As we approach the end of October, we are reminded of the traditions and celebrations surrounding Halloween. While often seen as a secular holiday, Halloween has deep roots in our Catholic faith. It marks the eve of All Saints' Day, a time when we honor the saints—those holy men and women who have gone before us, showing us how to live in faith, hope, and love. Just as we celebrate the saints, Halloween reminds us of our own call to holiness and our trust in God’s protection and grace.

Let us take this time to reflect on the light of Christ, which shines even in moments of fear or uncertainty, knowing that through Him, we are never alone.

Prayer:

Loving Father,
As we celebrate this season of Halloween and All Saints’ Day,
We are reminded of the saints who walked the path of faith before us,
Guiding us with their example of courage, love, and dedication to You.

Help us to remember that in times of darkness or fear, Your light always shines,
And that through Your Son, Jesus, we are called to be a light to others.

Bless our school community, our families, and our friends,
And protect us as we journey together in faith.
May we always strive to be saints in our own lives,
Bringing love, peace, and hope to the world.

We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with You forever and ever.

Amen.

• Wednesday October 30 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
• Thursday October 31 - Happy Halloween - Wear your costumes - No prop weapons of any kind please!
  
• Thursday October 31 - Halloween Dance - Block 5 - Grade 5/6s, Block 6/7 - Grade 7/8s
  
• Friday November 1 - Grade 5/6 Swimming Lessons
• Wednesday November 6 - Early Dismissal @ 2:13pm
• Thursday November 7 - Grade 5/6 Swimming Lessons
• Monday November 11 - Friday November 15 - Fall Break - No School
• Monday November 18 - Friday November 22 - Book Fair
• Wednesday November 20 - Friday Schedule
• Wednesday November 20 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
• Wednesday November 20 - Parent Teacher Interviews
• Thursday November 21 - Grade 5/6 Swimming Lessons
• Thursday November 21 - Parent Teacher Interviews
• Friday November 22 - Grade 5/6 Swimming Lessons
• Friday November 22 - Holodomor Commemoration Assembly - 1:00pm
• Tuesday November 26 - PAC Meeting - St. Theresa Library @ 6:30pm
• Wednesday November 27 - Grade 6 Immunizations
• Thursday November 28 - Grade 5/6 Swimming Lessons
• Friday November 29 - Grade 5/6 Swimming Lessons

Thank you to everyone who was able to come out and support our first "Kurt Hortons" Pop Up Coffee Shop for Parents! We were able to raise over $400 for ACE (Alberta Cancer Exercise Program). Also a big thank you to Mr. Hebert and our Grade 8 Leadership team who helped make this event possible!

The Grade 8 Leadership team was beyond excited and they would like to make this a monthly event! Stay tuned for next months Kurt Horton's Pop Up Coffee Shop date!

For more information on this program, please visit https://www.albertacancerexercise.com/

Please note that there are designated parking zones for parents to drop off and pick up at our school. Please do not park in the Care Center or the Condo Complexes across from our school. The residents have been reporting this is becoming an issue. They will be calling police to ticket if it continues. Please see the attached traffic map for your reference. Thank you for your cooperation.

We will be collecting food for the Strathcona Food Bank - we want to stock the shelves post Thanksgiving! The students that are able to donate will earn points for their house.

Money - $1 dollar = 3 points
2 Point Items: Ramen, KD, canned veggies, dry pasta, beans, instant potatoes, condiments, chips, gravy
5 Point Items: "Snack Bag" Pudding cups, fruit cups, individual pre-packaged crackers, granola bars, juice boxes, and apple sauces.
10 Point Items: low-sugar cereal (Plain Cheerios), Pasta sauces, Canned tomatoes, Canned tuna, Canned chicken, Whole grain crackers, Condensed mushroom soup, No-sugar-added fruit juices, Canned Chilli/Stews
20 Point Items: Feminine hygiene products, Depends, Toiletries (bottle of shampoo/conditioner, toothbrushes, tube of toothpaste, bars of soap/body wash, etc.), Bottle of Dish soap, Bottle of laundry detergent
50 Point Items: Box of Diapers (Size 4T, 5T & 6), Box of Pull-ups, Box of Baby Wipes, Bag of dry pet food (cat or dog)

The newsletter is organized based on our four school assurance priorities for this year.

1. Faith Integration
2. Learners and Learning
3. Systemic Wellness
4. Community Engagement

For the past couple of weeks, Performing Arts 5 has been working with Workshop West and their Writes of Passage program learning all about playwriting. Students were able to see their own written work come alive on stage with professional actors from the Edmonton area. One of the actors was even familiar to them, playing St. Therese de Lisieux from their retreat! So much excitement when students saw a familiar face acting out the very words they wrote!

Congratulations to the volleyball teams as they have had some recent success. The volleyball teams participated in the St. Thomas Aquinas volleyball tournament last weekend, with both teams coming away victorious as tournament champions! This past Tuesday, both teams also defeated RHJ in their week 5 matches 2-0.

Good luck to the volleyball teams as they will also be competing in the Lakeland Ridge "Halloween Howler" tournament this weekend, and will play at Cloverbar JH on Wednesday, October 30 for their week 6 matches (boys game @ 4:00, girls game to follow @ 5:00).

Go Hawks!

8K & 5F buddy read for Read In work! They listened to The Book with No Pictures.

The St. Theresa Parent Advisory Council performs many vital functions for our school community, by helping to facilitate school wide student functions and providing valuable funding to our school via fundraising. Parents involved in the PAC learn about planning and development within the school and are part of the planning process. These roles make their involvement very important to the families, administration and teachers.

Next Parent Council Meeting - Tuesday November 26 - St. Theresa Library @ 6:30pm

https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies

2024/2025 PAC Meeting Dates:

September 24, 2024

October 22, 2024

November 26, 2024

2024 - 2025 Executive PAC Members:

Chair: Kara Gettings

Vice-chair: Leanne Doetzel
Secretary: Rosie Conrad
Treasurer: Kim Pennock
Fundraising Coordinator: Tana Currie

Bitaemo! Sherwood Park's Ukrainian Bilingual Program began in 1980 and has seen decades of success in academic achievement, global learning, and celebration of the rich Ukrainian heritage. From Preschool/Sadochok to Grade 12, the Ukrainian Bilingual Program offers a community-minded cultural environment along with an enhanced academic curriculum. BUCPS Mission is to promote, advocate, support and foster cultural and educations opportunities for students in the Ukrainian Bilingual Program.

Next BUCPS Online Zoom Meeting - TBA

https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies

2023-2024 Executive BUCPS Members:

President - Slavko Nohas

Vice-President - Christin Hyshka

Treasurer - Andrea Chmilar

Secretary - Kelsey Whattam

Members at Large:

Talia Koziak/Kathy Leskow/Clayton Starko

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH

13 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park AB. T8H 1Y7

Phone : 780 467 5470 Fax : 780 467 0530

E-mail: info@olph.ca Website: www.olph.ca

Dear Parents:

Welcome to a new year of Catholic education and faith formation for your child!

Each year, in a Catholic school, your child will learn about many aspects of their Catholic faith— including learning about the seven sacraments. In our Archdiocese, preparing children for the celebration of their own sacraments always occurs in the parish, with the support of the school: • preparing for First Reconciliation, and then First Eucharist, can begin when a child is 7 years of age and in Grade 2 or older

• preparing for Confirmation can begin when a child is about 12 years of age and in Grade 6 or older • special preparation is also available for children of any age who are not yet baptized

Most children attending Catholic schools are ready to receive at the ages shown above, but there is no such thing as too late. Are you seeking for your child to celebrate a sacrament, such as Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation? Are you ready to help them live out their Baptismal promises? Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and Elk Island Catholic Schools are each involved in preparing your child for a Catholic sacrament along with you. It is a group effort, and everyone has a role:

• As a parent, the Church has always held that you are the primary teacher of the faith for your child. You teach them about God; set the example; talk about your own faith; and you bring them to Mass. • The place where the sacraments are celebrated and lived is the Catholic parish. We the people of God in the Church are each part of the Body of Christ. Being in relationship with the parish community (with all its challenges and blessings) is essential for your life of faith and that of your child. The preparation for, and celebration of, the sacraments happens in the parish church. • You must sign your child up for preparation at the parish. The school doesn’t do this part of the process for you. Catholic schools are a special place for children to learn more about Jesus Christ, to practice living in a community of faith, and to develop and deepen a relationship with Christ. We (Catholic parish and Catholic school) are eager to walk beside you and your children during this very special time.

Please call OLPH parish office 780-467-5470, send an email to sacraments@olph.ca or visit www.olph.ca/sacraments to get started or learn more.

As you prepare your child for their sacraments may this also be a special time for you - of deepening your own understanding and of growing in faith for the whole family!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jim Corrigan, Pastor

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

A Roman Catholic Christian community.

We come together at our Lord’s invitation to worship God, celebrate the sacraments, and deepen our faith. We strive to be thankful, generous and welcoming, and are sent forth to help advance God’s Kingdom on earth by proclaiming the Gospel and serving others.

OLPH Communications/Calendar Bulletin

Email: stt@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stt.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 2021 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-464-4001
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.TheresaCatholicMiddleSchool/