Shining Bright @ Madonna!

You may have heard we welcomed a very special guest to Madonna Catholic School last week!

Starting with a Adoration Mass lead by Father Ben, Jesus was present us in a very real way on Monday in the Blessed Sacrament. Each class was able to spend time in the Chapel in Adoration and in the presence of Jesus, making Madonna Catholic School and our chapel, truly Holy Ground.

Ask your child about Adoration and find out more.

January

22- Monday

• 3V leading morning assembly at 9:00 AM.

23-Tuesday

• Grade 4 Art Club
• T/Th Mainstream & COGITO Kindergarten @ Prairie Gardens in AM
• New families interested in COGITO 2024-2025 : Assessments in afternoon - Call 780-467-7972 for details (no assessments needed for students currently attending MCS COGITO)

• MCS Prayer Club during first recess
• Student Services Team Meet

• Great day of Learning and Glowing!

• Hot Lunch for those who ordered
• Bingo night. Doors open at 6 PM! We can't wait to see you there!

If you have any New --> Toys, Crafts, Household Items, Games, Ladies spa items, etc that can be used as prizes for Toy and Bingo Night, please send them to the school with your child. ASAP. Every donation is appreciated!

If you own a business and would like to make a donation for a Raffle item, please contact one of the Committee Chairs and she will assist you.

Shannon at rsrmurray@gmail.com or 780-999-7769

Thank you to 30 Minute Hit, Baseline Village Dental Hygiene, Choco-licious, Save On Foods Baseline Road and The Thompson Family for your confirmed donations!

February 22nd @ 6:30PM

Parent Information Evening for Mainstream & COGITO Programs

Mark Your Calendar and stay tuned! More information to come! This will geared for all families interested in joining MCS in either the Mainstream or COGITO Programs.

We are happy to answer any questions! Call, email or forward this S'More to all those wanting more information.

Madonna Catholic School is a Non-Profit Organization and we have a Charity number! What that means is if you or your company want to donate to the school, a tax receipt can be provided for donations over a certain amount! Call us at the school or email us at mcs@eics.ab.ca for more information!

Did you know that when you shop at Save On Foods on Wye Road and you bring your receipts to Madonna Catholic School, we receive a % of the purchases? Last year this fundraiser raised $1185!!!

Did you know that it also works on 15% off Tuesdays?

Did you know that Save On Foods will also Ad Match any advertised price?

Shop @ Wye Rd Save on Foods, save money & support Madonna Catholic School!

We earn cash back on every purchase we make all year long! All you have to do is shop anytime with the brands you already love, like Home Depot, Walmart, Sport Chek, Indigo, Old Navy, Apple, Esso, and Loblaws. No more going door-to-door selling chocolate bars - it’s completely virtual and contactless.

There is no cost to parents or anyone that uses it (other than their own online purchases). Literally, by logging into the website and/or app, choosing your store and shopping, Madonna will receive a percentage of each purchase. There are many stores and services to choose from – even purchasing gift cards through this site earns the school rewards!

Join our team now and you’ll get a $5 bonus the first time you shop: https://flipgive.app.link/teams/join?joincode=WK2MXH

Or enter this code: WK2MXH

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Mahoney at kim@acappellacatering.com.

• New toques, mitts and scarves
• Gently used and washed snow pants
• New or gently used books
• Gotcha prizes for staff and students - yes, staff get GOTCHAs for glowing too!
• Toys for Bingo prizes

If you have any of these items, we would be very grateful for your donation and support. Thank you for bringing them to the office and for your continued support!

At Madonna Catholic School outdoor play is vital for optimal learning. It provides children with fresh air, and the quality time outside connects them to the land, to nature, grounding many children. As well, it develops their physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills while celebrating and discovering the wonders, order and harmony of nature!

Kids who play outside every day are healthier, happier, and stronger. Winter outdoor play builds kids’ brains and bodies and provides mental and emotional stimulation for better overall health.

Physical Exercise!

• Changes in weather give your child a chance to experience different environments and practice different physical skills.
  

• Research shows that kids who play outdoors and spend more time being active outside generally have better overall health. Research also indicates that as the immune system adapts to colder weather, it gets better at fighting infections.
  

• Just as different materials stimulate artists to create different types of art, the materials found outdoors in winter stimulate different types of imaginative play!

• Free play outdoors encourages positive social interactions, problem solving, relationship building, friendship skills, mentorship, teamwork, grit and resilience.

• Math and Language skills get developed during outdoor play, as does spatial awareness, patterning, construction, building with a variety of materials...and so much more!

Adapted from "https://www.learningresources.com/blog/5-benefits-of-outdoor-play-in-the-winter/"

We have found that when colder weather persists and students are inside for several days, their ability to focus and complete academic work suffers as well as their ability to interact positively with each other. Recess is a very important time for students as it allows for play, social-emotional regulation, fresh air, and exercise.

There are also abundant health benefits to being outside in the fresh air, participating in free play, and interacting with nature.

When temperatures are colder than -25 degrees Celsius or Windchill students will head outside and play for a reduced amount of time. Having this Polar Bear Recess helps build resilient kids and support the importance of outdoor fresh air play!

Our EICS AP 134 provides guidelines for us at Madonna Catholic School for responding to our Canadian winter months and the flexibility to support healthy learners.

It's important that children come to school ready to play outside in the winter. This means proper winter gear, for Canadian winters, is a must.

If warm clothing is a challenge for you to attain, please let your child's teacher know, or the Leadership Team at Madonna Catholic School.

We are here to help.

Thank you for being a Madonna Catholic School Ambassador and sharing far and wide how awesome our school community is. Remember, you are one of the many reasons why we are so awesome!! 💗 Thank you for welcoming others to join our Faith family!

Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 7:00 PM.

If parents have any questions, they can also contact the church by phone 780-467-5470 or email sacraments@olph.ca

January:

29th - Start of Alien In-Line Skating Week

29th - Share Your Voice! EICS Assurance Survey opens!

30th - MCS Open House during the day

31st - No School (Staff PD Day)

February

1st - Registration for 2024-25 Opens

2nd - Progress Reports available on Power School

2nd - 2L Teacher Pet Field Trip

7th - Early Dismissal at 2:13 PM

7th - Spirit Day: Arctic Winter Games Flag Colours: Purple, blue, Green

7th: Indigenous Assembly at 9:30 Am

7th: Artic Winter Games Day

8th: No School (Teacher Convention)

9th: No School (Teacher Convention)

13th: Observing Valentine's Day

13th: Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Lunch

14th: Ash Wednesday Mass at 1:00 PM at OLPH Church

15th: Happy Birthday Canada: Wear Red, white or Canadian Flag

16th: No School (PD Day)

19th: No School (Family Day)

21st: 2L & 3/4G: Hockey Hookey

21st: Virtual Parent Council

26th: Kindergarten Gallery 501 Field Trip

28th: Pink Shirt Day