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Dear Mustang Families:

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

If your child is on an IPP, teachers have sent the personalized learning plan home with your child. If you haven’t seen it yet, please check their backpack. We look forward to receiving the signed documents back to ensure we are working together to support your child’s learning needs. Thank you, in advance, for making this a priority. Exception: Ms. Smid/Ms. O’Brien’s students will receive their IPPs in a week.

In Humanities, your child has an opportunity to participate in the Polar Expressions Writing Contest. The deadline to submit entries is November 24 for short stories (max 450 words) and November 30 for poems (32 line max). The preferred method is for students to submit individually with their parents (open for students K-12). Please offer positive encouragement to your child with this enriching learning activity. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s Humanities teacher.

On Monday October 30, Alberta Education will host a focus group with the intention of seeking feedback from parents. The focus group will meet from 7 – 8:30 pm via zoom. The purpose is to collect insight from a parent perspective to update the 'My Child's Learning: A Parent Resource". If you would like to join this focus group, please complete the Expression of Interest by Monday October 23 at 5:00 pm. 10 – 12 parents will be identified from across Alberta.

Indigenous Education Update

Ms. Bethany (bjbalis@cbe.ab.ca)

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

Across Canada, we recognize Secret Path Week. (October 17-22, 2023). In 1966, Chanie Wenjack ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. He walked for 36 hours along the train tracks before dying of exposure on October 22. He was just 12 years old.

Chanie’s death sparked the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in the residential school system. Chanie’s story, tragically, is like so many stories of Indigenous children in this country. We invite all people in our community to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord Downie’s call to action, to Do Something to move reconciliation forward.

Please use the link below to access upcoming events in and around Calgary.

• 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 only two weeks away from our Halloween dance, taking place Thursday, October 26 from 5-7:30 pm. Tickets will be on sale October 23, 24, and 25 in the main foyer at lunch and after school for $4. Please email Ms. Hornby (mahornby@cbe.ab.ca) , Mr. Rachid (morachid@cbe.ab.ca) or Mr. Jensen (lgjensen@cbe.ab.ca) if you would like your child to be exempt from the dance fee.

If you are able to volunteer and have CBE clearance, we love to have parents come join us. Please reach out to sjam.volunteer@gmail.com if you are able to help out. We very much appreciate home support in helping us have a successful event.

Students earn the privilege to attend school dances by supporting the Student Code of Conduct. 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.” With that said, we want to communicate some specifics about our upcoming Halloween dance: see Resources.

Mustang of the Week: It is a pleasure to announce Jawad A. (96) as our Mustang of the Week. His peers mentioned that his positive nature, leadership in our community (demonstrated by his support of yearbook, Students Council and the Board Game Club) and advocacy for other students is valued. In the classroom, teachers note Jawad embraces feedback while actively supporting his peers during learning activities. Congratulations Jawad!

Athletics Update

Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca)

Soccer is down to the final two weeks of the season. Good luck to both the girls and boys soccer teams in their respective playoff matches this week.

While all four basketball teams compete in league play this week, SJAM is hosting our first games of the season on Tuesday. The Jr Girls will be taking on WD Pratt at 4:30pm and TMC at 7:30pm. The following fan policy has been shared with all schools.

Sir John A. Macdonald’s Visiting Fans Policy:

• Visiting students from other schools that are not team members must be accompanied by an adult, and ideally, they sit with that adult during the game.
• The above policy likely applies when Mustang students visit other schools as well.
• Players & coaches only on the court at all times.
• No food or drinks in the gym (i.e., Slurpee's, Mcdonald’s etc.)
• Visitors should not wander through the closed areas of the school.
• Guests are requested not to dribble basketballs outside of the gymnasium.
• Guests are also asked to leave promptly following the final game of the evening.

Please note SJAM fans do not need an adult at SJAM, but they do need to be in attendance during school hours on the game day; excused absences are acceptable. Attendance is checked at the front door.

Upcoming Events

School Clubs beginning.

Sunday October 15: Yearbook: Mr. Boivin’s (njboivin@cbe.ab.ca) Management and Marketing class are busy creating a yearlong memory for your child. Last day to get your yearbook for free - more details here.

Tuesday October 17: 6:30 – 8:00 pm – In person School Council Meeting in the Learning Commons – doors open at 6:15 pm

Friday October 20: Professional Learning Day for teachers – no school for students.

October 23 – 25: Dance tickets on sale.

Wednesday October 25: Parent Society offers a fun lunch to students (pre-ordering required).

Thursday October 26:

• Orange and Black day
• Halloween Dance: 5:00 – 7:30 pm

Wednesday November 1: Grade 9s - Take Our Kids to Work Day (optional for families; notices coming out soon): Video Link

Together we make a difference!