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Newsletter June 2019

Administrators’ Message Our year has been filled with smiles and happy memories. We have been privileged to work with so many wonderful students, families and staff members. Together, we celebrated many special events together and accomplished a lot for our school community.

The wonderful partnership that exists between home, school and parish in our community is something to be celebrated. Father Francis, from Annunciation Parish, joined us for many special occasions and we had many wonderful celebrations and trips to Annunciation Parish to mark important occasions in our school and liturgical year.

Our students lived the IB learner profiles by showing they were principled and caring persons. They outdid themselves in raising funds for important charities and organizations such as the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation, the Terry Fox Foundation, the Holy Childhood Association, and other great fundraising initiatives. They were also always willing to lend a helping hand to one another. Our Recycling Club, Catfish Club and We Act Committee worked hard to commit themselves to service around our site and motivate others to do the same. They also fundraised for many community groups in a huge way. It is such a privilege to work with such kind and caring children and young people each day! Our students showed they were inquirers and thinkers when they worked hard at their studies and took pride in their achievements. We celebrated our students’ learning at Student-led Conferences. Our grade six students impressed the larger community with their expertise, knowledge, communication skills and action projects stemming from their work in the PYP Exhibition.

As the school year draws to a close, we would like to send well wishes with those of you who will be leaving us this year. To our grade six students, many of whom have been with us since kindergarten, we thank you for sharing your beautiful gifts and talents with us over the years. You

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have truly been outstanding leaders and fine examples for our younger students to aspire to. We wish you the best of luck as you move on to junior high school.

Our Year End/Grade 6 Farewell Mass is being held at Annunciation Parish on June 27th @ 9:00 am. Our year-end celebration is being held in our school gym on June 28th at 9:00 am. As always, all families are invited to attend.

We hope that each of our students and families enjoys a restful and relaxing summer holiday and we look forward to greeting our returning students in September.

Jennifer De Stefanis-Dimas Nadine Patel-Guenther

Principal Assistant Principal

School Supplies for Next Year Annunciation School is excited to offer you the opportunity to purchase your school supplies through School Start for the 2019/2020 school year. This process will save you both time and money.

There are a few simple steps to ensure your child will receive standardized brand name products (specified by each teacher). You will receive a specific grade level supply list in mid to late May. Supply list order forms will also be available on the Annunciation School website https://www.ecsd.net/schools/8001/school-information/Pages/School-Supplies.aspx. This order form has a Starter Package (base package) as well as Additional Items. The Additional Items are mandatory by each teacher; they include items such as pencil cases, sharpeners, and calculators. However, these products do not need to be purchased on a year to year basis if students already have them.

There are two ways to place your order:

1. Beginning May 11, you can place your order online at www.schoolstart.ca. Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are accepted. Place your order online before the end of June, and you will be entered for a chance to win $1000 in a cash draw!

2. You can also fill out the supplied order form, and return it to your school with payment. Please make cheques payable to School Start. The deadline for this is Thursday, June 20, 2019. After that date, orders will no longer be collected at the school. Late orders will be accepted online until October 1, 2019 (a $5 late fee will be applied after August 1, 2019).

The supplies will be packaged and delivered directly to your home.

Thank you to Mrs. Patel-Guenther for coordinating our School Start School Supply Program. If you have any questions, please contact School Start.

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info@schoolstart.ca

Ph: 1-800-580-1868

Fax: 1-800-580-1890

2019-2020 School Year Staffing News Although the district staffing cycle has only begun, we would like to advise you of the staffing changes that are known to us as of today.

• Mrs. Christine Szaszkiewicz (Grade 2 teacher) will return from her maternity leave in September.

• Mrs. Karla Silva-Ludtke (Grade 3 teacher) will be on a maternity leave until November 18th. The short-term position will be staffed in June.

• Mrs. Marta Valjak (Music teacher) will be on a maternity leave until January 6, 2020. The short-term position will be staffed in June.

Since our staffing cycle will not be complete until closer to the middle of the month, we will publish the names of new and returning staff members in our September newsletter.

School Council Our last School Council meeting of this school year was held on Wednesday, May 22nd. We invite you to attend our first meeting of the school year which will be held on Wednesday, September 25th at 6:30 pm. School Council meeting minutes can be found on our school website.

Thank You School Council for Staff Appreciation Luncheon! The Annunciation Staff would like to offer a sincere thank you to our school council for organizing a thank you luncheon for staff in June. It is so nice for staff members to be recognized and appreciated for the work that they do. Staff is extremely grateful for the kind gesture!

Thank You Volunteers!

The Annunciation staff would like to sincerely thank the many parents/family members/community members who volunteer in our classrooms and with school events each year. We would not be able to manage without you! If you volunteered in a school activity this year, you will be receiving a personalized invitation for our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast which is taking place on Wednesday, June 11th from 7:45-8:25 am. Please RSVP to Mrs. Jingling in the office as soon as possible if you

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are planning to attend. A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Szelewicki and Mrs. McDade for organizing our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.

Registrations for 2019 – 2020 We continue to plan for the 2019 - 2020 school year. Students who are currently registered at Annunciation do not have to complete registrations forms for the next school year. We are currently projecting two classes in each grade.

Thank you for spreading the good news about Annunciation. We have a terrific community of students, parents and staff. We continuously receive positive feedback about the behavior of our students and the way they conduct themselves in the community. Thank you for your support. You and your children are our best form of advertising!

Moo Club Closure Thank you MOO Club Volunteers! Please be advised that the Moo Club will come to an end in June. Milk will not be available during the last two weeks of the month. Moo Club cards that are still active will be distributed back to students at the beginning of September. A great big thank you

goes out to our Grade 5 Moo Club volunteers, Christy, Izbel, Kayd’n and Max for their work in coordinating the Moo Club each and every day all year!

Grade Six Farewell Our Grade Six Farewell will be held on Thursday, June 27th. We will begin at 9:00 am at Annunciation Parish with our Eucharistic Celebration that will involve all classes. Following the Mass, we will have a special ceremony for our grade six students at the parish. All parents are invited and encouraged to attend.

That same week, on Tuesday, June 25th, our students will spend the day at Laurier Park where they will be treated to a BBQ lunch sponsored by our school council. Thank you school council!!!

Did Your Child Receive a Sacrament This Year? Did your child receive a sacrament this year that was not at Annunciation Parish? Please inform Mrs. Guenther nadine.patelguenther@ecsd.net of when the sacrament was received, which Church and the date. We will update the information in PowerSchool as well as acknowledge the students at the year end celebration.

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Annunciation School Learn-A-Thon Once again, the students at Annunciation are excited to be participating in our school-wide Learn-A-Thon fundraiser to be held on Friday June 7, 2019. The Learn-A-Thon is a fun and engaging way to celebrate being an IB World School –

a morning full of inquiry and IB learning. This Learn-a-thon will enable our students to raise money for items for our brand new Maker Space in the library, which will benefit student learning and engagement. Items will include Dot and Dash Robots, Cubelets, and other devices to enhance learning in our new Maker Space.

As in the past, there are many prizes to be won!

Student to collect the most donations – Authentic McDavid Edmonton Oilers Jersey or Auston Matthews jersey Student to collect the 2nd most donations – $100 Sport Chek Gift Card Student to collect the 3rd most donations – $50 REC Room Game Card Student to collect the 4th most donations – $50 REC Room Game Card Top student to collect from their class - $20 Cineplex Gift Card Top class for most participation – Pizza Party *For every $5 collected the student’s name will get entered into a prize draw for a chance to select a prize from our prize feature table on Friday, June 14th.

On Friday, May 3rd each student took home a Learn-A-Thon package that contained:

1) a detailed newsletter about this event. 2) a Learn-A-Thon pledge form.

We would like to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors:

• Mastermind Toys • Home Depot • Cammidge family

Thank you to all the families who have been helping their children gather pledges. Our Learn-a-thon activity day is on June 7th and our prize draw will be on June 14th at 1:00pm!

We would like to thank all of our families for their continued support!

Grade 6 PATs Students in grades six will be writing Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) in June. Please ensure that your child is ready through proper preparation, study and sufficient rest. Students do better on tests when they are well-rested and have a nutritious breakfast before writing exams. The students will be assessed on the entire year’s learning. It is essential that they use the review material provided to them to assist in preparation. Below are June PAT dates:

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Friday, June 14: English Language Arts Part B

Monday, June 17: Mathematics (students must have a ruler, protractor and calculator)

Tuesday, June 18: Social Studies

Wednesday, June 19: Science

Thank You Patrollers! As the end of another school year quickly approaches, we would like to welcome the Grade 5 students who are training to take over the patrol duties from our Grade 6 students. We would also like to recognize the fine efforts of our Grade 6 students this year in making sure our school community crossed the street safely. These students volunteered their time and proved to be both responsible and committed to their duties even in the harshest climates. Our patrollers will be recognized at the annual AMA School Safety Patrol Picnic on Friday, June 7th.

We would like to thank our Grade 6 patrollers for a job well done! Thank you, as well, to Mrs. Ostrowerka for her work in coordinating and supervising our patrollers all year. She was out there every single morning! Mrs. Ostrowerka, you are amazing!

Thank You Lunch Monitors! On behalf of Annunciation elementary students and staff, we would like to thank all the Grade 6 students who offered their time to monitor classrooms every day at lunch. Thank you for doing an EXCELLENT JOB! Thank you to Ms. Cimino for coordinating the lunch monitors again this year.

Fun Day Yippee! June is here and you know what that means... FUN DAY! Please mark Monday, June 24th on your calendar. Please remember to dress your child for the weather as we will be outside for most of the day.

School Opening 2019 ~ Tuesday, September 3rd The first day of school for students next year will be on Tuesday, September 3rd. School District calendars for the 2019-2020 school year are posted on our District website: http://www.ecsd.net/schools/calendars

2019-2020 School Fees ~ August Office Hours Annunciation Supplemental Education Fees for 2019-2020

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Grade 1-6: $50.00

Kindergarten: $30.00

Supplemental Educational Fees have been set for each level and have been in effect as of September, 2017. These fees offset the cost of mandatory, non-curricular or co-curricular activities and resources that enhance the educational experience.

Schools may also charge complementary course fees, as well as individual user fees for specialized pieces of equipment or resources, field trips, and for activities or resources that are optional for the student. Academy fees will be charged on a strictly cost-recovery basis.

ONLINE PAYMENT ONLY: School fees can be paid easily online through the comfort of your home through PowerSchool using your credit card! Just log-in (with the parent log-in) and click on the School Fees tab on the left hand side of the screen.

Annunciation will continue to collect additional funds on a strictly cost recovery basis for optional supplemental educational activities in the following categories: Extra-curricular teams/clubs, field trips, school activity costs (dances, social activities), student activity costs and costs for extra-ordinary course consumables.

August Office Hours – Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Our school office will be open on Wednesday, August 28th (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM) to allow parents/guardians to register any new students to the site, receive information regarding transportation or inquire into hours of operation. Please see the times below:

Please note:

• The Annunciation School office will be closed from June 29 to August 27. • Email messages will be monitored over the holidays and may be sent to: 8001web@ecsd.net • Thursday, August 29 and Friday, August 30 are staff-only days as we prepare for the first day

of school which will be Tuesday, September 3.

Grade 4 Amazing Agriculture Mrs. Baclig’s Grade 4 students joined the Amazing Agriculture farm field trip and they inquired about where food on the dining table comes from. Eggs don’t simply come from feeding the chicken but they saw how an egg is hatched, collected, measured and packaged before they are brought to the grocery shelves. They learned the different steps of producing flour from harvesting wheat into a variety of wheat products.

Do you know that all the parts of the cow can be used not only as beef but for medicines, as well? To top it off, the caring and risk takers of Grade 4 enjoyed petting the farm animals!

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Worm composting became a big hit for the fourth graders! They brought it to their homes. Who is afraid of worms? Definitely NOT the fourth graders!

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Final Progress Reports Final progress reports for students in all grades will be available online at 3:00 pm on Thursday, June 27, which is the second last day of school. Progress reports will not be available prior to this time. If there are any questions or concerns regarding progress reports, parents are invited to contact teachers directly on Friday, June 28. School administration is also available through email over the summer months since emails will be checked periodically. Please use 8001web@ecsd.net if you need to contact school administration over the summer.

Annunciation All-Stars Reading Program Our monthly draw for our Annunciation All-Stars was held on Friday, May 31st and we are pleased to congratulate our lucky winners who will enjoy lunch with Mrs. De Stefanis-Dimas, Mrs. Patel-Guenther and Mrs. Jennings on Friday, June 7th.

• Kindergarten: Wolfrando and Maia • Grade One: Emmanouel, Sophia and Trinity • Grade Two: Jeremiah and Tobias • Grade Three: Charlize and Marina • Grade Four: Kryzhel • Grade Four/Five: LJ • Grade Five: Cesar • Grade Six: Anastasia Thank you to Mrs. Jennings for coordinating our Annunciation All-Stars Reading Program, and thank you to our parents for encouraging their children to read and participate!

APPLE CORE-ner This month the campaign is Make a Summer Splash. The students are encouraged to stay hydrated by quenching their thirst often with water, especially when travelling in a vehicle, playing in the sun or near the water, or when engaged in energetic physical activities, such as hiking or cycling.

You can cut costs and help the environment by using refillable water bottles, and not purchasing bottled water. Make sure every family member has his or her own bottle. When on vacation, you can store the bottles in a travel cooler, and when needed, add ice to each bottle. Try the recipe of the month.

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Fruit Infused Water Recipes

Basic steps:

• Cut fruit into small cubes or pieces

• Herbs, such as mint or basil can be crushed or torn into small shreds

• Put herbs and fruit in water

• Refrigerate for minimum one hour

Garnish with a piece of fresh fruit and enjoy!

Top Ten Ways to Make a Summer Splash!

1. Play in a sprinkler. Get some friends together and make up your own game.

2. Check out your local splash park.

3. Go to your local outdoor swimming pool. Always swim with a buddy and play and swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.

4. Visit a local recreation centre to see if there is an indoor pool that offers family swim time.

5. Enjoy a cool glass of water with your favourite fruit in it for a touch of flavour.

6. Know Before You Go! Check the weather forecast and complete a simple safety checklist.

7. Plan a family picnic to a nearby lake with a community beach.

8. Get some sponges and buckets of water – try playing games like ‘water sponge tag’!

9. Go to the grocery store and grab a watermelon. Cut up and enjoy the fresh fruit with family and friends!

10. Enroll in swimming lessons at your local pool. Swimming is a great way to be active for life.

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ECSD Numero Tournament Congratulations to our Numero Team for their second place achievement in the district Numero Tournament, held on Wednesday, May 15. Our Numero Team was so excited to attend the 2019 Tournament. Six schools met at St. Francis of Assisi to play three rounds of Numero. We had a fantastic morning, demonstrating our thinking and communication skills while playing with students from different schools. Our students are always fierce competitors and only missed first place by a very slim margin... 6 points. Congratulations to St. Boniface for coming in first place!

Stand up, hand up, pair up - finding our first opponents using Kagan strategies.

Putting the months of practice into play...

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Hannah and Kyle, playing against Steve, who owns the only known set of Braille Numero cards.

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A tough time choosing door prizes…

Grade Threes Create Cardboard Arcade In May, the grade three students collaborated and put their creativity and engineering skills to use to create an entire arcade built primarily out of cardboard. As a final culminating action for the IB unit "How the World Works", they designed and built a variety of arcade games. Then they invited all the other classes to come play their games. The result was a morning of fun for the whole school.

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Kindergarten B and Grade 3B Partnership The grade 3Bs and Kindergarten Bs have been collaborating on a diorama project on animal habitats. The Kindergartens explored shelters in a prior IB unit and had an opportunity to revisit and deepen their knowledge. The Grade three students are currently learning about animal habitats and animal life cycles. They started by selecting an animal, and researching the animal with their buddy by reading and extracting information. Then they drew a picture of the animal in the habitat and wrote down what possible materials they could use. Finally, they created a diorama depicting their chosen animal in their environment using loose parts and various materials.

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Kindergarten B News The students in Mrs. Trautman's Kindergarten A classroom have been learning about shapes. They have been looking at the world around them through our IB unit on How We Organize Ourselves learning about our community. We then took some basic shapes and challenged one another to create things we could see in our community. The students created people, trees, flowers and much, much more.

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We Walk for Water ~ June 13 We Walk for Water is an important event and every $25 helps one person have access to clean drinking water for life; $125 helps one family receive clean drinking water for life! Did you know that 800 million people around the world still don’t have access to clean water?

Please donate a Loonie, or more, to help the people in need of water. Our goal is $300 or more! That will help more than two families!

WEAct Committee members will be experiencing what it is like to have to walk for water, as many women and children do in countries around the world.

Thank you!

~The WEAct Club

Tune it Up Tuesday Our students participated in Tune It Up Tuesday on May 7th to celebrate the music of Disney. The Vocal Team began the celebration with their pieces from the Kiwanis Music Festival. All grades participated in a beautiful tribute to the Disney classics. The students used their voices and instruments to showcase their talents in music. Ms. Arai did a wonderful job conducting and leading the students through a musical afternoon!!

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FC Soccer Edmonton- Gym Takeover On May 10th, we had two players visit us from the FC Edmonton Soccer Club to provide a soccer workshop for our Grades 3-6 students. The students enjoyed an afternoon outside with Easton Ongaro and Kareem Moses from the FC Edmonton team. The students also received an autographed player card from the players. For more information about the club visit https://fcedmonton.canpl.ca/

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IB News IB Learner Profile – Reflective Our IB profile attribute this month is Reflective

Our Learner Profile this month is Reflective: When we look in the mirror, we see our reflection. Based on what we see, we may make adjustments by changing our clothes, adjusting a strand of hair, or we may decide that everything is fine and we feel good about how we look. When we reflect about what and how we learn, we do the same thing. Reflection helps us to be open-minded, empathetic, confident, and to develop self-respect. This month as we focus on being reflective Christians, let us think about how we can use our talents to better ourselves and those around us.

How can parents help develop this profile at home?

1. Spend some time reviewing your child’s report card with them. Discuss it with them and truly consider their thoughts on their strengths and areas for improvement.

Ask your child to clarify parts of the report card for you and explain why she rated her performance the way she did. Can she give an example of an area in which she’s particularly strong? How does she know that this is a strong point? Can she set specific goals for improvement in other areas?

2. Consider the goals that your child could set for the next term.

Make a list not only of the goals but also of specific actions that can be taken to achieve these goals. You might want to list action that your child will take independently as well as action parents will take to support them. For example, if one of the goals your child sets for herself is

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to improve her writing, her action might be to keep a journal and write in it for at least 10 minutes each night. As a parent, you might decide that the two of you will participate in shared writing for 30 minutes each week and produce a book of narratives together.

3. After any experience you’ve had with your children (a picnic, play, game, concert, movie, etc.), talk about the experience with them.

How could the play/movie have been better? How could you improve your piece of art/throwing in a game? What went well/wrong with the picnic? What new things did you learn at school today? What questions did you have at school today? Would you have done what the main character in the book did in that chapter? How could you improve your writing? What are you good at, and how do you know? What (and why) did you enjoy the most about the day?

IB Mission Statement

“The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the IBO works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”

As always, we welcome questions about the IB programme in our school. Ashley Jennings is the coordinator for our Primary Years Programme (PYP). She can be reached at 484-4319 or at Ashley.Jennings@ecsd.net.

IB Learner Profile Attribute Certificates The IB learner profile is the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st Century. These values infuse all elements of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and serve to inspire, motivate and focus the work of the students and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose.

There are 10 learner profile attributes, and our school focuses on one each month. For the month of May, our focus was on the learner profile attribute of being PRINCIPLED. Students are asked to reflect on their growth of each learner profile attribute monthly, once at the beginning on the month, and a second time at the end of the month. To recognize students for their efforts and growth, the teacher selects students to receive a certificate. Below is a list of our award recipients for the month of May:

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May – Inquirers Learner Profile Attribute Certificate Recipients

KA Lilly KB Marko Perez, and Aaden Phillips

1A Irene 1B Amadeus

1C Zian 2A Krymzyn, Angela and Abel

2B Kady, Chrystina and Jasmyn 3A Sean and Charlize

3B Mika V. and Marina 4 Melat, Ben, Elleana, Kayleigh and Jubitha

4/5 Maxene, Emmerich and Jae 5 Max, Dhelchris, Wumering and Dominik

6A Emmanuel, Jorja and Christian 6B Yuskei and Wexy

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MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY June 1 2

3 4 5 6 7

All-stars Reading Draw Lunch for May Winners

8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast 7:45-8:25 am

Kindergarten Early Learning Conference Day - No School for Kindergarten

Grade 6 PAT ELA Part B Hot Lunch Day Learn-a-thon Big Prize Giveaway Day

17

Grade 6 PAT - Math Parts A and B

18

Grade 6 PAT - Social Studies

19

Grade 6 PAT - Science

20

Annunciation Student Faith Development Day

21

National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

22 23

June Solstice

24

Fun Day

25

Reading All-stars Draw

Grade 6 Farewell Picnic

26 27 Full Day Year-end/Grade 6 Farewell Mass at Annunciation Parish 9:00 am Reading All-stars Lunch for June Winners Term 3 Progress Reports Available Online at 3:00 pm

28 Year-End Celebration @ 9:00 am Last Day of Classes Dismissal at 12:06 pm

29 30

*Please note that specific classroom events will be communicated to parents through the classroom teacher. As well, please be aware that other events may arise over the course of the month.

June 2019

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.

1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

The culminating act of our students’ time with us is their graduation, and like any family, we are extremely proud of all our students for their success. As this scripture passage shares, we celebrate that each of our students has received a variety of gifts through the Spirit. We are honored that, through their journey of Catholic education with us, we have been able to provide a Christ-centred environment for their learning and growth; a place where God has activated those gifts as part of a beautiful community.

Student success is at the heart of all that we do. In an effort to add an extra layer of support to our high school students who are writing diploma exams, we are offering Diploma Exam Prep courses once again this year. Visit our School of Alternative Education website, www.sae.ecsd.net, to view the complete schedule of prep sessions and to find registration information. You will also find our summer school offerings there. Pentecost Sunday falls on June 9 this year, and it provides a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Pope Francis shares, “It is the Spirit who is the protagonist of Christian life, the Holy Spirit, who is with us, accompanies us, transforms us, is victorious with us” (May 18, 2019). June offers us the occasion to celebrate all those who fill the role of father in our lives by offering our thanks for their love, wisdom, and support.

Strength of a Mountain God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so, He called it ... Dad - Author Unknown (www.xavier.edu ) Have a wonderful June! Sincerely, Joan Carr Superintendent

Dear Friends, In the season of Easter our hearts turn to reflect on Christ’s death and resurrection. “He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4). The students who attend our Catholic schools can help us understand the resurrected life of Jesus more deeply. Pope Francis assures us that Christ, who “wants to make us sharers in the new life of the resurrection,” is “the true youthfulness of a world grown old” (Christus Vivit, 32). When I look at the exuberance and joy of these young people, I am reminded of the heart of our risen Saviour. Of course, there is real pain, too, in the lives of young people in our schools. They know the brokenness of this world. They’ve experienced emotional depths like those familiar to the prophets of old: “Therefore I said: Look away from me, let me weep bitter tears; do not try to comfort me for the destruction of my beloved people” (Isaiah 22:4). In their own way, they have a connection with the unutterable sorrows of our Lord who suffered betrayal. Young people, I realize you are no strangers to the darkness and desolations of Good Friday, or the grief and shock of Holy Saturday. I hear you. My heart goes out to you. Never forget that Easter Sunday comes after Holy Saturday. As Catholics, our faith gives us a hope that reaches beyond death, beyond despair and confusion. The Holy Gospels tell of an empty tomb, of rejoicing angels, and the Risen Lord. I have observed that many young people have a remarkable openness to the message of Easter. You are moved by the promise of a resurrection that can defeat every shadow of death. As we enter these summer months, then, let me invite you to keep following Christ into the light of the resurrection, the love of God, and the hope of everlasting life. And to all the staff, students and parents of Edmonton Catholic School District: I pray that God will continue to bless each one of you, all the days of your life.

Richard W. Smith Archbishop of Edmonton

News letter (April – June)

Transportation Information for September 2019

Transportation Services: Hours: Mon - Fri 7:15 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday 7:15 - 4:00 PM Phone: 780 441 6078 Email: transportationservices@ecsd.net First Day of School Bussing – Tuesday September 3rd. The deadline for Transportation Applications is Friday May 22nd. Applications received after May 22nd will not be set up for the �irst day of school How will I be noti�ied if I am not eligible for transportation? Your school shall contact you. Going into grade 1 If your child is currently in half day kindergarten with noon hour service and you are eligible for transportation in grade 1 please complete and submit a Transportation Application Form by May 22nd to ensure that bussing is in place for the �irst day of school. Address or contact changes. Use the Transportation Change Form for changes (cancellation, home address, daycare, phone and/or email address). This form is available at your child’s school and/or the District website at www.ecsd.net. Cancelling Transportation Email transportationservices@ecsd.net to cancel bussing if you no longer need transportation for September. How will I be noti�ied about transportation? An automated call/email will go out on Friday night at approximately 6:00 pm about possible changes to your child’s bus route. You can go to your parent portal and your child’s transportation information is available with the effective date. Please contact your school to obtain your login and password to your Parent Portal. Curb Service Transportation If your child is currently attending or will be attending a speci�ic program in the district, where Curb Service transportation is provided; a Curb Service Transportation form must be completed and signed by the Consultant, Principal and Parent. Please contact your school. First Riders Event – Thursday Aug 22nd This event is for �irst time bus riders and for those students going to use the ETS. It is free and is very informational.

Transportation/April – June Newsletter

First Riders

First Riders is hosted by Edmonton Public Schools, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord and Edmonton Catholic Schools, together with our carriers: Cunningham Transport, Edmonton Transit Service, First Student Canada, Golden Arrow, Southland Transportation, Service d’Autobus Fréchette Ltée and Stock Transportation.

Please be advised that local media will be invited to this event.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As the parent or guardian of a new school bus or Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) rider, we’d like to invite you and your child(ren) to attend the 14th annual First Riders!

First Riders allows you and your child to become familiar with the bus riding experience through a unique, hands-on event before the new school year begins. You will accompany your child through a series of outdoor stations that will build their confidence and provide important safety information. The session will end with a ride on a school or ETS bus. The entire session will run approximately 45 minutes.

The program is focused on Kindergarten and Grade 1 students as well as Grade 7 students transitioning to ETS. We welcome any child who is taking the bus for the first time, and even those interested in a refresher!

Join us Thursday, August 22!

First Riders is a free event, but you must pre-register by August 15. Please call the Edmonton Catholic Schools Student Transportation department at 780-441-6078 to secure your spot.

When you call to pre-register, you can choose either an afternoon or evening session, and you will need to provide the student name(s), school(s) and a parent/guardian contact phone number. Appointments will be scheduled to start every 30 minutes.

Families attending evening sessions may experience longer wait times.

First riders is located at Northlands Park (South lot) 112 Avenue NW and Wayne Gretzky Drive NW (See map on reverse.)

Call to book your child’s spot today. We look forward to seeing you at First Riders!

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

Evening

5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

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Edmonton EXPO Centre

NorthLot

WestLot

EastLot

SouthLot

The First Riders Event is located in the East Lot and South Lot.

Entrance gates: Enter at 112 Avenue NW & 73 Street NW or at 116 Avenue NW and Wayne Gretzky Drive NW.

Parking available at Borden Park or the North Lot.

First Riders

Borden Park Lot

FirstRidersPublic

Parking

FirstRidersEvent

First RidersPublic Parking

For more information about APPLE Schools, visit

www.appleschools.ca

Brilliant Brains

How does nutrition affect brain health? Getting enough nutrients to the brain is very important for proper brain development. Staying hydrated and eating vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and other choose-most-often foods are optimal for children’s developing brains.

Mental health and brain health Activities that produce positive emotions like joy and laughter are excellent for overall brain health!2

Feel better, learn better! When children eat healthy foods and are physically active, they are more likely to feel better mentally and physically. Healthy habits improve focus, problem-solving abilities, and creativity.3 Try to rolemodel healthy habits by being physically active and eating nutritious foods with your child so they can get the maximum benefit for their brilliant brain. Reference 1 http://www.health.alberta.ca/ 2 https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page13769.aspx 3 https://www.participaction.com/en-ca/resources/report-card

This month, students are learning about the importance of physical activity and nutritious foods for their brain development, learning, and mental health through a monthly campaign called Brilliant Brains! Here is a summary of the learnings, and how you can support your child’s health.

Physical activity and the brain Regular physical activity helps the brain to grow and develop, which can improve brain function and increase children’s ability to learn.1 Also, the parts of the brain used for memory are larger in children who are physically active. All these components work together to improve a child’s ability to learn and have fun at school!

Healthy Schools CalendarJune 2019

Resources to Support Healthy School Communities

• Active Living Rubric • Fitness Dice Activity • Ever Active Schools Music Playlists • Sugar Shocker Education Kit for Children and Youth

Funding Opportunities

President’s Choice School Nutrition Equipment Grant

This grant supports publically-funded schools’ efforts to provide higher quality nutrition for students. Grants must be used to purchase the equipment necessary for food preparation and/or safe food handing. Applications are accepted year-round. In order to receive this grant, schools must be a current PCCC School Nutrition Grant recipient.

Youth Environmental Engagement Grant

This grant supports Alberta’s young people (aged 25 and under) in their environmental efforts. Micro-grants of up to $500 are awarded to youth-led and youth-targeted environmental projects and initiatives. Eligible projects include outdoor classrooms, gardens and field trips. Applications are accepted year-round.

National Health and Fitness Day

Let’s make Canada the fittest nation on earth! The National Health and Fitness Day Act became law in December 2014, making the first Saturday in June a day for Canadians to get active. Use this day to start a movement, literally, within your school community and beyond! Consider getting students to send this sample letter to local stakeholders and use this day to increase partnerships and community connectedness. Add some healthy competition, empowering students to create a challenge and have fun playing!

Need support? Every school jurisdiction in Alberta has an assigned Alberta Health Services staff member to support Comprehensive School Health. To find out who the contact is for your jurisdiction email: healthychildrenandyouth@ahs.ca

©2018 Alberta Health Services (AHS), Healthy Children & Youth. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License The license does not apply to content for which AHS is not the copyright owner. AHS does not endorse or recommend any pharmaceutical company, commercial product, process, or service associated with grants or events listed in this document.

June 2019Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

NOW AVAILABLE - June issues of Healthy Children and Healthy Teens newsletter for parents (aussi disponible en Français).

For resources to support building healthy school communities visit www.ahs.ca/csh

1

National Health and Fitness Day

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

World Oceans Day

Canadian Environment Week * Commuter Challenge

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16

Father’s Day

17 18 19 20 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day

First Day of Summer

Longest Day of Play

22

23 24 25 26 27

Canadian Multiculturalism Day

28 29

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©2018 Alberta Health Services (AHS), Healthy Children & Youth. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License The license does not apply to content for which AHS is not the copyright owner. AHS does not endorse or recommend any pharmaceutical company, commercial product, process, or service associated with grants or events listed in this document.

SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION REGISTRATION FORM 2019 (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)

Candidate: Must have had First Reconciliation & Preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation REQUIRED: ATTACH A COPY OF THE CANDIDATE’S BAPTISM & FIRST RECONCILIATION CERTIFICATES

________________________________ ______________________________ ____________________ ____ CANDIDATE’s LAST NAME FIRST NAME(s) GENDER (Male/Female) AGE BIRTHDATE ______________________________ BIRTH PLACE ________________________________ MONTH DATE YEAR BAPTISM: _____________________ __________________________________________________________________ MONTH DATE YEAR PLACE Parish (Church) Name & Address City, Province, Country SCHOOL NAME CANDIDATE IS ATTENDING in SEPT 2019 GRADE LEVEL in SEPT 2019 ____________________________________________________ _____________ HOME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE HOME PHONE # MOTHER’s (MAIDEN) NAME FIRST NAME CELLPHONE # EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________ ______________ ______________ _______________________________ FATHER’s LAST NAME FIRST NAME CELLPHONE # EMAIL ADDRESS _____________________ ___________________ ________________ ______________________________ PARENTS MARRIED IN CATHOLIC CHURCH: _____ ____ ____ ______________________________________________________ Month Date Year PARISH (Church) NAME & ADDRESS (City, Province, Country) CIVIL MARRIAGE DATE & PLACE: _________________________________________________________ NOT MARRIED --- SINGLE PARENT --- DIVORCED --- SEPARATED --- ________________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF PARENT DATE OF REGISTRATION ABOVE PRINTED NAME

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION REGISTRATION FORM 2019 (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)

Eligible Candidates: Have NOT Received/Preparing To Receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation REQUIRED AT THE REGISTRATION: ATTACH A COPY OF THE CANDIDATE’S BAPTISM CERTIFICATE

________________________________ ____________________________ ____________________ _____ CANDIDATE’s LAST NAME FIRST NAME(s) GENDER (Male/Female) AGE BIRTHDATE ______________________________ BIRTH PLACE ________________________________ MONTH DATE YEAR BAPTISM: _____________________ __________________________________________________________________ MONTH DATE YEAR PLACE Parish (Church) Name & Address City, Province, Country SCHOOL NAME CANDIDATE IS ATTENDING in SEPT 2019 GRADE LEVEL in SEPT 2019 ____________________________________________________ _____________ HOME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE HOME PHONE # MOTHER’s (MAIDEN) NAME FIRST NAME CELLPHONE # EMAIL ADDRESS _____________________ ___________________ ________________ _____________________________ _______________________________ FATHER’s LAST NAME FIRST NAME CELLPHONE # EMAIL ADDRESS _____________________ ___________________ ________________ ______________________________ PARENTS MARRIED IN CATHOLIC CHURCH: _____________________________________________________________________ Month Date Year PARISH (Church) NAME & ADDRESS (City, Province, Country) CIVIL MARRIAGE DATE & PLACE: ________________________________ NOT MARRIED ___ SINGLE PARENT ___ DIVORCED ___ SEPARATED ___ ______________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF PARENT DATE OF REGISTRATION ABOVE PRINTED NAME

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION FORM 2020 (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)

Candidate: Must have had First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion/Eucharist REQUIRED: ATTACH A COPY OF THE CANDIDATE’S BAPTISM & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CERTIFICATES

__________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATE’s LAST NAME, FIRST NAME(s) GENDER (Male/Female) AGE AT CONFIRMATION DATE BIRTHDATE ______________________________ BIRTH PLACE ________________________________ MONTH DATE YEAR BAPTISM: _____________________ __________________________________________________________________ MONTH DATE YEAR Parish (Church) Name & Address - City, Province, Country & *Postal Code *Received First Holy Communion? YES__ No__ If Yes, Date & Name of Church ___________________________ *Sponsor (Godparent Name): _______________________________ SCHOOL NAME CANDIDATE IS ATTENDING in SEPT 2019 GRADE LEVEL in SEPT 2019 ________________________________________________ _____________ HOME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE HOME PHONE #

MOTHER’s (MAIDEN) NAME FIRST NAME CELLPHONE # EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________ ______________ ______________ _______________________________ FATHER’s LAST NAME FIRST NAME CELLPHONE # EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________ ______________ ______________ _______________________________ PARENTS MARRIED IN CATHOLIC CHURCH: _____________________________________________________________________ Month Date Year PARISH (Church) NAME & ADDRESS (City, Province, Country) CIVIL MARRIAGE DATE & PLACE: ________________________________ NOT MARRIED --- SINGLE PARENT --- DIVORCED --- SEPARATED --- _________________________________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF PARENT DATE OF REGISTRATION ABOVE PRINTED NAME

1. COPY OF BAPTISM CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED, ALONG WITH

COMPLETELY FILLED OUT REGISTRATION FORM FOR EACH OF THE APPLICABLE SACRAMENTS.

2. REGISTRATION FOR THE SACRAMENTS BEGINS ON JUNE 05, 2019.

3. PLEASE DROP OFF FILLED OUT REGISTRATION FORM AT THE PARISH OFFICE.

SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) CLASS SCHEDULE (CANDIDATES GRADE 2 & HIGHER)

DATE DAY TIME ACTIVITY October 19, 2019 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class October 26, 2019 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class

November 02, 2019 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class & Rehearsal NOVEMBER 06, 2019 WEDNESDAY 6:00 PM FIRST RECONCILIATION CELEBRATION

SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY EUCHARIST(COMMUNION) CLASS SCHEDULE (CANDIDATES GRADE 3 & HIGHER)

DATE DAY TIME ACTIVITY November 16, 2019 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class November 23, 2019 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class November 30, 2019 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class December 07, 2019 Saturday 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm Class & Rehearsal

DECEMBER 14, 2019 Saturday 11:00 am FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION CLASS SCHEDULE (CANDIDATES GRADE 6 & HIGHER)

DATE DAY TIME ACTIVITY February 08, 2020 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class February 15, 2020 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class February 22, 2020 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class February 29, 2020 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Class

March 14, 2020 Saturday 9:00 am – 11:00 am Recollection & Rehearsal MARCH 21, 2020 Saturday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CONFIRMATION MASS

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

RCSD Caregiver Education Series Host Expectations 2019 – 2020

Thank you for choosing to host a Caregiver Education Session at your school.

Please promote this session within your school and community.

• Advertise our website and the caregiver poster on your school’s website and information sites (such as Schoolzone or Powerschool)

• Display the caregiver poster in your school and give it out to school families • Share presentation details with other schools/agencies in your area.

Please note that all caregiver sessions advertised on the poster are open to the public.

***A school staff member familiar with the technology set-up must be present to troubleshoot any problems that may arise during set up and during the presentation (e.g., computers shutting down, additional chairs are needed, difficulties with the sound system, etc.) If this will be someone other than you, please contact the education team to provide us with their name and after-hours cell phone number.

Please note that this staff member needs to be present before, during, and after the presentation. Our presenters cannot be left alone in the school.

We are looking forward to working together in supporting the children, youth, and families in our community. We hope that the information provided will be helpful to all who attend.

For more information, please go to www.cyfcaregivereducation.ca. If you have any questions please contact the CYF Education Team at

(780)415-0074 or CYFCaregiverEducation@ahs.ca

Technology and Room Set-Up Requirements What we need from you,

the host school: What our presenter will bring:

Computer with access to the internet PowerPoint presentation on a USB Screen/Projector (or SMART Board) Presentation Remote ‘Clicker’ Speakers Attendance sheet Microphone, if the space requires it Handouts for attendees (including evaluations) Table for registration/handouts Additional mental health resources Signage to direct attendees to the

room PLEASE ENSURE THE ROOM AND ALL TECHNOLOGY IS SET UP AND TESTED BEFORE

OUR PRESENTER’S ARRIVAL

Refreshments for attendees, budget allowing

***School Staff Contact, including after-hours cell phone number

On the day of the presentation: • Presenters will arrive 30 minutes before the presentation. • Please ensure the room and technology (computer, projector, speakers, internet) is set

up and working prior to our presenter’s arrival. • Please ensure the school doors are unlocked or that someone is able to let people into the

school at least 15 minutes before the start of the presentation.

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

RCSD Caregiver Education Series

Host School Booking Information 2019-2020

The Education Team of the Children, Youth and Families – Addiction and Mental Health Edmonton Zone (Alberta Health Services) is pleased to continue to offer the Caregiver Education Sessions.

These free 90 minute sessions are open to the general public and are intended to provide parents, caregivers, school professionals, and community members with basic level information

regarding addiction and mental health challenges impacting children and youth.

Your school is invited to host an evening Caregiver Session for our community.

Reduce Stigma. Receive Information. Reflect on Strategies. Presenters: Mental Health Professionals with knowledge of the treatment of addiction and mental health concerns impacting children, adolescents, and families. Target Audience The sessions are intended to provide basic level information for parents, caregivers, school professionals, and other community members. The majority of our sessions are intended for adults, though some are open to both teenagers and their parents. Schedule All presentations are 90 minutes in length. Presentations can be scheduled by the school on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings during the school year. There are no sessions scheduled on holidays or PD days. The school can choose any 90 minute block between 5:00-7:30pm. Sessions begin no later than 6:00 pm. Topics Topics rotate throughout the school year, with only a few topics offered during certain blocks. Please see the following pages with the topic schedule and course descriptions. Note that some sessions focus on topics relating to elementary school children while others apply mainly to adolescent issues. Advertising and Registration Once all sessions are booked for a season, our website will be updated and a poster will be created with information about all the sessions being offered at that time of year (fall, winter, and spring). The poster will have information about each session being offered and online links for registration. The poster is sent out to over 5000 caregiver, school, and community contacts in Edmonton and the surrounding areas. The education team will be in contact with the host school to inform them of how registration is going. Email reminders will be sent out by the Education Team to those who register for each session. Booking For more information, visit www.cyfcaregivereducation.ca. To book a session for your school, please contact the Education Team via email CYFCaregiverEducation@ahs.ca or call (780) 415-0074.

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

RCSD Caregiver Education Series Topics for 2019 - 2020

September /October • Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety: A Step by Step Approach (K-12) • Parenting in the 21st Century: Respectful Limit Setting with Adolescents (Grades 7-12) • Supporting Self-Regulation in Elementary School Children (K-6) • Technology and the Teenage Brain Parents & Teens (Grades 7-12) to attend together November/December • Keeping Scattered Kids on Track: Supporting Children and Adolescents with ADHD (K-12) • More than Just a Bad Day: Understanding Depression and Self –Injury (Grades 7-12) • Parenting Strategies that Promote Positive Mental Health and Build Resilience in

Elementary School Children (K-6) • (NEW) Mindfulness: Benefits for the Whole Family (K-12) January/February • Sleeping Your Way to Better Mental Health (K-12) • Test Anxiety: Strategies for Success: Parents & Teens (Grades 7-12) to attend together • Promoting Success in Learning by Building Executive Functioning Skills (K-6) • Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety: A Step by Step Approach (K-12) • Parenting in the 21st Century: Respectful Limit Setting with Adolescents (Grades 7-12)

March/April • Supporting Self-Regulation in Elementary School Children (K-6) • Keeping Scattered Kids on Track: Supporting Children and Adolescents with ADHD (K-12) • More than Just a Bad Day: Understanding Depression and Self –Injury (Grades 7-12) • (NEW) Mindfulness: Benefits for the Whole Family (K-12) • Technology and the Teenage Brain: Parents & Teens (Grades 7-12) to attend together May/June • Test Anxiety: Strategies for Success: Parents & Teen (Grades 7-12) to attend together • Parenting Strategies that Promote Positive Mental Health and Build Resilience in

Elementary School Children (K-6) • Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety: A Step by Step Approach (K-12) • Junior High Jitters: Transitioning to the Teenage Years Parents & Pre-Teens (Grades 6-8)

to attend together

For more information, visit www.cyfcaregivereducation.ca. To book a session for your school, contact the CYF Education Team:

CYFCaregiverEducation@ahs.ca or (780) 415-0074.

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

Caregiver Session Descriptions

Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety: A Step by Step Approach Anxiety is one of the most common mental health complaints in children and teens today. This session will distinguish between normal anxiety and anxiety that is no longer helpful or productive. It will help caregivers to identify signs that a child or adolescent is experiencing problems with anxiety. Caregivers will gain step by step strategies to assist their child/teen to manage their anxiety and improve their mental health. Resources for parents will be provided as well as tools designed to reduce anxiety.

Parenting Teens in the 21st Century:

Respectful Limit Setting with Adolescents Wondering how you’ll survive the teen years? Parenting teens is harder than ever for most parents today. In this session you will explore the challenges of being a teenager and parenting a teenager. You will learn how to establish healthy, respectful boundaries with your teen so that you can spend less time arguing and more time enjoying each other’s company.

Technology and the Teenage Brain Technology is a huge part of our children’s lives – and a common concern for most parents who are learning how to keep up in an ever changing world. Social media, video gaming, internet use and cell phones may already be topics of debate within your family. Come together to learn how this modern use of technology can impact the developing teenage brain. This session will review some of the risks but also the benefits of technology. Parents and teens will learn ways to stay safe and balanced in their use of technology to better support positive mental health. Both parents and teens (grades 7-12) are encouraged to attend this session together.

Parenting Strategies that Promote Positive Mental Health and Build Resilience in

Elementary School Children Approximately 1 in 5 Canadian children are affected by a mental health issue. Explore factors that contribute to mental health and wellness, and learn how you can be your child’s greatest mental health asset by using strategies that promote their mental health and wellness. Learn about the different types of stress and how some stress can be helpful in building children’s resiliency and future success.

Keeping Scattered Kids on Track:

Supporting Children and Adolescents with ADHD Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health conditions diagnosed in children. Come and learn about the signs and symptoms of ADHD, ways that ADHD impacts academic achievement, self worth, and relationships. You will leave with new strategies (not solutions) and resources for supporting success in children and adolescents with ADHD.

More than Just a Bad Day: Understanding and Supporting Students with Depression and Self-Injury

This session will help caregivers increase awareness about adolescents who might be experiencing sadness, depression and intentionally injuring themselves. We will explore factors that contribute to depression and the motivation behind self-injurious behavior. Caregivers will learn about treatment options for depression as well as strategies to help support youth who may be engaging in self-injury.

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

Mindfulness: Benefits for the Whole Family Have you heard about mindfulness? Ever wondered what it is and why so many people are talking about it? Interest in mindfulness is growing rapidly in schools, communities, and in health-care settings as an evidence-based way of promoting wellness in children, teens, and adults. It can build empathy and optimism in kids, and enhance school performance by supporting the development of executive function (e.g. attention) and self-regulation skills. It has been shown to reduce stress and enhance well-being in both kids and caregivers. If you are looking for something to support the whole family, come to our session on mindfulness!

Test Anxiety: Strategies for Success

Does your teen prepare for a test only to freeze or blank out during the test? Does your teen’s anxiety hold them back from their full potential? Test and performance anxiety is very common among students. This session will help teens learn how to succeed in spite of their anxiety and help caregivers support their teens to reduce test anxiety. We will explore what happens when a student experiences test anxiety and provide practical strategies and resources for you and your teen to use to manage anxiety symptoms. Parents and teens (grades 7-12) are encouraged to attend this session together.

Sleeping Your Way to Better Mental Health

Come and learn the importance of sleep on your child’s developing brain. Develop an understanding on how sleep can impact mental and physical health. Review common sleep concerns and factors that influence your child’s ability to get the sleep they need. Leave with practical strategies, tools, and resources to promote healthier sleep habits for your whole family.

Promoting Success in Learning by Building Executive Functioning Skills

Take a peek inside the developing brain of a child to learn about the processes that enable kids to engage in problem solving and goal directed behaviors. These executive functioning skills are considered to be essential for children to succeed in school and later in life. Learn about these skills and how they impact learning, behavior, emotions, and social interactions. Caregivers will be provided with strategies and resources to assist their children in building their executive functioning skills, including inhibition, working memory and mental flexibility.

Supporting Self-Regulation in Elementary School Children

Do you wish you had more information to help children handle strong emotions? Did you know that self-regulation is an essential element to lifelong success? This session will define self-regulation and how it is used in everyday life. It will provide a helpful review regarding the development of self-regulation in children and adolescents. The strategies and resources provided will empower and foster caregivers’ essential skills to increase children’s’ mental health and resiliency.

Junior High Jitters: Transitioning to the Teenage Years

Is your child going into grade 7 and feeling nervous about it? Is your child already in junior high and having difficulties adjusting to the pressures of junior high school? This session will provide information about the developmental changes young teens experience, as well as the challenges they face as they transition into junior high school. The strategies and resources provided will empower you and your child in dealing with the social, emotional and cognitive changes that come in junior high school while also boosting their mental health. Parents and preteens (grades 6-8) are encouraged to attend this session together.

For more information, visit www.cyfcaregivereducation.ca. To book a session for your school, contact the CYF Education Team:

CYFCaregiverEducation@ahs.ca or (780) 415-0074.

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Quality Standards and Education Team

Edmonton Zone

RCSD Professional Development Presentations Host Expectations

2019 - 2020

Thank you for choosing to host a PD education session at your school.

In order to make the presentation as efficient and successful as possible, we ask that you provide an environment conducive to adult learning.

In addition, the following technology and room set-up is required:

* A contact person familiar with the technology set-up must be accessible before, during, and after the presentation to troubleshoot any problems that may arise (e.g., difficulties with the sound system etc.). ** The presenter(s) will bring handouts and resources for the expected number of staff. Please let us know of your final numbers a week prior to the session.

We are looking forward to working together in supporting the school professionals and students in our community. We hope that the information provided will be helpful to all who attend.

Thank you!

For more information, please go to www.cyfcaregivereducation.ca. If you have any questions please contact the CYF Education Team at

(780)415-0074 or CYFCaregiverEducation@ahs.ca

Technology and Room Set-Up Requirements What we need from you,

the host school: What our presenter will Bring:

Computer with access to the internet PowerPoint presentation on a USB Screen/Projector (or SMART Board) Presentation remote ‘clicker’ Speakers Handouts for attendees** (see below) Microphone, if the space requires it Additional mental health resources A set-up of tables and chairs to facilitate

the planned activities and discussions PLEASE ENSURE THE ROOM AND ALL TECHNOLOGY IS SET UP AND TESTED BEFORE OUR PRESENTER’S ARRIVAL Contact person* (see below)

On the day of the presentation: • Presenters will arrive 30 minutes before the presentation. • Please ensure the room and technology (computer, projector, speakers,

internet) is set up and working prior to our presenter’s arrival.

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

RCSD Professional Development Presentations

Course Descriptions 2019 - 2020

The Education Team of the Children, Youth and Families – Addiction and Mental Health Edmonton Zone (Alberta Health Services) is proud to provide school staff with these professional development presentations. The Professional Development Series is intended to provide school professionals with information that will increase staff awareness and knowledge as well as evidence-based strategies that will support student mental health. Your school is welcome to book a daytime session for your school, catchment or district. Presentations will be hosted by one school, but you are welcome to invite staff from other schools to attend. Our presenters are Mental Health Professionals with knowledge of the treatment of addiction and mental health concerns impacting children, adolescents, families, and school communities. Our professional development program aims to provide presentations to meet the current and changing needs of schools professionals. Each session will engage participants through discussion, case studies, and/or activities. We encourage you to select the presentation(s) from the list below that would best meet the needs of your staff and student population. Detailed course descriptions are listed on the following pages.

Our Vision

Healthy children, healthy families, healthy communities. Our Mission

To promote, preserve and restore the wellness of children, youth, and families through quality addiction and mental health services that are accessible and sustainable.

For more information, go to www.cyfcaregivereduccation.ca. To book a PD presentation for your school, please contact the CYF Education Team at:

CYFCaregiverEducation@ahs.ca or (780) 415-0074.

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

Course Descriptions

Trauma Informed Classroom

Audience: All School Professionals. Traumatic experiences can happen to anyone. These events involve actual or perceived threats to the safety and wellbeing of a child or someone close to them. These frightening events change the way our students see the world and themselves. They can have a serious impact on a child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. With this knowledge caregivers and professionals can create hope and healing by promoting their students wellbeing in trauma informed classrooms. In this 2.5 hour course: • Learn what trauma is and how it impacts a child’s/youth’s development • Explore how a student’s trauma impacts you as we discuss vicarious trauma • See how the role of attachment can act as a buffer for children/youth in creating resiliency • Build a list of strategies that promote a whole school approach to support students

Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety: Supporting Students Who Experience Anxiety Audience: All School Professionals. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns for children and adolescents. Anxiety presents itself in a wide range of behaviors in and outside of the classroom. It can be challenging for school personnel to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety and select appropriate strategies to address them. In this 2.5 hour course: • Discuss the benefit of anxiety on learning and performance • Explore normal worries that are developmentally appropriate for children and teens • Learn how to recognize possible anxiety symptoms • Practice relaxation strategies you can use with students • Explore practical strategies for professionals

Keeping Scattered Kids on Track: A Review of ADHD & Practical Strategies for School Professionals

Audience: All School Professionals. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health conditions diagnosed in children. It is a developmental disorder of self-regulation and executive functioning resulting in symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactive-impulsive behavior. In this 2.5 hour course: • Learn about the signs and symptoms of ADHD • Learn how ADHD impacts academic achievement, self-worth, and relationships • Explore the deficits students with ADHD may have in their executive functioning and self-regulation

abilities • Build strategies (not solutions) for supporting children and adolescents with ADHD

Target Audience: All School Professionals

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

Introduction to Mindfulness in the Classroom Audience: All School Professionals

Interest in mindfulness is growing rapidly in schools, communities, and in health-care settings as an evidence-based modality for promoting wellness in children, teens, and adults. Mindfulness helps to build a foundation in classrooms for empathy, optimism, and development of executive function skills (e.g. attention) and self-regulation skills. As an added bonus, mindfulness has been shown to enhance teacher’s job satisfaction. In this 2.5 hour course: • Learn an overview of the science behind mindfulness • Learn how mindfulness can support teachers and how to develop a personal practice • Build strategies on the “what, why, where, when & how” of teaching mindfulness to children and

teens • Receive practical tools and resources you can begin to use in your classrooms right away

Promoting Success in Learning: Understanding and Building Executive Functioning Skills

Audience: School Professionals working with students in Kindergarten to Grade 6. Executive function skills are mental processes that we use every day to engage in purposeful behavior such as following directions and remembering information. Deficits in executive functioning effect a student’s ability to learn. In this 2.5 hour course: • Learn about the ways that executive function skills are important for success in school and in life • Identify the warning signs of executive function difficulties • Explore the core executive functions of inhibition, working memory, and mental flexibility and how

this impacts students in the classroom • Build strategies to support students with executive functioning difficulties

Supporting Self-Regulation in Students Audience: School Professionals working with students in Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Self-regulation refers to how efficiently and effectively a child deals with a stressor and then recovers. The goal is to support students in being calm, alert, and ready to learn. The ability to self-regulate greatly impacts how well students do in school and later in life. In this 2.5 hour course: • Learn how self-regulation skills develop and the processes that influence this skill • Identify how self-regulation influences your student’s learning • Review the signs of self-regulation difficulties • Learn tips on how to use positive communication skills with students • Build strategies to enhance self-regulation in your students

Target Audience: Elementary School Professionals

Children, Youth and Families - Addiction and Mental Health Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Edmonton Zone

More than Just a Bad Day: Understanding and Supporting Students Who Experience Depression

Audience: School Professionals working with students in Grades 7-12. Depression in students often goes unrecognized or can be mistaken as a behavioral problem. With the information and strategies presented in this presentation you will be able to better recognize signs of depression and seek help for your student. In this 2.5 hour course: • Explore the difference between normal sadness and clinical depression • Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression • Discuss the risk factors associated with students developing mood related problems • Review treatment options and referral services available • Build strategies aimed at positively impacting your student’s emotional and academic functioning

Understanding and Supporting Students Who Struggle with Self-Injurious Behavior

Audience: School Professionals working with students in Grades 7-12. Self-injury is regarded as a physical solution to an emotional problem. In this presentation you will explore the facts around this behavior and factors that put students at risk of self-injury. In this 2.5 hour course: • Increase your confidence in understanding and supporting students who self-harm • Learn how to identify the warning signs of self-injury • Explore the differences between suicidal behavior and self-injury behavior • Identity the do’s and don’ts of talking with a youth who self-injures • Use a case study to practice your approach when talking with a student • Discuss ways to engage with families and provide support • Review what to do next and how to involve additional supports

Target Audience: Junior High and High School Professionals

For more information, go to www.cyfcaregivereduccation.ca. To book a PD presentation for your school, please contact the CYF Education Team at:

CYFCaregiverEducation@ahs.ca or (780) 415-0074.