![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/pumpkin-19.8e579ebf.jpg)
Shining Bright @ola
October 22, 2023
Together in Learning and Faith
Leadership Message
This week you have the opportunity to appreciate your child's gifts and talents. Please take the time to celebrate your child's Learning Portfolios. We are so blessed at school everyday to have all the students' light shared with all of us. They are all a CHILD of GOD!
We are changing the date our Smore will be sent out
It will go out on Fridays going forward
This Week at OLA
- Faith Assembly at 9am(Fruit of the Spirit Faith Formation topic this month is Kindness)
- Evidence of Learning is sent home this week
- Outdoor Rosary is this week
- Shining Bright
Wednesday, Oct. 25
- Sacramental Prep - 3:15 - 3:45
- Sacramental Prep - 3:15 - 3:45
- Shining Bright
Looking Ahead...
Tuesday, Oct. 31
- Halloween
- Three-Way Conferences - 3:30 - 6:30 pm
- Three-Way Conferences - 4:00 - 7:00 pm
- Kindergarten Three-Way Conferences - 9:00 - 12:00 pm
- Remembrance Day Ceremony - 10:45 am
Sunday, Nov. 5
- Catholic Education Sunday Mass at OLA parish - 11:00 am
Fall Break - Nov. 6 - 13
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.
THREE-WAY CONFERENCES
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, you are invited to
click here.
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 October 23th as Evidence of Learning Portfolios.
Thank you for reviewing your child’s learning progress through these portfolios.
When are Three-Way Conferences?
● Wednesday, November 1st from 3:30 - 6:30pm
● Thursday, November 2nd from 4:00 - 7:00 pm
● Friday, November 3rd from 9:00 - 12:00pm ** KINDERGARTEN ONLY **
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.
GETTING READY FOR HALLOWEEN
On Tuesday, October 31st, we will celebrate Halloween with our OLA community! To prepare, here are a few pieces of information that will help set us all up for success:
- Children are invited to wear and be in their costumes for the entire day
- Thank you for ensuring that costumes continue to allow children to move about their day as normal (ie. can sit, eat and go outside for recess)
- Costumes are to be appropriate for school and are not to include excessive gore, blood or weapons. Thank you for ensuring that costumes are not offensive or perpetuate a stereotype of someone's culture, gender or heritage.
- Throughout the day there will be in-class Halloween events and activities and a costume parade in the gym
- Thank you for adding a special treat or two for your child to enjoy during their in class party.
- We will not be asking families to contribute food for the class to consume.
- Your child's teacher will share specifics regarding in-class events and activities. Please contact them if you have any questions.
We are looking forward to celebrating this very fun and exciting time together! Thank you for all your help to ensure everyone is well and joy-filled on this exciting day!
School Fees
The 2023-2024 school fees have been added to student accounts. Fees will be due November 30,203 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.
Wanted!
We are looking for some more items for our outdoor classroom. If you have access to any spools, pallets, or a mud kitchen or have seen any on buy and sell etc. please let us know. Thanks so much!
Next Meeting is November 20 at 6:00pm
Here is our Parent/School Council Executive for 2023 - 2024
Chair - Jennifer Maldonado
Co Chair - JoAnn Gill
Treasurer - Amy Miskolzie
Secretary - Abelardo Basilio
Here are some activities to look forward to this year:
-Halloween Dance - Friday, Oct. 20
-Faith, Math and Literacy nights
-Potluck for families
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 Sept. 25th meeting are on the OLA website.
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.
Thank you Cobs Bread for you donation to our school.
Shining Our Light at OLA!
Soup made with LOVE
Grade 3T In School Field Trip-What's the Matter?
Kindergarten Field Trip to Prairie Gardens
Halloween Dance
Learning Commons Adventures
Reporting an Absence
We’re excited to announce that the ability to submit student absences is now available in PowerSchool!
PowerSchool can also continue to be used to view grades and report cards, pay fees, and update student information (including medical information).
You can view the EICS Parent Technology Handbook for further details on these items.
Our Elk Island Catholic Schools IT department is continuing to work on implementing additional features, so keep an eye out in our Smores for future updates!
Please note, reporting your student(s) absent protocols have CHANGED. We no longer have the toll free number or the app logging software available.
If you need help accessing your Powerschool, or would like to report your students absence the please CALL the office @ 780-998-3716 and leave a voice-message or email to ola@eics.ab.ca to report absences.
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