Fast Friday Facts
November 13, 2026
Rooted in Belonging, Growing in Faith.
Calendar 📆
Sneak Peek of the Week 👓
It’s been another busy and wonderful week at St. Mary’s! There’s always something happening around our school, and we’re looking forward to all that next week will bring! Please note the following upcoming events:
Sunday November 15
-Metis Week begins!
Monday November 16
-Scholastic Book Fair Begins! This important fundraiser for our library will be open during lunch time (11:33 -12:22) all week and during PTI's for your browsing pleasure. It's a great chance to help foster your child's love of reading, and purchase some early Christmas presents! Please note, students will have the opportunity to browse the book fair during their scheduled library block, but will only be admitted at lunch time if they have cash/ card for purchasing.
Tuesday November 17
--Saints’ City MicroSociety will soon be open for business, but first, we need to make sure every citizen is gainfully employed! Our gym will be buzzing with activity as we host our Saints’ City Job Fair, where students will put their skills to work, submitting résumés, participating in interviews, and applying for positions within our bustling little community!
-We're pleased to welcome back nursing students who will be doing health and hygiene presentations with students!
-Metis Week learning continues, as grades K-3 will participate in virtual conversations with author Maris Rawson, a Northern Alberta educator, community leader and member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. You can learn more here: About
-Parent Teacher Interviews will take place from 4-7pm. Please follow the link to our SignUp Genius below to schedule your time to meet with your child's teacher to discuss their learning successes, struggles and goals!
-Our Scholastic Book Fair will be open at lunchtime and during PTI's.
Wednesday November 18
- Virtual meetings with Maris Rawson continue!
- Parent Teacher Interviews continue from 4-7pm. Thank you for taking the time to be actively engaged in your child's education, we appreciate the partnership!
- Scholastic Book Fair continues at lunch and during PTI's.
Thursday November 19
-St. Mary's is pleased to partner with the SPARKED Coalition, hosting acclaimed children's entertainer "Mary Lambert" in our gym! Members of our community are invited to this event, which is age appropriate and geared for the pre-k set!
-Town Light Up and Christmas in Sexsmith begins!
-Book Fair will be open at lunch for students who bring cash or card to shop.
Friday November 20
- PD Day, no school for students as our teachers focus on professional development.
Sat Nov 21- Reverse Santa Parade and Toy Drive
Tues Dec 1- JH Skills Exploration Day
Fri Dec 4- Friday Walk, T1 Ends, Report Cards emailed home.
Mon Dec 7- Staff meeting, 2:30 dismissal, T2 JH Options Begin
Thurs Dec 10- Christmas Concert
Fri Dec 11- PD Day
Fri Dec 18- Christmas Mass, Dinner and Fellowship
Dec 21-Jan 4 Christmas Holidays
Enjoy your weekend!
We Remember 🌸
This week, our St. Mary’s family paused to honour the brave men and women who have served, those who continue to serve, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the peace and freedoms we are blessed to enjoy.
Our Saints gathered for a meaningful Remembrance Day Prayer Service, thoughtfully hosted by our Grade 4/5 class. Together, through prayer and reflection, we remembered the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of those who have served our country.
As a Catholic school community, we are reminded that remembrance extends beyond a single day. We honour their legacy through the way we live, showing kindness, compassion, gratitude, and a commitment to peace.
We remember. We give thanks. We carry their legacy forward.
Lest We Forget.
Parent-Teacher Interviews 💬
We look forward to welcoming families to our Fall Parent-Teacher Interviews on Tuesday, November 17, and Wednesday, November 18, from 4:00–7:00 PM each evening!
Booking is now open! Simply follow the link below, select your child's teacher's tab, and choose an available 15-minute appointment. Please include your child's name in the comments when booking, and remember to book a separate appointment with each teacher if you have more than one child.
Ms. Kellie Wald, our new Catholic Family Services liaison, will also be available Wednesday evening to connect with families she supports. You'll find her booking tab there, too!
While you're here, be sure to pop into our Scholastic Book Fair in the library! It's a great chance to discover some wonderful reads, get a head start on Christmas shopping, and support our school library fundraiser all at the same time!
As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the office.
Out-Of-This-World Learning🪐
Our Saints enjoyed a STEMtastic day of exploration and discovery as STEMagineers brought their immersive portable planetarium and interactive STEM activity centres to St. Mary’s!
From exploring the vastness of our universe to engaging in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities, students were encouraged to ask questions, think critically, solve problems, and discover the incredible possibilities of the world around them.
Experiences like these bring classroom learning to life, sparking curiosity, inspiring creativity, and helping our Saints make meaningful connections between what they learn and the world beyond our school walls.
Through the lens of our Catholic faith, we also celebrated the beauty and complexity of God's amazing creation, recognizing that every discovery offers another opportunity to appreciate the wonders of His world.
Making the day even more special was a familiar face from our Saints family! We were delighted to welcome back Ms. Thompson, a longtime member of our school community and former principal, who helped facilitate this incredible learning experience. Once a Saint, always a Saint!
Thank you to STEMagineers and Ms. Thompson for a fantastic day of learning, creativity, and exploration!
Growing in Faith ⛪
Living Our Virtues! 💙
Throughout October, our Saints focused on the virtue of Gratitude, learning to recognize God's blessings and show thankfulness through their words and actions. Congratulations to our Virtue Award recipients, who remind us that grateful hearts help spread kindness, joy, and God's love throughout our school community!
November Virtue of the Month: COURAGE
Do what is right, even when it is hard.
Courage isn't just about facing big challenges. It's also about the everyday choices that help us grow into the people God calls us to be.
This week, our Saints will explore courage through connection, understanding, and community. As we recognize Métis Week, we'll reflect on the importance of listening, learning, and respecting the experiences of others. With Parent-Teacher Interviews taking place, we're reminded that growth takes courage too, whether that's celebrating our successes, acknowledging challenges, or working together toward new goals.
As our community begins to shine with the lights of the approaching Christmas season, we'll continue encouraging our Saints to put their faith into action, making choices that reflect kindness, integrity, and compassion.
Our Saints in Action challenge: Find one opportunity this week to show courage in a way that makes someone else's day better.
Rooted in Belonging. Growing in Faith.
Parish Connection💓
Catholic Girls’ League – Expressions of Interest
Immaculate Conception Parish is exploring the possibility of starting a Catholic Girls’ League (CGL) group!
Open to girls ages 10–15, this faith-based ministry offers opportunities to grow spiritually, build meaningful friendships, serve others, and develop leadership skills in a supportive Catholic community.
Interested? Families are encouraged to contact Barb at (780)831-4564 to express their interest. If there is sufficient interest, an informational meeting will be arranged.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our young Saints to grow in faith, friendship, and service!
Christmas Soirée – We Need Your Helping Hands!
The countdown is on! Immaculate Conception Catholic Church’s annual fall supper has a festive new feel this year, transforming into a Christmas Soirée filled with good food, fellowship, and Christmas cheer!
Enjoy supper, a silent auction, door prizes, and dessert sales. Tickets are $30 each or $75 for a family (2 adults + 4 children). All are welcome!
With the big evening quickly approaching, we still need helping hands to make it a success! Our St. Mary’s families are encouraged to pitch in with bussing tables, dishes, kitchen clean-up, and event take-down.
Many hands make light work! Even a little of your time can make a big difference. Please don't leave it to the last minute! Click the SignUpGenius below, choose a spot, and help us support our parish community.
Thank you for helping make this wonderful tradition possible!
Bus Pass Replacement 🚌
School Fees 💸
St. Mary’s does not charge base fees for the academic year; however, some programs, activities, and extracurriculars do have associated fees.
Pre-K Fees:
Pre-K fees are due by the 5th of each month. As per district policy, unpaid fees may result in removal from the program. We understand that circumstances can arise, so please don't hesitate to reach out to the school office if you need to make payment arrangements. We're happy to work with you!
Junior High Option Fees:
Term 1 Junior High Option fees are now live and payable! Families can view and pay fees through the PowerSchool Parent Portal or in person at the school office. Statements will be emailed home soon, and will option fees for the full school year; however, only Term 1 (T1) fees are due at this time, as payment was due September 28th.
Extracurricular & Sports Fees:
Some extracurricular activities and school teams, such as volleyball also have associated fees. These fees are due before the first event for each team.
Fees can be paid easily online through the PowerSchool Parent Portal or in person at the school office.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions, need help accessing PowerSchool, or would like to make arrangements for payment.
Booster Club News📰
Health and Wellness 🫀
Empower your 11-13 year old daughter to build confidence, boost her mood & thrive!
Join our 6-week Positive Vibe Tribe program, starting Nov 2. Late registrants accepted!
Fun activities, snacks, group discussions & practical tools.
Register now: https://form.jotform.com/253155315850252
Community News🏰
Water Bottles and Utensils Required
St. Mary’s makes it easy to stay hydrated with our handy Water Bottle Fillers! Don’t forget—a personal water bottle and your own lunch utensils are must-haves every day. Little choices like these make a big difference for our planet!
Nut Aware School
At St. Mary's we have many students with many different allergies, some of which can be life threatening. As such, we ask that students do NOT bring any type of peanut or tree nut products into the school.
Outdoor Gear
At St. Mary’s, we’re active and outdoors every day! As winter weather settles in, please ensure students come dressed for the cold with warm coats, snow pants, toques, mitts, and appropriate footwear. Layers are always a great idea! Spare mitts and socks, along with a bag for wet items, are helpful too!
Contact Us, We're Here to Help!
Email: stmarys@gpcsd.ca
Website: stmarys.gpcsd.ca
Location: 9001 103 St, Sexsmith, AB, Canada
Phone: (780) 568-3631
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMarysSX