Our School
The Traditional Learning Centre is an alternative program within the CBE, committed to providing an excellent academic program and character education to students. The program at Colonel Sanders is Grades 1 to 4. Students in Kindergarten attend Thorncliffe School.
School Mission
The Traditional Learning Centre uses teacher-directed instruction and character education to foster reflective thinking, continuous learning and responsible citizenship. It is a celebration of cultural diversity and commonly held values. The virtues-oriented school environment prepares students to meet the moral, technological and global challenges of the 21st century.
School Motto
To think, to value, to know is our motto.
To Think – reflectively, critically, creatively
To Value – ourselves, others, the environment, our education
To Know – We value knowledge; we are all lifelong learners
Our Logo
The crest shows the Rocky Mountains which represent Alberta.
The eagle is our mascot and it symbolizes strength, courage and farsightedness.
The book represents learning and knowledge.
The lotus flower grows in any kind of soil, in many adverse conditions and thus represents perseverance to succeed.
Who Was Colonel Gilbert E. Sanders?
Gilbert Edward Sanders was born on Christmas Day 1863 at Fort Yale, B.C. His boyhood chums were First Nations children at the Fort. He received his education in England, returning to the Royal Military College, Kingston, in 1880. In 1884, he began a very colourful and exciting career with the North West Mounted Police. Poor sight in his right eye should have disqualified him from joining the Force; however, he was able to keep this defect from the authorities until later when he started using his famous monocle. His life with the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) was as exciting as a modern TV western. He saw service during the Riel Rebellion, led in the capture of Charcoal, helped with the Sioux Rebellion in the United States, and on and on. Not only did he lead in battle, he led the way in peace. He was a friend of the First Nations and was included in many signings of peace treaties. He served his country in the Boer War and was a Commanding Officer in the First World War. In 1919, he returned to his position of Police Magistrate in Calgary, a position he held until retirement in 1932. Of himself at this time, he said, "I have tried not to differentiate between the poor and the obscure on the one hand and the rich and the influential on the other, but I have tried to serve without fear, favour, or affection, throughout my years of service."
Colonel Sanders continued to live in our city until his death on April 19, 1955. On Sep. 4, 1956, the Public School Board opened an elementary school in northwest Calgary to honour this colourful, worthwhile pioneer in our city and country. His outstanding life and ideas of service to his country and his fellow men are examples worth following.
In 2001 Colonel Sanders School was selected as the site for the first Traditional Learning Centre (TLC) program. Due to parent demand, the Traditional Learning Centre has expanded to other CBE sites. The name was chosen to reflect the mandate of the school: providing a traditional education with a focus on character education as a program of choice for parents within the Calgary Board of Education. It opened its doors in Sept. 2002.
Colonel Sanders School at a Glance
Teaching Approach
- Gradual Release of Responsibility Model Sequential learning that is structured, enriched, and purposeful
- Literacy developed through explicit phonics, spelling, and grammar
- Deep conceptual understanding of number which leads to understanding and recall of basic facts; application of these facts when solving problems in mathematics
Focus
- Character Education
French
- French as a Second Language
- Grades 1-4 with a French Specialist
Music
- Grades 1-4 with a Music Specialist
Art and Physical Education
- Grades 1-4 with the homeroom teacher
Technology
- Used to enhance instruction
Parent Engagement
- Committed parent support, including attending Learning Conferences, opportunities to volunteer
- Active support with homework, including conversation with student(s) about their learning
- Reading of agenda messages, as well as SchoolMessengers
- Active School Council
Homework
- Based on CBE's Homework policy
- Further information - Teaching & Learning page under Program, Focus and Approach
Uniforms
- Formal Uniform - first learning day of each week
- Informal Uniform - remaining school days
- Casual Days (non-uniform days) - communicated through the agenda and/or SchoolMessenger
Our School's Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
We are committed to acknowledging and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action specific to education. Our school, along with all CBE schools, made a Truth and Reconciliation Commitment to Action, on June 21, we renewed our commitment.
View Our Truth and Reconciliation Commitment | 2025-2026
School Development Plan
Each year, our school prepares a development plan with input from teachers, school staff, students and parents. We review many sources of data, including report cards, provincial achievement test results and school surveys. Based on this information, we create our plan identifying targeted areas for growth. Our school development plan is not meant to represent all of the work that takes place in our school, but rather it focuses on specific areas for improvement.
View Our School Development Plan | 2025-2026
School Improvement Results Report
Our school also prepares a results plan, which looks at our previous school year. It shows our students’ achievement and progress in meeting the goals and outcomes as set out by the CBE and Alberta Education, outlines some of the highlights of our school development plan and gives an overview of our school. You can look on the CBE website for system-wide results.