Recently we finished our Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) for this school year.  Although we just finished it, we began it over six months ago.  Like any good plan we started with reflections and gathering information.  Back in April we asked our students, parents and staff the following:

In addition to the reflections from our stakeholders, we gathered information about student learning.  We collected data from our May 2016 Accountability Pillar Report, our Divisional ThoughtExchange, common assessments, standardized testing, Provincial Achievement Test results, and our October 2016 Accountability Pillar Report.

Within our school division, our school board sets some priorities:

Based on these priorities, reflections from our stakeholders, and examining various sources of information we crafted SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-related).  The result of this process is our Continuous Improvement Plan.  I encourage all our stakeholders to review it by clicking on the below link:

• Our Lady of the Assumption School Continuous Improvement Plan 2016-17

As a community we look forward to working together and achieving our goals.

Greg Kostiuk

This year we are hoping to continue to tell our story by sharing monthly pictures of the events at Our Lady of the Assumption School.  September feels like a blur; it was that quick.  Due to the commitment of the staff, support of the parents, and the energy of the students we had an excellent start to the school year.  Here is our story:

Blessing and Welcome Back BBQ

First Day of School

Bus Safety Presentation

Crazy Hat Day and Terry Fox Run

Grade 4/5 FSL Puppet Show

SABC Grade 6 Trip

PD Day – Staff Faith Formation

Have a wonderful rest of October.

Greg Kostiuk

Fall is one of my favourite seasons, I only wish it was longer.  The highlight of fall for me is Thanksgiving.  On January 31st, 1957, our Canadian Parliament proclaimed…
“A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed  … to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.”  Canada has a long history of celebrating Thanksgiving.  Martin Frobisher, the famous explorer, is credited with the first Canadian Thanksgiving in 1578 when he held a formal ceremony giving thanks for surviving his long journey.  Thanksgiving is a time to get together with family and friends and be thankful for all the blessings we have.  A big part of our blessings is celebrating our faith.  This year, as part of our three-year faith plan G.I.F.T. (Growing in Faith Together) we are focusing on Rooted in Christ.  Celebrating our faith is definitely a gift and something to be thankful for.  At Our Lady of the Assumption I am thankful for the many blessings God has given us.

I am thankful for…

• the warm welcome the parents, students and staff;
• the countless hours the staff put into our school to make it a wonderful place to learn;
• the support of our parent community in fundraising and putting on great events like the Back to School BBQ;
• Fr. Lukas celebrating our Blessing of Families;
• our strong relationship with All Saints Parish;
• the dedication of Mrs. Clewes, Mrs. Marcotte, Mrs. Ellert, Mr. Matsalla, and Miss Martin in organizing and supervising a terrific Southern Alberta Bible Camp trip for our grade 6 students;
• the excellent parents that fundraised for our SABC trip;
• the terrific prayers the grade six students have written and read over the intercom every morning;
• all the many gifts our students and staff have;
• our community relations with the University of Lethbridge;
• the many smiles I see at recess;
• the many different views and perspectives in our community;
• the diversity of our school;
• being rooted in Christ;
• being part of the gift of Catholic Education.

I am truly thankful for all the gifts God has given me and the learning community of Our Lady of the Assumption School.

Have a terrific start to fall.

Greg Kostiuk