Thunder News Flash – January 25, 2020

During the month of January we are learning about what it means to “be accepting” as we continue to unpack our school theme, I can do all things through Christ.  The Grade 2 class helped to lead our assembly on January 22nd, and through the messages of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. Rose of Lima, informed us about why we should be accepting of those in real need, specifically the homeless.  While we may not always know the reasons why people are homeless, we do know that they are children of God, made in his image, and we should love them and accept them.  For children in elementary school it is not always possible to help out on the streets, but the Grade 2 class will be making a big difference by sponsoring a Winter Clothing Drive for NightShift Street Ministries.  The Winter Clothing Drive will take place from January 27th – February 3rd, and the Grade 2 class is asking for you to support their efforts.  Please consider donating the following items:

• jackets, jogging pants, jeans, socks and hoodies for both men and women
• sleeping bags
• blankets

The Grade 2 class will gratefully accept either new or used items which are clean and in good condition.  Your support of this Winter Clothing Drive will go a long way to help the homeless people that NightShift Street Ministries serve.

Make a New Year’s Resolution that is easy to keep!  Come and pray the rosary with us on Fridays at 8:30am in the school Library.  It only takes 20 minutes, but the benefits last much longer.  Help us pray for our schools, children, teachers, school staff and school families.  Everyone is welcome and there are toys for your little ones to enjoy while we pray.

The government is once again proud to recognize the enormous contributions of British Columbia’s exceptional teachers, administrators and support staff who are vital to the cultural, economic and social well-being of the province.  The Awards recognize all outstanding education professionals who have made exceptional contributions to benefit their school, their students and their communities.  Nominations are now open and are welcomed from all BC citizens, including students, parents, teachers, administrators, trustees and community organizations.  The deadline to submit nominations is April 30, 2020.  Additional information on the Awards, as well as nomination forms, can be found by clicking here.

Our next Community Coffee will take place on Monday, January 27th.  As this is the day that we are accepting Application Packages from prospective families, we will set up the coffee and treats in the hallway so that they can enjoy them while they wait in line.  We hope you will join in and help us welcome these prospective parents, and have some coffee and treats as well!  The bin of activities for the toddlers will still be in the gym if they need a place to burn off some energy.  We hope to see you there!

Schools have been informed by Fraser Health that we are required to share a letter regarding vaccinations and the new reporting regulations with all parents in our school community.  Please click here to read this important letter.

The monthly Hospital Mass will take place on Sunday, January 26th at 4:00pm at the Sacred Space in the Abbotsford Hospital.  Any students wishing to read, please meet Mrs. Wakely at 3:45 at the Sacred Space.  This is a wonderful outreach opportunity for our students and their families.

PROTECT YOUR KIDS – Practical tools and advice to keep your kids safe from pornography.

Join us for a special presentation by youth mental health counsellor, PJ Lewis, M. Ed., RCC, CCC, as he explains the very real risk to every child and adolescent who uses the internet.  How can we protect our kids from the dangers online, and support them if they have already been exposed?  PJ Lewis will equip us to address these concerns with confidence.  Testimonies from fellow parents on their choice of internet filtering software will also be presented.  Light refreshments will be served.  Childcare is available – please email by clicking here by Tuesday, February 4th if you require childcare.

Date:  Friday, February 7th, 2020

Time:  7:00pm

Location:  St. Ann’s Parish Centre, 33333 Mayfair Avenue, Abbotsford

PJ Lewis is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor having received his Master of Education degree in Counselling Psychology from Simon Fraser University.  One of the co-founders of Lifted Counselling and Consulting, PJ has particular expertise in providing individual, group and family treatment to high-risk youth and their families.  As a speaker and consultant, PJ has presented at numerous forums, workshops, and conferences locally, nationally and internationally providing skill-based trainings for parents, educators, counsellors, and health care professionals.

Here are some upcoming events that are taking place at St. John Brebeuf in the near future:

• Big Bear Classic – January 30th – February 1st – The SJB Gym transforms into Bear Country for the biggest, most exciting basketball tournament of the year!  Come cheer on the Bears – you won’t want to miss it!
• Open House – February 6th – Your chance to come experience what SJB has to offer!  Meet the teachers, tour the school and see some of our programs in action.  Find out for yourself why this is where you want to be!

St. Ann’s Parish is sponsoring an evening with Kevin Dunn, maker of the film Fatal Flaws.  Kevin’s films on the dignity of the human person have touched the hearts and minds of thousands around the world.  For the past four years, Kevin Dunn has travelled to five countries, filming powerful testimonials from those most affected by ‘assisted dying’ laws:  the elderly and marginalized; those who live with disabilities and patients with mental illness.  He has interviewed patients, doctors, lawyers, caregivers, philosophers and journalists who have seen the inherent danger in giving physicians – or anyone for that matter – the legal right to end the life of another human being.  More importantly, Kevin’s work underscores the need for each of us to become a ‘prophet of hope’ in the lives of those around us.  Kevin’s talk features his personal testimony as filmmaker and father of six, along with powerful clips from his films Fatal Flaws: Legalizing Assisted Death; The Euthanasia Deception and The Vanier Way, featuring Jean Vanier and others.  For more information, please contact Jody Garneau by clicking here.  

• Where:  St. Ann’s Parish, 33333 Mayfair Avenue, Abbotsford
• When:  Monday, January 27th from 7:00-9:00pm
• Tickets:  $10 each available through the parish, on Eventbrite by clicking here or at the door
• Note:  Clergy and religious are FREE

Hello St. James and St. Ann’s School Parents.  Happy New Year to you!

This is a reminder to please log your Parent Participation Hours on the Parent Participation Portal ASAP.  You must complete at least 10 hours by January 31st to avoid having your first Parent Participation cheque of $200 cashed.

The Parent Participation Portal can be found on the school’s website and on the weekly Thunder News Flash emails (scroll down in this email).  If you do not remember your login information, please email Mrs. Dlugan by clicking here. 

If you have questions regarding completing your hours or logging your hours, please let Hannah know ASAP by email by clicking here. 

If you are interested in learning more about how you or your business can sponsor or donate to our upcoming Movie Night Fundraiser on Friday, February 21, 2020, please click here.

Information and order forms were sent home last Wednesday for the West Coast Seeds Fundraiser.  Orders can also be done online by clicking here.  For more information, please click here.  Orders are due on Wednesday, February 12th.