St. Michael's News
October 20th, 2023
Here comes the rain again!
This week was a stark reminder that Vancouver weather changes quickly. As is outlined in our Parent Handbook, the staff at St. Michael's are committed to ensuring the best learning environment for your children. Children learn best when they are relaxed, focused, and happy and to attain this, they need time for unstructured play in the fresh air.
Therefore, we ask that parents ensure all students come to school dressed for the weather. We will endeavour to take the children outside everyday.
Further to this, the dark, wet mornings mean more dangerous driving conditions. Please exercise caution in the parking lot and surrounding streets. Please:
- Reduce your speed when entering and exiting the parking lot.
- Ensure you and your children to cross the drive through at designated crossing points only.
- Park ONLY in designated spots and exercise extreme caution when backing into and out of spaces.
- DO NOT PARK in our drop off zone on Holmes Street. This area is for drop off only.
- DO NOT STOP before the "No Stopping" sign on Holmes - this blocks the view for the crosswalk.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters.
Mrs. Grant
Upcoming Events and Activities
Walkathon Success!
Thank You!
What a fantastic event! Our 2023 Walkathon was a success thanks to the incredible efforts of our PEC, fundraising committee, parent volunteers, school staff, and student leadership team. Thank you all for all of your efforts.
The biggest thank you goes to all of our families and parishioners who joined in the fun, raised funds, and walked the route. We are still calculating the revenue from this event, but can say without hesitation, we are thrilled with how the event turned out.
Our class and individual winners will be announced in next week's newsletter - watch this space.
Disney Day!
On Thursday, October 26th students can leave their uniforms at home and adorn their favourite Disney gear or dress as their favourite character. The student leadership team will be collecting donations for the Archbishop's charities who support many vulnerable populations around the lower mainland.
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023, 09:00 AM
St. Michael's School
Picture Retake Day
Our picture retake day is October 27th for those who were absent on picture day or would like another portrait. Please note, students must bring their original proofs with them on October 27th if they wish to have a retake. Please indicate the reason you wish to have a retake done on your form.
Interim Reports
Interim Reports will be sent home next Friday, October 27th. These reports will include information to address the curricular areas of literacy, numeracy, and your child’s transition to the new grade. Students have set learning goals, which will also be included in the Interim Report.
Grade 2 Enrolment Mass
The Grade 2 Enrolment Mass for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation will take place on Sunday, November 5th at the 8:30 am Mass. This is also our school Mass. We look forward to having our choir sing and our students read at this Mass. Students are asked to wear full uniform to this Mass. The Knights of Columbus will also be serving pancake breakfast in the gym after Mass
Sunday, Nov 5, 2023, 08:30 AM
St. Michael's Parish
Spelling Bee
Uniform
WINTER UNIFORM Worn from November 1st to April 30th
(dates subject to change at principal’s discretion)
https://www.stmichaelschool.ca/school-uniform/
GIRLS
White school golf shirt*
Tunic (K – Gr. 3)
Tunic OR skirt (Gr. 4 – 7)
Navy blue school cardigan
Navy blue school vest (optional)
Navy blue knee-high socks OR leotards
All-black shoes (either all black runners or all black dress shoes)
BOYS
White school golf shirt
Navy blue dress pants
Navy blue school sweater
Navy blue school vest (optional)
Navy blue socks
All-black shoes (either all black runners or all black dress shoes)
Used Uniform - Items Needed!
Our Used Uniform Store is running low on stock! If you have any gently used uniform items you no longer need, please bring them along to our next used uniform store or drop them at the office anytime.
Thank you!
Christmas Concert
This year's Christmas concert is titled, Away In A Mango!
A festive holiday cruise to Christmas Island aboard the luxurious Yuletide turns perilous for nine passengers on a day shopping excursion when their boat, the SS Mango, is caught in an unexpected storm and washed ashore on a deserted island. Deserted, that is, except for the island's lone inhabitant, Johnny Coconut, marooned there years before. Will they be found in time for the ship's big Christmas Concert? What's Johnny's story? All aboard for a totally fresh, totally fun Christmas adventure for kids as they join the intrepid castaways of the SS Mango. After all, the story of the birth of Jesus is the story of lost people, unable to save themselves, being rescued by the long-awaited Savior!
All students will be performing a musical number for the concert, and we are asking that they come in a tropical-style costume for the performance. The easiest option is for your child to wear an 'Hawaiian' shirt, with jeans and tropical accessories. If you do not have a 'Hawaiian' shirt, another option is for your child to wear his/her 'Away In A Mango' t-shirt (order forms will be sent home soon), with jeans and tropical accessories. Remember, the key is to accessorize!
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:
School Maintenance Projects - come join our hardworking team!
Parish Groups - this is a great opportunity for those who are looking for hours outside of the 9 - 5 work day.
Auction Committee
Community News
OKTOBERFEST TICKETS
Tickets for our Parish Oktoberfest event are now available for purchase on the Hot Lunch platform until midnight on October 24, 2023 at https://sme.hotlunches.net/ (credit card payment) or after the weekend masses (cash only). Tickets will also be available for sale during the week at the school office (cash only). There will only be 200 tickets sold so buy your tickets early before they sell out!
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 6pm - 10pm
Place: St. Michael's school gym
Price per adult: $15 (includes admission, 1 bratwurst/bun, 1 beer or cider)
Non-alcoholic beverages, salad, dessert, tea, and coffee will be provided at no extra charge.
Oktoberfest Kids Night Out
No childcare? No problem! This year we will have volunteers supervising children in the old rectory during the event. Limited tickets are available for sale on the Hot Lunch platform for $10 per child (school age children only). Pizza, drinks, snacks, and entertainment will be provided to keep your kids happy while you enjoy some adults-only time in the school gym. Once you have purchased your tickets online, please email Anita Manalo with any dietary restrictions at anitamanalo1219@gmail.com.
Oktoberfest
NOTE: Saturday (Anticipatory) Mass will be at 5:00pm that evening
Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, 06:00 PM
Auction Committee Meeting
There will be an Auction Committee Meeting on Thursday, October 26th at 7pm in the old rectory.
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 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 20th: Professional Development Day No School
Oct 24th: Confession for Grade 6; PEC meeting after the 7:30 pm Mass
Oct 25th: Gr 2 Parent Meeting 7 pm. Archbishop Carney Information Evening 7pm in the Library.
Oct 26th: Non-uniform Day - Disney Day!
Oct 27th: Photo Retakes; Interim Reports
Oct 28th: Oktoberfest 6 - 10pm
Oct 31st: Confession for Grade 5; Grade 6 field trip
Nov 1st: All Saint's Day Mass 9 am
Nov 2nd: All Soul's Day Mass 9 am
Nov 3rd: School Mass 9am; Used Uniform Sale 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Nov 4th: Gr. 7 Spirit Day 9 am - 6 pm
Nov 5th: Gr. 2 Enrolment Mass and School Sunday Mass 8:30 am.
Nov 6th: Fire Drill
Nov 7th: Confession for Grade 4.
Nov 9th: Screenagers: The Second Act 6:30 pm in the school gym
Nov 10th: School Mass 9 am; Remembrance Day Assembly 11 am.
Prayer to St. John Paul II whose feast day falls on October 22nd.
Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the Church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading her along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up to the heavens again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.
May you bless each and every family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family.
Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You opposed war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.
Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you beside Mary, send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen.