Dear Students, Parents and Staff:

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best in the new year. Living through a pandemic provides some perspective on what we have to be thankful for and how we need to serve the less fortunate in our communities. Anything you can do to help our parishes, food banks, and social support services in your local communities is appreciated.

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have." - Margaret Mead

Celebrating a traditional or customary Christmas during these uncertain times did not come without its challenges, and many families never had the opportunity to celebrate together. Hopefully, with the development and distribution of the new vaccines, the new year will bring us closer to a newly improved "normal" where we can continue to appreciate the importance of family, work, and community relationships.

I want to thank all our staff, students, and parents for working together to ensure we are keeping our schools as safe as possible. Timely communication updates regarding COVID positive testing are essential in the contact tracing process and reduce the opportunities of exposing additional students and staff to the virus. By everyone doing their part to decrease the virus's spread, we can return to some normal sooner than later.

Pending the Alberta Health Services and Alberta Education recommendations, we are excited to welcome our students back on January 11th to continue with face-to-face instruction.

In closing, on behalf of the trustees, staff, and students, I would like to thank Mr. McCormack for his leadership, commitment, and volunteer work over the last seven years. He has set the bar high and has left some big shoes to fill, and we wish Charlie and Susan all the best in the next stage of their lives.

Glenn Nowosad

Superintendent

May light always surround you; Hope kindle and rebound you. May your hurts turn to healing; your heart embrace feeling. May wounds become wisdom; every kindness a prism. May laughter infect you; your passion resurrect you. May goodness inspire your deepest desires. Through all that you reach for, may your arms never tire. (D. Simone)

During these trying times of Covid-19, the safety of all school stakeholders within ECCS is of primary concern. As we return from our Christmas break to the current week of online learning (January 4th-8th), it is important to remind parents, especially those who have travelled outside of Canada during the holidays, to please know and follow the AHS legal parameters regarding isolation and quarantine. COVID-19 can take up to 14 days to cause symptoms. Some people who get it only have minor symptoms or don't have any symptoms at all but could still be infectious. If you have travelled outside of Canada during the break we ask that you immediately contact your school and keep your children at home for the duration of required time after international travel. Albertans are legally required to:

• quarantine for 14 days if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or if you travelled outside Canada

• If you become sick with a known COVID-19 symptom during this time, you must isolate for an additional 10 days from the beginning of symptoms or until you are feeling well, whichever takes longer.

If your family has travelled outside of Canada please ensure that your child is not returning to regular in-school classes until the quarantine period (and the possible addition of 10 days of isolation if needed) are completed. We ask that parents contact the school immediately to make them aware of your international travel and the actual return to school date of your child(ren). Teachers will work with families who may need further home learning packages or online lessons after the January 11th date to return to schools. We sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter and we extend a massive “thank you” for keeping our school communities safe for all.

The Christmas break for ECACS schools runs inclusively from December 19, 2020, to January 3, 2021. Instead of returning to school on Monday, January 4th all students in ECS- Grade 12 will work from home for the period of January 4 to January 8, 2021. All students will return to school on January 11, 2021.

Please note, schools will be open and all staff present for this entire period with the exception of the Christmas break from December,19th to January 3rd. Schoolwork will be provided to students during the stay-at-home periods outlined above.

All students with disabilities who require support and services in any grade and students in outreach programs can continue to receive supports and services in-person at school in consultation with the school administration and parents. Parents should work with their teacher and school principal on appropriate arrangements.

Other Important Dates in January and February

North Schools

(St. Thomas Aquinas, Blessed Sacrament, Blessed Sacrament Outreach, St. Jerome's, School of Hope)

January 11 - Return to School for all students

January 29 - Professional Development Day - No School for Students

February 1 - Organizational Day - No School for Students

February 2 - Frist Day of Second Semester

February 11-12 - Teachers' Convention - No School for Students

February 15 - Family Day - Schools Closed

South Schools

(Christ-King School, Theresetta School)

January 11 - Return to School for all students

January 29 - Professional Development Day - No School for Students

February 1 - First Day of Second Semester

February 11-12 - Teachers' Convention - No School for Students

February 15 - Family Day - Schools Closed

East Central Alberta Catholic appreciates everyone's patience and understanding as to the division transitions to a new website platform. The division website was transitioned over the summer months and can be located at the following URL:

East Central Alberta Catholic Schools - https://www.ecacs.ca

Blessed Sacrament School - https://bss.ecacs.ca

Blessed Sacrament Outreach - https://bso.ecacs.ca

St. Jerome School - https://stj.ecacs.ca

St. Thomas Aquinas School - https://sta.ecacs.ca

Theresetta School - https://theresetta.ecacs.ca

Christ-King School - https://ck.ecacs.ca

Live-streamed Sunday Mass

We invite the faithful to join celebrations of the Mass ‘virtually,’ through video live streaming from their own parish or from St. Joseph’s Basilica with Archbishop Smith.

Sunday Mass at the Basilica is live-streamed at 10:30 a.m. each week. Find it on Grandin Media at https://grandinmedia.ca/livestream/

or

Archdiocese of Edmonton Youtube Channel

or on Facebook @ facebook.com/archedmonton

or Twitter @ twitter.com/archedmonton

or on Telus Optik TV Channel 876

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