Hawks Weekly
Welcome back to School! St. Theresa - September 5, 2021
Welcome back to our students and their families! A big, warm welcome to all of our new families to St. Theresa!
Hello St. Theresa families!
On behalf of the entire St. Theresa staff we welcome you to the 2021-2022 school year. Two-thirds of our Admin team has changed since this time last year: Sean Gregg remains as an Assistant Principal, Shauna Lindbeck is an Assistant Principal arriving in May from Madonna Catholic School, and yours truly is the new Principal replacing Mr. Monaghan. I am excited to continue my faith and leadership journey with Elk Island Catholic Schools.
We left in June with optimism and hope that this school year would be back to "normal". That hasn't exactly happened and we continue to navigate an ever-changing landscape while trying to keep everybody safe. We will tweak and adjust our protocols and routines accordingly......thank you for your patience and for your faith and trust in us. Please pray for us here at school and for the decision makers in government, that we are guided by the wisdom and discernment God provides.
Know that every student who walks in this building is loved and cared for and we strive to make them feel that they belong here at St. Theresa. Notwithstanding the challenges (and sometimes opportunities) that the COVID-19 pandemic brings, we trust that this year will be a successful one for our St. Theresa learning community.
God bless you and keep you safe,
Respectfully,
Pierre Ouimet
Principal
Mark Your Calendars:
- Mon. Sept. 6 - Labour Day - No School
- Tues. Sept. 7 -School Photos - Canadian Ukrainian Heritage Day
- Wed. Sept. 8 - Early Dismissal 2:13pm
- Thurs. Sept 9 - STT Opening School Mass (Virtual Mass) 1:40-2:40pm
- Tues. Sept. 14 - Gr. 7/8 Covid-19 Vaccine Immunization Clinic 1pm
- Wed. Sept. 29 - School Wide Bus Evacuation drill 9am
- Thurs. Sept 30 - Orange Shirt Day
Doors open at 8:25am. First Bell Rings at 8:39am. Dismissal is 3:13pm. Please refer to our website for the full 2021-2022 bell schedule
OLPH PARISH
A LETTER FROM FATHER JIM
September 1, 2021
Dear Parents:
Welcome to a new year of Catholic education and faith formation for your child!
Each year, in a Catholic school, your child will learn about many aspects of their Catholic faith— including learning about the seven sacraments. In our Archdiocese, preparing children for the celebration of their own sacraments always occurs in the parish, with the support of the school: • preparing for First Reconciliation, and then First Eucharist, can begin when a child is 7 years of age and in Grade 2 or older
• preparing for Confirmation can begin when a child is about 12 years of age and in Grade 6 or older • special preparation is also available for children of any age who are not yet baptized
Most children attending Catholic schools are ready to receive at the ages shown above, but there is no such thing as too late. Are you seeking for your child to celebrate a sacrament, such as Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation? Are you ready to help them live out their Baptismal promises? Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and Elk Island Catholic Schools are each involved in preparing your child for a Catholic sacrament along with you. It is a group effort, and everyone has a role:
• As a parent, the Church has always held that you are the primary teacher of the faith for your child. You teach them about God; set the example; talk about your own faith; and you bring them to Mass. • The place where the sacraments are celebrated and lived is the Catholic parish. We the people of God in the Church are each part of the Body of Christ. Being in relationship with the parish community (with all its challenges and blessings) is essential for your life of faith and that of your child. The preparation for, and celebration of, the sacraments happens in the parish church. • You must sign your child up for preparation at the parish. The school doesn’t do this part of the process for you. Catholic schools are a special place for children to learn more about Jesus Christ, to practice living in a community of faith, and to develop and deepen a relationship with Christ. We (Catholic parish and Catholic school) are eager to walk beside you and your children during this very special time. Please call OLPH parish office 780-467-5470, send an email to sacraments@olph.ca or visit www.olph.ca/sacraments to get started or learn more.
As you prepare your child for their sacraments may this also be a special time for you - of deepening your own understanding and of growing in faith for the whole family!
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jim Corrigan, Pastor
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
All youth grades 7-10 are specially invited for our Welcome Back Fall Youth Retreat on Sunday September 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish!
As you head into junior high and high school, how can you continue to grow in your faith and practice using the spiritual gifts you received at Confirmation?
How can you continue to become the best version of the person God created you to be? I just got Confirmed…”WHAT NOW…?”
The retreat begins with our Youth & Family Mass at 12:30 pm with your whole family! (Let us know if you would like to read at Mass, be part of the choir or serve in some other ministry.) Youth will remain at the church after Mass for our retreat activities and pick up time will be 5:30 pm at the back of the church. Lunch and snacks will be provided. The registration fee is $25 (paid in advance) and you’ll receive a free OLPH YOUTH T-shirt if you sign up by August 22.
Register online here: Youth Retreat Online Registration Form
On the day of the retreat we will ask that parents stop at our registration table in the foyer on their way into Mass and sign off that they are giving their child permission to stay for the retreat.
Contact me or OLPH Youth Leader Tricia (tmurphy@olph.ca) if you have any questions at all!
Visit our OLPH Website for more details about what else is happening in the Parish these days.
We’re excited to see you all on September 12!
Sincerely in Christ,
Natalie Lavigne
Pastoral Assistant
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
13 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 1Y7
(780) 467-5470 Ext: 225
Wellness Corner
Mental Health Capacity Building Program at St. Theresa
This program promotes positive mental health by raising awareness, increasing knowledge, building personal skills (such as self-care and self-regulation techniques), developing interpersonal skills and fostering positive community norms.
Jasmyn will be working in our classrooms alongside our school staff by role modeling evidence based universal programs related to mental health and social and emotional learning. Jasmyn will also support staff to integrate mental health into curriculum, everyday routines and existing school priorities. Jasmyn will provide St. Theresa students opportunities to explore healthy coping strategies through fun lunchtime activities.
Parent to Parent: Easing into the School Year
Are you or your child feeling anxious about the return to school this fall? Join us to learn all about our natural responses to change, easing into the school year, and great tips for you and your child to cope!
FOR: Parents and caregivers of school ages children
WHEN: Wednesday September 15th 6pm-8pm
WHERE: Family and Community Services
To register, visit www.strathcona.ca/parentsupport
St. Theresa Catholic School
Email: stt@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stt.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 2021 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-464-4001
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.TheresaCatholicMiddleSchool/