Rooted in Christ @ola

"Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School is committed to nurturing the hearts and minds of young learners in a faith-filled environment.”

Colossians 3:12

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

As parents, you play a vital role in shaping the hearts and minds of your children. Compassion begins at home—in the small moments of listening, forgiving, and loving when it’s most difficult. Your example teaches your children how to live out Christ’s love.

Together, we can build a school community rooted in these virtues. We are here to support you as you nurture your families, knowing that your daily efforts, though sometimes challenging, are planting seeds of faith and kindness in your children.

Let us pray for the grace to model compassion and understanding, trusting that God will guide us in this shared mission.

Our Opening Mass is with all the Catholic schools in Fort Saskatchewan on Thursday, Sept. 26th at 10 am at Taurus Field. All of our families are welcome to join us.

Thursday, September 26th

• Fort Saskatchewan Opening School Mass - 10 am at Taurus Field

Friday, September 27th

• Faith Assembly - 9 am (Everyone Welcome)

• Orange Shirt Day

Monday, September 30th

• Truth and Reconciliation Day - No school

Wednesday October 2nd

• Custodian Appreciation Day

• School Photos

• School Halloween Dance - 6 pm (more info to follow)

We are excited to gather together for our Opening School Mass with all four Catholic schools in Fort Saskatchewan. This is a beautiful opportunity for our school communities to come together in faith and prayer as we begin the school year rooted in Christ. Please have your child bring a towel to sit on.

Please note that if you have not yet completed the yearly consent forms in PowerSchool for your child, they will not be able to take the bus or attend the Mass. It is important to have these forms completed to ensure your child's participation. Please see the instructions below on how to complete the forms. Thank you for your attention to this important detail.

This year, Truth and Reconciliation week is September 23rd-27th. The students at OLA will be learning and taking part in various activities throughout the week. We recognize Truth and Reconciliation week to honor the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools.

Our school will be recognizing Orange Shirt Day on Friday, September 27th. We encourage all students to wear orange that day.

The “orange shirt” refers to the new shirt that Phyllis Webstad was given to her by her grandmother for her first day of residential school. When Phyllis got to school, they took away her clothes, including her new shirt. To Phyllis, the color orange has always reminded her of her experiences at residential school.

The message that Phyllis wants to pass along on Orange Shirt Day- and everyday- is that every child matters. Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis to educate people about residential schools and fight racism and bullying.

All returning students are required to fill out the 2024-2025 Demographic Validation Form and complete yearly consent forms.

Having the most up-to-date information about our students ensures that we receive all available funding to support your child's learning as well as current information to reach you during the day if necessary.

If you have not already done so, we ask that you please complete this form in PowerSchool

You can follow these steps to access, review and submit the form:

1. Log into PowerSchool at https://eics.powerschool.com/

2. Under the “Forms & Fees” menu click “School Engage Student Forms”

3. Students - Select your child’s name (please complete one form for each child)

4. Click on the word “New” beside the form name A.8) 2024-2025 Demographic Validation

Video tutorial link (**from 2021-2022) on how to complete the form https://www.eics.ab.ca/parents-and-students/powerschool-log-in

5. For yearly consent forms. Under form and fees you will find the yearly consent forms.

Thank you in advance for completing these forms so your child experiences the full learning benefits at OLA Catholic School.

Please contact our secretary at 780-998-3716 if you have any questions.

The 2024-2025 school fees will be added to student accounts in the coming weeks. Please check your PowerSchool account for any outstanding school fees and ensure that all fee payments are up to date as they are due.

Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

OLA has an established Digital Device Policy in addition to Elk Island Catholic Schools' new Administrative Policy Use of Personal Communication Devices (PCDs) which are aligned with the Provincial direction. Please take some time to read the information below as it pertains to your child. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Mrs. Michele Yuzdepski.

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School supports our children’s physical, mental and spiritual well being. Therefore, we are establishing clear boundaries for our students regarding Personal Communication Devices (PCD) (cell phone, tablet, iPad, Smartwatch, gaming device, etc.). The purpose of this policy is to ensure learning takes place in an environment with fewer distractions and maximize student in person engagement.

Your child’s safety is of paramount importance to us - If your child is absence for any reason, please use the PowerSchool website and select Enter/Review Absences, call the school 780-998-3716 or email the school at ola@eics.ab.ca to indicate that your child will be absent.

Please report all absences and early pickups through our office.

Thank you

Does your child have medical information, a condition the school should be aware of or require medication? If so please complete a B.2) 2024-2025 Medical Status Update/Request for Medical Treatment form located in your Parent Portal . This form is required yearly. We use this important information to alert any staff members, including substitute teachers, of any existing medical needs we need to be aware of. If your child requires medication at school you must fill out the medical form with all relevant information related to the medication.

If your child requires use of an EpiPen, please make sure this is filled out by September 16th, 2024. Please submit all other medical forms by Friday, September 20th, 2024. If your child no longer has a medical condition, please update the form accordingly.

Please note:

• All medications, even over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Benadryl etc. require a label from the pharmacy
• the submission of a Medical Form is required prior to medication being sent to the school

If you need assistance please contact our office 780-998-3716

• New Webinar Series for Parents: It’s here! You asked and we listened! Register for this special webinar designed to provide invaluable support and resources for parents with children with learning disabilities. Sign up link

School Council supports... 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.

Next School Council Meeting is Monday, Oct. 7th. The School Council minutes are on our website.

We are excited to announce that once again this year we will be participating in Alberta's Healthy School Nutrition Program.

Healthy Schools is a commitment by government to support student health & learning outcomes by encouraging schools to adopt a comprehensive school health approach to promote student wellness through increased levels of physical activity, healthy eating and positive mental health.

Through this program your student will be provide with a healthy snack every day.

We will be starting our Program in October. Until then students will be able to access Apples and granola bars.

Our Lady of the Angels Parish

We are so blessed to be able to have our school and parish work together to walk with you and your child on their Sacramental Journeys. Father Abraham and our Sacramental Prep team will be offering Sacramental Prep classes at OLA after school from 3:15 - 3:45 on the following dates:

First Reconciliation Prep Classes

October 3, 7,8,9,10,11,15 and 16 (At OLA)

First Holy Communion Prep Classes

October 17, 21, 24, 25, 28, 30 (At OLA)

Celebrations:

First Reconciliation Nov 2nd at the Church OLA at 10:30am

First Holy Communion Nov 3rd at the Church OLA at 3:00pm

More information can be found at https://www.olafortsask.caedm.ca/Sacraments

E-mail registration forms to: olangels.ftsask@caedm.ca (We accept e-transfer of fees to the same email address.)

The Archdiocese has set up a special fund to collect donations in support of the Our Lady of the Lourdes parishioners who were affected by the Jasper wildfire.

Please read letter from the Archbishop to find out more.

Donations can be made by cheque to the "The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton – Jasper Fund" or via

the donation button marked Jasper Fund on the Archdiocesan website:

https://caedm.ca/donate-to-the-jasper-fire

Check out the Fall 2024 What's On! Guide for details on what's happening at the Fort Saskatchewan Library this season. From early literacy programs like Saturday Story times, children's programs like STEM Sundays, tween and teen programs like After School Gaming Club, and lots of adult programs from Podcasting 101 to Genealogy programs, we think we've covered just about everything this season!

Classes fill up quickly, but don’t hesitate to join the waitlist. If you are on a waitlist, you'll be notified as soon as a spot opens up! And, waitlists let us know what's popular - when possible, we will add even more amazing programs!

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourladyoftheangelseics