Happy Sunday, Samuel W. Shaw Families

From first snowfalls to Halloween dances, it’s been a busy week! The line-ups at the Storm Store are growing, the “employees” are settling into routines, and atmosphere at lunch is enlivening. We are happy to share that the menu is expanding, and prices remain very reasonable (max $3). Thanks to all for making the start-up the huge success it is!

Indigenous Education in Paced Learning Program (PLP)

Our PLP students participated in activities that spoke to why we observe Orange Shirt Day on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 (October 1 at Shaw). We listened to the story, When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (Indigenous Canadian; Inuit; Inuvialuit (Mackenzie Inuit)). This story is based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and speaks of a young Inuit girl named Olemaun who goes to a residential school.

Students connected to this young girl’s experience and how it differed from their experience with school. Together, our PLP students came up with ways that we make others feel like they matter and celebrated the importance of showing others that they are valuable by how we treat them.

plp project

Remembrance Day Services at Shaw

As we prepare for our Remembrance Day assembly, we are looking to honor those who have served in the armed forces. If your family has any relatives or ancestors who have fought in a war or are currently part of the military, and you would be willing to share their story and a photo, we would love to include them in our presentation. Please send any submissions to Karla Smith, kmsmith@cbe.ab.ca  by November 1.  Grades 5, 6 & PLP service begins at 9:20 in the gymnasium. Grades 7-9 will join at 10:30, with all students observing a moment of silence at 11:00. Families are invited to join for the 10:30 service (9:20 service is for students only).

Purdy's Fundraiser for Band

Who doesn't love a little chocolate? Just in time for holiday gift-giving, Band Parent Council is offering Purdy's Chocolate for us to enjoy.

purdys fundraiser

Social Media Tips for Parents & Guardians

We understand the effort that goes into parenting. As parents of children this age ourselves, we know how important it is to stay involved, invested, and engaged—it’s a constant responsibility. We truly appreciate your ongoing support from home, especially when it comes to having these sometimes difficult conversations with your children. Below are some helpful tips for managing social media use with kids, serving as a reminder for us included:

  • Learn about the apps your child is using. While some social media platforms have age requirements to join, children may get around these. Did you know there’s an app that looks like a calculator (or another customizable innocuous app icon), but hides private pictures, videos, documents, etc.? We didn’t either.
  • Show interest and ask questions about your child’s online experiences. Make sure they understand that it’s not a good idea for adults to communicate with children and teens online. We would add, any stranger.
  • Try to keep phones, tablets, and computers in common areas where you can monitor your child’s use. Keep devices out of private spaces like bedrooms.
  • Get online family protection. Programs that provide parental controls can block websites and enforce time limits. Talk to your kids about ways to keep from seeing things they don’t want to see, like setting filters on search engines (your child is probably more interested in avoiding inappropriate content than finding it).
  • Be open with your children if you are following their online accounts or monitoring their online activity to help keep them safe. Because some children or teens may create a fake second account for their parents to follow, ongoing conversation is essential.
  • Discuss what’s okay and safe to post online, and what isn’t. Talk about how privacy settings or other tools can control who sees what they post, and what they might do if the wrong people see their content. Once it’s online, it’s public domain. Forever. We often say to students, “you’re x years old. You’re supposed to need help still. Let your trusted adults help you”.  
  • Find the app’s “safety centre” or “parent centre” and go through it with your kids (if you can’t find it within the app, do a Google search with the app’s name and the words “safety centre” or “parent centre”). These features have information about limiting what people can see and how they interact with you, as well as what to do if things go wrong.
  • There is a strong relationship between having rules in the home and how kids behave online. Talk with your kids about: what information they post/share and how they “talk” online; how/whether to comment on others’ posts; speaking up when something feels wrong or uncomfortable.
  • Make sure your kids know that they should come to you if anything ever goes wrong or upsets them online. Tell them that your top priority will be working with them to fix whatever’s gone wrong.
  • Remind your children that what they see on social media doesn’t always reflect reality and help them find joy in offline activities. If you see your children getting anxious about being off their phone for a while, talk about how they are feeling.

(from: Social Media: What Parents Should Know)  

Anxiety in Youth Presentation - McKenzie Highlands School

McKenzie Highlands School, in partnership with Recovery Alberta, will be hosting a parent presentation titled ‘Anxiety and Youth’ on Wednesday, November 6 at 6:30 – 8:00 pm. While pre-registration is encouraged, they will also welcome walk-ins on the evening of the event.

Cross-Shoulder Bags, and Other Fashion Bags

Please continue to remind your child(ren) that any cross/shoulder bag, clear included, need to be left in lockers or better yet, at home. Thank you for your help with this.

Calendar of Events:

  • October 29 - Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45
  • October 30 - GSA at Lunch
  • October 31 - in-school Halloween Dance for students (alternate spaces and activities are provided for those who may not wish to attend); NO Boys’ Development Basketball today
  • November 4-8 - Auxiliary Gym being painted
  • November 5 - AHS Vaccine Talk w/ Grade 6; Sr. Boys Basketball- home game; NO Boys’ Development Basketball
  • November 7 - Remembrance Day Assembly; NO Boys’ Development Basketball
  • November 8 - No School- Maatoomsii’ Pookaiks, System-wide Indigenous Education Learning Day for Staff
  • November 9- 13 - No School: Fall Break. Classes resume Thursday, November 14
  • November 14 - Classes resume
  • November 20 - Grade 6 Vaccines (for consenting families)
  • November 28 - Student Conferences: 4:30-8:00PM
  • November 29 - NO SCHOOL- Student Conferences: 8:00AM-1:00PM

Healthy Hunger Dates

  • Nov 21 - Subway 
  • Jan 23 - The Lunch Lady 
  • Feb 27 - Coco Brooks 
  • March 19 - Subway

Order from www.healthyhunger.ca

We sincerely appreciate your involvement and support. Together, we are building a connected community at Samuel W. Shaw School. Your continued commitment is important and contributes to our shared success.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

With warmth,

Bobbi, Shannon, & Kerry