
ABJ Scots Week at a Glance (SWAG)
June 17 - 21, 2024
Walking by faith and not by sight is both a challenge and a joy on the spiritual journey. This is what God invites us to do this Sunday. As we return to ordinary time, God invites us to see the special blessings in His word and sacraments.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed. Though tiny, it grows into the largest plant, offering shelter and shade. This image is similar to the prophet Ezekiel's message in the first reading, where God promises to plant a cedar tree that will grow large and provide shelter for all kinds of birds. God will bring down the high trees and lift up the lowly ones, making dry trees flourish. God’s power will make all these wonderful things happen.
As we reflect on God’s word today, we hear the call to walk by faith, not by sight. Our faith journey starts with God’s grace, which plants the seed of faith and helps it grow in us. The daily challenge is to let go of self-reliance and trust in Jesus like a child, praying in faith, "speak to me, Lord."
Source: J. Sullivan
As the semester comes to a close, we keep in our prayers all students writing exams.
Important Dates
Organization of the SWAG
The newsletter is organized based on our four school assurance priorities for this year.
- Faith Integration
- Learners and Learning
- Systemic Wellness
- Community Engagement
FAITH INTEGRATION
OLPH Weekly Bulletin and UpLIFT Prayer Requests
Grade 12 Grad Blessing Bags
This past Monday, grads were gifted with their Grad Blessing Bags. Bags are decorated by elementary students across the district with well-wishes and blessings as our grade 12s prepare for diplomas. Volunteers from the Parent Advisory Council then filled the bags with treats. The Grad Blessing Bags are a long-standing tradition at ABJ that our grade 12s truly appreciate.
GrACE - Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education
LEARNERS AND LEARNING
Japan Exchange 2025
Final Exams
See the important dates portion of the newsletter for the June 2024 Final Exams schedule. Individual exam locations will be posted in the common area during exam week. Students are encouraged to check this each day they have an exam.
Please note that Diploma and Provincial Achievement Test (PAT) dates are determined by Alberta Education. Diploma Exams account for 30% of the student's final grade in the course. PAT exams are counted as the final exam portion for all grade 9 students (some exceptions may apply).
During exams, students are only to be in the building for exams in the schedule times. The Library Learning Commons will be open for students wishing to study. However, due to the volume of students writing, students will not be permitted in the common areas or to wander throughout the school. Further information for Diplomas and PATs is linked in the buttons below the exam calendar.
Student Reminders - Book Return and Google Drive for Grads
Course Selections for 2024-2025
Student schedules for the 2024-2025 school year will be available for pick up during registration days in August.
August 21 - Grade 9
August 22 - Grade 10
August 23 - Grades 11 and 12
Learning Spotlights
Science 10 French and English Ongoing Quizzizz Competition!
Miss Berreth's semester long Quizzizz Competition in her Science 10 classes ended last Thursday. Students excitedly awaited the final scores to determine the winning class, which received donuts as their prize.
Dance 15/25/35
Congratulations to our talented dancers for their outstanding performances at last week's Dance Showcase. Your creativity, passion, and talent truly shine and light up our world. Each performance was a testament to your hard work and dedication - thank you for sharing your artistry with the audience.
A special thank you goes to our dedicated dance teacher Mrs. Renneberg. Your guidance, support, and inspiration have been instrumental in helping our dancers reach their full potential. You have nurtured their talents and helped them shine brightly both on and off the stage!
Guitars Showcase
Students in Mr. Nobert's Guitars 15/25 class held a showcase to share their awesome talents with friends, family, and staff last Tuesday evening. Thank you to all of our musicians who did a wonderful job performing!
Health 9
As a culminating activity (Final Exam) for Mr. Siaotong's Health 9 class, the students underwent interview simulations with Mrs. Wimmer, Mr. James Grondin, and Mr. Siaotong as interviewers. The questions ranged from Career and Life Choices, Physical Wellness Choices, Mental/Emotional/Spiritual Health, Relationship Choices and IKIGAI (what they are good at, what they love doing, what the world needs, and what rewards them). In this picture, Mr. Grondin joins the winners: Emily Murphy, Alexis Ziegler, and Jaxon Keeping.
CTS Final Projects
Students in Mrs. Ryl's Fashions, Creative Textile Arts, and Interior Design classes are ending the semester with some amazing creations to take home. Thank you to Mrs. Ryl for continually integrating highly engaging and creative projects in all of her classes!
RAP/Work Ex
Grade 12 Post-Secondary and Diploma Supports
What's Happening at the U of A?
INSIDER TIPS & TRICKS: CURRENT STUDENT Q&A
Want to know more about what it’s like to be a student at the U of A? Join some of our current students as they share their tips, tricks, and experiences on everything from note taking methods to best places to eat and everything in between!
- Thursday, July 11, 5 - 6 p.m. | Register »
Scholarships
SYSTEMIC WELLNESS
Colour Awards
Thank you to all the students, staff, and families that joined us last Wednesday evening for our annual Colour Awards celebration to honour student achievements in the CTS, Fine Arts, Clubs, and Athletics realms. Stay tuned for pictures in next week's SWAG.
Grad Photos
Please see the information below regarding grad photos. Thank you once again to Mrs. Dumont, Mrs. Hurtubise, Mrs. Pope, and Mrs. Tyrkalo for planning this year's graduation ceremonies!
Student Supports
Strathcona CANTEEN Youth Hub May Calendar
Community Supports, Events, and Volunteer Opportunities
Athletics
Check out the new website for all things Athletics.
As the school year comes to a close, please refer to the button below to access information regarding Athletics.
Athletes of the Month
NAIT Sports Camps
Cafeteria Menu
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
EICS Board of Trustees Monthly Highlights
Coming Fall of 2024 – Updated Strathcona County Transit Schedules and Routes
Transit is excited to share with ABJ families the exciting changes we are making to school routes for the 24/25 school year. The attached maps will show you our new school special routes. The afternoon school routes originating from stops #7920 and #7921 directly in front of ABJ. These routes, the 433A, 440,441.442,443 and 451 will be by-passing Bethel transit Terminal and providing students a more direct route home. These stops will be leaving from school at 3:21 p.m., travel into their neighbourhoods, and arrive at their final stops on their routes at approximately 3:50 p.m. (give or take a few minutes depending on the route).
The Routes 430 and 431 will continue to travel on their regular routes. Students wishing to transfer to a different route for extracurricular activities will want to take the 431 to Bethel to make their transfer to access the full route. We encourage everyone to look at the map and see where the buses are traveling – notably the route for the 433A which services different stops in the AM and PM.
Transit will be posting the new schedules and maps for all routes for fall/winter 2024/2025 in mid-August at Strathcona.ca/transit for school specific information we encourage you to checkout our https://www.strathcona.ca/transportation-roads/transportation/student-services/
Approved 2024-2025 Calendar
Please see below for the Board of Trustees approved 2024-2025 school year calendar.
Communications
Newsletter Translation Feature Reminder
SWAG
The Scots Week at a Glance (SWAG) newsletter will be shared weekly on Sunday evenings or Monday evenings on long weekends. This will also be posted on our website and shared via social media. Stay informed on all things ABJ through the website, blog, and on social media.