The Bison Bugle
Sept. 25 - 29
Mission Statement
At St. Kateri Tekakwitha Academy, we are a spiritual, Christ - centred community that nurtures resilient, responsible, lifelong learners through love and service.
Connect - Inspire - Achieve
Calendar
Sept. 22 - Fall Ball - Family Dance - 6:00 - 9:00
Sept. 25 - Weekly School Assembly
Sept. 25 - FOOD BANK DRIVE kick-off (please send in non-perishable items)
Sept. 27 - BISON Breakfast (Gr 4 & 5's)
Sept. 27 - Elementary District Cross Country Run (Gr 4 & 5 qualifiers)
Sept. 28 - BISON special McDonald's lunch for class recipients
Sept 29 - SKTA School-based activities for Truth & Reconciliation
Sept 29 - WEAR ORANGE
Sept. 30 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Oct 1 - Last day to order SKTA Spirit Wear (see our webpage)
Oct. 2 - Recognition of National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - Schools Closed
Oct. 3 - Picture Day
Oct. 3 - Reading In Week Begins
Oct. 6 - 1:15pm Thanksgiving Celebration with Father Trini (ALL PARENTS WELCOME)
Oct. 6 - Gr 4 BIBLE blessing and distribution during our celebration
Faith
In Canada, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
It is a time set aside for Canadians to reflect on the painful history and legacy of residential schools.
Today, we pray for the countless number of our Indigenous brothers and sisters affected by the legacy of the residential schools.
We pray for all the families who were denied their freedom and culture, who were forced to send their children to the residential schools.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day
On Sept. 30, we will be recognizing National Day For Truth and Reconciliation, this is an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past and present experienced by Indigenous peoples throughout Canada. We at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Academy, will be honouring this day on Friday Sept. 29th. We will acknowledging this day as our 'Orange Shirt Day' and encourage ALL our staff and students to wear an Orange Shirt as an act of solidarity with all Indigenous people, both locally and nationally.
To make this day both impactful and meaningful for our school community we have many activities planned that seek to honour and showcase some amazing aspects of Indigenous culture. We will be welcoming Zachary Moostoos Willier, to share both elements of Metis culture and music with our community. Students will be engaged in various lessons focused on learning about and respecting Indigenous culture, including making bannock, going on a nature based scavenger hunt and sharing in a 'harvest soup and bannock' at lunch time. We will conclude the day as a whole school community, welcoming Elders Rita and Armand Arcand from the Alexander First Nation to lead us in a Blessing, Smudge and Round Dance.
We are excited to make this an experience for our students that builds both their hearts and minds.
St. Jean Baptiste Parish
To learn more about St. Jean Baptiste Parish please see the link below.
Please note, if you are interested in learning more about having your child participate in Sacramental Preparation, please see the following link: https://www.sjbp.ca/sacraments.htm
School Fees
Schools fees are now open to be paid. Please see the following link to make payment. Should any families have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the office. Thank you.
Terry Fox Run
This past week we held out annual Terry Fox run, continuing Terry's Marathon of Hope 42 years latter. Originally scheduled for Monday Sept. 18, we had to postpone the run do to Air Quality concerns. We did host the run for all Grade 1 - 5 students on Wednesday Sept. 20. Students energetically participated in this valuable event and we as a school raised almost $300 to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation. Well done Bisons!
Parent Council
Thank you to all parents and guardians who joined us for our first Parent Council meeting, it was wonderful to meet so many engaged families!
Parent Council is a wonderful way for parents & guardians to get involved and support our school. All parents & guardians with children registered at SKTA are welcome to join! Participating in Parent Council will allow individuals to share their voice and their talents with the school community and serve our students.
Our first Parent Council meeting will be held on Thursday, October 12 at 6:30PM in person at the school, a virtual link will also be made available for individuals to participate in the meeting remotely.
SKTA 'Fall Ball'
Our wonderful Parent Council has organized an amazing family event, please consider joining us for our 'FALL BALL' family dance! The Fall Ball will be held on Friday, Sept. 22 from 6:00PM - 9:00PM in the school gym. The cost is $5.00/person or $20.00/Family with a concession open to purchase treats. This is a 'CASH' only event and please note that all children attending must be accompanied by an adult. Please consider joining us for this fun filled evening and opportunity to meet other families and build our SKTA community spirit!
GSACRD Voice
Tips for Packing Lunches
It can be tricky to come up with new and creative lunch ideas when you are making packed lunches every single day. Trying to balance nutrition with foods your child will look forward to eating can be tough!
Check out these tips from Alberta Health Services, including different menu ideas, tasty recipes, and realistic planning tricks when packing lunches for the day!
Another great resource for kids and food is from Registered Dietitian, Jennifer Anderson, who provides information and resources to help with picky eaters and how to have conversations around food with your children. She provides evidence-based nutrition and feeding practices focusing on small changes that make large differences in children’s health. https://kidseatincolor.com/
Instagram: @kids.eat.in.color
Methods for Recording Student Attendance
Dear Parents,
Ensuring your child's attendance is accurately recorded is essential for us to provide the best educational experience. To make this process convenient for you, we offer three user-friendly options:
1. School Messenger App (Most Popular): Download the School Messenger app, the preferred choice of many parents. It offers a hassle-free way to report attendance and stay connected with school updates.
2. Parent Portal: Accessible through our website, the Parent Portal provides a secure platform to submit attendance information.
3. Safe Arrival Phone Number: Alternatively, you can call our school phone line to report your child's attendance.
Choose the method that suits you best!
Supports for Families
We at SKTA are a community school and as such very family oriented. We would like our family community to know we are here to support you beyond the classroom. As a Division, we have access to many resources that may support families, from financial assistance to navigating community supports, we are happy to help. Please know that all families can reach out in confidence to our admin and we will work with you in a non-judgmental, compassionate manner to help all through challenging times.
Information for families Families
As we enter a new school year, we would like to remind families of a few items to help ensure a successful year.
Pick Up & Drop Off
- For those families driving to school we ask that the drop - off lane be for 'quick' drop off's and pick ups.
- If you are choosing to walk your child(ren) to their specific doors, please park in the parking lot and NOT park in the drop off lane.
- Parents/Guardians are asked to remain outside of the school when dropping off and picking up students.
- Parents/Guardians who require assistance at the office are to 'ring' the door bell at the front and come directly to the school office for assistance.
- Parents/Guardians wishing to volunteer with the school are required to fill out annually our 'Volunteer Form' which can be obtained from the office.
- Parents/Guardians who need to contact their child(ren) are to call the school office and we will notify the student(s).
- Parents/Guardians wishing to meet with administration or staff may reach out via email or call to make an appointment during office hours.
- Regular communication is key for all school stakeholders.
- If you require information or clarification please reach out to your child(ren)'s teachers via email or you may call and leave a message for them at the office.
- If you require assistance from the administration please feel free to communicate via email or call the school office directly.
- Please remember our children are always watching us and we expect our parents and guardians to be co-teachers with us, teaching them appropriate community relations by treating everyone with respect, compassion and kindness.
SKTA Spirit Wear
Show your school spirit with SKTA spirit wear!
Order your SKTA spirit wear HERE
WEBSTORE CLOSES OCTOBER 1st.
Students receive orders by the end of October!