Dear Mustang Families,
Gentle reminder: your families are about to enjoy five days together with our annual Teachers Convention (Calgary region) and Family Day (Alberta holiday). This list of activities may prove helpful. The Calgary Public Library continues to offer excellent programming for families that is free.
Starting tomorrow, Grade 9 parents can submit transfer requests to schools that are ‘open’ (green) or ‘limited’ (yellow) - please see the chart in this link for specific schools: Transfer possibilities. Students must select a course that is not offered at their designated high school and be willing to take it for three years in their chosen school. Your child’s designated high school is based on their primary address: Find A School. The CBE’s High School Transfer webpage will support every CBE student entering high school. Once the online transfer process closes on March 15, requests will be reviewed by schools and families will be notified if the transfer request has been accepted by April 11. Families will be asked to confirm acceptance no later than April 15.
- CBE high schools are continuing to experience enrolment growth and consequently, many schools have limited or closed status for transfers for the 2025-26 school year.
- Our priorities are to manage this growth equitably and ensure that schools have enough spaces for students who live in the communities designated to our schools. This means schools identified as being open or limited must consider school capacity and enrolment in programs or courses for students designated to attend a high school, before we can accept transfers from out-of-attendance students.
- CBE schools identified as open or limited will only be able to accept transfers for the 2025-26 school year once they ensure space exists for out-of-attendance students.
- Students interested in academic credentialed learning, such as the International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP), will be able to request this at their designated high school that offers these options.
- There are five (5) IB Programme schools in the CBE. Students who are not designated to one of these schools for the regular program will be required to submit a transfer for the IB-designated school in their Area. After March 15, the IB Programme school will determine how many spaces are available for students requiring a transfer and communicate acceptance to families by April 11.
As was the case last year, through the online registration system, the CBE will be limiting the viewable transfer options to only those that are Open or Limited status for the purpose of accepting transfers. Exceptions to this rule are the programs of choice: Performing and Visual Arts (PVA), High Performance Athlete Development (HPAD) and International Baccalaureate (IB). Your children are encouraged to speak to Ms. Billeck (Student Services) or Ms. Hornby (Principal) for support with a potential transfer.
On Tuesday, our Grade 9 students were invited to enjoy live theatre by the John Diefenbaker High School Drama department. Students will walk from SJAM to Diefenbaker for the 90-minute show (9:30 – 11:00 am). Students and staff will enjoy ‘That’s the Spirit’, described below:
After the murder of her Aunt Jenny, Irene inherits the home of a famous magician. A cast of eccentric characters tries to solve the murder, locate The Great Marvel’s fabled Book of Illusions, and maybe commit a few crimes themselves.
We extend gratitude to JDHS for the invitation!
Leadership - Ms. Hudson and Ms. Ralph
Be Your Own Valentine
Students are invited to join us in the library on Wednesday, February 12 to learn about ways to take care of and love yourself. MRU nursing students and some Grade 9s have been collaborating to share some great information about strategies to take care of all aspects of your health. There will be games, prizes, love songs, and warm hearts. Hope to see you there.
Upcoming Spirit Week
As we talk about kindness and love, we are looking ahead to Pink Shirt Day on February 26. Let’s celebrate inclusion and acceptance all week with some great spirit days!
Monday, February 24 – Our Future is Bright – wear neon or bright colours to celebrate things to come
Tuesday, February 25 – Rainbow Day – wear all the colours of the rainbow to celebrate inclusion
Wednesday, February 26 – Pink Shirt Day – wear pink to promote kindness and end bullying
Thursday, February 27 – Mustang Wear – wear Mustang gear or black and yellow to show school pride
Athletics Update - Mr. Jones
Continued luck to our Mustang Volleyball teams this week. While students are welcome to show support at our home on Wednesday (Feb 12), we please ask that no food or drink is brought in the gym/stage area. Also, we welcome students to watch, cheer and socialize with each other and not to be on their digital devices. Thanks in advance.
Note: students must attend classes for the entire day in order to be eligible to watch as spectators at SJAM. Excused absences (ie) medical appointments are permitted. If students want to attend games at another school, they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. This creates the conditions for a safe and respectful environment for student-athletes, family members and CBE staff. This practice will continue into high school environments as well.
See the schedule below.
10 Boys SJAM at CI | 11 Girls SJAM at CI | 12 Boys GPV at SJAM |
Community News - CBE Staff are not Present at these Events
Recovery Alberta, the Huntington Hills Community and the City of Calgary are hosting a ‘Substance Use and Youth’ session for families on Wednesday February 19 (6:00 – 8:00 pm) at the Georgina Thomson Building (772 Northmount Drive NW). The session description follows: It is common for youth to have many new experiences as they age, including trying out substances such as alcohol or cannabis. With their minds and bodies still developing, substance use may lead to or affect physical or mental health. It is important to talk openly about substance use with your child starting at an early age. This session will provide you with tools and resources to have meaningful conversations with the children and youth in your life. Please RSVP to christina.buchan@calgary.ca. The event is free; snacks and refreshments included.
Monday nights (Feb 10, March 10, March 31) at 5:30 pm - Roots and Reverence – this series provides an immersive experience with films, conversations, workshop designed to deepen your understanding of Indigenous history and the path to Truth and Reconciliation. Location: Georgina Thomson Office (772 Northmount Drive NW). Suitable for ages 15+. Please email amrit.gosal@calgary.ca or call Amrit at 403-371-8459 to register.
Saturday February 15 and Saturday March 1 (1:00 – 3:00 pm): Youthful Saturday at Thornhill Aquatic and Rec Center. Free Event for 12 – 17-year-olds. Board games, arts and crafts, pizza, snacks, refreshments, optional rec activity. Please email chaniece.favell@calgary.ca or text 403-371-6404 to pre-register.
February 11 – March 11 - Every Tuesday (4:30 – 5:30 pm): “Healing Hearts” - music and art-based program promoting self-esteem, confidence and control. For more information, contact FRN@closertohome.com, or call (403) 543-0555
Wed February 12 – March 19. Every Wednesday. Connecting with Confidence - Join this group and learn how to develop meaningful friendships, solve conflicts and set your own boundaries. 12 – 17 years old. Suite 3, 176 Bedford Drive NEW.
School Calendar
Ongoing
- Homework Hotel – Monday to Thursday (your child can stay indoors at lunchtime)!
- Targeted MATH support with Ms. Sterling at lunch: Thursdays
- 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
Monday February 10 – March 15: High School transfer requests can begin – link.
Tuesday February 11 (9:30 – 11:00 am): Grade 9 students will walk over to JDHS to attend their Drama performance: ‘That’s the Spirit’
Wednesday February 12: Self Care / Love SJAM Leadership Initiative
Thursday February 13 – Friday February 14: Teachers Convention – no school for students
Monday February 17: Family Day in Alberta – no school for students
Tuesday February 18: SJAM School Council Meeting #5: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Thursday February 20:
- Soup Sisters: soup for students at lunchtime
- Lifetouch in for Club and Sports Photos
Monday February 24: Our Future is Bright – wear neon or bright colours to celebrate things to come
Tuesday February 25: Rainbow Day – wear all the colours of the rainbow to celebrate inclusion
Wednesday February 26: Pink Shirt Day Canada | Order Pink Shirts | Live Stream | Donate - wear pink to promote kindness and end bullying
Thursday February 27:
a. Mustang Wear – wear Mustang gear or black and yellow to show school pride
b. Grade 6 Open House (5:00 – 6:30 pm)
Friday February 28: Professional Learning Day – no school for students
Friday March 15:
- IB Expression of Interest Due for Grade 9s going into Grade 10 (optional)
- Last day for Grade 9s to apply for a high school transfer: All SJAM students are automatically placed at their designated high school based on your child’s primary address. Schools accepting transfers in this link
Once the online transfer process closes on March 15, requests will be reviewed by schools and families will be notified if the transfer request has been accepted by April 11. Families will be asked to confirm acceptance no later than April 15.
Together we make a difference!