| Happy New Year! We trust that the winter break and holiday season gave opportunities to reflect on the year that has passed and look forward (optimistically) to an improved 2022. Although school did not resume when we expected, it is a pleasure to welcome our students back today for in-person learning. We know that there are varying levels of comfort within our learning community with the return to school, and several parents have made the choice not to send their children at this time. Currently, only in-person learning is available, there is not an online option for students. We have been told by our board to be prepared for a shift to online learning should it become necessary. We will do our best to keep you apprised of the situation as it pertains to Samuel W. Shaw. We will continue to communicate through email. We would ask that parents continue to contact the attendance line to inform the office of an absence.
Rapid Testing Kits/Medical Masks We appreciate that the government of Alberta is providing Rapid Testing Kits and medical grade masks for schools. These are currently in transit and have yet to arrive at Samuel W. Shaw. When these items do arrive, we will notify our community and distribute these resources accordingly.
Basketball As of today, we are still permitted to proceed with our basketball season. We have been notified that this could change if our situation changes. Given that we have lost a week, the season will be pushed back a week to allow two weeks for our tryouts. Once teams are created, coaches will share an updated schedule. We want to thank our coaches for providing this opportunity for those comfortable and interested in participating. The tryout schedule for this week is as follows: Sr. Boys: Monday and Wednesday after school at 3:45pm Sr. Girls: Tuesday and Thursday before school at 8:00am Jr. Girls: Thursday after school at 3:45pm and Friday after school at 1:30pm Jr. Boys: Wednesday after school at 3:45pm Our staff are busy with the assessment and reporting process this month. These efforts will culminate in the first report card for the 2021-22 school year. Report cards will be available to parents online through PowerSchool beginning the week of January 31st-February 4th. More details will be shared later in the month. The Yearbook Club would like to remind everyone that the order deadline for the 2021-2022 yearbook is February 14th. Our Yearbook is $25 and can be ordered through your MYCBE Account. Please contact the office if you require support in ordering. Our next school council meeting will be held, virtually through Microsoft Teams, on January 20, 2022, at 6:30pm. Meeting details will be emailed out and shared on our website a few days prior to our meeting.
Once again, we are very appreciative of your ongoing support for our staff and our students. Stay healthy and safe.
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| We are halfway through September and the business of school is well underway. It has been a joy to welcome our students back into our school and resume learning. We thank you for your patience and support as we continue to balance the health and safety protocols as they pertain to our learning environment. Safe and Caring School At the beginning of every school year we, as a staff set goals and targets for our school. This year we have prioritized our continued work of creating a safe and caring school. Pandemic notwithstanding, we understand that the adolescent years can be very challenging for students to navigate. We want to work to create a culture of caring that is accepting of all students. Further, we believe that how we treat each other matters and will continue to work with our students to see the positive and negative ways they may contribute to a safe and caring school. Mistakes will be made, conflicts will occur, but ultimately our goal is to have all of our students grow and foster empathy and kindness. On-going work to be sure, but worthwhile as we want all our students to feel that they matter at SWS. Volleyball We are excited about the opportunities to provide extra-curricular activities this year. The athletics season starts off with volleyball and we have a full complement of participants for tryouts for our teams. These tryouts began on Monday and continue through Thursday, Sept 23rd. Good luck to all our participants. Unfortunately, due to public health restrictions, only members of the volleyball teams are permitted during volleyball games meaning no student or adult spectators. Meet the Teacher/Conferences Meet the Teacher is approaching, September 23rd 5:00-8:00pm and September 24th 9:00am-1:00pm. We had hoped to have conferences, in person, however here we are planning for virtual meetings, once again. While not ideal, we have decided that for this round of conferences to have 10-minute individual bookings for parents with their homeroom teacher for grades 5-9. We have prioritized our Friday conferences for IPP conversations. Conferences will be available to book through PowerSchool on Friday morning. Directions on how to book will be sent to families tomorrow. TikTok Challenge It has come to our attention that there is a school bathroom challenge on TikTok. The challenge involves stealing and damaging bathrooms at school and then posting photos on TikTok. Events at our school would suggest that the challenge is happening at Sam Shaw as we have had several our bathroom soap dispensers go missing. Obviously, beyond the theft and vandalism we are concerned that these behaviours will impact the health and safety of our students as soap has been at times unavailable for use. Further it is very disappointing and discouraging to our facilities staff who work diligently to keep our spaces safe and clean for our students. We need your help, if these items make their way home, please schedule an appointment with the office to return the items.
Thank you for your support and partnership as we work to make this a great year for learning.
Jason & Mary-Elizabeth
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After 29 years in education with Calgary Board of Education, I have decided to resign at the end of this school year – June 30, 2021. This is an open letter of gratitude to the Samuel W. Shaw community, as it is a near impossible task for me to individually thank all of the students, parents, staff, and volunteers of SWS. This decision was not an easy one, because of my deep connection to SWS, its students, its staff and the greater SWS community. My passion for teaching and being with young adolescents hasn't subsided. Admittedly, other opportunities and prospects have excited me as well and I want to explore them further. I have been a part of the SWS community for the past 12 years: the first four years as a parent and the last eight years as the Principal. It is difficult to express how appreciative I am for having the opportunity to be a part of the SWS community since Samuel W. Shaw opened its doors in the fall of 2009. Over the years, I've had the honor of working with remarkable and committed staff, parents and students. Samuel W. Shaw have been a major part of my life. I will always be a part of the SWS community, and SWS will always be a part of me. As I start the next chapter of my life, I do not know what the next steps hold in store for me, except perhaps a more flexible schedule and the opportunity for reflection. The world has so many opportunities to discover, to learn, to enjoy; so I look forward to this next adventure. So, if you see me out in the community, please come over and say hi say so we can reconnect. I will continue to work hard with and for you as principal and assist in the transition with the next appointed principal. In the coming weeks you will be receiving an email asking for your input on the selection for the next principal. My hope is that you participate in this opportunity, to add your voice to the selection process. As excited and anxious as I am about embarking on the next adventure, I also feel sad to be leaving this extraordinary school. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been an educator in such a vibrant and supportive community. Working with the students and staff of SWS has been a great experience for me, which I will not soon forget. I will deeply miss the daily interactions with each and every one of you. I wish all of you the best.
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| I cannot believe that we are already well into the beginning of October. We are so glad that the weather is cooperating, as we are outside as much as possible. I would like to say thank you to all students and families for working so hard to follow our expectations with our Re-entry Plan and, being diligent with managing our health. I would also would like to acknowledge World Teacher Day on October 5th. This is when all teachers are celebrated world wide for their work, compassion and desire to educate our youth. This tribute has even greater meaning this year with the current learning environment that our students and teachers are working in. I hope that we all can take some time to say thank you to our champions who are working with our students each and everyday. |
| I would like to welcome all to the 2020-21 school year at Samuel W. Shaw. This year is going to be one year that we will remember for a long time. We are currently working together getting the school ready for arrival of staff and students. Things are going to look different and there will be many changes to our school day and the protocols. What we have been used to in the past is going to look really different. This year is all about trying something different, learning new things, and being mindful of our health and safety. There will be a large amount of information coming your way through email and posted on the website. Please take the time to read through and if you have any question please to do not hesitate to call the school.
Darrin Fisher
Principal SWS
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| Hey everyone, I hope all of you are well and safe. The staff and I sure miss our students. I understand that most of us are feeling
anxious in the current situation; but we are doing everything to keep you safe
and well. As we work through this “new normal”, we are going to continue the
work in supporting your learning.
I know that over the past few days, teachers have been
reaching out to see how you and your family are doing. They are also checking to see what you have
at home to support your learning from home. Teachers are very excited to reach
out to you and hear all about what you have been doing over the past few weeks.
I know the teachers are also looking forward to seeing all of you through
Google Meet. Maybe you will also have an
opportunity to meet your classmates.
Starting next week, teachers will be sending a weekly schedule of
activities, assignments, office hours and times when students can meet as a
class to continue the learning.
I do have to say that I am impressed by how the staff has
responded to this crisis by collaborating and working together to get ourselves
organized. There has been a lot of new
learning for everyone.
This situation is new for everyone and just like you, we are
all trying to figure out how to support learning but in a different way. Be
kind to everyone around you – you family, your teachers and yourself. Working together, we will all come out on the
other side better and stronger as a learning community.
Darrin Fisher
Principal |
| Dear SWS Families,
Now that the news is out there
and the classes are cancelled, we wanted to send a short note to all
of you to reassure you that we are still here and still thinking of you. While
our current times may seem overwhelming, please know that what remains
consistent is our dedication to you all.
Our advice to you is to take
these next two weeks to reconnect with your favourite things and your family.
Enjoy some good books, play with your pets, and have a family game night. Every
resource on D2L and online, is still available, so challenge yourself to keep
your skills sharp. As this is a new situation, please be patient with us as we
work to try and navigate what learning is going to look like with the school’s
doors closed. This is going to be a long process and we are at the very
beginning of our work. Expect more information from the school, but until that
arrives your teachers are still here for you and are reachable.
Darrin Fisher, Principal
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| PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
December is here
and brings with it all the excitement of the coming festive season. It is
important that you check the calendar for the upcoming events in December and
January. It is a wonderful time of learning and giving. We would like to
say a heartfelt thank you to our School Council for supporting the teaching and
learning at our school by organizing the Friday Fun Lunches, supporting our
teachers in the classroom and on fieldtrips and providing the many wish-list
items that make our educational experience so rich and meaningful. We
appreciate all you do for us!
With the advent of
this very chilly winter, we are working hard to remind our students to dress
properly for the weather. We are encouraging them to wear their coats,
hats, mitts and boots. As always in winter, the
CBE reminds parents and students of the following:
·
Children should be well prepared for
the weather and not left unattended at bus stops for any period of time, under
any circumstances.
·
Parents/guardians should provide
alternate arrangements for their child(ren) that provide timely shelter, if
required (i.e.: a neighbour who will be at home during the day).
·
Roads may be congested and slippery
resulting in possible traffic and bus delays.
We do need to say
goodbye to Mr. Dean Cutts as his time with us has come to an end. He is returning to his home country of
Australia. Mr. Cutts spent the year with us at SWS sharing his traditions with our
students and staff. This included Anzac
Cookie Making, Vegemite Tasting, Aboriginal Art and learning the game of
Australian Rules Football. We hope that Mr. Cutts will be able to take back and
share with his students in Australia some of our Canadian traditions. As always, I welcome your phone calls, emails and visits. On behalf of the staff
of Samuel W. Shaw, I’d like to wish
your family a restful holiday break and a healthy, prosperous New Year….Cheers!
Darrin Fisher
Principal
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| Dear Students & Parents,
We are excited to welcome students to Samuel W. Shaw School for the 2019-2020 school year!
A reminder we will be doing a staggered entry as follows:
- Tuesday, September 3, 2019 – Grade 5, 7 & PLP only
- Wednesday, September 4, 2019 – ALL students
On Tuesday, September 3, Grade 5 will meet outside near the Aux Gym and Grade 7 will meet outside near the Main Gym. PLP students will meet their teachers outside the school as they arrive. Please note, staff will be outside the school to help students find their way.
On Wednesday, September 4, Grade 6 students will meet their teachers outside the Aux Gym, Grade 8 will meet outside, near the Main Gym and grade 9 will meet at the east entrance of the school (by the portables). Please note, staff will be outside to help students find their way. Grade 5, 7 and PLP students will head directly to their classroom.
The Snack Shack will be open, starting, September 3 for students to purchase food at lunch.
Students will be given their classroom timetable and work with their core teachers their first few days of school. PE classes will begin on Thursday, September 5 and Complementary classes will begin on Monday, September 9. Forms and any additional paperwork will be sent home on Monday, September 9 with the expectations they are returned by Friday, September 13.
Meet the Teacher will be Thursday, September 12 from 5:30-7:30pm. During this evening, there will be an introduction of teachers in the gym at 5:30pm, a meeting at 6pm for grade 9 parents who have students attending the SEAS field trip and the Parent Council AGM at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons. The remainder of the evening will be an informal opportunity for students to show their parents around the school and introduce them to their teachers.
The school office will be open from 8:30am-4:00pm, Monday to Thursday and 8:30am-2pm on Friday. |
| Welcome Back!
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer. I also hope you are relaxed, recharged and ready to start a new school year. I am so delighted that you are part of our amazing learning community. I welcome and value your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education, and I look forward to working with you and your children.
Our staff is busy preparing for September and we are looking forward to working with our students. We have lots of exciting opportunities planned for the year, stay tuned for more info!
At this time, some students have noted their homeroom placement on PowerSchool. Please note, there was much planning and consultation, amongst our staff, that went into building class list. Parents were offered an opportunity last spring to make requests for class placements and we honoured these to the best of our abilities. At this time, there will be no homeroom changes. It is our belief that your child has been placed in a class that best suits them and we believe they will be successful in that setting.
A reminder that we will be doing a staggered entry, as follows:
Tuesday, Sept 3, 2019 - Grade 5, Grade 7 and PLP only
Wednesday, Sept 4 2019 - All students
Our warning bell in the morning is at 9:05am, period 1 beginning at 9:10am. Afternoon dismissal is at 3:40pm. If your child is bussed, please check the CBE website for transportation information, including bus times and stops. The link is: https://www.cbe.ab.ca/schools/busing-and-transportation/Pages/bus-maps-and-schedules.aspx
Stay tuned for further information which will be sent out the last few days of August.
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