Together in Learning and Faith
December 9 - Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School
Daily Advent Celebration
This week we again invite you to join us at 9:00 am in the gym as we continue our Advent journey and prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ. We will be lighting two candles on our Advent Wreath, helping banish the winter darkness with the Candle of Peace, reminding us Jesus is the Prince of Peace and challenging us to become peacekeepers.
We will also continue with our Jesse tree; sharing Bibles stories and learning about our salvation history. Here are a few questions to ask your child about what they learned during the first week of Advent:
- What story did the symbol of the moon and stars tell?
- What choice did Adam and Eve make?
- We watched the video of Abraham and his son Isaac. What test did Abraham pass?
- The symbol on the Jesse tree is the rose. Who does the rose represent? Because she was perfect, what plan did God have for her?
May we, by our actions, help to prepare the way for the coming of Peace.
Advent Concert December 12th & 13th
Our OLA kids have been practicing hard and are so excited to share their gifts and talents with you this week.
A reminder, tickets are required to attend the December 13th evening performance. Tickets are free, but they ensure that we stay within fire regulation guidelines. If you have extended family who would like to enjoy the performance please invite them to the afternoon matinee on December 12th - no tickets are needed for that show.
Two evening performance tickets were sent home to each family last week. For families who requested additional tickets these will be given out of a first come, first served basis and will go home with your child on Monday and Tuesday.
We are looking forward to sharing our beautiful advent message with you.
Concert VIP Experience to Support Social Justice
We are offering our families the opportunity to win the Advent Concert VIP Experience!
Tickets (with details attached) went home last week .
Please know, there is no obligation to purchase a ticket. Each ticket will give you a chance to win one of 6 VIP Experience Ticket Packages for the December 13th evening performance, which includes two VIP seats, VIP parking . . . and a little well-deserved pampering.
Tickets are $1.00 each, 6 for $5.00, or the entire sheet of 12 for $10.00. Fill out one, some, or all and return the tickets to the school with the appropriate dollar amount. If you are writing a cheque, please make it payable to Elk Island Catholic Schools. Please contact the office at 780-998-3716 if you would like more draw ticket sheets. The six winners will be drawn on Wednesday, December 12th at 1:00 pm.
All proceeds from ticket sales will go to support our OLA School Chalice Foster Child from Tanzania and Catholic Social Services Valeda House (a ministry that provides temporary shelter for homeless women who face exceptional challenges in finding safe housing).
Thank you and God bless you for your generosity and hope for those less fortunate.
Our Lady of the Angels Staff and Students
Handicap Parking
Pick Up and Drop Off Reminders
To keep our children safe, the parking spaces in front of the school are reserved for staff so they remain stationary from 8:00AM - 3:45PM. Thank you for not using this area as a drop off lane. 96st and 97st have access points to the playground and are excellent drop off spaces in the morning. Supervision begins at 8:30AM and children are encouraged to play before school and connect with their friends. As always, when picking up your child, please meet them outside their entrance/exit doors from the school and walk with them back to your vehicle.
School Fees / Waiver Deadline
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.
If you are experiencing financial difficulties you may qualify for the EICS Fee Waiver Program. The deadline to apply for the 2018 - 2019 school year is Friday, December 14th.
Advent Mass
"Children are the angels of God."
Father Anthony
Advent Mass December 3, 2018
Enhancements @ OLA - Join the Fun!
Here are a few projects we are working on, and we would love your help and support:
- All of the older Smartboards at OLA are nearing the end of their lives and we will need to replace them before the year is out as they are integral tools for learning. We are looking to replace approximately 7 of them, which carries with it a significant cost. OLA will be engaging in some cost-sharing adventures and we are asking parents/businesses if there are any grants/donations that you may be aware of that can be contributed to our Technology upgrades.
- In January we will be kicking off OLA's options, and we are inviting parents to offer workshops for children. These would be offered on the first Wednesday of each month, in the afternoon. There would be a grade 1&2 session and simultaneously a 3&4 session. If you are interested in offering a workshop, please connect with Mrs. Weller or Mme Gravelle.
Christmas Sweater Day!
Grade 4 Skating
Milk Day Monday, December 17th!
We have a special OLA family who would love to treat the whole school to milk at lunch on Monday, December 17th. They have offered to provide a milk alternative for children who are lactose intolerant.
Please take a moment to email our OLA Club Moo Coordinator, Mrs. Jacqueline Holder, to let her know your child's name, class, and if they need a non-milk alternative . . . or if you would like your child not to receive milk.
Jacqueline Holder
OLA Club Moo representative
Focus on Tech: Keeping our Children Safe Online
from the Center on Media and Child Health
In this section of the newsletter, we will work to help educate parents to keep children safe while they are online by highlighting upcoming workshops or articles about technology and kids.
Take a moment to read the following blog:
What should I know about Fortnite - Is it Ok for Kids to play?
Cyber World Parent Presentation
OLA Parish News
Looking Ahead . . .
Monday, December 10
- Advent Jesse Tree Celebration 9:00 am in the gym - please join us!
Tuesday, December 11
- Advent Jesse Tree Celebration 9:00 am in the gym - please join us!
- Parish Priests visit classrooms
- Cyber World Parent Presentation 6:30 pm at St. André Bessette
Wednesday, December 12
- Ordering opens for January - March Hot Lunch
- Advent Jesse Tree Celebration 9:00 am in the gym - please join us!
- Advent Concert - The Christmas Baby 1:30 pm no tickets required for this performance
Thursday, December 13
- Advent Jesse Tree Celebration 9:00 am in the gym - please join us!
- Grade 3 Science Presentation - Lego Bridges
- Grade 4 Peacekeeping Workshops
- Advent Concert - The Christmas Baby 6:30 pm tickets needed for admittance
Friday, December 14
- Advent Jesse Tree Celebration 9:00 am in the gym - please join us!
- Grade 2 Science T-Pet on Magnetism
- Pre-K Christmas Activities & Concert 10:00 - 11:30 am
- Nativity Pageant Rehearsal 5:00 pm at OLA Church
Sunday, December 16
- Nativity Pageant 11:00 am Mass at OLA Church
And a Little Further Ahead . . .
December 17 Free Milk & Free Gift Day from Moo Club
December 18 Choir and Handbells perform at Dr. Turner Lodge
December 19 Panago Hot Lunch
December 21 Deadline for hot lunch orders for January - March
December 21 Last day of school for 2018
January 7 First day of school for 2019
January 12 Registration deadline for First Eucharist in 2019
For more upcoming dates, please visit our website calendar.
You can view our Kindergarten Calendar here and our Pre-K Calendar here.
Our Lady of the Angels School
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
T8L 1W7
Email: ola@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://ola.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9622 Sherridon Drive, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: (780)998-3716
Twitter: @OLAFortSask