St. Mary School News
December 2018
Fr. Cuong's Message
ADVENT-WAITING FOR CHRIST'S COMING
Once again we are in Advent season. This season marks the beginning of the liturgical year for our Church. It is really great time for all of us to make good preparation to welcome our Lord’s coming. This season is called a season of waiting or a season of hope. Advent means waiting and we wait eagerly for someone we love, we care and we are ready to invest our time on him. The name Advent comes from the Latin words “ad venire” meaning to come to and “adventus” meaning an arrival of a very important person, a king or prince.
Is there any way to help us prepare for the Lord’s coming? For us, as students we usually celebrate the celebration of ‘The Jesse Tree’. In the bible, there are some people who associated with the birth of the Son of God also being called the Messiah. These people are represented by the Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree, named after King David’s father. We weekly put symbols on a tree or a branch. We can have these symbols hand-made or drawn or cut out or found form somewhere. They represent ancestors of Jesus, either in faith or bloodline, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesse, David, Solomon, Joseph, and Mary.
More than that, for us, as Christ’s little children, we prepare ourselves to wait for Jesus by living better, by loving one another more, by helping each other more at school, by praying more to the Lord. If all of us can do that, our waiting for the Lord will be more meaningful and then we will be worthy to receive the Messiah and the Son of God.
Principal's Message
It has been such an exciting and busy year to date and Vice Principal Mrs. Nichol and I can hardly believe Christmas is close at hand! This is such a special time of year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope you can attend our Christmas Family Night (further details below) and take time to visit your local parish and reflect on the real reason for the season!
We also recognize the families that have real challenges at this time of year. Whether it be sickness or absence of family or finances, we as a school community recognize the need for all of us to support one another in prayer and in action. Let us encourage one another to visit the sick, tend to our elderly and give a little extra to the foodbank or donate items to a needy family. Through these actions we are truly the hands of Jesus.
We at St. Mary wish all of our school community a Merry Christmas and we look forward to an exciting new year!
God Bless- Mr. Loeppky
Christmas Family Night/Concert
We invite you to dress in your pj’s and join us for our school Christmas Family Night on Thursday, December 13th from 6 - 8pm. This year we will start the night off with a performance by the kindergarten class in the gym and then break off into the different activities. At the conclusion of the evening we will gather in the gym to sing carols and make the draws. We remind you to bring your winter outdoor clothing as sleigh rides will be part of the evening fun.
The School Parent Council will be selling 50/50 during the event. The winning tickets will be drawn at the conclusion of the evening. You do not have to be in attendance to win. Squares will be $2 each or 3/$5 each.
We will also have our Christmas Tree raffle tickets on sale $2 each or 3/$5. Thank you in advance for your support.
Last Day Before Christmas
The last before Christmas Holidays is Friday, December 21st. Classes will be dismissed at 2:30pm on that day. Buses will be running at 2:30pm to pick up the students. Students return on January 7th.
All students must leave the school grounds at 2:30pm there will be no after school programming.
Friday, Dec 21, 2018, 02:30 PM
1352 110th Street, North Battleford, SK, Canada
Band News
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Trade Show Fundraiser a success!
Sign up for Remind with Mr. Corcoran if you have not yet done so. Text (306) 500-6046 with the message @stm4band or @stm567band.
Lunch Cards
January lunch card fees are due on December 20th. Please take the time to stop at the office before Christmas break to pay for your cards.
Lost & Found
Dressing for the Weather
At this time of the year the weather can change drastically from morning to afternoon or from day to day. Students are expected to go outside at recess unless the temperature condition reaches -26 degrees with the wind chill.
Going outside and getting a little fresh air is a nice change for students from their daily classroom routine. Students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. A warm jacket, mitts, and a toque is recommended. Please see the office if you require assistance in providing these things for your children.
Immunization and Baby Clinics
Leadership
Thank you to all who supported our Dairy Queen lunch fundraiser. Please watch for our next one in 2019. A big thank you to those students who have volunteered from Grade 5, 6, 7 and Success for helping out around the school during assembly and lunch. We really appreciated extra hands making things run more smoothly!
Leadership Club is having a Christmas bake sale December 18 - 20 at noon. Everything will be a dollar!
Raffle Tickets
Thursday, Dec 13, 2018, 08:00 PM
1352 110th Street, North Battleford, SK, Canada
Swimming Lessons - Grade 2 & 4
We are pleased to announce that the students in grades 2 & 4 will be participating in swimming lessons in the new year. The bus will be picking up the students from the school at 12:40 and returning at 2:15pm. Please ensure to send your child with a swimsuit and towel on the following dates:
January 10, 17, 24 & 31
February 7, 14 & 28
March 7, 14, 21
Dream Brokers
What is Dream Broker all about? . . . The Dream Broker connects you and your family with a sport, recreational or cultural activity. She can support participation in various sport, culture or recreation activities by helping with registration costs, transportation, equipment or just by being a cheerleader on the sidelines when a family member is unable to attend.
Some programs with open or upcoming registrations:
1. Steve Nash Youth Basketball registration is now online at https://sportform.ca/snyb/
a. Ask Antje about being covered by KidSport for the registration fee.
b. If you do not have access to a computer call Antje to register.
2. Minor Hockey will be taking half year registrants.
3. Cheerleading will be taking parkour registrations for the new year.
4. Gymnastics club registration is:
a. Returning Members: December 10th 5:30-7:30pm
New Members: December 13th 5:30-7:30pm
b. Antje will be there to help families with KidSport forms.
CHECK THESE OUT TOO!
-North Battleford Taekwondo Academy
-Sakewew Dancers
-Four Corner Boxing
-Battlefords Minor Hockey Association
-Battlefords Volleyball Club
-Battle River Archers
-Gutters Bowling
-Cheer Legacy Athletics
After School Programs! – After School Art Club - ALL FREE
· Students of all ages are invited to try out the 7-week Sculpting Club. There are currently 6 spots available for the club! It started November 7th and goes from 3:30-4:45pm. The last day is Wednesday December 19th. There will be a Christmas party this day so the class will go until 5:30pm this day.
· Next art club is Beading club for grades 4-6! Younger siblings are invited to make projects as well.
If your child is interested in any of these activities contact Antje Rongve at 306-480-9875 or visit her the Community School Room on Mondays & Wednesdays at St. Mary’s.