St. Luke Weekly SMORE

Dear St. Luke Families,

This month we will be working on giving our heart some love by learning about what makes our heart healthy AND ways to show kindness. There will be many chances to celebrate our hearts because Valentine's Day is this month, February is Heart and Stroke awareness month, Winter Walk Day, and Pink Shirt Day. February is a great month to show your heart some love inside and out!

This week students and staff are showing acts of kindness to each other. A great number of benefits have been reported to support teaching kindness in schools and is best summed up by the following.

HAPPY, CARING CHILDREN

Acts of kindness help us form connections with others which are reported to be a strong factor in increasing happiness.

GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING AND IMPROVED SELF-ESTEEM

It’s reported that even small acts of kindness heighten our sense of well-being, increase energy, and give a wonderful feeling of optimism and self worth.

INCREASED PEER ACCEPTANCE

Being well-liked is an important factor in the happiness of children and it was demonstrated that greater peer acceptance was achieved through good deeds. Better-than-average mental health is reported in classrooms that practice more inclusive behavior due to an even distribution of popularity.

IMPROVED HEALTH AND LESS STRESS

There are a number of physical and health benefits that can be achieved by being kind.

INCREASED FEELINGS OF GRATITUDE

When children are part of activities that help others less fortunate than themselves, it provides them with a real sense of perspective, highlighting their own good fortune.

BETTER CONCENTRATION AND IMPROVED RESULTS

Kindness is a key ingredient that enhances positivity and helps children feel good about themselves as it increases serotonin levels. Children with a positive outlook have greater attention spans, more willingness to learn, and better creative thinking to improve results at school.

REDUCED DEPRESSION

Act of kindness increases levels of serotonin, a natural chemical responsible for improving mood. This boost in happiness occurs not only in the giver and receiver of kindness, but also in anyone who witnesses it.

We look forward to another fantastic week showing acts of kindness and remembering that we are 'Better Together'

Cathy Hinger

Principal

In our ongoing pursuit to refine how Elk Island Catholic Schools provides faith-integrated education and support to all of our students, we’ve launched our Assurance Survey for the 2022-2023 school year.

This is an opportunity for you to let us know your thoughts on how well we’re addressing our mission to develop educational opportunities in the context of Gospel values, celebrate and nurture students, and guide them on a lifelong spiritual journey. Your feedback will be anonymous and welcomed to assist with guiding the decision-making process as EICS plans for the future.

To help us gain a comprehensive understanding of how we’re doing, similar Assurance surveys are also being provided to all students and EICS staff. Please take the time to complete this survey when it is convenient for you. If you are the parent or guardian of multiple children who are attending EICS schools, we ask that you take the time to reflect on each child’s individual experience and fill out a survey for each child. We recognize that their experiences may be different and wish to obtain a greater understanding of these differences in the survey.

To begin the survey, please click here: EICS Parent Assurance Survey 2022-2023

To ensure your feedback is received, all surveys must be completed by Friday, February 17.

Thank-you for sharing your voice with EICS AND for supporting your child's education!

Please check your emails as EICS is now sending an email copy of student report cards via School Messenger. Report cards can also be accessed through PowerSchool. We hope you are able to spend some time reviewing their report card and celebrate the milestones and growth this year of your child. 3-way conferences between teachers, parents and students to discuss student progress will happen on March 22 and 23.If you have any questions about your child's learning progress, please contact your child's teacher.

School fee are past due. If you have not paid your fee for this year, please do so as soon as possible. If you need to set up a payment plan please contact the office. 780-922-59250 or email stl@ics.ab.ca

Mrs. Donaldson is a Peace Officer with Strathcona Enforcement Services. She has taught D.A.R.E. for the past 8 years. Every year she teaches approximately 2000 students in 15 different schools.

Some of the topics that she teaches to the Grade 6 students are the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, peer pressure, how to make responsible choices, and how to recognize and deal with stress

We are very fortunate that our division has been chosen to receive winter boots for children in need. We do have a limited supply of boots available at St. Luke for those students in need donated to us from a program called Keyera Connects.

At Keyera they believe in being a force for good and making positive lasting change in the areas where we operate and the communities our people call home. Through their social investment program, Keyera Connects,they have provided our school division with winter boots.

If you have a child that is in need of new winter boots please call Mrs. Hinger at 780-922-5920.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

In the spirit of community and Reconciliation, parents, guardians, and families of EICS students are invited to join us in a Tea and Bannock evening held at Central Learning Services (310 Broadview Road) in Sherwood Park on Tuesday, February 7, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

This is an opportunity to meet and engage with Elders and Knowledge Keepers who connect with our EICS schools, supporting the continued growth in student and staff knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Please RSVP by Thursday, February 2, by filling out this Registration Form. This will help us know how much bannock to make! Only one form needs to be submitted per family.

Our students got to enjoy a nice walk and some outdoor play this afternoon.

Our school has two Slate Bed Pool tables that need a new home.

We are only looking for a donation to the school and they could be yours.

Please contact the office if you are interested.780-922-5920 or email stl@eics.ab.ca

Celebrating World Read Aloud Day with Paralympic Silver Medalist Lisa DeJong! Wonderful having you read to our students and share your adventures on your 1st and 2nd place wins at the World Cup!

Monday, February 6

Tuesday, February 7

• Praise and Worship at 8:20am
• Disney Day-Dress like your Favorite Disney Character

Wednesday, February 8

• Swimming Lessons start
• Grade 6 Printmaking

Thursday, February 9

• NO SCHOOL: Teachers' Convention

Friday, February 10

• NO SCHOOL: Teachers' Convention

Masses at OLPH will be livestreamed. Please join using this link. https://www.facebook.com/olphsherwoodpark/videos/

Visit OLPH Website for more information about the parish and in regards to sacremental preparation.

Read the lastest bullitin from OLPH or visit www.facebook.com/olphsherwoodpark

St. Francis of Assisi Parish is administered by Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sherwood Park. Please contact the parish for confession times and more information.

Clergy: Reverend Jim Corrigan, Pastor

Mass Time: Sunday 11:00

Email Address: StFrancisAssisi.Tofield(at)caedm.ca

5523 - 50 Street Tofield, AB T0B 4J0

See map: Google Maps

Phone: 780-467-5470

Mrs. Cathy Hinger

Principal

Email: Stl@eics.ab.ca
Website: stl.eics.ab.ca
Location: 22139 South Cooking Lake Road, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-922-5920
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlukeeics
Twitter: @stlcs_EICS