Dear Mustang Families 

As we move into our final week of 2024-25, we would like to extend gratitude to our students and their families for working with SJAM staff to nurture the conditions for your child to experience academic and personal growth.  Junior high is a challenging phase for every student.  Focusing on building strong and healthy relationships, developing effective study habits, and prioritizing mental and physical well-being can support students as they move towards their personal goals.  When students falter, our staff thank parents for attending school events, communicating with teachers, and investing in their children’s academic and social lives.  Your children benefit from a positive partnership with Mustang staff.     

Staff would like to recognize students who pursue academic success, while taking steps to enrich the Mustang learning community through acts of service.  In the month of June, Mattias H-R (9-5), Teagan R (9-5), Brianna G (8-1), Carson W (7-3) and Austin C-K (9-6) are the 'Mustang of the Week' identified by their peers.  Great schools have great students: we are very proud of the acts of leadership demonstrated by so many student leaders. 

Gentle reminder: On Wednesday June 25, report cards will be visible to families.   In The Calgary Board of Education (CBE), assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning process. Assessment includes a continuous cycle of instruction, gathering and interpreting evidence from a variety of sources and responsively adjusting teaching practice. Assessment practices aim to improve student engagement in learning and to elicit evidence that accurately represents what each student knows and can do in relation to the intended learning goals.  We join each family wanting each student to be successful.  The upcoming report card offers parents and students a sense of how your child’s learning has progressed over the school year: 

We would like to thank the private donor who offered SJAM an ‘Equipping Students For Learning’ Education Matters grant for 2024-25.  Through this thoughtful donation, we were able to purchase snacks for nutrition breaks, calculators for SMATH classes, basic materials for all classes, and gift cards for families. ‘Hope’ will forever burn bright as a powerful beacon when others recognize the financial challenges faced by many families. We are deeply grateful for this generosity, which has made a lasting impact on our school community and affirmed the strength of compassion in education. 

Leadership Update: Mrs. Ralph 

A huge shout out to the 14 leadership students who volunteered at Alex Munro last Friday. The teachers and administrators were incredibly impressed with our leaders and how they interacted with the elementary students! Well done, Mustangs! 

Phys. Ed. & Athletics Update:   Mr. Jones 

With the year wrapping up, a huge thank you needs to be extended to all the AMAZING teachers that offered up their time to coach our student athletes this year.  Your child would not have opportunities to play sports without their generous donation of time in these volunteer positions. Amazing! 

Also, a huge thank you needs to be extended to Mr. Rachid, Mr. Jensen and most importantly Ms. Hornby for their unwavering support of athletics.  Many additional hours of time are added to each of their already very busy days whenever SJAM hosts a sporting event.  We are lucky to have such an amazing administration.  Much appreciated! 

Phys. Ed. -- There are a number of items that were left in the locker rooms and are now sitting on tables in the foyer. These items will be removed permanently by Tuesday end of day, so please have your child pick-up their property. 

Community Events:  CBE Staff do not supervise 

NEW:  If you are looking for activities for your children to do this summer, here is a great opportunity for all Grade 7 students in Calgary – free passes to TELUS Spark:   https://www.sparkscience.ca/purple-galaxy?srsltid=AfmBOoo_z1lvR9wv5-atzGq9USUSC5ZEky6Jd3iFaNbTB3n7IvFhMXzN 

NEW:  For English as an Additional Language Students: 

Option 1:  Session Dates: July 7 - 17  
Location: Crossing Park School [500 Martindale Blvd. NE] 
Bridge Summer Program 2025 

Option 2:  Session Dates: July 28 - August 7 
Location: Crossing Park School [500 Martindale Blvd. NE] 
Bridge Summer Program 2025 

Option 3:  Session Dates: July 7 - 17  
Location: Bob Edwards School [4424 Marlborough Dr. NE] 
Bridge Summer Program 2025 

Option 4:  Session Dates: July 28 - August 7 
Location: Bob Edwards School [4424 Marlborough Dr. NE] 
Bridge Summer Program 2025 

Option 5:  August 11 – August 15, 2025 - Location:  Crescent Heights High School [1019 1 Street NW] - Free - link:  Summer WIN/NOW Registration Form 

We are pleased to share that the YMCA is hosting FREE summer math sessions for students in Gr 9 – 12.  All sessions will run from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.  Tue (Shawnessy YMCA) and Wed (Saddletown YMCA).  Pre-sign up: https://ymcacalgary.formstack.com/forms/student_application_form_tutoring_program_copy_1 

Monday July 28 – Friday August 1:  The Calgary Police Service is hosting its second annual Indigenous Junior Police Academy, a unique summer experience designed to give youth a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a police officer. Eligibility: Indigenous youth aged 12-16.  Registration: Space is limited. Students can download application on the CPS website   

University of Calgary Initiative:  ConnectED Parents - free, research-backed initiative that helps parents guide children aged 6–20 toward healthy, respectful relationships.  

Free Summer Camps for Girls:  Women's Center of Calgary for grades 4 to 9.   

For City of Calgary events, Recreation Fee Assistance is Available through Fair Entry:  Fee Assistance.  Live and Play (Fine Arts and many other activities):  City of Calgary Registered Programs Link 

School Calendar   

Past due: School Fees and SJAM Library books 

Monday June 23:  Special Homeroom in the afternoon 

  • Locker Cleanout 
  • Yearbook Distribution and Autograph Signing (school fees need to be paid to receive a yearbook – please email Ms. Hornby (mahornby@cbe.ab.ca) if support is needed) 
  • Global Snack Stations 

Wednesday June 25:   

  • Report cards visible to all families: if you want a printed version, please ask your child to request one in the main office. 
  • 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 before nutrition break 
  • Mark appeals:  1:00 – 3:00 pm 

Friday June 27:  Mark appeals:  8:00 – 11:00 am 

Friday July 25: Last day for families to print 2024-25 report cards from home. 

Tuesday September 2:  Back to School - Sir John A. Macdonald School 

  • If your child is not returning to SJAM, but staying in the CBE, please google ‘Back to School plus your child’s new school name’ 

Together we make a difference!