Cougars Corner Weekly Update

 February 2 – 6, 2026 

Google Translate Link… https://translate.google.ca/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=translate

School Update:

Winter Solstice & Round Dance

This week, our school community came together for a gathering inspired by the Winter Solstice. Students, staff, and Indigenous families from our community came together to experience the round dance, singing, and drumming.

We were honoured to welcome Skip Wolfleg Jr., a respected Blackfoot powwow drummer, singer, storyteller, and educator from the Siksika Nation. Skip was joined by championship drummers Cole Healy, James Blackrider, and Layne Healy of the Blackfoot Drummers group, who shared their voices and music with our school community.

Following the gathering, Indigenous families from our school and community were invited to spend time together sharing food, visiting, and connection. We are grateful to parents Lucas and Dee Cowston for bringing Bannock and helping host this welcoming space.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this gathering possible. Opportunities like this continue to strengthen learning, relationships, and belonging at Cambrian Heights School.

Skip also shared an invitation with our community: Miskanawah is hosting their 20th Annual Friendship Round Dance on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 4:00–10:00 p.m. at Grey Eagle. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome to attend!

Buddy Day – Learning Through Story

Buddy Day is a schoolwide tradition where each class partners with another class to engage in shared learning and connection. During this Buddy Day, students worked alongside their buddies to learn about the Winter Solstice and why it is an important time in many Indigenous cultures.

Together, students explored how the Winter Solstice is a time for communities to gather, share stories, and celebrate connection through practices such as the round dance. They also learned about oral storytelling and how stories have traditionally been used to pass on teachings, knowledge, and history.

Working in pairs, students were given a set of symbols and challenged to collaborate to create their own oral story, drawing on imagination, meaning, and shared understanding.

The session concluded with students sharing their stories with the class, building confidence, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for learning together.

Literacy Week at Cambrian Heights School

One of the ways we celebrated Literacy Week at Cambrian Heights School is by having teachers share their favourite picture book with two other classes as part of a schoolwide reading experience. These shared read-alouds took place over two thirty-minute blocks and provided students with opportunities to highlight the joy, importance, and impact of reading across our school community.

As part of Literacy Week, all the books that teachers read aloud are being displayed on a bulletin board in our school – a visual celebration of the stories that are bringing our community together through reading. Be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the building and take note of the wide range of texts sparking curiosity and conversation across grade levels.

We were also pleased to welcome a special guest this week. Our School Trustee, Laura Hack, visited Cambrian Heights School to read with students in Ms. Kaur’s Grade 2/3 class, helping to further highlight the importance of literacy and the shared responsibility we have in supporting student learning.

Literacy Week is one of many ways we continue to strengthen reading, connection, and belonging at Cambrian Heights School.

With gratitude,

Todd Webber

Principal, Cambrian Heights School

 Cambrian Heights Parent Association Update:

Next Meeting: February 19, 2026

Email: Cambrian.schoolcouncil@gmail.com

Please join us for our February 19 School Council meeting, which will include a principal-led community engagement opportunity. During this portion of the meeting, families will be invited to share feedback, perspectives, and ideas to help inform planning for the 2026–27 school year.

This is an important opportunity for our school community to contribute to conversations about priorities, supports, and future directions at Cambrian Heights School.

Cambrian Heights Community Association Update:

Cambrian Heights Community Association – 2026 Polar Party

The Cambrian Heights Community Association is hosting its annual Polar Party on Saturday, January 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the CHCA Community Rinks, and families are invited to join in the winter fun!

This free community event will feature music, warm drinks, fire pits, and winter games for all ages. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mugs and skates and enjoy a fun afternoon connecting with neighbours and celebrating the season together.

For more information or to learn how to volunteer, please visit www.cambrianheightscommunity.com.