Dear Mustang Families: 

As the winter holidays draw near, we want to take a moment to reflect on our appreciation for each and every SJAM student alongside their caregivers. Student engagement in learning and caregiver communication has been invaluable to our community, and we are truly grateful.  This holiday season, we wish you and your family peace, joy, and cherished moments together. With the generosity of families, over 20 SJAM families are benefiting from our Food Drive and Gift Card Campaign through Education Matters – a 35% increase in demand over last year.  Thank you for being such an important part of our caring community that embraces empathy. May the new year bring renewed hope and happiness for each of us.  Happy Holidays! 

In the days ahead, you may want to participate in these enchanting Calgary family events: 

This past Thursday, we engaged students in Grade level pep rallies, a ‘Winter Celebration’ homeroom and the school dance.  During the Pep Rally, we recognized our student-athletes and surprised our Jr. Boys Basketball team with t-shirts recognizing their status as Division Champions!  Congratulations Boys! The Leadership classes were exceptionally well organized, generating activities for every SJAM student to enjoy.  We also learned the most celebrated Winter family holidays at SJAM include Christmas, Eid, Hanukkah / Chanukah, Yule, Winter Solstice, Ukrainian Christmas, and Lunar New Year.  Every celebration we learned about is enjoyed by our families (Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Bodi Day, St. Lucia Day, Las Posadas, Simbang Gabi, Feast of the 7 Fishes, Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day, and Carnival).  At the evening Cultural Dance, students enthusiastically brought the day to a close in a unifying way on the dance floor.  Our staff strives to support cultural awareness thereby fostering a more cohesive and inclusive community. 

In the week ahead, students are encouraged to participate in the Door Decorating competition (Judging Thursday morning).  There is also a contest in the Student D2L Shell for ‘CBE Cultural Dates of Significance’ (https://d2l.cbe.ab.ca/d2l/loginh/).  For every entry received by Friday January 10th, students have their name entered in a draw for a $25.00 gift card.   

Athletics:  Mr. Jones 

Volleyball will be starting the first week back in January.  This means that tryouts will begin the first day.  Please see the tryout/practice schedule for the first 3 ½ weeks.  Items to note: 

  • Morning practices will run from 7am-8am. 
  • Afternoon practices will likely run from 3pm – 4:30pm.  The number of students trying out could impact this end time.  
  • Should a grade 8 student wish to try out for the Sr team, they are welcome to do so.  They may be asked to also attend Jr tryouts when possible.   

To know if your family’s personal schedule (i.e. your child’s other extracurricular activities) conflict with the upcoming season, here is the league schedule.   

We encourage all parents to encourage their children to take a healthy risk and come out to Volleyball.  It is a great game that they could play for years and years to come.   

Leadership:  Ms. Hudson and Ms. Ralph 

Huge thanks once again to everyone who donated to the food drive!  We will be announcing the homeroom with the most donations this upcoming week.  Your generosity makes a huge difference, and it was truly heartwarming to see all of the hampers come together! 

Thanks also go out to all of students, staff and parent volunteers who came out to our winter dance.  It’s always great to see the energy out on the floor! 

This week, we are gearing up for holidays with a week full of spirit day fun.  

Monday, December 16 – Channel your Flannel 

Tuesday, December 17 – Red and Green 

Wednesday, December 18 – Festive Hat/ Hair 

Thursday, December 19 – Ugly Sweater Day 

Friday, December 20  - PJ Day 

School Calendar 

Ongoing   

  • Homework Hotel – Monday to Thursday (your child can stay indoors at lunchtime)! 
  • YMCA Prairie Chickens for Indigenous students:  October 8 to June 6:  every Tuesday and Thursday afterschool at SJAM – contact is Jimmy (YMCA) and Ms. Bethany. Free. 
  • City of Calgary – Calgary Afterschool at Thornhill Aquatic and Rec Center:  Contact is Kirsten Pilger: kpilger@calgary.ca; Tuesday and Thursday afterschool (5:00 – 6:00 pm); September 17 – June 12.  Free.  
  • Chinese Academy:  every Saturday at SJAM 
  • Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (new Canadians) free afterschool program on Monday at SJAM.  Contact:  Sevim Kocak - SKocak@cbfy.ca  

Thursday December 12:   

December 16 – 20:  Spirit Week 

Monday December 16:  Channel Your Flannel 

Tuesday December 17:  Red and Green 

Wednesday December 18:  Festive Hat/Hair 

Thursday December 19:  Ugly Sweater Day 

Friday December 20:  PJ Day 

Thursday December 19:  Locker Clean Out before the break 

Friday December 20:  Last day of classes before the Winter Break

January 6, 2025:  First day of classes after Winter Break 

January 10, 2025: CBE Dates of Significance Contest:  (https://d2l.cbe.ab.ca/d2l/loginh/).  For every entry received, students have their name entered in a draw for a $25.00 gift card.   

January 16, 2025:  Grade 9 SJAM students visit John Diefenbaker High School 

January 23, 2025:  Crescent Heights High School Open House, including Spanish Bilingual Program 

Together We Make A Difference!