Heavenly Father,

As we approach Valentine’s Day, we thank You for the gift of love. You are the source of all love, teaching us through Your Son, Jesus Christ, what it means to love unconditionally.

Help us to open our hearts to Your love, so that we may share it with others—our family, our friends, and even those who are in need of kindness. May we always remember that love is patient and kind, not envious or boastful, but a reflection of Your grace and goodness.

Guide us to love as You love—selflessly, joyfully, and with a heart full of faith. May our words and actions bring warmth and compassion to those around us, and may our school community be a place where Your love shines brightly.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

• Tuesday February 11 - PAC Little Caesars Fundraiser Pick up - 1:00pm - 5:00pm in front atrium
• Tuesday February 11 - Performing Arts and Musical Theater 7 - Newsies Jr. Performance - Doors open @ 6:30pm
• Wednesday February 12 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
• Friday February 14 - Valentine's Day
• Friday February 14 - Theme Day - Formal Wear
• Friday February 14 - JH Dance Competition @ 1:00pm
• Friday February 14 - Performing Arts and Musical Theater 7 - Newsies Jr. Performance - Doors open @ 6:30pm
• Monday February 17 - Family Day - No School
• Tuesday February 18 - 5K Fort Heritage Precinct
• Tuesday February 18 - PAC Meeting - St. Theresa Library @ 6:30pm
• Wednesday February 19 - Grade 5/6 - Mardi Gras Carnaval
• Monday February 24 - PD Day - No School
• Tuesday February 25 - Monday schedule
• Wednesday February 26 - Pink Shirt Day
• Wednesday February 26 - Performing Arts 5/6 @ Citadel Theatre
• Wednesday February 26 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
• Friday February 28 - Grade 6 Alberta Legislature Field Trip

PAC Little Caesars fundraiser pick-up is Tuesday February 11th, 1:00pm - 5:00pm in the front atrium. Please note that your orders must be picked up as St. Theresa does not have room to store any orders.

Thank you for your generous support!!! Any questions please contact Holly hzacharko@shaw.ca

The Junior High Dance Competition is next Friday, February 14th. All grade 8 parents are invited to attend the event as the grade 8 students will be competing in a jive off competition @ 1pm. The top grade 7 group dances from each class will also perform.

A reminder that Friday's theme is Formal Day, so dress to impress!! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Kadey at tiffany.kadey@eics.ab.ca.

Below is the 2025 - 2026 school year draft calendar that has been approved "in-principle". Should you wish to provide feedback, please contact Principal Pierre Ouimet at the school office by February 10th.

IT'S SHOW TIME! Our Performing Arts and Musical Theater programs have been working tirelessly preparing for their production of Newsies Jr. There are many opportunities to come out and support the wonderful performers! Tickets at $5 each and are available on PowerSchool. Once paid, students can pick up the tickets in the office. It will be festival seating, first come first serve.

Tickets for the Performing Arts and Musical Theater 7 performances go on sale Wednesday, January 29. Here are the show dates and times:

• Tuesday, February 11~ Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 6:45 pm
• Friday, February 14~ Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 6:45 pm

The newsletter is organized based on our four school assurance priorities for this year.

1. Faith Integration
2. Learners and Learning
3. Systemic Wellness
4. Community Engagement

At St. Theresa Catholic Middle School, we begin each week with purpose and faith. Our staff gathers in the chapel every Monday morning to pray together, seeking guidance, strength, and blessings for the week ahead.

This sacred time allows us to center ourselves in Christ, reflect on our mission as Catholic educators, and pray for our students, families, and community.

May our hearts and actions this week reflect God’s love and grace in all that we do.

Our Robotics Option is where creativity, engineering, and strategy come to life!

Students have been hard at work designing and building sumo wrestler robots, programmed to battle it out in an intense and exciting tournament!

Through hands-on problem-solving, teamwork, and a whole lot of innovation, these students are learning the fundamentals of coding, mechanics, and design—while having a blast!

At St. Theresa, we know that wellness matters—and that includes staying active, building friendships, and having fun! During recess, students can enjoy a friendly game of ping pong, a great way to recharge, de-stress, and connect with classmates.

By creating opportunities for movement and play, we’re helping students find balance between learning and well-being. Because when students feel good, they learn better!

Parents and guardians, please note the following:

• A survey link has been sent out to all families (oldest child): Parent Assurance Survey

• Use the same link to complete one survey per school that your child is attending.

• For example: If you have two children in two different schools within our division, please complete the survey for each school using the provided link.

Let us know if you have any questions—thank you for your input!

The next Hawks basketball games are home games next Friday, February 14 against SCA (boys game @ 4:00, girls game @ 5:15). Go Hawks!

We are currently seeking volunteer coaches for the upcoming handball season! The season runs from April-May.

If you or someone you know would be interested in coaching the girls or boys team this year, please reach out to either of the Athletic Directors (tiffany.kadey@eics.ab.ca or Jamie.dziwenko@eics.ab.ca).

Students in 6C participated in Junior Achievement last week to learn about our business world!

Grade 8’s had fun celebrating Mrs. Anton and her start to maternity leave - they learned to change diapers, played baby Pictionary, “diaper” hole, and guessed baby pictures of each other!

The St. Theresa Parent Advisory Council performs many vital functions for our school community, by helping to facilitate school wide student functions and providing valuable funding to our school via fundraising. Parents involved in the PAC learn about planning and development within the school and are part of the planning process. These roles make their involvement very important to the families, administration and teachers.

Next Parent Council Meeting - Tuesday February 18, 2025 - St. Theresa Library @ 6:30pm

https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies

2024/2025 PAC Meeting Dates:

September 24, 2024

October 22, 2024

November 26, 2024

January 21, 2025

February 18, 2025

March 18, 2025

2024 - 2025 Executive PAC Members:

Chair: Kara Gettings

Bitaemo! Sherwood Park's Ukrainian Bilingual Program began in 1980 and has seen decades of success in academic achievement, global learning, and celebration of the rich Ukrainian heritage. From Preschool/Sadochok to Grade 12, the Ukrainian Bilingual Program offers a community-minded cultural environment along with an enhanced academic curriculum. BUCPS Mission is to promote, advocate, support and foster cultural and educations opportunities for students in the Ukrainian Bilingual Program.

Next BUCPS Meeting - TBA

https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies

2024-2025 Executive BUCPS Members:

President : Andrea Chmilar

Vice-President: Kelsey Whattam

Treasurer: Laurie Leeder

Secretary: Paula Harasymiw

Please see the below links to register for the Grade 6 and Up Confirmation sessions starting in February 2025:

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH

13 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park AB. T8H 1Y7

Phone : 780 467 5470 Fax : 780 467 0530

E-mail: info@olph.ca Website: www.olph.ca

Dear Parents:

Welcome to a new year of Catholic education and faith formation for your child!

Each year, in a Catholic school, your child will learn about many aspects of their Catholic faith— including learning about the seven sacraments. In our Archdiocese, preparing children for the celebration of their own sacraments always occurs in the parish, with the support of the school: • preparing for First Reconciliation, and then First Eucharist, can begin when a child is 7 years of age and in Grade 2 or older

• preparing for Confirmation can begin when a child is about 12 years of age and in Grade 6 or older • special preparation is also available for children of any age who are not yet baptized

Most children attending Catholic schools are ready to receive at the ages shown above, but there is no such thing as too late. Are you seeking for your child to celebrate a sacrament, such as Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation? Are you ready to help them live out their Baptismal promises? Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and Elk Island Catholic Schools are each involved in preparing your child for a Catholic sacrament along with you. It is a group effort, and everyone has a role:

• As a parent, the Church has always held that you are the primary teacher of the faith for your child. You teach them about God; set the example; talk about your own faith; and you bring them to Mass. • The place where the sacraments are celebrated and lived is the Catholic parish. We the people of God in the Church are each part of the Body of Christ. Being in relationship with the parish community (with all its challenges and blessings) is essential for your life of faith and that of your child. The preparation for, and celebration of, the sacraments happens in the parish church. • You must sign your child up for preparation at the parish. The school doesn’t do this part of the process for you. Catholic schools are a special place for children to learn more about Jesus Christ, to practice living in a community of faith, and to develop and deepen a relationship with Christ. We (Catholic parish and Catholic school) are eager to walk beside you and your children during this very special time.

Please call OLPH parish office 780-467-5470, send an email to sacraments@olph.ca or visit www.olph.ca/sacraments to get started or learn more.

As you prepare your child for their sacraments may this also be a special time for you - of deepening your own understanding and of growing in faith for the whole family!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jim Corrigan, Pastor

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

A Roman Catholic Christian community.

We come together at our Lord’s invitation to worship God, celebrate the sacraments, and deepen our faith. We strive to be thankful, generous and welcoming, and are sent forth to help advance God’s Kingdom on earth by proclaiming the Gospel and serving others.

Email: stt@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stt.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 2021 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-464-4001
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.TheresaCatholicMiddleSchool/