Dear Mustang Families 

May you be enjoying this beautiful thanksgiving weekend with loved ones.  We are appreciative of each Mustang student, and their families.  We started the school year focusing on empathy defined as the ability to understand and share the perspectives of others.  Our teachers developed thematic lessons embracing the concept; the impact has been significant resulting in a positive tone in our school as we encourage all students to actively co-generate a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe place for learning.  When issues do emerge that violate the Student Code of Conduct, students and parents are encouraged to let us know as we enact progressive student discipline.   

A factor contributing to our calm environment is the cell phone ban: a recent survey found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness.  Please encourage your children to take a social media break this weekend too! 

Families are welcome to join us in the Learning Commons on Tuesday (6:30 – 8:00 pm) at our second School Council meeting of 2024-25.  Presentations include Student Council members, Ms. Bethany Balis (Indigenous Education Strategist) and an Administration report.  The agenda will be sent on Tuesday morning. 

Photos for student ID cards and optional photo packages will be taken on Wednesday at the school.  Tips for a 'great' picture day are at this link.   

It’s only mid-October and already our lost & found is overflowing with clothing, water bottles, shoes, lunch bags, and backpacks.  Please ask your child to visit the tables in the front foyer to see if any of their belongings are there.  We also have small items such as jewelry, watches, phones, house keys, etc. in a secure area in the main office.  Anything left over at the end of the week will be donated or recycled on Friday October 18th. 

Leadership Update:  Ms. Hudson and Ms. Ralph 

Our Halloween dance is set for October 24, and we are looking forward to a great event!  This is our first evening dance of the year (5:00 - 7:30 pm), so we are hoping that you can support your child to help prepare.  Some important information/ reminders:  

  • Students are to come to the dance to enjoy time with friends and to dance. Be present with each other in a positive way – phones and all bags/ purses are to be put in lockers upon arrival and students will not have access to them for the whole dance. Surround yourself with people who you have positive relationships with…and dance.   
  • Be at school to be at the dance.  Students must be present for all classes on October 24 unless they have a medical/dentist appointment. "Regular" attendance in classes since the beginning of the school year is also a determining factor in being a guest at school dances; extenuating circumstances such as illness or family events will be taken into consideration.  
  • Plan to stay for the duration of the dance. Students are expected to stay at the dance once they arrive. If a student needs to leave early, s/he/they must have written parent permission to leave at a specific time, arranged prior to arrival at the dance.  
  • Faces must be clearly visible.   
  • Dress in school appropriate costumes or black and orange as possible. Costumes must be respectful and not include masks, weapons, profanity, disrespectful cultural interpretations or be inappropriate for school.  
  • Food and drink need to be consumed in the front foyer. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle. Limited snack choices will be available for purchase for $1 or $2.  Any proceeds go to SJAM toy and food drive.  Bringing small change is helpful - pockets are also helpful as there are no bags, purses etc., bring money with you as you won’t be able to go to lockers during  
  • The cost to attend this dance is $4; students can sign-up to attend in the school Foyer at lunch and after school (Monday Oct. 21st - Wednesday Oct. 23rd).  We do track attendance on the day of the dance - thus, no tickets are sold on Thursday.  Please contact Ms. Hornby, Mr. Jensen or Mr. Rachid by Wednesday October 23rd should you wish your child to be exempt from the fee. 

Please also remind students to ensure they have a safe way to get home following the dance. 

Athletics Update:  Mr. Jones 

Soccer: Due to a game cancellation this past week, the boys' soccer team will play their final league game on Wednesday October 16.  Playoffs will begin on Monday October 21.  Location and opposition are yet to be determined.   The girl's soccer team is set to begin playoffs this Thursday with details coming soon. 
 
Basketball: League play continues this week for the Jr Boys, Sr Girls and Sr Boys.  Our Sr Boys will be hosting games at SJAM on Thursday at 5pm and again at 7pm.  Go Mustangs! 

Community Events:  CBE staff are not present. 

Cyber Safety: Tuesday October 22 (6:00 – 7:30 pm).  Free event presented by YouthLink, brought to you by the Huntington Hills Community Wellness Series.  Thornhill Office Boardroom (6617 Center Street North) - access through the Family Day Home Agency.  Intended for youth, parents and seniors. Registration required:  christina.buchan@calgary.ca 

Free Artificial Intelligence camp starts Tuesday October 23:  Futurlign is a government-licensed nonprofit organization based in Calgary that works to foster computer programming accessibility for children of all backgrounds.  New AI course:  Starting October 23 at the University of Calgary and lasting for 6 weeks.  Please sign up with the Google Form link: https://forms.gle/GtjMfwbyMufaiif89   Key contact:  Evan Li Outreach and Communications Director (evan.li1@ucalgary.ca; info.futurlign@gmail.com) 

Annual Pipe Ceremony & Oral Truthing: October 31 (9:30 – 11:30 am).  Grey Eagle Resort and Casino; hosted by Planet Youth.  Honoring our commitment to support the health and well-being of young people in our city.  Community feast will follow the ceremony providing time for making relatives.  Free – please pre-register at this link. 

School Calendar 

Monday October 14:  Thanksgiving Day (no school for CBE students or staff) 

Tuesday October 15:  School Council Meeting – in person (6:30 – 8:00 pm) 

Wednesday October 16:  Picture Day  

Thursday October 17:  Soup Sisters returns to SJAM offering students free and nutritious soup – our students truly appreciate this donation of hot soup 

Thursday October 24:  Halloween Dance (5:00 - 7:30 pm)

Friday October 25:   Professional Learning Day for teachers (no school for CBE students) 

November 6  and 7:  Our SJAM Parent Fundraising Society needs your help with our upcoming Fundraiser:  SJAM Parent Sign Up link.  THANK YOU to the many family members that have donated their time. 

Thursday November 7:   

  • Remembrance Day Assembly at the school 
  • Last day of classes before the Fall Break 

Friday November 8:  Indigenous Ways of Knowing Professional Learning Day:  no school for students 

November 11 – 13:  CBE Fall Break – no school for students or staff 

Thursday November 14:  Classes resume 

Tuesday November 19:   

  • Picture Retake day 
  • School Council Meeting #3:  In person in the Learning Commons (6:30 – 8:00 pm) 

Student Teacher Parent Conferences: 

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

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

  • Sign up details in a few weeks 
  • You can ALWAYS reach out to SJAM staff – if you have concerns, please do reach out before the end of November 

Together We Make A Difference!