December 17th, 2014
GOING HOME TODAY
PEC Newsletter
Christmas Letter from Mr. van der Pauw
EVENTS
December 15th-19th -Spirit Week
December 19th -School Mass 9:00am (Bell rings @ 8:45)
December 19th -Last day of school before Christmas Break
December 19th -12:15 Dismissal
SING-A-LONG
There will be a Sing-A-Long & movie from 11:15-12:15, parents are welcome to join in.
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
CHRISTMAS EVE – Wednesday, December 24
• CHILDREN’S MASS AT 6:30 P.M.
(Beginning with carol singing at 6:15 p.m.)
• MASS AT 9:00 P.M.
(Beginning with carol singing at 8:30 p.m.)
• MIDNIGHT MASS
(Beginning with carol singing at 11:30 p.m.)
CHRISTMAS DAY – Thursday, December 25
Mass at 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Wednesday, December 31
Anticipated Mass at 5:00 p.m.
CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES
Parish contribution envelopes for the upcoming year 2015 can be picked up in the Gathering Room at the church.
NEWSLETTER
Some families are having issues with the newsletters, for some reason they are not able to open the attachment. We are going to see if this can be resolved, in the meantime, if you are not able to open the attachement, the newsletter is posted on the school website; www.stbernadetteschool.ca.
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH
For the month of December the school will focus on the virtue of charity. The word charity is often exchanged for the word love in the bible. Charity and love ask us to give of ourselves for the betterment of others. We will be focusing on the needs of others through our acts, prayers, and deeds. We will also be focusing our charity in our involvement with the non-profit organization Chalice. The Grade 6s will be leading the school to embrace the virtue of charity for the month of December.
NOTES FROM PARENTS
We require a signed note from a parent when:
• your child has been absent from school for any reason
• your child needs to leave the school for an appointment, etc.
• your child cannot participate in a specific activity
• your child cannot go outdoors during recess or lunch break
• someone other than yourself picking up your child early from school (early dismissal)
Once school has started, children who are late or who have to leave the school early MUST sign in or out at the office.
December 17th, 2014
Dear Parents,
This week, the pink candle on the Advent wreath is lit. It symbolizes Joy. “Live the Joy of the Gospel” has been our theme for the year, and the school community has truly embraced this virtue. As we move closer to Christmas Day, we are all called to a deeper reflection regarding our journey as Catholics, especially as it pertains to faith, hope, joy, and charity.
With each passing year, I am reminded of how short the time is that God has given us to shape and mold our children in His name! The staff at St. Bernadette Elementary School has a great and precious privilege in this area, and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful community to support us in this journey.
The Christmas spirit is alive and well at St. Bernadette Elementary! The many charitable activities have had such a positive impact on our community and those communities we serve through our global outreach. We have given to the Holy Childhood Association, The Front Room in Surrey, St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Bernadette’s, and Chalice. We will continue to focus on virtuous life and charity in the new year as we plan to support Covenant House, the food bank, SPCA, and other charities.
I want to thank you for your outstanding contributions to our school through your own charity and works of service. It is a blessing to have parents in the school and working in the classrooms. Catholic education believes that parents are the primary educator, and it is only with the dedication of parents that we can claim any success. We value our relationship with you and look forward to seeing many of the familiar and new faces working and volunteering in the school come the new year.
In reflection of the year thus far, I am reminded of the dedication of our teachers and staff. In an effort to refine teaching skills so as to serve students most effectively, our staff has participated in several professional development opportunities. At the start of the year, we had a spiritual retreat led by Chuck Luttrel. In September, we investigated ways to implement the new curriculum that will soon be introduced via the Ministry of Education. In October, we took part in a workshop on JumpMath. This is a program that has received wide acclaim for its simple, direct, and effective approach to teaching the Math curriculum. Finally, in November, the staff participated in CPI training. This training certifies staff to help students who are struggling with achieving proper behaviour in the school. I am so grateful to our teachers for their enthusiastic pursuit of excellence in all areas of our school.
The PEC sponsored a very successful social activity in November. It is a testament to our community that it was so well attended (sold out). A huge thank you to all the parents who helped make the social such a success.
School sports teams were well attended for the first half of the year. We saw the boys’ soccer team one goal away from making the playoffs. The cross-country team showed very well at their various tournaments and the volleyball teams were hugely successful. The Gr. 6 girls’ team went undefeated going into the playoffs and the Gr. 5 boys’ team created history by winning the first championship in school history. All of our student athletes have made the school community proud!
The students did an excellent job proclaiming the joy of the Gospel at the Christmas concert. We are very proud of their time and effort in making the night a special gift to their parents. I also want to thank all the staff members and parents (especially Danny Guerrero, for doing all the sound) who took the time to help prepare the students for the event.
I am honoured and humbled to be the principal of St. Bernadette Elementary School. It is with great privilege that I, alongside the teachers and staff, seek to continue to make St. Bernadette the best school for all of the students. As a new principal, I would like to thank all the parents for welcoming me into your community with open arms and warm hearts. On behalf of the teachers and staff at St. Bernadette Elementary, I would like to thank you for being such a generous and precious gift to our school. You are a vital part of the education of the children here at our school. Our prayer for you and your family is that you may know the joy, faith, love, and hope of the Nativity this Christmas Season:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the Angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’”
May this sacred time be blessed for you and your family. God bless you and your family. May you have a safe and harmonious Christmas and a joyous New Year.
Yours in Christ,
Michael van der Pauw
Principal
PARENT PARTICIPATION
REMINDER: Do not forget to record all parent participation hours in the binder located in front of the office.
If you have any questions on parent participation, and/or would like to volunteer, please contact Sonja Rematore via email at srematore@gmail.com.
SPECIAL PROMOTION
One of our donors from the fall social, “Menchie’s”, would like to announce their special promotion for the families of St. Bernadette Elementary.
MENCHIE’S promotion this year — Our special promo for you and all the members of your association is for anyone that come’s in our store and buy’s $10 or more in Menchie’s gift cards will get the gift certificate for the FREE 5oz and they will get a FREE 32oz Pre Pack ( A $20 dollar value). All you have to do is mention you are from St. Bernadette Elementary! We are also selling Menchie’s Stocking stuffers in store! Each stocking stuffer has Menchie’s lip balms, pencil, buttons, stickers, tattoos and A $1 off coupon to use at our store anytime until the end of Feb 2015! They are only $5 each! IMPORTANT REMINDER:
PARENT PARTICIPATION HOURS
YOUR P.E.C.
Greg Palm
Chair & CISVA Delegate
Giuliana Lanci
Vice-Chair & Maintenance
Claudia Martinelli
Secretary & Social Committee
Sonja Rematore
Parent Participation
Cheryl Chiang
Treasurer
Evelyn Urrutia
Communications
Merry Christmas
from your PEC