Happy Sunday, Samuel W. Shaw Families
With the new year well underway, the students settling back into routines, we would like to thank you, our Sam Shaw families for your ongoing support, and collective effort to make these sometimes-challenging teen years as successful as possible for all our kids. The update is a long one but has many good resources and offerings that are worth your read.
Indigenous Education at Samuel W. Shaw
As our beautiful school reopens its newly painted and renovated petals over the next few months, we are also making concerted efforts to Indigenize spaces at Shaw. Including the space where students join Ms. Kerry for Smudge, we are revamping learning spaces in the Gathering Space and Learning Commons where teachers can bring their students to sit and learn through teachings of the Medicine Wheel. This holistic approach to learning includes teachings of the Spirit, Heart, Body, and Mind realms, and benefits all learners. As a learning organization, the CBE committed to reconciliACTIONs and is guided by the Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework, which reminds us that each student comes to their learning as a whole person, whose stories are carried with them into their learning days, every day. Learning those stories is our shared responsibility.
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.
Parking Lot
Families continue to use the parking lot to pick up and drop off their children. This is not a safe option for anyone and even one close call is too many close-calls. This parking lot is for staff use only, and we ask, again, that it is avoided for pick up and drop off at any time during the day.
PMD Use Uptick, Smartwatches, and Reminders
January has started with an uptick in PMD warnings issued through misuse by the students. As we are all aware, the Alberta Government’s mandate, Away for the Day includes any and all personal mobile devices, such as cell phones, Smartwatches, and other easily concealed mobile devices—these must be left at home, or turned off and secured away in lockers, not to be used until the end of the day bell. The Away for the Day policy includes fieldtrips- no PMDs are allowed on any off-site trip. Thank you for your support in helping the kids better focus on learning while at school.
Spring Drama Production
An Absolutely True Story as Told by a Bunch of Lying Lies, SWS’s latest drama performance extravaganza will be underway this week! Auditions for any interested student from grades 7-9 are being held in the drama room on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday right after school. Come one, come all to tryout for what is anticipated to be one of our best, laugh-out-loud productions yet!
Bell Let’s Talk- for Youth Mental Health
Bell Let’s Talk is a year-round initiative focused on engaging Canadians to take action to create positive change in mental health. One of the biggest hurdles for anyone struggling with mental illness is overcoming the stigma attached to it. Talking is an important first step towards lasting change. The annual Bell Let’s Talk Day and awareness campaign has become the world’s largest conversation about mental health, encouraging Canadians and people around the world to talk and take action to help reduce stigma and promote awareness and understanding so everyone can get the help they need. Over the course of the next few weeks, students will have an opportunity to engage in a presentation with Kate Sheldrick, Shaw’s Student Services Learning Leader, whose many year of experience and education afford her the knowledge to support mental health concerns with students, such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, and other growing concerns for youth. Support is available, and we are here to help:
City of Calgary Information and Referral Line 211 (information on a broad range of community and social services)
IN AN EMERGENCY
- Distress Centre: Counselling, Crisis phone line, Mobile Crisis Response Team
FREE - 403-266-1605
- Crisis support: Distress Centre: (403) 266-4357
- Emergency Services
For emergency and crisis services or if you or your child is seriously ill or injured, the best thing to do is Call 911.
- Access Mental Health
403-943-1500 or 1844-943-1500 (Mon- Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx
- Alberta Children’s Hospital
Emergency Department
2888 Shaganappi Trail
403.955.7211
- Calgary Distress Centre
24 hours Crisis Line:
403.266.1605
- Community Resource Team
403.299.9699
woodshomes.ca/crisis-and-outreach.htm
Calgary Police Service Non-Emergency Line: 403-266-1234: CPS will assist if an individual needs immediate support, but is resistant to getting it.
The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience: 1015 17 Ave NW, 587-534-7200
Built to provide mental health services for children and youth. Therapeutic support through a day hospital and community-based treatment. Walk-in services for anyone under 18 years of age and their family who would like to speak with a counsellor. Walk-in services do not require a referral. www.albertahealthservices.ca/summit/summit.aspx
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Direct Suicide Support – Crisis Services Canada 1-833-456-4566
(available 24/7/365 days per year.)
Distress Centre: Counselling, Crisis phone line, Mobile Crisis Response Team FREE - 403-266-1605 Crisis support (403) 266-4357
South Calgary Health Centre Mental Health (walk-in counselling- call for hours of operation). 31 Sunpark Plaza SW. 403-943-9383 (free)
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
RESTART Program in Grade 5
We are excited to announce that McMan Calgary will be facilitating the RESTART Workshop for our Grade 5 students starting next week. This program, consisting of 10 interactive sessions, is designed to enhance personal development and leadership skills in youth aged 10-24. Through engaging tools and activities, the workshop aims to foster positive social connections, boost self-esteem, and encourage the development of healthy attitudes and clear values.
Workshop Topics Include
- Building connections and healthy relationships.
- Managing emotions and resolving conflicts.
- Media, substance, and risk awareness.
- Accountability and coping strategies.
This program offers an excellent opportunity for our students to build essential life skills in a supportive group environment, equipping them with valuable tools to foster personal growth.
NxtGen After School Program for Grades 6-9 Students
We are excited to share that the Calgary Bridge Foundation is continuing their programming at Sam Shaw, this time offering an after-school program for youth from grades 6-9. NxtGen offers youth opportunities to connect with peers, make new friendships, and experience Calgary for new-to-Calgary students. The program runs Thursdays from 3:40-5:40 out of Samuel Shaw school. Snacks are provided, and fieldtrips, guest speakers, sports, arts, crafts and fun are the program’s main components. To register your child and for more information, please email: smohiuddin@cfby.ca The program starts January 23, 2025, and all registered students will be accepted.
Social Media Tips for Parents & Guardians
To foster healthy technology use among teenagers, it's essential for parents to establish clear guidelines and encourage balanced habits. Developing a family media plan can help set expectations for device usage, ensuring that both parents and teens agree on how technology fits into daily life. Encouraging tech-free activities and setting limits on screen time, especially before bedtime, can promote better sleep and overall well-being. Open communication about online experiences and modeling responsible technology use are also crucial in guiding teens toward healthy digital habits.
Calendar of Events
- January 13 - Jr. Boys’ Volleyball tryouts, 7:45 AM; Jr. Girls’ tryouts, 3:45-5PM
- January 14 - Sr. Girls’ Volleyball tryouts, 7:45AM (if needed); Sr. Boys’ tryouts 3:45-5PM (if needed); Drama Production Auditions 3:45- 4:20 in the Drama room
- January 15 - Jr. Girls’ volleyball- first practice- 7:45AM; Jr Boys’ first practice 3:45-5PM; Drama Production Auditions 3:45- 4:20 in the Drama room
- January 16 - Sr. Boys’ first practice, 7:45AM; Sr. Girls’ first practice, 3:45-5PM; Grade 9 Vaccinations for students with family consent
- January 17 - Drama Production Auditions 1:20-2:15 in the Drama room
- January 21-23 - Grade 7 Fieldtrips to the Military Museum (specific trip date is class dependent)
- January 23 - Grade 9 students to Centennial High School for school tours- PM
- January 27 - Semester 1 ends; Report Cards are visible to families in MyCBE
Healthy Hunger Dates
- Jan 23 - The Lunch Lady
- Feb 27 - Coco Brooks
- March 19 - Subway
With warmth,
Bobbi, Shannon, & Kerry