In November, we focus on peace. On November 8th at 10 am we will gather in our school gym for our Remembrance Day observance, recalling in our hearts and minds all who have made sacrifices for our country so that we may live peacefully in freedom. Any students who belong to a service club, such as Sparks or Cadets, are invited to wear their uniforms to join our color party for the entrance to our assembly. We are going to invite all our other students to come to school dressed in their best as a way to show respect for Remembrance Day.

We are excited to welcome Métis artist Alex Kusturok to on November 15th. Alex Kusturok has emerged as a formidable force in the world of traditional and contemporary fiddle music. Immersed in the rich Métis fiddle culture since childhood, Alex’s journey in music began in the lively old-time dances of Manitoba, where he accompanied his mother, Patti Kusturok. By age 7, his deep-seated passion for music was unmistakable, a passion that has since evolved into a flourishing career as both a performer and an educator.

I wanted to provide some other important reminders for this month. November 21st is picture retake day. If you are in need of a retake for your child[ren], please ensure you contact the office at hsaofficeadmin@redeemer.ab.ca. Report Cards will be online in your PowerSchool Parent Portal on Friday, November 15th. Parent Teacher Interviews will be taking place on November 21st from 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm. We encourage all parents to make an effort to meet with their child's teacher to discuss their progress to date. Interviews will be in person or via zoom. Booking interviews will be done through the PowerSchool Parent Portal and will open for parents to book starting on November 15. Instructions on how to book will be on our website. Students will be dismissed at 12:00 on Thursday, November 21st to accommodate interviews. There will be no school on Friday, November 22nd. There will be more information about Christmas Concerts in the December Newsletter, but mark your calendar for December 12th; Kindergarten at 6 pm, and then grades 1 and 3 at 7 pm. On December 18th we will have grades 2 and 4 at 6 pm, and then grades 5 and 6 at 7 pm.

Thanks to our amazing School Council for the new Gaga Ball Pit surface, and for organizing our Halloween Family Fun Night! Please see the bottom of this newsletter for more upcoming council events and fundraisers.

HSA staff and students will implement CTR's Many & One initiative this school year. It is an ongoing commitment to stakeholders that all students, staff, friends, and families who enter the school are welcomed and supported. We are committed to making ourselves available to listen, speaking with kindness and consideration, standing in solidarity with those who are marginalized, and learning and promoting the learning of others. Our Catholic Social Teaching for this month is Peace.

The next Children's Choir Mass is at 11:00 am on November 3rd at St. Francis de Sales, and then again on December 1st. All are welcome to join. Please arrive at the church at 10:00 am for a practice. See Ms. Rorke for more information.

The Christian Witness Award is awarded to a staff member who demonstrates exemplary leadership in the area of faith. Each school may nominate one school employee per year. The employee possesses many of the following qualities. A teacher in a Catholic school makes Christ known to their community by joyfully embracing and living the Gospel, and the teachings of our Catholic faith. Use the form below, or this link, to nominate a staff member!

In partnership with Holy Spirit Academy, the HSA Fundraising Society, Foresters Financial and Notre Dame Collegiate, GMP Homemade Taste is proud to support the Christmas Hamper Incentive. Christmas Hampers will be provided to nominated families in need and will contain food items for Christmas. Please support this incentive by purchasing from the menu below. $10 from each sale will go directly towards supporting the Christmas Hamper Incentive. Place your order using this link.

Thank you for the Gaga Ball Pit!

The next meeting at Holy Spirit Academy is on Monday, November 18th at 6:00pm. If you are looking for more information you can contact Ryan Payne, our School Council Chair at ryan.payne@live.com.

Meet Our School Council & Fundraising Society

Chair - Ryan Payne Vice-Chair - Shawna Koppel & Jocelyn Shields

Secretary - Luschka Dearle Treasurer - Wynter Brown

Hot Lunch Coordinators - Megan Kopriva, Jocelyn Shields, and Wendy Weichel

Directors - Jennifer Duckering, Samantha Payne, Chelsea McEwan, Melanie Vincente, Amanda Nelson, Ella Volkart, Amanda Parr, Wendy Weichel, Jocelyn Miller, and Angelena Winnicky

Grade 6 Reps - Chelsea McEwan & Melanie Vincente

School Reps - Peter Schreiber & Paula Hamilton

Trustee - Mark MacDonald

Our School Council is a dynamic group of stakeholders who are committed to enhancing the culture of our school, and to providing rich opportunities for the students.

Have a question for the principal? Send discussion topics for the next Council meeting to pschreiber@redeemer.ab.ca.

A friendly reminder to sign up to volunteer for Hot Lunch this month if you can. A wonderful way to contribute to the school & you can get a little visit in with your child, staff & other volunteers. Click this link to be directed to sign up page. Thanks again for your support.

Please use this separate link for the grade 6 year-end activity fundraising sign-up.

• Report an Absence
• School Cash Online
• Hot Lunches
• Division Calendar
• School Start
• Donate

Powerschool Parent Portal:

• Student homeroom placement, report cards, view attendance, book Parent Teacher Interviews.
• School Engage - Student update forms and other forms such as IPP, bus change, bus requests.

School Cash Online:

• Permission forms and fee payments for field trips, extracurricular sports/clubs.
• 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.

Need help with these? Please contact the office:

• hsaofficeadmin@redeemer.ab.ca or call the school to speak with Mrs. Webb or Mrs. Woolridge at 403-652-2889.

November 1: All Saints' Day liturgy at 9:35 am

November 2: All Souls' Day

November 3: Time change - "fall back" 1 hour

November 7: Gr. 6 AHS Vaccinations (only for those with parental consent)

November 8: Remembrance Day Ceremony at 10 am

November 8: Christmas Card Orders Due

November 10-16: Métis Week

November 11: Remembrance Day (no school)

November 12: Earth Rangers Presentation

November 15: Alex Kusturok Presentation

November 15: Report Cards

November 18: School Council

November 20: Gr. 6 Volleyball

November 21: Picture Retake

November 21: Parent Teacher Interviews

November 22: No School

Holy Spirit Academy is located in High River, a fast growing community of about 14 000, nestled at the edge of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 20 minutes south of Calgary. We are a Kindergarten to Grade Six elementary school. Holy Spirit offers a Catholic Christian education to approximately 500 students in a warm and caring environment.

Email: cwoolridge@redeemer.ab.ca
Website: www.holyspiritacademy.ca
Location: 4 21 Street Southeast, High River, AB, T1V 2A1
Phone: 403-652-2889
Facebook: www.facebook.com/holyspirit.ctr