Dear Mustang Families: 

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

Students are strongly encouraged to stay indoors on our very cold days. Gratitude is extended to teachers for opening their Clubs, while the gym has contained 200+ students dancing with the PE team. In the days ahead, we will also be sharing an initiative with students regarding an attempt by CPS (Calgary Police Service) to eliminate the loitering, trespassing, and violence that continually takes place at a local fast-food establishment at lunchtime, with the support of the fast-food restaurant. A description of the mini grade assembly will be released to parents on the day of the discussions. You are encouraged to follow up with your children. Your child’s safety at school and in our community continues to be a top priority. Please do reach out to staff if you have safety concerns: Staff List. 

On January 30, families can see report cards through MyCBE  If you are having problems, please contact Ms. Sherry Reynolds in the main office during regular business hours.  (403-777-7670, dial 0 for the main office).  Parents and Guardians can sign in to MyCBE to view student information, including report cards, comments from your child’s teacher, assignments and grades, and attendance information starting on January 30th. For best access to information, log in to the MyCBE portal instead of using the PowerSchool App. 

Teachers are also updating IPPs and EAL (English as an Additional Language) Benchmarks. IPPs will be sent home next week, while EAL benchmarks will be recorded on student report cards who are learning the English language. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teachers: Staff List 

Indigenous Education Update

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)  

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

At this week’s School Council meeting, Ms. Balis was able to report 100% of teachers met our TRC Commitment for introducing indigenous perspectives into their lessons, as well as indigenous voices in the first semester. 97% of teachers have intentionally crafted lessons with a connection to the land. We anticipate a shift to 100% when the spring and warmer weather arrives.  

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 also looking forward to Bell’s Let’s Talk day coming up on Wednesday, January 24.  This is an opportunity to focus on the importance of mental health and wellbeing and to think about ways we can support self-care and caring for one another.  We will be sharing some great ideas in the weeks to come. For more info, check out https://letstalk.bell.ca/ 

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca) 

As the Dance Unit ends, PE is hosting a six–hour Dance–A–Thon this Friday for students who have been regularly attending the daily lunch-time sessions in January. 

•  Time: 3:00 – 9:00 pm.  
• Doors open at 2:50 pm and close at 3:30 pm.  
• Tickets include a pizza dinner ($10 – 3 pieces of pizza; $15 – 5 pieces of pizza). If your child can’t afford the ticket, please have them speak with Administration.  
• Tickets will be on sale Tuesday to Thursday in the morning and after school in the front foyer; a permission slip is also required.  
• This annual event includes former graduates of SJAM.  
• The PE team has provided details to interested students outlining the event in this (see letter under Resources)

The selection of our school volleyball teams is nearing completion.  Thanks to everyone for coming out to tryouts as our coaches are being forced to make some very difficult decisions. Games do not start until the week of January 29. The schedule can be found on the bulletin board across from the PE office and online in our SJAM Athletic Center. 

Community Resources 

Youth Drop-in Center: Monday and Wednesday after school for students in Grade 6 - 12 - Details. Location: BP Church in North Calgary, just off-Centre Street - 16 Bermuda Drive, NW. 

Family Literacy Week from Jan. 20 – 27: Resources for families - See flyer under Resources.

Antyx Community Arts: Link: more information. Free after school ARTS programming. Next session starts February 20th. Antyx works in communities across Calgary to provide arts-based programming for youth ages 12-18. Using the arts to engage youth and spark their curiosity and commitment to the world around them while learning prevention skills and lifelong therapeutic tools. Our programs provide a unique opportunity to engage in public art projects such as murals, sculptures, videography and photography, and more. 

Family Skating party – January 27, 2023: 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Sandstone Park Rink (130 Sandstone Drive NW). Join us for hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee, fire pits, skating and fun! If you need skates, community organizers might have some for you. Please reach out at: Sandstone Macewan Community.  

Upcoming SJAM Events 

Ongoing: 

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

January 20 – 27:  CBE Family Literacy Week.  More details soon.   

Wednesday January 24:  Bell’s Let’s Talk day: Mental Health Supports - Startling video:  Let's create real change in mental health.  Supports for Calgary Families:  The Summit 
Friday January 26:  Dance-A-Thon (3:00 – 9:00 pm) 

Monday January 29:  All Grade 9 students will tour John Diefenbaker High School in the morning.  Be at school by 8:15 am to walk over!  Ms. Billeck's email has full details on Grade 9 transitions (sent on Friday January 19)

Tuesday January 30: 

• Last day of semester 1. 
• Report cards visible to parents. 
• IPPs will be sent home to families this week. 

Wednesday January 31: first day of semester 2; semester complementary courses will change.  In PowerSchool, click on ‘semester two’ to see courses. 

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

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

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. 

Together we make a difference!