St. Jerome's School Newsletter
June 22, 2021
Important Dates
June 25 No School
June 25 Grad
June 29 Last day of school
September 1 First day back to school
Principal's Corner
Welcome to the final newsletter for the school year. It has been an incredible year that I don’t think any of us will forget any time soon. The year has been filled with its share of worry, anxiety, frustration and even fear but it also has been filled with faith, hope, learning and joy. I chose to look back at all our great accomplishments over the last year rather than the things we could not do.
Our student council was able to run a number of very successful activity days. Coaches were able to have kids practicing volleyball and badminton. Leadership class was able to run a number of successful projects around the school including peer reading, and graduation gift bags. VIBE and FSL were running full programs to help students and staff through some of our challenges. Our students and staff were able to cover off our curriculum through a combination of at home and in school learning.
In the end, the thing that I am proudest of, is that the St. Jerome family did not let Covid define us, did not let it defeat us. Students, staff and parents accepted the challenges that we were presented and we worked together to find the most productive solutions we could find. I have never been more proud to associate myself with St. Jeromes than I was this year. The entire St. Jerome Community worked together, supported each other through some very difficult times to make this the best year we could.
Way to go Spartans!
God Bless everyone, and have a safe and restful summer. I can’t wait to see what we can do next year!
Allan Chase
Graduation Address
Hello everyone, my name is Glenn Nowosad and I have the privilege to bring you greetings on behalf of the East Central Catholic School Division. We at ECACS would like to congratulate you on your recent accomplishments whether it be transitioning from grade nine to a new school at Theresetta, Christ-King or graduating from School of Hope, St. Jerome, Blessed Sacrament Outreach, Bless Sacrament, or St. Thomas Aquinas.
It has certainly been anything but normal for the last two school years and all our students, families, and staff members have had to adapt to ever changing circumstances that the pandemic has created. World renown author and speaker, Dr. Steven Covey refers to three constants in life; Change, Choice, and Principles. I would like to take this opportunity to speak to how your parents, guardians, and teachers have prepared you for these three constants.
Let’s start with change. Disruptive innovation and change that have come about as a result of the pandemic has had a profound impact on society, education, health care, economies, political systems, entertainment, sporting events and our faith. Your resiliency, perseverance, adaptability, and faith in yourself and your teachers has allowed you to adapt to these challenges.
Now what about choice? How you choose to embrace these changes or develop solutions to address these challenges will determine what society and education will look like in the future. It will be important to reflect on what we need to maintain and what we need to change moving forward. The pandemic has provided an opportunity for all of us to reflect on what we may have taken for granted in the past and what we need to be thankful for, like meeting face-to-face with classmates, teachers or participating in school related activities where lifelong memories are created.
We would also like to celebrate everyone’s choice to be optimistic and persevere amidst all the changes. Overcoming these challenges over the last 18 months has prepared you to face adversity now and into the future whether it is in the classroom or workforce. Your families and teachers are very proud of all that you have accomplished.
Now for the last of the three constants, principles. Our faith provides the foundation for our principles and permeates all that we do. Parents, teachers, trustees, administrators, and the entire East Central Catholic School community are involved in the vital mission of providing an education to develop lifelong learners who feel confident in their purpose in life. We believe you are well equipped to meet life’s challenges and you will make the world a better place.
I would like to end with a quote from Corinthians which says:
God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. God bless and have a safe summer.
Glenn Nowosad
Superintendent- ECACS
Returning Student Registration
Important Information Regarding School Registration Choices for the Upcoming 2021-2022 School Year
June 15th, 2021
Re: Important Information Regarding School Registration Choices for the Upcoming 2021-2022 School Year Dear parents and guardians of East Central Alberta Catholic Schools,
East Central Alberta Catholic School Division makes it a priority to ensure that the safety and well-being of staff and students are being achieved during this unprecedented time of COVID-19. As this school year comes to a close, we, in collaboration with parents, begin to plan and make decisions regarding the educational programming for our children for the upcoming 21-22 school year.
As we organize for the 21-22 school year we know that our students need access to high quality instruction. We also recognize that in-person classes might not be appropriate for all families, depending on their personal circumstances and overall health and wellness. That is why we are offering choice. Families will be able to decide, at two key times throughout the school year, whether their child will attend school in person or choose to learn at home through online instruction. These are very important key dates and information for selecting in school or online teacher directed programming at the School of Hope.
● Parents will make their decision regarding placement of their child(ren) for the beginning of the 21-22 school year and submit their registration application to their school of choice. (If you are already registered and there are no changes to be made, you do not have to re-register for the upcoming school year). It is highly recommended that you register during July and early August to ensure registration is complete before school begins. See registration link in the divisional online newsletter or click here on (Registration Link).
● Students will not be able to switch back and forth from a brick and mortar school to online or vice versa until the beginning of the second term which is Tuesday, February 1st for Christ King and Theresetta Catholic School and Wednesday, February 2nd for Blessed Sacrament School, St. Thomas Aquinas, St, Jerome’s, School of Hope and Blessed Sacrament Outreach. In short, your decision regarding the school year start up whether in a brick and mortar school or an online school is final until the dates as mentioned above are met. This is in place to ensure proper staffing allocations and resources are being provided. A special note that parents do have the availability of making changes in their child’s learning delivery by changing their child’s registration on or before Monday, September 20th.
East Central Alberta Catholic Schools is extremely excited to “kick-off” the upcoming school year and God willing we will be able to provide much more normalcy for our staff, students, and parents. We have endured many changes and conquered many obstacles over the last year and a half and we feel confident in the fact that we can offer two great opportunities for our students to achieve academic success. We look forward to supporting, nurturing, and educating your child in a faith filled Catholic environment and we extend a restful and healthy summer holiday to all! See you soon!!!
Glenn Nowosad
Superintendent
Tlingit Art
In celebration of Indigenous Day Mrs. Molsberry's class listened to two stories online about Animals from the Northwest Coast and made a whale using Tlingit art.