are affecting performance. Parents with Managebac accounts will receive an email notification when the report card is published that will provide a link to view the report in Managebac.

GRADE 8 MODERN LANGUAGE TRIPS Every spring, Grade 8 students at STS have the opportunity to participate in a language trip to either a Spanish speaking or a French speaking destination. For this week-long trip, there are no classes for students. The expectation is that all students will attend the language trips, which allows them to spend time in another part of the world where the language they are studying is deeply embedded in the local culture. Along with language instruction, students will visit a local school for a day and be involved in a number of activities related to the culture and history of the region such as visiting a sugar shack, engaging in French cuisine cooking lessons, visiting Aztec ruins, or taking salsa dancing lessons.

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On Thursday, October 26 at 6:00 pm in the Peter B. Ditchburn Library, there will be a meeting for all Grade 8 parents whose son and/or daughter will be participating in the French language trip to Quebec City/Ottawa next April. During the meeting, the respective itinerary will be presented followed by a question/ answer session.

Though both trips take place in April, we recognize that much can change in six months, and due to fairly recent seismic activity in Mexico and Central America, we feel the need to hold off on the Spanish language trip parent meeting until a later date.

For more information, please refer to the following letter to Grade 8 parents: https://www.sts.ab.ca/file/mysts/French-and-Spanish-Parent-Meeting-Letter-Oct.-10-2017.pdf

GRADES 10 -11 SPAIN/FRANCE TRIP – PARENT BRIEF The parent meeting for the Spain/France international trip for ANY interested Grade 10 or Grade 11 student is on Tuesday, October 24 in the Peter B. Ditchburn Library at 6:30 pm. At that time, we will be going over the itinerary, costs, and answering any questions that you may have. For example, ‘Is it possible for our son or daughter to go on the trip and then meet up with us in Europe rather than return to Canada with the group?’ The answer is yes. See you at the parent brief to answer more of your questions.

Art Thomson / trip leader Jane Abboud and Christie Smith / chaperones

GRADE 7 BAND CONCERT AND PIZZA NIGHT - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24 The Grade 7 band students will be performing their first concert! Please join us to hear them show off what they have learned in just a few short weeks. All of the different instrument groups will be featured. If you are attending, make sure to RSVP with Mrs. Fraser (frasere@sts.ab.ca) and let her know if you have any dietary restrictions. Students must be in full formal uniform, with black opaque tights for the girls. They will be staying after school for a rehearsal. Pizza will be in the Black Watch Bistro at 6:00 pm, followed by a short performance at 6:30 pm in the C.A. Smith Arts Centre (theatre). Bring your family and friends!

WE SCARE HUNGER Senior School Round Square is organizing the We Scare Hunger campaign the week of October 30 to November 3. We Scare Hunger is a humanitarian campaign, in which we are collecting non- perishable food items through donation and trick or treating. These food items will be donated to the Calgary Food Bank, where they will be distributed to families who are struggling to afford basic necessities. Through this campaign, we are improving the happiness and welfare of local families, allowing them to have a more

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enjoyable holiday season. Collecting food items at this time of year, will ensure that the Calgary Food Bank will stay well equipped heading into the winter holiday season. Please encourage Middle and Senior School students to ask for non-perishable food donations when trick or treating. Flyers or additional questions regarding the campaign can be found by contacting Anika Petryk ’18 (petryka@sts.ab.ca) or Emma Edwardson (edwarde@sts.ab.ca). We would also appreciate the donation of baby supplies, such as food and diapers. Food items can be placed in boxes at the bus doors starting on October 30 and will be collected on November 3. We appreciate your help with our campaign. Thank you!!

SENIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ALUMNI SPEED MENTORING EVENT – REGISTER TODAY! Senior School students are invited to attend the 7thAnnual Alumni Speed Mentoring session on November 3, 2017, in the Peter B. Ditchburn Library from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.

Alumni from various professional backgrounds will be on campus to talk about what to expect in university and the professional working world that follows.

Space is limited. Click here to register today.

For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Brenda Thompson, Alumni Engagement and Events at thompsb@sts.ab.ca or 403-938-8318.

CLASS OF 2018 - BABY PHOTOS NEEDED!! In preparation for June’s Grad Breakfast slide show, we are asking parents of Grade 12 students to search their photo albums for two photographs of their graduate - one as a baby and the other in their early school days. Please scan and forward both photos to GradBabyPics@sts.ab.ca. Please remember to indicate the students name in the subject line and on each photo. Thank you!

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STUDENT SERVICES

DROP-IN TUTORIAL SESSIONS (PEER TUTORING PROGRAM) Peer tutoring drop-in sessions begin next week. Every lunch period (12:05-12:30 pm), Monday-Thursday, there will be one or more of our capable and giving peer tutors running a drop-in tutoring session in either room 12 or 24 for students. If students would like some extra help with assignments, getting organized, or being strategic learners, they are welcome to join sessions during lunch. Please contact Ms. Kennedy kennedt@sts.ab.ca if you have any questions.

STUDENT SERVICES TIPS AND RESOURCES - GROWTH MINDSET In our last entry in the STS Express, we spoke to a belief that learning is on a never-ending continuum within the passion for life. As such, learning is a complicated and extremely important endeavour. However, too often, we as humans approach learning as if it will just naturally, even magically, happen. Really, learning takes a great deal of conscious, intentional effort; and, this type of effort occurs most naturally from a belief that abilities and intelligences can be developed, from a growth mindset.

Carol Dweck is one the foremost researchers on the concept of the “Growth Mindset,” and how children cope with challenge and difficulty. She has found that students who focus on the process rather than the outcome were ultimately more successful on many qualitative and quantitative measures -- they are more resilient, have stronger neural connections, and they achieve better grades (see Ms. Dweck’s website at https://mindsetonline.com/). As educators and parents, it is important to teach our young people to have a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. In this TED talk, Carol Dweck discusses the power of “not yet” -- of recognizing when we haven’t learned something yet but that we still can, and how to reinforce this belief in our children. From biglifejournal.com, there are several resources for parents to initiate growth mindset language and conversation: Parent’s Cheat Sheet to Praising Kids, 10 Growth Mindset Questions.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

LUNCH

12:05-12:30 pm

Math & English

Grades: 7-9

ROOM 14

Math & Science

Grades: 7-10

ROOM 24

Spanish, Social

Studies & English Grades: 7-11

ROOM 14

Social Studies Grades: 8-9

ROOM 14

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We want our students to believe that challenges help them grow rather than try to avoid those same challenges, that feedback is constructive rather than personal and destructive, and that they can learn whatever they choose to whatever standard of excellence they set for themselves. At the same time, we want to support students with strategies which allow them to be strategic and efficient learners. Sometimes, learning how to learn does not come intuitively and requires some interventions, some intentional and directed instructions, and a little bit more time. If you are concerned that your child’s mindset is too fixed, or is struggling with knowing how to learn, please contact one of us at Student Services to discuss how we can work together to help your child be a learner who embraces the innately difficult, but infinitely worthwhile, task of learning.

UNIVERSITY PLANNING PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Grades 9 and 10 Parents: Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 pm in the C.A. Smith Arts Centre (theatre). All Grades 9 and 10 parents are encouraged to attend.

OUT OF PROVINCE UNIVERSITY FAIR On Friday, October 27 from 10:00 am-12:00 noon in the gym, representatives from universities across the country will be here to share information about their programs.

UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES VISITING STS In the next several weeks, the following universities will have a representative visiting STS.

All Senior School students and parents are welcomed and encourage to attend as many as possible to gain insight into a variety of programs.

Date Time/Location University

Monday, November 6

12:00-12:35 pm

Room 51

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Tuesday,

November 14

12:00-12:35 pm

Room 51

UBC

Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia

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UNIVERSITY SEARCH TOOLS Canadian Universities: http://www.universitystudy.ca/search-programs/

American Universities: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search/

UK Universities: http://search.ucas.com/

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WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS STS has a new blog! Visit https://www.strathconatweedsmuir.com/blog/ for stories and what is happening on campus. Be sure to bookmark this page! In addition to the blog, here are some highlights this week:

ROUND SQUARE STUDENTS UNITE TO IGNITE THE FIRE WITHIN IN SOUTH AFRICA This past month, five Senior School students traveled to South Africa to participate in the Round Square International Conference and a week-long pre-conference tour. The pre-conference tour included visits to the Apartheid Museum, Soweto Township, Nelson Mandela’s house and Pilansberg National Park. Throughout this time, students developed friendships with peers from Armenia, Australia, Peru and Namibia.

The formal conference included speeches by renowned South African wildlife vet Dr. William Fowlds and Caleb Swanepoel, who survived a shark attack in 2015. There were also days dedicated to providing service for neighbourhoods in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Students helped to cook lunch and clean a school yard in Kyasands, as well as construct a garden at a primary school in Lavendar Hill. The adventure day included hiking on Table Mountain and around Cape Point with stunning views. The conference theme of “Unite to Ignite the Fire Within” inspired students to consider the common experiences of young people around the world, and how they could work collaboratively to improve acceptance of diversity and preservation of the environment.

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GRADE 8 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM BRING GOLD HOME By Taylor Lougheed ’22 and Leya Lubarsky ’22 Last Friday, the Grade 8 girls volleyball team competed at the annual Grizzly Blitz tournament in Bearspaw. Although there may have been a 45-minute bus delay and an hour bus ride, it had no effect on these ladies. They brought home a gold medal and some long lasting team memories too! The girls played five challenging games and improved in each and every set. Thus resulting in a win, coming first out of 11 other teams. The team displayed a vast amount of perseverance, encouragement and most importantly, teamwork. They had many incredible passes and sets to make all the hard practices worth it; each player trying hard to make every opportunity a great three hit ball sequence with an attack to top it off. The day overall was filled with lots of good times, laughs, comebacks and gold medals!

BEARSPAW VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT On Friday, October 13 the Grade 8 Boys Volleyball team attended an all-day tournament located at Bearspaw Christian School. We had a ton of fun competing and we were able to take in a few of the Grade 8 girls’ matches as well. We played solid matches during the round robin portion of the draw, only dropping one set before the play-offs. The final match for gold was very intense and showcased many seemingly endless rallies, great serving streaks and a few surprising digs. We prevailed in the first set (25-18) but lost the second (25-21) despite our tenacious play. This meant that a third set was in order for us. We were determined not to let the gold medal slip away as it did in our previous tournament. With consistent serving, accurate passing and good communication, we were able to come out on top with a 15-11 victory and one of the biggest celebrations ever witnessed! We would like to thank our parents for their unwavering support of our volleyball team and

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we invite you all to come watch one the many volleyball matches taking place at STS over the next few weeks.

The Grade 9 boys volleyball team also played in the Bearspaw Christian School tournament on Saturday. We went undefeated through the round robin portion of the tournament. We played Calgary Christian School in the gold medal match and lost two straight. In the end, we ended up winning the silver medal.

FIRST SPEECH TOURNAMENT UNDER OUR BELT On Friday, October 13, STS students travelled to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy in Canmore for the first speech tournament of the year. It was a large tournament with 110 students participating and our students represented our school well. Speech allows students to participate in one of the six categories and each allows students to gain confidence in various formats of public speaking. The following students are to be congratulated on their medal placing.

Seniors:

Duet Acting – Pete Matthews ’18 and Zoe Johnson ’18 – Bronze

Poetry – Emily Kreuger ’19 – Bronze ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Impromptu – Brynne Stewart ’18 – Bronze and Emma Cross ’18 – Silver

Juniors: Duet Acting – Emily Pachell ’23 and Sasha Holub’23 – Bronze

Solo Acting – Bianca Jiwa ’23 – Gold

Prose – Sophia Lakhani ’23 – Bronze and Kailee Meckelborg ’22 – Gold

Poetry – Kendra Mullen ’22 – Bronze and Angelina Horta’21 – Silver

Impromptu – Shaheena Shajani ’22 – Silver

Original Oratory – Arbaz Qureshi ’21 – Gold

Practices for Speech is on Tuesday and Wednesday after school and all students are welcome to join the club.

KINDERGARTEN to GRADE 3 STUDENTS INSPIRED DURING MARTI MCKAY WEEK Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 left inspired after hearing the creative and engaging presentations by Carolyn Fisher - local artist, illustrator and author during Marti McKay Week 2017.

Fisher has illustrated seven picture books, two of which she wrote. She shared her sketchbooks with the students - showing them in real life what it means to draw and re-draw many times, to persevere and to not be afraid of making mistakes. She taught us how to use our sketchbooks to collect ideas, settings and characters to use in our writing and as a place to develop and grow our creative ideas. Students are excited to try out drawing in drafts after watching her create portraits of their classmates as part of her presentation. Her humour and honesty made for an incredibly inspiring experience for students and teachers.

If parents wish to buy any of Carolyn Fisher's books, they can contact Mrs. Chapman who can order them directly from her.

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