Shining Bright @ Madonna!
MCS News - Sunday, December 3rd.
First Week of Advent: We light the Candle of Hope
A Prayerful Symbol this Advent Season is the Advent Wreath
What is Advent all about anyway?
Join us in singing Violets in the Snow!
Daily Advent Liturgies Begin this Week! You're Invited!
We are excited to invite you and your family to participate in a special daily Advent tradition called the Jesse Tree. The school meets for daily prayer at 8:50 AM in the gym. This tradition is a wonderful way to journey through the anticipation of Christmas by exploring the lineage of Jesus Christ through various stories and symbols from the Bible.
The Jesse Tree tradition involves daily readings, reflections, and the decoration of a symbolic tree with ornaments representing key events and figures from the Old Testament that lead up to the birth of Jesus. It's a celebration and recognition of how God planned and prepared for the coming of Christ. It's a fantastic opportunity for families to come together, reflect on the meaning of Advent, and deepen their understanding of the biblical story of salvation.
You are welcome and invited to join us every morning at 8:50am in the gym for our daily Advent Liturgy.
This Week @ MCS
December
3 - Sunday
- Congratulations to all MCS students who received their Sacrament of First Communion today!
4- Monday
- Daily Advent Liturgy at 8:50 AM. All are invited to join!
5-Tuesday
- Daily Advent Liturgy at 8:50 AM
- Swimming for 3&4G, 2L, 4P, 3V
- Grade 4 Art club at Lunch Recess
- Early Dismissal at 2:13 PM
- Spirit Day: Christmas Sweater Day
- MCS Prayer Club during first recess
- Daily Advent Liturgy at 8:50 AM
- OLPH Parish Priest Visit with Deacon Lynn
- Daily Advent Liturgy at 8:50 AM
- Hot Lunch for those who ordered
- 2L In School Field Trip
- Diwali: The Festival of Lights Presentations - Thank you Fort Saskatchewan Multicultural Society!
- Daily Advent Liturgy at 8:50 AM
Important Details about the Advent Concert
Advent Christmas Concert:
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Advent Christmas Concert, a joyous celebration of the holiday season presented by our talented students! This festive event promises to be a memorable occasion filled with music, singing, and the spirit of Advent.
- Date: December 15th, 2023
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Venue: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
- Dress: Sunday Best
The doors for the Advent Concert will open at 6:30 PM. Your classroom teacher will be ready at 6:45 PM and meet your child at the assigned pew near the front. After the concert, please collect your child at the assigned pew. Thank you for talking to your homeroom teacher before taking your child.
Dress Rehearsal Details:
In preparation for this special event, parents and family members are welcome to join us for the dress rehearsal, which will take place at the OLPH Church. The dress rehearsal provides an opportunity for you to witness the preparations and performances before the main event.
- Date: December 15th, 2023
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Venue: OLPH Church
Please note that attending the dress rehearsal allows you to experience the concert's behind-the-scenes preparations and gives you an insight into the hard work and dedication our students have put into their performances. There will be mistakes, but that often is the funniest part to watch!
Food Bank Donations @ Advent Concert
As the Advent season is upon us and in the holiday spirit of giving, our school is organizing a donation drive to support the Strathcona County food bank as an opportunity for us to extend a helping hand. We invite you to join us in this important cause by making a donation to our local food bank. Your generosity, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the nutritious meals they deserve.
On December 15th, the evening of our Advent Concert, we kindly ask for a food bank donation at OLPH Church as you enjoy our concert. We will deliver our collection to the food bank after the concert.
Listed below are some ideas and items you may consider donating:
Spices, salt and pepper
Boxed milk
Cake mix and frosting
Sandwich bread
Canned meat and cracker packs
Dishwasher and laundry detergent
Cleaning supplies
Pet food and supplies
Can openers for canned good items or canned goods with pop tops
Diapers, wipes
Your support means the world to us and to those who will benefit from your generosity. Let's show our community spirit and make a positive impact together. Together we can be the hands and feet of Christ this Advent Season.
Huge Success! MCS Prayer Club!
Our second Madonna Catholic School Prayer Club was very impactful. Over 55 students joined together in prayer in the chapel at morning recess last Wednesday! Every child received a Rosary to pray with, and together we prayed a decade of the Rosary, keeping in our hearts a family member or friend who needed our prayers! So powerful!
See you this week!
Grade 4 Art Club!
Calling All Grade 4 Artists!
Mrs Pineau is holding an Art Club for Grade 4 students who would either like extra time for their class projects or for their own chosen projects. The club will be meeting Tuesdays during lunch recess in the Art Room on a first come basis (sign up will be during Art class in the morning).
Attendance Matters! Together Let's Set Your Child Up for Success!
Should attendance be a concern, a member of the MCS team may contact you to collaborate with you in supporting your child's presence at school.
Cold & Flu Season - You Can Help!
Avoid spreading the illness. It's encouraged that your child stays home when they are sick.
Alberta Health Services suggests that if you have a flu or cold to stay away from others to avoid spreading the disease.
You are always welcome to connect with your child's teacher to help catch up on what learning has been missed. A great go-to at home to keep up on learning is to read with your child and practice adding, subtracting, and re-grouping.
My Health Alberta: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/Pages/default.aspx
Save On Foods Wye Road supports Madonna Catholic School!
Did you know that when you shop at Save On Foods on Wye Road and you bring your receipts to Madonna Catholic School, we receive a % of the purchases? Last year this fundraiser raised $1185!!!
Did you know that it also works on 15% off Tuesdays?
Did you know that Save On Foods will also Ad Match any advertised price?
Shop @ Wye Rd Save on Foods, save money & support Madonna Catholic School!
FlipGive Fundraising for MCS
This season, fundraising for Madonna Catholic School is going to be so much easier with FlipGive, a free fundraising app.
We earn cash back on every purchase we make all year long! All you have to do is shop anytime with the brands you already love, like Home Depot, Walmart, Sport Chek, Indigo, Old Navy, Apple, Esso, and Loblaws. No more going door-to-door selling chocolate bars - it’s completely virtual and contactless.
There is no cost to parents or anyone that uses it (other than their own online purchases). Literally, by logging into the website and/or app, choosing your store and shopping, Madonna will receive a percentage of each purchase. There are many stores and services to choose from – even purchasing gift cards through this site earns the school rewards!
Join our team now and you’ll get a $5 bonus the first time you shop: https://flipgive.app.link/teams/join?joincode=WK2MXH
Or enter this code: WK2MXH
Login in online or download the FlipGive App. To start earning, search your favorite store through the app. Your purchase will earn our school money.
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Mahoney at kim@acappellacatering.com.
Arriving On Time Sets Your Child Up for Success!
The first bell for children to enter school is at 8:33am.
When children are able to enter into their day following the gentle routines they are used to, children step into learning peacefully and calmly which sets their day up for success.
Thank you for your help ensuring your child arrives on time.
We are here to help. If it's a struggle to arrive on time, please feel free to reach out to the school leadership team, or our Family Wellness Worker, Mrs. Norrie.
Temporary Cafeteria Assistant Position Available
Through consultation with our Parent Community and our staff, we are ready to launch our Nutrition Grant and expand upon our Grab & Go Breakfast program!
Funded by our Nutrition Grant, Madonna Catholic School is seeking a Temporary Cafeteria Assistant to lead the expanded Grab & Go Breakfast Program.
Hours per week: 6 hours
Pay rate: $19.76/hour
Duties include: Ordering/shopping for food and snacks, organizing and planning meals, distributing/collecting food items, proper preparation, cooking and storing of food
Schedule: Meals and snacks are to be warm and ready for approximately 8:30am. The schedule is flexible and adaptable upon discussion with the successful candidate. The tentative and basic schedule is:
- Mondays: prepare/cook breakfast foods for distribution Tuesdays and Thursdays, order/shop/pick up food, organize grab & go breakfast snacks for distribution that day - 3 hours.
- Tuesdays: Heat prepared food, distribute/collect, clean, prepare Grab & Go snacks for next day - 1.5 hours
- Wednesdays: Grab & Go Snacks (no hours)
- Thursdays: Heat prepared food, distribute/collect, clean, prepare Grab & Go snacks for next day - 1.5 hours
- Friday: Grab & Go Snacks (no hours)
Knowledge of food/storage preparation and experience working in a public food preparation setting is an asset. This position commences immediately upon onboarding of successful candidate and ends June 25, 2024.
For any questions you are invited to connect with Mme Gravelle or Miss Podoborozny at the school. To express your interest and/or apply, please email mcs@eics.ab.ca with your contact information and resume.
We are excited to expand our Grab & Go Breakfast Program!
Fee Waiver - Deadline is December 11, 2023
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 application form linked below.
Please sign and mail the completed application from with supporting document(s) to:
Elk Island Catholic Schools
Secretary-Treasurer
310 Broadview Road
Sherwood Park, AB. T8H 1A4
Fax: 780-467-5469 | Phone: 780-449-6464
Be sure to mark "CONFIDENTIAL" on the envelope.
Start Spreading the Good News!
Madonna Catholic School is excited to offer two amazing programs!
Registration for
Mainstream Kindergarten to Grade 4 programs
&
COGITO Kindergarten to Grade 4 programs
open on February 1, 2024!
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!
We are happy to answer any questions! Call, email or forward this S'More to all those wanting more information.
Sacramental Preparation @ OLPH Parish
The winter session of preparation for both these sacraments will begin in January 2024.
Parents of students in grade 2 and older are invited to contact the parish to register for sacramental preparation with their children. They can email SACRAMENTS@OLPH.CA to register or get any questions answered.
OLPH Parish News
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
Classroom and Recess Fun
3V learning about practical plurals
3V learning about practical plurals
3V learning about practical plurals
3V saying "See ya later" to a classmate
3V saying "See ya later" to a classmate
3V saying "See ya later" to a classmate
GOTCHA Glowing Winners
Over 55 students joined together for
~ ~ ~ MCS Prayer Club ~ ~ ~
Upcoming Events:
December:
15th - Advent Concert at 7:00 at OLPH Parish
22nd - School Christmas Mass at OLPH Parish
Mark your Calendar:
- January 13th - Grade 4 Bottle Drive at the School
- January 26th - Madonna Bingo Fundraiser @ 6:30 PM
Pamela Gravelle Principal