Dear Mustang Families:

Gentle reminder: there are no classes for students on Friday due to virtual Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences. On Thursday, our regular bell schedule will take place, followed by face to face conferences (4:00 – 8:30 pm). Sign up details in the calendar.

In our weekly message, we have a statement from Lora Pillipow, the Deputy Minister of Education in Alberta: I encourage you to join me, along with your staff, students, and families, in recognizing the importance of working together to prevent bullying, promote healthy relationships, and support those impacted by bullying behaviours. For information on recognizing, preventing and responding to bullying in schools, please visit Teen Dating Violence for Educators | Healthy Relationships – PREVNet (Parent Link) and Bullying for Educators | PREVNet. (Parent Link)

You can strengthen your child’s resiliency and ability to overcome bullying by:

With the cold weather, students have the option of attending a Club or Homework Hotel (Monday to Thursday) at lunchtime. Students who do not want to attend a teacher sponsored event will spend half of the lunch break outdoors (12:47 pm – 1:07 pm). Students are expected to dress in weather-appropriate clothing including footwear, coats, hats and mittens/gloves. An optional indoor lunch will take place when temperatures of -20 Celsius exist, including wind-chill. The cell phone ban continues at lunch while students are in school.

Our Parent Society is helping to support the Quebec/Montreal/Quebec City optional plant fundraiser: orders due by noon - November 25. In the link, scroll down the page for more details.

Leadership Update: Ms. Hudson and Ms. Ralph

Our annual SJAM food drive is off to a great start! Huge thanks to all of those students and families who have brought items in already. This is an annual SJAM tradition that directly supports families from our school. Students are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to their SMATH teachers, starting November 18 to support our school community. Monetary donations can also be made using the link below. All donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt. Thank you so much for your generosity.

Link: SJAM Food Drive

Big thanks to all who participated in our November spirit day this past Wednesday: when teachers dress like students and students dress like teachers, it is always a hit and good for a laugh!

As we cruise into December, we are busy getting ready for our winter dance, taking place on December 12. We are exploring holidays around the world, and student are invited to wear festive cultural outfits, both during the day and in the evening.

Athletics Update: Mr. Jones

Basketball: Big congrats to the Jr. Girls, Sr, Girls and Sr Boys for their efforts in their playoff matches this past week. Unfortunately, the division title dream came to an end as all three teams came up short despite great efforts. Huge thanks to all the parents that drove and were supportive of your child in this year's athletic endeavor. Also, incredible gratitude goes to Ms. Zakus, Ms. Roston, Mr. Manery, Mr. Shelestynsky, Ms. Bartley and Mr. O’Lain for leading the Sr Girls, Jr Girls and Sr Boys respectively. Coaching basketball requires a lot of sacrifice of the coach's personal time. Without them there is no season.

The Jr Boys team however, advanced through their quarter-final and semi-final games and now play for the Shaganappi division championship at 5:15pm on Monday Nov 25 at WD Pratt school. Best of luck boys. Go Mustangs!

Community Events

AARC: Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre offers a community of care, where young people, their parents, peer counsellors and specially trained staff work together. Above all, AARC is for families — families united against addiction. If you need support for a loved one, please reach out to AARC.

Planet Youth ‘Thorncliffe/Huntington Hills Youth Council”: The organizational meetings - November 28 and December 6 - thorncliffe.huntingtonhills@planetyouthcalgary.com - every SJAM student who wants to make a difference is encouraged to attend! Registration Link

Hindu Heritage Day Invitation: Nov 30,2024 – 12:00-4:00 pm – November is Hindu Heritage Month. As Canadians recognize the ways in which Hindu Canadians have contributed to our communities, our country & to the world civilization, they see the need to support Calgarians in becoming more aware of Hindu culture. The Calgary Public Library is hosting this celebration in the Grand Patricia Whelan Auditorium: 800 3 Street SE. Free.

School Calendar

Ongoing:

  • Food Drive – donations and non-perishable food items are greatly appreciated. All donations are returned to SJAM families in need.
  • Homework Hotel – Monday to Thursday (your child can stay indoors at lunch time)!

Tuesday November 26 (4:30 – 6:30 pm): Indigenous Students Post Secondary Recruitment Fair at Henry Wise Wood School (910 – 75 Avenue SW, Calgary) in the courtyard.

Thursday November 28 | 10:00am-11:30am | CBE Well-Being Series - Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens; Unique Struggles for those Emotional Feelers | Tracy Fields, MSW, RSW - Pre-register here

Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences

Book with MyCBE

Thursday November 28: In person Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences (4:00 – 8:30 pm)

Friday November 29: Virtual Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences (8:30 – 1:00 pm)

  • You can ALWAYS reach out to SJAM staff – if you have concerns, you are welcome to contact us at anytime.

Saturday November 30: last day for optional yearbooks through the MyCBE

Tuesday December 3: Band Field Trip to MRU

Wednesday December 4: MRU Nursing Students – Health Fair in the Learning Commons at lunch

Thursday December 5: Band Winter Concert in the evening

Wednesday December 11: Pep Rally

Thursday December 12: School Dance - wear festive cultural outfits, both during the day and in the evening.

Thursday December 19: Locker Clean Out before the break

Friday December 20: Last day of classes before the Winter Break

Winter holidays

January 6, 2025: First day of classes after Winter Break

January 16, 2025: Grade 9 SJAM students visit John Diefenbaker High School

January 23, 2025: Crescent Heights High School Open House, including Spanish Bilingual Program

Together We Make A Difference!