Holy Spirit Academy

In October, we encourage our students, staff, and parents to spend time in thanksgiving and offer prayers of thanks for the big and small blessings in our lives. We are incredibly proud of our students who have been showcasing their servant hearts through good works projects, like fundraising for our Terry Fox run last month, and taking part in Indigenous learning for Orange Shirt Day. This month, we continue to strengthen the mission of Catholic Education; Catholic Education Sunday is October 20th, and then at school our students will engage in faith activities from October 21st-25th for Catholic Education Week.

Fall has arrived and before long we will see a change in the weather. Please be sure your child is dressed for the cooler weather in order to enjoy the outside recesses - labeling hats and mitts helps! Please remind your child[ren] to check the lost and found for missing items. Parents are also welcome to come in and look through the lost and found, after checking in at the office 15 minutes before or after school hours. As part of our commitment to Catholic Social Teachings, we will be hosting a food bank drive throughout the month to help those in need throughout the community.

I would like to provide a quick reminder that school photos are on October 8th and that there will be no school on Monday, October 14th due to Thanksgiving, and Tuesday, October 15th for Staff Professional Development. Our School Council is planning another Halloween Family Dance on October 25th from 6-8 PM. If your child chooses to dress up at school for Halloween on October 31st, please ensure that all costumes are appropriate and follow the CTR dress code. Additionally, please continue to review teacher newsletters, agenda messages, and emails this month to stay up-to-date on school events.

Peter Schreiber

To show your support for Catholic education in the province, Catholic homeowners (or co-owners) can instruct municipalities to direct their property taxes to the Roman Catholic Separate School District. Ratepayers can visit their local municipality office to inquire about a request for change, if they did not originally declare their taxes to be directed to Catholic Education. For more information read School Support Notice Fact Sheet.

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 Common Good. Students will also get a chance to delve deeper into our Faith during the FacetoFace retreat scheduled for October 9th.

October is the month of the Rosary. Click here to learn more about this powerful prayer.

The next Children's Choir Mass is at 11:00 am on October 6th at St. Francis de Sales. All are welcome to join. Please arrive at the church at 10:00 am for a practice. See Ms. Rorke for more information.

Catholic Education Sunday is October 20th. Join us for 11:00 am Mass at St. Francis de Sales!

HSA teachers are engaging in professional development this year on the Layers of Reading Development by Michelle Bence and Miriam Ramzy. The work that teachers do through our Catholic Learning Communities strengthens student learning and positively impacts student success. Here is an overview of the PD:

How do students make sense of the text that they read? In this 5-part series, we dig into 6 key elements that contribute to students’ understanding of text: concepts of print, phonological awareness, word study, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. First, we explore why each layer is critical to the reading process. We then examine how to deliver components from each layer in our instruction to enhance students’ learning and uptake. Finally, we dig into practical classroom strategies that not only help student develop each layer, but also engage students in their literacy development.

Currently, teachers are working to implement additional phonological awareness learning activities into their English Language Arts and Literature programming. Teachers at HSA are a committed group of life-long learners, studying alongside students throughout the school year!

For the 2024 – 2025 school year, CTR Catholic is reemphasizing the significance of daily attendance, which is crucial for student success. Homework, Google Classroom, and making up for missed class time do not replace the interactive and engaging teaching and learning experiences that take place during class. Students must be in class daily. Please see a LETTER from CTR Catholic’s Attendance Officer.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

October 3: Thanksgiving Mass

October 6: Children's Choir Mass

October 7: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

October 8: School Photos

October 9: Face to Face Retreat

October 14: Thanksgiving (no school)

October 15: PD Day (no school)

October 21: Catholic Education Sunday

October 21-25: Catholic Education Week

October 25: Halloween Dance

October 31: Halloween

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