On Februrary 14th we celebrate Valentine's Day in Canada.
How did this tradition begin? Click 👇
Want more information? What does Britannica Kids say? Click 👇
February is Black History Month in Canada
The Government of Canada
Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/about.html
During Black History Month, we honour and amplify the voices of Black Canadians while celebrating their many achievements and contributions. The efforts of Black Canadians and their communities throughout history have greatly enriched Canada’s cultural diversity, compassion and prosperity.
Black History in Canada
Black Canadians and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator and interpreter whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.
The role of Black people and their communities in Canada has largely been ignored as a key part of Canada’s history. There is little mention that some of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were people of African descent, nor the fact that many soldiers of African descent made many sacrifices in wartime as far back as the War of 1812.
Few people in Canada are aware of the fact that African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now known as Canada, or of how those who fought enslavement helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society.
Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made to the history and continued growth of this country.
2025 is the year of the snake. This holiday begins on Wednesday January 29 this year and is a holiday that changes from year to year. What animal are you most like? Do you know what animal it was when you were born? This time of year is when many countries including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Vietnam, and Korea begin spring festivals that celebrate the new year.
Click here 👇
Take a look at our Lunar New Year Display! See what animal year it was when you were born and grab a book while you’re at it. We have taken the time to gather a collection of books that reflect the people and communities that celebrate this holiday. There are always more than just the books on display that feature our diverse communities.
If you are interested in more information on this topic, take a look at the resources featured here:
Click here 👉 Lunar New Year Resources Google Slide
Welcome back, students and staff! It's great to see you all again.
Happy New Year! 2025 is going to be a great year!
We're going to read so many books! Please remember to add a bead to our bottle for every book you've read, had read to you, or listened to. I know you have questions.
Does it have to be a school library book? Nope!
Does that book you read to your younger sibling last night count? It sure does!
What if it's a really thick book? If it's the size of two regular sized books, put in two beads! I trust you to be fair.
Come on in to the Learning Commons and choose a book! We have Snow Many Good Books!
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a big deal!
Did you know that it is a fundraiser for our library? Yes! The more we sell, the more credit we get to buy new books for our collection.
Set Up : Monday, November 25 afternoon
Class Previews : Tuesday / Wednesday, November 26 / 27
Sales : Thursday, November 28 : Period 3 + Lunch + Period 4 AND during evening conferences
Take Down : Friday, November 29 morning
Help!
We need volunteers to make the book fair a success! If you are able to help out during any time listed above, please contact Mrs. James in the office. Thank you!
Thank you for supporting our library by shopping at the Book Fair!
Métis Week is an annual event planned by the Métis Nation of Alberta and sees a range of interesting commemorative events take place across Alberta. This year, Métis Week is November 10-16.
Who are the Métis?
Métis are people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. There are Métis communities across Canada.
The Métis have deep historical roots in the Red River area, as early as the 1700s. Their traditional homelands encompass the three Prairie provinces, northwestern Ontario, northeastern British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, northern Montana, and North Dakota. They are the descendants of Indigenous women (typically Cree, Salteaux, and Dene) and European fur traders (typically French, Scottish, and Irish). (https://learningbird.com/celebrating-metis-week-in-your-classroom/)
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
The Métis developed a distinct culture celebrated for its dances, jigs, fiddle music, and colourful, embroidered clothing and sashes. The advanced design of Métis Red River Carts was famous at the time. Métis were exceptional bison hunters. (https://learningbird.com/celebrating-metis-week-in-your-classroom/)
The Métis sash is a colourful finger-woven belt that is usually three-meters long. It is sometimes referred to as L’Assomption sash or Ceinture Fléchée (arrow sash).
Want to learn more?
Today is I Read Canadian Day!
I Read Canadian Day is a national celebration of Canadian books for young people, with the goal of elevating the genre and celebrating the breadth and diversity of these books.
Who's your favourite Canadian author?
Is it Gordon Korman? Did you know he wrote his first book called This Can't Be Happneing at MacDonald Hall when he was in Grade 7? We have lots of Gordon Korman books in our collection.
Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our display? It highlights just some of the Canadian authors we have in our collection.
Happy reading!
On November 8th we honour Indigenous Veterans Day and on November 11th we honour Remembrance Day.
This is a time of reflection and gratitude for the sacrifices made by military members and their families, past and present.
At Willow Park, we will be honour these days on Thursday, November 7th.
Indigenous Veterans
First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country.
To learn more, click 👇
To watch these short and informative Canadian videos, click 👇
Remembrance Day Quiz
Take this quiz to test your knowledge by clicking 👇
Learning Commons
Visit the Learning Commons to borrow a book from our display.
October is a busy month in the Learning Commons!
We have three book displays set up for you!
Latin American and Hispanic Canadian Heritage Month
Want to learn more?
Come up to the Learning Commons to borrow a book!
Islamic Heritage Month
Want to learn more?
Come to the Learning Commons to borrow a book!
Are you prepared to be scared?
Visit the Learning Commons and check out a book from our spooky books display. These books will scare the pants off you!
We have books for all grade levels just waiting to give you chills!
Monday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. We are wearing our orange shirts today at Willow Park School to honour this important day in Canada.
What is Reconciliation?
From CBC Kids
From CBC Kids
From CBC Kids
From CBC Kids
In the Learning Commons
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A new school year always feels so exciting! There is so much potential and optimism!
The Learning Commons was painted over the summer! It is looking fresh and clean!
We are busy putting more than 50 bookcases back into place against the walls. We need to hang our big art and make our bulletin board. We need to tidy our shelves and display some books. I need to get ready to welcome each class in to the Learning Commons for orientation in a couple of weeks.
I am also busy helping students with their passwords. I am labelling chromebooks and we are assembling technology carts. The Learning Commons a busy place!
So please be patient as we work hard to get everything ready for you to visit. I am anxious to have students borrow books but we need time to get the space set up and organised.
I look forward to seeing your smiling faces soon!
Hey Library Friends,
I can't believe it is the end of school already! It's been a fantastic year in the Learning Commons at Willow. I have enjoyed seeing you, chatting about books, helping you find books, and assisting with your technology. Thank you for visiting and making my day better.
What are your plans for the summer? I hope you are active and creative. I hope you play games with family or friends. I hope you relax and have fun in the sun. And I hope you read in whatever format you prefer . . . paper book, ebook, or audiobook!
Looking for books over the summer? You can visit the Calgary Public Library!
Looking for other ideas?
I look forward to seeing your lovely face back at Willow Park in the Fall!
Have a fabulous summer!
Mrs. Dickson in the Learning Commons
