SILC News

Let's Have Our BEST LENT EVER

What would happen if you spent the next 40 days creating as many Holy Moments as possible? Join us this Lent to find out—just click the button at the bottom of the email!

In fact, let's find out what would happen if our entire parish spent the 40 days of Lent collaborating with God to create moments of kindness, goodness, and compassion wherever we go.

I'm delighted to announce that our parish will be participating in BEST LENT EVER, a powerful program from Dynamic Catholic. It's incredibly simple and completely free.

They'll help focus your day, inspire you to explore your potential, and show you how to create Holy Moments all across your life.

The goal is to have everyone in our parish participate. I encourage you to sign yourself up and then share the program with your family and friends.

There's no doubt that if we spend this Lent creating Holy Moments we will become more open to God and find greater meaning and purpose in our lives.

But if we do it all together, each of us doing our part to unleash a domino effect of goodness throughout our community...there's no telling how much impact it could have.

I can't wait to see what's possible this Lent when we strive to live one Holy Moment at a time. I hope you'll join me. https://ourladyofperpetualhelpsp.flocknote.com/group/755009/joined

In Christ,

- Fr. Jim

EICS Offers Beacon of Hope to Ukrainian Refugees

In recognition of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, students and staff across Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS) are joining together to fundraise in support of Ukrainian refugees and other refugees that are welcomed by Catholic Social Services (CSS).

Called Beacon of Hope, this EICS fundraising drive has a particular focus during the Lenten season to fundraise for support and services that will be offered to Ukrainian refugees. Since the invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022, EICS has welcomed more than 50 Ukrainian students throughout all of our schools.

“Our Catholic faith calls for us not just to serve the students in our schools, but to serve our larger communities,” said EICS Superintendent Paul Corrigan. “Beacon of Hope is an opportunity for us to continue to support these newcomer families, and by extension offer additional support outside of school to our Ukrainian refugee students.”

Donations through Beacon of Hope will be used by CSS to fund emergency accommodation, meals, winter clothing, transportation, and school supplies.

“Amid their personal journeys of fleeing Ukraine and moving to a foreign country, it’s critical that Ukrainian students feel safe, at home, and welcome in their new community. These students and families have been a blessing to us in Elk Island Catholic Schools. Combined with other initiatives that our schools have held to support refugee students from Ukraine over the last year, we pray that Beacon of Hope will offer more solace for those who need it,” Corrigan said.

Catholic Social Services estimates that it responds to as many as 60 calls a day from newcomer Ukrainians who are seeking assistance. Most of these newcomers are women and children who have fled the war in Ukraine in search of an opportunity to rebuild their lives. More than 2,500 Ukrainian refugees have been assisted by CSS in the last year – many of them needing emergency accommodations after arriving with few personal belongings and no access to funding. Another 2,300 refugees from other countries have also been assisted by CSS since March 2022.

SILC Team link under EICS page

https://www.canadahelps.org/s/nuMmkg

Registrations are now OPEN for 2023-2024

St. Isidore Learning Centre (SILC) is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Register early - as we are a "School of Choice" space fills up fast! When you head to our website to "Register", https://silc.eics.ab.ca/register-now you will see a few options. Please choose the correct program:

Online Education - Primarily learning online from home using our Canvas Online LMS - Teacher Directed (Grade 1-12)
Outreach Education - Students who require an "in person" connection with teachers and are required to have weekly check-ins in the SILC Centre (Grades 9-12)
Chesterton Academy - Fully Synchronous "Joyfully Catholic Classical High School Cohort" Grade 9-12 ONLY. **Tuition Fees may be applied Contact Headmaster McLarney for more information: gerardm@eics.ab.ca Check out the website: https://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/
Home Education - Parent Directed Home Education with our partners, THEE - https://thee.ca/

Please follow the instructions carefully. All students, even those already attending, must fill out a new registration form. While St. Isidore is a "School of Choice" and not a designated boundary school, we reserve the right to deny any registration that is not complete. Space is limited.

Any questions? Feel free to contact our secretary, Natalie Mangatal, 780-449-6463 or email silc@eics.ab.ca

Minister’s Youth Council - Applications Due March 24th, 2023

Recruitment for the 2023/24 Minister’s Youth Council will officially begin on February 15, 2023. We are looking for approximately 40 junior and senior high school students from across Alberta, between the ages of 14 and 19 and representing diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives, to join next year’s council.

Of the 40 council members, we will accept up to eight returning members and at least 32 new members. Participation on the council will give students the opportunity to make a real impact on Alberta’s education system, build their leadership skills and leave a legacy that will last for generations to come.

The deadline for students to apply is March 24, 2023. For more information, please visit alberta.ca/student-engagement.aspx.

Hey students... please apply!!

2023-2024 School Year Calendars

The 2023/24 approved school year calendars are available by clicking this link: https://www.eics.ab.ca/about-us/media-room/post/2023-2024-school-year-calendars-released

Here is the approved 2023-2023 school calendar for Sherwood Park.

First day of school: Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023
Fall break: Week of Monday, Nov. 6, 2023
Christmas break: Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 - Friday, Jan. 5, 2024
Spring break: Week of Monday, March 25, 2024
Victoria Day weekend: Thursday, May 16, 2024 - Monday, May 20, 2024
Last day of school: Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Elementary Classroom

Hello from Mrs.Oikonen!

Welcome to week 26 of online learning! This week, I will be working with 2 small groups on Tuesday. Please check your newsletter or the March calendar for the groups and times. We will be starting our drawing meets again and all grades are welcome! Parent Teacher Interviews will be taking place the last week before Spring Break. The link is on the March calendar. Please sign up for a time that works for you. This Thursday our grade 4, 5, and 6 students will be participating in an online presentation about Alberta Forests. There will be no google meets on Thursday for grade 1, 2, and 3.

Check out what we will be doing this week!

Grad 2023 Portrait Bookings - Open NOW!

For our 2023 Graduates...

You would have received an email from Mrs. Melnyk this week to walk you through how to book your Grad portraits.

Please book a spot on March 15, 16, or 17 following the instructions below from ICON.

You must pick up your grad cap prior to your appointment. Call SILC to make arrangements : 780-449-6463 - PLEASE KEEP THIS CAP FOR YOUR CONVOCATION IN JUNE.

Any questions, email Mrs. Melnyk - tracym@eics.ab.ca

SUMMER SCHOOL

St. Isidore Summer School offers courses that allow YOU to earn credits, upgrade marks, lighten workloads for the year ahead or finish pre-requisite courses.

Summer School Registration is opening on January 19! St. Isidore Summer School is opening registration earlier as schools and students plan their term two classes and look forward to student schedules for the upcoming school year.

Term 1: July 4-13; Term 2: July 14-24; Full Term: July 4-24

We are offering synchronous, asynchronous, and in-person courses. Check out https://silc.eics.ab.ca/summer-school-2023 to view the courses that will be offered and how to reserve your spot! See the Course Listings here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Melissa Damur, Summer School Principal melissad@eics.ab.ca

Math 30 help!

Are you registered for Math 30-1 and feeling a little anxious? Have you completed Math 20-1 and wondering if you can handle Math 30-1? The blog post below may be able to help.

https://mathpqjq.com/ready-for-grade-12-pre-calculus-math/

Indigenous Student Opportunities

Still I Rise conference - May 4, 2023, sponsored by Ever Active Schools

Grades 6-12 youth
Indigenous and non-Indigenous students walking together towards reconciliation
No cost, but registration is required
One-day virtual event. Students can join individually, or classes can join together.

Scholarships and Bursaries - various deadlines for application

ATCO - First Nations, Métis, Inuit
Rupertsland Post-Secondary Education Funding - Métis specific

YOUNG WOMEN IN TRADES AND TECHNOLOGIES – DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE INFORMATION SESSIONS

March 7 | 6-8PM | Harry Ainlay High School

Parents and students are invited to learn more about opportunities available for young women in skilled trades and technologies. Join us at an information session to hear from mentors and employers, learn about their career journeys and try out hands-on activities!

SKILLED TRADES NIGHT

March 14 | 6-8PM| Harry Ainlay High School

Join us to connect with employers, learn about upcoming opportunities, and try out hands-on activities.

YOUNG WOMEN IN TRADES AND TECHNOLOGIES – SPRING CAMP

March 27-30 | Edmonton

Our in-person spring camp returns in 2023! Female students interested in gaining hands-on experience in the skilled trades, technologies, forestry and agriculture are encouraged to apply to attend. Spots are limited.

CAREERS REFINERY INTERNSHIPS FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH

Suncor Energy Edmonton Refinery

Suncor is offering paid work placements for Indigenous students to explore different career pathways at the Edmonton refinery this summer. Check out the poster/QR code for more information. The application deadline is March 17.

APPLY NOW