December, 2017 Cardinal Leger Junior High School

Inside this issue

Administrators Message ............. 1

Staff Directory ............................. 2

MADD Presentation .................... 3

Cell Phone Expectations .............. 4

Arriving on Time ......................... 5

School Council ............................. 6

Important Dates .......................... 7

Sharing the Good News .............. 8

Italian Program .......................... 10

General Reminders………………..….11

Open House Info………………….…….12

Charger Sports ............................ .13

Superintendent’s Message ......... 14

Parent Engagement Info ............. 15

Living in the Word of God ........... 17

Letter from Archbishop Smith ..... 18

STAY Alert ................................... 19

STAY Christmas Wishes ............... 20

AHS Caregiver Education Series .. 21

Parent Evening Series ................. 22

Administrators Message In anticipation of the Advent season, we

look forward to starting celebrations at

school. Each Monday of Advent we will

participate in a celebration over broad-

cast which includes, readings, prayers,

videos and the lighting of advent candles

in each classroom. Our Advent Mass will

take place at St. Matthew Parish on the

morning of December 21st. Father Paul is

always thrilled to have your children in

the church, please join us if you are avail-

able. As a school we will work together

to fill food hampers for families in need.

Please refer to the Social Justice page of

this newsletter to see details of this pro-

ject.

We had the opportunity in November for

our Demonstration of Learning—

Interview Format. It was a busy evening

with rich conversations about student

learning. If you did not have the oppor-

tunity to meet with your child’s teachers,

or would like to discuss your child’s pro-

gress, please contact teachers by email

or call the office to leave a message.

We wish both our boys and girls Senior

Volleyball Teams the best of luck as they

enter the playoff season. Both teams are

undefeated in Division 1 and North

Champions this year! Well done!

May God bless you and your family with

love during this Christmas season. We

look forward to what 2018 will bring to

our community!

Gracious God, who brought light into this world, be the love that dwells within me. Giving God, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells within me. Creator God, who brought joy into this world, be the joy that dwells within me. Almighty God, may your light, peace and joy shine out from me so all may know your love. Amen. Mr. P. Meurs, Principal Mrs. K. Germaine, Assistant Principal Cardinal Léger Catholic Jr. High School Ph. (780) 475-6262

Staff Directory

Grade 7 Homeroom Teachers

Mrs. M. Bruno Mr. C. Goueffic

Mr. M. Harvanka Mrs. J. Moore Ms. K. Reilly

Grade 8 Homeroom Teachers

Mr. G. Hansen Mrs. L. Lakusta

Mr. E. Motut (Mr. Motut 2) Mr. F. Romano Mr. J. Villella

Grade 9 Homeroom Teachers

Mrs. P. Esposito-Neri

Mr. M. Lepore Mr. E. Motut (Mr. Motut 1)

Mrs. K. Rogozinski Mrs. C. Stagliano

Additional Teachers

Mrs. C. Bolling - Learning Coach

Mr. S. Mackey Mrs. A. Steeves

Support Staff

Mrs. Maria Fabiano - Admin. Assistant Mrs. A. Bootsma - Clerk/Librarian

Mrs. J. Slugoski—Educational Assistant Ms. A. Bradshaw - Therapeutic Assistant

Additional Student Supports

Mr. T. Jacobs—FSLW

Mr. R. Cole—STAY Advisor Mr. D. Green—STAY Advisor Mr. J. Pukalo—Psycholgist

Custodial Staff

Mr. M. Wondimagenehu

Mr. R. Velasquez

Administration Mr. Peter Meurs - Principal

Mrs. Karen Germaine - Assistant Principal

MADD Canada’s School Assembly Programs bring high-energy

drug and alcohol impaired driving awareness and risk reduc-

tion messaging to the world of education.

Youth and school programming have been a key component of MADD Canada’s youth services, education and awareness initiatives since 1994. The programs are designed to communicate directly with young people on their level and in their

language and encourage them to take a closer look at their values and perceptions.

“THE PACT” Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Presenters from MADD Canada will be visiting Cardinal

Leger on Tuesday, December 19th at 1:00 PM.

All students will have the opportunity to view, “The

Pact”, which is the newest video presentation by MADD.

We encourage parents to watch the preview by visiting:

http://madd.ca/pages/programs/youth-services/school-programs/the-pact/

If you have any concerns with your child participating in this presentation, please contact the school office

and we will make alternate arrangements.

CELL PHONE EXPECTATIONS

Important Information—Please Read

Cell phones continue to be a topic of concern at Cardinal Leger. A number of cell phones

have been lost or stolen and we continue to have students using their phones inappro-

priately during class.

As points of clarification:

1. Students are only to be using their phones in class for teacher approved academic

purposes. The use of phones for texting, SnapChat, Instagram, etc. are strictly forbid-

den.

2. Parents are asked to NOT text or call their children during class hours. If you need to

contact your child during class times, please call the school’s main office at 780-475-

6262 and we will get a message to your child.

3. The posting of inappropriate comments or images on social media is forbidden.

4. As stated in the Student Handbook, the school accepts no responsibility for lost, sto-

len, or damaged personal devices. Students should never leave devices unattended.

As a staff, we have discussed the implications of completely banning the use of cell

phones during school hours at Cardinal Leger. We will be monitoring the situation dur-

ing the week of Dec. 4-8, and should we feel it necessary, we will be banning the use of

phones from Dec. 11 until Dec. 22. This would be a trial period to determine if we need

to change our cell phone policy permanently beginning in January, 2018.

We want to encourage the responsible use of technology, but the administrative hours

spent on managing cell phone and social media issues has become excessive.

Please take some time to discuss this matter with your child to ensure they

understand the expectations associated with the use of personal devices at

school.

ARRIVING ON TIME

Important Information—Please Read

The expectation is that students arrive at

school no later than 8:15 am each morning

and be in their classes by 8:20.

Arriving late to class results in your child missing the begin-

ning of classes which is disruptive to their learning and the

learning of other students. At times, this also requires the

teacher to review instructions with your child which takes

time away from the learning of other students.

Whether students are taking the bus or getting a ride to

school, they need to ensure they arrive NO LATER THAN 8:15

to allow them time to get to homeroom by 8:20.

Doors open for students at 8:00 AM.

Cardinal Leger School has two distinct parent groups that support our school:

Cardinal Leger School Council

School Councils in Alberta School councils are structured groups of parents, principals, teachers, sec-ondary students and community representatives who work together to effectively support and enhance student learning. They provide a means for members of the school community to consult with and pro-vide advice to the principal and the school board. School councils were legislated in 1995 under Alber-ta’s School Act and are mandatory for all schools in the public education system, including charter schools. The Government of Alberta recognizes the value of parents and the community to be engaged in the education of children. It is through school council that parents, community members and school staff have a means of participating in decisions that impact student learning success.

Taken from: https://www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca/public/download/documents/40732

Cardinal Leger Parent Advisory Committee

This group is responsible for the organization and running of the casino events held every two years.

The monies raised through these efforts are used to fund various activities and initiatives at the school.

This year, the following activities and purchases are being supported by this group:

• Instruments for the instrumental music program—$15 000

• Equipment for our Fitness Room—$13 000

• Attendance of all Students at a Citadel Play, including transportation—$9 500

These two groups, meet 5 times a year to discuss happenings at the school and to explore ways to en-

hance our school community and our students’ experiences. Meetings are held together and typically

last about 45-60 minutes in total.

WE HAVE THREE MEETINGS LEFT THIS YEAR AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN US:

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 @ 6:30 PM

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 @ 6:30 PM

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 @ 6:30 PM

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE PARENTS WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR

TIME ON NOVEMBER 21ST AND 22ND TO MAKE OUR MOST RECENT

CASINO A SUCCESS.

Cardinal Leger Parent Groups

NEW MEMBERS WANTED!!!

Important Dates

December 4—Edmonton Remand Centre

Presentation

Grade 9 Students will learn more about

the Edmonton Remand Centre from staff

from this facility.

December 7—Feeder School Volleyball

Tournament

We are pleased to welcome students

from 8 elementary schools who are par-

ticipating in our annual feeder school

volleyball tournament.

Dec. 19—MADD Presentation

This will be a school-wide presentation

focusing on the dangers of drugs and

alcohol.

Dec. 21—Full Day of Classes

This will be a full day of classes for stu-

dents. Dismissal time of 2:55.

Advent Mass at St. Matthew Parish at

10:30 am. Parents are invited to join us.

School Dance in the afternoon.

Dec. 22—Half Day of classes

Students will be dismissed at 11:57 to

begin their Christmas vacation.

Dec. 23-Jan. 7—Christmas Vacation

Jan. 8—Classes Resume

Jan. 9—School Council Meeting

All parents are invited to attend this

meeting. It is an excellent opportunity

for parents to learn more about what is

happening at the school and to discuss

upcoming school initiatives.

Jan. 16—Pre-AP Information Evening

This evening is designed to provide fami-

lies with information regarding the Pre-

Advanced Placement Program. Students

considering this program for Grades 7, 8

or 9 are encouraged to attend.

Jan. 17—8-1 Outdoor Ed Winter Activity

Field Trip

Grade 8 students in Outdoor Ed 8-1 will

be heading to the Strathcona Wilderness

Centre to participate in cross-country

skiing and snowshoeing activities.

Jan. 18—Student Wellness Day

All students will have the opportunity to

participate in a variety of sessions focus-

ing on student mental health and well-

ness.

Jan. 19—Grade 9 Outdoor Ed—Ice Fish-

ing

Our Grade 9 students in Outdoor Ed will

be spending the day outside ice fishing

at a local lake.

Jan. 22—8-2 Outdoor Ed Winter Activity

Field Trip

Grade 8 students in Outdoor Ed 8-2 will

be heading to the Strathcona Wilderness

Centre to participate in cross-country

skiing and snowshoeing activities.

Jan. 22—MP Visit to Grade 9 Social Clas-

ses

MP, Kerry Diotte, will be visiting all Social

9 classes on this day.

Jan. 25—Winter Concert

Students in our music program, as well

as those involved in Glee Club will be

performing at the school for our Winter

Music Concert. Please plan on attend-

ing.

Jan. 29—Political Cartoonist: Grade 9

Visit

Political cartoonist, Fred Curatolo, will be

visiting all 5 Social 9 classes.

Jan. 31—Report Cards Posted to Pow-

erSchool

Semester 1 Report Cards will be posted

to PowerSchool at 3:00pm on this day.

7

Sharing the Good News … Chaplain’s Message

‘Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and

feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and wel-

come you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit

you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least

of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:37-40

Remembering Holodomor

Every year on November 24, all students in Edmonton Catholic Schools pause to re-

member Holodomor. The Léger Social Justice Club, The Charitable Chargers, realized

that not many students were aware of what Holodomor is. What happened? Why do

we pause to remember? What’s the big deal? With these questions in mind, the Chari-

table Chargers ran an informational awareness campaign in order to help the rest of

the students in the school find the answers to these questions. From putting up posters

to doing speeches on our morning broadcast, as well as preparing a school-wide

presentation, the Charitable Chargers took the lead when it came to helping our school

understand and remember Holodomor.

Holodomor translates as “extermination by

hunger” or “to starve to death”. This refers to

a specific event that occurred in the Ukraine

between the years of 1932 -1933. At this time

the Ukraine was under the control of the Soviet

Union and their leader Joseph Stalin. The

government forced the Ukrainian people from

their farms and took all their food away.

Anyone caught hiding food or trying to leave

the country would be killed or imprisoned.

Within 18 months, approximately 8 million

Ukrainians died from starvation and execution.

The Soviet government managed to hide this

event from the rest of the world for over 60

years.

Find out more at: http://www.holodomorct.org/

Donate to our Annual Christmas Hamper Campaign

As we begin this season of Advent, our annual campaign to collect food for the

Edmonton Food Bank gets underway on Tuesday, November 28. Our Charitable

Chargers are hard at work organizing the food drive, and your student will be

asked to sign up to bring in a Christmas Hamper item by December 15th. We are

challenging each homeroom and the teachers to donate the items to make 15

Christmas Hampers. The food will be delivered by our Social Justice Club to the

Edmonton Food Bank where we will be touring their facility. Donations of per-

ishable food items can be brought to the school as late as December 15th. If it’s

easier for your family, cash donations are also needed to fill in any items for the

hampers.

Find out more at: http://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/

The Season of Advent Students at Cardinal Léger will participate in multiple celebrations this Christmas

season. Every Monday during Advent, we will be having a celebration over our

school’s broadcast system. Each homeroom has an advent wreath that they will

light as together we celebrate the coming of the birth of Jesus Christ. On Thurs-

day, December 21, we will be having a Christmas mass at St. Matthew’s Parish.

“Dear God, as we prepare for the arrival of your Son, Jesus Christ,

may we prepare our hearts for the message of love that he can

bring to us each and every day. May we keep the true meaning of

Christmas in our minds during this winter break and safely return to

school refreshed and full of joy. We ask this in your name. Amen.”

~ Greg Hansen - School Chaplain ~

Italian Language and Culture Program (Lingua e Cultura Italiana)

Visit the website below to enjoy listening to Christmas carols as you create

special memories with your family and friends:

http://www.worldwidechristmas.com/songs/italian/ Christmas is a special time to remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth. To-gether with family and friends, we also cherish customs and traditions such as the creation of exquisite desserts. Tiramisu is a traditional Italian des-sert which is enjoyed by all. Please refer to the recipe below:

Ingredients:

6 large egg yolks, room temperature ½ cup sugar 16 ounces of mascarpone cheese 4 large egg whites 12 to 14 (4 inches) Savoyard biscuits 11 to 12 cups of espresso coffee, at room temperature

Preparation: 1. In a large bowl, whisk the yolks with half of the sugar until pale and double the

volume (mixture will keep a "ribbon" when folded on it), for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the mascarpone in 2 or 3 additions, blend well to join. Add liqueur, if used, and whip to join.

2. In a clean bowl or bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a whip, mount snowballs

and sugar remaining soft peaks. Fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mix-ture in two or three additions.

3. In a casserole about 6 - by - 9 - inch or plate with a border, develops about a

third of mascarpone cream in a uniform layer. Soak every single biscuit in the coffee and place them tightly over until the cream is completely covered. Spoon the rest of the cream over the biscuits, spread in a uniform layer.

4. Place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days to set the cream. Just

before serving, sprinkle the top with cocoa powder.

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ZONES

Just a reminder that school zones have now been ex-

tended to include all junior high schools. Please be

aware and drive with caution when dropping off or

picking up students.

Student Pick Up and Drop Off

If you are dropping off or picking up your child,

we ask that you park along 88A Avenue and avoid

parking on 144 Avenue as this is a bus zone

where the school specials drop off and pick up the

students.

Please also avoid dropping off or picking up your

child in the staff parking lot at the front of the

school. This parking lot is for staff use only as

there is limited space.

General Reminders

DRESSING FOR WINTER WEATHER

A reminder that our students go outside for each

lunch recess unless the temperature is –20oC or

colder. Doors also do not open until 8:00 am each

morning. Please have students dress appropriately

to be outside each day.

SCHOOL FEES DUE

All school fees have been posted to PowerSchool

and are due by November 15th. Please make pay-

ment through your PowerSchool account or visit the

main office to pay by credit card or debit.

OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION We are holding two separate information evenings to introduce you to the programming available at our school. All students and fami-

lies are invited to attend either or both evenings.

PRE-AP PROGRAM INFORMATION EVENING

January 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm

The pre-advanced program is an academic program designed to challenge students by going deeper into the curriculum. Assess-

ments in the Pre-AP program are the same as those used in the regu-lar program, but students have the chance to delve deeper into the

topics covered in the grade appropriate curriculums. The evening is designed to provide information to families about the program and registration requirements. The meeting will be held in

the school gymnasium and there will be no school tour.

GENERAL OPEN HOUSE February 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm

This evening is an opportunity for families to explore the school and learn about the programming available at our school. We will start with a short program in the gym followed by self-tours of the school

and various classrooms.

If you have any questions regarding junior high registration, please contact the school principal, Mr. Peter Meurs, at 780-475-6262.

13

Charger Sports

BASKETBALL TRYOUTS WILL BEGIN AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE VOLLEYBALL SEASON.

PLEASE LISTEN FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to the following students who make up our junior and sen-ior volleyball teams.

Senior Boys

Coach: Mr. Motut 2

Senior Girls

Coaches: Mr. Motut & Miss Reilly

Junior Boys

Coach: Mrs. Rogozinski

Junior Girls

Coaches: Mrs. Moore & Mrs. Steeves

Luke B. Mario D. Sal D.

Daniel D. Joshua E. Daxter E.

Dante G. Brendan H. Joel M.

Jace R. Xavier S. Giacomo V.

Marissa A. Jacqueline A. Kaylee F.

Judith H. Danika H. Meaghan K.

Anna L. Chloe M. Gabrielle P.

Cordelia S. Brianna S. Jessica Z.

Christian A. Paolo B. Tristan C.

Francesco D. Dezmond E. Adonis H.

Adon M. Marcus N. Chase S.

Matteo S. Nolan T. Nahom W.

Estrella B. Briana B. Hilda J.

Isabella G. Emma K. Caitlyn M.

Olivia M. Ellexia M. Tina N.

Francesca P. Michaella R. Katriona S

Reese V.

Superintendent's Message

December 2017

O come, divine Messiah; the world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph and sadness flee away.

(O Come, Divine Messiah, S.J. Pellegrin)

The season of Advent is upon us. It is a sacred time of prayer, reflection, and preparation for the coming of Jesus. There are so many ways that families can share in the joy and anticipation of the birth of our Saviour. Archbishop Smith shares how we can bring the Word of God more deeply into our classrooms and homes in his message to us this month. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, as we light the candles on our Advent wreaths, we can also reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that is to be found in the gift of Jesus Christ. There are many special events that are being held in our parishes and schools; evenings of Ad-vent song, the preparation of hampers for families who would benefit from extra support, extra opportunities to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, to name a few.

The Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories released a supplementary letter just before Catholic Education Sunday. In it, they gave a call to Catholics to join in and spread the great news of Catholic education. They share, “It is im-portant that everyone be ready to stand up for our faith and for our schools. Please be prepared to speak out in support of our Catholic schools whenever you can. We are proud of who we are as Catholics.” You can read the entire letter at https://goo.gl/cauRBf. We will be proudly sharing the story of the richness of Catholic education in Edmonton Catholic Schools using the hashtag #ECSDFaithInspires in the upcoming months, and we encourage you to help us spread the message that Catholic edu-cation is an outstanding and important choice for families to guide our children and youth as they learn and grow in mind, body, and spirit. We are embarking on a legacy project and would like to be able to capture the journeys of families who have 3 or 4 generations that are able to share their story of Edmonton Catholic Schools. If your family is interested in participating, please email a brief overview of your generations to marketing@ecsd.net . The response to our Celebration of Catholic Education Evenings in November was tremendous! We have included the respons-es to the questions which people shared with us as part of the feedback sheets. Edmonton Catholic Schools is excited to participate in the Hour of Code, once again this year. This is the fourth year that we will be participating, and this year’s event will be the best one yet! Hour of Code is a global movement that is supported by Code.org with the purpose of reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries through a one-hour introduction to computer science and computer programming. Coding is a great way to develop literacy, numeracy, creativity, and thinking skills. Last year we had over 22,000 students participate and this year we are hoping for 25,000! Our goal is to have a <Bit of Code> In Every School.

In his Sunday Angelus to mark the beginning of Advent last year, Pope Francis shared the following message: “In this season of Advent, we are called to expand the horizons of our hearts, to be amazed by the life which presents itself each day with new-ness.” I wish you all an Advent that fills you with this amazement! Sincerely, Joan Carr Superintendent

Celebration of Catholic Education Religious Education Parent/Guardian

Engagement Evenings Feedback

On November 1 and 2 the Trustees and Administration of Edmonton Catholic School District were pleased to host parent

engagement evenings at St. Charles Parish and Corpus Christi Parish titled: Celebration of Catholic Education Religious Edu-

cation Parent/Guardian Engagement Evenings. Each evening began with the celebration of the Eucharist followed by a

presentation and an opportunity for reflection. We were delighted that Archbishop Richard Smith and Bishop Gregory

Bittman were able to celebrate these evenings with us. They were joined at our Lord’s table by the parish priests, deacons,

and our District Chaplains. Additionally, we were pleased that, so many community members attended Mass and the pro-

gram that followed.

We are happy to share some of the feedback and comments we received following each presentation. Included below are

corresponding links to more information and resources as well as highlights from the presentations.

A. We asked participants: What is one thing from this evening’s presentation that you enjoyed most?

1. “The experiences and opinions of the children in the video; they are the principle role in this story. I enjoyed the video

and how the young students understood their Catholic faith and expressed themselves with confidence.”

The video, Growing in the Spirit, was a collaborative effort between Learning Services Innovation and many students from across the school district. It focused on asking students to express their thoughts on what Catholic Education meant to them. Growing in the Spirit Video 2. “I enjoyed learning about the new curriculum and resources available for parents, teachers and the parishes. Knowing

what my children will be learning enables me to help them grow in their faith.”

Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ, the new Religious Education program approved by the Catholic Bishops of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories and developed in collaboration with Catholic educators from across Canada, exemplifies the discipline and rigor with which the program is delivered. Pearson Canada, the publisher, has de-veloped a school, a home, and a parish website that helps to integrate the faith into everyday life. Pearson Canada Stu-dent-Home Website

Username: ecsd99 Password: Student99

3. “I really appreciate how the Competencies formed through Catholic education are permeated from Kindergarten to

Grade Twelve and that teachers are receiving professional development in this area.”

We know that Catholic education means that students are given the opportunity to encounter Christ in all aspects of their

learning day, not just in Religion class. This means that our Catholic faith is permeated throughout all subjects and all activ-

ities. The Learner Competencies Formed through Catholic Education reflect the Alberta Programs of Study from a Catholic

education standpoint and change the way that we approach permeation. Learner Competencies Formed Through

Catholic Education

4. “I was pleased to see the Archdiocese’s Sacramental Education Initiative. I have children who are passed their sacra-

ments, so this is a document with which I am unfamiliar.”

The Standards for Preparing Children and Youth for the Sacraments in the Archdiocese of Edmonton are the result of the

Sacramental Education Initiative set forth by the Archdiocese and the Catholic school boards chairs and superintendents

from our Archdiocese. The Standards have been developed after four years of wide consultation with priests of the Arch-

diocese, pastoral assistants, religious consultants, parents, principals and teachers in our Catholic school districts. We in-

vite you to contact your local Catholic parish for more information about Sacramental preparation.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton – Sacramental Preparation

B. We asked participants: What is one thing you wonder about or would like to learn more about?

1. “I am anxious to know if Religious Education is mandatory from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve.”

Religious Education is a scholastic discipline and not a complementary course; nor is it a supplement to other disciplines,

but underpins the educational activity of Catholic schools. Students are required to participate in and complete Religious

Education courses each year of their schooling with Edmonton Catholic Schools. In high school, students typically com-

plete nine credits in Religious Education within a traditional classroom setting. Under some circumstances, and to accom-

modate special learning needs, Religious Education is also delivered in alternative modes such as PASS (Part Time Alterna-

tive Self-Paced School) or Revelation Online.

2. “What is ECSD doing about the alternative curriculum for sexual education in our schools?”

We have, and continue to teach the outcomes of the existing curriculum. To clarify, it should be noted that the Council of

Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA) did not submit a parallel curriculum proposal to the government. CCS-

SA is working closely with Alberta Education in supporting the curriculum development, and seeks to create a supple-

mental resource that ensures a Catholic lens is provided for our learners. Our District has teachers participating in the

working group that is developing the new health and wellness curriculum.

3. “I appreciate that teachers and administrators continue their faith journeys in meaningful professional development

opportunities.”

Teachers and administrators have many opportunities to develop and grow in their faith. This includes School Opening

Mass, Permeation Afternoon, Faith Formation Afternoon, Father Michael Mireau Youth Day, Faith Development Day,

Grace for the Heart and Soul, Student Faith Development Days, District-Wide Professional Development sessions on the

RE Curriculum, as well as Social Justice Initiatives; Religious and Moral Education Conference through the ATA; SPICE and

Blueprints through the Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association; Dinner and a Course through St. Joseph’s College; and

the Treasures of the Faith, the Certificate in Catholic Studies, and the Master of Religious Education through Newman The-

ological College.

Included below are two links from the Alberta Bishops in their support of Catholic Education:

Catholic Education Sunday Bishop’s Letter Catholic Education Sunday Supplementary Statement

We thank those who were able to attend the parent engagement evenings and for sharing their comments.

LIVING IN THE WORD OF GOD Creation of a Prayer Space in the Home

In his recent Pastoral Letter, Living in the Word of God, Archbishop Richard Smith offers

some thoughts as to how we, as members of this Archdiocesan family, can together listen

carefully to the Word of God and, in a shared commitment, put it into practice. ” St. Paul

teaches that faith comes from what is heard. This means that the first act of the disciple is to

listen carefully to what God is saying to us in the words of Jesus. The hearing of Christ's

Word demands a silent and attentive listening. This requires effort and determination. Living

in a world of noise, we must be always cultivating, with the help of God's grace, an inner still-

ness in which we are disposed to hear and be transformed by the Word of God.”

In the same way, Archbishop Smith invites families, too, to listen together to the Word of

God. “Through a careful listening to this Word, families encounter the Lord in their very

midst and hear within the depths of their hearts his assurance of love and call to holiness

and service. One way to make this happen is to create a prayer space in the home. I recall

from my days as a parish priest the practice of one family that created a sacred space in their

home by simply placing a candle in the corner of one room. They would gather daily around

the lit candle to offer their spontaneous prayers to God for his blessing upon their day.”

We, at Edmonton Catholic Schools, invite you to heed the call of Archbishop Smith. As we

approach the season of Advent, we are reminded that Advent is a time of great spiritual

preparation as we ready our souls for the coming of Christ. Advent is an important season in

which families can dedicate time each day to pray and to share the Word of God together,

preparing in a powerful way for the coming of Christ. This Advent Season, like many of the

past, will be filled with distractions and priorities which attempt to take away from our fami-

lies spiritually during this crucial time. Consider creating a prayer space in your home by

placing an Advent Wreath at the center of your dining table. As a family, gather around the

Advent Wreath, before or after meals, to light the Advent candles, to offer spontaneous

prayers, and to listen to the Word of God. During this Advent season, we hope that you will

use these traditional tools with your family and that God will use them to benefit your family

with grace and love.

Sandra Talarico, Religious Education Consultant

December 2017

Dear Friends,

In December, especially in Edmonton, we notice that the hours, minutes of sunlight diminish.

It is during this time of darkness that we begin a new liturgical year. The season of Advent is

upon us. Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas. We prepare to celebrate the birth of

Jesus Christ, the Light of the World (John 8:12). The prophet Isaiah foretold this event when

he wrote: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a

land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

During this Advent season as we prepare for Christmas, I invite you to listen to Jesus, the

Word of God and to be guided by the Word. As the Psalmist writes: Your word is lamp unto

my feet and light to my path. (Ps 119:105)

There are many ways to listen to the Word. In our Catholic Schools the Word of God pro-

claimed, studied and discussed. I invite you, as I have invited everyone in the Archdiocese, to

hear the Word of God in three ways:

1. To prepare a prayer space in your home or classroom where a Bible takes the place

of honour;

2. To pray a simple prayer before and after meals. I will assist you in this by offering a

biblical verse to help you to hear the Word of God. These are available through the

parish Sunday bulletin.

3. To discuss the Sunday homily as a family.

With Christ as our guide, may you continue to let your light shine before others, so that they

may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matt.5:16) during the Ad-

vent season and throughout the liturgical year.

I pray that you have a blessed Christmas!

Richard W. Smith

Archbishop of Edmonton

School Team Advisors for Youth (STAY)

Junior high schools in the Edmonton Catholic School District each have ‘School Team Advisors for

Youth’ (STAY) which are comprised of retired Police Officers.

The STAY role involves:

•Educating, mentoring, and empowering students.

•Educating and mentoring parents on the realities their children face each day by raising parent aware-

ness on these issues.

•Educating and mentoring staff on the realities that students face each day. Working in partnership

with the administration of the school to develop action plans for safety and health of all students.

Stay Advisors in our junior high schools make a difference in the lives of our youth by encouraging them to “STAY” in school. The STAY

teams work hard to ensure our youth succeed in life.

Being a Great Teen Leader

Leadership means using your knowledge and skills to gather a group of people with the aim of completing a com-mon task. Great leadership means using your strengths and influence in a positive and worthwhile way to change a situation for the better. What can you do today to put yourself in the position to lead others? Here are 3 POW-ERFUL steps you can include in your daily life to become a positive and effective leader. 1. Take responsibility for your actions: Not all your actions are good ones. Not all your choices and decisions are

something to be proud of. That’s not the point. The real point is when you take responsibility for what you do, you gain control over your life and you learn about what went wrong. Accepting responsibility for your actions sets a good example to others and can leave you with great lessons learned.

2. Being proactive: Stop sitting and waiting around for your big break or for luck to come your way. Luck will never come your way unless you are willing to meet it half way. Make a commitment to try new things and see where that takes you. Be open-minded!

3. Engage in positive actions: Just do what’s right! If you see something wrong in your community, take steps to fix it (e.g., Too much garbage lying around? No problem! Form a group and start cleaning up. It’s as simple as that!). Sometimes, however, it can be hard to do the responsible thing when there are better activities awaiting you (e.g., your favorite TV show, hanging out with friends). Some decisions are harder than others, but do what will make you feel less guilty, less stressed, and less bad.

Taking these 3 steps will put you in a position to lead others. Commitment to these steps will also lead to a TON of other good changes in your life

STAY Alert

December 2017

STAY Christmas Wishes

December has arrived suddenly this year. It just snuck up in the middle of the week and

with it, the Christmas season. Christmas is the season of kindness and giving, a time for

sharing joy with those around us. The time for making wishes and sending them to

Santa so he can bring them to us on Christmas morning.

Dear Santa,

This is a Christmas wish list from the STAY Advisors for all our students, yes, every one

of them:

Santa, bring joy into each of our students’ homes this Christmas. Help each family

share, in their own way, that special time of peace and joy that was celebrated

by the angels the day Christ was born.

Santa, help our students to be kind to one another this Christmas season. Place re-

spect into every text, tweet, and message that is sent. Remind our students that

every time they use the “send” button they are writing their history in public for

ever. Santa help each of our students write their history the way Christ wrote his

history, ”Without blemish.”

Santa, bring wisdom to our students. They need to know they are important and

valuable and wise. By helping them to know they are important, the put-downs

and disrespectful comments can stop. By helping them to know they are valua-

ble, jealousy and envy will have no place in their lives. By giving them wisdom

they will know all these things are true.

Santa thank you for reading my letter. I look forward to hearing all about the gifts you

delivered in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Mr. R. Cole

STAY Team Member