Dear Mustang Families: 

Our staff has been back for several days preparing for your child’s arrival on Tuesday.  This Welcome Handout  will be provided to your children in recognition that we will engage in a ‘Welcome Month’ rather than just a welcome day on Tuesday.  Our staff strives to create a welcoming, caring, respectful, compassionate and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.  We have intentionally slowed down start up activities, recognizing the high anxiety for several students. 

Highlights 

Our first day for students will be Tuesday September 2: 

Grade 7s:  8:13 – 1:15 pm (dietary friendly lunch provided) 

Grade 8 and 9:  2:00 – 3:00 pm 

ALP and PLP:  8:13 – 2:51 pm (dietary friendly lunch provided) 

Classes will be visible on PowerSchool on Tuesday. We will also post your child’s name on homeroom lists to help them find their homeroom teachers.  All grades will start in the main gym.   

Please remember: 

  • students do access four options: 2 from September to January and 2 from February to June. 
  • It is impossible to give students 100% of their complementary course choices.  We do our best to be equitable with all students getting some of their top selections. 
  • Students are asked to please attend their current classes until next week.  Classes are very very very full!  As students potentially withdraw from school, openings in popular classes will emerge. 
  • From September 8 – 10, students can email the Admin team to request changes to complementary classes.  Please encourage your child to email us, rather than having the parent do so.  (mahornby@cbe.ab.ca; bakwiatkowski@cbe.ab.ca; lgjensen@cbe.ab.ca)  

When we left in June, there were 618 students registered at SJAM for 2025-26.  As of today, we have 664 students. This has resulted in higher than anticipated class sizes in Grade 7, 8 and 9 (ranging from 29 to 35 students per class).  Please be reassured: the SJAM Admin team is watching withdrawals closely to generate optimal learning conditions for your child. We are skilled at adjusting mid-year, as required.  If your child is no longer attending SJAM, can you please email Ms. Hornby (mahornby@cbe.ab.ca) sharing your child’s new school and new address?  Here is a CBE transfer form if you have moved and are staying in Calgary:   CBE Transfer Form.  To support families, this search engine helps you find your child’s designated school:  CBE Find A School  

If your child is on an IPP, you will receive an email from Ms. Billeck on Monday (tomorrow).  Families are asked to please complete a short survey on their child to better equip our staff in the creation of updated IPPs.  If you don’t hear back from Ms. Billeck by Wednesday, you are encouraged to email her:  mibilleck@cbe.ab.ca  Updated IPPs will come home around October 10th.  Faculty initiate IPP support in September based on last year’s conditions for success. 

The Alberta Government has created legislation impacting the tryout process for female athletes across the province in 2025-26.  If you would like to discuss this with Ms. Hornby (Principal), please email her to create time to talk.  It is best that we create an appointment:  mahornby@cbe.ab.ca  

Annual Authorization for Athletic Tryout Form (CBE form coming home with all students on Tue Sept 2) 

  • To be completed by all athletes interested in trying out for any school team. 
  • Best practice is to have all eligible students complete the form and select all sports.  (this allows for mid-year decision making process for students) 
  • A checked "YES" does not mean the student has to try out (it just means that they can if they want to) 

NEW:  Fairness and Safety in Sport Act  

  • The CBE created this Admin Regulation to support the implementation:  AR3034 
  • The CBE created this letter to support all schools:  Notification to Parents 
  • Note:  Every student athlete 12 years of age or older who registers to play in a female-only league, class or division (or their parent or guardian if the student athlete is between 12-18 years of age) will be required to confirm in writing that they understand and meet the eligibility requirements to compete as set out in the Act and the accompanying Fairness and Safety in Sport Regulation (the “Regulation”).

The Province of Alberta has passed the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act (the Act) and Fairness and Safety in Sport Regulation (the Regulation).  If you have questions about this new legislation, families are encouraged to reach out to their MLA:  MLAs in Alberta 

Background from the Alberta Government: 

Alberta Fairness and Safety in Sport Act   

Fairness and Safety in Sport Regulation  

Fairness and Safety in Sport Fact Sheet 

  • All athletes that are participating in a "female" designated sport/division must fill out this form:  Fairness and Safety in Sport Act - Athlete Eligibility (Parent Letter)
  • It is not required for male athletes participating in "male" designated sports/divisions.
  • Best practice that this form is handed out to all female students in a pre-meeting for the "female" designated sport/division.   
  • It would then follow for the remaining sports as we approach the season of play. 
  • Female athletes are only required to fill out the form once and it can be used for multiple sports 

Leadership:  Mr. Shelestynsky and Mr. Manery 

Twenty-seven Grade 8 and 9 students showed up this past week to support our Grade 7’s arrival on Tuesday.  Please be assured: we have many outstanding student leaders at SJAM who care a lot about the well-being of every child.   They were challenged to move beyond empathy to compassionate actions as we welcome our new Grade 7 Mustangs on Tuesday. 

Athletics: Mr. Jones 

The 2025-26 athletic season is under way.  If your child is interested in trying out, please review this information on our website to ensure the tryout process is fair and equitable:  Mustang Athletic School Culture and Expectations.   

Cross Country and Soccer begin this week.  Here is what we will be advertising to the students: 

Soccer

Tuesday September 2 

Grade 8’s and 9’s – Boys and Girls will have a sign up in the gym after school. 

Grade 7’s – Boys and Girls will sign up in the foyer at the end of their day.  Coaches will be there to capture expressions of interest.   

Wednesday September 3 

Grade 8 & 9 Boys tryout from 3pm-4:15pm 

All Girls Tryout from 3pm-4:15pm 

Thursday September 4 

Grade 7 Boys Tryout from 3pm-4:15pm 

All Girls tryout from 3pm-4:15pm  

X-Country 

Thursday Sept 4 

ALL STUDENTS:  12:35pm (Lunch) on the Stage on Thursday Sept 4 

Practices will be held on Mondays at 3pm. Meet in the back field! 

(Monday -September 8, 15 and 22) 

***Please note students should attend soccer tryouts and x-country practices in athletic attire*** 

School Calendar 

Tuesday September 2: 8:15 – 1:15 pm:  Grade 7s 

Tuesday September 2:  2:00 – 3:00 pm:  Grade 8 and Grade 9s 

Wednesday September 3: Soccer tryouts – see athletics above.  

Thursday September 4:  Soccer and Cross-Country tryouts – see athletics above 

Friday September 5:  CBE Forms due to the Main Office – distributed during Tuesday homeroom. 

Monday September 8:   

  • 9:04 am:  Grade 7 Assembly 
  • 9:55 am:  Grade 8 and 9 Assembly 

Tuesday September 9:  Fire Drill #1 

Thursday September 11:   

  • Cross Country Meet #1 at Annie Gale School 
  • Meet the Teacher:  6:00 – 7:30 pm 

Tuesday September 16:   

  • Tug of War – Grade 9 at lunch 
  • Cross Country Meet #2 at West Confederation Park 
  • 6:30 – 8:00 pm:  School Council Meeting #1 

Wednesday September 17:   

  • Tug of War – Grade 8 at lunch 
  • RESTART Program starts for Grade 7 students:  more details shared soon 

Thursday September 18:  Tug of War – Grade 7 at lunch 

Friday September 19:  Terry Fox Run – Blocks 3 and 4 

Together We Make A Difference!