Madonna Catholic & Cogito Academy

Dear Madonna Community,

As we settle back into school routines, we know the transition is an adjustment for both students and parents. Overall, it has been a wonderful week having our students back in the building—Growing in Faith together.

This week we gathered for our first school assembly, welcomed new students who are beginning to make connections, and supported our youngest learners in Pre-K as they start their journey with their families by their side. Each of these moments and conversations has been meaningful and has helped us grow together as a staff and school community.

Gentle reminder to families to please review the required annual consent forms on PowerSchool. There are students who need medical information updated as well as all students must have consent to access technology and participate in fieldtrips. Thank you in advance to the families who have already completed these steps. Mrs. Gaudet in the office is always happy to help.

We wish you a restful and refreshing weekend ahead!

Madonna Catholic School Admin Team

Mrs Cathy Hinger, Principal

Mrs Fiona Wimmer, Assistant Principal

September 17 Grade 4 Retreat at Camp Van Es (kids receive their blessed bibles)

September 17 @ 6:30pm come join your new School Council to see how you can be informed and participate in your child's educational experience at Madonna

September 18 Opening Mass @ Emerald Hills Football Field 10:00am - ALL are welcome!

September 25 Madonna Catholic's Terry Fox Run @ 2:00pm

September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - No School

Administration

• Principal – Mrs. Hinger

• Assistant Principal – Mrs. Wimmer

• Administartive Assistant - Mrs. Gaudet

• Family Wellness Worker – Mrs. Calles-Menjivar

• Collaborative Response Coordinator – Ms. Wiunow

Teaching Staff

• Kindergarten (T/F, alternating W) – Mrs. Fortier (also Chaplain/Music)

• Kindergarten (M/Th, alternating W) – Mrs. Selinger

• Grade 1 – Mrs. Stadnick & Ms. Wiunow

• Grade 2 – Mrs. LaRose / Mrs. Hagel

• Grade 3 – Mrs. O’Brien

• Grade 4 – Mrs. Wimmer / Mrs. Hagel

COGITO Academy

• Kindergarten – Mrs. Cholak

• Grade 1 – Mrs. Bourassa

• Grade 1 – Mrs. Maclean

• Grade 2 – Mrs. Nietzen

• Grade 2/3 – Mrs. Odiobala

• Grade 3 – Ms. Verhun

• Grade 4 – Ms. Gauthier

Support Staff

• EA – Mrs. Robinson

• EA – Ms. Wispinski

• EA – Ms. Hildebrand

• EA – Ms. Neuhaus

Other Staff

• Custodian – Mr. Medenilla

• Library Technician – Mrs. Bonsant

For those new to MCS as well as those returning, this is a friendly reminder that students are dropped off along Malvern Drive where there will be staff supervising in the morning until the bell rings. If you wish to walk your child to their school door you need to park across the street at the business centre or along a side street. The east side of Malvern Drive(along the school soccer field) is for DROP OFF ONLY. NO PARKING PERMITTED!

Entrance doors for some grades have shuffled this year so please take note of the map above.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincere thank you to our parents for making the effort to walk your child to and from the school this past week. We see and appreciate the effort you are making in your morning routines to either park and walk from across the road on Malvern Drive or from the shopping centre nearby. We are really looking to keep the schoolyard side of Malvern Drive a clear DROP OFF zone and ask parents to not leave vehicles unattended along that side of the street. The safety of our students is the responsibility of ALL adults during drop off and pick up!!

We enjoyed our first assembly of the school year today! What a wonderful way to set the stage for Growing TOGETHER in Christ’s Love this year. 💙🙏 #GrowingTogether #FaithInAction

Join us at Madonna on Wednesday, September 17 @ 6:30pm for a our first Parent Council Meeting of the school year - it promises to be a great opportunity to get to know other families and learn from the staff.

Please follow the attached instructions in order to access the Hot Lunch website. The profits from this lunch program help our Parent Council group to support our whole school community with the requests that occur each year. Thank you in advance for your support!

Hello Madonna Families!

I'm so happy to be back as the Family Wellness Worker for another school year. My name is Andrea Calles-Menjivar, and I'm here to support our students and families in a variety of ways.

I'm a mother of two boys with a background in Child and Youth Care and over 12 years of experience working with families with diverse complex needs. I love to learn through play and find the best tools for each individual and family dynamic.

My role is to support you and your family by:

• Providing emotional support and helping set goals

• Researching resources and making referrals to community partners

• Facilitating group programs for students

• Offering support during challenging times or in the event of a traumatic event

If you are having difficulties and need support, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to help!

I would also like to share the Strathcona Family Resource Networks Fall Programs. They have a plethora of family oriented and individual resources that can support a variety of needs including self-esteem,confidence and regulation techniques.

Hope you all had a wonderful summer break!

-Andrea

Be sure to download the EICS bus app to help you learn in real time where your student is travelling along their route to and from school. https://www.eics.ab.ca/transportation/bus-pass-and-app-information