Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we begin a new school year, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to walk alongside our students, families, and staff in a community rooted in faith, hope, and love. At St. Rose, our Catholic identity is not just a part of what we do—it’s the heart of who we are. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and this year’s district faith theme, “People of Hope,” we embrace each day with a spirit of optimism and a commitment to nurturing the whole child.
Our school is a place where faith and learning go hand in hand. We believe that every student is a unique gift, and we strive to create an environment where they feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow. Whether it’s through prayer, academic challenge, acts of service, or moments of reflection, we aim to help our students discover their purpose and develop the values that will guide them throughout life.
The staff at St. Rose are passionate educators who go above and beyond to create meaningful learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. We celebrate the diverse talents of our students and offer opportunities for them to shine—whether through academics, athletics, the arts, or service to others. Our goal is to help each child recognize their potential and feel a true sense of belonging.
We are proud of the strong partnerships we share with families. Together, we form a close-knit community that supports one another and works collaboratively to ensure every child thrives. I encourage you to stay connected with us through our website and social media, where you’ll find updates, celebrations, and opportunities to engage with school life.
We would like to welcome our new teaching staff Ms. Shapka, Mrs. Zvonkovic-Muniz, and Mrs. Wowczak to St. Rose. All are experienced teachers who will enhance our staff in a multitude of ways. Also, Ms. Martinek will be beginning the school year with us as Mr. Cimino is on a leave.
As principal, I am honoured to lead this incredible community. Please know that my door is always open. If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to connect, we are here for you. Let’s make this year one of growth, joy, and hope—together.
Sincerely,
Erin Winch, Principal
Kyle Pisani, Assistant Principal
September Reminders
Office Hours
Our school office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. We are blessed to have Mrs. Anna Just and Ms. Vanessa McGonigle returning to their roles in the office. Please reach out if you ever have any questions or require any assistance.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is a secure web-based management system designed to strengthen communication between the school and home by providing parents and legal guardians access to their child’s attendance records and academic progress online. We encourage parents to check PowerSchool regularly for updates on their children's assignments. If you do not have your password for PowerSchool please contact the office and we will send home your PowerSchool login information. Report cards are paperless and will be available through PowerSchool in June.
Google Classroom
Please accept the Google classroom parent requests that have been sent to your email so that you will receive the weekly updates for your child's teachers.
School Fees
School fees will be available on PowerSchool September 16. Sign in to your PowerSchool parent portal and pay with a credit card or by debit. If you have any questions or would like to arrange payment options, contact the school office.
Late Policy
To ensure success and a positive educational experience, all students are expected to be seated in their block 1 classes with all their necessary materials by 8:25 a.m. Students arriving late due to a medical or other appointment require a note or a phone call by the parent to the office. Late students must stop at the office to check-in. Thank you for your efforts in being punctual. We will do all that we can as staff to work together with you. We know that when our students are here every day, they learn well.
Reporting Student Absences
As a reminder, when a student is absent from school, their parents/guardians must utlilize the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival system before 8:15 a.m. The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can report your child's absence in advance using any of these options:
SchoolMessenger App (iOS or Android)
PowerSchool (click on the SchoolMessenger Icon in the left-hand menu)
Phone: 1833-788-7662
Early Departures from School
The school understands that it is sometimes necessary for parents and guardians to have someone else pick up their children during the school day. The school asks the parent or guardian to call the school to notify staff of this in advance of the intended departure time. The person picking up the child will be asked for identification before the student is allowed to leave the school. We thank you for your diligence.
Closed Campus
Please keep in mind that St. Rose is a closed campus. Students are expected to remain on school grounds throughout the day until dismissal. Students who are within walking distance of the school may go home for lunch. We ask these families to contact the office for information about the necessary paperwork to give permission. To ensure the safety of our students, Skip the Dishes and other delivery services are not permitted. Parents are welcome to drop lunches at the office and we will ensure that your child receives them.
School Canteen
St. Rose offers hot lunch items at our Canteen. The Canteen will be open every day, except Thursdays, starting on Monday, September 8. Monday is Lorenzo’s pizza, Tuesday is Lorenzo’s pasta, Wednesday is Edo Japan and Friday is Panago pizza. Please note limited amounts are ordered so students should always have something with them to eat. As well, we only accept cash at the Canteen. Thank you to Mrs. Myskiw for her dedication to organizing our canteen.
Meet the Families Night - September 18 at 6:30 p.m.
We’re excited to introduce a fresh approach to our annual event! This year, instead of our traditional Meet the Staff Night, we’re hosting a Meet the Families Night on Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. There will be no formal program in the gym. Instead, families will engage in activities designed to build community throughout the school.
Solidarity Team at St. Rose
This year, the Solidarity Club, led by Mrs. Rakowski, will focus on the “Be an Upstander” program, which encourages students to take action against bullying, discrimination, and exclusion while celebrating diversity and inclusion in our school. Rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, our club will lead monthly initiatives that highlight different aspects of human rights and allyship. From pledging to be upstanders in September, to honouring Truth and Reconciliation in October, to celebrating Human Rights Day in December, and recognizing equity, gender rights, and accessibility in the spring, our students will create meaningful projects to build a stronger, more inclusive school community. At the end of the year, students will share their work with other schools to inspire change beyond our walls. This is a great opportunity for students to make a positive and powerful contribution to our school community.
Solidarity Club – Month at a Glance
September: Launch of Be an Upstander pledge
October: Truth & Reconciliation / Respect initiative
November: Anti-bullying & Kindness Challenge
December: Human Rights Day celebration
January: Equity & Inclusion – student voices
February: Black History Month & Justice
March: Gender Equity & Women’s Rights
April: Belonging & Faith/Identity Respect
May: Allyship & Accessibility awareness
June: Year-end Human Rights Recap & Celebration
School Council Meeting
St. Rose has a very active and supportive School Council. Our first meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6 at 6:30 pm at St. Rose. We would love to have you join us!
Parent Concerns
At St. Rose, we want families to feel welcome to share their ideas and voice their concerns. Edmonton Catholic Schools recognizes the freedom of all members of the school community (staff, students, parents, and neighbours) to voice their concerns in an appropriate manner to school personnel. The principle of “first contact” needs to be followed. This means that the person who has the concern has 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, the next step is to involve the school administration, and/or School Operation Services, as needed. All parties will deal with concerns in a manner that is consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Student Handbook
Our school handbook is located on our school website. Please review as it contains additional information such as bell times and the year calendar for our St. Rose families.
Staff Professional Development Day Thursday, September 25.
The St. Rose staff will be participating in a professional development day on Thursday, September 25. There will be no school for students that day.
Personal Chromebooks or Laptops
In today’s schooling, an electronic device is like a child’s binder. It is recommended that all students have a personal laptop or Chromebook. There are a limited number of devices available for student use which will be signed out by the subject area teacher when required for their class.
Medical Concerns
A special form must be filled out by parents/guardians before any medication or treatment may be administered to your child. Please contact the school office if you need a form. If your child has a severe allergy or medical alert, please contact the office for a medic alert form to permit us to post the alert in the staff room so that we are fully prepared in the event of an emergency.
Personal Belongings
Students are strongly discouraged from bringing non-essential games, music players, or precious personal items to school and do so, solely at their own risk. Students are responsible for their personal belongings. They should keep valuable items in their lockers. This year, all backpacks must be kept in student lockers throughout the school day. Students are encouraged to use locker breaks to change their books/supplies in order to lighten their load. Cell phones and Smart watches must be lockers throughout the day. Although we are always concerned about theft, extensive time will not be invested in looking for these missing items. The school is not responsible for loss of personal items.
Outside Supervision
In the morning, the front doors of the school will open at 8:20 a.m. There is outdoor supervision prior to this time beginning at 8:10 a.m. After school, supervision will be in front of the school until 3:15 p.m. Unless participating in an afterschool club or team, all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m.
ETS Bus Passes/ARC Cards
Students at St. Rose Junior High School will be using the Edmonton Transit ARC system. Should your child or children require one, they will be provided a one-time FREE ARC card. It is a reusable card that the students will hold on to for as long as they will ride Edmonton Transit. This system is monitored and controlled by Edmonton Transit, not Edmonton Catholic Schools.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU…
- Online Monthly ARC card reload needs to be purchased through Parent PowerSchool prior to the ending of the month. ARC takes 48 hours to load card from time of payment.
- ARC card should be registered on Myarc.ca, this secures your loaded funds if you happen to lose your card. Funds can be transferred to new ARC Card.
- Students will need to tap their card ON and OFF the bus.
- Cash payment can not be taken. You can pay interact or credit card online.
- If the card is lost it is $6.00 to replace at school and may take 48 hours to have funds transferred over to new card. Or you can purchase at kiosk/store for $10.00 and will allow minimal rides until transfer of funds is complete.
- No monthly purchase will be made after the 15th of the month.
- For further information please visit the following link to read up on the new system and have some of your questions answered.
Toonies for Terry
The St. Rose Terry Fox Run will be held on Thursday, September 18. Students will be joining staff members in doing a walk/run around the St. Rose neighbourhood to commemorate Terry's 1980 Marathon of Hope. A field trip form will be going home in early September to provide further details and give instructions for how to donate to researching cures for all cancers. Students are encouraged to bring a $2 donation. Alternatively, families who wish to make a larger donation may do so online. A tax receipt will be issued to every online donation over $20. Donations can be made online at terryfoxschoolrun.org - simply find our school name and enter a donation. Thank you.
Mother's Against Drunk Driving Presentation September 22 at 9:00 a.m.
On September 22 our students will have the opportunity to participate in a powerful presentation from the Mother's Against Drunk Driving organization. MADD Canada’s 2025-2026 School Program is a powerful dramatization about the tragic consequences of impaired driving. The video ends with testimonials from real-life victims who share their heartbreaking stories with the audience.
St. Rose Athletics
Tryouts for Boys and Girls Soccer teams will be held in the next few days. Be sure to listen to announcements for dates and times if you are interested in participating. Gr 8 and 9 players will have a tryout on Thursday at noon and gr 7 players will have their first tryout on Friday at 3:15. See Mrs. Rakowski and Mr. Baier if you have questions.
Volleyball tryouts will be held later in September or early October. We have 4 teams at St. Rose: Senior Boys and Girls and Junior Boys and Girls. Be sure to listen to announcements for dates and times.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis' story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.
Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools, and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. Please wear an orange shirt on September 29 at St. Rose. ECSD will be observing the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. There will be no school that day.
September Dates
September 2 - Grade 7 Orientation
September 3 - Grade 8 Orientation - morning Grade 9 Orientation - afternoon
September 4 - first day of classes for everyone
September 8 School Canteen Opens
September 15 and 16 Grade 9 Camp
September 18 Terry Fox Run
September 18 Meet the Families event at St. Rose 6:30 p.m.
September 22 M.A.D.D. presentation 9:00 a.m.
September 25 - PD Day at St. Rose - no school
September 29 Orange Shirt Day at St. Rose
September 30 National Truth and Reconciliation Day - no school
October 6 School Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
October 10 Picture Day
October 13 Thanksgiving Day - no school
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Credits:
Created with images by zenobillis - "Colorful maple leaves close-up on the blurry background" • Shahan - "Autumn-inspired flat lay with blank white sheet and wooden pencils surrounded by dry brown leaves on rustic wood surface, symbolizing writing, creativity, and seasonal change." • Sawyer0 - "A group of people who formed a line, holding hands. This simplicity of the gesture carries a profound message of unity, solidarity and the power of common action." • tieataopoon - "soccer ball on green artificial turf" • Tetiana - "Every Child Matters. National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Orange T-shirt Day." • TheDigitalArtist - "instagram social media symbol"