Patriot Post
Apr. 22nd - Apr. 26th, 2019
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Apr. 22nd
EASTER MONDAY: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday Apr. 23rd
Grade 7 Badminton Practice 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday Apr. 24th
Grade 5 Swimming Lessons
Grade 8 Badminton Practice 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Playground Society Meeting 6:30pm at Our Lady of the Angels School
Thursday Apr. 25th
Grade 7 Badminton Practice 3:00pm - 4:30pm
7BR Day of Service at OLA: 8:30 - 3:00 pm
Friday Apr. 26th
Easter Mass 12:15pm - 1:15pm in School Gym (Parents Welcome!)
Saturday Apr. 27th
Grade 7 & 8 District Badminton Tournament
Monday Apr. 29th
St. JPII Open House 6:00pm-7:30pm
Chaplain's Corner
More than just a day, the Church gives us a seven-week Easter season to celebrate. Yet sometimes our everyday lives feel so heavy that celebration is not a part of them. Burdens of everyday life can make it a challenge to feel particularly joyful – even in the Easter season.
But the joy we are being invited into this season is beyond what we see in our everyday lives. It's true that Jesus says “Come to me and bring me your burdens” but we usually can’t believe it. Maybe we don’t want to believe it. If I really allow Jesus to come into my heart the way he wants to, will he ask me to change my life in ways that are too hard? How do I share the chaos of my life with Jesus? If I keep him at arm’s length, my life might be difficult, but at least my problems are familiar. What would it cost me to let go and change my life?
We know our own faults and failings so well. Too well. We begin to believe that Jesus loves the way we love – with all of our human limits. How could Jesus love us and accept us the way we are right now? Maybe when we fix a few things about our lives, love our spouse a little better, stop being so critical of family members, stop drinking, stop nagging, love a little more… when we are perfect, then Jesus will love us.
If we can overcome our fears, the real power of letting Jesus into our hearts is how free our hearts will become. Suddenly, we are not afraid, not burdened and simply ready to serve with Jesus.
Jesus loves us - right now. At this moment, Jesus holds each one of us in his warm and loving gaze and loves us so freely at a depth that our human minds can’t take in. Whether we comprehend this or not, Jesus loves us endlessly and waits for us with his arms open, ready to hold and support us.
As we receive his embrace and feel the peace and joy of Easter wash over us, we can look over his shoulder, and see beyond to those in need who now wait for us. That’s when we realize that the real joy in our lives is putting aside our own faults, challenges and difficulties for a while and entering into the lives of others.
Pope Francis said at Easter, we leave ourselves behind and encounter others by “being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast.”
We are being missioned as Easter People. We find peace in Jesus’ love for us and now we share it with others. We find ourselves standing side by side with Jesus, looking together at those we are being sent to love.
That is where the real joy of Easter waits for us.
Upcoming and In the Works Faith Events
- Gr. 7 Days of Service
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURE
ADVOCATING FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Thank you to those parents that were able to attend our School Council Meeting this month. There was some important information that was shared that we wanted to ensure all parents are made aware of. Below is the information that is being disseminated from our EICS Superintendent, Shawn Haggarty.
Advocating For Catholic Education
A big thank you to the School Council Chairs, from each of the schools within EICS, that attended the CEPAC (Catholic Education Parent Advisory Committee) meeting held at Central Learning Services on April 10, 2019. The meeting brought School Council Chairs together with School Board Trustees and Senior Administration to address a motion being brought forward at the Alberta School Councils Association AGM scheduled for April 28th, promoting one publicly funded system.
The motions calls upon the government to initiate an independent study of efficiencies to be found in the elimination of Catholic and Francophone boards and have one system. The resolution is essentially asking the school councils across Alberta to support a campaign to undermine Catholic Education.
School Council reps from across EICS gathered to learn and support each other in coordinated opposition to this motion. We are very thankful to all parents who attended, and all those dedicated parents who are active in their School Councils as well as in support of Catholic Education. The ASCA Annual General meeting is open and free to any parent who has a child within EICS.
Thank you to everyone who is advocating for Catholic Education.
God Bless,
Shawn Haggarty
According the Alberta School Councils Association, “resolutions passed into policy at the AGM form the association perspective as presented to Alberta government and organizations in provincial education”. We encourage and welcome all parents, to support the advocacy efforts to ensure the voice and support of Catholic education in Alberta is heard as this resolution does not represent the perspective of parents and school councils of Catholic schools in our province.
Please find attached a copy of the resolution that is being put forward for discussion and ultimately to a vote at the upcoming AGM on April 28, 2019 at the Delta Edmonton South. In terms of voting, each school council is eligible to submit one vote and St JPII will be represented by Stacey Walker as the voting delegate. However, the AGM is free and open to any parent who has a child within EICS, but you are required to complete the online registration for the AGM portion of the conference. The deadline to complete this online registration is Monday, April 22, 2019 at 12 noon.
Link to online registration: https://www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca/about/annual-general-meeting/registration (select the ASCA Member ticket option)
WHY CATHOLIC EDUCATION?
SIDEWALK CHALK ART
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.
For those with unpaid fees, invoices for school fees will be sent home with your child.
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
Please join us for the next School Council meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29th @ 6:30pm in the school library. We welcome and encourage you all to come and join us! (Please use the school doorbell located on the wall beside the front doors if the doors are locked.)
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!
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE
Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education
FSMA HOMEWORK CLUB
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 Lisa Casillas 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 lisa.casillas@eics.ab.ca to set up a meeting. I will be at St. JPII on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons.
Upcoming Community Supports for Parents
CAFETERIA
Cafeteria in St. John Paul II School
Monthly passes & lunch tickets now available
Email admin@fortsasklunchbox.com for info
Available everyday: chicken strips, chicken noodle soup, pizza bun (extra cheese or ham), salads (chicken caesar, taco, and egg salad), wrap (chicken caesar, taco, and ham & cheese), and cheesy macaroni.
Daily special: Monday- BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza, Tuesday- Grilled Cheese Sandwich & Tomato Soup, Wednesday- Beef Dip, Thursday- Honey Garlic Stir Fry (choose chicken, beef, or vegetarian) **this meal has a special base price of $6, and Friday- Chicken Burger.
Sides: Apples and Grapes, Apple Sauce, Cheese strips, Fresh Fruit Mix, Fresh Veggie Mix with dip, Garlic Breadstick, Juice (apple or orange), Milk (chocolate or 2%), Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Potato Wedges, Pretzels, Rice Cereal Square, Tapioka Pudding, Triple Fruit Bran Muffin with jam, and Smoothie (Strawberry or Mango).
Gluten-free choices: **meal options must be pre-ordered online and gluten free option chosen** chicken strips (baked in gluten free bread crumbs), egg salad salad, chicken caesar salad, taco salad, bbq chicken flatbread pizza, cheesy mac & sausage, chicken noodle soup, fruit, vegetables, cheese, tapioka pudding, rice cereal square, and smoothies.
Lactose free choices: chicken strips, egg salad salad, chicken caesar salad, chicken noodle soup, fruit, vegetables, pretzels, potato wedges, apple sauce, and rice cereal square.
A regular meal starts at $4 and sides are individually priced ranging from $1-3 each
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