September - St Elizabeth Seton - Edmonton Catholic Schools

September 2012
E-mail
NEWSLETTER
elana.simington@ecsd.net
Telephone: 780-478-7751
Fax . 780-478-7764
Principal’s Message
Parents, Guardians and Students:
The staff of St. Elizabeth Seton welcomes all students and parents to another
exciting school year. I would also like to add that I am very proud and honored to be
working at St. Elizabeth Seton School as principal. We hope that you had an enjoyable
and relaxing summer vacation. We also extend a warm welcome to all new students
and their families who are joining our school community this year.
There has been a lot of preparation for the new school year, both at home
and by the teachers in the classrooms. Our staff is committed to delivering a high
quality education to your child and with your support we will have a very successful
year. At St. Elizabeth Seton we are also committed to providing a positive academic
atmosphere in a caring, safe, and Christ centered learning environment in order to
maximize the educational opportunities for all students. We ask that you pray for
the success of our school year and for the spiritual growth for all of us.
The staff looks forward to meeting with you at our Meet the Teacher evening
on September 27 th at 7:00 p.m. If you have question or concerns please feel free to
telephone me, write or email me at elana.simington@ecsd.net or come by the school
to visit me.
Blessed are you O Lord, God of all creation. From you come all our blessings; to you
goes all our praise. Send your Spirit upon this community of faith, this gathered
group of teachers and learners who share a common faith in you. Bless our classes,
our comings and goings, our sporting events, dances, parties, and all school events.
We are your holy people and our souls thirst for you. Let this New Year give us life
and enrich our lives. Help us to learn from one another and to appreciate the many
beautiful ways your love is present to us each day. Unite us in mind and heart that
our learning may bring justice to our land and peace to our world. Through work,
play, prayer, and fun, let us enjoy the gift of life. With Mary as our Mother and Christ
as our teacher, make us one family – learning, growing, and celebrating the dignity
which is ours in being children of God. Amen
Sincerely,
Elana Simington
Principal
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Arrival and Departure of Students
School Info
As you can imagine that with 500 plus students the arrival and departure of our students can be quite chaotic, we are
asking for your support and help.
Firstly, our school doors open at 8:05 am in the morning at this time supervision is provided for your children out in
the playground area. Please have your child play as the fresh air is good for them prior to a busy day of learning. If
you choose to supervise your own children in the morning you may wait at the entrance doors with your children,
please note that this is an important planning time for teachers who are trying to get ready for the day.
At the end of the day, we welcome our parents to wait at the front entrances of the school, rather than waiting out-
side the classroom doors, we want to take advantage of our instructional hours. Please wait until the bells rings be-
fore going to the classrooms and allow the teachers to dismiss the children into your care. We want to ensure that all
children are being dismissed to the appropriate care giver.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to talk to your child’s teacher or one of the ad-
ministration in the office.
PARKING
Also we remind all parents — do not pull into or park in the staff parking lots. These are re-
served area. Park on the street please, even if you are just “running in for a few minutes”.
It is extremely dangerous for the children (and our vehicles) when people pull in, block vehicles, double park, or
take someone’s stall. Please, park on the street. Avoid parking in front of our neighbors driveway in the bas lanes.
VALUABLES
Students are cautioned against bringing valuable items such as portable disc players, jewelry, expensive toys, etc
to school. We cannot be held responsible, should these items be lost, damaged or stolen. We can not stress
strongly enough that each student in Jr. High locks their locker – keeping anything they value and their bus passes
locked up. Do not share your combination with anyone. Ever! Use the gym locker provided and lock it, do not
leave your book bag, purse or clothing “on the bench” or “on the floor”.
ACCESS TO STUDENTS DURING CLASS TIME
All visitors to the school are required to report to the office to ensure the safety of our students. Parents wishing
to speak to their children during class time, or during scheduled breaks are asked to come to the office and have
the child paged. Teachers have been instructed not to release a student from their classrooms unless requested
to do so by the office, or a note from the parent is provided. We do ask that you make arrangements prior to
school regarding pick up, appointments etc. and have your child meet you in the office. There should not be the
need for the office to interrupt classes to remind your child of appointments, etc. In the case of an emergency we
certainly will help out.
2
2

Notice to Parents Re: Students Arrival At School
Students are asked to arrive at school after 8:05 in the morning as this is when the Junior High doors open
and supervision begins. Parents wanting to drop students off in the school must stay and supervise them at
this time.
Elementary students, supervision is outside from 8:10 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. at which time students are called into
the school for registration.
Those minutes prior to instruction are valuable to teachers please allow them time in their classroom to pre-
pare for the day.
School Hours
Elementary Junior High
First Bell –8:20 a.m. First Bell-8:20 a.m.
Recess-10:15-10:30 Lunch-11:39-12:19
Lunch-12:10-12:50 Registration-12:19-12:24
Registration-12:50 Dismissal-3:00 p.m.
Dismissal-3:00 p.m. Thursday Dismissal-11:53 a.m.
Thursday Dismissal 12:00
School Communication
The monthly school newsletter will be posted to our school website and on Power school Parent portal on
the first Friday of each month. If it happens to fall on a holiday, then it will be posted on the Thursday of that
week. For parents who wish to have a hard copy of the newsletter, please have your child pick one up at the
school’s office. A couple of the month calendar will be sent home with your children.
Meet the Staff night
Our meet the staff evening is scheduled for September 27th@ 7:00 p.m. in the large gym. Following the
general session, parents will have an opportunity to meet with the teachers in their classrooms. We look for-
ward to seeing you there.
School Fees
Invoices will be sent out in the first month with each child’s school fees. We realize that some of you may
have difficulty with the large payment amounts, if this is the case please contact the school to make arrangements
for a payment plan.
SAC MEETING
First SAC meeting October 3 6:00 p.m. in the library.
3

Staff List 2011/2012
ADMINASTRTION
HOMEROOM STAFF MEMBER ROOM NUMBER
Principal Ms. Elana Simington
Assistant Principal Ms. Julie Francois
Assistant Principal Mr. Ben Raimundo
TEACHING STAFF
Kindergarten A Ms. Lisa Huculiak Room 108
Kindergarten B Mrs. Christine Bower Room 106
Grade 1A Mrs. Korrie Rolston Room 100
Grade 1B Mrs. Katerina Campbell Room 107
Grade 2A Mrs. Deloyce Hanna Room 103
Grade 2B Ms. Kyla Garcea Room 102
Grade 3A Ms. Karen Sacobie Room 125
Grade 3B Mrs. Elaine Dunnigan Room 128
Grade 4A Ms. Lydia Murphy Room 127
Grade 4B Miss Rebecca Porcina ROOM109
Grade 5A Mrs. Carmela Herbert Room 101
Grade 6A Mr. Rob Tait Room 105
Grade 6B Ms. Caroline Elcid Room 126
Grade 7A Ms. Krista Long Room 119
Grade 7B Mr. Darrell Shaigec Room 112
Grade 7C Ms Morgan Richardson Room 120/110
Grade 7D Ms. Selena Waugh Room 118
Grade 8A Miss Andrea Stevens Room 116
Grade 8B Miss Amanda Settinioo Room 114
Grade 8C Mrs. Shelley Yu Room 124
Grade 9A Miss Kathy Skubleny Room 114
Grade 9B Ms. Cathy Pagliuso-Stagliano Room 122
Grade 9C Mr. Ken Argent Room 111
Grade 9D ASP Ms. Sonia Korol-Lefebvre Room123
Jr. High Art Ms. Carla Kovvalsky Room 115
Jr. High Phys Ed/Social Mr. Mike Myrick Room 115
Spanish Mrs. Campbell Room 123
Learning Coach Ms. Brenda Seibert Room 307
Learning Coach Miss Stephanie Theriault Room 307
SUPPORT STAFF
Secretary Miss Holly Kerr
Clerk Ms. Traci Franko
MR Ms. Leanne Junck
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SNTA Ms. Nicole Ryksen
SNTA Ms. Joanne Colborne
SNTA Ms. Debbie Denesik
SNTA Mrs. Connie Bressmer
SNTA Ms. Yvonne Huber
SNTA Ms. Lucia Llanos
SNTA Ms. Estrela Pereira
SNTA Ms. LaurenePottruff
SNTA Ms. Katia Vargas
SNTA Mrs. Janice Managre
SNTA Irene Blanchette
SNTA Mrs. Rosie Peet
STAY Personnel Mr. Richard Cole
FSLW Mr. Taylor Jacobs
Apple Facilitator Ms. Amelia Souliere
Head Custodian Mr. Richard Petrow
Night Custodian Ms. Terry Manger
PTLD Ms. Bozena Kret
CUSTODIAL STAFF
Comm. Health Nurse Ms. Paula Braumberger
Parish Priest Father Romano
Pastoral Assistant Mia Turlock
Junior High Interim Report Cards
Staff List Cont.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE STAFF
The J.H. Interim Report Cards, which were implemented a number of years ago, will continue again for the
coming year. The Interim Report Card reports a student’s progress in the four core subjects: Math, Science,
L.A. and Social. The first report will go home October 19 2012. The Interim Report Cards are intended to im-
prove the communication between school and home. They are in addition to the three reporting periods
where school report cards are sent home.
Church News
School open mass September 14th 9:00 a.m. at St John Bosco.
Registration for sacraments
Registration for First Eucharist & Reconciliation ( Grades 2 and older) and Confirmation (grade 6 or older) will
be on Sept. 18th at 7 p.m. at St. John Bosco
5

March 15, 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Bus Information
Over 14,300 students in the Edmonton Catholic School District are transported to and from school every day by
either yellow school bus or Edmonton Transit. The transportation budget for 2011-2012 is based on a 0% in-
crease in funding from Alberta Education which is not keeping pace with rising costs. Due to the continued in-
crease in operating costs for yellow bus service and higher costs to subsidize the fees paid to Edmonton Transit,
our district will need to increase the cost for bus passes effective September, 2011.
Bus pass rates for the 2011-2012 school year are as follows:
Bus Passes 2011-2012
Elementary $30.00 per month
Junior / Senior High $45.00 per month
Kindergarten Free
Family Plan 2011-2012
(Families of 3 or more excluding kindergarten)
Elementary $26.00 per month
Junior / Senior $41.00 per month
The cost of a replacement bus pass is $5.00 for a yellow school bus
pass and $65.55 for an Edmonton Transit pass, which is the full cost
payable to ETS.
Our Board of Trustees is committed to providing each student with
safe, reliable and affordable transportation that is responsive to the
needs of their communities.
Sincerely,
Boris Radyo
Assistant Superintendent
Terry Fox Run
Dear Parents:
Once again, St. Elizabeth Seton students will be participating in the Terry Fox run in order to raise money for
cancer research. The Terry Fox run will be held, on Friday, September 28 th , 2012.
Since all of us have known a family member or friend who has been affected by cancer, we all understand how
horrible the disease is and how important it is to give money towards finding a cure.
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EDUCATION
Office of the Minister
I am pleased to inform you that the general and Catholic 2012/2013 Curriculum Express for Parents, Kindergarten to Grade 3
and the new digital parent resource, My Child’s Learning: A Parent Resource are now available. I trust you will find them to
be a valuable source of information as you prepare for the next school year.
The Curriculum Express for Parents series is available in English and gives a short explanation of the curriculum for parents
who are English language learners. The Catholic version of the Curriculum Express includes additional text reflecting the faith
and values as understood by the Catholic Church. The Curriculum Express series is available on the Education website at
www.education.alberta.ca/parents/resources/express.aspx and may be downloaded for viewing and printing as required. The
series is also available for purchase from the Learning Resources Centre at 780-427-2767 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000).
An order form is also available on our website.
While the Curriculum Express for Parents series remains available in print, we are exploring other methods of sharing the information
the series contains so that we may continue to effectively meet the needs of our diverse parent population.
The print versions of the Curriculum Handbook for Parents and Curriculum Summaries were phased out and replaced by a
new digital resource, My Child’s Learning / Apprentissage de mon enfant, launched in February 2012. This new interactive
digital resource provides parents with the most up-to-date information about what their child is learning, resources to help their
child and how their child might be assessed for every subject and grade. This resource is available on the Education website in
English at www.mychildslearning.alberta.ca and in French at www.apprentissagedemonenfant.alberta.ca.
As part of back to school activities, we would like to ask your assistance in promoting this valuable resource for all parents of
students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. Alberta Education is printing a My Child’s Learning / Apprentissage de mon enfant
bookmark for each student in your jurisdiction and packaging them by school. The bookmarks will be shipped to your office
during the first few weeks of September and we request your assistance in distributing the appropriate packages to your
schools.
For further information, please contact the Programs of Study and Resources sector at 780‑427‑2984. For information in
French, please contact French and International Education Services sector at 780‑427‑2940. Both numbers are toll‑free by
first dialing 310‑0000.
Sincerely,
Jeff Johnson
Minister of Education
MLA, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater
cc: Superintendents of Public, Charter, Francophone and Catholic Schools Boards
Education Directors for Treaty 6, 7 and 8
Executive Directors Stakeholder Associations
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Short paragraph for inclusion on school board website:
Kids Plus Accident Insurance
For your convenience, we have made arrangements for families to voluntarily purchase student accident insurance through the
Kids Plus Accident Insurance program, underwritten by Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
Kids Plus Accident Insurance offers protection against the unexpected costs of injury from accidents, and is especially valuable
for families who:
� do not have medical or dental plans,
� have limited plans, as it may help supplement health and dental benefits, or
have active children who enjoy sports and outdoor activities.
For complete plan details, please visit www.kidsplus.ca.
Kids Plus Accident Insurance
For your convenience, we have made arrangements for families to voluntarily purchase student accident insurance through the
Kids Plus Accident Insurance program, underwritten by Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
Kids Plus Accident Insurance offers protection against the unexpected costs of injury from accidents, and is especially valuable
for families who:
� do not have medical or dental plans,
� have limited plans, as it may help supplement health and dental benefits, or
have active children who enjoy sports and outdoor activities.
Kids Plus Accident Insurance has a selection of plans to suit most budgets. Benefits include coverage for:
� The full school year (September to September), 24 hours a day, whether at school or at home;
� Expenses that are often limited or not covered by private or group insurance plans, or Provincial Health Insurance Plans -
such as ambulance, physiotherapy, private tutoring, counselling, and much more;
� Injury-related dental treatment (including future dental treatment up to age 26);
Out-of-province or country emergency medical expenses.
If your address changes during the school year, your Kids Plus Accident Insurance plan is transferable from school to school,
anywhere in Canada.
Insurance premiums are $13.50 and $31.95 per year, depending on the plan selected, and your child is covered all the time, not
just while at school. A discounted premium is available for families with 3 or more children.
For more information or to apply online, please visit www.kidsplus.ca, or speak with a Kids Plus Client Service Administrator at
1-800-556-7411.
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August - September, 2012
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)
Welcome to our new school year! Our theme for the 2012-2013 school year for Edmonton Catholic Schools is “Life of Grace…Ministry of Hope”. As we continue to deepen
our understanding of last year’s theme, “Life of Grace… Awaken our Senses, Stir our Hearts”, we are called to deepen our trust in God, the source of all grace, that He
will be ever present in our lives and give us the strength to go forth and bring His love to all we encounter.
On August 22 nd , all District administrators gathered together to reflect on this theme and prepare for the year ahead. We ended our morning together sharing in the
celebration of the Eucharistic, our connection to the mission that God has given to us, to love one another. Father Huy Nguyen in his recent talk at Newman College titled
“Glorify the Lord with Your Life” stated that “the whole Eucharist is one invitation for us to receive and also to share and participate in the real mystery of God’s salvation.”
His emphasis is that we should feel blessed by what we receive through the Eucharist and be compelled to put this great gift into action in all that we do and in
building our relationships with others. Through sharing this ministry of hope, we become God’s messenger of good tidings and love to all we encounter in our lives.
As we begin this new year, I hope that your summer vacation has renewed your energies and has prepared you for your mission of being this messenger of hope to members
of your community. Thank you to our school custodial and maintenance staff for their hard work and dedication in cleaning and preparing our schools for this new
year, and for all efforts to complete modernizations through the work of our Facilities Services.
This year, we welcome to our family of Edmonton Catholic Schools our newest high school, Mother Margaret Mary located in Terwillegar which will open with students
enrolled in Grade 9 and 10. Mother Margaret Mary High School is excited to be offering a unique timetable that will allow students one block in their daily schedule to
pursue instruction relevant to the individual’s needs. What an exciting opportunity for the students!
The goals of the District Plan for Continuous Growth (2012-2015) are based on Alberta Education goals:
Goal One: Success for every student
Goal Two: Transformed education through collaboration and innovation
Goal Three: Success for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
Goal Four: Demonstrate the distinctiveness and advantages of Catholic education
all within the context of Catholic education and the permeation of our faith.
On Thursday, August 30, 2012, the Board of Trustees, members of the Edmonton Archdiocese and the Ukrainian Eparchy along with all Edmonton Catholic staff members
gathered together at the Winspear Center as a community to celebrate a Divine Liturgy, a mass in the Ukrainian Rite, in acknowledgment of 100 th anniversary of the first
Ukrainian Catholic Bishop in Canada – Nykyta Budka.
May God continue to bless each of you as you embrace your life of grace and respond in loving and caring ways to those around you.
Sincerely,
Joan Carr
Superintendent
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Are you on Facebook?
Message from Father Mike Mireau
I am. Most people are these days. Even His Grace, Archbishop Smith, has an account!
Many people are on Facebook – addicted to it almost – as we try to make our mark on the world, connect
with people, and make as many “friends” as we can.
I’m approaching 1300 myself.
Only thing is – they aren’t really friends, not in the conventional sense of the word, in that I don’t really know them, at
least not the vast majority of them anyway.
Sure I’m friend-LY to them, and like them, probably, but are we really FRIENDS, in the true sense of the word?
Many in the church are de-crying this trend – that technology, rather than bringing us together, is in many way pulling
us apart.
How many people, instead of going out and BEING WITH people, or at least calling them on the phone, instead substitute
their relationships with a simple click on the “LIKE” button on somebody’s status?
This is a concern, to be sure. And those who are raising the red flag on this issue are right for doing so.
But – in the church, are we much different?
After all, the Gospel tells us to not only be “friends” to one another, we’re called to be brothers and sisters. We’re called
to lay down our lives for one another, the way Jesus did for us.
How many times have we been to church, surrounded by our “brothers and sisters,” that we didn’t even know, not
even their names, and didn’t really care to know them either?
And how many Catholics have found church to be unfriendly, unwelcoming – only to find a warmer reception elsewhere?
So we’ve got our work cut out for us – both on the internet, and in the church.
And I think, this is where Catholic Schools has the greatest potential, to address this issue head on.
In our schools, we have the opportunity to build REAL, AUTHENTIC Christian Catholic community. We have the opportunity
to teach our young ones to care about their classmates, in a real, direct, and practical way. We can all learn – to
love one another the way HE loved us.
Of course, doing so will take a lot of work, and it will take the efforts of teachers, parents, clergy, religious, admin, support
staff – in fact, it will take EVERYBODY.
Which is exactly what Jesus had in mind – for everyone to KNOW everyone, for everyone to LOVE EVERYONE – so that
we all know – that God is Love, Amen.
Rev. Michael Catfish Mireau
District Chaplain
Edmonton Catholic Schools
(August, 2012)
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Do you want to read and
write better?
Do you want to improve your
math skills?
How: Come to FREE classes for adults
or work one on one with a tutor
Where: #223, Abbottsfield Mall
3210 – 118 Ave
When: Daytime and evening classes
Call: Susan at The Learning Centre
at 471-2598
Volunteer tutors also welcome!
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ST. ELIZABETH
SETON SCHOOL
CALENDAR
September 2012
OF
EVENTS
Hand In Hand into the Future
* See Web site for newsletter www.stelizabethseton.ecsd.net
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
5 6 7 8
4
2 3
First Day of instruction
Labour Day
No School
15
14
13
Girls Soccer Starts
9 10 11 12
Boys Soccer Starts
3711-135 Avenue
O’Leary Soccer tournament
School Opening Mass
a.m.
O’Leary Soccer
EDMONTON, ALBERTA T5A 2V6
PHONE 478-7751
FAX 478-7764
21 22
16 17 18 19 20
X-Country Race
1:00
EMAIL PRINCIPAL
elana.simington@ecsd.net
29
27
23 24 25 26
28
Terry Fox Run
X-Country Race
City Champs 1:00
Meet the Staff Evening—7
p.m.
Picture Day
30
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ST. ELIZABETH
SETON SCHOOL
CALENDAR
October 2012
OF
EVENTS
Hand In Hand into the Future
* See Web site for newsletter www.stelizabethseton.ecsd.net
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
6
4
1 2 3
5 Kindergarten inservice—no
K
Thanksgiving Celebration
2pm Large Gym
With Father Romano
SAC meeting 6pm
13
12
9 10 11
7 8
Thanksgiving
Day - no school
3711-135 Avenue
EDMONTON, ALBERTA T5A
2V6
20
14 15 16 17
19
Interim Reports sent
home
O’Leary Volleyball
tournament
18
O’Leary Volleyball
tournament
Girls Soccer Finals
PHONE 478-7751
FAX 478-7764
EMAIL PRINCIPAL
25
27
St. Joe’s volleyball tournament
26
St. Joe’s volleyball
tournament
24
Boys Volley Ball
Starts
21 22 23
Girls Volley Ball
Starts
elana.simington@ecsd.net
28 29 30 31
J.H. Halloween
Dance
19