Fast Friday Facts
Friday October 11, 2024
Sneak Peek of the Week! 👓
This week, students have grown in both skills and independence! We're excited for the week ahead and invite you to check out following upcoming highlights:
We examine the virtue of Thankfulness!
Monday Oct 14
- Thanksgiving Day is here! We're thankful for our Saints family and the chance to enjoy time with friends and loved ones. The school will be closed for the holiday.
Tuesday Oct 15
Atomic Volleyball begins for students in grades 5 and 6. This fundamental skill development extra-curricular activities will be running on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Parent permission forms are required for participation and cost is a donation to the foodbank! Please note, as this program is run by volunteers, all siblings must be actively supervised by an adult and cannot stay in the gym on their own.
Thursday Oct 17
- WingN'It Hot Lunch for those that have ordered through PowerSchool. Our next hot lunch will be Pizza Hut served on Halloween. Orders for that lunch will need to be placed and paid for through PowerSchool by Thursday October 24th at midnight.
-Atomic Vball after school.
Friday Oct 18
- Kindergarten class day!
-Healthy hearts, healthy minds, healthy bodies! Our Saints enjoy our Friday morning walk outside together every week!
Sunday Oct 20 - Catholic Education Sunday, beginning Catholic Education Week! Please consider attending Student Lead Mass at 11:00 at the Immaculate Conception Church. Virtue of Peacefulness begins.
Tues Oct 22- Booster Group EFT preorders due for hot dog day
Wed Oct 23- Take Me Outside Day, hot dog pre-orders cash orders due in office.
Thurs Oct 24- Wear BLUE for Catholic Education. Coats for Kids donations due at St. Mary's. Hot dog day. Pizza Hut orders due online at midnight. Booster Group hosting family Halloween Dance.
Fri Oct 25- PD Day, No school for students.
Wishing you a blessed weekend with loved ones—and plenty of turkey!
October Calendar 📆
Learning This Week 📚
Our Saints learned new skills and gained a deeper understanding of inclusion through the exciting and challenging sport of wheelchair basketball this week. Thanks to the expert coaching of Mr. Bishop from TANSI Alberta Society, Wheelchair Sports Alberta, and the IShow (Indigenous Shooting Hoops on Wheels) program students not only developed athletic abilities but also grew appreciation for the diverse ways people experience sports.
This hands-on experience is a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion and understanding in our community!
Grade 6 Fundraising! 💲
Our grade 6 class has begun planning and fundraising for their Edmonton Extravaganza trip that will happen in the spring! Through many small fundraisers, we can all help them make this dream a possibility! Consider helping in the following ways:
- D&E Recyclers in Grande Prairie will accept used metal, batteries, DPF systems, catalytic converters and more. Simply drop items off and tell them it's for St. Mary's Sexsmith grade 6 trip!
- Drop bottles off at the Sexsmith Bottle Depot for St. Mary's Sexsmith, or collect bottles for their upcoming bottle drive.
- Consider buying chili for supper at the upcoming Halloween Dance,
Thanks for helping this hard working class earn the opportunity to travel and learn together!
Stewards of God's Creation!🌲
At St. Mary's, our students are stepping up as active stewards of God’s creation! This fall, we’re planting new life around our school grounds, ensuring they remain vibrant and thriving. Through our new "Adopt a Tree" program, students are taking ownership of their environment by committing to plant and care for a tree during their entire time at St. Mary's. Together, we're nurturing not just the earth, but a spirit of responsibility and respect for the world God has entrusted to us.
Coats for Kids 🧣
Do you have gently used winterwear that could use a new home? Bring them our way! From October 3rd to October 24th. We're accepting donations of washable jackets, snowsuits, snow pants, toques, scarves, and gloves. (Please note: we cannot accept boots, leather, suede, wool, or badly damaged items).
Every item you donate will be cleaned and redistributed, absolutely FREE OF CHARGE, to those who need it most. Children are the heart of our program, but we welcome items of all sizes. Because no one should have to face the cold unprepared. ❄️💙
Distribution will be from October 21st to November 15th at Grande Prairie Family Education Society.
Thank you for helping us warm the hearts and hands of others in our community!
Saints Shout Out!🎉
Huge shout out to Mr. Jason Bishop who brought the IShow (Indigenous Shooting Hoops On Wheels) program to our school through the Tansi Society and the Wheelchair Sport Alberta! We are grateful for the opportunity to try new skills, and embrace inclusivity!
The IShow program offers a Wheelchair Basketball initiative for Indigenous individuals, including those with or without disabilities, in Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 communities, and was open for all of our students to participate! It aims to create opportunities through a national and Paralympic-level sport, with WSA providing free participation, resources, and support to help communities establish their own clubs or organizations.
Hot Lunch through PowerSchool!🌯
Tired of the same old sandwiches? We’ve got you covered! Log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal and order hot lunches from our favorite vendors. Orders for our next Hot Lunch, Pizza Hut, are due on Thursday October 24th at midnight, for lunch to be served Thursday October 17th. While in PowerSchool, feel free to order ahead for dates leading up to Christmas—it's a one-stop shop! (Reminder: Orders close about a week before the scheduled date, so you don’t have to order all at once, but you can if that's easier for you!)
Need help with your PowerSchool account? Call Mrs. Nelson, she's here to help!
https://gpcsd.powerschool.com/public/
Booster Group News 🚀
School Fees 💵
St. Mary's does not charge base fees for the academic year, however, certain programs do have fees attached.
Fees for our Pre-K program are due monthly by the 5th of each month. October fees are due tomorrow. Parents of PreK students are encouraged to contact the office if they have not yet established PowerSchool accounts.
Junior High CTS classes have been invoiced and emailed home. Statements will reflect fees for the whole year, however, only fees associated with Term 1 will be due on October 31st.
Extra Curricular and sports teams also have fees attached, and are due before the first event for each team.
Fees can easily be paid online through the PowerSchool Parent portal, or in person in the office. Please don't hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions or would like to make arrangements for payment.
Health and Wellbeing💪
Community🏠
Water Bottles Required
Nut Aware School
Outdoor Gear
Contact Us, We're Here to Help!
St. Mary's Catholic School is located on the beautiful lands of Treaty 8 Territory. We respectfully honour and acknowledge the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who have lived on and cared for these lands since time immemorial and who continue to do so today.
Email: stmarys@gpcsd.ca
Website: stmarys.gpcsd.ca
Location: 9001 103 St, Sexsmith, AB, Canada
Phone: (780) 568-3631
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMarysSX