Principal’s Message

Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year!

Welcome to the new school year! I am as excited as many of our students to start our new school

year. We look forward to continue building a strong learning and faith community in our school

this year. Our district motto this year is “We are Called to be Leaders of Hope and Mercy” . We

hope to instill that message into everyone of us in the community—from every student , to parents

to staff and to our community supporters, such as the Catholic Church and Edmonton’s Italian

Community. We can all be leaders of hope and mercy for one another. In that spirit we start the

new school year.

I especially welcome all our new students and 4 new staff members: Ms. Perri, our new Assistant

Principal, Miss Zawalak, our Administrative Assistant and Ms. Pottruff, an Educational Assistant

Please be reminded that we have our Meet the Teacher night on Thursday September 22. The for-

mat has changed a bit, as it will include a BBQ for parents, and also an Annual General Meeting

with our Parent Council. We invite new parents who would like to actively be involved in our

school growth to join our great School Council team. You will also meet your child’s teacher and

here a bit about what is new in our school this year. I hope to see you all on September 22.

We also are happy to now have our Italian program buses running. If you are interested in using

them for student transport, please notify the office. If picking up or dropping off please know that

we are now blocking off room for three school buses in front of the school, so school bus zones

will be strictly enforced.

I hope your children all have an awesome year at St. Philip this year. My door is always open to

meet with parents and students, so please do not hesitate to drop in. May God bless you and our

whole school community. You are invited to join us at our opening mass at St. Matthew Church on

Wednesday September 14 starting at 1 pm.

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Back to School Prayer

It’s the first week of school Lord,

It’s a big week for all of us. Students full of questions and doubts and excitement. Teachers

full of ideas and plans and dreams. Parents full of all the emotions.

Protect our babies Lord,

Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or grade 6, those students are our children. We

want this school year to be full of good things. Let them make friends and reach out to those

who are lonely. Give them attentive minds and caring hearts.

Bless the teachers Lord,

These men and women who have committed to invest in the next generation. Give them

discernment and wisdom to see each student’s unique abilities and gifts. Multiply their

preparation and may their plans be fruitful. Fill the day with moments of wonder. Remind them

of their special place in the lives of their students and give them confidence in their abilities as

teachers.

And for all the parents, Lord, a prayer for peace.

Give us plenty to do so we don’t have time to fret. Let us be extraordinarily grateful for the

privilege of parenting. Fill us with wisdom as we watch our babies grow. Grant us patience and

kindness as they stretch their wings. Hold us close to You as we learn to let them go.

It’s the first week of school Lord,

Watch over all of us—students, teachers, and moms. Guard our hearts. Focus our minds. Draw

us to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

St. Philip Staff 2016-17 2

Important Dates 2016-17 3

School Pictures/Fees 4

Hours of Operation 5

Parent Concerns 6

Meet the Staff Night 6

Powers School Info 7

Archbishop’s Message 8

Superintendent’s Message 9

Calendar 13

Inside this issue:

Page 2

STAFF LIST 2016-2017

TEACHERS

Principal – Taras Podilsky

Assistant Principal - Leana Perri

Early Childhood – Nicole Fedorak

Grade 1A – Candice Jackson

Grade 2A – Frank Balice

Grade 2/3A – Cathy Verduci

Grade 3A – Mirella Caputo

Grade 4A – Sandra Giaretta/Vanessa Warnes

Grade 4/5A – Sonia Dent/Vina Mollame-Borges

Grade 5A – Loredana De Grazia

Grade 6A – Garet Dafoe

Grade 6B – Matthew Charrois

Music – Vanessa Warnes

Learning Coach – Linda Letchford

SUPPORT STAFF

Admin. Support – Larysa Zawalak

Library, Office – Ivy Chaput

E.A. – Anne Butler

E.A. - Cathy Armani

E.A. - Dinah Dwyre

E.A.- Laurene Pottruff

CUSTODIAL STAFF

Head Custodian - Joe Sirica

Light Duty - Debbie Keddy

Page 3

Grade 6 Camp Our grade 6 students will be attending Birch Bay Camp on September 30th.

The bus will leave the school at 9:00AM and return to school that evening

around 8:00PM.

Parents please watch for the fieldtrip form that will be coming home shortly

with more information.

PROTOCOL FOR PARENT

CONCERNS

Edmonton Catholic Schools recognizes the free-

dom of all members of the school community

(students, staff, parents and neighbours) to voice

their concerns in an appropriate manner to the ap-

propriate school personnel. The principle of “first

contact” needs to be followed. This means that

the person(s) who have the concern, have the re-

sponsibility to begin addressing the concern direct-

ly with those persons with whom they have the

concern before taking their concern elsewhere.

Generally, in most cases, this would mean talking

with or meeting with your child’s teacher prior to

meeting with the school administration when you

have a concern.

If resolution is not found please then involve

school administration. If needed, District School

Operations Services (SOS) may also be involved

as needed. SOS can be reached at 780- 441-6090.

All parties will deal with concerns in a manner that

is constructive and consistent with the teachings of

the Catholic Church.

MEET THE STAFF

& BBQ NIGHT

This year we have teamed up with our School Council

to offer our first Meet The Staff

Night and Family BBQ. It will

take place on Thursday, Septem-

ber 22nd, 2016 at 5:45 pm. On

this evening, parents will have

the opportunity to learn more

about the school and district ini-

tiatives from the admin team,

and more detailed information from your child’s

teachers. This is an excellent opportunity for you to

meet your child’s teacher and begin to build that im-

portant working relationship! Please plan to attend this

important evening.

The schedule for the evening is as follows:

5:45-6:15 p.m. -BBQ and Social

6:15p.m.- Presentation by Admin in gym

6:30 p.m.-Teachers to classrooms with students/AGM

in Gym

6:45-7:30-Parents to classrooms for teacher

info presentations

SCHOOL OPENING CELEBRATION Please join us on Wednesday, September 14th at 1:00 PM for our

school opening mass at

St. Matthew’s Parish. 13131 86 Street. As is our tradition, students will

be walking to the church so please make sure they dress for the

weather! Kindergarten and grade one students will ride the yellow

school bus.

First Days of School (Staff) August 30 & 31st

First Day of School (Grade 1 – 6 Students) September 1

Labor Day-No School September 5

Kindergarten Staggered Entry September 1,2 & 6

Kindergarten First Full Day of School September 7

School Opening Mass September 14

Meet the Staff and BBQ September 22

Terry Fox Run September 23

Grade 6 Camp September 30

Thanksgiving Celebration October 5

Picture Day October 7

Thanksgiving (no school) October 10

Halloween Celebrations (during school hours) October 31

Remembrance Day Celebration November 9

Picture Retakes November 10

Remembrance Day (no school) November 11

Report Cards Home November 28

Scholastic Book Fair December 1-2

Parent/Student/Teacher Celebration of Learning December 1

Advent Celebration December 21

Full Day of School (dismissal at 2:56)!!!!! December 22

Dismissal for Christmas Break (11:50 AM)!!!!!!!!!!! December 23

Classes begin after Christmas January 9

District Faith Development Day (no school for students) February 7

Kindergarten Open House!!!!!!!! February 3

Family Day (no school) February 20

Open House February 22

Carnevale/Shrove Tuesday (free pancake lunch) February 28

Ash Wednesday Celebration March 1st

Teachers’ Convention (no school for students) March 2 & 3

Report Cards home March 20

Parent/Student/Teacher Celebration of Learning

(full day of school)

March 23

Dismissal for Spring Break (Half Day) March 24

Classes begin after Spring Break April 3

Stations of the Cross April 13

Good Friday (no school) April 14

Easter Monday– No School April 17

Easter Celebration April 19

Spring Concert April 27

St. Philip Day/ Celebration May 3

Victoria Day (no school) May 22

Kindergarten Info Night (6:30p.m.) May 24

Grade 6 Farewell June 27(AM)

Fun Day/Year end Field Trip June 26

Year End Mass June 28 (AM)

Talent Show June 28 (PM)

Students dismissed for summer vacation June 29

Page 4

This year our students’ individu-

al photographs will be taken on

Friday, October 7th by Life-

touch. More details will be com-

ing your way in the student

packages. Consistent with last

year, class pictures will once

again take the format of a com-

posite of student individual por-

traits.

School Photo Day

Page 5

For the safety of your children, you are reminded that the school parking lot is for teacher

use only from 7: 45 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and is never available for parent parking during these

hours. Please do not drive into the parking lot to turn around as it is very unsafe!

As well, the bus zone at the front of the school is only to be used by our school buses for stu-

dent drop-off and pick-up! Please do not park in the bus zone!

Dropping off students at a cross walk or in the middle of the street is illegal and un-

safe. The safest place to drop students is along the curb on 87 Street. Please do not

park in the drop off zone and please use the patrolled crosswalks on 87. street and 144 Avenue.

A special reminder that this year, we

will not be collecting school fees for

the 2016-17 school year. The only pay-

ments being charged to families will be

as follows:

Kindergarten: $50 field trip pay-

ment

Gr.1-4: $25 field trip fee and $10

agenda payment

Gr. 5 and 6: $50 field trip payment

and $10 agenda payment

Additional field trip cost may arise in

individual classes when the amounts

above are used up. Information regard-

ing procedures for paying these fees

online will be sent through your email.

You may also pay in person at the office

School Fees

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. During this time there will be someone in the office to take

your calls.

Please leave a message on our answering machine if you call outside office hours.

*If your child will be late or absent from school please call the office at 780-475-3566 by 8:20 am or

12:30 pm for afternoon classes to avoid the automated phone message from Synervoice.

Page 6

to our Head Custodian Joe Sirica for

his hard work in preparing our school

in such a clean manner for the return

of staff and students! We are very

lucky to have you!!

Students are reminded that it is their

responsibility to use the waste bas-

kets, recycle containers and juice

box containers properly. If we all

work together, we can keep our

school looking ‘back to school’

clean!

Students may purchase white

or chocolate milk for 75 cents

at lunch time. Students may

also purchase a milk card for

$10.00 (15 milk purchases) at

the office. (1 free milk with the

purchase of each milk card).

Grades 1-6 Morning Afternoon Monday 8:25 - 11:50 a.m. 12:30 - 2:56 p.m. Tuesday 8:25 - 11:50 a.m. 12:30 - 2:56 p.m. Wednesday 8:25 - 11:50 a.m. 12:30 - 2:56 p.m. Thursday 8:25 - 11:54 a.m. No School for Students Friday 8:25 - 11:50 a.m. 12:30 - 2:56 p.m. RECESS 10:05 - 10:20 a.m. 5 Minute Break Kindergarten Times AM PM Monday 8:25 - 11:22 a.m. 11:59- 2:56 p.m. Tuesday 8:25 - 11:22 a.m. 11:59- 2:56 p.m. Wednesday 8:25 - 11:22 a.m. 11:59- 2:56 p.m. Thursday No School No School Friday 8:25 - 11:22 a.m. 11:59- 2:56 p.m.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Please remember to sign in at the office and get a volunteer name tag if you are a

parent volunteer in the school on any given day. As per District Policy and Regu-

lation 135: all parents wishing to volunteer must fill out a Volunteer Registration

Form (See your child’s Teacher ).

On-Line Fee Payment Instructions

1. Log in to PowerSchool at: https://powerschool.ecsd.net/public/

*Parents who have not yet logged into PowerSchool will be receiving their Log

-in information in the Friday Envelope.

2. Select ‘School Fees’ from the Navigation Menu and then click on to connect to

the Student Quick Pay website.

3. Select the Student’s tab to view itemized fee details

4. Click to Add specific items to the Cart or choose to Add ALL at once

5. Once selected, View Cart or proceed to Checkout

6. Enter the credit card information and Submit Payment

Welcome to The Italian Pre-School Program

Located at St. Philip School

Comitato Promotore della Lingua Italiana-Italian Preschool

Facebook page is:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Comitato-Promotore-della-

Lingua-Italiana/112139012210287?ref=hl

Phone: 780-722-5391

Website with links to fur ther information and registration

forms: http://italianpreschool.shawwebspace.ca/

Page 7

August - September 2016

Dear Friends,

Welcome to a new faith filled school year.

The theme for our new school year, “We are called…to be leaders of Hope and Mercy” continues to focus our

attention on the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy which has as its central message God’s forgiveness.

Each of our schools designated a Jubilee Door of Mercy, modelled on the official Doors of Mercy opened by

our Holy Father, Pope Francis, last December. As you walk through the Holy Door at your school may you be

reminded that our God is a God of Hope and Mercy. May we continue to be instruments of His hope and mer-

cy in our schools and communities.

May God continue to bless each of you this school year.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Richard W. Smith

Archbishop of Edmonton

Page 8

MedicAlert’s No Child Without Program is at Our School

The No Child Without program offers a free MedicAlert membership to students who attend our school and are between the ages of 4 up to their 14

th birthday. If your child has a medical condition, allergy or is

required to take medication on a regular basis then you should consider a MedicAlert membership through this program. Your child’s voice in an emergency, MedicAlert membership;

Gives emergency first responders immediate access to your child’s medical infor-mation on their MedicAlert bracelet or necklet

Enables first responders to quickly obtain up to date medical information by means of the child’s Electronic Health Record through the 24 Hour Emergency Hotline.

Communicates with the parent or emergency contact upon activation of the Hotline

Allows free updates of the child’s medical record as needed

MedicAlert identification can alert school staff, friends, coaches and others about your child’s medical condition should an emergency occur. For further information come to the office for a brochure or visit www.nochildwithout.ca. To register your child you will need a No Child Without brochure from the office. If your child is already part of the No Child Without program and there have been changes to their medi-cal condition, medications or emergency contact information, call MedicAlert at 1-866-679-3220 Ext 1 to update your child’s file.

Page 9

August - September 2016

Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year! Our theme for this year is We are Called…To Be Leaders of Hope and Mercy.

The scripture which we have chosen to guide us this year provides us with a truly beautiful image for Catholic education.

It speaks to us of nurturing our students so that they become leaders of hope and mercy who show compassion, kindness,

humility, meekness, and patience. At the most fundamental level, they are learning how to clothe themselves in Christ to

create a world of great hope.

Christ is the focal point of all that we are and all that we do in Catholic education. On August 30, our staff gathered to-

gether as a community of Christ to renew their commitment to Catholic education and to celebrate the Eucharist together.

This uplifting celebration is such a wonderful way for each of us to celebrate our vocation and our role in fulfilling our

District’s mission to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to

serve God in one another.

Our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible educational opportunities to our students and their families is re-

flected in the six goals that we have established in our District Plan for Continuous Growth (2016-2019). I invite you to

visit our website at https://www.ecsd.net/AboutUs/annual_reports/Pages/District-Plan-for-Continuous-Growth.aspx to

look more deeply at the richness of each of these goals and the promise that this plan holds for your children.

Goal One Live the Distinctiveness of Catholic Education

Goal Two Every Student is Successful

Goal Three The Edmonton Catholic School District is Inclusive

Goal Four Quality Teaching and School Leadership

Goal Five Engaged and Effective Governance

Goal Six First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Students are Successful

This is such an exciting year for Edmonton Catholic Schools. As we continue together on our mission to provide a Cath-

olic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another, we are

welcoming two new schools and a new educational partnership into our Edmonton Catholic Schools family. St. John

XXIII and St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High Schools are opening this fall, and we welcome Kitaskinaw Edu-

cational Authority from the Enoch Cree Nation into partnership with us. We are truly blessed to be able to serve these

communities!

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is a shining example of what it means to be a leader of hope and mercy. I would like to

share one of his many inspiring, hope-filled tweets with you as you begin the exciting journey of a new school year.

“God is inviting you to dream: He wants to show you that you can make the world a different place.” (July 30, 2016)

This is the essence of Catholic education, empowering our children to make the world a better place!

I wish everyone an amazing year of growth and discovery as members of our Edmonton Catholic Schools family!

Sincerely,

Joan Carr

Superintendent

September 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 First day of school for grades 1-6

2

Kinder Staggered Entry

3

4 5 Labour Day

6

Kinder Staggered Entry

7

First full day for Kindergarten

8 9 10

11 12

13 14

School Opening Mass 1:00p.m.

15

16

17

18 19

Grade 6 cross country run @ 3:00p.m.

20

21

22

Meet the Staff BBQ @5:45pm

23

Terry Fox Run

@ 2:00p.m.

24

25 26 27 28 29 30

Grade 6 Birch Bay Camp

Page 10