Rooted in Christ @ola

Dear OLA School Community,

As we come to the end of this school year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for the incredible partnership, support, and trust you have given me during my time here at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School. It has truly been a blessing to serve as your principal and to walk alongside you in this vibrant, faith-filled community.

Watching your children grow—academically, emotionally, and in their faith—has been one of the greatest joys of my vocation as a Catholic educator. Together, we have celebrated many accomplishments, overcome challenges, and remained grounded in the love of Christ.

As I prepare to move on to the next chapter of my journey, please know that this community will always hold a special place in my heart. I leave with a heart full of gratitude and many cherished memories.

I have every confidence that OLA will continue to flourish in the years ahead. With God at the center of all we do, I know that the school will remain a place of faith, learning, and belonging for every child and family.

May the summer months be filled with rest, joy, and time with loved ones. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers, and I ask that you keep me in yours.

Thank you for the gift of walking this path together. May God bless you always.

With gratitude and in Christ,

Michele Yuzdepski

"Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School is committed to nurturing the hearts and minds of young learners in a faith-filled environment.” (Mission Statement)

Monday, June 23rd

• Last Faith Assembly - 9:00 (everyone welcome)
• Indigenous Peoples Day Games and Trail Tales

Tuesday, June 24th

• Cogito Kindergarten year end celebration

Wednesday, June 25th

• Last day of school for students (Kindergarten Lakeman - Monday, June 23rd and Kindergarten Holt - Tuesday, June 24th
• Start of SUMMER HOLIDAYS✨

• Report Cards in Powerschool

Demographic Confirmation Forms are due

Please complete these forms available in your Parent Portal as soon as possible. Here is a link to some directions: https://www.eics.ab.ca/parent-resources-including-technology-powerschool/parent-technology-handbook-powerschool-for-parents

To those that have submitted this already, thank you.

Kindergarten

You will be given a time slot to bring your child to a 2-hour kindergarten orientation visit prior to the first day. We will confirm your date and time with you in August. The first day of school for Kindergarten students will be on September 4th for Cogito and September 5th for Regular.

Grades 1-4

Thursday, August 28th Students with last names A-L

Friday, August 29th Students with last names M-Z

Tuesday, September 2nd First day of classes for all Grades 1-4 students

If you are registered for busing next year, your child's first day of school as per the above information will be their first day of busing. If you wish to register your child for the bus or change your current route due to changing schools, please contact the Student Transportation Department of EIPS at (780) 417-8151 or st@eips.ca.

School supply list will be posted shortly.

We are so excited to share our amazing OLA team for the 2025-2026 school year. Here are the staff members who will be learning and growing together with you and your children! Welcome back so many familiar faces, and welcome to the newest members of the OLA Team!

Pre-K: Mrs. Andrea Boyle

Kindergarten: Mrs. Lesley Holt

Kindergarten Cogito: Mrs. Lesley Holt

Grade 1: Mrs. Tara Kucy

Grade 1 Cogito: Ms. Kiera O'Toole

Grade 2: Ms. Stanna Kelava

Grade 2 Cogito: Ms. Laurie Rusnak

Grade 3: Ms. Jordan Lakeman

Grade 3 Cogito: Ms. Jenna Tichkowsky

Grade 4: Ms. Nicole Cyca

Grade 4 Cogito: Ms. Barb Zabolotniuk

Music: Ms. Keirra Dehod

Collaborative Response Coordinator: Mrs. Andrea Boyle

Family Wellness Worker: Mrs. Eleanor Heesing

Chaplain: Ms. Jenna Tichkowsky

Library Tech: Mrs. May-Lee Buban

Secretary: Mrs. Paula Rumley

Assistant Principal: Ms. Barb Zabolotniuk

Principal: Mrs. Ciara Smith

*Educational Assistants:

Mrs. Kim Liber

Mrs. Jessica Woitis

Thank-you for your continued trust in all we do!

Please ensure you have completed your students Next Year Intentions on PowerSchool. Simply log on to PowerSchool and on the main page of each student you will find an orange box with a link to Review Next Year Intentions Information.

When you click the link, ensure that the grade is correct for the next school year, that the school is accurate, and choose Yes or No. When complete click Submit. There will be a Next Year Intentions for each of your students if applicable. This process provides Elk Island Catholic Schools with critical planning information. Please see the attached PDF if you require additional instructions.

Here are links for more information on the programs.

Information for Pre-Kindergarten Registration Link 2025-2026

Information for Kindergarten Registration Link 2025-2026

EICS Registration Link 2025-2026

Kindergarten - Grade 4 COGITO Interest Form 2025-2026

Elk Island Catholic Schools invites and welcomes families of young learners into our faith-based, inclusive Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. EICS offers a variety of Pre­-Kindergarten programs to support all of our little learners. ALL early learners are welcome!

Pre Kindergarten inquiry form

In Kindergarten we encourage independence, initiative, decision making, creativity, the ability to learn, relationships and feelings of self-worth. We believe that each child is unique and, together with parents as our partners, we build upon children's natural curiosity and spontaneity, encouraging and supporting them as they take their first step into school.

Elk Island Catholic Schools’ Cogito Academy is designed to foster academic excellence and success for all students in a structured, disciplined setting. It delivers the Alberta Education curriculum at a structured, sequential pace, offering enhanced learning opportunities. With a clear, direct teaching approach, the program emphasizes consistency and high expectations, helping students to reach their full academic potential building a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Cogito Academy Interest Form

Each child is created in the image and likeness of God and has distinct gifts and strengths. Guided by the school division’s commitment to Mark 1 of Excellent Catholic Schools, we honour and nurture the God-given potential within every student.

For more information about our school please visit our website for more details. ola.eics.ab.ca

The 2024-2025 school fees are now past due. Please log in to your Powerschool account and make a payment. All fee's need to be paid by June26th as to avoid collections

Here is the link to PowerSchool .

Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

School Council supports... recess equipment, Library/Learning Commons, and much more.

Joining School Council meetings allows you to work closely with parents, teachers and the school leadership team to plan and implement enhanced programming and special events for students and our school community!

To connect with your OLA School Council, please email schoolcouncil.ola@gmail.com. Our April minutes are on the school website at ola@eics.ab.ca.

Our next meeting is in September.

Here is a copy of the minutes from our last meeting.

Mabels Labels Fundraiser

We are excited to announce a new fundraising opportunity that will help support parent council initiatives.

We have partnered with Mabel's Labels, a company renowned for its high-quality, durable labels that are perfect for everything from school supplies to clothing. Not only do these labels help keep your children’s things organized, but they make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season!

How It Works:

Visit the Mabel's Labels website: 'Mabels Labels: Support a fundraiser

Browse their wide selection of customizable labels and choose the products you love.

Search Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School (Fort Saskatchewan) and a portion of your purchase will be donated back to OLA!

Healthy Schools is a commitment by government to support student health & learning outcomes by encouraging schools to adopt a comprehensive school health approach to promote student wellness through increased levels of physical activity, healthy eating and positive mental health.

Through this program your student will be provide with a healthy snack every day.

For student's with allergies we will providing an alternative snack that is allowed with in their restrictions. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with this program please contact Mrs. Rumley in the office.

Join Us for Birthday Bash!
A Catholic Summer Bible Camp Celebrating the Gift of Life

Date: July 14-18

Location: Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church
Time: 9:30-12:30

Celebrate life with your church family. It’s more than just a camp – it’s a birthday party for the gift of life itself!

Registration forms can be picked up and returned to OLA church and online at

https://www.olafortsask.caedm.ca

Registration closes July 4

Calling all kids entering kindergarten to grade 4 and enthusiastic volunteers from grades 5 and up! Get ready for an unforgettable week at our Birthday Bash – a vibrant Vacation Bible School (VBS) program where we celebrate the beauty and dignity of every human life.

Through the themes DISCOVER, RESPECT, PROTECT, SERVE, and CELEBRATE, children will dive into fun, faith-filled activities that teach them what it means to be a child of God. Each day, campers will experience:

Themed Crafts
Faith Formation
Dramatic Role Play
Music & Praise
Outdoor Games & More!

This program helps kids develop a deeper awareness of God’s amazing creation and how to cherish life – their own and the lives of others.

We also need volunteers! Whether you’re a teen, parent, or parishioner, come be part of this joyful experience. Help lead stations, support campers, and bring the love of Christ to life.

Can’t volunteer? You can still help!
We are gratefully accepting donations to help cover camper registration fees for families in need. Your support ensures that every child has the chance to experience this life-affirming week of faith and fun.

Our Lady of the Angels Parish

A jubilee is a special celebration, renewal, and forgiveness period rooted in religious and secular traditions. In the Christian tradition, a Jubilee Year, or Holy Year, is a time of special spiritual significance declared by the Pope, often held every 25 years (or during extraordinary jubilees). It offers Catholics a unique opportunity for renewal in faith, repentance, pilgrimage, and the reception of special graces or indulgences. The jubilee concept symbolizes mercy, justice, and restoration, inviting people to reflect on forgiveness, equality, and spiritual growth.

Full article below.

Fort Saskatchewan, AB

T8L 1W7

Email: ola@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://ola.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9622 Sherridon Drive, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: (780)998-3716

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLASchoolFtSask

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourladyoftheangelseics