Shining Bright @ola
December 15, 2023
Together in Learning and Faith
This is the Third Week of Advent
This week is about Joy. We light the pink candle on the Advent wreath. It is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.
God fills us with joy (Romans 15:13). We cannot will ourselves to experience joy. It comes from God alone.
We will be able to experience lots of Joy during the last week of school. Please join us for the Christmas concert and share JOY with us and your family.
Thank-you to everyone for donating to the Lurana Shelter and spreading your joy to them.
This Week at OLA
Tuesday, December 19
- Christmas Concert - 9:30 and 6:30
Friday, Dec. 22
- Last Day of Classes
- Faith Assembly - 1:30
Greetings OLA families,
We are excited to announce that the OLA Christmas Advent Concert will be held in the school gym on Tuesday, December 19th. There will be a morning and evening performance on this day. To stay within fire regulations, we must limit the number of guests who plan to attend.
We will provide each family with 2 tickets for both the morning and evening performances on Tuesday, December 19th.
The morning performance begins at 9:30a.m.
The evening performance begins at 6:30p.m.
Please fill out the attached Google form by Sunday December 17th so that we know if you will be attending, which performance and if you need extra tickets.
This will give us the opportunity to give any extra tickets to families that need it.
Thank you!
Form is now closed. Please call the school to book tickets.
We will have a photo booth at the 6:30 evening concert. For a cash donation of your choosing you can have a fun family photo taken. All proceeds will be donated to the Lurana Shelter.
Looking Ahead...
Monday, Jan. 8
- First day back to school
- Archbishop Smith is visiting - 8:45
- School Council Meeting - 5:30
- Open House
Lurana Shelter
This advent EICS is continuing to partner with Catholic Social Services to support women and children in Lurana Shelter. The women and children who stay there have nowhere else to go. Their home is unsafe. They may have left their home with only the clothes on their back. When they arrive at Lurana, CSS staff will give them a bedroom to stay in. Staff will also provide them with a Basket of Blessings purchased by the students, teachers and parents of Elk Island Catholic School Division.
You can make a donation by following this link, https://www.canadahelps.org/s/6cz827
Mini Christmas Tree Giveaway
As a fundraiser for the Lurana Shelter, the OLA staff are decorating mini-Christmas trees that all students will be entered in a draw to win. There is no cost to enter.
If you wish to make a donation to the Lurana Shelter, please send your child with money Monday, December 11th- Friday, December 22nd.
We will be drawing the winning names at our school assembly on Friday, December 22nd and the students will be able to take home the mini-Christmas tree that they won.
Thank you for your support!
Shining Our Light at OLA!
Third Week of Advent - JOY
Advent Mass
Mary on the Mantel
Hand Bells
Learning Commons and Makers Space
Learning Together
Check out the merchandise that you can buy with the OLA logo on it. Click on the above question for information.
School Council
School Council supports... Mathletics, recess equipment, library/learning commons, and much more.
Joining School Council meetings allows you to work closely with parents, teachers and the school leadership team to plan and implement enhanced programming and special events for students and our school community!
To connect with your OLA School Council, please email schoolcouncil.ola@gmail.com.
The minutes from the November 20th meeting are on the OLA website.
Please join us for our next meeting on Monday, January 15th at 5:30.
Nutrition Program
Volunteer for Nutrition Program
Thank you for all those that have already offered and been will to help so far with this wonderful program.
Did you know….?
The local BGC (formerly called The Boys & Girls Club) coordinates a few different Mentoring programs. Two of these programs are one-on-one mentoring where a caring adult is matched to a child or youth based on similar interests and personalities. Mentors are volunteers who are thoroughly screened and carefully matched by BGC and are provided training and on-going support. *Both of these mentoring programs require a minimum one-year commitment from the Mentor.
In-School Mentoring program:
· the matched pair spends 1 hour per week, during school hours and on school grounds.
· the focus of the time spent is primarily on building a positive relationship and having fun and is generally non-academic – unless the student and Mentor truly enjoy doing some activities that tie into learning.
· the BGC Volunteer Coordinator will work with your child’s school to find if there are some acceptable options for your child to be excused from class during the Mentor’s availability.
For further information or an application form (to either BECOME A MENTOR or to have your child mentored) please reach out to the Volunteer Programs Coordinator at BGC Fort Saskatchewan
Phone 780-992-0103 ext 307 or email tammy@fsbgc.ca .
FCSS workshops
Need Help with Powerschool? Here is a guide to help you .
School Fees
The 2023-2024 school fees have been added to student accounts. Fees will be due November 30, 2023 Please log into your PowerSchool account to make a payment .
The fees for each grade is listed below:
Fee Waiver Program for 2023-2024
Under the principle that finances should not be a barrier to a child's education, Elk Island Catholic Schools will waive fees for independent students or parents/ guardians if they meet certain income guidelines, are on social services or are facing exceptional circumstances. If you qualify, you may apply using the attached application form.
Fee Waiver Program Application 2023-2024
Sign and mail the completed application form with supporting document(s) to:
Elk Island Catholic Schools
310 Broadview Road
Sherwood Park, AB. T8H1A4
Be sure to mark "CONFIDENTIAL" on the envelope.
Please contact the school office if you have any questions.
OLA PARISH NEWS
Christmas and New Year Mass Schedule
Our Lady of the Angels Parish
Fort Saskatchewan
Reconciliation/Community Advent Penitential Service
Tuesday, December 14, 2023
O.L.A. Parish: 7:00pm
4th Sunday of Advent - Saturday, Dec 23, 2023
St. Michael the Archangel, St. Michael: 4:00pm
St. Clare, Redwater: 6:00pm
Sacred Heart, Gibbons: 8:00pm
O.L.A., Fort Sask.: 5:15 pm and 8:00pm
(No 9:00 am Daily Mass)
Christmas Eve - Sunday, Dec 24, 2023
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Skaro: 4:00pm
St. Clare, Redwater: 6:00pm
Sacred Heart, Gibbons: 8:00pm
O.L.A., Fort Sask.: 4:30pm, 8:00 pm and 12:00(midnight)
(No 9:00am & 11:00 am Sunday Masses)
Christmas Day - Monday, Dec 25, 2023
St. Michael the Archangel, St. Michael: 10:00am
O.L.A., Fort Sask.: 10:00am
Holy Family - Saturday, Dec 30, 2023
St. Michael the Archangel, St. Michael: 4:00pm
Sacred Heart, Gibbons: 6:00pm
O.L.A. Fort Sask.: 5:15pm, 8:00pm
(No 9:00 am Daily Mass)
New Years Eve, Mother of God - Sunday, Dec 31, 2023
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Skaro: 5:00pm
St. Clare, Redwater: 7:00pm
O.L.A., Fort Sask.: 5:15pm, 8:00pm
(No 9:00am & 11:00 am Sunday Masses)
New Years Day, Mother of God - Monday, Jan 1, 2023
St. Michael the Archangel, St. Michael: 9:00am
Sacred Heart, Gibbons: 11:00am
O.L.A., Fort Sask.: 10:00am
Our Lady of the Angels School
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
T8L 1W7
Email: ola@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://ola.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9622 Sherridon Drive, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: (780)998-3716
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLASchoolFtSask