Kipohtakaw Education Centre
Value: miyohtwâwin – Kindness
A message from KEC Principal
KEC Community Connection: October 2026
Tânisi Parents, Grandparents, Families, Elders and Community Members,
As we move into October, the weather is changing and winter is approaching. The leaves are changing colour, the mornings are becoming cooler, and the land is reminding us that another season is beginning.
At Kipohtakaw Education Centre, this is an important time for learning. Our students learn not only inside their classrooms, but also through the land, Cree language, cultural teachings, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families and community.
Throughout October, we will continue strengthening opportunities for our children to understand who they are, where they come from, and their connection to the land and community. As the seasons change, teachings about preparation, gratitude, responsibility, sharing and caring for one another become especially meaningful.
We are thankful to our parents, grandparents, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Chief and Council, and community members who continue to support our students and school.
Learning From the Land
September gave our students an important opportunity to connect learning with the land. All classes participated in medicine-picking activities, giving students an opportunity to learn about traditional medicines, respect for the land and the importance of carrying these teachings forward.
In October, land-based learning will continue. On October 1–2, students will participate in Fire Building activities, learning about safety, responsibility and skills connected to being on the land.
On October 27–28, selected Junior High and High School students will participate in Harvesting and Medicine Picking activities. These experiences provide our older students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of traditional knowledge and their responsibilities when learning from the land.
As outdoor learning continues, families are reminded to please send students with warm layers, appropriate footwear and clothing suitable for changing weather.
Cree Language, Culture & Identity
Cree language and culture continue to be an important part of learning at KEC.
Our programming this year includes Cree classes, drumming, singing, dancing, Round Dances, protocol teachings, regalia making and other cultural teachings.
These are not meant to be occasional activities. Our goal is to continue creating opportunities for culture, language and land-based learning to be visible and meaningful throughout the school year.
As winter approaches, we also look forward to the teachings, stories, gatherings and cultural learning that traditionally become especially meaningful during the colder months.
September Community Highlights
September was a busy and meaningful month at KEC.
We were honoured to recognize the 150th Anniversary of Treaty Six together with students, staff, Elders, leadership, drummers and members of the community.
Our students also participated in medicine picking and other cultural and land-based learning opportunities. Cree classes began, and our cultural team continues working on opportunities for drumming, singing, dancing, protocols, Round Dances and regalia-making throughout the year.
We were also pleased to celebrate our Graduation Ceremony and welcome families into the school for Meet the Teacher.
More Opportunities for Our Students
KEC continues to build partnerships that provide students with additional opportunities.
Our partnership with Yona will provide school programming twice each week, with participating students also having opportunities connected with the Winspear Centre.
Our partnership with Spirit North has also been extended for the 2026–2027 school year. Programming being planned includes activities such as archery, snowshoeing, orienteering, shelter building, canoeing and skiing.
We are also beginning to plan Literacy Nights, Numeracy Nights, cultural activities and other family engagement opportunities. We look forward to welcoming families into the school throughout the year.
Important October Dates
October 1–2 — Fire Building
Land-based learning activities.
October 5 — Safety on Board
October 6 — Picture Day
Please ensure students are present and ready for their school pictures.
October 9 — Fun Run
Students should wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. October 12 — Thanksgiving Day
No School
October 26 — Professional Development Day
No Classes for Students
October 27–28 — Harvesting & Medicine Picking
Selected Junior High and High School students will participate.
October 30 — Halloween Costume March
Students are invited to participate in our Halloween Costume March. Please ensure costumes are school-appropriate, allow students to move and see safely, and do not include realistic weapons or unsafe accessories.
Family & Community Connection
Our school is strongest when school, family and community work together.
As the weather changes and we begin preparing for winter, we encourage families to continue talking with children about what they are learning, sharing family teachings and stories, and helping them understand the importance of language, culture, education and respect for the land.
Every opportunity our children have to hear Cree, participate in cultural activities, spend time on the land, learn from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and learn alongside their families helps strengthen their sense of identity and belonging.
Thank you for continuing to walk alongside us as we support our children academically, culturally, socially and emotionally.
Kinanâskomitin — Thank you.
With appreciation,
KEC Administration
Kipohtakaw Education Centre
ATTENTION!
KEC NEWS BULLETIN!!!!!
Cell Phone Policy:
- First Offense: The phone will be confiscated by a staff member and brought to the office. The student may pick it up at 3:20 p.m. at the end of the school day.
- Second Offense: The phone will be confiscated and turned over to an administrator. A parent/guardian will be contacted, and the student may pick up the phone at 3:20 p.m.
- Third Offense: The phone will be confiscated and held in the office until it is picked up by a parent/guardian. A meeting with the student, parent/guardian, and administration will be required to develop a plan to prevent further incidents.
NO VAPING!
Friendly KEC Jr/Sr Reminders
Phones and Ear Buds
Great job to the students who have been keeping their phones away during school hours—we’re proud of everyone for working hard to keep them out of sight, out of mind! Friendly reminders are always given, and students have been doing well at putting their phones away. Moving forward, students will sign out wired ear buds, just as they do with their Chromebooks, to use during class if needed. We understand that some students benefit from listening to music while working, and this will be monitored by staff in each classroom. Ear buds connected to their phones will not be permitted.
Leaving School Grounds
NO STUDENT (regardless of age) will be permitted to leave school grounds or sign themselves out at any time during the academic day. Any appointments need to be arranged prior to day(s) where student departure is necessary, KEC needs to be notified. All appointments must present verification documentation as to the time(s) and date(s) the student was away from school, if days are required that the student is to be away this also needs to be documented in correspondents from appointment institutions.
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
***must maintain acceptable standards in attendance for all subject disciplines. Accurate records will be maintained by each teacher and KEC, teachers will make initial with contact parents to discuss concerns, and necessary correspondence will be forwarded to parent(s) detailing critical areas of concern regarding student attendance. KEC Administration will support teachers once days have exceeded specified amounts. The following will be followed as laid out within this procedure:
a. In 5 credit courses high school courses, students should not exceed a maximum of 19 absences. The 20th absence will result in immediately being withdrawn from that course.
b. In 3 credit (or 1-credit per module courses) students should not exceed a maximum of 9 absences. The 10th absence will result in immediately being withdrawn from that course.
Thank you for understanding and working with the school.
KEC IMPORTANT DATES IN September
October 1–2 — Fire Building
Land-based learning activities.
October 5 — Safety on Board
October 6 — Picture Day
Please ensure students are present and ready for their school pictures.
October 9 — Fun Run
Students should wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. October 12 — Thanksgiving Day
No School
October 26 — Professional Development Day
No Classes for Students
October 27–28 — Harvesting & Medicine Picking
Selected Junior High and High School students will participate.
October 30 — Halloween Costume March
KEC Student Hot Lunch
Healthy Newsletter
Mental Health & Wellness
Student Services Coordinator - Theresa Brown M.Ed
Tansi,
My name is Theresa Brown, and I am very happy to be joining Kipohtakaw Education Center as the new Student Services Coordinator.
Some of you may remember me from a couple of years ago, when I was at the school working as a Mental Health Therapist. I am so happy to be back and to have the opportunity to serve our students and families in this new role.
I am from Tallcree First Nation. I have a Master’s degree in Special Education and am a Registered Psychologist. Over the next few weeks, I will be getting up to speed with the Wellness Team and becoming familiar with the many supports and services available to our students.
I look forward to meeting our students and parents and building positive relationships with our school community. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there is anything I can assist you with.
I am grateful to be back and look forward to working together to support the well-being, learning, and success of our students.
Theresa Brown M.Ed
Student Services Coordinator
Kipohtakaw Education Center
KEC Wellness Team
Hello,
Here is the Wellness Teams Newsletter and Thrives Newsletter. (Jerry McKnight, Amber Fijala, Celena Bjorklund, Stacey Nex, Taylor Markin, Simone Olmstead. )
Wellness Team
Wow, September has flown by! It’s hard to believe we are already nearing the end of the month. Students are settling into their classes and routines, and our Wellness Team has been enjoying getting to know students and families a little more each day.
September has been a month of connection, relationship-building, and creating safe spaces. We’ve been spending time getting to know our students, learning about their strengths and interests, and supporting them as they work through some of the feelings and experiences that came with the transition from summer back to school.
We have also been talking about the important role that culture, connection, and land-based practices can play in wellness and healing. Activities such as medicine picking, smudging, spending time outdoors, connecting with others, and learning from cultural teachings provide meaningful opportunities for students to reconnect with themselves, their community, and the world around them.
As we move into October, we look forward to continuing to build relationships, support student wellness, and create opportunities for students to feel seen, heard, valued, and connected.
Thrive - Jr and Sr High
Over the past two weeks, I’ve begun visiting classes from Grades 7–12 to introduce myself and the Thrive program. It has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with students, learn a bit about their personalities, and set the stage for the work we’ll be doing together this year.
One of the first activities students completed was decorating their own masks — and their creativity has been incredible. Some masks have been fully bedazzled, others painted with paint pens, and many colored with bright Sharpies. Each mask reflects individuality, personality, and the unique style each student brings into the classroom.
As we move into next week, we will begin our formal programming. High school students will start with One Love, while junior high students will begin The 4th R. Both programs focus on building and maintaining healthy relationships — a foundational theme across all Thrive classes.
We have also been learning the Cree word for Respect — manacihitowin — which, along with kindness, forms the two fundamental rules in my Thrive classrooms. These values guide our discussions, our interactions, and the way we show up for ourselves and each other.
I look forward to continuing to build strong connections with students as we move deeper into our programming and create a positive, supportive learning environment for everyone.
Elementary Thrive
In elementary, students are participating in a variety of social-emotional learning programs designed to build emotional awareness, kindness, respect, and healthy relationship skills. Our complex needs and K4/K5 students are exploring the Little SPOT Aquarium program, using engaging ocean characters and visuals to learn about different feelings and build emotional intelligence. Grade 1 and 2 students are working through A Little SPOT of Emotion, where they are learning to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions. Students in Grades 3–6 are participating in the Random Acts of Kindness program, with lessons focused on kindness, respect, empathy, communication, and creating a positive school community.
Counsellor’s Corner
October Newsletter
As we settle into the new school year, October brings plenty of exciting opportunities for our students to explore their futures, celebrate their accomplishments, and build new skills.
PIRAA Post-Secondary Fair — October 6
We are excited to be hosting the PIRAA Post-Secondary Fair at our school on October 6th!
We will be joined by post-secondary institutions from across Western Canada, giving our students an excellent opportunity to meet representatives, ask questions, and learn more about the many pathways available after high school.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to explore programs, career options, admission requirements, and post-secondary life.
Upcoming Forestry Partnership
We are also looking forward to an upcoming visit from ABC as we continue developing our Forestry Partnership.
This partnership will provide students with opportunities to learn more about careers and pathways in the forestry industry.
Interested students are encouraged to reach out to Ms. TJ for more information and to learn how they can get involved.
Congratulations, Alexander Tubular Scholarship Recipients!
A big congratulations to the recipients of the Alexander Tubular Scholarship for their exemplary work in our Carpentry Academy and Culinary Academy during the last school year.
Please join us in celebrating:
- Easton Arcand
- Liz Horseman
- Easton Arcand
- Kylynn Auigbelle
Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients! Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to your programs are something to be proud of.
AMA Driver & Learner Courses
A reminder to students and families that we continue to offer AMA Driver and Learner courses at a discounted rate of just $40 per course.
These courses are a great opportunity for students to work toward their driver's licence while accessing training at a reduced cost.
If you are interested or would like more information, please speak with the school.
University of Alberta — Application Fee Waiver
Indigenous students planning to apply to the University of Alberta should take note of an important upcoming opportunity.
From September 30th to October 9th, the University of Alberta is waiving application fees for Indigenous students.
If you are considering applying, be sure to submit your application before October 9th to take advantage of the fee waiver.
Students who would like more information or assistance with the application process are encouraged to see Ms. TJ.
Looking Ahead
October is shaping up to be a month filled with opportunities for learning, career exploration, and celebrating student achievement. We encourage all students to get involved, ask questions, and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
Have a great October!
Stacey Nex | Wellness Coach Thrive Program
Thrive Program Update for Newsletter
Over the past two weeks, I’ve begun visiting classes from Grades 7–12 to introduce myself and the Thrive program. It has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with students, learn a bit about their personalities, and set the stage for the work we’ll be doing together this year.
One of the first activities students completed was decorating their own masks — and their creativity has been incredible. Some masks have been fully bedazzled, others painted with paint pens, and many colored with bright Sharpies. Each mask reflects individuality, personality, and the unique style each student brings into the classroom.
As we move into next week, we will begin our formal programming. High school students will start with One Love, while junior high students will begin The 4th R. Both programs focus on building and maintaining healthy relationships — a foundational theme across all Thrive classes.
We have also been learning the Cree word for Respect — manacihitowin — which, along with kindness, forms the two fundamental rules in my Thrive classrooms. These values guide our discussions, our interactions, and the way we show up for ourselves and each other.
I look forward to continuing to build strong connections with students as we move deeper into our programming and create a positive, supportive learning environment for everyone.
Hiy hiy,
Stacey Nex | Wellness Coach
Thrive Program
Literacy Lead - Mariah Taylor
Tansi,
Now that we are into October I will be starting my intervention groups We have finished our reading screeners for grades 1-9 and results have been shared with teachers to ensure targeted instruction is happening in our classrooms. I am working with Grades 3-5 students with daily intervention which targets decoding, spelling, vocabulary and comprehension skills. This year I am working with 3 intervention groups each specific to the student's needs. If you know your child is in one of my groups please make sure they are coming to school each day as it is really hard to catch students up if they have missed multiple days each week. Also look out for some activities to be sent home on a weekly basis to support fluency of concepts taught each week.
I am really excited to take on this year with new and returning students and to see even more growth in their reading.
If you have an questions or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out at mariahtaylor@kipohtakaw.com
Life Skills and Outreach - Kristen Mineault
Kaskatinôpesim – October Life Skills Newsletter
September: A Month of Learning, Sharing & Building Community
Tansi families!
September was a very busy and meaningful month in Life Skills! We have been settling into our new routines, getting to know one another, sharing stories, building relationships, and learning how each of us contributes to our classroom and school community.
Our students have been working hard to learn classroom routines and expectations while developing independence, communication, cooperation, and responsibility. We are so proud of the way they have been supporting one another and finding their place within our classroom community.
Learning About Treaty
One of the important areas of our learning this month has been Treaty.
We have been learning that Treaty is not simply something that happened in the past. Treaty is a relationship that continues today. We have talked about the importance of relationships, respect, responsibility, sharing, and working together.
Through stories and conversations, students have been learning that Treaty involves everyone. It is about how we live together, care for one another, share the land and resources, and honour the commitments made between peoples.
We have been exploring questions such as:
What does it mean to live together respectfully?
What responsibilities do we have to one another?
Why are relationships important?
How can we show respect for the land, our community, and one another?
What does it mean to keep our promises and responsibilities?
How can we contribute positively to our school and community?
We have also been learning that Treaty relationships are living relationships. They connect us to our past, our present, and our responsibilities for the future.
Truth and Reconciliation
September also gave us an opportunity to learn about Truth and Reconciliation and the importance of remembering and honouring the experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
We have been talking about why it is important to listen to the stories of Survivors and their families and to understand the impacts of residential schools and colonial policies.
Our students have been encouraged to think about reconciliation in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them: being kind, listening to others, respecting differences, learning from one another, caring for our community, and making sure everyone feels that they belong.
We continue to learn that every person has a role in building respectful relationships and creating a school community where all students are valued.
Giving Back to Our School
Our Life Skills students have also been working hard to support our school community!
We have been helping with recycling and the school canteen, giving students opportunities to practise real-life skills while contributing to our school.
These activities allow us to work on:
Following routines and instructions
Sorting and organizing
Communication and teamwork
Responsibility and independence
Community participation
Problem-solving
Workplace and life skills
We are so proud of our students for recognizing that the work they do matters. Whether they are helping with recycling, supporting the canteen, cleaning up, or helping a classmate, they are learning that everyone has something important to contribute.
Looking Ahead to October
As we move into October, we will continue building on the skills and relationships we have developed in September. We will continue learning through hands-on experiences, classroom responsibilities, community participation, stories, culture, and everyday opportunities to practise independence.
Thank you to our families for supporting our students and for being an important part of our classroom community.
Kinanâskomitin for helping us create a classroom where our students can learn, grow, laugh, contribute, and be proud of who they are.
Respectfully,
Miss Mineault
Life Skills
😀
Complex Needs Teacher - Alexis Bruce
Dear Families,
Welcome to a brand-new school year! My name is Alexis Bruce, and I am so excited to be your child’s teacher this year. We have six amazing kiddos in our Complex Needs classroom, and I am looking forward to getting to know each student and family throughout the year.
This is my third year of teaching, and I have had the opportunity to work with students in a variety of settings. Some of my favourite experiences have included working and coaching with Special Olympics, teaching Grade 1, and playing college-level hockey. I absolutely love sports, and if you ever want to talk hockey, my favourite team is the Edmonton Oilers!
I am also very fortunate to have three wonderful Educational Assistants working alongside us in our classroom throughout the entire school year: Doreen, Tamara, and Adi. In addition we will be having Laura and Sheri here to help when needed. We are excited to work together to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment where every student can feel successful.
Our Focus This Year
One of our biggest goals this year will be building routines and becoming comfortable with being at school. We will take the time to learn our daily routines, develop independence, build relationships, and make school a positive and predictable place for everyone.
Our learning throughout the year will be centred around the four seasons and holidays throughout the school year. We will use these themes to explore communication, social skills, sensory experiences, life skills, academics, and opportunities for hands-on learning.
As an Indigenous school on Alexander First Nation Reserve, we will also place an important focus on culture, community, and connection. Each morning, we will begin our day with a morning smudge and sharing circle, creating a meaningful opportunity to come together, connect, and prepare for the day. I am looking forward to learning alongside our students and incorporating Indigenous culture and traditions into our classroom experiences throughout the year.
I will also be attaching our October calendar, which will include important dates, special events, and activities happening in our classroom and school. I encourage you to keep these calendars handy, as I will continue to share important information with families throughout the year. I will be sending home a paper copy of the schedule closer to October.
Communication
Please know that I am always open to communication! Whether you have a question, concern, celebration, or simply want to share something that may help us better support your child at school, I would love to hear from you.
The best way to reach me is by email:
I will normally respond within a couple of hours during the school day, although there may occasionally be times when I am unable to respond right away.
I am so excited for the year ahead and feel very lucky to be part of your child’s journey. I look forward to building strong relationships with each of our students and families and making this a year filled with learning, growth, connection, and lots of fun!
Thank you for welcoming me into your child’s school experience. Here’s to a wonderful year together!
Kind Regards,
Alexis Bruce
Complex Needs Teacher
KEC Outreach - Ms. Madie Wilkes
Tansi!
Welcome to October in Outreach! Miss. Bree and I are looking forward to another month of learning, growth, and building confidence!
Math:
We will continue working on whole numbers, strengthening our understanding of number operations and building confidence with our math skills.
Language Arts:
We are continuing our “Introduction to Writing” unit, focusing on constructing strong sentences and paragraphs. Students will work on parts of speech, figures of speech, strong vocabulary, and organization to help improve their writing.
Social Studies:
We are excited to begin our new unit on the Renaissance! Students will explore the art, culture, ideas, discoveries, and people that helped shape this important period in history.
We are looking forward to a great October and seeing our students continue to grow and succeed!
Hiy hiy,
Miss. Wilkes
Outreach Teacher
Adult Ed - Abraham Cassimo
Great people to work with!
I’m new and still working on getting to know the staff, the people and the students, also navigating through the challenges in any new environment with a positive mindset.
There has been remarkable support from colleagues in many areas in which I am extremely grateful for. I anticipate developing a healthy and positive professional relationship with the people I work/interact with to foster a meaningful, safe, fun environment to achieve our goal.
Hiyhiy
"Keep moving ahead because action creates momentum, which in turn creates unanticipated opportunities." — Nick Vujicic
Abraham Cassimo
Language,Culture and History Development - Ms. Sandra Auigbelle
Culture, Nehiyawiwin, History, Land Base Ed
Month: September (Ōnochi hitō pīsim / ōnohchitōpīsim)
Takwākin — Autumn is here! This season serves as a gentle reminder that summer has come to an end and autumn has arrived. The grass is turning brown, and the leaves are changing into many beautiful, vibrant colors. Around us, animals are changing their colors and birds are flocking together, preparing for their long journey south where they will spend the winter in a warmer climate.
Tansi Kakiyaw. It has been a very busy and fulfilling first month of school here at Kipotahkaw Education Centre (KEC)! Here are a few highlights. The Cree and History Team along with the Land Base Lead and Restorative Lead will highlight more on what they have been working on for the month of September.
We started the school year off by gathering all students and staff for morning prayer, smudge, and drum songs. Our Elder shared meaningful messages about taking care of one another, welcoming everyone back, expressing how wonderful it was to see one another, and offering well wishes for a successful and positive year to all staff and students.
Culture, Language & Land-Based Learning
Our team has been busy planning an inspiring year filled with culture, language, history, and land-based learning for the entire school:
Staff Cree Classes: Our Monday Cree Classes started on Sept 21 for all staff, this year the team has created a year plan that will immerse all staff in learning the Cree Language.
Treaty Acknowledgement Day: Our very first event was Treaty Acknowledgement Day, where students and staff participated in a full day of engaging Treaty Day activities.
Sage Harvesting: During the second week of September, all students from K4 to Grade 12 went out to the land and harvested sage for the whole school to use throughout the year.
Upcoming Fall Feast: The school is also preparing to host a traditional Fall Feast.
Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Day: KEC honours and remembers our Residential School Survivors with dedicated TRC Day activities and reflections.
Looking Ahead & Future Plans
Next month, we have planned nature hikes and medicine picking. We are also eagerly anticipating the start of drumming for the boys and young men, as well as singing and drumming sessions for K4 through Grade 3 students. Looking further ahead, future plans include regalia making for any student who wishes to make their own powwow regalia.
Our Cree Language and History Resource team is hard at work creating new learning materials and assisting staff and students with their requests. We are deeply thankful that our Elders are here with us each day to take the time to answer questions, visit classrooms, and actively participate in our school events.
Ekosi
Sandra Auigbelle
Supervisor, Culture/Language Programming
Kipohtakaw Education Centre
Cree Language & History Development Team - Tricia Daigneault & Peggy Arcand
Our Cree Language & History Development Team continues to expand and support Cree language, culture, and history throughout our school community for the month of September (onocihitowi-pesim) We are continuing to develop our Itwewina (Cree Words of the Week), accessible Cree language resources for classrooms, and age-appropriate bulletin board displays for Elementary and Junior/Senior High based on local events, school activities, and weekly themes.
We will also continue offering weekly Cree language classes for staff, working alongside Elders to incorporate authentic Cree language and cultural knowledge into school-wide initiatives, and developing recordings and QR-code resources to support pronunciation and language learning.
Our team looks forward to collaborating with teachers and staff to identify and develop resources that support Cree language, culture, and history throughout the school year. We will also be supporting and participating in the upcoming Fall Feast as we continue to strengthen cultural learning and community connections within our school.
Recently Treaty 6 celebrated 150 years since signing had taken place on August 23rd, 1876 at Fort Pitt, and September 9th, 1876 at Fort Carlton. We celebrate and honor the generations past, as we move in a direction that celebrates and honors our future generations also. It was the intention of our ancestors to ensure that our future generations have the opportunity to benefit the way we have.
Their guidance, often through ceremony, is what brought us to today, and as treaty protectors, advocates, and beneficiaries, we, kipohtakaw iyiniwak, should be encouraged to do the same, for our future generations. It is encouraging that we here at KEC are providing educational opportunities for all grade levels and we look forward to working with community members while looking forward to celebrating our 150 years. Next year, in 2027 we shall honor okimaw kacestâwêskam who, for us, signed on to the Adhesion of Treaty Six on August 21st, 1877 at Fort Edmonton. We appreciate any learning and feedback from our elders, leadership, staff, and membership, and look forward to working collaboratively to ensure our future generations can grow to understand what okimaw kacestâwêskam left behind for us all.
Yours in Education, Tricia Daigneault and Peggy Arcand
Land base Lead - Theron Auigbelle
September Land Base Newsletter Submission
Tansi Kakiyaw,
My name is Theo Auigbelle and I am excited to be back for my third year as the Land Base Lead at K.E.C. It is a privilege to continue working alongside our staff, students, and nation's community knowledge keepers to bring cultural and land-based learning into our daily lives.
As autumn settles in, we enter a powerful time of seasonal transition. The fall solstice marks a natural shift as animals begin preparing for winter and the land gently prepares for its deep fall sleep. As Nehiyawiwin, we hold a sacred responsibility to do our part—not only in preparing ourselves for the months ahead, but also in honoring, respecting, and assisting the land and the animals as they transition into the colder season.
Part of this preparation involves gathering and taking care of what the land provides. We kicked off the school year with a Treaty Acknowledgment and organized medicine picking for the entire school. Students from K4 all the way up to Grade 12 enjoyed time out on the land, working together to harvest sage. This effort ensures that our school has enough smudge to last throughout the full school year—a true collective achievement where everyone contributed so that no one goes without.
In addition to our medicine harvesting, we honored our cultural responsibilities by guiding students through the teachings of raising and taking down teepees. Doing my part to share this knowledge allows our students to learn the values of teamwork, respect, and shelter, while understanding how our ancestors lived in harmony with the changing seasons.
Throughout September, I have also been working closely with our staff on upcoming plans for the school year. I am very optimistic about what lies ahead, and I look forward to building even stronger connections with the broader community as we walk together in truth, reconciliation, and land-based learning.
Wishing everyone a grounded and peaceful fall season,
Theo Auigbelle
Land Base Lead, K.E.C.
Restorative News
ELEMENTARY NEWS
K4 PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER
K5 Newsletter - Mrs. Alyssa Kunopaski
K5 News
Tansi K5 Families,
September has been a very busy and exciting month as students have begun settling into the classroom. They’ve done an excellent job learning the rules and routines, and have really enjoyed diving into new lessons.
In literacy, we’ve started our Jolly Phonics journey! The K5 students are loving the songs—ask them to sing one for you at home! In numeracy, we’ve been working on recognizing quantities from 1 to 10 and practicing counting in sequence up to 10.
We’ve also been learning some basic commands in Cree, including api (sit), astam (come), nipawi (stand), and nitohta (listen). The students are doing a fantastic job at shaking hands and saying miyo kisakaw when entering the classroom in the morning. Great job, K5!
To close out the month, we observed Truth and Reconciliation Week. Students listened to stories and teachings and created their own orange shirt designs to reflect what they learned.
Looking ahead, I’m very excited for October—one of my favourite times of the year! We’ll be focusing on themes of kindness, gratitude, and learning about spiders and pumpkins. We’ll finish the month by getting ready for Hallowe’en fun!
A few reminders:
Please send a bag of spare clothes in your child’s backpack.
As we continue with daily outdoor recess, be sure to dress your child for the weather. As it gets colder, please send a warm jacket, mitts, hat, and proper footwear—and label all items with your child’s name.
Thank you for your continued support!
Hiy Hiy,
Mrs. K, Mrs. Kristina, Miss Lonni, Ms Ann, Kohkum Kathy
Grade 1 Homeroom - Mrs. Tyshia Burns
Grade 2 News - Jerika Ahenakew
Grade 3 News - Lise Morin
In Social, we are working with global communities, focusing on treaties and the Alexander First Nation. In Health we are continuing to study positive health habits and wellness choices. We have introduced guided weekly learning centres in Math and Language Arts and have emphasized group work and working together.
Grade 4 - Ms. Kathleen Szakszon
So far we have had a great time settling back into school and getting to know each other. Some of the highlights of this month have been meeting our classroom fish, completing our first science experiment, and learning new circle games.
Here are some of the things we are doing in October.
We have a new job board to help pick classroom helpers. In our classroom we smudge and have a sharing circle twice per day. All students get the chance to help light smudge and/or choose a sharing circle topic.
I will be starting our home reading program in October, as well as sending home weekly spelling lists.
In language arts, we are going to be working on story writing, and of course lots of reading.
In math we will be working on data collection. We will be learning how to collect data for charts and graphs.
In science we will be learning about the scientific method.
In social studies we will be learning about European explorers and early colonization.
Cheers
Mrs. Szakszon, Miss Savanah, and Miss Tanya.
Grade 5 Homeroom - Rachelle Namchuk
Hello Kipohtakaw Families,
It has been a wonderful start to the school year in Grade 5! We have spent the past few weeks getting to know one another, building our classroom community, and settling into our daily routines.
In Math, we have been reviewing important skills such as addition and subtraction while strengthening our number sense. We are now exploring place value with thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. Through games, hands-on activities, and collaborative learning, students have been having fun while building confidence in their math skills.
In Science, we have begun our exciting unit on the States of Matter! Students have been exploring and discussing matter both inside and outside the classroom, investigating the world around them and making connections to their everyday experiences.
We have also been observing the changing seasons and discussing the weather as we move into fall. Alongside this, students have completed a variety of All About Me activities and writing projects while I continue assessing current learning levels to help guide instruction throughout the year.
In Language Arts, we have been reviewing important grammar concepts, including capitalization, common and proper nouns, and possessive nouns. Students have been working hard to apply these skills in their writing and classroom activities.
Our Options classes have been full of creativity as we embrace the beauty of autumn! Students have enjoyed painting tree cookies and creating seasonal crafts, including scarecrows, pumpkins, and owls. We have also been learning and incorporating Cree language into our projects:
• Scarecrow – Kâ-kîsikâw
• Pumpkin – Okosiman
• Owl – Ohô
It has been fantastic to see students engaged, learning, creating, and growing each day. I am looking forward to all the exciting learning opportunities ahead and to watching our class continue to flourish throughout the year!
Warmly,
Mrs. Namchuk
Grade 5 Teacher
Miss Dayle & Miss Daneille
Classroom EAs
Grade 6 homeroom - Selena Meng
Tansi Grade 6 Families!
It’s incredible to me how quickly September always seems to fly by! I guess time flies when you’re having fun. Our year is now in full swing, and we have lots of exciting programs happening, including YONA, School of Rock, Thrive, and our after-school program. Our students are certainly keeping busy!
In our classroom, we have spent some time reconnecting after the summer break, learning our new Grade 6 expectations, and building systems together to help ensure our classroom runs smoothly.
The students have worked together to come to agreements about how we want our classroom to function. For example, they created a system for managing fidgets in the classroom and worked together to come up with possible solutions for what should happen if our system is not followed. It has been great to see students have a voice in creating our classroom systems and taking ownership of our classroom community.
We have begun working on area and perimeter in Math. The students are designing their own city on graph paper, using their knowledge of area and perimeter to create different buildings and spaces. It has been a fun, hands-on way to practice these skills!
We have also started working on story writing. Students wrote their first story, which we will look back at again at the end of our unit. This will give us an opportunity to see how much we have grown as writers and celebrate the progress we have made.
We have also had many meaningful discussions surrounding Orange Shirt Day and the lasting effects that the residential school system has had on Indigenous peoples and communities. On our TRC Day, students had the opportunity to listen to stories shared by residential school survivors. These conversations and stories have given us opportunities to learn, reflect, and better understand the importance of truth and reconciliation.
As the weather continues to get colder, please make sure students are coming to school with proper outdoor gear so they are prepared for the changing weather. It would also be helpful if students could have a pair of indoor shoes at school. This helps us keep our classroom and hallways clean, clear, and safe as we begin bringing in more mud, snow, and water from outside.
As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or anything you would like me to know. I really appreciate the communication and partnership between home and school!
Thank you for a great start to Grade 6!
Elementary Cree - Martine Bear
Dear Families,
Things have been going great in our Cree language learning! We have been building our classroom routines and learning lots of Cree words, phrases, and songs. The students have been having so much fun learning and participating that our classes seem to go by very quickly!
As we enter the Takwâkin (Fall) season, we will begin learning more about the changes we see around us. We will explore the seasonal colours, how askiý (the land) changes as the season progresses, and the ways animals behave and prepare for the changing season.
Through songs, stories, conversations, and hands-on activities, we will continue building our Cree language skills while connecting our learning to the land and the world around us.
Thank you for supporting your child’s Cree language learning at home. We are excited about all the learning and fun that is ahead!
Miywâsin!
Thank you!
Warmly,
Mrs.Bear, Cree Language Teacher
Notes from the KEC Music Room & Phys.ED - Mr. Gregg Sales
Mr. Sales – K-6 PE & Music
Music:
For the next month we will be focusing on rhythm and beat, Cree language songs, and movement games. I also have the pleasure of teaching Music to our Complex Needs and Life Skills classes this year.
Students who selected the Music option continue to participate in the YONA program at the Winspear every Thursday. The past three weeks at the Winspear have been a wonderful social and educational experience. We are taking a short break for the next week when YONA will be in to see the Grade 2 and 3 classes.
Physical Education:
Grades 2–6 have just wrapped up their volleyball unit, while Kindergarten and Grade 1 enjoyed a variety of movement and teamwork games.
With the Oilers season underway, we are moving into our Floor Hockey unit. We plan to take one or two teams of floor hockey players to Luis Bull in November for an elementary tournament.
Looking forward to an active and musical month ahead!
Gregg Sales
greggsales@kipohtakaw.com
News from the Gym!
tansi kahkiyaw,
My name is Jeff Holmes and I am KEC's Senior High L.A, Social Studies, and PE teacher!
Our students have been doing awesome in classes, getting settled in, and working really hard in volleyball! Our Juniors and Senior students brought home trophies from their opener tournaments!
In the month of kaskatinopesim, our L.A and Social Studies classes will be continuing with journal reflections and inquiries. Our L.A 10-4 classes will be working on resumes and starting a novel study called A Monster Calls. Our LA 20-1 classes will be finishing off a poetry unit, working through some small grammar lessons, reflecting on outdoor experiences, and writing their first poetry analysis.
Our PE 10 classes will be engaging in several sports such as volleyball, badminton, pickleball, and snaring near the end of October.
We are hosting Battle of the Bands for its 25th anniversary this year December 4-6th, so we will also be going hard with volleyball season!
I am looking forward to connecting and reconnecting with everyone in the community and having ourselves another wonderful year at the most precious place in the northwest! Kipohtakaw.
kinanâskomitinân kâkike
JR/SR NEWS
onôcihitowipîsim Cultural Arts News - Ms. Andrea White
kaskatinowipîsim news
Tanis from the Traditional Arts Classroom
Senior high Are learning how to do rope beading and also the two needle method beading.
Junior high are learning how to make patterns for loom beading and also learning how to do rope beading
Elementary options are learning how to do patterns along with crow beads tapestries. They made an Every Child Matters (ECM) tapestry and they also get to make another one of their own pattern.
Primary elementary are working on eye hand coordination with their fine motor skills, making bracelets and weave keychains.
ay ay
Ms White
Grade 7 Newsletter
A Wonderful Start to the School Year!
We have had such a wonderful start to the year in Grade 7! The students have done an amazing job getting back into the swing of things, settling into routines, building relationships, and creating a positive classroom environment. There has already been lots of laughter, great conversations, and plenty of learning happening in our classroom!
Here are some of our highlights:
Language Arts
We have started a new classroom wide Language Arts program that is designed to help students become more fluent and confident readers. We are working on building strong reading skills and learning strategies that will help students decode and understand larger, more challenging words. It’s called Rewards and is completed daily alongside regular programming. We also have weekly spelling tests that help the students understand prefixes and suffixes and how they change the meaning of words.
Grade 7 has also been doing a great job taking ownership of our classroom! Students have been signing up for their daily classroom duties and learning the importance of contributing to our classroom community.
It has been wonderful to see students taking responsibility, helping one another, and recognizing that everyone has an important role to play in keeping our classroom running smoothly.
Ecosystem Science in Our School Garden
We have already had the opportunity to get outside and put our science learning into action! As part of our study of abiotic and biotic factors, we collected data around our school garden.
Students explored the environment and identified living and non-living factors that interact within the ecosystem. It was a great opportunity to connect what we are learning in the classroom to the world right outside our door.
Student of the Month: Jarrin Crier
This month, we are celebrating Jarrin Crier as our Grade 7 Student of the Month for demonstrating respect throughout the month.
Jarrin consistently shows respect to his classmates, teachers, elders, and our classroom community. He often offers to lead our classroom in our daily smudge and is always an enthusiastic participant in our Monday drum circle.
He is also someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand. Whenever we have an elder stop by our classroom, Jarrin is full of enthusiasm and thoughtful questions that help keep the conversation going. His curiosity, willingness to participate, and genuine respect for others make him a wonderful role model for his classmates.
Jarrin is an all-around respectful young man and a great leader in Grade 7! We are very proud to recognize him this month. Congratulations, Jarrin!
Keep up the amazing work, Grade 7!
Grade 8 Homeroom - Anthony Beckford
Tansi Parents, Guardians, Students, and KEC Community!
The 2026–2027 school year is off to a great start! It has been wonderful welcoming our students back and seeing their enthusiasm as we begin another year of learning. This year, I am teaching Math and Science to our Grade 8 and Grade 9 students, as well as Digital Creation Studio to Junior High students in Grades 7–9.
Grade 8 Science – Mix and Flow of Matter
In Grade 8 Science, students are exploring the Mix and Flow of Matter unit. We are learning about different types of matter, mixtures, solutions, and how various substances interact and flow. Students are also making connections between what we learn in the classroom and examples found in our everyday lives and the natural environment. We look forward to incorporating hands-on and land-based learning activities throughout the unit.
Grade 9 Science – Biodiversity
Our Grade 9 students have begun their study of Biodiversity. They are exploring the variety of living things within ecosystems and examining how organisms interact with one another and their environment. We have also taken some of our learning outdoors, where students can observe biodiversity firsthand and connect classroom science with the land around us.
Grade 8 Math – Square Roots & Pythagorean Theorem
In Grade 8 Math, students are investigating square numbers, square roots, and the Pythagorean Theorem. They are developing strategies for finding and estimating square roots and will use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems involving right triangles. Regular practice and participation will be important as students continue building their confidence and problem-solving skills.
Grade 9 Math – Square Roots & Surface Area
Our Grade 9 Math students are also working with square roots, including perfect and non-perfect squares. We are extending these skills into our study of surface area, where students will calculate the surface area of three-dimensional and composite objects. Students are encouraged to show their work carefully and use appropriate mathematical strategies to solve problems.
Digital Creation Studio – Grades 7–9
I am excited to be teaching Digital Creation Studio as an Option course to our Grade 7–9 students. In this course, students will develop their digital literacy, creativity, communication, and presentation skills. Throughout the term, they will learn how to plan and create engaging digital projects, with a strong emphasis on presentations and other creative digital tools. We will also incorporate
Indigenous perspectives, community connections, and land-based themes into selected projects.
We are certainly off to a great start, and I am looking forward to an exciting and productive school year. I encourage students to continue attending regularly, arriving on time, participating actively, and always putting forward their best effort.
Hiy Hiy,
Mr. Beckford
Junior High Math, Science & Options
Grade 9 Homeroom - Mr. Raymond Bilodeau
Happy September!
The school year is under way and students are getting back into the routine of academics.
While our Grade Nine students are attending to the rigors of Cree, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Health, we are fortunate that KEC also offers a number of opportunities for enrichment and understanding. Already this month, we have participated in our Treaty Acknowledgement and gathered medicine together.
Looking forward, October appears to be just as interesting with activities including Picture Day and our Fall Feast.
High School Science & Math - Faysol Ahmed
Tânisi kahkîyâw
It’s been a busy and productive month, and we have accomplished a lot in our Senior High Math & Science classes!
Here’s what we have been working on:
Math 30-2:
Students have completed Set Theory and are now working on Counting Principles, Permutations, and Combinations. They are exploring how these concepts can be applied to real-life situations and problem-solving.
Science 14:
Students have been working on Investigating Properties of Matter. They have explored matter and its properties, atoms, chemical reactions, and solutions through classroom activities and virtual labs. Students have also made connections between chemical reactions, smudging, and Indigenous cultural teachings.
Science 20:
Students have been learning about Aqueous Solutions and Redox Reactions. They have participated in several virtual lab activities to explore these concepts. We are currently focusing on oxidation and reduction and developing our understanding of how electrons are transferred during chemical reactions.
Next, we will move into Organic Chemistry, followed by our next major unit, Change in Motion.
Ekosi maka
hiy-hiy
Faysol Ahmed
faysolahmed@kipohtakaw.com
Grade 10 Homeroom - Ms. Brenda Morency
tânisi kahkiyâw!
kaskatinopîsim (Freezing Month) is here asay, and our Cree Value of the Month is miyohtwawin (kindness).
This past month the students have been working extremely hard to complete the assignment. The following is an overview of what we have accomplished so far.
Visual Storytelling:
This course has been constructed to study Indigenous artists and authors to manifest and communicate our oral stories and traditions through visual storytelling. We will be studying various Indigenous artists (Canadian) to understand their different meanings and styles associated with their painting. We will also learn the biographies of such artists to understand what “place” they come from and how their histories influenced their style and composition.
We will be studying readings from various Canadian Indigenous authors (storytellers). The students will extract the essence of the meanings of a story/poem (3 stories/poems per artist) and then compose a personal artistic piece in the style of the artist that was studied. We will be using different mediums and different effects to tell our own stories through our epistemologies, ontologies and ways of knowing. This course will allow the students to recognize and celebrate Indigenous authors and artists who share our commonalities and strength through visual storytelling to understand and know our stories.
Project 1: September - Norval Morriseau (interconnectedness and x-ray spirit) Readings: The Woman Who Loved a Bear
The Origins of the Moon
I Lost My Talk
Project 2: October - Christie Belcourt & Delree Dumont (Pointillism - Beading Our Stories)
Readings: TBA
Aboriginal Studies 20 A.M and P.M.:
Aboriginal Studies 20 is a provincial course suitable for all students in Alberta schools. The course focuses on indigenous people from a Canadian and Alberta perspective. It includes the study of policies, legislation, conflict and cultural change.
The four themes in Aboriginal Studies 20 are: • The Métis: Conflict and Cultural Change • Treaties and Cultural Change • Legislation, Policies and Cultural Change • Schooling and Cultural Change.
September
October
Chapter 1: A Way of Life in Change
Chapter 2: Colonization and Cultural Change
Chapter 3: The Metis People in Conflict
Chapter 4: The Metis People and Cultural Change
I am very excited about the year ahead and all the adventures, learning opportunities, and successes that await us!
miyo-wîcîhtowin — Let us help and support one another throughout the year.
Brenda Morency
Grade 11B Homeroom
Jr./Sr. Cree, Ab. Studies - Tracy Mckay
KIPOHTAKAW CREE LANGUAGE
JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH CREE NEWSLETTER
Tânsi! Welcome to a new year of Cree language, culture, and learning.
Responsibility. Students are learning how responsibility connects to school, healthy choices, relationships, our words and actions, and caring for our learning and community.
🗣️ INTRODUCTIONS IN CREE
Students have been practicing greetings, names, family and community connections, and short conversations. They are building confidence speaking Cree with classmates.
TREATIES
We are learning what treaties are, why treaty relationships matter, and about Treaty 6 and the history of the First Nations communities in our region.
ALL ABOUT ME
Students are creating and presenting an All About Me poster using Cree. They are practicing speaking, listening, sharing, and respectfully learning about one another.
🍂 COMING NEXT • OCTOBER
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
We will learn about the meaning of Orange Shirt Day, residential schools, remembering Survivors, and the message: Every Child Matters.
CREE SOUNDS
We will begin learning Cree vowels and consonants, listening for sounds, practicing pronunciation, reading SRO, and connecting sounds with Cree words.
🌻 Thank you for supporting Cree language learning at home and at school! 🌻
Ekosi pitama! • Keep learning and sharing our language! Ms Mckay
Grade 11 Homeroom - SR. HIGH MATH AND SCIENCE NEWS - MR. MALIK
Tânisi kahkîyâw!
Semester 1:
Here’s a brief overview of what students will be learning in October:
- Math 15: Numbers; Exponents & Radicals - building foundational skills for Math 10C.
- Math 10-3: Length, Area & Volume; Mass, Temperature & Volume.
- Math 10C: Numbers; Exponents & Radicals.
- Math 20-2: Quadratic Functions; Logic & Reasoning.
- Math 20-3: Surface Area, Volume & Capacity; Trigonometry of Right Angles..
- Math 30-3: Statistics; Probability & Odds.
- Science 24: Energy Transformations.
- Science 10: Energy Flow in Technological Systems.
- Chemistry 20: Forms of Matter - Gases.
- Biology 20: Ecosystems & Population Change.
- Biology 30: Reproduction & Development.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hiy-hiy, Ekosi maka,
Mr. Malik
Hiy-hiy, Ekosi maka,
Mr. Malik
Grade 12 Homeroom - Maria Roberts
Senior High English Language Arts & Social Studies Grades 10-12
Tansi kakiyaw!
It’s wonderful to be back for another exciting year at KEC!
We are pleased to offer some great learning opportunities this semester for our high school students at KEC. You’ll notice some positive changes all throughout the school and many new faces! There are more teachers, more student supports and specialized assistants to enrich the learning experience of every student
This semester, we will be offering Creative Writing and Publishing, English Language Arts 20-2, LA 10-1/10-2, and Social Studies 30-1/30-2. Your teaching team for this term includes myself plus Ms. Melanie Quinn (LA 10) and Miss Nikki as our EA.
In English 10, we started with the great and funny Sherman Alexie novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, and it seems to be a hit with the kids so far!
In English 20 we began by reading the American Classic novella, Of Mice and Men.
The theme of Grade 12 Social studies, in a nutshell, is Ideology and how differing ideologies have shaped history and human development.
Creative Writing and Publishing is a new course offering for KEC writers seeking to develop their passion and bring their craft to audiences.
We strive to provide the best balance possible between traditional culture and language teachings with the general Alberta curriculum in our classroom. We welcome everyone- elders, parents and family- to visit our class and meet with us on Parent Interview nights and Open House activities throughout the year.
Your home support and interest in your student’s achievement are key in our partnership to make learning successful and worthwhile. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you.
Best wishes for a safe, happy, and healthy year of learning!
Maria Johnson