Patriot Post
Jan. 21st - Jan. 25th, 2019
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Jan. 21st
Girls Basketball Practice 7:00am-8:00am
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00pm-4:15pm
Tuesday Jan. 22nd
Indigenous Activities for Grades 5 and 6:
Blanket Exercise for Grade 5's AM, Indigenous Dance for the Grade 6's PM
Priest Visits: 12:10pm-1:30pm
Boys Basketball Game 4:00pm-5:30pm @ St. JPII
Girls Basketball Game 4:00pm-5:30pm @ St. Theresa
Wednesday Jan. 23rd
Indigenous Presentation for Gr. 7's & 8's: Guest Speaker David Bouchard 12:10pm-1:40pm
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00pm-4:15pm
Thursday Jan. 24th
Girls and Boys Basketball Tournament @ OLPH
Friday Jan. 25th
Girls and Boys Basketball Tournament @ OLPH
Chaplain's Corner
We have been changed as the water has been changed.
Today's gospel reading comes from gospel according to St. John. St. John's Gospel does not present many miracles in its pages. There are three physical healings and two physical changing’s. There is the multiplication of the loaves and fish, and this changing of water into wine about which we read in today's liturgy. These are "signs" or revelations pointing toward Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. They are offered to those who can see these signs in hopes that they will come to believe in Him.
For John, Jesus is Light and as John writes in his first chapter, "This Light was the life of the world."
The true change is not the water turning into wine by the disciples beginning to accept Jesus as son of God. The real miracle is their acceptance of themselves as changed-into-new-wine people. This miracle continues taking place in our own lives as well. God continues breathing over our chaos, our unformedness, our darkness and bringing us into the light, through the Light that is Jesus.
We are just at the beginning of the Liturgical Year. We, like the disciples, are always coming slowly into the light of our being newly created through Christ's birth, life, death and Resurrection. To achieve this, God keeps sending us the four major components that we need to sustain our faith lives, Jesus, the Sacraments, our personal selves and those to whom God sends us to nourish and through whom to be nourished. I am blessed that Jesus continues to change my old water (who I was) into new wine (Who I am as a follower of God).
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
- 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
FAREWELL MESSAGE
WELCOME TO THE ST. JPII FAMILY
Hello! I am Kalay Dumont and I am writing to introduce myself to the school community. I am very excited to join the team and serve the St. John Paul II school as assistant principal. I have been teaching for 18 years and I have taught a number of courses from grades 1 to 10 over that time. I began my career in Drumheller as a grade 6 teacher at St. Anthony’s Catholic School and after a few years, I moved to Edmonton and joined Edmonton Catholic Schools as a junior high teacher at St. Edmund Catholic School. I joined the Elk Island Catholic School family in 2017, teaching grade 9 and 10 science and math at Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School in Sherwood Park. This past year, I have been teaching at St. Theresa in Sherwood Park, where I am currently teaching grade 7 science, math, Sport for Life, Sports Performance, and physical education.
I have had so many blessings as a teacher, where I have had the opportunity to learn and grow in my professional practice. During my time in elementary, I was able to participate and lead a district literacy program, and support district initiatives focused on assessment. In junior high, I was a lead teacher for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, as I supported new staff to the school with development of IB units and assessments. I have served as a school chaplain and I have been very blessed to also work in two Recreation and Leadership Academies during my career. I have also been a contributor for extra curricular activities, coaching volleyball, cross country running, basketball, badminton and track and field. I believe students learn best when they have a positive relationship with their teacher, feel supported and challenged in their learning, and when they are highly engaged in lessons.
I am a proud mother of two amazing girls (Adelynn and Arely) who are in grade 1 and 2 and attend a school in Sherwood Park. My husband, Joe, is also an educator. We love to travel together and the past three summers we have embarked on long road trips to the Oregon Coast, our favourite family destination. I am currently coaching my youngest in coed indoor soccer, and Arely plays U9 basketball. We are members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Sherwood Park and our Catholic faith and values are very much a part of our lives.
I am very excited to join the St. John Paul II school community and to get to know our staff and students. I appreciate the welcoming atmosphere I have experienced so far.
Yours in Catholic Education,
Kalay Dumont
VISITORS TO OUR SCHOOL
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.
QUEBEC TRIP 2020
Experience the many attractions on display in three of Canada’s grandest cities. Explore the European flair and historic downtown core of Montréal. Study the majestic architecture of Québec City. In Ottawa, get a glimpse behind the scenes of Canadian politics with a visit to the Parliament Buildings. Visits to the Canadian Museum of History and the National Art Gallery will promote a global perspective.
Check out the tour and enrol at eftours.ca/2148324XY
LEADERSHIP CLUB
The Gift of Warmth to Those in Need
Does anyone have a LARGE oven or fridge box they can bring in? It can be dropped off outside the chapel. The goal will be to fill the box!
WINTER BALL
TUTORING SERVICES
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.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) PROGRAM
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 next School Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20, 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!
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
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