Patriot Post
May 18th - May 22nd, 2020
*THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION REGARDING EICS AND COVID-19 CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.EICS.AB.CA*
https://www.eics.ab.ca/coronavirus-information-in-eics
Parent Resources
https://www.eics.ab.ca/coronavirus-information-in-eics/parent-resources
St. John Paul II Living Rosary-Luminous Mysteries
Virtually This Week at St. JPII
Monday May 18th
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday May 19th
9:00am: Science 8, Social 7, 6S Schedule Posted
9:30am: 5R, 5S, 6R
10:00am: 5KL
10:30am: 6H (help), Live chat for Social 7
11:00am: 5JD, Religion 7
11:30am: French 5
1:00pm: Social 8, Science 7
Wednesday May 20th
9:00am: Math 8, LA 7, 6S Schedule Posted
9:30am: 5R, 5S, 6R
10:00am: 5KL, 6ST
10:30am: 6H, Live chat for LA 7
11:00am: 5JD, Math 6ST, Phys Ed 7/8
11:30am: French 8
1:00pm: LA 8, Math 7
6:00pm: Virtual School Council Meeting: Please email the school beforehand for the link.
Thursday May 21st
9:00am: Science 8, Social 7, 6S Schedule Posted
9:30am: 5R, 5S, 6R
10:00am: 5KL
10:30am: 6H (help), Live chat for Social 7
11:00am: 5JD, Religion 8
11:30am: French 6
12:00pm - 8D Homeroom Check-in
1:00pm: Social 8, Science 7
Friday May 22nd
9:00am: Math 8, LA 7, 6S Schedule Posted
9:30am: 5R, 5S, 6R
10:00am: 5KL, 6ST
10:30am: 6H, Live chat for LA7
11:00am: 5JD, Phys Ed 7/8
12:00pm: 8H Homeroom Check-In
1:00pm: LA 8, Math 7
Catholic Education Week
#IBelieveInCatholicEducation
This week is extra special for us as we, as a school community, a school division, a parish, an archdiocese and a province celebrate Catholic Education Week. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate and show gratitude for all of the blessings we have, one of them being Catholic Education. This week, schools, parishes and the Edmonton Archdiocese are calling on their community to celebrate Gratitude, unified in the act of Thanksgiving. Numerous events are scheduled throughout the week that we can participate in. Links are below for each one.
As we celebrate Catholic Education Week in Alberta, join the bishops of Alberta in livestream prayer at 9:00 am each day
May 19 Bishop Terrio
St Paul Diocese
Holy Rosary- Rosary Link
May 20 Archbishop Pettipas
Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan
Divine Mercy-Link Here
May 21 Archbishop Smith (World Catholic Education Day-Please wear Blue)
Archdiocese of Edmonton
Holy Mass- Holy Mass
May 22 Bishop McGrattan
Diocese of Calgary
Special Liturgy & Blessing-
Digital Gratitude Wall
Here is the link for parents and student alike to post WHO they are grateful for. Each day, we have a group focus which is listed below. Please take a moment to click on the link and create a post of gratitude and thanksgiving. If posting with your child and they want to leave their name, please only use first name, last initial and grade. (See Padlet wall for examples)
Link: https://padlet.com/vernonb/t22n2z95bpf3zpts
Daily Focus
Monday: Our frontline workers serving those most in need
Tuesday: Our priests, bishops and clergy
Wednesday: Our families making faith real minute by minute
Thursday: Our teachers, leaders and staff who serve as gospel witness
Friday: Our communities: parish, school and beyond
World Catholic Education Day
Chaplain's Corner
6th Sunday of Easter
Here we are in the 6th week of Easter which is such a joyous time that we are celebrate yet sometimes the burdens of everyday life can make it a challenge to feel particularly joyful – even in the Easter season. This is especially evident this year as the challenges of our daily lives are multiplied by the pandemic we are all facing.
But the joy we are being invited into this season is beyond what we see in our everyday lives. It's true that Jesus says “Come to me and bring me your burdens” but we usually can’t believe it. Maybe we don’t want to believe it. If I really allow Jesus to come into my heart the way he wants to, will he ask me to change my life in ways that are too hard? How do I share the chaos of my life with Jesus? Some might say that these changes are becoming evident in our daily life as we have been forced to slow down and been given the opportunity to further strengthen our relationships in ways we have not experienced recently.
Jesus loves us - right now. At this moment, Jesus holds each one of us in his warm and loving gaze and loves us so freely at a depth that our human minds can’t take in. Whether we comprehend this or not, Jesus loves us endlessly and waits for us with his arms open, ready to hold and support us.
Pope Francis said at Easter, we leave ourselves behind and encounter others by “being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.”
We are being missioned as Easter People. We find peace in Jesus’ love for us and now we share it with others. We find ourselves standing side by side with Jesus, looking together at those we are being sent to love.
God Bless each of you during this time.
Vernon
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK 2020
Why I Love My Catholic School(s)
In the midst of everything going on in our world these days, I was moved to re-read a work by C.S Lewis, entitled “Learning in War time.” At the dawn of WWII, there was a discussion as to the value of education continuing during the upcoming time of crisis. Lewis points to three enemies of learning at this time, excitement, frustration and fear. He challenges the reader to rise above them all, to respond courageously to the needs of others in the time of crisis.
In our own way this year, we are “learning in war time” and it is appropriate for us to take some time to celebrate and be grateful for the gift of Catholic Education. In Alberta, we have the great privilege of being able to celebrate our faith openly and engage with our students on every aspect of what it is to truly be a human, we pray with our students and for our students as well as our communities. We are able to say in our Catholic Schools that each and every child is of infinite dignity, not because of what they have done, but because of who they are, made in the image and likeness of God, the Creator of all. We are able to teach our students not only to be good citizens, but to love each other as God first loved us. We promote academic excellence, not just for students to have a great career, but to be formed, virtuous human beings. We have our students look for Goodness, Truth and Beauty in all creation, and especially in each other. We are fed by our Sacraments and connected to our parishes and pastors. We are empowered to discuss with our students the small questions and the big ones, to celebrate who they are and what they can become.
Alberta’s education system, public and Catholic, is second to none in the world, but I am proud of, I love, my Catholic School.
Paul Corrigan
Assistant Superintendent,
Faith formation and Wellness
Elk Island Catholic Schools
Alberta Bishops Plan for Reinstatement of Public Masses
From the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton:
In preparation for the lifting of some restrictions on gatherings in public places in Alberta, the Catholic Bishops of Alberta are working to develop a plan for the eventual reinstatement of public celebrations of the Mass. The Bishops have established a task force under the direction of Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton and Bishop William McGrattan of Calgary. The mandate of this task force is to discern when and how this gradual reinstatement will be initiated.
Their consideration will continue to be informed by the advice of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the provincial government’s staged COVID-19 recovery plan.
“We are acutely aware of our parishioners’ fervent desire to return to the Eucharist, and we share their concern,” said Archbishop Smith. “Our careful discernment now will ensure that when the time comes, we will be ready to begin inviting the faithful back to the churches they miss so much. We are extremely grateful to all those who have made great sacrifices in the common effort to protect our brothers and sisters by preventing the spread of COVID-19.”
TEXTBOOK AND SCHOOL RESOURCES RETURN
As we are quickly approaching the end of the school year, it is time to look at returning resources back to the school. During the week of May 19-22 between 8:30am and 3:00pm, we are asking that you return any resources that you have borrowed from the school . A bin will be placed outside the front main entrance doors. Please leave the items in the bin and ring the doorbell so that we can bring them inside the school and process the materials. Items to be returned include: textbooks, library books, calculators (if signed out from the library) and school team uniforms.
Please realize that the collection of school resources DOES NOT mark the end of our school year. Teachers will continue to provide meaningful instruction and curriculum-based learning experiences for ALL our students.
It is also important to be mindful of social distancing when returning items to the school. If you arrive at the school while another family is returning their resources, please wait in your car until they are finished and place your items in the bin when it is safe to do so.
If you or your child feel that you require any of these resources until the end of the school year, please contact your homeroom teacher. Arrangements can be made for a drop off of materials at a later date.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you have any extenuating circumstances regarding this request, please contact the school directly.
Online Learning in a Virtual World
Our Teachers Engaged in PD on Friday
New to Google?
Parent's Guide to Google Classroom!
https://drive.google.com/a/eics.ab.ca/file/d/1fws681lplpxhgp4FaUAi9VCyNKEgTh0F/view?usp=sharing
We hope that you are able to navigate the classroom without trouble, but if you do run into issues, please contact your child's teacher by email.
Public Library E-Resources
It is important to know where you can turn if you or someone you know is experiencing family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Help is available to Albertans dealing with family violence, partner abuse, sexual violence, child abuse, elder abuse, pet abuse, or financial abuse.
We all play a role in learning where to turn to for help.
· Read and share – Family violence during COVID-19 info sheet
· In case of emergency, call 911. Police and emergency responders will continue to respond throughout the pandemic, even to those in quarantine.
· Family Violence Info Line
- anonymous support from trained staff:
- Call 310-1818 | 24/7 | 170+ languages
Chat online alberta.ca/SafetyChat | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily | English
· Other supports and services for those experiencing family violence
FREE ESL SUPPORTS
New Virtual Sessions from CYF Caregiver Education!
EICS FAMILY WELLNESS WORKER
WELLNESS CORNER
St. John Paul II Catholic School
WE MISS YOU PATRIOTS
We all react to stress differently. There are no right or wrong reactions so please be patient with others and gentle to yourself. If you need support remember that you are not alone. Nothing beats face to face contact with our friends and loved ones but we still need to stay connected.
Reach out to our school team for support Family Wellness Worker: Mrs. Dube lee.dube@eics.ab.ca or 587-337-2389
FCSS 780-992-6267 or COVID-19 Support Line 780-992-6281
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868 or live chat www.kidshelpphone.ca
Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
Child and Youth Counselling Services Intake 780-342-2701
Access 24/7 780-424-2424 adult mental health services
Primary Care Network 780-997-0046
Text4Hope Get daily texts that provide positive messages
CMHA Edmonton 24 hour distress line 780-482-4357
Families First Society 780-998-5595
Boys and Girls Club Fort Saskatchewan 780-992-0103
Children’s Services 780-992-6700 Crisis Line 780-422-2001
Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank 780-998-4099
Strathcona County List of Crisis Contact Numbers
Wellness Apps
Calm App - sleep, meditation & relaxation app
Down Dog - unique personalized yoga for all levels
Yummly - recipe app that helps you make meals with the ingredients you already have
Headspace - meditation and mindfulness app
Relax Melodies - make and create your own soothing sounds
Lumosity - train your brain! Helps increase focus and attention through fun games
Daily Burn - a workout app offering a 60 day trial period
Insight Timer - a simplified version of a mediation app
Pray as you go -a daily prayer app so you can listen to & reflect on God’s word
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
Hello St. JPII School Community! My name is Lee Dube and I am so excited to be a part of your Fort Saskatchewan school community. I am here to support families and students to be successful. I am someone that parents and students can talk to and can offer connections to various resources in the community. Please do not hesitate to give me a call at the school or send me an email at lee.dube@eics.ab.ca to set up an online appointment.
Invitation from Fort Saskatchewan Family and Community Support Services
FCSS will be releasing a support line April 14, 2020. The goal of the Support Line is to help support anyone who needs help navigating the COVD-19 benefits, connecting to local resources, and for those who just need to be heard and share their story. Individual counselling services will be available if needed.
2019-2020 School Yearbook News
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