This Week at École OLPH School

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School

Our Lady of Perpetual Help school is committed to quality education in both official languages fostering in our students respect for life and learning as Christ taught us.

This Sunday, we enter into the third week of Advent, which is the week of Joy. But Joy, we know, is a slippery subject. What is it? How do we get it? How do we hold on to it? C.S. Lewis says that Joy points us to God specifically because our earthly joy is temporary, only a promise of what is to come, while being with God is eternal, the fulfillment of that promise. That's interesting. Our desire for Joy is our desire for permanent, forever Joy: Heaven. What does this have to do with Christmas? Quite a bit. We long for Christmas the way we long for any other Joy, and then it's gone all too soon. Because Christmas, too, is a promise of what's to come.

All of Advent is about waiting and preparation. But this week, the week of Joy, is a chance to really think about why Christmas gives us so much joy (family, love, Jesus). It's also a chance to think on this: our hearts probably secretly long for a Christmas morning that lasts forever (not the shopping or the bustle, but Christmas) and we only find that forever in Christ.

So, dear OLPH families, rejoice.

M. Johnson

Principal

École OLPH

December 17, 2023

Rejoice - Celebrate the blessing, the mercy, the might of our God, who has brought joy to the world - Luke 1:46-50, 53-54

December 18, 2023

Jesus’ Name - We live, work and sleep in the name of Jesus, who saves us from our sins. - Matthew 1:18-25

December 19, 2023

Silenced - The angel Gabriel silenced the voice of doubting Zechariah. May all our doubts be silenced. - Luke 1:5-25

December 20, 2023

A Promise - Our God has kept his promise to send us hos Son, Emmanuel, who is God-with-us. - Isaiah 7:10-14

December 21, 2023

Greetings - Greet one another with the joy of Mary and Elizabeth, full of expectant hope in God’s plan. - Luke 1:39-45

December 22, 2023

Goodness - Offer the Lord heartfelt thanks - giving for his goodness to you in Jesus’ birth. Luke 1:46-56

December 23, 2023

Blessings - We offer thanks for the blessing of every child’s birth, especially the Son of God and his message.

December 24, 2023

Revelations - The mystery of almighty God is revealed in the kicking feet and outstretched arms of a baby. - Romans 16:25-27

December 25, 2023

Good News - The good news is heard by the shepherds, sung by the angels, and seen by Mary and Joseph: a child is born. - Luke 2:1-14

Monday, December 18

• Regular Day

Tuesday, December 19

• Regular Day
  

Wednesday, December 20

• Hot Lunch - Arby's
  

• Spirit Day - Red & Green Day (Grinch vs. Santa)

Friday, December 22

• Last day of School before Christmas Break
• Junior High Winter Wonderland Dance - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

December 23, 2023, to January 7, 2024

• No School - Christmas Break

January 8, 2024

• First Day of School After Christmas Break

January 10, 2024

• Early Dismissal - 2:10 p.m.
• Spirit Day - Pajama Day
• No Hot Lunch

January 11, 2024

• Linking Generations - Clover Bar Lodge - 11:50 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Dear Parents,

During this Season of Advent, all students are still able to bring in items for the Strathcona Food Bank next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

Each class is being asked to bring in specific items of some of the most highly needed items. (see list above) Our goal is to raise at least 364 items, that's only one item per student. Together we can Light Our World!!!

Have your child drop off their item(s) for the food bank into their house bin located by the front office.

We are very thankful to those who are able to participate during this Season of Advent.

We also recognize that times are difficult for many of our families, but if you are able to make a donation it would be greatly appreciated. Many of these items can be purchased at discount stores such as Dollar Tree and Dollarama (who carry many name brand products) or if you shop at Save-On also remember to bring in your receipts for our School Council.

Thank you for your generous donations.

God Bless.

Dear Parents,

What an amazing night of talent, and celebration as we prepare our hearts for the arrival of baby Jesus. Thank you to everyone who came to support our amazing students!

God Bless

Dear Parents,

The students from the Enterprise & Innovation class have been hard at work creating mini Christmas ornaments and selling them for $2.00 each. One side will be a design created by a student and the reverse will be a message from the school. All proceeds from the ornament sales will be donated to the Strathcona County Food Bank.

Please help us Light our World by supporting this Christmas Ornament Fundraiser. You can order a limit of four of each design. The sale of the ornaments will end on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. All orders will be completed and delivered before Christmas to your child's homeroom.

All orders must be completely paid for in order to confirm and finalize your purchase(s).

Instructions on How to Order the Ornaments

• Log in to PowerSchool
• Click on your child's name
• Click on Forms and Fees
• Click on Student Fees
• When the new window opens, click on your child’s name
• Scroll down to the bottom of the page
• Click on the program of choice logo
• Complete the requested information
• Add to cart
• Pay for your ornament order.

If you require help with your PowerSchool please contact Mme Winland in the school office at 780-467-5631. If you have any questions regarding the ornaments, please contact Mr. Elliott at kevin.elliott@eics.ab.ca.

Thank you for supporting this fundraiser for the Strathcona County Food Bank.

God Bless

Dear Parents,

The Grade 8 Voyage Quebec Fundraising Committee is excited to continue its fundraising efforts this year with hot dog lunches at school. A series of 5 hot dog lunches will be available for order SEPARATE from the regular hot lunch program.

When? (The majority of these are all weeks where there is no regular hot lunch):
- Friday, January 12
- Friday, February 2

- Friday, March 8
- Friday, April 5
- Friday, May 10

Deadline to order for ALL HOT DOG DAYS is DECEMBER 17th - No extensions!

ORDER HERE:

https://olphschool.hotlunches.net/

YOU MUST ORDER FOR ALL 5 HOT DOG DAYS AT THE SAME TIME - You will not be able to return and order for future hot dog days later on.

For more information, please see the newsletter that was sent out last week via School Council:

https://mailchi.mp/6a4984948cc3/hot-dog-days

*Please note that these hot dog days are organized and run by the Grade 8 Fundraising Committee and not by School Council. All questions and concerns should be directed to cdgrahn@telus.net

Thank you!

The Grade 8 Fundraising Committee

Dear Parents,

Please remind your child(ren) to look through the Lost & Found for any of their items that they may have misplaced.

God Bless

Dear Parents,

Please remember to save all your Save On Foods Receipts (Wye Road) and bring them to Mme Winland in the school office.

We are grateful for your ongoing support of this fundraiser that has brought in over $2000 since we started it last Spring.

Thank you to the Save On Foods on Wye Road for their continued support of our school.

God Bless

École OLPH is a closed campus.

There are many different activities and choices for student during their recesses. All students are required to stay on school grounds during morning recess, as well as, during the lunch hour.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Johnson at stefanj@eics.ab.ca or 780-467-5631.

God Bless

Please click on the picture for instructions!

Dear Parents,

Email olphschoolcouncil@gmail.com if you did not receive their latest newsletter and you want to be added for future ones.

School Council

Please review the steps below on reporting your child's absence.

Please call 780-467-5631 or email the school at olph@eics.ab.ca to indicate that a student will be absent. When reporting an absence please provide:

1. Student Name (first and last)

2. Reason for absence (illness, flu or other)

3. Duration of absence

God Bless

Please Review our Student Expectations.

Click on the image to view.

All bus passes have been mailed directly to your home from the Transportation department for any students who have requested and paid transportation fees.

There will be no charge for the first bus pass, however, if your child losses their bus pass and requires a new one, there will be a $10 charge applied to your PowerSchool account.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the transportation office at transportation@eics.ab.ca.

God Bless

Please click on the link below for the OLPH Parish Bulletin for Sunday, December 17, 2023.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgzGwJJWwbVHPKscvcZqKJVJFsqzm

God Bless