Connection: The Heart of a Community

This week at Banded Peak has been a beautiful reminder that connection truly is the heart of a community. From cultural learning to family engagement, we’ve seen our school come together in meaningful ways that reflect a spirit of belonging and shared purpose.

On Tuesday, we gathered as a school to raise our tipi—an initiative over a year in the making. With Knowledge Keeper Hal Eagletail and his helpers guiding us, we learned about the cultural significance of the tipi and the thoughtful design that now stands proudly at the heart of our school. Each element of the tipi tells a story:

• The grizzly represents our identity as the Banded Peak Grizzlies.
• A kidney symbolizes resilience and our connection to the land.
• The North Star and constellations on the tipi’s ears reflect the importance of the stars as navigational tools and seasonal guides.
• The scalloped edging mirrors the Foothills we call home.
• At the base, student handprints in house colours form a vibrant ring of unity, while staff handprints on the door covering represent the welcoming spirit of our team.

With 17 poles and an east-facing door, the tipi is now a central feature just outside our Student Gathering Area—a powerful symbol of community, connection, and shared learning.

Wednesday evening brought another highlight: our Peek at the Peak event. It was wonderful to meet and chat with so many of you. The excitement and pride of place that students showed as they introduced their teachers, shared their classrooms, and toured their school with family and friends was heartwarming to witness. This night was also important for families to meet teachers, put a face to the name, and reconnect with those you’ve worked with in the past. We hope it is the beginning—or in some cases, the continuation—of a strong partnership between teacher and family. Together, we work to support our students as they learn, take risks, grow, and achieve personal success.

A special thank you to those who stayed for our first School Council meeting of the year—our largest turnout since Mr. Dupré and I arrived! Your voices and involvement are vital, and we’re excited to see this important part of our school community continue to grow. As always, many hands make light work.

We also kicked off volleyball season this week! Mr. Dupré and I were thrilled to see such a strong turnout at tryouts. The level of skill, coachability, and competitive spirit was impressive, and we know team selections will be tough. Teams will be finalized next week ahead of our seeding tournament on October 1st and 2nd. Grade 7 and 8 students not selected for the A team are encouraged to try out for the B team later this fall.

Looking ahead, we’re pleased to offer an Open Smudge opportunity for students starting Tuesday. Participation is a personal choice, and on Monday, new students will receive teachings to help them make an informed decision. We encourage families to discuss this learning and opportunity together.

As we reflect on this week, it’s clear that connection—in all its forms—is what makes our community strong. Whether through cultural celebration, family engagement, sport, or shared learning, we are building something special together.

Wishing you a brilliant weekend,

Mrs. Moore