St. Mary News
September 2019
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL YEAR 2019-2020
The summer is now over for all. I hope that you all had a great and meaningful summer. Let’s give thanks to God for this relaxing summer holiday. You come back to the routine of school life. I think that it would be wonderful; it has been around two months you have not seen each other, and maybe that makes you miss one another very much. But you should not worry; you now are together in the same class and the same school, and you also sure enjoy with each other as much as you feel.
I would like to welcome all of you to the new school year of 2019-2020. I pray that you can still keep the fire of enthusiasm of studying on going, and you will be discovering new things in your study. I hope that you can find God in everything you are learning at school because I believe that God always accompany with you all in your journey of life and in whatever you are doing.
I wish that you would enjoy your school year of 2019-2020. May God be with you always!
Principal's Message
Welcome back to school! It is always amazing how quickly summer passes. I hope you all had a safe and fun break. We are proud this year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of St. Mary as a school in the Battlefords. Thank you for making our school and the Light of Christ Catholic Schools a part of your community
This year will be a busy year with many positive developments and changes beginning with some changes to our staff. You will see some new faces in the hallways, as we welcome new staff, as well as many returning faces in new positions. Welcome to all our students and staff and families.
Last year we had implemented some changes surrounding picking up students during the school day, to ensure the safety of your children. If you wish to pick up your children during the school day, we ask that you stop by the office where your child will be paged. If this occurs during the recess breaks, we again ask that you come to the office to have them paged and do NOT remove your child from the playground. Supervising staff are not aware of all parent/child relationships and paging is the most secure method to ensure the safety of your children.
Please watch for information related to after school programming, assemblies and family literacy events as well as things that will be new to the school year. I look forward to communicating with you about these things through this school year.
At St. Mary School we always begin and end with a foundation based in our Catholic Faith. As we work and learn through the school year we will hold to the presence of Christ. We at St. Mary School, offer you prayers for a great school year in 2019/2020.
Mr. S. Loeppky
Leaving the School Grounds at Lunch
Monitoring students during the lunch period is a challenge with students coming and going at will. Students who bring lunch to school must remain at school and may not leave the school grounds. If your child stays at school to eat lunch you must contact the school each time you are allowing them to leave during noon. Students who leave the school during the noon break without permission may lose the privilege of remaining at school during lunch.
Newsletter and Calendar
Student Absences
Please call the school if your child will be absent from school. Although it is important that we have information as to why your child is absent; it is more important that we know that your child is safe. If you forgot to call the school to report your child's absence you may receive a phone call from school personnel. Please understand we just need to know
that your son or daughter is safe.
Morning Arrival
Students are not to arrive at school before 8:30a.m. as there is no supervision provided until this time. For those students who wish to participate in the breakfast program, it will be served in Mom’s Room from 8:30 – 8:50am only. All other students are to remain outside and play on the playground or participate in morning activities.
Address and Telephone Changes
PreKindergarten
Would you like to give your child a “boost” before he/she starts Kindergarten? Consider Pre-Kindergarten, a FREE education program for 3-5 year olds!
Children attend classes for 3 hours per day Monday – Thursday and families may request morning or afternoon classes. The program operates from September to June and new students are accepted throughout the year as spaces become available.
The Lunch Program
A breakfast and lunch program is provided at the school for those requiring this service. Breakfasts are provided to students free of charge. There is a cost of $10.00 per month for students wishing to be part of the lunch program. The monthly newsletter calendar lists the daily lunches being served for the month. If your child does not like the food offered or if you have not paid the $10.00 monthly fee please be sure to send a lunch from home. All students wishing to participate in the lunch program must have their lunch card paid for by the 20th of the prior month. Eg. September 20th $10 is due for October’s lunch card.
If a student wishes to order lunch they must be at school by 10:45am. If they arrive after the second bell, they must check into the office for a late slip. Students arriving at school after this time (10:45am) or who do not check into the office for their late slip will not be able to order hot lunch for that day, instead they will be provided with a sandwich.
Cell Phones
Cell phones are not allowed during school hours. If your child does bring a cell phone to school, they must turn them into their classroom teacher at 8:55am and they will be returned to them at 3:25pm. Use of cell phones during the day will result in parent/caregivers coming to the school to pick up the phone.
The Milk/Juice Program
Our milk programs will begin on Thursday, September 6th. Students may purchase individual milk tickets for $1.00, or they may purchase a milk card for $10.00 for 11 milk or $20.00 for 22 milk.
As an alternative to our milk program, we will be offering sale of juice boxes during the lunch break. Students may purchase individual juice boxes for $.75, or they may purchase a juice card for $7.50 for 11 juice. Cards may be purchased in the office.
School Supplies
School Pictures
We are pleased to announce that Lifetouch will be in our school on Thursday, October 10th to take individual and class photos. Individual proofs and price lists will be sent home with students in the weeks following.
TIPS: To avoid a washed out facial complexion do not wear solid white clothing. Neon-type colors and solid reds or pinks will like-wise reflect in the skin tones of the face-lips may appear “lipsticked”. Bold colors are complementary, bearing in mind the above tip. Glitter make-up and glitter hairspray reflects the light from the flash and looks like white spots in the photo. Hair gels take on the colors of clothing and the backdrop in a photograph.
School Zone Speed Limit
It is important that drivers be aware of students and slowdown in all school zones and near children. Just a reminder that in the City of North Battleford the speed limit is 30 km/hr in school zones.
Orange Shirt Day - September 27th
To acknowledge all those who endured residential schools and our commitment to reconciliation, anti racism and anti-bullying we encourage students and staff to wear orange on September 27th.
Every child matters
I matter
You matter
Every Child Matters!!
Dream Brokers
The Dream Broker connects you and your family with a sport, recreational or cultural activity. She can support participation in various sport, culture or recreation activities by helping with registration costs, transportation, equipment or just by being a cheerleader on the sidelines when a family member is unable to attend.
Some programs with open or upcoming registrations: Contact Antje, District Dream Broker, at 306-480-9875 at anytime for more information. If you wish to come in and see her you can find her in the Community School Room on Monday and Wednesday.
After School Clubs 3:30-4:45pm -
with Shawn Piller
“Graphic Arts Club” Starts October on Wednesdays
Drumming Club
with Shonan Awasis
Mondays @ Lunch
Free Friday Evening Clinic
with Tarrant Crosschild
Kids Ages 7+ - Sept 13th – Free pair of socksPhone Messages
If you need to contact the school regarding changes to your son/daughter’s afterschool plans, please contact the school before 3:00pm, we can not guarantee students will receive messages after this time. Please remember that your son/daughter is only one of 240+ students, and that is a lot of phone calls if everyone needs a message.
Arrangements prior to the school day should be expressed to your child with phone messages only being made for emergencies or last minute changes. If you are afraid your child will forget your directions before the end of the school day, feel free to write it on a note and send it with your child for their teacher.
Flouride Program
Effective immediately, the Fluoride Mouth Rinse Program, will be on hold. This is due to our supplier discontinuing the delivery of mouth rinse to Canada. We are actively looking for another supplier, but to date have not secured one. Your school is instructed to continue using the mouth rinse they have until they run out. At that time there will be no rinsing at the school until further notice. We also will not invite new enrollments at this time. Your child’s consent will remain active, until we know the direction of the mouth rinse program. We will provide updates to the school as they become available. You can still provide your child with alternate delivery of fluoride, e.g., fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride varnishes at the dental office, over the counter weekly rinses from the pharmacy or fluoride tablets upon the referral from your dentist. We are very disappointed with the disruption of the program and are working hard to keep it running. If you have any questions please call Ellen Wagner, Senior Dental Health Educator at 1-306-446-8628. Thank you for your understanding during this time.
Terry Fox Walk - September 26th
In support of cancer education and research, the students and staff will be participating in the Terry Fox Walk on Thursday, September 26th. All students and staff are asked to bring $1 to be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation. The class with the most participation and donations will be awarded with a milk and cookie party. Thank you in advance for your support.
Pop Tab Challenge
Our school has been challenged to collect aluminum tabs during the school year. The tabs will then be donated to charity to assist in purchasing wheelchairs and other medical devices for individuals in need.. We have a donation container in the office where we are happy to accept donations of aluminium tabs from beverage cans, fish and meat tins, soups, and cat and dog food tins.
Staff List for 2019-20 School Year
The staff of St. Mary School would like to welcome all new and returning students. We think St. Mary’s is a great place for your son/daughter to learn and grow as an individual. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our staff.
Principal Mr. S. Loeppky
Vice-Principal Mrs. N. Nichol
Pre-Kindergarten Miss S. Fedler
Kindergarten Mrs. C. Hamilton
Grade One Mrs. K. Hochbaum
Grade One/Two Miss C. Kovalsky
Grade Two/Three Mrs. J. Gentes
Grade Three Mrs. N. Bitner
Mrs. L. Cowell
Grade Four Miss A. Noseworthy
Grade Five Mrs. N. Fullerton
Grade Six Ms. K. Kipp
Grade Seven Miss B. Fedler
Success Mrs. C. Halladay
Band Program Mr. G. Corcoran
Support Services Teacher Mrs. C. Gerlinsky
Educational Associate Miss A. Timko
Educational Associate Ms. S. Chorney
Educational Associate Miss S. Schell
Educational Associate Mrs. C. Browne
Speech & Language/ EA Mrs. D. Halter
Speech & Language / EA Mr. T. Dunits
Custodian Mrs. S. Rmus
Custodian Mr. A. Lloyd
Nutrition Coordinator Mrs. T. Kalyn
Librarian Mrs. C. Sawarin
Secretary Ms. G. Koenig
Principal
Vice-Principal
Support Services Teacher
St. Mary School
Email: ge.koenig@loccsd.ca
Website: http://sm.loccsd.ca
Location: 1352 110th Street, North Battleford, SK, Canada
Phone: 306-445-5152
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Mary-School-581432388575107/