The Good News - December 4, 2022
St. John XXIII Catholic School
Leadership Message
Second Sunday of Advent-Our Gift of Peace
This week we focus on the gift of peace that our Christian faith gives us. It is the gift God gave to all of us, the one whom He sent to restore peace to people everywhere- Jesus- the Prince of Peace. When He was here on Earth as one of us, Jesus taught us how to love, how to live, how to pray. He taught us how to forgive and be peacemakers. Jesus told his disciples to greet people with peace when they entered homes. He said, “My peace I give you… Let not your heart be troubled.”
Peace is God’s perfect, indescribable gift to each of us. As we continue to prepare the way to Christ, this second week of Advent, may our hearts and homes be filled with this gift of peace.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).
December 2022
Monday, Dec. 5
- Second Week of Advent Faith Assembly pd. 1- Led by 3JD
- St. Nicholas Feast Day, Sock Toss
- Father Tomasz visit
- Early Dismissal 2:15 - Christmas Spirit Day (Wear red/green/Christmas hat)
- Buddy Bingo
- Grade 2 Ukrainian Village
- Coffee with the Principal 8:45-9:3
- Toboggan/Hot Chocolate Day
LOOKING AHEAD:
Dec. 12 - Parent School Council Meeting 7 pm
Dec. 14 - Hot Lunch, Christmas Concert Dress Rehearsal
Dec. 15 - Christmas Concert 1pm/6pm
Dec. 16 - Gr. 3 Teacher's Pet, Christmas Sweater Day
Dec. 19 - Advent Mass (at OLA church), Community Readers (pm)
Dec. 20 - PJ and Christmas Movie Day
Dec. 21 - First day of Christmas Break
Jan. 4 - First day back from Christmas break, Early Dismissal 2:15
Christmas Concert
We are excited to announce that the St. John XXIII Christmas Advent Concert will be held in the school gym on Thursday, December 15th.
There will be an afternoon performance and an evening performance on this day. To stay within fire regulations, we must limit the number of guests who plan to attend.
We will be providing each family with 2 free tickets for both the afternoon and evening performances. You must have filled out the following google form for tickets. Please note that siblings attending each performance will require a ticket.
The afternoon performance begins at 1:00pm , doors will open at 12:30
The evening performance begins at 6:00pm, the doors will open at 5:30
Additional tickets may be available but not guaranteed and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please enter your request for extra tickets on the Google Form.
There will be no paper tickets sent home. Staff member will have the list of tickets at the door.
Please fill out the Google Form attached here for tickets: Christmas Concert Tickets
Remember to bring money for the Basket Raffle. Tickets are 1 for $2 or 12 for $20 Winning tickets will be drawn at the end of the evening Christmas Concert. All money raised will be donated to Lurana Shelter.
Advent Social Justice Project : Baskets of Blessings
This Advent, St. John XXIII is continuing to partner with Catholic Social Services to support women and children at the Lurana Shelter.
At St. John XXIII, our goal is to raise enough money to purchase two Baskets of Blessing per class. The cost of each basket is approximately $100. We will be creating themed baskets that will be raffled off at our Christmas Concert. You can also donate online using our school link.
Donations will be accepted until December 20th.
May God bless you and your family this Advent Season.
School Council Winter Plants & Poinsettia Fundraiser: Pickup Friday, December 9th!
1-3pm and 6-8pm from the school gym.
We will need 4 volunteers to help with the pick up times, two volunteers per time slot.
If you are able to volunteer please contact Shannon Dahlseide at shannond@eics.ab.ca.
Thank you again for all of your support and enjoy your beautiful plants!
Lurana Shelter Fundraiser - Christmas Themed Gift Baskets
Don't forget to send in items for your classes raffle basket!
Thank you for your generosity!
It Takes a Village: We are here to help
We recognize that this season can be a difficult time for some of our families within our community. If you or your family are struggling with finances, emotional or mental health, medical or physical needs, please reach out to someone within our school or parish community and we can respond. Everyone needs help sometimes, we are not meant to journey this life alone. There are many resources, agencies and people who have offered assistance and we can confidentially arrange for support, especially through this Advent season.
Kristine Willis Dengler, Principal kristinew@eics.ab.ca 780-998-7777
Eleanor Heesings, Family Wellness Worker eleanor.heesing @eics.ab.ca 780-995-9352
One Book One School
Thank you to all the families who created a robot. The library will be open on the night of the Christmas Concert so you can see all of the fantastic creations
Yearbook Cover Contest
Entries due December 9th
We are inviting all St. John XXIII students to enter their drawings in our Yearbook Cover Contest. One winner will be selected to be displayed on the front cover. Four other winners will be displayed on the back cover. The top five entries will be selected by a panel. The front cover will be voted on by the school population via Google form.
Inclusive Learning Facilitator Corner
At this time of the year we need all the help we can get to regulate excited little humans. Time spent in conversation with your child can make all the difference. Here are some Christmas Conversation Starters that may be helpful.
Big Box of Cards PSC Fundraiser
2022-2023 School Fees are now due
If your require assistance in paying fees you may fill out a fee waiver form and submit it to the school. Fee Waiver Application Deadline is December 12, 2022.
Please call the office at 780-998-7777 if you have any questions.
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a GREAT Day to be a St. John Kid!
Sacramental Prep: First Reconciliation and First Eucharist registration now open
From our OLA Parish:
We help families to prepare their children for first Confession and first Eucharist. We accept children in grade two and older. Each candidate must be baptized. Parents or guardians should register their children at the Parish Office. In preparation for their sacramental journey and to encourage relationships with Jesus and within our Parish family, each candidate is welcomed and encouraged to attend all classes on their sacramental journey.
We are now accepting pre-registration for sacramental preparation for 2022-2023. Please email or drop off completed forms with fee to the parish. Registration is not considered complete with out payment of fees.
Fee of $50.00 for the two sacraments. Please provide a copy of the baptism certificate if not baptized in one of our parishes.
E-mail forms to: olangels.ftsask@caedm.ca (We accept e-transfer of fees to the same email address.)
Date and Times of classes, retreat and celebration have not yet been determined. We will post as soon as we have the information. Please feel free to register and pick up the resources at the church office.
Ordering will remain open until a week before each hot lunch date: Wed. November 16, Thurs. December 1, Wed. December 14
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