Choose Joy!
Week of October 19, 2020
October is the month of the Rosary
Why do we pray the rosary?
We pray the Rosary to help keep our mind, actions and lives towards Jesus. Just as a parent guides a young toddler to walk safely down a path and keeps them going in the right direction, Mary, our Mother, helps guide us towards Jesus and his message of love and forgiveness in our actions. When we pray the Rosary, we are asking Mary to help guide us to Jesus.
Grade 1/2M
Curiosity + Inquiry + Experimentation = Joy Filled Learning
I saw a Snowflake! Did you?
A conversation with Mme Gravelle and a grade two student while in the playground at recess time......
- Mme Gravelle: "While we are outside, it's ok to take your mask off if you'd like."
- Grade 2 student: "I want to keep my mask on. It's keeping my face warm!"
- Mme Gravelle: "Great solution! Today for you, your mask is a 2for1! It's keeping you well AND warm!"
Yes....it's getting chillier outside, and the air is getting more crisp. Getting outside for fresh air free play is just as important now and even more so as the weather gets colder. Thank you for ensuring your child is appropriately dressed to play outside. As the temperatures drop, it's important to know our guidelines for playing outside. Please click here for OLA and EICS' Guideline for Outdoor Play when the weather gets cold.
Students will be playing outside for their regular duration to -25 degrees Celsius or -25 Windchill. This includes when they arrive at school in the morning and each of their recesses during the day. Each free play-recess is 20 minutes or less. Teachers may choose to take children outside for Physical Education or Daily Physical Activity which may be longer. To ensure children are able to fully enjoy their time outside - thank you for helping them dress appropriately.
Should you need assistance with appropriate clothing for your child for winter, please connect with your child's teacher, Mme Gravelle, Mrs. Weller or Mrs. Heesing.
We are here to help!
Water Bottles
Thank you for encouraging your child to bring their water bottle home each day for washing.
Merci!
We appreciate how challenging it is for you to keep your child at home when they experience symptoms, and keep them home until symptoms resolve and Covid tests results have been returned. We understand that having children stay home has impacts that are far reaching and sometimes complicated - many OLA staff are parents too, navigating the same guidelines. We also understand how much we want to cheat.
Thank you for keeping us informed as to how your child is progressing while at home. Many Grade 1 - 4 teacher have or are working towards creating Google Classrooms for your child, complete with classroom communication and learning activities to do at home. Thank you for connecting with your child for help to access your child's Google Classroom or connect with their teacher via email by clicking here.
We are in this together!
Masks @ School
To assist in your child's learning, teachers have the opportunity to work in small groups with your child. During these sacred times, its important that masks be worn to mitigate transmission risks. Thank you for working with your child to ensure they bring their masks to school and wear them during the day, especially during music class and during small group learning time.
3MK & Tunisia
Dr. Jody Carrington's October Challenge
Let's start the wave in Fort Saskatchewan!
On this joyful holiday Monday, we are kicking off week two of the October joy challenge with, “start the wave”. Anyone all in?
We are wired for connection, and we need it now more than ever. Connected communities are healthy, and thrive. Whenever, however you are able this week, I want you to wave - at passing cars, your peers in the hallways, colleagues at work, neighbours walking down the street. You’ll likely bring a smile, and just might change a life. -- Dr. Jody Carrington
Updated Alberta Health Documents
Phys Ed Stretching - 4E
This week @ OLA
Monday, October 19
Choosing Joy today!
Outdoor Rosary begins today
OLA Teachers & OLA's Support Team engage in planning for success for all students today during their Collaborative Team Meetings.
Tuesday, October 20
- A great day to learn and grow together!
- Outdoor Rosary continues today in the Outdoor Classroom
EICS & OLA Live Streamed Thanksgiving Mass @ 1:30pm
Wednesday, October 21
- More spectacular learning and growing!
- Outdoor Rosary continues today.
- Virtual Video Morning Announcements today - and every Wednesday!
Thursday, October 22
A great day to be in community together!
Outdoor Rosary prayers continue today in the Outdoor Classroom.
Friday, October 23
- Friyay! Where will you Choose Joy today?
- Outdoor Rosary continues today. Invite your children to teach you!
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To see what is up and coming even further ahead, please visit our website calendar.
You can view our Kindergarten Calendar here.
Power Options 2020 Begin in November!
Power Options is another way OLA staff engage students in their learning - with choice and voice!
Making Words and Practicing Spelling
School Interveiws
We are looking forward to connecting with you and your child to celebrate their learning progress and together setting goals for their future growth.
Check Your Junk
Playgrounds are fun for everyone!
Quotes of the Week
Conversation with a student in the middle of Math class....
Student: "Mrs V"
Mrs. V: "Yes"
Student: "Do you know what?"
Mrs. V: "No what?"
Student: "You know what I am sick of?"
Mrs. V: "No, what?"
Student: "This stupid virus."
Mrs. V: "Oh my yes, me too.
Heading out to the bus...
Student: "I need to take bus 11."
Supervisor: "Oh wow. Why?"
Student: "Um....., I don't know, I was just told to, but if you want to know I think that's more of a mom question."
In Mrs. Kowal's 3MK Class:
"Hey, Mrs. V. Mrs. Kowal has this gum in her desk that tastes like soap! It's called Thrills."
"Yes, I know."
"What? Have you heard about it before?"
"Yes, in fact that gum's older than you."
"WHAT? Then that gum must taste disgusting if it's been in there that long!"
Outside at recess:
Grade 4 student: "Guess what Mme, I lost a tooth!"
Mme Gravelle: "Really? Which one?" - student shows her
Grade 4 student: "I put the tooth under my pillow but the Tooth Fairy never came. She was really busy that night, so she came the next night and left me $20 for my tooth!"
Mme Gravelle: "$20! Wow! Let me check to see if I have any loose teeth. I'd love for your Tooth Fairy to come to my house!"
Exciting.....
Building and Testing Structures in Science
First Communion and Reconciliation
If you would like your child to receive their First Communion this year and they have not yet celebrated their First Reconciliation, please contact the OLA Parish office at 780-998-3288 to make an appointment to meet with Father Kris.
First Eucharist Registration Form & First Eucharist Brochure
Forms to Complete
Please take the time to sign into your PowerSchool account and review the following items.
- Demographic Forms
- Student Consent Forms
If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Desaulniers at 780-998-3716. She is happy to help!
In Search Of...You Can Help!
Thank you to our families who have shared some of these goodies below! We continue to request more. :-)
Looking to purge a little? A little fall cleaning? OLA is in search of the following items. If you have them to donate, we would be SO appreciative!! Thank you for sending them with your child so they can bring them to the office or call us when you drop them off and we will meet you at the front doors. For the health and safety of the children, these items will remain out of circulation for three days prior to use. Thank you in advance for your donation!!
- Sturdy 3-Step step ladder
- Scrabble Games
- Scrabble letter squares
- Magnetic letters
- Chalk
- Chalk board erasers
1MW Building
OLA School Council News
Congratulations and Welcome your new and returning OLA School Council Executive.
Chair - Heather Spracklin
Vice Chair – Sam LeDrew
Treasurer – Crystal Breault
Secretary – Terra Slaby
To connect with your OLA School Council, please email schoolcouncil.ola@gmail.com.
See you at our next meeting, on Tuesday, November17th @ 7:00pm.
Google Meet link will be shared with you that day.
Halloween Party Update
Specific information about how your child's class will be celebrating will be communicated from your child's homeroom class. A few things to help make it safe for everyone:
- Please leave all props or weapons at home
- Costumes will be donned just after lunch, and children must be capable of putting on their own costumes. Feel free to do hair/makeup at home prior to the start of school.
- ADJUSTMENT: After great discussion with our School Council attendees last Tuesday, we collectively decided it is in the best interest of children's health and wellness for them to bring in their own special snacks for their In-Class Halloween parties. Thank you for not bringing any food to be distributed to the children in the class.
- ADJUSTMENT: OLA School Council will be preparing a Halloween treat bag for each OLA student for their Halloween Parties. Theses treat bags will be compiled under the strictest protocols, and will arrive at school one full week before delivery.
- There may be a 30 minute Cohorted Distanced Halloween Dance outside (inside if it's too cold) before recess in the afternoon, and in-class celebrations/activities after their afternoon recess.
Mark Your Calendars
- November 17, 2020 at 7:00 pm
- December 8, 2020 at 11:00 am (Daytime meeting)
- January 12, 2021 at 7:00 pm
- March 2, 2021 at 11:00 am (Daytime meeting)
- April 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm
- May 18, 2021 at 7:00 pm
- June 15, 2021 at 7:00 pm
2C Addition
Student Illness and your Child's Learning
- Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath or difficulty breathing, Runny Nose, Sore Throat, Chills Painful swallowing, Stuffy Nose, Headache, Muscle or joint aches, Feeling unwell, fatigue or severe exhaustion, Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained loss of appetite), Loss of sense of smell or taste, Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.
Please email Mrs. Desaulniers, susande@eics.ab.ca and cc: your child's homeroom teacher to share what symptoms your child is experiencing as well as an approximate date for your child's return so we can plan for your child's learning and growing in Literacy and Numeracy while away.
Looking Ahead...
- Digital Learning Portfolios will be available for viewing this week. The Learning Portfolios will facilitate conversations at the Virtual Three Way Conferences the following week. Thank you for taking time to celebrate your child's growth and learning before the conferences.
October 30, 2020
- Halloween Celebrations in the afternoon - general details to follow, and specific details will be shared by your homeroom teacher.
November 1, 2020
- Daylight Saving Time End - Turn your clocks back 1 hour
November 4, 2020
- Early Dismissal - 2:19 p.m.
November 6, 2020
- (Tentative) Remembrance Day Virtual Celebration
November 9 - 13, 2020
- Fall Break - School Closed
November 16
- Welcome Back!
- Welcome Back to any of our Online Learners and Kinder students returning to OLA
- Cohort Virtual Assemblies
November 17, 2020
- School Council Virtual Meeting 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
November 23, 2020
- Picture retake day and M/W Kindergarten class
Looking for Great Movies, Books, Games for Kids?
Check out Common Sense Media!
Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education (GrACE)
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/OLASchoolFtSask/photos/?ref=page_internal
Twitter: @OLAFortSask