Message from Administration and Staff

We are looking forward to a rewarding year working with our students and their families. We recognize that early adolescence years can be both challenging and full of opportunity for the students in our care. During their years with us, our students will face significant life choices and will benefit from the support of school, family and community in making wise and healthy decisions.

It is our belief that, if we listen to our students’ voices, while respecting and honouring their concerns and engaging them in relevant, challenging, integrative and exploratory educational experiences, our students will be better prepared for the promise their futures hold.

In order to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in a democratic learning environment, trust and respect, and active involvement with family and community needs to be integral to their experience.

We believe that each student has the capacity to learn, grow, and develop into a knowledgeable, reflective, caring, ethical, and contributing citizen. In order to achieve this, they must have access to the very best programs and practices our school can offer. As educators, we embrace the opportunity to work with this age group and are committed to our own lifelong learning and professional development and growth, in support of learning for every student in our midst.

All students at Samuel W. Shaw are supported to achieve their potential. They are encouraged to believe in themselves and their learning community. Students are challenged to actively engage in their learning. They are encouraged to demonstrate their learning creatively and with innovation.

Our middle school is an exemplar of inclusive public education and learning in the 21st Century. Active engagement of students in inquiry based learning and meeting the needs of all students. The foundation of the school is that learning has to be relevant, challenging, integrative and exploratory. The school promote meaningful relationships and learning within the entire middle school community. The goal is being an outstanding middle school that meets the needs of adolescents for today and in the future.

We recognize that learning is best supported when:

• Students feel safe and supported
• The learner-teacher relationship is central to the learning experience
• Students feel listened to
• Students feel respected and cared about by peers, teachers, parents and administration
• Strengths are reinforced and needs addressed
• Students have ownership of and involvement (voice and choice) of the learning environment and process
• Lessons encourage diverse thinking skills and exchanges of ideas
• Learning is a celebration of diversity, understanding and achievement
• Teachers and peers model effective behaviour and strategies
• Students, teachers, parents and community are partners in student success
• The school climate and environment is focused on effective learning and caring
• Students take responsibility for and have commitment to their own learning
• All students are valued for themselves
• Creativity and innovation are valued in students, teachers and classes
• There is a shared ownership by parents, students, staff and the community to build positive relationships as the foundation for success

Students are expected to actively engage in learning to the best of their ability and positively contribute to the learning of others in the school. Positive citizenship is expected of all students and staff. All students are expected to act in a manner that will show care and respect:

• for themselves
• for others
• for their environment

Students must be given the opportunity to accept responsibility for their actions.

Who was Samuel W. Shaw?

The school is named after a remarkable Calgarian for whom the area of Shawnessy, Shawnee Slopes and Shaw Meadows in Fish Creek Park was named. His mill was located in Fish Creek Park. He was an innovator in Calgary having created the first phone line from his store in Midnapore to one in downtown Calgary. His pioneering spirit and innovation is a great example for our learning and working together at Samuel W. Shaw School.