Shining Bright @ola
March 15, 2024
Together in Learning and Faith
“Good luck on your spiritual journey this spring. May God give you strength and help you succeed." It is St. Patrick's Day on March 17th where we learn about St. Patrick. He is said to have used the three leaflets of the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.
During Lent at OLA we are learning about the "Seven Last Words of Jesus" which means that are seven last phrases he spoke on the cross. They have great meaning. These words show us the love he had for all of us, even in his last moments on earth.
The phrases are:
Forgive
Truth
Here
Forsaken
Thirsty
Finished
Commend
Continue remembering that Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. These 40 days are set aside to praise and worship the Lord; to read the Bible more, and to pray more often. Christians who observe Lent correctly anticipate deeper intimacy with the Lord.
God Bless all of you and remember to reach out to God and your OLA family and community.
This Week at OLA
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19 and March 20
- Book Fair March 18th to 21st
- 3-Way Conferences
Thursday, March 21
- Stations of the Cross(all day)
Friday, March 22
- Spring Break starts
Sunday, March 24
- Palm Sunday - Come to OLA Church for Mass at 9am
Looking Ahead...
Tuesday, April 2
- Back to school
Thursday, April 4
- Easter Mass at OLA Parish - 10 am (Everyone Welcome)
Monday, April 8
- School Council Meeting - 5:30
Thursday, April 18
- Family Numeracy Night - 5:30 - 7:00
Scholastic Book Fair Next Week
The Book Fair will be open in our Library Learning Commons March 18th, 19th & 20th.
Our goal is to help your child find the best books for them. Students are allowed to purchase books, but the focus of our fair is enjoying a ‘bookstore visit’ and encouraging their love of reading. Please check out http://scholastic.ca/bookfairs/resources/parents to watch some short, fun book trailer videos.
Families are invited to shop together March 19th & 20th during our 3-Way Conferences. Parents can browse with their children and enter our Family Event Draw - a chance to win $25 worth of books for your family and $25 worth of books for your child’s classroom!
If you have questions about the book selections or the fair, please contact me. I am happy to help. You can reach me by email at may-leeb@eics.ab.ca.
Our OLA Scholastic Book Fair has been fundamental in growing and maintaining our library collection in the past. We thank you for believing in books and the importance reading has on your child’s future. Your support is sincerely appreciated.
Book Fair Dates
Monday, March 18th: 9:00 am – 3:15 pm
Tuesday, March 19th: 9:00 am – 11:45 am
Wednesday, March 20th: 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm
Family Events
Tuesday, March 19th: 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Wednesday, March 20th: 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Three-way Conferences will be March 19th and 20th
You are invited to celebrate your child’s learning and growing at OLA!
Why Three-Way Conferences?
Research shows when the big people in a child’s life takes interest in their child’s education, children:
● Experience increased success in their learning and growing
● Are more emotionally settled and at peace
● Witness and experience continually strengthening of relationships between home and
school
● Develop positive attitudes about school and experience increased confidence
● Benefit from working with parents who are more comfortable supporting their child’s
education
● For more information about our Assessment and Reporting Process visit our website.(ola.eics.ab.ca)
What Will We Talk About?
Conversations during Three Way Conferences will be directly linked to your child’s learning
evidence that will be available the week of March 11th as Evidence of Learning Portfolios.
Thank you for reviewing your child’s learning progress through these portfolios.
When are Three-Way Conferences?
- Friday, March 15th from 9:00 - 3:00pm ** KINDERGARTEN ONLY **
- Tuesday, March 19th from 4:00 - 6:00pm in person and 6:00pm to 7:00pm will be virtual via Google Meet
- Wednesday, March 20th from 4:00 - 6:00pm in person and 6:00pm to 7:00pm will be virtual via Google Meet
How do I book our time with the teacher?
To schedule your in-person parent/teacher conference, please complete the
following steps:
1. Go to the school booking site: www.schoolinterviews.ca
● Enter your email address, name, phone number and student’s full
name
● Enter your child’s name, contact email and phone number
● Select your teachers home room from the drop down menu
● Select your teacher's name from the drop down menu
● Select the appointment time that suits your family best.
3. When you click FINISH your selected bookings will be emailed to you
immediately.
If you would like to meet with our Principal, Mrs. Yuzdepski or our Assistant
Principal, Ms. Bennett, please drop by the office. If you have any questions,
please contact us at 780-998-3716.
Evidence of Learning
This week your child will be coming home with evidence of their learning journey that will frame the conversations you and your child have with your child's teacher at Three-Way Conferences.
What is an Evidence of Learning Portfolio?
It is just that, a brief collection of your child's learning that is connected to the learning outcomes and objectives for you to tangibly see and discuss with your child. Evidence of Learning Portfolios can be hard copy portfolios, digital or a hybrid of the two. Your child's teacher will share these details with you this week. The Evidence of Learning portfolios, as well as Three-Way Conferences, are key checkpoints in your child's learning journey.
What do I do with my child's Evidence of Learning Portfolio?
Thank you for taking time with your child (which is key!) to review your child's work, celebrate growth and engagement with them. Ask them questions about their learning and the pieces in the Evidence of Learning Portfolio. Here are a few guiding questions you can use:
- What did you find easy?
- What was hard?
- What did you enjoy?
- What did you learn that you didn't know before?
- In what area do you think you can improve?
- Tell me about your "Wow" piece - why did you choose it?
- Where can we go together to continue growing?
Your child's evidence of learning will be the starting point for conversations during Three-Way Conferences. Please book yours today.
What is happening at OLA?
School Education Assurance Highlight - Community Engagement
We had a family evening where the Ukrainian culture was experienced with Mrs. Lukie sharing her knowledge of decorating Ukrainian Easter Eggs. What a great Pysanky night!
Our OLA School Education Assurance Plan is available on our website, linked here.
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.
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 Pre-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 (Next Meeting for Success is March 1st at the school - Phone calls will be 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:
Your Easter goodies with our Purdy's Chocolate fundraiser will be ready for pick-up at OLA on Tuesday, March 19th.
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.
Next School Council Meeting is Monday, April 8th at 5:30! See you then!
The minutes from the February 26th meeting are on the OLA website.
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!
Faith and Wellness Day
Leprechaun Traps
Pre-Kindergarten Week
Learning Commons
Pretzel Making for Lent with Grade 4
Nutrition Program
March 2024
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