The Good News
Saint John XXIII September 28, 2018
Leadership Message
“Try-athon: Be the Masterpiece, See the Masterpiece”
I had the blessing of reading, “My Brave Year of Firsts. Tries, Sighs, and High Fives” by Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornwell to Mrs. Holt’s grade ones yesterday. It was very timely as we enter the last day of our first month. Most of us arrived on that first week of school-all shiny, refreshed, polished, and ready to “be the masterpiece” and “see the masterpiece” in others. As the weeks have went by, we have entered into the real essence of learning and growing together. The place where the “magic” happens-the tough places and spaces where we are challenged and stretched. When the playground interactions bring tears or figuring out how to use gentle hands during soccer is tough. When the math problem is complicated and the writing process is rough. These moments of adversity create the opportunity for us to build resilient kids who know how to persevere. These moments where we learn compassion, experience strength, and truly be the masterpiece God created. It is not supposed to be easy; the storms allow us to become strong sailors. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” -James 1:2-4
From My Brave Year of Firsts by Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornwell:
Some firsts just happen. Some come when I try.
Some firsts make me smile. Some firsts make me cry.
But I knew at that moment-though I’ve known all along-that
First things first happen when I’m BRAVE, TRUE, and STRONG.
Blessings,
Mrs. Boehm
Faith Corner
There is so much to be grateful for to God for this month!
We would like to invite parents and grandparents to join us for our mass on Wednesday, October 3 at 9:30 am at our OLA Parish.
We are asking students to show they are grateful in two ways:
1. Food bank donations from students and their families between now and next Thursday. We will only take a few of these items to the church for the offertory procession as a symbol of our donation.
2. Students will write and/or draw a prayer of gratitude to God for something in their life and/or a petition for forgiveness in their life or a prayer for someone who is in need. These will be placed on the altar at our mass.
Many thanks to Mrs. Scott for sewing our prayer cloths!
October is the month of the Rosary, please consider saying the Rosary together as a family.
In peace and gratitude as we are all His masterpiece,
Mrs. Y. Morin
Chaplain
Orange Shirt Day-Every Child Matters
Orange Shirt Day at Saint John XXIII - Monday, October 1st
Orange Shirt Day is a growing movement of reconciliation. It grew out of a former student’s account of having her brand-new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school. Wearing an orange shirt is meant to show a commitment to the principle that Every Child Matters.
Our school will recognize this day on October 1st. We invite all of our staff and students to wear an orange shirt on Monday. Students will discuss the meaning of the day with their teachers in a grade and age-appropriate format. As your child's first teacher, families are encouraged to extend the conversation at home as you deem suitable. Please find more information at www.orangeshirtday.org.
Please make sure you wear your orange shirt on Monday, October 1!
Ms. Bourassa
Indigenous Lead
October Read-In Month: Bringing Books Alive
Parents and Grandparents, Neighbors and Friends-if you want to come in and read to a class, please let Mrs. Wagner know. 780-998-7777.
Grade 1-4 Music News
From the Music Room of Mrs Schaub
St John XXIII Choir returns! Choir started up on Wednesday, September 26th during lunch recess. Choir is for all interested grade 3 and 4 students. In the new year, any interested grade 2 students will be invited to join the choir. The choir will perform at school concerts and celebrations, as well as participating in the Fort Saskatchewan Music Festival. The choir will focus on learning healthy vocal technique and will mostly sing a repertoire of folk songs and sacred songs.
Come play the tone chimes! St John XXIII will also have a tone chime ensemble for interested grade 4 students. Rehearsals will begin on Friday, October 12th at lunch recess. The Tone Chime Ensemble will perform at concerts, school celebrations as well as participating in the Fort Saskatchewan Music Festival.
Thank you! Musically yours, Mrs. Schaub
IMPORTANT: Forms to Update and Complete by September 28th
Dear St. John XXIII School Parents/Guardians,
It is very important that we have all of our forms updated on Power school by September 30th, especially our Field trip Annual consent as we have upcoming field trips starting next week. As well as, the EICS Demographic Confirmation Form, which has the FOIP consent, essential for helping us know where we can share student celebrations of learning.
These forms are extremely important documents and are required to be updated for every student each year
.
Please contact our school secretary, Jeannette Wilson, at 780-998-7777 if you have any questions or require assistance.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
We Love to Read! SJ Staff Recommends...
Terry Fox Run: Loonies & Toonies for Terry
Special thanks to Mrs. Doderai for creating our Saint John XXIII Village Tree
PSC NEWS:
SJXXIII PSC NEWS:
Milk Program
A huge thank-you to Juanita Doell for stepping up as our Milk Coordinator. More information will follow with the ins and outs of how our Milk Program will run this year. Volunteers will be needed for milk distribution. Please consider this volunteer opportunity to support our students. Many thanks to former Milk Coordinator Lucille Yuzda for all of her dedication and service to this program.
Hot Lunch Program
Special appreciation to Angie Marklund who has volunteered to coordinate the Hot Lunch Program this year. Many thanks to Monique Atkins who previously shared her time and talents coordinating this for our school.First PSC Meeting
A successful first PSC meeting was held on Wednesday, September 26th. It was well attended and many plans are underway for our school year. Sincere appreciation to our 2018-2019 Executive for stepping up and sharing your time and energy for our kids! We hope to see and connect with as many parents as we can throughout the year.
Growing Brains, Sharing Smiles at Saint John XXIII!
LOOKING AHEAD...
Orange Shirt Day at Saint John XXIII
Oct. 3: Thanksgiving Mass @ OLA Parish 9:30 am Please join us
Oct. 5: PD day, No school for students
Oct. 8: No School-Happy Thanksgiving
Oct. 9: Assembly 9 am
Student Teachers arrive at Saint John
Grade 2 Bugs Presentation
Oct. 10: Pre-K classes today
Grade 3s Ukrainian Village Field Trip
Oct. 15: Assembly 9 am
Oct. 19: Kindergarten Telus World of Science Field Trip
Alberta Opera Grades 1-4 9:30 am
Oct. 22: Assembly 9 am
Oct. 26: Saint John XXIII Family Halloween Dance
Oct. 29: Picture Retake Day
Saint John XXIII ECS Pumpkin Carving Event
Oct. 30: Assembly 9 am (Rich Horning from Valeda House coming)
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/stjohnXXIII/
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII