St. Edmunds Newsletter – September 2025
I hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer holiday, filled with memorable experiences and special moments with family and friends. We are thrilled to welcome all our returning families and extend a warm greeting to those joining our St. Edmund’s community for the first time. We look forward to growing together in faith and learning as we begin what promises to be an exciting and enriching 2025-2026 school year.
Our theme for this school year, “Living, Celebrating, and Proclaiming Our Faith,” will guide us as we strive to put our beliefs into action—whether in the classroom, at home, or in the community. In focusing on proclaiming our faith, Fr. Steny invites all families to attend the 11:00 a.m. Mass on the fourth Sunday of each month. These celebrations will be a special opportunity to come together as a parish and school community, strengthening our bond through worship, prayer, and fellowship. We aim to deepen our focus on social justice, compassion, and service, inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Our dedicated staff has been working to ensure a smooth and inspiring start to the year with a continued focus in integrating our faith in inquiry-based learning, creativity, and critical thinking. With you, we will continue to nurture a safe, inclusive, and dynamic environment where every child is empowered to grow—spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, artistically, and physically.
St. Edmund’s is a true partnership between home, school, and parish. As partners in education, we ask for your ongoing support and involvement. Please stay connected by reading our monthly newsletters, visiting our school website, and participating in the many events that bring our community together.
With each new September comes the opportunity to reflect, set new goals, and look forward with hope. May this school year be filled with growth, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose as we connect, care, and contribute together.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Catholic education.
First Day of School & Kindergarten Gradual Entry
Tuesday, Sept. 2nd is our first day of school for students in Grades 1-7 starting at 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
The Kindergarten gradual entry schedule which begins on Sept. 2nd to 12th was sent out via email to parents in June. Please refer to your schedule for the exact times your child will be expected in class.
School Bell Schedule/Hours of Instruction
8:30 a.m. Supervision begins: Students enter school grounds through Mahon Street gate entrance
8:45 a.m. School begins with morning assembly and prayer
10:30 to 10:45 a.m. Morning Recess
12:00 to 12:30 p.m. Lunch Recess (Play first)
12:30 -12:45 p.m. Eating Lunch in Classroom for all Students
3:00 p.m. All Students Dismissed
Regular attendance and prompt arrival at school is important if your child is to gain full benefit from the school program. Please ensure your child arrives on time each day. If your child is going to be late or absent for any reason, please use the Report Absentee link on the school website or email the school office at office@stemunds.ca. If we do not receive a call, email or notification and your child is not at school, we will call parents to ensure their safe arrival.
School Lunches & Snacks
Please ensure your child brings a healthy snack and lunch each day, along with a refillable, labeled water bottle. To reduce waste and support our commitment to environmental stewardship, all leftover food will be sent home for composting. We encourage families to pack lunches in reusable, labeled plastic containers (no glass) to help minimize landfill waste.
Hot Lunch Program – begins Monday, September 15. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, September 9 via our online system (see the Hot Lunch Link on our school website). We follow the BC School Food Guidelines, which promote whole foods, plant-based nutrition, and reduced processed and sugary items. Our menu is updated regularly to reflect these healthy standards. If you have any questions, please contact the school office. Thank you for supporting our lunch program!
Medical Alerts & Allergies
A safe and healthy school is a shared responsibility between students, parents, and staff. Some of our students have severe nut allergies, and even trace amounts of peanuts or tree nuts can pose a serious risk. To support a nut-aware environment, we ask all families to avoid sending snacks or lunches that contain nuts or nut oils. Thank you for your cooperation.
Families of students with EpiPens must provide an updated EpiPen and emergency action plan signed by a doctor each year, even if there are no changes. Please submit these to the school office.
Health and Safety Updates
A reminder that the following Health & Safety Protocols continue to be in place for all staff & students:
- Daily Health Check – Stay home if sick
- Mask wearing is a personal choice
- Continued emphasis on diligent hand & respiratory hygiene
- Frequently touched surfaces to be cleaned daily
- Vaccines – “It is important to get all recommended vaccine doses to get the most effective protection against serious cases of COVID-19.” Please note, the school does not collect or keep any COVID vaccination records.
School Bags
We kindly ask that students avoid bringing rolling bags to school. While convenient, these bags create a tripping hazard in our cubby areas and hallways. For safety and ease of storage, traditional backpacks are strongly preferred.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep our school environment safe for all students.
With Appreciation & Gratitude
- Welcome back to Mr. Dominic Keong who is returning to our St. Edmund’s Staff as our Grade 5 Teacher.
- Congratulations to Ms. Shipley and her husband Reid Faulkner who were married this summer. We wish them continued blessings of health and happiness!
- Thanks to our “watering team” who diligently came by the school over the summer to keep our courtyard garden from drying out as well as our Garden Team for beautifying our school grounds for the start of the new school year.
- I would also like to thank Mrs. deFreitas, Mr. Dodds and all the staff for all their preparation over the summer to get ready for our return to school. Well Done TBIRDS!
Student Drop Off / Pick Up Procedure
The “safety first” procedure for dropping off and picking up of students is as follows:
- The posted speed limit is 30 km/hr during school hours (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
- The drop off area on Mahon Avenue in front of the school is for drop-off only – NO PARKING. The Fire Zone is also a NO STOPPING area. If you need to assist your child in getting out of the car, you must park on another block and walk your child to the gate.
- If you need to park your car, please be conscientious of our neighbours. You may park along the tennis court area on 6th or along the school on 5th
- Please do not double-park and please do a shoulder-check before you pull-out onto the street.
- City of North Vancouver Parking Guidelines
- Edmund’s Safe & Active Routes to School.
- Bike to School – We are encouraging students and families to use active transportation for their trips to school. Walking, biking, or scootering helps reduce congestion in our neighbourhood and helps students arrive at school energized and ready to learn. Please remember to wear your helmets!
September Calendar Highlights:
Tue 2 School Re-opens for Gr. 1-7
Dismissal at 12:00
Tues 2 Gradual Entry Begins for Kindergarten
Wed 10 Whole School Mass 9:00 am
Tues 16 Meet the Teacher 7:00 pm
Wed 17 Gr. 7 Class Mass 9:00 am
Fri 19 Welcome back Coffee Hour 8:45 am
Wed 24 Gr. 6 Class Mass 9:00 am
Fri 26 Spirit Day T&R Dress Down – Orange Shirt Day
Sun 29 11:00 Children’s Mass for School Families
Mon 30 No School – Truth & Reconciliation Stat
Important Dates for the 2025/26 School Year:
Please remember to check the online calendar and emails for the latest info/changes.
September 2 First day of School, Early Dismissal @ 12:00
September 16 Meet The Teacher
September 30 T&R Stat. – No school
October 6 Early Dismissal @ 12:00
October 13 Thanksgiving Stat. – No school
October 23 Learning Update Parent-Teacher Conferences (PT) – No Classes
October 24 Pro-Day Retreat – No School
November 3 Early Dismissal @ 12:00
November 10 Pro-Day – No School
November 11 Remembrance Day Stat. – No school
November 21 CISVA Pro-D Day – No School
December 5 Learning Update Report 1 sent home
December 18 Christmas Concert 7 pm
December 19 Last day of classes before Christmas Vacation Early Dismissal @ 12:00
January 5 School Opens
January 12 Pro-Day – No School
February 2 Early Dismissal @ 12:00
February 11 Student Led Conferences – No “classes” – Student Presentation Times
February 12 Catholic Educators Conference – No School
February 13 Catholic Educators Conference – No School
February 16 Family Day Stat. No school
March 12 Learning Update Report 2 sent home
March 13 Last day of classes before Spring Break Early Dismissal @ 12:00
March 30 School re-opens
April 2 Holy Thursday Early Dismissal @ 12:00
April 3 Good Friday Stat. – No school
April 6 Easter Monday Holiday – No school
May 4 Early Dismissal @ 12:00
May 15 Pro Day – No School
May 18 Victoria Day Stat. – No school
May 27 CISVA Track & Field Finals Day 1
June 3 CISVA Track & Field Finals Day 2
June 8 Pro Day – No School
June 12 TBIRD Games Day & Early Dismissal @ 12:00
June 23 Grade 7 Farewell Evening
June 25 Last day of classes Early Dismissal @ 12:00
June 26 Last day for Educational Staff