Patriot Post
Feb. 17th - Feb. 21st. 2020
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Feb. 17th
Family Day - No School
Tuesday Feb. 18th
Boys Basketball Practice - 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Girls Basketball Game at New Horizons - 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday Feb. 19th
Boys Basketball "B" Game vs St. Luke at St. JPII 4:00pm - 5:30pm
School Council Meeting - 6:30pm - 7:30pm in school library
Thursday Feb. 20th
Girls Basketball Practice 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Boys Basketball 'A' at New Horizon - 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Hoof Fest Basketball Tournament
Friday Feb. 21st
Grade 6-8 Curling Bonspeil
Hoof Fest Basketball Tournament
Grade 7/8 Musical Theater Practice - 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Chaplain's Corner
Welcome to the 6th Sunday of ordinary Time. When we look at the beginning of Christianity, we note that the first Christians were all Jews. In the beginning they continued to observe many of their traditional customs which they followed in accordance with the laws of society. They went to the Temple in Jerusalem to pray. But very soon, non-Jews (Gentiles) also became Christians and these did not have to observe some of the traditions of the Jews. The Jewish Christians felt uncomfortable about this. When they became Christians did they have to abandon traditions, which were so much part of both their religious and social life? It became a very serious issue in the Apostolic Church.
Matthew’s gospel, from which today’s passage comes, was written primarily for Jewish Christians and today’s reading – and indeed the whole of this gospel – can be seen as words of encouragement for them. Throughout his gospel, Matthew constantly uses the Old Testament to show that the life of Jesus is not a breakaway from past Jewish traditions but that it is a continuation of all that was foretold by the prophecies of the Hebrew Testament. The life and teaching of Jesus is not to be seen as a new religion; Jesus’ life is the natural development of the story of salvation. And Jesus is the climax of that story, because Jesus is the Messiah king and savior for whom the Jews had been waiting for such a long time.
So in today’s Gospel Matthew emphasizes the relation between Jewish Law and the teaching of Jesus. Matthew reassures his readers that Jesus has not come to abolish the Law and the prophets but to bring them to completion. He did not abolish the Law but he introduced a completely new way of thinking going beyond its literal requirements. For Jesus, just to keep the Law externally is not enough. To be a disciple of Christ, the foundation of our lives must go deeper – to a mutual love. To keep the Law without love is like having a body without a soul. Literally to keep the Law of God and of the Church is not the same as being a good disciple of Jesus.
The Scribes and the Pharisees kept the Law and the Commandments very carefully. But Jesus would say that, though they observed the external requirements of the Law, they did not have the spirit which is the foundation of the Law: to love God and to love the neighbor as oneself. Clearly, this teaching would have made much more impact on a Jewish audience but, even in our Christian lives, it is possible for people to have a very mechanical notion of what is good behavior.
So as we get closer to the beginning of the Lenten season, remember that laws are meant to be upheld but must be coupled with the care and empathy we must have for those around us. If we follow the laws without embracing what Jesus calls us to do, we are no better than the pharisees and scribes.
God bless each of you and your family this week.
Vernon
HOT LUNCH ROUND TWO
ACCOUNTABILITY PILLAR SURVEY
Dear Elk Island Catholic School Families,
Alberta Education has begun conducting the annual Accountability Pillar Survey. Parents of students in grade 4, 7 and 10 should have already receive a mailed survey from Alberta Education as well as an emailed version of the same survey.
As an annual check-up on the education system, the Accountability Pillar provides an opportunity for Alberta Education to ensure that we are equipping students for success.
Please take the opportunity to complete the survey as the data collected helps set the future direction of our school. We currently only have a 10% completion rate. Thanks for your attention to this matter.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDMONTON OILERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
As a thank you for participating in Hockey Hooky this season, we would like send an exclusive offer to the students, family, friends, and staff of St. John Paul II School. The offer allows the school to access special group rate tickets to the Edmonton Oilers game on
Sunday, March 29 at 6:00 PM.2019/2020 YEARBOOK NEWS
A reminder for all members of the Yearbook Team: Our next meeting will take place on February 28th at lunch.
EICS Transportation
Elk Island Catholic School (EICS) Transportation is pleased to share with the EICS community that there is now increased awareness for parents and guardians regarding EICS bus arrivals and possible delays through our transportation software program BusPlanner. This new app will allow parents and caregivers to see the details of current routes, stops and transfers relating to their children on EICS transportation.
With this new system parents gain access to the following:
- The BusPlanner Parent Portal, located here: https://eics.mybusplanner.ca/Default.aspx which allows parents to view details of the routes, stops and transfers for their children.
- The BusPlanner Notification System for email alerts to parents for issues which impact transportation on a route by route or school by school basis.
- The BusPlanner Delays app which both parents and students can install on a mobile (hand-held) device and allows them to subscribe to and receive BusPlanner notifications through push notifications.
Parents, please take the time to create an account for the BusPlanner Parent Portal and subscription to receive notifications of transportation delays or school closures through email. Please click here for further instructions - thank you.
Please know, it will be through this portal that all notifications will be vetted. There will no longer be emails or phone calls directly from EICS transportation regarding route cancellations or late buses.
Notifications will come to you through Bus Planner, so please subscribe.
In faith,
Your EICS Transportation Department
EICS Demographic and Consent Forms
EICS Demographic Confirmation and Consent Forms are available now on your PowerSchool ParentPortal. Please take a moment to visit your PowerSchool ParentPortal account and complete these forms; one for each child you have attending school with EICS.
Alberta Education requires that we obtain a detailed update of student demographics on an annual basis. School funding from Alberta Education is conditional on us receiving these updates and including them in your student’s record. More importantly, these forms ensure that we have the most current contact information if we need to reach you in event of an emergency.
We certainly appreciate you taking the time to complete these forms. Should you have any questions, or require assistance, please contact Carrie-Lynn in the office at 780-992-0889 and she will be happy to help.
VISITORS IN OUR SCHOOL
School and Field Trip Fees
A reminder, we encourage these fees to be paid online through your Powerschool Parent Portal, or you are welcome to send cash or a cheque made payable to Elk Island Catholic Schools to the office as convenient. If you require assistance logging in to the ParentPortal please call the school and we will be happy to help.
SCHOOL COUNCIL INFORMATION
Please join us for our next School Council meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19th @ 6:30pm in the school library. This is an excellent opportunity to receive the latest school and grade level updates from our Administration and Teacher Representatives, as well as, upcoming School Council supported activities and events!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunity!
PATRIOT WEAR!
Shout out to Enhance It Embroidering for making this possible. All orders are processed directly through the store and Enhance It Embroidery will call to arrange pickup within the allotted shipping time.
http://www.enhanceitembroidery.ca/store/c2/St._John_Paul_II_Spirit_Wear_.html
HAPPY SHOPPING!
EICS FAMILY WELLNESS WORKER
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 a meeting. I will be at St. JPII on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons.
It has been such a pleasure meeting some of the students and parents. Thank you for being so welcoming. Please feel free to come and stop in at my office upstairs in room #214. I am at the school all day on Tuesday and Thursday as well as Friday afternoons.
The Boys & Girls Club of Fort Saskatchewan has a new youth drop in program. This is for young people ages 11-14 and 15-18. There will be a weekly coffeehouse starting September 14th between 3-5 please feel free to stop in and learn more about it.
We are starting up the Breakfast Club at Lunchtime. This is open to all students and is a great place to come and meet some new friends and have fun. The club is held on Thursday during lunch break. Come hang with us, we meet at the opportunity room upstairs.
The Breakfast Club.....at Lunchtime
CAFETERIA
February Cafeteria News
February Menu
Feb 11&12- strawberry shortcake $2
Feb 19&28- free drink day (with any meal purchase)
Changes to the menu: potato wedges available as an everyday side and poutine as a Wednesday special.
Every day- chicken strips, salad, wrap, cheesy macaroni, and pizza.
Monday special- chili and bun, Tuesday- chicken poutine, Wednesday- grilled cheese and tomato soup, Thursday- chicken burger, and Friday- sweet & sour meatballs on rice.
SJP2 families:
Did you know we offer month passes? You could gift yourself a month of no lunch making? Lunch pass $96 includes a meal and two sides, meal pass $64 includes a meal choice.
Email admin@fortsasklunchbox.com for info.
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