Dear St. Gabes students and families,

It's almost April and it finally feels like spring is on its way! I love hearing all the birds chirping and being able to walk outside without my face freezing!

Our Lenten Campaign continues until Easter so please click on the link to make a donation. Catholic Social Services provides help to so many vulnerable youth in our area who need our support. You don't need to be Catholic or even religious to access support from Catholic Social Services.

Please make sure you register for next year. Our St. Gabes program is very unique in Alberta and this year we served well over 300 students from across the province and we are continuing to grow. Students report that they enjoy the flexibility of learning in a blended online/in person program. Students are experiencing such great success that we've been able to add grades 7-9 to our online program and grade 10 French Immersion.

I pray that you all have a safe and healthy spring!

Many Blessings to you all,

Renee Trottier,

Principal

Many of you have joined us online but are still registered at your home base school. If you would like to join St. Gabes as a full time student and not a concurrent student, please fill out the registration package and select "NEW" student and then be sure to check the box in the drop down menu for St. Gabriel Education Centre Outreach. You should also email your school's administration and let them know that you are transferring your child/children to St. Gabes. Please contact Mrs. Trottier if you have questions about this process.

If you know anyone interested in online education for junior high or grade 10 online French Immersion, please tell them to contact me at the school.

This Lent students, staff and parents across the GSACRD community are invited to support Catholic Social Services’ Safe House. CSS’ Safe House is a home where at-risk young people can go to be safe.

These are children and young people, as young as 13, who live on the streets. In many cases they are at risk of exploitation, trafficking or encountering violence or substance abuse.

They are alone, afraid and have no where else to call home.

Safe House is often the only place they can go to access warm and loving support.

In a typical year staff in CSS’ Safe House distribute around 400 ‘BE Safe Backpacks’ to these vulnerable young people.

The funds raised in this campaign will go towards the purchase of these Be Safe Backpacks right at the very moment when it is needed. The Backpacks will provide the items that each individual needs to support their safety.

While no one Backpack is the same they will include some standard items such as a toothbrush, dry shampoo, a flashlight, a re-usable water bottle, granola bars, and clothes suitable for the season.

Perhaps most importantly every young person who receives a Be Safe Backpack knows they do not have to face the world alone.

We are so grateful to all in GSACRD for helping to bring hope to these young people this Lent.

Your solidarity is God’s love in action.

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” Matt 25:40

All donations over $20, by individuals, are eligible for a tax receipt.

We meet once per month except for December and June. All of our meetings are online. You can find the agenda and meeting link on our website under "About Us/School Council". https://www.stgabe.gsacrd.ab.ca/about-st-gabriel/school-council-parent-council

We look forward to seeing you!

Please do not park in the following areas:

• our handicapped spot (unless you are handicapped and are coming into the school)
• in the spots at the front of the building or in the upper lot on top of seven hills
• in front of our garbage bin (the truck has left our garbage a few times because the bin was blocked).

As we venture through Lent, it often feels as though we will never make it to Easter. It feels long, bleak and tiresome. But, as we follow along with Jesus on the way of the cross to the resurrection, we don't dwell on Good Friday. We don't stay at the cross. The story doesn't end at His death. The story begins when He rises from the dead and opens the gates of salvation for us all! Isn't that amazing?! Let us not dwell on the darkness, for it has been conquered once and for all! Truly He has risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Did you Know?

Easter is the longest Season in the Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar! It's 50 days long (7 weeks!) After the fasting, it's time for feasting! Now, that's worth celebrating!

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.

Please follow and share with your friends. We want everyone to know what a great place St. Gabes is!

https://www.facebook.com/StGabeHS

https://www.instagram.com/st.gabes/

https://twitter.com/stgabes

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