OLMP Catholic School
Weekly Bulletin - April 30th, 2021
Greetings from Mr. Charchun
I would like to formally introduce myself to the OLMP Catholic School community. I know many of you are familiar with me but I also know there are some families I have not yet met. My name is Bob Charchun and I am very honoured to be the new Principal of OLMP Catholic School. I am moving over from St. Patrick Catholic School where I have been in the Principal position the last 4 (almost) years. I was previously employed at OLMP Catholic School in Camrose where I served as the Assistant Principal so I am pretty familiar with the school. I have been teaching for 21 years and have 14 years of administrative experience. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree-PE major, a Bachelor of Education degree, and a Master of Arts degree specializing in Administration and Supervision.
On a personal note, I am from Camrose and have been a resident here for the past 20 years. I have a very busy family that consists of my wife Shelley, sons Kyler (21), Kobe (18), and daughter Presley (12). I have been actively involved in our community as a volunteer coach and supporting various community initiatives. I am also an active member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Camrose and am a former member of Parish Pastoral Council.
I look forward to serving all of the students, staff, parents, and various community members. I am a strong believer in Catholic education, relationship building, and student-centered education. I also look forward to working with our new Assistant Principal, Mrs. Becky Gumpinger who will begin Monday. In time, we will also introduce our 2nd Assistant Principal, Mr. Stefan Johnson who will join us in August. Please reach out if you need support for you or your child.
God Bless.
Bob Charchun
Farewell from Mrs. Thiessen
The gift that is OLMP school. A place that welcomed me while I was still living in China. A place that helped me transition back to my Canadian life. A place that prayed for me when my father died. A place that will remain forever in my heart and in my prayers. Thank you for welcoming me and trusting me to be your principal. I do not mean to be cliché but given our “unprecedented year” I thank you for believing that I could create a safe, caring, welcoming environment, with the school staff, for your child during Covid re-entry. Through the ups and downs of this school year I am grateful that you allowed me to share in the joy of your child’s success, to watch them grow, to watch them persevere and to watch them find strength. I have loved the opportunity to pray each day with our community, celebrate birthdays, teach psychology/religion/learning strategies, and to work alongside our parent council. All the minutes in the world would not be enough for me with the staff and students of OLMP. A Catholic school wonderland where the love of Jesus and love of our Catholic faith is present each and every day. A place where every student belongs to every teacher. A place where all students are nurtured, noticed and loved.
I have been overwhelmed by the cards, gifts, flowers and well-wishes from so many within our school community. It is hard to say good-bye.
But our wonderful school remains in the best hands, Principal Bob Charchun arrives Thursday and he and the whole staff will continue to care for the students at OLMP and our excellent academic programming, strong athletic teams, clubs/groups and all extra-curricular activities will continue to flourish in years to come.
And as I have said many times before, just because I don’t park in the school parking lot any more doesn’t mean we don’t still belong to one another.
This school will always be “A light for our path” no matter where that path may lead.
We did not have the gift of time, but we did have the gift of relationship. Enjoy the last few months of the school year and have a joy-filled summer.
God Bless each and every one of you now and always.
Farewell Gift to OLMP school.
When I left Archbishop Jordan School in Sherwood Park the staff and students created a student leadership scholarship in my name. After I left St. Mary’s in Vegreville I added that scholarship to their award’s list as well. And now, as I leave OLMP I will leave behind the
Tanya Thiessen award for “Excellence in Service for Leadership.” This $100 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating student that has contributed to the overall positive culture of OLMP. Through service work and leadership the recipient will have shared their gifts and talents with the school in a meaningful way. I look forward to celebrating our OLMP recipients for years to come.
Farewell Mrs. Smith
Dear OLMP Family
It is with sadness that I share the news that I will not be returning to OLMP as I have been transferred to St. Luke’s Catholic School just outside of Sherwood Park to embark on a new adventure! I have been so blessed to work with such an amazing community and I want to thank you all for being the people you are and for working with me to support students. I plan to wrap up the work with the parent Grad committee to celebrate our graduating students this school year as well as with our Outdoor Play committee to finish the work of bringing a playground to OLMP, hopefully in the spring of 2022, so I will be sure to finish those fun collaborative projects. As I still reside in Camrose I hope to see you all out in the community and wish you all peace and happiness.
Mrs. K. Smith
Mrs. Gumpinger - Assistant Principal
Hello OLMP! I am so excited to be back at the school where I started my journey with
Elk Island Catholic Schools back in 2005. Back then we did not even have our first Gr. 12 class yet, and each year our high school grew a little bit more until I left in 2011.
For those of you who do not know me, I graduated high school in Camrose, received my Education and English degree at the University of Lethbridge and my Masters in Education from the University of Alberta. For the last 19 years, I have taught in three school boards in central Alberta including EICS. For the last five years I have had the privilege of serving as an Assistant Principal at Holy Spirit K-8, and St. Theresa 5-8, and I am really looking forward to coming to serve you. See you Monday, May 3.
COVID Screening - Safety Protocols-Parent Reminder
As we welcome our students back from quarantine this Monday, please ensure you are continuing to follow all safety protocols.
Please ensure you are contacting the school immediately if your child becomes affected by COVID either as a close contact or a positive case. We will support you to ensure safety and programming needs for your child are met. The virus is definitely affecting our community at this present time and we want to promote safety for all.
BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY - May 3, 2021.
Students, parents and staff would like recognize the important function that school bus drivers serve.
Thank you to all bus drivers for your dedication, patience and commitment to safety!
Hats On! for Mental Health Day
On the first Wednesday in May, Albertans are invited to wear a hat to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health. Participating schools will relax their hat rules and encourage students and teachers to build understanding by wearing hats to school. Students will also participate in a coordinated lesson on understanding mental health and the importance of removing the stigma associated with mental illnesses.
What's Happening In & Around OLMP!
Cereal Box DOMINOS
and that is... "WHOLE SCHOOL DOMINOS!!"
Can we Reach 1000 Boxes?
The Grade 11 Religion 35 class is collecting cereal to be donated to the Camrose Food Bank.
We are asking every student and staff member to please donate 2 boxes of cereal (preferably a healthy choice, but all donations will be accepted)
We will set-up the boxes around the school for a fun and generous event.
Please help the Religion class to spread joy by sending cereal to school with your child prior to May 7.
Thank you and keep your eyes open for a video of this awesome event!!!
Pick up your Plants for Mother's Day!
This is just a reminder that all those that purchased plants need to pick them up between
3 and 5 on Wednesday, May 5th. If you cannot pick up during those times email Mrs. Smith at kristys@eics.ab.ca to arrange alternate pick up. You can just pull into the student parking lot (signage will be on site to direct you) to collect your orders. There is no need to leave your vehicle as we will have support on site to bring your order to you and please be sure to adhere to all AHS guidelines during pick up (distancing and masking, etc.).
IMPORTANT DATES!
- Wednesday, May 5 th, - Hats On For Mental Health
- Wednesday, May 5th - Plant Orders arrive! Pick up at OLMP between 3 and 5.
- Hot Lunch:
- Wednesday May 5 - ESM
- Wednesday, May 12 - Panago
- Wednesday, May 19 - Edo Japan
- Wednesday, May 26 - Chopped Leaf
APPROVED 2021-2022 SCHOOL CALENDARS
Playground Donations!
OLMP Middle School Spring Run Club
All students in grades 5 - 8 are invited to join, regardless of fitness level or experience with running. Students will be encouraged to work at their own level. There will be a variety of games and activities to help build your running confidence and your stamina will gradually increase after every run you do.
All participants receive online access to a Runner’s Handbook provided by Ever Active Schools and the Alberta Medical Association. The Handbook contains information related to running and healthy lifestyles.
This program is being offered at no cost, and is simply a way to get out and start running.
Below are the Following Dates for each Grade Level
Gr5- April/May- Mondays (Fridays w/School- Lunch Break
Gr6- April/May- Wednesdays- Lunch Break
Gr7- April/May- Mondays- 7:45 to 8:15am, Thursdays- 3:45 to 4:30pm
Gr8- Tuesdays- 3:45 to 4:30pm, Thursdays- 7:45 to 8:15am
If you have any questions please contact Mr.Reinhart at christopherr@eics.ab.ca or 780-672-2975
GRAPHING CALCULATORS FOR SALE!!
Purchase requests can be made through Mrs.Twitchell (lorindatw@eics.ab.ca) The fee will be added to the student account and once payment is received, the calculator can be picked up.
Due to a limited amount, please make your payment promptly as no holds are available.
Thank you.
Mrs. L Twitchell
GOD IS CALLING! ARE YOU LISTENING?
GOD IS CALLING! ARE YOU LISTENING?
Remember that God is never “too busy” to hear from you. Don’t be “too busy” for him! There are some daily Catholic prayers such as the Our Father and the Rosary that take only minutes to say, yet their benefits can last a lifetime!
Catholic prayers can do wonders for your soul. God gives us joy and strength though prayer. You can get a great sense of peace in good times and consolation in bad from them. Our Lord wants to give us the good things we ask for in accordance with His will. The more we pray the more we can grow in His grace.
The Forgotten People Fundraiser
By Nelida, Sophie, and Marissa
Hi, we are hoping that with our O.L.M.P family we can start a fundraiser to support the forgotten people foundation. The forgotten people are a charity that does amazing things like helping refugee children, building schools for communities in second world countries and providing funds to train teachers and medical students so they can treat people in need, during this fundraiser we are going to help them raise money to create a school for children in Pakistan who are seeking refuge from persecution. By doing this you will be bringing joy to those children through education and safety.
Our goal is to reach $1500, we know it is a lot but if we work together we can improve those children’s quality of life and help the forgotten people. The start date will be April 12 and end May 31.
Thank you so much and please donate either to the website https://www.forgottenpeople.org/support-us/ or directly through the school, there will be a donation bin placed in the office.
Over a year later and here we still are, in the trenches of Covid 19
Over a year later and here we still are, in the trenches of Covid 19. I’m in the trenches with you, I am also a parent whose kids are doing online learning. We have had an overwhelming amount of emotional/mental pivots, which may be leaving some of us drained, distracted, a general loss of wellbeing, with more grief and loss. We are left feeling “BLAH” or “MEH!”
Would it make you feel validated to know that you aren’t alone in this “blah/meh” feeling.? I know that I hear this from many people in a day.
This “blah/meh” feeling could be defined as “languishing:” Check out this quick read to learn more about “languishing:”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html
Please reach out to me, anytime!
Laurie Kushnerick
Family Wellness Worker
Email: laurie.kushnerick@eics.ab.ca
Phone:780-608-9246
Mental Health Week, May 3-9, 2021
Mental Health Week, May 3 – 9, 2021 is a time for Canadians to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. Each week day during Mental Health Week we are sharing a tip about simple ways to take care of your mental health. We encourage you to take a moment to read the tip below and plan how you will practice it today.
We hope you enjoy the daily tips and invite you to share them with others.
Family Mental Health Supports
Are you looking for mental health support for your family here in Camrose? Here is a great option to check out!
“Country Counselling-” https://www.countrycounselling.com/
The goal of Country Counselling is to make access to private mental health services more affordable and accessible. Monthly family plans at Country Counselling Services are designed to give quick and consistent access to mental health clinicians to families of all sizes- when they need it the most
Link for Family Package Plans: www.countrycounselling.com/monthlyfamilyplans
Please reach out to me at any time should you need assistance navigating support for your family.
Kind Regards,
Laurie Kushnerick