The Good News-Dec. 12th
Saint John XXIII Catholic School 2021-2022
Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday or Rose Sunday: “The Lord is Near”
Leadership Message
"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
-St. Francis of Assisi
As we head into week three of our Advent season, we continue to light the way to Christ in our hearts and homes. This week we light our pink candle of JOY. This Pink Sunday-’Gaudete’ Sunday (meaning “rejoice”) marks the halfway point on our Advent journey. The pink Advent candle represents the joy of anticipation for Christmas and reminds us that the joyous feast of Christmas is near.
Sometimes, some days, some moments...things do not feel so joyous. As the lights twinkle and jingles play, some may be facing worry, despair, loss, grief, or sadness. It is in these moments, that a single light of joy can bring hope for others. As we prepare our hearts for Jesus, may each of us remember to light the candle of joy for others through prayer, mercy, kindness, help, or simply offering to be with someone who may feel alone. May we meet people where they are at and share what we have to offer and light the way to Christmas with peace, hope, joy, and most of all-with love.
These are the moments that we are called to more...
Blessings,
Mrs. Bonnie-Lynne Boehm, Principal
It Takes a Village to grow a LEADER! Grade 4 Servant Leadership Squad tshirts are in!
There is a tremendous amount of intentional planning and time that goes into ensuring our grade fours each experience leadership and our sincere appreciation is extended to our four team leaders: Mrs. Comartin, Mrs. Leroy, Mrs. Schaub, and Mrs. Boehm. Thank you for all you do!
The tshirts are sponsored three ways: parents, school, and School Council. Students keep their leadership tees at the end of the year.
"Leaders aren’t born they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal or any goal."
– Vince Lombardi
Called to the Manger Recording this week: Dress in your Advent Best
Our students and staff are in the midst of preparing for this year’s Advent Concert and Celebration video. We are not yet able to have our concert in person but we are once again doing all we can to make this a memorable and joyous occasion for our St. John village.
Recording this week:
This week students will be recording their contributions to our Advent Celebration. For many students, getting to dress up for the concert is an exciting part of the tradition. We would love for our students to keep this tradition alive by dressing up on the day they will record their performance. This could be a Christmas sweater or t-shirt, or it could be a fancier outfit, not unlike what you would have chosen for the evening of the concert. This is by no means a requirement, however we wanted this option to be available for those who choose.
Recording days:
M/W Kindergarten: Monday
T/TH Kindergarten: Tuesday
Grade 1B and 1H: Tuesday
Grade 2L and 2M: Wednesday
Grade 3B: Wednesday
Grade 3G: Tuesday
Grade 4C and 4L: Thursday
*Mrs. Schaub has a wonderful family surprise that will come at the end of our virtual concert! Stay tuned!
Grade 3 Advent Project: Called to the Manger- Bring Hope Campaign. Bring in your Spare change this week
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
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.
Bonnie-Lynne Boehm, Principal bonnie-lynneb@eics.ab.ca 780-998-7777
Eleanor Heesings, Family Wellness Worker eleanor.heesing @eics.ab.ca 780-995-9352
Hot Lunch this Thursday, Dec. 16th (Wed., Dec. 15th for M/W Kinders)
EICS Engagement on the 2022-2026 Division Education Assurance Plan: Last day this Wednesday, Dec. 15th
The Elk Island Catholic Schools Board (EICS) of Trustees is seeking stakeholder input to develop our 2022-2026 Division Education Assurance Plan.
In Alberta, school boards are responsible for providing assurance to their stakeholders that they are fulfilling their responsibilities, meeting the needs of students and enabling their success. The key to building public assurance is engaging with our education partners in the Division’s planning and reporting cycle. The parent, student and EICS community voice is integral to building this plan and helps create a culture of continuous improvement.
EICS will be engaging with our communities beginning December 1, 2021 through the ThoughtExchange online engagement process. It is a very easy and open thought process with only two questions to prompt discussion, collect input and a starring process to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. We will be emailing the ThoughtExchange link to all EICS community members on December 1st and the exchange will stay open until December 15, 2021. It will also be available on all EICS websites and school websites.
The exchange will close on Tuesday, December 15th, and will be the starting point for the ongoing analysis by the EICS Board of Trustees and EICS leadership in creating the 2022-2026 Division Education Assurance plan.
To participate in the ThoughtExchange, please click on the following link:
Last day of classes before Christmas Break: Tuesday, December 21. First Day back: Wednesday, Jan. 5th
Looking ahead: December
December 14: Priest visit
December 15: Hot Lunch for K M/W
December 16: Hot Lunch K T/R - Gr 4
December 13-17: Recording of our Advent Celebration & Concert: Called to the Manger. Wear your Christmas best. Look above to see when your child is recording
December 17: Bring any spare change and dress in a Fun Christmas Sweater day!
December 21: Advent Concert and Celebration: Called to the Manger shared. Last day of classes before Christmas Break. Students can come in their cozy clothes today. (PJs included)
January 5: First day back from Christmas Vacation, Early Out Dismissal 2:23 pm : Comfy Cozy Day(pjs)
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a GREAT Day to be a St. John Kid!
Number Talks
Reader's Theatre: Twas the Night Before Christmas
Mrs. Boehm & Mrs. Greene organized a "Peaceful" lunch for our amazing TEAM SJXXIII! SO grateful for our volunteers who helped cover supervision
OLA Parish News:
Christmas Masses are now available to sign up. Please click on the SIGN-UP GENIUS link here
No walk-ins will be allowed at these masses. All parishes in the Community of Our Lady of the Angels must sign up.
If there are any changes in the numbers allowed at our services we will cancel the original registrations and begin again. If you have provided us with your email address you will be notified.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored our Winter Plant Fundraiser!
Next School Council Meet: Monday, January 10, 2022. 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