Dear Mustang Families: 

Parent/guardian, Teacher, and Student Conferences will be held on Thursday November 27 (in-person from 4:00 – 7:00 pm) and Friday November 28 (virtual on Microsoft Teams from 8:30 – 2:00 pm). Conference bookings will start tomorrow at 8:00 am; you will be able to book meetings with teachers until Thursday November 26 at noon.

To book an conference, please log into your parent MyCBE account. Once you sign up, you should receive an email confirmation. For more information, please click on the link: MyCBE School Conferences

• In preparation, please ask your child for the names of their teachers or look up your child’s schedule in MyCBE today.
• Team teacher sessions: HUM and SMATH
• 7-1, 7-2, 7-3:  Ralph/Bower, Howe 
• 7-4, 7-5, 7-6:  Greenham, Vahaaho 
• 8-1, 8-2, 8-3:  McLellan, Isackson 
• Grade 9, 8-4, 8-5, 8-6, 8-7, 8-10, 8-11: HUM and SMATH teachers are separate. 
• Conferences will be 5 minutes in length, with the option of booking a second session for a total of 10 minutes.   
• If your child is in Grade 7 or 8-1, 8-2 or 8-3, please book two successive sessions given the HUM and SMATH teachers are together. 
• If you are booking face-to-face interviews on Thursday evening, please create 5 minutes between sessions for travel time. 
• One parent can book in each time slot – you can later share virtual links for Friday’s virtual interviews. 
• If you are a CBE employee, please use a personal email address so that you don't bypass the waiting room and interrupt another conference in progress 

If you are having problems booking, please email bakwiatkowski@cbe.ab.ca, lgjensen@cbe.ab.ca, and mahornby@cbe.ab.ca.  It can feel and be confusing if this process is new to you. 

In Humanities, we have been able to start small literacy intervention groups with Ms. Cotterill (LaCotterill@cbe.ab.ca).  Our Grade 9, 8 and 7 HUM teachers generated lists of students whose diagnostic testing results indicated they will benefit from an intervention program called UFLI:   an explicit and systematic phonics program that introduces students to the foundational reading skills necessary for proficient reading. UFLI follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. UFLI is designed to be used for core instruction in the primary grades or for intervention with struggling students in any grade.  Due to high demand for the program, we will strive to generate mini sessions over the 2025-26 school year.  You are welcome to reach out to your child’s HUM teacher if you recognize your child will benefit from this intervention. 

On Thursday, Leo Barbe will speak to speak to all of our students in Grade Assemblies.   

• 9:05 – 10:05:  Grade 7 (blocks 1 and 2) 
• 10:15 – 11:15:   Grade 8 (blocks 2, nutrition break, 3) 
• 11:25 – 12:25:  Grade 9 (blocks 3 and 4) 

Mr. Barbe has spoken in schools across Canada and the United States to support mental health and inspire resiliency with this central message: ‘I can, I will’.  Leo is in Calgary this week speaking at many CBE schools.  Below are video links that elaborate on Leo’s story:  WeDay - Survivor of 2 bullets now empowers youth: Leo Barbe.  If you have any questions about the presentation, please reach out to Ms. Hornby:  mahornby@cbe.ab.ca.  If you believe your child will struggle with elements of Mr. Barbe’s message, please let Ms. Hornby know as well.  

We are proud to fully resume SJAM Clubs.  There has been one update:  our GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) will meet with Ms. Clairmont on Monday at lunch rather than Thursday.  Please encourage your child to make new friends and stay inside when it gets cold out by staying in to attend one of our 25 Clubs. 

Further Calendar updates: 

On Monday, November 17, PE/Health teachers will distribute permission forms to students for parents to provide consent to ‘opt in’ to ‘Human Sexuality’. In the past, students ‘opted out’. This is in response to legislation from the Alberta Government:  Alberta’s Education Act - Teachers | Teaching Sexual Health.  Parents/guardians are asked to please ‘opt in’ before the Winter Break.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Hornby:  mahornby@cbe.ab.ca  

Winter Hampers to support SJAM families:  November 17 – December 9 

• Financial donations can be submitted online through the Education Matters link provided below. All donations will be turned into gift cards and provided to SJAM families in need.  Please share the link with family and friends should they also want to support. All donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.  https://www.educationmatters.ca/project-matters/sir-john-a-macdonald-school/ 
• In addition, students are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to school as donations if they are able during the same time frame. These will be collected by Humanities teachers beginning on November 17.  The food items will be sent to families, in addition to the gift cards.   

Tuesday November 18 (6:30 – 8:00 pm):  School Council has been moved this meeting to next week on the request of the Chair – shifted to Tuesday November 24 -  Agenda Link 

November 20, 2025 (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM):  John Diefenbaker High School IB Information Evening Open House  

Doors Open at 5:45 PM Presentation at 6:00 – 7:30 PM:  Join JDHS staff in the Learning Commons and meet with current Grade 11 and 12 IB students. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about their experiences in the program. The Chinese Academy will also be available for information about Chinese IB courses and other programs available with their school.  If you have any questions, please email johngdiefenbaker@cbe.ab.ca or call 403-274-2240. 

NEW Club

Sign up is still taking place for a new after-school program at Sir John A. Macdonald School: Homework Helpers, a YMCA free tutoring initiative focused on supporting students in math and science.  Our goal is to build a consistent cohort of students who attend regularly (every Tuesday/Thursday) to benefit from ongoing academic support.  Learners are encouraged to attend consistently to the best of their ability. Please email Mr. Jensen (lgjensen@cbe.ab.ca) to sign up.  Start date:  Tuesday November 25 

Athletics & PE: Mr. Jones 

We’re excited to announce that our basketball teams will have the opportunity to extend their season through a special initiative. Thanks to the collaboration of schools across our division, a four-game exhibition season has been organized, allowing our athletes to compete against other school teams.   A huge thank you goes out to all our coaches for generously offering their time and energy to make this happen—we truly appreciate their commitment to our students.   

Spectator Guidelines: 

• We welcome respectful and supportive spectators at all games. Please model positive behaviour and sportsmanship at all times. 
• Home Games: SJAM students are welcome to attend and cheer on their peers. Attendance is checked at the door; entry is granted to SJAM students with perfect attendance or excused absences. 
• Away Games: Attendance is limited to athletes and their families. Siblings of athletes need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 

Additionally, if your child has not yet picked up their online clothing order, please remind them to stop by the PE office at their earliest convenience. 

Community Resources 

Calgary Police Service Cadet Corps:  FREE program with limited spots for 12 – 16-year-olds.  Runs every Thursday night from 5:45 – 9:15 pm from September to May at the CPS Headquarters (5111 – 47 Street NE).  Includes weekly challenges, volunteer opportunities and unforgettable experiences.  September 2026 start:  Apply now! 

Social Media Safety & Reducing Risks of Sexual Exploitation:  (December 7 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the McMan Main Office - 1538 25th Avenue NE)  This workshop will be geared towards families who would like to learn more about identifying and responding to sexual exploitation risk for youth/young adults in their life  *This workshop is intended for parents/natural supports, and no childcare will be available for this workshop. Please connect with Bree if you require additional planning or support to attend* . Contact:  Bree.McClellan@mcmancalgary.ca 

Calendar of events: 

November 17 – December 9:  SJAM Winter Hamper Drive 

Monday November 17:   

• 8:00 am – families can start booking for parent/teacher/student conferences 
• Human Sexuality ‘opt in’ permission forms distributed in PE classes (due back before Winter Break)  

Wednesday November 19:   

• RESTART for Grade 7 students 
• Wednesday Homeroom:  Math focus  

Thursday November 20:  Leo Barbe – Motivational Grade Assemblies for all students 

Friday November 21:  IPPs sent home to families 

Tuesday November 25:   

• Homework Helpers starts:  YMCA tutoring program for Math and Science 
• School Council Meeting (6:30 – 8:00 pm) - Learning Commons 

Wednesday November 26:   

• Restart Program for Grade 7 students 
• Wednesday Homeroom:  Literacy focus 

Thursday November 27: 

• Signed IPPs returned to SJAM teachers
• In person Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences:  4:00 – 7:00 pm 

Friday November 28:  Virtual Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences:  8:30 – 2:00 pm 

Together, We Make A Difference!