NOTRE DAME COLLEGIATE NEWS

Advent is a time of hope, preparation, and reflection, marking the beginning of our liturgical year. Advent invites us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, both in celebration of His birth and in anticipation of His return. The Advent wreath features four candles, each with a unique meaning, symbolizing the themes of the season:

First Candle (Purple): Known as the "Prophecy Candle," it represents Hope, recalling the promises made by God and the anticipation of the Messiah's coming.

Second Candle (Purple): Called the "Bethlehem Candle," it symbolizes Peace and reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

Third Candle (Pink): The "Shepherd's Candle" signifies Joy, reflecting the joy the shepherds experienced upon hearing the news of Jesus' birth.

Fourth Candle (Purple): Known as the "Angel's Candle," it represents Love. During this week, we rejoice in the endless love that God has for us which is apparent in the birth of His Son. We reflect on the good news of God's love brought to us from the angel Gabriel.

Let us embrace this sacred time with faith, fostering peace, joy, and love in our school community through prayer and acts of kindness. To learn more about advent you can listen to Father Mike Schmitz here.

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.

NDC and HSA School Councils are looking for volunteers to help with the organization and creation of the Christmas Food Hampers on December 13 and December 16. If you are able to help, please sign up using this link. https://volunteersignup.org/M9RCW

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 or reach out to Mrs. Rivera at rrivera@redeemer.ab.ca or Mr. Farstad at bfarstad@redeemer.ab.ca

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

Monday's of Advent: Advent Liturgy during Reading Block

December 5: Grade 9s go to Mass (please sign permission form on School Cash online)

December 11: Christmas Band Concert (more details to come for Band parents)

December 17: Junior High Advent Mass at St. Francis de Sales

December 18: Senior High Advent Mass at St. Francis de Sales

December 20: Last Day of school for Christmas Vacation

January 6: First Day of School after vacation - Day 1

January 16: Last day of classes for High School Students (junior high classes remain the same)

January 17: Final exams for high school start - please see schedule on our website

January 28: first day of semester 2 - Day 1

*Please see Social Media and Daily Announcements for our upcoming Christmas Spirit Events

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

*Please see the weekly events updates on our Social Media for more activities throughout the month

Christmas Masses at St. Francis de Sales Parish

December 24: 5pm, 9pm, Midnight

December 25: 11 am

With the gracious support of Food for Thought, NDC is pleased to have a lunch program designed to support students who may benefit from additional assistance. This program is available to ensure that every student has access to a nutritious lunch during the school day, allowing them to focus fully on their learning and well-being. Each lunch, students are provided a brown bagged lunch (ex. sandwich, juice box, fruit). If your child is in need of a lunch, please contact Mrs. Ditzler at sditzler@redeemer.ab.ca or call the front office at 403 652-2231 and we will add the name to our list.

Coming May 2025 NDC Drama presents The Play that Goes Wrong High School Edition by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields

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

Calling all parents: Do you have experience in refereeing basketball? Are you available after school? We are potentially looking for substitute refs for the 2024-25 Basketball Season. Please contact Jason Reid at jreid@redeemer.ab.ca

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.

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.

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