The Good News
Saint John XXIII May 4, 2019
Leadership Message from our School Council Chair Leslie-Anne Oshurst
Greetings St.John XXIII Community!
As your SJXXIII School Council Chair, it is my pleasure to share in the Good News this week!
With Catholic Education Week upon us, I was invited by Mrs. Boehm to share why Catholic Education is important to me. (If you know me, you know that words are not something I usually struggle to come up with, but for some reason I was having a hard time putting into words why I think Catholic Education is important). After reflection, I found the reason. Catholic Education is important to me because it is the FEELING I would get when I was at school as a youth; I felt a sense of community unlike anywhere else. I felt that my teachers, my peers, our beloved Father MacDonnell from OLA Parish, and parents deeply cared about our community and especially, our students. They instilled in us a deeper sense of caring for our community as well. When I walk into SJXXIII now with my daughter, I immediately feel that warmth returning. Maybe that’s why it was a little challenging to put into words because it is something you feel and know, much like our faith. When my daughter comes home from school and tells me all of the amazing things she is learning from her teachers and our leadership about faith and serving her community and the world, I am filled with pride that my children have the opportunity to learn from a group of like minded individuals that also embrace the importance of being called to serve and share the same values and faith that we do.
Recently I was involved in a process that highlights how dedicated our community is to Catholic Education. I was asked to attend the Association of School Councils (ASCA) Annual General Meeting. This year a resolution was put forward, which initially asked the Government to consider a full and comprehensive review of the current education system funding model and to also consider ONE publicly funded school division across this province. This would have meant that ASCA would be advocating to revoke our ability to choose Catholic Education (as well as Francophone and Charter Education). Through a process of amendments, the Resolution was amended to take away the sentence which asked for one publicly funded school board. I was grateful to have been a part of the process and with our Past-Chair, Donamarie Lukie, our voices were heard.
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for serving in some capacity. In high school, I was a part of every committee I could join and was always looking for ways to advocate for causes that were important to me. I'm sure now, much to the behest of my family who probably wishes I would just take a Mom break once in a while, this trait has followed me into my adulthood!
I attribute my call to serve, to my upbringing in the Catholic Education System. I look back on my school age years very fondly. When I had children and it was time to consider which school they went to, it was without hesitation that I chose Elk Island Catholic Schools! The familiarity of our faith community, along with my warm memories of Saint John XXIII, OLA, and SJPII, were important aspects that I wanted to pass along to my own children.
Thank-you for listening and for giving me the opportunity to serve our SJXXIII community as you School Council Chair. Thank YOU for being a part of our community. I welcome all of you to our School Council Meetings to see how we are working to enrich our St.John XXIII community! Take time this week to celebrate the gift of our Catholic Education and our Saint John XXIII School!
Take Care,
Leslie-Anne Oshust
Saint John XXII School Council Chair
Mrs. Potter Recommends...It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel
Catholic Education Week 2019: Rejoice and Be Glad
We will be celebrating the gift of Catholic education this week! Stay tuned to hear from all of our important stakeholders. May 6-students, May 7-staff, May 8-parents, May 9-Please wear blue, and May 10-Trustees and Clergy.
#IbelieveinCatholicEd
Do you need a little "Marie Kondo" Decluttering in your life? Is it time for a Spring Cleaning? We have the answer for you!
Saint John XXIII Social Justice Fundraiser: By Kids 4 Kids
Our Grade 4 Leadership teams have taken the lead on our fundraiser, “By Kids 4 Kids - Buy, Sell and Give Extravaganza” whereby we will combine social justice, service, conservation, and building student leadership capacity. All SJ students are invited to donate any gently used toys, books, or children's clothing. On Thursday, May 16 we will host our Buy, Sell, Give Extravaganza where all students (any families too) will have an opportunity to attend the sale in our gym and purchase any of the items. (All with parental permission, of course). All proceeds will go to our Valeda House goal, our two foster children, and any remaining funds will go to supporting our students at Saint John XXIII.
Please donate and come and shop our Extravaganza! Parents and families are welcome on the 16th to purchase any donated items!
2019-2020 Transportation Bus Requests
1. Grade fours moving to grade five at SJPII and require busing
2. Any new requests for those students in grades 1-4 or changes to information including daycare/babysitters
3. ALL Kindergarten students need to apply
Here is the link for requesting transportation information.
Pre-K & Kindergarten Information Evening: *DATE CHANGE* Thursday, May 30
As we welcome our tiniest learners to Saint John XXIII, we want to give our parents an opportunity to find out more information about our Early Learning programs and what to expect for the fall. On Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 6:30-8:00 pm, we invite all Pre-K and Kindergarten parents to our Information Evening.
During the evening we will:
-share information related to what you can expect from our Pre-K & Kindergarten programs
-introduce Early Learning staff. our Speech & Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist, and Administration
-answer any questions (especially if parents want to inquire with our SLP & OT about screenings and assessments)
-provide another opportunity to see the learning environments
Healthy Champions May Focus: Bring Back Play!
Jump Rope for Heart!
We are also very fortunate for some community sponsorship from Straightline Chrysler in Fort Saskatchewan. Kyla Videsjorden, who works for Straightline Chrysler and is one of our awesome Kindergarten Moms, came to our Monday Assembly to share some exciting support. Straightline Chrysler would like to donate a pizza party for the class that raises the most funds and there will be two Sport baskets for the top selling girl and boy! When asked why, Kyla shared that Straightline Chrysler is committed to supporting local students, especially when it involves active and healthy kids! Thanks for the community support!
Grade One Artists Inspire High School Students: The Monster Project
It's Bus Drivers Appreciation Week! We thank YOU!
Growing Brains, Sharing Smiles...
OLA Parish News
Children’s Liturgy Bible Camp
We are in need of someone to take the position of lead organizer. If we
are to have a camp this year, this position must be filled within the next
week. Please contact Linda at lrrose@telus.net or Deb at the office
780-998-3288, if you can help out.
Saint John XXIII School Council News
School Clothing Orders are in and were sent home. Many thanks to Leslie-Anne Oshurst!
Flower Basket Pick up:
Thursday May 9 11-4 pm School Gym
Friday, May 10 9-6 pm Front entrance
Next School Council Meeting: Monday, May 29th 7:00 pm Collab Room All parents are members of our School Council and are invited to every meeting!
Playground Society News:
Next Playground meeting: Wednesday, May 15th at Saint John XXIII School 6:30-8 pm.
The playground society is looking for people and trucks to collect for our bottle drive May 25th. Please consider signing your family up for a time slot.
Contact Sam for more info or to sign up to help. fsplaygroundsociety@gmail.com or 780-722-4442
We are also having a BBQ fundraiser at Legacy Park June 9th, SAVE THE DATE! More details will be sent out soon! If volunteering just doesn't work for your family, you can also donate via our Go Fund Me is up and running, you may now donate at www.gofundme.com/FSCSPS"
LOOKING AHEAD...
May 5-10 Catholic Education Week
May 6: Assembly 9 am
May 7: *Talent Show entries due* Evergreen Performance: Three Little Pigs 9:00 am
May 8: Saint John XXIII Staff Mass 8-8:30 am (Chapel)
May 9: Grade 4 Orientation to SJPII
May 10: Class & Spring Photos
May 13: Assembly 9 am
May 14: Grade ones: Valley Zoo Field Trip
May 16: By Kids 4 Kids: Buy, Sell and Give Extravaganza (School Gym)
May 17: PD day: No School for students
May 20: No School
May 21: Assembly 9 am Gr. 4 Royal AB Museum field trip
May 23: Adoration Mass 11:00 am followed by Adoration
May 24: Adoration Kindergarten field trip: Safety City
May 27: Assembly 9 am
May 30: Pre-K/Kindergarten Parent Information Night
May 31: Grade 3 Rec Swim
June 3: Assembly 9 am
June 5: Early Out Dismissal: School Spirit Wear School Council meeting 7:00 pm
June 10: Assembly 9 am
June 13: Grade 4 Fare well 11:00 am
June 14: Grade 3 Rec swim
June 17: Assembly 9 am
June 18: Fun Day
June 20: Talent Show 1:00 pm
June 21: Kindergarten Valley Zoo, Gr. 1 Wilderness Walk, Gr. 2 Ukrainian Village
June 24: Pre-K Year-End Picnic
June 27: Last Day of School Year-End Celebration 11:00 am Report Cards Open
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