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Mr. Todd Eistetter – Principal Mrs. Dorothy Buwalda – Clerk

Mrs. Julie Francois – Assistant Principal Mrs. Jackie Kamrowski – Counselor

Mrs. Jackie Gannon – Secretary Mrs. Sophia Valle – Learning Coach

Administrative Team Message

Dear Parents and Guardians of St. Nicholas:

We are off and running! We have had a wonderful start to our 2017-2018 school year. As the

new admin team at St. Nick’s, it has been a privilege to begin to get to know the students and

their families. We look forward to working with each of you this year. Our students have begun

the school year ready to face the academic challenges, are adapting to the changes they have

encountered, and have committed to making the most of their educational opportunities.

We are excited and looking forward to the amazing things that this year will bring forth.

We have continued the traditions that the St. Nick’s community holds as critical and it has been

received in an overwhelmingly positive manner. The students have adjusted to the expectations

quickly; they are positive about the positive reinforcement and opportunities for positive

feedback, and are making some very positive choices that have made St. Nick’s a great place to

be and this will continue in the future.

Great things are happening at St. Nick’s!

St. Nick’s staff looks forward to working with each student and parent to emphasize their

personal ownership of their learning and behaviour. If you know of something happening at St.

Nick’s that excites your child, please give that staff member a sunshine call.

Todd Eistetter Julie Francois

Principal Assistant Principal

Knightly

News Week of August 25-29, 2014 October 2017 Newsletter

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Did you know… That for student safety St. Nick’s has a closed campus? Once students arrive in the

morning, they cannot leave the school unless a parent or guardian picks them up.

In partnership with Edmonton Regional Collaborative Service Delivery we are working together

to support children/youth, families and staff at St. Nick’s.

This year, members of the School Linked Team will be visiting our school regularly. This Team

will include a:

• Speech-Language Pathologist

• Occupational Therapist

• Mental Health Therapist

The School Linked Team will visit classrooms and work alongside teaching staff to plan and

support all learners. St. Nick’s will contact you, followed by a call from a member of this Team,

if any follow-up is required for your child. If specific services are required a Request for Service

will be made and your consent will be required.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call St. Nick’s at 780-474-3713.

The Sarah McLachlan School of Music is offering Free After School Music Programming for

students in grades 7 to 9 in:

• Voice

• Piano

• Guitar

• Ukulele

• Percussion

• Songwriting

• Music Technology

• Band Ensemble

The program runs in room 203 at Eastglen High School on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:00 pm.

Snacks are provided. Space is limited so apply online now at www.sarahschoolofmusic.com or

call 780-902-9222.

Edmonton Regional Collaborative Service Delivery

Sarah McLachlan School of Music

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October 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 4:00 P.M. GIRL’S SOCCER @ ST NICK

3 4:00 P.M. BOY’S SOCCER @ ST ED

4 4:00 P.M. GIRL’S SOCCER QUARTER FINAL

5 4:00 P.M.BOY’S SOCCER – QUARTER FINAL

6 7

8 9

10 4:00 P.M.BOY’S SOCCER SEMI FINAL

11 4:00 P.M. GIRL’S SOCCER SEMI FINAL

12 4:00 P.M.BOY’S SOCCER –FINAL

13 4:00 P.M. GIRL’S SOCCER FINAL

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15 16 17 PAC MEETING 6:00 P.M.

18 19 GR 9 IMMUNIZATION SCIENCE ACAD FT TO RUNDLE PARK

20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27

PHOTO RETAKES (give

photo proof package to photographer)

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29 30

Afternoon

Dance

31 EVERY WEDNESDAY IMPROV PRACTICE

EVERY FRIDAY LUNCH BOX IMPROV

Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look

kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks.

Thank you for all the graces and blessings that You have bestowed upon us, spiritual

and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the

loves we have for one another, our family and friends.

Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing

throughout the coming year.

This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

NO CLASSES

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With the costume selection, please ensure that the outfits are not considered to be offensive and

that they align with the Student Dress Code (found in the Student and Parent Handbook, P 11).

Students should not be bringing any item that could be considered to be a replica weapon

that could be mistaken for the real thing. We are a Catholic school and costumes need to

have a sense of modesty and appropriateness for a school environment.

The St. Nicholas website contains current information and announcements regarding the school.

Please take time to familiarize yourself with our website as it has been designed for your

convenience. www.stnicholas.ecsd.net

PowerSchool is your and your child’s real-time link to individual attendance, grades, school

announcements and fee payments. Please contact the school to obtain your personalized

password or if you have any questions regarding the use of this web based tool. School fee

payments (cash & cheque are accepted at the school, or Visa & MasterCard are available online)

will also be accepted at time of registration.

https://powerschool.ecsd.net/public

School fees for the 2017-2018 school year were due by September 29, 2017. Online payment is a

fast and convenient way to keep track of your account and will eliminate standing in the payment

line on registration day.

If you are unsure of your balance you can go on line at https://powerschool.ecsd.net or call the

school at 780-474-3713. Visa or MasterCard payments can be made through PowerSchool. If

you are sending a cheque to school please ensure that it is dated on or before September 30.

The breakdown of the school fee costs can be found on the school website at

http://www.stnicholas.ecsd.net/.

St. Nicholas Website

School Fees

Halloween Costumes

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The next meeting will be

Tuesday, October 17 @ 6 pm in the school library.

All are welcome to attend!

Interested in becoming Catholic or receiving the Sacraments for the first time as an adult? Want

to learn more about the Catholic Faith? RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) may be

the program for you!

Registration is now open. Please contact Rose through St. Alphonsus Parish Office for more

information (780-474-5434).

If your child requires yellow or ETS bus transportation the bus passes are available during the

registration time. To ensure that your child is registered with transportation for yellow bus

services please contact the school at 780-474-3713 as soon as possible. It is recommended that

parents provide 10 post-dated checks made payable to St. Nicholas School for bus passes for the

year. (If you would like to pay online, please notify the office.)

Bus Passes and Transportation

RCIA 2017-2018

School Advisory Council (SAC) – Parent

Volunteers

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You can also pay for bus passes online through PowerSchool at https://powerschool.ecsd.net.

Please call the school prior to going online, and they will ensure that the bus pass gets added to

your account.

2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR BUS PASS COST

ETS $52.00

YELLOW $52.00

FAMILY PLAN for 3 or more children $14 to 48 (depending upon distance to school)

If Busses are Running Late: In the morning if there are any issues with the buses running late

or not showing up please contact Transportation Services at (780)441-6078. The

Transportation office is open from 7:15 am and the sooner we are aware of an issue the sooner

we can work to get it resolved.

Cancellation of Yellow Bus Service - ALL PROGRAMS: Please be advised that the

following Radio and TV Stations will carry announcements with respect to transportation

cancellations due to inclement weather conditions.

RADIO STATIONS

• 630 CHED

• AM 930

• The Light CJCA

• CBC

• CISN FM 103.9

• SHINE 105.9 FM

• CHFA (CBC Fr.)

• FRESH FM 92.5

• TSN 1260

• CFCW 840

• INEWS 880 AM

• 95.7 CRUZ FM

• CAPITAL FM 96.3

• Kiss FM 91.7

• The Bear 100.3 FM

• K97 97.3

• UP! 99.3 FM

• SONIC 102.9 FM

• 102.3 NOW!

• HOT 107 FM

• 104.9 VIRGIN FM

TV STATIONS

• CITYTV

• CTV Edmonton

• GLOBAL

Edmonton

• CBC TV

Every effort will be made to have messages broadcast commencing no later than 6:30 a.m.

Report cards will be available online through PowerSchool this year, in our efforts to be more

efficient and environmentally friendly. If you wish to have a hardcopy of your child’s report

card, please let us know.

We will have two report cards available through PowerSchool, at the end of January and the end

of June, which is a change from previous years. This is something that is common to all junior

high schools in Edmonton Catholic for the 2017-2018 year.

There will be two Parent/Teacher/Student interview dates, in November and March.

Report Cards and Student Marks

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As parents’, you are able to continually check your child’s marks through PowerSchool, which

you can access from any computer, at any time.

Organization for Junior High

Transitioning into junior high can be stressful enough without the added pressure of having

multiple demands placed on you in every class. But did you know that staying organized is a

useful way of decreasing stress? Here are some tips to stay organized:

Locker

• Post your schedule in your locker so you can look at it every time you go to your locker.

• Keep your locker clear of clutter so what you need can easily be seen.

• Keep your books in the same place. Have a spot for each textbook so you know exactly

where it is when you need it.

• Keep you extra pens and pencils in your locker. There is no need to bring them all to

class, and they might get lost that way.

Binders

• Classes that you have in a row can all be put in the same binder. A divider can be used to

separate each class. This limits the amount of binders you need to carry around and keep

track of.

Agenda (paper or electronic)

• Use an agenda to keep track of important dates and assignments. Get in the habit of

writing these dates down twice. For example: it’s October 2 and you’re told you have a

science exam on October 11th. Write science exam on October 2 and October 11, that way

when you look at your agenda during the week of the 2nd, you’ll be reminded of the upcoming

exam and put time aside to study for it.

• It’s also a good idea to put an extra copy of your schedule in your agenda so you have it

with you throughout your day.

• Make sure you check your agenda at the end of everyday before you go home for

upcoming assignments. That way, you can be sure to take home everything you need to be a

successful student.

For more tips on organization, please visit your Provisional Psychologist/School Counsellor,

Mrs. Jackie Kamrowski. Parents may contact our Counsellor at 780-474-3713.

Girls Soccer Games for October:

• Monday, October 2nd JJB @ NICK 4pm

Then if we make it further...

• Wednesday, October 4 Quarter Finals 4pm at TBD

Health & Wellness Information

Soccer Academy Update

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• Wednesday, October 11 Semi Finals 4pm at TBD

• Friday, October 13 Championship Final 4pm at TBD

Congratulations to the Knights for having two great days of soccer in Leduc on September 22

and 23. With the 3 teams from St. Nick’s entered, out of 10 teams in the tournament, we

finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Thanks to Mr. Bazzarelli, Mrs. Herzog, Miss Ignacio, Mr. Bossio and

Coach Tommy!

Boys Soccer Games for October:

• Tuesday, October 3 at St. Edmund at 4pm

• Thursday, October 5 Quarter Finals 4pm at TBD

• Tuesday, October 10 Semi Finals 4pm at TBD

Then if we make it further…

• Thursday, October 12 Division Final 4pm at TBD

Our Riverwatch trip was great! We spent the day travelling on the North Saskatchewan, talking

about science. The tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was a great learning

experience. Have your child sign up for the Science Academy Google classroom (code: 2ha5hv)

for photos!

We have upcoming field trips on October 5 to the Bennett Centre for Animal Survival, and on

October 12 to Rundle Park for Orienteering. Both activities will be outside, so dress for the

weather!

Science Academy Update

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It's the start of Improv Season! Come join the Round Table Theatre's impressive Theatre Sports

Team. We play drama games with supportive individuals such as yourself every Wednesday

after school in preparation for the big tournament! Perform in front of audiences at school events

and on Fridays during Lunch Box Improv on the stage!

Not comfortable being in the spotlight? Why not control the lighting board then? Come see

Molloy at any of the practices to learn how to do Improvised lighting. You are welcome to come

watch the show on Fridays at lunch and cheer on your favorite improvisors as they put on one

whacky performance after another!

• Phys. Ed. 7, 8 and 9 classes are all going to be walking to Rundle Park to play Tennis

from Sept 25 - Oct 6 and swimming from October 10 - 30. Please hand in field trip

forms.

• Cross-country trial run will be taking place at Gold Bar Park on Thursday, September 28

and Championship run on Thursday, October 5. Both days we will take a yellow bus and

leave the school at 11:30 and return at 2:45.

The staff and students of St. Nicholas Junior High School will be participating in the

2017 annual fundraising event to commemorate Terry Fox's inspirational Marathon of

Hope. As part of our fund-raising effort, we are asking every student to contribute a

TOONIE for a HOTDOG LUNCH. Every student will also receive a pledge sheet and are

asked to help collect donations. Our school goal is to RAISE $3,000. TOP 3 FUND

RAISERS WILL RECEIVE A TERRY FOX SHIRT. On October 5, we will be walking to

Rundle Park where we will begin the 2 km run (or 4 km). When we finish we will take

our annual group picture and then walk back to St. Nicholas to enjoy our lunch.

Terry Fox was a determined Canadian that ran across Canada in hopes of raising

awareness and donations, all towards finding a cure for cancer.

This year, millions of students across Canada are expected to participate in this event-

the Terry Fox Run. Since Terry's Marathon of Hope in 1980, over 34 Terry Fox Runs

have contributed to more than $650 million for cancer research.

Let's try and make a difference and end cancer; your help can save lives.

Fine Arts Features

Physical Education News

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What is Braided Journeys?

Braided Journeys is a program that was created to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth

with their academic journey as well as to celebrate and raise awareness of Indigenous culture.

See below for some of the supports we are able to offer.

How can I access Braided Journeys?

Here at St. Nicks we are so fortunate to have a beautiful Braided Journeys Room at the end of the

hall across from the music room. This room is open to be used a quite work space as well as a

meeting place during lunch hour where we can all get together and eat as a community. This is

also where you can find your Transition Coach and find out more about the supports listed on the

next page!

What Does Braided Journeys offer?

• Braided Journeys Leadership Club

• Individual mentoring

• Tutoring

• High school prep

If you have any questions please contact Melanie Cardinal at melanie.cardinal@ecsd.net or call

the school at 780-474-3713

The Student Leadership team has been chosen from the applications received from the students.

We had our first meeting on September 22, and we are busy planning for upcoming events and

activities. We have a great group of leaders!

Teachers are using Remind.com to keep students and parents aware of upcoming assignments

and events. Make sure to ask your child for the Remind codes for their classes. As well, you can

access all the Remind.com messages on our St. Nicholas school website. Look for the link on

the left sidebar.

Student Leadership

Braided Journeys

Remind.com

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As we quickly approach the winter months, our days are becoming shorter and many students

will be walking to school from home or from a bus stop while it is dark outside. It also means

our days are becoming shorter and many students will be walking to school from home or from a

bus stop while it is dark outside. It also means that students are at a greater risk of being involved

in a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision which could result in a serious injury or worse.

Unfortunately, I have already observed several students jaywalking, crossing intersections

against a red light and cutting corners at four way stops. All of these are not just dangerous

behaviours but are violations of the Traffic Safety Act that can result in a fine. In order to

prevent a serious incident or a fine, I want to stress the importance of students wearing highly

visible clothing and obeying traffic light, intersection and cross walk rules at ALL times so that

everyone gets to school and back home safely. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving! Cst. Janice Martens

School Resource Officer (SRO)

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August-September 2017

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us

come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of

praise! ~Psalm 95: 1-2~

This beautiful passage from Scripture is an invitation to us to come worship our Father with a

joyful noise and to give thanks for the gift of salvation. The history of humanity is full of

examples of God’s saving grace. God’s ongoing manifestation of His love for us through acts of

salvation such as the gift of His Son, Jesus, makes this call to thanks and praise timeless.

We have many reasons to give thanks in Edmonton Catholic Schools. The past few weeks have

seen the opening celebrations of two of our new schools, Corpus Christi and Father Michael

Mireau Catholic Elementary/Junior High Schools. The next few weeks will see the communities

of Bishop David Motiuk, Christ the King, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary/Junior

High Schools gathering together in the communion of home-school-parish to celebrate this vital

partnership at the heart of Catholic education. These schools have opened with flourishing

enrolments. The commitment of the Government of Alberta to provide new schools to help us

serve the needs of the approximately 42,500 students whose families have chosen the gift of

Catholic education in Edmonton Catholic Schools this year affirms to us all that Catholic

education is in great demand!

There are many opportunities for us to engage with our parents and guardians as partners in

education. We are pleased to offer an opportunity to learn and dialogue about the philosophy and

topics from the Religious Education Programs of Study on November 1 at St. Charles Parish

with a repeat session on November 2 at Corpus Christi Parish. I have included a flyer with more

details and information on how to register. We are also pleased to offer a series of sessions on

mental health. The first one is on November 8 and focuses on practical strategies for managing

ADHD. The attached flyer details all the mental health sessions for the year with registration

details.

We have just released an updated electronic version of the book Holy is Thy Name – Honouring

the Namesakes of Edmonton Catholic Schools, which was first produced in 2006. This book

proudly shares the stories of our rich Catholic heritage. Visit

https://www.ecsd.net/AboutUs/catholic-identity/Pages/Holy-Is-Thy-Name.aspx to view this

beautiful tribute to our namesakes. In addition to the names of each of our schools and sites, you

can learn about the new name of our central office, Lumen Christi Catholic Education Centre,

which honors the light of Christ.

The civic election on October 16 is an important opportunity for all citizens. In addition to voting

for your City Council and Mayor, you will also have the opportunity to vote for your Catholic

Trustees. We have created a page on our public website where you can view videos which each

Superintendent’s Message

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candidate has had the opportunity to record, as well as find maps of the wards and other

information. This can be found at https://www.ecsd.net/boardoftrustees/election-

2017/pages/default.aspx.

In his homily for the Marian Jubilee Mass on October 9, 2016, Pope Francis shared that Mary

serves as our model of thanksgiving. “After hearing the message of the Angel, she lifted up her

heart in a song of praise and thanksgiving to God: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord…’ Let us ask our

Lady to help us recognize that everything is God’s gift, and to be able to say ‘Thank you’. Then, I

assure you, our joy will be complete. Only those who know how to say ‘Thank you’, will

experience the fullness of joy.”

Wishing you a blessed, joyful thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Joan Carr

Superintendent

“F’s,” Report Cards, Faith and Pearls

When I was going to school, when it came time for report cards at the end of the year, I

confess that I never ever got an “F.” But I wished I had. Let me explain.

Not that long ago, I was asked to share a few words to a graduating Grade 12 class. I

started by telling these young women and men that I was privileged to have had a “sneak peek”

at their report cards. And they all got “F’s.” Needless to say, they were shocked. I had some

quick explaining to do before one of them passed out.

Look, I get it that report cards are meant to give students and parents an idea of how the

students are doing in their studies – what they’re doing well and where more work is required –

in reading, writing and math, and the sort.

Yet, in a Catholic School, a report card is meant to tell us even more. Yes, we all want

our students to do well in their academic achievements; and I might add that in Catholic Schools

they do very well! The “even more” part of report cards are the “F’s.”

Faith. Family. Friends.

The big picture of what a Catholic School does is to help prepare our children for success

in life by grounding them in their faith. Faith in a God who created us, who cares for us, and who

loves us. And to help our children, in turn, share their faith with family and friends.

District Faith Message

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Another way of putting this is by asking ourselves “What do we value most in life?”

Faith. Family. Friends.

Let’s look at how Catholic Schools accomplish the “even more” by revisiting the

“Parable of the Pearl Buyer” in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus is asking his disciples and followers

what the Kingdom of God is like? He uses a number of examples to convince us that the

Kingdom, that is, eternal life with God in heaven, is something so beautiful and so precious that

we would want to do everything to acquire it.

So the “Parable of the Pearl Buyer” tells us that when someone “finds one that is

unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and buys that pearl” (Mt 13: 46).

Pearls are especially beautiful and precious. And rare to come by.

Do you know how pearls are formed?

Well, if I understand well, an oyster feeds by filtering out food that it captures when

particles are drawn into its mantle cavity. However, sometimes a piece of sand gets stuck in the

flesh of an oyster and the oyster is unable to rid itself of this “irritant.” So instead the oyster

secretes a milky solution which layer by layer covers the piece of sand. Eventually a pearl is

formed. What was once an irritant has become smooth and round, a precious gem.

Pearls are produced by life, a life which has overcome death.

Jesus is the Pearl of Great Faith. He willingly endured his passion and death upon the

cross. In doing so, he took upon himself the “irritants” of our sins, overcame death, and granted

us salvation and eternal life.

We too experience irritants in life. (Just ask my priests; many might say that their bishop

is one of their biggest irritants!). Struggles. Health issues. Family problems. Arguments with

friends. Difficulties in accepting myself the way I am.

Yet, God gives us the grace to overcome whatever irritants life sends our way so that,

layer by layer, the irritants become smooth and acceptable. Pearls in the making!

Friends, that’s why I love Catholic Schools. They journey with our children each day,

forming them in the precious gift of faith, preparing them for true success for life.

Faith. Friends. Family.

God bless!

Bishop David