The Good News-Sept. 6th
Saint John XXIII Catholic School
Welcome Back to School!
What a wonderful first three days we had welcoming our St. John kids back to school! Thank you, St. John Staff, for making start up amazing and thank you to our beautiful St. John families for your partnership in making these first days so positive and joy-filled! What a wonderful village we have!
Despite all the current opinions, worry and wonders, perspectives and perceptions in society right now, please know that our commitment to providing safe, welcoming, loving, and faith-filled learning environments for your children continues to be our priority. We will continue to make St. John a great place to be for your child to learn, discover, and bloom!
If you have any concerns, questions or wonderings about your child's learning or daily needs, please contact their homeroom teacher first. If you have questions, concerns, or wonderings about global school protocols, please contact school administration: Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm (Principal) bonnie-lynneb@eics.ab.ca or Gail Greene (Assistant Principal) gailg@eics.ab.ca or by calling the school 780-998-7777. You can also contact any one of our Student Support Team (listed below) to provide additional support for your child and/or family.
We are here to help make your child's faith and learning journey the best it can be. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
Blessings,
Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm
Who is behind the front desk and the helpful voice answering most of your calls? The AMAZING Mrs. Potter!
Please help her out and update your demographic, medical, and consent forms in PowerSchool!
St. John Student Support Team: Supporting all humans at St. John
Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm (Principal) & Mrs. Gail Greene (Assistant Principal)
Please feel free to connect any time with either Mrs. Boehm or Mrs. Greene!
Family Wellness Worker-Mrs. Eleanor Heesing
Mrs. Eleanor Heesing joins us for her fourth year with our SJ community as our Family Wellness Worker. We share Mrs. Heesing with our sister school, Our Lady of the Angels.
Mrs. Heesing has lived and worked in our Fort Saskatchewan community for over 25 years. Each day you can find Mrs. Heesing connecting with and helping our SJ students, staff and families with: supports for mental wellness, personal strength and coping tools, and assisting with navigating community agencies. She is pivotal in assisting with our staff and student wellness through regulation, circles, and mindfulness supports in our school. Mrs. Heesing is a part of our Student Support Team and works alongside Mrs. Boehm, Mrs. Greene, and Mrs. Kucy to support our community. You may wish to connect with Mrs. Heesing if your family has experienced some recent changes and you are seeking some assistance with navigating these changes. She can be reached at 780-995-9352 or our school 780-998-7777 or by email: eleanor.heesing@eics.ab.ca
Mrs. Tara Kucy-Collaborative Response Coordinator
We are excited to welcome back Mrs. Tara Kucy to our Saint John XXIII team for a second year as our Collaborative Response Coordinator. As our CRC, Mrs. Kucy plays a key role in working collaboratively with staff, students, and parents in providing supports for appropriate educational programming for all learners. Mrs. Kucy also supports the school community at Our Lady of the Angels School.
If your child is on an ISP or an RSP, has specific targeted programming needs, or is journeying through some diagnostic assessments, you can expect to have Mrs. Kucy on your team. Mrs. Kucy can be reached at the school 780-998-7777 or via email tarak@eics.ab.ca
*New to our team and a bonus for St. John*Welcome Mrs. Kayla Shackleton, Counselling Practicum
WE ARE SO EXCITED and grateful to have added support for our St. John kids this year!
This year Mrs. Shackleton is joining our St.John XXIII School Support Team. She is currently doing her Master's of Counselling Psychology Practicum through Athabasca University. She will be supporting St.John XXIII students through individual or group therapeutic sessions. She provides counselling interventions from an attachment, trauma informed, child centered, and strength focused lens. She also has formal training in Child Play Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Family Therapy.
If your child would benefit from counselling services or you would like more information, please connect with Mrs. Shackleton via phone (780)998-7777 or through email kaylaa@eics.ab.ca *Consent forms will be required.*
St. John XXIII 2021-2022 Staff
Pathways: Mrs. Gail Greene
PUF Pathways: Mrs. Kayla Shackleton
Kindergarten: Miss Menzak
Grade 1 Team: Mrs. Lesley Holt & Ms. Stephanie Bennett
Grade 2 Team: Ms. Jenna Lockhart & Mrs. Yvette Morin
Grade 3 Team: Ms. Ronalee Bourassa & Mrs. Rhonda Ganes
Grade 4 Team: Mrs. Jackie Comartin, Mrs. Taylor Leroy & Mrs. Sarah Schaub
Music: Mrs. Sarah Schaub
Early Learning Music: Mrs. Melanie Doderai
Chaplain: Mrs. Jackie Comartin
Collaborative Response Coordinator: Mrs. Tara Kucy
Family Wellness Worker: Mrs. Eleanor Heesing
Principal: Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Gail Greene
Secretary: Mrs. Barb Potter
Library Tech: Mrs. May-Lee Buban
Educational Assistants:
Mrs. Roxanne Kellogg
Mrs. Cindy Latreille
Mrs. Adrienne Little
Mrs. Lindsey Luyckfassel
Mrs. Gwen Manca
Mrs. Michelle Mudry
Ms. Katy Vaters
Mrs. Jacqueline White
Custodians:
Daytime caretaker: Ms. Lee Trainor
Evening caretaker: Mr. Moises Pineda
Student Support Team:
Mrs. Boehm, Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Heesing & Mrs. Kucy
Wear your masks tomorrow
Elk Island Catholic Schools Changes Masking Requirement
Effective Tuesday, September 7th, 2021, Elk Island Catholic Schools will require all K-12 students and staff to wear masks in all schools throughout the division. This change comes about as part of a commitment of Elk Island Catholic Schools to keep our students and staff safe.
EICS will be requiring all students and staff to wear a mask in all common areas, hallways, foyers, lunchrooms, libraries, and in areas where social distancing is not possible. Masks may be removed in classrooms when students are seated.
There will be circumstances in which individuals will be eligible for mask accommodations or exemptions. This would include:
persons who are unable to place, use or remove a non-medical face mask (i.e. developmental and or physical reasons) a medical condition or disability (i.e. mental or physical) Anyone unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition will require a medical exemption letter from an authorized health professional.
“We realize the impact that this will have on our EICS community and as always are so appreciative of the support and compassion that we all share during these challenging times. Our priority remains ensuring that our students and staff have a safe school start-up in each of our communities and that will continue to guide future decisions” explained Superintendent Haggarty.
Thank you St. John Families the safe start up in our parking lot
The why? Our Kinders line up right outside this section of the parking lot and this will help ensure that there is no moving traffic as they arrive, depart, and gather after recesses. Last year, there were a number of vehicles coming right into this area and we needed to add further protective measures for our Kindergarteners.
Thank you for your cooperation with keeping our Kinders safe!
Early Out Dismissal 2:23 pm Wednesday, September 8 School Spirit: Sport your school wear and/or colours (blue and yellow)
Late Arrivals: What to do?
Attendance Reporting Procedures-School Messenger
Please use the School Messenger app, or the website go.schoolmessenger.ca to notify the office of any late arrivals, illnesses, or early departures as well as notifying your child’s teacher. Please call the office if you have any issues entering your absence/late/early departures into School Messenger. 780-998-7777
It is our first priority every morning and afternoon to ensure that all students are accounted for. Using this tool helps us to expedite this process to ensure the safe arrival of all of our students. We appreciate your partnership in keeping our little people safe.
IMPORTANT: *Please Update Student Info in your PowerSchool Account*
Please do not use the PowerSchool App. Use the PowersSchool website in the link above.
Under Forms and Fees select SchoolEngage student forms, and please fill out the following:
2021-2022 Demographic Form:
Please complete this Data Verification form so we have current contact information for your child. We are required by Alberta Education to update this yearly. All new registrants will be required to update this form as well. If you have already completed a 2021-2022 Demographic form, please only submit another form if you have had a change in contact information, address etc.
Medical Forms:
If your child has any medical alert that we should be aware of, we will require a new medical form yearly. We use this important information to alert any staff members, including substitute teachers, of any existing medical needs we need to be aware of. If you child requires use of an epi-pen, please make sure this is filled out ASAP. We like to keep a student's epi-pen on hand at the office in case of emergency. At the very least, we need to know where a student is keeping their epi-pen. If you have questions, please contact the office. We also need to update any pre-existing medical conditions that will be checked for COVID symptom screening.
Yearly Consent Forms:
Please digitally consent to the following:
A. 2021-2022 Low Risk Fieldtrip Consent
B. 2021-2022 Responsible Use of Tech Agreement
C. 2021-2022 One to One Use Agreement
D. 2021-2022 Locker Use Agreement
If you require assistance, please contact Mrs. Potter 780-998-7777 or via email stj@eics.ab.ca
We are Healthy Champions at Saint John XXIII
In accordance with our EICS Nutrition AP, our school will:
- Ensure strategies are in place to foster the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that promote healthy eating.
- Using the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines, distribution of food in our elementary school will align with the Choose Most Often and Choose Sometimes categories.
- Special events will incorporate the principles outlines in the Alberta Nutrition Guideline for Children and Youth.
- Hot Lunch Programs will provide healthy choices from the Choose Most Often and Choose Sometimes categories, and will phase out foods from the Choose Least Often categories.
- Schools will use non-food rewards to provide incentives.
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So what, now what? What does this mean for students, staff, and families of Saint John XXIII?
- We recognize that nutrition is fundamentally a parental decision and we acknowledge parents as the first teacher of their child.
- Staff will continue to share information and ideas about the categories with students and families.
- We will not be able to distribute any birthday "treats" or food that is brought in. If your child would really like to share on their birthday, there are many non-food options available such as: a book donation or pencils.
- Administration will continue to work jointly with our Hot Lunch Coordinators to ensure nutritious choices are made available.
Real life example of why we spend September on our routines
Looking ahead: September
September 8: Early Out Dismissal 2:23 pm Spirit Day: School Colours (blue and yellow) or STJXXIII Clothing
September 15: REAL Foundation Golf Tournament
September 17: Picture Day
September 24: Terry Fox Run
September 27-Oct. 1: Truth & Reconciliation Week
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a GREAT Day to be a St. John Kid!
Thanks for making our awesome signs, Miss Menzak!
Thank you Parents and Families for sharing your First Day of School Pics!
OLA Parish News
Our Lady of the Angels Roman Catholic Parish
10004-101 st.
Website: www.olafortsask.caedm.ca
780-998-3288 (Office Administrator: Deb Hume deb.hume@caedm.ca)
PASTOR:Rev. Carlos Nunez
Email: carlos.nunez@caedm.ca
ASSOCIATE PASTOR:
Rev. Rev. Tomasz Latawiec
Email: tomasz.latawiec@caedm.ca
Did you know that as a parent of our school community, you are automatically a member of the School Council? We look forward to connecting with and hearing your voice this year.
We will be having our first meeting near the end of September and electing our new School Council Executive members. Are you interested in leading as an executive member? Contact Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm bonnie-lynneb@eics.ab.ca
Be involved, share your voice, stay connected!
EICS and Saint John XXIII Re-Entry Protocols
As you are aware, we will continue to have safety protocols in place due to COVID-19. Some protocols from last year will remain in place while there are some new protocols for this school year. These protocols have been gleaned from the guidelines within the 2021-2022 School Plan.
To highlight some of the key health and safety measures for our St. John community, we will continue to :
- Daily Screen: daily screening following the Alberta Health Daily Checklist
- Stay at home policy: stay-at-home policy for any students or staff exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Should a student develop symptoms of illness at school, parents will be notified and advised to pick up their child as soon as possible.
- Hand Hygiene: Students and staff will continue to make hand sanitizing and washing hands part of their daily school routine. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the school and at all entryways.
- Vaccinations for eligible staff and students: strongly recommend and encourage all eligible staff and students to be fully vaccinated for respiratory illnesses, where applicable, such as COVID-19 and influenza.
- Physical distancing indoors: continue to encourage, where possible. Classrooms are still maximizing space and minimizing items
- Respiratory Etiquette: *New* Effective Tuesday, September 7th, 2021, Elk Island Catholic Schools will require all K-12 students and staff to wear masks in all schools throughout the division. This change comes about as part of a commitment of Elk Island Catholic Schools to keep our students and staff safe. EICS will be requiring all students and staff to wear a mask in all common areas, hallways, foyers, lunchrooms, libraries, and in areas where social distancing is not possible. Masks may be removed in classrooms when students are seated. Masks mandatory on the school bus, to and from school and to any school sanctioned event
- Cohorts: We will continue with grade cohorts within the school. Cohorts will be larger when outside and cohorted by grade levels. The outside zones will switch at each recess as to allow cohorts access to all the fun areas of our schoolyard. Bathrooms will continue to have a procedure to limit the amount of students in the bathroom at one time.
- At this time there will be no school wide assemblies or celebrations. Each grade level cohort will continue to experience face to face assemblies on a rotating schedule.
- Meeting Spots: Please make a meeting spot with your child away from the entrance of your child's chohort door to respect distancing with other children. We are so blessed at Saint John XXIII to have so much open space and a safe field to meet our children at before and after school. Students will stay in colour groupings to enter and exit.
- Visitors: We are excited to connect with our parents and families and will be outside to meet and greet our families during staggered entry. Safety is our top priority and we are not quite ready for visitors inside yet. Once routines have been established and we are comfortable with the health and safety measures, we will begin to welcome visitors, including parent volunteers, in again. Visitors must screen for any signs and symptoms of Covid-19 and are required to wear a mask.
If you have any questions, wonderings or concerns, please contact the school 780-998-7777. It is so important that we engage in conversation and you feel connected and comfortable sending your littles to our school community.
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