The Good News - September 25, 2023
St. John XXIII Catholic School
Leadership Message
The week of September 25 - 30 marks Truth and Reconciliation Week. A week where we will honour and share important conversations including the truths of the Indigenous treaties, First Nation, Métis and Inuit land claims, and the residential schools system. On September 30th many of us will wake up and put on an orange shirt in honour of the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada. A story that was shared for some and silenced for many. As we continue to share more stories about the history of those schools and the impact on families and cultures, we listen, learn and go forward today in reconciliation and a commitment to do better. Through story, we are called to remember that every child matters.
Every one of us has our own stories that we show up with every day. These stories shape us into the people we are today. Some stories are difficult, some joyful, some sad, but all important. Through relationships, we celebrate and honour our stories together, and grow in a community of God’s family where we can heal and love.
Prayer for Truth and Reconciliation Week
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God, our Creator, help us to be living signs of your healing love.
Open our hearts to respect, to welcome, and to include one another.
Give us courage to stand up for the dignity of our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and of those with roots in other lands, all of us created in Your image.
Strengthen us in our walk together. God of Truth, let honesty guide our steps along the path of truth and reconciliation, of healing and friendship.
Grant us wisdom to recognize and to celebrate the beautiful gifts of Canada’s Indigenous cultures.
May we go forward with humility as the children of One Creator and loving members of God’s family.
May we at St. John XXIII, accept each other joyfully and lovingly, knowing that we are all created by God and in His image.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
September 2023
Monday, Sept. 25
- Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45
- Assembly 12:25 - everyone welcome
Tuesday, Sept. 26
- Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45
Wednesday, Sept. 27
- Gr 1 Prairie Gardens
- Regular School Day
- Orange Shirt Day
Looking Ahead...
LOOKING AHEAD:
Oct 2-6 - READ IN Week
Oct. 2 - Truth and Reconciliation Day - No School,
Oct. 2 - National Custodian Appreciation Day
Oct. 4 - Early Dismissal 2:10 - wear your fall colours
Oct. 5 - World Teachers' Day
Oct. 6 - PD Day - no school for students
Oct. 9 - Happy Thanksgiving - no school
Oct 10 - Fall pictures for PreK and KTR- Gr 4, School Wide Bus Evacuations 2pm
Oct 11 - Fall Pictures for KMW
Oct. 16 - PSC Meeting 6:30-7:30
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On Sept. 30, Canada will recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day, also known as Orange Shirt Day. We will be wearing orange this Friday, Sept. 29th.
The day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. The commemoration of the tragic and painful history of Indigenous communities in Canada and the ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Opening Mass at Taurus Field
Linking Generations Grandparent Program
Our Grade One's Made Bannock with Knowledge Keeper Krista Leddy
Celebrate a teacher who has inspired you!
PSC Big Box of Cards Fundraiser- Deadline is this Friday!
The Big Box Fundraiser is back after a successful year!
Please click the box below for details. The profits from this fundraising event will be used to enhance the learning commons in the library. Last year we were able to purchase furniture and update the space.
The campaign runs from Wednesday, September 13 to Friday, September 29th.
All payments and boxes that you are not keeping are to be returned by Friday, September 29th
We are excited for another year of hot lunches at St. John XXlll! We will be using the local company Fort Sask Lunchbox as our main lunch provider again this year. Maegan and her her team take pride in their work and she ensures there’s not only nutritious options, but some fun treats as well!
Please find the ordering info on the school website under HOT LUNCH and click on the link. ( fsl.h1.hotlunchonline.net )
You will need to set up an account with Fort Sask Lunchbox and add each of your student(s). Please ensure you add your students to the correct classroom. It makes a tremendous difference to the volunteers passing out the meals. If you need help with this, please reach out.
Meals will be available every two weeks, alternating between Wednesdays and Thursdays, in order to ensure all kinders get to enjoy the program too.
Hot lunch dates will be as follows until Christmas: October 4 & 19th. November 1, 16 & 30th. December 13th. Orders will be accepted up until the Saturday before that Hot Lunch event.
It is very important to note that if your child is absent the day of hot lunch, and you placed an order, the meal will be donated if it is not specified that someone will be picking it up. When you call or email the school to let them know that your child is absent, please let them know that you will either pick up before noon or that it can be donated.
We are always looking for volunteers to help pass out the lunches. Feel free to reach out to Sheena at sheena.cannon@ktgc.net with any questions, concerns or to volunteer!
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a GREAT Day to be a St. John Kid!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
New Attendance Reporting Procedures
If your child will be absent, please email the school at stj@eics.ab.ca or call 780-998-7777 to indicate that a student will be absent or leaving early. When reporting an absence please provide:
- Student Name (first and last)
- Reason for absence (illness, flu or other)
- Duration of absence
If a student is absent without prior parental notice, parents will be prompted by phone or email to contact the school.
Please also notify your teacher with a Dojo message or a note sent with your child.
For any last minute Early Departures, please call the office before you arrive so we can make arrangements for your child to come to the office for pick up.
We are currently in the process of enabling a feature in School Engage (in PowerSchool) for reporting absences. We will keep you updated on this process.
School Fees
School fees for the 23-24 school year will be added to your child's PowerSchool account later in September. Please see below for information on the fee waiver process for the 2023-2024 school year.
Community Events
PSC and St. John XXIII have partnered with Skip The Depot!
What is SkipTheDepot? A door-to-door bottle collection service that makes refundable recycling and fundraising easier than 1, 2, 3.
- Download the app, create an account and book a pickup using the QR code to the right or this link: https://app.skipthedepot.com/eicssjxxiii
- Place your bags outside (don't forget to label them with your account #)
- Receive a refund or donate to us! (on the last page of creating your scheduled donation pickup, you can select our school account)
*For future reference, please go to our website under School Council, for the link and instructions on how to support St. John XXIII and PSC through Skip the Depot. .
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