Happy Sunday, Samuel W. Shaw Families,
Indigenous Education at Samuel W. Shaw: Grade 9 Project of Heart
During the Month of March, students in Grade 9 worked hard to explore the impact that historical legislation (in particular, The Indian Act and Numbered Treaties) had and continues to have on Indigenous, Metis and Inuit cultures in Canada. To be specific, students performed inquiry-based research on Residential schools in Canada, listening to survivor stories and learning about the Nations that attended the schools. Students met with their teacher, sharing their research findings and expressing their ideas for their gesture of reconciliation; an art piece commemorating those students who attended the school they researched. In the final stage of the project, students completed a museum label based on the artwork created and the material researched, and invited the Grade 8s to take a gallery walk throughout the classroom where the artist could speak to their learning and the artwork created. The images you see are only a few of many incredible commemorative art pieces, along with their Museum labels.
Project of Heart is an inquiry based, hands-on, collaborative, inter-generational, artistic journey of seeking truth about the history of Indigenous people in Canada. Its purpose is to:
- Examine the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada and to seek the truth about that history, leading to the acknowledgement of the extent of loss to former students, their families and communities.
- Commemorate the lives of the thousands of Indigenous children who died as a result of the residential school experience.
- Call Canadians to action, through social justice endeavors, to change our present and future history collectively
Project of Heart acknowledges the families and communities to whom those children belonged. It was originally designed to bring awareness both to the settler community and communities of new Canadians. Project of Heart has evolved, through community ownership of the project itself, to educate all Canadians about the history and legacy of this crime and tragedy.
In acknowledging the loss suffered by Indigenous children, families and communities through the Indian Residential School experience, we also gain an understanding of the strength, wisdom and resilience of the traditional peoples of this land. Project of Heart seeks to:
- Expand the opportunities available for the wisdom of Indigenous Elders to be heard, recognized and honored change attitudes and behaviors – hearts and minds – as Elders give voice to language, values, traditions and teachings that were suppressed by residential schooling.
- Inspire the building of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada based on mutual understanding, respect and collective action to create a different future.
(Retrieved from http://projectofheart.ca/what-is-project-of-heart/ on February 16, 2025)
Smudge with Ms. Kerry
In an on-going effort to provide a culturally safe space for Indigenous learners, Ms. Kerry (Lax Kw’Alaams First Nation) provides Smudge for Indigenous students every Friday. We meet at 11:30. All self-identified Indigenous students are welcome to join.
Mark your Calendars! Samuel W. Shaw Open House for ALL SWS Families!
On Thursday, May 1, we are excited to open our doors to welcome current and future SWS families to our Open House and Spring Concert! Students and families are invited to come for a self-guided tour of the school, see all the incredible work done by our students, enjoy musical and improv showcases throughout the event, and grab a bite to eat with YYC FoodTrucks on site for purchase throughout the evening. Doors open at 5:30, with the concert running from 6PM-7PM, busker and improv students throughout, not to mention seeing all the beautiful learning showcased all around the school. Mark your calendars! We can’t wait to see you at this exciting event.
SWSFS & School Council’s Spring Makers’ Market | April 17
Grade 6 Bottle Drive Fundraiser
In Motion Network- Girls’ Hoops Academy
It’s worth a click. Please see this link with a wonderful article on the impact and work of the Girls’ Hoops Academy that occurred earlier this year! Well done, Shaw Athletics team!
Spring Photo Day
Monday, April 7, all students will have their pictures taken on Spring Photo Day. Slick back that hair, don your favorite duds and practice that awesome smile!
Vaping and Youth
The Community Health Promotion Services team with Recovery Alberta is offering a 3 Part series started last week, Tuesday, March 18 for families. This three-part presentation by the Community Health Promotion Services Team (CHPS) addresses important issues affecting youth today. The next session is Wednesday, April 9, focused on Vaping and Youth. Please see details below.
This session covers the rising concern of vaping among youth, providing insights into devices, substances, and strategies for effective conversations.
Register: Vaping and Youth | April 9 | 11:30am
2025-26 Planning & Enrolment Confirmation
Please be reminded that all families who have children returning to Samuel W. Shaw are asked to share their intent to return to Shaw for the 2025-26 school year. A link was sent last week, and can be found here.
Scholastic Book Fair is Coming to Sam Shaw!
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Samuel W. Shaw. Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school. Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from May 12 -May 15 10:00 am to 3:30 in The Learning Commons.
For students, it’s one of the most anticipated events of the school year—but we need volunteers to make it happen. We hope that you can offer your time and talents to help make our book fair a great experience for our students.
If you’re available to lend a hand at this event and have a current CBE security clearance, please contact Ms.Trish at paspurrell@cbe.ab.ca. Not sure you’ve got current clearance? Please contact the main office. Times and dates that volunteers are needed are:
- May 8- Setting up 10:30am-1:00pm,
- May 12 ,13 ,14 , 10:00-1:40pm or 2:00pm-3:30pm.
Visit the Scholastic Book Fair website to look through the digital flyer.
This year we can use Mydoh. If you aren’t comfortable sending cash with your child(ren), then this is one possible solution. Getting a Mydoh card sent to you is now an option. If you are interested in this option, please click on this link below for instructions: https://www2.scholastic.ca/bookfairs/learning-lab-mydoh/. Please keep in mind that students can’t use their phones to purchase books. Debit cards and cash are still accepted.
MRU Student Teachers
Your child may have been fortunate to have had a student teacher from MRU over the last few months in their classes. These dedicated and devoted new teachers spent time in grades 5-9 and Phys Ed. learning, growing, and building relationships with the students of Samuel W. Shaw. It is with great hope and appreciation we thank and say, ‘see you soon!’ to these new teachers who are completing their final practicums this Friday, April 11th. We know they have learned a lot being here, and we wish each of them well on the next steps of their journeys—employment! Good luck from Sam Shaw.
Cobs Bread
Cobs Bread Love bread? Us too! Mention Samuel W. Shaw school at the Shawnessy Cobs and our school receives a portion of proceeds! Win, win!!
Calendar of Events
- April 7 - Spring Photo Day- Individual photos
- April 10- Grade 7 Band Camp at MRU
- April 11 - Student Teachers’ Last Day
- April 14-17- Spirit Week! (Monday: Beach Day; Tuesday: Mismatch Day; Wednesday: Backwards Day; Thursday: Neon Day)
- April 15 - Lip Sync Battle p. 4
- April 16- Grade 9 Joint Band Concert w/ Centennial Band @ Sam Shaw, 1:30-3:30
- April 17 - Spring Formal Dance (more info to come)
- April 18 - Good Friday- NO SCHOOL
- April 21 - Non-instructional day- NO SCHOOL
- April 22 - Lappin Zoo Field Trip
- April 24 - Grade 7 Band to Bridlewood School
- April 28 - ½ Grade 5s to Military Museum (Steinfeld/Jorgensen)
- April 30 - ½ Grade 5s to Military Museum (Hayward/Bjartveit)
- May 1 - Feeder School Tours (welcoming Janet Johnstone and Somerset, then Bridlewood Schools); Open House 5:30-7:30.
- May 12-15- Scholastic Book Fair
Healthy Hunger Dates
- April 24 - Edo
- May 22 - A&W
With warmth,
Bobbi, Shannon, & Kerry