Shining Bright @ Madonna!

God understands that we are human, with free will. He understands that we make mistakes, do not do great things to one another sometimes, think bad thoughts and say mean things. Despite our flaws, He opens wide His doors for us imperfect humans and He says, "If you do something wrong, recognize it and change to do better, think better and say better and the doors of Heaven are open to you!"

This Parable is so fitting as we honoured and celebrated Truth and Reconciliation with students on Friday, as well as in our communities this weekend. We are called to change, grow, live in hope and goodness with one another.

We thank Mrs. Fortier and Mrs. Odiobala for leading us through a beautiful service on Friday, beginning with a Smudge Ceremony. The children learned the meaning of the Smudge and some of the key elements of it, such as why we take off our jewelry and what it means to bring the sage or sweetgrass sacred smoke to our eyes, ears, minds, heart and bodies. There are so many similarities in ceremony and service when children receive the Word of God in receiving their bibles. Throughout the day on Friday, we also learned so much more with our learning communities through books, Trail Tales and Sharing Circles. Thank you for such a rich day full of bright futures together.

This Gospel reading and Truth and Reconciliation Day reminds us as humans to seek truth, so that we can know better, to do better. Together.

God gives us another amazing way we can Go Light Our World! #GLOWEICS

Mme Gravelle

Principal

October:

2 - Monday

• No School to Honor Truth & Reconciliation Day

3 - Tuesday

• Bus Evacuation at 9 AM
• Swimming

4 - Wednesday

• Early Dismissal at 2:13 PM
• Spirit Day: Wear your Favorite Color!

5 - Thursday

• World Teacher's Day - You're invited to thank your child's teacher today!
• Swimming

6 - Friday

• Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School for students
• Staff are focused on Faith Formation and learning strategies to integrate the Picture Induction Model (PWIM) to support Language Learning.

Monday October 9 - Happy Thanksgiving!

• No School - See you Tuesday October 10

Note to our COGITO families - Spirit Days, Special Wear Days and Swimming Days are uniform-free days. Children are encouraged to participate in the special day wear.

Our swimming lessons begin this week and the students are so excited! Grade 1 to 4 students will be participating in Strathcona’s Swimming & Water Safety programs from October to December at the Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, for a total of 8 lessons. Thank you to all our families for completing the forms and paying your fee on Parent Portal. Please note the schedule below:

Tuesdays: Group #1 : (1:00-1:45):

Oct. 3rd, Oct. 10th, Oct. 17th, Oct. 24, Nov.14th, Nov. 21st, Nov.28th, Dec.5th

Class: Ms Gauthier - 3/4G

Class: Mrs. LaRose - 2L

Tuesdays: Group #2 (1:45-2:30):

Oct. 3rd, Oct. 10th, Oct. 17th, Oct. 24, Nov.14th, Nov. 21st, Nov.28th, Dec.5th

Class: Miss Podoborozny - 4P

Class: Mrs. Vukovic - 3V

Thursdays: Group #1 (1:00-1:45):

Oct. 5th, Oct.12th, Oct. 19th, Oct.26th, Nov.2nd, Nov.16th, Nov.23rd, Nov.30th

Class: Mrs. Stadnick & Ms. Wiunow - 1S/W

Class: Ms. Bourassa - 1B

Thursdays: Group #2 (1:45-2:30):

Oct. 5th, Oct.12th, Oct. 19th, Oct.26th, Nov.2nd, Nov.16th, Nov.23rd, Nov.30th

Class: Mrs. Obiobala - 2/3O

Blessings and thank you for your donations so far! They are being loved big by kids and staff already! The sidewalk chalk, safety vests, GOTCHA Glowing prizes, sports equipment...thank you! We receive your gifts with absolute gratitude!

Throughout the year we will invite our community to donate materials and equipment that are in need at Madonna Catholic School. Your support and help is always so appreciated!

Single Use Forks, Spoons & Cups

While it is always encouraged that students bring their own forks and spoons for lunch, as well as their own water bottles, occasionally they are forgotten. It is appreciated to have a collection of these items for those occasions. We appreciate donations of wooden or biodegradable single use spoons and forks as well as paper cups. Thank you for bringing them to the office, or having your child deliver them for you.

GOTCHA Prizes

We are in need of GOTCHA prizes for children and for staff (yes, staff can get them too!). What kinds of prizes are great prizes? If your child gets excited about something, chances are other kiddos at school will too! Things like Squishmellos, colouring books, minecraft toys etc are great ideas. Those are great prizes! Any kind of self care products, or special treats for staff are great prizes for their prizes. Thank you in advance for donating GOTCHA prizes!

Sports Equipment

We and the kids are always looking for great toys to play with at recess, and a hot item for kids are the balls - soccer balls, basketballs, footballs....regular sizes ones and the mini sized ones.

Thank you in advance for ALL of your support!!!

Looking for Opportunities to be volunteer and be involved in your child's community?

Nutrition Grant

At our School Council meeting last week we celebrated that Madonna Catholic School received a Nutrition Grant. As we begin the planning to the implementation of the grant, we are seeking parent feedback in this planning. If you are interested in joining the conversation, please email mcs@eics.ab.ca with your contact information and thank you in advance.

Have a Green Thumb?

We are calling on green thumb parents who are interested in helping to maintain the gardens and flower beds at Madonna Catholic School. The beds and garden boxes can use a fall clean up, spring planting and maintaining. Please email mcs@eics.ab.ca with your contact information.

Speak Another Language?

On October 23, at 9:00am we will be celebrating our Patron Saint Mary, the mother of God with a Living Rosary Service in the gym. We have a beautiful life-sized wooden Rosary and we pray it together. We also share the Hail Mary and the Our Father prayers in all of the languages & cultures represented at Madonna Catholic School. We are calling parents who are interested in joining our celebrating and leading a prayer in a language they speak. If you are interested, please email mcs@eics.ab.ca with the your contact information and the language you are comfortable to lead a prayer in.

It's an exciting time as Halloween is just around the corner!

We know children are already thinking about what they will dress up as. It is all of our responsibilities to create a safe environment for all students and to set a good example. Thank you for your support and guidance for children about how costume choice may impact others in the building.

We are collectively responsible to keep our children safe: physically, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically.

While planning costumes, we are sharing a few reminders of things to leave off of school costumes:

• weapons (fake and real)
• blood/gore

Thank you for ensuring costumes are culturally and developmentally appropriate. If you have any questions about your child's Halloween costume, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Need some ideas?

• Boxer
• Lifeguard
• Your favorite book, movie, or TV show character
• Candy
• Superhero
• A different generation
• A cute animal
• princess/ prince
• Sailor
• Zombie
• Ghostbusters group costume

In the coming weeks, we will share how the Madonna Catholic School community will celebrate Halloween.

What is Linking Generations?

Created in 2004 as a charitable organization, Linking Generations provides mentored and structured visits aimed at building relationships between seniors and youth in our community. The program brings the generations together so they can share their knowledge and life experiences, and encourages volunteering and social responsibility in youth.

Madonna Catholic School is very excited to welcome the Volunteer Grandparent Program through Linking Generations! We have Grandparents joining us this week!

Hot Lunch is looking for parent volunteers on Fridays from 11:30am-12:45pm. If you are able to help please email madonnacses@gmail.com.

At the moment we do not have enough volunteers, if we don't have enough helpers we will not be able to run the hot lunch program. Hot Lunch is School council’s biggest fundraiser and the kids really love hot lunch Fridays.

Please help us continue the program!

Thank you so much,
School Council

With winter on the way, School Council is so excited to launch this wonderful fundraiser!

Bear Tracks is an ice melting product, perfect for our long winters. Not only does it melt ice to prevent slips, but it is pet friendly, concrete friendly and safe around vegetation.

They are 30$ per 16kg pail!

Ordering starts October 1st and closes October 16th.

Thank you for your continued support.

~~ Click the button below for ordering instructions! ~~

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?

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!

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM

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

At the beginning of this school year EICS staff gathered for opening mass and donated funds to the very important services offered by Catholic Social Services!

Together, EICS staff donated $1948.95 to Sign of Hope!

October:

9 - Happy Thanksgiving Monday - No School

10 - Grade 4 delegates attend Here Comes the Sun Retreat

10 - All T/Th Kindergarten attend field trip to library

11 - Grade 4s to Fort Heritage Center

12 - Grade 4 Drumheller Parent Information Night @ 6:30pm

18 - Parent Council Meeting at 7: In-Person & Hybrid

19 - Digital Safety Information Night

31 - Halloween Parade