Le Lien. March Dear Parents and Guardians,

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1 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5P 0R5 (780) Le Lien March 2016 March 17 Celebration of Learning 13:00-14:30 18:00-19:30 Heart of Glee Meyer Horowitz 19:00 March 18 Crazy Clothes Day Smoothie Friday March 24 Talent Show 9:00 Easter Break March 25-April 1st NO SCHOOL (classes resume April 4th) Dear Parents and Guardians, February was filled with various activities and celebrations: our MYP and PYP carnavals d hiver, Ash Wednesday s celebrations and Valentine s Day parties and dance. We also enjoyed our time skating at the Canora rink. A big thank you to all the parents and guardians who came to help out with skating! We also would like to recognize all our parent volunteers who took the time to make the Shrove Tuesday s pancake breakfast possible. Our basketball teams will be wrapping up the season and beginning the playoffs. We are excited for them and wish them the best. We are looking forward to seeing you at our Celebration of Learning March 17th. Denis Gauthier Principal Lynnette Anderson Assistant Principal

2 Craig Krieger on Cybercrime On Friday, February 12th we had the privilege of hosting Craig Krieger, Crown Prosecutor with Alberta Justice, who spoke to our grades 5 to 9 students about cybercrime. Mr. Krieger described some of the unpleasant realities of the online world. He presented proactive tips to our students and staff on what to watch out for and how to proceed if we were to find ourselves in uncomfortable online situations. It was an informative session ending with an opportunity for our students to ask questions. We are looking forward to Wednesday, April 6, when Mr. Kreiger will return to Holy Cross to speak to our parents during our School Council meeting. Pink T-shirt Day February 24th was Pink T-shirt Day. It s a tradition that started in 2007, when two students of a Nova Scotia school took a stand against bullying. When one of their fellow students was being bullied for wearing pink, they went out and bought pinks shirts for other students to wear to show their support. Staff and students of Holy Cross wore pink Wednesday, February 24th to raise awareness and start conversations about bullying but most importantly, to show the victims of bullying that they are not alone, that others care. We also made a Grafriendi Wall and each homeroom contributed, covering it with positive messages and words of encouragement as we stand together against bullying of any kind.

3 Carnaval d hiver On Friday, January 29th and Monday, February 1, our PYP and MYP students were treated to their very own carnival d hiver. Both groups spent full days outdoors and faced a variety of challenges from pirate-boat races to ice volcano building as well as snow scootering and mini golfing. Everyone had a blast and enjoyed the change in routine. APPLE Family Fun Night Thank you to the many families and staff who joined us on Friday, February 19th for APPLE Family Fun Night. It was a testimonial to our amazing community to see so many people come together and have fun. Special thank you to Rachelle Billo, our APPLE Schools SC representative, Shara Tardif and Kim Turcotte, and their families for organizing the event.

4 Valentine s Day Dance On Friday, February 19, our grades 7, 8 and 9 students enjoyed the Valentine s Day Dance, combined with our afternoon smoothie sale in support of the ECS Foundation. Many thanks to Mlle Norman and M Eng for guiding our Leadership Team in organizing the events. Thank you to Mme Shipka and the Foods students who provided the treats. It was a great success. Valentine s Day Dance Queen Faith Day February 1, our grade 8 students had the unique opportunity to attend the first annual Father Michael Mireau Youth Faith Day. They, along with all the grade 8 students from across the district were kept engaged as guest speakers, Mike Patin and Jesse Manibusan, spoke to their personal faith journeys using songs and laughter! Ash Wednesday This year, we held our Ash Wednesday celebrations in each homeroom classroom. Thanks to the more intimate setting, students had the chance to ask more questions about the Lenten season. Along with the readings, the students had the opportunity to learn the significance of the ashes and the meaning of Lent. Each homeroom also had the chance to discuss the topics of sacrifice and service and their roles during the Lenten season.

5 Basketball Our basketball teams have been playing hard all season! Recently they both participated in the Archbishop Oscar Romero Volleyball tournaments where they both competed well! The girls team took home the Girls Tournament title, and the boys played their way into the consolation finals. Two of our players were recognized as Most Valuable Player and Best Player. Keep up the good work and best of luck in the playoffs! Running Club Tuesday, February 16 and Monday, February 22, our grades 3 6 running team participated in the Running Room Games at the Butterdome. Thank you to M. Chaylt, Mme Fairbank and Mlle Potvin for coaching our young runners. We are very excited to hear how they do at the finals next month! APPLE League and Pep Rally Thursday, January 28, during APPLE League, our MYP students participated in a variety of games and competitions. From karaoke to cup stacking, teamwork was paramount and our students delivered! Following the APPLE Games, our Boys and Girls Basketball Teams faced off and gave us a show. The morning ended with a students vs staff basketball game.

6 Passing to Victory: Crusaders girls basketball team take the lead! With a very successful regular season behind them, we are pleased to announce that the Girls basketball team will be competing in the Tier 2 division for playoffs. Coaches Ron Mottershead and David Graham have led the team through a regular season with no losses as well as two tournaments. The girls second tournament, held at Archbishop Romero High School in which the team placed first was held February 12 and 13! We invite you to come view the new trophy we proudly display next to the office. Two of our players also received special recognition: Jasmin Viray-Hebrada as Most Valuable Player of the tournament and Madeleine Moran as Best Player of the game. Bravo les filles! Nous sommes très fiers de vous. The team should be commended for their exceptional focus, perseverance and teamwork. Their collaborative skills are especially noticeable in the way they communicate, pass the ball and play on each other s strengths to succeed. We wish them all the best as they begin playoffs on March 2. Go Crusaders go! The Crusader s win the tournament at Romero!

7 School Council Meeting The next School Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 6 at 19:00. Please join us for a special presentation from Crown Prosecutor, Craig Krieger, about cyber-crime. All are welcome to join us in the réseau. March 17 Celebration of Learning 13:00-14:30 18:00-19:30 March 18 Crazy Clothes Day Smoothie Friday March 24 Talent Show 9:00 Easter Break March 25-April 1st NO SCHOOL (classes resume April 4th) Please note the following mass times; Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church Weekday Mass: Tuesday-Friday 9:00am. The next Baptism preparation session will be on March 16th at 7:00pm in the board room.

8 Coffee, Tea and IB Grades five and nine students along with their parents gathered together on February 11 to learn more about our upcoming IB Exhibition and Community Project. The purpose of the PYP Exhibition and MYP Community Project is for students to complete a culminating project in their respective programmes. They will engage in a collaborative inquiry process, and synthesize and apply their learning from the previous years. Students will also be encouraged to take action so as to contribute positively in their communities. They will be presenting their projects to their families and our school community on April 21st. We look forward to seeing the results of their hard work. Profil du Mois Friday, February 5, our grade 4 students went around to our different classes and shared how to be good communicators. Next month s Learner Profile is Principled. We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

9 and academic curriculum,guided by the following five The learning attitudes aim to develop a lifelong love of learning and nurture a child's curiosity and confi- dence. standards? connect the student with his or her own potential themes that guide units of inquiry and compose a year Where we are in place and time areas and how it relates to the world around them.

10 education? the world around them, participation in a foreign lancurriculum to include immersion in four themes-

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12 March: a Month of Mercy for Lent + Easter "As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me"(mt 25:40) Pope Francis declared 2016 the Jubilee Year of Mercy; he encourages all of us to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The works of mercy give Christians ways to live according to Jesus Great Commandment; they are more than gestures or obligations, rather they are genuine acts of love for our neighbor. Here are 31 ways to practice mercy and celebrate Easter this March: 1. Tell someone that you appreciate them; give them a hug J 2. Live simply today; turn the TV or computer off and go for a walk outside with God. 3. Encourage someone who is having a tough time. 4. Pray for someone who is sick or struggling with a problem. 5. Be positive; refrain from using sarcasm. 6. Call, or better yet go visit, someone you know who is lonely. 7. Write a sorry letter and ask for forgiveness. 8. Spend an extra 7 minutes with God today; read a Bible story or scripture. 9. Show humility and admit that you re wrong. 10. Listen to a Christian song (105.9 Shine FM) and contemplate the message. 11. Write down 3 things you are grateful for. If any of them includes a person, tell them. 12. Invite your child to cook lunch or supper with you; let them choose the recipe. 13. Smile, greet or chat with someone who is new to you at Church or not in your social circle. 14. Forgive yourself. Write it down and burn the paper, offering your prayers up to God. 15. Show acceptance and do something kind to someone who challenges you. 16. Offer to babysit for a busy mom so she can have a couple of hours to herself. 17. It s St. Patrick s Day; celebrate the Trinity. Buy a shamrock plant: pray to God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit. 18. Write a letter or send a card to someone you miss. 19. Buy toothbrushes, toiletries and a small treat for the homeless. 20. It s Palm Sunday; celebrate your faith by spending an extra 5 minutes praying after Church. 21. Put down your cell-phone and really listen to someone, with eye contact. 22.Appreciate your freedom; go for a long walk in the sunshine. 23. Show patience with someone who is slow or messy. 24. It s Holy Thursday; talk about Jesus and the Last Supper during family meal time today. 25. It s Good Friday; spend some quiet time with God today He is sad that His son died. 26. Spend extra time with someone, doing something they are interested in or play a board game. 27. It s Easter! Celebrate life! After Church go do something fun outside. 28. Visit the graves of your passed loved ones; pray for all the souls in the cemetery. 29. Show the earth you love her; plan a garden & go buy some seeds for planting, even lettuce. 30. Offer to do an errand for a homebound person or a busy parent. 31. Acknowledge someone for doing a good job; celebrate their success! Janice Stefancik, Elementary Religious Education Consultant

13 Laudato Si Chapter Five: Lines of Approach and Action We live in a world where lines exist everywhere. We see lines on sports fields, roadways, thermometers, measuring cups, and just about every human made object we interact with. We also see the splendid beauty of God s creation: the line where ocean meets sky, the angular form of a mountain, the curve of a shoreline. We come to understand that there is a delicate balance between what is imposed upon creation through human interaction and what the environment can sustain. In the first four chapters of Laudato Si Pope Francis reveals the shortcomings of what he calls the profoundly human causes of environmental degradation. (163). In chapter five he offers five lines of approach for us to consider in moving towards more hopeful outcomes. Like the yard lines that mark the progression of a team, their action towards a touchdown, the five major paths of dialogue our Pontiff outlines in this chapter can help us escape the spiral of selfdestruction which currently engulfs us. (163). Let us look at the key messages from each of the pathways. I. Dialogue on the environment in the international community Pope Francis challenges us to come to the perspective that our planet is a homeland and that humanity is one people living in a common home. (164). In order to achieve a globally minded approach (global consensus) in resolving our environmental challenges we much hold governments and corporations accountable to walk the talk of true reform and ethic practice. We must set a priority for impoverished nations to eliminate extreme poverty and to promote the social development of their people. (172). Protecting the oceans is also a key action. We are called to dialogue on what is needed for true progress which Pope Francis states is: an agreement on systems of governance for the whole range of so-called global commons. (174). II. Dialogue for new national and local policies Protecting our precious world is not something that one country wins and another loses. We are all impacted and can no longer look in isolation for solutions. We must act together. We must look over the long term vs band aid solutions. True statecraft is manifest when, in difficult times, we uphold high principles and think of the long-term common good. (178). Pope Francis speaks to the power of individuals to lobby and take action to make a difference. For the sake of generations to come he challenges us to instill a greater sense of responsibility, a strong sense of community, a readiness to protect others, a spirit of creativity and a deep love for the land. (179.). III. Dialogue and transparency in decision-making Pope Francis speaks strongly to the idea that for solutions to safeguard our environment corporate profit can no longer be the sole criterion to be taken into account (187.) New technology must be responsive to meeting the mandate of improving the quality of life yet, in their making, not destroy the environment nor take advantage of the poor. Honesty and truth are needed in scientific and political discussions; these should not be limited to the issue of whether or not a particular project is permitted by law. (184.) All reasonable solutions and possibilities are to be explored to ensure new projects and initiatives reflect sound discernment and are transparent in their implementation from start to finish.

14 IV. Politics and economy in dialogue for human fulfillment Pope Francis asks us to keep in mind the principle of subsidiarity which grants freedom to develop the capabilities present at every level of society, while also demanding a greater sense of responsibility for the common good from those who wield great power. (196.) We need a political mindset that seeks to mitigate corruption of all forms and become healthy through advocacy for the poor and agency for responsible stewardship. Politics and the economy tend to blame each other when it comes to poverty and environmental degradation. It is to be hoped that they can acknowledge their mistakes and find forms of interaction directed to the common good. (197.). V. Religions in dialogue with science In seeking to understand the gravity of the world s environmental crisis, the Pope says: Believers themselves must constantly feel challenged to live in a way consonant with their faith and not to contradict it by their actions. (200.) As believers we are called to engage in conversations that deepen our understanding of stewardship and our responsibilities to the environment. Pope Francis encourages all religions to dialogue amongst themselves for the sake of protecting nature, defending the poor, and building networks of respect and fraternity. (201.). Chapter five clearly articulates the lines of action that we must accept and fully embrace. It is too late otherwise should we continue down the same old roads we have been following. Pope Francis is hopeful for us: to be encouraged to be ever open to God s grace and to draw constantly from their (our) deepest convictions about love, justice and peace. (200.) The chapter concludes with this poignant message: The gravity of the ecological crisis demands that we all look to the common good, embarking on a path of dialogue which demands patience, self-discipline and generosity, always keeping in mind that realities are greater than ideas. (201.).This is the challenge for which we all must toe the line and spring into authentic action! Tim Cusack serves as Assistant Superintendent, Learning Services Innovation

15 To: Superintendents of Public, Separate, Francophone and Charter School Boards In the most recent edition of our In the Loop newsletter, the Minister s message addresses the Guidelines for Best Practices: Creating Learning Environments that Respect Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Gender Expressions. We have heard from school authorities who received a positive reaction after sending the newsletter out to parents. They found it helped to explain the rationale behind the Guidelines, while clarifying what is expected from school authorities to create a policy or policies on safe and caring environments as it relates to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. If you also feel that this may be useful to the parents in your schools, please feel free to share with them. For your convenience, the link is provided below. id=743663&q=0&qz=07a7b5 Thank you, Tamara Magnan Communications Director Alberta Education cc: Communications Contacts at School Divisions

16 Mercy and Race Relations Part of our Lenten & Easter Journey Pope Francis calls us to live this Jubilee Year of Mercy in all aspects of our lives. "Human beings, whenever they judge, look no farther than the surface, whereas the Father looks into the very depths of the soul," writes Francis. One of the worst ways that we can look no farther than the surface, is through the sin of racism. March 21 is designated by the United Nations (UN) as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Racial discrimination can be defined as judging a person or group of people based on the behavior of some members of the group. Am I a racist? I certainly hope not! I never use those derogatory names for people of different races. I don t allow or forbid actions based on the color of the skin of the person making a request. I avoid jokes that make fun of visible minorities. On the other hand, racism can be so subtle; sometimes I get caught up in it without even noticing. That car cut me off - Oh, what planet did they learn to drive on? Sometimes it even seems logical to be racist or prejudice if we ve had a number of experiences with a certain group of people and they have all ended with a similar result. I recall talking with a friend of mine who is a member of a visible minority group when we met up at Teachers Convention. He told me about a story that he had told some students when discussing racism. He asked the students in the class who were wearing jeans to stand for a moment, and then proceeded to tell them that he did not like people who wore jeans. His reasoning was that when he arrived in Canada a couple of years earlier, he asked the first person he saw in the airport for directions. That person was wearing jeans and was not helpful at all to him. He then asked another person wearing jeans and they ignored him completely. He received assistance from a person wearing khaki pants. This pattern continued and the first six people with whom he spoke who were wearing jeans were all difficult and not helpful. He concluded, quite logically, that people who wear jeans are not nice people. There were two reactions from the students in the class. One person wearing jeans was very upset and felt that she was being judged unfairly based on the actions of others. Another student, not wearing jeans, said that he could relate to my friend and definitely understood why he had reached that conclusion. Let s take a few minutes in our families and talk about how we feel about racism - not only the blatant, in-your-face kind of racism, but the more subtle, seemingly logical kind as well. When we find ways in our daily lives to allow mercy to take action, this leads us closer to a meaningful Lenten experience. If we can live a meaningful Lent, then Easter becomes a truly glorious and amazing celebration of the love of God made visible in the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sake. A Holy Lent and a Happy Easter to all! Ed Jean, Secondary Religious Education Consultant

17 March 2016 Then He took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. ~ Luke 22:19 ~ This scripture passage, which comes from Jesus Last Supper with his disciples, shares the foundation of our faith. This first Eucharist, the sharing of the body and blood of Christ, is at the heart of our Church. When we gather together to share in the Eucharist, it is a memorial of the gift of love that God, through the person of Jesus Christ, gave to us for our salvation. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are particularly reminded that the salvation that we realize as followers of Jesus is because we have a merciful Father who shares his abundant love and forgiveness with us. We, in turn, are called to show this love and forgiveness to others; we are called to that same mercy. March always brings many celebrations of student learning at the school and District level. Parents will have the opportunity in the next several weeks to attend Demonstrations of Learning at school to have their children show them their great growth over the past months. At the District level, there are many events that highlight the fine arts in particular. Our annual Spring into Art exhibit, which runs from February 29 to March 13 at Enterprise Square, showcases the art work of students throughout the District. The display includes everything from expressive, colourful images created by students in our early learning classes to highly sophisticated, polished works by students in our High school Art programs. Band Share Day on March 7 provides students from across the District the opportunity to play on stage at the Winspear. March 17 is our annual Heart of Glee concert at the Myer Horowitz Theatre. It is an amazing celebration of song which raises funds for the Stollery Children s Hospital. Please visit to learn more. One of the innovative ways in which we meet student needs is through an alternate school year calendar. Three of our schools, Mother Teresa, St. Alphonsus, and St. Catherine offer a year round schooling calendar. One of the many benefits of year round schooling is that the learning is spread out more evenly through the calendar year. Students in year round schools have a shorter summer break and then have a fall break, the same Christmas break, and a 2 week Spring Break, which starts on March 21 this year. 2

18 Our District is excited to be running the second annual Numeracy week which begins on March 14th (Pi day). Numeracy is an on-going process, and this week provides students with an opportunity to explore the understanding that numeracy is for life. This year s Pi Day is special in that if we were to round to the 4th decimal position, we would produce which can be thought of as 3rd month of the 14th day of Students across the District will engage in many exciting activities, some involving pie, in this celebration of math in everyday life. It takes ongoing, intentional work to create and sustain a school culture that recognizes, emphasizes and reinforces a cross-curricular approach to numeracy. Many sessions have been delivered to District staff this year exploring numeracy through the 7 Mathematical processes. Within these professional learning sessions, purposeful connections have been made to other curriculum and content areas, thus empowering staff to highlight that numeracy is foundational to all learning. I would like to share a tweet from Pope Francis on February 16 that speaks to the essence of Catholic education, which provides students with a daily encounter with Christ. He shared that In Jesus, I have met the one who is able to bring out the best in me. Truly, that is what we offer our students! I wish you all a blessed Holy Week and an Easter filled with the joy to be found in the Risen Christ! Sincerely, Joan Carr Superintendent

19 March 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat *Girls Basketball Practices= Wednesdays 7:00 Fridays 15:00 *Boys Basketball practices= Mondays 15:15 Fridays 7: Girls Basketball Quarter Final at 16:00 (TBA) 3 Girls Basketball Semi-Final at 16:00 (TBA) 4 Diner des moniteurs at 11:20 in the Lunchroom Girls Basketball Final at 16:00 Maurice Lavallée Report Cards Go Live on PowerSchool Celebration of Learning 13:00-16:30 18:00-19:30 Heart of Glee Meyer Horowitz 19: Holy Thursday Talent Show 9:00 Early Dismissal at 12:00 18 Crazy Clothes Day Smoothie Friday 10:00 25 Good Friday NO SCHOOL Holy Saturday 27 Easter Sunday 28 Easter Monday NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL

20 April 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 NO SCHOOL 3 4 WELCOME BACK! Easter Mass Gym at 10:15 5 Badminton Starts 6 School Council Meeting 19:00 with special guest Craig Krieger RunWild and Zebra Centre Presentation at 10:30 13 No School for KINDERGARTEN Grade 5 EXPO and Grade 9 Community Project with Sarah Chan at 19: Leadership Team Zebra Centre at 13:00 30