ABJ Scots Week at a Glance (SWAG)
March 11 - 15, 2024
Today's readings talk about a big idea: that God gives us the special gift of being saved because He is full of mercy. This gift comes through Jesus, His Son. The readings want us to understand how much God cares for us, showing His mercy, kindness, and grace through Jesus. They remind us to be thankful and show our love to God, who is full of mercy. As a way of expressing our love and faith, we're encouraged to do penance during Lent, which means making sacrifices and changing some things in our lives.
Lent is like a special time to think about Jesus' suffering and show that we want to be close to Him. The readings today tell a story from the Second Book of Chronicles about God being patient and kind. Even though Cyrus the Great was not part of God's chosen people, God used him to help the people who were in trouble. This story helps us see how God's mercy and salvation can come in unexpected ways.
This weekend we might note pink colors around the altar or in the decor of the church, much like the midpoint in Advent. As we are halfway through our Lenten journey and this is the dedicated color. May we find strength in the opportunity to reset during this Lenten season and come to the Easter Vigil feeling more connected to our faith. #GLOW
Important Dates
March 11
- Guest Speaker Joe Melendrez
- Senior Boys Handball vs. Dr. Anne Anderson at ABJ. Game starts at 4:45 pm.
- Senior Boys Handball vs. Leduc at ABJ. Game starts at 6:45 pm.
- Parent Advisory Council meeting at 6:30 pm in the ABJ Library
March 12
- If you need help in Math and Science, please email Mrs. McGhan to save your place for Tuesday lunch time Math and Science tutoring. karrym@eics.ab.ca. See the updated tutor list attached the button at the bottom of the newsletter.
- Grade 9 Girls BBall Playoffs vs. SCA at SCA. Stay tuned to Athletics website for time.
- HS Badminton vs. Beaumont and Archbishop Oscar Romero at Beaumont. Games at 4:15 and 5:00 pm respectively.
- Senior Boys BBall Wrap-up at 5:00 pm
- Senior Girls BBall Wrap-up at 6:30 pm
March 13
- PEP Day. Choose your session at pepmar13.sched.com
- Concordia University Information Booth at lunch time in the common area
- Mandatory Grade 12 Indigenous Students meeting at lunch time in room 226
- Senior Boys Handball vs. Ardrossan and Queen Elizabeth at Ardrossan. Games at 5:45 and 6:45 pm respectively.
- Improv team competes in the NAIL. Tix online at Rapid Fire Theatre. Come support the team!
March 14
- Senior Girls Handball vs. J. Percy Page and McNally at McNally. Games at 5:45 and 7:45 pm respectively.
March 15
- St. Patrick's Day Lucky Charms Cereal Breakfast provided by Student Council beginning at 7:55 am in the common area
Upcoming...
March 18
- Grade-level assemblies
March 21 - 22
- YFast
March 22 - April 2
- Spring Break
Organization of the SWAG
The newsletter is organized based on our four school assurance priorities for this year.
- Faith Integration
- Learners and Learning
- Systemic Wellness
- Community Engagement
FAITH INTEGRATION
OLPH Weekly Bulletin and UpLIFT Prayer Requests
March Chaplains' Corner
How to Fast for Lent: A Practical Guide
Joe Melendrez Coming to ABJ!
Joe Melendrez is a dynamic, musical performer and inspiring speaker. He will be presenting to all of our EICS High Schools. Joe is excited to bring his ministry to ABJ on March 11 to all of our students. To learn more about Joe, check out his website here: https://www.joemelendrez.com/about or click on the photo below.
GrACE Newsletter
LEARNERS AND LEARNING
ABJ Open House
Thank you to all of the staff and student performers and volunteers that made this year's Open House a tremendous success yet again! Special thanks to Mrs. Glass and the Open House Committee- Mrs. Boake. Mr. Grondin, Mr. Maloney, Mr. St. Jean, Ms. Strickland, Mrs. Tymko, and Mrs. Wimmer- for their planning behind the scenes.
Special thank you to Mrs. Glass for leading our parents and students during the Open House evening through an informative Advanced Placement Program session. If you were unable to attend this session please see the attached presentation HERE or with either Mrs. Glass or Mrs. Wimmer for more information.
PEP: Supporting Students' Academic, Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional Wellbeing
Feature PEP Sessions Led by Leadership Students
Leadership 25/35 Birthday Bag Drive
Collection boxes are available outside the front office. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Experiences Canada National Youth Forum
Student Highlight
Congratulations to Kayleigh Staigh who had a poem published in Ambré magazine recently. See below for Kayleigh's poem. Her poem can also be found in issue 8 on page 64 of the magazine. Well done, Kayleigh!
Learning Spotlight
Ukrainian Creative Arts 9
Mr. Sych's Ukrainian Creative Arts 9 class continue to create and are making Pavutyni Prykrasy (Spider Web Decorations). They are from a Ukrainian Christmas tale of the good luck spider.
The tradition dates back centuries to a tale about a spider who, thankful for the warmth in the house provided by a poor family, spins beautiful Christmas decorations, saving Christmas and bringing good luck to the family.
Young Authors' Conference
Each year over 400 selected students in grades 4 to 9 from both Elk Island Public Schools and Elk Island Catholic Schools are invited to spend the day with a variety of well-known children and young adult authors, illustrators and graphic artists—working with them and learning the tricks of the trade.
Students who show special interest or aptitude in the areas of writing and illustration are invited by their teacher to attend the conference. Attendance is teacher selected and there is no open registration, however, every attempt is made to give opportunities to those students who would value most from this experience. Any interested grade 9s are invited to see Mrs. Boake in room 189 for more information. The deadline for submitting names for attendance is Wednesday, March 13.
EICS Summer School
Grade 12 Post-Secondary and Diploma Supports
NAIT Upcoming Program Previews
Norquest College Open House
King's University Upcoming Events
SYSTEMIC WELLNESS
ABJ Improv at NAIL
Scots Apparel Sale
If you would like to order Scots Apparel, there are many items in new and older style available to order. Information is posted on the website and orders can be submitted via the parent portal on PowerSchool. The deadline to order is Sunday, March 24!
See the flyer for ALL style available.
Digital Wellbeing - For Parents and Caregivers of Children Ages 9 to 14 years
Learn how to help your child with the social and technological pressures they face in the world today. Together we will go through research-based ways we can support children when they are feeling the pressure of their digital lives. Issues addressed include interacting with strangers online, understanding their digital identity, and healthy relationships. The content of this workshop is geared for parents and caregivers with children between 9-14 years of age.
The presentation is on Monday, March 11 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, with an opportunity for Q & A from 7:30 to 8:00 pm.
Location
St Luke School
22139 S Cooking Rd,
Sherwood Park, AB T8E 1G9
Cost
Free, Registration Required. Click here to register: Digital Wellbeing - For Parents and Caregivers of children ages 9 to 14 years., Monday, March 11, 2024, 6 - 8pm - Family and parenting supports | Strathcona County
For more Information email: FamilyResourceNetwork@strathcona.ca
Grade 12 Indigenous Students Meeting
Student Supports
PEPY
PEPY Empowerment Health is an innovative approach to wellness where an investment and focus in building resilience and well-being is proactive and not just reactive.
It’s a system built on a belief that wellness is the state of the best possible physical, social and spiritual health. If you can keep these integrated and balanced, your mental health will take care of itself naturally. Learn more about it at our next assembly in March.
ABJ Wellness Hub
The ABJ Wellness Hub is now accessible through the ABJ website. It is a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space to connect with your School Counsellor, Family Wellness Worker & other supports. The Wellness Hub provides...
- A place to connect with resources & services in your area.
- Ways to quickly access services & reduce barriers.
- An opportunity to learn more about your over all mental wellness and well-being.
- A means to raise awareness about Mental Health & Wellness.
- Education on various topics of interest.
- A way for Counsellors and Family Wellness Works to support and connect with students
Thank you to Mrs. Cowen, Mrs. Glass, Mrs. St. Amand, and Mrs. Tames for creating this amazing resource for our school community!
Strathcona CANTEEN Youth Hub March Calendar
Free Community Activity
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Intramurals
Athletics
Check out the new website for all things Athletics.
Student Highlight
Andrew Chilton is a national level swimmer who is heading to the 2024 Speedo Western Canadian Championships in Winnipeg on March 21 to 24. This swimming competition brings together the top qualifying swimmers in western Canada and is a milestone in the lead up to the Canadian Swimming Championships taking place in July 2024 in Toronto of which Andrew will also attend.
Andrew currently swims with the Edmonton Keyano Swim Club. All of his swims are individual except for the relays where four swimmers join together for one race. Looking ahead to next year, Andrew is also committed to the University of Victoria for university swimming. Prior to that, he will be heading to Olympic trials in Montreal in May. We are very proud of Andrew's commendable accomplishment thus far and we wish Andrew all the best in his upcoming swim meets!
ABJ Cheer Heading to Provincials!
The ABJ cheer team took home 5th place at this years Metro Zones competition! They put on an amazing performance, and secured a spot at this years Provincials. Provincials are April 5th and 6th at W.P Wagner. Way to go team!
Basketball Updates
Tuesday our grade 9 Basketball team played in the quarter finals playoffs games. The boys came up one point short with a final game of 48-47. The girls were in 5th and ended up winning over 4th place Haythorne with a final score of 49-44. The girls play in the semi finals against SCA on Tuesday, March 13 at SCA.
Badminton Update
The High school Badminton team had a quick turn around after tryouts playing their first games of the season against Memorial and J. Percy Page on Monday. It didn't seem to effect the team as they won both games. Congrats to the team and coaches!
We will be having Grade 9 Badminton Tryouts Wednesday from 5:00-6:30 and Friday 3:30-5:00 this week. Please sign up in the gym prior to tryouts on Wednesday.
Handball Update
Handball games start this week too. Check out the calendar for details to watch the games. Good luck to the teams!
Canadian High School Football Showcase
Grad Update
Cafeteria Menu
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Parent Advisory Council Meeting - March 11
Parent Reminders and Information
Attendance Reminder
Did you know that our school has team meetings every week that review the academic and attendance issues of each grade level? As we are several weeks into the new semester it is very important that families take the time to keep us informed. Please ensure you are informing the school each time your child is absent, ill or late. We do not wish to have the auto callouts emailing and phoning your home, but if there are unverified absences this will continue to occur. Staff will email when absences start to exceed certain thresholds. If you are having trouble with your Parent PowerSchool account please call our front office at 780-467-2121 or email: abj@eics.ab.ca
Approved 2024-2025 Calendar
Please see below for the Board of Trustees approved 2024-2025 school year calendar.
EICS Board of Trustees Monthly Highlights
Communications
Newsletter Translation Feature Reminder
SWAG
The Scots Week at a Glance (SWAG) newsletter will be shared weekly on Sunday evenings or Monday evenings on long weekends. This will also be posted on our website and shared via social media. Stay informed on all things ABJ through the website, blog, and on social media.