Week at a Glance Feb. 5-9 | New Club, Webinar, Black History Month, Mustang of the Week, Spectators

Dear Mustang Families: 

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

A note from Ms. Hornby, Principal: This is my 31st year as a teacher. I have not once – not ever – resented or regretted my career choice. In over three decades, I have supported individuals who have endured a significant amount of hatred and bullying, alongside witnessing intense sadness and unspeakable tragedy. My most important responsibility is to keep your children safe, alongside my staff and every family. I have seen prejudice, hatred and racism reveal themselves in awful, discriminatory ways in every school I have worked in, alongside the larger global context. 

AND, I have seen inspiring moments of compassion, kindness and hope.  These moments happen every single day – with far more frequency than injustices.  These are not easy times. At a Human Rights forum I attended on Saturday at Ernest Manning High School, with three other staff members, we discussed how ‘we all have the same-colored shadow’.   On Tuesday February 13, we will start a new Diversity and Equity Club given most of our students, parents and guardians are thoughtful, generous, and compassionate. For the past 31 years, most of my colleagues have done and continue to do their absolute best – each day – to help every human being in our community feel safe, supported, and celebrated.  That is an essential element of public education.  At Sir John A. Macdonald School, we will always be here to support your children as we collaborate with you to create a sustainable legacy of hope as your children positively shape their futures.  I believe in our students, our greater community, and our future.  Together, we make a difference!

If you have a child in Grades 1 – 6, you may want to attend the CBE’s Virtual Parent Learning Session this Thursday: Mental Health & Anxiety (Grades K-6) | February 8 | 6:30pm-8:00pm - CBE Professional Learning Series. In mid-March, there will be a similar session for the parents of students in Grade 7 – 12. Should you, your child or a family member be struggling with mental health, the Summitt is a transformative AHS Service in Calgary. Essential support is available! 

School Council is asking for you to answer this short survey (2 minutes) as they strive to support your own parenting resources: SJAM Learning Resources for Parents 

If you haven’t done so already, next Sunday is the deadline to guarantee your child’s copy of the 2023-24 SJAM Yearbook. Go to our school website, at this link, to get more details.  

In recognition of Black History Month, all families are encouraged to engage their children in learning conversations. Your children’s teachers will also be leading discussions in classes: Black history is important because it is interconnected in many ways to the lives and histories of Indigenous Peoples and other Canadians across generations. 

Indigenous Education Update

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)  

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

This month (and every month) First Nations stands in solidarity with our African-American and Afro-Indigenous relatives, acknowledging their many sacrifices and celebrating their many achievements: 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) 

Thank you to the semester one Leadership students for all you have done to make SJAM great, and welcome to the semester two group! We have a busy month in February with lots going on. We are learning about Black History Month, welcoming Grade 6 students, working with student nurses to plan a self-love valentines initiative, heading to a neighbor school for winter festival, and selling candygrams to support some school beautification. Student volunteers help make these wonderful things possible, and we are grateful for the privilege of working with these great students!   

Mustang of the Week:   We are excited to share Ms. Joy O. (75) is our Mustang of the Week. She consistently demonstrates a ‘growth mindset’, thinks deeply about topics, stays on task and generates a focused and respectful learning environment. Joy often supports her classmates, encouraging others to do their best. This week, Joy will be a student leader at our Grade 6 Orientation. Congratulations Joy! Your leadership is noticed and valued. 

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca) 

Thank you to those students, parents and teachers who were able to support our Mustangs at our home games this past week. The positive environment was exciting for the players to play in. Volleyball games continue this week with all four teams each playing away games.  Please note again that student spectators planning on attending away games must be accompanied by an adult.   

CBE middle schools have set similar expectations for games that promote safety, respect, and a positive experience for all. At SJAM and other schools, these expectations exist (gentle reminder):  

  • All visiting student spectators/athletes must be under the direct supervision of a designated adult for the duration of the games.  
  • There are no in and out privileges for spectators. If you leave the building, you should not re-enter. 
  • Student spectators without parental supervision will be directed by the hosting school administration to leave the building.  
  • All spectators - students or adults - are expected to cheer and support players/coaches/referees/parents/guardians in a positive manner.  
  • Disrespectful behaviours will be addressed by school administration promptly and may result in spectators being directed to leave the game and the school building.  
  • Parents/guardians who bring younger children are responsible at all times for their direct supervision. Please ensure that they are not wandering the halls and playing on phys ed equipment in the gym/on stage 

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. 

Community Resources  

Art classes at the Thorncliffe-Greenview Community Association:  TGCA Youth Art Classes 

Upcoming SJAM Events 

Ongoing: 

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

Thursday February 8:  Grade 6 Visits (afternoon) and Grade 6 Open House (evening) 

Grade 6 Visits 

  • SJAM students will be dismissed at 11:41 am for our Grade 6 visitors to visit key areas of the school.  

Grade 6 Open House 

  • We are excited to invite our grade 6 families to tour SJAM starting at 5:30pm –7:00pm. This is a scheduled event so parents should plan on being at the school for the entire time. 

Thursday February 8:  Mental Health & Anxiety (Grades K-6) | 6:30pm-8:00pm:  CBE Professional Learning Series 

February 6 – 9:  Moosehide Campaign - Moose hide is a symbol of taking a stand against violence and undoing the effects of Residential Schools. 

Sunday February 11: last day to secure a yearbook for 2023-24 - SJAM Yearbook 

Tuesday February 13: First meeting of the ‘Diversity and Equity Committee’ (location TBA) at lunchtime 

Thursday February 15 and Friday February 16: Teachers Convention – no school for students 

Monday February 19: Family Day – no school for students 

March 15: Firm deadline to apply for high school transfers - CBE Link 

Together we make a difference!