Thunder News Flash – September 19, 2020

It is often a challenge to find hope in the world.  We can look at others who have more than we do, and wonder why.  We can see those who struggle with just the basics in life like food, water and shelter, and ask questions about justice, fairness and equity.  Then add a pandemic into the mix and our struggle to find hope and to see the goodness in the world becomes even harder, and our view of things becomes even more clouded and negative.  In moments like this, even though it is challenging, it is great to be back at school and see the wonder and awe in the eyes of our students.  Even though there is some fear or worry, they are so happy to be back at school.  They long for routine, to see their friends, and to learn new things.  There is no denying that things are different, and hard, and sometimes we wonder why the rules keep changing.  But if we can take a step back and see the joy that is right in front of us, this will be our direction marker that leads us to hope and to the beauty in the world that God gave us.

As with many of our routines, we are having to change how we manage our “Consignment Store” at the school.  We are now moving to our version of online shopping, which can be done through a new email address:  consignment@stjameselementary.ca.  If you are in need of used uniform pieces please follow these procedures:

• send an email to consignment@stjameselementary.ca, by clicking here
• in your email please state which uniform pieces you are looking for, what size you need, and how much you are able to pay for these uniform pieces
• the parents who manage our Consignment Store will then go through the items we have, and reply to your email letting you know if the items you requested are available or not available at this time
• if the items you request are available, the parents will then make arrangements to meet you outside the school and give you the items requested
• you may then look at the items, and pay for the ones that you would like to purchase – cheques made out to St. James School or cash are accepted for payment

Please note that due to COVID-19, these uniform pieces cannot be tried on, and cannot be returned if you change your mind – all sales are final!  

As you are aware, classes are assigned to different doors to enter and exit the school.  In the morning when students are dropped off during our “soft start” from 8:00am – 8:30am they go directly to their entrance door, and then straight to their classroom.  However, if your children arrive after 8:30am they must come to the main door of the school, be buzzed inside, and then receive a late slip from the office before going to their classroom.  When you are dropping your children off at school, if they arrive after 8:30am please remind them to go to the main doors of the school.

Things continue to go well with our new drop off and pick up procedures.  Please remember that there is no parking in the Parent Parking Lot unless arrangements have previously been made with the school.  Also, arriving too early at the end of the day often means that you are waiting in the line for quite a while before the students are actually dismissed.  Once the students are dismissed it is taking about ten minutes for almost everyone to be picked up, and that is pretty amazing!  Please be considerate of the school neighbours, especially those who live on Gardner Avenue, and most important, there is to be absolutely no passing of vehicles that are waiting in either lane.  This is for the safety of everyone. 

In light of the many restrictions put in place by our Public Health Officer and the BCCDC to keep all of us safe and healthy, it is very challenging to hold a fundraising event that is also a community building event, such as our Walkathon.  The PFA in consultation with our REC have decided to postpone the Walkathon until the Spring of 2021 in the hopes that we can honour the spirit and fun that we are used to having in an event like this.  Let’s pray for an end to this pandemic and the return to opportunities to gather together again as a school and parish community.

Please note that a new shortened list of symptoms, and new instructions have come out from the BCCDC for our daily health checks.  The new form lists the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough or worsening of chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting

The new instructions state that if you have one of those symptoms, excluding fever, you should stay home for 24 hours from when the symptom started.  If the symptom improves, you may return to school when you feel well enough.  If the symptoms persists or worsens, seek a health assessment.  The instructions further state that if you have two or more of the symptoms, or you have a fever, you should seek a health assessment.

The new form will be included in the updated Return to School Plan and posted on our school’s website next week.