Dear Parents and Students - Centre for Learning@HOME

Dear Parents and Students:
Easter is upon us and I hope everyone has an enjoyable Easter break! Easter is a time for reflection.
We reflect upon the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. His fulfillment of God’s will, allows for
eternal life for all who believe and follow in his steps. Sometimes this can be a challenge for many
of us; even St. Paul, our Patron Saint, knew personally of this challenge. Easter allows for selfreflection in our own life. How can we improve ourselves? What must I do to be a better follower of
Christ? The answers are not always easy to find, but Easter affords us the opportunity to take the
time to seriously reflect on the priorities in our lives.
An Easter Prayer
Of all of God's gifts
Easter shows us our
fate
Forgiven we will rise
And pass through
Heaven's gate
April is now upon us and our handbook for the 2016-2017 year is finalized. It will be available to
all after the Easter break. In addition, we are currently updating our website to ensure the
information presented is accurate. In regards to changes for the 2016-2017 school year, nothing
significant is planned. Our hope is to continue providing excellence academic programs to our
students. In addition, we are looking at enhancing our events and recreation programs, especially in
areas of great demand.
This Easter
remember The
sacrifice of a Son
And through His
resurrection Eternal
life we have won
Registrations for the 2016-2017 school year can be submitted after the Easter break. Our support
staff are working diligently to get things prepared as we enter our registration period. It is essential
that families returning submit their forms prior to the end of the school year. This will ensure
adequate time for program planning and ensure you get the appropriate courses you want for your
child.
This Easter I pray
That the love of God
Is resurrected
Reborn, renewed
Inside your heart
I am very pleased to welcome back Erin Schultz to her recreation position in the Calgary region.
Erin was on maternity leave for the last twelve months. Erin is scheduled to return after Easter
break. Please join me in giving Erin a warm welcome back when you see her. We also thank Elmone
Dewitt for her service over the last twelve months and wish her all the best in future endeavors.
It is also a time for many of our grade nine and high school students to think about next year.
Historically, The Centre for Learning@HOME has provided a very strong, academic high school
program. In times of economic uncertainty, education plans beyond high school tend to rise in
importance. We are confident that our program prepares students for life beyond high school. Below
you will find our most recent diploma exam results from the exams written in January, 2016. If you
refer to the chart, the results clearly indicate exceptional performance. We strive to provide the very
best academic program to our students. Working in cooperation with our students, we want to
ensure they have many opportunities upon graduation. Our goal is to help them open doors to the
future!
Finally, we acknowledge the passing of Brian Lyttle, one of our trustees for our school board. Brian
was a long-time supporter of Catholic education and parental choice in education. We continue to
offer our condolences to the Brian Lyttle family and keep them in our prayers.
“Leave Not One Heart Behind”
God Bless You!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Info Session Schedule
Focus - Learning
Book Club
Councellor’s Corner
Family School Liaison
Recreation Corner
Funding Corner
Mr. Paul Byrne
Principal
School Trip Info 2017
Events
COUNSELLOR’S CORNER
Mr. Leonard Quilty
Student Services Coordinator
(403) 938-4119 ext. 2237
1-800-659-1945 ext 2237
[email protected]
Ms. Ruth Craigen
Student Services Coordinator
(403) 938-4119 ext. 2226
1-800-659-1945 ext. 2226
[email protected]
Ms. Jacqueline Harnish
Student Services Coordinator
(403) 938-4119 ext. 2297
1-800-659-1945 ext. 2297
[email protected]
Ms. Caroline St-Pierre
Student Services Assistant
(403) 938-4119 ext. 2236
1-800-659-1945 ext. 2236
[email protected]
Student Services Team:
Mrs. Craigen will be in char ge of Students Services, including Lear ning Suppor t,
for A-K families. She can be reached in First Class as Ms. Craigen or by phone
1-800-659-1945, ext. 2226.
Ms. Harnish will be in char ge of Students Services, including Lear ning Suppor t,
for L-Z families. She can be reached in First Class as Ms. Harnish or by phone
1-800-659-1945, ext. 2297.
Mr. Quilty will be pr imar ily responsible for Par tner ships, Divisional Students, and
International students. He can be reached in First Class as Mr. Quilty or by phone
1-800-659-1945, ext. 2237.
Caroline St. Pierre Student Services Assistant
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 1-800 659-1945 ext. 2236.
Counsellors’ Corner, APRIL 2016
Hi everyone,
Hope the second semester is going well for you.
High School Registration
We would like to remind everyone to please get your 2016-17 registration in as soon as possible
after you receive your registration package in April. We look forward to speaking with your family
about high school and career plans.
Career Planning
CFL students and myBlueprint! Please use this website to:
Explore careers
Find careers that match your interests and abilities
Explore education and training opportunities throughout Canada
Build your own career portfolio
Website: www.myBlueprint.ca
Username: learningathome
Password: centre
Official Transcripts
To get an official transcript (as they are no longer mailed out), you have to register
with myPass - https://public.education.alberta.ca/PASI/myPass
Once registered, a password is mailed to you and then you are able to use this password to see information about your grades, and order your official transcript.
The Rutherford Scholarship
Please check the link below for updated information about this scholarship.
http://studentaid.alberta.ca/scholarships/alberta-scholarships/rutherford-scholarship/
Information on accessing Scholarships
Alberta scholarship program http://alis.alberta.ca/hs/fo/pay/scholarships.html
Check the school you are applying for and look at Awards/Financial aid
Check the website www.studentaid.alberta.ca
Reminder to grade 12 students – Apply Alberta
All Alberta Post-Secondary Institutions have started accepting applications. Alberta
applications can be found online at www.applyalberta.ca
ALIS Website
Remember to use www.alis.alberta.ca if you need information on various careers, resources, and scholarships. This is a great website!
If you require any assistance with your high school planning, please do not hesitate
to contact the Student Services office.
Upcoming Dates to Note
Edmonton
Grant MacEwan College
Check website for information.
www.MacEwan.ca
The King’s University
King’s View Friday – April 8, 2016
www.kingsu.ca
Around Alberta
Olds College
Check website for information
www.oldscollege.ca
Red Deer College
Check website for information
www.rdc.ab.ca
Portage College, Lac La Biche
Check website for information
www.portagecollege.ca
University of Lethbridge
Check website for information
http://www.uleth.ca/
myBlueprint
CFL Awards
Please watch for a message in the Announcements folder regarding our Awards for the 2015-2016
school year. It will be posted in April.
Some Alberta Universities/Colleges Websites:
www.ucalgary.ca
www.uleth.ca
www.acad.ca
www.mytroyal.ca
www.lethbridgecollege.ca
www.sait.ca
www.nait.ca
www.ualberta.ca
www.stmu.ab.ca
www.macewan.ca
http://rdc.ab.ca
www.mhc.ab.ca
www.gprc.ab.ca
Check out these websites for scholarship and post-secondary information:
www.alis.gov.ab.ca
www.aucc.ca
www.studentawards.com
www.scholarshipscanada.com
www.tradesecrets.alberta.ca
www.schoolfinder.com
www.canlearn.ca
WELCOME BACK!
MS. ERIN SCHULTZ
We are thrilled to announce the return of Ms Erin Schultz, our Calgary
area Recreation Coordinator!
Erin returns to us after her maternity leave and will be assuming her
role as
recreation coordinator beginning 4th April 2016. We are delighted to
have Erin return to us and look forward to the many adventures I know
she is already planning!
With that being said, we say good bye to Ms. Elmone DeWitt who has
been acting in her stead. Thank you Elmone for your hard work, efforts
and support – we have appreciated all you have done and will miss
your happy smile!
We wish you all the best!
http://albertahomeeducation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/001-Tour.pdf
The High School Social and Sports
Club was formed in the spring of
2014. The idea behind its formation
was to allow more opportunities
for high school students to get
together with their classmates for
fun activities.
The activities include such things as:





Games night
Bowling
Movies
Floor hockey
Volleyball
And many more
NEW !
Dear Parents and Students,
The Centre for Learning@HOME is offering a NEW SPORTS PROGRAM
this semester! This sports program will be open to students in grades 9-12. This
program will offer a wide variety of sport programs such as volleyball, basketball,
soccer, badminton and many other seasonal sports. The goal of these programs are
to improve upon fundamental skill development, game strategy, social experience,
FUN, and provide a new social platform for our students. There will also be
opportunities for social activities for the students as well.
A survey will be coming out in the next week with specific sports being offered and
cost/location of these programs. They will be running from February to June 2016,
and leading into next year.
Please contact Mr. Kanters if you have any questions.
Matthew Kanters B.HKin, M.HKin, B.Ed
The Centre for Learning@Home
Telephone: 403-938-4119 Ext. 5315
Fax: 403-938-2938
ALL Semester 1 textbooks are now due.
If you have not already returned your
text books, please do so as soon as
Possible.
Thank you.
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 137
Okotoks, AB T1S 1A4
DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
OUR NEW OKOTOKS LOCATION
109 Southbank Blvd.
Okotoks, AB T1S 0G1
403-938-4119
EDMONTON
#100, 10634 - 178 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5S 1H4
1-800-659-1945
GRADUATION– Friday, June 3, 2016
All Grad correspondence will start in February 2016. Newsletters will be posted in the
Grad Folder, Announcements, emailed and mailed out to every grade 12 student who
may be graduating in 2016. This newsletter is just an insight into what happens on the
day and has FAQ’s for your information.
GRAD – Friday, June 3, 2016
Step by Step
There are two days before Grad when you can get your individual photos done.
Our colours are blue and gold, our tassels are gold too
We have a photographer and you can book her online
More details to follow in the January/February 2016 Newsletter
The Graduation Ceremony takes place at St. James Church, Okotoks
The Graduation Ceremony starts at around 1.30pm (subject to change)
After the ceremony, we go outside for the cap toss photo
Everyone leaves to get ready for the evening Graduation Banquet
You must attend the Ceremony to attend the Banquet
The Graduation Banquet is at the Foothills Centennial Centre, Okotoks
There is a Grand March of the Grads
Buffet supper
Speeches and toasts
Dance
The Cinderella Project helps female Grads if they are in financial stress. They work with the
Grad and get them a dress and other items for the evening banquet. If any of you would not
come to Grad because you could not afford the clothes please let me know. I am a Fairy Godmother for this project so I can help out - wand and all!
FAQ’s – Details will be in the first Graduation Newsletter.
Can I graduate?
If you are with The Centre for Learning@HOME and have 12 years education you can graduate. It does not matter if
you are still completing your credits. However, you can only graduate once with us.
Where do I stay?
We have a few hotels in Okotoks including a Best Western and a Lakeview Inn and Suites.
Can we have Grad photos taken?
Yes, we receive the gowns around the Tuesday before the Grad. You have the option of booking the photos through us
for the Wednesday or Thursday before Grad with our photographer. Alternatively, you can collect your cap and gown
from us and go to a photographer of your choice.
Can I just attend the Banquet?
No, you have to attend the Ceremony to be able to attend the Banquet. The Banquet and Dance is one event, you have to
attend both. There will be no extra space to attend just the Dance portion because of fire regulations and seat space. You
can just attend the Ceremony.
What happens before the ceremony starts on Graduation Day?
Grads arrive at the Church for a rehearsal in the morning where they will get their cap and gown, and then have a group
photo taken. Everyone will get a copy of this professionally taken group photo. Parents are not permitted to stay with
you at this time as this is the preparation for the ceremony and we want it to be a big surprise.
What do I wear for the Graduation Ceremony?
Girls- We suggest shorts and a t-shirt as it gets very hot. Your gown will cover you to below your knees. Do not wear
anything that shows below your cap and gown.
Guys - do not wear your suit jacket, you will find it TOO warm! At least take your jacket off and leave it in the car.
Pants and a short sleeved shirt would be good to keep you cool.
What do I wear for the Graduation Banquet?
Girls – Wear all sorts of smart clothes - long and full ball gowns, long straight dresses, or cocktail dresses - it is up to
you.
Guys – Wear suits, jacket and tie, some opt for more casual attire, like a shirt and waistcoat.
Where do I get my hair done?
Some students arrive with it already done for the Graduation Ceremony. Remember you HAVE to wear a cap, so your
hair might get flattened so think about this. Some students book an appointment in Okotoks after the ceremony, many do
their own hair. There is approximately 2 hours between the ceremony and the banquet.
What are the timings for the day?
We have not formalized this yet. Please check the first Grad newsletter in January/February, 2016 for full details.
What are the costs?
We try to keep the costs as low as possible. We use local businesses who really appreciate our patronage and have
served us for many years. These need to be finalized but last year the Ceremony was $80 total and the Buffet was $30
per head. This could change.
How many people can we bring to the Church Graduation Ceremony and Graduation Banquet?
Church – Anyone, loads of space. No maximum.
Graduation Banquet - A maximum of 6 tickets, including the Grad, are issued to start with and then we offer any spare
tickets to families who have requested extras. Most years we are able to give everyone what they need, it depends on the
number of Grads that register.
How do we inform you about our attendance at Grad?
When we send the newsletter in January/February 2016, we include a link to an online registration program. This is the
fastest way to respond. However, we accept the registration sheet by email or fax as well.
“Bring them up with training and instruction
befitting the Lord”
(adapted from Ephesians 6:4)
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 137
Okotoks, AB T1S 1A4
OUR NEW OKOTOKS LOCATION
109 Southbank Blvd.
Okotoks, AB T1S 0G1
403-938-4119
EDMONTON
#100, 10634 - 178 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5S 1H4
1-800-659-1945
www.centreforlearning.ca