Newsletter 8405 175 Street│Edmonton, AB T5T 0G9│Phone: 780 487-2264 Fax: 780 487-2284│www.stjustin.ecsd.net

June 2020 Newsletter #10

Inside you will find: Transportation Information Year End Report Cards Many Thanks 2020/2021 Important Dates

We thank you God for...

Every prayer we have prayed Every song we have sung

All the things we have learned All the laughter and fun

Thank you for all the joy you bring And our wonderful times together

May we walk with you as each new day begins This moment and forever

Amen Dear Parents/Guardians: It is hard to believe that June is here once again and that we will soon bring closure to another school year. This year has been an interesting one in many ways. It has been a year full of exciting learning, new experiences – including remote learning, and deepened relationships with God and one another. On behalf of our staff, I would like to thank our School Council and volunteers who have worked to support school initiatives and enrich the learning experiences of our students at all grade levels. Your partnership has helped strengthen our community and supported the learning of all students. We are grateful for your work and look forward to our continued partnership as we move into a new school year. As yet, we are not sure what the start of our new school year will look like. We will be following the directions of Chief Superintendent Robert Martin and the directives of Alberta Health Services, as well as the Ministry of Education to choose the most appropriate scenario for re-opening. Direction will be given by early August, and information will be shared through Swift messaging as well as on the Edmonton Catholic School Division website. Please ensure that you are checking regularly for messages so that you are well informed of the re-entry plan. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is quite likely that when we do return to school, some new protocols will be in place to help prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus. This may involve limiting numbers for gatherings, which could affect our Meet the Staff event. Details will be shared as we draw nearer to the new school year. Thank you to all who participated in the Division Re-Entry Survey. To all families and friends who will be moving to new homes in the upcoming year, we wish that God’s grace be with you as you journey forward. To our Grade 6 students who will be moving on to Junior High next year, we thank you kindly for your service and leadership. We trust that you will continue to serve your new community well wherever you may go, and that you will always strive to reach your God given potential in all areas. To our staff, who work collaboratively to support student learning each day, and who commit to their own professional growth, modeling lifelong learning for our community – thank you for your commitment.

Wishing God’s blessings on everyone as we enter the summer season. May the summer bring rest, quiet moments where God can find a way in, and much joy to you and your families. God bless and stay well. Mrs. Laurie Pollitt Mr. John Gosse Principal Assistant Principal

MOVING - PLEASE LET US KNOW Please call Mrs. Cathy Gregoraschuk in the school office (780 487 2264) as soon as possible to inform us if you will not be returning to St. Justin School in 2020-2021 school year. This will help us to ensure that our staffing is in place so that we can best meet the needs of students when they arrive for the new school year.

ETS AND YELLOW BUS PASS REMINDER All bus pass payments (ETS and yellow bus) are due the 1st of every month in school year 2020/2021. This will allow us to meet the completion, deadline, and transfer of payment of all transportation documentation to our Transportation Department. Once again, we kindly ask that all payments be made online only. We thank you in advance for your attention to this important information.

Student Transportation Fee Schedule 2020 - 2021 School Year

Family Plan

Yellow ETS Annual Yellow ETS

Elementary

Kindergarten to Grade 6 $35.00 $35.00 $335.00 $30.50 $30.50

Junior High Grades 7 to 9 $59.00 $59.00 $590.00 $55.00 $55.00

Senior High Grades 10 to 12 $59.00 $59.00 $590.00 $55.00 $55.00

Special Education Curb Service Early Learning, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 to Grade 12 who are unable to use regular yellow bus transportation service $0 - - $0 -

Replacement Cost for lost bus pass $5.00 $72.50 $5.00 $5.00 $72.50

*Family Plan Rate: applies to families with 3 or more children attending any school within ECSD and purchasing monthly bus passes

April 2020

YELLOW BUS INFORMATION REMINDER Parents must complete a Transportation Change Form if there are any yellow school bus information changes (change of pick up and drop off address, email address change, phone number change or transportation no longer required) or a Transportation Application Form (for a new request for transportation, Kindergarten to Grade 6 only). Changes take approximately 10 business days to take effect once the Transportation Department receives your transportation form. As the deadline to submit any changes was May 29, 2020, please note that any changes requested after that date will be in place for mid-September (no exceptions). This important information was sent out in an email to all current Parents and Guardians on May 21, 2020. MESSAGE FROM EDMONTON TRANSIT Due to the City's focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, ETS is moving the launch of the new bus network until mid-2021. This is a significant change for customers, and we want to make sure they are properly prepared, and our staff are ready to help them navigate the new routes. For updated information, please continue to visit edmonton.ca/newbusroutes.

REPORT CARDS Yearend Summary Assessments can be viewed electronically through your Parent PowerSchool account after 12:00 p.m. on June 26th. Simply log into your Parent PowerSchool account at https://powerschool.ecsd.net/public/. For assistance in preparing to log onto your Parent PowerSchool account, please contact the office no later than Friday, June 19th. Just a reminder the school office will be closed as of 3:10 p.m. on Friday, June 26th for the summer. There will be no mailing of report cards.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY Heartfelt thanks to Go Auto for their generous and ongoing gift of weekly lunches provided to all students, even through the pandemic. Their kindness has had a huge positive impact on our community. Continued thanks to Patrick Harrison of the Kensington H&W Produce Store for his generous support of our healthy snack program at St. Justin School. The H&W family are indeed community minded and have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring that students have daily access to healthy snacks at St. Justin School. Thank you also to St. Vincent de Paul for donations of food to carry families during challenging times. This included the Weekenders Program and additional food as needed. Finally, our heartfelt thanks to Allan Undheim from United Way of Alberta Capital Region for their generous supports of technology during the pandemic.

THANK YOU, SCHOOL COUNCIL Our school community has continued to benefit from the dedicated efforts of both the St. Justin School Council and the St. Justin Fundraising Association. Their ongoing efforts and desire to positively impact the learning environment and experiences of our students has allowed our community to benefit in many ways including Grades 4-6 skiing, Grade 6 camp, educational fieldtrips, technology, and Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast.

Special thanks to our dedicated School Council Executive that represented our parent community for the 2019/2020 school year. Their work has resulted in many benefits for our St. Justin family.

Chair - Ms. Kyla Mendiuk Secretary - Mr. Ray Aceron

Treasurer - Ms. Ashley Goertz Director - Mrs. Laura Stafford

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

Thank you to all who have contributed their time and support to the initiatives of the St. Justin School Council throughout this school year. Without you we would not have been able to accomplish our goals this past year. Together our contributions have supported many school events and subsidized fieldtrips that extended learning of the curriculum in a wide variety of ways. I want to thank you for making St. Justin such a wonderful school community and we look forward to seeing you next year.

Regards, Kyla Mendiuk Chair of School Council SUPPLY LISTS FOR 2020-2021 School supply lists for the 2020-2021 school year are available on our school website: https://www.ecsd.net/schools/8040/school-supplies/Pages/default.aspx If families have supplies left from this school year at home, it is not necessary to purchase these items again. For example, if students have pencils, binders and scissors from this year, they may wish to use those and replenish as necessary. Parents are responsible for purchasing supplies on their own, as no supplies are available through the school for sale. GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND STAFF LAYOFFS Due to changes in Government funding, a new model has been put into place which involves funding according to a three year average rather than the per student allocations we have had in the past. Funding according to a three year average means that enrolment growth is not funded to the extent that it had been in the past, which impacts larger boards. Significant changes to the way that Program Unit Funding (PUF) is being allocated has affected both 100 Voices programming and Kindergarten. This resulted in a $28 million dollar funding reduction for ECSD, which meant that the number of 100 Voices programs in the division were significantly reduced and full day Kindergarten programing has been changed to Kindergarten with extended experiences. At our site, changes to funding mean that Ms. Nykolyshyn will be teaching Kindergarten for half day, and an Early Childhood Educator will program for students for the remaining half day. We are sad to say farewell to Mrs. Rasmussen whose role came through PUF, and she will not be returning to us in the fall. Although this presents many changes in our building, we will work hard to provide the best possible programming for all children that we serve.

SCHOOL FEES Fee payments may be made through your Parent PowerSchool in September. School fees are in the process of being approved by the Division and will be posted onto our St. Justin School webpage very soon. We recognize that the pandemic has resulted in many financial challenges for families. With this in mind, we have reduced School Fees for Kindergarten and Grades 1-6 for the upcoming school year, and we will be keeping finances in mind as we plan for

fieldtrips and fundraising in the new year. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL The first day of school for students next year is Wednesday, September 2. This will be a full day of instruction for students in Grades 1-6. Students will be required to bring their lunches with them. Students in Kindergarten will have staggered entry on September 2 and 4, with regular classes starting on Tuesday, September 8. Additional information will be emailed via Swift by September 1. Included in the email will be information regarding which doors to enter the school through. Students will be met at their doors by their teachers. The school entry will ring at 8:05 a.m. and classes will begin at 8:10 a.m. on the first day of school.

The school office will be closed for the summer beginning Monday, June 29, 2020. The school office will re-open as per the following: Wednesday, August 26th to Friday, August 28th – Open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Monday, August 31st – Closed as all Staff will be attending St. Justin School opening meetings

Tuesday, September 1st – Open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Beginning Wednesday, September 2nd – Office hours will be Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Should you require assistance before or after those hours, please leave a message on our answering machine and we will return your call in a timely manner.

MISS ERLINDA TAN

After 23 years of dedicated service to the Edmonton Catholic School District, our very loved Light Duty Custodian, Miss Erlinda Tan, has decided to exchange her cleaning supplies for a well deserved retirement. On May 29, 2020 we said farewell to Miss Tan by celebrating her retirement in our beautiful Rosary Garden. Some of our Staff did a drive by farewell with signs and a few horn honkings. Miss Tan, we will miss you and your generous heart. Enjoy your retirement with all our love to you! STAFFING UPDATES Although the Division staffing cycle is still underway, we would like to share with you the staffing changes that are known to us at this time. Best wishes to the following Staff Members who will be moving on to their next adventure for 2020/2021. Maria Daisy Espelita, Melanie Horon, Darcy Huot, Bernadette Johnson, Ashley Kowalchuk, Nicole Latus, Michelle Laycock, Jennifer Peterson, Jessica Raham, Michele Rasmussen, Marco Salvador and Meagan Vriend. Thank you for all your hard work and service to the St. Justin School community and we will miss you very much! May God bless you in your future endeavors.

MEDICAL INFORMATION FOR 2020/2021 If your child has a medical condition (allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc.) it is critical that the proper medical forms are completed. All medical information needs to be updated at the beginning of each school year. These forms provide invaluable information to school staff in the event of a medical emergency. Please note that if your child needs to take any prescription medication throughout the school year, a Request for Administration of Medication/Medical Treatment form must be completed by both the physician and the parent. For safety reasons, if your child needs an epi-pen or an inhaler, they will be asked to carry their epi-pen or

inhaler on them (a fanny pack is great). IF YOUR CHILD REQUIRES MEDICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE TO REQUEST THE MEDICAL FORMS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL . If you have any questions, our number is 780 487 2264. ALLERGY SAFE SCHOOL FOR 2020/2021 We continue to support being an Allergy Safe School. Information will be shared school wide as we discuss our educational program with staff, students and parents. Our first priority is to identify us as PEANUT AWARE and educate everyone about the peanut free zones throughout our school.

HOURS OF OPERATION FOR 2020/2021

Regular Day for Kindergarten to Grade 6 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) First Bell 8:05 AM Instruction Begins 8:10 AM Morning Recess 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Lunch 11:46 AM – 12:07 PM Lunch Recess 12:07 PM – 12:27 PM Dismissal 2:38 PM ***Afternoon instruction includes a 5 minute health break Early Dismissal for Kindergarten to Grade 6 (Thursday) First Bell 8:05 AM Instruction Begins 8:10 AM Morning Recess 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Dismissal 11:40 AM *** In order to provide for early dismissal days before major holidays, the Thursday before Christmas holidays, Spring Break, and Summer Break will be a full day of instruction for students. The Friday before the holiday will be a short day with dismissal at 11:46 a.m. 100 Voices – Morning Class (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) 8:05 AM – 11:05 AM 100 Voices – Afternoon Class (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) 11:40 AM – 2:40 PM

DISTRICT CALENDAR FOR 2020/2021 First day of school for students in Grades 1 to 6 September 2, 2020 Last day of school for students in Grades 1 to 6 June 25, 2021 There will be no school on the following days for 2020-2021 Labour Day September 7 Thanksgiving Day October 12 Faith Formation Day October 29 and April Remembrance Day November 11 Christmas Vacation December 21 – January 1 Family Day February 15 Teachers’ Convention February 25 and February 26 Spring Break March 29 – April 2 Good Friday April 2 Easter Monday April 5 Victoria Day May 24 GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH NEWS Sacrament Preparation at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 2020-2021

To be entered into the family of God, be in union with Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit is celebrated in the sacraments. Preparation for celebrating Reconciliation and receiving 1st Eucharist may begin as early as grade 2. Confirmation preparation may start as early as grade 6. Preparation includes workshops, retreats, mass reflections and, for the Candidates of Confirmation, service hours. Baptism will be prepared for no matter the age.

Celebrations for the sacraments of initiation for those who prepared in 2019-2020 will be scheduled as soon as we can celebrate mass again.

Our program dates for all preparation will be available in July, registration will begin when the schedule is set.

Please follow us at http://goodshep.caedm.ca and on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GoodShepherdCatholicChurchEdmonton/

June 2020

… Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works … (Matthew 5:16)

We began our year of Walking Together in the Light of Christ with this scripture, and it is fitting that we end the year with it as well. We have experienced great adversity this year in many ways, yet we have persevered. Knowing that we are a community that is united in Christ, our constant companion, has sustained us, and so many people have been instruments of Christ’s love for others. The stories of love, compassion, joy, and mercy that we have heard throughout the year have all borne witness to #ECSDfaithinspires.

Each year, the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta sponsors the Excellence in Catholic Education Awards. These awards honour individuals who provide our students with exceptional learning experiences that are deeply rooted in our Catholic faith. We are delighted to share that three of our staff have received this prestigious award: Pascal El Cid, teacher at Sister Annata Brockman Catholic Elementary/Junior High School; Patricia Liogier, Principal of St. Leo Catholic Elementary School; and Theresa Volk, Principal of Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School. Congratulations Pascal, Patricia, and Theresa!

Our Division is currently working with Alberta Education to determine what September re-entry will look like. They have directed us to prepare for three possible scenarios: return to normal classroom instruction, partial return to classes/return with restrictions in place and remaining in a remote learning situation. Which scenario we end up beginning the year with is entirely dependent on the pandemic status at the end of the summer and our ability to ensure that our students and staff can maintain their health and safety. The Ministry has indicated that they will decide what re-entry will be by August 1st in order to allow us ample time to be prepared for learning in the 2020-21 school year. We will let our families know what fall classes will look like as soon as this has been determined.

As Father’s Day approaches and we celebrate all those who have filled the role of father, grandfather, or mentor, let us take a moment to pray for them and give thanks.

Heavenly Father, Today we ask You to bless our earthly fathers for the many times they reflected the love, strength, generosity, wisdom and mercy that You exemplify in Your relationship with us, Your children. We honour our fathers for putting our needs above their own convenience and comfort; for teaching us to show courage and determination in the face of adversity; for challenging us to move beyond self-limiting boundaries; for modeling the qualities that would turn us into responsible, principled, caring adults.

We ask your blessing on those men who served as father figures in our lives. May the love and selflessness they showed us be returned to them in all their relationships, and help them to know that their influence has changed us for the better. We pray that our fathers who have passed into the next life have been welcomed into Your loving embrace, and that our family will one day be reunited in your heavenly kingdom. Amen

(Adapted from A Christopher Prayer for Father's Day) Pope Francis shared a thought on Twitter that is the perfect punctuation mark on our theme for this year. He said, “If we are transparent before the Lord like a crystal, His light – the light of mercy – will shine in us and, through us, in the world.” (05/19/20)

Have a wonderful June!

Sincerely,

Robert Martin Chief Superintendent

Pentecost: “Going for the Green and Gold” Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be forever!

Go Eskimos Go! You got it. I’m an Edmonton Eskimos fan. And why not? The Eskimos have won the Grey Cup fourteen

times of the modern era, and an unmatched five consecutive wins between 1978 and 1982, most recently in 2015. The colours green and gold live forever in my heart. Not only are they the colours of the Eskimos, but

they are also the colours of the Feast of Pentecost…. After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, Jesus instructed the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and to wait

there for the promise of God the Father. “When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from

heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them ability” (Acts of the Apostles, 2: 1-4).

On that first Pentecost, fifty days after the glorious resurrection of Jesus, the Lord sent the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire upon his disciples that the Good News of the Gospel would be preached through them to all nations.

As we celebrate this Feast, let us remind ourselves our own Pentecost, that is, our own baptism in the Holy Spirit, when we were anointed with the gifts of the Spirit so that we too might proclaim the Good News of salvation to all peoples of our time.

For the Holy Spirit continues to act today, not just 2000 years ago, through the gifts given to us for God’s glory – the great virtues of faith, hope and charity; the seven gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and the fear of the Lord; and the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Let us rediscover these gifts in ourselves, in our families, schools, churches, and communities, that we may be renewed by the Holy Spirit, and in turn, renew others by our Christian witness.

For each of us can relate stories of how the Holy Spirit has touched us in some special way – through the steadfast faith of a family member that all would be well when little light seemed to escape the darkness encompassing us; or the wisdom of a teacher or colleague to trust God completely; or the kindness of a friend during times of trouble or illness.

And what about the colours of green and gold? Well, in the Ukrainian Catholic tradition, another name for Pentecost is Green Holydays, Zeleni svjata.

Our churches and homes are decorated with the greenery of branches and such in celebration of the Feast. Green is a symbol of the newness of life – divine life – brought to us by the Holy Spirit. The priests even wear green vestments for the Feast of Pentecost!

And gold? Well, we were created in the image and likeness of God the Father. By living in the love of Christ, we gradually grow into this image and likeness. We call this process theosis, deification or divinization. The colour of the Divine is gold. And it is the Holy Spirit who helps us grow in the divine life, into holiness, sanctity.

Green and gold. Pentecost. The Divine Life. Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of

Blessings, Bestower of Life, come and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls (Prayer to the Holy Spirit).

Bishop David Motiuk Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton