• Welcome/Land Acknowledgment
• Approval of the Agenda
• Reports:
  • • Chair – Shayne Arnold
    • Principal – Tim Carlson
    • CA Student Leadership Report
    • Stakeholder Engagement Report – Sarah Hoag
    • CAPA Report – Randy Windsor
• Next Meeting – Nov. 20, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (In Person)
• Thank You/Adjournment
• Arlette Speaker Series – Kathy Macdonald

• Welcome/Call to Order
• Approval of the Agenda
• Reports:
  • Chair – Carolyn Whitelaw
  • President and CEO – Dr. Greg Bass
  • Principal – Tim Carlson
  • Introduction of Principals – Liz Thompson and Sheryl Walters
  • CAPA Update – Aaron Lane
  • Volunteers and Director of Stakeholder Engagement – Sarah Hoag
• Next Meeting – Oct. 23, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (In Person)
• Thank You/Adjournment

Buttoning up a crisp white lab coat, snapping on a pair of gloves, and slipping on protective glasses is just another day in the life of Calgary Academy science teachers ready to teach the next generation of scientists. Whether it’s glass beakers lined up on the countertops ready to mix solutions, microscopes set up to observe the delicate parts of a cell, or Bunsen burners emitting a glowing flame to create a chemical reaction, there’s never a shortage of how our educators work to bring textbooks concepts to life in any of CA’s three labs.  

This summer, with the support of Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, Calgary Academy will modernize and expand the existing Junior Science lab into a hands-on, flexible space that encourages active engagement in the scientific process. This shift from an observation-style traditional laboratory floor plan will allow students to engage deeply in their learning, and better prepare them for our rapidly changing and technology-driven world.  

While science is undoubtedly fascinating on paper, it’s within a dynamic and intricate lab setting that can make all the difference in how students can have fun while applying their knowledge, which according to science teacher and Blended+ program lead Kim Petersen, is “where the real learning comes in.” 

“What I love the most about teaching science is watching the light bulb come on as students take something complex and start to understand how it all connects. The magic starts in the lab and if I could teach every lesson with a hands-on component, I would.” – Ms. Petersen  

Katie Heidt, who has been teaching in CA’s Junior School classrooms for the better part of 10 years, shares similar sentiments about the importance of lab facilities to reinforce concepts. Pointing to how students are “innately curious by nature”, science labs allow teachers to foster creativity and passion in students.  

Albert Einstein said it best: “The important thing is to never stop questioning.” To bring concepts to life in a more modern and enhanced way with upgraded lab facilities is necessary. 

“Our job as educators is to help create global citizens. Developing critical thinkers and problem solvers is part of our job and science labs are one of the best vehicles to teach those attributes.” – Ms. Heidt 

Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink is a vital fundraiser for enhancing the CA community. Not only are 100% of donations given back to CA, but Birdies for Kids will match it by 50%. To make an impact today until August, click here.  

Imagine yourself on a safari, driving down a bumpy dirt road through savannah plains and spotting animals you’ve only seen in movies or the zoo. Then, imagine yourself trekking through a picturesque mountain rainforest with monkeys and birds making noise high above your head. Picture yourself carrying heavy rocks and cement among cheers from young, grateful students.

Two groups of Calgary Academy students travelled nearly 15,000 km over Spring Break to make this their reality. The International Travel Studies (ITS) program has been offered to Senior School students since 2005 and this year was a full circle moment–returning to the first country the ITS program ever visited.

“The purpose of ITS is to show our students what the rest of the world is like and to give that humanitarianism back to the students. Every year we do humanitarian work on the trips and this year was just ‘wow’.” – Ms. Pfeifer, ITS Coordinator

ITS’s first group of 14 students and two teachers first set off for Tanzania 18 years ago where they helped paint Nkuu Primary School, which is situated in a small Tanzanian village. Nearly two decades later, altruistic work continues to evolve in this small school to give the students an enhanced educational experience. This year, the tasks for the ITS crew included hauling cement, rocks, and dirt to construct new bathrooms. One of the final highlights of this year’s trip–aside from the many games and bonding moments with the students–was painting a mural and leaving their mark on this community forever with a handprint.

For two Grade 12 students, Mac W. and Cairine C., their first ITS trip was “life-changing.” They had the chance to visit a country they wouldn’t necessarily travel to otherwise and gained a new perspective on life after working with a group of incredibly friendly and positive young students during their time there.

“Gaining more empathy was the biggest part of the trip for me. Everyone there seemed so joyful and so grateful for what they had. I’ve been asking myself, ‘How can I be as happy as these people who have less than me?’” – Cairine C.

The Safari of a Lifetime

When final goodbyes and hugs to the Nkuu students were done, students were eager to explore the rest of this beautiful country. From the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater, the sightseeing portion of their adventure welcomed students with open arms. Students were elated to see so many animals, including a pride of lions, an elusive leopard, giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, and even a cheeky monkey who jumped over students to snatch a chocolate bar.

While this year’s trip was relatively smooth sailing, there were opportunities to practice their resilience and adaptability skills. From flight cancellations, which included a longer pit-stop in Amsterdam for some, to adjusting to drastic time changes, and long, yet rewarding, days, the students’ spirits were unbreakable.

Making Unexpected Moments into Memories

Ms. Rudin, a Senior School teacher fortunate enough to chaperone her first ITS trip, was astonished at how well students handled the unexpected. Not everything can go to plan, and it’s ultimately how situations are handled that is an integral learning lesson in life. “Both students and teachers got to spend a lot of time together, and we were able to support each other and make it the best trip ever.” For one of the groups, there was a slight flight delay at the end of their trip that provided some much-needed downtime, becoming “the most relaxing part of the trip that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”

When asked to give advice to students who might be considering signing up for a future ITS trip? “Take advantage of this opportunity and just go for it,” says Mac W., a Grade 12 student who took part in ITS for the first time this year. “I’ve changed since getting back, especially noticing more about how I act and what I am grateful for. It changed my point of view about what I have and how grateful I am for it.”

To learn more about the ITS program, visit the Clubs & Activities page here.

• Welcome/Call to Order
• Approval of the Agenda
•  Reports:
  • Chair – Ken Bews
  • Principal – Tim Carlson
  • CASE Update – Alex Noel, Kaitlyn Parks, Keltie P., Reese G., and Olivia Y.
  • CAPA Update – Aaron Lane
  • Volunteer Update – Courtney Buchholz
  • Director of Stakeholder Engagement – Sarah Hoag
• Next Meeting – Sept. 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
• Thank You/Adjournment

Meeting Link

The moment Kallen Velker’s (’22) name was announced as the winner of the Legacy Award at Calgary Academy’s Class of 2022 graduation ceremony, she was “shocked.” Greeted with cheers and claps from her peers and teachers as she made her way up to the stage, she knew all her hard work throughout her CA experience had come full circle.

Kallen, who started at CA in Grade 4, is currently studying at Mount Royal University with hopes to study Interior Design. Between a rigorous training schedule for competitive Irish dance and her school studies, Kallen credits winning the Legacy Award scholarship for easing the financial stress that comes with pursuing your passions and dreams—thanks in part to the Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink fundraiser, running from now until August.

“Winning the Legacy Award was just a reminder that I can do anything and that I’m capable of balancing all the things that are on my plate, even when times get hard.” – Kallen Velker

Leaving a Legacy

The Legacy Award was created by Grade 12 students in 2020 to leave their mark on future graduating classes and is maintained through various fundraising initiatives throughout the year to recognize one deserving student at their graduation ceremony each May. Nominees must demonstrate how they have a positive impact on the CA community and how winning the award will impact them, wherever their path leads.

“It’s important to know that the Legacy Award is a community initiative. A lot of times, the students who win awards want to give back to the school community that’s given them so much. This award is valuable for current students to see how everyone can make an impact and think about the legacy they can leave behind here.” – Mike Ross, Senior School Assistant Principal

Your Support is Vital for the CA Community

Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink is an important fundraiser to strengthen the CA community—and it looks different every year. Last year, the funds raised set Kallen up for success as she pursues her dreams. This year, funds raised will transform the current Junior Science Lab into an enhanced STEM hub.

This renovation will further incorporate modern technology into lessons to strengthen student learning and prepare them for a future in our rapidly changing and technology-driven world. The best part? Not only are 100% of donations given back to CA, but Birdies for Kids will match it by 50%.

“We at Calgary Academy are honoured to be chosen as one of the charities of choice by Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink for the second year in a row. Their slogan ‘Helping Kids, Changing Lives’ is a powerful testament to the efforts of Shaw, AltaLink, and the original Patron Group who brought this vision to life.” – Debra Klippenstein, Director of Philanthropy

To donate to Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, click here.

Developing our logical reasoning and analytical thinking from math and science is vital to our everyday lives, and for students in the Blended+ program, it’s never been more hands-on, innovative, and engaging. Mark Schuegraf, who teaches Grades 9-10 and Katherine Lawrence, who teaches Grades 11-12, are the two new science and math teachers to the Blended+ program, though they are both Calgary Academy veterans.

Welcome, Ms. Lawrence and Mr. Schuegraf
While Ms. Lawrence and Mr. Schuegraf have over 30 years of combined experience teaching at CA, they were intrigued by how Blended+ was giving a school with over 40 years in the community, a fresh spin. They both wanted to be part of Blended+ after seeing how well students integrated into the program in its inaugural year.

“I wanted to be involved in Blended+ because of the flexibility of the instructional design and the whole idea of meeting the student’s needs no matter where they prefer to learn. Students who need to be learning in the classroom every day can do so, and if not, they can also learn at home.” – Ms. Lawrence

The Evolution of Education

One of the biggest disrupters to education was the emergency shift to online learning over three years ago. Mr. Schuegraf was pleasantly surprised he had students thriving online because they were given autonomy outside of their learning. During the day, students could compete in sports and other extracurriculars–which are important to shaping young minds–leading to even greater learning outcomes.

“The biggest reason I wanted to teach in Blended+ is that education changing in the future. For a lot of students, the traditional school experience of sitting at a desk all day is not the ideal way to meet their learning needs. I also like the approach of doing things differently, including more experiential learning, hands-on activities, and shorter chunks of direct instruction. Blended+ allows students more time to get into the flow of learning, which really appealed to me.” – Mr. Schuegraf

A Variety of Learners, a Variety of Ways to Learn

Both Ms. Lawrence and Mr. Schuegraf point out that there is no single type of learner who has benefitted the most from the program. The dynamic nature of the program has been crucial for a wide variety of students, including athletes, those who prefer working at home, and those who don’t want every day to look the same, as it is in a traditional classroom setting.

“Some of the students who originally preferred learning at home have started to come to the school on a more regular basis when we introduced teambuilding activities on the days we are all in. It’s neat to see that growth.” – Mr. Schuegraf

Next up, all the Blended+ students in Grades 9-12 will be taking a field trip to Montreal in May. This off-campus experiential component of the program hopes to bring a real-world spin lens to the different units over the year. Studies aside, it will also aim to give students an opportunity to build friendships with one another – one of the core principles of the program.

“The way I envision the future of Blended+ is that I think we can change the way education works. I have plans to do parts of certain units next year in a fully experiential learning setting, without traditional assignments but with hands-on learning to teach students in a deeper way in a much more engaging and interesting way, which wouldn’t be possible otherwise.” – Mr. Schuegraf

To learn more about Blended+ for Grades 9-12, join an upcoming Admissions tour running until June. RSVP here.

Humanities courses, which are comprised of English and social studies, focus on the richness of the human experience. From reading and deciphering literature to understanding history as it relates to our current world, it only makes sense that the Blended+ program for Grades 9-12 gives students a greater opportunity to learn in the real world.

Welcome, Ms. Heard and Mr. Gierl!

For the newest Blended+ Humanities teachers, Meagan Heard (Grades 9-10) and Markus Gierl (Grades 11-12), their first year teaching in the program has come with many surprises and welcome changes to how they view education and how learning is only evolving in a post-pandemic world.

Ms. Heard, who has been with Calgary Academy since 2008, and Mr. Gierl, since 2017, both jumped at the chance to try something new for the 2022-23 school year. From being part of the design for a new program now in its sophomore year, to having the ability to work even closer with students due to smaller class sizes, they have been pleasantly surprised at how students have responded to the unique elements of the Blended+ program.

“I’ve been really delighted to see the students much more engaged in their learning because they have full control of their learning journey which allows them to understand the material on a deeper level.” – Ms. Heard

Creating a nurturing community for students

Just how many students come into the classroom daily has been a welcome surprise, which is a testament to the nurturing community feeling that the Blended+ teachers are curating.

“Students can choose which environment is better for them, but most Grade 9-10 students come in every single day. I think this is in part because we have created a safe space where students are allowed much more autonomy in their learning, but know they have the support they need to succeed.” – Ms. Heard

A program that caters to a variety of learners

Blended+ continues to cater to a wide variety of learners as the needs of students are just as diverse as its teachings. From competitive athletes accessing coursework from around the world to students volunteering at the Humane Society in their free afternoons to having the chance to take on leadership opportunities with Early Years students in PE, and even taking on additional classes for credits that they would not be able to otherwise, the program gives students a glimpse into life beyond the four walls of CA.

“I have seen students who really wanted more independence, find a lot of success in Blended+ because it’s really the first time in their education journey that they’ve been given the chance to make school decisions that fit with their lifestyle. – Mr. Gierl

Blended+ takes it to the skies…and the stage

While both teachers agree that the students are most looking forward to jetting off on their field trip to Montreal in May, there are lots of opportunities within the robust arts community here in Calgary to take learning to the next level.

“At the end of March, our classes are going to a stage production at Theatre Calgary. The chance to combine the experiential learning opportunities that Blended+ provides with the English requirements of reading a modern play is a nice coincidence. Students can experience how something plays out in the real world while learning the theory in class–which is what learning is all about.” – Mr. Gierl

To learn more about Blended+, join an upcoming Admissions tour running until June. RSVP here.

1. Welcome/Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda
3.  Reports:
   • Chair – Carolyn Whitelaw
   • Principal – Tim Carlson
   • Volunteer Update – Courtney Buchholz
   • Director of Stakeholder Engagement – Sarah Hoag
4. Next Meeting – May 1, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. (AGM)
5. Future Agenda Items
6. Q & A
7. Thank You/Adjournment

Meeting Link