St. Michael's News
October 6th, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings in our lives, and we would like to take a moment to thank you, our wonderful parent community. Your trust in our school and staff to nurture, educate, and inspire your children is something we hold dear. We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with you in your child's education. We pray that this Thanksgiving, your hearts will be filled with with joy, love, and gratitude.
- St. Michael's Staff
Grade 6/7 Camp
Our Grade 6 and 7 students enjoyed 3 fun-filled days at Camp Zajak this week. Thank you to our hardworking staff for making this wonderful experience possible. We cannot wait to go back again soon!
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 - 45 boxes
Grade 1 - 32 boxes sold
Grade 2 - 38 boxes sold
Grade 3 - 38 boxes sold
Grade 4 - 27 boxes sold
Grade 5 - 41 boxes sold
Grade 6 - 43 boxes sold
Grade 7 - 21 boxes sold
Total boxes = 285
We are now in the process of collecting payments for the box sales. We ask that all parents send in the payments as soon as possible. We will announce the individual winners and class winners of our sale on Friday, October 6th in the afternoon. Only boxes that have been paid for will be included in the contest for our top seller prizes.
Payments should be sent to the school office by cheque.
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!
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 are 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 are available in the front hall near the food bank bins.
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.
Scholastic Flyer
SCHOLASTIC FLYER ORDER REMINDER
Reminder Scholastic Orders are now completed online!
Paper flyers will be distributed this week.
Remember orders can be completed at any time in the month.
Quick summary to order Scholastics:
Go to scholastic.ca/clubshop
Create an account or log in to existing account; place order.
Enter school code (RC249384)
Orders will ship direct to your home to reduce handling.
Shipping is free when you spend over $40 and enter the school code!
Thanks for your support of this school program
PEC News
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 relies 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
Octoberfest ticket sales after Mass, and childcare on the night of.
Walkathon is Coming!
Join us for a day of fun, fitness, and community as we come together for our annual Parish Walkathon. Let’s all say a few extra prayers for clear skies and good weather!
We will be pre-selling game tickets outside of the gym on Wednesday (2:15-3pm) and Thursday (2:45-3:30) this coming week.
Remember that this Sunday, October 8th is the cut-off to preorder your food for the Walkathon (Note that food will also be available for purchase on day of the event).
Walkathon details:
When: Sunday, October 15
Time: Registration begins after the 8:30am mass until 2pm
Where: School Gymnasium
A few important things to note:
- Walkathon: Lace up your sneakers and 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?
- Family Fun Zone: Bring the whole family! We have a dedicated area with games, activities, and face painting for the kids.
- Food Frenzy: Enjoy a tasty treat after your walk and pump your child full of sugar with the return of Cotton Candy!
- Fundraising Goals: Our aim is to raise $20,000 this year!
Remember this weekend is a perfect time to ask your families and friends for pledges at your Thanksgiving dinner!
Let’s make this year’s Walkathon an unforgettable event that strengthens our bonds as a parish.
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
We are still looking for a few volunteers to help with the event.
- 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 8th - Last day to preorder Walkathon Food (on Hot Lunch Portal)
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
Oct 24th: Confession for Grade 6; PEC meeting after the 7:30 pm Mass
Oct 25th: Grade 2 Parent Meeting on First Confession. 7 pm.
Oct 26th: Non-uniform Day
Oct 27th: Photo Retakes; Interim Reports
Oct 28th: Oktoberfest 6 - 10pm
We wish all of our families a very blessed Thanksgiving
Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks.
Thank you for all the graces and blessings you have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the love we have for one another, our family and friends.
Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued grace and blessings throughout the coming year.
This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Teacher. Amen.