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Shining Bright @ola
January 12, 2024
Together in Learning and Faith
Hope that everyone has stayed warm during this cold weather. We have been blessed to have many indoor activities to participate in and holiday stories to share during the week.
This week, we were expecting a visit from Archbishop Smith. He was unable to visit us this Friday. We look forward to his visit in the future.
Next week is our last week with the High School mentors. They have had such a positive impact on the students and will be missed. This program will start again in March.
We are continuing to learn and model kindness through the Fruits of the Spirit. We will learn about LOVE this month. Ask your child about this!
As always, thank you for helping us light the way!
This Week at OLA
Monday, Jan. 15
- Faith Assembly - 9:00
- School Council Meeting - 5:30 (virtually) https://meet.google.com/iqc-vbae-pyc?
- Kindergarten Penguin Visit
- Kindergarten Penguin Visit
Thursday, Jan. 18
- Open House - 6:30
Looking Ahead...
Monday, Jan. 22
- Faith Assembly - 9:00
- Prayer Labyrinth arrives
- PD day - no school for students
- Report Cards are emailed home
- West African Dancing
- Early Out - Crazy Sock Day!
Winter Weather
Decisions regarding outdoor activities are guided by Inclement Weather AP. The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside if the temperature and wind chill factor are -25° C or colder.
Recess will be moved indoors only during extreme weather conditions, so students are to come to school dressed appropriately for the outdoors.
Reporting An Absence
As we stream line our Absence and early pick up notices we are asking parents to please enter your students absence or early pickup through Powerschool, email (ola@eics.ab.ca) or calling the school.
You can view the EICS Parent Technology Handbook for further details on these items or attached PDF as well.
If you need help accessing your Powerschool please call the office @ 780-998-3716.
Please note, reporting your student(s) absent protocols have CHANGED. We no longer have the toll free number or the app logging software available.
Open House and Registration
Please note that our Open House is January 18th at 6:30 and Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will be available online February 1, 2024. See our website for more details. ola.eics.ab.ca
Pre-Kindergarten
Elk Island Catholic Schools invites and welcomes families of young learners into our faith-based, inclusive Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. EICS offers a variety of Pre-Kindergarten programs to support all of our little learners. ALL early learners are welcome!
Kindergarten
Independence, initiative, decision making, creativity, the ability to learn, relationships and feelings of self-worth - all have their beginnings in early childhood. We believe that each child is unique and, together with parents as our partners, we build upon children's natural curiosity and spontaneity, encouraging and supporting them as they take their first step into school.
COGITO Academy
The COGITO Academy is an alternative program which is based upon advanced learning. It covers the regular Alberta curriculum at a faster pace, allowing time for more complex concepts.
An advantage of the COGITO Academy, aside from the accelerated learning, is the more structured, non-distracting environment. Expectations for both achievement and behavior are clearly communicated to the students and parents. Please come to our Open House for more information!
This program will proceed in the Fall if enrollment requirements are met.
What is happening at OLA?
Assurance Highlight - Learners and Learning
Did you know? Every school in EICS has a School Education Assurance Plan. The Assurance Plan is our commitment to continuous, measured enhancement for OLA to continue to be a vibrant, faith-filled educational community. Each Assurance Plan has 4 "Pillars" of commitment with aligned goals and strategies for us. The "Pillars" are Faith Integration, Learners and Learning, Systemic Wellness, and Community Engagement.
This year, Ms. Bennett is our "Instructional Support Teacher." This role falls under the "Learners and Learning" pillar, designed to support and promote optimal learning in literacy and math. Ms. Bennett spends 128 scheduled minutes in each classroom every week. During this time, she helps in many ways, including leading the whole group so that the teacher can work individually or in small groups with students who may benefit from extra support with concepts covered in class.
Here is what our teachers say about how this is going:
"Having Instructional Support in the classroom has allowed me to identify and meet the needs of my students above and beyond what I would have usually been able to do."
"I see a benefit in the relationships that Ms. Bennett has created based on the time spent in class. It helps the student familiarize themselves with her beyond her role as administrator."
"I have learned so much from watching Ms. Bennett with the students; she is always willing to help with any questions I have! It has built my confidence as a teacher, and my students have shown so much growth already."
Our assurance surveys always inform us of areas to enhance and areas to celebrate - these will come to you near the end of January. Your feedback is essential!
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.
Here is the agenda.
Shining Our Light at OLA!
Happy New Year
Blessing of the Doors
Comfy Clothes Spirit Day
In-School Field Trips
Indoor Recess
Learning in Grade 4
Check out the merchandise that you can buy with the OLA logo on it. Click on the above question for information.
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 .
Holy Redeemer 2024-2025 Sports Academy Information Nights
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.
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