Patriot Post
Jan. 6th - Jan. 10th, 2019
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Jan. 6th
Girls Basketball Practice - 7:00am - 8:00am
Boys Basketball Practice - 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday Jan. 7th
Girls Basketball Game @ St. Theresa's 4:00pm
Boys "A" Basketball Game vs St. Theresa's 4:00pm
Wednesday Jan. 8th
Early Dismissal - Students out of school at 2:00pm
Thursday Jan. 9th
Girls Basketball Practice - 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Boys "B" Basketball vs New Horizons 4:00pm
Friday Jan. 10th
Boys Basketball Practice - 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Chaplain's Corner
Happy New Year!
Somehow saying this this seems a little anti-climactic since we started our new year at the beginning of December with the new liturgical season. Over the Christmas break, we have celebrated the birth of Jesus and entered into the celebration of Christmas. Today, we mark the Epiphany when the Wise men came from the East to give homage to the baby Jesus. this means that they wanted to show their respect for the newborn King.
We too can give homage to Jesus. We do this by heeding what is said in the scriptures and building a stronger relationship with God. The new year signifies a clean slate. I time when we as individuals choose goals that we would like to attain. A perfect example is setting a goal to lose weight and get in better shape. this is a time of new beginnings, a time when we start fresh. Now is the perfect time to make a goal to get closer to God and allow the Holy Spirit to better guide us. Take a moment to determine how you are going to give yourself over to God this year. It does not matter where we were last year, now it is a new year and another opportunity to work to be the best version of yourself. changes don't need to be huge. Make a conscious choice to improve your prayer life, set a goal to attend church more regularly or choose to reach out to those around you who are in need of your love and support.
No matter what you decide to make new this year, please choose to allow God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit help guide you. You will be amazed what can be accomplished when you open yourself up to a world based on love, joy, hope and peace shaped by our Father and Creator.
God Bless each and every one of you.
Vernon
Valeda House Bake Sale
We would like to thank all of the parents/guardians who donated items for our Christmas bake sale in support of Valeda House. We had so many donations that we ran the bake sale for three days instead of two. Also thank you to everyone who came out and purchased items each day. I have been told that we raised $430.00 for such a worthy cause. This brings our total raised for Valeda House so far to $750.00. Way to go Patriots!!
Spoiler Alert
We have a family board games night happening near the end of the month of January. Families will be able to come to St. JP II to enjoy and evening of various games suitable for all ages. Families are encouraged to bring games to share with old and new friends. We will also have Table Top Games in the house showcasing some games that could soon become a family favorite. Donations for Valeda House will be set to make this a very affordable evening of family fun.
Staffing Announcements
We would also like to wish farewell to one of our EA's, Ms. Chelsea Visser, who will be leaving our staff and joining St. Luke Catholic School in South Cooking Lake. Even though Ms. Visser was only with us for a few months, she has made a mark on her students and our staff and she will be greatly missed. In her departure, we welcome Mrs. Tracy McCloy who will be coming to us from Jean Vanier Catholic School in Sherwood Park. Mrs. McCloy is an EA and will be working predominantly in our grade 5 and 6 classes.
ACCOUNTABILITY PILLAR SURVEY
Dear Elk Island Catholic School Families,
Alberta Education will be conducting the annual Accountability Pillar Survey in the new year. Parents of students in grade 4, 7 and 10 will receive a mailed survey from Alberta Education (if the school has fewer than 120 students, parents of students in grades 4-12 will receive the survey in the month of January).
As an annual check-up on the education system, the Accountability Pillar provides an opportunity for Alberta Education to ensure that we are equipping students for success.
FOOD BANK DONATION
BLANKET EXERCISE
Dear Parents and Staff:
Parents and Staff of EICS students are invited to take part in a Blanket Exercise to be held at Central Learning Services (310 Broadview Road) in Sherwood Park on Wednesday, January 15, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Blanket Exercise is an active participation learning activity based on the major themes and findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy. For further information, please view this KAIROS Blanket Exercise video.
Participants are asked to bring a blanket that can be placed on the floor and stepped on for this activity.
Please RSVP by Monday, January 13 by filling out this linked Google Form.
We will also have Eva Stang join us at this event. Eva, a Métis Culture and Knowledge Keeper, has been working with EICS this year, supporting the continued growth in staff and administrator knowledge of Indigenous perspectives.
If you have any questions, please email Crystal Cholin, Learning Services Consultant (crystalc@eics.ab.ca).
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
This January give
THE GIFT OF WARMTH
to those in need!
=St. JPII will be doing a winter clothing drive for the month of January. All donations can be dropped off in the boxes outside the chapel. All items will be donated to the Hope Mission for men, women and children in need.
Donate some warm winter clothing today.
2019/2020 YEARBOOK NEWS
The Christmas season will soon be upon us. This year’s St JP 2 school yearbook committee is wanting to remind you that our yearbook would be a great gift! Not many gifts can last you your lifetime and capture your youth like a yearbook can!
This years group of grade 5-8 students have been busy with picture taking of our school life at ST JP2 and they would love to share their creativity with all the families. Please consider purchasing this year's book!
The 2018/2019 yearbooks have arrived! If you missed ordering your copy, we have several extra yearbooks in the office.These yearbooks can be purchased for $30.00. Please bring cash or a cheque made out to St. John Paul II Catholic School to the office.
EICS Transportation
Elk Island Catholic School (EICS) Transportation is pleased to share with the EICS community that there is now increased awareness for parents and guardians regarding EICS bus arrivals and possible delays through our transportation software program BusPlanner. This new app will allow parents and caregivers to see the details of current routes, stops and transfers relating to their children on EICS transportation.
With this new system parents gain access to the following:
- The BusPlanner Parent Portal, located here: https://eics.mybusplanner.ca/Default.aspx which allows parents to view details of the routes, stops and transfers for their children.
- The BusPlanner Notification System for email alerts to parents for issues which impact transportation on a route by route or school by school basis.
- The BusPlanner Delays app which both parents and students can install on a mobile (hand-held) device and allows them to subscribe to and receive BusPlanner notifications through push notifications.
Parents, please take the time to create an account for the BusPlanner Parent Portal and subscription to receive notifications of transportation delays or school closures through email. Please click here for further instructions - thank you.
Please know, it will be through this portal that all notifications will be vetted. There will no longer be emails or phone calls directly from EICS transportation regarding route cancellations or late buses.
Notifications will come to you through Bus Planner, so please subscribe.
In faith,
Your EICS Transportation Department
EICS Demographic and Consent Forms
EICS Demographic Confirmation and Consent Forms are available now on your PowerSchool ParentPortal. Please take a moment to visit your PowerSchool ParentPortal account and complete these forms; one for each child you have attending school with EICS.
Alberta Education requires that we obtain a detailed update of student demographics on an annual basis. School funding from Alberta Education is conditional on us receiving these updates and including them in your student’s record. More importantly, these forms ensure that we have the most current contact information if we need to reach you in event of an emergency.
We certainly appreciate you taking the time to complete these forms. Should you have any questions, or require assistance, please contact Carrie-Lynn in the office at 780-992-0889 and she will be happy to help.
VISITORS IN OUR SCHOOL
School and Field Trip Fees
School fees and field trip fees will be uploaded into the PowerSchool Parent Portal shortly. This year will see some minor differences with respect to field trip fees. As opposed to sending home multiple requests throughout the school year asking for money for your child's field trips, our grade-level teachers will establish a total amount that will be added to your PowerSchool Fees that can be paid in one lump sum at the start of the year. An option will also exist to pay your school/field trip fees in installments over the course of the year.
A reminder, we encourage these fees to 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 as convenient. If you require assistance logging in to the ParentPortal please call the school and we will be happy to help.
SCHOOL COUNCIL INFORMATION
Please join us for our next School Council meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 27th @ 6:30pm in the school library. 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!
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!
EICS FAMILY WELLNESS WORKER
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
Hello St. JPII School Community! My name is Lee Dube and I am so excited to be a part of your Fort Saskatchewan school community. I am here to support families and students to be successful. I am someone that parents and students can talk to and can offer connections to various resources in the community. Please do not hesitate to give me a call at the school or send me an email at lee.dube@eics.ab.ca to set up a meeting. I will be at St. JPII on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons.
It has been such a pleasure meeting some of the students and parents. Thank you for being so welcoming. Please feel free to come and stop in at my office upstairs in room #214. I am at the school all day on Tuesday and Thursday as well as Friday afternoons.
The Boys & Girls Club of Fort Saskatchewan has a new youth drop in program. This is for young people ages 11-14 and 15-18. There will be a weekly coffeehouse starting September 14th between 3-5 please feel free to stop in and learn more about it.
We are starting up the Breakfast Club at Lunchtime. This is open to all students and is a great place to come and meet some new friends and have fun. The club is held on Thursday during lunch break. Come hang with us, we meet at the opportunity room upstairs.
The Breakfast Club.....at Lunchtime
CAFETERIA
November Cafeteria News
We now have two types of month passes:
Meal pass- includes any meal choice every school day in November ...$60
Lunch pass- includes any meal choice and two sides every school day in November... $90
Tues/Wed 6 & 7-
Cinnamon Bun Treats $2.00 can be pre-ordered online or in the cafeteria
Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews ** stop in, say hi, and grab a snack :-)
Meals start at $4.50 and sides can be added for $1-3 each
Lunch tickets- $7 each or packs of 10 for $65
Available everyday:
Gluten free options are marked with an * and have the best availability when preordered online.
Chicken Strips*, Pizza (ham & cheese, or extra cheese), Wraps (chicken caesar or turkey/bacon/ranch, or chicken salad), Salad* (chicken caesar, turkey/bacon/ranch, or chicken salad), Mac&Cheese*
Daily Specials:
Monday- Taco Wrap/Salad*, Tuesday- Chicken Nachos*, Wednesday- Pancakes with fruit and syrup, Thursday- Chicken Burger, Friday- Donair*
Sides:
Fresh fruit*, fresh veggies*, apples&grapes*, sweet snap peas*, apple sauce*, cheese strips*, apple crisp, blueberry bran muffin, chocolate chip oatmeal cookie, rice cereal square*, wowbutter cookies, tapioca pudding*, pretzels, smoothie* (m or mixed berry), milk* (chocolate or 2%), juice box* (apple or orange)
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