SEPTEMBER 2015

ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE Welcome to the 2015 – 2016 school year! We hope you had a relaxing and fun-filled summer. With the promise of an exciting school year, we welcome in a special way the new families who registered at École/Escuela Father Leo Green. We also welcome a number of new teachers to our staff. We are happy that you have chosen to be a part of this wonderful school community.

Our staff has been busy planning and organizing a year filled with many exciting learning activities. We look forward to building a warm, nurturing and respectful relationship between home and our school community. It is only as a team working together that we can accomplish all that we dream for our children.

We would like to wish you and your children our sincerest best wishes for a wonderful school year!

M. Hatch (Principal) Sra. Pederson (Assistant Principal)

May your new work excite your heart,Kindle in your mind creativityTo journey beyond the old limitsOf all that has become wearisome.

May this work challenge you towardNew frontiers that will emergeAs you begin to approach them,Calling forth from you the full forceAnd depth of your undiscovered gifts.

May the work fit the rhythms of your soul,Enabling you to draw from the invisibleNew ideas and a vision that will inspire.

Remember to be kindTo those who work for you,Endeavor to remain awareOf the quiet worldThat lives behind each face.

Be fair in your expectations,Compassionate in your criticism.May you have the grace of encouragementTo awaken the gift in the other’s heart,Building in them the confidenceTo follow the call of the gift.

May you come to know that workWhich emerges from the mind of loveWill have beauty and form.

May this new work be worthyOf the energy of your heartAnd the light of your thought.

May your work assumeA proper space in your life;Instead of owning or using you,May it challenge and refine you,Bringing you every day furtherInto the wonder of your heart.

- John O'Donohue, "Blessings for a New Position," To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings (2008)

ÉCOLE/ESCUELA FATHER LEO GREEN STAFF 2015-2016Principal Assistant Principal Kindergarten A Kindergarten C andD Grade 1/2B Grade 1AGrade 1C Grade 2A Grade 2C Grade 2D Grade 3A Grade 3C Grade 4A Grade 4C Grade 5A Grade 5/6C Grade 6A Learning Coach Music Media Resources Educational Assistants Head Secretary Office Clerk Head Custodian Senior Custodian

M. Derek Hatch Señora Pederson Mme KathleenSeñora VillaltaMme Laplante Mme AngèleSra SerranoMlle OliviaSeñora GuaspSeñora Sinclair Mme Schreiner Señora Astle Mlle Despres Señora MartaMme Vaugeois/Mlle WardzalaSeñor Cristian/Señora Pederson Mlle SabourinMme Thomson Mme Andrews Mme Moscardelli Mme Ahmar, Señora Lemire and Señora Rodrigues Mme Smith Mme Bessette M. Arthur M. Hirpo

CURRICULUM INFORMATION (MEET THE STAFF) NIGHT

Our Curriculum Information Evening will be held on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m. All parentsare encouraged to attend. The evening will begin in the gym with a few words from the Administration Team and the SAC Chairperson. Staff introductions will follow. Parents are then invited to visit their child’s classroom where the teacher will have prepared a short presentation outlining the learning plan for the class. This presentation will be repeated in each class to allow parents to visit the classroom of more than one child. Please understand that this is not intended to be an interview or conference time. If you would like to meet with your child/children’s teacher, please make an appointment to do so. Mark your calendar and we look forward to seeing you there!

REPORT CARDS AND DEMONSTRATION OF LEARNING DATES First Report Card: Friday, November 20th, 2015Demonstration of Learning: Second Report Card: Demonstration of Learning: Third Report Card:

Thursday, November 26th, 2015 Friday, March 11th, 2015 Thursday, March 17th, 2015 Tuesday, June 28th, 2015

If you wish to discuss your child’s progress, please feel free to call the school at anytime to set up an appointment with your child’s teacher.

STUDENT PICTURES

Individual student pictures will be taken on Wednesday, September 16th. Lifetouch willbe taking our photos this year. All students will be photographed and it is

recommended they wear solid colour clothing for best results. Please do not send money on Picture Day – as you will be able to select your looks and desired package after viewing your proofs. Retakes are booked for Wednesday, October 14th.

HOURS OF OPERATION FOR 2015-2016

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday First Bell Second Bell Instructional Time Outdoor Recess Break Indoor Lunch Break Outdoor Lunch Break PM Registration/Attendance Instructional Time Outdoor Recess Break

Grades 1 – 6: 8:29 a.m. 8:34 a.m.8:35 – 11:5010:05 – 10:20 a.m. 11:50 – 12:10 p.m. 12:10 – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 – 3:15 p.m.2:00 – 2:15 p.m. 3:15 p.m. Dismissal Time

Thursday First Bell Second Bell Instructional Time Outdoor Recess Break Dismissal Times

8:29 a.m. 8:34 a.m.8:30 – 12:00 10:05 – 10:20 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

Kindergarten: Kindergarten AM: Kindergarten PM:

Monday to Friday 8:29 – 11:10 a.m.Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:55 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (no classes ThursdayP.M.)

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS PRIOR TO FIRST BELL

Supervision of students begins at 8:14 a.m. Please do not drop off your children at school prior to that time. Any students arriving prior to 8:14 a.m. will need to remain outside. Four staff members supervise the bus drop off zone and the school’s playground where all students wait for the 8:29 a.m. bell.

There is no after school supervision as all students are either picked up by parents or board the yellow bus.

SCHOOL BUILDING SAFETY

All school doors are locked at all times. Visitors must ring the bell and are granted access by the office staff. We kindly ask parents who are picking up their children to please wait at the front entrance until the bell rings. It is important that we are able to easily identify someone who does not belong in our school building. In addition, we want to ensure instructional time is protected and students are not distracted by family members standing outside the classroom door. Your cooperation with this would be greatly appreciated.

SEVERE NUT ALLERGIES AND MEDICAL ALERTS

Several of our students have severe allergies to nuts. Parents and students are asked to NOT bring any products that contain nuts to school. For some of our students, if traces of nuts and/or peanut butter were left on a desk or faucet, this could be life threatening in a matter

of minutes. Therefore, in respect and care for others, we ask that you NOT bring products with nuts in them to school.

Upon occasion, parents request that staff members administer medication to students who are not sufficiently mature or reliable enough to care for their own needs. In order to administer medication to a student, we require a “Request for Administration of Medication/Treatment Form” to be complete and on file in the office. A copy of this form may be obtained from the school office. It is the parents’ responsibility to keep us informed of medical conditions and correct information regarding treatment and emergency contact information.

SCHOOL FEES

School fees are due before September 15th. Kindergarten $125.00 Grades 1 - 6 Bus Pass

$115.00 $32.00 (free for Kindergarten)

We recognize that payment of fees in September can be difficult, especially for those parents who have a number of children returning to school. Therefore, a number of payment options are available. Please choose the payment plan which best suits you:

Payment in Full

Quarterly payments (please submit four postdated cheques)

Monthly payments (please submit ten postdated cheques)Please contact Mme Smith in the school office to make arrangements to pay fees. Fees may be paid by cash, cheque, or credit card.

PROPERTY TAXES

All property owners are encouraged to examine their TAX NOTICE to ensure that their support is assigned to Edmonton Catholic Schools. If you own a business or are in a business partnership, please check to see that your taxes are being allocated to our district (partial allocations can also be designated). If there is an error, please contact City Hall at 780 496 5090.

BUS PASSES

Bus passes are on sale in the school office. Parents of students who ride the bus are encouraged to pre-pay with post-dated cheques.

We would like to remind students who take the yellow school busses that they are expected to behave in a manner acceptable to the bus driver. Riding

these busses is not a right. It is a service provided by the school district. Students who misbehave could be asked to find alternate transportation to school.

In collaboration with Edmonton Transit, the Edmonton Catholic School District has enhanced the options available to yellow bus pass users. Students who

possess a yellow bus pass will be allowed six rides per month on Edmonton Transit System

throughout the week, including weekends, up to 8:00 p.m. Students will have their yellow bus pass punched by an ETS operator and will obtain a transfer pass before boarding the bus or LRT.

CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES There will no longer be paper notices sent regarding bus route changes. Parents will be notified by Transportation Services of any changes to the schedule. Once notice has been received by parents of

a change, they will need to visit the District Website for details. This may be done by going to:

www.ecsd.net

Find the green box and select "View Transportation" On the left hand side of the next screen – Clickon Yellow School Bus Directory At the center of the next screen: Find Father Leo Green School and click on your child’s bus route # This will be updated weekly by ECSD Transportation.

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

Our school office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily during school operational days. Parents who call the school after these hours are asked to leave a clear message and we will return your call as soon as we are able.

Please remember that we will be happy to give your child a message at the end of the day. We thank you for your understanding of our wanting to protect learning time for all students by not interrupting classes for messages.

STUDENT ENTRANCES

All students are asked to use their assigned doors in the morning, at breaks and after school. We ask that parents wait for their child/children at the door of the school and not the door of the classroom. Thank you for helping us promote independence and self-sufficiency in our students.

CLASS LIST CONSTRUCTION

Each year our teachers put a great deal of time and effort into grouping students based on years of teaching experience. Teachers use both, their academic expertise and years of experience in the area of group dynamics when making up class groupings. Gender, academic needs and ability, behavioral dynamics and special needs are just a few of the many variables considered in constructing class groupings. As such, all parents are asked to respect that there is a lengthy process in which all staff are involved, as they construct class lists that ensure the best possible learning environment within each class for the benefit of all students.

As such, please refrain from requesting class changes. Parents are asked to consider the big picture - that being the importance of demonstrating to our children the need to be flexible, and adaptable and to learn to work and play in a spirit of cooperation. These skills, we believe are not only important life skills, but are also fundamental to who and what we stand for as members of a Catholic community.

There is more information about Yellow buses at the end of this newsletter.

REGISTRATION, FOIP, AND RESPONSIBLE USE FORMS

Copies of the registration information we have on file will be sent home on Monday, September 8th. Parents are asked to check this information over carefully, make any necessary changes and return the forms to the school (no later than Friday, September 18th). We also ask that parents of students whoare of First Nations, Metis, or Inuit descent identify this on the registration forms. In some cases, this enables us to access additional supports.

It is extremely important that we have accurate information regarding our students in the event of an emergency. As per the information above, parents of students who are new to our school, as well as parents of students in grade four, are asked to also complete FOIP forms. This year, our ECSD Net Acceptable Use Agreement was replaced with an updated Responsible Use Agreement. Therefore, all parents and students are asked to sign this updated agreement so that students will have access to our computers. Thank you!

STUDENT AGENDA BOOKS

Each student in our school must have an agenda book. It is very important that parents read the opening pages of the book to familiarize themselves with school policies and procedures. Parents are asked to sign the agenda book to indicate that they have read and understood our school expectations on page 5 (large agenda) or page 8 (small agenda). Students are expected to use thebook to help plan their class work and homework, and to facilitate communication between parents and teachers. For all students, the agenda book will also be used to stamp late admittance. If the book is lost, the student will be required to purchase another as it is crucial in day to day activities. Replacement student agendas may be purchased at the office for $10.00.

LUNCH AT SCHOOL

All children eat lunch in their classrooms. Eating lunch at school is a privilege and a convenience for our families. However, it involves the organization and scheduling of grade six monitors to assist the students, and requires extra

supervision for staff. Therefore, appropriate behaviours on the part of all students is greatly valued and appreciated. We would like to take this

opportunity to thank the “lunch monitors” and staff who will organize the monitors and who will provide wonderful service to our community. We ask that students please bring required eating utensils (forks/spoons) from home so that we can reduce the amount of plastic waste at our school. Please be sure to pack enough nutritional food for your child for the entire school day.

MILK SALES

Both white and chocolate milk is sold to students at the school. Milk tickets are sold through the office – $0.75 each or 10 for $7.50.

POWERSCHOOL ON-LINE PAYMENTS

Payment of school fees can now be made on PowerSchool. To learn how to do this, please refer to the link on our website under the Resources section on the right hand side. A direct link to the document is:http://fatherleogreen.ecsd.net/Powerschool%20School%20Fee%20Payment%20Procedures.pdfPlease copy and paste into your browser.

NEWSLETTERS

Our newsletters will be published electronically and posted on our school website at the beginning of each month. You will be able to read about all the news and activities that are happening at the school and also have a calendar of events to go to in order to check on up-coming events. Our school website is: www.fatherleogreen.ecsd.net If you do not have access to a computer, please let us know.

SAFETY DRILL PRACTICES In general, we will be practicing our fire drills in the Fall and Spring. We will practice lockdown and shelter in place procedures in the winter months. There valuable exercises are required so that the staff and students are aware of what the procedures are should one of these events occur. For some of these practices, the students will be aware that they will occur. Other practices will be surprise events. In all cases, the office will make an announcement following the practice.

TEACHING MASS Faith is an integral part of Catholic Schools. We are pleased to work with St. Dominic Savio Parish and look forward to their involvement in our student’s faith formation. We have planned many classroom and school wide Faith experiences for our students. God is alive and well in our school. On Friday, September 18th, at 9:30 a.m., all students (K-6) will attend a teaching Mass at St. Dominic Parish.

KEEPING UP-TO-DATE

In addition to these newsletters, we will be sharing information using a number of digital tools.

@FatherLeoGECSD

To subscribe to important texts, please text @frleogreen to (418) 800-7548 (no charge)

PROTOCOL FOR PARENT CONCERNS – POLICY OF FIRST CONTACT

Our staff believes that open and collaborative communication is most important in order to maintain a positive learning environment for our students. Please feel free to contact us to discuss any questions you might have. Edmonton Catholic Schools recognizes the freedom of all members in the school

community (students, staff, parents, and neighbors) to voice their concerns in an appropriate manner to the appropriate school personnel. The principle of

“first contact” needs to be followed. This means that the person(s) who have the concern, have the responsibility to begin addressing the concern

directly with those persons with whom they have the concern before taking their concern elsewhere. If resolution is not found, lease then involve school

administration and School Operation Services (SOS) as needed. Thank you for your collaboration in this matter. It is working together that we create an excellent learning environment for our children.

frleogreen.wordpress.com

Welcome to what we know will be yet another wonderful year here at École/Escuela Father Leo Green!

FLG’s SAC is excited to continue our work with all of the returning families and staff and thrilled to

develop new relationships with those who are new to our school. The SAC is a parent group that works

in conjunction with the school administration, staff, students, families and surrounding communities to

provide the best school experience possible.

FLG SAC sincerely thanks each and every person that made last year’s fundraising initiatives/events

fantastically successful; such as the Little Caesars Pizza Kits, Casino, Spooky Hall-ow Family Dance and

Silent Auction and the Math-a-thon. All of your hard work truly paid off and was greatly appreciated.

With your continued help and support this year we will once again we able to:

Sponsor events such as the Family Dance, Shrove Tuesday, Solidarity Lunch, Fun Fest Lunch;

Subsidize fieldtrips and in-school presentations up to $50 per student;

Purchase technology (Surface Pro computers, iPods, iPads, netbooks);

Purchase musical instruments and sports equipment;

Maintain safe playgrounds;

Subsidize special events and clubs, such as Dia del Nino, Winter Carnival, Year End Fun Fest,

intramurals and winter clubs;

Purchase books for the library and numerous other items to improve the learning of our children.

If we do it together as a team, we can make it happen! It’s as easy as eating freshly baked pizza, dancing

in the school gym, and sending Christmas and spring cards to loved ones.

SAC 2015-16 Fall Events:

Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser

o September 14– September 30, 2015

o Back by popular demand! Families will once again have the

opportunity to sell Little Caesars Pizza Kits.

o Dinner is easy with these frozen pizza kits - ordering options include

individual pizzas, full size pizzas, Crazy Bread or Italian bread.

o We’d love to sell 500 pizza kits this year to help pay for school

technology. That's only 2 kits per family!

o Watch for the handouts and order form that will be coming home with your child(ren) on

September 14.

o Please contact Lori Strzelec at 780-920-4827 or lori.strzelec@shaw.ca if you would like

to volunteer or would like more information.

Witches Ball Halloween Family Dance and Silent Auction

o Friday, October 30, 2015 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm

o Concession and mini ‘store.’

o Door prizes.

o A silent auction for the parents.

o An amazing DJ with dance floor giveaways.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

o NEW THIS YEAR - A professionally run photo booth.

o Tickets will be $12.00 per family in advance; $15 at the door.

o **No masks please - it’s too scary for our little ones!**

o Please contact Raiven Hansen-Downs at 780-473-1582 or

raivenhansendowns@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer, would like more

information or have a silent auction item you’d like to donate.

Christmas Art Cards

o Unique artwork created by your child

will be made into beautiful Christmas

cards.

o Purchased cards ($1.00/card) will be sent home for mail out by December 1, 2015.

o Please contact Tammy Thornton at 780-717-1797 if you would like to volunteer or would

like more information.

Christmas in September!

o The year's first hot lunch and Art Card kick off will be on September 25, 2015.

o Students will enjoy pizza from Little Caesars for their hot lunch and Christmas carols to

get them into the mood to create wonderful Christmas artwork.

o Hot lunch order forms will come home soon with your child(ren).

o The order deadline will be Friday, September 18.

o If you would like to volunteer at 11:00 to help deliver the hot lunch, please email Trina

Jewison at tdjewison@shaw.ca. Trina will confirm with all volunteers directly via email

two days prior to the hot lunch date.

Hot Lunches

o There will be a scheduled hot lunch every month.

o If you know of a restaurant with a child-friendly menu, that does School Hot Lunch

Programs - the Hot Lunch Coordinator would love to hear about it.

o Please email Trina at tdjewison@shaw.ca with the suggestion.

Boston Pizza Operation Education School Fundraiser

o Family & friends eat at Boston Pizza? Great! Ask everyone to save their meal receipts &

you can submit them to our school office and help our school raise funds.

o Boston Pizza will issue our school a cheque for 5% of the pre-tax receipt

amounts. (They just have to ask for a "Duplicate Receipt" to give to you - no credit card

info will be on that one.)

o Dine-in, Take-out & Delivery receipts are all valid for this program. We have been

sponsored again by the location on the southwest corner of 97 St and 137 Ave. If youhave a choice...please use that location, however; receipts from ANY Edmonton area

Boston Pizza location are eligible as well as most outlying Alberta locations.

o Our first deadline for receipts will be in January 2016. Any receipts that you received

beginning September 1, 2015 are eligible.

o Put them in an envelope labeled Boston Pizza & either drop them at the office or put

them in your child’s agenda. Receipts will not be returned & only originals can be

accepted. The credit card portion is not required, JUST the itemized receipt please.

o Last year we received over $300.00 in rebates, just for submitting some receipts!!

o If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Trina Jewison at 780-456–0059.

Look for more information on our upcoming winter and spring events in the New Year!

FLG SAC takes pride in all that we offer the students and their families at this school. We can’t do

this alone – we need your help. Please support us in our fundraising efforts and/or by volunteering

at any of our events!

ST. JOHN BOSCO PARISH NEWS

DEAR PARENTS AND STUDENTS,We are about to start a new School Year. Welcome! It will be a time of learning and making friends. Jesus wants to be our best friend. During this school year 2015-2016 many children will get closer to Jesus by celebrating the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

REGISTRATION TIME: Wednesday September 16, from 7 to 8 pm at the parish hall.I invite the parents and students in grade 2 or older to come register for First Communion and First Reconciliation. Please bring a copy of the Baptism certificate of your child.

I invite parents and grade 6 students to come and register for Confirmation. Please bring certificates of Baptism and First Communion.

PREPARATION FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION will start with a meeting for parents and children on Wednesday September 30 @ 7:00 pm. Catechism classes will start on Sunday, October 4 at 9:30 and 11:30 am Masses.First Reconciliation celebration will be on Wednesday November 25 @ 7:00 pm.

PREPARATION FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will start with a meeting for parents and children on Tuesday February 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm.Catechism classes will start on Sunday, February 28 at 9:30 and 11:30 am Masses.First Communion Celebrations will be on Saturday, May 7 at 5:00 pm Mass orSunday May 15 at 11:30 am Mass.

PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION will start with a meeting for parents and students on Wednesday February 17, 2016 at 7:00 pm.Catechism classes will start on Saturday February 27, 2016 at 4:00 pm.Confirmation will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm.

BAPTISM FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN who were never baptized. We have a preparation program on Saturdays from 4 – 5 pm starting on October 17, 2015.Baptism will be celebrated on Saturday, February 6, 2016

I am looking forward to a very fruitful year and rewarding journey of faith with the children, their families and schools. God Bless you!!

Rev. Romano Venturelli SDB

YELLOW SCHOOL BUS INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

SCHOOL START-UP – SEPTEMBER 2015

In June 2015, a Joint Safety Committee was formed with representatives from Edmonton school jurisdictions and contracted yellow bus carriers. The purpose of the committee is to meet bi-annually to discuss yellow school bus safety with all stakeholders involved with yellow school bus transportation in Edmonton. The following new safety measures will be implemented on all Edmonton Catholic Schools yellow bus routes in September 2015:

Code RED – All carriers have agreed to implement a code red system that requires dispatch to answer a Code RED call from a bus driver as a priority. Code RED is defined as, “any time a situation arises and a driver’s ability to safely drive is compromised.”

Oversize Items – Oversize items on a school bus can become a safety hazard if the bus has to stop suddenly or is involved in a collision. To ensure student safety, the district will be implementing the following guidelines:

Maximum size limit for large items: 13” wide x 13” deep x 30” high or 33cm wide x 33cm deep x 76cm high

Guidelines: • The item must be in a backpack, closed bag or carrying case.• The item must fit on the child’s lap or between their legs on the floor of the school bus.• Items placed on the floor must not extend past the child’s chest area.• Items cannot block aisles or emergency exits.

Notices – Information on oversize items will be on large easy-to-read stickers clearly displayed on yellow school buses beginning September 2015. Bus drivers will also retain a copy of these guidelines on the bus and the information has been posted on the district website.

Drivers have been instructed that they cannot refuse transportation to a child even if the child shows up at the bus stop with an oversize item that exceeds the maximum limits. In this situation, drivers will stow the item as safely as possible. Once the bus arrives at the school, the driver will advise the school supervisor that the student has an oversize item and remind the school that the driver will not allow the oversize item back on the bus. The school must make arrangements with parents to transport the oversize item.

Driver Expectations – Edmonton Catholic Schools’ transportation staff attended orientation sessions for yellow bus drivers where they presented information on these new guidelines as well as outlined driver expectations. Driver expectations include:

• Develop seating plans and assign students to specific seats.• Follow the route as designed - no courtesy stops.• Complete child check to ensure that children are not left sleeping on the bus, and• A reminder that kindergarten and grade 1 students are to be met at their stop by a parent or

guardian.

Camera Surveillance Equipment Edmonton Catholic Schools operates video surveillance equipment in approximately 45% of our bus routes. The equipment will be assigned to longer bus routes and bus routes that have had a history of issues. If, at any time throughout the year, principals want a particular bus route to have video surveillance equipment, they may contact Transportation Services and arrangements can be made to have the video surveillance equipment available for that route.

Our plan is to add new video surveillance equipment to our buses every year so that this equipment will be on the entire fleet of buses assigned to Edmonton Catholic Schools.