Dear Mustang Families 

Thank you to the many family members who joined us for the Spring Band Concert this past Thursday night.  Ms. Armstrong and her talented musicians offered an evening of popular music, while the audience was entertained and engaged.  It is truly amazing how much growth our students showed in their musical development – we are very proud of this large cohort of Mustang students. 

On Saturday, Ms. Hornby was invited to the Chinese Academy Graduation activities at John G. Diefenbaker School.  What a magical day, with so many current and former SJAM students recognized for their accomplishments.  Families can sign up, including learners who do not currently speak Chinese:  Chinese Academy Registration Details 

On Monday June 9, the Diefenbaker and SJAM School Council arranged for a petting zoo in the back field at lunchtime.  All students are welcome to attend, with the recognition that students with animal allergies should stay away!  This has become an annual event, with the School Council generating community building opportunities for our students.  Thank you to our dedicated parents: Rose, Michelle, Jennifer, Kara, and Hope!  With sunshine forecasted, it will be a beautiful opportunity to meet some local farm animals. 

On Thursday June 12, Soup Sisters will visit SJAM for the final time this year.  This group of dedicated volunteers comes to the school once a month offering two soup selections and generating a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere.  Thank you to this team of dedicated volunteers, Ms. Dawson and leadership students for providing essential logistical support.  SJAM is fortunate to be a school that receives this program!  Here is some background information if you are curious:  Soup Sisters - All About Us 

To support the PAT schedule, we will be shifting the location of classes to create a quiet Grade 9 zone.  We will clearly sign the classrooms to offer support to 100% of students.  Our second PAT will take place on Friday, with the Part A Math final:  a mental math and estimation section designed to assess fundamental skills and fluency in topics like rational numbers, powers, exponent laws, and square roots, without using a calculator. It consists of 20 numerical-response questions.  Here are sample questions that your children have been tackling:  PAT Math Part A Released Items 

Since Grade 7, our SMATH teachers have been striving to prepare students for this assessment. Please encourage your child to do their best – the results on this exam are shared with families, to give students a sense of how they are doing by provincial standards.  Regardless of the outcome, students transition into high school math - See Page 10 and 11.   

Note: we moved locker cleanout given the need to provide students with a secure place for their phones and personal belongings during the PAT schedule.  New date: Monday June 23 (moved from this Friday).  Students are encouraged to start taking personal items home. 

Athletics Update:  Mr. Jones 

Our track and field team has been selected as the track meet is this Wednesday (June 11).  Congrats to all athletes that made the team and who will compete on behalf of the school.   In preparation, students were given paperwork on Thursday (June 5) at lunch at our meeting.  We strongly encourage parents and students to read over the important and pertinent information in the parent letter and return the signed documents by Monday (June 9). There will be another mandatory meeting on Tuesday at lunch in the gym to answer any questions students may have regarding the track day.  One area that we will stress with the students is bringing more food and water than you think you will need.  Dressing accordingly for the weather is also imperative, especially since rain is forecasted.  Should parents have questions, please direct them to Mr. O’Lain (jmolain@cbe.ab.ca) or Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca). We look forward to an excellent day of fun, camaraderie, competition and new experiences for your children.   

Community News:  CBE Staff do not attend these events. 

New - Free Summer Camps for Girls:  Women's Center of Calgary for grades 4 to 9.  The programs provide girls, Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary children and youth a safe space to share their knowledge of leadership, activism, and community building. Our camps include: 

• various activities such as crafts, games and discussions 
• engaging guest workshops and Renfrew Educational Services will be joining us to lead a mindfulness activity.  
• field trip to the zoo to discuss environmentalism and preservation of animal habitats.   
• all craft supplies, snacks, and lunches.  
• Bus tickets will be available for participants to attend the program as needed. 
• All programs will be held at The Women’s Centre of Calgary (39 4th St. NE) 

Each camp runs 9am-4pm and the dates are as follows: 

• July 7-10 Girl Power (grades 4-6) 
• July 14-17th Girl Force (grades 7-9) 
• July 28-31 Girl Power (grades 4-6) 
• August 11-14 Girl Force (Grades 7-9) 

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.  

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 (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! 

For the rest of these 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 

Basketball – offered at the Genesis Center - Link 

Volleyball – offered at the Genesis Center - link 

Tennis – locations vary and some are to be determined - link 

Rugby – offered at Dover - link 

Soccer Lessons in Huntington Hills:  link 

When:  July 8 – 31 

Where:  Sir John A. Macdonald School Field 

Ages 6 – 8:  Tuesday and Thursdays – 6:15 – 7:30 pm – Course ID 109940 

Ages 9 – 12:  Tuesday and Thursdays – 7:30 – 8:45 pm – Course ID 109942 

Cricket:  link 

When:  July 6 – August 24 on Sunday 

Where:  Sir John A. Macdonald School Field 

Ages 6 – 8:  9:15 – 10:30 am – Course ID 109902 

Ages 9 –12:  10:30 – 11:45 am – Course ID 109905 

Sports Lessons:  July 7 – July 30 

Monday and Wednesday – Thornciliffe Greenview Community Association and Rec Center 

9 – 12 years old:  Course ID – 109916 

13 – 17 year olds:  Course ID – 100918 

Badminton:  link 

When:  July 7 – 30 

Where:  Thorncliffe Greenview Communication Association and Rec Center 

Ages 9 – 12:  5:15 – 6:30 pm – Course ID:  109916 

Ages 13 – 17:  6:30 – 7:45 pm – Course ID:  109918 

School Calendar   

Ongoing:   

• Homework Hotel – Monday to Thursday (your child can stay indoors at lunchtime)!   
• Targeted MATH support with Ms. Sterling at lunch:  Thursdays   

Past due: 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) 

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 

Monday June 23:  Locker clean out (new date) 

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!