St. Cecilia Community Messenger

• Francophone Month begins

Tues, March 4, Day 1

• Djembe drums student workshops
• Shrove Tuesday, Thank you to St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus for supplying pancakes and to our School Council for supplying syrup, plates and napkins PLEASE SEND A FORK WITH YOUR CHILD.

Wed, March 5, Day 2

• Ash Wednesday Celebration 10:45 AM
• Tradbadour French Canadian Presentation 2:00 PM

Thurs, March 6, Day 3

• Spoloumbos and Coco Brooks Pick Up at the school

Fri, March 7, Day 4

• PG Day - No classes

March 9: Daylight Saving Time

March 10: Guest Teacher Appreciation Week

March 20: School Council 6:30 PM

March 24: Readathon begins

March 25: Lockdown Practice 10:00 AM

March 26: Parent Education Evening 6:30 PM in St. Cecilia School Gym. Please RSVP Here

March 27: Lenten Liturgy 10:30 AM

April 7: Book Swap

April 11: Pledges from Read A Thon Are Due

April 16: Holy Thursday Liturgy

April 17: Good Friday - Easter holidays begin

May 1: Asian Heritage Month

May 8: Spring Family Dance

May 15: School Council AGM

May 19: Victoria Day - No Classes

May 22: Marian Liturgy

May 28: ELA PAT - Gr 6 Students

May 30: Sacramental Recognition Liturgy - 10:30 AM

June 5: School Council Meeting - 9:30 AM

June 6: PG Day - No classes

June 12: Gr 6 ELA PAT Part B

June 13: Gr 6 Math Part A

June 18: Year End Mass

June 21: National Indigenous People's Day

June 25: Last day of classes for students

June 26: Last day for teachers

• Please open the attachment below to view the minutes from the Feb 20 School Council Meeting.

• Coco Brooks and Spolumbos will need to be picked up March 6 at the front of the school. Everyone must pick up as there is no freezer and fridge space at the school.

• Volunteers needed for Coco Brooks and Spolumbos pick up March 6th. See link for signup https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EA9A82BA4FBC70-55257061-coco

• Kathy MacDonald will be here to speak with our parent community on March 26, 2025. PLEASE RSVP here.

Cyber Safety is About Being Diligent, Skeptical, and Kind Online
Kathy's presentation will help audiences acquire a better sense of safety and security for their children when they are online. She addresses concerns related to cyberbullying and online coercion and sexual exploitation and she offers an enlightening glimpse into emerging security threats including the Internet of Things (IoT).

This presentation includes discussion of social media, popular apps, privacy, and the laws that help to protect young people. It offers information about the positive use of technology and helps families respond promptly and effectively to a variety of online issues that could arise with their children. As a former police officer and online investigator, she shares first hand stories about fraud prevention, social engineering, and personal security. Her innovative style breaks down complex concepts of cyber security into smaller doable actions that can enhance the audiences ability to secure themselves in their everyday physical and virtual life.

Kathy's actionable advice reminds Internet users that security is everyone's business, and that it is vital to always be proactive online.

Bio

Kathy Macdonald is a retired police officer with the Calgary Police Service, with almost three decades of investigative and crime prevention experience. She recently published a book titled, Cybercrime: Awareness, Prevention, and Response. It is a comprehensive Canadian resource talking about how cybercrime affects individuals, businesses, governments, institutions, and organizations. https://emond.ca/CAPR

In 2009, the Governor General of Canada, invested Kathy with the Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, M.O.M., in recognition to her commitment to cybercrime prevention. Kathy was recently awarded one of the Top 20 Women in Cyber Security - Canada.

In a little over a week we will recognize and thank our guest teachers. Guest teachers play an integral role in the lives and education of our students. Many of our guest teachers are like family and we greatly value their experience and expertise. Their relationships with staff and students go a long way to facilitating learning during teacher absences. From our entire school community, we would like to thank them for the work they do in each classroom and during each visit to the school.

A big thank you also goes out to our admin secretary Mme Laurel who prepared handmade gifts for our guest teachers.

It will soon be time to begin thinking about planning for next school year. In order to help with planning student placements we invite all families to complete a survey by clicking on the link below.

Circle of Friends Survey For Class Placement Sept 2025

The screenshots below give a general description of the survey and its purpose.

Students at St. Cecilia had the opportunity to participate in a special presentation on Friday morning when the French Canadian Folk Music duo Folklofolie came for a visit. The high energy presentation really got everyone into the French Canadian sugar shack mood. We also have another presentation scheduled next week with Tradbadour. I have attached a PDF of their performance below. The PDF contains a link to a video if you would like to see it.

Dear Families,

Have you heard of The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience?

It is a free, community based mental health centre for children and youth here in Calgary.

It opened its doors almost two years ago and is providing crucial services for thousands of kids.

Please read this article for more information about this very special place.

https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/your-impact/latest-news/new-mental-health-centre-for-youth-opens-monday/

For information on how to access their services,

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/summit/summit.aspx

Take Care 🙂

This week we kicked off Jump Rope for Heart! During Phys Ed time, students are learning the importance of movement and how exercise supports healthy habits. Please see the parent letter attached with more information and how to sign up.

Our school received a class set of new jump ropes which students have already been enjoying. As part of the program, the Heart & Stroke foundation asks us to encourage students and families to learn about and support important heart and brain research that is funded by Heart & Stroke.

This event teaches our students the importance of giving back and encourages them to learn the EASY healthy habits, so they understand the importance of staying active, eating well and taking care of their heart and brain health.

Our phys. ed classes will participate in a fun event on March 26th, to celebrate everyone's accomplishments, hand out certificates and prizes. We will also celebrate our fundraising efforts.

Donating is encouraged, however, all students will participate as part of phys. ed curricular outcomes, regardless of participation in the fundraising.

Please click the link to see the GrACE newsletter for February 2025. GRACE is a grassroots organization whose mission is to support publicly funded Catholic Education in Alberta.

(Written with the assistance of MS Co-Pilot)

The three traditional aspects of Lent—fasting, almsgiving, and prayer—each play a unique and important role in the spiritual journey during this season.

1. Fasting

Fasting is a practice of self-denial and discipline. It involves giving up certain foods, meals, or luxuries as a way to focus more on spiritual growth and less on physical desires. Fasting helps individuals develop self-control and empathy for those who are less fortunate. It's a reminder of the sacrifices made by Jesus and encourages a deeper connection with one's faith.

At St. Cecilia School we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday on the morning of March 4, 2025. As previously mentioned, we are grateful to St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus for supplying pancakes for all students. School Council is also generously donating syrup, plates and utensils. Fun Lunch will continue to be provided over the 6 weeks of Lent and we do not expect students to be actively fasting, however we want them to appreciate the spirit of fasting. Although there is no expectation in terms of nutrition we will challenge students to focus on fasting during the eating portion of the lunch period by restricting talking and rambunctious behavior playing games in the lunch room. We will expect students to eat silently and reflect on the sacrifice made by Christ. We call this activity "Monk Lunch" and we will provide more context next week during our Ash Wednesday celebration.

2. Almsgiving

Almsgiving is the act of giving to those in need. This can be in the form of money, food, clothing, or time. Almsgiving is a way to practice charity and compassion, reflecting the love and generosity of Christ. It helps to build a sense of community and responsibility towards others, especially the poor and marginalized. Through almsgiving, individuals can make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

We will encourage all students and families to donate non-perishable food items for a food drive that will take place over the Lenten season. Collected items will be donated to St. Cecilia St. Vincent de Paul Society. We thank you for your donations.

3. Prayer

Prayer is a fundamental aspect of Lent, providing a way to communicate with God and seek guidance, strength, and forgiveness. It involves setting aside time for reflection, meditation, and conversation with God. Prayer helps to deepen one's faith, foster a sense of peace, and cultivate a closer relationship with the divine. It can be done individually or in groups, and it often includes reading scripture, reciting traditional prayers, or simply speaking from the heart.

Together, these three practices—fasting, almsgiving, and prayer—create a holistic approach to Lent, encouraging personal growth, spiritual renewal, and a greater sense of connection with God and others. They help individuals prepare for the celebration of Easter by fostering a spirit of humility, generosity, and devotion.

Discussion/Reflection Questions

- What is one thing that you can do to grow closer to Jesus during the season of Lent?

- What helps me to pray more purposefully?

- For whom or for what am I being called to pray?

- What insights have we gained from service-learning projects?

- What helps me to see with merciful eyes?

- What might be some faith-centred goals I am being called to consider?

Each year Alberta schools are required to analyze data and make plans for continual school improvement. Our school plan flows from the School District plan and is framed around District Priorities which are; Faith Formation, Student Success, Well Being and Indigenous Education. Our school plan is housed on our school website at this link: Reports & Publications - St. Cecilia School.

Over the coming weeks I will include snippets of data from our AEM report and Student Voice Survey in this newsletter. Ongoing discussion, analysis will occur at the school level as the school year continues to unfold.

Each year, students in grades 4-5-6 are asked to complete the Student Voice Survey. The SVS collects data on the District Board Priorities and students are asked a variety of questions.

The image presents survey data on two aspects of a safe school environment:

1. "I feel accepted just as I am at my school."

- 24.51% of respondents strongly agree that they feel accepted as they are at their school.

- 56.86% agree with this statement.

- 12.75% disagree.

- 5.88% strongly disagree.

This data suggests that a majority of students feel accepted and comfortable being themselves at their school, though a notable percentage do not share this sentiment.

2. "I usually feel accepted by other students."

- 27.45% of respondents strongly agree that they feel accepted by their peers.

- 54.9% agree with this.

- 10.78% disagree.

- 6.86% strongly disagree.

The responses indicate that while most students feel accepted by their classmates, a sizable minority do not experience this level of acceptance from their peers.

Overall, the survey results highlight that while many students feel accepted and comfortable in their school environment, there is still room for improvement in ensuring all students feel welcomed, valued, and accepted, both by the school community as a whole and by their peers. Addressing these areas can contribute to creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.

The Education Act requires the Calgary Catholic School District to prioritize resources and facilities for resident (Catholic) students. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the advancement of a non-resident (non-Catholic) student from one grade to the next in the same school or from elementary to junior and senior high school.

We do not reassess the enrollment priority of a non-resident student during a school year, but we may do this for a future school year. This may result in us informing you to seek enrollment at a different school in the Calgary Catholic School District or another school division for a future school year.

Please contact me at denis.fortier@cssd.ab.ca or by phone at 403 500 2063, if you have any questions about your child’s enrollment priority.

February 21, 2025

To view the Calgary Catholic Board Meeting Highlights for the Regular Board Meeting of February 19, 2025, as well as previous Highlights please access the following link: https://www.cssd.ab.ca/highlights-minutes

February 28, 2025

THIS INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY.

All public board meetings are held on Wednesdays at 1:30 pm and members of the public are invited to join the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

The Calgary Catholic Regular Board Meeting Agenda and memos for the March 5, 2025, meeting can be accessed with the following link:

https://www.cssd.ab.ca/board-meetings

Formed, AKA Netflix for Catholics

All About Shrove Tuesday

My Child's Learning: A Parent Resource

Canadian Parents for French - CPF is an advocacy group whose aim is to promote French bilingual education.

St. Cecilia Student Handbook

K to 12 Education in Alberta: This link gives a broad overview of Alberta's K to 12 education system.

New LearnAlberta Parent Support Website: Contains an overview of grade level topics and is a good place to start for parents who are looking for ways to engage with their child's education.

Programs of Study: Links to K-12 programs of study as well as Tools for Parents.

Please click the links below to view the volunteer orientation and please make sure to complete the acknowledgement forms. These steps are very important in keeping you up to date as a school volunteer.

Volunteer Orientation: https://youtu.be/QaOxx2x3-eM

Acknowledgement Form: https://forms.gle/sDCD7aYau9PTGgSPA

Circle of Friends Survey for Class Placement Sept 2025

Indigenous Education Links

21 Things You May Not Have Known About the Indian Act

Indigenous Veteran's Day - Nov 8.

The Seven Sacred Laws Animated Web Series

RupertsLand Institute

Indigenous Elder Definition

Action for Happiness Action for Happiness is a great resource to bring more positivity in our lives.

The Summit - The Summit program is an Alberta Health Services program that supports children and families experiencing mental health concerns that need to be addressed. They provide long term counselling as well as walk in’s.

CanLearn Society - A great resource for parents on how to manage mental health issues or concerns in the home.

Healthy childhood development through outdoor risky play: Navigating the balance with injury prevention.

Brief review about outdoor play

The importance of regaining outdoor PA

HealthyHunger.ca Healthy Hunger.

Bullying Prevention Resources for Alberta Government

Links for Playground Donations

For St. Cecilia School students/parents, please click below link to login school fee payment account to make the donation:

https://www.studentquickpay.com/CSSD/Default.aspx

For guest donors, please click below link to login and make the donation:

https://www.studentquickpay.com/CSSD/MyAccount/Main.aspx?webitemid=8670

Aug 26-Sept 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/8n1cr

Sept 9-13, 2024 : https://secure.smore.com/n/at85k

Sept 16-20, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/uaxp4

Sept 23-27, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/kb635

Sept 30-Oct 4, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/kuvsr

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Oct 14-18, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/t5dgy

Oct 21-25, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/knphv

Oct 28-Nov 1, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/d01564

Nov 4 - 8, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/9ntu5p

Nov 11 - 15, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/9qev8

Nov 18 - 22, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/dh3q1

Nov 25 - 29, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/8fae1

Dec 2 - 6, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/7zygut

Dec 9-13, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/emyb5

Dec 16 - 20, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/n4u801

Dec 12 - 19, Christmas Edition: https://secure.smore.com/n/s9b4mq

Jan 13 - 17, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/brsmh

Jan 20 - 24, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/6w5tue

Jan 27 - Jan 31, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/a0489

Feb 3 - 7, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/0x2ha

Feb 10 - 14, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/f30u1

Feb 17 - 21, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/51t24

Feb 24 - 28, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/697kf

March 3 - 7, 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/1w63m