Welcome Back PFS Families,
I hope your summer months brought a sense of rejuvenation to you and your children that attend Piitoayis Family School. PFS welcomed me openly last school year, and after seeing how school operations run I see what is important to the school community. PFS has four Blackfoot values that shape our time daily in the classroom including Aatsimmoiyihkanni, kimma'piipitsini, kakyosin, and aksistoiypaittapiisinni. PFS opens up the school day with Aatsimmoiyihkanni and the Blackfoot flag song. It is a way for our PFS pookaiks to make a spiritual connection to their traditional ways. PFS recognizes there are other Indigenous groups, and there is a growing understanding of First Nations that exist in Mohkintsis, the City of Calgary. The Indigenous term is a global term that helps identify groups of people that have experienced colonization. And through helping students understand the traditional territory where Piitoayis is situated helps staff and students understand Indigenous people's connection to the land. Learning from the land is a great way for the pookaiks to connect with the New curriculum.
This year PFS introduced the 100-minute literacy block from 9:00-10:35 am. Essential elements of the 100-minute literacy block include:
Reading Time (20-30 minutes, this includes reading instruction eg. UFLI or Heggerty and comprehension)
AWARD Time (40 minutes, this includes small reading groups, reading response, morning message, literacy centres, word work)
Writing Time (30 minutes, this includes direct instruction around writing. Genre specific writing like poetry or personal narratives)
Lastly, I would like to welcome our new Assistant Principal, Preston Huppie, who is Metis Cree. I would also like to mention our new Indigenous Student Support Learning Leader, Jodie Rivard, who is Metis.
Our School Development Plan for 2023/24 school year is being developed and I would invite you to attend our meet the teacher event on Sept 22. There will be a pancake breakfast for PFS families from 9:00-11:00 am in the back foyer.
Hand to heart,
Crystal Good RiderPrincipal
