The Good News
Saint John XXIII March 27, 2020
Leadership Message
We are in this Together: Be a Spark of Light & a Center of Hope
Our Patron saint, Blessed Saint John XXII said, "Every believer must be a spark of light and a center of hope". In the rapidly evolving world of COVID-19, our worries creep to the top as we try to make sense of everything. It is challenging every individual to respond and take action to create spaces and places where our loved ones are safe and cared for. We may not know exactly what to do or the "right" way to teach and learn in this new normal but the fundamental approach to our students and their families has not changed. Connect, love, teach...We will continue at Saint John XXIII, together with you and our parish, to love our kids and respond to their needs in whatever capacity that calls us to. We may not know where we are heading but we do know we are in this together and will adjust our sails as needed. We will answer our call from God to be a spark of light and a center of hope.
As always, please reach out to your child's teacher, or myself (bonnie-lynneb@eics.ab.ca), Mrs. Hinger (cathyh@eics.ab.ca), Mrs Heesing (eleanor.heesing@eics.ab.ca) or Ms. Astalosch (ritaa@eics.ab.ca). We will do whatever we can to help and support you and your family in and through this time.
Enjoy Spring Break-Stay Safe, Let the sunshine in, and take care of one another!
Blessings,
Bonnie-Lynne Boehm
Fifth Sunday of Lent-John 11:1-45
As we continue to journey through Lent, may we be reminded this Sunday of walking together in the light of our faith and the hope and glory of resurrection.
Text 4 Hope
Feeling stress, anxiety and depression due to the COVID-19 crisis? We can help.
The Mental Health Foundation, in partnership with Calgary Health Trust, the University Hospital Foundation, the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, is supporting a new Alberta Health Services program Text4Hope – a free service providing three months of daily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)–based text messages written by mental health therapists.
An Alberta-based innovation, Text4Hope is an evidence-based tool that helps people identify and adjust the negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours a pandemic might be expected to provoke.
Through a set of daily messages, people receive advice and encouragement helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency.
Community members simply subscribe to receive ongoing supportive content.
There is no cost.
How to Connect:
Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 to subscribe.
The program provides one-way communication and does not replace other mental health therapies and supports. It is a helpful option for people in self-isolation who can’t access face-to-face services, as well as those in remote locations. All mental health support lines remain open. For details on what is available in your health region, visit this AHS resource.
EICS Website: Parent Fact Sheet-FAQS-Updated March 24, 2020
What about fees? Reimbursement?
We have received a few questions regarding fees and refunds for the remainder of the year. We appreciate that during this time of uncertainty, families are looking for clarification and direction on all impacts of class cancellations.
Similar to all school divisions across the province, we are currently waiting for Alberta Education direction as to if and when the school will reopen prior to September 2020. Once we receive further notice from the province, we will certainly share this with all of our families and respond as needed for our families.
Once again, we want to thank everyone for their patience as we work together to best support our students during this time.
Virtual Learning Considerations & Norms
- Digital Citizenship continues to be essential
- EICS User Tech agreement applies in all classroom and school online contexts
- As we expand the accessibility of our classrooms, please continue to respect the privacy of all students and staff by not screenshoting or sharing any pictures or videos posted. All classroom sites will be private unless otherwise stated.
Teachers and staff will place disclaimers on their sites or forums for use, copyright agreements, etc. Please abide by all of these.
Staff will be working with students and parents on technology "norms" and etiquette. We are modeling these norms in our own staff virtual meetings daily.
When students use their EICS Google platform (Classroom, Hangouts, Meet, etc) it will continue to be monitored by EICS for appropriateness, as it has always been.
Teachers and administration will be figuring out daily schedules this week. We have daily staff GoogleMeets, district GoogleMeets, and other weekly meeting commitments so please be patient as we navigate accessibility.
We are all on a steep learning curve and we appreciate your understanding and flexibility in our new roles. We will start slow and will not have all the answers.
We are in this together-do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.
OLA Parish News-Virtual Mass with Fr. Kris & Fr. Danial this Sunday 10 am
Livestream of Sunday mass at 10:00 am from OLA Parish with Fr. Kris and Fr. Danial. This can be accessed through the OLA Facebook page-Our Lady of Angels Catholic Parish.
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit
me to be separated from You.
Amen.
By direction from the Archdiocese:
ALL public Masses are cancelled until further notice. There will be no Stations of the Cross
or adoration.The church will remain open from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm every day for those who wish to have time in prayer. Individual confession will be available by request. Sick calls encouraged at the emergency number. The office will remain open from 8:30 am to noon.
The complete letter issued by the Archbishop can be found on our website:
www.olafortsask.caedm.ca under the heading Bulletin.
Saint John XXIII School Council News
Get connected: Follow our Parent School Council Facebook Group:
St. John XXIII Catholic School-Parent School Council group on Facebook for updates and communication from our parent council. https://www.facebook.com/groups/493598287430068/
LOOKING AHEAD...
Mar. 27-April 6: Spring Break
Online classes resume: Monday, April 6, 2020
Spirit Day: Wednesday, April 8: Beach Day
We want to continue sharing: Please send and share pictures from home that you are comfortable sharing in our weekly newsletters to Mrs. Boehm-bonnie-lynneb@eics.ab.ca
It's a Great Day to be a Saint John XXIII Kid!
Saint John XXIII Catholic School
Email: stj@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stj.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9526 89 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-998-7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.JohnXXIII
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII