Shining Bright @ Madonna!

In this week's Gospel, the Pharisees ask Jesus, "Which Commandment is the greatest?"

Jesus responds: "You shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and first commandment.

And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."

God knows the words we need to hear as we work alongside Madonna Catholic School children to love their neighbours while playing on the playground. To watch out for each other, to take care of each other, and be kind to each other.

By doing so, we are living God's two most important Commandments: When we love each other and take care of each other, we also love God.

As always, God has impeccable timing to remind us what is important, and to help us refocus on truth and love! :-)

Mme Gravelle

Principal

October:

30 - Monday

• Kindergarten Linking Generations
• GOTCHA Shining Virtual Assembly

31 - Tuesday

• Halloween Parade at 9 AM! All are welcome to join in the gym!
• Kindergarten Linking Generations
• ISP (Individualized Support Plan) Meetings - For those who received a scheduled meeting invite
• Book Fair in Library
• NO Swimming for 3&4G, 2L, 4P & 3V

November:

1- Wednesday: All Saints Day

• Spirit Day: Wear your PJ's
• 3 Way Conferences - Have you booked yours yet?
• Bake Sale at 3 Way Conferences: Grade 4 Fundraiser
• Early Dismissal at 2:13 PM
• Book Fair in Library

2 - Thursday: All Souls Day

• OLPH Parish Priest Visit
• Swimming for 1SW, 1B & 2&3O
  
• 3 Way Conferences
• Bake Sale at 3 Way Conferences: Grade 4 Fundraiser
• Book Fair in Library

3 - Friday

• Remembrance Day Assembly at 10:45 AM. All are welcome to join!
• Hot Lunch for those who ordered

6-10 - November Break - School Closed

Have a wonderful November Break - See you on Monday, November 13!

An email was sent home to book your 3-Way Conference. School Interviews is now open for you to book your 3-Way Conference with your child's teacher for either November 1st or 2nd.

Please book an appointment using this link https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/qjx46

Our bake sale is quickly approaching and we need all the support we can get! We are asking for all families to participate by either baking something or buying something and donating it to the sale. Please keep all baking "nut-free". All baking can be dropped off at school on the morning of the bake sale or the afternoon before. All proceeds go towards the grade 4 Drumheller Field Trip.

If you have any questions, please call the school at 780-467-7972 or email Miss Podoborozny at kendra.podoborozny@eics.ab.ca or Ms. Gauthier at kimberleyg@eics.ab.ca.

Thank you for your support!

We are grateful to the Alberta Motor Association who, like Madonna Catholic School & COGITO Academy, commit to keeping our community safe!

Thank you AMA for donating reflective arm bands to each and every one of our Madonna Catholic School students to keep them safe and visible this Halloween!

Thank you for your generosity!
#EICSGLOW

Your child's safety is our #1 priority. This includes their physical safety, along with their emotional, psychological and spiritual safety.

As you know, last week we temporarily adjusted playground access while we gathered information to respond in the best possible way to help all MCS children play safely together on the playground. This week we have a few special things planned to help children learn safe ways to play together in our Catholic School and in Catholic ways, and we will open the playground in stages to support successful play.

Safe Play Workshop for ALL Students

Miss Emma Olson, our Mental Health Capacity Builder with Strathcona County Family & Community Services, along with Mrs. Norrie and Mme Gravelle, will co-facilitate an outdoor workshop focused on personal space awareness and safe play on the playground. All children are expected to participate so everyone receives the same information, practice and expectations.

We ask for your help

to remind children that they are to participate in their group's Safe-Play Workshop.

Monday, October 30 at lunch recess: Kindergarten to Grade 2 students will have their Safe Play Workshop. We will ensure our COGITO Kindergarten students also learn and grow with this Safe-Play Workshop

Thursday, November 2 at lunch recess: Grades 3 & 4 students will have their Safe Play Workshop.

Gradual Reopening of the Playground

This week, as well as the week after our November break, we will open the playground following the schedule below. This schedule is to give the children time and practice to embed their safe-play learning.

Thank you for your support and reviewing this week's schedule and expectations

with your children.

Safety does not just stop with this plan. There are adjustments, pivots and adaptations we continue to make to ensure MCS children are safe. As well, we continue to be responsive to the learning and growing of MCS littles.

Should you have any questions, please connect with Mme Gravelle or Miss Podoborozny.

Maintaining safe Schools students and Staff:

Our Elk Island Catholic Schools website outlines for parents why we conduct multiple safety procedures and it explains each of the different safety practices we complete each year. Our Superintendent Mr. Paul Corrigan also shares how you, as parents and guardians, can help.

You are invited to peruse the information linked here for your convenience:

Critical Response Procedures: Information for Parents & Guardians

Avoid spreading the illness. It's encouraged that your child stays home when they are sick.

Alberta Health Services suggests that if you have a flu or cold to stay away from others to avoid spreading the disease.

You are always welcome to connect with your child's teacher to help catch up on what learning has been missed. A great go-to at home to keep up on learning is to read with your child and practice adding, subtracting, and re-grouping.

You are invited to visit myhealth.alberta.ca if you're child is sick and you're not sure what to do. It's a great resource for parents.

My Health Alberta: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/Pages/default.aspx

Did you know that when you shop at Save On Foods on Wye Road and you bring your receipts to Madonna Catholic School, we receive a % of the purchases?

Did you know that it also works on 15% off Tuesdays?

Did you know that Save On Foods will also Ad Match any advertised price?

Shop @ Wye Rd Save on Foods, save money & support Madonna Catholic School!

This season, fundraising for Madonna Catholic School is going to be so much easier with FlipGive, a free fundraising app.

We earn cash back on every purchase we make all year long! All you have to do is shop anytime with the brands you already love, like Home Depot, Walmart, Sport Chek, Indigo, Old Navy, Apple, Esso, and Loblaws. No more going door-to-door selling chocolate bars - it’s completely virtual and contactless.

There is no cost to parents or anyone that uses it (other than their own online purchases). Literally, by logging into the website and/or app, choosing your store and shopping, Madonna will receive a percentage of each purchase. There are many stores and services to choose from – even purchasing gift cards through this site earns the school rewards!

Join our team now and you’ll get a $5 bonus the first time you shop: https://flipgive.app.link/teams/join?joincode=WK2MXH

Or enter this code: WK2MXH

Login in online or download the FlipGive App. To start earning, search your favorite store through the app. Your purchase will earn our school money.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Mahoney at kim@acappellacatering.com.

This is a gentle reminder to arrive before the start of learning at 8:38am.

The first bell for children to enter school is at 8:33am.

When children are able to enter into their day following the gentle routines they are used to, children step into learning peacefully and calmly which sets their day up for success.

Thank you for your help ensuring your child arrives on time.

We are here to help. If it's a struggle to arrive on time, please feel free to reach out to the school leadership team, or our Family Wellness Worker, Mrs. Norrie.

First Communion will be celebrated in our parish the weekend of December 2-3. As usual, children have been grouped together by school. EICS staff and admin will be part of these celebrations with students and their families.

For the First Communion Celebrations the weekend of December 2 and 3, Mass Times are as follows:

Saturday Dec 2 at 5:00 pm – students of Ecole OLPH, St. Theresa and Holy Redeemer schools (EICS)

Sunday December 3 at 8:30 am – Homeschool, Public Schools and other Catholic Schools (non Sherwood Park)

Sunday December 3 at 10:30 am – students of EPK, St. Luke & St. Nicholas schools (EICS)

Sunday December 3 at 12:30 pm – students of Archbishop Jordan, Holy Spirit and Madonna Catholic schools (EICS)

The winter session of preparation for both these sacraments will begin in January 2024.

Parents of students in grade 2 and older are invited to contact the parish to register for sacramental preparation with their children. They can email SACRAMENTS@OLPH.CA to register or get any questions answered.

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM

Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 7:00 PM.

If parents have any questions, they can also contact the church by phone 780-467-5470 or email sacraments@olph.ca

November:

5 - Catholic Education Sunday at OLPH Parish: 12:30 PM - See you there!

6 - Fall Break (No School)

7 - Fall Break (No School)

8 - Fall Break (No School)

9 - Fall Break (No School)

10 - Fall Break (No School)

13 - Welcome Back!

13 - Indigenous Assembly @ 9:00am - All are invited!

14 - Swimming for 3&4G, 2L, 4P & 3V

16 - Swimming for 1S/W, 1B, 2&3O

21 - Swimming for 3&4G, 2L, 4P & 3V

22 - Face to Face Ministries

22 - School Council Meeting @ 7 PM

23 - Advent Wreath Night

23 - Swimming for 1S/W, 1B, 2&3O

27 - Earth Ranger's Assembly

28 - Swimming for 3&4G, 2L, 4P & 3V

30 - Swimming for 1S/W, 1B, 2&3O

Mark Your Calendars:

Madonna Catholic School & COGITO Academy

Advent Celebration

Friday, December 15 @ 7:00pm

at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

Invite your whole family!