St. Edmunds Newsletter – January 2026

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed a joyful and restful Christmas break filled with special moments with family and friends. As we begin a new year at St. Edmund’s, our staff extends warm wishes for a year filled with faith, learning, and happiness for your children and your family.

January is a wonderful time for fresh starts. Our students are returning to school ready to learn, grow, and try their best each day. In our caring school community, every child is valued and encouraged to shine in their own unique way. Together, at home and school, we help our children build confidence, kindness, and a love of learning.

As a Catholic school, we are guided by faith and love in all that we do. This month, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, when we remember the Three Wise Men who followed the star to meet the newborn Jesus. Their journey reminds our children that each of us has special gifts to share. As Scripture reminds us, “Let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16). Through kind words, helping hands, and thoughtful actions, our students are encouraged to share God’s light each day at school and beyond.

May the new year bring many blessings, joyful learning experiences, and opportunities for growth. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you as we support and guide our students throughout the months ahead.

Annual General Meeting & Registration Packages

📅 Thursday, February 19
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 School Gym

Please save the date and join us for the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Registration packages will be distributed immediately following the meeting.

Attendance by at least one family member is required.

New Student Applications 2026/27

Kindergarten (Younger Siblings):

Thank you to families who have already submitted applications.

If your child will be ready for Kindergarten in 2026-27, please contact the office as soon as possible.

New Families:

Help us grow our community by referring family and friends.

Applications are available on our website: www.stedmunds.ca.

📌 Application Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026
Please submit completed forms along with original birth and baptismal certificates.

With Appreciation & Gratitude

We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

Ernie DelaCruz (“Mr. Dodds”) and our parent volunteers for their extra care in cleaning the school over the holidays.
ICBC, for their generous donation to the Fine Arts Department in appreciation of the choir’s performance.
Acuna, for organizing the Purdy’s Chocolates and Front Row Concert Seating fundraisers.
Parents and families who purchased chocolates and bid on concert seats.
The Tomazeli family, for donating the Pancake Breakfast 50/50 draw.

These funds support our Fine Arts Department, including Long & McQuade sound and lighting equipment rentals.

Thank you as well to PAC for organizing the Christmas Concert Bake Sale and Parish Food Hamper Collection, and to all families who donated items.

Finally, thank you to our entire school community for making St. Edmund’s such a special place through your continued support and positive contributions.

Winter Weather Updates

In severe weather:

School closure announcements will be made by 6:45 a.m. via email and posted on social media.
Listen to CKNW 980 AM or check Global News for updates.
Dress for the Weather: Students must wear warm, hooded coats and boots for outdoor activities. Indoor regulation uniform shoes are still required during school hours.
Volunteer Opportunity: In case of snow, we will need help to shovel snow from our sidewalks. Please contact the office if you can be “on-call” to clear school sidewalks by 8 am.

Health Reminder

To help keep our community healthy:

Reinforce handwashing, sneezing/coughing etiquette at home.
Monitor your child’s health daily and keep them home if they show signs of illness.
Use the “Report Absentee” link on our website to notify the office of absences & please call the office if you’re child will be late. Thank you for your cooperation.

School Uniform Reminders

Help our students represent St. Edmund’s with TBIRD pride:

Skirts: Modest length (no more than 3 inches above the knee).
Pants: Navy blue dress pants.
Shoes: Black dress shoes (boots or other footwear for commuting only)
Sweaters: In good condition (no holes).
Accessories: Subtle and appropriate (long hair tied back, stud earrings only, no nail polish)
All items must be labeled with your child’s name.

Extra-Curricular Programs

Basketball: Thanks to our coaches and parent drivers for supporting pre-season practices and exhibition games. Check your email for updates from Mr. Dotto as well as the school calendar for schedules.
Spelling Bee: Students in Grades 4–7 are encouraged to join the Spelling Bee. Study guides will be distributed later this month. The St. Edmund’s Spelling Bee will take place on April 10^th, with the winner advancing to the CISVA Spelling Bee on April 28th.
Intermediate Speech Arts: As an extension of our English Language Arts Program, students have been preparing oral presentations. For those who have signed up for the additional North Shore Catholic Schools challenge, we are grateful to Holy Trinity School for hosting this year’s festival from January 19-23 and Ms. Lorezca & Ms. deFreitas for organizing our student representatives.

Safety: Drop-off & Parking Reminders!

Signs are not recommendations but are the regulations!

Thank you to our parent volunteers who show up for crosswalk duty helping our community and especially our kids, safely cross the street.

For all parent/guardian/caregiver drivers…

Obey all parking/drop-off zone signage:

6^th & Jones Crosswalk – no stopping /parking in front of the crosswalk and up to the parking lot gate.
Fire Zone in front of the Church entry and in front of the Gym entry on Mahon Street

Parish Mass Schedule

Please honor your Catholic commitment by attending Mass:

Saturdays: 4:30 p.m.
Sundays: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

Morning Mass: Daily at 7:30 & 9:00 a.m. (Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.)

School Families Mass – 4^th Sunday every month at 11:00 a.m.