Patriot Post
October 15th - 19th, 2018
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Oct. 15th
Jr. Girls Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Jr. Boys Volleyball Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm
Dr. Jody Carrington Parent Night @DCC 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday Oct. 16th
Jr. Boys and Girls Volleyball Games @ 4:00pm
Wednesday Oct. 17th
Jr. Boys Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday Oct. 18th
Gr. 8 Faith Retreat @ Legion 9:00am - 2:45pm
- Please return the permission slip and fee to the homeroom teacher.
Jr. Girls Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 4:30pm
St. John XXIII Parents Society Meeting @ St JPII Library 7:00pm (see message below)
Friday Oct. 19th
Gr. 5 Museum Field Trip
Jr. Girls/Boys Volleyball Tournament @ Ardrossan
Blanket Exercise
Dear Parents,
Parents of EICS students are invited to take part in a Blanket Exercise to be held at St. Theresa Catholic School in Sherwood Park on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 at 6:30 PM.
The Blanket Exercise is an active participation learning activity based on the major themes and findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy.
Participants are asked to bring a blanket that can be placed on the floor and stepped on for this activity.
Please RSVP by Monday, October 22 by filling out the Google Form linked below.
Google Form - Blanket Exercise Registration
We will also have Elder Theresa Strawberry join us at this event. She has spent the last year working in each of Elk Island's schools creating relationships and connections with students and staff.
If you have any questions, please email Crystal Cholin- Learning Services Consultant (crystalc@eics.ab.ca) or Sarah Congdon-Reitzel- Indigenous Lead at St. Theresa (sarah.congdon@eics.ab.ca)
Thank you.
Chaplain's Corner
The readings this week talk to us about what it takes to be in heaven with our Savior. The man in the gospel reading today is a good man who has followed the commandments as Jesus has explained to him. Jesus tells him that the man also needs to sell all his possessions and go follow Jesus. This was hard for the man to hear as he was very well off. Jesus goes further to explain to the apostles that it is the helping of our brothers and sisters that will help us get closer to God in heaven. As I listened to the homily this weekend, it is clear that we need wisdom to discern the way to God's loving embrace as we are influenced by society but it is also noted that the relationships we have with our neighbors is vital so that we can bring God's love to them in a time of need. Jesus is making it clear that personal moral perfection is not enough to follow the Gospel and be a member of the Kingdom. To be a follower of Christ one must become a partner with God in the creative work of building the Kingdom, a complex of mutual relationships based on truth, love, respect, and justice.This week, make sure to seek out those that you can help with the gifts you have been given.
God Bless each of you!!
Read the complete commentary on this Sunday's reading by clicking on the link above.
Upcoming and In the Works Faith Events
- Gr. 8 Faith Retreat: October 18, 2018 This Thursday!!!
- Gr. 7 Faith Retreat: November 26, 2018
- Gr. 7 & 8 Days of Service
- School Adoration: November 22-23, 2018
- School Reconciliation: November 27, 2018
- Parish priest visits to St. JP II: Thursdays from 12:05 - 1:30 pm
IMPORTANT PARENT SOCIETY MEETING
PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT MESSAGE BELOW FROM OUR ST. JOHN XXIII PARENT SOCIETY CHAIR
Playground Meeting and Election
Thursday, October 18, 7pm
St John Paul II School
Now that school has settled in, I am sure you are aware of the need for outdoor spaces for your new (or new to you) schools.
For anyone new to our Fort Saskatchewan Catholic schools, we are four Catholic schools that have been restructured from three Catholic schools upon the completion of a new Catholic high school. Within the restructuring process we have the following changes:
1. St John XXIII (SJXXIII) (grades K-4) has half the number of students as half of the students were reallocated to OLA.
2. Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) has changed from a middle school (grades 5-8) into an elementary school (grades K-4).
3. St John Paul II (JPII) has changed from a high school (grades 9-12) into a middle school (5-8).
4. St Andre Bessette is a new build for a high school (9-12).
These changes were much needed, but have resulted in the playgrounds, equipment and outdoor spaces being inappropriate or non-existent for three of the four schools. We are left with the current problems that need remedying:
1. OLA (grades k-4): has 30-year-old playground equipment more appropriate for a middle school
2. JPII (grades 5-8): does not have any playground or outdoor play structures since it had been a high school
3. JPII (grades 5-8): we will need to remove half of the parking lot to make room for an outdoor play structure
4. Saint Andre (grades 9-12): does not have any outdoor gathering spaces and needs benches or picnic tables
5. SJXXIII (grades k-4): due to school enrollment at full capacity for so long, the playground is worn. They just received a bill for $40,000 to replace a broken play structure.
We are applying for grants and fundraising to replace old playgrounds and to build new ones where needed. We are fundraising as one community as we see our Catholic schools as one family, with close connections with each other. We plan on raising these funds together, and together building outdoor spaces adequate for all our Catholic schools. As ambitious as it sounds, we would like to complete our fundraising within 18 months.
We will have a meeting to elect an executive to carry these efforts forward. The executive would be responsible for working with the respective school principals, continuing to stay in contact with our grant’s writer, and securing a company to purchase playground and outdoor equipment from.
Please attend this meeting on Thursday October 18, 7pm in the SJPII school.
Thank you,
Donamarie Lukie
Pope John XXIII Parent Society Chair
EICS PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE
FSMA HOMEWORK CLUB
Demographic Confirmation & Yearly Consent Forms
The annual consent forms allow your child full participation in all activities, field trips and events for optimal learning at St. JPII. Thank you for completing these forms so your child experiences the full learning benefits at St. JPII.
EICS Family Wellness Program
Program Overview
The Elk Island Catholic Schools Family Wellness Program provides short-term supportive assistance to students and their parents and guardians. Services are provided free of charge and may take place at school and/or in home and community settings.
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
Amanda Davidson RSW, BSW
St. John Paul ll
St. Andre Bessette
(p) 780-860-4621
Upcoming Community Supports for Parents
Connect Parent Group
There is very good evidence that strong relationships with parents protect youth from risk during adolescence and help them thrive! We call that ATTACHMENT!
Connect Parent is a 7 week Attachment-Based Program to Support Parents & Caregivers.
When:
Wednesday Afternoons 1:30- 3:00PM
October 10 - November 28
(no class November 14)
*Light snacks and refreshments
will be provided.
Where:
OLPH Parish Basement
13 Brower Drive Sherwood Park
For more information and to
register, please contact your Connect Trainers:
JACELYN GIACOBBO
PSYCHOLOGIST, EICS Inclusive
Learning Services
780.410.6250
MICHELLE HORON
FAMILY WELLNESS WORKER
ABJ High School
780.467.2121 ext 1210
Dragonfly Support Group
A monthly group for parents whose children face mental health challenges.
3rd Monday of the Month 6:30 - 8:30 PM CN Station - Kinsmen Room (10030-99 Ave) Register @ 780.992.6265
CAFETERIA
Cafeteria in St. John Paul II Catholic School
Meals available daily: Chicken strips, Pizza-bun (ham or extra cheese), Salad (cheeseburger, chicken caesar, or egg salad), and Sub (chicken salad, egg salad, or ham).
Daily specials: Monday- Spaghetti, Tuesday- Chicken Alfredo, Wednesday- Pancakes, Thursday- Sweet&Sour Meatballs, and Friday- Chicken Fried Rice
Sides: Apples & Grapes, Apple Sauce, Carrots & Sweet Peas, Cheese Strips, Chocolate Energy Bites, Fresh Fruit Mix, Fresh Veggie Mix, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pretzels, Rice Cereal Square, Vanilla Yogurt, Wowbutter Cookies, 237 mL white milk/chocolate milk, 200 mL juice (apple or orange)
*Menu changes three times per year* All food is prepared to meet school guidelines.
A regular meal with two sides is $6,
you can order a larger portion for $1 more,
and you can add an additional side for $1.
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
Dr. Jody Carrington is Coming to the Fort!
Visitors To Our School
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