Administrators Message

Transcription

1 Administrators Message Few times during the year are more sacred for a family than Christmas. Along with the Advent season, Christmas time is rich in traditions which, despite commercialism, still stir our hearts and imagination. The Christmas tree, the manger scene, the music and carols, and the lights shining in the winter darkness all joyfully proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ and call us to come and adore him. Advent Season is already upon us! This is a time of anticipation for both young and old alike. It is a time of gathering and rekindling old friendships and starting new ones! St. John XXIII will conduct weekly advent celebrations in class each Monday morning during Advent. All students and staff will attend a school wide mass at St. Thomas More Parish on December 21 at 10:30 a.m. This will be an uplifting experience to share in the joy of the coming of Jesus Christ. All parent and guardians are invited. December has been filled with many exciting and fun activities for our students. December 20 th will be a special day at our school. Our junior high students will be participating in several social justice projects visitng a number of inner city schools and our grade 6 classes will lead our annual Christmas Carnival held for grade 1 to 5 students. More details about these events are found in this month s newsletter. St. John XXIII staff wish you all a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless! Michael Kovacs Kathleen Korner Nella Funaro Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

2 Scholastic Book Fair St.John XXIII has hosted its annual Scholastic Book Fair! This event was extremely positive and our students had a terrific time buying books for themselves and for the teacher libraries. Special thank you to Mrs. Pointer, Jolaine Martin, and all the volunteers, Dol, Odette, Sarah, Kathy, Teresa and Denise for making this exciting event occur in our school. The book fair total sales were $ with $ coming back to the school in the form of books. Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a successful event! Advent Celebrations and Christmas Mass This is a time for our students to learn about the importance of Advent as we wait for coming our Savior Jesus. St. John XXIII will conduct weekly advent celebrations in class each Monday morning during Advent. All student and staff will attend a school wide mass at St. Thomas More Parish on December 21 at 10:30 a.m. Our school choir (grades 3-6) and the liturgical dance group (grades 4-6) will be performing during this solemn celebration. All parents and guardians are invited to attend. We hope to see you all there. Students will take the bus to the parish and return for afternoon classes. We would encourage all parents to please join us at the church for mass. Social Justice Projects: Elves of St. John XXIII Christmas Activities From November 17 to December 20 our Grade 7 9 students will be participating in the Elves of St. John XXIII social justice projects. Our student will be planning and preparing the contents of their gifts for children less fortunate. The sharing of the gifts will take place on Dec 20 th at St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Gerard Schools. During the visit our students will introduce themselves, share a story, do a cookie activity, and of course open their gifts. One of the gifts in the boxes will be a cross built and painted by our students. Thank you to our Junior high students to their time and commitment to this project.

3 Polar Express Day and Traveling Christmas Carnival On December 19 the grade 1-4 students swill participate in Polar Express Day. On this day, in the morning the teaches have set up a variety of interesting fun activities based on the movie of the same name. In the afternoon the children will snuggle into the gym with their pajamas to watch the movie. On December 20th our Kindergarten to grade 6 students will participate in the second annual Traveling Christmas Carnival. The children move throughout the school on this day participating in various Christmas activities. Our Grade 6 students will plan and lead this activity. We ask all Kindergarten to grade 6 students to bring a toonie donation as a thank you. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the WE CARE CHALLENGE. This money raised is used by the ECSD foundation which focuses on assisting students in our schools by providing them with opportunities to access funds through the foundations DREAMS for KIDS program. This program provides funding that directly benefits children in ECSD. This activity should be a fun-filled day that also provide students an opportunity to reflect on the many blessings they have. Thank you to our Grade 6 students for leading this wonderful activity. Kinder Christmas Evening On Wednesday, December 13 at 5:30, our kindergarten classes and their parent will celebrate Christmas in the gym. The theme this year is to celebrate like its Christmas morning and we ask all families to wear their pajamas with a blanket to sit on in the gym. The students will have a mini performance and craft to do as well. We recognize that it takes a village to raise a child and so the students will have a pre-family performance in the afternoon for grandparents and extended family. This is an exciting time and we certainly look forward to seeing you all attend. Liturgical Dance (Grade 4-6) This is our first year to offer liturgical dance at St. John XXIII. The Grade 4-6 students will be collaborating with the One Voice Program to follow this years themes. Liturgical Dance will showcase their first performance on Thursday, December 14th during One Voice. Parents are invited to attend One Voice. They will be performing during selected school celebrations, District Celebration of the Arts, May 2 and the Fine Arts night on May 17th. Please join us for all the events. Choir (Grade 3-6) We are excited to once again have a Grade 3-6 choir at St. John XXIII. Our students have been practicing and will sharing their talents with our school and greater community. The choir will be performing at the Devonshire Senior center on Dec 15th. They will also be performing at the Advent Mass on December 21. We are excited to also announce that our students will be singing at the Oil Kings game on February 25th with more to information. Thank you to our Grade 3 6 students for their time and commitment.

4 Remembrance Day Celebration pray as a community. On November 9 th, St. John XXIII held its Remembrance Day Celebration. The Celebration started with a processional song of bag pipes, followed by students in their brownies, girl guides, scouts and cub uniforms. The Junior High Band played O Canada to start the celebration. Various student readings reminded us of the contributions and sacrifices our military personal have made for our country. With so many students participating, the celebration highlighted how St. John XXIII students, staff and parents, work and This year we had a very special guest of honor. The school was honored to have present Mr. Maurice Strong. Mr. Strong was a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force who served in World War II between Mr. Strong flew many combat and surveillance missions over Germany during the war and was also trained pilots. Mr. Strong s great-great grandchildren attend St. John XXIII (Mica, Aden and Zack Anderson). During a crash that occurred during the war, Mr. Strong suffered several serious injuries including the loss of one eye. The school presented the Canadian Flag that we used in the opening procession to Mr. Strong as a thank you for his service to our country and the sacrifices he has made to preserving the freedom we all enjoy today. The student, staff and parents present thanked Mr. Strong by giving him a standing ovation at the end of the celebration. Thank you, Mr. Strong. The school will not soon forget this memorable celebration!

5 St John XXIII Sports Jr Boys Volleyball Sr Boys Volleyball Jr Girls Volleyball Sr Girls Volleyball This year St. John XXIII has 5 different volleyball teams. Elementary Volleyball: The elementary volleyball season is just starting as tryout are just wrapping up. This is a mixed team of both boys and girls. They will be playing in some tournaments in the new year in including the First Annual St. John XXIII Elementary Tournament which will be held at the school on February 1 st, Junior Volleyball: The St. John XXIII junior teams are well into their season. They were in the Louis St. Laurent Junior Volleyball tournament on Dec 1 st and Dec 2 nd. The final tournament of their season will be the tournament that we are hosting, The St. John XXIII 2nd Annual Junior Tournament on Thursday, Dec 7th. Best of luck to both teams! Senior Volleyball: The St. John XXIII senior volleyball teams both made it to the playoff round. Playoffs start the week of Monday Dec 4th. The senior girls volleyball team play their quarter-final game at St. John XXIII on Monday, Dec 4th against St. Nick s. The senior boys volleyball team play their quarter-final game away against Sister Ananta Brockman on Tuesday, Dec 5th. Good luck to both teams!

6 French Immersion News On November 17th, students from Grade 4 to 8 in French Immersion were presented 8 different books as a part of the Edmonton Public Library program, Bataille des bouquins (a.k.a. Battle of the Books). The goal of this program is to encourage young readers to read in French and to expose them to new titles. After reading as many of the titles as possible, students are encouraged to discuss the books with their peers and then vote for their favourite. The EPL is a great source for French books and the Bataille des bouquins is a great place to get started. Here is a link for more information: All grade 5-8 students will be attending Franco Fun Day January 19 at J H Picard School. This annual event is a fun filled day were students attend interesting activities related to French cultural and arts. Student will receive an orientation on December 15 at the school where they will be able to sign up for the various session offered. Hello Parents of St. John XXIII School Advisory Council News As we come to the end of the year 2017, we would like to extend warm wishes to you and your families, neighbors, and friends! May the blessings of this special time of year spill into We are now signed up for the Doughraiser campaign with COBS Bread Windermere. They will be donating 5% of each sale when the school is mentioned at the beginning of the transaction to the School Council for St. John XXIII. I know we don t need an excuse to buy more pastries, but there you go! Starting in January, look out for many School Council opportunities and activities. Our next School Council meeting is Wednesday, January 7:00 pm in the Staffroom at the school. A Hot Lunch is also being coordinated for the students for a Friday in January. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to order lunch online for your children. We will need parent volunteers to distribute food and will be sending out a Sign-Up request for those able to help out. The Family Dance will be held the evening of Friday, February 9, Look forward to another great time! We will send out more information with volunteer opportunities and details of the even soon. On Sunday, February 25, 2018, all families are invited to watch an Edmonton Oil Kings Game at Rogers Place against the Swift Current Broncos at 4:00pm. Tickets will be sold at a discounted price, with proceeds going to School Council initiatives. Some students will be selected to participate in the pre-game pump-up activities, and featured on the big screen! Look out for more information coming on ticket sales soon. We encourage family members, extended family, Aunts twice removed, neighbors and friends to purchase tickets. Let s show our school spirit!

7 Parking at St. John XXIII PARKING REMINDER- Choosing Safety over Convenience This is a philosophy and an attitude that we can all embrace but is often one of the most difficult to enact. The staff parking lot is for staff only. The school parking lot in the front is to be used for visitor parking purposes only and should not be used for picking up or dropping off students. There are numerous drop off zones around the school please respect the signs. Please move up the row all the way to the front so others can come in behind you. If you want walk with your child, please park on the other side of the street and walk over. Do not park in the drop off zone to walk your children to the school. A reminder to please leave room for the school buses to turn into the front of the school or by the exits. The buses need this to turn safely and your help regarding this is greatly appreciated. AFTER SCHOOL PARKING- Choosing Safety over convenience The school parking lot is available for buses only during the drop off time before school at 8:05 and dismissal time beginning at 2:30 until the buses leave. We ask that parents do not park in the front parking lot at the end of the day to pick up your children allowing the buses the right of way when exiting the parking lot. Vehicles parked in the front parking lot during that time will be told to wait until after the buses have left the designated bus only zone. As traffic congestion increases with students being picked up after school it is becoming more difficult for our buses to remain on schedule. Adding additional vehicles from our parking lot trying to leave at the same time is increasing the issue. Again, there are numerous drop off and pick up zones located around the school. St John XXIII Pride Wear The St. John XXIII pridewear order has been a huge success. The pridewear has been delivered to the office and it will be distributed to students in December. Our online store is open until December 7. These items make perfect Christmas gifts and help to promote pride in our school. We have samples in the office for students to try on for sizes. All the orders are done online, and the product is delivered directly to the school. The online store address is: Go to the school web site and click on the Online Store link on the left-hand corner of the School Information tab! ereport Cards and Demonstration of Learning Demonstration of learning was on November 23rd. Our students and teachers enjoyed showing you the many successes of your children. We want to extend a thank you to all parents for attending our demonstration of learning. ereport Cards for all students in Grade 1-9 will be available on January 31. Counsellor s Corner As Christmas Break fast approaches, students may find the work load starting to increase as classes wrap up projects and assess units they have completed. This can be a stressful time, and it is important for students to understand that while stress can be unpleasant, it also motivates us to do well. Taking frequent breaks, managing time effectively and some sort of physical activity are ways to help reduce student stress. Even taking a quick walk around the neighborhood while studying/doing homework can lower stress and tension significantly.

8 One area of stress/anxiety revolves around tests, and there are some misconceptions regarding "test anxiety". Tests are by their very nature stressful, and the stress helps motivate students to study and prepare. Test anxiety occurs when: - A student has adequately prepared for a test - spending several days preparing and engaging in active studying (working with material rather than simply reading over the notes). - Feels very confident in their knowledge of material during regular class activities and projects, as well as after preparing for the test. - Struggles with physical reactions (sweating, feeling ill, shakiness), negative thinking or the perception of extreme pressures from outside sources immediately before, during or immediately after taking a test. These result in the student "blanking out", not performing as well on a test as they are capable, or an immense physical/mental strain on the student. - Test anxiety is NOT a result of lack of preparation. If you feel your child may be struggling with test anxiety, please contact Mr. Christianson at Kristopher.Christianson@ecsd.net. Kris Christianson M. Ed Counselling Ecole St. John XXIII Chaplain s Corner The following students received the sacrament of Confirmation the weekend of November 19 th at St. Thomas More Parish. This sacrament completes and perfects the grace received in Baptism, enabling confirmands to be authentic missionary disciples for the rest of their lives. The doves the students created are during their classes are in the learning common sharing the Gift of the Holy Spirits. Congratulations to the following students: William B., Susan B., Adam D., Natasha D., Flor D., Isaac D., Analisa F., Simon D., Kole F., Elle G., Keegan G., Natasha I., Jack H., Jeronimo L., Philippe M., Raine M., Ava R., Caleb R., Matheus S., Ethan S., Ava S., Jordan T., Madeline T., Christian T., Hailey T., Angela Z. St. John XXIII Playground Committee Parents wishing to make donations to the playground association, please make out your cheque payable to the City of Edmonton. Please note on the memo line with the words- James McCrie Park Donation # Please see the attached donation form. Your help and support with this endeavor will truly benefit our students. Cheques can be dropped off at the school office.

9 Bus Passes Parents whose children ride the yellow bus are asked to pay for their passes online, pay by cash, or postdated cheques. Bus passes can be paid for the entire school year. If passes are not paid by the 1 st of every month your child will not be allowed to ride the bus and may jeopardize their transportation. Both ETS and Yellow bus passes are available at the office. ETS and yellow bus passes can be purchased $32 for elementary student and $50 for junior high students. You can send your payment to school with your child or drop them off at the office. Please contact the office for bus pass payment and information. Bus passes will be available the first week in each month.

10 ÉCOLE ST. JOHN XXIII SCHOOL YEAR AT A GLANCE December 7 Hosting Junior Volleyball Tournament December 13 Kindergarten Christmas Family Night December 14 One Voice Parents Invited December 21 Advent St. Thomas More Parish 10:30AM December 21 Full Day of school before Christmas Break 2:50 p.m. December 22 Early Dismissal before Christmas Break 12:05 p.m. Dec. 23-Jan 7 Christmas Holidays January 8 Classes Resume after Christmas Holidays January Open Classroom Musical Showcase Grade 1-5 Dates as follows: (Gr 1 -Jan 15, Gr 2 Jan 16, Gr 3- Jan 17, Gr 5 Jan 14, Gr 4 Jan 15) January 19 Franco Fun Day at JH Picard January 24 Early Learning Conference Day No school for Kinder January 25 Winter Band Concert McQueen 7:00 p.m. January 26 Last day of Semester 1 Options January 29 Semester 2 Options January 29 Gr.5 & 9 Immunization January 31 Report Cards on PowerTeacherPro February 4-9 School Wide Carnival February 6 District Faith Development Day No school February 9 Valentine s Dance J.H./ February 9 Family Dance S.A.C. February 13 Shrove Tuesday February 14 Ash Wednesday 1:30PM February 14 Valentine s Day February 19 Family Day No School February 21 Open House 7PM K-9 March 1-2 Teachers Convention No school March 11 Spring Forward March Scholastic Book Fair March 15 Demonstration of Learning March 17 St. Patrick s Day March 22 Full Day of school before Spring Break 2:50 p.m. March 23 Early Dismissal before Spring Break 12:05 p.m. March 24-April 2 Spring Break No School April 3 First day back after Spring Break April 3 Easter 1:30PM April 11 Early Learning Conference Day No school for Kinder April Spring Concerts Gr 1-5 May 7 Gr. 5 & 9 Immunization May 8 French Grade 6 PAT French Language Arts Part A May 8 English Grade 9 PAT English Language Arts Part A May 10 English Grade 6 PAT English Language Arts Part A May 11 Track and Field Junior High May 13 Mother s Day May 16 Superintendent Award Night May 17 Fine Arts Night Art/Drama/Band 6-9PM May 21 Victoria Day No School May 23 Whole School Class Photo s May 31 JH Zone Track and Field June 14 Year End St. Thomas More Parish 10:30AM June 15 Grade 6 PAT French Language Arts Part B June 18 Grade 6 PAT English Language Arts Part B June 19 Grade 6 PAT Mathematics

11 June 19 June 20 June 20 June 22 June 22 June 25 June 26 June 26 June 26 June 27 June 28 June 28 Last day of classes for Junior High Grade 6 PAT Social Studies Junior High Activity Day Grade 6 PAT Science Grade 9 PAT Science Grade 9 PAT Social Studies Grade 9 PAT English Language Arts Part B Fun Day Elementary Grade 6 Activity Day Grade 6 PAT Mathematics Last Day of School/Early Dismissal 12:05PM Report Cards on PowerTeacherPro Advent Advent has a twofold nature: It prepares us for Christmas, when we recall Christ s first coming among us, and it is also a time when we look forward to his second coming at the end of ages. Advent is a season of joyful expectation. Advent, the Church's new year, is an invitation to wake up! This can be a turn-around time for us. Now is the time to understand ourselves more completely. Now is the time to improve our relationships with peers and with God. Before Jesus came, the people of Israel waited and prayed for the Messiah, who would free them from foreign rulers. During Advent, the Scripture readings tell us about Israel s desire for the Messiah promised by God and about the Church s yearning for Jesus to come again as he promised. The Advent wreath is a sign of our waiting. Its green branches, shaped into a circle, are a sign of life. The three purple candles remind us to make our best preparations for Jesus. The pink candle on the third Sunday of Advent shows our joy that Jesus birthday is almost here. The lighted candles represent Jesus, the Light of the world. With great joy we receive him after an Advent of waiting. Another, now somewhat commercialized, symbol of Advent is the Christmas lights that we see lighting up our houses and places of business. Although not all of us who put up these colorful lights may realize their significance, what they are saying is We are Christians waiting for Jesus. It can be very comforting to know that there are so many people that are sharing in our Advent journey. It can also; however, be quite discomforting to realize that when I put up my Christmas lights, it is supposed to mean more than a desire to promote pretty decorations. How do I show through my actions and words that I am truly and joyfully waiting for Jesus to come into my life in an ever deeper and more loving way? During Advent we are waiting for Jesus. It is equally true that Jesus is waiting for us. He has been waiting all along, we just need to welcome him. Ed Jean, Secondary Religious Education Consultant

12 Message from Archbishop Smith December 2017 Dear Friends, In December, especially in Edmonton, we notice that the hours, minutes of sunlight diminish. It is during this time of darkness that we begin a new liturgical year. The season of Advent is upon us. Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas. We prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World (John 8:12). The prophet Isaiah foretold this event when he wrote: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2) During this Advent season as we prepare for Christmas, I invite you to listen to Jesus, the Word of God and to be guided by the Word. As the Psalmist writes: Your word is lamp unto my feet and light to my path. (Ps 119:105) There are many ways to listen to the Word. In our Catholic Schools the Word of God proclaimed, studied and discussed. I invite you, as I have invited everyone in the Archdiocese, to hear the Word of God in three ways: 1. To prepare a prayer space in your home or classroom where a Bible takes the place of honour; 2. To pray a simple prayer before and after meals. I will assist you in this by offering a biblical verse to help you to hear the Word of God. These are available through the parish Sunday bulletin. 3. To discuss the Sunday homily as a family. With Christ as our guide, may you continue to let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matt.5:16) during the Advent season and throughout the liturgical year. I pray that you have a blessed Christmas! Richard W. Smith Archbishop of Edmonton Message from Religious Services ECSD LIVING IN THE WORD OF GOD Creation of a Prayer Space in the Home In his recent Pastoral Letter, Living in the Word of God, Archbishop Richard Smith offers some thoughts as to how we, as members of this Archdiocesan family, can together listen carefully to the Word of God and, in a shared commitment, put it into practice. St. Paul teaches that faith comes from what is heard. This means that the first act of the disciple is to listen carefully to what God is saying to us in the words of Jesus. The hearing of Christ's Word demands a silent and attentive listening. This requires effort and determination. Living in a world of noise, we must be always cultivating, with the help of God's grace, an inner stillness in which we are disposed to hear and be transformed by the Word of God.

13 In the same way, Archbishop Smith invites families, too, to listen together to the Word of God. Through a careful listening to this Word, families encounter the Lord in their very midst and hear within the depths of their hearts his assurance of love and call to holiness and service. One way to make this happen is to create a prayer space in the home. I recall from my days as a parish priest the practice of one family that created a sacred space in their home by simply placing a candle in the corner of one room. They would gather daily around the lit candle to offer their spontaneous prayers to God for his blessing upon their day. We, at Edmonton Catholic Schools, invite you to heed the call of Archbishop Smith. As we approach the season of Advent, we are reminded that Advent is a time of great spiritual preparation as we ready our souls for the coming of Christ. Advent is an important season in which families can dedicate time each day to pray and to share the Word of God together, preparing in a powerful way for the coming of Christ. This Advent Season, like many of the past, will be filled with distractions and priorities which attempt to take away from our families spiritually during this crucial time. Consider creating a prayer space in your home by placing an Advent Wreath at the center of your dining table. As a family, gather around the Advent Wreath, before or after meals, to light the Advent candles, to offer spontaneous prayers, and to listen to the Word of God. During this Advent season, we hope that you will use these traditional tools with your family and that God will use them to benefit your family with grace and love. Sandra Talarico, Religious Education Consultant Message ECSD Celebration of Catholic Education Religious Education Parent/Guardian Engagement Evenings Feedback On November 1 and 2 the Trustees and Administration of Edmonton Catholic School District were pleased to host parent engagement evenings at St. Charles Parish and Corpus Christi Parish titled: Celebration of Catholic Education Religious Education Parent/Guardian Engagement Evenings. Each evening began with the celebration of the Eucharist followed by a presentation and an opportunity for reflection. We were delighted that Archbishop Richard Smith and Bishop Gregory Bittman were able to celebrate these evenings with us. They were joined at our Lord s table by the parish priests, deacons, and our District Chaplains. Additionally, we were pleased that, so many community members attended Mass and the program that followed. We are happy to share some of the feedback and comments we received following each presentation. Included below are corresponding links to more information and resources as well as highlights from the presentations. A. We asked participants: What is one thing from this evening s presentation that you enjoyed most? 1. The experiences and opinions of the children in the video; they are the principle role in this story. I enjoyed the video and how the young students understood their Catholic faith and expressed themselves with confidence. The video, Growing in the Spirit, was a collaborative effort between Learning Services Innovation and many students from across the school district. It focused on asking students to express their thoughts on what Catholic Education meant to them. Growing in the Spirit Video 2. I enjoyed learning about the new curriculum and resources available for parents, teachers and the parishes. Knowing what my children will be learning enables me to help them grow in their faith. Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ, the new Religious Education program approved by the Catholic Bishops of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories and developed

14 in collaboration with Catholic educators from across Canada, exemplifies the discipline and rigor with which the program is delivered. Pearson Canada, the publisher, has developed a school, a home, and a parish website that helps to integrate the faith into everyday life. Pearson Canada Student- Home Website Username: ecsd99 Password: Student99 3. I really appreciate how the Competencies formed through Catholic education are permeated from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve and that teachers are receiving professional development in this area. We know that Catholic education means that students are given the opportunity to encounter Christ in all aspects of their learning day, not just in Religion class. This means that our Catholic faith is permeated throughout all subjects and all activities. The Learner Competencies Formed through Catholic Education reflect the Alberta Programs of Study from a Catholic education standpoint and change the way that we approach permeation. Learner Competencies Formed Through Catholic Education 4. I was pleased to see the Archdiocese s Sacramental Education Initiative. I have children who are passed their sacraments, so this is a document with which I am unfamiliar. The Standards for Preparing Children and Youth for the Sacraments in the Archdiocese of Edmonton are the result of the Sacramental Education Initiative set forth by the Archdiocese and the Catholic school boards chairs and superintendents from our Archdiocese. The Standards have been developed after four years of wide consultation with priests of the Archdiocese, pastoral assistants, religious consultants, parents, principals and teachers in our Catholic school districts. We invite you to contact your local Catholic parish for more information about Sacramental preparation. The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Sacramental Preparation B. We asked participants: What is one thing you wonder about or would like to learn more about? 1. I am anxious to know if Religious Education is mandatory from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve. Religious Education is a scholastic discipline and not a complementary course; nor is it a supplement to other disciplines, but underpins the educational activity of Catholic schools. Students are required to participate in and complete Religious Education courses each year of their schooling with Edmonton Catholic Schools. In high school, students typically complete nine credits in Religious Education within a traditional classroom setting. Under some circumstances, and to accommodate special learning needs, Religious Education is also delivered in alternative modes such as PASS (Part Time Alternative Self-Paced School) or Revelation Online. 2. What is ECSD doing about the alternative curriculum for sexual education in our schools? We have, and continue to teach the outcomes of the existing curriculum. To clarify, it should be noted that the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA) did not submit a parallel curriculum proposal to the government. CCSSA is working closely with Alberta Education in supporting the curriculum development, and seeks to create a supplemental resource that ensures a Catholic lens is provided for our learners. Our District has teachers participating in the working group that is developing the new health and wellness curriculum. 3. I appreciate that teachers and administrators continue their faith journeys in meaningful professional development opportunities. Teachers and administrators have many opportunities to develop and grow in their faith. This includes School Opening Mass, Permeation Afternoon, Faith Formation Afternoon, Father Michael Mireau Youth Day, Faith Development Day, Grace for the Heart and Soul, Student Faith Development Days, District-Wide Professional Development sessions on the RE Curriculum, as well as Social Justice Initiatives; Religious and Moral Education Conference through the ATA; SPICE and Blueprints through the Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association; Dinner and a Course

15 through St. Joseph s College; and the Treasures of the Faith, the Certificate in Catholic Studies, and the Master of Religious Education through Newman Theological College. Included below are two links from the Alberta Bishops in their support of Catholic Education: Catholic Education Sunday Bishop s Letter Catholic Education Sunday Supplementary Statement We thank those who were able to attend the parent engagement evenings and for sharing their comments. December 2017 O come, divine Messiah; the world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph and sadness flee away. (O Come, Divine Messiah, S.J. Pellegrin) The season of Advent is upon us. It is a sacred time of prayer, reflection, and preparation for the coming of Jesus. There are so many ways that families can share in the joy and anticipation of the birth of our Saviour. Archbishop Smith shares how we can bring the Word of God more deeply into our classrooms and homes in his message to us this month. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, as we light the candles on our Advent wreaths, we can also reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that is to be found in the gift of Jesus Christ. There are many special events that are being held in our parishes and schools; evenings of Advent song, the preparation of hampers for families who would benefit from extra support, extra opportunities to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, to name a few. The Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories released a supplementary letter just before Catholic Education Sunday. In it, they gave a call to Catholics to join in and spread the great news of Catholic education. They share, It is important that everyone be ready to stand up for our faith and for our schools. Please be prepared to speak out in support of our Catholic schools whenever you can. We are proud of who we are as Catholics. You can read the entire letter at We will be proudly sharing the story of the richness of Catholic education in Edmonton Catholic Schools using the hashtag #ECSDFaithInspires in the upcoming months, and we encourage you to help us spread the message that Catholic education is an outstanding and important choice for families to guide our children and youth as they learn and grow in mind, body, and spirit. We are embarking on a legacy project and would like to be able to capture the journeys of families who have 3 or 4 generations that are able to share their story of Edmonton Catholic Schools. If your family is interested in participating, please a brief overview of your generations to marketing@ecsd.net.

16 The response to our Celebration of Catholic Education Evenings in November was tremendous! We have included the responses to the questions which people shared with us as part of the feedback sheets. Edmonton Catholic Schools is excited to participate in the Hour of Code, once again this year. This is the fourth year that we will be participating, and this year s event will be the best one yet! 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. Coding is a great way to develop literacy, numeracy, creativity, and thinking skills. Last year we had over 22,000 students participate and this year we are hoping for 25,000! Our goal is to have a <Bit of Code> In Every School. In his Sunday Angelus to mark the beginning of Advent last year, Pope Francis shared the following message: In this season of Advent, we are called to expand the horizons of our hearts, to be amazed by the life which presents itself each day with newness. I wish you all an Advent that fills you with this amazement! Sincerely, Joan Carr Superintendent