N'oublions jamais!
Le Messager - École Frère Antoine novembre 2022
Administrator's Corner
Dear Frère Antoine Families,
November brings many events: All Saints and All Souls’ Day, Catholic Education Sunday, Veterans’ Week, and Remembrance Day.
On November 11th, we will take the time to remember those courageous Canadians who defended our rights and freedom so many years ago. It is a time to remember, on this 77th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, that without those remarkable men and women, Canada would be a very different place today.
Our role is not limited to one of simply remembering. We have a responsibility to ensure that these veterans’ dream is not forgotten. Remembrance Day allows us to take a few minutes to reflect about peace and understanding. We hope you will take part in the collective moment of silence at 11am.
Students will take part in a school wide Remembrance Day commemoration together as a school on Wednesday morning, November 9th. We are grateful to our Kindergarten morning classes who are leading this commemoration.
Lest we forget.
Nous nous souviendrons d'eux.
Mme Paula Borges-Couture, Principal
Mme Alyssa Quintin, Acting Assistant Prinicpal
Thank you to Mme Alyssa Quintin
Our school community is blessed to have Mme Quintin as part of our wonderful team.
Welcome to Keira Pagacz
We are pleased to welcome Keira Pagacz who will be returning from her maternity leave to join our École Frère Antoine family as Assistant Principal on November 16th. Mme Pagacz shares the following with you as she prepares to join our team shortly.
I am absolutely honoured and delighted to be joining your school community as Assistant Principal! I look forward to meeting all of you beginning November 16th. As we embark on this journey together, would like to introduce myself and my family to you.
I am wife to a wonderful husband who is also an Assistant Principal with ECSD. We have two lovely children; a kind-hearted three-and-a-half year old son and a spirited seventeen month old daughter. It has been life’s greatest blessing to become parents! In our free time we love to travel, be physically active and enjoy the outdoors.
I have been an Assistant Principal with Edmonton Catholic Schools since 2017 and have spent time at a variety of school sites throughout my career. During my 13 years as an educator, I have had the opportunity to be at a single-track K-6 English school, a single-track K-6 French school and two dual-track French-English schools (K-6 and K-9). I have taught a variety of grades from Kindergarten through Grade 8 and have a special place in my heart for early learning.
The Edmonton Catholic Schools French Immersion program holds a dear place in my heart as I am a former ECSD student from Kindergarten through Grade 12, having spent ten of those years in French Immersion. My family is not French speaking, so I appreciate the incredible opportunities that this program has afforded me. Although I am not Francophone, I have a deep love and respect for the French language and culture and feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to make French a part of my career. As parents who have chosen an educational path for your children that involves learning a second language, I can say from personal experience how wonderful of a gift it is that you are giving them!
I look forward to meeting all of you and am honoured to be a part of your children’s educational journey!
God Bless,
Keira Pagacz
Chief Superintendent November Letter 2023
Upcoming Dates
Catholic Education Sunday November 6th, 2022
Catholic Education Sunday is November 6th. Catholic Education Sunday is celebrated annually and is a wonderful way for us to show our support of publicly-funded Catholic schools. The theme for Catholic education 2022-2023 is “Walking Together in Catholic Education”.
One year ago, our Holy Father called the faithful to experience a synodal process of communal listening, dialogue and discernment in relation to the mission of the Church. He described this as an invitation to the People of God to “walk together in faith”. In 2022, the Holy Father modelled the synodal experience when he welcomed Inuit, First Nations, and Métis delegates to the Vatican. Then, in his recent penitential pilgrimage to our nation, Pope Francis walked with us on the journey towards truth and reconciliation.
Staff at École Frere Antoine school is grateful for the opportunity to provide faith-based education to our almost 460 students. We are thankful for the parents, families, priests and parishioners who are committed to supporting Catholic Education.
Parents, you are the first and primary teachers of your children. Thank you for your faithfulness and for choosing and supporting Catholic education. Thank you for all that you do in the service of Catholic education.
Visit www.ecsd.net and click on the Catholic Education Sunday banner to read the bishops’ full letter and learn more about this special and important day.
Remembrance Day Assembly
Students who are in the Girl Guides, Brownies, Scouts or Cadets are invited to wear their uniform on this day.
Remembrance Day - Loonies for Poppies
It is at this time of the year that we remember not only those who have served our country in the past, but for those who continue to serve today. Take time to thank an Armed Forces member for their service.
November 11 is a day on which the poppy is proudly worn over our hearts. On this day, as Canadians, we fulfill our duty to remember and to pay tribute to our fellow citizens, who paid the ultimately price and lost their lives.
We have poppies here for students – we are asking for small donations to help our friends at the Royal Canadian Legion with their poppy campaign. Poppies will be distributed to students that morning. Donations to the poppy fund will be gratefully accepted; monies raised through the poppy fund go to support our veterans.
Indigeneous Veteran's Day Tuesday, November 8
Fall Break
Please remember that this year we have a fall break. There is no school for our entire school division on November 11, 14th and 15th.
Student Progress Report Change in K-6 schools in ECSD
This year, parents will receive information regarding their child’s progress through the January Summary Report on January 31st and the June Report Card at the end of the school year. We will send the January Summary Report home with your child on that day.
You will no longer see ongoing reporting through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, but throughout the school year, your teacher will share your child’s progress through ongoing formats such as email, google classroom, assesments and projects home and student based portfolios.
We will be hosting In person Demonstrations of Learning on December 1st and March 16, during which times you can speak with your child’s teacher regarding their progress.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress, we encourage you to reach out to their teacher.
Demonsration of Learning (Parent-Student- Teacher ) Meetings December 1st
Starting on November 23rd at 8:30 am. The online booking form will go live for parents to go and book only on November 23rd at 8:30. Parents will book a time on schoolinterviews.ca by clicking on their child's teacher's name at
Enter Code: frere
This is a wonderful opportunity to share in your child’s accomplishments and is an important part of our home- school partnership.
École Frère Antoine staff members very much value the positive working relationship we have with our parent community. We strongly encourage all parents who have concerns about their child’s learning, be it academic, social, or emotional, to contact the teacher as required. Do not wait until the Celebration of Learning to advise the teacher of your concerns.
We look forward to celebrating your child’s achievements with you on December 1st in person.
Scholastic Book Fair
Our Scholastic Virtual Book Fair is happening on Monday, November 28 and open until Friday, December 2. This will be set up in the library. We will send more info to you via Swift K-12 messaging as the opening day nears. You can still support your child’s reading and our school by purchasing through this in person event.
Halloween
Conseil étudiant
A huge thank you to Mme Mayrand, Mme Ayer and Mme Liles who support our wonderful council.
Family Halloween Dance
Take your child to work day
Christmas Hampers
If you are finding yourself in need of a little extra help this Christmas, our FSLW (Family School Liaison Worker) will be coordinating applications with families for Christmas Hampers.
Through the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton, families can apply to receive festive food hampers or food gift cards.
Contact our FSLW via email for more information about eligibility criteria and application process.
Please contact our FSLW no later than Tuesday, November 22, 2022 and include our school's name in your email.
FSLW: Danielle Novikoff
Email: danielle.novikoff@ecsd.net
Classroom Corner
Metis Week November 15 - 21
Louis Riel devoted and sacrificed his life defending the rights of Métis people. Riel’s legacy
continues to resonate across the homeland.
Each year, on November 16, Métis people across Canada pay tribute to the Right Honourable
Louis Riel by holding a commemorative ceremony on the date of his execution. This ceremony
symbolizes the commitment Métis people share in striving for and promoting the visions of Louis Riel and is one of the most important dates on the Métis calendar. In addition to recognizing Louis Riel Day on November 16, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA)
has declared the week surrounding November 16 as “Métis Week.” The week is devoted to
commemorating the sacrifices of the Métis who continue to strive toward rights and recognition as a distinct nation.
École Frère Antoine honours Métis Week; students will participate in activities to commemorate this event. Students will be participating in classroom activities celebration Métis Week, including artwork and stories.
School Advisory Council Meeting Tuesday, November 8th at 6:30
This meeting will be a virtual meeting using Microsoft TEAMs. If you are interested in attending the School Council meeting, a SWIFT message will be sent to families with step by step procedure on how to participate in the meeting. We will then follow up by sending interested parents with a TEAMs invitation for the meeting
Our Ward Trustee, Laura Thibert will be attending our next meeting.
All parents are welcome to attend!
November Hot Lunch - Diner du Mois novembre BOSTON PIZZA
This is how it works:
1) Go to healthyhunger.ca
2) Set up a parent account.
3) Log in again and create a file for your child. You will be asked to select their class.
4) Go to the menu and order your child’s lunch.
5) All payments must be made online.
No orders will be accepted at the school office. All orders must be submitted by Thursday, November 17th, at midnight. No late orders will be accepted, as the restaurant needs time to prepare for the event.
If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact Jessica at efasac.dinerdumois@gmail.com or sign up on the band app.
December Hot Lunch SUBWAY
If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact Jessica at efasac.dinerdumois@gmail.com or sign up on the band ap
Inclement Weather
The health and safety of students is a paramount consideration in the organization of outdoor activities and recess. Decisions regarding outdoor activities are to take into consideration inclement weather that may result from the following conditions or combination of conditions:
Continuous rain, Extreme wind, Extreme cold and/or Air Quality.
Environment Canada’s weather for Edmonton is the site that is consulted at
https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-50_metric_e.html.
The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside if the temperature is -20° C or colder, or if the temperature and wind chill factor are -20° C or colder.
• During inclement weather (e.g. temperatures below -20° C with windchill) students will be
permitted in the school at 7:52 am. Indoor supervisors will be assigned to supervise areas inside the school. Outside bus supervision will still occur from 7:52 am to 8:10 am.
• Recess will occur indoors during inclement weather. Students will remain in their homeroom
classes and schedules may be prepared for classes to access the gym during indoor recess breaks.
• Late arrivals of all students are, at all times, asked to enter the main doors.
• Students are to re-enter the school at the end of the day if they miss their bus, the bus is delayed, a sibling forgets to meet the student, etc.
School start and grade designated doors close at 8:12
Please note, at 8:12, instruction begins in the classroom and our teachers must be in the class supervising their class and starting their instruction. If you are not able to make the door by the time the 8:12 bell rings, please come through the front door as there will not be a teacher at the door once the second bell has rung.
We thank you for your contiued support with the school start.
Bus Transportation
REMINDERS FROM EDMONTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Information regarding pick up and drop off times for your child are found on PowerSchool.
Parents of kindergarten and grade one students are reminded that there must be an ADULT (not an older sibling) at the stop to receive the student. If there is no adult at the stop, the student will remain on the bus and will be returned to school to await pick up.
All transportation enquiries/concerns are to be addressed to the Edmonton Catholic Schools Transportation department at 780-441-6078, NOT the school, bus driver or bus carrier.
Lost and Found
Label all your child’s items. This year as students have very specific play spaces/times and separate entrances, only the gym is a shared space where items left behind will be placed
in a Lost & Found bin in the front entrance.
Christmas Concert
Monday, December 19th will be for families whose last names start with A-L.
Tuesday, December 20th will be for families whose last names start with M-Z.
More details will be provided in our December newsletter as the time approaches.
Grade 6 Carousel at Corpus Christi Church
Grade 6 students at École Frère Antoine joined other grade 6 students in the schools that are in our parish family of schools at Corpus Christi church for a half day of learning. All grade 6 students arrived at the church before 9:00 that first started by gathering for mass that began at 9:00. After Mass, students met other grade 6 students and participated in a rotation of sessions that were offered by the Priests and clergy from St. Theresa Parish, Corpus Christi Parish and other Parishes in tne city. It was a beautiful morning of learning and next year our grade 6 students might just recognize some of the other grade 6 students who may be attending the same Junior High school.
Picture RETAKE Day, Tuesday, November 8th
If you missed picture day in October, or would like a retake, please bring your smile on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 as Lifetouch will be here!
Certifi-Pattes
Allez- y les lions!
Food Item Donations
The donated food items were brought to St. Theresa Parish that went to supporting our families in the community in need.
Thank you for pulling together and supporting the Parish community.
Art Cards - Fundraiser in November
Our wonderful art fundraiser is back by popular demand! Students will participate in creating an art piece in class that parents will be available to replicate and purchase as greeting cards, masks, mugs, etc. through Art Cards by Kids. Parents can check out items that will be available at createdbykids.ca if you are curious about what will be offered.
Student's art cards will be completed and sent home by Tuesday Nov. 16 after the Fall break. Parents must then return the art cards back to school by Wednesday Nov. 23 to be shipped off to the company so that this can be completed in time to receive them for Christmas.
Items will be shipped directly to your home in time for Christmas! The original piece will be returned home after the fundraiser has closed. The fundraiser will open and information sent home in early November once pieces are complete.
St Theresa Parish
https://sttheresa.caedm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BULLETIN-November-6-2022.pdf
Emergency Procedures Practice
Assurance Plan is Online
Assurance Plan is online on the school website. Check out our goals this year and how we plan to achieve it. You can access it here with this link: https://datavisualizationpublic.ecsd.net/Home/GrowthPlan?SchoolId=8236%20&SchoolYear=2023
Updates will be added over the course of the year.
AHS Caregiver Education Team Newsletter November 2022
Please click on the image below of the pages of the Alberta Health sessions available to families. Once you click on the images, the image will enlargen to better read the content.
Diane Cabush Out of School Care
Situated in École Frère Antoine's library at 2850 Mill Woods Rd., Edmonton, Alberta
HOURS
Before and After 7:00-8:07 am MTWTHF
School Care program 2:50-5:45 pm MTWF
that is situated in the school library. 11:58-5:45 THURSDAY
*OPEN ON ALL SCHOOL DAYS, CLOSED STAT. HOLIDAYS, PD DAYS, AND SUMMER.
Les Bouts D'Choux
Les Bouts d’Choux French Immersion Preschool is located in Ecole Frère Antoine School. Our play based, French immersion preschool is a great way to introduce your child to the French language in a safe and nurturing environment. New French language learners are welcome! We do not require that either our students or their parents speak French before attending Les Bouts d'Choux.
Phone: 780-975-7188