Shining Bright @ola
February 16, 2024
Together in Learning and Faith
This month, we are learning about "Faithfulness" with the Fruit of the Spirit during Faith Formation. Here is a video explaining what this means. Take time to have a conversation with your child(children) about how important this is to our daily living and faith.
During our Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Father Abraham had us reflect on the 3 requirements of Lent. The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through the three pillars of Lent we journey to develop a closer relationship to God. All of the classes are reflecting on Lent and how they can embrace their Catholic beliefs and understandings.
This Week at OLA
Monday, Feb. 19
- Family Day - No School
Friday, Feb. 23
- Arctic Winter Games - 9:15
All Current OLA Students-Next Year Intentions
All current OLA students are required to fill out the Next Year Intentions form (and not a new registration form) in PowerSchool so that we can plan accordingly for next year. Please log into your PowerSchool account and fill out the Next Year Intentions form.
EICS Education Assurance Survey Closing Soon
There is slightly more than one week left to contribute your feedback to our 2023-2024 EICS Education Assurance Survey.
Your insight plays a critical role in decision-making as our school and EICS seek to further enhance our Catholic education to students.
Please click here to start the survey.
If you have already filled out the survey, thank you. It's truly appreciated!
What is happening at OLA?
School Education Assurance Highlight - Faith Integration
We are actively engaging our students in Liturgies such as our Ash Wednesday Liturgy.
Our OLA School Education Assurance Plan is available on our website, linked here.
Food Bank Donations for our Lenten Service Project!
During the Lenten season, OLA school is collecting food items to give to the Fort Saskatchewan food bank. During the month of February, please consider donating non-perishable food items. They are specifically looking for rice, pasta sauce, juice, jam, nut free lunch snacks, cookies. We are in a competition with some other Fort Saskatchewan schools to see who can raise the most weight in food. Let's show Fort Saskatchewan what an amazing school we have!
Looking Ahead...
Monday, Feb. 26
- Rocks and Rings in gym
- School Council Meeting at 5:30
- Rocks and Rings in gym
Wednesday, Feb. 28
- Pink Shirt Day
- Rocks and Rings in gym
Thursday, Feb. 29
- Rocks and Rings in gym
Friday, March 1
- Alberta Musical Theatre
- Archbishop Smith visits
- Evidence of Learning sent home this week
- ECS 3-Way Conferences
- 3-Way Conferences
- Spring Break starts
Registration
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is open now. See our website for more details. ola.eics.ab.ca
Pre-Kindergarten
Elk Island Catholic Schools invites and welcomes families of young learners into our faith-based, inclusive Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. EICS offers a variety of PreÂ-Kindergarten programs to support all of our little learners. ALL early learners are welcome!
If you are interested in the program please fill out the interest form first to receive a code for your students registration.
2024-2025 Elk Island Catholic School Pre-Kindergarten inquiry form
Kindergarten
Independence, initiative, decision making, creativity, the ability to learn, relationships and feelings of self-worth - all have their beginnings in early childhood. 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.
COGITO Academy
The COGITO Academy is an alternative program which is based upon advanced learning. It covers the regular Alberta curriculum at a faster pace, allowing time for more complex concepts.
An advantage of the COGITO Academy, aside from the accelerated learning, is the more structured, non-distracting environment. Expectations for both achievement and behavior are clearly communicated to the students and parents. Please come to our Open House for more information!
This program will proceed in the Fall if enrollment requirements are met.
COGITO Academy Interest Form (First Assessment is Feb. 2nd at the school - Phone calls were made)
2024-2025 Nature Programming at St. JohnXXIII
Nature Kindergarten
Our school offers a supplemental Nature Kindergarten program which operates Tuesdays/Thursdays and some Fridays. This paid program offers students the opportunity to spend a large part of their day outside engaged in meaningful ways of learning with their body, mind and spirit, while located in a natural setting. Enrolment in this program provides an option to attend kindergarten full time.
Nature Program Grade 1 and Grade 2
This program provides students with an opportunity to spend two half days outside each week. This paid program connects students to nature by fostering rich learning experiences, physical literacy and independence.
School Council
Easter 2024 Purdy’s Chocolate Fundraiser:
Get your Easter goodies with our Purdy's Chocolate fundraiser. Our ordering portal is now available to place online chocolate orders with delivery in time for Easter. A catalogue was sent home with your child on Thursday, February 15th. Place your order by Sunday, March 3rd and pick-up will be at OLA on Tuesday, March 19th.
Place your order using this online link: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1561953-116432
Any questions can be directed to schoolcouncil.ola@gmail.com
School Council supports... Mathletics, 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.
The minutes from the January 15th meeting are on the OLA website.
Please join us for our next meeting on Monday, February 26th at 5:30.
Reporting An Absence
As we stream line our Absence and early pick up notices we are asking parents to please enter your students absence or early pickup through Powerschool, email (ola@eics.ab.ca) or calling the school.
You can view the EICS Parent Technology Handbook for further details on these items or attached PDF as well.
If you need help accessing your Powerschool please call the office @ 780-998-3716.
Please note, reporting your student(s) absent protocols have CHANGED. We no longer have the toll free number or the app logging software available.
Check out the merchandise that you can buy with the OLA logo on it. Click on the above question for information.
Shining Our Light at OLA!
Shrove Tuesday - Thanks to our amazing volunteers!
Valentine's Day
Ash Wednesday
Future Builders
Learning Commons
Nutrition Program
Volunteer for Nutrition Program
Thank you for all those that have already offered and been will to help so far with this wonderful program.
Need Help with Powerschool? Here is a guide to help you .
School Fees
The 2023-2024 school fees have been added to student accounts. Fees will be due November 30, 2023 Please log into your PowerSchool account to make a payment .
The fees for each grade is listed below:
Fee Waiver Program for 2023-2024
Under the principle that finances should not be a barrier to a child's education, Elk Island Catholic Schools will waive fees for independent students or parents/ guardians if they meet certain income guidelines, are on social services or are facing exceptional circumstances. If you qualify, you may apply using the attached application form.
Fee Waiver Program Application 2023-2024
Sign and mail the completed application form with supporting document(s) to:
Elk Island Catholic Schools
310 Broadview Road
Sherwood Park, AB. T8H1A4
Be sure to mark "CONFIDENTIAL" on the envelope.
Please contact the school office if you have any questions.
Our Lady of the Angels School
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