#GROW

December 9 - 13, 2024

Holy Spirit Catholic School Mission

We are a Catholic community committed to developing educational opportunities in the context of Gospel values, where students' gifts and talents are celebrated and nurtured

through lifelong spiritual and personal experiences.

Second Sunday of Advent

In this culture of instant gratification, instant communication and instant cash, waiting is hard for us. Yet, during Advent, we are called to be watchful and patiently await the coming of Christ the Redeemer. Let us actively wait for him by inviting him into our daily lives with prayer. It is then that we will indeed see the Christ child with the eyes of faith. Words for the Journey by Lisa and Les Freemantle

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, December 9

Muttart Field Trip PM - Grade 1

Tuesday, December 10

Spirit Fest Practice
Dance Club - 1:25 - 1:40 pm

Wednesday, December 11

Spirit Fest Practice
Choir Gr 2, 3 & 4 - at lunch

Thursday, December 12

Spirit Fest dress rehearsal
Dance Club - 11:45-12:05pm
Spirit Fest Matinee - 12:30 pm
Spirit Fest - 5:30 - 7:30pm

Friday, December 13

No Kindergarten Class today
Spirit Day - Advent Colours
Assembly - 9:25am
Visit from Sister Mary Clare - 12:00-1:15 pm

Baskets of Blessings

This Advent EICS is continuing to partner with Catholic Social Services to support women and children in Lurana Shelter. Also, half of the money raised from our 50/50 raffle and raffle baskets at Spirit Fest will be donated to this important cause.

Lurana is a 21 day domestic abuse emergency shelter. The women and children who stay there have nowhere else to go. Their home is unsafe. They may have left their home with only the clothes on their back. When they arrive at Lurana, CSS staff will give them a bedroom to stay in. Staff will also provide them with a Basket of Blessings purchased by the students, teachers and parents of Elk Island Catholic School Division. With your donations staff will purchase an adult basket and/or a children’s basket. A typical adult basket may include soap, toothbrushes and other toiletries, feminine hygiene products, make-up, hair brushes/combs and other basics. A typical children’s basket may include necessities like soothers, a rattle or other small toy, a book, a small blanket. All adult and children’s Baskets of Blessings also include a teddy bear. Clients of Lurana often report that they keep this teddy bear their whole lives.

Donate to our Baskets of Blessings supporting Lurana Shelter

Polar Bear Recess Club

With the winter months upon us, we will no doubt face the prospect of indoor recesses. The Elk Island Catholic School Division procedure on inclement weather recommends that if the temperature is -25C or colder, with or without the windchill, that students stay inside for recess. In previous years our school practice has been to have students stay in classrooms when this happens to play games or watch a video. We have found that when colder weather persists and students are inside for several days, their ability to focus and complete academic work suffers. Recess is a very important time for students as it allows for play, social-emotional regulation, fresh air, and exercise. We desire to help us raise resilient kids which is an important focus at our school and we will do all we can to support daily outside play so we will continue a Polar Bear Club. Students will be able to go outside for recess below -25 C, provided they have proper winter clothing. Proper winter clothing includes: Winter jacket, snow pants, socks, mitts, toque, face covering/scarf, and boots. Students will learn the importance of dressing in layers and what is appropriate for weather conditions so that they can enjoy their time outside in a safe manner.

Our EICS Division Administrative Procedure 134 provides guidelines for us at Holy Spirit for responding to the winter months:

Decisions regarding outdoor activities are to take into consideration inclement weather that may result from the following conditions or combination of conditions: continuous rain; extreme wind, and/or extreme cold
The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside if the temperature is - 25 C or colder. The suggested guideline above is at the discretion of School Administrators and staff as part of their consideration for determining whether recess will be inside or outside. Outside time is sometimes shortened or withheld to accommodate winter conditions. Factors such as temperature, conditions, duration of time are all taken into decision making.
When temperatures or wind chills are below -25 Celsius, outdoor recess play may continue with reduced play times outside.

In order to support the important balance of learning and play, we will have three responses to recess breaks to respond to Alberta weather:

Regular recess outside: (temperature and conditions not an issue)
Inside Recess: (Extreme cold and/or weather conditions that are deemed unsafe for full duration of outside playtime)
Polar Bear Recess: (Temperatures are lower and cold but still safe to head outdoors for short periods).

Outside supervisors and indoor staff are continuously checking for proper winter attire and layers. We have extras on hand for our kids.
Morning supervision begins at 8:30 am, please do not drop off students prior to 8:30 am. First bell rings at 8:35 am.
Students are given opportunities for snacks before and after recesses to allow time for free play, reduce choking hazards, ensuring they stay bundled, and to minimize the litter on our playground.
Please ensure that your child comes dressed and ready for any weather. Please ensure that your child's teacher is updated with any pertinent medical information that applies to outdoor inclement weather, especially if there are any medical reasons your child should not head outside. Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you have any questions about this new initiative.
Students will be given the opportunity to head outside for a short duration of supervised play and if not dressed properly they will stay indoors for supervised activity.

I’m a Polar Bear!!

I bundle up and play outside when it’s cold.

I learn better when I’ve had fresh air and playtime.

I am resilient! I am Canadian!

The November 2024 Elk Island Catholic Schools Monthly Highlights are now available. This month’s edition features:

Updates on the Board’s assurance and advocacy efforts,
Approval of the 2023-2024 Audited Financial Statements,
Progress on the construction of Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic High School,
Insights into the vital work of our Inclusive Learning Services team in supporting students and families, and more.

November Board of Trustee Monthly Highlights

Click here for more information

2023/2024 Yearbooks

The 2023/2024 yearbooks have arrived and we handed out to students who ordered them. We do have extra copies of the 2023/2024 yearbook. If you wish to purchase a copy for $25. Please contact the office at 780-416-9526.

Lifetouch

As a token of appreciation this holiday season, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!

50% off a purchase of $50+ with code CDEC50
40% off a purchase of $40+ with code CDEC40
30% off a purchase of $30+ with code CDEC30

Valid through December 14, 2024. To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.ca or create an online account.

Our Week in Pictures

Donations for Areas of Need

Consider making a donation to support students who are need due to family financial strain. To make a donation please sign into your PowerSchool Account to support Students in Need or school items for students. By making a donation your support will be used to benefit students in need and areas of need within Holy Spirit as determined by school needs and the administration. If you donate $25 or more you are eligible to receive a tax receipt.

School Fees

The 2024-2025 school year fees have been applied to your PowerSchool account. Detailed letters have been sent home and school Fees are due 30 days after they are posted. If you have any questions please contact the office.

Fee Waiver

If the back to school costs are feeling too much you may be eligible for our fee waiver. Please read more and if applicable complete the 2024-2025 Fee Waiver Application. Deadline December 13, 2024.