From Trail to Den

May 13, 2026

Welcome to our joint school community newsletter, designed to keep

parents informed with school community information.

Find all the links to school-related resources at the end of this newsletter.

Dear Gibbons & Landing Trail Families,

As we move toward the end of another busy and meaningful school year, we continue to work together to strengthen connections across our larger Gibbons community. Over the past year, our schools have collaborated on student leadership opportunities, shared events, transition activities, and community-building initiatives as part of our ongoing focus on helping students feel connected, supported, and successful.

We have truly enjoyed the opportunity to build and grow our shared #webelong focus this year. It has been exciting to see relationships, partnerships, and connections continue to strengthen between our two school communities, and we are looking forward to continuing this alignment and collaboration into the 2026/2027 school year.

In our last From Trail to Den, we are sharing information about Pride Week, Outcomes-Based Reporting, and a family survey related to our ongoing school growth and planning. While these topics are different, they are all connected to an important shared goal across our schools: creating welcoming, supportive learning environments where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Family voice continues to play an important role in helping both schools reflect, grow, and plan for the future. We encourage families to take a few moments to complete the survey included in this newsletter, as your feedback helps guide decision-making and supports our continued work in building strong school communities.

As always, we appreciate the partnership between home and school and the continued support from our families and community as we work together to support all learners.

With gratitude,

Darryl Paziuk, Principal, Gibbons School

Louise Loh, Principal, Landing Trail School

#webelong Survey

Throughout this year, Landing Trail and Gibbons have intentionally strengthened alignment between schools aiming to for a unified community while honouring the distinct culture of each school. This initiative has required consistent collaboration, thoughtful reflection, and adaptability as we advance toward a cohesive K–9 vision.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey below. We are looking for some feedback to gain more insight into the impact this has had on our school communities and families.

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Outcomes Based Reporting

We are excited to inform our great parents about some modifications to our assessment practice in Sturgeon Public School Division, including our schools here in Gibbons, that will enhance student engagement and align better with our new curriculum in Alberta. We will be using outcome-based assessment to report student achievement for the 2026/27 school year. At Landing Trail School, outcomes-based reporting was introduced in 2023 and has continued to evolve through ongoing reflection and refinement. At Gibbons School, this approach will become more formally aligned and visible across classrooms and reporting practices moving forward. While many classrooms have already been using elements of outcomes-based assessment, this shift helps create greater consistency for students, staff, and families across both school communities.

For the 2026/2027 school year, we will be updating our achievement scale to more closely align with outcomes-based assessment and reporting practices used across Sturgeon Public Schools, including at Gibbons School for grades 5 and 6. This alignment will help create greater consistency for students and families as students transition from Landing Trail School to Gibbons School. At Gibbons School, Jr High classes will still be reported in percentages,while using outcomes-based assessment practices to assess our students.

What is Outcomes-Based Reporting?

Outcomes-based reporting focuses on student progress in relation to the learning outcomes identified in the Alberta curriculum. Rather than emphasizing averages or collecting marks over time, assessment focuses on a student’s current and most consistent level of understanding.

This approach recognizes that learning is a process. Students may require different amounts of time, practice, feedback, and support before demonstrating understanding of a concept or skill. Outcomes-based reporting allows teachers to communicate where students are currently in their learning journey while continuing to support growth throughout the year.

For example, if the year-end expectation is for a student to count to 1000, a student may initially demonstrate a developing understanding early in the year. As instruction, practice, and feedback continue, the student’s achievement level may change to reflect a stronger understanding and application of the outcome later in the year.

This approach helps to:

Support student growth and perseverance
Encourage students to continue learning from mistakes
Provide a clearer picture of what students know and can do
Focus on understanding and skill development over time
Ensure assessment reflects current learning rather than early attempts during the learning process

What is Assessment?

Assessment is the process of gathering information about what a student knows, understands, and is able to demonstrate in relation to the Alberta curriculum or a student’s Individualized Program Plan (IPP).

Teachers use observations, conversations, student work, classroom activities, and ongoing feedback to monitor progress and guide instruction. Assessment is ongoing and is intended to support learning, not simply measure it.

The Importance of Feedback

Constructive feedback remains an important part of student learning at Landing Trail School. Throughout the year, students will continue receiving timely and specific feedback about:

What they are doing well
Areas where they may need additional support or practice
Next steps to continue growing as learners

This feedback helps students build confidence, develop ownership of their learning, and better understand their individual goals.

Grade scale being used from K-6

What Will PowerSchool Look Like?

Families will continue to see essential skills and learning outcomes reported in PowerSchool rather than individual assignments being averaged together.

Please keep in mind:

The outcomes and essential skills listed for your child’s grade level will remain consistent throughout the year.
Achievement levels represent your child’s current progress toward the year-end learning outcomes
Students may move between levels as their understanding develops throughout the year
Report cards will continue to communicate student progress in relation to learning outcomes

Our Commitment

At Landing Trail School and Gibbons School, our goal is to ensure assessment practices are fair, supportive, and reflective of each student’s learning journey. Outcomes-based assessment allows us to focus on learning, growth, and understanding while continuing to support students in reaching their full potential.

We appreciate your continued partnership and support as we continue to strengthen alignment between our schools and to support students across the larger Gibbons community.

Pride Week (June 2-5)

As you know, Sturgeon Public School will observe Pride Week from June 2-5. This week is an opportunity for us to foster a culture of understanding and acceptance, celebrate the richness of our diversity, and build a community where everyone feels respected and valued.

The Sturgeon Public School Board believes in “the importance of and is committed to establishing and maintaining a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe working and learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. The Board believes that each student and staff member has the right to learn and work in an environment that respects equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.” (https://www.sturgeon.ab.ca/board/procedures/4526)

To ensure the regular school routine is maintained and to accommodate all community members, all Pride Week activities will be scheduled toward the end of the school day at Landing Trail and during DEAR at Gibbons School. This scheduling aims to provide a flexible option for participation and maintain an inclusive environment.

We understand and respect that our community holds diverse views and are committed to fostering a dialogue that respects all perspectives. We sincerely appreciate your partnership and role in making our school a nurturing place where every child feels valued and respected.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s homeroom teacher, Mrs. Hache (LT), Ms. Ebbers (GIB) or our administrative team at each respective school. We value your input and partnership in making our school a place where every child can succeed and feel valued.

Gibbons School

If you would like to view the video too, navigate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnDgZuGIhHs

Landing Trail School

Links to Books:

Landing Trail School - Logos

As you know, Sturgeon Public School will observe Pride Week from June 2-6. This week is an opportunity for us to foster a culture of understanding and acceptance, celebrate the richness of diversity among us, and build a community where everyone feels respected and valued.

More specifically, we wanted to address how our Logos community will address this opportunity for rich classroom discussion. This week offers an excellent opportunity to continue our ongoing discussions on the theme "God Made Me Unique," which resonates deeply with our faith and educational approach.

Throughout the year, we underscore that each individual is wonderfully made in God's image and that He doesn't make mistakes. This belief aligns beautifully with the message of Pride Week, which celebrates each person's uniqueness and the rich diversity within our community.

To ensure the regular school routine is maintained and to accommodate all community members, all Pride Week activities will be scheduled toward the end of the school day. This scheduling aims to provide a flexible option for participation and maintain an inclusive environment.

We understand and respect that our community holds diverse views and are committed to fostering a dialogue that respects all perspectives. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss concerns regarding Pride Week.

We sincerely appreciate your partnership and role in making our school a nurturing place where every child feels valued and respected.

Links to Books: