The St. Luke Good News
December 8, 2023
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Dear St. Luke Families,
Advent - A season of hope, peace, joy and love! We certainly saw the hope in our school community this week as we worked our way through our school’s Catholic Review. As our review wrapped one of the major findings through surveys, conversations and interviews was that it is evident that all are loved and cared for at St. Luke Catholic School. Small but mighty, it is a place that is filled with Christ’s love. Faith is exemplified through signs and symbols, but even more so the praise and worship that occurs regularly is really the fabric of the school. The parents and students unanimously shared that the best thing about the school is the staff! They feel supported by all staff in mind, body and spirit. What a beautiful testament to how we all work as a team to care for all our students.
Our 12 days of Christmas Giving is growing and all our donations will be going to people who are truly in need this holiday season. This Advent EICS is continuing to partner with Catholic Social Services to support women and children in Lurana Shelter. We are asking students to consider bringing in a loonie for the Lurana Shelter to support our “Baskets of Blessings'' Lurana is a 21 day domestic abuse emergency shelter. The women and children who stay there have nowhere else to go. Their home is unsafe. They may have left their home with only the clothes on their back. When they arrive at Lurana CSS staff will give them a bedroom to stay in. Staff will also provide them with a Basket of Blessings purchased by the students, teachers and parents of Elk Island Catholic School Division. With your donations staff will purchase an adult basket and/or a children’s basket. A typical adult basket may include soap, toothbrushes and other toiletries, feminine hygiene products, make-up, hair brushes/combs and other basics. A typical children’s basket may include necessities like soothers, a rattle or other small toy, a book, a small blanket. All adult and children’s Baskets of Blessings also include a teddy bear. Clients of Lurana often report that they keep this teddy bear their whole lives.
Thank-you for any support you could provide.
Blessings,
Cathy Hinger
Principal
School News
This Week ...
Monday, December 11
- 12 Days of Giving - Cereal / Oatmeal, Tea / Coffee
- Praise and Worship - ADVENT Celebrations - 8:20 - all families welcome
Tuesday, December 12
- 12 Days of Giving - Granola Bars and Crackers
- Practice Rehearsal - Advent Concert
- Praise and Worship - ADVENT Celebrations - 8:20 - all families welcome
- Mrs. McCann at St. Luke
- Priest Visit
Wednesday, December 13
- 12 Days of Giving - Canned Fruit and Vegetables
- Praise and Worship - ADVENT Celebrations - 8:20 - all families welcome
- Practice Rehearsal - Advent Concert
- Mrs. McCann at St. Luke
Thursday, December 14
- Praise and Worship - ADVENT Celebrations - 8:20 - all families welcome
- 12 Days of Giving - Soup / Rice
- Buddy reading program - K-1-7/8
- ADVENT Concert - Matinee @ 1:00
- ADVENT Concert - Evening Performance @ 6:30
- Mrs. McCann at St. Luke
Friday, December 15
- Praise and Worship - ADVENT Celebrations - 8:20 - all families welcome
- 12 Days of Giving - Toilet Paper / Baby wipes / Diapers
- Kindergarten / Pre-K Friday
- Have a great weekend
Later This Month .....
- December 18 - 12 Days of Giving - Baby Formula / Food
- December 19 - 12 Days of Giving - Cash Donations
- December 22 - Last day of Classes before Christmas Break
- December 23 - January 7 - Christmas Break
- January 8 - First day back after holiday
Christmas Concert News from Mrs. Mazurek - Music Teacher
The Advent Concert takes place on Thursday, Dec. 14 with an afternoon performance at 1:00 PM and an evening performance at 6:30 PM. Students will be singing and/or playing instruments for both of these performances.
Thank you for your tremendous support in this endeavor as it takes an entire community to prepare for a beautiful event such as this, whereby students can showcase their musical and theatrical abilities. Thank you for entrusting your child into my care as it is a real privilege working with him/her and collaboratively with you.
For both the afternoon and evening performance, please have your child wear a white top and black bottoms (pants/skirt) as each class will be showcasing their concert song.
As well, for the evening performance, please have your child in his/her classroom by 6:15 PM for the evening performance. The school doors will be opened at 6:00 PM for parents to select a seat.
After the performance, students will be asked to return to their classroom where you will be able to pick-up your child.
Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas. May the joy of the coming of our Lord, fill your heart and home.
Kindest regards,
Melanie
School Fees
The deadline to apply for a fee waiver is December 11. If you require financial assistance, please fill out the fee waiver found at https://www.eics.ab.ca/parents-and-students/school-fees if you qualify under the guidelines provided on the application form.
Yearbooks - 2023/2024
If you are able to donate your time to create this year's yearbook, please reach out to the school administration team in the office. - THANK-YOU!
Faith Integration
This Sunday Gospel and Readings - First Sunday of Advent
See the scripture list below and click the image to read this week's scripture.
Sacramental Life
4 Grade 2 students received their sacrament of First Holy Communion last Sunday and were recognized during advent celebration this week.
A Grade 6 student celebrated her Confirmation this Wednesday evening that was presided over by Archbishop Smith. Congratulations!
A Beautiful Testament
Grade 3 & 4 Students praying a blessing over student teacher, Miss. McKinnon as she completes her last practicum day at St. Luke - She will be immensley missed.
Twelve Days of Giving
Join the St. Luke community in our Annual Twelve Days of Giving as we support the Tofield Food Bank, The Lurana Shelter for women and children fleeing domestic abuse, and of course OLPH Catholic Parish as they will distribute winter clothing and attire to those in need.
Charity and Almsgiving
Donate today and make a positive impact supporting our community members:
Learners and Learning
Indigenous Advent Calendar
Here is an awesome Indigenous Advent Calendar that the students are learning at school. Feel free to do this at home too! :)
https://alignab.ca/indigenous-christmas-online-advent-calendar-for-kids-families/
pawâcakinisîsipisim - December
Watch the video below which discusses learning with the land as seasons change.
Interactive DINOS!
What is is like in the North Pole?
Our Grade 2/3 class received a special visitor (Thank you Halle and Hunter B's Uncle) who shared with our students what it is REALLY like to live and work in the arctic!
Systemic Wellness
Fun in Grade 1
Grade 1 students have a blast in phys-ed getting all their wiggles out and staying well.
Team Spirit
Our Grade 2/3 Students feeling some team spirit. Go-Oilers-Go!
Apple Schools
Check out this and other fun Christmas themed recipes from Apple Schools that you can make WITH your child this holiday season. Spending quality time, working alongside and teaching your child not only fosters connection but also enhances their sense of self and creates a passion toward life long learning.
*** More recipes on PDF below photo
Basketball News
- Girls basketball - Girls try-outs took place this week. If your daughter tried out, please make sure you sign the form sent home and return back. Players will be announced next week.
- Boys basketball - Unfortunetely, there were not enough boys interested in playing this year so we did not have enough players to enter a team into the league. We will offer again next year.
Community Engagement
Christmas in the Country
Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy Christmas in the Country at St. Luke this year. We welcomed 1200 people into our school and by all accounts this event was a success!
For those that tried their luck purchasing tickets for our various raffle baskets, the winners have all been contacted. Thank you so much to the parents and students that selected items to donate toward their classroom theme. Thank you also to Laura Tuininga for collecting those items, purchasing additional items with the funds donated and for putting together beautiful baskets! This year’s raffle baskets brought in more than $1200.00!
As we've said before, events like these cannot be run without the support of our community. Thank you to Cathy Hinger, Tess Guerin and Paula Rumley for their support in making Christmas in the Country come to fruition. Thank you to our St. Luke staff for assisting in collecting items for the raffle baskets in their classrooms along with creating a basket of their own. And thank you to those that came out to visit us on Saturday! Your endless support of our students is so appreciated!
Thank you to Lisa Sweeney, Shelby Mistecki, Brenda Watmough, Sean Gregg, Sawyer Diogo, Izabella Mistecki, Zosia Mistecki and to the students in the grade seven and eight classes who volunteered to help with setting up tables and chairs.
Thank you to Pete Diogo, Brian Kucher, Lucas Sorensen, Shawn, Annabelle & James Slator, Lisa Vandermeulen and Ewa & Toni Komar for helping vendors load in their gear. It's a service that is always appreciated by the vendors!
Thank you to Shelby Mistecki and Lisa Sweeney for planning, shopping for, setting up and working in the concession along with Jayna Sweeney, Jamie Draper, Brenda Watmough, Connor Whelan, Lisa Vandermeulen, Izabella & Zosia Mistecki.
Thank you to Meghan and Andrew Ferguson for setting up all of the signage that helped so many people find our venue.
Thank you to Brenda Watmough, Jamie Edwards, Melissa Orr-Langner, Maddyn Langner, Amy Williamson, Selene & Lucas Sorensen, Amanda Hoag, Shelby Mistecki, Jamie Draper and Jennifer Grimoldby (and her mom!) for working the welcome raffle tables. Thank you so much to Meghan Ferguson for running the kids craft corner! Your creativity was a huge success and was so enjoyed by the kids! Thank you also to Amanda Hoag, Marcie Amalia, Lori Dempsey, Lisa Dejong and Jennifer Grimoldby (and her mom!) for assisting at the craft table.
Cleaning up is always a daunting task at the end of a long day but we have so many to thank - Pete Diogo, Sawyer Diogo, Shannon Tuininga, Brooklyn Tuininga, Myelle Tuininga, Meghan Ferguson, Brenda Watmough, Shelby Mistecki, Melissa Orr-Langner, Maddyn Langner, Amy Williamson, Selene & Lucas Sorensen, Amanda, Trevor & Adalynn Marshall, Kyle Clark, Lisa Vandermeulen and Irina, Melina & Amy van Dyck. With this group's help; we had the tables and chairs taken down and put away in short order.
Also, a big thank you to EICS for allowing us to host this event at St. Luke, to EICS Facilities for delivering tables and to our custodian, Richard, for making sure everything was cleaned up and ready for our students on Monday morning.
And who could forget the beautiful performance by our Worship Team?! Thank you to the students and parents that came out to spread Christmas cheer. And thank you so much to Melanie Mazurek for organizing this special addition to the day!
There were so many that helped in so many ways to make Christmas in the Country happen, please forgive me if your name has been missed. All of our volunteer help was invaluable.
The above contributions helped in raising approximately $3000.00 in total toward student enrichment. Thank you.
Advent Concert Raffles
In addition to our annual couch raffle, we will be raffling four of the amazing baskets created with the themed classroom donations!!
- Tickets for the Couch Raffle will be $5.00 with three chances to win!
- Tickets for the Raffle Baskets will be $1.00 each, 12 for $10.00 or 25 for $20.00.
Tickets will be available in the foyer prior to the beginning of each show.
Grade 5/6 “A Night at the Museum in Drumheller” Trip
The 5/6 classes are already hard at work planning fundraising events for their fellow students. These efforts are intended to bring down the overall cost of their trip to Drumheller and to help ensure that all of their classmates are included in this memorable experience!
To support their efforts, we are hosting a Bottle Drop Off at both the afternoon and evening Advent Concerts. Please invite your family and friends to participate and bring all of your bottles with you to the concerts. A trailer will be parked in the bus lane, ready to receive your donations as you enter.
The 5/6 students (and families!) will also be hosting a concession prior to both concerts. Hot chocolate and a treat for $3.00 will be served from 12:00pm to 12:30pm prior to the afternoon performance and a hot dog, drink and treat will be served from 5:00pm to 6:00pm prior to the evening performance for only $5.00 with all proceeds going directly to the 5/6 overnight field trip. Please come and enjoy supper with us!!
Special appreciation and thanks to Irina van Dyck, Melina van Dyck and Sawyer Diogo for the generous donations from your Christmas in the Country proceeds.
School Council and Parent Association
Library News
It’s already December, and we are getting ready, and excited, here in the library at St. Luke!!
There are many Christmas themed books to choose from in our library. This is a great time to curl up in a cozy blanket, maybe sit by the fireplace, and read a great book! Don’t forget the hot chocolate!
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Scoggins
Quick Links and Resources
Parish Contact Information
OLPH (Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish)
Masses at OLPH will be livestreamed. Please join using this link. https://www.facebook.com/olphsherwoodpark/videos/
Visit OLPH Website for more information about the parish and in regards to sacramental preparation.
Read the latest bulletin from OLPH or visit www.facebook.com/olphsherwoodpark
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is administered by Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sherwood Park. Please contact the parish for confession times and more information.
Clergy: Reverend Jim Corrigan, Pastor
Mass Time: Sunday 11:00
Email Address: StFrancisAssisi.Tofield(at)caedm.ca
5523 - 50 Street Tofield, AB T0B 4J0
See map: Google Maps
Phone: 780-467-5470School Contact Information
St. Luke Catholic School
Principal
Email: Stl@eics.ab.ca
Website: stl.eics.ab.ca
Location: 22139 South Cooking Lake Road, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-922-5920
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlukeeics
Twitter: @stlcs_EICS