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Shining Bright @ola
February 2, 2024
Together in Learning and Faith
Welcome to the month of February!
The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. The special devotion which proposes the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of virtue of all Christian households began in the 17th century.
At OLA, all of our families are important and play a valuable role. We thank all of you for your support, encouragement, and love. Sometimes we need to find a way to reach out to each other, the Bible is full of wisdom on how we can find time to appreciate each other. Each family member is a gift and a blessing!
Prayers are sent your way for all of your families! Take the time to think about how you can spend quality with your family especially on Family Day on February 19th.
This Week at OLA
Tuesday, Feb. 6
- West African Dancing
- Global School Play Day
- Read Aloud Day
- Winter Walk
- Early Out @ 2:15 - Special Sock Day!
- Teacher Convention - no school for students
- Teacher Convention - no school for students
Report cards will be released Today at 4pm to your students PowerSchool account. This year we won't be printing or emailing out report cards. Please make sure you can log into your PowerSchool account to see your students report card. If you need any help please contact the office at 780-998-3716.
What is happening at OLA?
School Education Assurance Highlight - Faith Integration
We have created opportunities to work together to share and develop experiences that help in the formation of responsible students who give witness to Catholic Social teachings.
Our OLA School Education Assurance Plan is available on our website, linked here.
Volunteers needed
We are actively recruiting volunteers to assist with the pancake lunch for Strove Tuesday on Tuesday, February 13th. The time required is 8:45 am until lunch to help cook pancakes and sausages for the students and staff. Please email schoolcouncil.ola@gmail.com if you are available to volunteer.
Looking Ahead...
Tuesday, Feb. 13
- Valentine's Day(celebrating on this day) and Shrove Tuesday
- Symphony Field trip for Grade 3 and 4 in the am
- Ash Wednesday Liturgy - 1:30 at the school
- Arctic Winter Games
- School Council Meeting at 5:30
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 (First Assessment is Feb. 2nd at the school - Phone calls were made)
Visit the OLA Facebook page to view the Cogito video!
2024-2025NatureProgrammingatSt.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
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.
The minutes from the January 15th meeting are on the OLA website.
Please join us for our next meeting on Monday, February 26th at 5:30.
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.
Lost and Found
Shining Our Light at OLA!
Labyrinth
Preparing for Valentine's Day - Feb. 13 at OLA
Save the Penguins
Working Together
Learning Commons
Check out the merchandise that you can buy with the OLA logo on it. Click on the above question for information.
Gershwin's Magic Key
I work with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra | Winspear Centre and I’m reaching out because your class attended an Education concert last year. We value our partnership with you, so I want to extend a special promo code to your students and their families for Gershwin’s Magic Key, an exciting Family Day Weekend concert we have coming up.
Concert description:
Celebrate Family Day at the Winspear and learn about the extraordinary life and musical masterpieces of one of the greatest American composers of all time. Gershwin’s Magic Key is a theatrical symphony concert that will educate and entertain the whole family! George Gershwin’s most enduring pieces of music are magically woven into a dramatic story as two actors share anecdotes and observations based on true stories from the iconic composer. You'll hear I Got Rhythm, An American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue and more! This performance is approximately 50 minutes in length and is recommended for audiences ages six and up.
Please pass on this code to parents, etc. for 30% off in Price Levels 1 & 2 (including youth tickets):
Promo code: FAMILY
Fine print: Subject to availability. Use the promo code FAMILY to receive 30% off tickets to Gershwin’s Magic Key on February 17, 2024. Discount is not available in Price Level 3. Limit of 8 tickets per household. Contact Box Office at 780.428.1414 for groups of 9 or more.
Nutrition Program
Volunteer for Nutrition Program
Thank you for all those that have already offered and been will to help so far with this wonderful program.
Did you know….?
The local BGC (formerly called The Boys & Girls Club) coordinates a few different Mentoring programs. Two of these programs are one-on-one mentoring where a caring adult is matched to a child or youth based on similar interests and personalities. Mentors are volunteers who are thoroughly screened and carefully matched by BGC and are provided training and on-going support. *Both of these mentoring programs require a minimum one-year commitment from the Mentor.
In-School Mentoring program:
· the matched pair spends 1 hour per week, during school hours and on school grounds.
· the focus of the time spent is primarily on building a positive relationship and having fun and is generally non-academic – unless the student and Mentor truly enjoy doing some activities that tie into learning.
· the BGC Volunteer Coordinator will work with your child’s school to find if there are some acceptable options for your child to be excused from class during the Mentor’s availability.
For further information or an application form (to either BECOME A MENTOR or to have your child mentored) please reach out to the Volunteer Programs Coordinator at BGC Fort Saskatchewan
Phone 780-992-0103 ext 307 or email tammy@fsbgc.ca .
FCSS workshops
Need Help with Powerschool? Here is a guide to help you .
Holy Redeemer 2024-2025 Sports Academy Information Nights
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