Dear Mustang Families: 

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

Our new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Club is hosting a “Fun Lunch” on Thursday February 29. Orders must be placed by Tuesday. Please go to the link on the website (bottom line in bold): Fundraising at SJAM .  If the link isn't working, please email Ms. Hornby:  mahornby@cbe.ab.ca.  

New in 2024-25

We recognize students will benefit from an opportunity to have input into who is in their homeroom. Mr. Jensen and Ms. Reynolds will be meeting with SJAM students (who will be joining us for 2024-25) this week and asking them two things: 

  1. What complementary courses would you like to take at SJAM? 
  1. Who would you like in your homeroom class for 2024-25? 

Note: if your child is attending Valley Creek School next year, please contact their school with questions – valleycreek@cbe.ab.ca  

Mark your Calendars! 

Our Fine Arts students are excited to showcase their work alongside their teachers. Please come to the school on Thursday March 14 (5:30 – 7:00 pm) for an Art Show, Small ensembles by the Band and Skits by our Drama students. Everyone is welcome to attend! 

Please Join Us in Welcoming Staff 

  • Mr. Marinucci is returning to Drama on Monday. 
  • Ms. Alyssa Bartley is a new EA that will be supporting Grade 7 classrooms starting tomorrow.  Ms. Howe (Grade 7 Learning Leader) is coordinating Ms. Bartley’s schedule with Grade 7 teachers. 
  • Ms. Diane Thomas Castle is a new EA that will be joining Grade 8 and 9 classrooms starting Monday March 4th. Ms. Hopley (Grade 8 LL) and Mr. Hoblak (Grade 9 LL) are supporting Ms. Thomas-Castle's schedule. 

Please always reach out to staff in the event you have questions or concerns: SJAM Staff. 

Parent/Guardian and Teacher Conferences (March 21-22):  

Conferences will be held on March 21 (in-person from 4 pm – 8 pm) and March 22 (online from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm). Booking will open on March 7. On your MyCBE app, you should be able to see four conference options: 

  1. Core (ELA, Social Studies, Math and Science): in-person appointments on March 21 
  1. Core (ELA, Social Studies, Math and Science): online appointments on March 22 
  1. Complementary/Options and PE: in-person appointments on March 21 
  1. Complementary/Options and PE: online appointments on March 22 

When booking a conference appointment, please double check that you are selecting your child’s teacher from the drop-down menu. Please note that core teachers are paired together. If you would like to book an appointment with an individual core teacher regarding Complementary/Options and PE courses taught by them, please reach out to them directly rather than booking an appointment using the conference app. Teacher contact information can be found on the school website. 

Indigenous Education Update

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)  

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

Corey Bulpitt is an internationally recognized artist from the Haida Na7ikun-Raven Clan. Bulpitt is known for his graffiti-influenced, Haida-style work, with pieces displayed across the country, including one of his best-known pieces of public work, a mural located under the Granville Street Bridge in Vancouver. His work is featured in galleries, museums, and private collections world-wide. CKNW Kids’ Fund is honoured to showcase Bulpitt’s work through the 2024 Pink Shirt Day campaign on February 28. For further details, please see this link. 

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

Leadership Update

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

Wednesday, February 28 is Pink Shirt Day.  Staff and students are encouraged to wear pink to support anti-bullying.  Please join in raising awareness for this important initiative. 

With March fast approaching, we are looking forward to our Retro Dance and Spirit Day, taking place on March 7 – dress at school during the day and dance from 5:00-7:30.  Look through the closet to pull out all the treasures from decades of yore!   

Mustang of the Week

We are excited to share Ms. Laurence L. (97) is being recognized for her leaderships skills. When new students arrive, Laurence is always welcoming and offering support. As a member of STUCO, she is positive, and solution focused. In the classroom, Laurence’s teachers find her inquisitive, an excellent collaborator and constantly striving for success. Laurence also offered her perspective to the CBE in the fall as they developed an engagement process for our school's name. Laurence is responsible and trustworthy in everything she is involved in. Congratulations Laurence! 

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca) 

Volleyball continues in a big way this week with four home games.  The boys play on Monday and Wednesday while the girls play on Tuesday and Thursday.   Please note that there is no Jr. Boys game on Wednesday as TB Riley, the visiting school, has no Jr Boys team.   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.   Note:  this week, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is offering a fun lunch too. Orders due by Tuesday.
  • School Clubs. 

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

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

Thursday February 29:   Valley Creek Open House – please direct questions to valleycreek@cbe.ab.ca  

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

Thursday March 7:

  • Parents can start signing up for Parent Teacher Student Conferences:  MyCBE app
  • Retro Dance (5:00 – 7:30 pm) 

Thursday March 14:  Fine Arts Night (5:30 - 7:00 pm)

Friday 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!