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Welcome to St. Michael's Learning Community.
Our Mission
As a learning community we believe that each child is a creation of God. We recognize that the students who come under our care are unique and come from diverse backgrounds. Parents, staff, and, when necessary, members of the community, can encourage students to learn and can assist students in taking responsibility for their learning in a Christ-centred environment.
Who Are We?
We are a Catholic learning community that includes:
Pre-K (3-4 year old program)
Kindergarten
English Elementary Program (grades1-5)
English Middle School (grades 6-8)
English High School (grades 9-12)
French Immersion Program (grades 1-8)
For those parents who require child care we have partnered with Children's World Day Care to offer two programs: Before and After School Care and Day Care. Please contact Children's World Day Care at 403-627-5009 for information about the programs.
Our History
In 1904 a group of religious teaching sisters, the Congregation des Filles de Jesus, established St. Michael's School and for many years it existed as an independent Catholic Separate school district. Students came from, and continue to come from the towns of Pincher Creek, Cowley and Lundbreck, from farming and ranching families surrounding the town of Pincher Creek, and from the nearby Piikani Nation Reserve (part of the Blackfoot Confederacy). Over the more than 100 years of its existance the structure of the building and educational programing have changed, but the dedication to excellence in Catholic academic education for all students has remained constant. We are now part of the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate Regional School District #4, which proudly supports Catholic education in several communities in southwestern Alberta. We are a school with a rich Catholic, cultural, academic and athletic heritage.
St. Michael's Learning Community Today
Now that we are in the 21st Century the focus of education is changing from the traditional teacher-student approach to the development of a learning community centered on innovation and creativity. Academic success and skill development are still important, but there is a focus on making education relevant to students and allowing them to think in creative ways about what they have learned. Collaboration between teachers, parents, students and the community encourages students to achieve success and think in innovative ways. Our aim is to develop students who can use their skills and ingenuity to make a positive difference in our global community. Following the Jesuit principles of education, students take their skills and use them to create a more just world focused on human dignity and respect.
Our Learning Communities
Early Childhood Services (ECS):
Lead Instructors/Teachers: Lynne DeCock (Pre-K ages 3-4); Angie Reimer (Kindergarten)
Programs:
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Hanan Speech-Language Program
- Speech and Language Early Intervention Program
- Early Learning Needs Programming
Elementary Programming (grades 1-5):
Lead Teachers: Denice Rainford (Grade 1 English); Manon Thauvette-Dyck (Grade 1-2 French); Patty Zoratti (Grade 2 English); Nicole Little Mustache (Grade 3 English); Dominique Plouffe-Chandler and Jennifer Parker (Grades 3-4-5 French); Lynn Wocknitz and Tina Delinte (Grades 4-5 English)
- Dual Stream: English or French Immersion
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Guided Reading
- Grade Flexible programming in grades 1-3 for Language Arts and Math
- Learning Needs programming
Middles School (Grades6-8):
Lead Teachers: Diana Smith (Language Arts); Joanne Mack (Science); Cecelia Kuchison (Math; Religion Lead Teacher)); Lori-Jo Ettenhofer (Social Studies); John Girard (French Immersion grades 6-8); Tyler Speelman (Physical Education)
- Teacher Advisory Class (TAC)
- Dual Stream: English and French Immersion
- Options: Art; Rock Band; Drama; Sewing; Computer Studies; Sports Pursuits; Food Studies
- Intramural Programs
- Student Council
High School (Grades 9-12):
Lead Teachers: Lauranna Charette (English, Art); Francis Krizan (Math and Rock Band); Trevor Smith (Social Studies); Ken Mack (Science 9 and 10; Biology, Chemistry; Physics, AP Biology); Blake Dolan (Math, Science, Construction, CALM, BIT); Tyler Speelman (Physical Education, Psychology, Sociology); Don Kuchison (Religion)
- F.I.N.A.O. (Failure Is Not An Option) Program - a support program for at-risk students.
- Electives: Art, Rock Band, Drama, Construction, Business Information Technology (BIT), Food Studies; Fashion Studies, Computer IT Training; Photography; Psychology; Sociology
- For students continuing in French Immersion: FLA 10-2 (Grade 9),10-1, 20-1, 30-1 in partnership with ADLC.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Biology
- Student Entrepreneur Program
- Student Council
Athletic Community:
St. Michael's School is home to the Dragons sports teams. Students in grades 7-12 can participate on the school Volleyball, Basketball, Cross-Country Running; Wrestling; Badminton; and Track and Field teams. We encourage students to come out and support our teams by either playing a sport or cheering the team on to victory.
Students can also play for the Pincher Creek Mustangs Football Team.
Faith Community:
St. Michael's Learning Community has a good relationship with our parish community, St. Michael's Church. Our pastor, Fr. Silvano Vargas leads us in Mass, participates in school celebrations, and visits classrooms. He is a very welcome and active member of our community. Cecelia Kuchison works with the parish and the school to prepare students for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. We encourage our students to be actively involved in church ministries and in the youth group.
Support Staff: Donna Owen (Administration Assistant); Tracey Young (Office Clerk); Joyce Pittman (Librarian)
If you have any questions and/or would like more information about our learning community please contact the principal, Don Kuchison at 403-627-3488 or kuchisond@holyspirit.ab.ca. You can also follow us on Twitter at @StMikesPrincipal.
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