Administrator's Message
November holds deep significance as we observe All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Remembrance Day. All Saints Day invites us to reflect on the lives of those who demonstrated unwavering faith within the Church. On All Souls Day, we honour the memory of loved ones who have passed away. Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion to recognize the courage and sacrifice of those who served in missions dedicated to peace and freedom.
This month offers a meaningful opportunity to unite in gratitude and remembrance for the brave individuals who risked their lives—and in many cases, gave their lives—so that we may enjoy the peace and safety of living in Canada. On November 11th, take a moment to honour our Veterans and acknowledge their service.
Peace begins with each of us. As we move through November, let’s consider how we can nurture peace in our homes, classrooms, and school community.
We’re pleased to introduce a few new faces joining the St. Rose staff team! Mrs. Silvi Thomas has joined us as our new Administrative Assistant in the office. Her welcoming presence and strong organizational skills are already making a wonderful impact.
We’re also happy to welcome Mr. Mike Wilk, a retired math teacher with a wealth of experience. He will be covering for Mr. Cimino during his absence. Additionally, as Mrs. Block begins her maternity leave, Mr. Nicholas Lonsberry will assume her role. Mrs. Prystay is stepping away temporarily and we will have Mr. Andrew Kozakewich joining us. We aim to ensure a smooth transition and continued support for our students. We’re excited to have these new staff members on board and look forward to the energy and expertise they bring to our school community.
Erin Winch, Prinicpal
Kyle Pisani, Assistant Principal
Student Led Conferences November 20
Effective communication between home and school plays a vital role in supporting student success. This year, St. Rose will be hosting student-led conferences on Thursday, November 20, during the following times:
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
These conferences are designed to actively involve students in sharing their learning journey. Each student will present their progress in the four core subjects: Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. In addition, students will set personal goals for each subject area during the meeting. We encourage families to attend and support their child in reflecting on their achievements and planning for continued growth.
As of Thursday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m., you may book your conference times online. This site will close on Wednesday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m. You will see each teacher’s schedule and which times are available for booking.
November 21 PD Day Postponed
The PD Day that was originally scheduled for November 20 has been postponed to a date in the new year. Please note that we will have regular classes that day and we will be following a day 2 schedule.
Change to Flex Days
We have made a decision as a staff to change the format of our flex days for the duration of the year. To maximize instructional time in our core classes, students will rotate through all four of their core subjects on the days that were originally scheduled as Flex days. The first core rotation day will be November 27.
School Fees
School fees have been added to all students’ accounts and are now overdue. Please sign into your PowerSchool account to view. All payments must be made online. Cash and cheques will not be accepted.
Please check throughout the year as other fees may be added for field trips, sports teams, etc.
If you have any questions or issues regarding the fees please call the office at 780-483-2695 to make an appointment to speak to the principal.
Traffic and Parking Concerns
Traffic in front of our school has been an ongoing issue. The safety of our students is our first priority and we are asking for your cooperation when dropping off or picking up your child. Please remember that the speed limit is 30 km/h and that u-turns are not permitted directly in front of the school. Our staff will continue to be out supervising and we need your help in this matter. Additionally, we would like to remind you to please avoid parking in the park across the street and in the back alley which impedes our neighbours from leaving their homes. Also, the alley south of the school is our staff parking area and should not be used for pick up or drop off. We kindly ask that we all try to be respectful of these homeowners when waiting for your child.
Student Pick Up Afterschool
We would like to remind parents that unless your child is in an afterschool club or participating on a team, they must be picked up by 3:30 p.m. If there is an emergency and you will be delayed, please contact the school office to make arrangements.
School Pictures
School photos are scheduled for Friday, November 14 in the morning. Retakes are on December 5.
Band Concert Postponed
Our Band concert for our Band 8 and 9 students has been moved to January 29. More information will be shared in the new year.
St. Rose Athletics
Congratulations to both of our soccer teams who had successful seasons this year. The girls played in the Division 1 City Championships at Callingwood fields. For the third straight year we played J.J. Bowlen and this year we were victorious with at 4-2 overtime win! Thank you to all of the spectators who came out to cheer on our team. Mrs. Rakowski and Mrs. Winch are very proud of their efforts. The boys lost in the semi-finals in a very close game and had a strong season. Thank you to Mr. Baier for volunteering to coach the team!
Volleyball tryouts are happening this week as games begin the week of November 20. Please watch the St. Rose Instagram account, and your child can listen to daily in-school announcements for details.
Eagles Gear Sale
If your child does not have St. Rose clothing or has outgrown their old gear, here is the link to order t-shirts, sweat tops, and more with the St. Rose logo.
School Council
Please join us for our first School Council meeting on November 17 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. School council members work together to support and enhance student learning. They provide a way for members of the community to consult with and offer advice to principals and school boards. School councils are a bridge between the school and community.
We are excited to share that St. Rose’s Solidarity Club is starting up again this month!
Our meetings will take place on Wednesdays after school from 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. and Mondays at lunch. All junior high students are welcome to join as we continue our mission of promoting awareness, compassion, and action within our school and community.
This month, our focus will be on Charter Rights – Article 3: the right to life, freedom, and liberty. November is a time to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and the individuals who have sacrificed so much to protect them.
As Remembrance Day approaches, we take time to honor our veterans who bravely fought for the peace and freedom of our world. We also recognize the many Indigenous veterans who served Canada with courage and pride, often without receiving equal recognition upon returning home.
Did you know? Over 12,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.
Later this month, we also mark Métis Week, beginning November 16. Each year, on this day, Métis people across Canada honor Louis Riel—a leader who fought for the rights and recognition of the Métis Nation. The ceremony held on November 16 commemorates his legacy and symbolizes the Métis people’s continued commitment to equality and self-determination.
ECSD kicks off with Rock Your Mocs; an annual week-long campaign that promotes cultural pride by encouraging Indigenous peoples to share their stories through posting photos of their moccasins. It’s an opportunity for community to learn about the diversity of Indigenous peoples and support local Indigenous communities. Join the celebration on social media using #RockYourMocs and #IndigenousECSD!
Places to learn more about the Metis history and culture are:
Metis Cross, 17339 Victoria Trail, Smoky Lak, AB
Indigenous Peoples Experience Fort Edmonton Park, 7000-143 Street, Edmonton, AB
Royal Alberta Museum; Human History Hall, 9810-103A Avenue, Edmonton, AB
At St. Rose, students will be engaging with the stories, culture, and contributions of the Métis people to Turtle Island (Canada) throughout the week. Together, we continue to build understanding, empathy, and solidarity in our school community.
Inclement Weather Policy
Decisions regarding outdoor activities take into consideration inclement weather which may result from the following conditions:
Continuous rain
Extreme wind
Extreme cold
Air quality
The suggested guideline is students do not go outside if the temperature is –20 C or colder, or if the temperature and windchill factor combined are –20 C or colder. Air quality is to be monitored similar to extreme cold temperatures. The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside when air quality reaches an index of 7 or more.
Our doors at St. Rose open at 8:20 a.m. for the students to enter the school and proceed to their homerooms where there is supervision. Please know that students coming to school earlier than 8:10 a.m. will have no supervision outside of the school. Students can re-enter the school at the end of the day if they miss their bus etc. Please note that there will only be supervision outside until 3:20 p.m. Additionally, students will continue to go outside for the recess portion of the lunch hour unless the weather reaches –20C. Remind your child to wear clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.
Credits:
Created with images by vetre - "World War remembrance day. Red poppy is symbol of remembrance to those fallen in war. Red paper poppies on dark stone background" • andrei310 - "Frosty winter window with ice patterns and a thermometer showing a minus temperature" • Michael - "All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day"