Dear Mustang Families: 

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

Gratitude is extended to Mr. Darren Prather in his role as Acting AP. Mr. Moe Rachid will be returning on Wednesday. Mr. Prather’s calm and patient work with students and staff has been highly valued. We wish him well as he transitions to Newfoundland and official retirement – he will be missed at SJAM and in the CBE! 

This past week, Grade 7 and 8 students who are returning to SJAM for Grade 8 and 9 were provided with an opportunity to sign up for classes and give input into homeroom classmates next year. We are still accepting requests: 

The CBE is committed to gathering the perspective of parents as we plan for 2024-25. At our February School Council meeting, Admin presented our School Development Plan and the yearly financial report; the links are below: 

If you were unable to attend the meeting, there is still an opportunity to offer your perspective on the SDP and fees using the link below (open until March 31): SJAM Parent Survey on SDP and Fees  (7-10 minutes). 

Join the Alberta Health Services Healthy Schools and Population Health Promotion team on Wednesday, March 6 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for a virtual parent learning session on the youth vaping epidemic. In this session, parents will learn about what vaping is, current vaping trends among youth and the harms and risks associated with it. We'll explore what legislation is in place at the local and provincial level to combat youth vaping use and what you and your child's school can do about it. Ideas on how to talk to kids and help them quit, as well as where to go for more information will also be covered.  

Link: Registration Link 

Gentle Reminder – sign up starts this Thursday for 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 PowerSchool 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. 

Gentle reminder 2: Our Fine Arts students are excited to showcase their work alongside their teachers next week. 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! 

Indigenous Education Update

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)  

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

Upcoming Community Events 

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

Leadership Update

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

It’s dance time once again. This upcoming Thursday, March 7, we will be having our Retro Dance from 5:00-7:30. Students are invited to wear ‘retro’ outfits in the day and or for the evening.  

Students earn the privilege to attend school dances by supporting the CBE Student Code of Conduct: https://www.cbe.ab.ca/GovernancePolicies/AR6005-Student-Code-of-Conduct.pdf .  Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand, and to have successful dances,  we must have a “welcoming, caring, respectful and safe environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging for all members of our school community.”  

As always, please ensure that families plan for a safe return home at the end of the dance. Students are expected to stay at the dance once they arrive.  If a student needs to leave early, they must have written parent permission to leave at a specific time, arranged prior to arrival at the dance.   

Mustang of the Week

Mr. Lokyang J. (93) is recognized as our “Mustang of the Week”. He is an outstanding student-athlete that prioritizes academic success alongside athletic excellence. In the classroom and in the gym, he is dedicated to his personal success while offering stellar support to classmates and teammates. His dedication will create many opportunities in high school and beyond. He is also one of the co-leaders of the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Club. Congratulations Lokyang! 

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca) 

The volleyball season is hitting a critical point as teams are finishing up the regular season. The boys play two away games this week on Monday and Wednesday while the girls host their final game on Tuesday.   Thanks to all the students, parents and teachers that have come out for home games to support the teams. 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. 

Community Events 

FREE spring program – Australian football - for students under the age of 18. Sessions every Thursday from 6pm-8pm at A.E. Cross School starting May 30th. This program is coached by members of the Australian Football Canadian Women's National Team. Program will conclude with the participants playing a game at halftime of the AFL Alberta Club team Stampede Cup tournament on July 6. AFL Junior Footy Flyer 

Upcoming SJAM Events 

Ongoing: 

Past due: Courses and Homeroom Buddies for 2024-25 

Wednesday March 6 :  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 
  • ALP classes: hosting a pizza Fun Lunch in the front foyer – see Ms. Smid (slsmid@cbe.ab.ca) with questions 
  • Retro Dance (5:00 – 7:30 pm)  

Monday March 11: National Geographic morning field trip 

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

Friday March 15:   

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee: creating a mission statement (12:15 – 2:30 pm) - Foods Room 
  • 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.  

Thursday March 22: In-person Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (4:00 – 8:00 pm) 

Friday March 23: Virtual Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (8:30 – 1:30 pm) 

Monday March 25 – Monday April 1: Spring Break – school is closed 

March 31: last day for parents to offer input into our School Development Plan (SDP) and Fees - SJAM Parent Survey on SDP and Fees  (7-10 minutes). 

Tuesday April 2: Classes resume after Spring Break 

Together we make a difference!