Superintendent Message: Nov. 25-29

Inspired by Christ on a Journey to Encounter, Nurture, and Serve.

Inspiré par Dieu dans une Aventure à Découvrir, Grandir, et Servir.

November 25 - 29, 2024

Good morning,

The snow has graced us with its arrival, and the countdown to Christmas has truly begun. Our prayer centers are beginning to glow with the warmth of Advent wreaths and candles, reminding us of the hopeful anticipation of the baby Jesus.

This sacred season calls us to pause and reflect on the many blessings that surround us. In the week ahead, consider finding moments to express gratitude—whether through small gestures or grand acts of kindness—for those who bring light into your life.

May we all strive to see and nurture the light in one another and within ourselves. For those feeling weary, may you allow the warmth of this light to uplift and energize you. Know that you are welcomed and cherished, in a space where acceptance is a given.

“See the light in others and treat them as if that’s all you see.”

Kathleen Finnigan, Superintendent

Dear colleagues,

The Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education, and the Honourable Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services, issued a joint statement (November 18) in support of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.

In support of the Ministers’ leadership on this issue, Alberta Education remains committed to raising awareness of the Bullying Helpline and resources available at Alberta.ca/bullying. The Bullying Helpline (call 310-1818, text 310-1818) provides confidential support and Bullying Online Chat options. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To support bullying prevention and promote mental health, Alberta Education introduced new restrictions on the use of cellphones and access to social media in schools, helping to reduce opportunities for cyberbullying in schools. In addition to this initiative, Education has invested more than $50 million to support 79 Mental Health in Schools pilots, as part of our continued commitment to supporting school authorities in maintaining welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments. These pilots provide access to a continuum of mental health supports and services in schools.

I encourage you to join me, along with your staff, students, and families, in recognizing the importance of working together to prevent bullying, promote healthy relationships, and support those impacted by bullying behaviours. For information on recognizing, preventing and responding to bullying in schools, please visit Teen Dating Violence for Educators | Healthy Relationships – PREVNet and Bullying for Educators | PREVNet.

Thank you for your continued commitment to providing welcoming, caring, safe, and respectful school environments. There is no place for bullying in our schools, and your efforts in supporting Alberta’s students make a lasting impact on their well-being, ensuring that our schools remain places where everyone feels they belong.

Sincerely,

Lora Pillipow

Deputy Minister

St. Matthew Catholic School staff brought this year’s theme alive! “Inspired by Christ on a journey to encounter, nurture and SERVE.”

Staff and their families volunteered to support the St. Matthew Catholic CWL by prepping, serving and cleaning for the annual Spuds and Splits evening held at the St. Matthew Parish.

The money raised will support the CWL and their chosen area of need. Most staff participated in scrubbing, cutting, serving, sweeping and scooping to ensure the guests were well fed and entertained for the evening.

Their efforts were able to raise just under $3000 dollars.

Peter 4:10-11 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms

Last week, Grade 10 KE (Knowledge and Employability) students at Notre Dame took part in a movie analysis and characterization assignment on the movie Dunkirk. They chose a character from the movie and a "moment in time" to create a free verse poem that focused on the character's personal perspective and the impact of that "moment in time".

These poems were read in a poetry cafe setting with students reading their work aloud to their peers. Finger snapping was presented along with the sharing of the most creative and positive feedback of each poem. Like any cafe, food was shared amidst camaraderie.

Jennifer Smith

Teacher, École Secondaire Notre Dame High School

Correction:

In last week's Education Success, Misty Berube's last name was misspelled in the headline. We apologize for this error.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is now using PowerSchool SchoolMessenger for parent communications.

To opt in for text messages:

1. Grab your phone.
2. Text “Y” to 978338.

This is a quick and easy way to stay up-to-date with news, reminders, and urgent alerts from your school!

P.S. Our old system, Swiftreach, is no longer available. Make the switch today!

Click here for more information on the opt-in process.

November 22, 2024

Red Deer Advocate - Mentorship program expands in Sylvan Lake schools

(Photo in message header)

• Strengthened in Spirit Faith Report
• Indigenous Education Services
  
• Upcoming Events

Aim

• To have our elementary school children artistically display ideas that Jesus Christ is the primary focus and reason for the celebration of Christmas
• To help them grow spiritually and creatively

Contest Rules

• Contest is open to all Catholic Elementary schools located in the City of Red Deer
• Posters to be completed in color on white paper either 8.5” by 14” or 11” by 17”
• Student’s name, grade (combined grades must be specific) and classroom should be clearly printed on the bottom of the poster and the school name on the back of the poster so that the posters can be returned to the appropriate school and classroom
• Entries will be judged based on Christian message, content, originality, and artistic composition/talent
• This year there are five separate categories: grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5.
• Teachers from each participating class are to select the two best entries from their class for final judging, and only these two should be submitted. Teachers will keep the rest for display at school, as we will only be displaying the three winning posters for each grade at St. Mary’s Church over the Christmas season.
• Prizes of first, second, and third will be awarded in each of the categories. The prizes will be dropped off at the Schools for presentation the week of December 16 - 20.
• Please submit the posters to the School Division office by the end of the day, Thursday December 12, to allow time for judging. If unable to make delivery or additional information is needed, please contact Dick Dornstauder at 403 - 597 - 6438.

Please click here to download a PDF copy of the contest rules.

Please submit the two best entries from each class to:

Montfort Centre, c/o Jo-Ann Kelly by end of the day, Thursday, December 12th.

Click here for a PDF copy of the newsletter.

As we approach the holiday season, we’re excited to kick off once again our annual Giving Tree Christmas Project in support of Catholic Social Services.

With the help of several dedicated RDCRS schools, some of whom have been partnering with CSS year after year, this project continues to thrive. Thanks to the unwavering support of the community, we are able to reach countless families, spreading holiday joy and bringing the true spirit of the season to those in need.

This year, with an even greater demand for assistance, we are asking for your support to buy gift cards that will allow families the freedom to choose what suits their needs best, making a meaningful impact on their lives.

Walmart gift cards of $25 or $50 can be dropped off at partner schools by December 6, 2024.

For the first time, we are also very thrilled to offer the option for digital donations, where you can select your participating school! Please use the following link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-sign-of-hope-society-archdiocese-of-edmonton/p2p/2024-rdcrs-giving-tree.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

Dear colleagues,

In celebration of International Education Week 2024, I am pleased to announce the Think Globally Collage Contest for Alberta’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 students including those enrolled in Alberta’s international accredited schools. This contest encourages students to further their understanding of the differences and connections among the world’s people and places by creating a collage that answers the question, “In my school, how do I interact with the world?” As part of the process, students are encouraged to reflect on their own school experience and provide examples that represent language and culture learning, sharing ideas, perspectives, and values, and strengthening international and intercultural relationships.

This contest will provide students with the opportunity to explore the benefits of international education. International education helps students gain international and intercultural knowledge, skills, and awareness. Students also develop greater understanding and respect for cultural diversity while learning from different perspectives, practices and systems. In an increasingly global world, these global competencies are beneficial for students as they build relationships with international communities here in Alberta and abroad.

Please visit alberta.ca/international-education-programs for further details and to download the contest guide and entry package as well as the contest poster (in English and French).

If you have any questions about the Think Globally Collage Contest, please contact Waldemar Riemer at waldemar.riemer@gov.ab.ca or 780-422-1540.

Sincerely,

Lora Pillipow

Deputy Minister of Education

Please click here for a PDF copy of the contest guide and entry package. Please click here for a PDF copy of the contest poster.

Click here for a PDF copy of the event postcard.