Pulse Newsletter

A year-end message from the Executive Director

Dear friend,

I must admit, I feel a bit like a kid again these days. Walking through the hallways of our new Sunridge building feels like unwrapping a big, bright, joyful gift.

But the gift isn’t for me. It’s for the hundreds of children who fill these classrooms and play spaces with laughter, curiosity, and friendship.

In this new space, children with diverse abilities will take meaningful steps forward. Some will say their first words. Some will learn to walk. Many will make their first friends.

This new building makes all of that possible, and we would not be here without you.

You attended our fundraising events, donated online, joined Champions for Children, and volunteered your time and energy. With every act of generosity, you helped us secure the specialized resources in our new building that allow children to adapt, learn, and thrive.

From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the children and families we serve, thank you for making 2025 a special year. Pacekids Programs is the community of growth and hope that it is today because of you.

Wishing you warmth this holiday season and a happy new year,

Alex Reed

Executive Director

Pacekids Programs

Feel the impact

One child who is taking big new steps (literally) in the new Sunridge location is… 

HUNTER!

4-year-old Hunter loves jamming to music and helping his mother cook, but nothing compares to getting outside to see the world.

“Hunter is more adventurous,” said Helen, Hunter’s mother. “He wants to go outside and walk around our condo complex – he’s the explorer.”

Adventuring used to be a challenge for Hunter. Like his twin brother, Miles, Hunter experienced mobility limitations early in life due to autism spectrum disorder. He spent his toddler years stuck on the floor and feeling down.

“To be completely honest, I had very little hope they were going to get any better,” shared Helen.

This all changed once the twins were enrolled in Pacekids Programs, and Hunter was introduced to his teacher, Isylla.

Isylla worked hard to make Hunter feel safe and valued during his first year. She crafted a special place in her classroom, called “Hunter’s corner,” complete with a beanbag chair, weighted stuffed animals, and twinkly lights overhead.

After a few months of chilling in his corner, Hunter felt safe enough to approach new challenges. He started using a crocodile walker to build some independent walking skills! 

“We were helping Hunter in the walker for a while by pushing him along,” said Isylla. “Then, one day, he just took off. He loved it – he even smiled a few times.”

Since then, Hunter has learned to walk completely on his own, and now enjoys the same freedom as his friends. 

Hunter is more inclined to participate in classroom learning activities. He has achieved some huge goals, like feeding himself during snack time, and singing along to educational songs during circle time. 

“Hunter, Miles, and all the other kids at Pacekids are the seeds, and they are being watered with the therapy they need to sprout and grow,” said Helen.

Would you like to support hundreds of children like Hunter? Donate to Pacekids Programs before 12 midnight on December 31 to receive a tax receipt for 2025. 

For our families

2026 - 2027 ECS Enrollment Opens January 15th, 2026

Pacekids provides preschool and kindergarten programs for children (aged 2 years 8 months to 6 years) with diverse needs that can be accessed through Program Unit Funding (PUF) with Alberta Education.

Interested?

Fill out our ECS Inquiry Form and our ECS Intake team will connect with you about next steps.

For questions or assistance, please contact our ECS Intake team at 403-234-7876 or ecsintake@pacekids.ca.

Click the button below to explore our ECS program website.

Pacekids Open House

Mark your calendars for our Open House at our NEW Sunridge location.

Date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. - 12 noon

Where: #130 2850 Sunridge Blvd NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6G2

Tour our bright, welcoming facility and discover our classrooms, sensory rooms, gym, and specialized learning spaces. Meet the passionate educators, Classroom Therapy Aides, and therapists who make our programs exceptional.

This is your chance to ask questions, get to know our team, and see firsthand how we support every child's growth and development.

Stay tuned for more details!

Family Engagement Session

Snow Much Fun to Move - Keep Kids Moving in Winter!

Join Esther Chu, Pacekids Physiotherapist, to learn proven strategies to keep these long winter months fun and active for our children.

Date: December 17, 2025

Time: 12 noon - 1 p.m.

Location: Online (Microsoft Teams Meeting)

Please watch your email next week for more information and a meeting link. Hope to see you there!

Community connections

This holiday season, we are thrilled to announce Pacekids has been selected as 1 of 5 local charities to participate in the 2025 Giving Machine Calgary! Drop by Market Mall between December 10^th and 30^th to check out this unique and meaningful community builder.

Giving Machine is a community program in partnership with non-profit organizations. It works like a vending machine where you select charitable items to donate with 100 percent of your purchase going directly to the charity.

Thank you, Giving Machine Calgary! We appreciate this creative community building opportunity.

Visit Giving Machine Calgary social media accounts for more information.  

Staff spotlight: Poonam, ECS Manager, Pacekids Sunridge

Poonam is the new ECS Manager at our Sunridge school. She works closely with teachers and classroom therapeutic aides to ensure Pacekids provides the best programming possible. Poonam was a teacher for eight years before joining Pacekids, and has taught Kindergarten, grade one and grade two. When she’s not working, Poonam loves connecting with friends and family and occasionally sneaking away for a quick nap. 

When in your life did you know you wanted work with children with diverse needs?  

"Two years ago, I moved into a role in private Kindergarten and was amazed with the supports that were available to those children. I loved watching the milestones they could hit in a supportive environment versus in a typical public school."

Did anything or anyone specifically motivate you to work with children with diverse needs?

"In teaching we call them 'Ah ha' moments. That 'lightbulb' moment when a kid 'gets it' or accomplishes a milestone. Moments like spelling their name by the end of the year, solving problems, or making friends – it is so heart-warming. At this age, the kids that come into your classroom are never the same kids that are leaving. It is so motivating!"    

What is your favorite thing about working with children? 

"The love! Spending as much time as we do with these children makes it feel like a little family. You just know you’re making a huge difference, not just in the child's life, but also for the whole family!"

What is one thing that makes you proud to work at Pacekids Programs?

"Being around all these caring adults and seeing first-hand how hard they work to make sure the children have the best education and time here. That makes me so proud!"

Have you learned anything about yourself, or life in general, because of your job?

"Looking back at how much I did not like to be in school myself drives me to make sure that schools are fun and exciting places for kids to grow and thrive – especially in these key foundational years that set them up for years to come! Also, there are times where you feel like this is just a job and you're not making a difference, but there will always be those parents and kids who have shown so much growth and they credit you with so much of it. You feel so important and those moments drive you!"

If everyone in Calgary were listening to you all at once, what is one thing you would like them to know about children with diverse needs?

"They are just kids! They love to play, run and be silly like anyone! It can look different and sometimes that means re-engineering a toy or having more support, but play is play and kids thrive on it!"