Dear Samuel W. Shaw Families,

We have a full update for you this week. Thank you in advance for reading through to the end.

Pick up & Drop Off- Shawinigan Dr., & Parking

As a reminder, we have a significant number of buses that require the space outside our school on Shawinigan Drive for safe pick up and drop off of students. While it may be more convenient to try to stop along this area to drop off or pick up your child(ren), we are asking that you use safe, alternate locations, such as the community rink parking lot, further down Shawinigan Drive, or along Shannon Drive to drop off and pick up your child(ren), away from the bus zones. We also have a number of students with mobility concerns that require this safe space to access the school. Please also avoid use of the staff parking lot for drop-off and at dismissal. It is our hope that with close attention to this reminder, the number of families using Shawinigan Drive to u-turn in the playground zone will be also eliminated.

Soft-Entry

Our students have been enjoying the soft-entry into the building, helping them to regulate into their days. Please remind your child(ren) that the doors facing onto Shawinigan Drive open at 8AM for their access. We have noticed an increase of students arriving before this time, and ask that arrival is no earlier than 8AM for the safety of the students. Students are to use the Shawinigan Drive doors, and not ring the doorbell to the main entrance please. Families are welcome to say goodbye to their child(ren) at the doors. In cases when families need to speak with adults in the building, drop something off, etc., we ask that parents/guardians come to the main doors and ring the doorbell.  

Early-Access for Athletics

A big shout-out to the many humans who support athletics at Shaw. From the teacher-volunteers who coach and arrive early to work with our athletes, to the parent-volunteers who do the same, to you, the families of our athletes who help the kids get up and get here on time, we appreciate you. For ease of access to the building for early morning practices, we are asking that all athletes arrive no earlier than 7:40 for 7:45 practices, and use the gymnasium entrance facing Shawinigan Drive to gain access to their practices. This is the red door about halfway down the bricked wall facing Shawinigan Drive. Please remind your child(ren) to not ring the main door bell, as the office is not staffed at that time.

Storm Store

We are excited to announce that long-time staffer, Mrs. McRae has been working hard to bring the Storm Store back to the glory of old. Pre-COVID, the Storm Store served nutritious lunch items, had microwaves for students to heat their own food, and (drum roll please) fresh baked cookies daily—and this is all coming back! We are currently in the process of getting everything in order, inclusive of “hiring” students to work (volunteer) at the Storm Store, with an anticipated opening just after Thanksgiving. Application forms to work at the Store have been available all week. Students from grades 7-9 are invited to apply. Having responsible, engaged helpers every day is what will make the Storm Store come to life! Storm Store for grades 5 & 6 will be available in classrooms once a week, and will be run and “staffed” by the grades 5 & 6 teacher and student-volunteers. Schedules and more information about the 5s & 6s Storm Store will be provided by their teachers.

Breakfast Program

Last year, for the month of June, we piloted a breakfast program geared at supporting kids who might need a little extra to eat in the mornings, funded by Parent Council. As parents, the admin team knows full well that sometimes getting out the door on time is at the cost of grabbing breakfast. We also know that food insecurity exists in our building for some students and their families. We are beyond excited to share that the Breakfast Program will continue this year, due to the generosity of our devoted Parent Council! Grab ‘n’ Go breakfast items will be available out of the Storm Store from 8:30-9:00AM every day. While all kids are welcome to grab breakfast items if they need them, we kindly encourage those who don't need them, to leave them for those who might benefit from it more—let's share the love!

PMD- Emergencies & Illness Reporting

We are proud to say that the vast majority of students of Samuel W. Shaw school have been very respectful and understanding of the “Away for the Day” mandate from the government. A big thank you to you, the families, for your on-going conversations with your child(ren) about keeping their devices off/away during their time at school. Please be reminded that students and families are to utilize the main office for any needed communication throughout the day. We are asking that if your child is unwell, or you need to reach your child unexpectedly, that the main office is used to relay messaging. This avoids misuse of PMDs by students, and decreases misunderstandings of any PMD use during the day.

Scholastic Book Fair

Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Sam Shaw, September 24-26! Please see this link to find out more information about how students can pay, and setting up parent accounts to use “MyDoh” for payments.

Parent Council

We had our first of monthly Parent Council meetings last Thursday. We were very excited to see many new faces not only attend the meeting, but volunteer their time to support Sam Shaw School. Sending out some love and appreciation for our Parent Council! Meetings are every third Thursday of the month, and all parents and guardians are welcome!

LEAD- Leadership, Excellence, Achieving a Difference, Program

LEAD is a free after school program that is being held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:40 PM - 5:40 PM at Samuel W. Shaw, beginning Monday, September 23, 2024. This program is for grade 7-9 students and is run by the City of Calgary. This is a great opportunity for students to build upon their leadership skills, make a difference in their community and have some fun! Participants will complete a practicum and receive a certificate of completion. Application forms are still available from the main office. Late joiners are welcome.  

Expectations and Information about Athletics at Shaw

For Shaw Students

  • Sam Shaw students will be able to view the first home game (4:30 PM start) without parent/guardian supervision. Students are to remain inside the main gym watching the game. 
  • Once the first game is complete, school administration will help all Shaw students without a parent/guardian leave the building. 
  • Shaw students will need to be directly supervised by a parent/guardian if they would like to stay and/or return at any point after the first game is complete. 
  • Shaw students are expected to be in the main gym watching the game(s) and supporting all players/coaches/referees/parents/guardians in a positive manner. Any student who is not meeting the CBE Student Code of Conduct will be escorted out of the gym and school and may lose future viewing privileges. 

Please note that Shaw students should not attend games at any other school without a parent present. 

Students from Other Schools

Will not be admitted into the school, for any game(s), unless accompanied by a parent/guardian who stays for the duration of the time the student is in the building. 

  • Once teams from other schools have completed their games for the evening, all players must exit the building, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian who stays for the duration of the   time the student is in the building. 
  • Student athletes who arrive before their coaches will be asked to wait at the tables in the Gathering Space just outside the gymnasium, until their coach arrives. 

All Parents and Guardians

All parents/guardians are welcome to attend all games at Sam Shaw. 

  • Parents/guardians who bring family members under the age of 18 are expected to supervise their child(ren) in the main gym at all times.  
  • All parents/guardians are expected to cheer/support all players/coaches/referees/parents/guardians in a positive manner. 
  • If parents/guardians are engaging in any inappropriate behaviour directed towards players/coaches/referees/other parents/guardians/school staff or school administration, the game will   be paused and the parent/guardian will be asked to stop. If the inappropriate behaviour continues, the game will be stopped again and will not re-start until the parent/guardian leaves the  gym and school property. If removed, the parent/guardian may lose future viewing privileges at Shaw. 

Our main goal is to provide and safe and fun opportunity for students. 

  • The players are kids. 
  • The coaches are volunteers. 
  • The referees are human. 

Calendar of Events

  • September 23- Grade 9 Leadership to JJ
  • September 24- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM   
  • September 24- 26- Scholastic Book Fair
  • September 25- Grade 9 Leadership to JJ
  • September 26- Meet the Teacher & grade team Town Halls; NO Boys’ Development Basketball today
  • September 27- IPP Student & Family Meetings, no school for students
  • September 30- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation- no school for staff and students, to make space to attend functions and honour this important day
  • October 1- Orange Shirt Day at Shaw; Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM
  • October 2- Boys’ Soccer- Home Game
  • October 3- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM
  • October 4- Girls’ Hoops Academy at 1:30 PM
  • October 7- Boys’ Soccer- Home Game
  • October 8- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM
  • October 9- Grade 7 Walking Field Trip to Fish Creek Park
  • October 10- Girls’ Soccer- Home Game
  • October 11- Terry Fox Run; Girls’ Hoops Academy at 1:30 PM
  • October 14- Thanksgiving- No school
  • October 15- Grade 6 Field Trip to Telus Spark (Lappin & Vonka); Junior Boys’ Basketball- Home Game (main gym); Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM (auxiliary gym); Girls’ Soccer- Home Game
  • October 16- Junior Girls’ Basketball- Home Game
  • October 17- Senior Boys’ Basketball- Home Game; Boys’ Development Basketball 3:45; Girls’ Soccer- Home Game; Parent Council, 6:30PM
  • October 21- Senior Girls’ Basketball- Home Game
  • October 22- Grade 6 Field Trip- Telus Spark (Unterschutz & Smith); Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM
  • October 24- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM
  • October 29- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM
  • October 31- in-school Halloween Dance for students (alternate spaces and activities are provided for those who may not wish to attend); Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45 PM
  • Please note, only Home Games are listed on Calendar of Events

Your engagement and support are the foundation of our strong, thriving, and connected school community. We greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to Samuel W. Shaw School!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Warmly,

Bobbi, Shannon, & Kerry