The Good News December 17, 2023
St. John XXIII Catholic School
Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday or Rose Sunday
Third Sunday of Advent : “The Lord is Near”
The Third Sunday of Advent is called, Gaudete Sunday, represented in our Advent wreaths by the pink or rose candle. The theme of the day celebrates our hopeful anticipation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. Rose is the liturgical colour used to signify joy. The anticipation of the coming of Christ and His infinite love for us is our JOY!
Leadership Message
As we head into week three of our Advent season, we continue to light the way to Christ in our hearts and homes. Our staff and students have been preparing Him room with their prayer and acts of service.
Thank-you Saint John XXII families for sharing in the Advent season with us! Your support with creating baskets for our raffle to support women and children at Lurana Shelter, donating socks for the Bissell center and joining us for all our Countdown to Christmas activities...these are the moments that matter as we light the path to Jesus and remember the true reason for the season-Jesus.
"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
St. Francis of Assisi
December 2023
Monday, Dec. 18
- Paper Chain of Kindness Celebration 12:20, Families welcome!
- Sock Toss (pm)
- Advent Mass 10am at OLA Church, Families welcome!
Wednesday, Dec. 20
- Tobogganing and Hot Chocolate (weather pending)
- Christmas Sweater Day, Christmas Sing Along
- Last Day of Classes, PJ and Movie Day
Looking Ahead...
Jan. 8 - Welcome Back from Christmas break!
Jan. 10 - Early Dismissal 2:10 - Jersey/Sportswear, Hot Lunch
Jan. 15 - PSC Meeting 6:30
Jan. 16 - KTR Strathcona Wilderness Center (in school)
Jan. 17 - KMW Strathcona Wilderness Center (in school)
Jan. 22 - Grade 2 TPet
Jan. 25 - Hot Lunch
Jan. 31 - PD Day, no school for students
Our Advent Concert
Our K-4 Advent concert was a beautiful success! Thank-you to all our parents, grandparents, family and friends for coming! Thank you for your amazing generosity in our Basket of Blessings Raffle. $3100 was raised for Lurana Shelter
Thank-you to Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Greene and Ms.Trainor for their work prepping for our concert. Sincere gratitude is extended to all of our staff, especially our sensational music teachers, Mrs. Schaub and Mrs. Doderai, for a wonderful Advent concert!
Here is the link to our Christmas Concert so that you can share with family members who were unable to attend.
Advent Social Justice Project : Baskets of Blessings
Thank you for your amazing generosity in our Basket of Blessings Raffle that was held the night of our Christmas Concert. $3100 was raised for Lurana Shelter
May God bless you and your family this Advent Season.
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a GREAT Day to be a St. John Kid!
Important School Information
Absence Reporting
Please submit your child's absences in PowerSchool, and also notify your teacher with a Dojo message or a note sent with your child.
Please refer to the EICS Parent Technology Handbook for instructions on how to report you child's absence, early departure, leave & return or multiple day absence.
For any last minute Early Departures, please call the office before you arrive so we can make arrangements for your child to come to the office for pick up.
For accuracy and tracking purposes, absence coding in PowerSchool is to be submitted by parents, not teachers.
It Takes a Village: We are here to help
We recognize that this season can be a difficult time for some of our families within our community. If you or your family are struggling with finances, emotional or mental health, medical or physical needs, please reach out to someone within our school or parish community and we can respond. Everyone needs help sometimes, we are not meant to journey this life alone. There are many resources, agencies and people who have offered assistance and we can confidentially arrange for support, especially through this Advent season.
Kristine Willis Dengler, Principal kristinew@eics.ab.ca 780-998-7777
Eleanor Heesings, Family Wellness Worker eleanor.heesing @eics.ab.ca 780-995-9352
Community Events
Saint John XXIII Catholic School
Email: stj@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stj.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9526 89 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-998-7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.JohnXXIII
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII