9260 - 58 Street Edmonton, AB. T6B 3W2 Phone: (780) 466-1281 Fax: (780) 466-6057
Powerschool: https://powerschool.ecsd.net
website: http://www.stbrendan.ecsd.net
April 2017
at a Glance
Administration Team Message
Dear Parents,
•
2017-2018 School Year New
Registrations
•
Grade 9 Farewell
•
Library News
•
Sr. Boys Basketball Season
•
Snow Valley Trip
•
Babysitting Course for gr. 6’s
•
School Hours
•
St. Brendan Elementary Year
Book Front Cover Contest
•
Shrove Tuesday Day at St.
Brendan
•
Best Conference
•
Gr. 9 Farewell Fundraiser
•
Yearbooks
•
News from the Parish
•
Superintendent’s Message
•
Calendar
Welcome back all students! We hope you have rested and are
rejuvenated after the Spring break. The month of April brings
warmer days and longer nights as the school year rapidly comes
to a close. St. Brendan welcomes Bishop Motiuk on April 19th to
help with our Ukrainian Easter celebration. Also, a reminder that
St. Brendan will be closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday,
April 14th and 17th.
The staff of St. Brendan would also like to congratulate
Ms. Julieta Zelada on her new appointment as Principal of
St. Teresa school for the upcoming 2017/2018 school year and
wish her luck in her new role. The staff would also like to extend
a warm welcome to Ms. Larysa Matchak who has been assigned
to St. Brendan as Assistant Principal for next year.
Easter is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfillment of our faith as Christians. St. Paul wrote:
“unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:17) Through his death, Christ saved mankind
from bondage to sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has
on all of us; but it is His resurrection that gives us the promise of
new life, both in this world and the next.”
I wish each family of St. Brendan a Blessed and Holy Easter!
School Council Meeting
April 19, 2017
Please join us!
5:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
St. Brendan Admin Team
Next Newsletter
May 1st
2017-2018 School Year
New Registrations
We are currently accepting registrations for new
students for the next school year for all grades.
Please call the school for more information or drop
by to register. We know that our best form of
advertising is your sharing of the good things that
are occurring at St. Brendan. We thank you for
passing on this information to any parents that are
considering our school for the next school year.
Senior Boys Basketball
Congratulations to the St. Brendan Sr. Boys Basketball
team on a successful season. The team finished in the
top half of their division and played an exciting first
round playoff game against J.H. Picard School. Like
many games this season, this game was decided in the
last few seconds, but this time, a win was not to be had
and our season came to an end. I would like to thank
each and every member of this year's squad for their
dedication and perseverance and for an exciting
season.
If your child is in grade K-9 and will not be
returning for the 2017-2018 school year, please call Sincerely,
Coach P. Zmewsky
the office with this information. We are in the
process of preparing for next year and we need this
information for staffing and scheduling purposes.
Snow Valley Ski Trip
Grade 9 Farewell
Thank you to the amazing students of St. Brendan
who were true ambassadors of our school. As alThe next meeting to plan the grade 9 Farewell will
ways, the students were polite and kind to each othbe on Monday, April 3rd at 6 p.m. in the staff room. er and to the staff of Snow Valley!
Any grade 9 students interested in attending to give Thank you to the fabulous volunteers who gave their
input are welcome!
time to buckle and tie many boots! The students and
teachers appreciate your efforts! As well, thank to
these volunteers for putting that extra effort to
Library News
ski/snowboard. The students enjoy sharing a lift and
Quote: Faith is the bird that fees the light when the hill with you.
dawn is still dusk. - R. Tagore
Everyone enjoyed the gorgeous weather and friendly
Theme of the Month: Easter and all of its blessing
company! Smiles were seen everywhere!
and Spring has sprung.
Author of the Month: James Dashner: Maze Runner
Babysitting Course—Grade 6
series, the Rule of Thought and Eye of Minds
Prior to spring break, junior high students took part Is your child excited about learning about Babysitin a locker clean-up and textbook check.
ting? Are they ever left home alone? Does your
child baby-sit other children or their own brothers
Enjoy a restful spring break and all the blessings of
and sisters? Do you want to feel confident that they
the Easter celebration.
have learnt the skills to be left home alone to care
A big thank you to Rowan who volunteers her lunch
for themselves? A Babysitting course is a great way
hour time to reshelve books in the library.
for young people to develop skills to better care for
themselves and others. There is a very exciting
course coming up that can benefit every student in
Yearbooks
Grade 6 or higher. The school is pleased to have
A reminder that Junior High Yearbooks are on sale
Second Chance CPR and First Aid offer the Canadian
for the St. Brendan 2016-2017 School Year. PayRed Cross Babysitting Course.
ment can be made at the office for $40.00. If you
To try and accommodate the very busy schedule of
wish to pay online, please phone the office to have
most parents and students, the Babysitting Course
the fee added to your child’s account. The Yearwill be offered on Thursday afternoons on both April
book Team will be working throughout the year to
27th & May4th from 12:30– 4:30 p.m, to meet the 8
have the books ready for the fall.
hour total time requirements of the course. Please
watch for forms to come home in April.
School Hours & Punctuality
A friendly reminder to all parents that school
supervision starts at 8:15 am and that is the time
the school doors will be opened. Students arriving
before 8:15 am will not be admitted into the
building and there is no supervision coverage
provided. The school day also concludes at 3:00 pm
for our Junior High students and 3:05 pm for those in
elementary. Students will be asked to clear the
school by 3:20 pm unless they are involved in a
supervised school activity. It is much appreciated if
you schedule your drop off and pick up times around
this schedule.
St. Brendan Elementary Year
Book Front Cover Contest
Contest open to all Elementary students of
St. Brendan School.
Requirements: Hand drawn and coloured title
page (no tracing allowed)
Size: 8½ x 11 page – Portrait page.
Theme: “Hope and Mercy”
NO WORDS ONLY DRAWING
Write your name and grade on the back of
your drawing (Please use a pencil)
Deadline: All entries must be turned into Mrs.
Osuch by May 26th, 2017
The Winners will have their title page used for
the front of our 2016 - 2017 Year Book.
Their names will be printed in the newsletter
and they will receive a prize.
ONE ENTRY PER STUDENT
PER ENTRY
ONE PERSON
GRADE 9 FUNRAISER
-Steeped Tea fundraiser for grade nine grad went out to junior high students, orders are due back April 10/17
-If you are paying by cheque, please make the cheques out to “St. Brendan Farewell Committee”.
-Taxes are included in the prices.
-Tea will be delivered to the school for pick up May 19, 2017 between 3 pm – 4 pm.
-If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
March, 2017
Dear Parents, staff and students,
We are in the middle of the Lenten Season. Lent is a time for prayer and penance, for almsgiving and
service to others who are less fortunate. It is a time for working to change attitudes that are not lifegiving and to turn back to God with an open heart.
The twinned Parishes of Assumption (9034-95 Ave.) and Resurrection (10555-50 A St.) provide a variety of
services and activities for people who wish to journey in their faith during Lent and Easter:
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS are an ancient tradition in the Catholic Church going back to the
fourth century when Christians went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and retraced the last steps of
Jesus’s life.
At Assumption: every Friday during Lent at 6:30 p.m.
At Resurrection: every Friday during Lent at 7:00 p.m.
During Lent we encourage people of faith to go to Confession. Many people experience great peace
and spiritual consolation. An encounter with a loving, merciful God renews our strength and ability to turn towards God and away from sin.
LENTEN PENITENTIAL SERVICE on Wednesday, March 22
At Resurrection: 7:00 pm (for both parishes)
THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
HOLY THURSDAY (The Lord’s Last Supper): Thursday, April 13
Assumption: 7:00 pm
Resurrection: 7:00 pm
GOOD FRIDAY (The Passion of Our Lord): Friday, April 14
Resurrection: 11:00 am
Assumption: 3:00 pm
EASTER VIGIL (The Resurrection of Our Lord): Saturday, April 15
Resurrection: 9:00 pm NOTE: This is a joint Easter Vigil for both parishes at Resurrection Church.
EASTER SUNDAY Sunday, April 16
Assumption: 9:30 am
Resurrection: 11:00 pm
Foundational to our belief as Catholics is that life is a gift from God. Our District Chaplains, Father Dean
Dowle and Father Julian Bilyj would like to invite all of our staff and our parents to join them on Thursday, May 11, 2017 for the Alberta March for Life, which honors that “All Lives Matter From Beginning to
End”. This is a family friendly event which allows participants to bear witness to our belief of the sanctity of life. This pro-life event begins at Churchill Square at noon. There will be a formal program followed
by a march to the Alberta Legislature. Visit http://albertamarchforlife.com/ to learn more about the
event and to view the detailed brochure on the March for Life events.
Father Dean shares “Together, we walk in happiness to live and give the love that was so generously
shared with each of us.”
April 2017
We are a people who love messages. ‘Did you get my letter? My email? Text?’ Indeed, we all like to
have something to tell. A message is defined as a verbal, written, or recorded communication sent to or left
for a recipient. In turn, a message is intended to be heard, heeded, and likely succeeded on to another. Consequently, the content of the message is very important, both by what it is and how it is conveyed.
For us as Catholics and Christians, Easter has a most powerful message: Christ is Risen! The fullness and
importance of the message is that Jesus intimately knew our human experience, and through being God,
was able to conquer sin and destroy death. When taken together, this is why the Cross and the Resurrection
of Christ define our identity as the Catholic Church. This is also why our recognition of our identity in the
Mass is to be a communal celebration: together we experience Christ in the social community which gathers to worship as God’s people through what was accomplished during the Triduum.
Such becomes the value in having all its members present, each and every Sunday, for where the whole
Church is joined in unity, Christ is most present. And where all are gathered, all will receive the one
same clear communication of good news. The greatest message of the Church began with a few who saw,
would believe, and then pursue the gift that was offered to them. The gift of their Faith is what we and
those many before us would then receive.
In these modern times, the Catholic Church, our District, and the community of Edmonton gathered together for Easter continues our identity of who we are and what we can achieve for Christ. This is the incredible power of good news, the purpose of Truth, and all received through the announcement of great
joy.
It is the fundamental message I pray and hope all will remember as we go forth: that Christ IS Risen and
then to share it by text, email or one-to-one with everyone in an excited ‘Happy Easter!’
Very sincerely your servant in Christ,
Fr. Dean Dowle
Edmonton Catholic School District Chaplain
Amoris Laetitia Chapter 7: TOWARDS A BETTER EDUCATION OF CHILDREN
This chapter is particularly relevant for those who have been called to serve in the field of Catholic education. It is clear that the synod participants, under the leadership of Pope Francis, believe that the primary educators of children are the child’s parents. The importance of this message is reflected in the
second paragraph of this chapter which explains how essential it is for parents to spend quality time
with their children:
Only if we devote time to our children, speaking of important things with simplicity and
concern, and finding healthy ways for them to spend their time, will we be able to shield
them from harm. (260)
This devoted time is seen as a gift to be shared by both parents and children. The document underlines
the importance of helping children to see the parental relationship as a positive experience when it says,
“Obsession, however, is not education” (261). The focus is on encouraging children to develop habits of
love and trust, not controlling them with fear of punishment. While it is true that inappropriate behavior
must be corrected, the key is to do so with love and in a way that the children understand and learn
from the situation.
It is interesting to note the understanding of the “real world” that comes through in this chapter. There
is no illusion that all families are perfect and all adolescents listen to and respect their parents. This is
reflected in the quotation:
… adolescents should be helped to draw analogies: to appreciate that values are best
embodied in a few exemplary persons, but also realized imperfectly and to different degrees in others (272).
This gives parents permission to turn to others for assistance. His Holiness invites and encourages all
parents to seek faithful assistance; this is especially true concerning the gift of Catholic education.
One of the most influential partners that parents can count on to assist them in the education of their
children is the Catholic school systems available in many countries around the world. The education of
children involves teaching of morality, Scripture study, and theology, as well as education on human sexuality. In speaking specifically about this area, the document gives several guiding statements which
educators can look to for inspiration:
It can only be seen within the broader framework of an education for love, for mutual selfgiving (280). The important thing is to teach them sensitivity to different expressions of
love, mutual concern and care, loving respect and deeply meaningful communication
(283).
While these statements are not a “how to” teach human sexuality, they give a clear direction and focus
for the development of human sexuality education programs in Catholic schools.
In concluding the chapter, Pope Francis returns to the importance of the role of parents in raising their
children.
Handing on the faith presumes that parents themselves genuinely trust God, seek him
and sense their need for him, for only in this way does ‘one generation laud your works to
another, and declare your mighty acts’ [Ps 144:4] and ‘fathers make known to children
your faithfulness’ [Is 38:19] (287).
The education of children is a daunting challenge and a glorious calling for all of us. We, as educators
and members of the Church, are a source of support for the parents of the children we serve.
Ed Jean, Secondary Religious Education Consultant
April 2017
The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down. ~Psalm 145: 13-14~
This passage comes from a beautiful psalm titled The Greatness and the Goodness of God. It truly evokes the image
of a loving Father who nurtures and supports his children in their life’s journey. As we approach Holy Week and the
ensuing season of Easter, we can see this greatness and goodness of our God in the saving gift of his Son, Jesus.
Edmonton Catholic Schools has many reasons to celebrate this month. We are very pleased to have been named one
of Alberta’s Top 70 Employers 2017, our second year in a row! This special designation is organized by the editors of
Canada's Top 100 Employers and recognizes Alberta employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places
to work. Organizations that enter the competition are evaluated in 8 categories and then compared to other organizations. Winners are chosen for offering the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. We know that when
our staff have exceptional working conditions, they can focus on providing excellent learning experiences for our students.
The Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta sponsors the Excellence in Catholic Education Awards each
year. We are pleased to announce that Bruno Binassi, principal of Sir John Thompson, Rena Methuen, principal of Ben
Calf Robe/St. Clare, and Beth Pecson, a teacher from Monsignor Fee Otterson are recipients of this prestigious award.
These three exceptional Catholic educators are being recognized for providing excellent educational experiences for
their students that are deeply grounded in our Catholic faith. Congratulations!
As we approach the final months of our school year, the opportunity to celebrate student achievements in a variety of
forums arises. Each year Edmonton Catholic Schools showcases and celebrates fine arts education and the gifts and
talents of its students and staff through its annual Celebration of the Arts Concert. This year, our event takes place
on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 pm at the Winspear Centre. It is a truly awe-inspiring evening.
The final Supporting our Diverse Learners session for parents and guardians takes place on Wednesday, April 19 at
6:30 pm, St. Anthony Meeting Centre, 10425 – 84 Avenue. This session will focus on mental health awareness, transitions, and Programs of Choice. Topics include the developing brain, common myths about mental illness, childhood
and teenage stress, and promoting positive mental health in your child. Visit http://bit.ly/ECSDiverse to learn more
and to register.
The provincial budget was proclaimed on March 16. We are pleased to receive dollars to support the reduction in
school fees that we have already put in place for next year. We are extremely pleased the government will continue
to provide funding for new students. We are projecting an enrolment increase of 3.3% or 1,359 students for September 2017. Our work to analyze all the financial data will continue over the next few weeks.
As the end of Lent approaches, I would like to leave you with a final thought from Pope Francis. “Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbour.” (Twitter, March 12, 2017)
Many blessings of the Easter season to all of you!
Sincerely,
Joan Carr
Superintendent
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D6
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D1
5
D2
6
7
D3 8
Ukr. Bilingual
students at
Shumka
Performance
9
10
D4
11
D5
12
D6
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14
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Good Friday
No school
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D1
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Happy Easter
Easter
Celebration 10 a.m.
Easter
Monday No school
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D2 20
SAC Meeting
5:30 p.m.
D4 25
D5
26
D6 27
Band Trip to Banff
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2
3
Group
Pictures
All Classes
D3 22
Gr. 9 ELA
Hot lunch for
Practice PAT Elementary
Part A
Level
Babysitting
course for
Gr. 6’s
30
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BEST
Conference:
“Science
in the
Movie”
D1 29