1 | Page January, 2019 Newsletter January 2019 Administrators’ Message Happy New Year! We hope that each of you enjoyed a restful Christmas holiday filled with joy, peace and happiness. In January, we celebrate Epiphany, also known as "Three Kings Day" and "Twelfth Day". This is a Christian holiday commemorated on January 6. It falls on the twelfth day after Christmas, and signals the conclusion of the twelve days of the Christmas season. An epiphany is a sudden moment of deep clarity or insight, an illumination or revelation, into the reality of something. As we imagine the Magi finally arriving at the place of encounter with the Messiah for whom they had been searching, we can imagine the joy and fulfilment that this moment of epiphany brought to them. Thank you to the many families who attended our Advent concerts in December. The concerts were so entertaining, and a wonderful time was had by all. A thank you goes out to our students who all sounded amazing and really impressed the entire audience. A special thank you goes out to Miss Arai for all of her work in organizing and preparing our students. Under her guidance, they were able to achieve musical greatness. Mrs. Patel-Guenther and Miss Caravantes also worked with Miss Arai and students in preparing for the big event. Our entire staff also helped out with many aspects of the concerts. We would also like to thank Father Francis and the Annunciation Parish staff for welcoming us into their parish and allowing us to use it as a venue. Again, Happy New Year! We wish you many blessings in 2019. Jennifer De Stefanis-Dimas Nadine Patel-Guenther Principal Assistant Principal
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Newsletter
January 2019 Administrators’ Message Happy New Year! We hope that each of you enjoyed a restful Christmas holiday filled with joy, peace and happiness.
In January, we celebrate Epiphany, also known as "Three Kings Day" and "Twelfth Day". This is a Christian holiday commemorated on January 6. It falls on the twelfth day after Christmas, and signals the conclusion of the twelve days of the Christmas season. An epiphany is a sudden moment of deep clarity or insight, an illumination or revelation, into the reality of something. As we imagine the Magi finally arriving at the place of encounter with the Messiah for whom they had been searching, we can imagine the joy and fulfilment that this moment of epiphany brought to them.
Thank you to the many families who attended our Advent concerts in December. The concerts were so entertaining, and a wonderful time was had by all. A thank you goes out to our students who all sounded amazing and really impressed the entire audience. A special thank you goes out to Miss Arai for all of her work in organizing and preparing our students. Under her guidance, they were able to achieve musical greatness. Mrs. Patel-Guenther and Miss Caravantes also worked with Miss Arai and students in preparing for the big event. Our entire staff also helped out with many aspects of the concerts. We would also like to thank Father Francis and the Annunciation Parish staff for welcoming us into their parish and allowing us to use it as a venue.
Again, Happy New Year! We wish you many blessings in 2019.
Jennifer De Stefanis-Dimas Nadine Patel-Guenther
Principal Assistant Principal
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Eucharist: Symbol or Real? Each Sunday we meet our sisters and brothers in faith around the table of the Lord. We hear God’s Word proclaimed in the Scriptures—reflecting how God has chosen to enter human history, guiding us back to good relationship. After hearing the Word of God, we move to the table (altar) where we re-enact the ritual of the Last Supper, receiving and sharing the Body and Blood of Christ for our salvation and the salvation of our community. For some Christian denominations, the breaking and sharing of bread takes on symbolic meaning; it is a meal of thanksgiving and remembrance. For Catholics our Eucharistic meal becomes at the words of institution, the Real and Present Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The symbol of bread and wine; common elements to most of human beings, is transformed into the real body of Christ through the doctrine of Transubstantiation. Because we believe that these simple elements are no longer bread and wine, but the Lord present among us, we approach the Eucharist with a sense of humility, gratitude, and solemnity. The Eucharist (meaning “meal of thanksgiving”) is the pinnacle of our communal life together: We pray, we heal and are healed, and we allow ourselves to be changed intrinsically by the actual reception of the Body and Blood of our Lord. For this reason, we should teach our students to come before this Sacrament of God’s grace appropriately disposed to encounter and receive the Lord into body and soul; and nurture an attitude of respect, humility, and deep reverence for the Eucharist.
Staff Update We have an important staffing update. We would like to congratulate Mrs. Yussi Ibanescu, our Grade 4/5 EA! She has secured an administrative position at One World…One Centre. It is a full-time position which will be wonderful for Mrs. Ibanescu! She will start her new position on January 9th. Mrs. Ibanescu, although we are going to miss you immensely, we wish you all the best in your new endeavors!
We also would like to welcome Mrs. Binitha Biju to our staff. She is our new administrative assistant/media resources personnel. She is learning a lot of new things, so we thank all of our families for their patience when they visit the office.
Safety Protocols Annunciation School is again reviewing our safety protocols with parents:
• All entry doors to the school are kept locked at all times. Guests (parents/guardians/family members) entering the school MUST enter through the front door and must check in at the
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front office. To keep our students safe, guests are not permitted to enter through student doors.
• All visitors to the school MUST sign in at the office and must obtain and wear a visitor’s tag. If students come in late and parents would like to accompany them to their class, parents must sign in and wear a visitor’s tag.
• Staff members have been asked to approach unfamiliar people who are not wearing their visitor tags to inquire as to their reason for being in the school. Please do not be offended if you are approached by staff. It is imperative that we know everyone’s purpose for being in the school and that ALL VISITORS sign in at the office. In addition, students are aware that only adults with visitor tags have permission to be in the school.
• We regularly practice safety drills, including fire drills and lockdowns. These drills take place at various times during the school day, so again, it is imperative that we know who is in the building at all times.
Please be assured that the safety and well-being of your children is of the utmost importance to us at Annunciation School; we thank you for your cooperation.
Twelve Days of Christmas Winners During the twelve days before the Christmas holidays, students participated in a number of activities to celebrate the approach of Christmas. It was a chance for students to enjoy a little friendly classroom rivalry while sharing some Christmas spirit. Congratulations go out to the winning classes who accumulated the most points in their grade grouping:
K - Gr. 1 Grouping: 2nd place - KA 1st place winner: 1A, Congratulations, Mrs. Szelewicki
Gr 2 - Gr. 3 Grouping: 2nd place - 3B 1st place winner: 3A, Miss Jespersen’s Class!
Gr. 4 - Gr. 6 Grouping: 2nd place – Grade 4 1st place winner: 6A, Miss Cimino’s Class!
Class with the highest number of points overall – 3A!!! Congratulations, Mrs. Jespersen’s Class!!
The winning classes will enjoy a healthy treat on Friday, January 18. A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Patel-Guenther for organizing all of the events for us! It was so much fun!
CTBS for Grade 6 Students
Grade six students will be writing the Canadian Test of Basic Skills from January 7th to the 18th. These standardized tests are important indicators of a student’s overall ability when examined over a period of time with the results of similar exams. All grade six students in Edmonton Catholic write these exams.
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Vocal Team Sings the National Anthem at Rogers Place Congratulations go out to Miss Arai and the vocal team for their commanding performance of our national anthem at the Oil Kings game on Sunday, December 16 at Rogers Place. They truly sounded beautiful and did a FABULOUS job! There were more than 100 Annunciation community members who attended. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our vocal team! There were also some bonuses that evening. The Oil Kings won; yeah! And, Mrs. Patel-Guenther’s son, Dylan, who plays with the Oil Kings, scored not once, but twice! Way to go, Dylan!
Check out the vocal team on the jumbotron at Rogers Place!
Grade 6 Volleyball Team Success Congratulations to our Grade 6 boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams (and their coaches of course). Before the Christmas break, the girls’ team won bronze in the HE Beriault elementary volleyball tournament and the boys’ team won silver! What a huge accomplishment! Our Grade 6 volleyball teams have a history of doing very well in
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tournaments so it really is no surprise. Now the teams and coaches are gearing up for the STM tournament. Thank you to coaches, Mrs. Ostrowerka and Miss Cimino! Congratulations to students and coaches on the great results!
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We Act Committee Kernels Popcorn Fundraiser Annunciation's We Act Committee held their first popcorn sale. We have selected our pillar and country, water for India.
The money we raised will help by facilitating the provision of:
• Hand washing stations • Hand pumps • Water and sanitation education • Latrines • Water clubs at schools • Watershed development.
Thank you for supporting us by ordering popcorn. Don't worry if you missed ordering
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this time, as we will be holding another popcorn fundraiser in March!
Severe Weather Conditions & Bus Cancellations
Our transportation system has an excellent record for service. However, given the possible extremes of Edmonton weather and the potential for unexpected mechanical difficulties, it is impossible to guarantee buses will run on time or at all. A route can take 50% longer in adverse weather conditions. Parents are advised that if a bus does not arrive within twenty minutes of its scheduled time, they are to assume the bus is not coming.
Parents must ensure that their child knows to return home or to a pre-selected location. Parents must then make alternate arrangements to get their child to school. Parents should also ensure that:
• Children are supervised at the bus stop • Children have a place to go in the event the bus does not arrive • Children have alternate arrangements for getting to school should the bus not arrive • Children are suitably clothed to withstand weather extremes.
Transportation Services normal operational procedures for delayed transportation also apply in severe weather conditions.
The Carrier is responsible for notifying the school and the Transportation Services office when a route is running late.
Parents then have access to 3 different resources (by calling either the school, the Transportation Services office, or directly contacting the carrier) to get an update on the status of a particular route.
CANCELLATION OF YELLOW SCHOOL BUS SERVICE FOR ALL PROGRAMS
The following radio and TV stations will carry announcements with respect to transportation cancellations due to inclement weather conditions:
RADIO STATIONS:
CHED/CHQT/CISN/JOE FM CHFA (CBC Fr.) MAGIC 99
CFRN 1260/THE BEAR/CFMG AM 930 (The Light) CJC K-97
CFCW SHINE FM CKER CBC MIX 96 (96 X)
TV STATIONS:
CITY TV CFRN TV GLOBAL TV CBC TV
Every effort will be made to have messages broadcast commencing no later than 6:30 am.
TRANSPORTATION ISSUES Please call the offices 7:15 AM – 5:00 PM
780 441 6078
Bus Pass Purchases – Deadline is January 9 Please be advised that the deadline to purchase yellow bus passes is usually the 5th day of the month. However, due to the holidays and our late January start, the deadline for this month only is January 9. After that, the bus passes will no longer be available for purchase.
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Student Record Information A reminder to parents, if you have recently moved or changed your contact information, please let the office know. In case of emergencies, it is important that we have up-to-date contact information. Also, if students have recently become Canadian citizens, we ask that you provide us with documentation so that we can update our records. Thank you!
December Book Fair Sales Thanks to our Annunciation families, the Annunciation December book fair was another huge success!!! Our families purchased $2629.69 in books, giving the school $739.50 in new book picks and a rewards certificate of $57535 to use to buy other new books as needed. A huge thank you goes out to Mrs. Joy who put in many additional hours in order to organize, set-up and run the book fair. Thank you, Mrs. Joy and thank you our Annunciation families!!!
Patrollers Our Grade 6 patrollers have been very responsible this year in ensuring that our students are safe. Please be reminded that the primary role of AMA School Safety Patrollers is to assist younger students to cross the street — not to direct traffic. Patrollers will extend their arm to indicate pedestrians want to cross the street and will only extend their stop sign when it is safe to cross their fellow classmates. In addition, when the weather is -20 degrees Celsius or colder, please be advised that it is too cold for the patrollers to go out.
It would be greatly appreciated if parents could assist our patrollers in the following ways:
• Our pylons are to assist in marking our No Parking Zones.
• Please do not park in (or back into) the No Parking or Bus Zones in front of the school. Doing so creates a very dangerous situation for our students. Even if you are only dropping your child off, it makes it extremely difficult for the patrollers or supervisors to effectively watch for oncoming traffic when there are vehicles in these areas.
As always, please exercise extreme caution when approaching the front of the school.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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Parent School Handbook - Alberta Education
Alberta Education has replaced the parent school handbook with an online document entitled "My Child's Learning" (http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mychildslearning/). It is an online document which although not as comprehensive from a permeation viewpoint as the former Catholic school handbook, does provide a brief overview of the religious education programs available at each grade level and a preface describing the programs.
Faith Development Day ~ February 5 Please note that on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, all staff members will be involved in a district-wide Faith Development Day at the Shaw Conference Centre. There will be no instruction of students at school on that day.
Our theme this year is: Walking Together in God’s Love. We are pleased to welcome Steve Angrisano as our keynote speaker. We also welcome Archbishop Richard Smith who will celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy with us.
Catholic education is an awesome vocation and responsibility. By being involved in the education mission of the church, Catholic schools provide a hopeful response to the great mysteries of life in an increasingly complex world. Faith Development Day provides us, as a community of faith, with the opportunity to become more deeply aware of the faith foundation of our lives and to find inspiration to enter into our life’s work with deeper conviction.
I am confident you will agree that such a day is so important to realizing our mission: “to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully to serve God in one another.” (ECS Mission Statement). For more information, please feel free to call our school office.
Annunciation Thanks the Students and Staff of St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School! On Wednesday, December 5, the staff and students of St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School treated all of the staff and students of Annunciation to a special Christmas lunch complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, ice-cream, corn, buns, the works! Our school community is so extremely grateful for this very generous and thoughtful gesture during this special time of year! A very special thank you to all of St. FX for “Walking Together in God’s Love” with our school community…
The Wondrous Gift of Epiphany During the Christmas season we celebrate with our families and friends with the giving and receiving of various gifts. Perhaps the greatest gift we receive, as Christians, takes place during Epiphany, when our Lord makes his first public appearance.
Throughout the ages, Christians have celebrated Christmas, including the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany, which falls on January 6. The season begins with the Nativity of our Lord, and ends with the celebration of His baptism, and His manifestation ("Epiphany") as Messiah of Israel and Son of God. This extraordinary gift calls for us to open our hearts and minds to God through His son, Jesus, who came to us as man, to live and suffer in the same way His lay people would.
Another one of the extraordinary gifts we receive is our ability to praise and worship the Father through the Holy Spirit, as a result of the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Knowing Jesus is the Body of Christ, we, through our Baptism, enter the Body of Christ as members of our faith community. Through this union, we are able to share in the cleansing of sins, and essentially, our re-birth.
The gifts of the eastern Magi, allow us to remember that they offered what little they had (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh), and in return, Christ gave them Himself. This ‘exchange’ of gifts takes place for us whenever we celebrate the Eucharist, by the glorious power of the Holy Spirit!
Throughout the holy Christmas season, God fills us with joy and hope! By celebrating Epiphany and these wondrous gifts bestowed upon us by the Christ-child, may we, in-turn, use them to take a step closer to the Kingdom of God, in unity with His one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.
Susanna Kaup and Kathleen Nguyen
Religious Education Consultants
Annunciation All-Stars Reading Program Our monthly draw for our Annunciation All-Stars was held before the Christmas break and we are pleased to congratulate our lucky winners who enjoyed lunch with Mrs. De Stefanis-Dimas, Mrs. Patel-Guenther and Mrs. Jennings on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.
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• Kindergarten: Stella and Makaih • Grade One: Raissa Mae, Andrei and Ethan • Grade Two: Anna and Siena • Grade Three: Josef and Sabian • Grade Four: Heleck • Grade four/Five: Chase • Grade Five: Dhelchris • Grade Six: Anastasia and Juanita
Thank you to Mrs. Jennings for coordinating our Annunciation All-Stars Reading Program, and thank you to our parents for encouraging their children to read and participate!
IB News January 2019
Our IB learner profile this month is Balanced:
“I don’t have time to work out.” “I haven’t read a book for pleasure in a long time.” “I wasn’t good at math when I was in school—why should my kids be any good?” “We’re just too busy.” “Hobbies? Who has time for hobbies?” “I don’t have time to go to the doctor.” These are all familiar phrases we’ve heard others say in the last few months. All are indicative of the need for balance in our lives. Being well balanced is an important life skill—one worthy of development and attention even as our children are growing.
Definition of Balanced: They understand the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well-being.
This statement can be used with students: “I’m healthy because I balance the needs of my body and mind.”
Book List to help magnify the profile of BALANCED:
Burns, Marilyn. The Greedy Triangle.
Kraus, Robert. Leo the Late Bloomer.
Pilkey, Dav. When Cats Dream.
Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt.
Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman. Attila the Angry.
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\Curriculum Connections with the Learner Profile
•In language – They are aware of the need for an educated person to be an effective communicator. They use literature for learning and leisure.
•In mathematics – They understand the importance of numeration in order to meet the demands of a technological age.
•In science and technology – They understand their own bodies and their needs. They make informed decisions based on scientific knowledge so as to ensure their own health and that of others.
•In social studies – They accept uncertainty and ambiguity and understand that not all questions have answers and not all problems have solutions. How can parents help to develop students who are balanced at home?
• Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of structured activities.
• During less structured time, also be aware of the activities that your child is participating in. Too much time in front of the computer or television is obviously not desirable, but all kids need to do a variety of things. Generally active kids should take time for quiet reading or reflection; students who spend a lot of time drawing or reading, should be encouraged to also exercise and play.
• Discuss the food groups with your child. Spend a few minutes during a mealtime deciding if what your family is eating is balanced.
• Model this attribute. Spend time as a parent or family doing many different activities.
As always we welcome questions about the IB programme in our school. Ashley Jennings is the coordinator for our Primary Years Programme (PYP). She can be reached at 484-4319 or at [email protected].
IB Learner Profile Attribute Certificates The IB learner profile is the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st Century. These values infuse all elements of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and serve to inspire, motivate and focus the work of the students and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose.
There are 10 Learner Profiles, and our school focuses on one each month. For the month of December, our focus was on the Learner Profile attribute of being a COMMUNICATOR. Students are asked to reflect on their growth of each learner profile monthly, once at the beginning on the month, and a second time at the end of the month. To recognize students
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for their efforts and growth, the teacher selects a few students to receive a certificate. Below is a list of our award recipients for the month of December:
December – Communicator Student Recipients of a Certificate
KA Ben
KB Lorianne
1A Liam
1B Louisse
1C
Trinity
2A Ahmet and Rainejewelle
2B
Levy and Storm
3A Edwin, Marina and Sayu
3B Reese and Tyler
4 Autumn, Wyatt, Crisbal,
Tommy and Sophie 4/5
Zairah, Maxene, and Revaniah
5 Abby, Christy and Sophia
6A
Kevin, Hanah and Anastasia
6B Justus and Leandro
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January 2019 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
1 New Years’ Day
2 3 4 5 6 Epiphany
7 Classes Resume
8 9 Dental Team In Flouride K-2 Epiphany Celebration 9:00 am
10 Dental Team In Flouride K-2
11 Dental Team In Flouride K-2
12 13
14 Grade 6 PYP Exhibition Parent Information Evening 6:30 pm
15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
Kindergarten Early Learning Conference Day - No School for Kindergarten
25
26 27
28 29 30 School Council Meeting 6:30 pm
31 All-Stars Reading Draw
Please note that specific classroom events will be communicated to parents through the classroom teacher. As well, please be aware that other events may arise over the course of the month.
January 2019 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now
it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~Isaiah 43:18-19~
The new year brings new beginnings and new opportunities. In this passage from Isaiah, the prophet is telling the people that God’s great acts in their lives are so wonderful that they need not dwell in the past but look forward to their new path. Essentially, he is telling us not to focus on ‘things of old’, but to look forward with excitement to the new journey ahead. This is a great way to start 2019; move forward to positive places with enthusiasm, joy, and peace knowing that God is with you! As always, January marks the time when we start to plan for the next school year. It is a time for families to look at registering for Early Learning, Junior, or Senior High. It is extremely important for those families who have students who will need to transition to a new level or program in the upcoming school year to research their options with Edmonton Catholic Schools and to go out and visit the sites that they are interested in. Our website www.ecsd.net has a wealth of information for families. Beginning the third week of January, when you click on the Open House Information link on our homepage you will find our 2019 Guide to Schools and Open House dates. You will also find many useful tools including our School Locator and Kindergarten Calculator. Edmonton Catholic Schools has developed a new resource to support self-regulation both at home and in the classroom. Our children need the ability to self-regulate in order to be ready. Children need to be ready to attend and inhibit impulses. They need support and time to understand how to regulate so that they can build skills, learn, participate and socialize. Learn the special FOCUS Sequence that integrates research-based strategies into a single sequence of regulating activities that can be done with any age, across any environment and all in about 5 minutes! We will be hosting a Parent Night on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from 6:30 - 8:00pm at St. Anthony Centre (10425-84 Avenue). To register, please visit http://bit.ly/ECSD-Parent-Series or email [email protected].
Our annual Faith Development Day for staff will take place on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. All our schools and sites will be closed so that our staff may gather together to continue our lifelong journey of faith formation and to celebrate Eucharist together. As you contemplate all that the new year holds for you and establish your dreams and goals, I leave you with an encouragement from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Rejoice and Be Glad: "The important thing is that each believer discern his or her own path, that they bring out the very best of themselves, the most personal gifts that God has placed in their hearts." (Rejoice and Be Glad, 11) Have a wonderful 2019! Sincerely, Joan Carr Superintendent
THEOPHANY - CHRIST'S BAPTISM - FEAST OF LIGHTS
The Baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Jesus came as a "great light" to those who languished in darkness. No other word describes Christ as accurately as the word light. He comes as a light to those who sit in the darkness of despair. He lights candles of love, joy, forgiveness, peace, and meaning in the lives of people today. In the early Church, Theophany - the day of Christ's baptism - became the day on which the converts to Christianity were received into the Church through baptism. Each newly baptized person held the baptismal candle during the liturgy. Christians who had already been baptized brought their baptismal candles to church on this day to renew their baptismal vows; to renew the commitment to Christ which they had made at baptism.
As a result, everyone in the congregation held a lighted candle on the feast of Theophany. The churches became the sea of lights. For this reason, this day came to be called the Feast of Lights.
The baptismal candle, in the early Church, was a symbol that the one who was baptized had received Christ who is the Light of the world. The candle would be kept by the one baptized and then brought to Church on the anniversary of one's baptism, the feast of Theophany and for the Easter Vigil liturgy. If the person was married, the same candle was used at the wedding. If he was ordained, he would light the candle at his ordination. When the final hour of life approached, it was lit again as the soul went forth to meet the Lord. The baptismal candle was a constant reminder for the Christian to live and die by the light of Christ.
The baptismal candle may be compared to the lamps used in the story of the maidens who awaited the arrival of Christ the Bridegroom in the darkness of the night. When the newly baptized person was given the lighted candle, she was urged to keep it to meet Christ at his return, like the wise maidens who kept their lamps burning for the coming of the Bridegroom. Thus the candle becomes a symbol of the perseverance of the baptized soul until Christ's return. Among the ancient Greeks the runner who had won the race was not the one who crossed the line in the shortest time, but the one who crossed it in the least time with his candle still burning. Our goal as Christians is that we may cross the line into eternity with the light of our baptismal faith still shining brightly.
Christ Himself is the light. His light shines today proclaiming to all of us: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The light that God gives us for our present darkness was expressed so well by Louise Haskins: I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."
Resources: “A Byzantine Rite. Liturgical Year.” Julian J. Katrij, OSBM. Basilian Fathers Publication. Detroit, 1983. http://lit.royaldoors.net/2013/12/09/january-6-2014-the-holy-theophany-of-our-lord-god-and-saviour-jesus-christ/ Christ is Baptized! In the River Jordan! Fr. Julian Bilyj District Chaplain
REJOICE AND BE GLAD: CHAPTER 4: SIGNS OF HOLINESS IN TODAY'S WORLD In Chapter Four, Pope Francis speaks of the signs of holiness in the world. He calls them five great expressions of love for God and neighbour that he considers of particular importance in the light of certain dangers and limitations present in today's culture. [111] These five expressions of love for God and neighbour are: perseverance, patience, and meekness; joy and a sense of humor; boldness and passion; involvement in community; and constant prayer. Francis insists on the need for holiness in all parts of our lives, including online: "Christians too can be caught up in networks of verbal violence through the internet and the various forums of digital communication." "Even in Catholic media," he says, "limits can be overstepped, defamation and slander can become commonplace, and all ethical standards and respect for the good name of others can be abandoned."[115] One sign of holiness, Francis says, is "joy and a sense of humor." "This is not the joy held out by today’s individualistic and consumerist culture. Consumerism only bloats the heart. It can offer occasional and passing pleasures, but not joy." Pope Francis speaks here "of a joy lived in communion, which shares and is shared, since 'there is more happiness in giving than in receiving' (Acts 20:35) and 'God loves a cheerful giver' (2 Cor 9:7)."[128] Another sign of holiness consists in "boldness and passion," in an "impulse to evangelize and to leave a mark in this world" and in not allowing oneself to be paralyzed by fear. He told believers that "God impels us constantly to set out anew, to pass beyond what is familiar, to the fringes and beyond. He takes us to where humanity is most wounded...God is not afraid! He is fearless! He is always greater than our plans and schemes. Unafraid of the fringes, he himself became a fringe. So, if we dare to go to the fringes, we will find him there; indeed, he is already there."[135] "When we live apart from others, it is very difficult to fight against concupiscence, the snares and temptations of the devil and the selfishness of the world. Bombarded as we are by so many enticements, we can grow too isolated, lose our sense of reality and inner clarity, and easily succumb." Francis writes, "a community that cherishes the little details of love, whose members care for one another and create an open and evangelizing environment, is a place where the risen Lord is present, sanctifying it in accordance with the Father’s plan."[145] "Contrary to the growing consumerist individualism that tends to isolate us in a quest for well-being apart from others, our path to holiness can only make us identify all the more with Jesus’ prayer 'that all may be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you' "(Jn 17:21).[146] The final sign of holiness is "constant prayer," the pope writes, describing holiness as "a habitual openness to the transcendent, expressed in prayer and adoration." Francis says, "I do not believe in holiness without prayer, even though that prayer need not be lengthy or involve intense emotions."[147] "If we realize that God exists, we cannot help but worship him, at times in quiet wonder, and praise him in festive song. We thus share in the experience of Blessed Charles de Foucauld, who said: 'As soon as I believed that there was a God, I understood that I could do nothing other than to live for him'."[155] Pope Francis tells us that "meeting Jesus in the Scriptures leads us to the Eucharist, where the written word attains its greatest efficacy, for there the living Word is truly present. In the Eucharist, the one true God receives the greatest worship the world can give him, for it is Christ himself who is offered. When we receive him in Holy Communion, we renew our covenant with him and allow him to carry out ever more fully his work of transforming our lives."[157] Fr. Julian Bilyj District Chaplain
“Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4
Our Board gathered together with the rest of our ECSD family on Tuesday, November 27 for our regular meeting. This month, we commemorated the Holodomor – which took place on November 23 in our District schools and sites – and celebrated some wonderful awards and achievements within our District.
Walking Together in God’s Love: Selena Posteraro & the Sister Annata Brockman Story
This month, the Board profiled the story of Selena Posteraro and Sister Annata Brockman (SAB) School as we continue celebrating the District school year theme of “Walking Together in God’s Love” and the heartwarming work that happens daily in our schools.
Selena is the fundraising lead at Sister Annata Brockman School and works in collaboration with the school council and staff to ensure that fundraising goals are aligned with student’s needs to give them opportunities for physical, emotional and spiritual growth beyond their existing curricular and extracurricular options.
Over the years, Selena has organized, coordinated and led family BBQs, dances, countless fundraising opportunities and, her most rewarding job, the planning, building and maintenance of the outdoor skating rink. Selena is driven and works tirelessly for the school community. Her consistent and reliable support, determination and energy are evident in everything she does and on any given day she can be seen clearing the snow and correcting water/ice levels on the rink, researching, purchasing and delivering skates and helmets for the SAB students.
Thank you, Selena, for your absolute dedication to the students at SAB and our District!
Joan Carr Receives Alberta Catholic Schools Trustees’ Association Appreciation Award
The Board of Trustees is delighted to share that Superintendent Joan Carr received an Appreciation Award from the Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association (ACSTA) at their annual general meeting held November 16-18.
The Board was honoured to nominate Superintendent Carr for this award for her unwavering commitment to and attainment of excellence in Catholic education for our students and families and for her generosity in sharing our best practices with jurisdictions across the province and beyond.
Superintendent Carr’s faith permeates everything that she does both professionally and personally and she is a visionary leader to whom unity is important. Trustee Sandra Palazzo continued: “We praise God, and Kevin, of course, for blessing us with a servant leader in every respect of the word whose outstanding commitment and dedication makes her an inspiration, a mentor and a role model for us all.”
In 2016, Superintendent Carr was the recipient of the prestigious Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) EXL Award, which recognizes excellency in superintendency.
ECSD’s Personal Pathways Program Receives ASBA Award for Innovation & Excellence
The Board of Trustees announced on Tuesday that the District’s Personal Pathways Program was selected as the winner of the ASBA School Board Innovation and Excellence Award! The Personal Pathways Program is a shining example of the steps that our District is taking to reach our goal: that every one of our students graduates from high school.
The program uses community recreation centres as authentic community hubs, where incredible alternative learning environments exist. These sites can help students grow their skills to better support their transition into the real world. It is an excellent example of what happens when community partners, in this case the City of Edmonton, join with us to support vulnerable children and youth. Click here for more information on the Personal Pathways Program.
The ASBA School Board Innovation and Excellence Award recognizes school boards for their role in launching innovative programs and initiatives that enhance student achievement.
Congratulations to Superintendent Joan Carr and Assistant Superintendent Corine Gannon and her team on receiving this well-deserved award!
Holodomor Memorial in Edmonton Catholic Schools
In May 2011, the Board of Trustees approved a report on Edmonton Catholic Schools’ plan to commemorate the Holodomor – Ukrainian Famine Genocide – which was committed against the Ukrainian population in 1932-1933 under the Soviet regime.
Our plan included declaring the last Friday in November as Holodomor Memorial Day in our District and to encourage schools to undertake a moment of silence or other activity during Holodomor Memorial Day, in recognition of the millions of Ukrainians who died as a result of this genocide.
We are pleased to recognize one of our District’s teachers from St. Martin, Olga Chasse, who recently won third place in a national contest: 2018 HREC Educator Prize: Holodomor Lesson Plan Development. Olga’s lesson was developed for the Grade 5 level and has, as its aim, to educate students about the Holodomor and to engage them in discussions and activities that promote analytical, critical and creative thinking.
Audited Financial Statements & Updated District Budget
On Tuesday, the Board also approved the release of the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended August 31, 2018. This update is provided to Alberta Education each fall.
In addition, Trustees received an update on the District budget. The budget has been adjusted to reflect actual student enrolment. The net result of the changes is a continuation of the balanced budget for 2017-2019 with total expenses of $525.2 million.
Revision to 2019-2020 District School Year-Round Calendar
The Board approved a change to the 2019-2020 District School Year-Round calendar which makes August 29 a non-instructional day.
The year-round school calendar is followed by St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Alphonsus and St. Catherine schools.
A Year in Review: 2017-2018 Annual Education Report Results (AERR) and Three-Year Education Plan 2018-2021 The AERR and Three-Year Strategic plan were approved by the Board at the last meeting.
The Annual Education Results Report 2017-2018 celebrates the District’s achievements in the past year. These include:
• The District’s three-year high school completion increased to 85.6%, which is above the provincial rate of 78 %
• Our drop-out rate of 1.2% is almost half the provincial rate of 2.3% • A plan was developed for transportation to implement tiered bussing which is an
expansion of the shared bussing with Edmonton Public Schools for a total cost savings in 2018/19 of $1.8 million
• For the third year in a row, Edmonton Catholic Schools was named one of Alberta’s Top 70 Employers
The Three-Year Education Plan looks ahead to 2021 and our continued commitment to enhance the distinctiveness of Catholic education and to help students develop to their full potential. This includes numerous strategies so that our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students can continue to excel, the completion and opening of Ben Calf Robe/St. Clare replacement school, to ensuring learning environments embrace diversity and promotes inclusion.
Click here to view the 2017-2018 Annual Education Report Results and Three-Year Education Plan in its entirety.
The next meeting of the Board will be held on December 11, 2018. This edition of The Messenger is from the November 27, 2018 meeting.
The Messenger: Notable News from the Board is published following the public Board meeting and is an opportunity for the ECSD Board of Trustees to communicate the accomplishments and pay tribute to the wonderful initiatives that our District undertakes. If you would like to view the latest Board meeting, here is a link to the webcast: https://www.ecsd.net/BoardofTrustees/Reports-and-Resources/public_board_meeting/Pages/Default.aspx
The WMCL is offering a new session of Guitar and Dance starting the week of January 7, 2019. No experience is necessary for either programs.
Kids Dance Club is offering a free trial lesson on January 8, 2019.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favours!.” Luke 2:14
The Advent season is upon us and as we anticipate the birth of the Messiah, we feel the same hope, joy and peace that Mary must have felt as she prepared for his arrival. At our last meeting of the 2018 school year, we prepared – as we always do – by celebrating all that is Catholic education in our District.
The Board wishes all our Edmonton Catholic Schools family abundant blessings this Christmas season and a joyful Epiphany, living and sharing the good news that Jesus Christ is born!
Walking Together in God’s Love: Cook Counselling Connections and the St. Gerard Story
For December, the Board welcomed a special group of people from Cook Counselling Connections to our meeting to continue the celebration of the District school year theme of “Walking Together in God’s Love” and the heartwarming work that happens daily in our schools.
St. Gerard School has developed a unique collaborative support agreement with the neighbourhood treatment group home, which supports children under temporary or permanent guardianship of Alberta’s Ministry of Children’s Services. The partnership supports the students that attend St. Gerard and allows for continuity between their home and school, ensuring they are loved and enjoy growth and success. This school year, nine children from Connections attend St. Gerard.
The dedication of the Cook Counselling Connections staff is truly an example of Walking Together in God’s Love and we celebrate the staff as an outstanding example of servant leadership!
After the results and analysis of the annual school review the Board of Trustees approved the following three recommendations:
• Commencement of the formal process to consider St. Gabriel Elementary School for closure and consolidation into the St. Brendan Elementary/Junior High school site.
• The commencement of the formal process to consider St. Margaret Centre for Diverse Learners for closure and relocation to St. Gabriel Elementary School.
• A public engagement process to consider the possible amalgamation of the St. Jerome Elementary School and St. Nicholas Junior High School communities to a newly constructed K-9 school to be located on the current St. Jerome property and included on the next Capital Plan.
The motions allow for the opportunity to undergo a consultation process with the respective communities and a final decision has not been made. The first priority for this process is consulting with parents. Meetings have been scheduled for St. Gabriel parents on January 30th, St. Margaret parents on February 6th and St. Jerome and St. Nicholas parents on February 13th.
The annual school review is necessary to provide fair and equitable access to high quality programs and school building learning environments for all Edmonton Catholic students. The Board of Trustees will make a final decision at the March 19th public Board meeting.
Edmonton Catholic Schools Staff Faith Formation Plan 2018-2019
The Board of Trustees was provided with a report on the Edmonton Catholic Schools Faith Formation Plan 2018-2019, which offers a multi-pronged approach that the District undertakes to provide the best possible faith formation opportunities for all staff so they may cultivate their spiritual formation.
The plan is instrumental in ensuring that our staff are provided the opportunities to engage in their ongoing faith formation, which is central to the fulfillment of Edmonton Catholic Schools’ mission. The plan provides many different opportunities for staff to engage in their ongoing faith formation which included individual and large groups opportunities.
The Board of Trustees looks forward to our next opportunity to celebrate side-by-side as a Catholic community at our annual Faith Development Day on February 5, 2019.
Assistive Technology in Inclusive Education 2018-2019
The Board of Trustees also heard a report on Assistive Technology, an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive and rehabilitative devices for persons with disabilities as well as the process used in assisting, training and implementing them. Assistive technology has the potential to transform a student’s ability to learn, read and communicate and provides mediums and opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
Inclusive education is required to provide flexible and responsive ways in which to meet the needs of our students. Our Assistive Technology in Inclusive Education Strategic Plan is one of our pathways that supports and guides us in our delivery of resources and services, knowing that this too, will continue to grow and evolve – and we will continue to enjoy and embrace the learning.
Click here to view the Assistive Technology in Inclusive Education 2018-2019 strategic plan in its entirety.
The next meeting of the Board will be held on January 29, 2019. This edition of The Messenger is from the December 11, 2018 meeting.
The Messenger: Notable News from the Board is published following the public Board meeting and is an opportunity for the ECSD Board of Trustees to communicate the accomplishments and pay tribute to the wonderful initiatives that our District undertakes. If you would like to view the latest Board meeting, here is a link to the webcast: https://www.ecsd.net/BoardofTrustees/Reports-and-Resources/public_board_meeting/Pages/Default.aspx
