St. Michael's News
September 29th, 2023
Virtue of the Month - Respect
During this month of October, we celebrate the virtue of respect. We all deserve to be treated respectfully by others. However, in order to be respected, we also have to respect ourselves.
Everyone has a right to go to school/work free of gossip, name-calling, and put-downs. We should expect to be treated with respect by everyone we meet – our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.” Confucius
A respectful person…
† uses a positive tone of voice and body language
† avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and inappropriate gestures
† says ‘Excuse me’, ‘Please’, ‘Pardon me’
† avoids gossip
First Sunday Mass
Students will be reading and our choir will be singing at the 8:30 AM Mass on Sunday, October 1st. We invite and encourage all of our families to join us for this Mass. Members of the choir are asked to meet in the choir loft before Mass. Students are reminded to wear full school uniform for this Sunday Mass.
Our Knights of Columbus will be hosting pancake breakfast after Mass in the school gym.
School Mass
Please join us for Mass on Sunday morning at 8:30 am. Choir members and readers should wear uniform to this Mass.
Sunday, Oct 1, 2023, 08:30 AM
St. Michael's Parish Church
Upcoming Events and Activities
Chocolate Sales
Thank you so much for your continued support for our chocolate sale fundraiser!
Updates
WE ARE SOLD OUT of chocolate boxes! Thank you so much for your hard work!
Class Totals
Although all boxes have been distributed, we only count those boxes that have been paid for in our weekly updates. So far, each class has sold and returned payment for:
Kindergarten - 38 boxes
Grade 1 - 21 boxes sold
Grade 2 - 32 boxes sold
Grade 3 - 32 boxes sold
Grade 4 - 24 boxes sold
Grade 5 - 35 boxes sold
Grade 6 - 37 boxes sold
Grade 7 - 17 boxes sold
Total boxes = 236
We are now in the process of collecting payments for the box sales. We ask that all parents send in the payments for their boxes by Friday, October 6th. We will announce the individual winners and class winners of our sale on that day. Only boxes that have been paid for will be included in the contest for our top seller prizes.
Payments can be made by cheque or by Square. Cheques may be sent with your child and square payments can be made on Tuesday and Wednesday after school next week.
Reading Club
Students who are interested in Reading Club have been given a notice and tracking sheet this week. Reading Club will start on October 1 and students are encouraged to read at least a minimum of 15 minutes (primary) or 30 minutes (intermediate) each day. Parents, please initial each day your child reads on the calendar. Calendars are due Feb. 2 in order to receive a prize. Happy reading!
School Pictures
Your child(ren)'s school picture is available to view and order at https://artona.com/schools/SMIC/programs/school_photo
Artona will also send a proof sheet to the school for each student. This sheet will display your child(ren)'s images and unique QR code to view and order online. The school will send these home with your child when we receive them. If you have already ordered online, you may recycle the proof sheet. Online orders should arrive within the next 3 weeks.
Absent Students and Retakes
Artona will be onsite again on Friday, October 27th for those who were absent on picture day or require a retake. Please note, if you would like a retake you must send the proof sheet with your child on October 27th.
Screenagers - Growing Up in A Digital Age
Save the Date!
There will be a FREE showing of the movie Screenagers - Growing Up in a Digital Age on Thursday, October 19th at 6:30 PM followed by an opportunity to discuss the issues raised and network with other parents. Although this event is geared towards parents of intermediate students, we highly encourage ALL families to join us.
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023, 06:30 PM
St. Michael's School Gym
Coat Drive
Our annual coat drive is back this year. We will be collecting gently used and clean coats from October 3rd-10th. The coats collected will be donated to those in need at our local community centre. We are looking for coats for infants up to adults. Collection bins will be available in the front hall near the food bank bins starting on October 3rd. Please ensure that the coats are clean and placed in a plastic bag with the size labelled on the bag so that we can easily sort them.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with sorting and dropping off coats. If you are interested, please contact Cory Manson, ccmanson3@gmail.com.
PEC News
Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch
Online ordering is now closed for Hot Lunch. We cannot accept any further orders.
Hot lunches will start next week for Grades K - 5, and the following week for Grades 6 and 7.
Parent Participation Opportunities
We are so thankful to have a culture of support and participation from our Parent Participation Program. Kindly note that it is your responsibility to find a suitable replacement for any shifts you will miss. The school replies on the support of our parent volunteers.
We are in need of help in the following areas and would encourage you to contact the school office or our Parent Participation Coordinator at your earliest convenience if you can help with:
Coat Drive volunteers
Outdoor maintenance
Walkathon volunteers
Octoberfest volunteers
Walkathon is Coming!
The Annual Parish Walkathon is just around the corner. Get ready for an unforgettable day of community, fitness and fun as we raise funds for our parish.
When: Sunday, October 15 after the 8:30am mass until 2pm
Where: School Gymnasium
This year promises to be bigger and better than ever, with exciting new activities and surprises in store. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming your way:
- Route: Explore our neighbourhood on a 5km or 10km walk through New Westminster for all ages and fitness levels
- Prizes Galore: Chances to win fantastic prizes! Will you be the lucky winner?
- Food Frenzie: Enjoy a tasty treat after your walk and pump your child full of sugar with the return of Cotton Candy! Preorder your Walkathon food on the Hot Lunch portal by October 8th (Walkathon Food Menu)
- Sponsorships: Email michellekzuccaro@gmail.com by tomorrow, Friday September 22nd to become a sponsor (either personally or your business)
$250 for inside the gym
$500 for a checkpoint on the walking path
Fundraising Goals: Our aim is to raise $20,000 this year!
Pledge forms will be given to students on September 28th.
Stay tuned for more details as the big day approaches. We can’t wait to see you there, making strides for a good cause!
Together we walk, together we make a difference.
Community News
SAVE THE DATE - OKTOBERFEST
October 28, 2023 6pm - 10pm
The 2nd annual St. Michael's Parish Oktoberfest celebration is coming up at the end of October and we hope you will be able come and enjoy this fun adults-only evening in the company of your friends, fellow parents, and parishioners.
Volunteer Opportunities
Further details will be provided in the coming weeks, but for anyone interested in volunteering at this event, there will be a planning meeting held next Thursday, October 5th @ 7pm in the bottom floor of old rectory (white building across the driveway from the school, path/back entrance can be accessed to the left of the shrine to Mary to the right of the church). In particular, we are looking for volunteers for the following:
- at least 3 parent volunteers to supervise a movie night for kids from 6pm - 10pm in the top floor of the old rectory (criminal record check to be completed online through the school)
- volunteers to sell tickets after the weekend masses starting October 7/8
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please email anitamanalo1219@gmail.com.
Oktoberfest
Save the Date!
Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, 06:00 PM
Knights of Columbus Poinsettia Sale
The Knights of Columbus are having a Poinsettia fundraiser this year. You can order a variety of plant sizes at the October and November pancake breakfast and pick up your order on December 10th in the school gym at the breakfast with St. Nicholas.
SME Athletics Calendar
Our Athletics team here at St. Michael's is working on updating our Athletics Calendar for this year. You can access the calendar using the link below.
Oct 1st: School Sunday Mass 8:30 am - School choir
Oct 2nd: No school - Observance of Truth and Reconciliation Day
Oct 3rd - Confession Gr. 4
Oct 3rd- 5th: Grades 6 and 7 at Camp Zajac
Oct 6th: School Mass 9 am; Used uniform store 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Oct 7th: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
Oct 9th - No school - Thanksgiving
Oct 10th: Confession Grade 3
Oct 11th: Grade 2 Assembly 9:15 am; Grade 7 Parent Confirmation Meeting 7 pm
Oct 12th: Gr. 6 Immunizations
Oct 13th: School Mass 9am
Oct 15th: 8:30 am Enrolment Mass for Grade 7's; Walk-A-Thon 9:30am-2pm
Oct 16th - Fire Drill #2
Oct 17th: Confession for grade 7
Oct 19th: Great Canadian Shake Out Earthquake Drill; 6:30 pm Screenagers
Oct 20th: Professional Development Day No School
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.