Choose Joy!
Week of January 11, 2021
Humble and Grateful for your Grace
The days were certainly not without their bumps, technology glitches or steep learning curves. We knew it would be clumsy and we are SO grateful for giving each other grace. For navigating this time with patience and understanding, and celebrating with us the priorities of our Faith, Connection, Joy, Literacy and Numeracy.
We are SO excited to open wide our doors to children on Monday!
Can't wait to see you!
Back to School
January Sacred Teaching: Wisdom
Pink Shirt Day
February 24th is Pink Shirt Day and our school will be encouraging
everyone to wear pink and Practice Kindness!!
If you already have a pink shirt in your closet that is fantastic! And if you would like to
purchase one we have the opportunity , through Staples, to order one designed
by Jeremiah Peters, a Coast Salish artist from WSÁNEĆ.
"I chose the thunderbird for their great strength and protection, the wings wrapped
around the child's face, from the biggest hearts to the smallest."
The cost of the shirt is $10 and includes shipping and taxes. Any surplus from the t-shirt
sales will be used to support OLA's Chalice Foster Child Ivo Mapunda in Tanzania.
The order form will open Monday, January 11th at 12:00 pm. Orders can be placed through your PowerSchool Account. Please sign into your account and select Student Fees. This takes you to a new screen where you will select your students name. In the "due now" section you will see an option to add T-shirt sizes to your cart. Once you have completed the order form please proceed to the cart to check out and pay for your order. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mrs. Desaulniers at 780-998-3716 or email susande@eics.ab.ca.
Staples will be supplying the T-Shirts. Once they arrive at the school they will be distributed to those who ordered them.
Deadline for orders is January 20th at midnight.
1MW Wise Men
Celebrating Epiphany
Story Writing in Grade 1
Who's Who @ OLA
Introducing you to the Team!
Each week we will highlight a few members of the OLA team who welcome OLA children to school and who are walking with them this school year!
Your children are in great hands!
Return to School Reminders
Complete the daily screening to ensure all questions are answered with "No." This is important to help keep all students, families and staff well.
Masks
Please help your bring at least 2 masks per day. Thank you for washing re-usable masks regularly as some children have shared that their masks are crusty (gross! :-) One-on-one and small group work with the teacher as well as singing in music class are activities that require masks, no matter what the grade. If you would like to send extra masks (even disposable ones) please feel free and we will find a place to store them for your child.
Hand sanitizer
We have hand sanitizer at each school entrance and each learning space entrance and all children sanitize upon entry and exit of these spaces. Some children appreciate having a small personalized bottle for themselves. Feel free. Thank you for refilling these little bottles at home. Washing hands in addition to using hand sanitizer is key to our collective wellness. Before each meal, students are provided time to wash with soap and water. We encourage them to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for a full 20 second soap up!
Arriving to school on time:
Supervision begins at 8:33am, and children are encouraged to play outside in their play zones between 8:33am and 8:45am. This free play in the morning helps children ease into the day, and sets them up for learning success! If you drive your child, or they walk to school, thank you for your help ensuring they arrive before the first bell at 8:45am. Should you arrive after 8:45am, please walk your child to the front door of the school and call the office at 780-998-3716.
Warm Outdoor Clothing
Going outside for fresh air is vital for student wellness and learning. Children have the opportunity to play outside four times each day. Thank you for ensuring they are well dressed for the weather so they enjoy their free-play time. Should you require warm winter clothing, please contact us at the office. We have a plethora of options to ensure children are warm outside, and we are happy to help. In fact, we will be receiving our Snocks bins (see news article here thanks to Dentons and the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region). Please reach out. We are here to help!
Tea Towel
We are recommending that children bring a tea towel in their lunch that they can spread over their desk/table and eat on for a picnic lunch. The tea towel helps to keep their eating and work space clean. Thank you for having the children return home their tea towel each day for cleaning or to receive a new one.
Healthy Lunch
Children have two scheduled snack times and a lunch break each day. Children are encouraged to eat healthy snacks at their breaks to provide the much needed brain food for successful learning. We are grateful to Ricky's for their continued support for fresh apples and the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank to help to provide food for families who need assistance.
Especially during Covid, times can be tough. Please reach out if you need help. Our Family Wellness Connect, Mrs. Heesing is always ready to offer assistance, as well as our entire caring staff. If you require help, please contact us at school. We are here to help.
Smile & Choose Joy
Some Things Will Never Change
No matter what is going on around us, there are many things that will never change at OLA:
Children and families will be welcomed with joy and experience the love of Christ.
As family, we will work together to support and encourage one another.
The social, emotional and spiritual wellness of your child, OLA staff and families will continue to be priorities
Ensuring children learn and grow in a safe, caring and loving environment is an essential condition
We will laugh, love and grow together.
Joy and gratitude will keep us grounded with Grace.
Our Faith, Literacy and Numeracy are educational priorities
We will continue to grow and learn together
Decisions for optimal learning and growing will be research based
You are Loved. First, Last & Always.
For Everyone's Safety and Wellness
At OLA, student, staff and family wellness continue to be priorities. Our many protocols and processes are in place to ensure exactly that:
- Daily Screening
- Hand Hygiene
- Respiratory Hygiene
- Enhanced Cleaning
- Cohorting
- Routines to create space (ie. Colour Groups)
- Learning space organization for distance maximization
- Closed campus
- Mask wearing
For more information please visit the EICS Re-Entry page.
This week @ OLA
Power Options begin this week
January 11, 2021
- OLA welcomes children back to school! Whoo Whooo!
- It's a GREAT day to Choose Joy!
January 12, 2021
- Virtual School Council Meeting 7:00 p.m
- Let's Choose Joy together!
January 13, 2021
- Staff Morning Mass @ 8:00am
- Virtual Morning Announcements and every Wednesday
More spectacular learning and growing!
January 14, 2021
A great day to be in community together!
Virtual CEPAC Meeting @ 6:30pm
January 15, 2021
Friyay! Where will you Choose Joy today?
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To see what is up and coming even further ahead, please visit our website calendar.
You can view our Kindergarten Calendar here.
At Home Learning
Kindergarten
3SK Pajama Day
3SK
3SK
2C
Kindergarten Dance
3SK Gets Comfy For Story Time
Kindergarten At Home Learning Pictures
Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing and celebrate how each of us bring unique gifts each day!
Break the Rules - January 18 - 22, 2021
For more information, please see this slide show presentation or click below!!
When it's -25 Degrees Celsius...
We will be playing indoors, and to do so we are asking for any donations of:
- Scrabble letter squares
- Magnetic letters
- Chalk board erasers
- Complete Board Game sets
- Decks of Cards
- Puzzles
Thank you to the families who have already donated items! They are and will be well used!
Sacramental Preparation Registration Now Open
Relationships are powerful.
Celebrating Sacraments deepens a child's relationship with our loving God.
Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Parish is helping families to prepare their children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. We welcome children in grade 2 and older.
Baptism is the first Sacrament children can receive, and in order to celebrate First Reconciliation or First Eucharist, children are to be baptized first. Not baptized - No problem! Please contact OLA Catholic Parish and 780-998-3288 and they will will happily help you.
Parents or guardians should register their children at the Parish Office. In preparation for their sacramental journey and to encourage relationships with Jesus and within our Parish family, each candidate is welcomed and encouraged to attend all classes on their sacramental journey.
We are now accepting registrations for sacramental preparation. Please email or drop off completed forms with fee to the parish.
Fee of $40.00 for the two sacraments (First Reconciliation and Eucharist). Please provide a copy of the baptism certificate if not baptized in one of our parishes.
E-mail forms to: olangels.ftsask@caedm.ca (We accept e-transfer of fees to the same email address.)
For those only registering for First Eucharist the fee is $20.00, Please provide date and parish of Reconciliation on the registration form.
Please click here for the Registration Form.
From our OLA Parish
Dear Parents,
These last number of months have posed challenges to nearly everything we want to do in our lives. The continued growth of our life of faith is no exception since gathering together is integral to the experience of faith. However, we will not let CoVid get in the way of our young people receiving the Sacraments, even if preparing and celebrating them looks different.
In the life of the Church, the effort to educate our children has always been seen as a cooperative of church-parish-home, with the primary educators in the faith always being the parents. The pandemic is pushing us to put that into practice, so this year we will be asking more from you the parents in preparing your children to receive the Sacraments, while still being supported by the parish along the way. We have set up a home-based program for Sacramental preparation, combined with online support for parents and a couple of socially distanced activities at the church.
Attached you will find a schedule of events that you will be asked to pre-register for on the parish website. Also, I would like to request that each parent sign up for “Flocknote” by texting “letuspray” to 514-900-0130. Flocknote is a texting service and allows me to send you notes and reminders during preparation. Once signed up, include yourself in the group your child belongs (i.e. “Confirmation”). You can stop the texts at any time by texting back “STOP”.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at the parish 780-998-3288 or kris.schmidt@caedm.ca.
In Christ,
Fr. Kristopher Schmidt
1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion
Registration begins: January 4, 2021
Registration closes: January 22, 2021
Pick up resource at the parish: January 25-29, 2021
1st Reconciliation
(Optional)
Parent ZOOM meeting #1: February 4 @6:30pm or February 6 @11am
Parent ZOOM meeting #2: February 18 @6:30pm or February 20 @11am
(Choice)
Teaching mass: February 11 @6:30pm or February 13 @11am
(All attend)
Reconciliation retreat and celebration: March 6, 2021 10:00-12:30pm
1st Communion
(Optional)
Parent ZOOM meeting #1: March 11 @6:30pm or March 13 @11am
Parent ZOOM meeting #2: March 25 @6:30pm or March 27 @11am
(Choice)
Kids adoration: March 18 @6:30pm or March 20 @11am
(All attend)
1st Communion Retreat: April 10, 2021 11:00-12noon
1st Communion Celebration: April 11, 2021 11:30am
Resources for parents
Home guide training video:
https://www.smp.org/resourcecenter/resource/14010/
Reconciliation home guide:
https://www.smp.org/dynamicmedia/files/3a1832cb52dabd952ca9f1712b327377/R4500RHG_Rec_HG.pdf
Eucharist home guide:
https://www.smp.org/dynamicmedia/files/6488adc35158fa59c4b7b54764fa47b0/R4500EHG_Euc_HG.pdf
Exercises for Reconciliation
Daily family prayer challenge
- if you don’t have the practice of family prayer already, pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1
Glory be, 1 thing you’re thankful for, and 1 person to pray for every night before bed.
Exercises for 1st Communion
Daily family prayer challenge
- if you don’t have the practice of family prayer already, pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1
Glory be, 1 thing you’re thankful for, and 1 person to pray for every night before bed.
2021 - 2022 - Approved-In-Principle Calendar
Below are links to the Approved-In-Principle 2021-2022 School Calendar. Feedback from OLA's parent community will be gathered at the 7:00pm January 12 Virtual School Council Meeting. The link for the meeting will be shared on Tuesday January 12th. See you there!
Briefing 2021 - 2022 School Calendar (updated link)
2021 - 2022 Sherwood Park / Fort Saskatchewan / Vegreville (updated link)
See you Tuesday, January 12th@ 7:00 pm.
See you at our next meeting, on Tuesday, January 12th@ 7:00 pm.
Google Meet link will be shared with you that day.
Thank you for checking your email inbox or spam/junk folder.
To connect with your OLA School Council, please email schoolcouncil.ola@gmail.com.
Playground Society Meeting Minutes January 6, 2021
OLA School Council Meeting Minutes December 8, 2020
Click below to order your OLA Spirit Wear!
Student Illness and your Child's Learning
- Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath or difficulty breathing, Runny Nose, Sore Throat, Chills Painful swallowing, Stuffy Nose, Headache, Muscle or joint aches, Feeling unwell, fatigue or severe exhaustion, Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained loss of appetite), Loss of sense of smell or taste, Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.
Please email Mrs. Desaulniers, susande@eics.ab.ca and cc: your child's homeroom teacher to share what symptoms your child is experiencing as well as an approximate date for your child's return so we can plan for your child's learning and growing in Literacy and Numeracy while away.
Thank you for continuing to connect with us with your child's test results.
Alberta Health Documents
Looking Ahead...
January 18-22, 2021
- Break the Rules Week
- Cohort Assemblies
- Saffron Grade Level Presentations
- Stay tuned for Assurance Surveys coming to your inbox this month
- Grade 4 families, stay tuned for Accountability Surveys also coming to you this month
- Adoration @OLA
- Parents Pick up Sacramental Preparation resource at OLA Parish this week
- Saffron Parent Presentation for OLA - Internet Safety
January 29, 2021
- In School Staff Learning Day - No School
- Kindergarten and Grade 1-4 Registration opens for 2021-2022 School Year
- Djembes Drums arrive @ OLA!
February 3, 2021
- School Spirit Day - Career Day
- Early Dismissal - 2:19pm
- Progress Reports available on PowerSchool
February 4 - 5, 2021
- Teachers' Convention - No School
February 8, 2021
- Cohort Assemblies
KINDERGARTEN IN EICS
Independence, initiative, decision making, creativity, the ability to learn, relationships and feelings of self-worth - all have their beginnings in early childhood. We believe that each child is unique and, together with parents as our partners, we build upon children's natural curiosity and spontaneity, encouraging and supporting them as they take their first step into school.
Please note that Kindergarten registration for the 2021-2022 school year will be available online on Saturday, February 1st, 2021.
Eligibility Starting Date for Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year:
To register for Kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year, your child must be five years old on or before December 31, 2021.
Telus Internet for Good
In the current landscape of physical distancing, access to fast, reliable connectivity has never been more essential. TELUS Internet for Good helps low-income families stay connected, empowering youth to safely learn from home.
School Fees
School fees have now been added to your PowerSchool ParentPortal and are now due. Payment can be made by debit or credit card by visiting your PowerSchool account.
If you require assistance signing into your account please call Mrs. Desaulniers at 780-998-3716 or email susande@eics.ab.ca.
Field trip: to date all field trips involving bussing are cancelled. Virtual field trips and walking trips may still occur. Once these have been finalized we will share the field trip fee for payment
All unpaid fees by March 1, 2021 may be sent to a collections agency.
Our Lady of the Angels School
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
T8L 1W7
Email: ola@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://ola.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9622 Sherridon Drive, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: (780)998-3716
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/OLASchoolFtSask/photos/?ref=page_internal
Twitter: @OLAFortSask