SAA Newsflash! December 3, 2021
Sister Alphonse Academy
We are Wonder Driven!
We are witnesses - Arise! Get up, Get Going!
When we live a life of service we are witnesses to what Christians do in the world. We set an example, we show others what it means to live like Jesus and make a difference! Knights SERVE, ACHIEVE, and ASPIRE!
Upcoming Events!
St. Albert Kinettes Hamper drive this week! Please note that this food drive is taking place until Thursday, December 9th. Please see the list of items needed further below in this communication. We are excited to see how many hampers we may be able to build for families.
When we help others in need we are practicing the Catholic Social teachings of helping the vulnerable and working for the common good. Thank you in advance for your support!
***PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED DECEMBER CALENDAR FOR OUR THEME DAYS***
Monday, December 6 - TERM 2 OPTIONS START TODAY!
Exciting day of learning!
Tuesday, December 7 - Exciting day of learning!
Wednesday, December 8 - Exciting day of learning!
Thursday, December 9 - SAA Spirit Day!
Friday, December 10 - NO KINDERGARTEN CLASS TODAY.
Monday, December 13 - DANCE PLAY RESIDENCY FOR GRADES K - 6 STUDENTS
Exciting day of learning!
Tuesday, December 14 - Exciting day of learning!
Wednesday, December 15 - Exciting day of learning!
Thursday, December 16 - SAA Spirit day!
Friday, December 17 - Last day of school before Christmas break!
GSACRD KINDERGARTEN EXPO: St. Albert – January 13 at École Secondaire St. Albert Catholic High School
Please see the attached 12 days of Christmas activities!
IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE: SAA PARKING LOT IS NOT A SCHOOL DROP OFF ZONE
We have noticed that some parents/guardians are now using the staff parking lot as a student drop off zone. This is not safe and is also displacing our staff from having places for them to park. Please use the drop off zone in front of the school and please refrain from parking and waiting for your child in the school parking lot. This is dangerous as students are also entering and or exiting the building at these times and vehicles moving at this time can be an extra risk/hazard.
Thank you in advance with your support.
SAA Grade 1 - 3 ENTRANCE
If you have concerns and/or would like to talk to staff please call and make an arrangement for a meeting. Although we are permitting approved volunteers in the school at this time, there is a protocol and procedure attached to this. Please read this portion within this newsletter as well.
REPORT CARDS - ELEMENTARY/JUNIOR HIGH
***ELEMENTARY REPORT CARDS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM THE PARENT PORTAL UNTIL THE AFTERNOON OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2021.
JUNIOR HIGH: Marks for junior high students may be viewed live through entering into Powerschool. A report card is not handed out and/or downloaded.
ELEMENTARY: Parents/Guardians of elementary students need to log into the Powerschool Parent portal in order to access the report card. PLEASE NOTE OUR SAA OFFICE IS NOT PRINTING THE REPORT CARD AND SENDING A COPY HOME.
HOW TO DOWNLOAD YOUR CHILD'S ELEMENTARY REPORT CARD FOR TERM 1 (***NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 6, 2021)
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE:
Care for Our Community
Speaking of safety, I would like to ask all of us to be mindful of current public health actions in the province. If your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms on the COVID-19 Alberta Health Daily Checklist (adults are on pages 1 & 2, and children under 18 are on pages 3 & 4), please keep your child home. Similarly, we ask that staff stay home if they are experiencing symptoms. If we continue to abide by the current public health actions and stay home when we exhibit symptoms, we can keep our school communities safe.
Thank you SAA Friends Volunteers!
Spreading Christmas Joy! SAA virtual Christmas performance!
Wednesday, December 1st
10:30-11:00 Kindergarten Classes
11:18-11:48 Grade 4 Class
12:56-1:26 Grade 1 Class
Wednesday, December 8th
9:55-10:25 Grade 3 Class
1:26-1:56 Grade 5 Class
1:56-2:26 Grade 6 Class
2:26-2:58 Grade 2 Class
Please feel free to have your child dress for the concert on the date their grade level stated as the performances are being recorded and will be shared with families through the Google classroom.
Junior High Foods Cupcake Challenge!
New Semester - New Options!
Grades 4 - 6 Dynamic Options:
Students enjoyed many different exciting options such as Art, Coding (using Ozobots) and Video Pro (Editing & Creations).
Junior High Options:
Students this past term have enjoyed many different complementary options which included Foods, Fit for Life, Leadership and Sports Performance. More exciting options are being developed and offered this year!
In addition to offering 3-D/Construction, we are also offering the new Robotics option during this next term! Other exciting options being offered this semester include Fashion, Art, and Drama/Dance!
***Please note that students provided us with their preferences and the options have been created based upon student interest, choice, and enrolment.
Active Schools Update!
Foundations Futures Ticket Sales!
If you are over 18 and live in Alberta, please join us in our 2nd 50/50 Christmas Cash Raffle Fundraiser supporting GSACS Education Foundation.
Funds raised will support school or classroom needs which demonstrate enhanced learning opportunities for students within Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools, evoke or promote student passion and engagement, support innovation within the classroom, and promote faith, the development of relationships with one another and with God, foster community spirit, and build hope. AGLC License # 583505
Ticket sales end: December 3, 2021; 11:59 pm
Draw Date: December 9, 2021 - 7:00 pm; Ecole St. Albert Catholic High SchoolSupporters can access half the final pot, up to $10,000, in extra Christmas Cash.
GSACRD Back to School Plan 2021/2022
Please bring a mask to school daily
We have an increasing number of students who are arriving each day without a mask to wear. Although we do have some extra masks in our office if a student forgets to wear one, we do not have enough to supply large groups of students with masks each day. Please continue to send your child with a mask to school each day. Thank you so much for your support.
Supporting the local St. Albert Kinettes!
Thank you to the Ducharme family as well for their leadership and interest in working together on collecting for this special Christmas initiative.
Religion 8 - We are Holy!
School Fees are due - Reminder
We still have a number of school fees that have not been paid yet. To pay school fees, please log in to school cash on line. If you have any questions and/or need assistance, please reach out to Mrs. Bokenfohr at lbokenfohr@gsacrd.ab.ca.
Change in address/email/contact information?
SAA Friends Report!
CALENDAR:
Wed. Dec. 15th - Hot Lunch
Friends of SAA Exciting NEWS!!
1. We have voted on our 2nd WISH LIST item - a set of 6 iPads and charging station will be purchased for our Dots- Robotics Programming System to be used in the Options course offered in the New Year!
2. Our first hot lunch was a HUGE success!! The kids enjoyed eating some delicious pizza and pasta from Boston Pizza, and $339 were raised!! We are sure the parents didn’t mind the break either. Thank you to the amazing volunteers and staff that made this a possibility.
ADVENT SEASON: WE ARE THE CHURCH: GSACRD FOCUS
Arise, We are the Church!
This Advent season, all members of our GSACRD community are invited to arise and support the St. Jean Baptiste Parish community in Morinville with their efforts to rebuild their 113-year old church, which was destroyed on June 30th due to a fire. Please consider contributing either through your child’s school initiatives or directly through the Canadahelps page to receive tax receipts.
Volunteering & Vaccination Status: Important information
Please note that once your forms have been approved and accepted in the office, the volunteer time and entry will be arranged through appointment, as aligned with our current entry practices.
*NEW* PLEASE SEE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 489 which is attached which pertains to ALL VOLUNTEERS and vaccination status.
Important Message to Families from Holy Family Parish
Holy Family Parish Sacramental Information
Parish Information
St. Albert Parish News
Click on the SAP Parish Link to access the weekly bulletin for St. Albert Catholic Parish.
Holy Family Parish News
Click on the HF Parish Link to access the weekly bulletin for Holy Family Parish