Dear Samuel W. Shaw Families,

It was joyous to see so many families join for the Town Hall Meet the Teacher on Thursday last week! Sitting in Circle with each family and staff member was an honour, and a wonderful way to connect. We enjoyed the many smaller conversations that resulted afterward, and were able to experience the beauty of Sam Shaw school through your eyes and stories. Each family experienced an introduction from the administration team, and was able to hear about the learning in classrooms. We were grateful for this time together.

Below are some important highlights from the Town Hall meetings, and reminders for the upcoming week:

Social Media Activity

The PMD Away for the Day policy has positively impacted student engagement in class. Unstructured times during the day (lunch and nutrition break) are noticeably louder this year but that is so positive.  Students are engaging in conversations with their peers and making connections.

Outside of school social media use can negatively impact student interactions at school. We would ask that parents continue to be very diligent in monitoring your child's social media usage. Platforms such as SnapChat and Instagram provide messaging capabilities and opportunities for group chats. SnapChat messages disappear which makes it harder for parents to monitor. What is noticeable at school is when students engage in negative and confrontational messaging that has a trickle-down effect to school. It takes many hours for staff to sort through these situations. We would ask that you support our work of teaching and learning by closely monitoring what is happening on social media outside of school.

Orange Shirt Day at Samuel W. Shaw

Staff and students are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on Tuesday, October 1, the day after the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in support and acknowledgment of reconciliation at Shaw. Our hope is that the staff and students spent September 30 engaged in acts of reconciliation, connecting with family and in community. At Samuel W. Shaw school, we are committed to on-going learning related to Indigenous way of being, belonging, doing, and knowing, through a collective and collaborative approach to deepening our understandings.

Indigenous Education

As we weave our curriculum through Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing, and knowing, our hope is to regularly share with our Shaw community the work the students are engaged in from each grade team. Watch for regular updates here!

Terry Fox Run in Support of Cancer Research

On Friday, October 11, 2024, our staff and students will support cancer research by participating in our Terry Fox Run. Terry Fox continues to be one of Canada’s most inspirational people, who, to this day, motivates Canadians to do their part to further cancer research through his enduring legacy. From the Terry Fox Foundation, it shares his story,         

Terry’s personal experience and research led him to a simple conclusion – more  money was needed for cancer research. And so, in the modest but motivated style that would prove to be his trademark, Terry started training and planning for his cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research. He dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean on April 12th, 1980 and proceeded to unite Canadians in a way never before, nor since, seen. The only thing that could have stopped Terry from reaching the Pacific Ocean did. Cancer returned in his lungs and he was forced to stop on September 1st, 1980 after having run 5,373 kilometers.

This is why Terry ran. This is why we run to this day, every year.

When possible, we ask for your support.  Donations are being accepted via this link: https://schools.terryfox.ca/SamuelWShaw

Storm Store Update

Thank you to the overwhelming number of students who expressed interest in working at the Storm Store through their submitted applications (due last Thursday). This week, we will begin sifting through the applications in an attempt to provide every applicant an opportunity to show leadership and responsibility by working for a period of time at the Store. By the end of the week, we plan to meet with the applicants, share what working at the Storm Store will entail, and begin scheduling students in shifts. While some may work as soon as the Store opens, others may not have a shift until term 2. We ask for, and thank everyone for their patience as we bring this important part of Sam Shaw back to life.  

Athletics at Shaw

Last week we met with all our student athletes at lunch to go over the expectations at Shaw for safe participation in team sports at Shaw. Students were reminded that they have a responsibility to act in accordance with the expectations at all times, inclusive of their treatment of each other, teachers, coaches, and any adult in all aspects of their time at school. In cases when students lose sight of these expectations, we follow Progressive Discipline measures to support student/athlete behaviour.     

Calendar of Events

  • 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
  • October 2- Boys’ Soccer- Home Game
  • October 3- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45
  • October 4- Girls’ Hoops Academy at1:30
  • October 7- Boys’ Soccer- Home Game
  • October 8- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45
  • 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
  • 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 (auxiliary gym); Girls’ Soccer- Home Game
  • October 16- Photo Retake Day; Junior Girls’ Basketball- Home Game
  • October 17- Senior Boys’ Basketball- Home Game; Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45; Girls’ Soccer- Home Game; School 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
  • October 24- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45
  • October 29- Boys’ Development Basketball at 3:45
  • 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
  • Please note, only Home Games are listed on Calendar of Events

Your involvement and support form the backbone of our vibrant, thriving, and connected school community. We deeply appreciate your continued dedication to Samuel W. Shaw School!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Warmly,

Bobbi, Shannon, & Kerry