Dear Sam Shaw Families,
With the rain (and even some snow?!) comes green and growth. This exciting time of change and transition brings questions, increased energy, sometimes anxiety, and thoughts for what is to come. As we (you at home and us here) work tirelessly to maintain some semblance of normalcy, we hope to navigate these last days (yes, we are down to DAYS left!) by continuing our established routines, our high expectations, and a whole lot of patience.
Year-End Assessment & Reporting:
On Friday, our staff met to continue work on year-end reporting and assessment. Student who have Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) will receive these in the mail. We will be mailing them home on June 6. As always, your input and feedback are key to your child’s success. Please direct any questions or comments to your child’s homeroom teacher once read and reviewed.
Indigenous Student transfer documents have now been shared with our departing grade 9 students’ new schools. These were made, in collaboration with, in most cases, the child’s current teachers and families.
Year-end report cards will be “live” in MyCBE on June 26, 2024.
Grades 6 & 9 PAT Tests & Field Testing
Both our sixes and nines now have at least one practice PAT test under their belts, and in the case of the nines, an actual PAT completed on the new platform, VRETTA. As with any new format, we anticipated challenges, and experienced very few. Upcoming dates for the remainder of the PATs & PAT Field Tests are below.
School Council Meetings
As the year draws to a close, many of our parent council volunteers are moving on with their children to new schools. School Council is actively seeking new participants in this important part of any school. Please watch for the School Council Newsletter coming out this week, in which opportunities are detailed. As administration, we know we could not function as effectively without parent volunteers in Parent Council initiatives. From us to these dedicated humans, we thank you. Please join us for our next meeting Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 6:30PM in the Learning Commons. All are invited and welcome to join—no experience required! The final meeting of the year is June 20, 2024, 6:30PM, in the Learning Commons.
Student Drop Off
Just a friendly reminder that the strip of road on Shawinigan Drive outside the school remains busy in the mornings and at the end of the day. We have numerous buses that require this space for safely letting students off and for pick-up daily. There are a number of nearby spaces that can be used for student drop off that would not interfere with our buses. Thank you in advance for utilizing alternate drop off and pick up spaces.
Spring Concert, Celebration of Learning & Open House
On June 6, we are excited to invite all Sam Shaw families to join us for a barbecue, Spring Concert, and Celebration of Learning. We will fire up the barbecues, and open the doors at 5PM for a self-guided tour through the building as we celebrate a year of learning and growth. At 6:30 all are welcome to join in the main gymnasium to hear our fantastic Music program showcased in the Spring Concert, thanks to the talented band students and Mrs. Smith. We are also excited to host our incoming grade five students and families from Somerset and Janet Johnstone Schools, and incoming grade sevens from Bridlewood to this event. *On June 5, we will be hosting a “warm-up” concert rehearsal that families are welcome to attend. This begins at 2:15PM in the gymnasium. All are welcome.
Indigenous Education at Sam Shaw School
In the vein of reconciliation and providing culturally responsive education, Indigenous students are invited to Smudge ceremonies with Ms. Kerry (Lax Kw’alaams First Nation). Smudge involves burning a small amount of plant medicines, such as sage, sweetgrass, and cedar in a smudge bowl (often an abalone shell). Smudging in schools is supported by all parts of the Calgary Board of Education, and is always connected to learning. Non-Indigenous students may have an opportunity to learn through this cultural custom as a class. Ms. Kerry will work with interested teachers to bring this learning to the broader Sam Shaw community as requested, in relation to Programs of Study outcomes. Families are always informed in advance, and students are invited to participate if they choose. For questions, please contact your child’s teacher, or Ms. Kerry (kagreen@cbe.ab.ca) directly.
On June 21, annually, we acknowledge and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples' Day. At Sam Shaw, a committee of teachers is coming together to plan a celebration of this important day. More information to come.
Nancy, Kerry & Shannon
School Council Meeting Dates
May 23 – 6:30 in the Learning Commons- ALL ARE WELCOME!
June 20 – 6:30 in the Learning Commons
On the Horizon
May 20 – Victoria Day – No School
May 21 – Grade 6 Math PAT Part A- Field Test
May 21 – Grade 6 Badminton Division Meet- Lord Beaverbrook High School- 4PM
May 23 – Grade 6 Math PAT Part B- Field Test
May 28 – PLP Field Trip to Heritage Park
May 31 – Grade 9 Math & Science PAT Field Tests
May 31– Grade 7 Band to visit Bridlewood School
June 3 – PowerSchool visibility turned off
June 5 – Spring Concert Rehearsal- Families welcome- 2:15PM
June 6 – Track & Field Meet
June 6 – Spring Concert, Open House, & Celebration of Learning- 5PM
June 12 – Grade 9 ELA PAT
June 13 – Grade 9 Mathematics PAT
June 13– Grade 9 Farewell
June 18 – Grade 9 PAT
June 19 – Grade 6/9 Social Studies PAT
June 20 – Grade 6/9 Science PAT
June 21– National Indigenous People’s Day
June 26 – Final Report Cards – Visible in MyCBE
June 26– Sports Day
June 27 – Last day of school for students
June 28 – Non-Instructional Day
Healthy Hunger Date
June 20- A BIG shout out and thanks to the parent volunteers and lunchroom staff who get these out to kids each time!