Shining Bright @ Madonna!

Thank you for taking the time to celebrate our amazing school community

and help shape our future direction.

As we approach the end of Term 1, it's a joyous occasion for us to reflect on the incredible achievements, experiences and milestones our students have accomplished. We are immensely proud of their hard work, dedication, and positive contributions to our school community. To celebrate these achievements, take a peak at some these highlights!

• Opening mass with ABJ & Madonna Catholic school, where the students cooperatively participated in the mass
  
• 25 Families attend Advent Wreath night
  
• Living Rosary completed in the gym, with a multicultural approach, celebrating multiple languages from staff and students
  
• School involvement, by staff and students, during Madonna First Communion Mass
• Daily Advent Celebrations, with a focus on the Jesse Tree
• K-4 Christmas Mass at OLPH Church
• School wide daily prayer at 1:00 PM
  
• Monthly GOTCHA assemblies and daily GOTCHA coupons for GLOWING
• Weekly Priest Visits from OLPH Parish
• Pre-K to Grade 4 participation in All Soul's Day by visiting the Chapel
• Full day of Face-to-Face Ministries for Pre-K to Grade 4 students
• Advent Concert at OLPH Church
• Weekly Staff Faith Formation in Madonna Chapel
• Launch of Madonna Prayer Club. Weekly prayer on Wednesday, supported by volunteers from OLPH Parish
• Homeroom classes leaving Monday Morning Faith Assemblies
• Bend the Rules Day to support Lurana House & Catholic Social Services
• Sherwood Park School & Parish meetings attended by Leadership Team
• Adoration Mass with Father Ben & a day of Adoration in our Chapel
• And so much more!

• Offering two successful learning opportunities - Mainstream and COGITO Academy
• Loose Parts Creative Play @ Recess
• Don’t Walk in the Halls - installing movement plans on floor throughout the school
• Schoolwide Diwali Presentations
• April launch of Junior Career Training
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day

• Sharing Circle & Talking stick creation for each class
• Field trips - Teacher's Pet presentations in the school & community field trips

• Orange Shirt Day lessons implements in classrooms
• Orange Shirt Day Assembly and Smudge teaching ceremony
• Monthly visits with Actions for Healthy Communities
• Monthly Indigenous Assemblies focusing on the Seven Sacred Teaching and the book "When the Trees Crackle with Cold"
• Just to name a few....there's so much amazing learning happening!

• Keeping Children Safe Online Parent Workshop in collaboration with Strathcona County, EICS, MCS and Saffron
• Safety Practices - Fire Drills/Lockdowns
• Polar Bear Recesses
• Whole Staff Lunch supported by 20 parent volunteers
  
• Grade 1 - 4 Swimming Lessons at Emerald Hills Pool
• GOTCHA GLOW-ing Monthly assembly
  
• Loose Parts Play led by Grade 4 Leaders
  
• Terry Fox Run participation from Pre-K to Grade 4, with parent involvement
• Here Comes the Sun student retreat
• Take Me Outside Day participation by K-Grade 4 Students
• Staff HIIT workouts
• Safety vest donations for supervisors
• Partnership with Strathcona County & AHS - Mental Health Capacity Builder - Emma Olson
• The list can go on...and on....

• Launch our Nutrition Grant for daily breakfast for students
• Active School Council Team
• Spirit Days Monthly
• Launch our Polar Bear Recess - Outside Play with Mme Gravelle
• K - 4 Halloween Dance
  
• Trustee representation at our School Council Meetings
  
• Successful collaboration and partnership with School Council
• Grade 4 Bingo & Baskets fundraiser for Drumheller Trip
• Bend the Rules Day to support Lurana House & Catholic Social Services
• Hot Lunch program supported by Parent Council
• Dental presentations to students in Kindergarten to Grade 3
• Linking Generations Launch
• OLPH Parishioners serving at Prayer Club each Wednesday
• Abundant more...

January & February

29- Monday

• First day of Alien In-Line Skating - Parents are invited throughout the day to help tie skates!
  
• Buddy Workshop - 2&3O + Kindergarten
• Breakfast Program launch! Parents, if you can help in the kitchen, please join Jem after morning drop off! Your help is greatly appreciated to get this program up and running!
• Welcome Emma - Madonna's Mental Health Capacity Builder

30-Tuesday

• Grade 4 Art Club
• Madonna Catholic School - Open House. All are welcome to join between 9:00-3:00 PM.
• Alien In-Line Skating in the School - Parents, you're invited to help tie skates and join the fun!
• Breakfast Program volunteers appreciated: 8:10am - 9:30am
• Welcome Emma - Madonna's Mental Health Capacity Builder

31- Wednesday

• No School
• Staff at Professional Development to focus on faith integration in the school and creating a nurturing school community

1 - Thursday

• Registration for 2024-2025 school year opens!
• Alien In-Line Skating - Parents, we'd love your help tying skates!
• Breakfast Program volunteers appreciated 8:10am - 9:30am

2 - Friday

• Your child's Progress Reports are available on Power School Friday afternoon - watch your email for details
• GOTCHA Glowing Assembly - Virtual @ 2:15pm
• 2L Teacher Pet In-School Field Trip
• Alien-In Line Skating - Volunteers are appreciated! Come join the fun!
• Happy Groundhog Day!

In today's Gospel Mark 1: 21-28 We are invited to recognize Jesus' authority and that God communicates to us through scripture readings. We are called to fill ourselves up with His Good News message and live our lives with His goodness. We are called to love and care for one another.

Please welcome Jem Mathieson who is our Breakfast Program Coordinator! We are delighted to welcome her to the team! She is ready to start the program Monday morning....and we need your help! If you have some time after drop off, we would love your help!

Monday Jan Jan 29

Anytime from 8:15am - 10:30am

Kitchen prep & fruit washing and cutting. Putting any an deliveries Anytime from 8:15-10:30am

Tuesday Jan 29

8:10am - 9:30am

Classroom cart prep and/or delivery & clean up.

Thursday Feb. 1

8:10am - 9:30am

Classroom cart prep, warming up food, and/or delivery to classrooms

For more information or to help on a regular basis, please contact Jem jemliveyoung@yahoo.ca

Alien In-Line Skating This week!

If you are able to join the fun and help tie skates, please connect with your child's homeroom teacher, or simply come join the fun watching Madonna Catholic School kids learn many new skills!

Come and join the fun!

Please note this is an updated schedule.

We extend our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who joined us at the Grade 4 Bingo fundraiser. Your enthusiastic participation and generous contributions have played a vital role in making this event a tremendous success!

Thanks to your support, we are one step closer to our Grade 4 Drumheller Trip. The funds raised will contribute significantly to providing our students with a memorable and educational experience, creating lasting memories that will stay with them for a lifetime. Thank you so much!!!

February 22nd @ 6:30PM

Parent Information Evening for Mainstream & COGITO Programs

Mark Your Calendar and stay tuned! More information to come! This will geared for all families interested in joining MCS in either the Mainstream or COGITO Programs.

We are happy to answer any questions! Call, email or forward this S'More to all those wanting more information.

Madonna Catholic School is a Non-Profit Organization and we have a Charity number! If you or your company want to donate to the school, a tax receipt can be provided for donations over a certain amount! Call us at the school or email us at mcs@eics.ab.ca for more information! We are happy to share with you some of the projects we'd love to get off the ground!

Our prayers are with you and your Faith Family is here to help.

Here are two sites that have resources and materials for supporting people through grief and loss: KidsGrief.ca & Lighthouse

• The content for KidsGrief.ca comes from several sources: peer-reviewed and published professional literature, including current bereavement research; the clinical expertise of the expert contributors; educators; individuals who shared their story of loss; and the family members who have been involved from planning through to launch of KidsGrief.ca.

• Many tangible tools are available on the above sites for reference and as always, present and integrate the materials through and within the context of our Catholic faith.

Thank you for being a Madonna Catholic School Ambassador and sharing far and wide how awesome our school community is. Remember, you are one of the many reasons why we are so awesome!! 💗 Thank you for welcoming others to join our Faith family!

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM

Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 7:00 PM.

If parents have any questions, they can also contact the church by phone 780-467-5470 or email sacraments@olph.ca

February

7th - Early Dismissal at 2:13 PM

7th - Spirit Day: Arctic Winter Games Flag Colours: Purple, blue, Green

7th: Indigenous Assembly at 9:30 Am

7th: Artic Winter Games Day

8th: No School (Teacher Convention)

9th: No School (Teacher Convention)

13th: Observing Valentine's Day

13th: Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Lunch

14th: Ash Wednesday Mass at 1:00 PM at OLPH Church

15th: Happy Birthday Canada: Wear Red, white or Canadian Flag

16th: No School (PD Day)

19th: No School (Family Day)

21st: 2L & 3/4G: Hockey Hookey

21st: Virtual Parent Council

26th: Kindergarten Gallery 501 Field Trip

28th: Pink Shirt Day