November 19th, 2014
GOING HOME TODAY
• Congratulations letter Gr. 5 boys volleyball
EVENTS
November 20th – Hot Dog Day
November 24th – Pro-D Day (NO SCHOOL)
November 26th – Report Cards go home
November 27th – Conferences 1:00-8:00 (12:15 dismissal)
November 28th – Conferences 8:30-12:00 (NO SCHOOL)
ABSENT NOTES
If your child is away for any reason, it is imperitive that an absentee note be sent to the school indicating the reason of the absenteeism. The Ministry of Education requires a note from students who are absent. Failing to submit a note may jeopardize your funding from the government.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD FUNDRAISER
The Grade 5 Class will be launching a Food Fundraiser for the St. Vincent de Paul Charity Organization. On Wed. November the 12th, students are being challenged to collect as many non-perishable food items as they can in 9 days. The class that collects the most food items by Friday, November 21, will be able to have a movie and popcorn party as well as wear casual clothes. Please send non- parishable food items that meet the following criteria:
• Non-perishable
• Sealed (never been opened)
• Non-damaged (no rust, dents, rips, etc.)
• Before expiry dates
• From a variety of food groups
If the items do not meet the criteria, it will not be counted as part of the class total. Classes will be displaying their food items in tower formation outside of their class.
Thank you for your support!
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH
For the month of November we will be focusing on the virtue of hope. Hope is one of the three theological virtues. Our hope is to enter into the kingdom of heaven and have eternal life as our happiness. We place our trust and hope in Christ’s promises to us. Hope is part of the foundation of our Christian moral activity. It is with this in mind that we ask student to think of how Hope directs our actions and words. How are we preparing ourselves to enter into God’s kingdom?
Throughout the month of November we will have several opportunities during class and though various gatherings to focus our attention on this virtue. One activity that can be done at home is reading with your child The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-16) where Jesus gives us hope through the beatitudes.
HALLOWE’EN CANDY
We are collecting hallowe’en candy again this year. The Grade 7 students will be putting together candy bags for our Outreach Program which will then be handed out on our visits to the Front Room shelter. There will be a box in the school hallway by the office for the candy donations. Thank you for your ongoing support and thoughtfulness. It is through your generosity that we are able to carry out God’s ministry to those who are less fortunate.
SVDP STREET MINISTRY
The SSVP Street Ministry plans to give Christmas gifts to the needy in Whalley Sunday December 7th. This is a request to you to ask the school children /parishioners if they would like to help in this by donating the following:
Used backpacks of any size and description; ones they no longer wish to use themselves but that could still be useful for the homeless to store their small belongings; and gently used, or even new, men’s gloves. We find that men’s gloves are expensive whereas women’s gloves can usually be bought for around $l/pair. Any help that the children /parishioners can give us would be greatly appreciated, as well as keeping our costs down, while still providing the needy with practical gift items.
We have set our deadline for receiving donations at SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30 so as to allow us time to assemble our gifts and to purchase whatever we can if necessary.
We appreciate very much any help you are able to give us. Many thanks and blessings from Susi and the Street Ministry. Please drop donations off in the Gathering Room.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
With the cold and rainy season coming, please make sure your children are appropriately dressed for the weather. Students are expected to go outside for recess in order to get some exercise and fresh air. Coats, gloves, hats and boots are recommended, depending on the weather. Please make sure your child has everything he or she needs before coming to school.
Dear Parents,
On November 18th, 2014 the Grade 5 boys volleyball team left the school bright and early in the morning to play in the CISVA championship tournament. The team was full of hope and excitement. The tournament was full of schools that we perennial participants. The team battled hard in all their games and at the end of it all, they returned to the school later that day as CISVA Champions!
I mention this in a letter because in our history, dating back to when the school first opened in 1986, this championship is the 1st one brought to the school. Every program in our school deserves accolades and attention when greatness is achieved. These boys achieved the highest honours possible and with them the school celebrates.
I believe that no one achieves greatness alone. A support system needs to exist. That is true for these boys and for the school. We achieve greatness because of our staff who are completely dedicated to see everyone become the best version of themselves. We achieve greatness because of our parents who are the primary educators are committed to providing the best education possible for their child. And we achieve greatness because of our history and our desire to always be the best school for your child.
We have come a long way since our beginnings and we have a bright future ahead. I want to thank everyone involved with the success of this great achievement and all those who dedicate their time and effort to the many programs in our school. You are an integral part of all of our successes.
Again, congratulations to all the boys and their families on the Grade 5 volleyball team. We are very proud of your accomplishments!
Yours in Christ,
Michael van der Pauw
Principal