The Good News
Welcome Back to School! Saint John XXIII September 6, 2019
Leadership Message
A Little about your SJXXIII Leadership Team
Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm-Principal
My teaching journey began at Saint John XXIII in 2006 as a homeroom Grade 4 teacher. I have been blessed to experience many rich opportunities since then including: Inclusive Learning Facilitator, Instructional Coach, and Administration. My current research focus has been devoted to professional collaboration and capacity building. I love God, my family, learning, teaching, baseball, turtles, and connecting with people. My two daughters, who are now 25 and 22, attended Saint John XXIII. It is a beautiful circle!
I believe that every person needs to know that they are loved and valued. As a Catholic educator and leader, providing staff and students with opportunities to encounter Christ on a daily basis through prayer, scripture, relationships, and connections is my blessing and responsibility. I believe that the best way to show how much God loves us is to be a source of love and joy for others. I hope to emulate this with every encounter. I know that it takes a village to raise a child and am very grateful for our dedicated staff, our SJ families, and our parish, who wrap around our SJ kids.
It is with great joy and humility that l continue to serve our Saint John XXIII village as Principal for the 2019-2020 school year.
Blessings,
Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm
Mrs. Cathy Hinger-Assistant Principal
I am very excited to be starting my second year here at St. John XXIII in my role as Assistant Principal and Grade Four teacher. I have been an educator for 15 years and have been blessed to teach and coach a number of grades from grades 2 to 8. Over the years I have had great opportunities as a teacher and administrator to learn and grow in my Catholic faith and in my professional practice and I am dedicated to learn and lead in a faith-based, inclusive, student-centered environment.
On a personal note, my favourite things to do is to spend time with my family. We like to do many activities together but most of all, we like relaxing at our family cabin. I love to read, cook, garden and participate in activities that keep me motivated and challenged.
My vision for students is to build their foundation in faith, based upon the teachings of Jesus. I strongly believe students need to feel supported, encouraged, engaged and challenged in their learning and that through positive relationships with others they can strive to be the best they can be.
I look forward to a fantastic year of learning and growing!
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Cathy Hinger
Some Introductions:
Mrs. Jackie Comartin-Chaplain
As Catholic Educators we are called to follow out the mission of Jesus which is one of service, giving and love. I am excited and honoured to serve this amazing school community in this new role as St. John XXIII’s Chaplain. The only education I know is Catholic Education as I have attended Catholic schools growing up in Vegreville and I have been teaching for Elk Island Catholic Schools for eighteen years with thirteen of those years here at St. John XXIII. We are extremely blessed to have the option of Catholic Education in our province.
I am married and a mom to two boys. My husband is an employee of Elk Island Catholic, my oldest son attends St. John Paul II and my youngest is a member of our St. John XXIII family.
I am looking forward to making connections with all students and families and to share the beauty of our Faith so that we may help our children grow their whole being - intellectually, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Ms. Rita Astalosch-Collaborative Response Coordinator
Hi, I’m Rita Astalosch and I will be working with the students and staff of St. John XXIII as the Collaborative Response Coordinator. During my 26 years with Elk Island Catholic Schools, I have been extremely fortunate to work at four different schools in a variety of roles. I am excited to learn and grow once again with our St. John XXIII Catholic School family!
Peace,
Mrs. Astalosch
Mrs. Eleanor Heesing-Family Wellness Worker
I am so excited to once again be a part of the St.John XXIII family in the role of Family Wellness Worker. My day is all about connecting with students, their families and all the people who are part of their school day. What a privilege! Fort Saskatchewan has been home to my family for more than 25 years now so there are sure to be a few familiar faces as we enter into another new year of learning and getting to know each other!
Please do not hesitate to stop by and say hello when you are in the school!
Blessings,
Mrs. Heesing
Mrs. Barb Potter-Secretary
Blessings,
Mrs Potter
Team SJXXIII
Leadership Team: Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm-Principal & Mrs. Cathy Hinger-Asst. Principal
Chaplain: Mrs. Jackie Comartin
Collaborative Response Coordinator: Ms. Rita Astalosch
Family Wellness Worker: Mrs. Eleanor Heesing -
Early Learning Team: Ms. Sue Dexter - Pre-K & Mrs. Amy Ekdahl - Kindergarten
Grade 1 Team: Mrs. Lesley Holt & Ms. Stephanie Bennett
Grade 2 Team: Mrs. Lisa Morin, Mrs. Yvette Morin & Mrs. Justine Wright
Grade 3 Team: Ms. Ronalee Bourassa & Mrs. Stephanie Scott
Grade 4 Team: Mrs. Comartin, Mrs. Hinger, Ms. Astalosch, and Mrs. Schaub
Music Team: Mrs. Melanie Doderai-Early Learning Music & Mrs. Sarah Schaub 1-4
Support Staff:
Ms. Barb Potter - Secretary
Mrs. Susan Wagner - Library Tech
Mrs. Jacqui White, Mrs. Lindsey Luyckfassel, Mrs. Gwen Manca, Mrs. Sheri McCoy,
Mrs. Michelle Mudry, Mrs. Karen Colgan, Mrs. Adrienne Little, Ms. Kristen Menzak
Facilities: Mrs. Lenora Trainor - Head Caretaker & Mr. Moises Pineda - Evening Caretaker
Early Learning Support Team:
Mrs. Ellen Bailey - Speech Pathologist (Pre-K/Kindergarten)
Ms. Chelsea Robinson-OT
Ms. Marissa Thomas-SLP Assistant
We LOVE to Read
Yearly Consent Forms
- Log into the parent portal of PowerSchool.
- Click on your child's name.
- Click "Yearly Consent" either on the left or the highlighted blue in the alert message itself.
- Read the agreement, then indicate "yes" or "no".
- Click "Submit".
Transportation Information
This app will be where you will receive information on bus routes and cancellation or changes in busing. There will no longer be phone calls or emails. We recognize that the first few days have some transportation hiccups to resolve. Please do not hesitate to contact us with repeated issues and concerns.
Attendance Reporting Procedures-School Messenger
REPORTING ABSENCES: SAFE ARRIVAL
Please click on this link for important information on the best way to let us know that your child will be late or away from school.
It is our first priority every morning and afternoon to ensure that all students are accounted for. Using this tool helps us to expedite this process to ensure the safe arrival of all of our students. We appreciate your partnership in keeping our little people safe.
Parking, Drop off, Pick ups: Our students' safety is number one priority.
Visitor parking spaces: We have 10-12 visitor parking stalls (identified with the Visitor parking sign). These spaces are closest to the road. These stalls are available on a first-come, first serve basis and we would like to encourage our families to try to be courteous and leave these spaces for parents with small children in car seats or our parents coming in to volunteer. If these spaces are full, please do not come into the parking lot to drop off your child. We do not want any students crossing the parking lot. Please use the path alongside the visitor parking spaces or the appropriate crosswalks.
Park and walk: As has been a familiar practice for most of our SJXXIII families, please make a plan with your child for a meeting spot, park down the street or around the corner. This keeps kids active and safe and greatly reduces the congestion in between the two schools. Some parking is available across the street. Please do not park in a numbered stall as these are reserved for our friends at Win Ferguson.
Walking School Bus: A fantastic practice in other schools is the Walking School Bus. Parents who live near one another make a plan to walk to school along a route, picking up kids along the way. Find out who lives by you and make a safe and active plan to walk to school!
Thank-you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our kids safe. Remember, student safety will always trump convenience.
Lunchtime Changes: Picnic Style as a School Community
Breaking bread together is an important part of building community within a school setting. This year, we will be eating our lunches together in the gym, picnic style. Eating together will enable us to connect students, supervise students as a whole, and increase the cleanliness and hygiene within the classrooms. Students will eat on place mats (provided) that will have visuals of prayers, lunch time expectations, sentence starters and healthy food choices reminders. Staff have been prepping students all week to be ready to eat together in the gym starting Monday. At first, we will sit in our classroom communities and once we have routines established, we can explore sitting in various groupings. Please contact Mrs. Boehm or your child's teacher with any questions.
Nut Aware School
Please bear in mind that St. John XXIII, along with all Elk Island Catholic Schools, is a nut-aware school. Here at St. John XIII, our goal is to make the environment as safe as possible for students with severe food allergies. In order to give children with life-threatening nut/peanut allergies a chance to feel comfortable and the opportunity to be a part of and not excluded from special prizes, food, and parties with the school setting, we ask that students and parents do their best to make sure that all food items are nut free. Home baked items should not contain nuts or peanuts. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in helping make out school a safe environment for all students.
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a Great Day to be a Saint John Kid!
OLA Parish News
Pastor: Rev. Kristopher Schmidt Kris.Schmidt@caedm.ca (c)780-995-3930 Website: www.olafortsask.caedm.ca
Link to Fr. Kris homily: https://soundcloud.com/frkrisschmidt
https://www.youtube.com/grandinmedia
Sacramental Preparation:
Baptism: Baptism Preparation is a pre-requisite for all parents seeking to baptize their children. Please contact the parish office at 780-998-3288 two to three months prior to the baptism of your child to register. Baptisms are held at 1:00 pm on the Third Sunday of the month. The next baptism class will be Sept 7, 2019 at 10:00am. The next Baptism will be at
1:00 pm on Sept. 15, 2019.
RCIA/CIC: Please contact the church office for enrollment to this program. 780.998.3288
Reconciliation: Registration for the sacrament of reconciliation will begin on Sept. 3, 2019 to October 4, 2019. No late registrations will be accepted. Registration forms can be found at the back of the church, online at: www.olafortsask.caedm.ca Fee of $25.00 A copy of your child’s baptism certificate is required if not baptized in our parish.
Class dates: October 12 @ 10:00 am (Parents must stay for meeting), October 19 @ 10:00
am (children only), October 26 @ 10:00 am Celebration. October 24 at 6:00 pm make-up class for those unable to attend either the 12 or 19.
First Eucharist: For Children in grade 3 and up Registration will begin Sept. 3, 2019—January 31, 2020
For Children in grade 2 Registration will begin Sept. 2, 2019—April 3, 2020
Confirmation: Registration September 3, 2019—May 8, 2020 No late registrations accepted.
Saint John XXIII School Council News
Thank-you to all parents for your commitment to our SJ school community! Did you know that as a parent of our school community, you are automatically a member of the School Council? We look forward to connecting with and hearing your voice this year. Would you like to be a class representative? Please let your child's teacher know. Meetings are held once a month in the Collab Room at school. First meeting will be Thursday, September 26 at 7:00 pm.
LOOKING AHEAD...
Sept. 9: Monday assembly 9 am
Sept. 12: Meet the Staff evening 6-7:30 pm
Sept. 23: Monday Assembly 9 am
Sept. 27: Alberta Heritage Day-Elder Doreen Wabasca visit
Terry Fox Run afternoon
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