Principal's Message
Dear Online Learning Pathway 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 had a great BINGO game on Friday with a lot of students joining us. Winners will be able to take an extra 15 minute break sometime this week. We will continue to have fun activities a few times per month. On deck is a Christmas Kahoot in December and maybe another BINGO game.
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 the St. Gabriel students and our morning prayers from now until Christmas holidays will focus on Advent and the season preceding Christmas.
I wish you all a joyous Advent season and that you are able to take time to enjoy the season.
Many Blessings to you all,
Renee Trottier,
principal
Calendar Events
November 24 - Celebrate your Unique Talent Day
November 26 - GSACRD PD Day - No School. Evergreen - asynchronous lessons.
November 28 - Advent Begins
December 6 - Term 2 Begins. Options will change.
December 9 - Advent liturgy at 11:00 with Father Ignacy presiding
December 17 - Last day of school for GSACRD students
December 23 - Last day of school for Evergreen students
Report Cards
Our Online Learning Pathway staff have updated marks in PowerSchool. Please login and check out your child's marks. We will only have a formal report card in June, which will be emailed to you. Marks in junior high are cumulative and teachers are regularly updating their marks. Did you know you can set PowerSchool to email you a summary once per week? It's a great feature so you don't forget to keep up with their marks.
Evergreen students, your option marks are being recorded as check marks if you completed the activity. We are working with the Evergreen technicians to change the grade book to match the GSACRD grade book.
If you are unable to see your child's marks in PowerSchool, please email me.
Talent Show
Option Change for Term 2
Grade 7 - FSL (French as a second language)
Grade 8 - Art
Grade 9 - Coding
Please note - Grade 8 students - make sure you get your art supplies before December 6. Mrs. Doehring will send out the supply list.
We ARISE to serve our community
Stay tuned for our Christmas Service project coming in a separate email.
Advent Liturgy
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
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 Services
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Online Learning Pathway School