OLMP Catholic School
Weekly Bulletin - September 13, 2018
Welcome Back!
We have also flipped our school this year, so High School (grades 9 - 12) and Middle School (grades 5 - 8) are now in opposite areas from where they were last year. Come check out our changes at next weeks Open House/ Meet the Teacher Night on Tuesday, September 18th from 6:30 - 8:00.
If you haven't already done so please ensure that all parents/guardians have signed the appropriate forms digitally through PowerSchool. Log in by clicking the link below. You will see a red notification if your forms are out of date, so please log in and check this right away to ensure your child is able to participate in various school activities, use technology, internet, etc.. For any students with medical issues please be aware all of our medical forms are also online with PowerSchool.
Important Dates:
- High School Golf Zones - Monday, September 17th
- School Choir Practices Start at noon - Monday, September 17th
- Open House / Meet the Teacher - Tuesday, September 18th 6:30 - 8:00
- Parent Council Meeting (all welcome) - Tuesday, September 18th 7:00 start time
- Wacky Sock Day - Wednesday, September 19th
- Terry Fox Run - Thursday, September 20th
- Football Season Opener Game - Thursday, September 20th @ 4:00
- Opening Mass @ St. Francis - Thursday, September 27th
- Picture Day - Monday, October 1st
- Orange Shirt Day - Tuesday, October 2nd
- Jostens Grad Ring Setup - Thursday, October 4th
Message from Parent Council
Our first Parent Council meeting of the year will take place on Tuesday, September 18th at 7:oo p.m. in the High School Commons (old library). Everyone is welcome!
Meetings are held every second month on the third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. and we endeavor to keep them under an hour. Parent volunteering is minimal at OLMP and our main goals are to raise funds (mainly through the Hot Lunch Program and donations) so that we can provide activities and to fulfill teacher wish lists. In the last two years alone, we have contributed approximately $14,000.00 to teachers to provide much needed items that enhance our school and our children’s learning. Please join us!
New to OLMP - TAG Homeroom Time Explained
TAG (Teacher Advisory Group) / Homeroom time is embedded into every regular school day at every grade level at OLMP and is a time in the day where students can connect with the same teacher all year. This time aligns with Elk Island Catholic Schools Connections Project, part of the Classroom Improvement Fund project, focusing on building relationships with students, families and staff. Connections aims to improve student mental health and students' sense of belonging. Attendance is taken for these periods.
Along with providing all students a consistent touching point in the day with the same staff member, this time will also be used to focus on an area of educational excellence that will assist all in reaching academic success. This years primary focus will align with our school districts Collaborative Response Model (CRM), where our focus will be literacy. With a literacy focus during TAG time all students and staff at OLMP will read. Students should bring their own free reading books/magazines to class daily though they will also have access to our school and classroom libraries to find reading material of interest to them.
This TAG time will also be used throughout the year as a time to handout and collect forms, communicate important information to students (ex. grad info to grade 12's) and run school wide faith/wellness/enrichment activities.
Cross Country Running
Those interested in getting involved in Cross Country Running in grades 9-12 can contact Mr. Watson. The team runs practices after school rain or shine Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 3:35 to 4:30.
Connections Parent Group
Alberta Health Services in partnership with Elk Island Catholic Schools will be hosting a Connections Parent Group. We found last year that people were interested, but couldn't commit to evenings until the winter, so we're trying something new and offering the group in the afternoons in the fall (and then again in the winter in the evenings). See the form below for more information and contact our Family Wellness Worker Laurie Kushnerick at laurie.kushnerick@eics.ab.ca if you are interested in joining.
Book Recommendation
Book Recommended: The Junkyard Wonders
Author: Patricia Polacco
Recommended by: Mrs. Helen Rodin (School Counselor & Grade 7 Homeroom Teacher)
Book Description: This heartwarming true story from the author's childhood recounts a magical year in Mrs. Peterson's class. The last page is especially uplifting and shows what these kids who were thought to be outcasts grew up to accomplish in life.- from Scholastic.com
Why it is recommended: This book is a wonderful story for all as it touches on the importance of understanding and acceptance of those that are different from us and the power to dream. In each of us there is the power to achieve anything we put our minds to; don’t let others set limits to what we can achieve.