St. Bernadette Elementary
School Newsletter
December 7th, 2016
Highlights
• Volunteers needed – Work Bee to bring new flooring into the school (new updates)
• International Student Homestay
• Spirit Week Activities
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 8th 5:30pm – 6pm Cookies and Hot Chocolate provided by the CWL in the Parish Hall.
6pm – Lights of Hope Ceremony
6:15pm – Students report to the classrooms
6:30pm – Christmas Concert and Play in the Church
(Upon entry to the Church, we are asking that a donation of a food item(s) be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society)
December 9th NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day
December 9th Work Bee – Volunteers needs to take down chalk boards
December 16th 9am Mass (bell rings at 8:45am)
December 16th Report Cards go home
December 16th Early Dismissal 12:15pm
January 3rd School re-opens on Tuesday Jan. 3rd.
School News
THANK YOU
There has been such incredible feedback on the beautiful display of the Nativity Scene and the Christmas tree. A great big thank you to the decorating committee, Michelle Fletcher, Imelda Mansueto, Josephine Singh & Angeline Yaschyshyn for all their hard work & effort in decorating the school & school hallway.
WE ARE GETTING NEW FLOORS!!! *(NEW UPDATES)*
That’s right! Out with the old and in with the new! The carpets in all the classrooms and down the main hallways is being replaced with new vinyl flooring. The flooring will brighten up the school and provide a healthier environment for everyone in our school. We are very excited to get this done and marks the first stage of several updates to the school thanks to the efforts of all the fundraising happening in our school – lighting and new furniture are on the horizon.
To keep costs down and to build school community we need as many volunteers as possible. It is a special time to bond with your children (I suggest they be in grade 5 or older) and other families in the school. It is part of leaving a lasting legacy for all children to enjoy – to know that you are part of something meaningful and bigger then all of us.
FRI. DEC 9TH – Chalkboard Removal – 5 PARENTS SIGNED UP – A FEW MORE ARE NEEDED – The remainder of the chalkboards will be removed on this day. Please arrive at 9am. There will be some heavy lifting and cutting up of the boards. This is not recommended for young people.
SAT. DEC 17TH – Emptying Classrooms – 28 PARENTS HAVE SIGNED UP!!! – Thank you to everyone who signed up. We are looking forward to a great day! Lunch will be provided!
MON. JAN 2ND – Putting it all back – 17 PARENTS HAVE SIGNED UP. A FEW MORE ARE NEEDED – The next day your children are back at school and their classrooms need to be ready to go. Please consider coming out to help get everything back in order. Even if you can only spare a couple of hours, we need the help! Lunch will be provided!
I would like to thank all people who have already signed up and those who are about to for their support in these efforts. We have a total for 50 people helping with this effort! Our students benefit from your involvement!
Michael van der Pauw
Principal
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HOMESTAY
St. Bernadette School has accepted 6 students (gr. 4 -7) from January 17th to February 10th to come and learn in our school. We believe that the experience will enriched both the international students and our current students at the school. In addition it is also a great opportunity to generate extra funds for the school. In order for this to happen we need families to be a homestay for the students:
1. There are 3 home stays that are needed. If you are a homestay, you will be paid the following:
Group 1 – Two Grade 7 boys – $1400.00
Group 2 – Two Grade 6 boys – $1400.00
Group 3 – 1 Grade 4 boy – $700
2. You will be required to pick up your student from the airport on January 17th (flight arrives at 11:20am) and Drop them back off at the airport on February 10th (flights departs at 1:05pm). They will follow the regular school days. On the weekend, they will be gone all day with their guide touring the lower mainland. For the last week they will also be away visiting Banff. So, the student(s) will be with you from Jan. 17th – Feb. 3rd.
We hope you are able to help out and support this experience. If you are able to provide a homestay for one of these groups, it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me through the office or email me at principal@stbernadette.ca
FUNDRAISING UPDATES
TASTE OF THE NATION 30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA – The Taste of the Nations Committee 30th Anniversary Gala meeting will be on Monday December 12th/16 @ 7pm in the school library. We are still in the early planning stages. We need your valuable input to make it a great success. All are welcome to attend. Please sign up using Onvolunteer.
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT JAN 13th – After its huge success and popularity last year, we are excited to once again host this family fun event. We are in need of volunteers to help run the event. If you would like to sign up to help, please go to OnVolunteer to sign up or contact Stephannie Drysdale at fundraising@stbernadette.ca. Currently we are in need of volunteers to take payments and hand out bingo cards on the night of the event.
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE – Why not get an early start on your holiday gift giving? We still have a limited number of $20 Gift Cards for the One20 Pub available at the school office for purchase.
SPIRIT WEEK – DEC. 12 – 16
Our 3rd annual Christmas Spirit Week kicks off on Dec. 12th. The entire week is NON-UNIFORM as long as students participate in the theme for the day. Below are the themes and activities for each day.
Monday Dec. 12th – CRAZY HAIR DAY – students will be invited to watch or participate in a Christmas game show at lunch time.
Tuesday Dec. 13th – CHRISTMAS COLOURS OR FAVOURITE CHARACTER DAY – Students can come to school dressed in Christmas colours or as their favourite Christmas character (fictional or from the Bible). Students can participate in Christmas craft making in the gym.
Wednesday Dec. 14th – UGLY SWEATER DAY – wearing Christmas themed sweaters is fast becoming a staple occurrence each year. Wear your favourite Christmas themed sweater or shirt and look out for a treat from Student Council!
Thursday Dec. 15th – PJ DAY – come in your most comfy PJs. The epic teachers vs students battle will take place after lunch in the gym. One of the highlights of the year!
Friday Dec. 16th – WINTER WEAR DAY – Come dressed for winter. We start the day with Mass and end with carols and a short Christmas cartoon in the gym.
LIGHTS OF HOPE
Please have all monies and Lights of Hope bulbs handed in by tomorrow, Thursday, December 8th.
Reminders
STINGERS CLUB
Stingers Club will be available on Friday, December 16th from 12:15 – 6:00. If you will be using Stingers Club on this day, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER as they need to know numbers, so that they can be adequately staffed. The rates are $30.00 for the half day for one child, $50.00 for the family rate. Stingers Club e-mail is: stingersclub@stbernadette.ca
CHRISTMAS EVE CHOIR
Dear Parents,
It is almost that time of the year again….
St. Bernadette Parish will once again have a Christmas Eve Children’s Choir Mass on December 24th at 6:30 PM. We would like to open this invitation to St Bernadette Elementary students and to PREP students to join us for this very exciting and entertaining service.
Practices will be Saturdays (6:30-8:00 PM) starting on November 12th at the Parish Church.
In addition, the same group will also be performing for our Parish’s Senior Dinner to be announced at a later date.
Looking forward to seeing your kids on Saturday Nov 12th….
If you have any questions at all or to confirm your child/children’s participation, please email us at jblnavoa@gmail.com.
In Christ,
John and Brenda Navoa
Children’s Choir Lead
PS Every year, we are not only growing, the kids are getting better and better. Come join us.
Links
School Calendar
Absentee Forms
Stingers Club
St. Bernadette Elementary Catholic School
13130 65B Ave
Surrey, BC V3W 9M1
phone: (604) 596-1101
fax: (604) 596-1550
admin@stbernadette.ca
