Thunder News Flash – January 26, 2019

This week we are anticipating our Open House on Wednesday, January 30th, and we hope there will be many new families coming to see what an amazing school we have.  Many of our students will be acting in the role of School Ambassadors, answering questions and taking families on tours, OR as Classroom Helpers where they will share what they are learning in their classrooms.  The next day many of those same families will be returning to bring in their completed Application Package because they want to be first in line to hopefully secure one of the few spaces we have available at the school for next year.  We can all do our part by making these new families feel welcome with a smile, a friendly “hello” or by holding the door open for them.  What does God want of us – for everyone to know we are Christians by our love!

St. James & St. Ann’s School is blessed to have an absolutely amazing staff – if you agree with this, why not consider nominating exceptional teachers, principals and support staff for a chance to win one of the 2019 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education.  These awards were launched last year, and no independent school staff members were nominated.  We hope you will consider changing that for 2019!  The Awards recognize all outstanding education professionals who have made exceptional contributions to benefit their school, students and their communities.  This year, Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Community Engagement
• District Leadership
• Extracurricular Leadership
• Indigenous Education
• Outstanding New Teacher
• Outstanding Support (School Community)
• Outstanding Support (Teaching Assistant)
• School Leadership
• Social Equity and Diversity
• Technology and Innovation

Nominations are now open and are welcomed from all BC citizens, including students, parents, teachers, administrators, trustees and community organizations.  The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2019.  For more information, please see the poster on the Parent Board at the school, or visit the website, where you can also find the nomination forms, by clicking here.  

St. James & St. Ann’s School will be hosting an Open House on January 30th from 6:00-8:00pm.  The Open House will begin with a general information session in the gym from 6:00-6:30pm where new families will be able to learn all about the school, the application process, and receive an Application Package.  Please call the school at 604-852-1788 to let us know that you are coming, or that you know someone who will be attending, so we know how many people to set up for.  From 6:30-8:00pm there will be interactive displays and activities throughout the school, as well as guided tours for new families.  While this evening is an opportunity for new families to come and experience what St. James & St. Ann’s School has to offer, we would also like to invite existing school families to come and see all the amazing things that are happening at our school.  We know this will be an exciting evening!

The students in our First LEGO League Challenge group will be putting on an amazing robotics display as well as sharing their research project with everyone who attends our Open House.  However, we need some help moving our very heavy robotics table from the French Room to the Library.  If there are 4 – 6 strong adults who would be willing to help with this at 5:00pm on Wednesday, January 30th we would really appreciate it.  We also require help moving the table back to the French Room at the end of the Open House at 8:00pm, so either the same 4 – 6 strong adults or a new crew of 4 – 6 strong adults to move the table would be appreciated.  If you are able to help at either or both of these times, please send an email by clicking here.  Thank you for your assistance!

On Monday, February 11th we will be having a Jeans Day to raise money to support the following archdiocesan charities – the Men’s Hostel, the Prison Ministry, Refugee Sponsorship, and The Door is Open.  We hope that all students and staff will participate in this fundraiser, and wear jeans to school on February 11th.  This is a dress down day and students who participate do not have to wear any pieces of their uniform; however, the jeans and tops that they wear must be appropriate.  That means no jean shorts, no ripped or torn jeans, no tops with inappropriate sayings and no spaghetti straps.  Students who are not participating in this fundraiser need to come to school in their school uniform.  Students and staff who participate in this Jeans Day are asked to bring a loonie or a toonie to donate to these very worthwhile charities.  If you would like more information about how these different charities support those in need, please click here.  We hope everyone will participate!

St. James & St. Ann’s School will be hosting a Parent Support Meeting entitled “Sexuality and Your Child” for all parents whose children are in Grades 4 – 7 on Wednesday, February 13th.  The meeting will begin with prayer and a brief opening session in the gym at 6:45pm, and then sessions with content specific to each one of the intermediate grades will take place in the classrooms with speakers from Signal Hill.  This is a mandatory meeting for parents only; however, we will be providing free babysitting for toddlers to school-aged children.  Information was sent home to families in the intermediate grades yesterday, so hopefully you all received your invitation.

How do we stick to our monthly budget?  How can we manage debt?  Do you really need a will?  Join St. Ann’s Family Group on Thursday, February 7th at 7:00pm in St. Ann’s gym for a presentation regarding finances and estate planning – information that every family should be aware of.  Joseph ven der Buhs (Certified Financial Planner) and Emily Anderson (Lawyer at Linley Welwood LLP) will offer advice and support for families in this area.  Q and A will follow their presentations and refreshments will be served.  Join us for a night of fellowship as we learn how to set our families up for success.

Admission is free.  Childcare is available – kindly rsvp if you require childcare.  For more information, email us by clicking here.  We hope to see you there!

Come and get a great start to this new year by praying the rosary with us for our school community at 8:30am every Thursday morning.  Please note that we meet each week in the school Library.  Small children and babies are welcome.

St. John Brebeuf High School’s Open House is Thursday, February 7th from 6:00-8:00pm.  Come spend your evening exploring their campus, talking with staff and students and see what exceptional education within a Catholic setting looks like at the high school level.  Application packages for the 2019-2020 school year are now available through the grade 7 teacher or SJB’s website.  Application forms are due back to SJB by February 13, 2019.  St. John Brebeuf High School is located at 2747 Townline Road, Abbotsford.  For more information, please visit their website by clicking here, or call them at 605-855-0571.

St. John Brebeuf is looking to compile a list of inclusive businesses in our community.  Students with special needs working towards a school completion certificate, the Evergreen Certificate, are required to complete multiple unpaid work experiences from Grade 10 to 12 with supervision and support.  If you are a business owner or know a business owner in the area who would be willing to accept students participating in a work experience program, please send an email by clicking here.  Thank you for supporting all of the students at SJB!

This is your final reminder to log your Parent Participation hours on the Parent Participation Portal.  The link to the portal is at the end of this News Flash.

Please remember, it is up to each family to log these hours on the Parent Participation Portal as soon as they are done.  If you do not have at least 10 hours submitted by January 31st, your Parent Participation cheque of $150 will be cashed on February 1st.  If you do not know your login information, please email Mrs. Dlugan by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please contact Erika by clicking here ASAP.

New this year!  We are participating in the West Coast Seeds Fundraiser.  More information and the order forms went home with your kids last week.  What an easy way to support our school!

This Thursday, January 31st, we will be celebrating Thunderwear Thursday.  Students may replace pieces of their uniform with Thunderwear items that they have.  For example, if they have a Thunderwear t-shirt they may wear that instead of their school shirt OR if they have Thunderwear sweatpants they may wear these instead of their uniform pants.  The more Thunderwear you have, the more uniform pieces you may replace!  Please note these days are not full dress down days, so students may not wear jeans or clothing items that are neither Thunderwear or uniform pieces.  

The monthly Hospital Mass will take place on Sunday, January 27th 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.

Come and watch Ralph Breaks the Internet on our big 16×9 Movie Screen on Friday, February 8th in the school gym.  Doors & Concession open at 5:30pm and the movie starts at 6:00pm.

$5 per person or $25 per family.  An info package will be sent home this coming week with all the details, including how you could win the VIP couch seating area!

For a move review from a Christian perspective, please click here.  Please note the movie is rated G in Canada.

Thank you to our Sponsors:  Jasmine Garden Seafood Restaurant, TPC 2000 Ventures Inc., & Westlynn Meats & Seafood!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Please click here for more information.