Holy Spirit Academy

September 2024 Newsletter

Principal's Message

Welcome back! I'd also like to welcome all the new faces to our school community; staff, students, parents, and families. We are celebrating a very special year at Holy Spirit Academy, as it marks the 30th anniversary of HSA, and there will be many exciting things to come this year.

As students transition back to the classrooms, building a routine is of utmost importance. Sometimes, we all find ourselves dysregulated in new environments, and that is why our staff at HSA has once again focused on implementing mental health strategies in the classroom. Our teachers are committed to providing safety, co-regulation, and connections to help create a safe and caring environment for all learners. This year we are implementing a "Take 5" approach for conflict resolution, especially during unstructured times like recess. An academic focus for our teachers largely revolves around the implementation of the new curriculum and refining assessment practices. All of our students will be engaged in piloting parts of the new Social Studies curriculum. This brings new opportunities for both staff and students to expand their knowledge and skills!

I would like to extend a special thank you to Forester's Financial volunteers, including former School Council members and students now at NDC, for their recent good works project at HSA; they provided school supplies and packed bags for students at all grade-levels in need of school supplies. Thank you!

Our school priorities are Faith, Academic Excellence, and Healthy Schools, and each newsletter will highlight these areas. This is a longer than usual newsletter as it includes a lot of important back to school information and reminders. We look forward to a fruitful school year at Holy Spirit Academy, where we are "Gathered in the Spirit; Sent to Love and Serve."

Take care and God bless,

Peter Schreiber

FAITH

Fruits of the Spirit

Each month we focus on a Fruit of the Spirit. This month our focus is love. Students demonstrating the virtue of love this month will be recognized at an October liturgy.

Opening Mass

On September 10th, we will be celebrating our Opening Mass with all our staff and students at 10:00 AM; all parents are invited to join us in the HSA gym.

GrACE

GrACE is a partnership of stakeholders resolutely committed to Catholic education within the province of Alberta. Click here for more information from their last newsletter.

Many & One

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.

St. Francis de Sales Parish

St. Francis de Sales Parish will be having a Parent Information Session to explain the Sacramental Preparation Program for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist and how you can continue to support your child’s faith development:

September 21, 2024 – 6:00 pm @ St. Francis de Sales Parish (After the 5:00 pm mass). Please register by going to our website. Material costs are $45.00 for both Sacraments combined. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy at the church office by phone: 403-652-2203 or email: francisdesales@shaw.ca

Join St. Francis de Sales for a Children's Choir Mass at 11 am on October 6th. All students are welcome and can see Ms. Rorke for more details.

St. Francis de Sales Parish Website

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Student Agendas

Student agendas, as well as newsletters and emails, are a very valuable resource for school information and teacher communication. Please check your child's backpack nightly for agendas and information sent home. Included in the agendas is a school handbook and code of conduct.

2024-2025 Four-Year Education Plan Approved

The Board approved year four of the 2021-2025 Four-Year Education Plan for submission to Alberta Education. The Plan sets the direction for the work that will be completed across the division next year. Schools will now develop their own plan in alignment with this divisional plan. Priorities for CTR remain the same, being Catholic Faith, Academic Excellence, and Healthy Schools.

"Take 5"

Your child[ren] might come home and mention, "Take 5." This is a school-wide problem solving and conflict resolution approach that we are trying as a school. It is from Pearson and means:

STOP. Don’t let things get out of control. Take a step back and try to calm down, since anger makes conflicts more difficult to resolve.
SAY what the conflict is about. Make sure you both have a clear understanding of what is causing the disagreement and clarify what each of you wants or doesn’t want.
THINK of positive options. What’s a fair solution that meets both of your needs?
CHOOSE a positive option that everyone can agree on.
RESPECT the opinions of others, even if you can’t agree.

You can use this link to read more.

Conflict Resolution Administrative Procedure

In Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools, our Catholic faith permeates all that we do, and guides our division in supporting a cooperative and collaborative environment for all. Therefore, all staff members take reasonable steps to avoid and resolve disputes at the school level which may arise between parents, principals, teachers, and support staff as prescribed by the Education Act. Click here for our Conflict Resolution Administrative Procedure.

School Communication

The infographic below is a reference to help guide you when contacting the school. Please note - it was created for viewing on a smartphone or tablet and may appear quite small on a computer.

Bell Schedule

This year, all students will eat lunch at 12:35 pm.

Canadian Parents for French (CPF)

Join Canadian Parents for French (CPF) for free! Access resources like introductory French lessons for parents, student bursaries, and French tutoring. Perfect for families in French programs, including French as a Second Language, Enhanced French, or French Immersion. Sign up by Sept. 30. Sign up here

Home Reading

Education today is complex. We wish to provide the students of Holy Spirit Academy with the best possible education in the elementary grades. Many important conditions help to improve student achievement. One is parental involvement in their children’s education. A second is the development of good work and study habits. A third is the development of communication skills, such as reading. The home reading Program helps both the teachers and parents to enhance the experiences of students, particularly in the area of reading. Each student who attends Holy Spirit Academy will participate in a Home Reading Program. The purpose is to encourage pleasure reading, language, and knowledge enrichment. Home reading is part of the ELAL program. Each student will be reading five nights a week, and depending on the grade they are in, will read for a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes each night. Teachers are responsible for having in place a method of tracking student participation in the Home Reading Program.

Homework

Ten minutes of homework per grade level is an appropriate amount of time for students to spend on homework each night.
The focus of homework in Division I (K-Gr. 3) is to develop solid literacy skills in all students. Therefore, nightly reading practice to an adult is essential for success. Other types of homework coming home may include test preparation, practice for mastery, and unfinished classroom work.
The types of homework coming home for students in Division II (Gr. 4-6) may include test preparation, practice for mastery, and unfinished classroom work. Mastery of literacy skills continues to be a priority at this level, therefore; nightly home-reading remains an expectation for all students in Grades 4-6.

HEALTHY SCHOOLS

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Students are invited to wear orange shirts on September 27th as there is no school on September 30th. On September 30th Canadians wear an orange shirt to demonstrate their commitment to reconciliation. We engage in conversation with our children about what it means to matter and to understand that all lives are important regardless of their background, culture, customs, color, beliefs, socio-economic status, etc. Teachers will help their students understand the significance of this in their classes and we will be engaging in some special activities to highlight this day.

Reading to Dogs

This school year, we have the opportunity for students to read with dogs as part of the Reading to Dogs program. The organization is looking for volunteers for the program. They must have a current RCMP security check, and a gentle dog that would be suitable for a 1-hour time span of students reading. The schedule is flexible as to the amount of time the volunteer has. This program has been scheduled at HSA for Thursday afternoons from 1:20 to 2:20 PM . The dog would be screened prior to being involved in The Reading To Dogs program. For more information, please contact Bonnie Chant-Kinsman at b.chantkinsman@gmail.com or at 403-617-8811. Teachers and school administration will nominate students for this program based on a number of different considerations, and a consent form will be assigned on School Cash Online.

Terry Fox Run

Our annual Terry Fox Run will take place on Friday, September 13th. The Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive charity event held around the world to raise money for cancer research in commemoration of Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. Consent forms must be completed on School Cash Online. Instructions for new families will be sent out via email. We encourage families to donate online using a link that will be sent out next week via email. Donations will go straight to the Terry Fox Foundation!!

Free Eye Exams and Glasses for Kindergarten Students

Please see this link for information on free eye exams and glasses for students in kindergarten.

Personal Mobile Devices and Social Media

CTR Catholic is updating our policies related to personal mobile devices and social media in accordance with a recent Ministerial Order from the provincial government. Starting September 1st, student learning and wellness will be prioritized by ensuring that devices are silenced and out of sight during class unless used for educational purposes. Social media access is prohibited on school networks and devices. To see a letter from Superintendent Dr. Andrea Holowka, click here.

Technology, Toys, & Devices

Please refrain from bringing cell phones, other electronic devices, and valuable toys or items to school. If an item is brought to school it is to be stored in backpacks at all times; we want to ensure our students are focused on their studies and also do not want anything accidentally broken while at school.

Breakfast Club and Fresh Fruit

We offer a drop-in breakfast program every morning beginning at 8:30 am and our classrooms are stocked with healthy food options for students, beginning on September 9th.

Nut-Free School

Holy Spirit Academy is a nut-free zone due to several students who are highly allergic to this food. Please refrain from sending peanut-butter or any nut product in your child’s lunch this year.

Extra and Co-Curricular Clubs

This school year, students will have the opportunity to participate in a number of different clubs and activities. These include after school sports in grades 5 & 6, as well as intramurals and recess clubs throughout the school day. Many of these clubs are based on student interest, so if you child[ren] has an idea for one they can talk to their teacher about their idea.

Attendance

When your child will be absent or late from school, please email: hsa-attendance@redeemer.ab.ca, submit this form (which can always be found on our website under Useful Links) or call (403) 652-2889 to leave a message indicating the reason for your child’s absence. If a student becomes ill during the day, parents or guardians will be contacted to pick them up as the safest place for an ill child is at home. If your child is displaying symptoms such as cough, fever, respiratory difficulties, etc., please call AHS (811) for further direction.

Transportation

If your child will not be riding the bus home, please let the office know of their absence before 2:30 PM or 11:30 AM on Fridays. hsa-attendance@redeemer.ab.ca or 403-652-2889. We will not release the school bus until all children are accounted for. If your child does not take the bus, please do not drop-off before 8:30 AM.

Bylaws

As per the Town of High River bylaws, we kindly ask our parents to refrain from idling their vehicles in the parking lot during drop-off/pick-up. Also, dogs are not permitted in parks/playgrounds/school field spaces in High River.

Exterior Doors

Students will enter/exit the building using the doors outlined in the map below. All visitors must check-in at the office.

SCHOOL COUNCIL CORNER

School Council Meeting

All parents/guardians are invited to attend our September School Council & Fundraising Society Meeting. This month the council is hosting their meeting at Holy Spirit Academy on Monday, September 16th 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, & Wendy Weichel

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

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.

HSA Fundraising Society Website

CTR Board Highlights

Quicklinks

Where to Find Information:

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.

Important Dates

September 2: Labour Day (no school)

September 10: Opening Mass

September 13: Terry Fox Run/Walk

September 16: School Council

September 27: Orange Shirt Day (in-school)

September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (no school)

October 3: Thanksgiving Mass

October 6: St. Francis de Sales Children's Choir Mass @ 11 am

October 8: School Photos