Dear McKenzie Lake Families,

Our Parent-Teacher conferences have officially concluded, and we would like to thank you for taking the time to connect with teachers to celebrate your child's progress so far this year and set learning goals for the remaining months of the school year.

Over the past two weeks, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Talerico's classes spent their days learning at the Calgary Zoo. Their classroom, which overlooked the giraffes and hippos, sparked immediate excitement and curiosity in the students. During their individual weeks at the zoo, the students had an amazing opportunity to experience behind-the-scenes with the giraffes. One student shared, "It was so special that they wouldn't even let adults take pictures because no one is allowed there!"

In addition, students learned about animal conservation and the enrichment programs implemented for the animals. They also had the opportunity to hear from a bear expert who explained how they train polar bears to do specific movements and get comfortable with the zoo staff who assist with health checks. The week also included indigenous connections, where students discovered that Zoo Island is located near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. This sacred place, Moh’kinstsis, is where the story of the Blackfoot peoples began.

The Open Minds/Campus Calgary experiences, including Healthy Living School and Zoo School, have provided our grade 3 students with incredible opportunities to have the community become an extension of their classroom this year.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who made these experiences possible — we cannot thank you enough!

After Spring Break, McKenzie Lake School will jump right back into the excitement with field trips, Celebration of Learning assemblies, and our Spring Concert. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, March 31.

McKenzie Lake Apparel

The MLS School Council will be selling spirit wear between now and April 11.  Families are invited visit the online store to purchase hoodies, t-shirts and/or a varcity sack pack. https://mckenzielakespringstore2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Sincerely,

Dayna McComish