Each month Lakeland Catholic celebrates the incredible learning happening at each of our school sites.
Join us in recognizing the wonderful programs, events, and opportunities taking place across our division!
#LCSDJoy
École Notre Dame Elementary
Box Domino Challenge
This year, for the school’s Social Justice Project, staff and students were tasked with bringing in non-perishable boxed food items for the Bonnyville Food Bank. The items were lined up and the entire school gathered in the halls to watch the dominos fall.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
NDHS Students Stepping In
Students from NDHS Religion 15 and 25 volunteered at École Notre Dame Elementary ahead of the Christmas break. They assisted students with writing letters to Santa, and read them stories.
This endeavour aligns with Goal Three: Students and Staff are supported for optimal wellbeing.
Christmas Concerts
Students spread Christmas cheer with their annual Christmas Concerts. These events celebrate the Christmas season while also reminding families that Jesus is born and He came to bring us hope and peace.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
Dr. Bernard Brosseau Middle School
Stations of the Crib
The day before the Christmas break, the school’s Youth Liturgical Leadership group presented the Stations of the Crib to staff, students, and families. Following the performance was a turkey dinner. The day was filled with faith, unity, and the joy of Christmas.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity and Goal Two: Student Success.
Social Justice Projects
During the Advent Season, the school focused on two Social Justice Projects: Quarters for Christmas and the Elf Challenge.
Grade 5 students raised money for the Knights of Columbus Christmas Hamper program to support local families in need. The school surpassed their goal of raising enough funds for one hamper, collecting $2,100.
Grade 5 student Aron Bibo inspired the school to participate in an Elf Challenge. Through this initiative, classes were tasked with conducting heartwarming acts like creating Christmas cards for staff and Extendicare residents, sharing candy canes and chocolates, and offering coffee and teas to staff.
These projects align with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity and Goal Three: Equity and Inclusion.
École Notre Dame High
Lending a Hand
Students in Religion 15 and 25 visited École Notre Dame Elementary and Duclos School to volunteer to read, write, draw, and speak with children.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity, and Goal Two: Student Success.
Sparkle in the Park
The school’s Drama Club bundled up and handed out candy canes at Lakeland Catholic Schools’ Sparkle in the Park display. This event was held as a fundraiser for the Hearts for Healthcare Foundation.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
Food Hampers
In alignment with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity, Grade 9 students and some NDHS staff helped sort and prepare food hampers, and carried Santa’s Elves toys.
The Sound of Music
It was a night filled with music as the NDHS Band held their first Winter Concert. The performance, while short, featured band students from Grades 9 through 12.
This event aligns with Goal Two: Student Success.
Celebrating the Christmas Season
The final day of school before the Christmas break was featured Christmas Mass, a turkey lunch, talent show, and alumni volleyball game.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity, and Goal Two: Student Success.
Holy Cross Elementary
Advent Mass
Fr. Nong joined Holy Cross for their Advent Mass. The Choir lead the school in song and the mass provided everyone an opportunity to prepare their hearts and minds for Christmas.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
Christmas Cheer
Christmas came alive at Holy Cross through their annual concert. Families packed the gym for the event, which was held over two nights.
This aligns with Goal Two: Student Success.
A Little Magic
Magician Steve Harmer presented to students and staff in December. His “Merry Christmas Magic” show focused on the theme that Christmas is a wonderful time of year that brings everyone together.
Harmer also shared the universal values Catholics focus on during the Advent Season: Joy, Love, Peace, and Hope.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
Dress Your Best
The school’s Wellness Warriors and Youth Ministry leadership groups held a Christmas Dance for students. Students were told to dress their best and hit the dance floor. Admission was $1 or a non-perishable food item. All proceeds raised went to the Cold Lake Food Bank. The school collected 352 food items and $192.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
St. Dominic Elementary
The Paper Bag Princess
Grade 4 Immersion students have been using the classic Robert Munsch story “The Paper Bag Princess” in their English Language Arts Class to work on a variety of reading skills. Working together, students created a placement to compile criteria for what makes a good text-to-self connection, enabling students to form deeper connections between the story and their own lives.
Students then acted out a Reader’s Theatre where they focused on using the punctuation in the text and the mood in the story to add emphasis and expression to their reading.
This aligns with Goal Two: Student Success.
Reconciliation
In alignment with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity, students participated in reconciliation sessions with Fr. Nong and Fr. Rene. This year, the school headed to the church to enhance their connection with the parish.
Earning Rings
Grade 6 students have had their noses in books, earning a ring for each one completed. These rings were connected and create a chain the width of their classroom.
This program was started to encourage reading at home, and is in alignment with Goal Two: Student Success.
Assumption Jr/Sr High
Mental Health Matters
Assumption’s latest mental health strategy suggests using a fidget toy for short term situations. Junior high classes were given fidget baskets and senior high received games and activity booklets to utilize during spares in order to reduce stress, unwind, and take time out from the pressures of everyday life.
This aligns with Goal Three: Equity and Inclusion.
A Night of Music
The school’s Christmas Band Concert has seen such success in previous years it was moved off-campus in order to accommodate the number of attendees.
This even showcases the hard work of all band students from Grades 7 through 12 and is in alignment with Goal Two: Student Success.
Christmas Market
Assumption hosted its first Christmas Market, with over 20 student and community vendors. In addition to the market, student art was on display.
This aligns with Goal Two: Student Success.
Mistletoe Mania
The day before the Christmas Break, over 500 people enjoyed a Turkey Dinner. Following the meal, students participated in an afternoon of fun, which was organized by the school’s leadership team.
Light of Christ
Kindness in Action
Two students were nominated for the division’s Kindness in Action Initiative, which recognizes students who work to foster a safe and caring learning environment at their school through acts of kindness.
This month, Grade 7 student Kyla Everheart and Grade 5 student Micah Schaub were nominated because of their kind hearts, the way they include all students in activities, and for their support of all students in their class.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity, Goal Two: Student Success, and Goal Three: Equity and Inclusion.
Weekly Mass
Each week, staff and students were invited to St. Catherine’s Parish Church for weekly mass. Students participated by preparing the Prayers of the Faithful, doing readings, as well as singing hymns.
This brought the school community together to prepare their hearts for the birth of Jesus.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
Family Night
The school brought the community together for Family Night, where everyone was invited to a turkey supper. In addition to dinner, attendees could get into the Christmas spirit by listening to Christmas music while completing a Christmas-themed craft.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity and Goal Three: Equity and Inclusion.
Holy Family Catholic
Christmas Market
As part of their participation in the Village Light Up, Holy Family hosted the community’s Christmas Market.
This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity.
Testing their Skills
For several weeks, students in Grade 7 to 9 worked on the skills they could apply to their design challenge in preparation for the Skills Canada Challenge Day.
This aligns with Goal Two: Student Success.
Christmas Concert
The school held another successful Christmas Concert. This aligns with Goal One: Catholic Christian Identity, and Goal Two: Student Success.