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St. Gabe's Monthly Newsletter!
December 2022
Principal's Update
Dear St. Gabe's students and families,
This past weekend was the start of Advent. Advent is a season of hopeful anticipation of the coming of Christ. Here at St. Gabe's, we have a lot to be hopeful for. Our program is growing and the results from our surveys show that students feel welcome, safe, cared for, engaged, and that they are encouraged to do their best. I want to thank all of you for your faith and trust in us. We are blessed to work in such a wonderful school community.
We have a lot of important events in December so please read through the newsletter and let me know if you have any questions.
Many Blessings!
Renee Trottier
principal
Newsletter Draw!
Thank you to everyone who entered our Newsletter Draw! We appreciate your suggestions to make our newsletters better!
Congratulations to Anne Naughton - our first Newsletter Draw WINNER!!! You have won a gift card to Chapters! Please come to the school to pick up your prize!
December Calendar
December 9 - Christmas bags for the Imprisoned are due
December 15 - SGEC Semester 1 awards presentation at 11:00.
December 16 - Friday Fun Day in Junior High at 11:00.
December 16 - Food Drive ends
December 19 - Wear a fun Christmas Hat to school
December 20 - PJ day (Bonus if they're Christmas PJs)!
December 21 - Ugly Christmas Sweater day
December 22 - Wear red and/or green
December 23 - Wear something sparkly. Last day of school.
January 9 - Classes resume
January 13 - All coursework due
Important Reminder about our Hours of operation
Hours:
Monday - Wednesday - 8:00-3:30
Thursday - 8:00-5:30
Friday - 8:00-12:00
Please also be mindful to park in the lower parking lot and not in our staff parking lot. You will be asked to move should you be in someone's spot or if you're in the handicapped parking spot.
St. Gabe's Gives Back!
Food Drive
Decorating Bags for the Imprisoned
Christmas Hampers
Christmas Activities at St. Gabes!
Needs Assessment Survey
Our Student Learning Team requests your assistance in identifying the needs of students in our building. We will be collecting data from students, parents, teachers and administrators which will help identify areas of focus and support. Additionally, it will aid in building a comprehensive school needs counselling program. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to;
Tracy Stevens - Delhez, M.Ed., R. Psych
School Counsellor and Teacher
mailto:tdelhez@gsacrd.ab.ca cell 780-953-1369
School Council
We do not have a meeting in December for School Council.
Our next meeting is on January 12 at 6:30 online using this link.
https://meet.google.com/tzn-kcro-acs
All agendas and minutes can be found on our school website.
Advent Liturgy
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Father Jack
Mrs. Bedi
St. Gabe's Student Corner
Halloween at St. Gabes
Catholic Corner
December - Advent
The 1st Sunday of Advent symbolizes Hope with the “Prophet’s Candle” reminding us that Jesus is coming. The prophets of the Old Testament waited in hope for the Messiah's arrival
The 2nd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Faith with the “Bethlehem Candle” reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
The 3rd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Joy with the “Shepherd’s Candle” reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus. To the shepherd's great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble people like them. Pink symbolizes joy.
The 4th Sunday of Advent symbolizes Peace with the “Angel’s Candle” reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
St. Albert Parish Christmas Masses
Here's what's coming up at St.Albert Parish. If SAP is not your parish, please contact your parish office for their events.
Vespers (Evening prayers with Music)
December 7 & 21 @ 7:00 pm
Parish Penitential -December 6 @ 7:00 pm
Christmas Masses are as follows:
Christmas Eve 5:00, 7:30, 10:00 & 12:00 (The 5:00 mass is a children's mass with pagent)
Christmas Day 9:00 am & 11:00 am
New Year’s Eve 5:00 pm
New Year’s Day 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 6:30 pm
Looking at the New Year:
Chilly Chili Bang Bang (Fireworks, Chili, sleigh Rides) January 21 following the 5 pm Mass
Fiesta Before Fasting February 18 following the 6:00 pm mass
What is Advent? Watch to find out!
Father Mike Schmidt
GSACS Education Foundation Christmas Cash Raffle
GSACS is the main fundraiser for our division. Funds go to assist schools with valuable learning enhancements for our students.
Engagement on Grades 7-12 Career Education Programming (from Minister LaGrange)
From now until December 9, 2022, the task force would like to hear from students in grades 7 to 12, parents, teachers, career counsellors, post-secondary educators, employers and young adults. Albertans can share ideas at online and in-person engagement sessions in 11 communities across the province. They are encouraged to participate in their region or they have the flexibility to attend any session that works best for them. During the sessions, participants will be able to provide local insights on career education programming and hear the unique perspectives of others.
There are also online surveys for the public and students in grade 7 to 12 to provide feedback on career education programming. Albertans can register for an engagement session, take the survey and sign up for career education updates at alberta.ca/career-education-task-force.
In addition to engaging with Albertans, the task force will meet with a variety of education stakeholders to hear their viewpoints. They will also conduct a comprehensive review of Alberta’s career education programming, with a focus on grades 7 to 12. The insights from the review and engagement feedback will inform their recommendations and provincial framework for career education programming.
To build awareness of these engagement opportunities, I have attached a promotional bulletin for distribution through your communication channels. Please encourage your stakeholders to post it and share it within their communities.
On behalf of the Alberta government, thank you for your support as we continue our work to build better connections between schools and employers. Your feedback will help the task force ensure that Alberta’s future career education programming prepares students for new opportunities in our increasingly diversified labour market.
Sincerely,
Adriana LaGrange
Minister of Education
Attachments
Promotional bulletin
Wellness and Extra-Curricular Activities
Would you like to get involved in an activity but don't know where to start? Check out the Extra-Curricular list on our website. It's definitely not exhaustive but will give you a good idea of the organizations in St. Albert and area that offer extra-curricular programs for teenagers. There is also a section on resources for mental health on our site.
Counselling at SGEC
Social Media
Comedy Corner
St. Gabriel Education Centre
Email: rtrottier@gsacrd.ab.ca
Website: https://www.stgabe.gsacrd.ab.ca/.
Location: 6 St Vital Ave, St. Albert, AB, Canada
Phone: (780)459-6616
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StGabeHS
Twitter: @stgabes
Our Hours
Teachers are available during these hours:
Monday to Wednesday
8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Thursday
8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Friday
8:30 am to Noon