«,~ C ~ ~

~ ews c:1 toQfp -

J \_\"~ St. Edmund Catholic Elementary Junior High School - 11712-130 Avenue I P: 780 453- 1596 I F: 780 454-8013 I www.stcdmund.ccsd.net

Administrators' Message February 2021

Principal Message God of Light and Truth, thank you for giving me a mind that can know

and a heart that can love. Help me to keep learning every day of my

life, for all knowledge leads to you. Let me be aware of your presence

in all things and at all times. Encourage me when work is difficult and when I am tempted to give up;

encourage me when my brain seems slow and the way forward is difficult.

Grant me the grace to put my mind to use exploring the world you have created, confident that in you there a wisdom

that is real. Amen.

At St. Edmund's, our students truly embrace and live the 1B Learner Profile. They are inquirers, think­ers, communicators and risk-takers who are also knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, bal­anced and reflective. Our classrooms & hallways are adorned with student work so that we can cele­brate the great learning that takes place at St. Edmund 1B World School on a daily basis.

Our grade five students take part in the PYP Exhibition each year and always amaze me with their ded­ication to producing such high quality work.

Our Sport Academies are thriving with professional instruction and students also experience character training that refines skills and allows them to apply their learning to real world situations, especially during a pandemic.

I am also particularly proud of the way our students have a sense of responsibility toward others in our community. Not only do they go out of their way to look after one another, they also do so much to help others in need. Over the years, our students and families have raised tens of thousands of dol­lars for the Sign of Hope, the Canadian Cancer Foundation, our ECS Foundation and many other chari­ties. Our students truly have generous and caring spirits!

Our Unstoppable Me Theme for the month of February is "Farewell to Worry." At St. Edmund, we con­tinue to teach and support all of our students through times of worry, distress, and comfort. We teach self coping skills during our Mindful Mondays that occurs biweekly. Our lessons are age specific and students learn skills and strategies from our Social Emotional Learning Coach, Emotional Behaviorist, and Family School Liaison Worker. Lessons are taught virtually through Teams and it allows students to share, reflect, and communicate their emotions and feelings. As a school staff, we are witnessing the benefit of our Mindful Mondays for our students.

At St. Edmund's, we have truly created a family bond that authenticates, celebrates, and engages student learning!

Fernando Runco Principal

Christina Mclachlan Elementary Assistant Principal

Katherine Stewart JH Assistant Principal

Inside this issue:

ST. ED REGISTRATION 2021-22 INFO

VIRTUAL OPEN House INFO

REGISTRATION TIMELINE 2021-22 HONOURS CRITERIA

ASSIGNED JH OPTIONS

FATHER MICHAEL MIREAU YOUTH

DAY

SHROVE TUESDAY INFO

ASH WEDNESDAY INFO

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL INFO

VALENTINE'S DAY COVID MEASURES

NUMERACY Focus

18 FEBRUARY NEWS

ST. EDMUND PARISH NEWS

ACHBISHOP MAC OPEN HOUSE

O'LEARY OPEN HOUSE

JEAN FOREST ACADEMY FOR GIRLS

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

LENT-FR GLEN MCDONALD

COVID SCREENING PROTOCOL

FEBRUARY 2021 CALENDAR

2-5

6

7

8

10

16 17 18 19

20 22

27

28

•

VRTUAL

\tv'ED ESDAY, FEB. 17 AT 6=30PM lnteRnational B ccatau ea e SpoRt Ac.ademtes

Page 2

St. Edmund Registration and Virtual Open House

During February, we start our planning for the next school year. We are now accepting new registrations for the 2021-22 school year for all grades. Our Kindergarten, 18, & Academy Virtual Open House will be on Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 pm. We appreciate you spreading the word about our great school to your friends and neighbours!

Registrations of NEW students must now be done online. You can find the 2021-22 Student Registration Form on our St. Edmund website: www.stedmund.ecsd.net. We will have a kiosk set up at our school office for families who need access to technology to register online and we will ensure to have proper COVID-19 protocols of sanitation after each use. Please contact our school office to book an appointment at 780-453-1596.

In addition to registering with St. Edmund, our school office will verify your child 's documents (Proof of Residency, Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Student Responsible Use, Transportation Forms (if applicable), and any standard forms our school uses) before being accepted into our school.

St. Edmund offers Half Day AM & PM Kindergarten Programs. If you know of anyone who is planning to register or attend Kindergarten, please have them call the school office at 780-453-1596 for more information or to register online on our school website.

Our Kindergarten, 18, & Academy Virtual Open House will be on Wednesday, February 17 at 6 :30 pm. We have limited spaces in some of our grades, so if your friends are planning to register with us, please encourage them to do so at their ear­liest convenience.

Our Virtual Open House will begin at 6:30pm and the link to our LIVE EVENT will be located on our school website: www.stedmund.ecsd.net.

We thank you for passing on this information to any parents you know who may be considering our school for the fall .

District Policy: School Catchment Areas - All schools within the Edmonton Catholic Separate School District No. 7 have defined attendance and catchment areas. These are reviewed on an annual basis and may be revised to meet changing needs. Where circumstances warrant, closed boundaries may be established for particular schools. A school is required to register all resident students residing within its catchment area. Where space and resources permit, other resident students of District or non-resident students may be admitted to a particular school. Students will therefore be registered in the fol­lowing order: a) resident students in catchment area b) resident students residing outside the catchment area c) non-resident students in catchment area currently enrolled in Edmonton Catholic Schools and who have the recommen­

dation of their principal that they will be allowed to continue on to the next level of their educational program in the District

d) non-resident students residing within the catchment area e) non-resident students residing outside the catchment area

Once students who reside outside the catchment area are admitted to a school, they cannot be directed to return to their local school during the school year.

Summary Procedure for New Registrations

1. Parent completes the Online Registration Form (Out of ECSD) and/or Parent completes Parent Portal Registration in Power School {In ECSD).

2. Parent must upload all necessary documents such as a birth certificate and baptismal certificate. 3. Our School Office will review all online registrations to ensure that all documentation has been uploaded and

form completed in its entirety. 4. School Office will communicate to 'accepted students' via email with an Acceptance Letter. 5. Sport Academy Registration (included on the Online Registration Form and on Parent Portal In PowerSchool) -Parent must

indicate which Sport Academy they are interested in by clicking the drop box and selecting: Hockey, Soccer, or Recreation. 6. The student needs to be accepted to St. Edmund 18 World School first, before being accepted into Academy. 7. Academy Directors will review Online Registration Forms and contact parents interested in their Sport Academy. 8. Academy Directors will then send a Microsoft Form for parents to complete to gather further information. 9. Academy Directors and/or School Administration will communicate all 'accepted Academy Students' via email.

Page 4

Honours Criteria

We are so proud to honour our students and the resilience they have shown this year. They have learned and excelled through COVID isolations, changing from in-class to online and back again, facilities closures, staying in one classroom and cohort all day, and our Acade­mies not being able to leave our building due gov't mandated restrictions. As a St. Edmund school staff, we are so proud of all of our students for their faith and dedication during these unprecedented times. Congratulations to you all!

Honours Criteria

*Core Subjects include: Math, LA, Science, Social Studies, and Religion*

• Average of 79% and higher in Math, LA, Science, Social Studies, and Religion

• No mark under 65% in Math, LA, Science, Social Studies, and Religion • Other non-Core Subjects including Options, PE, Health, French must have a

minimum mark of Proficient (PR) and no mark under 65% • There is no 'Honours With Distinction' Award • Participation, Attendance and Good Citizenship are also included for determining

Honours.

Assigned JH Options for Semester 2

As stated in our St. Edmund School Re-entry Plan to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19,

we will continue with assigning our JH Options to our students as we have done during the first

semester.

(excerpt from St. Edmund School Re-Entry Plan) • Students will remain with their cohorts for Options.

• Choices that were made in June 2020 cannot be guaranteed. For example, all of 7 A will go

to the same Option sections to maintain the safety and integrity of their cohort.

• Options w ill rotate at the beginning of February with the Semester change.

Due to the unprecedented factors of the COVID-19 pandemic, the programming model may

change, but the commitment of St. Edmund 1B World School to ensure the safety and well-being

of all our students and staff wi ll always remain our f irst priority.

2 tEIID

•

<!fEl!l'!J•i." ST.BJ/IAU/IIIJ !:7 ►- • 1 ~

··- ~ HR: ..... . . ~~ ..:-

Shrove TuudcuJ

Father Michael Mireau Youth Day

On February 11, our grade eight students will be taking part in the annual Father Michael Mireau Youth Day. Father Mike wanted this to be a day for grade eights, since he felt that they are often the overlooked , middle children in our junior high schools. This is truly a special day for our grade eight students. The keynote speaker for the day is Steve Angrisa­no. Our grade eight students, along with grade eights students from across t he Archdio­cese, will be treated to a wonderful virtual day of faith and fun. Thank you to Ms. Paon­essa, Ms. Russo, Ms. Lewis, Mr. Denman, and Mrs. Coria for coordinating this great event!

Shrove Tuesday- Febr uary 16th

"Shrove Tuesday occurs the first Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is February 16, 2021 . It officially ends the season of Epiphany and is the vigil for the starting of Lent. Shrove Tuesday became known as Pancake Day, because Christians used up their eggs, butter, and milk to make pancakes and other pastries prior to Lent. As a school communi­ty, we will come together to celebrate this day of repentance and begin to prepare for our Lenten Season. This Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day will be served as a hot lunch with no cost to students. Through COVID safety measures, our pancake meal of 2 pancakes and 1 sausage will be individually wrapped for every student. Students will need to bring their own drink from home. For our "online students," we would also like to have them partici­pate with Shrove Tuesday. The Office will be sending a very short survey to the parents of our 'online learners' if they are able to schedule an appointment with the school for Pan­cake Pick Up on February, 16th. Please feel free to contact our Office at 780-453- 1596 if you have any questions.

Ash Wednesday- Febr uary 17th

Important News Regarding Ash Wednesday Last week, the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton issued specific guidelines for celebrating Ash Wednesday as well as other Lenten feasts. Father Mark will be providing our school with blessed ashes and a recorded blessing for our Ash Wednesday Celebration for St. Edmund. In addition, our ECSD Chaplains- Father Julian and Father Glenn may also be featured with their pre-recorded Liturgy for our students. Our teachers will be responsible for distributing ashes. All safety protocols and social distancing ru les still apply.

The imposition of ashes this year will be done by sprinkling ashes on the crown of the head, without touching the forehead of the faithful , and in silence. This way of imposing ashes is allowed by the Church as is evidenced in the liturgies of Ash Wednesday presided by the Holy Father. Our Ash Wednesday School Committee are in the planning stages for this very special celebration that marks the journey of our Lenten Season.

Page 6

School Council - Thank You!

St. Edmund School Advisory Council

For the 2020-2021 school year, the School Advisory Council will continue to focus on

what 1s best for all of our students.

We will consider all school stakeholoers while maintaining and reflecting the culture of the school Together, we will represent

the parent voice in the St Edmund Community.

(I

We would like to thank our School Advisory Council (SAC) for their

outstanding support and contributions in making learning a priority

here at St. Edmund 's. Throughout the past 3 years, the SAC has

contributed and supported our school in so many ways such as

purchasing Chromebooks and other technology, digital teacher

learning tools, variety of genres and literature, physical education

equipment, recess kits, Shrove Tuesday breakfast, and music

instruments/equipment.

THANK YOU for your ongoing and amazing support!

Please join us for our next SAC Virtual Meeting on Wednesday,

February 10, 2021 at 6pm. Please email our SAC Chair-Rosy Moore

at roppo@ualberta.ca so that she can send you a TEAMS LINK to

our next meeting. God bless!

Valentine's Day COVID Measures

As Valentine's Day is around the corner, St. Edmund will be implementing these COVID measures below to help mitigate any risks with handing out Valentine's Day Cards.

• Feb. 14 is on a Sunday, so Valentine's Day activities will take place on Friday, Feb. 12

• To keep the spirit of Valentine's Day alive during a pandemic, if classrooms are wanting to give Valentine's Day Cards within their own class cohort only and hand them out to only their class cohort, then this can be permitted by Friday, Feb. 12th deadline.

• If students are purchasing or bringing Valentine's Day Cards outside of the school, then they will need to be submitted to their teacher by Wednesday, February 10 so that Valentine's Day cards can sit for 2 days before they are handed out on the Friday, Feb. 1 2.

• The same rule applies if students are wanting to hand out Valentine' Day Cards for anyone outside their class cohort, then this will need to be into the teacher by Wednesday, February 10 so that they can sit for the 2 days before they are handed out on Friday, Feb. 1 2.

• If any Valentine's Day Cards come into the school after Wednesday, February 1 Qth, then these Valentine's Day Cards will be given out on Tuesday, February 16th as Monday, February 15th is Family Day and there is No School.

• No outside food is permitted

• Friday, February 12 will be Red/Pink Day for the entire school so will are encouraging our students and staff to wear pink or red.

Happy Valentine's Day! Page 7

• I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I I I

I I

I I I I I I I

- - - - -

Our J .H students are back in full swing with the daily Numeracy/Literacy Block. Each grade rotates through a variety of activities throughout the month. These include math games with cards and dice, no calculator/extra practice math problems, Mathletics and interactive math websites! Additionally, each Monday we alternate with a dedicated literacy or mental health enrichment lesson!

- -

liik J11.lr t

U!IICf Mn!lj

Snit.

inlt MAIH r,

BINS

S11'1 MatA ,, WO!iles

6ud1 No~ ,., O~rtal

aid Paper

- - - - - - -

- - - - -

Junior Hi~~ Numeracy Block ~c~edule

J1 u- ftild hU!i hHJla fQ.tr 1111.f

M.i!fd ll!my LL111iy Iii li11iey

Har, ~II Nnlil} NllflJ Mlalr, N, I}

Ho~ Math MAIH Ne~ Math ~IH

fjg~al We~es BINS ~ital We~les IN udPaper IW Paper

NAIK NI~ Mata 11.41H NI~ Matb

BIS m;ttal We~1es 8JIS ffilital WtRles id Paper aid Pa,er

Math MAIH lloti[ Malh MAIH No &iii We,srtes 8JIS ~rtal We~es 8JIS ~~dal

and Paper am Paper

- - - - -

-

Mn.I'

~

l!Mjtj

Ne~ ~,rtal

nJPaper

IUlH 811$

Mal~

We~es

-

- -

Mu.~

!limy Mlllil)

M11h

Websites

NG~ "!al

a1dPapu MAlll

8IIS

.

- -

.. I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I I

I

I

I I I I I I I ..

·---------------~ I

I I

I

I

I I

I

I I

I

I

I

I

I I I

I I I I

II')

F__.lem

,

um rac Block!

Our Elementary students use their daily Numeracy Block to participate in a variety of Numeracy/ Mathematics activities. These activities compliment curriculum and 18 unit themes. Providing this dedicated time has given the students an opportunity to strengthen their basic facts, apply taught knowledge and skills to fun tasks and explore how their math skills can transfer to real life situations- Numeracy skills!

Playing engaging card and dice games, listening to a math story, practicing basic facts for proficiency through math websites, and using the Mathletics digital platform are just a snap shot of the opportunities teachers are providing each day in addition to our curriculum!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I I

I I I I I I I I

I I

I

I I I I I I I ..

·--------------- .. I I

I

I

I

I

I

I I

I

I

I

I

I

I I I I I I

Mobile Library Cart I

Our k-4 students are so excited each week to see what books Mrs. Salisbury has placed on the cart for them to borrow. They are showing enthusiasm about borrowing books to share with their family members, especially their younger siblings! They are offering their requests already for the books they want to read!

I

I I I I I I

I

I I

I I I I

I I I I I I

·---------------~

February 2021

St. Edmund IB NEWS PYP Coordinator- Linda Letchford

MYP Coordinator - Brittany Ward

A Message From Your New Coordinators!

Hi! Our names are Linda and Brittany and we would like to take

this opportunity to introduce ourselves as the new PVP and MVP

Coord inators. We are sending Valentina and her family lots of happiness and well wishes until

she returns.

We are very excited t o be working in t hese new roles and cannot

wait to dive deep into the worlds of PVP and MVP here at St.

Edmund!

What is the PYP? The I nternat ional Baccalaureate® (IB) Pri mary Yea rs Programme is a curricu lum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12. The PYP t ransdisciplinary framework focuses on t he development of the whole child as an inquirer, both at school and beyond. Informed by research into how students learn, how educators t each , and the principles and pract ice of effective assessment, the programme places a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning.

Why offer the PYP? The PYP delivers excellent results for students aged 3 to 12. Taking on the PYP is a path of discovery for schools. The PYP invigorates learning and teaching, and transforms school community and culture.

PYP YEAR 3- "HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES" In this unit of inquiry, we examine ways to discover and express our ideas, feelings , nature, culture, beliefs and values. Our lines of inquiry into the central idea are delving into various forms of literature techniques and how literature provokes feeling. Students in grade three are currently learning how to appreciate forms of literature, by creating their own poems and exploring various folktales and fractured fairytales. For example, the students created a 5 senses winter poem. Here they were able to express what and how ________________ .. they feel through our Winter season.

A project the students are currently working

on, is creating a story rope to retell a fractured fairytale. Through reflection students are making real world connections and learning to become more open-minded on different perspectives, meanwhile maintaining the message of the story. In addition, students invest igated this unit through various PATHS lessons and discussions. They will continue to express how they feel by continuing to learn calm down strategies and participating in

Mindful Monday activities.

PYP YEAR 4- "HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES" The Grade 4 students have been exploring the transdisciplinary theme, "How We Express Ourselves", and the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity. The central idea in this unit describes

how "people learn about the world through various media." Through a fine arts lens, students explored ideas, creativity, imagination and expression by viewing famous works of art and sculpture. Students looked at some famous figural sculptures by Giacometti and Degas to help inspire their own work. Students made connections to self and created images using tin foil art sculptures. Throughout this process, students were open-minded, thinkers and reflective learners. The final sculptures are a reflection of themselves and their personal interests. Throughout our inquiry, students will continue to learn more about different forms of

media, such as poetry, analyzing the writer's craft and its impact on emotions.

(Noah, Grade 4) "/ had fun creating my art and I had to be a thinker,

because at first, I had a difficult time making the boat, but then I created a canoe. At first, I felt frustrated because it was hard to make the boat. I kept trying and then I felt good with how my art turned out. I love canoeing!

What is the MYP? The International Baccalaureate® ( IS) Middle Years Programme (MYP) emphasizes intellectual challenge. It encourages students aged 11 to 16 to make practica l connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life.

Why offer the MYP? Research shows that students participating in the MYP:

• build confidence in manag ing their own learning • learn by doing, connecting the classroom to the larger world • outperform non-IS student s in crit ica l academic ski lls • consistently have greater success in IS Diploma Programme examinations • thrive in positive school cultures where they are engaged and motivated to

excel • develop an understanding of global challenges and a commitment to act as

responsible citizens.

MYP YEAR 2 (GRADE 7) - SCIENCES 'PLANET EARTH' Statement of Inquiry: Evidence shows us that the Earth is in a constant state of change. both sudden and

gradual. Factual: What type of movement exists inside and on the Earth?

Conceptual: How does movement change the Earth. both inside and out? Debatable: How do we use evidence in developing an understanding of Earth and its movement?

In our Grade 7 Planet Earth unit. students have been studying

the various changes earth undergoes. both sudden and gradual. One of these changes is earthquakes. Students learned that earthquakes are a result of pressure building up beneath the earth's crust. and investigated ways to measure and track the

location of an earthquake.

Furthermore. students tied their understanding of how earthquakes happen to ways in which engineers must take into consideration these sudden earth events when designing and building structures in places where

earthquakes occur often. Students watched an earthquake simulation at the front of the room where a tower of sugar cubes was placed on a shake table where the simulation occurred. Students provided ideas on how to change the structure of the sugar cube tower in order to increase its stability.

Student Testimonials: What I Learned I learned the different ways scientists help buildings to stay intact. I learned that if you build a building too high without earthquake-proofing. it will likely collapse. I learned that sometimes scientists put swaying support beams under buildings to protect the building during an earthquake. I learned that a shake table can simulate earthquakes. I learned that buildings need to be built properly to withstand nature.

MYP YEAR 3 (GRADE 8) - DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Students were tasked with creating a one page analysis of a famous individual from the Renaissance period and creating it within Google Draw. They had to design and work

through problems that arose when creating their pieces.

We are currently learning about renaissance humanists and how they influenced the worldview of Europe. The title of the unit we are in is called Humanism and the Humanist Approach. This unit is about how a new way of thinking spread across Europe in the form of humanism.

Our project was to focus on a humanist of our choosing and analyze and evaluate how they influenced Renaissance Europe. We learned about Humanism and its influence on Europe and connected it to our Renaissance Humanist Nicolaus Copernicus and how he influenced Europe with his scientific discoveries. Our project helped us learn how humanism still connects to everyday life and affects our thinking daily. For example, we still use Nicolaus Copernicus'

discovery of the heliocentric system today to make astrological discoveries.

Learning about this unit is important in our life because it teaches us how people from the past did so much to make our life easier and we should appreciate that and try to make new discoveries from that. Currently in the news Nicolaus Copernicus' discoveries are helping people from around the world make new and groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy.

We enjoyed this unit a lot, it was one of our favourites. This is because it shows us how we can make connections from the past to our everyday lives. To further extend our learning in this unit we would have enjoyed learning more in depth about other influential humanists.

- McKenna Pereira & Victoria Turner 8F

St. Edmund Reminder

Preparations for the Sacraments of

1st Confession and 1st Eucharist begin soon!

To Know! See below!

Sacraments of 1 st CONFESSION/1st EUCHARIST follow one after the other with 1st

Confession being a requirement to celebrate p t Eucharist. Due to the Covid

pandemic, we will run this program of preparation 3 separate times in order to

accommodate physical distance requirements for the numbers in attendance.

To get started, please plan to attend the Parent Information and Registration

meeting held on Wednesday, February 10 at St. Edmund at 6:30-8 pm. For

planning purposes please call the parish office to let us know at least a couple of

days in advance that you are coming. We want to be prepared to meet you and

have materials ready for you . Call (780) 455-8592. Parental involvement is an

essential element of your child 's preparation . The textbooks used are

$20.00/Sacrament=$40.00

The complete program/celebration schedule will mean each group of students will

meet 3 times, 3 afternoons in a row (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) 4:15-5:30

pm for each Sacrament celebrated:

1 ST CONFESSION:

Group 1 meets: T, W, Thurs-February 23, 24, 25// p t Confession is

then celebrated for Group 1 on Saturday, March 6 at 1:30 pm.

Group 2 meets: T, W, Thurs-March 2, 3, 4// pt Confession is then

celebrated for Group 2 on Saturday, March 13 at 1:30 pm.

Group 3 meets: T, W, Thurs- March 9, 10, 11// 1st Confession is then

celebrated fo r Group 3 on Saturday, March 20 at 1:30 pm.

1 ST EUCHARIST:

Group 1 meets: T, W, Thurs-April 20, 21, 22// pt Eucharist is then

celebrated for Group 1 on Saturday, May 1 at 6 pm.

Group 2 meets: T, W, Thurs-April 27, 28, 29// p t Eucharist is then

celebrated for Group 2 on Saturday, May 8 at 6 pm.

Group 3 meets: T, W, Thurs-May 4, 5, 6 // p t Eucharist is then

celebrated for Group 3 on Saturday, May 15 at 6 pm

Archbishop O'Leary High School 8760-132 Ave NW Edmonton AB TSE 0X8 Phone (780) 476-6251 Fax (780) 472-2579

January 26, 202 1

Dear Parents a nd Guardians of Futw-e O ' Leary Students;

Open House is normally an opportuni ty for us to show students and parents all that O ' Leary has

to offer and w ha t we provide for o ur community. It is a c hance for our staff and our students to

answer questio ns and showcase our programs. Like everything else this year, Open House will be

v i1tual.

Our V i1tual Open House w ill be on March 4 beginn ing at 6:30 pm. All information can be accessed

through our school website at https:/1\\ " ,, .ecsd.net/840--1, under the Open House tab.

Our virtual event w il l be comprised of: • A series o f presentations that may be v iewed at any time beginning at 6:30 pm on March 4 . • There wi ll be presentations from different staff, current students and alumni.

o An Admini stration welcome and presentation. o Assistant Principal's talking about the protoco ls for new student registration and course

selection. o Presentations from various programs and depa1tments, each only a couple of minutes in

length. o Parents/students may click on the presentat ion separately to surf whatever you are

interested in . These wil l include: • Athletics • Fitness Centre • Sports Medicine • Success Centre • Science • Communications

Technology • Design Studies • Dance • Chapel and Religion • Foods • Drama • Sports Performance

• Soccer Academy Braided Journeys Student Life

• Plum bing Program • Advanced Placement and

Academ ics Mechanics

• Construction • Music • Art • Cosmetology • Fashion Studies

• A virtual map and tour of different areas of the building. o This would have 360-degree photos of the spaces listed above, allowing viewers to drag

and enhance the photo to different areas of that highlighted space. • A legacy video that interviews staff, current students, alumni and highlights different programs

and experiences. • A digital View Book that has hyperlinks to the 360-degree photos from the video, allowing

readers to see the space that the program in question is referring to, providing information specific to courses and programs.

If parents or students have questions following the different presentations, you may email me directly.

Course selection for new and current students will be also conducted online. We have a process set-up that will be very straightforward and easy to navigate for parents and students. It will be step-by-step and should only take a few minutes time. lfthere are questions regarding the course selection for new students, there will be an opportunity to select a time for March 6 to meet online with an O'Leary staff member to address those questions and complete the course selection.

All this information will be posted on our website.

We know that what we create will be of the highest quality and that our website information will be complete. Overall, we are very excited about what this will look like and how it will identify the qualities and strength of O'Leary and Edmonton Catholic Schools.

Please consider joining us on March 6 or view our presentations at any time after that.

Sincerely,

Todd Eistetter Principal

GIRLS ACADE

Us EACH BY NAME

February 2021

"Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves ... What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it

out, without a momenl 's hesitation. " - Servant of God Catherine Doherty

This month marks the beginning of Lent in the Catholic liturgical calendar. It is a journey where we prepare our hearts and our minds to receive the great gift of God's mercy and love that is found in the death and resurrection of Christ. As the quotation above points out to us, it is a time for us to truly discern those parts of our lives that cut us off from the vital relationships with God and each other. In today's world where we are

necessarily placed at a physical distance from others, removing spiritual, social, and emotional barriers takes a position of even greater importance in our lives.

February is always an incredibly busy month for schools. Our high schools will experience quarter change on February 1. Our Grade 8 students will be engaged in a morning of social justice learning on February 11 as they participate in our annual Father Michael 'Catfish' Mireau Youth Faith Day as a virtual event. The theme for the day, Serve Like A Superhero, reminds them that they can make a difference in the world. Random Acts of Kindness Week will see our students and staff reaching out to others in small ways to brighten their day. Our

schools will be participating in Ash Wednesday according to the guidelines set forth by the Archdiocese. Ashes will be sprinkled ensuring that they are distributed without contact. Our Division Chaplains, Father Glenn McDonald and Father Julian Bilyj, will offer a recorded celebration so that our remote learners can also participate in this important day. As always, Teachers' Convention will take place on the last Thursday and Friday of February. Our teachers will engage in valuable professional learning in a virtual environment.

Our virtual mental health evening for parents and guardians in January was a great success. We had over 500

participants on the day of the event, and the recording is available for you on our website. Click here to view

this very valuable 45-minute video.

Our on line registration is now open, and if you are looking at registering with Edmonton Catholic Schools, you

can find all of the virtual Open House listings by exploring www.ecsd.net or by clicking here. Share the good

news about us in your community!

Pope Francis published an encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti : On Fraternity and Socia l Friendship, last fall. This month, our Religious Education Services (RES) Elementary Consultant writes about chapter 3, Envisaging and Engendering an Open World, and chapter 4, A Heart Open to the Whole World. The article is included as an

accompaniment to this newsletter.

1

In this month in which we are focused on relationship, kindness, and serving others, I will leave you with a final word from our Holy Father: ''The design that God has for each one of us is always a design of love. And the greatest joy for every believer is to respond to that call, offering one's entire being to the service of God and the brothers and sisters." (Twitter, 01-17-21)

Have a grace filled month!

Sincerely, Robert Martin Chief Superintendent

2

A Different Kind of Lent This Year By Fr. Glenn McDonald, CSB

Wednesday, February 17th is Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. When Lent rolls around, we are invited to ask ourselves, "Ok, what can I give up this year, so that I can create room for God in my life?" However, after being in a pandemic for about a year and with a few months still to go, my first response is, "Lord, I have no more things to give up!"

The Lent of 2021 will not be about giving up things, because we have already been doing so for almost a year now. Perhaps this Lenten season we are invited to ponder what we have

received? Allow me give you an example.

A family that I am quite close to shared with me how the pandemic had impacted them: Wednesday night soccer has been cancelled, vacation plans were moved to the backyard, and visits to grandma became Facetime calls. In other words, their regular routine was derailed and they were understandably sad about it.

Then came a statement that I did not expect. "Once the pandemic began, we started to get

to know the other families in the neighborhood." At first I thought I had misheard the conversation - we were standing six feet apart with masks on. "Yes, Father. We have gotten to know our neighbors and made friends in the neighbourhood after having lived here several years. It has been a great blessing." I must confess: I was surprised to learn this. How could anyone feel blessed during a pandemic?

During my drive home, I pondered what my friends had shared with me, and wondered: what have I received?

So far, I have been extremely fortunate. The pandemic has been only an inconvenience for me. In contrast, others have had a very difficult time and suffered greatly: jobs have been lost, relationships have suffered, and family members have died and gone to Heaven.

For many, there will be no thanksgiving that flows from the pandemic. Their loss has far outweighed any gain. I am somewhat embarrassed to think of how fortunate I have been relative to the sufferings of others.

And yet, when I ponder the last twelve months, the most meaningful moments I have experienced have been listening to others share about their losses.

There is a special and holy connection that is formed when others share their pain with us. Despite the tremendous poverty they feel, they give us a priceless gift of sharing their deepest feelings and memories - a fragile intimacy that can be treasured long after the pandemic has ended.

The Lent of 2021 will be unique - focused more on sharing than giving up. If you are like me, and have only been inconvenienced this past year, let us give thanks to God for that. For those of you who have suffered a painful loss, I encourage you to share your experience with others. Being vulnerable is rarely easy, but your loss is something you can bless others with. I know that I have been blessed by what others have shared with me.

Fratelli Tutti: Review of Chapters 3 & 4 January 14, 2021

Kathleen Nguyen

As we move into chapter three, Envisaging and Engendering an Open World, Pope Francis

reminds us that as human beings, we are made to be in relationship with others. "Life exists

where there is bonding, communion, fraternity; and life is stronger than death when it is built

on true relationships and bonds of fidelity." [Fratelli Tutti, 87]

Nurturing healthy relationships involves opening-up and moving outside oneself to connect

with others. Infused with charity that God bestows upon us, love expands and enriches us as we

give ourselves for the sake of the other. If we practice loving in such a way, eventually we can

relate to all in this manner and "make possible a social friendship that excludes no one and a

fraternity that is open to all" [Fratelli Tutti, 94]. The Pontiff continues by explaining that social

friendship is "a love capable of transcending borders" thus making an open world. This

fraternity is for all because our inherent dignity was given to us all freely by God, our Creator.

Everyone is valuable. The right to live with dignity cannot be denied to anyone. By these ways,

we can envisage and engender an open world.

Chapter four, A Heart Open to the Whole World, continues the exploration of fraternity through

a global lens. Acknowledging the need for all countries to have the proper conditions for its'

people to live with dignity and have opportunities for integral development, the Pontiff paints a

picture of those who are forced to migrate. Pope Francis encourages us to respond to migrating

persons who have arrived in our country in four ways: welcome, protect, promote, and

integrate. We are all in this together and we must have fundamental human rights for all.

Solidarity is the way forward which can be found through global juridical, political, and

economic order.

Pope Francis calls us to have an open heart so that we can recognize the gift of the other,

elevate what unites us, and live with a spirit of fraternal gratuitousness. The Pontiff explains the

factor of gratuitousness as "the ability to do some things simply because they are good in

themselves, without concern for personal gain or recompense." [Fratelli Tutti, 139]. God gives

freely and we must do the same.

There is a need to balance localization and globalization through universal fraternity and social

friendship as detailed in the previous chapter. When a local community has a healthy sense of

self, is firmly rooted in its culture, cares for and cultivates it, that local can move forward to

learn and grow from the differences in others. This is a healthy living culture that nourishes

itself on the balance between the "love of one's native land and a sound sense of belonging to

our larger human family" [Fratelli Tutti, 149]. It is the communion of the two we need to

cultivate and to achieve this we must have an open heart.

----ENCYCLICA L LETTER----

FRATELLI TUTTI - --Of the Holy Father Fronci, --­

On fraternity and aoclal f riendship

-~ V1sAG~AN~~NGENDER1NG AN OPEN WORLD Cl1l) :

0( ---------Jesus told us: "You are all brothers and sisters" (Mr 23:BJ

The call to universal fraternity requires openness:

► Human beings find t heir fulfilment in the sincere gift of self to others.

► Love calls for a greater ability to accept others and to reach out to the margins.

► A love capable of transcending borders is the basis of ·social friendship."

~r-?"°"'"•~~ .... , -~--- .. -·.··:.,:r~•"': ..... ·~···.- .

,\ ; PROMOTING THE GOOD MEANS PROMOTING VALUES THAT ADVANCE

ri,, / . INT~G~AL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. ~~·

How can that be

achieved?

v By thinking and acting in terms of community.

v By combatting the structural causes of poverty and inequality.

v By requiring the state to be present and active and to invest in assistance to the vulnerable.

v By insuring that no one is excluded.

v By establishing a real and lasting peace based on a global ethic of solidarity and service.

[ Every person is valuable and has the ]

right to live with dignity.

----ENCYCLICAL LETTER-----

FRATELLI TUTTI ---Of the Holy Father Francis --­

On fraternity and social f riondahip

WHAT ACTIONS WORK IN FAVOR OF UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY?

Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and all those on

the margins.

Becoming more aware that nowadays either we are all saved together or no one is

What is gratuitousness?

► Doing some things simply because they are good in themselves.

► Acting without concern for personal gain or recompense.

► Welcoming strangers, even though this brings us no immediate tangible benefit.

saved.

"The true worth of the different countries of our world is measured by their ability to think as part of the larger human family. God always gives freely.·

~"~?.'[' r~~. , , ~.-.. , .~ ..... ~. .. ,.,._.- ..:· \· ~

-~.~- ' Every healthy culture ,is open and ~iL welcoming by its very nature:

Opening our In the universal Human beings minds and hearts communion are limited helps us to each human beings who are understand those group discovers nevertheless who are different. its own beauty. limitless.

• Forging a global juridical, political, and economic

order that favors the development of all peoples

in solidarity.

Is it possible for us to be open to our neighbors within a family

of nations?

(http://www.humandevelopment.va/en/fratelli-tutti/risorse/infografiche.html)

Chapter 3: Envisaging and Engendering an Open World

Moving beyond our Ourselves

• The unique value of love

A love ever more open

• Open societies that integrate everyone

• Inadequate understandings of universal love

Beyond a world of "associates"

• Liberty, equality, and fraternity

A Universal Love that Promotes Persons

Promoting the Moral Good

• The value of solidarity

• Re-envisioning the social role of property

• Rights without borders

• The rights of peoples

Chapter 4: A Heart Open to the Whole World

Borders and their Limits

Reciprocal Gifts

• A fruitful exchange

• A gratuitousness open to others

Local and Universal

• Local flavor

• A universal horizon

• Starting with our own region

COVID-19 SAFETY CHILDREN UNDER 18 SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE

: This checl<llst applies for all children, as well as all students who attend kindergarten to Grade 12, including high school students over 18. Children Should be screened every day by completing this checklist before going to school, child care or other activities. Children may need a parent or guardian to assist them to complete this screening tool.

1 Has the child: (Choose any,a ;,oss,t,te eJ1,X,SlJ'es)

Traveled outside Canada an the last 14 days? When ente,..ng or •et.irl" r,g :o A berta •rorn ootside Canaoa. •r,d victuals are lega.sy reQuired ~o Quarant ne for 14 dais t.:n css cn:ol ed in the Alberta COVID-19 lnternatrona Border Pl ot PrOJect

Had close contact with a case of COVID-19 an the last 14 days? Face-to-face contact v, th n 2 metres for IS m nutes or longer or d rect physical comact such as hugg ng

If the child answered "YES" to any of the above: • T c Id s requ rt.'<! to auarant fer 14 aa s lyom the last day of exposure

CIRCLE ONE

YES NO

YES NO

• If the child rs part1Cipat1ng in the ;_tberta COV D-19 lnte•nat10na Border PIiot Pro1ect. they must comply •• th the program restrict ons a~ a!J t mes.

• II the ch Id develops any symptoms. use tne ~HS Onhne Ass test,ng 1s recommenaed

If the child answered "-NO" to both of the above: • Proce.:d to qve:.t on 2

2 Ooes the child have any new onset (or worsening) of the following core symptoms: YES NO

Fever Ten-perature of 38 degrees Ce srus or hlgller

Cough Continuous. more tnan usua .. not re ated to other ,mown causes or cond:tions such as asthma

Shortn~ss of breath CoN,nuous OJt o' oreath. unable to breathe deeply. not related to othef kno\'Vfl causes or cond :,ons sucn as asttvna

loss of sense of smell or taste Not related !o other nown causes or condit ions h e allergies or neuroK>g ca d isorders

If the child answered "YES'" to any symptom in question 2;

• The ch d s to 1solat .. for 10 days from onStt of symptoms

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

• Use the AtiS.Qn.tine Assessment IooJ or ca I Health Link 811 to arrange for test ng and to :ccervc aad t1onal m'ormat.or on rsolatiori

If the child answered .. NO" to all or the symptoms in question 2: • Proc~-o to question 3

Q PLEASE HELP PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY

Sun

7

14

Valentine' s

Day

21

28

February 2021

Mon Tue Wed

1 2 3

Semester 2

Begins

8 100th Day of 9 10

School School Advisory

St. Joseph HS Meeting -6pm

Virtual Gr. 9

Presentation

15 16 Ash Wednesday 17

St. Edmund

Family Day Shrove Tuesday Virtual Open

No School Pancake Lunch House - 6:30pm for

Kinder, IB, & Sport

Academy

22 23 Archbishop 24

MAC HS Virtual

Open House -7pm

Pink Shirt Day

Thu Fri Sat

Virtual Feeder 4 5

School Visit for

Katherine

Therrien &

Bishop Savaryn

11 12

Virtual Feeder

School Visit for

St. Charles

18 19

Backwards Day

25 26

TEACHERS' TEACHERS'

CONVENTION CONVENTION

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL

St. Edmund 18 World School

1171 2 - 130 Avenue I Edmonton, AB I T5E 0V2

Phone: 780-453- 1596 I Fax: 780-454-8013

E-mail: 8215web@ecsd.net

6

13

20

27