St. Luke Weekly Memo
March 8 - 15, 2018
One of our grade 6 students, Evalyn Kannenberg, bravely shaved her head in front of the school community on March 7. Thank you to all those who supported her fundraising efforts for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and helped her raise approximately $5500.
Third Sunday of Lent - March 11
Sunday's Gospel Reading
John 3:14-21
Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man will be raised up so that those who believe in him will have eternal life.
Family Connection
Parents whose children are afraid of the dark are struck by John’s observation that darkness is preferred to light. Perhaps this is as it should be. God made us to live in the light of his love. But this original friendship with God was corrupted by sin. Our sin causes us to shy away from Christ, the light that has come into the world. During the season of Lent, we try to fight this tendency by remembering God’s great mercy and the salvation that we have received through Jesus. We do not fear confessing our sins, knowing that God forgives us, and so, during Lent, we seek out opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
After your family gathers, sit for a time in darkness, then light a candle. Invite people to talk about what it felt like to be in the darkness and to compare that to their feelings when the candle was lit. What are we able to see by the limited glow of the candlelight that we couldn’t see when we were sitting in darkness? Read Sunday’s Gospel, John 3:14-21. John’s Gospel teaches us that Jesus was the light that came into the world. In this light we know ourselves to be sinners, but we are not condemned. Instead we have been saved because we have been forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Conclude in prayer together, thanking God for the great gift of forgiveness we have received through Jesus. Pray together the Act of Contrition.
~Loyola Press
School News
Evidence of Learning Portfolios
Evidence of Learning (EofL) portfolios will be sent home on Wednesday, March 14. Please spend time with your child(ren) to go through their EofL together so they can share their learning with you. Please complete the Parent Preparation sheet, within the EofL, which will help guide your conferences.
Evidence of learning is a tool to communicate student strengths and areas of growth and is aligned with the curricular outcomes. The combination of teacher feedback and student reflections provides parents with the opportunity to be more involved in and aware of their child’s progress. This process will help guide the conversations at 3 Way Conferences on Wednesday, March 21.
WE Team News
On Friday, March 16, the WE Team will be hosting a "WE Are Silent" Day. WE Team students will be placing tape over their mouths in order to remove their privilege of speaking for the whole day. This movement is designed to help bring awareness to those in the world suffering from discrimination and have lost their right to speak and be listened to. WE Team students will be giving classroom presentations prior to this event to help St. Luke students understand the purpose of this movement.
Makerspace Open House
Students created products as part of their Makerspace option and sold their products at the Open House. Congratulations to the students who raised $308.10. They have chosen to give half the money to Valeda House and the other half back to the Makerspace program.
Donations for Apples
As you may know we have been providing apples for students to eat from a donor. We are no longer receiving fresh apples and are looking for apple donations or financial donations to purchase apples as they are a popular snack with students.
School Calendar 2018-2019
Elk Island Catholic Schools has approved the school calendar for next year. Please find the calendar here.
Grade 4-8 Ski Trip
Our grade 4-8 students are going skiing to Rabbit Hill on Monday, March 12. Below are some important messages:
- Their equipment will not be allowed on the bus ride from home to school, or school to home.- Parents can drop off ski/snowboard equipment any time this week (or Monday) and it will be stored for Monday's trip and brought to the hill with us.
- We will store equipment for pick up at the school in a locked room. Parents will need to collect the equipment from the school.
- Please make sure that the bag and/or equipment has names on itfor easy identification.
- Any electronics brought will be at their own risk. Staff will not be responsible for any personal devices brought to the hill.
-Please note that all students must wear a suitable ski/snowboard helmet. It is included in rental fees.
-There are only cubies available and no lockers.
What can we do today to help those around us to feel seen?
Dr. Jody Carrington reminds us how important it is to truly “see” each other.
“...I remember thinking how often we look, but never see...we listen, but never hear...we exist, but never feel. We take our relationships for granted.” Erma Bombeck
The power of being seen “... is more than just being seen visually - it is about perception and letting a child know that they are perceived deeply and empathically, that we ‘see’ inside the child’s mind and what lies beneath their behavior.”
Colley, D. and Cooper P. (2017) Attachment and Emotional Development in the
Classroom:Theory and Practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Parish News
First reconciliation and first communion registrations are still being accepted until March 15 for children in Grade two and older. Missed the retreats for these sacraments?? Makeup dates are:
First reconciliation retreat Tuesday March 20 at 6:30pm
First communion retreat Tuesday April 10 at 6:30pm
Questions? Email Monna at msenez@olph.ca
Looking Ahead...
March 9 - Mustangs vs RCMP at 1:30 pm
March 10 - Indigenous and Multicultural Friendship Gathering 10 am - 4 pm at Cloverdale Community League (information above)
March 12 - Grade 4-8 students skiing at Rabbit Hill
March 12 - Parent Council Meeting - Everyone is welcome & childcare is available
March 13 - Mental Health Day - dress colourfully, wear PJs ,bring a stuffed animal and/or blanket
March 14 - Evidence of Learning sent home
March 15 - Hot Lunch - Chili with a bun
March 15 - 3-Way Conference booking will begin at 4 pm
Email: Stl@eics.ab.ca
Website: Stl.eics.ab.ca
Location: 22139 S Cooking Lake Rd, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 7809225920
Facebook: facebook.com/StLukeCatholicSchool
Twitter: @stlcs_EICS