St. Teresa of Calcutta Elementary School opened her doors to students, staff, and parents for the first time September 2003. The school (K to 6) is located in the heart of the inner-city of Edmonton, offering a unique student-centered education. A strong sense of community is nurtured by celebrating our diverse cultural heritage and needs inclusively, and building a sense of 'welcome and belonging' in the daily lives of our children.
In serving and supporting the needs of our children and families, St. Teresa of Calcutta Elementary School is the host to a variety of multidisciplinary and community services.:
- Family School Liaison
- Roots and Wings Family Supports
- Emotional Behaviour Specialist
- Therapeutic Assistant Behaviour Therapy
- Therapeutic Assistant Speech and Language
- School Nurse
- Food/Clothing Bank
- Breakfast Clubs of Canada Program
- Lunch Program
- School Snack Program (E4C)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters In-school Mentorship Program
- Keyboards for Kids/University of Alberta Student Keyboard Program
- YONA-Sistema - Partnership with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (www.yona-sistema.com)
Our school is inclusive of Indigenous Culture. In teaching and supporting our students, we have:
- A traditional Tipi located in our school for students to use within their daily learning activities
- Access to Elders and supports from within the community for students and families
- Recognition of Treaty Acknowledgement shared through our Morning Broadcast
- Indigenous teaching presentations for our students, for example Medicine Wheel, Medicine Healing Garden and Tipi teachings
- Student groupings which reflect the Seven Sacred Teachings and Medicine Wheel
- Access to smudge throughout the school day
- Participation in Secret Path Week
- Focus on Indigenous activities and cultural events throughout the school year
A Parent's Prayer
They are little only once LORD.
Grant me the wisdom and patience to teach them to follow in your footsteps and prepare them for what is to come.
They are little only once LORD.
Make me take the time to play pretend, to read or tell a story; to cuddle.
Don't let me for one minute think anything is more important than the school play, the recital, the big game, fishing, or the quiet walk hand in hand.
All too soon LORD they will grow up and there is no turning back.
Let me have my memories with no regrets.
Please help me be a good parent, LORD.
When I must discipline - let me do it in love, let me be firm, but fair, let me correct and explain with patience.
They are growing away LORD.
While I have the chance let me do my best for them.
For the rest of our lives, please LORD, let me be their very best friend.