Dear Mustang Families
Gratitude is extended to the many current Mustang Students who supported the Grade 6 Open House this past Thursday evening. This event was delayed due to the CUPE strike but offered a dynamic and engaging welcome to our nervous new students. Our Band Students, alongside Ms. Armstrong, offered another inspirational visit to feeder schools this past Tuesday. Mr. Stephen Ross, the Principal of Beddington shared: I wanted to thank you for sharing your band with us this morning. They put on an amazing show again this year and were incredibly pleasant and respectful role models the entire time they were here! Parents – your children embrace leadership opportunities, and we are grateful to have so many Mustang students who are proud to represent their school in exceptional ways.
Joy O (8-7), Bella M (7-2), Rida E (9-7) and Athena W (9-6) were recognized as the Mustang of the Week in May. These four students exemplify a commitment to themselves alongside the learning environment. Their peers and staff see them as classmates who make positive contributions to school culture, strive for academic success, and engage in acts of service to the school. Congratulations Joy, Bella, Rida and Athena!
The Calgary Board of Education strives to ensure that all schools are safe and caring places for students and staff. As a public school system, we welcome students from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and beliefs. At Sir John A. Macdonald School, we have honoured and recognized our school community throughout the school year with events such as Orange Shirt Day, Commun-I-Teas, Black History Month, Culture Day, CBE Dates of Significance on our TVs, Spirit Weeks, and hosting Guest Speakers.
June is Pride Month Internationally, while Aug. 26-31 is Calgary Pride Week, a time to recognize the pursuit of equality and rights for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. The CBE is committed to safe and caring learning and work environments for 2SLGBTQ+ students and staff. At Sir John A. Macdonald School, we will recognize this through lunchtime announcements, slides for our TVs, mini posters, a ‘Why Pride Matters’ Bulletin board in the library featuring facts about LBGTQ+ history, flags and terms alongside age-appropriate books and biographies, the opportunity to make rainbow bracelets and pride pins, writing positive messages about pride in chalk in our courtyard and a lunchtime Pride Poetry Slam with our GSA members. If you have any questions, you are welcome to reach out to Ms. Hornby (mahornby@cbe.ab.ca).
We acknowledge that each family and community have unique experiences with different recognitions and celebrations, and any commemorative activities in our schools may be perceived differently. Classroom-based activities and lessons that promote diversity and inclusion are not subject to exemptions as they are in alignment with the Education Act
Leadership Update: Ms. Ralph
Great job Open House Volunteers! You represented our school very well!
Athletics Update: Mr. Jones
Track and field practices continue this week as coaches are to finalize and post teams by Wednesday. Paperwork for the June 11 track meet at Foothills Athletic Park will be sent home soon thereafter. The most updated track schedule can be found here.
Community News: CBE Staff do not attend these events.
Tuesday June 17: 1:00 – 3:30 pm – City of Calgary Event - Exploring Our Place in Reconciliation: This hands-on event will give you tools to reflect on your learning action to support Reconciliation through action! Through collage, writing, and discussion, participants will expire themes of fear, bravery and action. by the end of the session, participants will have plans for meaningful collective and individual actions in our communities. Please register by emailing Sage: sage.wheeler-ramnauth@calgary.ca.
City of Calgary Grant: Do you live in Highland Park, Huntington Hills or Greenview? Small actions can have big impacts. Our grants help residents take action towards building inclusive neighborhoods. Grants up to $1,000 are provided for activities focusing on social inclusion, economic participation, anti-racism or truth and reconciliation. For more information, please email: christina.buchan@calgary.ca; sage.wheeler-ramnauth@calgary.ca.
University of Calgary Initiative: We know parenting isn’t always easy — especially when it comes to talking about friendships, dating, and boundaries. That’s why we created ConnectED Parents - free, research-backed initiative that helps parents guide children aged 6–20 toward healthy, respectful relationships. Starting in September 2025, those who sign up will get 2–3 short, practical texts each week — tips, tools, and ideas you can use in real life. Over 6 months, you’ll receive around 70 messages to help you: Start (or continue) open, honest conversations about relationships and dating, Boost your confidence as a parent in connecting with your child, Prevent dating violence before it starts. This initiative is led by Shift, a research hub at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work. And there's more — you can also provide your feedback to help us continue to improve the initiative for other families. Want to learn more or sign up? https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_782Y1lwgpX8lSF8 Have questions? Please email Lianne Lee at LiLee@ucalgary.ca, and stay up-to-date with us on social media. Let’s help the next generation build safe, strong relationships - it all starts with you!
School Calendar
Ongoing:
- Homework Hotel – Monday to Thursday (your child can stay indoors at lunchtime)!
- Targeted MATH support with Ms. Sterling at lunch: Thursdays
- 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: Graduation on Saturday June 7th!
Monday June 2: Report cards no longer visible to parents - teachers are working behind the scenes.
Thursday June 5: Band Spring Concert (7:00 – 8:30 pm)
Friday June 6: SJAM Library books due
Wednesday June 11: Track and Field Meet
Thursday June 12: Soup Sisters at lunch
Friday June 13:
- Grade 9 Math PAT – Part A (no calculators)
- Locker clean out
Monday June 16: Grade 9 PAT - ELA Part B (multiple choice)
Tuesday June 17: Grade 9 PAT - Math Part B (calculators allowed – no graphic calculators permitted)
Wednesday June 18: Grade 9 PAT - Social Studies
Thursday June 19: Grade 9 PAT – Science
Wednesday June 25: Grade 9 Farewell
5:40 pm: doors open
6:00pm: Program begins
7:00 - 9:00 pm: Dance for the Grade 9 students
Thursday June 26:
- Final Assembly – students dismissed after nutrition break
- Mark appeals: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Friday June 27: Mark appeals: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Together we make a difference!