SAA Newsflash! November 19, 2021
Sister Alphonse Academy
We are Wonder Driven!
We are witnesses - Arise! Get up, Get Going!
When we live a life of service we are witnesses to what Christians do in the world. We set an example, we show others what it means to live like Jesus and make a difference! Knights SERVE, ACHIEVE, and ASPIRE!
Upcoming Events!
Saturday, November 20 - Sister Alphonse's Birthday!
Today we took time to celebrate Sister Alphonse's birthday through learning more about her in our Faith Filled Friday in addition to purchasing a pre-packaged Dad's cookie for all students and staff!
Monday, November 22 - SAA Friends Google meeting. See link and information within this newsflash. ART CARD ORDERS ARE DUE TODAY!
Tuesday, November 23 - Exciting day of learning!
Wednesday, November 24 - Celebrate your Unique Talent Day! Kindergarten P/T Interviews: Please click on the link below to access the times that Ms. Fraser and Ms. Oliva are available.
Thursday, November 25 - SAA Spirit Day! Exciting day of learning!
Kindergarten P/T Interviews
Friday, November 26 - Professional Development Day. There is no school for all students.
Kindergarten P/T Interviews Booking link
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Happy Friday Sister Alphonse Academy Families!
Please take a look at some of the exciting events and information we have to share with you this week.
Take care, God bless and have a great weekend!
Christine Samson, Principal
Cindy Phillips, Vice Principal
IPP - Please return to School
Just a kind reminder that if you have an opportunity to read through your child's IPP, please return to the signed copy to SAA, Mrs. Phillips as soon as possible.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support.
Alberta Literacy/Numeracy Grant - Grades 1 - 3
“We know the COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need among younger students and schools that intervene quickly are able to help struggling students catch up to grade level. And we recognize that literacy and numeracy are essential and the building blocks for future learning. This investment is to ensure that students who have experienced learning loss get the timely help they need so that no student is left behind.”
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education
We are happy to share that GSACRD has received some support for literacy/numeracy interventions through an Alberta government grant. As such, this grant has enabled SAA to provide the following additional small group literacy support in Grades 1 - 3 respectively.
Grades 1 - 3 additional literacy grant support allocated:
Grade 1: Mrs. Teixeira will be working with Mrs. Raypold and the grade one students once a week in providing more targeted, smaller group support.
Grade 2: Mrs. Teixeira will be spending one block a week in our Learning Commons providing reading time support and one block of supporting Mrs. Harvey with small group interventions.
**Please also remember that the Grade one and two classes received smaller group literacy and numeracy instruction every morning, as we have a stand alone Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 1/2 classroom.
Grade 3: Mrs. Teixeira will also now be working with Mrs. Klak, Mrs. Lang, and the grade three students on Monday and Wednesdays during Block 8 (1:26 - 1:56 p.m.) All students will benefit and receive more support through this targeted, small group intervention work within the classroom. (Please note that Mrs .Lang, Educational Assistant; works with Mrs. Klak and the Grade 3 class on a daily basis).
In addition to Mrs. Teixeira working with teachers in providing smaller group supports in Grades 1 - 3, she will also be teaching the Grade 5 class French now. Mrs. Cindy Phillips, our Diverse Learning Lead will be using this time to provide diverse learning supports to our Junior High students on an ongoing basis.
Thank you to all of our students, staff and parents for your flexibility and support as we add this important literacy support.
SAA Staffing Update - November 5, 2021 (previously shared)
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As I mentioned to our community previously, we have been very blessed to be able to add several areas of support recently to SAA. Our priority is always to support student learning and achievement as much as possible. Please also note that Division Services works with each school on an ongoing basis with allocating staffing and resources. We are always working at achieving a balance of support throughout our K - 9 school.
On November 5th, I shared some great news pertaining to some extra support that has been incorporated into the classrooms at many different levels:
Kindergarten AM: We welcome Ms. Jacqueline Wheeler, Educational Assistant to SAA! Ms. Wheeler comes to us with a lot of experience working with children in early childhood education and we know she will be a welcome addition to our Kindergarten classroom.
Elementary level: We welcome Educational Assistant, Ms. Dawn MacDonald to SAA on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Ms. MacDonald was already working at SAA on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, but now we have added her to the afternoons on these days as well! During this extra time Ms .MacDonald will be working with the Grade one and two students and teachers to providing extra smaller group support.
Junior High level:
We welcome Ms. Jamie-Lee Oliva to our junior high! Ms. Oliva currently is our Kindergarten AM teacher, but she also has experience in the option area, so we are happy to have her teach some of our junior high options this year.
Currently Ms. Oliva has been co-teaching with Ms. McKinnon the Fit For Life, but will now take over this class as part of her assignment. Mrs. Oliva will also be teaching a block of Religion 9 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. During semester 2 and 3, Ms. Oliva will be teaching options such as Art to our Junior High students. We are also excited to share the Mr. Brass will be teaching a 3-D Design/Construction in Junior High during semester 2 and 3 as well.
Mr. Parks will also be teaching a block of Advanced Academic Preparation block and an additional Health block to our junior high students.
Please also note that Mrs. Phillips also works with staff and students on a continuous basis in supporting any diverse learning needs.
GSACRD Back to School Plan 2021/2022
Please bring mask to school daily
We have an increasing number of students who are arriving each day without a mask to wear. Although we do have some extra masks in our office if a student forgets to wear one, we do not have enough to supply large groups of students with masks each day. Please continue to send your child with a mask to school each day. Thank you so much for your support.
We have had a few questions about the guidelines pertaining to mask wearing. Please read the GSACRD Back to School Plan above, which includes the following information:
Pre-K to Grade 3
• We recognize that wearing masks properly can be challenging for younger students. For this reason, we recognize that students may require instruction and demonstration as to how to mask properly.
• Masks are required in common areas (hallways, bathrooms and foyers) and when classroom cohorts are intermingled.
• Masks are strongly recommended in classrooms.
• When outside, masks are not necessary, but we encourage students to practice physical distancing.
• Masks are mandatory on the school bus, to and from school and to any school sanctioned event.
Grades 4-12
• Masks are required in all situations.
• When students are in class, seated, all facing the same direction, and not interacting with others, they may remove their mask.
• Masking is not required during physical activity.
• When outside, masks are not necessary, but we encourage students to practice physical distancing.
• Masks are mandatory on the school bus, to and from school, and to any school sanctioned event.
Winter is here!
Foundations Futures Ticket Sales!
If you are over 18 and live in Alberta, please join us in our 2nd 50/50 Christmas Cash Raffle Fundraiser supporting GSACS Education Foundation.
Funds raised will support school or classroom needs which demonstrate enhanced learning opportunities for students within Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools, evoke or promote student passion and engagement, support innovation within the classroom, and promote faith, the development of relationships with one another and with God, foster community spirit, and build hope. AGLC License # 583505
Ticket sales end: December 3, 2021; 11:59 pm
Draw Date: December 9, 2021 - 7:00 pm; Ecole St. Albert Catholic High SchoolSupporters can access half the final pot, up to $10,000, in extra Christmas Cash.
Supporting the local St. Albert Kinettes!
Thank you to the Ducharme family as well for their leadership and interest in working together on collecting for this special Christmas initiative.
School Council Minutes - November 17, 2021
SAA Friends Meeting - November, 2021
Monday, 22 November · 6:30 – 7:30pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rrt-oosy-faq
Monday, Nov 22, 2021, 06:30 PM
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SAA Friends Report!
CALENDAR:
Mon Nov. 22nd - Friends of SAA Meeting @ 6:30pm
Mon Nov. 22nd - Last Day to Order "Art Cards by Kids" K-Gr.6
Fri. Nov. 26th - Healthy Hunger Online Orders Due
Wed. Dec. 1st - Hot Lunch Boston Pizza
Wed. Dec. 15th - Hot Lunch
Friends of SAA News:
LAST CALL - Art Cards by Kids Christmas Cards - K to Gr. 6
Just a quick reminder, Art Card orders are DUE: Monday Nov. 22nd. Make sure to use the code on the back of your child's card to order their special Masterpiece. This code can also be shared with relatives too. https://orders.artcardsbykids.com/parents/main
EXCITING NEWS!!!
Hot Lunches are coming to Sister Alphonse Academy!!! They will take place every other Wednesday starting Dec. 1st. Orders can be placed directly online, the Friday prior to the hot lunch. Take a break from making lunch and treat your child to Boston Pizza Dec. 1st (Orders Due Nov. 26th).
Create your account here: https://healthyhunger.ca/
Then add, your child / children.
PLEASE JOIN US! Next Meeting is Monday!
Monday Nov. 22nd at 6:30pm we will be having our Friends Meeting. Come join us to discuss the Wish List items, upcoming fundraisers, and what will be purchased next for our students. See you there!
Meeting Link:
National Addictions Awareness Week - Nov. 22 - 26
Bus Passes daily
Lost and Found at SAA!
RCIA for Children - St. Albert Parish
Please see a message from Ms. Sakowich, Pastoral assistant at St. Albert Catholic Parish:
We will be starting the RCIA adapted for children on November 7 at the parish. This will be open to children aged 7-12 who have yet to be baptized.
Depending on the grade they will be baptized and possibly receive the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil in April. If there are any questions regarding the process you can contact me at Rebecca.sakowich@caedm.ca or contacting the parish office 780-459-6691.
We have already started the RCIA journey for adults, but it is not too late to join. If there are any parents or teachers that want to know more they can also contact me at the office.
Rebecca Sakowich
Pastoral Assistant
St. Albert Catholic Parish
7 St. Vital Avenue St. Albert AB T8N 1K1
P: 780-459-6691 F: 780-459-6679
Important Message to Families from Holy Family Parish
Holy Family Parish Sacramental Information
Volunteering & Vaccination Status: Important information
Please note that once your forms have been approved and accepted in the office, the volunteer time and entry will be arranged through appointment, as aligned with our current entry practices.
*NEW* PLEASE SEE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 489 which is attached which pertains to ALL VOLUNTEERS and vaccination status.
Parish Information
St. Albert Parish News
Click on the SAP Parish Link to access the weekly bulletin for St. Albert Catholic Parish.
Holy Family Parish News
Click on the HF Parish Link to access the weekly bulletin for Holy Family ParishHoly Family Parish
November is a month of Remembrance
Dear Parents,
November is a month for remembering those who have died. It begins with All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). Of course, Remembrance Day is celebrated on November 11.
We are creating a shrine in our school to honor our deceased loved ones. We are inviting students and staff to bring pictures (preferably mounted or framed) and mementos of any family members or friends who have died.
You can send in framed photographs or even the memorial card from the funeral of your loved one. I ask that you please put your child’s name and grade on the back so I can return all of them at the end of the month.
These will be reverently displayed in the shrine and will serve as a reminder of these loved ones and our call to pray for the repose of their souls. The shrine also reminds us that this life is temporary and that we are on a journey to heaven and eternal life with God.
Thank you so much for participating in this celebration of our loved ones.
Thank you to Mrs. Harvey for organizing this.