Page 1

St. Boniface prepares for move to Don Bosco A total of 762 boxes were packed, two full dumpsters filled of recycling material as the teachers purged and packed an entire room of furniture filled beyond economic repair. During the week of December 24, seven classrooms in their entirety (furniture, student supplies and teacher resources) were moved from St. Boniface to seven rooms at Don Bosco. On January 7, teachers had the opportunity to set up their classrooms. The school community is looking forward to the completion of their school renovation and is thankful for the space they’ve been provided with at Don Bosco for the time being.

High School International Languages Gala On December 5, students studying Japanese, Tagalog, Spanish, French and Italian in CCSD high schools participated in a yearly celebration of language and culture at the High School International Languages Gala at Bishop McNally. Kiosks featuring language games, crafts, a French photo booth, as well as cultural delicacies such as gnocchi and alfajores (Latin American cookies) welcomed participants for the first half of the event. Theatre performances rounded out the evening with a packed house enjoying singing, dancing, poetry and plays, culminating students’ semester one language courses.

JANUARY 16, 2019

Page 2

Fine and Performing Arts It has been an eventful semester for the Fine & Performing Arts in our district. Bishop O’Byrne’s choir, directed by Terry Edwards, performed as special guests during the final evening of the ERDI conference held at the Hyatt Regency in October. Eighty choral students ‘wowed’ those in attendance with numerous styles and tempos of pieces and ended the short concert with a faith filled piece, entitled, ‘Praise His Holy Name.’

In preparation for Faith Day, many musician teachers had the pleasure of enjoying one on one-time rehearsing with Father Rob Galea.

The first Tuesday of December marks the annual Advent & Christmas High School Choral Festival which took place at St. Michael Catholic Community. Sacred music was performed by five district high schools: Bishop Carroll, directed by Nicholas Allen, Bishop Grandin, directed by Melissa Townley-Smith, Bishop O’Byrne, directed by Terry Edwards, Notre Dame, directed by Jesse Heffernan and St. Mary’s, directed by Monica Hnatiuk.

Kara hosts appreciation tea On December 6, Jennifer Trigger, a Kara teacher from St. Anne hosted an appreciation tea at St. John Reception Centre for all the groups that support the Kara program. The Kara Life program for pregnant and parenting teens, encourages independence and self-sufficiency so male and female students can continue their high school education while receiving the support of the Kara teacher/counsellor, a social worker and a nurse.

The Kara Life team works to assist students in achieving positive health and education outcomes while also accessing other supports as needed such as medical care, prenatal care, career development and financial assistance.

Deniz Cabarcas, from the Intercultural Wellness Team, worked with students who used clay to depict what Kara has meant to them. This display, in addition to being beautiful, reflects how supported the students in Kara feel.

Page 3

Junior High Athletics wrestling season comes to an end Thirty-one junior high schools participated in this year’s wrestling season, with approximately 1000 students taking part in the Calgary Catholic City Finals.

Wrestling is an inclusive sport as it is truly for everyone irrespective of gender, size, ability or experience. Everyone can participate and feel a sense of accomplishment. It builds self-confidence, resiliency, fitness and team spirit.

The district is blessed to see many volunteer coaches returning to support their former schools, following a history of their own success in the sport at higher levels of competition.

Indigenous hoop dancing at St. Joseph The week of December 3-7, Dallas Arcand Jr. taught hoop dancing to grades 4-9 at St. Joseph. Students learned about the art of hoop dancing, but also about the history, culture and significance that accompany hoop dancing. Dallas also put on a performance for the students at the end of the week where he showcased his cedar flute and guitar skills.

Page 4

Our Lady of Lourdes Starting Point and Next Steps PD sessions Teachers, educational assistants and Woods school support counsellors from Starting Points and Next Steps along with all staff from Our Lady of Lourdes and behaviour consultants from Instructional Services meet on Wednesday afternoons for PD sessions.

The purpose of these sessions is to connect and engage in professional development designed to align the programs implementing and using the district Therapeutic Model. They also serve as an opportunity to support one another to better meet student behavioural and emotional needs.

St. Anne’s Catholic Community of Caring The Catholic Community of Caring group at St. Anne put together an Advent Project for the school surrounding ‘Hope Placemats.’ Every staff member and student were encouraged to participate. A total of 380 placemats with messages of hope were completed and given out at their Feed the Hungry meal on December 16. This was a great way to spread words of hope among their school community.

Page 5

Our Lady of Lourdes’ and St. Anthony’s Annual Christmas Dinner Our Lady of Lourdes along with St. Anthony held their Annual Christmas Dinner for the two school communities the first week of December. The evening began with an Advent Liturgy followed by a traditional Christmas dinner (turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and desert). This event is one of their most well-attended parent celebrations, that includes their parish community (St. Mary’s Parish) as well as staff from Instructional Services.

St. Vincent de Paul celebrates Christmas traditions On December 19, English Language Learners at St. Vincent de Paul prepared, shared and enjoyed traditional Christmas dishes from their home countries. The 20 students, all new to Canada, represented seven different countries. Teacher Melanie Smerek also prepared traditional Canadian dishes which the students were excited to try.

Page 6

Bishop Kidd’s Annual Christmas Dinner On December 20, close to 400 staff, students and guests enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner at Bishop Kidd. Catered by Spolumbos, the event also had volunteers from Boardwalk Property Management serving up the delicious fare. Students were also entertained by a small choir that sang “O Holy Night.” This event at Bishop Kidd has been an annual highlight for the students for over 10 years.

Renovations complete at St. Anthony On December 7, St. Anthony moved out of Our Lady of Lourdes as their school renovation was officially complete. Students arrived at their newly renovated school on December 11 and were very pleased with the new look and feel of their school. The district’s Construction and Maintenance team supported students’ learning needs by building sensory rooms, a life skills apartment and calming spaces. Both students and staff are excited to settle back into their brand-new school.

Page 7

Christmas at St. Damien Cardinal Energy continues to support students at St. Damien with a very special day during the Advent season. This corporate sponsor has provided amazing sponsorship for the past four years.

A special lunch, magician, each student receiving a gift and even a visit from Santa Claus made for great excitement at the school. The students responded with special songs for the employees and genuine appreciation for all the outstanding goodwill from Cardinal Energy.

Christmas at Bishop Carroll The Bishop Carroll community gathered at the Bella Concert Hall for their Annual Christmas Concert on December 13. The event featured 15 strings, choir and band ensembles. All the performances were amazing.

Congratulations to music Directors Christina Visy, Nicholas Allen and Chris Herard. Highlights included the Hallelujah Chorus, from Messiah, a Bridge Over Troubled Water and the final Massed Ensemble Christmas Sing-A-Long. Trustees Lory Iovinelli and Pamela Rath attended the event with Area Superintendent, Mike Ross.

Page 8

Our Lady of Wisdom’s hat tree Our Lady of Wisdom decorated their Christmas tree with new hats, scarves, mittens, socks, coats and blankets that were donated by their school community. This is part of the school’s “Me to We” project that helps keep the students and their families at Holy Family and Father Lacombe warm through the winter season.

Bishop visits Faith Formation at St. Cecilia Bishop McGrattan lead St. Cecilia’s second of four Parent Faith Formation sessions, encouraging parents in their vocation as a family. Each has a unique calling in living the life to which God has called them within their own families.

Bishop McGrattan took the time to share, through his own lived experience and through his pastoral experience, suggestions of how to be the first teachers of the faith for our children. The parents listened attentively and enjoyed the realistic suggestions on “how” to bring traditions, celebrations and prayers back into their homes and making family a priority.

Page 9

St. Augustine celebrates Christmas Throughout the district our schools celebrated the Advent season with celebrations and concerts. St. Augustine gathered at the Boyce Theatre on the Stampede grounds to showcase a production based on a Mexican Tradition called the Pastorela. A Pastorela is the story of the nativity based on the perspective of the Wise Men and their journey to find Christ.

Planning for the event started in October and was integrated into the Music, Art, Dance, Religion, English and Social Studies curriculums. It allowed the students to fully live the Advent season, share with an audience of over 425 guests and to celebrate together. Joining the production this year included Area A Superintendent, Mike Ross and the Executive Liaison to the Chief Superintendent, John Wasch.

St. Rita choir sings with the Tenors The talented choir students from St. Rita School sang with the world-famous Tenors at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium at 8 p.m. on December 8. They performed Christmas Wish and O Holy Night. Trustee D’Souza attended with the school’s administrative team. This was an amazing opportunity for the students and they all sang like angels.

Page 10

St. Thomas Aquinas delivers Christmas cards On December 10, St. Thomas of Aquinas students, staff and parent volunteers shared their Christmas spirit and faith by hand delivering Christmas cards to their school community. This was a great way to get to know their community, share their unique Christmas messaged and to put smiles on people’s faces. This is the second year St. Thomas Aquinas has handed out cards to their school community.