Thunder News Flash – November 7, 2026

As a school community, we will come together for a Remembrance Day assembly to honour the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for the peace and freedom we cherish today. We pause in gratitude and prayer, remembering the importance of working together for a world rooted in compassion and hope. This assembly will take place on Tues. Nov. 10 at 1:45 in the school gym.  All are welcome to join us. We extend a heartfelt thank you to our Grade 7 students for leading this meaningful assembly that will help us reflect on the significance of this day and the call to be peacemakers in our world.

Each child in the school will receive a poppy for this assembly. If you would like to support our Legion a small donation can be sent with your child to the school office. 

Continue to remember and honour our veterans by engaging in Remembrance day activities at home.   Ideas can be found on the Canadian Legion Website – https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/youth-and-remembrance/poppy-crafts   Families can also print the Remembrance Day Handout  or the puzzle page from the Canadian Ministry of Veterans Affairs:  take-time-to-remember-2026

Please remember that there will be no school on Wednesday November 11, for Remembrance Day.

Lord God, On this Remembrance Day, we honor and thank all the brave men and women who served our country. Comfort their families and bring peace to our world. Help us to be peacemakers in our school and community every day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

As a special service project, our Grade 7 class will be making scarves and toques to donate to migrant workers and people in need in our community.

To help make this project a success, we are kindly asking for donations of yarn, with thicker yarn preferred if possible.  Donations can be brought to the school office. Thank you for supporting our students as they put their faith into action through kindness, generosity, and service to others.

The next Work Bee will take place at the school next Saturday, November 14, 2026.  This is a great way to earn five hours towards your Parent Participation commitment.  Hopefully the weather will be good, so please bring gloves for both indoor and outdoor work, as well as any small cordless garden tools that you have. We are very grateful for all of your hard work around the school!

This year, our school is excited to host a Christmas Shop on Friday, December 11th, in the gym. Students will have the opportunity to choose two special gifts for a parent or grandparent. Each gift will cost $1, be wrapped, and sent home. Children are asked to bring $2 for their gifts on this day. While more money can be brought in to purchase additional gifts if available, everyone will be guaranteed to get two items. All proceeds will support a school-selected Advent project.

To make our shop a success, we are asking families to donate new or gently used items, such as jewelery, candles, books, soaps, games, puzzles, accessories, trinkets, crafts, religious items, kitchen items, and other small treasures. We will begin collecting donations at school in mid-November, so please start gathering items at home and consider asking family and friends to contribute as well. Students always love choosing the perfect gift for someone special, and we look forward to making this a wonderful new school tradition! Thank you for your generosity and support. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Choboter. kchoboter@stjameselementary.ca

Christmas Bazaar Bake Sale – November 22, 2026!

The PFA will be hosting a bake sale at the St. James Parish Bazaar on November 22, 2026 from 9:00am to 2:00pm!  

The Bazaar will be held in St. James & St. Ann’s School Gym.

Stop by for a delicious selection of homemade cookies, brownies, cupcakes, muffins, and other sweet treats!

Please sign up on the Parent Portal to bake for the Bazaar or if you would like to donate anything please email the office.

Thank you, St. James & St. Ann’s PFA.  See the attached poster for more information – Bazaar 2026 poster

Clothing Drive for Outreach Ministries

We are reaching out to ask for donations of essential clothing items to support the outreach ministries of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

These donations will assist individuals served by the Catholic Men’s Shelter, The Door Is Open, the Migrant Farm Worker Ministry, and our ministry supporting those released from prison.

 Items requested (New Only Please):

• Undershirts
• Underwear
• Socks
• Tuques
• Gloves
• Scarves

Please bring all items in by the last week of November. These can be dropped off at the front office. 

  Thank you for considering this request and for helping us support those in need in our community. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

St. James and St. Ann’s school offers a variety of fun sports and events. The dates of upcoming practices include:

Volleyball for Grade 5

• Monday, Nov. 9 – practice at noon – Grade 5 B & G
• Tuesday, Nov. 10 – 3:00-4:00pm – Grade 5 B & G – Game @ STJ vs H. Sayers

Volleyball for Grade 6 & 7 

• Monday, Nov. 9 – 2:45-4:00pm – Grade 6/7 Boys & Girls mini games
• Tuesday, Nov. 10 – 3:00-4:30pm – Grade 6/7  Girls – Tournament @ Cornerstone
• Thursday, Nov.12 – 3:00-4:30pm – Grade 6/7 Boys – Tournament @ Cornerstone