Dear Mustang Families: 

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

May you and your family be enjoying your long weekend.

The CBE has updated all school websites to be more user friendly. In the weeks ahead, you may find it helpful to explore our new website. 

Mr. Moe Rachid (Assistant Principal: A - J) will be off on a medical leave for the next two weeks. We will miss his leadership a great deal, but Mr. Darren Prather (retired/former Principal of Colonel MacLeod) will be filling in. Families can simultaneously email morachid@cbe.ab.ca and dmprather@cbe.ab.ca for support.  Mr. Marinucci's (Drama) leave has been extended for a week. 

Gentle reminder: Our next School Council meeting will be virtual on Tuesday at 6:30 pm (link shared tomorrow). Families will be led through the School Development Plan (SDP) and given access to a CBE survey on how we can engage in continuous improvement. School Council would also like your feedback on a short survey: Parent Input Into Resources 

On Friday, all Grade 9 students will engage in a MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) presentation (9:00 – 10:00 am).  We recognize this event can be triggering.  Please let Ms. Hornby know (mahornby@cbe.ab.ca) if you feel your child may benefit from extra support.

All Grade 7 students will be completing the Alberta Government ‘Assurance Survey’ in class this week. Every school in Alberta creates this opportunity for students’, teachers’, and parents' / legal guardians' to provide their opinions about their school, their school work and the opportunities their school provides. We created several changes at SJAM this year including increasing math instructional time, created monthly learning targets for our Truth and Reconciliaton Commitment, developed ‘Mustang Station’ (a safe space for students to self-regulate, and access a quiet learning space), implemented ‘Brain Bins’ into classrooms to offer students universal self-regulation opportunities, offered ‘Power Up’ for learners needing support with organization, study skills, and executive functioning, increased the number of Clubs, worked with McDonalds to enforce local bylaws and worked with School Council for Fun Lunches.  Our School Development Plan (SDP) (page 16) offers a full list of new initiatives with the goal of generating optimal learning conditions for your child. Feedback from the survey helps us understand what’s working and what needs to be improved. Results are shared yearly in the SDP. 

Student fees for complementary courses are now posted: Parent Access to PowerSchool. We recognize financial challenges are being faced by many families so monthly installments are possible.  

Indigenous Education Update 

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)  

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

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

Leadership Update

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

Thank you to all who bought candygrams, and we hope students enjoyed learning about self care with the nursing students.  We are looking forward to pink shirt day on February 28th.  Our next dance is also approaching very quickly.  It will be retro themed, taking place on March 7.

Mustang of the Week: Congratulations are extended to Delaney W. (88), our Mustang of the Week. Classmates note Delaney is ‘friendly, welcoming, and a great motivator. She always has a smile on her face, and she is always nice to talk to’. Teachers note that Delaney strives for academic success ensuring she stays on task and hands assignments in on time. You will see her supporting multiple school events including the Terry Fox Run, our Welcome Back Dance and Meet the Teacher. Your leadership is noticed and valued, Delaney! 

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca) 

Volleyball continues this week with home games on Tuesday (Girls) and Wednesday (Boys) and an away game on Thursday.  Go Mustangs!   

Future games dates can be found in the schedule on the bulletin board across from the PE office and online in our SJAM Athletic Center. 

Upcoming SJAM Events 

Ongoing: 

  • Parent Society Fun Lunches - lunch every Wednesday; digital order needs to be in by the prior Friday. 

Tuesday February 20:  Virtual School Council Meeting (6:30 – 8:00 pm) 

Thursday February 22:  

  • Grade 9 Curling Field trip with Ms. Else (40 students) 

Friday February 23:  MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) presentation to Grade 9 students (9:00 – 10:00 am) 

February 26 – March 1 (new date):  Future Grade 8 and 9 Course selection + Buddies for 2024-25 

Wednesday February 28:  Pink T-Shirt Anti-Bullying Day across Canada 

Thursday February 29:   

  • Last day to sign up for SJAM Grade 8 and 9 Course Selection 

Wednesday March 6 (new): CBE and Alberta Health Services – Vaping:  What Parents Need to Know (Virtual – 7:00 – 8:30 pm) 

Thursday March 7:  Retro-School Dance

March 15:   

  • Firm deadline to apply for high school transfers - CBE Link  
  • Deadline for Grade 7 into 8 MacEwan Glen and Sandstone families to apply to stay at SJAM for 2024-25: please email mahornby@cbe.ab.ca for process.  

Together we make a difference!