May 2020 Newsletter Administration Team Message

. Happy Easter! Christ has risen! Indeed, He has risen! Although we are not together in person, thanks for connecting virtually. We were unable to attend Easter mass together but offer this spiritual communion prayer: Loving, life-giving God, although our worshipping community is unable to gather, we unite now in prayer, one in mind and heart, together with our shepherds. We offer You the sorrow of our separation, and trust that You will transform this cross into a tree of life. While we hunger for the Most Holy Eucharist, we make this Act of Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Eucharist. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

We trust, Beloved Lord, that you will care for us, and for our worshipping community.

Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, we ask for Your protection and healing, and look forward in hope to our reunion around Your table.

Amen.

We have been working very diligently to stay connected with students and to provide remote learning, and require parental support to stay focused on learning, studying, and reviewing these last two months of distant learning. Our Gr. 6 students will not be writing Provincial Achievement exams in May and June this year. We will be assessing student assignments and will provide feedback in most areas, with a focus on literacy and numeracy, continue to check your PowerSchool for information. We sincerely thank our Bishop Greschuk volunteers for all their support this year. We will honour all volunteers by mail this year, as we cannot hold our annual “Drive Thru” coffee and treat. During the month of May, we honor our mothers and Mary, the Mother of God. We pray to Mary: Mary, our Mother, you were Jesus’ first teacher. May we, like Mary, love unconditionally, and serve all people with kindness and grace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Our Lady of Schools, Mother of Knowledge and Love, pray for us. Amen. May God bless all our mothers with His choicest blessings. We love and thank our mothers! Karen Craig Leslie Zydek Principal Assistant Principal

May 2020

“Tonight we acquire a fundamental right that can never be taken away from us: the right to hope. It is a new and living hope that comes from God.”

(Pope Francis, Easter Vigil Homily, April 11/20)

One of the many gifts of our faith is hope. Over and over again throughout the history of the world, God has shown that he loves us. The ultimate sign of that love is to be found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When we witness, through the risen Christ, the power of God’s love over death itself, how can we be anything but hopeful? These continue to be deeply troubling times, so let us always hold fast to that new and living hope from God.

Our plans for remote learning are now well underway. Now, more than ever, the importance of the partnership between home and school is so clear. Our staff has risen to the challenge of ensuring that our students remain connected to their learning in meaningful ways and that their needs are being met as well as possible from afar. Kudos to all of our staff and our parents for the tremendous efforts that are taking place daily to support our students!

There are so many special celebrations and opportunities that we have had to cancel or postpone because of the public health restrictions that are in place at this time. We are as disappointed as each of our families are at these changes. It is a highlight of the year for our staff and a point of pride for our Division to be part of watching our students shine. Just like your families, we eagerly await being able to applaud our students’ gifts, talents, and achievements again.

We will be celebrating Catholic Education Week in the province of Alberta from May 18-22. It is an excellent opportunity for us all to take some time and publicly share the many wonderful experiences and gifts that we have gained from participating in this wonderful endeavor of Christ-centred learning.

Amidst all the disruption, there is still a need for the regular business of the Division to continue. The Board of Trustees will vote on our Capital Plan at their virtual meeting on April 28. You can

watch this live broadcast on www.ecsd.net . The link is in the Board of Trustees’ section. We are also in the final stages of developing our 2020-21 Budget. The Board will vote on that at their May 26 Public meeting.

In the same theme as our opening thought from Pope Francis, we will leave you with his Tweet from April 14: Jesus' resurrection shows us that death does not have the last [word]; life does. Christ has been raised, so it is possible to have a positive outlook on every event of our existence, even the most difficult ones and those charged with anguish and uncertainty.

We wish you all the continued joy to be found in this Easter season, and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all those who fill that special role in our lives!

Sincerely,

Robert Martin Joe Naccarato Acting Superintendent Acting Superintendent

Celebrating Catholic Education

By: Eugenia Kowalczyk, PhD

Principal, Catholic Identity

Catholic Education Week (May 19-22) and World Catholic Education Day celebrated 40 days after Easter on Ascension Thursday (May 21), is quickly approaching. It is with great anticipation that we look forward to the opportunity to celebrate publicly funded Catholic education and its distinctiveness as Christ centered learning. This year’s theme: United in Prayer and Grateful for Catholic Schools could not be more appropriate.

Often, we are drawn to our faith in times of distress yet are reassured 365 times in the Bible, “be not afraid.” Just as Mary Magdalene and Mary, who approach the empty tomb, are shaken with fear when they realize Jesus is not there, let our fear be shaken into renewed faith. We are reminded, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Catholic education provides us the opportunity to draw together as a community of faith clothed with this assurance. This is what we model and witness for our students.

As we anticipate Catholic education week and World Catholic Education day let our gaze remain fixed on the mission statement of ECSD that inspires us to love the Father, have faith in

Jesus Christ, and remain rooted in the hope from the Holy Spirit. The late Fr. Catfish urged us to “serve like a Superhero” and indeed our ECSD family would have made him proud during these challenging times. We see great examples of excellent faith based education such as: Remote learning Show and Tell, focus on family well being series, packaging and delivering 300 care hampers for needy families, Fr. Glen’s little liturgy, and much more.

There is much to celebrate and showcase in publicly funded Catholic education. Our ECSD schools provide a world-class education to students and their families both academically and spiritually. Christ is the reason for Catholic schools and serves as role model for all. Every student is a child of God, inherent of dignity and respect, deserving abundant compassion and care. Now more than ever, this commitment resonates infinitely deeper.

In the words of our late Superintendent Joan Carr, “Catholic education continues to be a bright light in the lives of our students. May we never lose sight of this tremendous gift.” With this I send a message of sincere gratitude to all those who serve Catholic education. It is their tenacious spirit of ensuring the needs of all students are met that radiates the light of Christ in these difficult times. Commitment to Catholic education at ECSD is drenched in compassion and community; our mission to serve Christ in one another could never resonate louder. May the light of Christ continue to radiate hope, health, and abundant love to each of you and your respective families.

Education Taxes Paid to Edmonton Catholic Schools

Please check to see if your taxes are being designated to the Catholic School Board for the education portion of your taxes. If your taxes are not being paid to the Catholic Board, please contact the Taxation Department by email or call the City line 311. If you are using email, the address is taxinquiry@edmonton.ca. The form is called “School Support Declaration” and you will need your tax account number to enter on the form.

Administrative Professionals Week

In April, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Week. Thanks to Mrs. Almeida, our Admin Assistant extraordinaire, for her dedication, hard work, care, and love of our entire school family. Her kindness is a joy in our school!

Congratulations!

Several of our staff members are celebrating long term service with Edmonton Catholic Schools. Congratulations to Mrs. Denman (10 years), Mrs. Brouse (15 years), Mr. Demko (20 years), and Mr. Birch (30 years). Working together and walking together in the light of Christ, we are a community of people embracing the growth and development of our students, as we build a more faith-filled, loving, and just world. We are so blessed in our work each day where we are able to model the teachings of Jesus and share the love of God.

Earth Day 2020

On Earth Day, we recognize the importance of taking care of the world we live in. Some of our staff helped with a school yard clean up on Earth Day. We know that some students also cleaned their own yards at home.

Thank You!

A huge thanks to our wonderful support staff for their

tremendous service to our Bishop Greschuk School Community

this year. We sadly say good-bye to Miss Tally,

Mrs. Menjivar, Mrs. Maksymic, and Mrs. De Souza.

May God keep them in His loving care until the Fall.

School Council

Our next School Council Meeting will be determined at a later date. We will have elections for the following positions at that time.

School Council Elections

Elections for the school council executive are held annually. Each parent of children attending Bishop Greschuk School are eligible to be elected as an officer of the council. The officers will be elected for a one year term. All parents interested in being nominated for one of the following positions, or voting on our 2020-21 school year executive, are invited to contact our current School Council Chair, Delilah, by email

BishopGreschuk.SAC1@gmail.com

Chair

Responsible for planning the agenda for meetings (in collaboration with the principal), facilitating the meetings, acting as a spokesperson for the council and generally supervising the council. The chair may serve as the school representative at school district meetings.

Vice-Chair

Assists the chair with duties as assigned and in the absence of the chair assumes the duties of the chair.

Secretary

Responsible for keeping accurate minutes and records of the meetings, taking care of all correspondence and communication and keeping an accurate list of names of council members.

Treasurer

Responsible for keeping all financial transactions of the council, presenting an account of the funds to the members and preparing the accounts for an annual audited report. Bookkeeping skills and an accounting background are an asset.

School Supplies 2020-2021

School supply lists for the 2020-2021 school year are now posted to the school website: www.bishopgreschuk.ecsd.net

This year, supplies will be delivered directly to your home address.

Hours of Operation 2020-2021

Regular Day for Grades 1 - 6

First Bell 8:30 a.m. Instruction Begins 8:35 a.m.

Morning Recess 10:15-10:30 a.m. Lunch Begins 12:00 p.m. Lunch Ends 12:40 p.m.

Afternoon Wellness Break 2:00 - 2:05 p.m. Dismissal 3:03 p.m.

Early Dismissal for Grades 1-6 (Thursday)

First bell 8:30 a.m.

Instruction Begins 8:35 a.m. Morning recess 10:15-10:30 a.m.

Dismissal 12:01 p.m.

Regular Day for Morning Kindergarten (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)

. Instruction begins 8:25 a.m.

Dismissal 11:25 a.m.

Regular Day for Afternoon Kindergarten (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)

Start time 12:00 p.m. Dismissal 3:00 p.m.

**There are no Kindergarten classes on Thursdays

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School District Calendar for 2020-2021

First day of school for students (Gr 1-6): September 2, 2020 Last Day of School for Students: June 25, 2021

There will be no school on the following days: Labour Day……………………………….September 7 Thanksgiving Day…..…………………....October 12 District Faith Development Day………...October 29 Remembrance Day ………….………..... November 11 Christmas Vacation………………………December 21 - January 1 Family Day………………………………...February 15 Teachers’ Convention……………………February 25 and 26 Spring Break………………………………March 29 - April 5 Good Friday……………………………….April 2 Easter Monday……………………………April 5 District Faith Development Day.………. .April 22 Victoria Day………………………………. May 24

St. Charles Parish Information

Effective immediately, in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the Archbishop has cancelled and/or postponed all church functions: all classes, meetings, most sacraments, and all Saturday/Sunday Masses.

St. Charles church will remain open during office hours (9 am – 4 pm, Monday – Fri-day) in order for you to:

Come in and pray

Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Drop off your Sunday envelopes As always, please use the office doors; the church doors will remain locked.

If you or someone you know needs the Sacrament of the Sick after hours, please call Fr. Marc or Fr. Robert at our emergency number: 780-907-7964

During this time of social isolation, we wish to offer the following ways to nourish your faith:

Watch a livestream of the mass: on Salt+Light TV or Vision TV, or online at dailytvmass.com/daily-tv-mass. The Archdiocese will livestream Sunday mass at 10:30 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Basilica. This can be accessed at Grandin Media Livestream or via Facebook.

Make a Spiritual Communion: “My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.”

Read the Sunday readings as a family, or as a group of friends , to pray and reflect. You can find the Sunday (and weekday) readings at http://nlo.cccb.ca/index.php/weekday-lectionary Send us your prayer intentions. You can phone them into us, or email us. Fr. Marc and

Fr. Robert will pray for your intentions at their private masses.

Check in on those around you. Do you know of a parishioner or neighbour who is often isolated and for whom this time is even a greater burden? Phone them, buy their groceries, give them some encouragement.

Pray the Rosary together as a family. Our Lady, Health of Christians, pray for us. The Rosary is a great tool against spiritual and physical ills.

Come to the church and pray. Even though public mass is cancelled, the church is open during business hours; you may come and make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Send us selfies by email of you and your family praying together. We can post them on our web page.

Pope Francis’ Prayer for Protection during the Coronavirus Pandemic

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the

Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide,

so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves

to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the

Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are

put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Amen

Remote Learning A huge thanks to Allan Au, Dana Prefontaine and Courtney Naccarato for the special video! Our students are a reflection of Christ's light, they illuminate our lives each and every day and we miss them!

https://youtu.be/gp3VSZ8Ks2Q