Message from our Holy Cross Administration During the month of April, we look forward to Easter Sunday, the most important day of the Catholic calendar. Eastertime is about new life. We celebrate new life with the symbols of eggs, rabbits, chicks, flowers, green grass, and butterflies. We rejoice that the new members of our parish will enter the life of our Church when they are baptized and confirmed at the Easter vigil. All of us nourish the life of God when we share in the Easter sacrament of the Eucharist. And so we sing over and over, Alleluia, Praise God. Easter is not just one day. It is a whole season, just as Lent is a season. We are an Easter people for 50 days, until Pentecost on June 4th. Let s celebrate! Mme Lorraine Press Principal Mme Lynnette Anderson Assistant Principal Mme Donna Rankin-Anderson Assistant Principal 1
New Registrations for 2017-2018 We continue to accept registrations for the 2017-18 year. Registration forms are available on our website www.holycross.ecsd.net or at the school office. Check out a workshop in Edmonton! 2
Holy Cross Girls Basketball The Holy Cross basketball ladies continued their tradition of excellence this season. They represented the school well, finishing 4 th at the Archbishop MacDonald tournament, and 4 th in their league this season. They can walk off the court with pride after they fought close games and lost their semi-final match by only 3 points. We are very pleased with our young women and their display of self-discipline, teamwork and leadership. The honorable mentions of the season are Leah I. for her well-earned Spirit Award at the tournament, Beeta S. for Most Improved Player and Makenna G. for Most Valuable Player of the season. With many returning players and the addition of a junior team this year, we are looking forward for the 2017-18 season. 3
Le club de jeux On Fridays, MYP students are invited to take part in Le club de jeux during the lunch hour. Students join their friends and classmates in the réseau to play a variety of card and board games. Thanks to Joy G. in grade 8 for initiating this student activity. 4
Great Achievements! Congratulations to our exceptional students at Holy Cross Académie Internationale for receiving honors standings in Term 2 of 2016-2017. Thank you to our students for their hard work. You make Holy Cross Académie Internationale very proud! Honours and Honours with Distinction: Grade 6 Honours Grade 6 Honours is awarded to students who attain Exemplary in 3 core subjects plus Religion. G rade 6 Honours with Distinction Grade 6 Honours with Distinction is awarded to students who attain Exemplary in all 5 core subjects plus Religion. Grade 6: Honors Honors with Distinction Andrew F. Janelle Q. Josephine T. Charline G. Julia H. Taylor Y. Ava M. Lola M. Grade 7 9 Honours Grade 7-9 Honours is awarded to students who attain 80% or higher in all 5 core subjects plus Religion. Grade 7 9 Honours with Distinction Grade 7-9 Honours with Distinction is awarded to students who maintain 90% or higher in all 5 core subjects plus Religion. Grade 7: Honors Honors with Distinction Betty N. John-Paul R. Chloe R. Claire H. Nathaniel P. Dillen M. Isabelle M. Olivia M. Erika B. Macario I. Liza T. Eliz A. Clairia M. Roy T. Taitum C. Kole G. Matthew M. Martin G. 5
Grade 8: Honors Honors with Distinction John V. Alice B. Edward H. Leah I. Abigail Y. Lenny S. Amber L. Samantha K. Devan R. Jordan P. Madeline F. Tesia N. Andrew B. Fatemah L. Jake O. Hannah F. Ethan E. Jordan T. Fredrick F. Naomi T. Gabrielle W. Emilie G. Gabriel S. Grade 9: Honors Honors with Distinction Marvel A. Danielle B. Jill F. Makenna G. Declan G. Ryker H. Mia C. Troy F. Joshua B. Claudia G. Ethan W. Julianne B. Alex B. Sophie Q. Eleanor W. Rebecca W. Philip D. Amelia M. Breagh C. Meegan W. Naomi I. Chinh T. Aidan G. César M. Seth G. Mae N. Presley D. Lauren T. Aaron H. Brandon L. Sasza H. Sara L. Kyle F. Aidan M. Brian M. Amelia T. Veronica E. Mikayela R. Mervyn N. Matthew W. Beeta S. Inna P. Robyn C. 6
Shrek the Musical Jr. On March 22nd and 23rd, Holy Cross students presented Shrek the Musical Jr. Families and guests were treated to a spectacular musical production. Thank you to all the students and staff who worked so hard at making this event so entertaining and enjoyable! 7
CTF Courses in MYP 8
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Amoris Laetitia Chapter 7: TOWARDS A BETTER EDUCATION OF CHILDREN This chapter is particularly relevant for those who have been called to serve in the field of Catholic education. It is clear that the synod participants, under the leadership of Pope Francis, believe that the primary educators of children are the child s parents. The importance of this message is reflected in the second paragraph of this chapter which explains how essential it is for parents to spend quality time with their children: Only if we devote time to our children, speaking of important things with simplicity and concern, and finding healthy ways for them to spend their time, will we be able to shield them from harm. (260) This devoted time is seen as a gift to be shared by both parents and children. The document underlines the importance of helping children to see the parental relationship as a positive experience when it says, Obsession, however, is not education (261). The focus is on encouraging children to develop habits of love and trust, not controlling them with fear of punishment. While it is true that inappropriate behavior must be corrected, the key is to do so with love and in a way that the children understand and learn from the situation. It is interesting to note the understanding of the real world that comes through in this chapter. There is no illusion that all families are perfect and all adolescents listen to and respect their parents. This is reflected in the quotation: adolescents should be helped to draw analogies: to appreciate that values are best embodied in a few exemplary persons, but also realized imperfectly and to different degrees in others (272). This gives parents permission to turn to others for assistance. His Holiness invites and encourages all parents to seek faithful assistance; this is especially true concerning the gift of Catholic education. One of the most influential partners that parents can count on to assist them in the education of their children is the Catholic school systems available in many countries around the world. The education of children involves teaching of morality, Scripture study, and theology, as well as education on human sexuality. In speaking specifically about this area, the document gives several guiding statements which educators can look to for inspiration: 12
It can only be seen within the broader framework of an education for love, for mutual self-giving (280). The important thing is to teach them sensitivity to different expressions of love, mutual concern and care, loving respect and deeply meaningful communication (283). While these statements are not a how to teach human sexuality, they give a clear direction and focus for the development of human sexuality education programs in Catholic schools. In concluding the chapter, Pope Francis returns to the importance of the role of parents in raising their children. Handing on the faith presumes that parents themselves genuinely trust God, seek him and sense their need for him, for only in this way does one generation laud your works to another, and declare your mighty acts [Ps 144:4] and fathers make known to children your faithfulness [Is 38:19] (287). The education of children is a daunting challenge and a glorious calling for all of us. We, as educators and members of the Church, are a source of support for the parents of the children we serve. Ed Jean, Secondary Religious Education Consultant 13
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