Please be advised that adult-learner classes will continue on-line until further notice.

Saturday, January 9, 2021

Dear Italian School Community:

On behalf of the teachers, staff and Board of the Italian School I extend to you sincerest wishes for a happy and healthy 2021. If there is a lesson to be learned from the year 2020, it is that we should not take for granted our personal wellbeing and our relationships with relatives, friends and neighbours. As well as the hope for better things to come, let us also be mindful of the lessons learned from the year past.

In December we adhered to the directives effective November 30, issued by the government for schools in Alberta. Anticipating that in the first week in January the December directives might be modified, we decided to cancel the January 9 class and to add a class in June. A few days ago, the government extended the December restrictions affecting community contact to at least January 21, however, it lifted the December restrictions affecting schools. To clarify, the following highlights how the latest directives affect our school:

All students in Level 1 to Italian 30 classes, Saturday morning:

· In-class instruction for all grades/levels resumes Saturday, January 16; school calendar to be followed until further notice.

All students in Adult classes, Tuesday evening:

· On-line instruction only until at least January 21; school calendar to be followed until further notice.

All students in adult class, Monday evening:

· On-line instruction continues; school calendar to be followed until further notice.

In essence, notwithstanding the Tuesday night adult classes, the school is following the procedures implemented back in September. That suggests some form of improvement of our situation; we are hopeful this will continue.

Continue to be safe and well.

Luigi De Somma

Principal, CLCIC

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Dear Italian School Community:

This year the last day of classes before the Christmas break was remarkably different than previous last-day-of-classes-before-Christmas. We have come to refer to the day as the “Open House/Christmas Activity” day. It’s a day where all sorts of good things come together. As well as providing us with the opportunity to update the community on the current school year situation, and for the parents and relatives to participate in the presentations organized by the individual classes, it also served to facilitate a true coming together of our community -all, I might add, with an abundance of treats, sweets and beverages. What a wonderful way to part before the Christmas break! It is one of the days of the school year to which I look forward to most. This year, for obvious reasons, we were not able organize the traditional event and its absence was deeply felt -by everyone, I’m sure.

December 12, 2020, was doubly disconcerting to us because it also marked the last day at the school for our treasured secretary, Anna Maria Bucaro. I’m sure all of you know Anna Maria, and I have no doubt all of you -as we, all of us at the school- are saddened by this news. Anna Maria shared her loving and caring ways with the Italian School community for twenty years. It’s a legacy which will not be forgotten because of her gift of making all with whom she interacts feel appreciated and special. Anna Maria, Salvatore and Francesca have decided to return to their home city of Montreal. We thank her for the long, dedicated and passionate service with the Italian School, and wish her and her family the very best in “La Belle Province”.

Lastly, I take this opportunity to wish all of you and yours a safe and merry Christmas and New Year. See you in January.

Luigi De Somma

Principal, CLCIC

Martedì 15 dicembre 2020

Cara comunità della scuola italiana:

Quest’anno l’ultimo giorno di lezione prima della pausa natalizia è stato notevolmente diverso dal precedente ultimo giorno di lezione prima di Natale. Siamo giunti a definire la giornata come la giornata delle “Open House / attività natalizie”. È un giorno in cui si condividono tante cose buone. Oltre a fornirci l’opportunità di aggiornare la comunità sulla situazione attuale dell’anno scolastico e per i genitori e i parenti di partecipare alle presentazioni organizzate dalle singole classi, è sempre servito anche a facilitare un vero incontro della nostra comunità -sempre, potrei aggiungere, con abbondanza di leccornie, dolci e bevande. Che modo meraviglioso di salutarsi prima delle vacanze di Natale! È uno dei giorni dell’anno scolastico che aspetto di più. Quest’anno, per ovvie ragioni, non siamo riusciti a organizzare il tradizionale evento e l’assenza è stata molto sentita da tutti, ne sono certo.

Il 12 dicembre 2020 è stato per noi doppiamente sconcertante perché ha segnato anche l’ultimo giorno a scuola per la nostra preziosa segretaria, Anna Maria Bucaro. Sono sicuro che conoscete tutti Anna Maria, e non ho dubbi che tutti voi -come noi, tutti noi a scuola- siete rattristati da questa notizia. Anna Maria ha condiviso per vent’anni la sua personalità amorevole e premurosa con la comunità della scuola italiana. È un’eredità che non verrà dimenticata grazie al suo dono di far sentire apprezzati e speciali tutti quelli con cui interagisce. Anna Maria, Salvatore e Francesca hanno deciso di tornare nella loro città natale, Montreal. La ringraziamo per il lungo, dedicato e appassionato servizio con la Scuola Italiana, e auguriamo a lei e alla sua famiglia il meglio in “La Belle Province”.

Infine, colgo l’occasione per augurare a tutti voi e ai vostri familiari un felice e sereno Natale e Anno Nuovo. Ci vediamo a gennaio.

Luigi De Somma

Preside, CLCIC