-
October 2020 at a Glance
• School Fees
• Bus Transportation
• Picture Retakes
• Supervision
• Thanksgiving Celebration
• Ukrainian Bilingual Awards Night
• School office
• SAC Meeting
• Spirit Wear Sale
• Snack Shack
• Peanut Awareness
• St. Brendan Yearbooks
• Inclement Weather
• Parking/Student drop-off
• Golf Academy
• Visitors to the School
• Terry Fox Run
• Read-In Week
• Superintendent’s Message
• Calendar
Principal: Mr. Taras Podilsky Assistant Principals: Mr. Eugene
Hirniak & Mrs. Lily Kucy Administrative Assistants: Mrs. Mirka
Osuch / Mrs. Lida Radyo
Next Newsletter
October 31st.
School Council Meeting
Please join us!
October 6th - 6:00 pm
9260 - 58 Street Edmonton, AB. T6B 3W2 Phone: (780) 466-1281
Fax: (780) 466-6057
Powerschool: https://powerschool.ecsd.net, website:
http://www.stbrendan.ecsd.net
Principal’s October Message Dear Parents,
Wow, we have survived a very different September - a very
different return to school. With all the new restrictions and
protocols in place, I firstly want to compliment all our students
and staff for being responsive and positive in accepting and
following our new routines. We also had our first situation where
several students and teachers had to self-isolate for 14 days. What
did we discover from the situation? Firstly, we learned that some
form of online learning can continue, even if students and/or
teachers are isolated at home. Secondly, we learned that it is
important to have access to a computer or laptop at home. We did
also make some adjustments with our Junior high cohorting. During
lunch and before classes start, our grade 7,8 and 9’s will not be
able to freely be in their grade cohort areas. Each grade area is
now split into homeroom sections. For example, each quarter of the
large GYM is now assigned to the 4 different homerooms, thus
preventing a situation where a whole grade would have to self-
isolate in the case of a future positive COVID-19 case. Cohorts
have become a bit smaller, not completely limited to homerooms due
to blended Bilingual classes and options, but also not including
every person in the grade.
We also have been given the green light to start practicing and
preparing for a Junior High volleyball season. Presently, it is in
house only, but we are waiting for the OK to play a limited amount
of other schools in the near future. Tryouts begin next week. This
is also the plan for Junior volleyball and Elementary volleyball in
the near future.
We have now purchased storage bins for every student in the
school, which remains in their homeroom. It was painful watching
all our Junior high students carrying all of their books and
supplies full time and I am glad that this is no longer the case.
Limited use of lockers has now been OK’d by our Division, but due
to the congestion and traffic flow dis-ruption this would cause, we
are choosing the safer option of using the homeroom bins.
We hope that more and more students will choose to be at school
for the second quartermester. Those decisions will be made by you
in this coming month. It is wonderful to be among students,
watching them learn, laugh, interact and feel comfortable with this
“new normal’. One important scheduling note – on Thursday October
8, we have a full day Staff PD, so there will be no classes for
students on that day.
This is a time where we come together, in faith, to serve
others. God call us by name to perform acts of charity and kindness
in demonstrating generosity of the heart. I am grateful and
appreciate what we have created together here at St. Brendan
Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.
We are Blessed …
The students are the center of our commit-ment and as principal,
we would like to say
thank you to the teachers who are personally committed to
students and their learning. To the parents who work together to
keep visioning a school that makes a difference. In the spirit of
thankfulness, thanks to our students who inspire us each and every
day. For all these things, we are truly grateful.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Be thankful for
all the good graces and opportunities our Lord provides for each of
us and our families. In prayer and thanks, be well, stay healthy
and enjoy the beautiful days of autumn.
Your School Administration - Mr. T. Podilsky, Mr. Hirniak and
Mrs. Kucy
This Photo
http://www.pngall.com/thanksgiving-png
-
School Fees Due to complexities of having both at home and at
school learning, the school fees are being revised by the Division.
We are asking for your patience, and wait for more further
information.
Bus Transportation
ETS bus passes are available for purchase in the office at the
beginning of each month.
59.00 Junior High Reg Rate
55.00 Junior High Family Plan
35.00 Elementary Reg Rate
30.50 Elementary Family plan
Please contact the school if you would like to start purchasing
ETS bus passes.
Both Yellow and ETS bus pass fees are due the first week of each
month.
Picture Retakes Picture retakes will take place on Monday,
October 26th. Students that were absent on Sept. 28th & 29th
due to Self Isolation, were excused, or the Online students who
were unable to come on above days, will have a chance to have their
picture taken on Oct. 26th. Students should NOT wear GREEN as the
photogra-pher uses a green screen background system that provides
parents with a selection of 30 backgrounds.
Supervision
Please note that supervision does not start until 8:25. Children
should not arrive at the school before supervision begins and will
be asked to wait in the school yard.
Thanksgiving
Our Thanksgiving Celebration will take place on Microsoft Teams
on Friday, October 11th at 2:30 pm. If you would like to join us in
celebration online, please contact the office at 780-466-1281.
Ukrainian Bilingual Awards Night
The evening of celebration and appreciation hosted by Ukrainian
Bilingual Parent Advisory Society is being postponed due to
COVID-19. Please stay tuned for more information.
School Office
In order for the office staff to efficiently serve the student
and teacher community, we ask your help in minimizing the number of
calls and disruptions to the office. Please take the time to inform
your children in advance if plans will change for their pick up
after school. It is also very helpful for younger children if this
is written in the child’s agenda. Absences can be called in the
night before or in early morning and messages can be left on the
answering machine. Parents, if you receive an electronic message,
please take a moment to listen to the content as messages often
come from various Edmonton Catholic Departments. (Example:
transportation services will often send an electronic message in
regards to late busses, bus changes etc.) The office will not
necessarily have this information in advance.
School Advisory Council
The School Advisory Council (SAC) plays a very important role in
partnering with the school by enabling parents to voice ideas, be
informed about events occurring at the school, offer financial
support through fundraising, and express general concerns.
Elementary and Junior High are critical times in your child’s
educational life, and this council provides you an opportunity to
remain in-vested in helping provide the best possible learning
opportunity for your children, in partnership with the school! We
invite you to virtually join us for our first meeting on Tuesday,
October 6, at 6:00 pm. This is our AGM and we encourage our parents
to get involved in this committee. For more information on how to
get involved, please e-mail the principal at
[email protected] directly.
Spirit Wear
School Advisory Council once again is selling St. Brendan
clothing starting October 1-16! The link for an on-line store is:
https://stores.inksoft.com/stbrendan/shop/home. Once the orders are
placed and processed, the Parent Council member will de-liver to
your home, or you will be asked for a porch pick up
Snack Shack
Concession at St. Brendan has been closed due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Please make sure that your child(ren) have sufficient
amount of healthy lunch and/or snacks to carry them throughout the
day.
https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstores.inksoft.com%2Fstbrendan%2Fshop%2Fhome&data=02%7C01%7CLidia.Radyo%40ecsd.net%7C683e2a7d67c14e3d399708d85e68bca8%7Cb18d9f6f0743460da19b0b3297eeeb89%7C0%7C0%7C637363151242270820&sdata=kpAvIhttps://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstores.inksoft.com%2Fstbrendan%2Fshop%2Fhome&data=02%7C01%7CLidia.Radyo%40ecsd.net%7C683e2a7d67c14e3d399708d85e68bca8%7Cb18d9f6f0743460da19b0b3297eeeb89%7C0%7C0%7C637363151242270820&sdata=kpAvI
-
Peanut Awareness
Please be aware that we have students and staff members who have
peanut allergies. We would like to ensure the safety for all
students and staff and request that only peanut free foods are sent
to the school.
Junior High Yearbooks
Remember to order your 2020-2021 Junior High Yearbook! Please
pay on-line with Powerschool. The cost is $40.00.
St. Brendan Junior High Yearbooks from 2019-2020 are available
in the office for a pickup. It can also be purchased through the
office at the cost of $40.00.
Inclement Weather
Severe Weather cancellation of Yellow Bus Service - ALL
PROGRAMS. A message will be sent to parents as well as many Radio
and TV Stations will carry an-nouncements with respect to
transportation cancel-lations due to inclement weather
conditions.
Parking / Student Drop Off
Parents, for the safety of our staff and your children, please
DO NOT use the staff parking area or any areas assigned for Yellow
Busses for student drop off and pick up. Please NO U-TURNS on main
streets. 2241Doing so creates a safety hazard for all, as well as a
traffic blockage. Thank you for your cooperation!
Golf Academy
The St. Brendan Golf Academy is continuing for the 2020-2021
school year. The anticipated start-date for the Golf Academy is
Friday October 16. Students in the program learn various aspects of
Golf throughout the year at the Evolution Golf Simulators in
Sherwood Park each Friday from CPGA profession-al Allan Gallyer. If
you have any questions about this program or to inquire about spots
in the program, please contact Kevin Mazur at [email protected]
or at 780-466-1281
Visitors to the School
In order to enhance the safety of our building and the overall
environment for our children we have electronic and video system
for entry to St. Brendan. Please remember to use the main entrance
and ring the doorbell on the left to be buzzed in and always check
in with the office , under normal circumstances. At this point
however guests or parents are not allowed in the school due to
Covid-19 restrictions. There are few exceptions.
Thank you for being so respectful of the learning environment we
work so hard to maintain for the success of all.
Terry Fox Run From September 21 - 25, we celebrated Terry Fox
Week! Students participated in a run/walk during one of their Phys
Ed classes, we had teachers talk about what Terry Fox did and why
he did it and each morning, a message about Terry was given during
morning announcements. This year marked the 40th year of the Terry
Fox Run. To date, over $800 million has been raised through the
Terry Fox Foundation! Although we did not set a goal this year and
did not have a school-wide run, we did have and continue to have a
link set-up for donations. So far, we have raised $1785.00!! Way to
go St. Brendan! The link will be open till the end of October in
case anyone would still like to donate. The link to donate is:
http://www.terryfox.ca/StBrendan
Read In Week - October 5 – 9th
This year will be a little different
but no less exciting! Full of surprises and fun,
to encourage a lifelong love of learning and literacy!
mailto:[email protected]://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.terryfox.ca%2FStBrendan&data=02%7C01%7CLidia.Radyo%40ecsd.net%7C862073642c29463a09ad08d865865a49%7Cb18d9f6f0743460da19b0b3297eeeb89%7C0%7C0%7C637370974997159179&sdata=D6BJpMJspUq8AK9L4f6G9m0
-
See next page …..
-
Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the
Lord with gladness; come into his pres-
ence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made
us, and we are his; we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise. Give
thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his
steadfast love endures forever, and his faith-
fulness to all generations” (Psalm 100).
Given our unique circumstances in the past eight months, and the
many challenges and difficulties
that so many have faced, we might think that as Thanksgiving
approaches, we have very little for
which to be thankful. But scripture and particularly Psalm 100
tell us a completely different story. In
fact, the passage invites us to praise the Lord with great joy;
to celebrate and worship the God of love.
The major theme that emerges from this Psalm is the importance
of belonging to God. During the
past year there may have been times when we felt abandoned or
forgotten by God. But the psalm pre-
sents the entire earth as joined together, not separated and
alone. God’s steadfast love endures for-
ever. And in the same way that we sing a song of praise to our
creator, we acknowledge, praise, and
bless Him for his goodness and mercy. Indeed, the Lord is good
and he never abandons us; God is
always ready to sustain us with his merciful love, even and
especially during times of great doubt and
fear. “Be not be afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me,
and I will give you rest” (John Michael
Talbot).
During this Thanksgiving weekend, let us remember that God is
with us, in the good times and in the
moments that we find ourselves struggling. “Know that the Lord
is God. It is he that made us, and we
are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm
100). Like God, we too are called to
be “good shepherds” in the environments where we live: in our
families, at work, and in the communi-
ty, sharing the Gospel message of love with everyone we
meet.
Sandra Talarico
Manager, Religious Education Services
Edmonton Catholic Schools
-
October 2020
“Joy springs from a grateful heart. Truly, we have received
much, so many graces, so many blessings, and we rejoice in this. It
will do us good to think back on our lives with the grace of
remembrance…Let us seek the grace of remembrance so as to grow in
the spirit of gratitude. Let us ask
ourselves: are we good at counting our blessings, or have we
forgotten them?” (Pope Francis, Homily, 09/24/15)
Our Holy Father shared these words initially when he was
preaching to a group of priests and religious in New York. The
message, however, is one that transcends vocation and age and
whispers into all of our hearts. It is so easy to lose our sense of
gratitude and joy when we are being inundated with messages of
fear, anxiety, and negativity at every turn, every day. This year,
more than ever, as we approach Thanksgiving, it is so important for
us to take time to discern and to remember all of the goodness in
our lives. There are blessings in each of our lives, and it is
important that we never lose sight of them. Counting our blessings
with gratitude is the first step of our journey to joy. The
beginning of September seems so long ago. There is no question that
we are all learning as we move along the edu-cational journey in
Covid times. Families and schools have all been focused on making
learning “work” in an environ-ment that is drastically different
than the norm, all while trying to minimize anxiety for everyone.
At the time of writing this article, our Division has an enrolment
of 43,350 students with approximately 11,513 of those students
participating online. Part of the understanding that we have gained
as a Division is that we need proper time to be able to plan for
and staff our different learning scenarios. As a Division, we have
hired 96 teachers to support the learning choices that families
made; thankfully, much of the cost of this is offset by the federal
education pandemic funding that was announced in September. We are
very proud of the way our schools and departments were able to
reconfigure in the few precious days between August 28, when
parents finalized their Quarter 1 learning decisions, and the first
student day on September 2. In many cases, entire school timetables
needed to be rebuilt and teaching assign-ments were changed.
October sees Quarter 2 on the horizon, and this means families will
have another opportunity to choose in-school or online learning.
You will receive a SWIFT K-12 message by October 5 with all of the
information that you will need in order to make an informed
decision for your children for the second quarter and beyond. We
need to have a firm com-mitment from our families well before the
second quarter begins on November 10 so that we can arrange our
staff ap-propriately. I will leave you with a thought from Pope
Francis’ General Audience on September 2, 2020. “The current
pandemic has highlighted our interdependence: we are all linked to
each other, for better or for worse. Therefore, to come out of this
crisis better than before, we have to do so together; together, not
alone… Either it is done together, or it is not done. We must do it
together, all of us, in solidarity.” Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Robert Martin Chief Superintendent
-
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Day 2a
2 Day 5
Custodian
Appreciation Day
3
4 5 Day 6
JH Band Jump Start Day
World
Teacher Day
SAC Meeting on-line—6 pm
6 Day 1
7 Day 2
8
Staff PD
NO SCHOOL
9 Day 3
Golf Academy Begins
Thanksgiving Celebration on Teams
10
11 12 No School
13 Day 4
Red and Yellow Day
14 Day 5
15 Day 2p
16 Day 6
Kindergarten Bus Safety
Presentation
17
18 19 Day 1
20 Day 2 21 Day 3
Gr. 4 Bible Celebration
22 Day 4a
23 Day 4
Artist-In-Residence
Begins
24
25 26 Day 5
27 Day 6
28 Day 1
29 Day 3a
30 Day 2
Halloween Activities
CCAT FOR GR. 6
Picture
Retakes
CCAT FOR GR. 6
Spirit Wear Sales
Read-In Week
