March 2019 Newsletter Administration Team Message

Our school community continues to let its light shine for Catholic Education. As we begin our Lenten journey, we thank School Council for helping us to serve pancakes on Shrove Tuesday March 5; your as-sistance is appreciated...thank you. Our Grade 4 students will lead our Ash Wednesday celebration on March 6th at 9:30 a.m. You are welcome to attend. Throughout these next weeks of Lent, our school community, together with Christians all over the world, reflect deeply; pray often; make some special sacrifices; and most importantly, put into action forgiveness and charity. We pray:

God our Father,

By raising Christ your Son, you conquered the power of death

And opened for us the way to eternal life.

Let us renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you

And the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Thanks to our wonderful School Council that organizes many of the fun days, family activities, and special lunches at Bishop Greschuk. A very special thanks to our parent volunteers, especially Mr. Aura, Mrs. Menjivar, and Mrs. Voo for assisting us daily in our lay-by to keep our students safe. Mr. Aura received the Walking Together in God’s Love Award at the ECS Board Meeting on February 26 for his tremendous service to our BG School community. We are blessed to have such an amazing School Council and wonderful volunteer support. We invite you to attend our Demonstration of Learning on the 14th of March. Please set this time aside to involve yourself in your child’s education. This time is essential to celebrate strengths, and to discuss areas for growth and how you can provide support at home. It is by working in partnership that our students can be successful. Thanks for your support!

As we begin to plan for next year, please remember to share the message with friends and neighbors about the excellent programs and positive atmosphere that exists at Bishop Greschuk School! We are accepting new registrations for the 2019 – 2020 school year.

We wish you a blessed Lenten journey! Karen Craig Leslie Zydek Principal Assistant Principal

March 2019

Come back to the Lord with all your heart; leave the past in ashes, And turn to God with tears and fasting, for he is slow to anger and ready to forgive.

(Cf. Joel 2:13)

This beautiful antiphon is often sung on Ash Wednesday during the blessing and imposition of the ashes. It is a wonderful reminder for us as we begin the season of Lent that God loves us unconditionally. In our humanity we make mistakes, but all we need to do is ask and he is ready to forgive. He even sent us the ultimate loving gift in Jesus whose death was the greatest act of forgiveness.

Edmonton Catholic Schools is very proud to have been named one of Alberta’s Top 75 Employers! This is the fourth year that we have received this designation. Maintaining this designation over time is a significant accomplishment for our District. It affirms that we are able to provide an excellent work environment for all of our employee groups on a consistent basis. When our employees have great working environments, our students benefit as well.

Our District is part of the Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education, GrACE, network. The mission of GrACE is to inspire, invigorate and embolden the spirit of Catholic education in order to unite, engage, educate and communicate with one voice on its behalf. GrACE is a partnership of stakeholders resolutely committed to Catholic education within Alberta. Each Catholic jurisdiction in the province has assembled a highly committed team whose members include Trustees, Superintendents, clergy, parish staff, parents, members of the Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus. Every day is a celebration of Catholic education. Let us be grateful for our blessings and commit our support to sharing the great work of our schools. Dual credit opportunities allow students to earn high school and post-secondary credits simultaneously. Edmonton Catholic Schools is working on a dual credit opportunity with MacEwan University in Police Studies. This unique program would provide a foundational experience that could lead to multiple career pathways for students ranging from community policing to social work to legal services. We will share more details as this new program for fall 2019 unfolds. Spring Break for our year-round schools begins on March 18, and for our regular calendar schools it begins on

March 25. It provides a wonderful opportunity for families and for our staff to rejuvenate and spend time with

loved ones.

Pope Francis provides a message for Lent each year. You can find them, and so many more of his writings on the Vatican website, www.vatican.va. In his message last year, our Holy Father shared the following:

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”. Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.

I wish you a spiritually uplifting, sacramental Lenten experience and a refreshing Spring Break!

Yours in Christ, Joan Carr Superintendent

BE THE CHURCH

The Church is more than a building that we come to each and every Sunday. The Church is people; believing people, baptized people, confirmed people, surrendered people, people in whom Christ dwells, people who listen to the voice of God, people who abide by the commandments of the Lord, people who have truly committed their lives to Him as Lord, people who have a personal relationship to Him, people who obey His voice. Bishop Demetrius wrote "the Church is the company of those who have put on Christ by being baptized in Him, sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, forgiven of their sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and nurtured by the Heavenly Food in the Holy Mystery of His Body and Blood. ... The Church is a divinely instituted unity of people, united by the Catholic Faith, the law of God, the hierarchy and the Holy Sacraments. The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ." One of the holiest moments of the Eucharistic Liturgy is the moment when the Church - God's people, strengthened by the Word of God and nourished by the Sacrament of the Eucharist, go out the church door into the world to be the Church. We don't just go to church; we are the Church. A student was telling his parish priest about a conversation he had with a fellow student in the school. The fellow student did not believe in God. The student said to his pastor, "How can I get this fellow to church, so he can get some help?" The pastor replied, "Don't try to get him to come to church. He'll probably refuse anyway. You must be the Church to him where you are ... in the classroom, in the locker room, in the cafeteria, on the soccer field, on the bus. You are the Church to that fellow student." The reason we come to church every Sunday is to listen to Christ, to praise Him, to receive Him within us that we may go out into the world and be the Church for the rest of the week. This Lent let us be the Church to everyone we meet. Resources: “A Byzantine Rite. Liturgical Year.” Julian J. Katrij, OSBM. Basilian Fathers Publication. Detroit, 1983. "Daily Vitamins for Spiritual Growth." Anthony M. Coniaris. Light and Life Publishing. Minneapolis Minnesota, 1994.

Fr. Julian Bilyj District Chaplain

Walking

Together in

God’s Love

Scholastic Book Fair - March 12th, 13th and 14th

Dear Parents,

Our second Scholastic Book Fair of the year is coming to Bishop Greschuk School and you are invited to come and share in this celebration of literacy with us! Now more than ever, reading is vital to leading a better life. Knowing how to read is just the beginning. Motivating young people to keep reading, comprehend what they read, and develop the ability to think creatively are the end goals.

With your involvement, we can inspire children to practice reading and read more often. Together, we can make a difference in their lives that will last a lifetime.

Parent volunteers are very welcome to join the Book Fair Team! Please contact Mrs. Iwasykiw if you wish to volunteer: 780-472-2937.

Thank you in advance and we will see you at the Book Fair!

The Book Fair will be open during the following hours:

Tuesday, March 12th

: 8:40 AM – 3:00 PM, closed during recess and lunch.

Wednesday, March 13th

: 8:40 AM – 3:00 PM, closed during recess and lunch

Thursday, March 14th

, Demonstration of Learning Day: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM, and 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, closed during recess and dinner.

Spring into Art Showcase

Our school submitted some beautiful artwork to display at various ECSD sites this year. Seven of our talented artists were chosen to display their work at the upcoming Spring into Art Showcase, which runs from March 4th - March 20th, at the University of Alberta Extension Art Gallery at Enterprise Square. They will be honoured for their piece at a reception on March 10th, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Congratulations to: Cynthia

in 2C, Gavin in 2A, Arianna in 4B, Aeirron in 4/5, Chloe in 2/3 and Jay in 2A. Thank you for sharing your artistic gifts!

Gr. 3 C.C.A.T.

The Grade 3 students will be writing the “Canadian Cognitive Abilities Tests” over several days between March 4-8. If you have a child in Grade 3, you can help by making sure that your child comes to school on-time and ensuring that he/she has had sufficient sleep and a good breakfast.

School Council Meeting

Our next School Council meeting is on March 11th at 7:00 PM in the music room. All parents are welcome to attend.

Report Cards / Demonstration of Learning

Report Cards will be posted on-line through your PowerSchool account, after dismissal on Friday, March 8th for all grade 1 to 6 students.

Demonstration of Learning is on Thursday, March 14th.

Kindergarten: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Grades 1- 6: 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Demonstration of Learning enables each child to demonstrate his/her learning. There is no need for an appointment, however, please give yourself ample time to complete the Demonstration of Learning, as we will end our evening at 7:30 p.m. Should you wish a private, formal interview to discuss your child’s progress, please contact your child’s teacher.

St. Patrick’s Day - Wear Green - Friday, March 15th

All students are invited to join us in celebrating the feast of St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green on Friday, March 15th.

Spring Break March 25 - 29

Reminder: Thursday, March 21st will be a FULL DAY of CLASSES. On Friday, March 22nd students will be dismissed at 12:00 noon for Spring Break. Classes will resume on Monday, April 1st.

Before and After School Supervision - IMPORTANT

Parents are reminded that morning supervision begins at 8:15 a.m. and are strongly discouraged from dropping children off before that time, as there is no supervision. School dismisses at 3:03 p.m. It is expected that all children go home at the conclusion of each day. Please make sure that your child is picked up promptly after school as our staff have personal and professional obligations and are not expected to wait for you to pick up your children.

Student Attendance/Lates

Please note that our first bell rings at 8:30 a.m. and instruction begins at 8:35 a.m. Students arriving after 8:35 a.m. are marked as late. Please remember to call the school AND your child care providers when your child is absent.

Punctuality and regular attendance are important factors that positively affect student achievement. Parents have the responsibility to ensure that their children attend regularly and arrive to school on time.

Traffic Safety Reminders

Please share these reminders with grandparents or other caregivers who are picking

up your children:

Do not use the staff parking lot as a pick up and drop off area.

After school, do not park in the lay-by until all 5 daycare vans are parked.

The lay-by is for quick drop off and pick up only. Have your children ready to enter and exit their vehicle promptly.

No left turn out of the lay-by during peak hours.

Do not idle in the lay-by.

You may wish to “park and walk” to help ease congestion in front of the school.

We always welcome additional volunteers to help with the lay-by. Please contact the office to help.

2019 - 2020 Registration

Kindergarten to Grade Six registrations are now being accepted at the school office. Students currently enrolled at Bishop Greschuk School in Grades 1 to 5 are automatically registered for the next school year. If your family will be moving out of the area and not attending our school next year, please contact the office, as soon as possible. To be eligible for Kindergarten, children must be five years old on or before March 1, 2020. To register your child in Kindergarten, you will need to complete an Early Childhood registration form and present a copy of your child’s birth certificate. A copy of your child’s baptismal certificate is requested for sacramental preparation. Our Kindergarten program will remain as a four day program (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) in 2019-2020. In order for us to begin our planning and staffing for the next school year, it is necessary for us to have an accurate count of students who will be attending our school next year. The number of students impacts our staffing process. Please continue to spread the good news that our school is an excellent place where children come to learn and grow each day.

Phone Calls

Parents, we need your help! It is very important that you make end of school arrangements with your child/ren before they leave for school in the morning. Our office continues to receive numerous phone calls near the end of the day asking for messages about pick up to be communicated to students. It is difficult to relay the number of messages we receive, especially during the last hour of the school day, and it is disruptive to classes. We thank you for your cooperation.

Sacraments

Congratulations to these students who recently received or will soon be receiving a first sacrament at St. Charles Parish!

Joshua K.S.

Kysha L

Red F.

May God Bless you!

Knights of Columbus Free Throw

Our students represented BG very well in the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition on Sunday, Feb. 24th at St. Cecilia School. Thank you to Mrs. Craig, Miss LeBlanc and Mr. Sekulic for dedicating many recesses, practicing with the students, as well as, supporting our students at the competition.

Father Glenn Visit

Our District Chaplain, Father Glenn, recently visited Bishop Greschuk School to speak with students about winning a signed Oil Kings hockey stick with Mrs. Craig during an Oil Kings game. The signed hockey stick will be raffled off by our Grade 6 Leadership Team during the March Demo of Learning. All proceeds will be donated to Development and Peace. Thank you for your generosity.

Confirmation at St. Charles Parish for Children in Grade 6 or Older

Registration for Confirmation will take place at St. Charles Parish on

Thursday, March 7th from 10am to 7pm,

and again on Saturday, March 9th from 9am to 12noon.

These classes are open to children who are in grade 6 or older, are baptized Catholics, and have already celebrated their first Reconciliation and first Communion. At registration, please bring with you a copy of

your child’s Baptism certificate and their first Communion certificate, and a registration fee of $30 (cheque or exact change) to cover the cost of books and materials.

Classes will be held on every second Thursday evening starting on April 11, 2019.

Confirmation Classes for Adults

Are you a Catholic who has received their first Communion, but has never celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation? Or do you know any Catholic adult who has never been confirmed? During the month of March, St. Charles Parish will offer a series of classes to prepare adult Catholics for this important sacrament. Classes will be held on Sundays: March 10, 17, 24, and 31. Confirmation will be celebrated by Archbishop Smith on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 6:30pm. To register, or for more information, please contact Linda Boire at St. Charles: 780-456-5399.

FEEDBACK FORM

Please take a few moments to return this sheet and have your child’s name entered to win a book. All sheets must be returned by March 15th.

Congratulations to the winners of the February Newsletter draw: Max (2/3), Austin (3B), Morgan (4A), Isaac (5A), Adrien (KB), Isabella (6B), James (1A), Ava (6B). Yes, I/We have read the March Bishop Greschuk Newsletter.

General Comments:

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Student(s) name and grade (please print)

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Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________________

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