October St. Thomas More. A Prayer for the People of Indonesia

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1 St. Thomas More October 2018 A Prayer for the People of Indonesia As a Catholic community it is important for us to recognize that we are all connected and one in the body of Christ. When devastating events take place around our world we gather together to support each other through volunteerism, charity and prayer. To start off our October newsletter we would like to share with you a prayer that was created by our religion consultant and distributed by our superintendent to all our schools. In times such as this, we know that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8: 38-39). Rescue workers in Indonesia continue a desperate search for survivors, days after a powerful earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi and triggered a tsunami, killing more than 830 people. After the 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Friday, water smashed into buildings and swept away homes in the coastal city of Palu, home to 350,000 people. It is the most devastating earthquake to hit Indonesia since We hold in our hearts and lift up in prayer all of those who have been impacted. Let us pray: Almighty God, give the people of Indonesia the courage they need during this time of great suffering. Bless the work of first responders and relief agencies, and grant strength to the men, women and children still facing danger, grief, and displacement. Bring to safety those who are lost and missing, and peace to the families of those who have lost their lives. Surround them with your consolation and comfort. In the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth, help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, and in comfort, and keep our hearts focused on the needs of those affected. We pray this in Jesus' name. AMEN. 1

2 Principals Message Dear Parents and Guardians of the St. Thomas More School Community, What an exciting start to our school year! Our student enrollment currently sits at 429 students! Furthermore, we are undergoing a few subtle changes around the St. Thomas More; be sure to ask your child about them or drop in, check things out, and say hello! We want to thank the many parents who attended our Meet the Staff Night. We were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet so many parents and share our gifts and talents with the community! Thank you to all who attended. Your participation is essential in building positive relationships and shows your children that we all take an active role in their education. We began our year with a Welcome Celebration liturgy on Friday, September 7. What a wonderful way it was to commence our school year together! It was a pleasure to find out firsthand what a wonderful and joyous community we work in. Many thanks to everyone who made our annual Terry Fox Day run such a success. Our students met the challenge of the run and were also able to publicly recognize Terry Fox and his tremendous efforts to raise a greater awareness of Cancer. We also had quite the line-up for Read-In week including the principals from St. Francis Xavier and Oscar Romero High School. Thank you to all our teachers who read and organized the schedule as well as the readers who volunteered their time and supported the St. Thomas More Community. Staff at St. Thomas More are committed to academic excellence and professional development. This year staff will continue developing the following IB Learner profiles so that our students can grow and develop their capacity to be: Knowledgeable Risk-takers Balanced Caring Principled Inquirers Reflective Thinkers Open-minded Communicators We ask God to bless us all as we continue to forge ahead, and in some instances, embark on exciting new learning discoveries! Have a wonderful October and have a happy Thanksgiving long weekend! Ryan Feehan Principal 2

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5 Gaudete et Exultate of the Holy Father Francis: A Call to Holiness in Today s World Chapter One - The Saints Who Encourage and Accompany Us In March 2018, Pope Francis released an Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today s World. In that Exhortation, Pope Francis commends "parents who raise their children with immense love, men and women who work hard to support their families, the sick, the elderly religious who never lose their smile" (7), as people who are living out their holiness. The Pope guides us in the direction of the Saints, who like us, were not perfect, but who never stopped trying to live out their call to holiness. When reflecting on these Saints lives we need to focus on the big picture of what they accomplished rather than on their fragile, and at times imperfect, existence. Here are a few highlights from the Exhortation that led way to some Aha moments: "Let us be spurred on by the signs of holiness that the Lord shows us through the humblest members who share a living witness by means of faith and charity (8). "We should not grow discouraged before examples of holiness that appear unattainable (11). For us, God s lay faithful, this means that we are to follow our own path and use the unique and special gifts He has given each of us. Pope Francis stresses that we are not meant to copy others' acts of holiness, but to create our own. These acts can be subtle or grand, but both have value, and both are essential in today s world. "A Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path of holiness"(19). The saints lived their lives by following their various paths, and sometimes not everything they did was authentic or perfect; it is their lives in totality that need to be contemplated. Our lives too, need to be seen as a mission that we allow to be transformed by listening to God. Our lives may not always be perfect, but their totality will demonstrate our call to holiness. "Our lives do not have a mission; our lives are a mission (27). Friends, in our lives we are often called to many tasks; being a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, friend, daughter, son, boss, etc. As such, we tend to live our lives in a hurried and busy manner! Pope Francis asks us to slow down and remember that rushing through our lives is not living our lives as a mission, but that it is living our lives to the fullest that is our mission! It is how we carry out our day to day tasks, how we do our jobs, and how we raise our children or how we care for our aging parents, just to name a few. Sometimes it might feel as if we are living our lives as a mission impossible, but with faith and dedication to Christ, our lives can become a mission possible Go and make disciples baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (MT 28:19). God Bless, Susanna Kaup Secondary Religious Education Consultant Edmonton Catholic Schools 5

6 Where is God in my Life? A Reflection by Fr. Glenn McDonald, CSB Where is God in my life? This is a question I get asked a lot as a priest. Theology can point towards an answer, but only an experience from someone s everyday life will satisfy as a response. I am embarrassed to admit that even as a seminarian and later as a priest, I was having a lot of trouble seeing God in my own life. How could I then point out the presence of God in someone else s life? Thankfully, God began to teach me how to recognize His presence in my own life, which enabled me to help other people see His presence in their lives, too. He used a special relationship to do this. I am very fortunate to have my grandmother living in Edmonton. Her name is Lulu. And yes, she is as adorable as her name. During the four years I spent studying at the University of Alberta, which was only a short bus ride away from my grandmother s house, I rarely visited her. I was always too busy. I had every excuse not to go: I had homework to do; the bus would take too long; I had plans with my friends; I would go next week. When I completed my degree and was departing from Edmonton, I had to say goodbye to my grandmother. Despite the fact that I had visited her only once a semester, she was very sad to see me go. In that moment, my degree suddenly seemed empty. I could see how precious my grandmother s presence was in my life. I had been so blind, but it was too late. It was time for me to leave the city. Fortunately, I was given a second chance many years later, when my religious community appointed me to Edmonton. I resolved to visit my grandmother each Friday. And I did! Our visits followed the same pattern. I would bring her flowers. She would make me a sandwich and a cup of tea. We would talk about her week, how the family was doing, and if she had heard from relatives in Saskatchewan. I would share about my work. After an hour, I would depart. Each visit was ordinary, but I always felt fulfilled when I left like I had participated in something of great value. In 1 John, we read, Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. Over time, I realized that my weekly visits with my grandma were an experience of love. An experience of genuine love is an experience of God. I became aware that these visits were one of the ways that God was present and active in my life. What are the situations in your life in which you experience sincere love? Who are the people in your life who love you the most, with self-sacrificial, giving love? It is in these situations, and interacting with these people, that God s presence and action in your life becomes real. Today, when a student asks me, Where is God? I respond with, Let me give you an example from my own life. Her name is Lulu. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. - 1 John 4:8 6

7 CASINO FUNDRAISER Volunteers Required St. Thomas More Jr. High School Saturday, December 15, 2018 and Sunday, December 16, 2018 Starlight Casino Edmonton WEM, Entrance 9 Upper Level St. Thomas More Jr. High School is very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a Casino Fundraiser for our school on December 15 and 16, Casino revenue continues to be our biggest fundraising event and has allowed us to provide our children with technology (SMART boards, IPods, IPads, Chrome books etc.), sports equipment, musical instruments and countless field trips. All of the money raised at the Casino is vested directly into our children and their school. To make this event a success, we need your help! We are currently looking for Volunteers to work our Casino. Volunteers can be parents/guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends. Please spread the word and consider volunteering yourself. Positions Required Include: General Managers - Working closely with one of our experienced Casino Advisors, the General Manager ensures the Casino is conducted in accordance with the Casino Terms & Conditions & Operating Guidelines. General Managers are required to work both days of the Casino; we need two volunteers one for days and one for nights. Shift hours are 9:00AM 6:30PM for Day and 6:15PM 3:45AM for Night. Bankers - This position controls the main cash cage, chip and cash floats. Bankers are also required to work both days of the Casino; we need two volunteers one for days and one for nights. Shift hours are 9:00AM 6:30PM for Day and 6:15PM 3:45AM for Night. Cashiers - Cashiers work inside the cash cage, providing chips and money to and collecting from patrons and chip runners. We require coverage for eight Cashier shifts - four for the day shift & four for the night shift. Shift hours are 9:30AM 7:00PM for Day and 6:45PM 3:15AM for Night. Chip Runners Responsible to carry chips from the cash cage to the gaming tables. We require coverage for six Chip Runner shifts two for the day shift & four for the night shift. Shift hours are 9:30AM 7:00PM for Day and 6:45PM 3:15AM for Night. Count Room Staff Responsible to count the money towards the end of the day. We require coverage for fourteen Count Room shifts night shift volunteers only. Hours are from 11:00PM (if you would like a meal) otherwise 11:30 to 3:30AM The duties and responsibilities of these positions are all easy to do, a lot of fun and very well supported. We have Casino Advisors working closely with us to ensure everything runs smoothly, with added support from the Starlight Casino Staff. All volunteers will be provided with breaks, a meal (at no charge), with snacks and drinks being made available throughout the shifts. As a Thank you, seating in the first few rows of significant St.Thomas More events will be reserved for volunteers!! We need to fill as many position as possible by October 12, 2018! If you are available to volunteer for this event, please contact Jane McDade at or st.thomasmoresac@gmail.com 7

8 The weather hasn't been overly cooperative in September, but we have managed to get a few days of outdoor training. I hope we get some good weather in October. Our September Male and Female Student Athletes of month are: Maddison, Joshua, Taylor and Coby. All four have had an excellent month of training and showed a tremendous amount of leadership. The kick off BBQ was a lot of fun. The students, along with those in the Hockey Academy, consumed well over 300 hamburgers and 75 hotdogs. They were extremely well behaved throughout the afternoon and all of the Academy Staff appreciated it. We will continue to train outdoors throughout October and are crossing our fingers for a great month of weather. We travel to the Indoor Center starting in early November. It has been a great first month for the Academy; we are looking to continue this for the rest of the year. All teams are running smooth and everything seems to be falling in place. The On-ice skills testing will has begun and will continue for the first week of October. October brings lots of action to the Academy; all teams will be heading off to another field trip. This month the students will be going bowling at Ed s Rec Room as well as playing Volleyball at the Saville Centre. Teams will also have a chance to work on their fitness with Mr. Riemer. To finish off the month we have the Halloween Activity, which will be on Wednesday October 31st. I look forward to having another great month. Thank you, Mr. Burt 8

9 OFFICE HOURS Please note that our school is open from 8:00 am 3:30 pm. After hours, the telephone answering machine is available to record student absences or to leave messages for the staff. STUDENT ABSENCES Parents, please be sure to call the school if your child will be away from school or if they will be arriving late. It is very important for us to know that the children who are absent from school are safely home or with their parents. The school number is ALL students must report to the office to receive a late slip before going to class. Dr. Gelmini from the Alberta Science Network came to our school Wednesday Sept 26 in the morning to present "Chemistry All Around You" to the grade nines. 9

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11 Orange Shirt Day "The residential school experience is one of the darkest, most troubling chapters in our collective history." Justice Murray Sinclair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Chairman On Orange Shirt Day, we acknowledge Canada s Indigenous history and remember all the children and families whose lives were irrevocably changed through the tragedy that is to be found in residential schools. It is a time to honor those who survived, and to remember those who did not. Orange Shirt Day finds its roots in the story of Phyllis Webstad, a 6-year-old girl who was stripped of her shiny, new orange shirt when she entered a residential school. You can see Phyllis tell her moving story at The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, was established to create an enduring archive of the stories of residential schools. It is a rich repository of text and of video from the work of the TRC that provides many opportunities for us to use the powerful tool of education as an integral part of the journey to reconciliation. Please visit our website and click on the banner The Journey to Truth and Reconciliation in Edmonton Catholic Schools to view the story of what the work of the TRC looks like in our schools and sites. 11

12 Please follow the school on ult.aspx You can find important information and dates on our school website! 12

13 School Fees We are not accepting any cheques this year. All fees can be paid online or with cash. Payable online Invoices have been Mailed Knight Leadership Students can keep up with STM's events, activities, and contests by on instagram. Students taking part with school activities gain class participation points where the homeroom with the most points at the end of year win a pizza party! Knights Represent hoodies are now for sale for $30 (cash). Purchase them from Mr. Vale (room 205). $3 from each sale go to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation. STM encourages mental health self care and awareness. So we will continue our Put a Lid on Mental illness fundraising campaign starting in October. This will be every LAST Thursday of the month where students will be able to wear a hat/toque by donating $2 to Miss Brotto (room 202) or Mr.Vale (room 205). Donations will be going to the Canadian Mental Health Association. It's Halloween season! So keep an ear out for Halloween festivities this month. 13

14 A Word from Chaplaincy Knight Justice started September with a fundraiser to raise money for Catholic Social Services: Immigration and Resettlement Services. Students have been selling lollipops at lunch on Fridays in an effort to help those who are most vulnerable, people new to our country in need of support as they adjust to life here. Also, in September, students baked cupcakes to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation, a charity which helps make dreams come true for people who are living with severe illnesses. In October, we are looking forward to travelling to Rogers Place, where We Day activities will be taking place. This is an opportunity for students to hear the stories of others who are also doing Social Justice work in our country and world. Thank you to the STM Community for all of your support for our various activities. Sister Michelle, fcj 14

15 From the STM Social Worker October 1-7 is Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) MIAW focuses on spreading mental health awareness and reducing stigma. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness throughout their lifetime. MIAW provides an opportunity to talk about mental health issues and the importance of early recognition, proper diagnosis and access to effective medical treatments and support. Know that if you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Help is available through Health Link at 811 or the Alberta Mental Health Helpline at

16 Information can be found on our school website under the Alberta Health Services link. Christmas Concert Thursday December 7pm Spring Concert Thursday May 16

17 For the month of October we will continue to highlight the importance of the IB Learner Profile for the students of St. Thomas More. Our goal as educators is to enable students to embody the ten Learner Profile traits that will enable them to scaffold their skills in order to adapt to an ever-changing world and workforce. This month we will be highlighting the importance of communicating, inquiring, caring, and being principled. It has been referenced by many that 90% of communication is non-verbal. While that figure is highly debatable, the general consensus among communication researchers is that communication is not so much about what we say as it is how we say it. Interacting with parents, peers, and strangers can raise anxieties among some students. With that said, it is important to know that there is no ideal way to communicate, but instead there are some general guidelines that should be followed. In a world where communication is often dominated by text messages and social media it is important for students to remember that nothing we communicate digitally can ever be taken back. Exercising self control and taking the time to think about the words we use and how they could be interpreted is a valuable skill to learn. It is always better to open doors through mindful communication than it is to close them due to acting and communicating hastily. One of the primary objectives to the MYP programme is to mold students into selfmotivated inquirers. If students can become interested in unearthing information on their own, and finding both intrigue and relevance in the material that they learn, then they are more likely to retain that information. Most importantly effective inquirers become self-motivated life long learners. The more knowledge students unearth the more they are able to understand multiple perspectives, empathize with those who think differently, and the greater earning power they will possess when it becomes time to enter the workforce. The learner profile traits of caring and being principled overlap quite a lot. The IB programme forces students to look outside of their daily lives to understand that most people in the world face drastically different daily realities which shape their quality of life. By building this understanding students begin to naturally highlight the principles that are engrained in both society and their consciences. These understandings guide students in knowing the differences between right and wrong regarding the standard of living of others, and the rights and freedoms that should be afforded to all people. It is this explicit look outwards that differentiates out IB school from many traditional settings where the focus typically looks inward towards one s self. 17

18 Students will be able to take out books starting at the end of September in their LA classes. STAY Alert October

19 PowerTeacherPro Gradebook Explained video for parents: In this revised gradebook, when a teacher creates an assignment, they attach at least one key learner outcome to that assignment. Along with the numerical grade of the assignment, a teacher also assesses the connected learner outcome(s) chosen in terms of levels of achievement (beginning, approaching, proficient and exemplary). In the quick-look ups on PowerSchool, which can be accessed at any time, the achievement of each student is expressed numerically as well as through levels of achievement on the learner outcomes chosen. This visual representation clearly leads parents, student and teachers into dialogue about next steps in learning. At the November and March parent/student/teacher interviews, the PowerTeacherPro gradebook along with student work will be excellent resources to engage in dialogue about each student s learning to date and to set goals for continued progress and success. The homeroom teacher will follow up through with parents of students who show signs of struggle who did not attend an interview. The January 31th and June 28th progress reports will include an assessment of student learner skills, a percentage grade in Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Religion and Physical Education as well as a summary level of achievement (beginning, approaching, proficient, exemplary) for each curricular learner outcome assessed during the term. Parent user name and passwords will be shared with parents at the school office, at the Meet the Teacher evening in September, at the Demonstration of Learning/Interview time in November and through home. This ongoing outcomes-based assessment and reporting structure gives parents, students and teachers clear information about student achievement which informs next steps in teaching and learning for the continued progress and success of each student. 19