St. Gabriel Education Centre
November 22-December 17, 2021
Principal's Update
Dear St. Gabes students and families,
Well, winter is finally here and it came in with a fury! Last week I was hiking in old growth rain forests on Vancouver Island and this weekend we dusted off our snow shoes and headed out for our first winter run. My dog Ripple was in his glory! I hope you're all taking time to enjoy the snow, whether it's outside playing in it or inside with a great book or movie and a cup of hot chocolate.
We're getting very close to final exams in January so if you're behind in your courses, it's time to dig in and get it done! Please contact your teacher if you need help with setting a schedule or if you are stuck . . . we are here to help you in whatever way we can.
December is a season of anticipation as we wait for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We prepare our homes with decorations, shop for gifts for family and friends, we bake and cook and get ready for the big event. Our staff and students will celebrate Advent on Dec. 9 at 11:00 with Father Ignacy. We will also host our semester one awards celebration and "B&L Catering" will be here again serving waffles for lunch. We encourage all of our students to join us!
I wish you all a joyous Advent season and that you are able to take time to enjoy this time before Christmas.
Many Blessings to you all,
Renee Trottier,
principal
November-December Calendar
November 25 - Pop Tarts and Pop Culture with The Doug (yes, there will be actual pop tarts)
November 26 - PD Day - No School
November 28 - Advent Begins
December 3 - Bags for the Imprisoned are due
December 9:
- Advent liturgy at 11:00
- Awards for semester 1 at 11:30
- Lunch - Waffles at 12:00
December 17 - Last day of school for Christmas Break
January 3 - School back in session
Parent Teacher Interviews
Thank you to those of you who booked appointments with the teachers for interviews. We know that when we are connected to our teachers, we do better in school. We will have another parent teacher interview night in March but in the meantime, if you ever need to meet with any of our teachers, please make sure you contact them. We are always happy to meet with you. This goes for adult students as well . . . we are here for you!
Booking Times with your Teachers
Exams - if you need a private place to write exams but then don't show up for the time you booked, we cannot guarantee that we will have a private place available for you the next time you come in. We have limited space and no shows put a huge strain on our ability to serve our students. Again, please be respectful of everyone's time and energy.
Diploma Exam Prep Courses
https://success2000studycentres.ca/diploma-exam-and-final-exam-review-courses
Semester Two
Are you unsure whether you are registered in classes for semester 2? Did you know that you can check your schedule on PowerSchool and find all the information you need. If you need help with any of this, please see Mrs. Trottier.
School Council
Advent Liturgy and Awards
Bags for the Imprisoned
Students, when you are at school, we invite you to decorate a gift bag with a Christmas message and images of the season. They are due December 3.
Recipients:
- Inmates at the Edmonton Remand Centre
- Residents of Nursing homes, the sick, the homeless, etc.
But...do criminals deserve our kindness?
- As followers of Christ, we have been asked to respond differently.
- Jesus calls us to do acts of Mercy to ALL - even to the imprisoned, because even they have dignity, and are loved by God.
- When we reach out, we are sharing God’s love.
Presenting a small gift to the inmates, or to others who are “imprisoned” by life challenges lets them know that, even though they have broken the law, or even though they are experiencing difficulty - they are still loved by God.
Through this act of kindness, we are the heart of Christ. This Christmas bag filled with goodies may be the only gift some of these people receive. Let us “Visit the Imprisoned” through our actions.
Let us be Christ for others.
Advent Service Project
Stay tuned for information about our Service in Action project for December. We will send out a separate email once we've finalized our plans.
Hampers for Christmas
1. The Kinette's - Applications for a hamper are due December 7. Please click on the link for the form. https://www.stgabe.gsacrd.ab.ca/download/373071
2. St. Albert Community Village and Salvation Army - Please call (780) 459-0599 to register.
Remembrance Day Service
Prayer Table
Mrs. Terin reading
Guests
Halloween at St. Gabes
Parking
Moodle updates
Meet our Staff!
Mrs. Harmony Terin
Hi! My name is Harmony Terin and I teach English, Social Studies and Physical Education at St Gabriel Education Center. I have been teaching with our division since 2007, and at St Gabe’s since 2013!
I love to read and always have a few novels on the go! I’m currently in two book clubs; both personally and professionally and enjoy chatting with my students about what they are reading! Sparking student interest in reading a great book is what I love!
When I’m not teaching, I’m spending time with my husband, Justin and my family. We love traveling and exploring all that our world has to offer! Most recently we were in Palm Springs and Los Angeles to catch an NFL game. We are avid sports fans and I never miss the opportunity to cheer on my home team of the Winnipeg Jets!
Catholic Corner
ARISE! Get Up, Get Going and Go with God!
"Arise! I have appointed you as a witness of what you have seen!"
(Acts 26:16)
Our GSACRD Faith theme is in its second year of, "Arise! Get Up, Get Going and Go with God!"
This year, we are focusing on the "Get Going!" part of our theme. How do students, staff and parents know, model and witness Jesus Christ?
December - Advent
Advent begins on November 28.
In the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of preparation extending over the four Sundays before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the latin advenio, "to come to, " and refers to the coming of Christ. The term, "the coming" includes three references: first of all, to our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; second, to the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy communion, and finally, to his second coming at the end of time. Our preparations, therefore, should have all three comings in mind. We need to prepare our souls to receive Christ.
The Advent Wreath is perhaps the best known of all Advent symbols. It consists of 4 candles (three purple and one pink) arranged in a circle with evergreen boughs (and often a fifth, white candle in the centre), the Advent wreath corresponds to the four Sundays of Advent. The purple candles represent the penitential nature of the season, while the pink candle calls to mind the respite of Gaudete Sunday. the white candle, when used, represents Christmas.
We can better enjoy Christmas - all 12 days of it - if we revive Advent as a period of preparation. Abstaining from meat on Fridays, incorporating the custom of the Advent wreath, the Christmas novena or the Jesse tree into our daily ritual, will remind us of the coming of Christ.
It's easy to get caught up in the shopping, baking, and decorating as we prepare for Christmas, but it's important to take time to reflect and to be mindful during Advent. If you feel stressed or anxious that's a sign that you need to stop and reflect on the reason for the season.
If you would like to learn more about Advent, check out these short videos.
(learnreligions.com)
Mental Health and Wellness
Don't forget to check out our "Mental Health and Wellness" section on our website for wellness ideas, tips, resources and sessions that are being offered. Click on "community supports" for information about services in St. Albert and area to support you or your family.
November is Men's Health Month. While this message applies to everyone, men and boys need to know that it is okay to have and need any of these things (see image). You do not need to suffer in silence. You do not need to appear strong. You do not have to do it alone. If you need someone to talk to, the Kids Help Phone or AHS Mental Heath Helpline (both available 24/7) can guide you to the right resources you may need.
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868
AHS Mental Health Helpline - 1-877-303-2642
Follow GSACRD Voice on Instagram for more mental health information and resources.
Counselling at SGEC
COVID protocols
In the case of a positive diagnosis, we encourage you to call us so that we can initiate contact tracing in a timely manner. AHS will contact us with any positive cases and we will notify any close contacts by phone and follow up with an email. Close contacts are not being asked to isolate at this time.
You can read our division's response to COVID-19 by clicking on our division website and reading our "Return to School" plan.
https://www.gsacrd.ab.ca/about-us/latest-news/post/return-to-school-plan
Safety Protocols
Social Media
St. Gabriel Education Centre
Email: rtrottier@gsacrd.ab.ca
Website: https://www.stgabe.gsacrd.ab.ca/.
Location: 6 St Vital Ave, St. Albert, AB, Canada
Phone: (780)459-6616
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StGabeHS
Twitter: @stgabes
Our Hours
Monday to Wednesday
8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Thursday
8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Friday
8:00 am to Noon
All teachers are available