MCHS Newsletter

Friday, January 17, 2025, is the last day of classes for semester one. January 17 - 27 will be the exam break other than part A of ELA and Social Studies 30 diplomas being on January 14 and 15. Please see the attached schedule of exams and reviews.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hL37GPy7itaGtVBDpkyCXCr8N1gFIeVMgzyUu6KDU3w/edit?usp=sharing

Please note the following reminders:

1. Students will not be allowed to have their phone or Apple watch on

their person during their exam. All bags must be stored in their locker or at the front of the exam room.

2. Students must return their semester one textbooks to the library on the day of their exam.

3. Textbooks for semester two can be picked up in the library after they are done writing their last exam. This applies to grades 10-12 students only.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch with us at 780-939-6891.

Keeping up to date with your child's grades is a great way to support them in their learning and make sure that they have the best possible chance to succeed. Furthermore, you can pay fees on Powerschool and stay up to date on attendance. Below is a quick refresher on how to access Powerschool.

To set up access to the Powerschool Parent Portal, please go to the following website.

Step 1: If you don’t know if you have previously set up parent access to Powerschool, please first email our MCHS school secretary Mrs. McCumber (mmcumber@gsacrd.ab.ca) or call the school office at 780­-939­-6891.

Step 2: Go to our school website and click on the Powerschool button, or go directly to the following website https://sis.gsacrd.ab.ca/public/home.html

Step 3: If you have not previously set up parent access and wish to do so, please click on the white “Create Account” tab (1), then on the blue “Create Account” button (2)

Step 4: Enter the Parent Account Details and set up a Desired Username and Password of your choice.

Step 5: Enter the “Access ID” and “Access Password” which can be provided to you by Mrs. McCumber at our school office. Please Note: You can link multiple students to one account. You will be provided with a different “Access ID” and “Access Password” for each student. This means that a parent can create their own account and link multiple children to that one account.

Please enjoy the Art Show before the Band Concert this Wednesday night at the MCCC. A selection of grade 9-12 Art projects will be on display in front of the stage. There will also be some hand painted Christmas Cards for sale as well.

Dear MCHS Parents and Guardians,

Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools values your opinion. As part of our Assurance process, we ask that you share your perspective through our Division Assurance Survey at the link or QR code below. Results from this survey will be used to inform planning and make decisions at both the school and divisional level for the 2025/2026 school year.

• All parents and staff, as well as students in grades 4-12, will be given the opportunity to complete the survey. Surveys are completely anonymous.

• Families with children at more than one GSACRD school are asked to complete a survey for each site.

• The survey will remain open from Thursday, November 28, 2024 to Friday, December 20, 2024.

Please note: If you have a child in grade 4, 7, or 10, you may receive a similar survey from Alberta Education toward the end of January. If so, we would encourage you to complete both surveys. Our divisional survey is being administered earlier in the school year to avoid overlap and encourage participation.

We thank you in advance for sharing your feedback; your time is appreciated.

2024-2025 MCHS Parent & Guardian Assurance Survey

Throughout December, students and staff are invited to recognize and celebrate acts of “Respect” within our school community. We encourage students to nominate friends or classmates who embody this teaching. Nominations can be submitted to Student Services or the Star Spirit Lodge. Students who are nominated will be honoured with a Howls lunch.

As we enter the second week of Advent, we reflect on the theme of Peace—a fitting focus as we navigate both the excitement and stresses of the holiday season. For our kids, the journey toward peace is not just a spiritual practice but a crucial part of their emotional well-being.

In today’s world, peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of harmony within. For teenagers, mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, and social pressures can make finding inner peace feel elusive. Yet, it’s during these years that developing resilience and coping strategies is most important.

How does the theme of Peace relate to mental health? And what can we do to help support our kids on their journey of Peace?

• Inner Peace: Encouraging kids to find moments of calm amidst their busy schedules helps build emotional resilience. Small practices like mindful breathing, journaling, or taking time for hobbies can provide significant relief from daily pressures.

• Peace in Relationships: Healthy communication and resolving conflicts peacefully are vital skills. Helping teens navigate their friendships and family dynamics with kindness and understanding promotes stronger, more supportive connections.

• Peace in Purpose: Many adolescents struggle with balancing academics, extracurriculars, and social life. Teaching them to focus on what truly matters—whether it’s prioritizing well-being, setting realistic goals, or finding quiet time—can foster a sense of purpose and peace in their lives.

As we move through this season of Advent, we encourage you to engage in conversations with your children about what peace means to them, both spiritually and emotionally. Together, let’s support them in developing the tools they need to find peace within themselves and in their relationships with others.

Wishing you all a peaceful Advent season!

We'd like to take the time to mention that we offer a range of counselling services at MCHS. Whether it be for academic purposes or reasons other than their school work, students can get help. See the contact information below for details.

COUNSELLING DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Learning Support Facilitator: Amanda Bulger

Counsellor: Vanessa Connell

GSACRD Voice (Wellness coach): Maddison Russo

Youth Success Coach: Mary Morin

Our recent production of The Drowsy Chaperone was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our students. Through this journey, the cast and crew learned the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and bringing a story to life with humor and heart.

A huge congratulations to the entire cast (on stage and behind the scenes) for their outstanding performances that left the audience laughing and applauding.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our amazing director, Vanessa King, whose guidance and passion made this production truly unforgettable. Bravo to everyone involved for their hard work and commitment!

Mrs. Receveur's ELA 30-1 class is collaborating on diploma review by matching important quotations to the appropriate text. Many were surprised by how much they forgot, with Johanica Wierenga stating, "I didn't know I didn't know that much!", reminding everyone in class that yes, you can (and should) study for an English diploma exam.

See posters below for information about all the fun activities that your Student Council is planning!

Students at MCHS enjoyed some healthy competition with a contest to see who could decorate their locker the best! See below for images of some of the best of them!

The Sr boys played in the Louis St Laurent Tournament on the weekend.

The Wolves lost their first game to Holy Rosary by 13.

They then beat Edwin Parr by 30 before falling in the Consolation finsal by 15 to the home team.

The boys played hard and Ty Scharmann was the tournament All Star for the Wolves.

Please congratulate the Sr. Girls Basketball team for winning the consolation side of the Louis St. Laurent Tournament!

The girls started the weekend with a challenging game against LSL, falling 32-69. But the girls bounced back strong with a 54-28 win against Beaverlodge. In the consolation finals, they crushed it with a 66-21 victory over Edwin Parr!

A special shoutout to Leah Tolsma for an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, she was named the team’s MVP for the weekend!

The following are the guiding principles used in determining the Valedictorian at MCHS.

This student’s average will be calculated based on their mark in English 30-1 as well as 4 courses from the following list:

- Math 30-1

- Math 31

- Biology 30

- Chemistry 30

- Physics 30

- French Language Arts 30-1

- Social Studies 30-1

One of these courses, can be a GSACRD course, that is not a MCHS course (ie. St. Gabriel or GSACRD Summer School). In the event of a tie, the Valedictorian will be chosen by administration and counsellors based on the students’ contributions to the school. The cutoff for term 2 marks used in the calculation will be May 30.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17th:

Toy Drive gifts are due. Please bring them to the office and have your name entered into a draw.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19th:

LUNCH TIME GRAD ACTIVITY - Christmas house decorating competition in the gym. Start gathering all your decorating items. Each team will be given the pieces to build their house, a paper for a backdrop, 4 gingerbread figures, some paint, and a hot glue gun. Your items can be candy, BUT DO NOT HAVE TO BE!!!! You can decorate your house with whatever supplies you bring! Use things you have around your house, the intention is NOT for you to purchase items. The pieces to build your house are NOT edible. Houses will be voted on and teams will earn points!!!
GRAD DRESS UP DAY - Dress like a Christmas movie character! If you don't have a specific character in mind, throw on a sweater and scarf and you can be any Hallmark movie character! ;)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20th:
Christmas Celebration, Christmas dinner, Grads vs Teachers Ball Hockey game in the gym at 1:00pm. Entertainment, games and prizes during halftime!!! Class of 2025, let's get creative and have some fun with this as we start a new MCHS tradition!

See the document below for important information about Grad 2025.

• La bataille de chansons d’hiver: Sports vs films 2024 (créé par Jasmine Currie 2022 Adapté par Matthew Makuch
• L'hiver c'est jamais fini - King Melrose

• 20 ways French Immersion parents can help embrace a love of language

Mathématiques

• MathLibres - Fiches d’exercices de Maths

Communication Jeunesse

• Numéro d’hiver - Qu’est-ce qu’on lit? (Magazine virtuel) - suggestions de lecture jeunesse

Histoire Canada

• Publications Kayak: Navigue dans l’histoire du Canada

A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain."

3rd Sunday of Advent - Year C

Philippians 4:4-7

https://youtu.be/x42mW2ZDBzE

Paul was in jail. More than once. And in this account, he's writing to his people saying "Yeah, it's bad. And I'm full of joy. You can be too. Stay close to Jesus. Tell him how you're doing and what you need. Then get out there and help people." Your life is not always going to be easy. But you can have joy in the middle of it all. Take it from Paul.

At MCHS, we strive to live our faith to the fullest. With the Catholic Social Teachings in mind, we organize charitable projects to help God's children who find themselves in the margains. The following is a list of the Catholic Social Teachings:

- Life and Dignity of the Human Person

- Call to Family, Community and Participation

- Rights and Responsibilities

- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

- The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

- Solidarity

- Care for God's Creation

Here is a list of what we have done so far at MCHS:

- Care-A-Van project for the unhoused

- Jessie's house visits and donations

- Yard clean up

- MCHS Environmental Club initiatives

- Visits to Aspen House

- Painting tiles for the community mural

- Crib tournament with seniors at MCHS

- Morinville Food Bank

- Bags for the imprisoned

Dec 18

Band Concert - 7PM @ MCCC and Art Show

Dec 19

December grad activity

Dec 20

Student-Teacher ball hockey game

Christmas Celebration @ MCHS

Dec 21

Alumni Basketball game

Dec 23 - Jan 3

Christmas Break

Jan 6

Classes resume

Jan 9

HOWLS lunch

Jan 10

JV BBall tournament

January 14

ELA Part A Diploma

January 15

Social Studies Part A Diploma

January 17

Final day of semester 1

January 17 - 27

Exam Break

January 30

Grad Photos in the gym

January 31

First day of semester 2

Sr High Girls basketball tournament

ADDRESS:

Morinville Community High School

9506 - 100 ave Morinville, AB, Canada

T8R1P6

(757) 259-3600

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/mchs.wolves/

WEBSITE: https://www.mchs.gsacrd.ab.ca/

INSTAGRAM: mchs.gsacrd