st. clare school newsletter 2… · start smart stay safe (s4) program at st. clare dropping off...

We Give Thanks The month of October is a beautiful time of the year to celebrate and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. May we always take time to appreciate them.

Psalm of Thanks Thank you, God, for the gift of love.

Thank you, God, for the gift of friendship. Thank you, God, for the gift of food and shelter.

Thank you, God, for the gift of nature, Thank you, God, for the ability to have an education.

Thank you, God, for the gift of freedom. For all these things, we are truly grateful.

adapted from: Tassi, F. & Tassi, P. (2010). 500 Prayers for Catholic Schools and Parish Youth Groups (p. 50, 64). Twenty-Third

Publications. New London, CT.

We are especially thankful to be part of the wonderful St. Clare School community. We hope you will join us for our Thanksgiving Liturgy on Thursday, October 8 at 10:45 am. Wishing you and your families a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving weekend! Mrs. Soroski, Principal Mr. Hickie, Vice-Principal Mrs. Poulsen, Assistant Principal

St. Clare School Newsletter 12455 Coventry Hills Way NE

Calgary, AB T3K 5Z4 Telephone: 403-500-2102 www.cssd.ab.ca/stclare

October 2015 Principal: Mrs. Trisa Soroski Secretary: Mrs. Nancy Mattie Vice Principal: Mr. Mark Hickie Office Assistant: Ms. Cassie Novakowski Assistant Principal: Ms. Shannon Poulsen

St. Clare Elementary School October 2015

This year at St. Clare we will start registration for Kindergarten for the 2016—2016 school year on Tuesday, November 3. To register your child for Kindergarten your child must turn 5 on or before February 28, 2017. To register, the following is required. Child’s Birth Certificate Child’s Baptismal Certificate (if they have

been baptized) Parent’s Catholic Baptismal Certificate Proof of residency in Coventry Hills (current

utility bill) Registration will be “first come—first served” with a choice of AM or PM given upon registration.

Calgary Catholic School District Celebrates! The Calgary Catholic School District is hosting a Faith Day for its more than 5,000 employees on Monday, November 2. Trustees, superintendents, administrators, teachers, support and caretaking staff will attend. During this rare occasion of being all together in the same place at the same time, employees of the district will have an important opportunity for personal and community reflection as they strive to continue to live their mission in their daily work lives. Please note there are NO CLASSES on Faith Day.

Reminder—Student Fee Invoices went home the start of September. We are grateful for the early responses and thank you for your support. We appreciate this payment being made as soon as possible as we are planning activities and field trips for the school year. There can be a variety of payment options—if you require assistance, please contact the principal.

The St. Clare school community is invited to our Terry Fox Run on Friday, October 2 at 2:30 pm. This year we celebrate the hero in us all, and students are invited to wear a

superhero costume during the run. Loonie and Toonie donations are being accepted and will help support Cancer Research. Thank you to everyone for you tremendous support of this event over the years! Our October Liturgy will be held on Thursday, October 8 at 10:45 am. The theme is “Giving Thanks for the Gifts and Talents”. We hope you can join us!

A reminder that there are NO CLASSES on Friday,

October 9 (Professional Development Day) and Monday, October 13

(Thanksgiving Day) It is required that every person who would like to volunteer at our school attend a volunteer orientation annually. Our next volunteer session will be on Wednesday, October 28 at 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited to stay for the School Council meeting at 7:00 pm.

Student Fees

Thanksgiving Celebration

Faith Day—Monday, November 2

Kindergarten Registration

Terry Fox Run

Volunteer Orientation


St. Clare is entering the third year with the S4 program. This program is a partnership with Calgary Police Service, Mount Royal University, Calgary Catholic School District and Calgary Public. It is a proactive, strengths-based model of teaching/learning where police, schools and families partner together to actively build positive relationships, create safe communities and prepare children for the challenges of our complex, changing world. The S4 program focuses on: Building resilience through relationships. Bringing trusted adults together in collaboration to support healthy development in children. Teachers with Police Officers delivering strengths- based lessons, teaching children competencies that

support them to thrive in life.

Students being driven to school should be dropped off and picked up at the side of the building (not in the school parking lot). Please remain in your vehicle when dropping off your child(ren) and keep the flow of traffic moving. Students are asked to cross the street at the cross walk and not between cars and buses. Also, please remind your child of the importance of walking their bike on and off school property.

Choose SAFETY over convenience.

Supervision begins on the playground at 8:35. Students are expected to be under the supervision of parents, babysitters and day homes until 8:35 each morning. Parents are asked to ensure all care providers are aware of this in the interest of the safety of the children. Students are asked to go straight home after the dismissal bell at 3:25 pm. If students wish to play at the park, they must first go home, check in with a parent then return if that is the arrangement between the child and their parent. A reminder to parents that there is no supervision on the tarmac after school.

START SMART STAY SAFE (S4) PROGRAM AT ST. CLARE

Dropping off and Picking Up of Students Students Arriving Early at School

After School Procedures


School Photographs will be completed by LifeTouch Photographers on Monday, October 26. Proofs will be delivered to the school in a short period of time. Retakes take place on Friday, November 20. S.U.T.P. Coupon books will continue to available at the school until October 30. The cost is $20.00 each. If you have any orders, please get them in as soon as possible as our supply of books is limited. The school portion of the proceeds collected goes toward student incentives. October 30 is Black and Orange Day. Have fun and show your school spirit by wearing the colors of the day! (No Hallowe’en costumes please.)

If you are bringing your child a lunch at lunch time, please drop the lunch off at the office. Please inform your child if you will be dropping a lunch at the office before they come to school. Ensure your child’s name is on the lunch so that there are no mistakes. The office endeavors to keep disruptions to the classroom to a minimum. Please see below for lunch times for different grades: 12:01—12:25 Grade 4,5,6 students eat in the gym, Grade 1,2,3 students play outside 12:25—12:53 Grade 1,2,3 students eat in the gym, Grade 4,5,6 students play outside Our milk program will start Thursday, October 1st. Thank you to all parents for making the healthy choice for your child! We are offering Dairyland 2% white and chocolate milk to our Milk Program participants again this year. All students register in the milk program will receive a prize from the Moo Club twice in the school year.

School Photos

SUTP ORDER FORM I, ____________________________________, would like to purchase ________ SUTP’s at $20.00 each for (please print name) a total of $_________. _____ cheque _____ cash (make cheques out to St. Clare School) Books are in limited supply. Send your order in today! Sales end October 30, 2015. Please send the books home with my child _______________________ in Grade _____________________ (print child’s name) (grade and teacher)

Dropping Lunches at the Office

Student Union Ticket Paks

Milk Program

Black and Orange Day


Physical Education classes are now well underway! All of the students have been very enthusiastic with the activities and objectives of the P.E. SPARK program. In September all students discussed the importance of the SPARK acronym: S – select fruits and vegetables; P – play actively for 60 minutes daily; A – avoid excess sugars; R – reduce T.V. and media time; K – keep hydrated (drink lots of water). We also discussed and reinforced rules and routines through various games and activities. Students in kindergarten through grade 2 are currently working on a unit that focuses on movement skills, such as: locomotor movement (walk, run, jump, hop, gallop, side-slide, skip, leap), levels, pathways, tempo, directions and relationships. Students in grades 3 through 6 are working through several fitness circuits that focus on the 5 components of health related fitness (aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition). For the month of October, students will be keeping track of their daily physical activity. A orange sheet with a shoe for K-3 and a calendar for grades 4-6 was sent home October 1st to do this activity. We are asking all students to do a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity every day of the week. Remember the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity daily. All calendars are due back at school the first week of November and will be used as a sample of data for determining your child’s physical education mark, in addition to what has been covered in the gym during physical education class. If you have any questions regarding the physical education journal, please do not hesitate to call me at the school. Ms. Anwender, Phys Ed Teacher

Ascension Parish would like to establish the importance of a direct relationship between the families and the church. Parent Meetings and registration for Sacraments will take place at Ascension Parish only. Registration forms will not be distributed through the school. The Ascension Parish Sacramental registration information sheet was sent home in early September. The information sheet is also posted on the St. Clare School website at www.cssd.ab.ca/stclare. Registration dates are as follows: First Reconciliation (Grade 4 and up) took place on Sept. 12 & 13. Confirmation (Grade 6 and up) will take place on November 14 & 15. First Holy Communion (Grade 2 and up) will take place on March 12 & 13. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Fouillard, Sacramental Preparation Coordinator for Ascension Parish at 403-275-2240.

Racket from the Gym

Sacraments at Ascension Parish


St. Clare School has a number of students who have severe allergies to peanut products (peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil, etc). This means that if they come into contact with peanut products they may experience life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis). Contact can be either through eating, inhaling or touching peanut products as well as through cross contamination. Cross contamination is particularly dangerous since the presence of peanut products is hidden. For a child with a severe peanut allergy, actions such as picking up a piece of wrapping paper from a food item containing peanut products, or eating a sandwich that has been touched with a knife used to spread peanut butter on another sandwich can be deadly. Without immediate medical treatment such a child could die within minutes. As members of the St. Clare School Community you are encouraged to help us make our school PEANUT SAFE by lowering the risk of an allergic reaction. Here is how you can be supportive: When preparing lunches or snacks for your child that will be brought to school we ask that you create a lunch

free of nuts and nut oils (no peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter cookies for example). Please read the labels of other foods like muffins, granola bars and cookies before you put them in your child’s lunch or snack.

If you send in a treat for the class (birthdays, special occasions, etc.) provide a complete list of ingredients for the teacher and take extra precautions to prevent cross contamination. We ask that whenever possible, non-food items be sent instead (pencils, stickers etc.)

The school is taking the following steps to support our students with allergies: Working with students with severe allergies and their families to take the necessary precautions in order to

prevent an allergic reaction. Alerting all staff of the situation and annually reviewing the correct medical procedures regarding

anaphylaxis. Students with severe allergies have their pictures posted along with the necessary background information,

in a location accessible to staff (not students) in an effort to inform all supervisors. Students with allergies are provided a “safe space” for lunch, away from possible contact. Students with severe allergies are asked to wear their epi-pen or puffer on their person at all times. Prevention of allergic reactions, of course, is the best approach. Thank you for assisting us in our efforts to create as safe an environment as possible. *If your child has a severe allergy and requires medication please ensure that you have completed the forms for the current school year and that the medication is carried by your child at all times. Also, it is important that you speak with your child’s teacher directly to convey information regarding medical situations and treatments.

Allergy Awareness Information


“7 Habits of Happy Kids” Habit 1 — Be Proactive You're in Charge I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking. Habit 2 — Begin with the End in Mind Have a Plan I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision. I look for ways to be a good citizen. Habit 3 — Put First Things First Work First, Then Play I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am disciplined and organized. Habit 4 — Think Win-Win Everyone Can Win I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives. Habit 5 — Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Listen Before You Talk I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking. Habit 6 — Synergize Together Is Better I value other people’s strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble. Habit 7 — Sharpen The Saw Balance Feels Best I take care of my body by eating right, exercising and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I find meaningful ways to help others.

Community of Caring


FEEDBACK We value your feedback very much. Please add comments below and send in to the office. Thank you!

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Notes from the Music Room Advent Celebration: As in years past, the grade 1, 3, and 5 students will share a musical presentation with the school community at Advent, and the grade 2, 4 and 6 students in the Spring. Information regarding these events will appear in future newsletters and letters home to the family. Advent: Thursday, December 10th at 10:30 am and 7:00 pm. (Grade 1, 3 and 5) Spring Fling: Thursday, April 28th at 10:30 am and 7:00 pm. (Grade 2, 4 and 6) Recorders: All grade 4, 5 and 6 students should be equipped with a recorder for music class by the end of September. Having a personal recorder is mandatory for music class. Recorders are an all Grade 4, 5 & 6 students fee sheets under “Additional Items”. A letter informing Grade 4 parents that the recorder was required for Music class was also provided in early September. Also, if your child’s recorder was misplaced, lost, or broken, please inform Miss Bischoff immediately. Any new students to St Clare in grades 5 and 6 will also need a recorder. Thank you for your support. Janine Bischoff


Hello and Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! My name is Lesley Sandham and this will be my second year as St. Clare School Council’s Chairperson. For those who may not know, every school has a School Council and as a parent of a child attending St. Clare, you become a member automatically! The purpose of School Council is to provide an advisory and supportive role to the Principal and the rest of the Administration Team with regard to planning, communication and school programming. Our School Council meets a few times throughout the year to inform parents of, and discuss, school events or issues of concern. For more information go to St. Clare School’s website at http://schools.cssd.ab.ca/stclare/ School Council is also about volunteering. In order to host the various fun and educational events throughout the year for our children, we rely on volunteers. Attending School Council meetings also helps inform us about ways in which we can volunteer. On a personal note, I find that volunteering not only enriches my life, it helps build the connection between myself and my children; it is known that when parents are more involved with their children and their education, children succeed! Everyone benefits! Some of the events coming up this year for which we are looking for volunteers include Fun Lunches, Fundraising, Teacher Appreciation Potluck, Christmas Angel Tree and Hamper distribution, Family Dance/Silent Auction and Shrove Tuesday. We understand that your lives are very busy and that oftentimes, childcare is an issue in preventing Parents from attending the meeting. This year, childcare during the meetings in the evening will be available and two of the meetings will be held at 2:30 pm in the afternoon. We hope that by doing these 2 things, it will be a little easier for more Parents to attend. The dates for all of the meetings for this school year are: September 30 – 7:00 pm (Volunteer orientation at 6:30) October 28 – 7:00 pm (Volunteer orientation at 6:30) November 25- 2:30 pm (Volunteer orientation at 2:00) January 27 – 7:00 pm March 23 – 2:30 pm April 27 – 7:00 pm May 25 – 7:00 pm Light refreshments are provided at each meeting and there is a draw for a door prize! In closing, we, the Executive members of School Council and our Administration Team, welcome and encourage you to come to the meetings and to assist with volunteering. We thank you sincerely and look forward to meeting with you! If you have any questions, concerns or ideas that you would like to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] and I will be more than delighted to assist you. Thank you and may you have a wonderful and successful school year! Sincerely, Lesley Sandham St. Clare School Council Chairperson [email protected]

School Council Update

Thursday, October 1, 2015 Dear Parents, Our annual Thanksgiving service learning project is to donate food to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This society is affiliated with Ascension Parish and the primary goal of the society is to ensure all Catholic families in our school area that need help, get help. Due to the economy and the time of year, the shelves in the hamper room are near depletion. We encourage students to bring in items to help out families in our area from Monday, October 5th, to Friday, October 16, 2015. Below is a list of food and toiletry items that St. Vincent de Paul Society is especially in need of.

Food Items: canned fish, ham and chicken, canned fruit and vegetables, canned soups, juice, jam, crackers, pasta, rice, “Sidekicks”, pasta sauce and dry cereals. Toiletry Items: shampoo with conditioner, tooth brushes and toothpaste, “Kleenex” and toilet paper.

Thank you for your continued support of school-initiated endeavors to help those in need. Sincerely, St. Clare School Staff

st. clare school newsletter 2… · start smart stay safe (s4) program at st. clare dropping off...

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