Welcome Back !!!
St. Catherine’s School
2015–2016
Information Bulletin
for
Parents
Academic Staff List for 2013-2014 School Year
Mrs. Darcie Serfas – Kindergarten
Mrs. Susan Trechka – Grade 1A
Mrs. Jackie Price – Grade 1B
Ms. Cheryl Miller – Grade 2
Mrs. Corinne Rasmussen – Grade 3/4
Mr. Avin Gokarn – Grade 4/5
Ms. Kristen Balaski – Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher, LA 6/7/8/9, Science 6, Social 6, Health 6/7, PE 6/7/8/9, Options
Mr. Josh Gatner- Grade 8/9 Homeroom Teacher, Science 7/8/9, Math 8/9, Religion/Health 7/8/9, Options
Mr. Brian Dawydiuk – Grade 7 Homeroom Teacher, Math 6/7, Social 7/8/9, Math 7, PE 7/8/9, Options
Mr. Greg Noyes – Principal/Teacher, PE 2, PE 3, Health 3/4
Mrs. Kristy Ruaben – Associate Principal/Teacher, Social 3/4, Science ¾, Reading 2
Principal:
Mr. Greg Noyes
Phone: 403-732-4359
Fax: 403-732-5044
Email: Noyesg@holyspirit.ab.ca
Associate Principal
Mrs. Kristy Ruaben
Phone: 403-732-4359
Fax: 403-732-5044
Email: Ruabenk@holyspirit.ab.ca
Support Staff
Margaret Loman – Administrative Assistant
Marlene Stroeve – Clerk/Typist
Allison Verberk - Librarian
Ruth Pelletier – Early Learning Program Leader
Laura Altenhofen – Educational Assistant
Jackie Elaschuk- Educational Assistant
Shannon Bezooyen- Educational Assistant
Katherine Hollwey-Faytone - Educational Assistant
Vanesa Pena - Educational Assistant
Gloria Soucie - Educational Assistant
Carlina Caruso – Educational Assistant
Christie Sander- Educational Assistant
Devon Walker- Head Custodian
Lori Tanabe – Assistant Custodian
Other Professional Staff:
Mr. James Palmarin – School Family Liaison Counselor
Milk Program
A milk program is available to all students Monday-Friday during the second Refreshment Break. You can purchase 25
cartons of milk for $18.50 of if you prefer individual milk can be purchased for .75 Please make cheque payable to St.
Catherine’s School for this amount.
Milk program monies will not be carried over to the next school year. As we approach the end of the school year we
request that students pay on a daily basis. Classroom teachers can inform you of the amount of milk your son/daughter
has left on a milk order. Our chocolate milk will now be the 25% less sugar choice that is available to elementary schools
in Alberta.
School Fees
Statements for School Fees will be issued starting the week of September 1st.
Co-Curricular Fees
Co-curricular fees will be billed only to students participating in these activities.
Co-curricular fees must be paid within 30 days of the season starting. Please contact the office with concerns or to make
payment arrangements. We accept cash, cheques, debit/credit cards.
The following fees will be charged to those participating:
Volleyball: $65.00 Sport Fee
$40.00 Uniform Deposit Fee- $40.00 ($40.00 to be refunded when uniform is turned in at the end of season)
$105.00 TOTAL
Basketball: $65.00 Sport Fee
$40.00 Uniform Deposit Fee- $40.00 ($40.00 to be refunded when uniform is turned in at the end of season)
$105.00 TOTAL
Please note that additional funds are provided from our school co-curricular account to supplement our programs.
These funds are raised through our fundraising auction.
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
(D & H Photography) is
on Thursday,
September 17th.
Remember to wear your
best SMILE!

We’ll be holding our
Annual TERRY FOX RUN
on
Wednesday, September 30th
Details will be sent out closer to the
date.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us!
Student Rights and Responsibilities
1. I have the RIGHT to a Catholic Education
It is my RESPONSIBILITY to act in a Catholic manner at all times.
2. I have a RIGHT to learn in a classroom.
It is my RESPONSIBILITY to listen to instruction, to work quietly at my desk when expected to do so and to raise
my hand if I have a question, concern or need to leave.
3. I have RIGHT to hear and be heard.
It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to interrupt when others are speaking.
4. I have a RIGHT to be respected in the school.
It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to tease or bug other people, or hurt their feelings, and to respect other students
and the adults in the school.
5. I have RIGHT to be safe in this school.
It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to threaten or physically harm anyone else, and to maintain a safe environment for
all.
6. I have a RIGHT to privacy and to my own personal space.
It is my RESPONSIBILITY to treat the school and the personal property of others with dignity, care, and respect.
School Families
All of the students at St. Catherine’s School (from Kindergarten to Gr. 9) have been sorted into “School Families.” Each
family has a teacher leader, and the family consists of a couple of students from each grade level. At various times
throughout the year we will gather our students into their family for a fun activity based around a particular theme, or to
sit with one another for a religious celebration. The purpose and benefit of these family groupings is multi-faceted. At its
core, it is a way to promote community and familiarity with one another amongst the grades. Coming together in this way
keeps all of us connected and more familiar with one another.
Attendance
If your child is ill and will be missing school we ask that you notify the office by phone (403-732-4359). We have a very
dependable answering machine that picks up when we are not in the office, are busy with others, or on the other line.
Please feel free to leave the information there.
If you are planning a family holiday and are unable to schedule it during the school days off, we ask that you contact the
office and homeroom teacher as early as possible so that they are aware in advance of the coming absence. Unfortunately,
when students miss school it is very difficult to properly accommodate their absence with work packages. Much of what
we do during the day is supported by in-class technology, or cooperative hands-on activities. The less time a student
misses school is always the best for their learning.
Dress Code
Students are asked to dress in a modest and respectful way. Reminders are given throughout the year as the weather
changes, but for the most part they understand what is expected. To quickly summarize, we ask that no profanity or
inappropriate content be displayed on clothing, and that items that are selected are modest, avoiding skirts or shorts that
are quite short, low-hanging pants and shirts that have thin spaghetti straps. These guidelines are followed most closely for
Gr. 4-9 students.
Welcome Back BBQ and AGM
Everyone is invited to come and meet our new families, and catch up with us “older” family
members at our BBQ on Wednesday, September 16th from 5:00-6:30.
Our School Council AGM will follow our BBQ.
Hope to see you there!
Before and After School Supervision
Supervision in the morning begins at 8:15 a.m. We ask that students do not arrive before this time. There is no
supervision after the dismissal bell rings for town students (3:25 p.m.) If you are picking up your child please have
him/her picked up by this time.
Bell Times
Monday-Thursday
8:26 – 8:30 a.m.
10:26 - 10:56 a.m.
12:52 – 1:22 p.m.
3:20 p.m.
Attendance/Announcements
Refreshment Break
Refreshment Break
Dismissal
Friday
8:26 – 8:30 a.m.
10:31 – 11:01 a.m.
12:19 p.m.
Attendance/Announcements
Refreshment Break
Dismissal
Message from ……
St. Catherine’s Home & School Association
On behalf of St. Catherine’s Home and School Association, we welcome you to St. Catherine’s School.
The main function of St. Catherine’s Home & School Association is to provide a means for parents and community
members to provide additional financial resources and support to the school.
Sixteen years ago, our parent council conceived a fundraiser in the form of a Silent Auction and Banquet. It was so
successful, that we host it every other year. The event is a silent and live auction, games, banquet, raffle table, and door
prizes. Each of the previous eight auctions has had a sellout audience, which boasts huge support for a small school of
about 160 preschool through grade 9 students!
Our next fundraiser, dinner and auction will be held in the spring of 2016. The main area of focus for funds raised will be
for playground upgrades/additions and backyard beautification. The remainder will be used to supplement our annual
budget in a variety of areas, such as:
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Additional support for Fine Arts and CTF programming
Co-Curricular spending to support Outdoor Education, Athletics, School Clubs, Team/Club Uniforms
Extra materials or resources (example: healthy snacks or craft supplies) for special days such as Terry Fox Run
and School Family activities.
Field Trips – transportation and admission costs for entire classes
Guest Speakers to our school, such as, science demonstrations and anti-bullying messages
Home & School’s operating budget
Hot lunch program support (K-9)
Physical Education & recess equipment
Backyard/school interior beautification
Support for families experiencing difficulty with educational expenses and personal hardships
Technology updates/purchases
We look for donations of goods and services to be auctioned, as well as cash donations which are greatly appreciated.
Please contact any of the executive to join our auction fundraiser committee. Volunteers needed!
Our second function is to act as a service group to the school. We put on functions throughout the year that do not
serve as a fundraiser, but rather promote a spirit of school community; to give the students, teachers and families a
treat! These have included: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast, hot lunches, restaurant Hot Lunches (Booster Juice,
Subway, Pita Pit, Cactus, M&E Café, & Eddies Pizza), the Christmas Pot Luck and hot chocolate at skating, Teacher
Appreciation Lunch and free Track & Field/Sports Day Lunch, and cake for First Communion recipients.
St. Catherine’s Home & School Association forms our core contingent of volunteers for the auction fundraiser and
functions throughout the year.
We invite you to join us today!
Volunteer to fit your lifestyle (helps out as little or as much as you like; just because you are a member, doesn’t mean
you have to do everything!). Opportunities to volunteer include: sitting on the committee as a division representative,
executive or member, planning and/or preparing and/or serving hot lunch, hot chocolate etc., arranging and/or
distributing restaurant hot lunches, and sitting on the auction fundraiser committee.
Anybody and everybody are always welcome at our meetings. It’s a great way to meet new people and a great way to
be involved in your school! Our group meets monthly at the school for approximately 1 hour. We meet to discuss and
plan activities to enhance our school. Watch the monthly newsletter for dates and times.
We have a great and active parent body and look forward to another year of cooperation and giving spirit from the
parents at St. Catherine’s school. You participation makes our school a great place to be.
Sincerely,
Tanya Slomp
President
St. Catherine’s Home & School Association
tanyaslomp@hotmail.com
403-738-2154
Jennifer Serfas
Vice President
St. Catherine’s Home and School Association
403-738-4285
Meeting Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Meeting time: After the BBQ (6:30-7:30)
Place: St. Catherine’s School Library
Please join us after the “Welcome Back BBQ” to learn more about the committee, to join and/or volunteer to
serve hot lunches throughout the school year. Members of the committee will be available to answer any
questions.