St. Edmunds Newsletter – January 2024
I hope this message finds you well, still basking in the joys of the holiday season. As we embark upon the beginning of a new year, the entire St. Edmund’s staff extends warm wishes to each and every one of you.
A new year offers the opportunity to start fresh, set goals and work hard to do our best remembering that within our diverse community, each of us holds the potential to lead in our own unique way.
As Catholics, we are called to live a faith-filled, loved-filled life, willingly share gifts and talents for the good of the Kingdom of God. This January 6th, we commemorate the Feast of the Epiphany—a celebration of the Three Wise Men presenting gifts to the infant Jesus, symbolizing God’s most precious gift to humanity. Let us reflect on how we can harness our own gifts to extend warm welcomes and uplift others through both our words and actions.
May this year be filled with blessings, joy, and the boundless potential that comes with new beginnings. Let us strive to embody the spirit of generosity and kindness as we journey together through the months ahead.
Kindergarten 2024/2025:
Thank you to our current families who have already submitted Kindergarten applications for your younger children. If you have a child who will be ready for Kindergarten for the 2024/2025 class, please contact the office as soon as possible. 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:
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 Friday, January 26th, 2024.
Annual General Meeting & Registration Packages
Our AGM will be held in the school gym on Tuesday, February 20th 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.
With Appreciation & Gratitude
– Mr. Ernie DelaCruz (“Mr. Dodds”) and our parent volunteer Mr. Barzegarjalai for the extra TLC in cleaning our school over the holidays.
– To ICBC and parents who donated funds at the Christmas Concert towards the rental of sound and lighting equipment for our Fine Arts department.
– To our PAC and specifically our Grade 2 and 6 parents and Mrs. Abud for all their efforts for our Winterfest Fundraiser. Proceeds from this fundraiser as well as our Purdy’s Chocolates and Growing Smiles Flower sales are being put towards our school technology (Apple TVs) and fine arts programs.
– Thank you again to Mr. Gumabao for filming and editing our “Christmas Then and Now” Christmas concert.
– To all our families who donated needed items for the harvest Project thanks to our Student Council for organizing this Giving Campaign”.
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 up to 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!
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.
- All clothing items must be labelled with your child’s name.
Thank you for supporting our uniform policy and keeping our students looking their best! Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
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 staff and parent coaches who have organized and started our pre-season basketball practices and exhibition games as well as our parent drivers! We are looking forward to an exciting basketball season for all our team! Go T-birds! Please refer to the school calendar for times and locations of our team games. Additionally, coaches have sent practise schedules home via email.
Winter Weather / Snow Day Updates
In the event of severe weather conditions such as snow, all effort will be made to announce if the school is closed by 6:45 a.m. An email will be sent out to all families from the office if the school is closed. 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 ensure your child comes to school each day with appropriate clothing for outdoors. It is important that students have a warm coat or rainproof jacket with 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.
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 will not be attending school.
Professional Day in January
Please note that on Friday, January 19th, school will be closed for a professional development day for staff. There is no school for students on this day.
January Calendar
Mon. Jan. 8 School Re-opens – Full day
Tues. Jan. 9 7:00 pm PEC Meeting
Wed. Jan 10 9:00 Gr. 4 & K Class Mass
Tues. Jan. 16 7:00 pm PAC Meeting
Wed. Jan. 17 9:00 School Mass led by Gr. 3
Fri. Jan. 19 NO SCHOOL – Professional Day
Jan. 22-26 Primary Speech Arts Festival @ St. Edmund’s
Tues. Jan. 23 7:00 pm PEC Meeting
Wed. Jan. 24 9:00 Gr. 1 & 5 Class Mass
Wed. Jan. 31 9:00 Gr. 2 & 6 Class Mass