St. Edmunds Newsletter – December 2023
Sunday, December 3rd marks the beginning of Advent. This special time is filled with anticipation and hope as we journey towards the joyous celebration of Christ’s birth. Our community is blessed with diverse talents and gifts and I invite you to make this season one of peace and sharing. Let us embrace the true essence of Advent by spreading goodwill and cherishing the blessings of togetherness.
I have been honoured to witness the dedication and devotion of both the staff and parents to Catholic Education. It takes a special commitment to send your children to a Catholic School and I believe that the education your child receives at St. Edmund’s reflects high standards with our faith being central in all that we do. Together, we create a nurturing environment where our children grow in knowledge and virtue, guided by the teachings of Christ.
On behalf of the entire staff, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Advent season filled with faith, love and the anticipation of the miracle of Christmas.
With Appreciation & Gratitude
- To our grade 6 class for leading us in a reflective and reverent Remembrance Day Prayer Service.
- To our PAC and especially the grade 2 & 6 class parents for all the work they have been putting into our upcoming Winterfest Fundraiser.
Communicating Student Learning / Parent Teacher Conferences – Friday, December 8th
Our teachers appreciate your role as partners in your child’s learning and look forward to seeing you on Friday, December 8th. Please note that students in grades 4 to 7 are expected to attend their conference. (Hopefully you have all registered for your parent-teacher conference. Please login on the school website. Thank you for your commitment in taking the opportunity to meet and celebrate your child’s academic progress so far this year.
Christmas Festivities
Confessions
- For Grades 3 – 7 School students on Wednesday, December 6th after our Whole School Mass
- When we receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, we show our desire to welcome the Lord with purified hearts.
- Parish Penitential Services: Fri. Dec. 15 at 7 pm in our Church.
Winterfest School Fundraiser
- Saturday, December 2nd from 2 pm to 4 pm – Thank you everyone for supporting this fundraiser by donating items to the class baskets. We are looking forward to seeing our community come out for some fun activities, yummy treats, photo opportunities and raising additional funds for our school technology and fine arts programs!
School Choral Concert
- Thursday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
- Doors will open at 6:30 and students are asked to be in their classrooms at 6:40. After the concert, students must be picked up from their classrooms.
Dress Down Days
- Advent Spirit Week Dec 18-22 Student Council Charity Week – stay tuned for more information about the themed dress down days and the “spirit of charity”.
- Wednesday, December 20th – students will be expected to come in their Christmas Concert costumes for the dress rehearsal. An email will be sent to classes describing the costumes / outfits they will need.
Noon Dismissal for the Christmas Holidays – Friday, December 22
Safety: Drop-off & Parking Reminders
Please obey all parking/drop-off zone signage
- Fire Zone in front of the Church entry and in front of the Gym entry on Mahon Street
- 6th & Jones Crosswalk – no stopping /parking in front of the crosswalk and upto the parking lot gate.
Crosswalks must be clear and please be mindful of pedestrians as well as our awesome parents who are volunteering at the crosswalks to keep everyone safe.
Lastly, we are always needing volunteers for crosswalk. If you still need PPP hours for this term, please sign up on our volunteer portal and sign in when you arrive for your shift. Thank you for helping keep our children safe!
Fundraising:
Thank you to all our families who continue to support our fundraising efforts which are contributing to our technology upgrades (Apple TVs for our classrooms) and Fine Arts resources. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Winterfest Event as well as thank you for your flower and chocolate purchases:
Pick up of your Growing Smiles Christmas Plants will be:
Mon. Dec. 4th (from gym foyer entrance on Mahon)
Pick up of your Purdy’s Orders will be:
Mon. Dec. 11th (from gym foyer entrance on Mahon)
Uniform:
Thank you for supporting our uniform policy and keeping our students looking their best! A reminder that:
- uniform pants are navy blue dress pants that should be purchased from our school supplier
- all clothing items must be labelled with your child’s name
- boots are encouraged for rainy days, but children must change into school dress shoes when they enter the building.
Extra Curricular Programs:
- Special thanks to our Student Council, Gr. 7 Student Justin Plomp, and Mr. Dotto who have organized, supervised and led our intermediate students in learning and playing the game of chess!
- Thank you to all our volleyball and soccer coaches, scorekeepers, refs, parent drivers and Tbird fans who supported our athletes in a great fall season!
KINDERGARTEN 2024/2025:
If you have a child who will be ready for Kindergarten for the 2024/2025 class, please contact the office for an application and return it by Friday, December 8th, 2023. Preference is given to siblings, however due to interest for Kindergarten 2024/25, we need to know how many spaces will be available for new families.
NEW FAMILIES 2024/2025:
If you know any families whose first child will be in Kindergarten in September 2024, applications for the 2024/2025 school year will be available in the school office. Please share the good news about St. Edmund’s with your family and friends!
December Calendar:
Sat. Dec. 2 Winter Festival 2-4 pm
Mon. Dec. 4 Christmas Plant Order Pick up @ 2:45 pm school gym
Dec 6-8 Scholastic Book Fair
Wed. Dec. 6 Whole School Advent mass prepared by Grade 4 @ 9:00 am
Grades 3 to 7 Confessions
Thurs, Dec. 7 Choir singing at ICBC @ 1:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 8 No Classes – Parent-Teacher Communicating Student Learning Conference
Mon. Dec. 11 Purdy’s Order Pick-up @ 2:45 pm school gym
Tues. Dec. 12 PAC Meeting @ 7pm
Wed. Dec. 13 Grade 5 Class Mass @ 9:00 am
Thurs. Dec. 14 Grade 2 Advent Prayer Service @ 11:00 am
Sat. Dec. 16 Parish Christmas Dinner @ 6:00 pm
Dec. 18-22 Student Council Spirit Week Dress Down and Charitable Giving
Wed. Dec. 20 Christmas Concert Dress Rehearsal – students come in costume
Thurs. Dec. 21 Christmas Concert Presentation @ 7 pm
Fri. Dec. 22 Early dismissal @ 12:00 pm