September 2026 Newsletter

Dear Families of St. Francis of Assisi Academy,

There is something about the beginning of a school year—the freshly sharpened pencils, the nervous little faces walking through our doors, and the hallways suddenly filled again with noise and laughter. There is possibility everywhere.

And this September feels especially meaningful because, for me, it is also a season of change.

Later this month, I will step away from St. Francis of Assisi Academy for my maternity leave, returning in August 2027. As I write my final newsletter message for a little while, I find myself thinking less about saying goodbye and more about what I hope we continue to choose together.

Because schools are built in the little moments, every single day.

When a teacher notices the child who needs someone in their corner. When a student makes room for someone new. When we approach one another with curiosity before assumption. When something doesn't go as planned and, instead of becoming stuck in what was, we ask what might be possible next.

That is 100% for 100%. That is collective efficacy

—the belief that together, we can make a difference.

Schools change. People change. Circumstances change.

But different does not have to mean less.

Sometimes different creates room for something wonderful we couldn't yet see.

May we continue to be a community that chooses joy. That chooses connection over the things that can pull us apart and keeps its eyes on what matters most: our children. That assumes good intentions, extends grace, celebrates one another, and remembers that none of us does this work alone.

There is something powerful when a community looks at the children before us and says, we've got these kids.

Not my student.
Not your child.
Not their responsibility.

Ours.

As I prepare to step away for this season, I am so grateful to be part of a community that believes so deeply in that.

There is so much joy ahead for this school. I will be carrying this community very close to my heart.

See you again soon - until then, may God bless you and keep you.

Blessings,
Lindsay Avramovic (Mrs. A)

We have more wonderful news to celebrate! As of September 12th , Ms. Bulbuck will officially become Mrs. Witt! 💕

We are so excited for her as she begins this beautiful new chapter and wish Mrs. Witt and her husband a lifetime filled with love, joy, laughter, and countless blessings. May God bless their marriage and the many years ahead! Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Witt!

For the 2026–2027 school year, CTR Catholic is reemphasizing the significance of daily attendance, which is critical for student success. Making up for missed class time at home (for example, by completing homework or accessing material on Google Classroom) cannot replace the interactive and engaging teaching and learning our teachers provide in our classrooms. Since our classroom teaching in all grades is based on a model of direct instruction, students need to attend class to receive this quality learning, which cannot be replaced through independent study. Please click here for a LETTER from CTR Catholic’s Attendance Officer.

If your child will be absent, it is important that the school is notified each day of the absence. Prompt reporting helps us ensure the safety and well-being of every student.

You can report an absence in any of the following ways:

• Use our online attendance form: https://stfrancis.redeemer.ab.ca/attendance

• Call the school: 587-757-8702 to speak with Sue Oginski or Channon Lynch

• Leave a message on our 24/7 attendance line

• Email: STF-Attendance@redeemer.ab.ca
  
  

Thank you for helping us keep our attendance records accurate and our students safe.

If there is a change to your child’s regular transportation plans — including whether they will or will not be taking the bus home — we kindly ask that you communicate this directly with the front office by 3:00 PM.

The end of the school day is an especially busy time in the office, and advance notice allows our team to ensure changes are clearly communicated to your child and the appropriate staff. Most importantly, it helps us make sure every student is safely accounted for and knows exactly where they need to be at dismissal.

Please also note that students are not permitted to ride a different bus than the one they are assigned to unless this has been pre-arranged and approved through CTR Transportation in advance. Same-day requests to ride an alternate bus cannot be accommodated.

Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, organized, and smooth for everyone!

We know there are a few different online platforms families are asked to use, and it can sometimes be tricky to remember which one does what! Here’s a quick guide:

💳 School Cash Online — Payments & Permission Forms
Think “I need to pay or give permission.” School Cash Online is where families will find and complete field trip permission forms, student fees, activity payments, and other school-related purchases or permissions.

📚 PowerSchool/Parent Portal — Classes, Teachers & Grades
Think “I want to see how my child is doing at school.” PowerSchool is your window into your child’s classes, teachers, grades, assignments/assessment information (where applicable), and academic progress.

📝 SchoolEngage — Student & Family Information
Think “I need to update my child’s information.” SchoolEngage is used to keep your child’s official student information current, including health alerts/medical information, home address, phone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts, media consent, and other important registration information.

📣 BrightArrow — School Communication & Notifications
Think “The school needs to reach me.” BrightArrow is our communication system used to send important text messages, phone notifications, attendance alerts, reminders, and other time-sensitive school information to families. BrightArrow relies on the contact information we have on file, which is another reason why keeping your information current in SchoolEngage is so important!

Keeping your information up to date is incredibly important so that we can reach you when needed and ensure we have the most current information to support your child.

Quick Tip:

💳 Pay or Give Permission → School Cash Online
📚 Grades or Teachers → PowerSchool/Parent Portal
📝 Update My Information → SchoolEngage
📣 School Messages & Alerts → BrightArrow

At the heart of our Month of Welcome is perhaps the most important gathering of all—coming together as a community of faith to celebrate our Opening School Mass at St. James Parish. As we begin a new school year, this is a beautiful opportunity to gather in prayer, give thanks for the community we have been blessed with, and ask God to guide our students, staff, and families in the year ahead. More than simply marking the beginning of school, our Opening Mass reminds us who we are, Whose we are, and that Christ remains at the centre of all we do. Families are welcome to join us!

One of our favourite STFA traditions is rolling back into the bus loop! On September 16th, we’ll be welcoming YYC Taste of the Trucks for a special lunchtime experience. Students and staff can enjoy delicious eats from a variety of local food trucks while gathering together for some fun, food, and community. Bring your appetite and get ready for a lunchtime takeover in the bus loop!

Our food truck lineup is currently being finalized and will be shared closer to the event. Please note that food truck menus may vary slightly from their regular offerings due to the sheer size of our school community and the need to keep lines moving so everyone has a chance to enjoy!

We are honoured to welcome Ryan Straschnitzki, a survivor of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash, former Humboldt Bronco, adaptive athlete, and passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Ryan has transformed unimaginable adversity into a commitment to creating positive change for others.

In his presentation, The Impact of Giving Back: Building Stronger Communities, Ryan will share how service, mentorship, and supporting others can strengthen teams and entire communities. Drawing from his work with the Straz Strong Foundation and his advocacy for accessible sport and rehabilitation, Ryan will challenge our students to consider how their own actions—big or small—can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Let’s make 2026/27 the best year yet, St. Francis!

Join an elementary club or junior high lunch intramurals, play a sport & get involved!

This is just the beginning of our September clubs lineup: Stay tuned for more club announcements throughout the school year!

• Elementary Choir: Open to Grades 2–6 every Wednesday at first recess in Mrs. Benassi’s classroom, beginning September 2. Grade 7–9 students interested in singing at Opening Mass can speak with Mrs. Stern or Mrs. Hastings.
• After-School Soccer: Jamie Gosling Football Academy offers Friday sessions from 12:30–2:30 p.m. on the STFA field for students ages 5–15. Pre-registration is required. Jamie Gosling Football Academy
• Junior High Intramurals: Grades 7–9 can participate in lunchtime volleyball from 12:50–1:10 p.m. Sign up September 1–4 with Mr. Walton or Mrs. Olson. Non-marking athletic footwear is required.
• Storm Fall Athletics: Flag football, volleyball and cross-country evaluations are open to students in Grades 6–9. Please review the full evaluation schedule or contact Mr. Walton for details.
• Running Clubs: The Grades 1–6 lunchtime Running Club begins Tuesday September 8. Cross-country practices for Grades 6–9 begin September 1 and run Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

St. Francis of Assisi Academy is once again proud to participate in the annual Terry Fox Run, uniting our community in faith, hope, and action. Inspired by Terry’s courage and perseverance, we connect this important tradition to Catholic Social Teaching—recognizing our shared responsibility to uphold the dignity of every person and to work together for the common good.

Information on this year’s fundraising efforts will be shared soon. Together, let’s carry Terry’s dream forward with hearts of compassion and service. 💙

On Wednesday, September 30, there will be no school as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — a day to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities.

At St. Francis of Assisi Academy, we remain committed to continuing our journey of listening, learning, and growing in our understanding of Truth and Reconciliation. Throughout September, students will engage in age-appropriate learning and reflection that helps deepen our collective understanding of the histories, experiences, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.

As a school community, we will recognize Orange Shirt Day on Tuesday, September 29, and students and staff are encouraged to wear orange as a visible expression that Every Child Matters.

The excitement is building for our St. Francis of Assisi Italy 2028 Pilgrimage, with 30 students already registered for this incredible journey!

At the heart of our pilgrimage will be Rome and Assisi. In Rome, students will experience the heart of the Catholic Church and some of its most sacred and historic spaces. In Assisi, the home of our patron saint, students will walk in the footsteps of St. Francis and connect more deeply with his life, faith, and enduring legacy.

Our journey will also take us to Florence, Venice, and Milan, giving students the opportunity to experience Italy’s remarkable art, architecture, history, and culture along the way.

Enrollment is already underway, with 30 students registered! If your child is interested in joining us, we encourage you to secure their spot today!

Our next information meeting will be announced soon for families who would like to learn more about the itinerary, travel experience, costs, and registration process.

This opportunity is open to students who will be in Grades 7–9 in Spring 2028.

We cannot wait to experience this once-in-a-lifetime journey together!

We are currently accepting applications for a part-time (0.5 FTE) Library Technician to join our STFA team! If you—or someone you know—would be a wonderful addition to our school community, we encourage you to apply using the link below.

To learn more about the position and apply, please visit the link below.

Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by Lana Clark, Director of Human Resources.

A friendly reminder to our K–6 families that students must be signed out by an adult at the office before leaving during the school day. We are not able to send students out to the parking lot or to a vehicle without a parent or designated adult coming inside.

This procedure is an important part of our commitment to student safety and accountability. It ensures we always know where each child is and that they are released directly into the care of a responsible adult. Thank you for partnering with us in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students.

At St. Francis of Assisi Academy, we want every student to feel comfortable, confident, and respected. As part of CTR Catholic’s Administrative Procedures, our dress code is meant to support dignity, modesty, and respect for self and others in a Catholic school setting.

We ask that clothing choices reflect these values—avoiding items that are overly revealing or that carry messages not suited to our learning environment. When dress code concerns do arise, they will always be addressed gently and privately by an administrator or designate, with the student’s dignity at the center.

Thank you for partnering with us in helping our children see that how we present ourselves is one way we show respect, belonging, and love in our school community.

We invite you to join our School Council—an active group of parents working with our principal, teachers, trustee, and community to support St. Francis of Assisi Academy. Meetings are once a month at 6:00 PM and will be held on the following dates:

• Thursday, September 24
• Tuesday, October 20
• Thursday, November 26
• Thursday, January 14
• Thursday, February 11
• Thursday, March 11
• Thursday, April 22
• Thursday, May 20
  
  

Your time and talents make a difference! Every act of involvement, big or small, shows your child that their education matters. We look forward to working together to strengthen our school community.

For questions on how to get involved, or to speak to your School Council Chair, email schoolmomlaurie@gmail.com

It’s officially apple season! 🍏🍎 We’re excited to kick off our Davison Orchards Apple Fundraiser, bringing delicious, fresh BC apples from Davison Orchards to our STFA community. Not only is this a wonderful way to stock up on some fall favourites, but your purchase also helps support initiatives and opportunities for our students here at St. Francis of Assisi Academy.

Our first Hot Lunch of the year is next Tuesday! A friendly reminder that the deadline to place your order is this Thursday.

We would like to extend our thanks to the School Council for organizing our Hot Lunch Program. If you would like to order a hot lunch for your child on Tuesdays or Thursdays, simply click on the Healthy Hungers logo to access the sign-in page and make your purchase(s).

For pick-up arrangements, please contact Mrs. Sue at the front office at 587-757-8702. Any unclaimed lunches will be donated to a student in need.

Show your Storm pride! Our school apparel is now available for purchase, but only for a limited time. The sale runs until September 18th, so don’t miss your chance to order.

Click the link below to browse and place your order directly!

FRESH BRAND GEAR - ST.FRANCIS OF ASSISI ACADEMY

A friendly reminder that our curbside lane is designated as a Stop, Drop, and Go Zone. To keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently, we ask that parents use this space only for active drop-off and pick-up. Idling or leaving vehicles unattended in this lane is not permitted. If you plan to wait, please park in a designated parking stall.

Please help us keep students safe by following these expectations:

🚫 Do not park along the curb — this is our Stop, Drop, and Go Zone
🚗 Use our lot or Seaman Stadium parking (front or back)
🐢 Drive slowly — 10 km/hr helps protect our students
🔥 Keep the fire lane clear for emergency vehicles

We know mornings and afternoons are busy, but unsafe choices place children at risk. Our students are always watching and learning from the adults around them—let us model the care, patience, and responsibility we hope to instill in them.

Thank you for helping us keep student safety our highest priority.

Sacrament registration at St. James Parish is now open! We encourage families to take note of the following timelines:

• First Reconciliation begins October 2026 (for students in Grades 2–5)

• First Communion runs from January–March 2027 (for students in Grades 2–5)

• Confirmation Preparation runs from January–March 2027 (for students in Grades 6–8)
  
  

Registration closes September 30th, so please be sure to register within this window. This is a beautiful opportunity for our students to continue growing in their faith, and we look forward to supporting them along the way.

Click here to view bus route status

Click here for more information regarding bus requests/changes

**If your child will not be riding the bus in the afternoon, please let the office know by 3:00pm.**

• September 4: Welcome Assembly
• September 4: Jamie Gosling After School Soccer Program Begins
• September 7: NO SCHOOL - LABOUR DAY
• September 8: Hot Lunch Begins
• September 10: Opening Mass at St. James Parish @ 10:00 AM
• September 14-30: Gr. 1-5 Literacy & Numeracy Assessments (Alberta Education)
• September 16: Taste of the YYC Foodtrucks
• September 17: Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi
• September 23: Hot Dog Day
• September 24: School Photo Day
• September 25: Motivational Speaker - Ryan Straschnitzki
• September 25: Terry Fox Run
• September 29: Orange Shirt Day
• September 30: NO SCHOOL - Commemoration of National Day for Truth & Reconcilation

Acting Principal: Mr. Michael Annicchiarico

Vice Principal: Mrs. Kara Erick

Website: stfrancis.redeemer.ab.ca

Address: #10 32156 Hwy 552E, Foothills, AB T1S 4Z1

Phone: 587-757-8702

St. Francis of Assisi Academy is a community of lifelong learners, where challenges are opportunities for growth, and individual gifts and talents are valued. Above all, we live with faith and love, reflecting the Peace and Goodness of Christ.