Alberta Winters: Alberta Kids-Polar Bear Recess
Our EICS Division Administrative Procedure 134 provides guidelines for us at Saint John XXIII for responding to the winter months:
Decisions regarding outdoor activities are to take into consideration inclement weather that may result from the following conditions or combination of conditions: Continuous rain; Extreme wind, and/or Extreme cold
The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside if the temperature is - 25 C or colder. The suggested guideline above is at the discretion of school Administrators and staff as part of their consideration for determining whether recess will be inside or outside. Outside time is sometimes shortened or withheld to accommodate winter conditions
Morning: Supervision begins at 8:25 am, please do not drop off students prior to 8:25 am.
Outdoor breaks are a very important time for students for play, social-emotional regulation, fresh air, and exercise. We will go out almost every recess; rain, snow or shine. Please ensure that your child comes prepared for the weather. Recesses will be indoors only during extreme weather conditions deemed unsafe to head out for even short spurts.
In order to support the important balance of learning and play, we will have three responses to recess breaks to respond to Alberta weather:
1. Regular recess outside (temperature and conditions not an issue)
2. Inside Recess (Extreme cold and/or weather conditions that are deemed unsafe for full duration of outside playtime)
3. Polar Bear Recess: (Temperatures are lower and cold but still safe to head outdoors for short periods). Students must be dressed for weather conditions and during a Polar Bear recess, students will be given a choice to head outside for a short duration of supervised play or stay indoors for supervised play.
We know from research that outside play is so important for a child's mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being and we will do all we can to support daily outside play as much as possible.
If you have any questions, please contact the school.
Hot lunch is open now for orders for January and February.
Elementary Hot Lunch orders can be cancelled or changed up until the Saturday before delivery for a credit on your account. To place an order, please go to https://fortsasklunchbox.com
For more information please visit our school website.
Our upcoming hot lunch dates are:
January 25th
February 7th & 22nd
March 7th & 20th
April 11th & 24th
May 9th & 22nd
June 12th
BGC Mentoring Programs
Did you know….?
The local BGC (formerly called The Boys & Girls Club) coordinates a few different Mentoring programs. Two of these programs are one-on-one mentoring where a caring adult is matched to a child or youth based on similar interests and personalities. Mentors are volunteers who are thoroughly screened and carefully matched by BGC and are provided training and on-going support. *Both of these mentoring programs require a minimum one-year commitment from the Mentor.
In-School Mentoring program:
· the matched pair spends 1 hour per week, during school hours and on school grounds.
· the focus of the time spent is primarily on building a positive relationship and having fun and is generally non-academic – unless the student and Mentor truly enjoy doing some activities that tie into learning.
· the BGC Volunteer Coordinator will work with your child’s school to find if there are some acceptable options for your child to be excused from class during the Mentor’s availability.
For further information or an application form (to either BECOME A MENTOR or to have your child mentored) please reach out to the Volunteer Programs Coordinator at BGC Fort Saskatchewan
Phone 780-992-0103 ext 307 or email tammy@fsbgc.ca .
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
