Shining Bright @ Madonna!
MCS News - August 29, 2023
Welcome Back!
The staff at Madonna Catholic School are looking forward to your children returning for the 2023-2024 school year!
This week's Gospel reading speaks to us about John the Baptist who prepares the way for Jesus. As parents and educators, as partners in Christ, we too are called to prepare the way! We are incredibly grateful to our amazing Madonna Catholic School team who have dedicated much time, love and care to preparing the way for all of Madonna littles this week!
We are very excited to welcome back students returning to Madonna, and we extend a very warm welcome to families and students joining the Madonna Catholic School family for the first time. We can't wait to see you!
This year, Elk Island Catholic's theme is "Go Light Our World." This theme is based off the scripture from Matthew 5:16. As a school, we will be encouraging staff and students to spread their own light!
Throughout the year, we are called to go forth spreading love, joy, peace, compassion...! When you see it happening, snap a pic and tag it #GLOWEICS
Looking forward to an amazing year with you!
Mme Pamela Gravelle - Principal
Miss Kendra Podoborozny - Assistant Principal
Staggered Entry & Orientation Days
Welcome to this amazing school year! We look forward to seeing you!
Staggered entry provides students and staff the opportunity to work in small groups to create the foundation for a successful year! It is a wonderful way for children to ease into an exciting new school year, get to know routines with ease and meet members of their learning community!
PUF Pathways 3 & 4 year olds Staggered Entry →
Mrs. Pineau & Mrs. Selinger will contact you directly with the time for you and your child to visit the school and meet your child's learning team.
Kindergarten:
- Please refer to the email sent by Lori Roberts, for specific information on which session your child will attend, and for any questions regarding this, feel free to call Mrs. Roberts at 780-467-7972.
- September 5: All T/TH Students.
- September 6: All M/W Students.
Mainstream & Cogito Grade 1-4: Please arrive by 8:33AM (That's the first bell.)
- August 31: Students entry days for students with last names A-M
- September 1: Students entry days for students with last names N-Z
- September 5: All students at school
Important things to note for the first days:
- Please send with your child their labeled school supplies, their lunch, and a filled and labeled water bottle on the staggered entry day.
- Students are to wait in their designated area outside for their teacher. The teachers will be there at 8:30AM.
- Your child will be entering and exiting the school through the student cohort doors which are labeled with their grade level.
- Grade 1 to Grade 4 Parents, you are welcome to come into the school with your child on your child's staggered entry day. Please note that you are invited to stay until 9:00 a.m. after that we will begin the day with the children's and learning communities.
- Thank you for your grace to watch your child's amazing teacher in action on the first days of school. If you have specific questions about programming, communication processes, curriculum or other questions, Meet the Staff night on September 7th is a great opportunity to learn about processes and details for your child's learning year. It is also a great space to ask questions.
- Your child's teacher will be contacting you via email on or before August 31, welcoming you and providing information about their classroom.
- Please refer to PowerSchool to ensure you know which class your child is registered in.
2023-2024 Madonna Staff:
Leadership Team:
Principal - Pamela Gravelle
Assistant Principal - Kendra Podoborozny
Collaborative Response Coordinator - Agnes Winunow
Family Wellness Worker - Allison Norrie
Teachers:
PUF AM - Mrs. SelingerPUF PM - Mrs. Pineau
Kindergarten - Mrs. Fortier
Grade 1 - Mrs. Stadnick & Ms. Wiunow
Grade 2 - Mrs. LaRose
Grade 3 - Mrs. Vukovic
Grade 3&4 - Mrs. Gauthier
Grade 4 - Miss Podoborozny & Welcome Mrs. Jessome
Cogito Academy:
COGITO Kindergaten - Mrs. Cholak
COGITO Grade 1 - Mrs. Bourassa
COGITO Grade 2&3 - Mrs. Odiobala
Support Staff:
Secretary: Mrs. Roberts
EA: Mrs. Robinson
EA: Ms. Wispinski
EA: Ms. Vaters
EA: Mrs. Bennett
EA: Mrs. Bazin
Custodian: Mr. Sirilan
Library Tech: Mrs. Wagner
Drop Off & Clasroom Doors
Student safety is always our number one priority! Please ensure when dropping students off, you are using the designated zone. Malvern Drive is where students are able to be dropped off, as there will be a staff member present to help supervise. Students are encouraged to use the crosswalk when crossing the street. Please note that staff parking is designated for only staff. We appreciate your support in making this busy time as safe as possible for all littles.
Students will enter the school via their designated entrance. Students are to wait outside at their class's designated area. During the first days of school, teachers will be out at 8:30 a.m., to greet you and show you where your class will line up each morning.
Beginning September 5, the entry bell rings at 8:33AM. If you are driving your child, please ensuring they arrive at school for this time. If your child take the bus, they will arrive at Madonna Catholic School on time. In-class learning begins at 8:38AM.
Students will leave the same door at the end of the day. Please meet your child at these doors if you are picking them up. Teachers will walk their class of students out to buses at the end of the day.
Please see the Map below for details.
Bottle Drive September 7 @ 6:30pm!
Meet the Staff
School Council will be having a bottle drive during this event. Parent Council plays a vital role in our school and without their support, we would not be able to run many events or activities. Thank you for helping to support them!
Starting to think about Field Trips!
Doing this early ensures your child is able to enjoy all of the rich learning experiences brought forward by our amazing team, and that you get all of important information about them!
Fee Waiver
School Supply Lists
Nut Aware School
Early Dismissal Wednesdays = Spirit Days!
Our first early dismissal day this year is next Wednesday, September 6! Come to school wearing Madonna Catholic School colours -- Blue and Gold!!
School & Parent Communication
What will my child learn this year?
These links also have additional supports and resources for parents. Check it out!
Upcoming Events:
31 - Staggered Entry & Kindergarten Orientation
September:
1 - Staggered Entry & Kindergarten Orientation
4 - No School
5 - First Day for all students
6 - Early Dismissal: Students dismissed at 2:13. Spirit Day: Wear your Madonna Colors - Blue & Gold.
7- Meet the Staff & School Council bottle drive from 6:30-7:30.
OLPH Parish News
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