Dear Mustang Families
As we start this week, families may have questions about the CUPE strike. The CBE is committed to supporting student learning and well-being while maintaining safe and welcoming school environments for students, staff, and families. All updates will be at: CBE Labour Action.
Update: Our Grade 6 Open House is postponed; we hope to welcome our Grade 6 families soon!
SJAM School Council members are asking for your help. They have been given a $1,000 grant that is used to support learning for parents. What ideas might you have? Please email: sjam.council@gmail.com.
This past week, the Administration presented the 2024-25 School Development Plan to families during the School Council meeting:
School Improvement Results: 2023-24
SJAM School Development Plan: 2024-25
SJAM Report to Parents and Guardians on Fees: 2023-24
If you were unable to attend, you are welcome to provide your feedback to our Leadership Team by Wednesday March 5, 2025: Sir John A. Macdonald School Planning Survey 2025 | Middle/Junior. The survey will take approximately 7-10 minutes to complete.
We are excited about our upcoming week as we strive to generate a learning space that is welcoming, caring, respectful and safe for 100% of students. Please encourage your child to participate in the following Spirit Week Activities led by Leadership and our GSA (Ms. Hudson, Ms. Ralph, Ms. Clairmont):
Monday Feb 24 – Our Future is Bright – wear neon or bright colors to celebrate things to come
Tuesday Feb 25 – Rainbow Day – wear all the colors of the rainbow to celebrate inclusion
Wednesday Feb 26 – Pink Shirt Day – wear pink to promote kindness and end bullying
Thursday Feb 27 – Mustang Day – wear Mustang gear or black & yellow to show school pride
Friday Feb 28: No school for students – Professional Learning Day for teachers
Gentle reminder: it may be time to purchase basic school supplies like pencils, pens, erasers, paper and binders for your child. We do have free binders in Student Services if your child needs one. A simple calculator, from the Dollar Store, is also recommended in SMATH classes. Thank you, in advance, for having a conversation with your child about their school supplies.
The Calgary Vietnamese Association for Encouragement of Learning yearly scholarships are available for students in Grade 7-12. The deadline is February 28 for submissions. Scholarships are given out on May 24, 2025.
Athletics Update: Mr. Jones
Good news: our volleyball season will continue despite the strike. Unfortunately, student spectators are no longer permitted while family members are encouraged to continue attending. Siblings of players must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. SJAM students will be reminded in the PE classes this week.
The volleyball schedule this week includes our teams playing all away games.
Feb 24 (Boys) SJAM at QE | Feb 25 (Girls) SJAM at QE | Feb 26 (Boys) SJAM at TBR | Feb 27 (Girls) SJAM at TBR |
Community News | CBE Staff are not present at these events.
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 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 CANCELLED
Friday February 28: Non-Instruction Day – no school for students
Thursday March 6: Retro Spirit Day and Dance – dance will not take place if strike continues
Monday March 10: MADD presentation for Grade 9 students (9:00 – 10:00 am): Mothers Against Drunk Drivers - ‘no alcohol, no drugs, no victims’
- If you think your child will be triggered by the MADD presentation, please let Ms. Hornby know (mahornby@cbe.ab.ca) so an alternate activity can be considered.
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.
Monday March 17: Special Homeroom on Mental Well-Being (regular classes in the morning)
Tuesday March 18 and Wednesday March 19: Optional Grade 9 Immunizations – notices were provided to families by AHS. If you need support or have questions, please contact Ms. Reynolds (sareynolds@cbe.ab.ca).
Tuesday March 18: School Council Meeting (6:30 – 8:00 pm) - online if the CUPE strike continues
Wednesday March 19: Locker cleanout before Spring Break
Thursday March 20 and Friday March 21: Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences.
- Students will attend school on Thursday given conferences are in the evening.
- No school for students on Friday given conferences are during the day.
- If the CUPE strike continues: all conferences likely online.
- If the CUPE strike ends: in person conferences on Thursday; virtual on Friday.
Together we make a difference!