Included in this issue: Important Date Changes. Student Christmas Shopping Ticket order form for Christmas Concert And much, much more!

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1 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:21 Christmas is definitely around the corner as we hear Christmas carols around us and begin to see decorations being put on display. Children are eagerly preparing their wish lists and the chatter is about what Christmas will bring. Our first Advent celebration has started our Advent journey at Katherine Therrien and we prepare our hearts for Christ s coming. We invite all families to join us for our Fourth Advent Celebration at St. Edmund s Parish on Thursday, December 20 th. Thank you to all of you who attended our Demonstration of Learning. Our afternoon and evening were well attended and we could see the pride in your children s faces as they shared what they knew and have done so far. Thank you also for your contributions to our library through our book fair. We were able to put over $500 worth of new books in our library. Your support is appreciated by all the children and the teachers. Our students are looking very forward to the Christmas season and all the activities that brings: class parties, movies, crafts and our social justice projects. This year, we will be hosting a Bring and Buy for our students to do their own Christmas shopping for family. We are looking for those gently used or new Christmas giftlike donations that students can buy and have wrapped for their families. We will also accept donations of Christmas wrapping. During the last few days of school, students will be able to purchase gifts, ranging from $1-$5 dollars, and have them wrapped by our Grade 6 students. Please see inside this newsletter for more information. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to our adoptive charity, St. Katharine of Drexel Place. Thank you for your support in this and many of our endeavours. Our Christmas Concert will also be quickly upon us. Our concerts will take place Monday, December 17 th for our 100 Voices, Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes (6:30 pm no tickets required). Our Grade 2-6 will be presenting their Christmas treasures at both a morning concert (10:30 am no tickets required) and again in the Included in this issue: Important Date Changes Student Christmas Shopping Ticket order form for Christmas Concert And much, much more! 1

2 Inside this issue: Important Date and Time Changes 2 Office Closures 3 Lunch with Admin October 3 Christmas Activities 3 Bring and Buy (Student Christmas Shop) 3 November Catholic Character: Justice 4 New Registrations Thank you! 5 School Advisory Council 5 Bus Cancelations 6 Chapter 3: Gaudete et Exultate 6 Superintendent s Message 7 Archbishop Smith s Message 10 Concert Ticket Orders 11 Lunch with Admin 12 Upcoming Celebrations 5 Continued from page 1 evening (6:30 pm tickets required) on Tuesday, December 18 th. Please note that doors will not open until the designated time in the evening. Look to future Wednesday mailout days for more information. We will be offering reserved seating (2-4 seats) for one concert night for those people that are able to help us assemble our stage this year. Individuals must be available the morning of Monday, December 17 th most likely around the time of first recess (10:05 am). If you are interested in helping out, please call the office and leave your name and best contact. We will accept the first 4 to 6 people who leave a message. We would like to take this time to wish you and yours the merriest of Christmases. May your time be filled with family and friends in the fellowship of the Christmas season. Many blessings and prosperity is wished for you in Ms. J. Hertlein Principal Mrs. M. Diebolt Assistant Principal Important Date and Time Changes for ALL Katherine Therrien Students A reminder of the following class changes in December: Thursday, December 20 is a FULL DAY of classes for grades 1 to 6 students. Dismissal at 3:06. Kindergarten and 100 Voices will have school on Thursday, December 20 at their regular time. 2

3 Friday, December 21 is EARLY DISMISSAL for grades 1 to 6 at 11:24 am. Kindergarten and 100 Voices have NO school on Friday, December 22nd. School Resumes for all students on Monday, January 8th, 2018 at 8:25 am. Office Closures Please note that the office will be closed on Thursday, December 13 at 11:45 am for a staff function. The office will reopen at its usual time on Friday morning. Please also note that the office will be closing for the Christmas holidays at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 21. Our office will reopen at 8:15 am on Monday, January 7, Lunch with Admin Congratulations to Alyssa for winning October s snack with admin. Alyssa answered the question: The Katherine Therrien parking lot is for SCHOOL STAFF ONLY during operational school hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm). Supervision begins at 8:15 am. First bell rings at 8:25 am. Please look to the back page for this month s trivia question and a chance to win lunch or snack! Christmas Activities With the Christmas season comes a lot of activities in the school. Students will be taking part in Christmas Concert preparations, Christmas lunch as well as social justice projects. Please keep watch in your child s agenda for details of their activities as they occur. The 100 Voices, Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes will be sharing their artistic talents on Monday, December 17 at 6:30 pm. Students are asked to be here between 6:15-6:20. Doors will NOT open prior to 6:15. Tickets are not required for the production this evening. More information will come in our weekly Wednesday news days. The Grades 2-6 will be sharing their musical talents in our Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 18. Our dress rehearsal is at 10:30 am and is open to the public to view with the rest of the school. Our evening concert begins at 7:00 pm. Because of fire regulations, the evening performance is by ticket entrance only. Doors will open at 6:30 pm (not prior) with students asked to be at the school by 6:15 pm. Bring and Buy for Students Christmas Shopping This year, as our social justice project, our students will have an opportunity to do their own Christmas gift shopping through our Bring and Buy. Money raised will be donated to our adopted charity, St. Katharine of Drexel Place to support their Christmas dinner. 3

4 From December 3 to 13, we will be collecting gently used and new items. This is an opportunity for our families to regift items that they are no longer using and/or contribute to our Christmas Store. Staff will then be pricing the items to range from $1.00 to $5.00, with most gifts being around the $1 or $2 mark. Prior to Christmas break, students will have an opportunity to buy a gift (or more if items allow for additional purchases) and have it wrapped by some of our older students. Any remaining items will be donated to a charity. More information on the day(s) of buying will be sent home later in December. However, we would appreciate any donations of gently used items or new donations that would make a good gift for a sibling or mom/ dad. Some examples that we are looking for are: Gently Used or New books comic books board games toys picture frames puzzles colouring books crayons/pencil crayons small candies candy canes coffee clothing (i.e. socks, tie, etc.) Epson Salts water bottles golf balls/golf tees Coffee/Tea mugs Christmas ornaments stress ball figurines/ornaments/ action figures outdoor skill equipment (i.e. compass) New (or unopened) Only stuffed animals candles coffee/tea/hot chocolate mix unopened lotions unopened bubble bath liquid stationary items (i.e. pens, special paper, etc.) keychains small hand tools (i.e. screwdriver, wrench, etc.) cookbooks jewelry natural/special soaps bath bombs household slippers 2019 calendars outer wear (i.e. gloves, mitts, toques, etc.) We are also looking for donations of wrapping paper and clear tape that you may have and not need. Thank you for your support in any way that you can. November Catholic Characteristic: Justice The themes covered in our celebration were justice and problem solving. Our celebration was based on a book called 'Stuck' by Oliver Jeffers. We watched a video on how we can change the world by the kid president. We used the video to give us ideas for our 'living justly' posters. We ended off the assembly by singing 'We Are One'. - Maria and Zack 4

5 NEW Registrations Katherine Therrien will start accepting new registrations for the school year in mid-january. We are currently awaiting information on possible new legislation for age appropriate dates. As it is currently, students in 100 Voices must be age 3 by September 30, 2019 and go through our screening process with Genesis Early Learning. Our Kindergarten students must turn 5 by March 1, A reminder that while we try our best to accommodate time preferences for families in our programs, we do not guarantee morning or afternoon placements. Our students are placed according to need and ensuring a balanced class. Upcoming Celebrations Children will be preparing the way for Jesus birth throughout the month of December. Our first Advent celebration was lead by our 100 Voices class on Monday, December 3rd. Our next two celebrations will be held in the classrooms with the teachers leading. We invite families to join us at 9:00 am on Thursday, December 20, 2018 for our final Advent Celebration at St. Edmund s parish. THANK YOU! Thank you to all those who contributed to our book fair during the last week of November. Thank you to Mrs. Dolan and Mrs. Crant for their work in operating this year s book fair. Thank you! School Advisory Council Council Meeting Our next meeting is on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in the Learning Common at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us. Boston Pizza Receipts If you have any Boston Pizza Receipts for Operation Education, please feel free to send them with your child. Purdy s Chocolates Thank you to all of our families who once again helped in making the Purdy's Chocolate Fundraiser successful. Purdy's Chocolate orders can be picked up on Friday, December 14. We wish all our families a Merry Christmas and Happy Year. 5

6 Bus Cancellations Please be advised that the following Radio and TV Stations will carry announcements with respect to transportation cancellations due to inclement weather conditions. RADIO STATIONS 630 CHED AM 930 The Light CJCA CBC CISN FM SHINE FM CHFA (CBC Fr.) THE CHUCK FM 92.5 TSN 1260 CFCW 840 INEWS 880 AM 95.7 CRUZ FM CAPITAL FM 96.3 Kiss FM 91.7 The Bear FM K UP! 99.3 FM SONIC FM NOW! Radio HOT 107 FM VIRGIN Radio FM TV STATIONS CITYTV CTV Edmonton GLOBAL Edmonton CBC TV Every effort will be made to have messages broadcast commencing no later than 6:30 a.m. Elementary Religion Program Advent Connection (Online) During Advent and Christmas, students will be busy learning about the seasons through our Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ Religious Education program. Parents are reminded that they can support their child s or children s faith formation by accessing the StudentHome website at: After you click, Sign In, you will be asked to enter a Username and Password as shown below: Username: ecsd99 Password: Student99 Chapter 3: Gaudete et Exultate As we continue to explore Pope Francis most current Apostolic Exhortation: On the Call to Holiness in Today s World, this month we reach chapter three. This chapter is at the center or heart of the exhortation both literally and figuratively. Chapter Three: In the Light of the Master, focuses on the life lessons Jesus shared during the Sermon on the Mount. After explaining how to live a blessed life, Jesus says, Rejoice and be glad! (MT 5:12) This is the title of Pope Francis apostolic exhortation on holiness in everyday life. Living our faith is a lifelong journey. The Beatitudes are a roadmap that steer us towards holi- 6

7 ness. Also referred to as Blessed are, the Beatitudes demonstrate what it means to be blessed or holy. Pope Francis uses these to remind us of the practical ways we are called to holiness in our everyday life while doing so joyfully. Let s review the Beatitudes. While reading, call to mind that Jesus spoke these words to his people who were being persecuted and judged on his behalf. This was a difficult and challenging time: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (MT 5: 1-12) Jesus is encouraging all of us to give ourselves to God and live a life that is filled with virtue. When we do so, we receive true life: the happiness which we were created for. If humankind would live out these Beatitudes, life would be simpler, just, peaceful, empathetic, loving, and joyful. People would put their trust in God first and foremost. Today this continues to be a path that goes against the flow and is often opposite to society s message. We are constantly called to challenge this and live our lives with mercy and forgiveness. This involves serving others and it also includes forgiveness and understanding. These are two central themes to Pope Francis papacy and reach the heart of this exhortation. Pope Francis Exhortation encourages us to look deep within and ask the questions: Where am I on the path to holiness? How do I rejoice and be glad in my faith journey? God Bless, Kathleen Nguyen, Elementary Religious Education Consultant Edmonton Catholic Schools December 2018 Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, JM Neale translator) Advent is upon us as we begin the month of December, and it is a time filled with joy and promise. The activities in our schools mirror the sentiments of the Advent season as we excitedly prepare for the celebration of 7

8 Jesus birth. Although our activities are vastly different today, this anticipation links us back to the Jewish people all those years ago. Our Messiah is soon to arrive, and it is a time of hope for the future! Each fall, many of our schools and our staff participate in the We Care Challenge. This outstanding endeavor raises significant funds for two Catholic organizations, the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation s Dreams for Kids campaign and Catholic Social Services Sign of Hope campaign, that have tremendous impact on our ECSD community and beyond. Special thanks to our students, staff, and families for participating in this endeavor. As I am writing this newsletter, we are preparing for the presentation of our 2018 Audited Financial Statements and our Three Year Strategic Education Plan and Annual Education Results Report at our November 27 Public Meeting of the Board. After that meeting, you can click on the links above or visit to view those reports. Our All-City Choir is having their Christmas Concert on December 3 at 7:30 pm at McDougall United Church (10086 MacDonald Dr NW). The All-City Band s Christmas Concert is on December 12 at 7:00 pm at the Myer Horowitz Theatre ( St NW). Tickets are $5 at the door, and these concerts will be amazing! The District Satisfaction Survey will run from November 26 - December 7. Every household will receive one parent survey per child enrolled in an Edmonton Catholic School. Please respond to each survey separately from the point of view of each child's educational experience. You can either return your parent survey to your child s school or use the postage paid envelope and Canada Post. If you don t receive your survey, or if you would like more information about a question as it relates to your school, please phone the principal. This year s Hour of Code event takes place from December 3-7. This is the fifth year that Edmonton Catholic Schools will be participating. Hour of Code is a global movement that is supported by Code.org with the purpose of reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries through a one-hour introduction to computer science and computer programming. We live in a world surrounded by technology, and we know that whatever fields our students choose to explore as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works. This is a great time to introduce our students to computer programming and for them to see how coding is part of the way the world works. Coding and Computer Science also help to enhance literacy and numeracy skills through computational thinking, collaboration, and problem solving. Our goal is to have 27,000 student and teacher coders participate! As 2018 comes to a close, I wish you many opportunities to spend time with your family and friends reflecting on the many graces and great love that God has shared over this past year. In 2015 at the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis shared the following thoughts on the gift of Jesus to the Holy Family: And His Son, where did He send Him? To a palace? To a city, to start a business? He sent Him to a family! God came into the world in a family. And he was able to do this because this family was a family that had its heart open to love, that had the doors open to love. (09/27/15) Have a blessed Advent and Christmas season! Sincerely, Joan Carr Superintendent 8

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11 Grade 2-6 Christmas Concert Ticket Order Form Please fill out the following form to order your Christmas Concert Tickets for Tuesday, December 18th, Each family will be granted 4 tickets. If there are seats remaining after this, an additional 2 tickets will be granted to families. We will have a dress rehearsal on that Tuesday morning (10:30 am) for those family members that can attend, especially if you are unable to secure enough tickets for the evening performance. In order to be guaranteed tickets, all orders must be returned by Wednesday, December 12th. Tickets will be sent home Monday, December 17th with students. 11

12 The December/January Newsletter is now online at Read your copy now!! This month s question for a chance to win lunch or snack with the administration is: Students have a FULL day of classes on Thursday, December and a HALF day on Friday, December. 100 Voices and Kindergarten will have regularly scheduled classes on December and no class on December. School resumes after Christmas on Monday, January, 2018 at 8:25 am. Name: Grade: 12