Dear Mustang Families:
As we begin another week of learning, our cold weather continues. We do have many Clubs going on at lunch, including Homework Hotel, for learners that prefer to stay inside. If it is –20 degrees or colder, with the wind chill, we do allow students to sit quietly in the hallways for the duration of the lunch hour. It looks like it will be warmer next week! Gentle reminder: there is no school tomorrow due to Family Day in Alberta .
Ms. Roston and our ALP students are participating in a community walk during their PE class (February 18 – 21) to support the “Coldest Night of the Year”: The Coldest Night of the Year is ‘a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities. Let’s change the tune for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there’. If you are interested in supporting our team, here is a link: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=1030049
On Tuesday February 18, the SJAM Administrative Team will be presenting the 2024-25 School Development Plan (see Related Information) to families during our monthly School Council meeting. Ms. Bethany, Indigenous Education Strategist, will also provide a mid-year update on our 2024-25 Truth and Reconciliation Commitment. Doors open at 6:15 pm for the 6:30 pm start in the Learning Commons. The full agenda will be shared on Tuesday morning. All families are welcome to attend.
During Teachers Convention, educators are inspired by many speakers. Several SJAM teachers joined Paul Brandt, local country legend, as he introduced #NotInMyCity. (see Facebook, Instagram and X for social media platforms). Mr. Brandt is a humanitarian intent on raising awareness and taking collective action to prevent and end human trafficking and sexual exploitation. In collaboration with national and international thought leaders, #NotInMyCity has developed a short, interactive e-learning course “Mobilizing Communities to Disrupt Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking in Canada”. This course is free, and available to everyone. Mr. Brandt encouraged educators to share the information with parents. Upon completion of the 30-minute course, you will be awarded a certificate. With 13-year-olds being actively recruited, this learning opportunity will help loved ones become familiar with the signs of human trafficking. The stats below are from the course:
- Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada.
- 93% of the victims are Canadian.
- Victims are as young as 13 years old.
- 69% of victims in Canada are under 25 years of age.
- 24% of victims are under 18 years of age.
- 94% are girls, with an increase in the number of boys.
- 33% of victims are trafficked by someone they know.
- Indigenous people are disproportionately impacted: about 50% of Canada’s trafficking victims are Indigenous, despite making up only 4% of the country’s population.
- Sex trafficking of minors is a severe form of child abuse, with long lasting impacts.
- Exploiters often use popular digital platforms to recruit youth. Youth should never share explicit images online – this makes them vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.
Every Mustang family joins our staff in wanting to eliminate human trafficking and ending exploitation. Our collective action can have a positive and lasting impact for vulnerable youth.
Leadership: Ms. Hudson and Ms. Ralph
Be Your Own Valentine
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Valentines Day extravaganza! Hundreds of students came to the Learning Commons on the Wednesday before Spring Break. We hope students had fun and learned lots. Special thanks to Block 3 Leadership and MRU nursing students for creating interactive games alongside the opportunity to win prizes donated by our dedicated MRU volunteers. We wish parents could have seen the contagious enthusiasm as students and staff embraced practices that empowers mental well-being in our students.
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 colors to celebrate things to come
Tuesday, February 25 – Rainbow Day – wear all the colors 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 in preparation for our Grade 6 Open House
Athletics Update: Mr. Jones
Continued luck to our Mustang Volleyball teams this week as we host three home games. While students are welcome to show support, 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 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.
Feb 18 Girls GPV at SJAM | Feb 19 Boys SPB at SJAM | Feb 20 Girls SPB 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.
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.
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 continue – link.
Monday February 17: Family Day in Alberta – no school for students or staff
Tuesday February 18: SJAM School Council Meeting #5: 6:30 – 8:00 pm - doors open at 6:15 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:
- Mustang Wear – wear Mustang gear or black and yellow to show school pride
- Grade 6 Open House (5:00 – 6:30 pm)
Friday February 28: Professional Learning Day – no school for students
Thursday March 6: Retro Dance
Monday March 10: MADD presentation for Grade 9 students (9:00 – 10:00 am): Mothers Against Drunk Drivers - ‘no alcohol, no drugs, no victims’
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!