NOTRE DAME COLLEGIATE NEWS

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

On this day, we receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of repentance, reminding us to turn away from sin and embrace God’s mercy. It is a call to renewal, inviting us to deepen our faith through acts of love and sacrifice. May this Lenten journey bring us closer to Christ and strengthen our commitment to live as His disciples.

To learn more, you can listen to Father Mike here discuss the significance of Ash Wednesday.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds us: “A good person out of the treasure of his heart produces good, and an evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

This verse challenges us to examine what fills our hearts. If our hearts are filled with kindness, respect, and love for others, then our words and actions will reflect that. But if we allow prejudice or indifference to take root, it will show in how we treat those around us.

Catholic Social Teachings call us to solidarity, recognizing that we are all part of one human family, created in the image of God. Solidarity means standing against racism and discrimination, not just in words but in action. It means listening, learning, and ensuring that our school is a place where every person is treated with dignity and respect.

Let’s challenge ourselves to speak and act from a heart filled with love—so that our words and choices reflect the goodness Christ calls us to.

Open to students in grade 7-12!

The school year is flying by, and before we know it, these incredible moments will become cherished memories. Don’t let this year slip away without a keepsake to look back on for years to come!

Our Yearbook is a beautiful collection of the achievements, and unforgettable experiences that make this school year special. It’s more than just a book—it’s a time capsule of laughter, learning, and legacy.

You can make your purchase here:

https://christtheredeemer.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/28541/18/False/True

Estimated arrival date: June 25 (dependent on several factors and may be after this date)

Each year, NDC nominates 1 staff member for each award. If you would like to make a nomination, please complete the google form before March 12.

Excellence in teaching: This teacher nurtures student growth, inspires achievement, collaborates effectively, and fosters a caring, faith-filled environment.

Above and Beyond: This teacher exemplifies servant leadership, inspires student growth, supports individual needs, leads extracurriculars, volunteers beyond duty, and builds strong, caring relationships with students and colleagues.

Power of One: This support staff member (Educational Assistant, Custodian, Front office Staff, Connections worker, FSLW) Recognizes dedication to NDC’s mission, outstanding support, initiative, positivity, strong work ethic, and relationship-building—making a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the community.

Please help support the Class of 2025. When you drop off your bottles at the Bottle Depot, please ask to put the proceeds into the NDC Grads of 2025.

Next event: Bottle Drop off on March 20 at NDC during Parent-Student-Teacher interviews at NDC.

New Process for requesting that a student temporarily ride another bus (for things like riding with a friend on their bus or going to grandma’s house occasionally):

Parents will now be asked to submit a request online using the CTR Ride-A-Long Bus Request form. Transportation will no longer be taking requests for ride-a-longs by phone or email.

Parents must submit a form using the following steps below:

1. Go to the NDC school website.
2. Click on ‘Transportation’
3. Click the ‘Request for Ride-a-long Service’ link and fill out the information

Thank you

We have several programs at NDC to support student wellness.

FSLW/Connections Program: These programs help to support student mental wellness.

Please contact the front office for referral or reach out to Mrs. Rivera at rrivera@redeemer.ab.ca or Mr. Farstad at bfarstad@redeemer.ab.ca

Learning Support/Strategies: Ms. Shewchuk has different programs to help provide academic and movement supports for students. jshewchuk@redeemer.ab.ca

Post Secondary and career support: Jason Sekura jsekura@redeemer.ab.ca

Work experience/RAP/Green Certificate: Jenelle Pittman jpittman@redeemer.ab.ca

English as an additional Language: if you have questions related to English as an additional Language, please contact Mrs. McCallum. smccallum@redeemer.ab.ca

Athletics: if you have questions or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Mr. Reid at jreid@redeemer.ab.ca

Administration: If you have any questions or don't know who to contact, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Jodi deKlerk jdeklerk@redeemer.ab.ca, Rebecca Enright renright@redeemer.ab.ca

March 5 - JV Girls League Final game at NDC at 5:30pm Going for Gold!!

March 6 - Grade 12 Mass at St. Francis de Sales

March 7 - Deadline to enroll in RAP/Work Experience for Semester 2 (see Mrs. Pittman for more information. This is for students new to the programs)

March 7-8 - JR A Boys Zone Championship Tournament at NDC

March 12 - School Council Meeting at 6:45pm in Library

March 20 - Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews 4pm -8:30pm (more information will be sent later)

March 20 - Parent Information Night for High School - 6pm

March 20 - Grad Bottle Drop off at NDC during PSTIs from 4:00-8:30pm

March 21 - No School

April 2 - ELAA - Post Secondary Fair from 1-3pm for grades 9-12.

Important dates for Band/Music:

March 19 - St. Cecilia String Orchestra at the Highwood Lions Music Festival

March 26 - Senior Jazz Combos and Panorama at the Highwood Lions Music Festival

April 3 - Grade 7 Concert Band at Strathmore Performing Arts Festival and Studio Bell

April 4-5 - St. Cecilia String Orchestra and Panorama in University of Lethbridge Workshops

April 13-15 - Grades 8 and 9 Band and The Woodshedders at Edmonton Cantando Festival

May 1-4 - Senior Concert Band on Regina Tour

*We will be beginning the registration process for High School Students for next year through out March and April.

*Please see Social Media for any School Spirit events

*All sports tryouts, practices etc. can be found on our Daily announcements and/or social media throughout the year.

*Please see the weekly events updates on our Social Media for more activities throughout the month

Coming May 2025 NDC Drama presents The Play that Goes Wrong High School Edition by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields

May 21-23, tickets available at the door. More details to come

With the gracious support of Food for Thought, NDC is pleased to have a lunch program designed to support students who may benefit from additional assistance. This program is available to ensure that every student has access to a nutritious lunch during the school day, allowing them to focus fully on their learning and well-being. Each lunch, students are provided a brown bagged lunch (ex. sandwich, juice box, fruit). If your child is in need of a lunch, please contact Mrs. Ditzler at sditzler@redeemer.ab.ca or call the front office at 403 652-2231 and we will add the name to our list.

The "Kingdom of God" is central to Jesus' ministry, appearing over 100 times in the New Testament. February's Gospel readings focus on its arrival, starting with Jesus' presentation at the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognize Him as light for Gentiles and glory for Israel. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims the Kingdom to all, offering blessings to the poor and woes to the rich, challenging earthly values. Followers are called to prioritize God’s Kingdom over worldly comforts, embracing love, mercy, and forgiveness.

For the 2024 – 2025 school year, CTR Catholic is reemphasizing the significance of daily attendance, which is crucial for student success. Homework, Google Classroom, and making up for missed class time do not replace the interactive and engaging teaching and learning experiences that take place during class. Students must be in class daily. Please see a LETTER from CTR Catholic’s Attendance Officer.

If your child is unable to attend school, please be sure to report their absence using one of the following:

- use our website under quicklinks "attendance"

- Call the school at 403 652-2231

- email: NDC-Attendance@redeemer.ab.ca

Calling all parents: Do you have experience in refereeing basketball? Are you available after school? We are potentially looking for substitute refs for the 2024-25 Basketball Season. Please contact Jason Reid at jreid@redeemer.ab.ca

There are a few different places to find information/forms etc.

1. Powerschool Parent portal:

- Student schedules, achievement/grades, report cards, view attendance etc.

2. School Cash Online

- permission forms and fee payments for fieldtrips, extracurricular sports/clubs, band etc.

-*please note that ALL permission forms must be completed on School Cash online before your child can participate. We cannot take verbal or written permission.

3. School Engage

- signing of ISPs

-Student update forms, bus changes, bus requests etc

Need help with these? Please contact Deanna Hartung at dhartung@redeemer.ab.ca or call the school to speak to her at 403 652-2231. She is our expert with these programs.

Wanting to learning more about how High School works?

We have created a Senior High Course Selection Guide to help you! This includes information related to graduation requirements, off campus programming, course streams, and so much more. You can find this on our Website under Student Futures

Looking for information on options that may be available at NDC?

You can find this on our Website under Learning.

Programs such as work experience, RAP (Registered Apprenticeship Program), Green Program etc. provide work related skills to students. They also provide an opportunity for students to receive credits in High School doing outside of the school programming.

You can contact our school Off Campus Coordinator Mrs. Pittman at jpittman@redeemer.ab.ca

alis.alberta.ca profiles over 500 occupations including responsibilities, average wage, and education required. Students can type in a search term and see related occupations.

tradesecrets.alberta.ca provides profiles of the skilled trades, videos, apprenticeship and certification pathways.

You can find daily information on our announcements slide show located on our website. This may include:

- post secondary/scholarship information

- school events

- sports: tryouts etc.

- clubs

- and so much more.

Their mission: "Celebrating Catholic Education, GrACE’s mission is to inspire, invigorate, and embolden the spirit of Catholic Education in Alberta. By uniting, engaging, educating, and communicating with one voice, GrACE creates a cohesive and impactful advocacy effort for Catholic education." You can find more information on this organization here.

Lunch - We have an open campus policy. Students can stay on site or leave the school to have their lunch. If leaving, please arrive back on time for your afternoon classes. As well, please be respectful of our community. It is important that we are picking up our garbage, walking on pubic sidewalks etc. Please note that Prairie Sound development is a private community.

The new Every Kid Can Play program is designed to enable children to access sports, physical activity and recreation. The program will provide up to $350 for program registration costs to Alberta families that struggle financially. Parents can apply for funding in June through the Alberta chapter of KidSport, linked above.

1. Daily announcements can be found on our website - contain happenings around the school, clubs, sports etc.

2. Student Absences: if your child is absent, please remember to contact our front office. This information can be found here 403 652-2231 or sditzler@redeemer.ab.ca

3. Post Secondary updates including links to post secondary institutions, scholarships and more can be found here. You can also contact Jason Sekura if you have any questions at jsekura@redeemer.ab.ca

4. Allergy Alert: Nuts, Peanuts, Fish - please do not bring these to school.

5. Pick up/Drop off - please be sure to sign students in/out

6. You can find the Provincial GrACE Newsletter on CTR’s website using this link: LINK

7. Our school website contains a lot of information for both students and families.

8. Bell Schedule can be found on our website

9. Board highlights

Please find more information about our local parish on their website.

Weekend Mass times:

Saturday: 5pm

Sunday: 11am

Weekday Mass times:

Monday 9am

Tuesday 7pm

Wednesday 6pm

Thursday 9:15am

Friday 9:15am

Saturday 9am

Email: jdeklerk@redeemer.ab.ca
Website: http://www.notredamecollegiate.ca/
Location: 1500 High Country Drive Northwest, High River, AB, Canada
Phone: 403 652-2231
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notredame.ctr