Volume 7, Issue 6

École Monsignor William Irwin School 2629 Taylor Green, Edmonton AB T6R 3N8

Phone: 780-430-1121 Fax: 780-430-7742

Dear God, Here is my behaviour plan for the month of February (and beyond):

I will be more considerate of others. I will put others first.

I will respond politely to insults, compliments, and offers that I wish to decline.

I will treat all others just as I would like to be treated. I will LOVE, GROW, and SERVE.

ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE

We have greatly reduced the content of our monthly newsletter. Our principal, Mme

Christine, maintains more frequent communication with families through the school

blog. She updates the blog for parents several times a month. Here is a direct link:

THE BLOG

Enjoy your month!

FEBRUARY 2017 NEWSLETTER

Fill in the information below for your child’s chance to win lunch with

Mme Christine!

Lunch with the Principal!

(Please detach and return to school office by Monday, February 6.)

I give my child permission to have lunch with the principal.

____________________________________

(Child’s name and class – please print)

____________________________________

(Parent Signature)

Here is a comment from our family that we’d like to share about our school:

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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

To register your child in one of our kindergarten programs (French Immersion or English language), the following documents must be filled out and brought to the school office during business hours or brought to the Ecole Monsignor William Irwin OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, February 2, 2017 (6:30 PM):

2017-18 Pre-K and K Registration Checklist 2017-18 Program Consent Pre-K and K 2017-2018 Kindergarten Bus Application 2017-2018 Student Registration Form

Parents are also required to present proof of residence (e.g. driver’s license, utility bill), legal proof of their child’s name, citizenship, and birth date (e.g. birth certificate, adoption papers, permanent resident card). For new students, who are going to be registered in Grades 1 through 6, you are also required to provide the documents listed above. As well, please fill out the registration form and if bussing is required, fill in the transportation application. Bring these documents to the school.

2017-2018 Student Registration Form 2017-2018 Transportation (Bus) Application Form

Students are registered in the following order:

a. Resident students in the MWI catchment area b. Non-catholic students in the MWI catchment area currently enrolled in Edmonton

Catholic Schools and who have the recommendation of their principal c. Resident students residing outside the catchment area d. Non-resident students residing outside the catchment area

A resident student of Edmonton Catholic Schools is defined as one who: 1. is a Catholic; or 2. has at least one parent who is a Catholic (e.g., in situations where, by court order, custody is

granted to a non-Catholic parent or the Catholic parent has died and the child has not been registered in a Catholic school, then the child would be deemed to be a resident student); or

3. under the authority of the Child Welfare Act, has been placed in a foster home where the foster parent is resident of the Edmonton Catholic Separate School District No. 7;

and 4. resides within the corporate limits of the City of Edmonton; 5. is six years of age or older on or before March 1 of the current school year; 6. in the case of a kindergarten student, is 5 years of age or older on or before March 1 of the

current school year.

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MWI OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 2

Spread the word! The MWI Open House is scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 6:30 PM. All prospective kindergarten parents of French Immersion and English program students are welcome to come and meet teachers and administrators and to view the kindergarten classrooms. Registration information is on page 3 and online.

STAFF FAITH DEVELOPMENT DAY FEBRUARY 7

There will be no school on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 because all Edmonton Catholic School staff will be gathered for a faith development day in downtown Edmonton. We are building a strong Catholic community!

CARNAVAL – CABANE A SUCRE! LE 30 JANVIER-3 FEVRIER

Many activities are planned for this fun-filled week celebrating French Canadian culture! The Log Drivers’ Waltz, games outside, a presentation with song and dance and story by Roger Dallaire, more songs… and our favorite, LA TIRE! On Friday (or maybe even sooner), our students will meet the real Bonhomme de Neige and shake his hand!

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GRADE 6 POPCORN FUNDRAISER

The Grade 6 Fundraising Committee will be serving popcorn on 3 upcoming Popcorn Days. Popcorn will cost $2.00 per bag.

Friday, February 10th – Grades 5 & Grade 1 Friday, Feb. 24th – Grade 4 & Grade 3 Friday March 10th. – Grade 6 & Grade 2

WELCOME TO STUDENT TEACHERS

Welcome to a new group of student teachers who will be observing classes in February and then joining us later in the spring.

GRADE 6 BOTTLE DRIVE FUNDRAISER FEBRUARY 21-24

In addition to the Popcorn sales, the Grade 6 Fundraising Committee is also sponsoring a bottle drive. The Bottle Drive will take place during the week of February 21 to February 24. This coincides with a collection of unwanted electronics equipment that you would also like to recycle (see next page). Bags of bottles, etc. can be left outside the front door by the wall and will be picked up on a daily/as needed basis. Reminders will cheerfully be sent home! P.S. No judgment on type of bottle left for the drive…

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ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT FEBRUARY 13-27

MWI is part of a grant program that invites members of the

community to drop off their old and unwanted electronics. The school

receives the money as listed below. A bin will be in place to collect

any (and only the) units listed below. FEBRUARY 13-27

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FRENCH IMMERSION PLAYSCHOOL AT 7925-158 STREET

STAFF PD DAY – FEBRUARY 17 – NO SCHOOL

Mental health literacy – that’s the topic for the staff PD day on Friday, February 17. All staff will undergo training on a mental health curriculum that increases knowledge and decreases stigmatism related to mental distress, mental illness, and mental disorders. This PD day is part of a four-day weekend for students. Enjoy a mental health break as a family! Play!

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RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

No act of kindness is ever wasted.

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness. - Seneca

February 12 – 18 is Random Acts of Kindness Week

This event is celebrated throughout the world. A kind act is “random” when it is unexpected—done simply out of the will to extend goodness, person to person, without expecting anything in return. Here are some ways to “act!”

Greet people with smile. Pay attention to positive news and pass it on. Pick up litter on the playground. Hold the door open for the next person coming behind you. Give your pet a special treat. Shovel a walk for a neighbor. Help someone find a solution instead of giving advice. Always try to leave a place better than you found it. Whatever the topic of conversation is, choose to discuss just the positive side of it. Forgive someone.

For further information and ideas for acts of kindness, check out the Canadian Kindness Movement web site at www.kindacts.com.

GRADE 7 OPEN HOUSES

Attention MWI Students in Grade 6:

Archbishop Joseph MacNeil School is hosting their Grade 7 Open House on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. St. John XXIII School Grade 7 Open House for French Immersion students is on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at 7:00 p.m.

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RUNNING ROOM INDOOR GAMES TEAM DATES

Come cheer on our GOLDEN WOLVES as they run! Here are the Running Room Indoor Games team dates! February 21 - Running Room Indoor Games - Boys & Girls Relay Team Trials at the University of Alberta Butterdome (11-1:20) February 28 - Running Room Indoor Games - Individual Race Trials at the University of Alberta Butterdome (Time is TBA)

March 18 - Finals

ASH WEDNESDAY MARCH 1

Ash Wednesday is on March 1. Classes will observe Ash Wednesday in their classrooms. Talk to your child’s teacher for the time of their celebration if you would like to join them.

ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH NEWS

Home – School – Parish

ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH SACRAMENT NEWS Following is a link to the St. Thomas More Parish website with Parish news and the weekly Parish bulletin: stmparish.com

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CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH

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NEXT SAC MEETING MARCH 21

Parents, you are invited to attend the next School Advisory Council meeting on

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. There are many decisions that need to be

made and your input is valued.

Please contact MWISchoolcouncil@gmail.com if you have an agenda item that you

would like added. SAC co-chairs are Michelle Tiano-Thorpe and Sheila Sutherland.

DROP OFF – PICK UP GENTLE REMINDERS

Please please be mindful of how you are dropping off and picking up your child(ren). Do not come into the parking lot during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. – buses park there and children cross. Do not park in our neighbours’ driveways. You might park at the Terwillegar Community Church and walk across Terwillegar Way.

Use the utmost caution crossing Terwillegar Way, especially on Thursdays at noon dismissal. Use the utmost caution if you drop off/pick up your child(ren) across Taylor Green.

Let’s keep our children safe!!! It’s up to you!!

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SCHOOL EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Golden Wolves Volleyball

The Golden Wolves Volleyball Team continues to enjoy an awesome season. The team has participated in several tournaments. All team members continue to progress in the development of their volleyball skills and should be very proud of themselves. We have one tournament left to round out the season. Bonne chance! Good luck!

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CALENDAR – ACCESS THE FULL CALENDAR AND UPDATES TO EVENTS THROUGH THE WEBSITE

F E B R U A R Y Monday, January 30- Friday, February 3 CARNAVAL!!! Enjoy and celebrate French culture!

Wednesday, February 1 Grade 3 Indoor field trip Awesome Bridges

Thursday, February 2 No school in the afternoon

Yes, karate!

MWI OPEN HOUSE 6:30 PM Kindergarten

Friday, February 3 Grade 3 Indoor field trip Awesome Bridges

Immunizations Round 2

Monday, February 6-Friday, February 10 Grade 6C School at the Legislature

Tuesday, February 7 Faith Development Day – no school all day

Thursday, February 9 No school in the afternoon

Yes, karate!

AJM OPEN HOUSE 6:30 PM

Friday, February 10 Popcorn Fundraiser Grade 1 and Grade 5

Saturday, February 11 Arts Alive Conference at Frere Antoine School

Monday, February 13- Friday, February 17 Random Acts of Kindness Week!

Monday, February 13- Monday, February 27 Electronic Recycling EVENT! See details in this newsletter!

Thursday, February 16 No school in the afternoon

Yes, karate!

Friday, February 17 Staff PD – no school all day

Monday, February 20 Family Day – no school all day

Tuesday, February 21 – February 24 Bottle Drive – Let’s RECYCLE!

Thursday, February 23 No school in the afternoon

Yes, karate!

Friday, February 24 Popcorn for Grade 3 and Grade 4

Gr 5 Teachers Pet Canada History Presentation

Monday, February 27 Last day to collect electronic recycling!

Gr 6C and 6B Field Trip

Tuesday, February 28 Gr 6A Field Trip

Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday

Thursday, March 2 – Friday, March 3 Teacher’s Convention – no school for these two days

Friday, March 10 Popcorn for Grade 2 and Grade 6

Thursday, March 16 Demonstration of Learning, Book Fair, Art Show

Friday, March 17 Ski Day Grades 4-6