STAR Catholic Outreach

Dear STAR Outreach Families,

As we welcome the gift of a new year, we do so with grateful hearts and renewed hope. The turning of the calendar is more than a fresh start—it is a reminder that God continually offers us new opportunities for growth, healing, learning, and purpose. As Scripture teaches us, “See, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5 (NRSV)

The start of 2026 invites each of us to pause, reflect, and recommit...to our goals, to our faith, and to the gifts that God has placed within us. At STAR Catholic Outreach, we continue to be inspired by the perseverance, resilience, and quiet determination of our students. Whether your learning happens at home, online, or in person, your effort matters, and we are proud to walk alongside you on this journey. And, with that, here is some important information:

Important Semester One Reminder

As we enter January, I want to remind students and families that Semester One concludes on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. By this date:

• All required coursework must be fully completed

• Final marks must be submitted

• Diploma-eligible courses must meet this deadline to maintain exemption status

Time is precious in these final weeks. I encourage every student to use January wisely by setting purposeful goals, manage your time carefully, and reach out to your teachers if support is needed. Small, faithful steps taken each day lead to meaningful success.

As we step into this new year together, may we do so grounded in faith, guided by trust in God’s plan, and strengthened by the support of our school community. On behalf of the entire STAR Catholic Outreach team, I wish you a year filled with peace, perseverance, and many moments of grace.

God bless you and your family in 2026.

With blessings and gratitude,

Mrs. Tracy Melnyk, M.Ed
Principal, STAR Catholic Outreach School

December 25 - Christ is BORN!

🛐Christmas Break - December 22 - January 2🛐

January 1 - Happy New Year 2026!

January 5 - Welcome back from Christmas Break

January 6 - Epiphany

January 27 - COURSE WORK DUE - Semester One

Final Exams & Assessments begin - please schedule with your teachers

February 2 - Semester 2 begins

February 5 & 6 - No School - Teacher's Convention

February 16 - No School - Family Day

Need to get a hold of us?

Call us at STAR Catholic Outreach 780-980-0955

Mrs. Jennifer Nelson - Administrative Assistant

780-980-0955 ext: 1

outreach@starcatholic.ab.ca

jennifer.nelson@starcatholic.ab.ca

Mrs. Tracy Melnyk - Principal & English Language Arts

780-980-0955 ext: 2

tracy.melnyk@starcatholic.ab.ca

Mr. Brandon Geiger - All things Math & Science!

780-980-0955 ext: 3

brandon.geiger@starcatholic.ab.ca

Mr. Daniel Hughes - Social Studies, Religion, Off Campus & Options

780-980-0955 ext: 4

daniel.hughes@starcatholic.ab.ca

The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Student Award recognizes nine students (Grade 6, 9 and 11) who attend a school in Alberta, We are looking to nominate a STAR Outreach student, who has shown tremendous growth in developing skills to better themselves through determination, initiative and independence, leading to their improvement and success both academically and personally.

As a STAR Outreach student do you:

• Show a desire to work hard and contribute

• Actively participate in your learning journey

• Display consistent effort

• Strive to do their best

• Demonstrate a positive attitude

• Stays dedicated to achieving goals

• See tasks through to completion, even when faced with challenges

• Demonstrate continuous improvement

• Overcome challenges

• Set realistic and attainable goals

• Show consistent effort

• Work with focus and determination

• Organize time and prioritize tasks to complete work efficiently and avoids procrastination

Star Outreach staff are keeping a keen eye out for these qualities in our students and we could be nominating YOU! What an excellent accolade to have on your resume :)

Students and parents... PLEASE check your PowerSchool portal for your up-to-date grades. We are now beginning Module 8 and all work that has not been completed is now showing a ZERO in PowerSchool. Please ensure that you have completed all work so you can progress towards course completion! Zeros are showing as a placeholder and can be changed upon assignment completion. Any questions? Please reach out to your teacher(s).

Attendance & Engagement Expectations in Outreach Learning

At STAR Catholic Outreach, students may not attend in person daily—but they are still required to attend through active engagement, consistent communication, and regular course completion.

Why it matters in Outreach:

• Learning is self-paced, but not self-optional. Students must log in, complete assigned work, meet deadlines, and communicate regularly with their teachers.

• Even without daily physical attendance, showing up academically through consistent participation is crucial for success.

• Extended gaps in work completion often lead to students falling behind and struggling to recover academically.

What "attendance" looks like in Outreach

✔ Submitting assignments on a regular basis
✔ Attending scheduled meetings, calls, or virtual sessions
✔ Responding to teacher messages and feedback
✔ Progressing through the course at an acceptable pace
✔ Completing work every week—not all at once at the end

Division Attendance Procedure (AP 330) Attached below

Even in an Outreach setting, student attendance and engagement are required under Administrative Procedure 330 – Student Attendance:

• 10% disengagement (e.g., extended inactivity or lack of work) – School will contact parent/guardian to address concerns.

• 15% disengagement – An Attendance/Engagement Improvement Plan is created with the student and family.

• 20% disengagement – Referral to the Division Attendance Officer, as per Education Act.

HELP US HELP YOU!

Do you own a business or know an employer who could offer meaningful work experience for a student? We are always looking to connect with new partners who are passionate about mentoring the next generation of workers.

If you or someone in your network can provide a supportive and educational workplace, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us to learn how to get involved and help shape the future workforce.

tracy.melnyk@starcatholic.ab.ca

PATHWAYS TO YOUR FUTURE

Discover career focused programs that equip students with real world skills and

post secondary opportunities while still in high school! Through hands-on learning,

strong industry partnerships, and dual-credit options, students earn valuable experience, recognized certifications, and a competitive advantage for future

careers.

See our flyer below for more details!

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is the collection of principles the Church offers to guide how we live out our faith in society. Rooted in Scripture and Church tradition, these teachings remind us that following Christ isn’t only about private prayer but also about how we treat one another and care for the world.

AT STAR Outreach, we will be focussing on each of the Catholic Social Teachings. This month, we focus on the social teaching of "Care for Creation". We need to care for the Earth and all of creation.

5pm Saturday Evening

9am and 11am on Sunday

Welcome back! Here’s how you can access your Canvas account to get started with your courses:

1. Go to Canvas

   • Open your web browser and go to: https://starcatholic.instructure.com

2. Log in with your STAR Catholic account

   • Enter your STAR Catholic email address (the same email you use for all school accounts).

   • Enter your STAR Catholic password.

3. Access your courses

   • Once you are logged in, you’ll see your Dashboard.

   • Click on your courses to get started.

👉 Tip: If you have trouble logging in, make sure you’re using your STAR Catholic email (not a personal email). If you forgot your password, contact the school office and we’ll help you reset it.

Create a MyPass Account

All students require a MyPass account to obtain diploma marks, transcripts and so much more. If you have not created an account, please click on the link below and follow the instructions on how to do so.

Create a MyPass account

Watch the video below on how to get your MyPass Account!

The St. Joseph's College (U of A) President’s Scholarship is open to incoming U of A students, including Grade 12 students planning to study at the U of A. Eligibility includes strong academic standing, enrolment in SJC courses, and a commitment to community service. $7500 *The scholarship recipient are eligible to receive a $7500 reduction in residence fees at the St. Joseph’s College Men’s or Women’s Residence.

Please view the December GrACE Newsletter by clicking here.

It is also available on the STAR Catholic website.

https://www.starcatholic.ab.ca/division/school-board/board-highlights

We are excited to share that the STAR Catholic Central Office has officially moved to a new location in Leduc!

New Location: 6547 Sparrow Drive, Leduc, AB T9E 7C7

📱 Stay Connected with STAR Catholic Outreach!

We love sharing the great things happening in our STAR Outreach community. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @staroutreachschool and on FACEBOOK by searching STAR Catholic Outreach School or tapping the link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BmmpEgXxF/?mibextid=wwXIfr to see highlights, important reminders, celebrations, and updates from our school.

For the most current and accurate information—including calendars, announcements, and program details—please continue to check our website regularly at https://or.starcatholic.ab.ca/.

Thank you for staying connected and supporting our STAR Catholic Outreach family! 💙✝️