Dear Mustang Families: 

This past Friday, students engaged in a six-hour dance-a-thon alongside SJAM alumni, valued parent volunteers and 22 staff members.  Mr. Jones, Mr. O’Lain, Mr. Shelestynsky, Mr. Manery, Ms. Roston and Ms. Roston led the way with your children being transformed into dancers with advanced skills.  Yesterday a parent volunteer sent this message: Thank you so much for all your work to make the Dance-A-Thon a success! I appreciate all the effort that went into the event. It was wonderful to see so many kids dancing and having a great time with their peers. It was remarkable to see a large crowd of young people perform so many different dances with such joy and enthusiasm. This optional annual event will return next year for your children to enjoy.  The power of music to enhance everyone’s well-being is well documented.  If your child wasn’t able to attend, we encourage you to enjoy some dancing together at home.   

In Humanities classes tomorrow, semester two schedules will be distributed.  Students had an opportunity to change their option choices the first two weeks of January.  Semester two begins on Tuesday.   Friday is an organizational day - there is no school for students.

Report cards and IPPs are also released tomorrow.  Please your MyCBE account to view the report card.  If you are having difficulties accessing your account, please contact Ms. Ms. Shaima Ibrahaim (shibrahim@cbe.ab.ca).  Your child will be provided with hard copies of the IPPs on Monday.  Please sign and return the last page if you support the learning accommodations.  Families are welcome to reach out with any questions through email.    

On Monday January 27, eight SJAM students will be attending a “Well Being Champion”  Symposium at Mount Royal University along with Ms. Greenham and Ms. Hornby.  Mariam (94) and Julian (81) will open the day for Middle Schools in the CBE with the CBE Acknowledgement of the Land.  Other SJAM representatives include Bernadette (77), Mattias (95), Emerson (72), Amy (82), Joy (87) and Brian (84). The media has also asked us to interview SJAM students – you may see one of our student leaders on the news Monday evening.  This group of student leaders will lead well-being initiatives in semester two and beyond.  

The Calgary community is also looking for leaders.  Your children can grow their confidence and self-esteem through leadership training. LEAD is coming to Thornhill Aquatic and Recreation Center with the following skill building themes: 

  • become more involved in the community. 
  • be involved in new opportunities and activities. 
  • develop meaningful relationships. 
  • enhance resumes and scholarship applications. 

The participants will develop and practice leadership skills while earning credibility, recognition and opportunities at school, work and in the community. Participants are required to complete 20 hours of practicum experience and will receive a certificate of completion.  Plese follow the link to learn more about LEAD - Youth leadership programs 

The Calgary Board of Education will celebrate Family Literacy week from January 26 to February 2nd to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. The theme of this year's Literacy Week is Learn to Be Green – Together, emphasizing the importance of nurturing both our planet and our community. The CBE Literacy & Early Learning Team is celebrating Family Literacy Day by sharing information and activities to support literacy development at home and at school.  Calgary taxpayers see the value in literacy offering free library cards.  There are many free services beyond the ability to borrow a book! 

Athletics Update:  Mr. Jones 

This week, volleyball games begin.  Please remember that any students travelling to other schools to support our volleyball teams need to have an adult accompany them.  Students and teams are not allowed to enter visiting schools until 3:45pm.  Students that wish to show support at our home games are welcome to do so.   Good luck Mustangs! 

See the schedule below. 

27  

Boys 1 

SJAM at GPV 

28  

Girls 1 

SJAM at GPV 

29  

Boys 2 

TBR at SJAM 

30  

Girls 2 

TBR at SJAM 

Leadership:  Ms. Hudson and Ms. Ralph 

Thank you to all of the semester one Leadership students for your efforts in making SJAM great!  We appreciate each and every one of you and all of your hard work.   We are excited to kick off semester two pairing up with Mount Royal nursing students to talk about loving yourself, just in time for Valentines Day! 

Community News:  Note - CBE Staff does not attend these events.    

Thursday January 30: 4:30 – 6:30 pm. Youth Drop-In Night.  #3, 176 Bedford Drive NE. 13 – 17 years old.  Come for pizza, games and discussions.  Once a month on a Thursday.  Please sign up using the link.  (Feb 27, March 27, April 24, May 29, June 26).  Brought to you by ‘Closer to Home Community Services’. 

Friday January 31, 2025 (3:00 – 4:00 pm): Thorncliffe/Huntington Hills Youth Council: open to all 12–18-year-olds.  Snacks provided.  Judith Umbach Library: 6617 Centre Street North.  

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.   Full details in 'Closer to Home' link below.

Closer to Home:   

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 January 27:    

Tuesday January 28: First day of semester two. 

Wednesday January 29: 

Thursday January 30:  Bowness Open House - High Performance Athlete Development Pathway (HPAD) is a reason for transfer.  

Friday January 31:  Non-Instruction Day – no school for students 

February 3 – 6:  Nations Vision Clinic at SJAM 

February 4 – 6:  CBE Student Survey in classes 

Monday February 10 (updated due to numerous school lotteries) – March 15:  High School transfers can begin – link will be updated when the CBE has updated the information for 2025-26.  2024-25 link. 

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 

Friday March 15:    

Together we make a difference!