Thunder News Flash – September 7, 2019

While it was a very hot week, we hope that the first week of school was wonderful for both the students and the parents, and that nobody was too overwhelmed by the number of emails and notices that were sent home!  We also hope that you will find that the News Flash you receive each Saturday morning is detailed, and contains all the information that you need for the week ahead.

If you are participating in the Parent Participation Program, you should have received the following emails:

• Your Task Group Assignment for 2019-2020
• Fundraiser sign up information 

If you have not received any emails, please check your spam folder and other household emails.

Your log in and password information to access the school’s Parent Participation Portal to submit your hours will be emailed this month.

It is your responsibility to log your hours regularly.  To avoid your cheques being deposited, you need to:

• Complete 10 hours by January 31st (unless you are in a specific task group that does not start until later in the year).
• Complete 20 hours TOTAL by June 15th.
• Perform duties in at least 1 Fundraiser (Fun Night, Walkathon or Movie Night).

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

This week we discovered that the tea towels and hand towels are missing from the kitchen in the gym.  If you kindly took them home at the end of June to wash them, please return them to the school on Monday as they are needed for our Hot Lunch program on Tuesday, September 10th.

Parents are sometimes required to send money to school to pay for things such as Hot Lunch.  Please send money in a sealed Ziploc bag or envelope, either marked as to what it is for, or stapled to the accompanying form.  Often the students put the money directly into a bin in the classroom and it is very difficult to figure out what it is for, or who it belongs to, by the time it makes its way to the office.  We would really appreciate your help with this!

The world’s largest Aviation, Aerospace, Marine & Defence diversity outreach event at the Abbotsford International Airport is taking place on Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th.  The Achieve Anything Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with this event.  If you are 15 years of age or older, and are interested in the many volunteer opportunities that are available, please visit their website by clicking here.

The students will have their individual photos taken at the school on Tuesday, September 10th.  Please send your child to school dressed in their full uniform, including their sweater, photo ready!  For any children who are sick on September 10th, or away from school for another reason, the photo retake day will take place on Friday, October 18th.

Please click here to read a letter from Rob Fleming, the Minister of Education for BC.  This is a “welcome back” letter for all parents in the province.

The Hot Lunch Program begins on Tuesday, September 10th, with hot dogs being served to those students who brought their order form in on time.  This is just a reminder that we will no longer supply drink boxes or treats with the lunch your child ordered, so please make sure to send them with a water bottle.

The next Work Bee will take place at the school on Saturday, September 14th, from 9:00am – 2:00pm.  For those parents who are attending, please bring a cordless weed eater or trimmer with you to help with some outdoor work, if possible.  We appreciate all of your help!

St. James & St. Ann’s Elementary School is happy to welcome the communities of Sts. Joachim and Ann, and St. Joseph’s.  As a result of this change, the Regional Education Committee is restructuring to bring 2 members from each parish community to the REC.  Any parishioners who are eligible for nomination and interested in being on the REC can contact the nominating committee by clicking here for more information.

Completed nomination forms must be submitted in writing and in a sealed envelope no later than September 18th to the school office.  Please address them to the St. James & St. Ann’s REC Nominating Committee.  Please click here for a nomination form.

The REC represents the Board of Directors of the CISVA and assists the Pastor and the Principal in the operation of the school by setting local school policies, and ensuring that the policies of the CISVA are followed.  The effectiveness of our school is strengthened by clergy and lay people working together with faith and commitment for the education of our young people.  Please consider your practice of stewardship by serving as a member of the REC at St. James & St. Ann’s School.

Thank you, the St. James & St. Ann’s Elementary School REC.

Fun Night, our annual Carnival-style fundraiser, is coming this Friday!  All ages come and have fun!!!  There is something for everyone:  Midway Games… Photo Booth… Face Painting… Balloon Artist… Crafts… BBQ… Concession… Raffle Prizes… Silent Auction… Inflatables… BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND:  Cupcake Walk… NEW THIS YEAR:  Leader Board Competitions… and more PLUS don’t forget the Redemption Prize Table!!!

Class Raffle Basket items due Monday.

Pre-Ordered Wristbands form due by 8:30am on Tuesday.

Check out our Facebook page for sneak previews of Silent Auction Items and other stuff!

For more info: click here for the Wristband order form and click here for the Fun Night handout.

Thank you to our sponsors:  Mobil 1 Lube Express Langley, TPC 2000 Ventures, YMS: Your Mortgage Source, Westlynn Meats & Seafood as well as many donors!

If you are interested in being a Fun Night Sponsor or Donor, please contact Nicola Humphreys by clicking here.

Can’t wait to see you there!