October Newsletter
October 2021 School of Hope - Vermilion Home School
Principal's Message
October 5, 2021
Good afternoon families!
Welcome to fall, arguably our most beautiful season! It certainly seems like one of our shortest seasons as well - the beautiful red leaves on my front yard trees lasted a week!
Here are a few updates for you:
Beginning of October, thoughts turn to leaves, turkey and Thanksgiving. We should remember the importance and intent of this day, and give thanks to God for all the wonderful blessings in our lives. Here is a wonderful short video to help us do this. A Grateful Day- Brother David Steindl-Rast
Our school will be marking this holiday by having a Thanksgiving liturgy, where we take time to thank God. You are invited to join us in giving thanks by attending our liturgy at 9 am on Thursday October 7th. Simply click on this Thanksgiving Liturgy link to join.
School of Hope and Hope Homeschooling (VHS) have a Parent Council that meets monthly. The role of the council is to give input and support to the school. If you are interested in finding out a little more about how our school works and you would like to give input on topics concerning our school that are discussed each month please let us know! Simply respond to this email if you are interested in attending our October 19th meeting at 6:30pm, and we will send you the Zoom link.
Our council has discussed the idea of having various school clothing options (with SOH logos on it) available for families to purchase. This would be a website where families could select from a variety of items (t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, etc.) and from a variety of price points. Payment would be made online to the company and shipped directly to the family. This is an interesting way to show school pride, and a small percentage goes back to the school. Funds raised would be used as determined by Parent council for the good of our students. More info to follow.
Students grades 5-7, and 8-12 are invited to join VIBE wellness coach, Kari Thompson, and family-school liaison worker, Loranne Ganton, for a series of online programs designed to improve the mental wellness of students. Students will have access to updates on VIBE programming and Zoom links in the Canvas course called Vibe. Recordings of missed sessions will be accessible there too! Homeschooling students who wish to participate, please contact your facilitator for the Zoom link. Stay tuned to further updates for more specific program info and start dates soon.
Some activities coming up:
Art Club Grade 1-3 Our first meeting is October 14th at 1:30pm
Drama Club-First meeting is Thursday, Oct. 7th at 1pm and here is the Zoom Link. This student-led club is open to any interested junior/senior high students, with opportunities for actors as well as those more interested in technical theatre. The club will be performing plays like an in-person drama club, but it will all be done over Zoom!
Reminder - Edmonton Corn Maze - Thursday, Oct. 7 at 1:00 to 3:00
"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalms 106:1
God Bless,
Michel Despins
SOH/HHS admin team
Thanksgiving Liturgy
Drama Club
Please join us Thursday October 7 at 1:00 pm for the first ever meeting of the School of Hope Junior/Senior High Drama Club!
See information below:
Edmonton Corn Maze
Thursday, October 7th 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Visit Edmonton’s original corn maze where their huge, mind-bending corn maze will keep you guessing. Correct pathways can be walked in under 30 minutes, most directionally-challenged visitors – adults and children alike – will require about one hour to travel through the maze of more than 5 km of twists and turns and 85 decision points.
See information below:
Art Club
Attention all those in Grades 1-3!
Please join us on October 14th at 1:30pm for our first Art Club Meeting! We will hold meetings once a month, with the dates to be determined. Each meeting will approximately 30 to 60 minutes long. Each class will take place on ZOOM using this: Zoom Link.
You will need a piece of paper, pencil and crayons, and have your Art Kit with you that was provided by the school. For our first meeting, we are going to make Self Portraits. Bring your best smile along!
Hope to see you there!
Mrs. Fortune and Ms. Schwenk
Hands of Hope
Hands of Hope
Have you ever wondered about what you can do to add good to the world?
Are you interested in helping others?
Do you feel that when we work together we can make a difference in the world?
Are you currently in Grade 7 - 12
Please join our Hands of Hope club where students make a difference!
Your teacher contacts this year are
Mr. Kim - wayne.kim@ecacs16.ab.ca and
Ms. Henderson - joanne.henderson@ecacs16.ab.ca
You are welcome to send your questions about the club to either teacher.
Remembrance Day Liturgy
Hello families:
Every year during the Remembrance Day liturgy, the School of Hope spends some time reflecting on our military and the role that they have had in our history and in our lives today. Last year, we put out a request for pictures of family members who were involved in the military. We were hoping to share pictures with the entire school, to honour the commitment and sacrifice of military members who were connected to our school. We were so honoured to display the photos that were shared with us and we felt that it added more depth and meaning to our liturgy.
We are, again, sending out a request for photos of family members who have served in the armed forces. It would be an honour to display them during the liturgy. If you are interested in sharing these with our school, please send them to jeannette.schultz@ecacs16.ab.ca
and include Name/rank; regiment; years of service; tours
School Council
A group of parents representing all grade levels that provide advice and guidance to the School of Hope's administration. Together, we ensure that students have the best educational experience, teacher interactions and learning outcomes.
If you are interested in joining the parent council, please contact SOH principal Michel Despins. He can be reached at 1-780-853-2188 Ext 120 or emailed
Please read the minutes for the September 20 Parent Council Meeting by clicking the PDF below.
Next Meeting Date: October 19, 6:30 PM
Important Dates
October 7 - Thanksgiving Liturgy 9:00 AM
October 7 - Drama Meeting 1:00 PM (Grades 7 - 12)
October 7 - Edmonton Corn Maze (1:00 - 3:00)
October 8 - PD - Non Instructional Day
October 11 - No School (Thanksgiving Day)
October 14 - Art Club (Grades 1 - 3)
October 22 - PD - Non Instructional Day
October 30 - Halloween
NOVEMBER
November 8-9 - PD - Non Instructional Day
November 10 - Day in Lieu - Office is Open - Teachers Out
November 11 - Remembrance Day - Office Closed
November 12 - Day in Lieu - Office Closed
Book Returns
If you have resources (from past years) that you are no longer using, they are considered overdue and should be sent back to the office as soon as possible so other students are able to use them, as we are now short of some resources. Please send these books back via our Canada Post return account as stated in the information letter provided below. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
Your help resolving this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Family School Liaison
Hello my name is Loranne Ganton and I am the Family School Liaison Worker for the School of Hope in Vermilion. The Family School Liaison Program is committed to helping students be successful in school by providing skills-focused short term counselling services. Family School Liaison Workers require parental consent to work with minor students and all information disclosed during session will be confidential unless I am legally required to report. There is no fee for this service and funding is provided, in part, through the Eastern Edge RCSD.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at Loranne.Ganton@ecacs16.ab.ca
School of Hope - Vermilion Home School
Email: michel.despins@ecacs16.ab.ca
Website: soh.ecacs.ca
Location: 5212 Railway Ave, Vermilion, AB, Canada
Phone: 1888-350-4673
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/School-of-Hope-320214374696062/