What is TravelSmart for Schools?

The TravelSmart program now being delivered to Our Lady of Mercy Elementary is a whole school sustainable and active transportation program that educates students about the impacts of transportation to our health and the earth. It is also a student leadership program offered to select students in grades 5-7. This program is sponsored by TransLink and is fully funded so there is no cost to participating schools.

Deliverables include:

• One youth engagement facilitator to work with grade 5, 6 or 7 student leaders for one hour per week for 8 weeks.
• A performance by DreamRider Theatre group “Keep Cool” about climate change
• We are a TravelSmart School” 3’X9’ banner to be attached to fencing outside of the school
• Pledge to TravelSmart for each student
• A customized map to assist families in forming walking school buses and bike trains to your school
• A 1-hour bike safety course for grades 2-5

Students have conducted whole school assemblies where they have performed skits, rap songs, and hosted a TravelSmart Game show. They have also developed and planned active transportation days and interdivisional challenges. Other projects have included making movies, posters, and publishing the TravelSmart Magazine. The TravelSmart leaders will be encouraging Our Lady of Mercy students to walk, cycle, carpool and take transit whenever possible.

OLM is selling Aurora Golden Gala, locally grown apples. These Aurora apples are grown in the Okanagan valley. The Aurora is a very rare apple. It is crisp, very juicy and very sweet. Taste test repeatedly show that the internal qualities of this apple to be on the top of the list for consumer preference. The Aurora was selected as a true dessert apple. Try slicing the apples, waiting 5 minutes, then serving. You’ll love it.
These Aurora’s are individually spot picked in the best attempt to give you a tree ripened fruit of the highest quality. It’s skin is very delicate, and it’s translucent skin tends to show every bruise and superficial imperfection. Try a box and store it in your garage or root cellar to enjoy an apple a day…all winter long.
We also have a limited supply of Ambrosia and Jona Gold apples available. Please note that as there is a limited supply of the Ambrosia and Jona Gold apples, if you order these and we run out, we will substitute with the Aurora Golden Gala apples.
OLM is selling these apples this weekend November 5 & 6 at OLM Parish after Masses and the apples are also available by filling out the form below and the apples will go home with your child the week of November 7th.
Price: $5.00 for 10 apples.

Download Order Form

Support OLM School Apple Sales
OLM is selling Aurora Golden Gala, locally grown apples. These Aurora apples are grown in the Okanagan valley. The Aurora is a very rare apple. It is crisp, very juicy and very sweet. We also have a limited supply of Ambrosia and Jona Gold apples available.

OLM is selling these apples this weekend November 5 & 6 at OLM Parish after Masses and the apples are also available by filling out the attached form. The apples will go home with your child the week of November 7th.

Price: $5.00 for 10 apples. The attached order form and money will be sent to the office and your apples will come home the week of November 7th.

Download Form

Fundraising
It was recently brought to our attention that the notice that was emailed on October 21st had the due date for the Purdy’s Chocolates, Simply Delicious Cookies and Simply Delicious Cheesecake orders as Wednesday, December 2nd. This is incorrect and the date should have read Wednesday, November 2nd. The due date has been extended to Monday, November 7th. In order to have the goods delivered in time for Christmas we will not be able to accept any orders after this date. Please have the orders in no later than 9:00am on Monday, November 7th. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Skating Day/Red Colour Day November 9
Grades 2, 4, and 6 have skating on Wednesday, November 9th. Students in all other grades are permitted to dress in red as long as they bring a toonie to school on Wednesday.

Thank You For Your Generosity
Thank you to all those who donated candy and money for the Agape Ministry and non-perishable food for the Halloween for Hunger Campaign. We collected approximately 500 non-perishable food items for the Food Bank and $378.85 for the Agape Ministry.

The eldest from each family is bringing home a notice today regarding the Shoe Boxes of Love Program. A grade 7 student at OLM brought this program to the attention of Mrs. Grout and information was presented at the assembly yesterday. This program delivers boxes of toiletries, school supplies & little gifts to needy children in Africa at Christmas.

1. By Tuesday, October 11th complete and return the form to your teacher indicating the number of boxes your family has requested.
2. On Monday, October 17th, the boxes will be sent home with the eldest child. With each box will be a pamphlet listing items needed for a boy or girl in each of the age categories as well as an envelope to enclose the cost for shipping ($5.00 per box).
3. On the box, indicate the gender of your recipient as well as the age category.
4. Once the boxes have been filled, return the boxes and shipping costs (cash only) to the school no later than Wednesday, October 26th.

Thank you for supporting this cause.

Talent Show
Every year OLM puts on a show for students wanting to perform and share their talents with the school community. However, students must audition. If your child wants to try out, auditions will be held on Wednesday, June 1, after school in the gym. It is a closed audition, so parents must wait outside.

Children are expected to come prepared with necessary music and/or choreography and lyrics. Children can perform individually or in groups. If your child plays a musical instrument, Mrs. Olson will be conducting auditions Tuesday, May 31st during Music class. Students need to bring sheet music and instrument, other than a piano.

The talent show will be held on Friday, June 24th at 1:00pm in the school gym.