All students will have the opportunity to join the Alpha Youth Program, which is a 13-session program running twice per month, and aims to educate and inspire today’s youth. Students will be encouraged to grow in their faith throughout the school year through a number of faith-filled initiatives. The school has been allocated $4,000 towards these projects.
Students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 will participate in a one-day retreat with FacetoFace Ministries. Students will learn about living and proclaiming their faith. This initiative has been given $1,350.
Testimonial:
Students were able to participate in small group gatherings, live-streamed presentations and also pre-recorded video sessions. All the sessions were highly engaging using music, stories, games, songs with actions and prayerful moments to motivate students of all ages. The School Retreat theme for this year was “Great Things” with a focus on the great things that God has done, the great things He’s continuing to do, and the great things that we can do through Him in our lives. The theme was based on the following scripture: For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:49.
The Learning Commons will be given a variety of resources to help students deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith. These resources include books, audiobooks, games, puzzles, toys, technology, and other manipulatives. This initiative has been allocated $3,000.
Testimonial:
We have used our grant to purchase faith-based children’s books, games, movies, toys and technology. Each week, a chapter or two is read in the book “The Sign of the Carved Cross” and the story holds the students’ attention and gets them talking about our faith.
Grade 4-5 students will have the opportunity to experience a one-day faith retreat filled with various activities including crafts, bible study, singing and faith-based games. The school community will also host a theatre production company that will help all students on their personal faith journey. This project was given $3,500.
Testimonial
Heartbeat Theatre Productions (from Calgary) came to Maryview through the generous funding provided by the Educational Foundation. This whole school (K-5) theatre production highlighted
our division theme of “Lord, light the path and I will lead others.”
Their message positively impacted our students by sharing Matthew 5:14a, 16a . “You are the light of the world…, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father in heaven.” The message was presented in a funny, theatrical story that engaged students but also helped them better understand how we all can be leaders when we follow Christ and let Him be our guide.
Each school classroom will be given a set of YouCat/DoCat books to assist students in growing their faith. The hope is that by having easy access to books and study guides, students will explore their understanding of social justice more independently and frequently. This project was given $600.
Testimonial:
We purchased YouCats and YouCat Kids for every classroom. By having these books available in each room, the teachers have an easy-to-use resource when planning or when a question comes up in class. Students are encouraged to look through the YouCat and become more comfortable and familiar with this rich church text. These books allow for teachers to set an example for students when looking for answers to our faith. We have also been using the YouCat Kids in Grades 1 and 2 when talking about community helpers and the vocations within the Church. The students love the pictures and the easy language to follow.
We also purchased a set of DoCats and DoCat Study Guides for group use in middle school. These will be used greatly when talking about stewardship and social justice within our middle school Religion, Science, and Social Studies classes. Teachers have already begun discussing their use with the faith coach and look forward to putting them to use in upcoming units.
FacetoFace Ministries will lead a one-day retreat split into various grade groups so students can experience their faith through music, keynote talks, activities, dance, play and prayer. This initiative has been allocated $1,350.
Testimonial
We were truly blessed this year to have had Ryan and Daniel from Face2Face Ministries join us at Holy Family School. They visited us on December 10, 2020 for a whole day where they brought our Catholic faith to life through music, virtual keynote talks, activities, and prayer. As a result of COVID-19 guidelines and procedures, the retreat was laid out differently than normal to ensure the safety of all students, staff, and presenters. The retreat consisted of whole school praise and worship sessions that were live-streamed to all classrooms in the school, followed by separate grade sessions presented to individual Grade 4 and Grade 5 class cohorts in the gym scheduled throughout the day. The energy and enthusiasm that they brought to our school were palpable throughout the day. Even without all being together in the gym, the excitement could be heard in the classrooms and hallways as the presenters sang and praised our Lord!
The overall theme for the retreat was “Great Things.” Face2Face Ministries presenters explored the great things God has done, the great things He’s continuing to do, and the great things that we can do through Him in our lives. They reminded our school community to Know God, Love God, and Serve God through acts of service and prayer! We are beyond thankful for the Catholic Education grant that allowed us to finance this amazing Catholic rich learning opportunity for our students and staff!
There will be four grade-specific faith retreats over the next school year. Grade 6 and 8 retreats would be held in the spring at Our Lady of Victory Camp, where students will partake in faith-based games, skits and music, as well as prayer. Grade 7 and 9 retreats will occur in the fall with FacetoFace Ministries, where students will learn about living and proclaiming their faith. This project was given $5,500.
Testimonial
Through games, songs, activities and testimonials, Pure Witness Ministries challenged our students to become pure witnesses of their faith by setting Christ at the heart of their lives. Students were able to enjoy and express their Catholic faith in a safe, caring, non-judgemental and inclusive environment.
In response to high demand and increased number of students, the Kind Kids Club will continue next year at the school. This group of Grade 4 and 5 students will meet weekly to discuss and create activities to promote faith, kindness, acceptance and positive mental health in the school community. This initiative has been given $650.
Testimonial
The Kind Kids Club enhances faith for children by offering opportunities to both promote and model kindness in our school and community much like Jesus. Our club also encourages all children to have a sense of ‘belonging’ and ‘purpose’ as they walk their faith journey with supportive adults and new friends. The Education Foundations funding allowed us the opportunity to ‘give back’ within our school and the surrounding community. “Giving Back” allowed our students to demonstrate Humanness by allowing students to better understand compassion, and form it in their lives.
The funds were used for crafts, supplies to support our students’ presentation at the Healthy Active School Symposium (HASS), and Kindness Rocks materials. Funds will also be used to restock some of our board games that are shared with families to help encourage the 40 Developmental Assets. Students continue to come each week to the club and are eager for the start of new projects!
Thank you for providing this opportunity for our students to grow through their faith and kind acts.
Projects:
Students will attend a one-day faith retreat to participate in activities including crafts, singing and bible study. This initiative has been allocated $1,010.
Testimonial
Cat Chat visited our school and the students loved it! Their vibrant, musical faith-filled production promoted our Catholic values and teachings. Students were engaged in fun, uplifting family-based activities. In addition to the cost of Cat Chat we purchased a few CD’s to use in the school to continue the spirit of their messages.
The school will continue to provide a breakfast program for all students. The breakfast follows Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating to ensure students are getting the proper nutrition to start their day. This project was given $3,000.
Testimonial
This inclusive program helped us to provide a healthy breakfast/snack and lunch to children who come to school without these necessities. Monies went towards breakfast, classroom snack baskets and student lunches including providing tickets for our milk program. We all know that healthy meals can increase learning in the classroom. This program is delivered universally, it is available to all students. All students were welcome to use this service making the program non-stigmatizing.
