the journal · parent ouncil meeting – tuesday, september 12th at 7:00 p.m. school photos –...
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Principal’s Message
The Journal S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 7
Principal: Mariette Moss Vice Principals: Jennifer Quinlan Marco Pacione Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am—4:00pm Fridays 8:00am– 1:00pm
53 Cimarron Drive Okotoks, AB T1S 2A6 Tel (403) 938-4600 Fax (403) 938-5324
After hours Attendance Line: (403) 938-4600
“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” Pope John Paul II
Dear Parents,
Welcome to another school year. Thursday was an exciting first day with a very smooth start as most students were in their classrooms by the 8:35 am bell. Teachers have been working hard to make our students feel welcome and get back into the routine of studying. Please welcome the following new teachers to our staff: Ms. Jana Clark Art and New Media Ms. Holly O’Neill Math, Religion and Information Processing Ms. Siarra Weisensel Drama and Religion Ms. Meaghan Zolpis Language Arts and Religion Important Dates to Note:
Meet the Teacher Open House on Thursday, September 7th (7:00 – 8:30 pm; open-house format)
Parent Council Meeting – Tuesday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. School Photos – Wednesday, September 13th School Mass at St. James Church on Tuesday, September 26th at 10:00 am (all students
and staff are bussed up to the church; parents welcome) Terry Fox Run – Friday, September 29th
On behalf of the entire staff, we look forward to working with you and your children and we thank you for your continued support and prayers. God Bless,
Mariette Moss
Principal Attending School Council meetings is a great way to support our school and get involved in our community. We hold monthly meetings and get involved in events such as:
Potlucks for teachers at Parent-Teacher interviews Purchasing and presenting confirmation gifts Assisting with end of the year grade 9 BBQ Organizing and distributing year end prayer bags for every student in June
Note that we have no fundraising activities. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Parent Council Chair, Genelle Garagan at [email protected].
St. JPII School Council Meeting Tuesday, September 12th at 7:00 pm
All parents welcome to attend
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Powerschool—Parent Portal Access POWERSCHOOL ACCESS CODES
CTR families that have not previously setup PowerSchool accounts will receive “PowerSchool - Parent Portal Access Instructions” in the mail this week (regular Canada Post). This document outlines the process for signing up, logging in and will provide access codes.
PowerSchool access codes remain the same from year to year. If you have previously created an account but forgot your password, or if you already have an account and want to add another child, please go to the JPII website below for instructions or call the front office for assistance.
www.stjohnpaul2collegiate.ca/PowerSchool.php
Via your PowerSchool account, parents have the ability to view marks, attendance and detailed course information anytime by logging into the parent portal.
STUDENT INFORMATION UPDATE We require all student information to be updated on an annual basis. Parents are able to make changes to any contact information by accessing the Student Information Update form on the School Engage section of the Parent portal. Please take the time to go through this form and make any changes necessary by no later than Friday, September 15th. It is very important that we have your correct phone numbers, address, email address, etc.
Occasionally it may be necessary to have your child hop on a different bus with another student, or
perhaps get off at a different stop after school. In order to avoid disappointment because busses are full,
our transportation department normally requests that any bus changes be made 24 hours ahead, or at
the very latest by noon the day of the change. The parent of the student requesting the change can
telephone Vanessa Douville, Transportation Officer, at 938-2659 to make the request. Names of the
students and their bus route numbers are required when calling.
Student Photos
Wednesday, September 13th
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NUT & PEANUT
AWARENESS
We have students with severe allergies to nuts and peanuts. We will endeavor to ensure that nut or
peanut products are not served through the school's cafeteria services or used in the Foods classes. St.
John Paul II Collegiate also requests the assistance and cooperation of staff, students and parents by
asking you to please refrain from bringing peanuts and nuts, or items/products containing peanuts and
nuts.
We realize that it is impossible to guarantee an allergen free environment, but it is our hope that if we
can raise awareness of the issue and receive the cooperation of all parties to this policy, the likelihood of
an allergic reaction occurring or someone becoming ill can be significantly reduced.
I would like to introduce myself and the Family School Liaison Program here at St. JPII. My name is Leah Carter and I am thrilled to be part of the St. JPII team. The Family School Liaison role is to help children thrive in school by providing free, in-school counseling, crisis management, referrals and skills development. That can mean different things for each student; some students might be struggling with things at home, some may be dealing with anxiety or worries, some might be having trouble making and keeping friends and some might just need someone to talk to. I am also here to help families and again that can look like many things; Some families might be dealing with some parenting challenges, a child may be refusing to come to school, parents might have a concern about friends or bullying, the family might be dealing with a crisis and sometimes parents might just notice a change that they want to discuss. Over the year I will be offering different groups and activities for the students to increase awareness and skills as well as providing presentations in classes. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 to 4:00 (2:30 on Friday). Phone 403-938-4600 ext 231 or [email protected] Leah Carter
AHS Public Health program in your area will mail out consents to homes of students eligible for immunization. Public Health will also mail out a return addressed and stamped envelope for the parent or guardian to return the consent to Public Health. Immunization consents will not be distributed or picked up at the school so please watch your mail for the consent and further directions on the process.
You can contact your local Community Health Centre should you have any questions about the consent process.
A Message from Alberta Health Services
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Cell phones and other electronic devices may be used by students only when permission
has been granted by a teacher during instructional time. These devices are to be stored
at all other times, including breaks. If this rule is broken, electronic devices may be con-
fiscated and returned to the student or parent of the student at the end of the day.
We expect that ALL electronics are stored in hallway lockers during PE classes and not left in the locker
rooms.
This policy is in effect from 8:30 am – 3:06 pm.
Attendance
For all lates or absences, or if your child must leave for an appointment,
Call 24 hours a day at 403 938-4600, or email BOTH [email protected] and [email protected].
Volunteer Opportunities at JPII There are actually MANY different volunteer opportunities, without being in the classroom, that
parents can choose to participate in. The list follows:
picture day - vaccine days - potluck dinner for teachers - treats for teacher appreciation day -
exam prayer bags - bake sale for band - prepare & serve food for bovine & buns dinner - band
concert chaperones - magazine fund raiser - drivers for team sports - Winter Carnival (French
Program) - sewing & set construction for Drama Club - Library Book Fair - Gr. 9 year end barbeque -
weekly fruit bowl donations - Parent Education Committee - Social Committee .
If you would like to help out in any of these areas please call Lorraine Segboer at the front office at
403-938-4600 or send an email to [email protected] to have your name put on the volunteer
list. Offering any amount of your time or talent really does make a difference!
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SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
ST. JAMES PARISH
Registration for ALL SACRAMENTS will take place on Thursday, September 21st
from 3:00—8:00pm at St. James Church.
Please the attached documents for further information!
If you have any questions or need more information please contact Leanne at the Parish office.,
(403) 938-3122 or by email at [email protected]
CONFIRMATION MASS FOR 2017-2018—May 7th
WEEKLY FRUIT BOWL
A few years ago The Healthy School Committee introduced the idea of providing a weekly fruit bowl, and it was a resounding success! This initiative was successful because many parents donated a bag of fruit at least once. It is our hope that, if possible, each family would consider making a ONE time donation of ONE bag of fruit (of either oranges, apples or bananas) for an assigned week of their choosing. As it is not feasible to provide fruit to every student every day, we would certainly like to have fruit available for the days that a lunch was forgotten or a student missed breakfast. We are inviting all our current and any new volunteers who are interested in donating to our weekly “Fresh Fruit Bowl” to click on the following browser www.volunteersignup.org/DKWW4 and follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds. A BIG thank you to all those parents who generously donate to our weekly “Fresh Fruit Bowl”. Lorraine Segboer 403 938-4600
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Payment of Fees NEW – no more general school fees! CTR is no longer charging families for regular school fees. There are a few cases where fees will continue for special programs such as band, special field trips and extra-curricular programs. In those cases, you will be notified of the costs for each event. The optional items below are also available for purchase: $25 GYM STRIP (SHORTS) - Shorts in school colours with Gryphon logo. $15 GYM STRIP (T-SHIRT) - t-shirt in school colours with Gryphon logo. $30 YEARBOOK – Early Bird price of $30 until October 31st , after this date price will increase to $35.00. We
strongly advise that you place your order prior to October 31st to ensure your copy.
Preferred payment for all fees is ONLINE at www.stjohnpaul2collegiate.ca/School%20Fees.php, which accepts
MasterCard, Visa and Echeque. Register with your child’s date of birth if Student ID is not known. Payment can also be made at our office by cheque or cash, or through Family Accounts (contact office for more
information to check if that applies to you). If you have any questions about all fees or Family Accounts, please contact Jan-Marie Naccarato at 403-938-4600
or [email protected] .
Sobeys Gift Cards A Fundraising Opportunity
At St. John Paul II Collegiate, the purchase of Sobeys gift cards is a fundraising opportunity you can take ad-
vantage of immediately. Anytime throughout the year, Sobeys gift cards can be purchased by cheque or cash
from Mrs. Naccarato. The cards are redeemable at their full value at any Sobeys and Safeway location.
Students receive a percentage of the value of the cards that are purchased and these funds are held in a
Family Account which can be used to pay for gym strip, yearbooks, sports team fees, field trip fees or band
fees.
This has always been intended as a school fundraiser and families cannot ‘withdraw cash’ except to apply it to
a school-related cost. If a family moves out of our school system, the money in their account will move over
into the general school fundraising account.
You may have money in a Family Account at St. JPII! Many families are not aware that they have $$ waiting to be
spent on any school-related activity. If your child has ever sold magazine subsriptions or you have purchased Sobeys
gift cards from the school (friend can also purchase Sobeys card on your child’s behalf), you accumulate dollars to
pay sport or band fees, purchase yearbooks, gym strip, photos or school trips. Please call Jan-Marie Naccarato to
inquire: (403) 938-4600 or email at [email protected].
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WELCOME TO THE JPII CAFETERIA (jpii.hotlunches.net)
The Cafeteria is open every full school day Monday to Thursday. It is mainly run as a pre-order program but we do offer daily a
variety of fresh-made sandwiches and wraps, soups, salads, fruit, veggies, yogurt, milk, juice, water, as well as a variety of small
portion size chips etc. on a cash only basis.
We are “Lunch Moms” and we work to keep the focus on healthier choices, quality foods, decent pricing and efficient service. Allergy
awareness is always a priority and all our suppliers have assured us that their products are safe for peanut/nut allergies and that the
foods chosen adhere to the school’s policies. Liz is the mother of a child with life threatening food allergies and she can answer or
find out the answer to any questions you might have.
The kids who pre-order will line up in their grade line – Grades 7, 8 or 9 to pick-up. We also have a cash line for non-pre-orders. The
kids who do pre-order can also make cash purchases while picking up their pre-ordered lunch. We do pride ourselves in getting the
kids through their line ups quickly.
Pre-orders are offered month-to-month. October pre-orders will be open from September 8th – 17th. Subsequent pre-order terms
will be on a regular basis, two weeks prior to the new term’s start date. Please go to jpii.hotlunches.net to register in order to see
the menus and get the updates and reminder emails.
Unfortunately, we are unable to refund or replace a pre-ordered lunch if it is missed for any reason.
Please feel free to come in and pick it up if you wish, or arrange for a sibling or friend to get it. We
donate any left overs on a daily basis.
Any questions or concerns about the program or ordering process are welcomed at [email protected]
We are very excited to be a part of the JPII Cafeteria Lunch Program and are looking forward to once
again fulfilling the lunch needs of the students and staff at St. JPII.
Thank you for supporting the JPII Lunch Program.
The LA Department and Parent Council are excited to welcome
award winning author Shane Peacock to St. JPII!
Shane Peacock will be our guest speaker during Literacy Week – he will be conducting grade level presentations throughout the day on Wednesday, September 27th. Shane is the Canadian author of The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim, which is the first book in the dark and dramatic trilogy, set in the Victorian era. In addition, Shane is the author of Last Message, Double You, and Separated, which are his contributions to the highly acclaimed and very popular Seven series.
Shane will be participating in an evening presentation the same day, hosted by St. Mary’s School, along with Canadian authors Eric Walters and Natasha Deen. The evening begins at 7:00PM, and all are welcome to attend and take advantage of the opportunity to buy books and have them signed by the authors.
If you have any questions about Literacy Week, please contact Mrs. McGeachie.