Happy New Year! I hope you all had a restful and joyful holiday season. As we step into 2025, I'm excited to welcome our students and families back to school. This year promises to be filled with engaging activities and opportunities for growth with so many exciting events on the horizon.
SAM Intramural Program Launch: We're thrilled to introduce our new intramural program, starting with the SAM Hockey League (SHL) . Students have been assigned to one of eight houses—Beavers, Wolves, Buffalo, Hawks, Orcas, Raven, Falcons, or Turtles—and can earn points for their house through participation, teamwork, and sportsmanship. All participation is optional and will occur during scheduled times at lunch recess throughout the upcoming months.
Running Room Indoor Games (RRIG): We're excited to participate in the RRIG, bringing the excitement of track and field to students in grades 4 through 6. Practices are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:50 AM to 8:30 AM, starting January 9th through March 6th. This is a wonderful opportunity to foster teamwork and a love for athletics.
Academic Challenge and Enrichment (ACE) Information Evening: On Tuesday, January 28th, at 6:00 PM, we'll host an information session about the ACE program, designed for academically gifted students seeking deeper inquiry-based learning. Families interested in this program are encouraged to attend to learn more about the application process and program benefits.
Kindergarten Open House: Join us on Tuesday, February 4th, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at SAM School to learn more about our Kindergarten programs. This is a great opportunity for parents and students to get acquainted with what SAM School offers.
For more details on these events and other school news, please read further in this edition of The PAW Print!
Dawn & Cam
We’re thrilled to announce that SAM’s Intramural Program is ready to launch! Over the past few months, Ms. Ringuette and Mr. Beauchamp have been developing a fun and engaging program for lunch recess, and we’re kicking things off with SHL (SAM Hockey League) exclusively for Division 2 students.
Our new intramural program will have eight houses for both Division 1 and Division 2 are Beavers, Wolves, Buffalo, Hawks, Orcas, Raven, Falcons and Turtles. All students have been randomly assigned to a house, and participation is optional.
Students can earn their house points for participation, teamwork, and sportsmanship, aligning with our SAM C.A.R.E.S. philosophy. Points will be tracked throughout the program, with playoffs for each sport adding bonus points.
For additional fun, a staff vs. students game will cap off each sport, and the house with the most points will be awarded a trophy at our spirit assembly before Spring Break! We can’t wait to see the energy and enthusiasm this brings to our school community! Let’s get ready to play! 🏒
We are thrilled to announce the return of the Running Room Indoor Games (RRIG) to SAM School for the 2025 season! This extracurricular activity brings the excitement of track and field competition to students in grades 4 through 12. SAM School will proudly compete in the 8 x 200m relay events for grades 4, 5, and 6. This event is a wonderful opportunity to foster teamwork, determination, and a love for athletics. If your child expressed interest in participating in the RRIG, they would have been provided an information package and field trip forms to take home to their families.
Practice Schedule & Commitment
- Practices: Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:50 AM - 8:30 AM
- Start Date: January 9, 2025
- End Date: March 6, 2025
- Location: SAM School hallways (with one late practice at the U of A Butterdome)
To ensure success, we kindly ask families to support their child’s attendance and punctuality.
SAM Songsters will begin at lunch recess on Tuesday, January 28th. This choir is open to all Grade 2 and 3 students who love to sing! Students are welcome to try the first rehearsal before making the decision to commit for the season. Registration forms will be sent home with those who attend on January 28th.
SAM Chorus will begin a new session on Thursday, January 30th at 8:00 am. Please note that we have switched to Thursday mornings to avoid a conflict with the Running Club. Returning members will receive an email registration form. New members are welcome to join and can see Mrs. Moran for a registration form next week.
Mr. Letendre has launched the SAM Chess Club this week, and it has been a HUGE hit with our students! The level of interest has been overwhelming, and we are thrilled to see so many students eager to engage in this timeless game of strategy and skill.
To support the club’s growth, we are on the lookout for any chess boards that families might be able to donate. If you have a chess board gathering dust at home, we would love to give it a new purpose here at SAM!
Donations can be dropped off at the front office in the new year. Thank you for supporting our students’ love for learning and play! ♟️
The Chess Club is open to any students in Grades 3-6 on Wednesday's at lunch recess in the Bear's Den.
SAM School is hosting our Kindergarten Open House on February 4th at SAM School from 6-7pm where parents and students are invited to come in and learn more about our school and programming. Click here for more information about Kindergarten at SAM School.
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now OPEN! Click here to register in Kindergarten at SAM School.
Academic Challenge and Enrichment Information Evening on Tuesday, January 28th at 6pm! This evening will present information about the division ACE program designed for academically gifted students who want to investigate topics in greater depth using inquiry-based learning. This program is suited for students who display extraordinary academic abilities, as well as a strong curiosity for learning.
Please be aware that there is an application process for this program, which includes an assessment confirming a minimum full-scale IQ score, as well as recommendations from both their teacher and school administration. This information evening is an excellent opportunity for families to learn more about the program and how it might help their child continue to thrive.
Click here more information about the ACE Program at SAM School.
Over the next couple of weeks, students in kindergarten and grades 1 to 3 will be assessed with literacy and numeracy screens provided by Alberta Education. These screening assessments are designed to help us identify and support students considered at-risk in literacy and numeracy and are most in need of additional support (i.e., teaching/learning strategies, targeted intervention activities, etc). This is the second round of screens for students in Grades 1–3 this year, and the first round for students in Kindergarten. We will reassess all identified at-risk students again at the end of the school year.
If you would like more information about the literacy and numeracy screening assessments mandated by Alberta Education, you can find more information on their website.
If you have further questions about the assessment process here at SAM, please reach out to Dawn or Cam.
If you have questions about your child’s literacy or numeracy learning, please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher.
Body Image and Eating Disorders
Struggles with self- esteem, body image and weight control are a common concern for both girls and boys. This session will explore some of the reasons behind these struggles, provide information on disordered eating and eating disorders, as well as discuss strategies for supporting teens towards healthier perspectives and habits.
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
For adults, and caregivers of youth grades 7-12; for adults only.
The Wolverines Volleyball Club is running an early stages skills camp for young boys and girls with little to no experience but with an interest in playing volleyball. It is an 8-week camp being held at SAM on Saturdays and it is geared to 10-13 year olds. The camp begins on January 18th and there are still have a few spots remaining.
For more information, visit the Wolverines Volleyball website.
Orthodontic students at the University of Alberta are seeking patients to help them gain hands-on training. They can provide affordable orthodontic care, including braces, clear aligners, and jaw alignment — all supervised by expert faculty. Canadian Dental Care Plan accepted based on CDCP criteria.
For more information, visit: U of A Oral Health Clinic