Patriot Post
October 8th - 12th, 2018
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Oct. 8th
THANKSGIVING DAY - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday Oct. 9th
Jr. Boys and Girls Volleyball Games @ 4:00pm
Wednesday Oct. 10th
Jr. Girls Volleyball Practice 7:00am - 8:00am
Jr. Boys Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday Oct. 11th
Gr. 5's Field Trip to the Fort Musuem
Jr. Boys and Girls Volleyball Games @ 4:00pm
Friday Oct. 12th
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Yearbook Committee Meeting 11:30am CTS Computer Lab
Chaplain's Corner
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our students, staff and families.
This weekend gives us the opportunity to focus on the blessings in our lives. The fact that we have a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs and friends and family that are supportive in what we do. All of this helps us to be the best version of ourselves as we strive to be closer to God. These gifts and so many more that are often not obvious to us are blessings that God has bestowed on each of us. As we look closer at our daily interactions, we see that those who are in our lives have been placed there by God's hands to help guide us as we journey in our faith. May each of us take time today and each day to pray to God in thanks for all he has done to help make our lives the blessed gifts that we share with each person we meet.
Have a blessed weekend.
Upcoming and In the Works Faith Events
- Gr. 8 Faith Retreat: October 18, 2018
- Gr. 7 Faith Retreat: November 26, 2018
- Gr. 7 & 8 Days of Service
- School Adoration: November 22-23, 2018
- School Reconciliation: November 27, 2018
- Parish priest visits to St. JP II: Thursdays from 12:05 - 1:30 pm
PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT MESSAGE BELOW FROM OUR ST. JOHN XXIII PARENT SOCIETY CHAIR
Playground Meeting and Election
Thursday, October 18, 7pm
St John Paul II School
Now that school has settled in, I am sure you are aware of the need for outdoor spaces for your new (or new to you) schools.
For anyone new to our Fort Saskatchewan Catholic schools, we are four Catholic schools that have been restructured from three Catholic schools upon the completion of a new Catholic high school. Within the restructuring process we have the following changes:
1. St John XXIII (SJXXIII) (grades K-4) has half the number of students as half of the students were reallocated to OLA.
2. Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) has changed from a middle school (grades 5-8) into an elementary school (grades K-4).
3. St John Paul II (JPII) has changed from a high school (grades 9-12) into a middle school (5-8).
4. St Andre Bessette is a new build for a high school (9-12).
These changes were much needed, but have resulted in the playgrounds, equipment and outdoor spaces being inappropriate or non-existent for three of the four schools. We are left with the current problems that need remedying:
1. OLA (grades k-4): has 30-year-old playground equipment more appropriate for a middle school
2. JPII (grades 5-8): does not have any playground or outdoor play structures since it had been a high school
3. JPII (grades 5-8): we will need to remove half of the parking lot to make room for an outdoor play structure
4. Saint Andre (grades 9-12): does not have any outdoor gathering spaces and needs benches or picnic tables
5. SJXXIII (grades k-4): due to school enrollment at full capacity for so long, the playground is worn. They just received a bill for $40,000 to replace a broken play structure.
We are applying for grants and fundraising to replace old playgrounds and to build new ones where needed. We are fundraising as one community as we see our Catholic schools as one family, with close connections with each other. We plan on raising these funds together, and together building outdoor spaces adequate for all our Catholic schools. As ambitious as it sounds, we would like to complete our fundraising within 18 months.
We will have a meeting to elect an executive to carry these efforts forward. The executive would be responsible for working with the respective school principals, continuing to stay in contact with our grant’s writer, and securing a company to purchase playground and outdoor equipment from.
Please attend this meeting on Thursday October 18, 7pm in the SJPII school.
Thank you,
Donamarie Lukie
Pope John XXIII Parent Society Chair
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE
The Yearbook Committee had our first meeting and there was a great turn out… with 20 kids committing to build the 2018-2019 yearbook!
I would like to thank all the kids for coming to the meeting and Mr. Scott Hebert for being the Teacher liaison for this project.
We will be getting together frequently over the year during the kids lunch breaks to get the book started. Our next meeting will be Oct 12th with Chris our Lifetouch representative.
Special note to parents; please watch for upcoming announcements regarding purchasing the yearbook. Without you buying one, we are at risk of not having one!
Demographic Confirmation & Yearly Consent Forms
The annual consent forms allow your child full participation in all activities, field trips and events for optimal learning at St. JPII. Thank you for completing these forms so your child experiences the full learning benefits at St. JPII.
Family Wellness Worker's Corner
My name is Amanda Davidson and I am the Family Wellness Worker at St. John Paul ll. I am excited to help the amazing staff at the school support students and families who are a part of the St. JPll community.
Please see below information about the role as well as my contact information.
EICS Family Wellness Program
Program Overview
The Elk Island Catholic Schools Family Wellness Program provides short-term supportive assistance to students and their parents and guardians. Services are provided free of charge and may take place at school and/or in home and community settings.
Service Delivery
Each school is staffed with a Family Wellness Worker (FWW), who works under the direction of their School Principal and the Assistant Superintendent of Faith & Wellness. FWW's receive clinical guidance from a Registered Psychologist.
The primary function of the Family Wellness team is to provide social and emotional support to students and families. Family Wellness Workers meet with students and parents to assess needs, set goals, identify required supports, and plan appropriate interventions.
They collaborate with school system staff and community resources to build a “village” of support around students/families who are struggling.
Referrals
Parental consent is required for FWW services.
Referrals to the Family Wellness Program may be made by students, parents/guardians, school administration, teachers, or other school staff (e.g. school counsellor or collaborative response coordinator).
Parents and guardians can access these services by speaking with the Principal or contacting the school's Family Wellness Worker directly.
Family Wellness Contact Information
Amanda Davidson RSW, BSW
St. John Paul ll
St. Andre Bessette
(p) 780-860-4621
Upcoming Community Supports for Parents
Connect Parent Group
There is very good evidence that strong relationships with parents protect youth from risk during adolescence and help them thrive! We call that ATTACHMENT!
Connect Parent is a 7 week Attachment-Based Program to Support Parents & Caregivers.
When:
Wednesday Afternoons 1:30- 3:00PM
October 10 - November 28
(no class November 14)
*Light snacks and refreshments
will be provided.
Where:
OLPH Parish Basement
13 Brower Drive Sherwood Park
For more information and to
register, please contact your Connect Trainers:
JACELYN GIACOBBO
PSYCHOLOGIST, EICS Inclusive
Learning Services
780.410.6250
MICHELLE HORON
FAMILY WELLNESS WORKER
ABJ High School
780.467.2121 ext 1210
Dragonfly Support Group
A monthly group for parents whose children face mental health challenges.
3rd Monday of the Month 6:30 - 8:30 PM CN Station - Kinsmen Room (10030-99 Ave) Register @ 780.992.6265
Cafeteria
Cafeteria in St. John Paul II Catholic School
Meals available daily: Chicken strips, Pizza-bun (ham or extra cheese), Salad (cheeseburger, chicken caesar, or egg salad), and Sub (chicken salad, egg salad, or ham).
Daily specials: Monday- Spaghetti, Tuesday- Chicken Alfredo, Wednesday- Pancakes, Thursday- Sweet&Sour Meatballs, and Friday- Chicken Fried Rice
Sides: Apples & Grapes, Apple Sauce, Carrots & Sweet Peas, Cheese Strips, Chocolate Energy Bites, Fresh Fruit Mix, Fresh Veggie Mix, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pretzels, Rice Cereal Square, Vanilla Yogurt, Wowbutter Cookies, 237 mL white milk/chocolate milk, 200 mL juice (apple or orange)
*Menu changes three times per year* All food is prepared to meet school guidelines.
A regular meal with two sides is $6,
you can order a larger portion for $1 more,
and you can add an additional side for $1.
Pre-order online or cash purchases
Online orders- how to get started:
· Visit www.fortsasklunchbox.com
· Click the order tab
· Create an account (use the email that is best for receiving receipts and create your own password)
· Choose St John Paul II as your school- lunches can be picked up at the school cafeteria
Dr. Jody Carrington is Coming to the Fort!
Visitors To Our School
St. John Paul II Catholic School
Email: stjp@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stjp.eics.ab.ca
Location: 9975 93 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-992-0889
Twitter: @stjp2cs