NOTRE DAME COLLEGIATE NEWS

Welcome back to school! As we begin this new academic year, let’s carry with us the wisdom of Pope Benedict XVI: “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness!” Our journey together will be filled with challenges and opportunities for growth. Embrace each moment, knowing that you are called to greatness in all that you do. Let’s strive to support one another, deepen our faith, and pursue excellence in every aspect of our lives. Here’s to a year of learning, joy, and spiritual growth.

Personal Mobile Devices and Social Media:

CTR Catholic is updating our policies related to personal mobile devices and social media in accordance with a recent Ministerial Order from the provincial government.

Starting September 1st, student learning and wellness will be prioritized by ensuring that devices are silenced and out of sight during class unless used for educational purposes. Social media access is prohibited on school networks and devices. To see a letter from Superintendent Dr. Andrea Holowka, click here.

Come and join our Parent Council. We will have an Annual General Meeting on September 11 at 7pm in the school library. You can learn more about Parent Council, meet current members, administration and the Trustee. At this time, we will also be choosing our Executive Council for the school year.

If you are interested in being on the Parent Council Executive, please complete the google form found here. If you are unable to come to the AGM and would like to be considered for the Executive Council, please complete the google form as well. There are several Executive Council positions available.

Please note that we will endeavor to make changes to your schedule but class sizes etc. will play a factor in this. Please use your current schedule until changes have been made. The focus of changes will be for Semester 1 at this time but please submit semester 2 changes as well. . Any changes after this, please come and see Administration. All changes must be done using the google form found on the google classroom listed below. Email requests will not be accepted. The ability to request changes will open on August 22 at 7am.

High School Changes: Please use the High School Registration Google Classroom: gcycf77.

You will find a google form as well as a chart that outlines the classes in each block of the day for both semester 1 and semester 2. Deadline for change requests is September 6 with all possible changes being completed by September 11

Junior High Option Changes: We only accept changes for option classes. Please note that several option classes are currently full. Please use the google classroom: 44gtoky. Deadline to submit changes is September 13 with all possible changes being made by September 20.

"The Catholic social teaching principle of human dignity is about understanding that each of us is made in God’s image. Every person has an innate human dignity no one can take away. Human dignity is given freely to all human beings; whether saint or sinner, imprisoned or freed, powerful or marginalized. Christ died for all, so all can have fullness of life and therefore every human life is considered sacred.

Our common humanity requires that we respect and uphold the dignity of each and every human being. All our other rights and responsibilities flow from this dignity. This principle is deemed as the central aspect of our Church’s social teaching. The idea that each life has value is shared with International Human Rights which are also universal, inviolable and inalienable." (Caritas)

“You are loved” This is our commitment to you that all people who enter this school are welcomed and supported. Words and actions can hurt, even if you don’t mean it to. All students, staff, and families encourage, value and support one another to create a safe and caring school community where no one is excluded for any reason including: race, disability, gender, religious beliefs, family life, sexual orientation, past experiences, language, income, ancestry, skill, age, culture, labels or colour. All people deserve dignity and respect. (CTR Catholic - Many and One: working to dismantle racism and discrimination)

For the 2024 – 2025 school year, CTR Catholic is reemphasizing the significance of daily attendance, which is crucial for student success. Homework, Google Classroom, and making up for missed class time do not replace the interactive and engaging teaching and learning experiences that take place during class. Students must be in class daily. Please see a LETTER from CTR Catholic’s Attendance Officer.

If your child is unable to attend school, please be sure to report their absence using one of the following:

- use our website under quicklinks "attendance"

- Call the school at 403 652-2231

- email: NDC-Attendance@redeemer.ab.ca

August 22 - Schedules open on powerschool . Please note that the system used to request a schedule adjustment will be in the August newsletter (email changes will not be accepted). Further details will be in the August Newsletter

**New families (not currently at HSA): When you completed your registration, you received an email from your Powerschool account that provided you the password to go into Powerschool. This is where you will find the schedule in August.

**HSA Families: If you were at HSA for grade 6, your current powerschool account will continue to work at NDC.

August 27 - Open House from 1:30-3:30. You can get your locker from your Block 1, Day 1 class teacher, tour the school etc. More details will be confirmed in the August Newsletter.

August 28 -First day of classes for all students

August 28 - Pep Rally 10:30 - Junior High; 11 - Senior High

August 29 - Opening liturgy

September 4 - Athletics in Action Clinic (3:45pm) - more details to come for those who are eligible

September 4 - School Pictures - Junior High

September 5 - School Pictures - Senior High

September 6 - Last Day for Senior High Schedule Adjustments

September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - No School

October 3 - Grade 7s at Mass

*All sports tryouts, practices etc. can be found on our Daily announcements and/or social media throughout the year.

There are a few different places to find information/forms etc.

1. Powerschool Parent portal:

- Student schedules, achievement/grades, report cards, view attendance etc.

2. School Cash Online

- permission forms and fee payments for fieldtrips, extracurricular sports/clubs, band etc.

-*please note that ALL permission forms must be completed on School Cash online before your child can participate. We cannot take verbal or written permission.

3. School Engage

- signing of ISPs

-Student update forms, bus changes, bus requests etc

Need help with these? Please contact Deanna Hartung at dhartung@redeemer.ab.ca or call the school to speak to her at 403 652-2231. She is our expert with these programs.

Wanting to learning more about how High School works?

We have created a Senior High Course Selection Guide to help you! This includes information related to graduation requirements, off campus programming, course streams, and so much more. You can find this on our Website under Student Futures

Looking for information on options that may be available at NDC?

You can find this on our Website under Learning.

Please help support the Class of 2025. When you drop off your bottles at the Bottle Depot, please ask to put the proceeds into the NDC Grads of 2025.

Programs such as work experience, RAP (Registered Apprenticeship Program), Green Program etc. provide work related skills to students. They also provide an opportunity for students to receive credits in High School doing outside of the school programming.

You can contact our school Off Campus Coordinator Mrs. Pittman at jpittman@redeemer.ab.ca

alis.alberta.ca profiles over 500 occupations including responsibilities, average wage, and education required. Students can type in a search term and see related occupations.

tradesecrets.alberta.ca provides profiles of the skilled trades, videos, apprenticeship and certification pathways.

We have several programs at NDC to support student wellness.

FSLW/Connections Program: These programs help to support student mental wellness.

Please contact the front office for referral.

Learning Support/Strategies: Ms. Shewchuk has different programs to help provide academic and movement supports for students. jshewchuk@redeemer.ab.ca

Post Secondary and career support: Jason Sekura jsekura@redeemer.ab.ca

Work experience/RAP/Green Certificate: Jenelle Pittman jpittman@redeemer.ab.ca

English as an additional Language: if you have questions related to English as an additional Language, please contact Mrs. McCallum. smccallum@redeemer.ab.ca

Athletics: if you have questions or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Mr. Reid at jreid@redeemer.ab.ca

Administration: If you have any questions or don't know who to contact, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Jodi deKlerk jdeklerk@redeemer.ab.ca, Rebecca Enright renright@redeemer.ab.ca

You can find daily information on our announcements slide show located on our website. This may include:

- post secondary/scholarship information

- school events

- sports: tryouts etc.

- clubs

- and so much more.

Their mission: "Celebrating Catholic Education, GrACE’s mission is to inspire, invigorate, and embolden the spirit of Catholic Education in Alberta. By uniting, engaging, educating, and communicating with one voice, GrACE creates a cohesive and impactful advocacy effort for Catholic education." You can find more information on this organization here.

Lunch - We have an open campus policy. Students can stay on site or leave the school to have their lunch. If leaving, please arrive back on time for your afternoon classes. As well, please be respectful of our community. It is important that we are picking up our garbage, walking on pubic sidewalks etc. Please note that Prairie Sound development is a private community.

The new Every Kid Can Play program is designed to enable children to access sports, physical activity and recreation. The program will provide up to $350 for program registration costs to Alberta families that struggle financially. Parents can apply for funding in June through the Alberta chapter of KidSport, linked above.

1. Daily announcements can be found on our website - contain happenings around the school, clubs, sports etc.

2. Student Absences: if your child is absent, please remember to contact our front office. This information can be found here 403 652-2231 or sditzler@redeemer.ab.ca

3. Post Secondary updates including links to post secondary institutions, scholarships and more can be found here. You can also contact Jason Sekura if you have any questions at jsekura@redeemer.ab.ca

4. Allergy Alert: Nuts, Peanuts, Fish - please do not bring these to school.

5. Pick up/Drop off - please be sure to sign students in/out

6. You can find the Provincial GrACE Newsletter on CTR’s website using this link: LINK

7. Our school website contains a lot of information for both students and families.

8. Bell Schedule can be found on our website

9. Board highlights

Please find more information about our local parish on their website.

Weekend Mass times:

Saturday: 5pm

Sunday: 11am

Weekday Mass times:

Monday 9am

Tuesday 7pm

Wednesday 6pm

Thursday 9:15am

Friday 9:15am

Saturday 9am

Email: jdeklerk@redeemer.ab.ca
Website: http://www.notredamecollegiate.ca/
Location: 1500 High Country Drive Northwest, High River, AB, Canada
Phone: 403 652-2231
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notredame.ctr