SILC News

Why is May the Month of Mary?

The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary, came about in the 13th century. Some say because it was created to replace various pagan cults. The actual reason is the fact that this month is the time when spring is at the height of its beauty. Spring is also connected with nature renewing itself. In her way, Mary gave new life to the world when she gave birth to our saviour Jesus Christ.

The link between Mary and the month of May became popular among the members of the Jesuit Order — by 1700 it had a firm hold among their students at the Roman College and a short time later it was publicly celebrated in the Gesu Church in Rome. From there it spread to the rest of the Church.

The pious practice of honouring Mary during the month of May has been especially promoted by the Popes. Pius XII made frequent reference to it and in his great Encyclical on the Sacred Liturgy Mediator Dei. He characterized it as one of "other exercises of piety which although not strictly belonging to the Sacred Liturgy, are nevertheless of special import and dignity, and may be considered in a certain way to be an addition to the liturgical cult: they have been approved and praised over and over again by the Apostolic See and by the Bishops"

Devotion to Mary is one an important part of the Catholic identity. As our mother she is an example of a committed “Yes” to the will of God. Because of the devotion to her many people ask her for help in the most difficult moments of their life as any child does with his mother.

~Adapted fron Salt & Light Media

Today's Gospel Reflection

Gospel Reading
John 14:1–12
Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Background on the Gospel Reading

The readings for the last few Sundays have been about the Resurrection, but today’s Gospel takes us back in time to an event in Jesus’ life before his Passion. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. He promises that where he is going, his disciples will be able to follow. Thomas, who will later doubt the disciples’ reports that they have seen the Risen Lord, contradicts Jesus by saying that the disciples don’t know where Jesus is going or how to get there. Jesus explains that he himself is the way, the truth, and the life. In knowing and loving Jesus, the disciples now love God the Father.

Philip then makes a request that challenges Jesus’ words. Philip wants Jesus to show the Father to the disciples. Recall that Jesus has just told his disciples, “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” As a good teacher, Jesus responds to Philip by repeating and elaborating on what he has just told the disciples: they have seen and known Jesus, so they have seen and known the Father. Then Jesus offers another reassurance about his departure: because of faith in God and in Jesus, the disciples will do the work that Jesus has done and more.

The connection between Jesus and his Father, between Jesus’ work and the work of the Father, is made clear in today’s Gospel. Jesus is in the Father, and God the Father is in Jesus. As God spoke his name to Moses, “I am,” so too Jesus speaks his name to his disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

The revelation of the Trinity is completed in the passage that follows today’s reading, and it is the Gospel for next Sunday. Because Jesus goes away, the Father will send in Jesus’ name the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will continue the work of the Father and of Jesus.

Congratulations to Mrs. Wright on winning the Excellence in Catholic education award

Congratulations to St. Isidore's own Mrs. Justine Wright who was honoured this past week in Kananaskis at the Blueprints Conference sponsored by CCSSA. Mrs. Wright was the Elk Island Catholic District winner. She serves as our Chaplain and is an extraordinary gift to our school and parish communities. Also, huge congratulations to both Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mrs. Melissa Damur who were also nominated for this award for the beautiful contributions for their Catholic leadership. Blessed are we!!

Pictured below, from left to right: Superintendent Mr. Paul Corrigan, Trustee Dr. Dean Sarnecki, Trustee Dr Ted Paszek, Mrs. Wright, Trustee Mr. Jean Boisvert, and Trustee Mr. Al Stewart.

Bosco Foundation Bursary Information

For High Schools - Grade 12 students

The Bosco Foundation awards bursaries yearly to grade 12 students entering post secondary, who volunteer their time in their local communities. The Foundation has received a record number of applications from Calgary, and are looking for well deserving students in our local area.

Application package - deadline June 15, 2023

Bosco Foundation Website

Provincial Achievement Exam Dates for grades 6 & 9

Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) are administered annually to all Alberta students in grades 6 and 9. These standardized tests reflect the essentials that all Alberta students are expected to achieve, regardless of school choice or location.

PATs help:

determine if students are learning what they are expected to learn
report to Albertans how well students have achieved provincial standards at given points in their schooling
assist schools, authorities and the province in monitoring and improving student learning

The tests occur in May (ELA Part A) and June for language arts, math, science and social studies.

Your teachers will be communicating with you regarding the particulars about these achievement tests.

National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I am writing to inform you of an exciting opportunity for your son/daughter! In November of 2023, EICS Island Catholic Schools would like to take students from our five High Schools on a life-changing trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). NCYC is a massive high energy, youth conference where students will have the opportunity to see world class speakers, engage in personal and communal prayer, and engage in service to others.

The goal of this project is to give an opportunity for young people from four different communities to come together to deepen their faith and learn how to live as a disciple of Christ in today's world; to realize that they are part of a vast, vibrant and universal Church, and to connect with other students from different schools across EICS. This is the third time that EICS high school students will be attending this conference and we are hoping that this trip continues to be a genesis for a group of EICS student faith leaders who accept the challenge of Jesus, the call to be a saint.

If interested for MORE INFORMATION, please reach out to our Chaplain, Mrs. Justine Wright justinew@eics.ab.ca

PDF attached below for dates and approximate costs.

First deposit would be due Early May 2023

Fundraising will be available as well

Elementary Classroom

Hello from Mrs.Oikonen!

Welcome to week 34 of online learning! We will be continuing with our individual meets this week. If you have not signed up for 2 blocks, please do. On Thursday, we will be learning about Bee farming at 10:00am. This virtual field trip is for all grades.

Take advantage of the RCMP Bike Rodeo happening in Sherwood Park. See the poster below.

Here is what we will be doing this week.

Premier’s Citizenship Award

https://www.alberta.ca/premiers-citizenship-award.aspx

Premier’s Citizenship Award

This award commends outstanding Alberta students for service in their communities – and receiving it is a requirement for related awards.

Overview
The Premier’s Citizenship Award is 1 of 3 Alberta Citizenship Awards that recognize students who have contributed to their communities through public service and volunteering.

Each high school in Alberta will select one graduating grade 12 student to receive this award. The Government of Alberta annually presents 1 award to a student enrolled in each high school in Alberta. Each recipient receives a letter of commendation from the Premier.

Eligibility
A recipient must:

**be a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident, or Protected Person (visa students are not eligible)
**be an Alberta resident, for which 1 of the following conditions must apply:
1 parent, or legal guardian has maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies and be residing in Alberta, or
Alberta is the last place the student has lived 12 consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies
be graduating from high school in the current academic year
Application process
Alberta high schools can each select 1 recipient for the Premier's Citizenship Award.

Students may wish to contact their school administration to be considered.

IF YOU wish to be considered for this award, have a look at what is considered in the application, and let Mrs. Melnyk know if you are interested by Tuesday, May 16th.

email to: tracym@eics.ab.ca

Once a school has selected their recipient, the school must submit a completed and signed Alberta Citizenship Awards Application form on behalf of the student. Students and school administration should work together to compile and submit this document.

Student attributes to consider
The recipient should display outstanding characteristics in:

**citizenship
**leadership
**community service or engagement in volunteer work
The recipient should have also demonstrated initiative and have had a positive impact in the community or school.

Note: Academic achievement is not a requirement for any of these awards.

Back to Basics for Service Providers

We know that toxic stress is harmful to developing brains and that the pandemic has created challenges for our children and youth.

The Brain Architecture game is a fun and informative way to ensure our professional teams have a strong understanding of brain development and the disruptive effect that extreme, prolonged and uncertain patterns of stress can have. Bring your entire team and compete to build the strongest, tallest brain using a variety of fun tools. Are you a skilled brain architect?

Thursday, May 11, 1:00 -2:30 pm

Fort Saskatchewan High School Gymnasium

Light refreshments provided

Free

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 (Kindergarten - Grade 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

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

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/