Dene Tha Community School

Dene Tha Community School Programs

Kindergarten to Grade 10 Curriculum

Our school provides learning that follow Alberta’s Kindergarten to Grade 10 curriculum outlined in Programs of Study that identify what students are expected to learn and be able to do in all subjects and grades. The curriculum is designed to help students achieve their individual potential and create a positive future for themselves, their families and their communities.

Pre-School Program (4 year old)

The school offers a half-day Junior Kindergarten program for 4 year olds. The main objective of the program is to get the students ready for formal schooling when they enter Kindergarten. It provides both students and parents a view of school readiness, routines and social, emotional, behavior, and mental experiences that occurs in a school/classroom setting.

Transition Program (Elementary)

Transition program is offered to students who are entering their schooling years after the age of 5 years. The main objective of the program is to get the students ready for formal schooling in a small class setting. It provides both students and parents a view of school readiness, routines and social, emotional, behavior, and mental experiences that occurs in a school/classroom setting. Students are moved to their appropriate grade level once the student is comfortable and ready to “transit” into the regular classroom.

Early Literacy Program

The Early Literacy Program (E.L.I) provides programming for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 who need assistance in reading, writing and communication. It is for students who are capable of reading and writing at grade level after receiving the program.

Special Education Program

The Special Education program provides programming for students who are unable to cope in a regular classroom setting due to their disability. There are three Special Education classrooms:

• Elementary, offered to students in Grade 2 to Grade 6
• Junior High, offered to students in Grade 7 to Grade 10
• Life Skills Program, offered to students in Grade 4 to Grade 10 who are taught basic life and management skills like housework, buying food and goods, basic information reading and signs, counting money, etc.

Dene Culture and Language

The school offers traditional Dene Culture and Language classes to Kindergarten, Elementary and Junior High students.  It teaches the students their culture and way of life as well as the enrichment of the Dene Language. It is taught by a Dene instructor with more than 15 years of instructing experience.

Home Economics

Home Economics is offered to Junior High students as an option class. Classes offered are in Cooking, Sewing, Restaurant Management Skills while integrating Dene culture skills.

Industrial Arts

Industrial Arts program offers Woodworking, Machinery and Metalworks to Junior High students.

High quality learning and teaching resources, in the form of student texts, teacher guides, videos and software programs, contribute to student achievement by supporting implementation of the programs of study and accommodating the diverse learning needs of Alberta students.

Activities

Our School hosts and organizes activities for the students, staff and community of Chateh during the school year. Local agencies and organization as well as groups from all over Alberta and Canada are invited to participate as presenters, guests or participants.

• September – Pancake Breakfast
• September – First Day of School
• October – Nickel Carnival
• October – Thanksgiving Feast
• November – Career Days
• December – Christmas Concert
• January – Elder’s Feast
• February – Alberta Teacher’s Convention
• March – Winter Carnival
• March – Ice Fishing
• April – Science Fair
• May – Assumption Run Challenge
• June – Culture Days
• June – Aboriginal Day
• June – Year End Awards
• June – Kindergarten Grad