See our School Calendar for all of our upcoming events.
SJAM Weekly Newsletter
Monday, May 18, 2026
Dear Mustang Families,
Please forward this message to your child’s email.
We wish all families a safe and enjoyable May long weekend. We hope everyone has the opportunity to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and create special memories together, especially after Saturday’s unexpected mini snowstorm! For those looking for ideas, here is a link: Events in Calgary: Top Festivals, Concerts & Things to Do | Tourism Calgary
As a learning community, we are starting to get ready for the school year to draw to a close. In preparation, we are planning for:
School Council AGM: Tuesday May 19 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
SJAM School Council is seeking two parents to join the 2026–27 Council as Vice Chair and Secretary.
Year End Assessments Begin: Thursday May 21
Language Arts Written Response for every SJAM student. Personalized grade information was/will be sent out to families. Full details on the PAT are at this link: PAT Parent Guide. Exam expectations (ie. No cell phones) will be reviewed in class.
SJAM Library Books: due back Friday June 5
- Avid readers are encouraged to access the Calgary Public Library in the summer months: FREE Membership
Spring Band Concert: Thursday May 28 at 6:00 PM
- Students arrive at 5:30 PM
- Concert attire: formal black and white
Mandatory Dress Rehearsal for Grade 8/9 Concert Band: Wed May 27 (3:00 – 4:00 PM)
Jazz Band Dress Rehearsal: Thursday May 28 (3:00 – 3:30 PM)
Grade 9 Farewell Speech Submission Timeline
Tuesday May 19: Students informed
Monday June 1: Speech online submission deadline
Week of June 16-18: Students informed of selection
Thursday June 25: Grade 9 Farewell
General Information:
- Submissions are emailed to Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca). Handwritten speeches will not be accepted.
- All speech submissions will be assigned a number.
- Teachers will read and rank the speeches by number. The process is designed to be anonymous.
- Points are allocated to each ranking and totaled to declare a winner.
💡 Key Elements to Strengthen Grade 9 Farewell Speeches
1. Memories, Events, and Experiences
Think about the moments that defined your Grade 9 cohort as a group:
- School events, trips, or assemblies
- Classroom experiences or projects
- Funny or meaningful shared moments
- Challenges you faced together
👉 Focus on what stood out for the whole class, not just personal highlights.
2. Lessons Learned
Reflect on what your class has gained:
- Growth in confidence, responsibility, or independence
- Learning to support one another
- Overcoming challenges together
- Other ideas are welcome...
👉 Frame this as a collective journey (e.g., “We learned…” rather than “I learned…”).
3. Gratitude
Acknowledge those who supported your learning journey. Keep this inclusive and balanced, recognizing contributions that impacted everyone.
4. Growth from Grade 7 to Now (if applicable)
Highlight how your class has changed over time:
- Increased maturity and confidence
- Stronger friendships and sense of community
- Adjusting to new expectations and challenges
👉 Emphasize how the group has grown together and improved for the better.
✅ Overall Recommendation
Your speech will be strongest when it:
- Represents the experiences of your entire class
- Celebrates shared memories and growth
- Creates a sense of unity and pride
- Leaves your audience feeling included and appreciated
If students have questions, they are encouraged to seek out Mr. Jones.
Athletics: Mr. Jones
We would like to extend big congratulations to our Grade 7, 8, and 9 badminton teams for an outstanding season! Our athletes truly represented our school with pride, competing with determination, resilience, and exceptional sportsmanship every time they stepped on the court. It was great to see our Mustangs give their best effort, support one another, and wear our school colours with pride.
A sincere thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteer coaches, whose time, energy, and passion made this season possible:
- Grade 7: Mr. Manery, Ms. Hopley, and Ms. Howe
- Grade 8: Mr. Jensen and Mr. Dougan
- Grade 9: Ms. Greenham and Ms. Hopley
Your commitment to our student athletes and to building a positive, competitive, and inclusive team environment is truly appreciated. We are proud of all our athletes and coaches—what a fantastic representation of Mustang spirit both on and off the court!
Go Mustangs!
Track & Field Practices – Week of May 19–21
Our Track & Field season is underway! Below is the practice schedule for next week. Please ensure students come prepared with appropriate athletic clothing, footwear, and water.
Monday, May 18
- Victoria Day – No School / No Practices
Tuesday, May 19
- 7:00 AM – High Jump
- 7:00 AM – Hurdles
- 3:00 PM – Sprints (Boys)
- 3:00 PM – Long Jump
- Note: Diefenbaker Soccer also taking place
Wednesday, May 20
- 7:00 AM – Distance
- 7:15 AM – Discus – Measuring
- 3:00 PM – Shot Put
Thursday, May 21
- 3:00 PM – High Jump
- 3:00 PM – Hurdles
- 3:00 PM – Sprints Team Posted & Practice (Girls & Boys)
We encourage all athletes to attend their event-specific practices regularly. Sprint team selections will be posted on Thursday. Let’s keep building great momentum—Go Mustangs!
Community News
🍎 Food, Income & Basic Needs Support
Access to Food (City of Calgary): https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/low-income/access-to-food.html
Fair Entry (subsidies & fee reductions): https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/low-income/fair-entry-subsidy.html
🌱 Family Resource & Parenting Supports
North Central Family Resource Network (Closer to Home) 📍 3176 Bedford Dr NE | 📞 403‑543‑0555 https://closertohome.com/north-central-family-resource-network/
Family Games Night: May 22 & June 19 | Thornhill ARC (6715 Centre Street NW) 📧 Register: elyssebyyc@gmail.com
🧡 Online Indigenous Neighbourhood Grant Info Night
💡 Learn how Indigenous (First Nations, Métis & Inuit) residents can access up to $1,000 for community projects.
📅 Wed, May 20 | ⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM | 💻 Online (Microsoft Teams)
📲 Register now: Call or text Lemlem Haile at (403) 880‑6045
🔗 Teams link will be sent to registered participants.
💃 Movement, Arts & Creative Programs
Community Walking Group: (Thorncliffe): Wednesdays | 6:30 PM | Text 403‑710‑4229
Women’s Mingle & Move: Mondays | Thornhill ARC | May–June | Fair Entry eligible 📧 Program registration: Text 403‑710‑4229
Zumba with Suzy: FREE | Fridays 10:30 AM | May 22 | Harris House | Drop-in
Crochet Club: Fridays | May 15, June 12 & 26 | Ages 6+ 📧 Program registration: christina.buchan@calgary.ca
Sewing Group: May 26 & June 30 | Highland Park CC 📧 Program registration: christina.buchan@calgary.ca
Annual Art Show: May 30 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | 520 78 Ave NW | FREE |Drop-in
Community Cleanup – Huntington Hills: July 25 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
https://www.calgary.ca/waste/drop-off/community-cleanups.html
👥 Join Our Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D75qmHr4N/
Calendar of Events
Monday May 18: Victoria Day – no school for students or staff.
Tuesday May 19:
- Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City May 2027 Trip possibility: join Ms. Zakus in the Learning Commons at 5:00 pm to see if your child (currently in Grade 7 or 8) would like to go on the SJAM trip. Full details sent last week.
- SJAM School Council is seeking two parents to join the 2026–27 Council as Vice Chair and Secretary. We encourage interested parents to attend the AGM (6:30–8:00 PM) and to reach out by email at sjam.council@gmail.com.
- SMATH: Students will write paragraphs in SMATH this week
- Grade 9 students advised about the Farewell Speech opportunity
Wednesday May 20:
- optional SJAM fun lunch.
- Homeroom: Grade 9s – Math (second of four PAT sessions)
- Homeroom: Grade 7s and 8s – Preparing for Final Exams
- Darcy Turning Robe
Thursday May 21: Whole School Summative Assessment: ELA
- Grade 9s: ELA Part A (Written Response) PAT (am)
- Grade 7s and 8s: Written Response (am)
Wednesday May 27
- optional SJAM fun lunch.
- Homeroom: Grade 9s – Math (third of four PAT sessions)
- Homeroom: Grade 7s and 8s – Preparing for Final Exams – Part 2
- 3:00 – 4:00 PM: Mandatory Dress Rehearsal for Grade 8/9 Concert Band
Thursday May 28
- 3:00 – 3:30 PM: Jazz Band Dress Rehearsal
- Concert attire: formal black and white
- 5:30 PM: Students arrive.
- 5:45 PM: Front doors open for guests
- 6:00 – 7:30 PM: Spring Band Concert
Friday May 29: Ms. Campbell will draw a gift card for students that have read an entire book. Entry forms in the Learning Commons.
Monday June 1: Grade 9 Farewell Speech online submission due to Mr. Jones (sdjones@cbe.ab.ca)
Friday June 5: SJAM library books due
Week of June 16-18: Grade 9 Students informed of Farewell Speech selection
Thursday June 25: Grade 9 Farewell
- 3:15 – 4:30 PM: Farewell Program – immediate family members are welcome
- 4:30 – 6:00 PM: Grade 9 Dance