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 special thank you is extended to the PE staff, numerous parent volunteers, and 20 teachers who stayed until 9:00 pm to help support the 6 hour dance-a-thon this past Friday.  Please encourage your child to show you what they learned during our January Dance unit.  It is inspiring to see how much their dancing skills progressed in a short period of time.

Gentle reminders:  

• Grade 9 students will all visit John Diefenbaker High School on Monday morning for a school tour. Students will walk over at 8:20 am. Please be on time. 
• Families can see report cards through MyCBE on Tuesday. 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). If you have questions about your child’s report card, please reach out to SJAM Staff. 
• With semester 2 starting on Wednesday, student schedules will be printed and shared on Tuesday through your child’s Humanities teacher. Students can also view in their PowerSchool account. 
• Thursday February 1 at 9:15 am: School Wide Virtual Assembly with Constable Tad Milmine to share the changes taking place at a fast-food restaurant. Families will receive a School Messenger outlining the updates.  Our collective goal is to keep your children safe! 
• Drama Club meets every Tuesday at lunch. With a production taking place this semester, student attendance is generating positive momentum. Please encourage your children to attend if they enjoy live theatre, as actors or in a technical role, behind the scenes. 

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, February 11 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. It’s coming quick, so act now before it’s too late. 

Indigenous Education Update

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)  

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

The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary has created a Winter newsletter documenting resources for indigenous seniors. Families are encouraged to read about possibilities for their Elders. 

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) 

Mustang of the Week: Owen D.(95) is being formally recognized as our “Mustang of the Week”. Owen is an outstanding Student Council member, often being the first person to volunteer for any task. At our recent ‘Dress Like A Teacher Day’, Mr. Daley wonderfully portrayed Ms. Else! In the classroom, Owen is attentive and makes positive contributions to class discussions. Congratulations Owen! 

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca) 

The selection process of our school volleyball teams is now complete, and games start this week.  

Our first home games are this Wednesday for the boys and Thursday for the girls.   We ask that if students stay to support our school teams during any home games, they are in the gym cheering on the team. To do this, we will be strongly encouraging students to put their phones away and watch their peers/friends compete in the game.  Spectators must also be at school for all classes, unless they have excused absences.  

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:  

• 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: These are not CBE events - teachers are not available to supervise.

• Home Alone Training Course (10 and 11 year olds): Home Alone Poster under Resources
• Virtual Youth Book Club (10 – 14 year olds): Youth Book Club Poster under Resources
• Virtual Common Sense Parenting Course: Feb 5 – March 18 – Mondays from 5-6 pm - Common Sense Parenting under Resources
• Robotics Club in the community. Contact Vishal Srini. Established in 2019 by two high school students who shared a passion for trades and STEM education, Western Mechatronics has flourished into a thriving non-profit association over the past four years.  Alberta's largest robotics club, boasting a membership of over 100 students and 25 teams.  Poster under 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.
  

Upcoming SJAM Events 

Ongoing: 

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

Monday January 29: Grade 9 students tour John Diefenbaker High School AT 8:20 am 

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 1: First day to apply for high school transfers - CBE Link 

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 Grade 6 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 

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!