The Good News-Nov. 14
Saint John XXIII Catholic School 2021-2022
Welcome Back to School Tomorrow: Monday, Nov. 15th
Leadership Message
Catholic Education Sunday: November 21st Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together
What a joy it will be to celebrate our Catholic Education next weekend. The theme of the Bishop's’ annual message for Catholic Education Sunday is, “Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together". We are grateful everyday for the blessing and privilege to walk with each of your children on their journey of faith and learning. Especially now, in the midst of all the uncertainty we have encountered in the past couple of years, the seeds of hope and our rock of faith have enabled us to keep our heads above water and our community connected. Thank-you for the trust you have placed in each of us, as Catholic Educators, to teach and care for your children every day.
Catholic Education Sunday is a special day for all of us to recognize and celebrate the publicly funded opportunity our Catholic schools have to enrich the lives of our children with a foundation of faith. In our school community, students are taught and modelled a respect for diversity-to celebrate and be all they are, created in love and with purpose, and to see the infinite and unique gifts that God created in others. Together, with our parents and parish, we rejoice in the beauty of each child and the opportunity to bring our students to Jesus every day!
Please join us on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the 9 am mass to celebrate Catholic Education Sunday with our friends from the Saint John XXIII and OLA school communities. Please remember to sign up for the mass. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040544aaad22a4fb6-mass
Blessings,
Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm, Principal
Please have masks, water bottles and Daily Screen ready for tomorrow morning
Meet the STJ Team 2021-2022
Grade Four Team!
MEET Mrs. Comartin: Grade Four teacher & Chaplain
Grew up: Vegreville
Education: B.Ed from the UofA
Role at St. John: Grade 4 Teacher and Chaplain. School Spirit Team Leader
Hobbies: reading, going for walks, spending time with family and friends
Favourite Scripture Quote:
“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 3:14
Contact Info:
jacquelinec @eics.ab.ca
Twitter @jackiecomartin
MEET Mrs. Leroy: Grade Four teacher
Grew up: Edmonton, Alberta
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and After degree in Education at the Concordia University of Edmonton
Role at St. John: Grade 4 teacher and Healthy Living Team Leader
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, traveling, going to hockey games, camping
Favourite scripture quote:
Faith can move mountains Matthew 17:20
Contact Info:
Twitter @mrsleroy04
Meet Mrs. Schaub: Grade 4 Teacher & Music Specialist
About me:
Grew up: Gibbons/Edmonton
Education: BMusic, BEd, MEd
Role at St. John: Music and Grade 4 Teacher. Young Citizen Team Leader
Hobbies: Singing, gardening, reading, learning, and spending time with my family
Favourite Scripture Quote:
“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19
Contact:
Twitter @musicwithschaub
Meet Mrs. McCoy: Educational Assistant
ABOUT Me:
Grew up: Fort McMurray
Education: Instrumentation EngineeringTech, SAIT
Role at St. John: Educational Assistant
Favourite scripture quote:
"In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you". -Matthew 7:12
Contact Info:
Twitter @sherilynnmccoy
MEET Ms. Vaters: Educational Assistant
Grew up: Fort Saskatchewan
Education: University diploma program
Role at St. John: EA II Grade 4
Hobbies: Dancing, singing, reading, philosophy
Favourite Scripture Quote:
“a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Contact:
Mrs. Cook (EA) also joins our Grade Four Team and will be featured next week
Hot Lunch is returning! Check your inbox on Tuesday!
Changing weather: Be prepped and ready to head outside every day! We are Alberta Kids!
At Saint John, we believe strongly in children heading outside for play and fresh air every day. This will continue to be a priority at St. John this winter season. We know from research that outside play is so important for a child's mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. It builds confidence, allows for creativity and imagination, it connects students to nature, promotes opportunities for problem solving and conflict resolution, and gets kids MOVING! Raising resilient kids is an important focus at our school and we will do all we can to support daily outside play as much as possible, especially this year with continued limitations to our students’ extra-curricular activities and the mental health priorities for students.
Thank you for your continued help to ensure your child comes to school with all the proper gear to be outside. Our EICS Division Administrative Procedure 134 provides guidelines for us at Saint John XXIII for responding to the winter months:
Decisions regarding outdoor activities are to take into consideration inclement weather that may result from the following conditions or combination of conditions: continuous rain; extreme wind, and/or extreme cold
The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside if the temperature is - 25 C or colder. The suggested guideline above is at the discretion of School Administrators and staff as part of their consideration for determining whether recess will be inside or outside. Outside time is sometimes shortened or withheld to accommodate winter conditions. Factors such as temperature, conditions, duration of time are all taken into decision making.
When temperatures or Windchills are below -25 Celsius, outdoor recess play may continue with reduced play times outside.
In order to support the important balance of learning and play, we will have three responses to recess breaks to respond to Alberta weather:
Regular recess outside: (temperature and conditions not an issue)
Inside Recess: (Extreme cold and/or weather conditions that are deemed unsafe for full duration of outside playtime)
Polar Bear Recess: (Temperatures are lower and cold but still safe to head outdoors for short periods).
Outside supervisors and indoor staff are continuously checking for proper winter attire and layers. We have extras on hand for our kids.
Morning supervision begins at 8:30 am, please do not drop off students prior to 8:30 am. Busses and drop offs are staggered. Bell rings at 8:45 am.
Students are given opportunities for snacks before and after recesses to allow time for free play, reduce choking hazards, ensuring they stay bundled, and to minimize the litter on our playground.
Please ensure that your child comes dressed and ready for any weather. Please ensure that your child's teacher is updated with any pertinent medical information that applies to outdoor inclement weather, especially if there are any medical reasons your child should not head outside.
School Fees
If your require assistance in paying fees you may fill out a fee waiver form and submit it to the school. Fee Waiver deadline is December 13, 2021. Please call the office at 780-998-7777 if you have any questions.
Under the principle that finances should not be a barrier to a child's education, Elk Island Catholic Schools will waive fees for independent students or parents/guardians if they meet certain income guidelines, are on social services or are facing exceptional circumstances. If you qualify, you may apply using the attached application form for a waiver for the following fees:
- Eligible Transportation Fees
- Instructional Material Fees
- Basic Course Fees
- Noon-Hour Supervision Fees
- Instructional Activity Fees
School Council Winter Plants & Poinsettia Fundraiser: Orders due this Wednesday, Nov. 17th
School Council is offering a variety of Christmas cheer in beautiful, locally-grown poinsettias and other holiday greenery to help raise money for our School Council who in turn help support our wonderful school.
We've tried to make this as easy as possible by going completely online!
To see the plants that are available and to place your order please go to:
https://stjohnxxiiicatholicschool.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home
Simply choose the quantity of the plants you wish to purchase, select credit card under payment options, and place your order.
*Orders must be paid for by credit card in order to abide by Covid protocols.*
You are welcome to share the website with family and friends who may wish to order as well and further support our school.
Orders are due on Wednesday, November 17th and must be picked up from the school on Friday, December 3rd
*Time for pickup will be announced closer to December. Pick up will also follow Covid protocols and will be contactless. Details to come.
Thank you for your consideration for support.
Shannon Dahlseide
Winter Sale Coordinator
School Council Facebook Page
Did you know that our School Council has a Parent Facebook Group that shares information and events with our school community?
Our School Council Executive members manage this group and ensure that the home-school-parish partnership is celebrated and honoured through this group. It is another way to stay connected with our school. Please consider connecting and joining.
Looking ahead: November
November 8-12: No School Fall Break
November 15: First day back after Fall Break Monday Faith Assembly Grades 3 & 4
November 21: Catholic Education Sunday: Rebuild, Restore, Renew-Together.
St. John XXIII & OLA host 9:00 am Mass
November 28: First Sunday of Advent - we begin with the Candle of Hope
December 1: Early Out Dismissal 2:23 pm: Sparkle and Shine (Show off your best Holiday Spirit)
December 6: Parent School Council Meeting via Google Meet 7:00 pm
December 21: Last day of classes before Christmas Break
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a GREAT Day to be a St. John Kid!
Thank you Grade 1 Team for leading our Virtual Remembrance Day Celebration
Spirit Day: Jersey Day-We sure LOVE our Oilers!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Healthy Living Candy Swap!
Inviting all St. John Parents and Guardians to our School Council meeting on Monday, December 6th 7:00 pm, please join us for our virtual meet. Hear about upcoming events, share ideas, and connect with other parents.
Be involved, share your voice, stay connected!
Click Below to order your St. John School Wear
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/St.JohnXXIII
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII