Our School

Acknowledgement

We join with the Calgary Board of Education to acknowledge the land and the Indigenous peoples of the region:

We would like to acknowledge the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot Nations, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai.  We also acknowledge the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Metis Nation (Region 3), and all peoples who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Our Story

Piitoayis Family School was established in 2002.  We are a kindergarten through Grade 6 program of choice, as we teach the Alberta Programs of Study through an Indigenous lens.  Our name translates into “Eagle Lodge” in the Blackfoot language. We were gifted our name by five Elders: Mark Wolfleg (Siksika), Russell Big Crow (Tsuut’ina), Freddy Eagletail (Tsuut’ina), Olive Manitopyes (Cree Nation), and John Snow (Stoney Nakoda).  Our name recognizes the spiritual significance of the “eagle” as a symbol of love, and “lodge” as a gathering place. Our learners learn through a diversity of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit ways of knowing, being, and doing.

Mission Statement

We will emphasize four core Blackfoot values and belief systems:  

  • Aatsimmoiyihkanni:  spirituality and ceremony

  • Kimmapiiypitsinni:  kindness to others

  • Kakyosin:  being aware of your environment; being observant

  • Aksistoiypaittapiisinni:  being able to take on task independently

Vision Statement

To create a respectful learning environment based on the balance of traditional cultural values and academic excellence.  Our holistic and meaningful approach to learning will enhance pride and self-esteem, enabling our students to become successful, responsible, and lifelong learners.

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​​​Our School's Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

We are committed to acknowledging and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action specific to education. Our school, along with all CBE schools, made a TRC Commitment to Action. On June 21, we renewed our commitment, which can be found under Resources.​​

Acknowledging the Land

We would like to acknowledge the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot Nations, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani and the Kainai. We also acknowledge the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Métis Nation, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.​​

​​​School Development Plan

​Each year, our school prepares a development plan with input from teachers, school staff, students and parents. We review many sources of data, including report cards, provincial achievement test results and school surveys. Based on this information, we create our plan identifying targeted areas for growth. Our school development plan is not meant to represent all of the work that takes place in our school, but rather it focuses on specific areas for improvement.​​​

​​​​School Improvement Results Report

Our school also prepares a results plan, which looks at our previous school year. It shows our students’ achievement and progress in meeting the goals and outcomes as set out by the CBE and Alberta Education, outlines some of the highlights of our school development plan and gives an overview of our school. You can look on the CBE website for system-wide results​.
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