Sacred Heart Academy students may wear Halloween costumes to school on Monday, October 31st. However, they should be appropriate for the school environment. Students are expected to use good judgment and good taste in their choice of costumes. Costumes must be in accordance with the school dress code. No roller blades, skateboards, etc are permitted. Props must not present a safety hazard and must be in accordance with school policies, i.e. no guns, knives, swords, light sabers, etc. Any mask or costume that obscures a student’s face is not allowed. We encourage you to be creative, dress up with friends and have fun. If you have any questions about your choice of costume, please talk to your homeroom teacher.
Allergy awareness policies prohibit students and staff from bringing food items into our school for distribution to classes. Students are encouraged to bring their own snacks to scheduled class celebrations.
🍴 Students bringing their own lunch must remember to bring their own eating utensils (forks, knives, spoons, plates, bowls, etc.) from home, they will not be provided at school. Please use containers that your child can open independently.
🚫Outside food from restaurants or chains may not be delivered into the school. Families can sign students out for lunch if they wish.
School attendance in Newfoundland and Labrador is compulsory up to the age of 16. Regardless of age, however, research is clear that there is a strong connection between attendance and success. Therefore, all students are required to attend class on time and regularly unless prevented from doing so by illness or other legitimate reason.
Sacred Heart Academy employs the student absence reporting system called SchoolMessenger Safe Arrival. This system reduces the time required to verify student attendance, makes it easier for parents to report student absences and allows staff to promptly respond to unexplained student absences.
There are THREE ways to report a student absence:
(1) Call the SafeArrival Toll-Free Number: 1-844-408-9360 OR the school office at 279-2051.
(2) Use the new SafeArrival website: https://go.schoolmessenger.ca The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account using your email address. Your email address must match the email address on file at the school. Select Attendance to report an absence.
(3) Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.ca). Be sure to download the SchoolMessenger app with the BLUE icon (not the yellow icon). Use your new login information to access your account. Select Attendance to report an absence.
By reporting your child absent in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number or SafeArrival Portal website/app, you will NOT receive a call.
To ensure the prompt recording of student attendance families are asked to not report absences through email and to use one of the three options listed above.
Within our school community there are several students who have potentially life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) to the following foods:
- peanuts/products with peanuts in the ingredients
- tree nuts (e.g. almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts).
- kiwi
- soy
- egg
- fish and shellfish products
To provide an “allergy-safe” environment for children at risk of anaphylaxis please avoid sending these foods to school. Any minimal contact with these foods and their derivatives may cause anaphylactic shock and unconsciousness within a matter of minutes. In such a case, the allergy may even cause the student’s death. Because even the slightest residue and in some cases even the odor of these allergens may trigger a life-threatening reaction, we need to make the whole school as allergy safe as is practically possible. A “no sharing” policy of food, utensils, containers, straws, etc. is recommended for children with food allergies.
My name is Lindsey Power and I am Sacred Heart's school counsellor. I hope you and your family had a fun and relaxing summer under today’s global circumstances. Our last school year was challenging due to Covid-19 as we switched from in class to online learning and back. I am sure as we prepare for this school year we are met with mixed emotions. Our return to school and how this year will unfold is uncertain but there is certainty in our schools approach to provide our students with warmth and support as we journey through this coming year. My hope is that we can work together to help our students navigate this school year and the challenges it may present. We are so lucky to have such positive relationships amongst our parents, teachers and students which will be crucial this year as we work together to provide our children with the best possible education. I am excited to return to my role as school counsellor at Sacred Heart Academy and I look forward to reconnecting and working with such a wonderful school community of students, staff, teachers, and parents.
What does the School Counsellor do?
Our School Counselling program at Sacred Heart Academy is comprehensive in scope, preventative in design and developmental in nature.
Our program works to help ALL students achieve success in school and develop into responsible, contributing members of our society. School counsellors offer:
🔴Individual Counselling to address the following areas:
Personal/Social(grief, relationships, anxiety, academic, conflict), Crisis Intervention/debriefing, Behavioral/Attitudinal and Career Development.
🔴Student Group Counselling the counselor facilitates student groups that usually consist of 3-7 students that meet with the counselor once per cycle. Each group is usually focused on one topic, such as, grief, social skills, friendship or coping with family changes. Focus groups will be developed according to student needs.
🔴Psychoeducational assessments using standardized tests to determine strengths and challenges and to inform (i.e. programming, student placement, learning strategies) to address student needs.
🔴Consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators and outside agencies assuring each student learns to their potential.
🔴Organization and implementation of lessons (sometimes to whole school/classes) on topics such as restorative justice practices, growth mindset, career awareness, character education, drug and alcohol awareness as well as interpersonal skills etc.
All students have the opportunity to meet with me, as needed and they are instructed to inform their teacher they would like to see me. The teacher can then fill out a google form or provide an opportunity for the student to fill out the student referral form which is located on my school website.
Lastly, I am available to meet with parents. I regularly attend IEP meetings and family-teacher conferences. As needed, I can meet with parents individually to discuss specific concerns or to serve as a liaison for families needing community resources.
Please feel free to contact me at (709) 279-2051 or via email at lindseypower@nlesd.ca if you would like to set up an appointment. I look forward to working with you and your child’s teacher to create a positive and supportive environment for your child at school as well as at home.
Thank you for your support
Lindsey Power M.Ed C.C.C
Our after-school programs will be resuming this month. Information on the start dates of specific programs will be sent home with students along with permission slips. Students must have their rides arranged for 3:30 p.m. A SchoolMessenger message will be sent home in the event of any cancellations.
Students need as much opportunity as possible to go outside for lunch hour play. This is a vital part of the school day. It is a time for students to burn off some of that “energy” they have stored all morning, get some exercise, and simply socialize with their peers. When the weather is appropriate for outdoor days, students must have appropriate winter clothing. This means heavier jackets, boots, hats and gloves. We will continue to go outside daily during lunch time when the weather conditions permit us to do so. Families should ensure that their children are dressed for the elements prior to sending them to school each morning so they can take advantage of outdoor play opportunities.
The First Venture cafeteria is the only full service school cafeteria service currently operating on the Burin Peninsula. First Venture Cafeteria is a business operated under the Supported Employment Program through the Burin-Marystown Training and Employment Board. The cafeteria service has been operating in partnership with Sacred Heart Academy for over thirty years. When the business began thirty years ago it operated out of a small kitchen with only a single stove and fridge. At that time the cafeteria employed two clients with intellectual disabilities and two work facilitators who helped to prepare homemade meals for students and staff.
In the early 1990's the First Venture Cafeteria obtained a small business loan through the Business Development Corporation to help expand the business with new equipment and an extended menu. In 2007, the business in a joint partnership with Sacred Heart Academy and Kids Eat Smart assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the school breakfast program. Since that time, the program has provided a healthy breakfast to countless students.
Today, the cafeteria has grown to employ three individuals with intellectual disabilities who are supported by three work facilitators. The success of the First Venture Cafeteria has only been possible because of the continued support of students and their families. With this continued support the cafeteria staff are looking forward to many more years serving the Sacred Heart Academy school community.
- Monday, October 24th to Thursday, October 27th: Scholastic Book Fair. Family Night is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th 6-8 p.m. Electronic payment (debit/visa) available during Family Night.
- Friday, October 28th: School PL Day for Staff. No classes for students.
- Thursday, November 10th: Remembrance Day Assembly.
- Friday, November 11th: Remembrance Day Holiday. No classes.
- Monday, November 21st & Tuesday, November 22nd: Burin Zone PL Closeout Days. No classes for students.
Home of the Sabres
Email: sacredheartacad@nlesd.ca
Website: sha.nlesd.ca
Location: 1 Columbia Drive, Marystown, NL, Canada A0E 2M0
Phone: (709)279-2051
HOME OF THE SABRES