St. Philip School Edmonton Catholic Schools CHANGES FOR CHRISTMAS DISMISSAL Grade 1 to 6 will be exchanging Thursday and Friday's timetable on the following days: Thursday, December 22nd full day - dismissal at 2:56 p.m. Friday, December 23rd half day - dismissal at 11:54 am. Kindergarten schedule: remains unchanged final day being Friday, December 23rd. School resumes for the children at regular times on Monday, January 9th, 2017. INSDIE THIS ISSUE Principal s Message 2 Host Class: 4/5 A 3 First Report Cards / Sacraments 4 Remembrance Day Commeration 5 Young Author s Conference 6 School Advisory Council News 7 Kindergarten Registration 8 Christmas Hampers 9 Literacy Night 10 Health and Safety Fact Sheet 11-12 Superintendent s Message 13 Amoris Laetitia Chapter 2 14-15 What is Advent? 16 Celebrating Advent as a Family 17 Cardinal Leger Information 18 December Calendar 19 ** NEW ** PARENT COMUPTER AVAILABLE @ ST.PHILIP SCHOOL We now have a computer set up for parents who need emergency access to a computer in order to pay school fees and view student progress reports. Our admin staff is ready and willing to help you set up your parent portals! ADVENT CELEBRATIONS Advent Celebrations will be held in the classrooms for the first 3 weeks. The fourth celebration will be held on Wednesday, December 21st at 2pm in the school gym. Everyone is welcome!
Page 2 We have reached the end of Term 1. Parents, you now have access to your children s Progress report via the online parent portal. An email was sent via our Synervoice message last week. You also received information regarding Parent/ Teacher/Student Conferences and how to sign up for them. Here again is the link to sign up at: www.schoolinterviews.ca/code?ecode=stppt Please be sure you read all of your communication sent from the school by email. Again, we are not sending updates or general information as hard copies. We do now have a parent access computer in our Library, If you are having trouble with any electronic information or processes, you may come to the school office and ask for a tutorial. Please take a look at our 3 year School Plan for Continuous Growth. It is now posted on our website. Thank you all, who responded to the parent Satisfaction survey. Your opinions and feedback are very important in improving our school and faith community. To improve Literacy levels in our school we have started an initiative called Crossgraded guided reading. For one hour a week the grade 1-3 students get together in reading levels with students outside of their class and do guided reading activities. This focused activity is to both increase reading levels in our students and to build community. Grade 4-6 will begin cross graded guided reading in December. We also remind parents to continue to encourage your children to read at home daily. Literacy, vocabulary, descriptive language and so much more grows in children the more they read. Your support of classroom home reading programs is invaluable. Our very successful Literacy night last month was a great step in getting parents involved in reading with your child. Lastly, a reminder that there is no Christmas concert this year. (every second year). This is the year of the Spring concert that will take place on April 27. We do invite all of you to join us at our school Advent Celebration on December 21 in our GYM at 2 pm. It would be wonderful to see many parents celebrating the coming birth of our Lord together with us on that day. Please mark it in your calendars. As we enter the Advent season, the staff of St. Philip wishes that much hope, peace and joy fills your home in preparation for the birth of our Lord, Jesus. Have a safe Christmas holiday full of love and best wishes for a fantastic 2017. Merry Christmas! Buon Natale! Mr. T. Podilsky
Page 3 Students explore and express their ideas in a variety of ways through art techniques and writing of different genres. The link between art and writing, support and facilitate each student s personal style and creativity. Enjoy! 10 Little Snowmen Ten little snowmen standing in line One slowly melted and then there were nine. Nine little snowmen went for a skate The ice cracked open and then there were eight. Eight little snowmen looked up at Heaven Out came the sun and then there were seven. Seven little snowmen were eating some Twix One choked on his candy and then there were six. Six little snowmen were glad to be alive In blew the wind and then there were five. Five little snowmen were happy galore One went skating and then there were four. Four little snowmen were sitting by a tree One tree fell down and then there were three. Three little snowmen had nothing to do One went snowboarding and then there were two. Two little snowmen were having fun One got hurt and then there was one. One little snowman went for a run He never came back and then there were none
Page 4 Our First digital progress reports went live on Nov. 28th!! Grade 1 6: Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences Will take place on Thursday, December 1st from 1:00 to 4:30 PM and 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Note only Kindergarten conferences will be starting a 8:30 AM 12:00PM and then 1:00 to 4:30 PM and 5:30 to 8:00 PM Once again, all conference bookings will be done online at www.schoolinterviews.ca/code?ecode=stppt Full instructions were sent home in a November 24th Synervoice email to all families or in the Friday Envelopes. Congratulations to those students who have celebrated the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation! We would be honored if you would send a picture of your child from his or her special day to school. The pictures will be placed on a bulletin board to recognize these very important events and the students' names will be included in our school newsletter. The pictures will be returned to you at the end of the school year in June. Thank you!
Page 5 On Wednesday, November 9th, Mr. Podilsky and Ms. Caputo put on a beautiful Remembrance Day Commemoration for our entire school. Special guest Canadian Chief Petty Officer Terry King, talked about the importance of remembering and honouring our Canadian soldiers. He also reminded us that it is to them that we owe our freedom in Canada. Students from various music classes shared their singing voices in singing God Save the Queen and O Canada as well as two songs of Peace. Members from our grade one and two classes shared their poem about poppies. Another highlight of the event was our guest bugler, Mr. Goueffic, the Band teacher from Cardinal Leger. He played the traditional Last Post and The Rouse to end the commemoration. Lastly, we thank our grade 3 and grade 6 volunteers who led us in the opening and closing prayers. It was also wonderful to see several of our St. Philip parents and grandparents take part in our celebration. A special thank you to Mrs. Warnes for leading the children in song and Mr. Sirica for the set up and take down. Let us all remember and pray for our Canadian heroes who sacrificed their lives, so that we could live in freedom. Thank you for your kind donations.
Page 6 Mrs. Fedorak and Mrs. Giaretta would like to thank the seventeen students from grades 3-6 who attended the Young Author s Conference at Monseigneur Fee Otterson School on Saturday November 5, 2016. Authors, artists and actors provided students with an in depth experience in their respective fields. Students participated in three sessions of their choosing during the all day event. Thank you to our amazing students and our fantastic parent volunteers! A GREAT time was had by all! Student participants: Annalise D., Mia M., Kianna F., Sydney M., Emily M., Arianna D., Arsema A., Samantha P., Connor M., Reanne M., Max D. Brigid D., Norah D., Ava T., Ava W., Sarah WC. and Emily G.
Page 7 Amy King Angela Gallo Sam Gallo Sofia Gallo-Bubula Shannon Chiarello Adamo Chiarello Sue Lombardo Sandy Lombardo Denyse Mommersteeg Lisa Thomas Tynan Seitz Tolulope Olaore Michelle Racicot Will Martin Andrean Chiarella Livia Leach Teodora-Diana Ignatez
Page 8 REGISTRATIONS FOR 2016-2017 We will be taking registrations for the Early Childhood (Kindergarten) program for the 2017-2018 school year beginning January 9th, 2017. To be eligible, a child must be 5 years of age on or before February 28th, 2016. Registration forms will be available in the school office. To register, you must provide your child s birth certificate and baptismal certificate. If any parents are aware of friends or neighbors with children who will be eligible for the ECS program, please inform them of our amazing Kindergarten program and Italian Language and Culture learning opportunities! Please invite them to our School Open House on Wednesday, February 8th @ 6:30p.m. Going on Vacation?? From time to time families may take a vacation during school days. It is mandatory that parents let the home room teacher AND the office know about the vacation. The teacher needs to know so that they can plan the assessment and programming for your child. The office personnel need to know for attendance purposes. (Mandatory: Required by Alberta Education and the Alberta School Act) As far as homework, we would expect the child s family have him/ her read each day, keep a journal of the family s experiences and perhaps hone up on the math facts, all things that the parents can provide for the children without school directives.
Page 9 Christmas Hampers St. Philip is embarking on its annual Christmas hamper project. In keeping with our school s tradition of giving during this Holy Season, there will be a food drive to collect food items as suggested by the Edmonton Christmas Bureau. Each class will be assigned food items to bring, and our WE day students will be organizing them into Christmas hampers. These hampers will then be delivered to families in our community. Please see below for the list of items for which each class is responsible. In lieu of food items, we will also be collecting monetary donations to purchase fresh food items for each hamper. We will be collecting these food items from December 5 th 20 th. Please bring in all donations by then. Staff will be donating pans and potatoes and a special thank you to the School Council who generously donated the hams and extra supplies. Kindergarten puddings and desserts Grade 1 hot and cold cereals Grade 2 canned fruit and veggies Grade 2/3 crackers and snacks Grade 3- juice and juice boxes Grade 4 pastas and rice Grade 4/5-boxed stuffing/canned soups Grade 5-jams, canned spreads, sauces Grade 6 canned fish, meat & beans Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Page 10 Thank you to all of the families who came out to our 3rd annual Family Literacy Night on Tuesday, November 8th! The Primary Teachers, Mrs. Fedorak, Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Balice, Mrs. Verduci and Ms. Caputo, along with our Learning Coach, Mrs. Letchford and our Administrators, Mr. Podilsky and Mrs. Perri, presented to the Kindergarten and Grades 1,2 and 3 families. Helpful reading strategies were shared and families were provided with the wonderful opportunity to take the time to read. It was a fun filled night with excited children reading all kinds of great books. Thank you to all staff who helped to plan, set up and attend our Literacy night. We look forward to seeing all of our students grown in their love of reading. "Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." Emilie Buchwald
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Page 13 December 2016 Therefore, keep awake for you do not know when the master of the house will come... And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake. ~ Mark 13:35-37 The month of December is joyous for many reasons in Edmonton Catholic Schools. Our schools enter the exciting time of Advent, which has us anticipating the birth of Jesus. This scripture passage is one which is often used during Advent. Jesus is giving his disciples a message of hope about the coming of the Messiah, assuring them that they should keep faith in God s promise, even during challenging times. It calls for us to be alert and to prepare a place for Jesus in our daily lives. Classrooms will be abuzz with activities that help students to prepare just such a place in their lives for Jesus and explore the great gift of love that our Father has given us in the person of His Son over the four weeks of Advent. In this year where We are Called to be Leaders of Hope and Mercy in Edmonton Catholic Schools, we are reminded of what hope truly means as we prepare for the birth of our Savior. Our schools and sites also turn their attentions to mercy through their many social justice projects. Our annual We Care Challenge is one way in which this occurs. Many of our schools and sites carry out a variety of engaging activities to raise funds for the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation and Catholic Social Services Sign of Hope Campaign. Other schools will collect socks and mittens, build hampers, and raise funds for the many organizations in Edmonton and beyond that help people in need. We have several exciting enrichment opportunities for students who are passionate about music through our All -City Choir and All City- Band Programs. These highly committed students come together regularly to hone their skills as ensembles. There are several occasions for people to enjoy these spectacular groups at their Christmas concerts. The concerts start at 7:30 pm: All City Choir @ St. Joseph s Basilica- Dec. 5, Junior All City Band @ John L. Haar Theatre (MacEwan)-Dec. 7, Senior All City Band @ U of A Convocation Hall Dec. 13. Our Council of Elders hosts a Sacred Pipe Ceremony four times a year to welcome and honour each new season hosted at a Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin (Way of Life) School. The winter ceremony will be held at Our Lady of Peace School on Thursday, December 15. This is a time to celebrate friendships, welcome new friends to the circle, and to ask God/Creator for his blessings. If you are interested in attending the Sacred Pipe Ceremony, please contact The Council of Elders office at 780-471-2360. There are many times where we report our accountability to the public. There are two major reports of this nature which will be presented at the November 29 Public Board of Trustees Meeting, our Audited Financial Statements, August 31, 2016 and the combined Annual Education Results Report 2015-2016 and Three-Year Education Plan 2016-2019. Once approved by the Board of Trustees, the reports will be posted on our public website on the Annual Reports and Results page at https://www.ecsd.net/aboutus/annual_reports/pages/default.aspx. As we turn our eyes towards Christmas and the birth of Jesus, we also reflect upon the willingness of his mother, Mary, to humbly serve our God. Her incredible faith, echoed in her joyous acceptance of the news that she was to give birth to the Messiah, reminds us that God calls on us, too. Pope Francis shared the following thought on Twitter - Mary is the woman who says yes, a yes of surrender to God, a yes of surrender to her brothers and sisters. May we follow her example. (02/13/16) Mary s yes changed our world! I wish you all a blessed Advent and a Holy Christmas as you turn your eyes towards a lowly manger in the town of Bethlehem and the precious gift of love to be found there! Sincerely, Joan Carr Superintendent
Page 14 Amoris Laetitia Chapter 3 Looking to Jesus: The Vocation of the Family As a member of two music ministry groups, I am fascinated with the many ways that the themes found in favorite hymns and songs celebrate the Word of God. Whether Sing to the Mountains, Sing a new Song, or Go Tell it on the Mountain, the message of God found in each musical piece touches the heart of the Gospel message we proclaim. Pope Francis opens this chapter by reminding us that the core of the Gospel message, the Kerygma, is what is most beautiful, most excellent, most appealing and at the same time most necessary. (58). Pope Francis outlines the need for us to enter more deeply into the Word of God which we must hear again and again in different ways, and which we must always announce in one form or another. (58). Very much like how I hear a similar message via different hymns and songs, I can learn more and interpret nuances differently because of the various styles of music. As for the message our Pontiff states: nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wise than that message. (58). This chapter explores in great detail, through many illustrative scriptural examples, the Church s teachings on marriage and the family. Our teaching on marriage and the family cannot fail to be inspired and transformed by this message of love and tenderness; otherwise, it becomes nothing more than the defence of a dry and lifeless doctrine. (59). Echoing the call for a pastoral approach to deepening our understanding of family and marriage encountered in chapter 2, Pope Francis posits that the Christian family can be fully understood only in the light of the Father s infinite love revealed in Christ, who gave himself up for our sake and who continues to dwell in our midst. (59). Through sharing beautiful examples of Christ s love, mercy, and compassion, the chapter goes into great detail about how marriage and family life is to be viewed as a gift from the Lord. In reminding us of God s divine covenantal love for all of humanity, our salvation history, we recall that through his Church, Christ bestows on marriage and the family the grace necessary to bear witness to the love of God and to live the life of communion. (63). In several examples such as: the miracle at Cana, friendship with Lazarus and his family, and sympathizing with grieving parents over the loss of a child, Jesus demonstrated the true meaning of mercy, which entails the restoration of the covenant. (64). Jesus models gratuitous love in the face of sin and in doing so models how we are called to do the same in our relationships. Pope Francis reinforces this point through recounting the nativity narrative where the incarnation of the Word in a human family, in Nazareth, by its very newness changed the history of the world. (65). Mary said yes to have the Word conceived in her womb. Joseph too said yes in naming Jesus and watching over mother and son. We witness the struggles and toil of a family, who despite the harshness and challenges life can sometimes bring, such as exile, persecution and humiliation, hold their communion with God with humility and love. The covenant of love and fidelity lived by the Holy Family of Nazareth illuminates the principle which gives shape to every family on this basis, every family, despite its weaknesses, can become a light in the darkness of the world. (66.) This is truly a hope-filled message....continued
Page 15 From the example of the Holy Family, we next examine several documents of the church, such as Second Vatican Council s Pastoral Constitution, Gaudium et Spes, which promotes the dignity of marriage and family. We learn that in marriage Christ the Lord makes himself present to the Christian spouses sacrament of marriage and remains with them. (67). Through the incarnation, Jesus assumes human love, purifies it and brings it to fulfilment. By his spirit, he gives spouses the capacity to live that love, permeating every part of their lives of faith, hope and charity. (67). This is central to the foundation of the Christian family. Pope Frances cites the work of Blessed Paul VI (Humanae Vitae) which brings out the intrinsic bond between conjugal love and the generation of life: married love requires of husband and wife the full awareness of their obligations in the matter of responsible parenthood the exercise of responsible parenthood requires that husband and wife, keeping a right order of priorities, recognize their own duties towards God, themselves, their families and human society. Pope Francis furthers his views through citing Saint John Paul II s Familiaris Consorto which defined the family as the way of the Church how spouses, in their mutual love, receive the gift of the Spirit of Christ and live their call to holiness. (69). This is echoed by excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI s Deus Caritas Est, where he states marriage based on an exclusive and definitive love becomes an icon of the relationship between God and his people God s way of loving becomes the measure of human love. Further, in Caritas in Veritate, Benedict XVI stresses the importance of love in society as a place where we learn the experience of the common good. (70). The message is consistent in all cases: love is at the heart of our existence. Marriage and the family are rooted in love; a love that is radiated and witnessed through Jesus. The chapter progresses to a detailed examination of marriage including the nuptial mystery, sexuality, imperfect situations, the ministry of marriage, procreation, and the sanctity of life. The message of the Church s teaching is meant to help couples experience in a complete, harmonious and conscious way their communion as husband and wife. (82.) The chapter then explores the role of family and the Church. Pope Francis asserts that the Church is a family of families, constantly enriched by the lives of all those domestic churches the church is good for the family and the family is good for the Church. The safeguarding of the Lord s gift in the sacrament of matrimony is concern not only of individual families but of the entire Christian community. (87.) Pope Francis assures us that the experience of love in families is a perennial source of strength for the life of the Church. (88). Examples of the beauty of marriage, the value of family and the profound sense of God s covenant of love with humanity are abundant in this chapter. Just as a song sounds better when others join in and lend harmony, Pope Francis shared wisdom on marriage and family life in this chapter is succinctly captured in his closing words: The beauty of this mutual, gratuitous gift, the joy which comes from a life that is born and the loving care of all family members from toddlers to seniorsare just a few of the fruits which make the response to the vocation of the family unique and irreplaceable, both for the Church and for society as a whole. (88). What a wonderful song these words would make! Tim Cusack, Assistant Superintendent, Learning Services Innovation
Page 16 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
Page 17 What do January 1 st and November 27 have in common this year? They are both considered a New Year! The first Sunday in Advent falls on November 27 this year and so it is the first day of our New (liturgical) Year. During this time of advent, we are joyful and hopeful as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. This is a time that we can give our children the gift of tradition as we deepen their understanding of the Church s celebration of this season. Create and use the Advent Wreath as a family to prepare for the birth of Jesus: The Advent wreath has many rich symbols that can help make the Advent season meaningful to us because we focus on Jesus. At first glance, you see four candles that are evenly spaced around a circle of evergreen branches. But what does it mean? Circle: The circle is a symbol of God who is eternal and everlasting. Evergreen plants: Evergreen plants have leaves all year long which symbolize Jesus Christ who has conquered death and given us everlasting life. Candles: The candles represent Jesus Christ as the light of the world. The warmth of the candle and bright light that it brings during the cold, dark winter help us remember the new life Jesus has given us. Four candles: The four candles represent the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each week, we light one more candle. Three purple candles: Purple was used in ancient Rome as a symbol of royalty. We use purple to remember that Jesus is the Messiah or King. Purple helps us remember that we must prepare in a special way; especially through prayer and penance. One rose candle: We light the rose candle on week three. This is known as Gaudete Sunday; a Latin word that means rejoice. We know that Christmas is almost here! Blessing your Advent Wreath as a Family http://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/advent/about-advent/blessing-anadvent-wreath Praying together as a Family Sit the Advent Wreath in the middle of your table. Light the candle. Say a short prayer from the link below or sing a verse of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. http://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/advent/prayers Have a Blessed Advent.
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Page 19 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Parent/ Teacher Conferences 1:00-4:30 & 5:30-8:00 2 ISEE Program Gr. 2 Eye Check up (with consent) 3 4 Second Sunday of Advent Book Fair- Nov. 28th-Dec. 2nd 5 6 7 8 Cardinal Leger Volleyball tournament FOOD HAMPER COLLECTION 9 10 11 Third Sunday of Advent 12 13 14 15 16 Little Caesar's Hot Lunch FOOD HAMPER COLLECTION Crazy Hat day Food Hamper Pickup 1:00 2:30p.m. 17 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 19 20 SunRidge Skiing 21 Advent Celebration @2p.m. 22 Full Day of Classes Half Day of Classes 23 Christmas Eve 24 25 Christmas Day 26 Boxing Day 27 28 29 30 31 New Year s Eve See you on January 9th, 2017!