Patriot Post
September 24th - 28th, 2018
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Sept. 24th
School Assembly 8:45am
Gr. 5 Wetlands Presentation 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Jr. Girls Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday Sept. 25th
Gr. 5 Wetlands FieldTrip
Gr. 7 Sports Program @ Birch Bay 8:30am - 3:00pm
Jr. Boys/Girls Volleyball League Games 4:00 - 5:30pm
Wednesday Sept. 26th
Bus Evacuation Drills 8:45am
Jr. Boys Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday Sept. 27th
Terry Fox Run 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Jr. Boys/Girls Volleyball League Games 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Friday Sept. 28th
Orange Shirt Day
Jr. Girls Volleyball Tournament @ F.R. Haythorne
Principal's Message
- For the week Sept. 24th-28th, the grade 8's will be eating their lunch in the cafeteria space, while the grade 7's will be eating lunch in their homerooms. The grade 5's and 6's will still head outside to play during the first half of lunch
- When the bell rings indicating that lunch is half-over, the grade 6's will come inside the school and eat lunch in the cafeteria space and the grade 5's will eat lunch in their homerooms, while the grade 7's and 8's will head outside for the second half of lunch
- The following week Oct. 1st-5th, this rotation will switch; so the grade 7's will eat lunch in the cafeteria and the grade 8's in their homeroom
- And during the second half of lunch break that week, the grade 5's will eat in the cafeteria and the grade 6's will eat lunch in their homerooms
- This schedule will rotate weekly for everyone's convenience
- Students will still be able to purchase food from the cafeteria even if they are scheduled to eat in their homerooms that particular week as long as they return with their purchased food to their homeroom
This procedure has been put in place because we simply do not have enough space to accommodate two full grades in the cafeteria at one time. Some students were sitting on the floor, others were rushing to the cafeteria to save spots for friends, and some students were not heading to the green space to play in order to get to the cafeteria quicker. This new procedure will cut the number of students in the cafeteria in half, allowing easier access to microwaves, seating, supervision, etc. Thank-you for your understanding in this minor change of procedure. We will be sharing this information with all of our students at Assembly Monday morning.
Chaplain's Corner
It is hard to believe that we are already in the final week of September. And that it is WHITE outside!!! It seems like yesterday that we welcomed the students to the new school year. The halls are busy with students each day embodying the message of Jesus through their actions. As we move into October, we are beginning to prepare for out Thanksgiving mass (early this year), grade level retreats and opportunities for students to be the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth. The theme continues to be
"We are ALL God's masterpiece"
Click on the link above to see the complete commentary of today's readings.
We are told in today’s Gospel that Jesus and his disciples were making their way through the northern province of Galilee but that he did not want people to know. As his public life goes into its final stages, Jesus spends more time with his disciples and less with the general public.
Today we hear him for the second time (there will be three altogether) warning his disciples of what is going to happen to him. He tells them that he will be handed over into the hands of men; that he will be put to death; and that he will rise again on the third day.
Jesus annoyed many people, he did oppose their way of life and of being false to the real meaning of their traditions, of worshipping only with their lips but with hearts far from God. While he hung on the cross they mocked him. "If you really are the Son of God, come down and then we will believe!" Or as the First Reading puts it in mocking tones: "Let us see if what he says is true, let us observe what kind of end he himself will have. If the virtuous man is God’s son, God will take his part and rescue him from the clutches of his enemies."
Later in the story, Jesus pulls over a young child and puts him standing in the middle of the group. "Anyone who welcomes one of these children in my name, welcomes me." The child here represents a person who has no power, no say, no influence; a person who can easily be controlled, abused or neglected and who has little redress.
The message that Jesus says is to accept, to welcome such a person is to welcome him. To "welcome" is to respect and to serve, in the way a host welcomes a guest, even a stranger. It is to be concerned about the well being of another person; the focus is on them rather than on oneself and one’s imagined dignity and status.
And the child represents all those in our society who are powerless and easily manipulated, who are easily abused, neglected and marginalized. The poor, the sick, the disabled, the elderly, the immigrant…May we all embody Jesus' message in our day to day interactions.
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE
St JP II Catholic School is looking for a "Year book crew" to build the 2018-2019 yearbook!
If you are in grade 7/8 and enjoy taking pictures and having fun on the computer, then come to the computer lab at lunch on Friday Sept 28 to exercise your creative mind!
Contact Cindy Dziwenko-Cox at coxy4@telus.net if you have any questions.
Family Wellness Worker's Corner
My name is Amanda Davidson and I am the Family Wellness Worker at St. John Paul ll. I am excited to help the amazing staff at the school support students and families who are a part of the St. JPll community.
Please see below information about the role as well as my contact information.
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
Connect Parent Group
There is very good evidence that strong relationships with parents protect youth from risk during adolescence and help them thrive! We call that ATTACHMENT!
Connect is a FREE 10-week program to support parents of pre-teens (ages 10-14). Parents meet in groups of 10-16 with two trained group leaders.
Wednesdays starting September 26 until December 5, 2018 No group on October 31 and November 21 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Lang Room at City Hall, 10005 102 St, Fort Saskatchewan Call
Jennifer at 780.997.4164 to register.
Onsite child care will be provided. Limited spaces available. Light supper will be provided.
An Attachment-Based Program to Support Parents & Caregivers Do you ever feel that your pre-teen doesn’t listen to you?
Do you sometimes even feel pushed away? Do parents matter? Co-developed over the last 10 years by the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre and Simon Fraser University, the program focuses on the core components of secure attachment to promote children’s social, emotional, and behavioural adjustment
Understanding and Helping Children Heal
Anxiety has many faces, and at this workshop parents, caregivers, and professionals will learn about the psychological and physiological roots of anxiety, why it is on the rise in our children, and what to do to help children better manage it.
Saturday, September 29, 2018 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Dow Centennial Centre - Lions Main Cost $35 To Register: 780-992-6200 Course Code: 32103
Dragonfly Support Group
A monthly group for parents whose children face mental health challenges.
3rd Monday of the Month 6:30 - 8:30 PM CN Station - Kinsmen Room (10030-99 Ave) Register @ 780.992.6265
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- Pancake, 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
Dr. Jody Carrington is Coming to the Fort!
WHAT IS ORANGE SHIRT DAY?
Orange Shirt Day is a growing movement of reconciliation that grew out of a former student’s account of having her brand-new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school. Wearing an Orange Shirt is meant to recognize the harm done to residential school students, and show a commitment to the principle that every child matters.
Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools, and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
You are invited to wear an orange shirt on Friday, September 28th!
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