Dear Mustang Families

Please forward this weekly message to your child's personal email! We have also started posting these messages on our website.

The cost of living in Calgary is high resulting in a dramatic increase in local families needing support. We deeply thank the many individuals who have already contributed to SJAM Gives. Food is being collected in SMATH classes while Education Matters is providing tax receipts for donations greater than $20: SJAM Food Security. Deadline for food donations: Thursday December 7; deadline for cash donations: Monday December 11. For any SJAM families who need support, please contact Mrs. Billeck at  mibilleck@cbe.ab.ca.

We are fortunate to have nursing students from Mount Royal supporting student well-being in their practicum. On Tuesday, they will have a lunch hour activity in the library with four stations: cyberbullying, digital footprint, how to protect confidentiality online, and positive uses of social media. There will be games and prizes involved around the learning. Your child is encouraged to attend.

Indigenous Education Update

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)

Oki, Tansi, Danit'ada, Umba-watich, Tawnshi, Bonjour, Hello

Ms. Bethany collaborated with CBE teachers to support a new course called Niihiyiyat this past Friday. This semester, Ms. Bethany is leading one class at our school. This will grow to include Ms. Saker and Ms. Bethany teaching two sections of the course next semester. We are proud of the leadership shown by Ms. Bethany as she supports Indigenous Education at our school and in the CBE.

We are continuing to gather family feedback on how to create a Smudge Protocol in a good way. If parents wish to share their thoughts, please reach out to Ms. Bethany at bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca.

Link: Upcoming Community Events

Aaayyy, Hiy Hiy, Siyisgaas, Mîkwec, Merci, Thank you.

Leadership Update

Ms. Hudson and Ms. Ralph (nahudson@cbe.ab.ca and ledawson@cbe.ab.ca)

We are heading into our last week of collections for the SJAM Food Drive! Let’s keep it up Mustangs!

We are asking all students coming to the dance to bring an item with them on Dec. 7! Everyone who brings an item will be entered into a draw for a prize including a free ticket to the next dance and some other fun items!

The dance is happening this Thursday, December 7 from 5:00 – 7:30. Tickets will be on sale Monday – Wednesday at lunch and after school, and our theme is Festive and Fancy (whatever your interpretation). Please help your child ensure safe plans are made to get to and from. The Dance Expectations (see Resources) from previous events will continue for this event as well. We are looking forward to a great evening!

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca)

With the completion of the basketball season here, our athletics program is on pause as we await the upcoming volleyball season. Coaching roles are being sorted out amongst the staff and January’s tryout schedule will be posted in the next couple of weeks. Please remind your child that when it comes to the selection of teams, if all things are equal between two athletes at tryouts, classroom work ethic can be an influencing factor.

Mustang of the Week

We are proud to announce Esther D. (96) has been named our Mustang of the Week. Esther consistently steps forward to perform acts of community service including volunteering at home basketball games, watering the plants and supporting our soup lunches. In the classroom, Esther is committed to her learning supporting classmates in group assignments and managing her time well resulting in stellar assignment completion. Esther is humble yet still confident, while enhancing our school community.

Community Resources

December 5 - Thorncliffe Aquatic and Recreation Center (3:30 – 5:00 pm): The Community Social Work Program is partnering with Calgary AfterSchool and Home - CPAWS Southern Alberta (cpaws-southernalberta.org) to bring you this celebration of winter! We will begin indoors and make our way outside for a guided winter walk. Hot chocolate and snacks included. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please pre register: chaniece.favell@calgary.ca.
Free Fitness and Nutrition program for women: See poster under Resources.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing:

• Parent Society Fun Lunches 
• School Clubs

Tuesday December 5: MRU nursing students offer well-being activities in the learning commons at lunch
Wednesday December 6: Nurses will visit Grade 9 classes for presentations on vaccinations
Thursday December 7: Winter Dance (5:00 – 7:30 pm)
Friday December 8: Professional Learning Day for teachers – no school for students
Monday December 11: last day to donate to SJAM Food Drive: link
Wednesday December 13: School Council will be offering a fun lunch. See Parent Society link for more details
Thursday December 14: Ms. Armstrong and Mr. Jensen lead a field trip for Band students at Mount Royal University
Thursday December 21: Winter Band Concert (6:30 – 8:00 pm)
Thursday December 21: Ms. Mensah and Soup Sisters offer support at lunch
Friday December 22: Last day of classes before Winter Break
Monday January 8: First day of classes after Winter Break
Monday January 15: Organizational Day – no school for students

Together, we make a difference!