February Newsletter
School of Hope - Vermilion Home Schooling February 2022
Principal's Message
Good day everyone,
February has arrived and depending on which groundhog you listen to, it looks like it might be cold a while longer!
With Semester one wrapped up, progress reports were sent out earlier this week for grades 7-12. Many students worked hard this semester, congratulations! Effort along with perseverance are two of the most important qualities in a student! We are currently working on our honour role recognitions which will be sent out next week.
It is approaching registration time for next year. With many brick and mortar school registration deadlines coming soon, parents have been asking about registering for next year to ensure they have a spot. With our school surpassing capacity in some grades last year, that is a good idea to avoid waiting lists.
Registering for the first time is quite time consuming, so we have a sped up process for our returning families. We will be emailing you next week with instructions on how to reregister with us for next year.
With Valentine’s day and Family day both falling in this month, we wish to encourage you to share love and joy with your loved ones this month. In the colder, darker times of the year it can make a real difference!
Let all that you do be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
God Bless,
Michel Despins, Dwayne Coffey and Alicia Rudkowsky
School of Hope Admin Team
Parent Council
A group of parents representing all grade levels that provide advice and guidance to the School of Hope's administration. Together, we ensure that students have the best educational experience, teacher interactions and learning outcomes.
If you are interested in joining the parent council, please contact SOH principal Michel Despins. He can be reached at 1-780-853-2188 Ext 120 or emailed
Please read the minutes for the January Parent Council Meeting by clicking the PDF below.
Next Meeting Date: Monday February 28 , 2022 6:30 PM
School of Hope Activities!!
Art Club!
Hello Grades 1-3!
Please join Ms. Schwenk and Mrs. Fortune for the Art Club on Wednesday, February 9th at 1:00pm. We are going to make a Valentine's Day Craft.
Please join us at: Art Club
You will need:
- White Paper
- White wax crayon
- Watercolour paint
See you then!
Mrs. Fortune and Ms. Schwenk
Drama Club!
The School of Hope Jr-Sr Drama Club is starting up again on Thursday, February 10th at 1p.m. Click below for the link. For further information, please contact teacher mentor, Elaine Johnston MacMillan at elaine.macmillan@ecacs16.ab.ca
Zoom Cooking Class
Hello Grades 4 to 6!
Please join Mrs. Bensmiller and Mrs. Fortune for a Zoom Cooking Class on February 11th at 2:00pm! We will be making Heart Shaped Pizza and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Keep an eye out in your emails for the recipes/ ingredients needed.
Join us at this link: Cooking
See you then!
Valentines Day Yoga!
Hello Grade 1-3's!
Please join Ms. Schwenk, Mrs. Van Sluys and a special guest for Zoom Yoga on Monday, February 14 at 1:00pm. Make sure you have a space to move and come in comfy clothes. Please join us at: Valentines Day Yoga
Ms. Emily Schwenk
Debate Club!
The School of Hope would once again like to invite students to join our extracurricular club.
The SOH Debate Club hosts stress-free and fun activities for all students in Grades 9 to 12. This is a great way to meet new people, increase your public speaking and persuasive writing skills, and share in some fun debates on a variety of topics.
This year we are starting with a survey.
Here is the link to our survey: "Click Here"
The Creature in the Dark
Grade 4-12
A captivating new shadow puppet show about a fish out of water in an unforgettable tale for the Digital Age. Have a sneak peak at a the first few minutes of the show by clicking the Link
Wednesday February 23 at 1:30 PM
We will be sending out a link closer to the date.
Pink Shirt Day!
Together... We Can Make A Difference
Pink Shirt Day falls Wednesday February 23rd 2022; join us to help create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness to anti-bullying initiatives.
Graduation!
Grad meetings will start in February.
The meeting time and date will be emailed to students.
If you have any questions or would like more information on Graduation please contact Mrs. Speck
School of Hope Clothing
Welcome to the official online shopping portal for the School of Hope. Enjoy browsing a wide selection of products from a variety of brands. You can customize them with the approved logo and graphics available. You can choose approved merchandise to fit your needs 24/7 with no minimum order quantities.
Important Dates!
FEBRUARY
February 11, Friday - Zoom Cooking 2:00 PM
February 14, Monday - Valentine's Day
February 17-18, Thursday - Friday - Teachers Convention - No school for Students
February 21, Monday - Family Day - Schools closed
February 23, Wednesday - Pink Shirt day
February 25 Friday - Cross Country Ski - Strathcona Wilderness Centre
MARCH
March 4, Friday - PD Day - No School for Students
March 17, Thursday - St. Patrick's Day
APRIL
April 15-22 - Easter Break
Podcast of the Month
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada and the world today. Follow the link.
Virtual Tours of the Month!
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which was to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution. Please join us on a virtual tour
School of Hope - Vermilion Home Schooling
Email: michel.despins@ecacs16.ab.ca
Website: https://soh.ecacs.ca/
Location: 5212 Railway Ave, Vermilion, AB, Canada
Phone: 1888-350-4673
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/School-of-Hope-320214374696062/
VIBE!
VIBE News:
The month of February marks two important initiatives that focus on kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 13-19, and Pink Shirt Day on February 23. Many of us continue to face struggles and turmoil due to the COVID19 pandemic; in addition, people face other life events and day-to-day stresses that can affect our mental health and well-being. Therefore, it is essential that we take care of ourselves, both mentally and physically, so that we can live meaningful lives while also being there for those who need us. I'd like to offer some wonderful resources to help you discover self-compassion and improved happiness. This month, I invite you to not just focus on being kind to others, but to focus on being kind to yourself too; YOU deserve it!
- Greater Good Pathway to Happiness free mini-course
- https://self-compassion.org/category/exercises/
- https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
VIBE is a Mental Health Capacity Building Program that works in schools to provide mental health promotion and prevention programs to students. If you have any questions or are looking for mental health resources, feel free to contact Kari at kari.thompson@ecacs16.ab.ca or VIBE manager Pat Calyniuk at pat.calyniuk@btps.ca. VIBE Website: https://vibewellnessprogram.wordpress.com/
Addiction and Mental Health News
February edition of the AHS Addiction & Mental Health Newsletter focuses on HOPE. This is a great topic and in particular this phrase: “Borrow hope from others; ask what makes them hopeful”. What a great idea if you are looking for a way to nurture hope within yourself!
The themes include:
- What is hope?
- Hope has benefits for children
- Tips to help children build hope
- Ideas for nurturing hope in your family
Train as a Registered Nurse - Wainwright AB
You don’t have to go far to get a world class nursing education. Alberta Health Services has partnered with the University of Calgary to offer the four-year Bachelor of Nursing (BN) program at the Wainwright Health Centre. Courses are offered online, with labs and clinical practice delivered in-person. This program gives individuals a unique opportunity to become trained health care professionals in their home town.
Applications for the Fall 2022 semester must be submitted before March 1, 2022. Applicants must be residents of Alberta and live within 120 kms of Wainwright, AB. Grow your career with a world-class education in your community and find the opportunity to give back as a registered nurse.
For more information visit: Registered Nurse