Principals Message
Dear Covenant Families, gather near,
It’s time to spread some Christmas cheer!
The halls are not quiet, the laughter shrill,
The season’s magic begins to fill.
The classrooms are packed with glitter and glue,
(And maybe some snacks the kids snuck through!)
But soon it’s time for a joyful rest,
To savor the moments we love the best.
At Christmas, we celebrate a gift so divine,
A Savior born, our Lord’s design.
Through Him, we find hope, love, and grace,
And in each heart, He holds a place.
Now as the break begins to unfold,
Let’s trade homework for sleds (and brave the cold!).
May your days be merry and your nights be bright,
With family, fun, and a “not at school”, snowball fight!
And parents, take note, here’s some holiday news:
Christmas break is the time for a well-earned snooze!
Leave the dishes for later, let the laundry pile,
Enjoy the chaos and presents for a while!
Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year,
We’ll see you in January, fresh and clear!
Until then, may your hearts stay shiny and light,
God bless you all, and to all a good night!
Announcements
K-3 Christmas Concert
The Christmas story has been told and retold in many ways, but we rarely hear it from the angel’s perspective.
The grade one, two, and three’s have been working very hard over the last couple of months as we prepare to shine on stage and share the Christmas story. They are excited to welcome you to our Christmas concert, tomorrow: Thursday, December 20th!
Matinee: 1:30 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)
Evening: 6:30 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
During the concert, the Grade 3 class will host a small concession in support of their Drumheller trip. Items will be priced at $1.00 and $2.00, cash only.
While we hope to see you there, please remember space is limited, so if you are able to make the matinee performance, please plan on doing so! The evening show will be very crowded.
After-School Pick-Up Plans
As we continue to support our students’ success and well-being, we’d like to remind all families of the importance of having a plan in place in case of late pick-ups or missed bus connections. While we understand that occasional delays or unexpected situations may arise, we kindly ask that you ensure arrangements are made for such instances.
Please keep in mind:
- After-School Care: Covenant Christian School does not provide after-school care services.
- Supervision: Our staff are committed to their professional responsibilities during school hours. After the workday, they have personal obligations and commitments that require their attention.
- Sporting Events: While some events and activities may take place after school hours, these are specific and supervised for participating students only.
If you anticipate being delayed, we encourage you to:
- Arrange for a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor to pick up your child (update PowerSchool).
- Communicate your plan with your child in advance so they are aware of what to expect.
- Contact the school as soon as possible if an unforeseen delay occurs.
Your cooperation in this matter helps us ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Thank you for your understanding and partnership in making this a positive experience for everyone.
🚗 Winter Drop-Off Reminders: 🚗
If Grandparents or others are dropping off/picking up students, please share this information!!
- Bus Lane: The bus lane is never for parent traffic, regardless of whether you’re in a hurry or don’t see a bus. Please respect this rule at all times.
- Middle Lane (Kiss and Go): This lane is for quick drop-offs only. Please do not park and exit your vehicle here.
- Third Lane: This lane is for parents who wish to park and walk their child into school.
- One-Way Flow: All lanes operate as one-way only. Please follow the directional flow to maintain safety and order.
Pick-Up Reminders:
- Proper Parking: Even when snow covers the lines, park as properly as possible to maximize space and avoid congestion.
- Crosswalk Safety: Do not park where the crosswalk extends. It’s vital for our students to use crosswalks safely and without obstruction.
- Full Lap Rule: If no spots are available, continue around the loop and return to see if a spot has opened. Please do not stop in the middle and block others.
- No Speeding: Corners can be tricky; please drive cautiously and at a safe speed.
- Staff Parking Lot: This lot is reserved for staff only. Parents should not park here.
- Patience is Key: You are in a warm car. Please demonstrate patience for the sake of everyone’s safety.
- One-Way Flow: All lanes are single-lane and one-way, just as they are during drop-off.
- Ditches: The ditch is not for vehicles to use as a shortcut to the parking lot. Vehicles MUST be on the road only!
Why These Rules Matter
As adults, we have the responsibility to create a safe, predictable environment for our children. Kids can be unpredictable, as is their nature, and by following these rules, we are doing our part to protect them. Your cooperation in modeling respect and patience goes a long way in ensuring everyone’s safety.
Thank you for your attention to these guidelines. By working together, we can make our parking lot safe and efficient for all families.
Dress for the Weather—A Shared Responsibility
As we move further into the cold season, I want to kindly remind everyone of the importance of dressing appropriately for the weather. While recess is only 12-15 minutes, the time spent outside is long enough for students to be at risk if they are not properly dressed.
Recently, during a first aid course, I was reminded of the very real dangers of frostbite and related conditions. The trainer shared the heartbreaking story of a young student in Grade 2 who lost three fingers due to frostbite, simply because they forgot their mittens. Another example involved students developing trench foot from wearing wet socks and boots during extended exposure to cold and damp conditions.
While I believe in natural consequences as learning opportunities, it is also our responsibility as educators—and yours as caregivers—to ensure that children are safe and well-prepared. As we act in loco parentis during the school day, it is imperative that we all work together to avoid preventable harm.
Please ensure that your child comes to school equipped with:
- A warm jacket
- Mittens or gloves (more than the thin ones)
- A hat
- Proper footwear (insulated and waterproof)
- Extra socks, if needed (Nobody wants to go back outside with wet socks!)
Our shared goal is to keep students safe and comfortable so they can fully enjoy their day and the outdoor time they need. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping us keep all our students warm and safe during the colder months.
Counselors Corner
God’s plan for our lives (and our kids) continues to come to mind as I read The Anxious Generation by John Haidt. In it, he uses his knowledge and experience as a social psychologist to explain the recent major shift in the number of young people struggling with mental health problems. He describes it as the “rewiring of childhood”. He writes about the consequences of living in defense mode:
The overprotective and well-intentioned nature of parents that keep their children safe from the “real world” and fails to protect children in the digital world. The decline of “play-based children” and the rise of “phone-based children”.
In the book, there is clear advice for parents, teachers, and others about ways to return children and youth to living life in “discovery mode” rather than “defend mode”. There is also a chapter in the book, and many other examples throughout, that indirectly speak to the healing power of God and the transforming nature of living life according to His plan and purposes. In the book, Haidt proposes that a phone-based life causes spiritual degradation – in all of us.
Some of the answers he proposes speak to the need for embodied experiences with others, including the opportunity for unstructured play that offers risk-taking, problem-solving, and shared experiences with other kids and teens. God designed us to learn through discovery and to experience His creation – in real life and with community. If you are interested in more – check it out here: The Anxious Generation
CCS School Clothing Orders
Covenant SOCKS! These “Hype” brand socks are super durable, and look great too. We will sell them on-site, out of the office for $15/pair. They will be available on PowerSchool for payment. We have kids pairs, as well as adult medium and large.
Grade 3 Milk & Cookies in January
CCS 12 Days of Christmas
We look forward to journeying through the Advent season with your child(ren), sharing the joy of the season and celebrating the birth of our Savior. Thank you for being a part of this special time at Covenant Christian School. You can find a printable version with a key of what each means, here.
Covenant Canteen
📣 Introducing the Cougar Canteen! 🐾🍬
The Cougar Canteen! The Cougar Canteen isn’t just about snacks; it’s an empowering project designed to equip our students with essential life skills.
Operating Details:
🗓️ The Cougar Canteen will be available 1x/month for each division (announced in each week’s Chronicle).
🕰️ The Cougar Canteen will be open during afternoon recess (2:00-2:15) on Thursdays.
💰 If students wish to purchase a snack, $1-$5 is plenty!
Snack Menu:
🥔 Chips: $1.00
🥤 Cans of Pop: $2.00
🍭 Candy Bags: $1.00
Schedule:
Div. 2 (Gr. 4-6): Thursday, Dec 19
Hot Lunch
We are excited to once again offer a weekly Hot Lunch Day! This year, Hot Lunches will be on Wednesdays.
You can find the forms for Hot Lunch in your student’s PowerSchool account. Orders will close on the Tuesday prior to the following week’s hot lunch at 11:59 pm. All orders must be placed online, and payment must be made with form submission to be processed. (No cash or cheques are accepted). Please check your email for a confirmation receipt to ensure that your order went through.
The forms for all of January’s lunches are now on PowerSchool).
January’s hot lunch
- January 8 – Hotdogs and booster juice – Closes Tomorrow at noon for ordering
- January 15 – Subway
- January 22 – KFC
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Hot Lunch, you can reach our Hot Lunch Coordinator, Mrs. Hofstra, via email at: [email protected]
Celebration
We hold weekly assemblies, which we call Celebration. We alternate between Wednesday and Thursday mornings each month so our kindergarten students are each able to join us every other month.
Celebration will be held on WEDNESDAYSfor the month of January.
Lost & Found
Below are the weekly pictures of our lost and found. If you see something that is your child’s, please have them stop by the table and pick it up or let the office know.
Athletics:
Athletics
Please read through the CCS Athletic Handbook, as it highlights our expectations for our parents and our athletes.
Jr. High Basketball
Congratulations to our boys and girls Jr. High senior basketball teams, who both placed third in their tournaments last weekend!
Elementary Basketball
Regular season games continue, as our boys are scheduled to play today in Beaumont after school.
LSCE News:
The LSCE Executive wishes you all a wonderful and blessed Christmas break with safe travels and memorable times with friends and family.
Calendar:
December:
- 19 – K-3 Christmas Concert 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm
- 19 – Ugly Christmas Sweater Gr. 4-9
- 20 – Christmas Jammies
- 20 – Carol Sing 1:15 pm
January:
- Dec 21 – January 5th: Christmas Break
- January 6th – Back to School
Community Events:
Excel Artistic Swimming
Excel Artistic Swimming Club is selling West Edmonton Mall Waterpark tickets for $35 each!
These make great gifts/stocking stuffers!
Please text Rachelle McIvor at 403-580-0749 or email [email protected] if you’d like to purchase.
Event date: January 11, 2025
Time:6:30-9:30
Odds & Ends:
Sign In/Out Form: Sign In/Out Form:
Scan Me
Please use the above QR code, orthis link, to sign your child in or out from the building. You can also come into the school and use the Chromebook provided in the office. Please make sure to let the office know you have collected your child before leaving the parking lot (phone call/eye contact) and ask your child to check in at the office when they enter or leave. This ensures everyone is accounted for appropriately in the case of an emergency.