Patriot Post
Sept 16th - Sept 20th, 2019
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Sept 16th
Girls Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday Sept 17th
Grade 6 Volleyball practice during lunch hour
Boys Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday Sept 18th
Girls Volleyball Practice 7:00am - 8:00am
Boys Volleyball Practice 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Thursday Sept 19th
Friday Sept 20th
Chaplain's Corner
There is the story of the sheep, perhaps a rebellious maverick, which has wandered far from the flock. There is the woman, presumably poor, who loses a coin she can ill afford to be without. The piece de resistance, of course, is the marvelous story we usually call the “Prodigal Son”. In all three stories, there is a celebration when what is lost has been found.
It is important for us to remember the context in which these stories were spoken. The passage seems to be speaking on two inter-related levels. The first is the contrast between the behavior of the religiously self-righteous and those who were seen as moral outsiders by them. The second is between Jesus’ own people and the “pagans” seen as both amoral and immoral.
There are two key words here: they are “seek” and “hear”. Anyone – no matter what their past or present behavior may be – who is genuinely “seeking” Jesus and wants to “hear” what he has to say cannot be all sinner. The definition of a sinner is one who has ceased seeking Jesus and has stopped listening to him. Jesus can see in these people gathered round him people in search, people eager to learn and to change.
The Pharisees and the scribes, however, can only see stereotypes, people carrying the label “sinner”. In their eyes, as a rabbi, Jesus was defiling himself by eating together with such people. In this case, Jesus tells three stories with a message that is abundantly clear: God loves everyone and wishes them to turn to him. If they do, there is a huge welcome for them.
If God is willing to do this for each of us who are sinners, should we not also do so with each other. God's Love and Grace are abundant and we as his children should also reach out to forgive those who we see as the "sinners" in our world.
This week, take some time to reflect that none of us are perfect and that by stepping up to ask for forgiveness for our actions and expecting reconciliation, we too must be able to forgive others and reconcile with them.
It is not easy, it is a challenge, but it is also by no means impossible. Would you prefer the opposite – to be a consistently hating, unforgiving, vengeful, bitter person? And guess who suffers most – the one hated or the one hating? Nearly always it is the hater. If we have any sense, we will follow the Way of Jesus, not just because he tells us in the name of God but simply because it is the better way to go. The Prodigal Son learnt that lesson the hard way. We are meant to learn from him.
God Bless each and everyone.
Mr. Brady
New Fort Saskatchewan Trustee DECLARED
Board Chair Ted Paszek made the following statement,” On behalf of the Elk Island Catholic School (EICS) Board of Trustees, we are thrilled to welcome Mr. Stewart to our Board and Division. His commitment to Catholic education, combined with his extensive knowledge of the education system in Alberta will make a great addition to our Board.”
EICS Transportation
Elk Island Catholic School (EICS) Transportation is pleased to share with the EICS community that there is now increased awareness for parents and guardians regarding EICS bus arrivals and possible delays through our transportation software program BusPlanner. This new app will allow parents and caregivers to see the details of current routes, stops and transfers relating to their children on EICS transportation.
With this new system parents gain access to the following:
- The BusPlanner Parent Portal, located here: https://eics.mybusplanner.ca/Default.aspx which allows parents to view details of the routes, stops and transfers for their children.
- The BusPlanner Notification System for email alerts to parents for issues which impact transportation on a route by route or school by school basis.
- The BusPlanner Delays app which both parents and students can install on a mobile (hand-held) device and allows them to subscribe to and receive BusPlanner notifications through push notifications.
Parents, please take the time to create an account for the BusPlanner Parent Portal and subscription to receive notifications of transportation delays or school closures through email. Please click here for further instructions - thank you.
Please know, it will be through this portal that all notifications will be vetted. There will no longer be emails or phone calls directly from EICS transportation regarding route cancellations or late buses.
Notifications will come to you through Bus Planner, so please subscribe.
In faith,
Your EICS Transportation Department
EICS Demographic and Consent Forms
EICS Demographic Confirmation and Consent Forms are available now on your PowerSchool ParentPortal. Please take a moment to visit your PowerSchool ParentPortal account and complete these forms; one for each child you have attending school with EICS.
Alberta Education requires that we obtain a detailed update of student demographics on an annual basis. School funding from Alberta Education is conditional on us receiving these updates and including them in your student’s record. More importantly, these forms ensure that we have the most current contact information if we need to reach you in event of an emergency.
We certainly appreciate you taking the time to complete these forms. Should you have any questions, or require assistance, please contact Carrie-Lynn in the office at 780-992-0889 and she will be happy to help.
VISITORS IN OUR SCHOOL
School and Field Trip Fees
School fees and field trip fees will be uploaded into the PowerSchool Parent Portal shortly. This year will see some minor differences with respect to field trip fees. As opposed to sending home multiple requests throughout the school year asking for money for your child's field trips, our grade-level teachers will establish a total amount that will be added to your PowerSchool Fees that can be paid in one lump sum at the start of the year. An option will also exist to pay your school/field trip fees in installments over the course of the year.
A reminder, we encourage these fees to 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 as convenient. If you require assistance logging in to the ParentPortal please call the school and we will be happy to help.
SCHOOL COUNCIL INFORMATION
Please join us for our next School Council meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9th @ 6:30pm in the school library. Congratulations to the following parents who were elected onto the Executive for this year: Chair Brad Burr, Vice-Chair Kelsey Van Der Kley, Treasurer James Wright, and Secretary Jennifer Gross-Burr.
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!
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!
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 Lee Dube 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 lee.dube@eics.ab.ca to set up a meeting. I will be at St. JPII on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday afternoons.
It has been such a pleasure meeting some of the students and parents. Thank you for being so welcoming. Please feel free to come and stop in at my office upstairs in room #214. I am at the school all day on Tuesday and Thursday as well as Friday afternoons.
The Boys & Girls Club of Fort Saskatchewan has a new youth drop in program. This is for young people ages 11-14 and 15-18. There will be a weekly coffeehouse starting September 14th between 3-5 please feel free to stop in and learn more about it.
We are starting up the Breakfast Club at Lunchtime. This is open to all students and is a great place to come and meet some new friends and have fun. The club is held on Thursday during lunch break. Come hang with us, we meet at the opportunity room upstairs.
CAFETERIA
Cafeteria News
September Menu is here! Our kitchen is stocked and ready to feed your hungry students Meals start at $4.50 and sides can be added for $1-3 each
Monthly pass $120 (this includes a meal and two sides every school day and works out to 4 free lunches!)
Lunch tickets- $7 each or packs of 10 for $65
Wed 11th- Meet the teacher night, we will be open if you have any questions or want to try one of our sides
Available everyday:
Gluten free options are marked with an * and are only available through online preorders.
Chicken Strips*, Pizza (ham & cheese, or extra cheese), Wraps (chicken caesar or turkey/bacon/ranch), Salad* (chicken caesar or egg), Mac&Cheese*
Daily Specials:
Monday- Taco Wrap/Salad*, Tuesday- Chicken Noodle Soup*, Wednesday- Pancakes with fruit and syrup, Thursday- Chicken Fried Rice*, Friday- Cheeseburger*
Sides:
Fresh fruit*, fresh veggies*, apples&grapes*, sweet snap peas*, apple sauce*, cheese strips*, apple crisp, blueberry bran muffin, chocolate chip oatmeal cookie, rice cereal square*, puffed wheat square, tapioca pudding*, pretzels, smoothie* (mango or strawberry), milk* (chocolate or 2%), juice box* (apple or orange)
Monthly passes & lunch tickets now available
Email admin@fortsasklunchbox.com for info
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