Buchanan School

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Email: Buchanan@cbe.ab.ca
Phone: (403) 777-6260
Fax: (403) 777-6262

School Hours: AM: 9:00 ~ PM: ~ 3:30

School Location

3717 Centre Street North
Calgary , AB
T2E 2Y2

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Buchanan School is located in the northwest community of Highland Park. Buchanan School serves the communities of Greenview - south of McKnight (bussed), Tuxedo Park and Highland Park. Students from Buchanan Elementary School move to Georges P. Vanier School for Grades 7 to 9 and then on to James Fowler High School. In addition, of the students come from outside the school's designated boundary.

About the School

The school was built in 1950 and is situated on 4.244 acres. The school has 8 classrooms, two system SKILL classes, a library (with a computer lab), a music room, an ESL room and a gymnasium. The school offers a morning kindergarten program. The Employee Health Resource Centre occupies 4 classrooms in the west wing of the school. Ranchlands Kids Come First (Out of School Care Provider) shares a classroom with the music program.

About School Name

Buchanan School was named for Dr. Frank Gordon Buchanan who served as superintendent for the Calgary Board of Education for 16 years and retired in 1951. It was under construction in 1950 and opened in 1951 with 9 teachers, 353 students grades 1-6 and 61 students attending kindergarten. The school was added onto again in 1953. The first Principal at Buchanan School was Miss Verna Milburn.

School Mission

At Buchanan School our vision is to provide quality learning oppunities for all students within a safe, caring community. Buchanan Elementary School's mission and purpose encompasses the academic, emotional, physical and social dimensions to provide quality learning opportunities for all students. We respect the uniqueness and diversity of individuals and endeavour to create an environment which promotes dignity, worth and a sense of belonging, as well as preparation for living contributing to society.

School Motto

Together We Are Better. The school mascot is a dolphin called 'Frankie". The students chose a dolphin because dolphins swim together in pods, interact well with humans and are extremely intelligent. The dolphin mascot supports our motto "Together We Are Better". The grade six students have adopted a dolphin called "Spinnaker" from the Vancouver Aquarium. Each year the grade six students fundraise to support "Spinnaker" and this dolphin is the legacy for the grade six class each year.

Unique Points

Buchanan has an excellent academic program which is student-centered.
The small school environment enables students to frequently interact with others of all ages.
Staff, students and parents work closely together to model and foster good citizenship qualities.
A Virtues Project, based on Dr. Michelle Borba's research on Moral Intelligence promotes character education principles.
The Parent Community is highly involved and supportive of the school.
The vibrant partnership with the Rotary Club of Calgary North, Chinook and Kiwanis Club and Breakfast Clubs of Canada is beneficial to all at Buchanan and supports Buchanan with an annual budget for libary literacy resources,donations od bikes and helmet, books and a breakfast. In addition Rotary members read with our students on a weekly basis. This partnership was established in 1995.
Ranchlands Kids Come First is an out-of-school care provider.
Buchanan has a Comphrensive School Health Intiative whereby we receive support from the NSTEP program to promote active and healthy life style choices.
An Intregrated School Resource Team has a strong committment to meeting the individual needs of every student.
Community agencies work in collaboration with staff to meet the needs of our students and their families to promote educational success and to help our students thrive in a diverse society. Community partnerships that the school embraces include: FANS, Book Bags for Kids, Calgary Firefighters Toy Association, Jacket Racket, Christmas Hampers, In School Residency Programs.