Week at a Glance

Sunday, December 1

• First Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 2

• Advent Retreat - all grades

Tuesday, December 3

• Pre-K 3 year olds attend

Wednesday, December 4

• Advent Mass at Our Lady of Assumption - 9:15 am

Thursday, December 5

• Pre-K 3 year olds attend
• Theme Day - Christmas Sweater Day

Friday, December 6

• Hot lunch for those that ordered - Edo Japan
• T/TH Kindergarten attend

Upcoming Events:

• December 10 - Theme Day - Red & Green Day
• December 11 - Grade 1 nature walk
• December 11 - Advent concert 1:00 pm
• December 12 - Advent concert 9:15 am
• December 13 - PD Day - No school for students
• December 20 - Theme Day - Christmas Pajama Day
• December 20 - Hot lunch for those that ordered - Cherish Collection Edible Cookie Dough
• December 23 - Christmas Break (Classes resume January 6)
• January 9 - Epiphany Liturgy 9:00 am
• January 10 - Hot lunch for those that ordered - Spill the Beans

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is now using PowerSchool SchoolMessenger for parent communications.

To opt in for text messages:

1. Grab your phone.
2. Text “Y” to 978338.

This is a quick and easy way to stay up-to-date with news, reminders, and urgent alerts from your school!

P.S. Our old system, Swiftreach, is no longer available. Make the switch today!

Click here for more information on the opt-in process.

Teachers have been busy inputting assessments and comments into our online reporting program called Schoology. Parents should now see updated assessments and comments for all subjects including Growth as a Learner.

Please take some time to view this valuable feedback For more information about Schoology, links to log in, and instructions on how to download the app and access your child's information, please visit our the webpage using the following link: Schoology.

We are very excited to announce École Our Lady of the Rosary's Advent Concert, “Light Up the Night.” It will be taking place in the school gymnasium on December 11th at 1:00pm for families with the last names A-L (and Pre-K PM) and on December 12th at 9:30am for families with the last names M-Z (and Pre-K AM). All students will be performing on both days, but splitting up the two performances by last names allows all families to fit in the gymnasium on either day to watch in person. Kindergarten families will attend during the time and on the day their child is at school. If you are unable to make the time and day allotted for your last name, please come to the other day so that you can still enjoy it in person. In addition, we will be recording the dress rehearsal on December 10th, so that anyone that is unable to attend the concert in person can still celebrate their child’s performance digitally. Classroom teachers will send this out to families via email.

We would be honored to have you join us for this memorable evening. Please see the invitation below for more details.

Warm regards,

ÉOLR Advent Committee

As you are aware, our division theme is "Inspired by Christ on a Journey to encounter, nurture, and serve." This year, our school is focused on the theme of service and our social justice team have planned many meaningful projects.

As we approach colder months, we want to ensure that all children in our community have the warm clothing they need. This year, our school is organizing a “Mitten and Sock Tree” initiative to collect new or gently used mittens, socks, and other warm clothing items for those in need. We kindly ask for your cooperation in making this effort a success.

We currently have 3 trees in our Gathering Area where you or your child can drop off your donations. We are excited to see our trees fill up with warm offerings from our community. Your generosity will directly support local families and help keep our community’s children warm during the winter season. Please bring donations before December 6.

Please consider involving your child(ren) in this project if you are able to contribute. In teaching our children to be like Jesus, we can point to His example of service to others. As we do the things He did by serving our brothers and sisters, we become more and more like our Savior.

We’re excited to announce that the Grade 3 and 4 Choir began this past Tuesday! Sessions will take place every Tuesday from 11:30-12:00 (lunch recess) in the Grade 4 breakout room, led by Mrs. Cuellar and Mrs. Gringhuis. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their singing skills, work as a team, and showcase their talents!

Choir students are asked to commit to attending each week to ensure consistency and progress. We look forward to hearing their beautiful voices!

We are pleased to announce that Grade 2s and 3s are being added to our Intramural rotation starting Monday in the month of December! Students have the opportunity to participate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30-12:00 (lunch recess) under the guidance of Mrs. Hebert. They will continue soccer!

The new schedule is as follows:

Monday Grade 2

Wednesday Grade 4

Friday Grade 3

Intramurals provide a fantastic way for students to engage with their peers and develop teamwork skills. We look forward to seeing your child join us for intramurals in the gym!

The RDCRS 2024-2025 Student Information Update Forms are now past due. If you have a student in grades 1-4, and have not yet completed their student information update form please do so as soon as possible. This documentation is required by Alberta Education, and used to verify your child's school enrolment.

How to Access the RDCRS 2024-2025 Student Information Update Form:

• Log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal from a PC, Mac, or Chromebook: https://rdcrs.powerschool.com/public/home.html

• If you are unsure of your password, use the "Forgot Username or Password?" link to reset it, or feel free to contact your child's school for assistance.

• In PowerSchool, select the "School Engage" button (scroll down to the last button on the left-hand side)

• In School Engage, click the Students tab, then select your child’s name.

• Look for the Student Information Update Form on the right-hand side of the screen.

• To open the form, click the blue, "Open" button under {RDCRS 2024-2025 Student Information Update Form}.

• After opening the form, navigate through the form by clicking the right arrow button on the top right of the form. Please fill in the mandatory fields highlighted in red and check or update other information shown on the form.

• Complete the process by clicking the Submit button at the bottom of the last page

Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions or concerns regarding the form.

Schools are considered to one of the safest places in our community. However, in reality, emergencies do happen. Red Deer Catholic Schools have developed a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan called "Hour Zero." In the coming weeks, we will be using this space to help parents understand our Hour Zero procedures better, so that you are prepared in the event of an emergency situation. This week, we are focusing on EVACUATIONS.

An EVACUATION requires all students and staff to leave the school and go to an alternate location. This may mean only going outside and away from the building until it is safe to re-enter the school. In other cases, students and staff may need to go to a designated evacuation centre. Parents would be informed of the alternate location through the school’s messaging systems. We understand that if an emergency evacuation were to occur, parents will be worried and want to be reunited with their child as quickly as possible. To ensure every child’s safety and the safety of staff, parents would be asked to adhere to the parent-child reunification procedures listed below.

Please understand that the following processes will take time requiring patience when parents arrive at the evacuation center/Parent-Child Reunion Area.

Student Release: Parent-Child Reunion Procedures

1. A Parent-Child Reunion Area will be established. Parents will be notified at the time of the emergency of the Reunion Area’s location. The location may not be at the school — the location will depend on the specifics of the emergency.

2. You will be required to fill out a Student Release Request Form. This ensures all students are accounted for at all times and students are only released to authorized individuals.

3. Students will only be released to an individual designated as legal guardian or emergency contact on the student's Emergency Card, which is completed at time of school registration. Please be sure to keep this information current with your school, as the school will only release a child to someone listed as an Emergency Contact — there will be no exceptions.

4. Valid identification is required to pick up your child. This is required to protect your child from any unauthorized individuals attempting to pick up students. Even if school personnel know you, you must still present I.D. as the school may be receiving assistance from other schools or outside agencies.

5. You will be required to sign for the release of your child. This is extremely important, as it ensures your child, along with other students, is accounted for at all times. Please do not just take your child from the school or evacuation center without signing for his/her release.

6. Once you have been reunited with your child, please leave the area immediately. This is for your own safety and that of your child. If you are unable to pick up your child, he/she will be kept at the Parent-Child Reunion Center until alternate arrangements can be made. Your child will be supervised at all times.

For more information on Hour Zero and how we are keeping your kids safe, please refer to our school website. https://www.olrschool.ca/parents-students/emergency-response-plan

Volunteers!

There are many different opportunities to volunteer and be a part of our school community in this upcoming holiday season! Please fill out and submit this Volunteer Google Doc form at your earliest convenience:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceSMvsHouZ3buSsRqI3GxDs1TbPjQhqwP9BkWL6sCJDd-1-g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Be involved as much or as little as you like in what you like!

Fundraising

Look Out! Your School Council has made arrangements with the Nexsource Centre, Drop N Hop, and Fundscrip to offer discounted passes for family fun over the winter break as well as the purchase of gift cards. The activity passes make exceptional stocking stuffers. For the hard to shop for person in your life, gift cards are a great option AND if you purchase your gift cards through the school a percentage of the price is donated back to our school. Win-Win! Stay tuned for more details!!

Calling all volunteers!

Give the gift of time at this year’s Festival of Trees and make a direct impact on improving cardiac care in Central Alberta!

We need 1,000+ volunteers to fill 1,476 shifts. Join us in a fun and rewarding adventure at reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca.

As we approach the holiday season, we’re excited to kick off once again our annual Giving Tree Christmas Project in support of Catholic Social Services.

With the help of several dedicated RDCRS schools, some of whom have been partnering with CSS year after year, this project continues to thrive. Thanks to the unwavering support of the community, we are able to reach countless families, spreading holiday joy and bringing the true spirit of the season to those in need.

This year, with an even greater demand for assistance, we are asking for your support to buy gift cards that will allow families the freedom to choose what suits their needs best, making a meaningful impact on their lives.

Walmart gift cards of $25 or $50 can be dropped off at partner schools by December 6, 2024.

For the first time, we are also very thrilled to offer the option for digital donations, where you can select your participating school! Please use the following link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-sign-of-hope-society-archdiocese-of-edmonton/p2p/2024-rdcrs-giving-tree.

Thank you for your generosity and support!