The PAW Print

December is here, and with it comes all the excitement of the snowy season! The snow-covered playground is already buzzing with laughter and rosy cheeks, and it’s the perfect reminder of all the fun this time of year brings. It also comes with the reminder to bring all your warm, winter gear to school as we do strive to go outside many times every day.

We’ve got a lot to look forward to this month! Our winter concerts are just around the corner, and students have been working hard to share a truly wonderful evening of song with you! Please read this newsletter to learn more about how you'll get your tickets for the concert. Our Physical Education Team is also excited to invite you to our family winter skate, where we’ll get to enjoy some time together on the ice. But, even before all that happens, our Student Leadership Club is thrilled to announce our upcoming student-led activity, Crazy Hair Day, on Thursday, Nov. 28th.

As we settle into the rhythm of this busy season, we’re reminded of how lucky we are to share all of these moments with such a fantastic school community.

Stay warm and have fun this weekend!

Dawn & Cam

Week of Nov 25 - 29, 2024

• Tues, Nov 26 - SAM Chorus Rehearsal (8am Music Room)
• Wed, Nov 27 - Grades 4 - 6 students attend "Beauty and the Beast" - The Arden Theatre
• Wed, Nov 27 - Grade 6 Girls Volleyball Games (SAM Gym @ 4:00pm)
• Wed, Nov 27 - Parent Internet Safety Presentation - SAM School 6-8pm
• Thurs, Nov 28 - Crazy Hair Day
• Thurs, Nov 28 - Grade 6 Boys Volleyball Games (SAM Gym @4:00pm)
• Fri, Nov 29 - SAM Spirit Assembly (SAM Gym @ 9:30am)
• Fri, Nov 29 - Hot Lunch (Taste of Ukraine)

Week of Dec 2 - 6

• Mon, Dec 2 - NO SCHOOL (Professional Development Day)
• Tues, Dec 3 - SAM Chorus Rehearsal (8am Music Room)
• Wed, Dec 4 - Cupcake Day
• Wed, Dec 4 - Holiday Poinsettia and Wreath Pick-up (SAM Drama Room - gr.2 door) 3-6pm
• Fri, Dec 6 - SAM Family Holiday Skate Day

Our winter concert is quickly approaching! Please check the schedule carefully and mark your calendar with the date and times when your child’s class is performing. Each child will receive 3 tickets for their evening performance. Ticket packages will be sent home on Friday, November 29th. Additional ticket requests can be submitted via a Google Form, which can be accessed using the QR code on the ticket information letter. Guests are also welcome to attend the daytime performances - no tickets are required.

As this is their only performance of the year, we are hoping for 100% attendance. We know that many of our students are involved in extracurricular activities during the evenings. However, we ask that you consider having your child opt out of their regular Wednesday or Thursday evening activity so they can participate in their concert with their classmates. Please let Mrs. Moran know in writing (note or email to alana.moran@spschools.org) as soon as possible if your son/daughter will be out of town or cannot attend so we can rearrange parts.

We recognize that parking space is limited and can be especially challenging during some of our school events. During our Winter Concerts, please feel free to park in our visitor parking at SAM School, the parking lot adjacent to our Division 2 playground/City Track, or across the street on the overflow parking between Division Office and Outreach. It is important to remember that the parking lot at the St. Albert Montessori Preschool is private property and is not available for our families to use during day or evening concert times. Thank you for supporting for kindly supporting our neighbour and their students!

Wednesday, December 11th

CONCERT A - 1:15 pm & 6:00 pm

KDreger(PM) & KBowen

1Provost

2Raven

3Mitchell

CONCERT B - 9:30 am & 7:15 pm

4Robertson

5Jukna & 5Tuckey

6Letendre

SAM Chorus

Handbell Choir

Thursday, December 12th

CONCERT C - 9:30 am & 6:00 pm

KDreger(AM)

1Phillips

2Belanger & 2Smolley

3Taranko

CONCERT D - 1:15 pm & 7:15 pm

4Marano & 4Ringuette

456 ACE

6Classen

SAM Chorus

Handbell Choir

Our SAM Fundraising Society is hosting a casino on Monday, December 30th, and Tuesday, December 31st, 2024, and we need your help! This is a major fundraiser that directly supports enriching experiences and opportunities for our students.

If you’re over 18, please consider signing up for a shift on either day. It’s a fun way to connect with other parents and make a meaningful contribution to our school community.

To sign up or learn more, please visit SAM Fundraising Casino Volunteer Sign-Up. Thank you for your support!

The winter weather has brought forward some additional needs for some extra winter clothing for some of our students. We are specifically in need of the following:

• snow pants (older youth/adult sizes)
• winter jackets (older youth/adult sizes)
• gloves/mittens (all sizes)
• winter boots (all sizes)

Please drop-off any new or gently used items at the front office.

Thank you to all our SAM families who ordered some festive plants for our upcoming holiday season. All the plants will be available to be picked up on Wednesday, Dec. 4th from 3-6pm in the SAM Drama room. We ask that all families enter and exit using the Grade 2 door (close to the Division 1 Ball Court).

Reminder that SAM School is hosting an parent information evening about online safety facilitated by The Northern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation Unit.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary School

61 Sir Winston Churchill Ave, St. Albert

As this presentation does discuss the complex realities of internet child exploitation in Alberta, we strongly recommend that children DO NOT attend this session. The intended audience is for adults and and will focus on education, prevention and putting parents and teachers in a position to protect their children from online exploitation.

This is a free event and we welcome all families to this important presentation. Please click here to register -- preregistering for the event will help the school make appropriate arrangements to facilitate the size of the audience.