St. Edmunds Newsletter – January 2023
On behalf of the St. Edmund’s staff, I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and a great start to the new year. A new year offers the opportunity to start fresh, set goals and work hard to do our best, remembering that we are all leaders in our own way.
As Catholics, we are called to live a faith-filled, loved-filled life and willingly share gifts and talents for the good of the Kingdom of God. January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany, which marks the event of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts for baby Jesus twelve days after Christmas. We are reminded that Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us. May we all focus on how we can use our gifts to make others feel welcome and use actions and words of encouragement to help others?
Wishing you all the blessings, joy and promise of a new year!
2023-24 Kindergarten Applications
Spread the word! St. Edmund’s is a wonderful community of learning and we hope you will refer a family member or friend to join our school. We are accepting applications for the upcoming school year. Forms may be downloaded from the school website http://www.stedmunds.ca. The application form, together with the child’s original birth and baptismal certificate should be received at the school office no later than Wednesday, January 11th, 2023.
If you have a child who will be entering Kindergarten in September 2021, please contact the Office as soon as possible. Preference is given to siblings; however, we need to know how many spaces will be available for other families.
Annual General Meeting & Registration Packages
Our AGM will be held in the school gym on Tuesday, March 7th at 7:00 PM and we look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming meeting. The meeting will take place first and registration packages will be handed out immediately following the meeting so please ensure that at least one family member attends.
School Uniform – Important Reminders
As we begin the new year, it is appropriate to be reminded that the school uniform be worn with pride and with attention to detail:
- Skirt hems are modest in length (no more than 7cm/3inches above the knee)
- Uniform pants are navy blue dress pants
- Students should wear proper black dress shoes. (Boots or runners may be worn to and from school but must be changed for the school day.)
- Sweaters should be in good condition. Holes should be repaired or the sweater should be replaced.
- Hair and jewelry accessories should be subdued in nature: Long hair should be tied back; only stud earrings are permitted; nails should be clear (no nail polish) and of reasonable length.
- Make-up is not to be worn.
Thank you for supporting our uniform policy and keeping our students looking their best. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Recognition & Appreciation
- For the extra TLC from Mr. Ernie DelaCruz (“Mr. Dodds”) and our parent volunteers to clean our school and polish our floors over the holidays
- Steny & Mr. Kinny worked over the break to install a new projector and screen in our school’s small hall.
- To an anonymous donor whose generosity has covered the cost of our new gym floor.
- To the Lonsdale Quay Market and parents who donated at the Christmas Concert towards purchasing a new keyboard for our Fine Arts department.
- Thank you to our PAC, our Grade 2 and 4 parents, and Mr. Erthal for all their efforts for our Winterfest Fundraiser. Proceeds from this fundraiser as well as our Purdy’s sales is being put towards the installation of our new gym projector system.
- Thank you again to Mr. Gumabao for filming and editing our “Peace on Earth” Christmas concert.
Extra-curricular Updates
- Prayers for Peace will continue Thursdays after school from 3:00-3:15. Thank you, Mrs. Salituro.
- Please refer to the school calendar for times and locations of our team games. Additionally, coaches have sent practice schedules home via email. Thank you to our coaching staff for organizing our teams! We also appreciate any and all parents who have stepped forward to drive our teams to their away games.
Winter Weather/ Snow Day Updates
In the event of severe weather conditions such as snow, all efforts will be made to announce if the school is closed by 7:00 a.m. If the school is closed, an email will be sent out to all families from the office. Additionally, please listen to CKNW 980 AM or check Global News for information about school closures. As we know, road conditions vary from place to place; therefore, if roads and driving conditions are not safe in your area and the school remains open, it is up to parents to decide if they wish to send their children to school.
Please do not send your child to school if he/she is not well enough to go outdoors for recess. Germs spread quickly, and we want to keep everyone healthy. Also, please remember to use the “Report Absentee” link on the school website to notify the office if your child is not attending school.
Please ensure your child comes to school daily with appropriate outdoor clothing. It is important that students have a warm coat or rainproof jacket with a hood and appropriate footwear, such as boots, each and every day. As we will be going out as much as possible, it is important that students are well-prepared for the weather. Students will still be required to wear regulation uniform shoes indoors. Boots (including ‘UGG style’ or boots with fur) are not appropriate to be worn as indoor regulation uniform shoes. Thank you for your cooperation.
Professional Day in January
Please note that on Monday, January 9th, the school will be closed for a professional development day for staff. There is no school for students on this day.
Calendar – Important Reminders
Tues. Jan. 3 School Re-opens – Full day
Wed. Jan. 4 9:00 Gr. 7 & 3 Class Mass
Mon. Jan. 9 NO SCHOOL – Professional Day
Tues. Jan. 10 7:00 pm PAC Meeting
Wed. Jan. 11 9:00 School Mass led by Gr. 6
Jan. 16 -20 Primary Speech Arts Festival @ St. Pius
Wed. Jan. 18 9:00 Gr. 2 & 6 Class Mass
Tues. Jan. 24 7:00 pm PEC Meeting
Wed. Jan. 25 9:00 Gr. 5 & 1 Class Mass
Fri. Jan. 27 Dress Down Day
Tues. Jan. 31 Report Cards sent home