Patriot Post
Jan. 14th - Jan. 18th, 2019
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Jan. 14th
Girls Basketball Practice 7:00am-8:00am
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00pm-4:15pm
School Council Meeting 6:30pm
Tuesday Jan. 15th
Priest Visits: 12:10pm-1:30pm
Boys Basketball Game 4:00pm-5:30pm @ St. JPII
Girls Basketball Game 4:00pm-5:30pm @ Holy Spirit
Wednesday Jan. 16th
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00pm-4:15pm
Thursday Jan. 17th
Gr. 6 Tobacco Presentation 12:00pm
Girls and Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-4:30pm
Friday Jan. 18th
Chaplain's Corner
WE COME TODAY to the end of the Christmas season and enter into Ordinary Time once again. Today we have the third great ‘epiphany’ or showing of God in the human person of Jesus. The first ‘epiphany’ was at the birth of the child Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem when he was visited by the shepherds representing the poor, the marginalized and the sinful for whom Jesus had specially come. The second ‘epiphany’ was when the ‘wise men’ came from ‘the East’ to worship the newly born Jesus. They represented all those peoples and nations who were being invited to be numbered among God’s own people through the mediation of Jesus as Lord.
Today we celebrate the third great ‘epiphany’ of the Lord in Jesus Christ. The time is much later. Jesus is now an adult, probably about 30 years of age. We are brought to the banks of the River Jordan somewhere north of Jerusalem where John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus, is living out in the desert. The desert in some ways is a place where God can be found, although for Jesus it was also a place of trial and temptation. For the early Fathers in the desert it provided both experiences.
The opening words of today’s Gospel tell us that John the Baptist was proclaiming “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. It is important not to misunderstand the meaning of these words. It would be quite wrong to think that people simply had to come for baptism in the river for all their sins to be wiped out. That would be little more than superstition. The baptism itself was a symbolic act which had to be accompanied by an inner change. The word for ‘repentance’ here is metanoia (metanoia) in Greek. It implies a radical change in the way we look at the meaning and purpose of life and how we live that life ourselves. It calls for much more than is normally connoted by ‘repentance’ which we normally understand as ‘being sorry’ for something we have done. Metanoiais much more than just feeling sorry. It calls for a total reorganization of one’s attitudes so that such errant or hurting behavior would simply disappear from one’s life.
And the ‘forgiveness of sins’ is more than just God just wiping out the guilt and the threat of punishment that our sins might involve. In a sense, our sins can never be wiped out.
Click on the link above for the full commentary of today's readings.
Upcoming and In the Works Faith Events
- Gr. 7 & 8 Days of Service
- Parish priest visits to St. JP II: Tuesdays from 12:10 - 1:30 pm
- JP II Fishermen Edge Night: Weds. Jan. 16, 2019 from 3:00 - 7:30 pm
- Fr. Mike Mireau Day: All Gr. 8's attending on Monday, Feb. 4, 2019
- Grade 6 Faith Day: Friday, Feb. 22, 2019
- St. John Paul II Reconciliation : Mar. 4-5, 2019
- Ash Wednesday Mass: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2019 @ 12:15 pm
- Grade 5 Faith Day: Friday, Mar. 15, 2019
St. JP II Fishermen Youth Group
Wednesday, January 16, 2018
3:00 - 7:30 pm
Cost: $13/participant
Mr. Brady would like to invite any and all Grade 5-8 students to attend the 2nd JP II Fishermen Edge Night of the school year.
What is an Edge Night?
Edge nights are designed to offer students, no matter where they might be on their faith journey, an opportunity to explore their faith while fostering friendship and building a stronger community. This is all created in an environment that is supportive and accepting. Edge nights include activities and themes that are created to help our youth answer questions and grow in their faith so that they deal with issues and challenges they face each day.
What is included?
Each Edge Night has a fee. This fee is used to cover materials and food for the evening.
Each Edge night includes dinner and snacks throughout the night and any materials related to the theme that evening.
How do we Sign up?
If you would like your child to attend the next Edge Night, all they need to do is get the permission slip, fill it out and bring it along with the fee back in to Mr. Brady. If this is the first time your child will participate in an Edge Night, you will also need to fill out a medical form.
The St. JP II Fishermen youth Group looks forward to seeing your child at our upcoming Edge Night. Feel free to contact Mr. Brady at the school 780-992-0889 or through email at vernonb@eics.ab.ca if you have any questions or concerns.
Basketball Highlights
QUEBEC TRIP 2020
QUEBEC TRIP 2020 - INFORMATION NIGHT
January 16, 2019
7:00-8:00pm
Library - St. JPII school
Parents and students (who will be in Grade 7 or 8 in the NEXT school year 2019-2020) will receive information about our QUEBEC TRIP taking place in May 2020.
School Fees
Thank you to the many families who have already paid their child's school fees.
A reminder, these fees can 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. If you require assistance logging in to the ParentPortal please call the school and we will be happy to help.
Michif Language
The course runs on Wednesday evenings from January 30 to March 30 at the St. Albert Museum.
Accountability Pillar Survey
As an annual check-up on the education system, the Accountability Pillar provides an
opportunity for Alberta Education and school authorities to ensure that we are equipping
students for success.
The Accountability Pillar uses a set of 16 indicators. Data on these indicators consists of
surveys of students, parents and teachers on various aspects of education quality, student
outcomes such as dropout and high school completion rates, and provincial assessments
of student learning.
From January to the end of February, Alberta Education will be conducting the annual
Accountability Pillar Survey.
In January, parents of students in grades 4, 7 and 10 will receive a survey from Alberta Education.
In February, students in grades 4, 7 and 10 students and all teachers will be completing their surveys online at school.
All surveys are anonymous and ask questions about experiences with your school.
Your participation in the survey helps provide important information on the quality of
education your child is receiving, so we encourage you to return your survey promptly.
Survey results will be available to school authorities in May, and will be reported
publicly as part of their 3-Year Education Plans and Annual Education Results Reports.
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!
SCHOOL COUNCIL INFORMATION
Our first meeting of 2019 is scheduled for Monday, January 14, 2019 @ 6:30pm in the school library. We welcome and encourage you all to come and join us!
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!
We will be reviewing the final draft of the proposed School Council Operating Procedures at this upcoming meeting. Please visit the “School Council” webpage on the school website for more information on this and other School Council topics.
School Council Executive
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE
Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education
FSMA HOMEWORK CLUB
Demographic Confirmation & Yearly Consent Forms
The annual consent forms allow your child full participation in all activities, field trips and events for optimal learning at St. JPII. Thank you for completing these forms so your child experiences the full learning benefits at St. JPII.
EICS Family Wellness Program
Program Overview
The Elk Island Catholic Schools Family Wellness Program provides short-term supportive assistance to students and their parents and guardians. Services are provided free of charge and may take place at school and/or in home and community settings.
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
Amanda Davidson RSW, BSW
St. John Paul ll
St. Andre Bessette
(p) 780-860-4621
Upcoming Community Supports for Parents
Parents Empowering Parents
Do you have a child using or abusing drugs and/or alcohol?
Do you feel embarrassed, exhausted, hopeless, or alone?
Parents Empowering Parents Society
2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 3W7
or online at www.CanadaHelps.org
Administration:
#200, 501 Festival Avenue, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4X3
(2nd Floor, Community Centre, in Centre in the Park, next to County Hall)
Support Line 780.293.0737
Ph: 780.410.8516 • Fax: 780.449.1220
Connect Parent Group
Primary Care Network
An Attachment- Based Program to Support Parents and Caregivers
Connect is a free 9 week program to support parents of pre-teens ages (10-14).
Wednesdays starting January 30th until April 3, 2019
6pm-7:30pm
Land Room at City Hall, 10005 102 st, Fort Saskatchewan
Call Jennifer at 780-997-4164 to register.
Onsite child care will be provided.
Caregiver Info Sessions
CAFETERIA
Cafeteria in St. John Paul II Catholic School
Meals available daily: Chicken strips, Pizza-bun (ham or extra cheese), Salad (cheeseburger, chicken caesar, or egg salad), and Sub (chicken salad, egg salad, or ham).
Daily specials: Monday- Spaghetti, Tuesday- Chicken Alfredo, Wednesday- Pancakes, Thursday- Sweet&Sour Meatballs, and Friday- Chicken Fried Rice
Sides: Apples & Grapes, Apple Sauce, Carrots & Sweet Peas, Cheese Strips, Chocolate Energy Bites, Fresh Fruit Mix, Fresh Veggie Mix, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pretzels, Rice Cereal Square, Vanilla Yogurt, Wowbutter Cookies, 237 mL white milk/chocolate milk, 200 mL juice (apple or orange)
*Menu changes three times per year* All food is prepared to meet school guidelines.
A regular meal with two sides is $6,
you can order a larger portion for $1 more,
and you can add an additional side for $1.
Pre-order online or cash purchases
Online orders- how to get started:
· Visit www.fortsasklunchbox.com
· Click the order tab
· Create an account (use the email that is best for receiving receipts and create your own password)
· Choose St John Paul II as your school- lunches can be picked up at the school cafeteria
Visitors To Our School
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