Thunder News Flash – April 19th, 2025

To help us prepare for Easter, our Grade 6 and 7 students led our school community in a very special Holy Thursday retreat.   The Grade 7 students organized 4 sessions that included prayer and hands on activities to  help our students explore the meaning and blessings of the Holy Days of Easter.  Students made a cross, a resurrection garden, and a pastel rubbing of the cross.  Older buddy students guided younger children with patience and grace throughout each activity.  

The Grade 6 class then beautifully presented the Living Stations of the Cross for our students to end our retreat. This heartfelt reenactment allowed everyone to reflect on the significance of Holy Week and deepen their understanding of our faith. Thank you to our students for their dedication and to all who participated in making this event special!  An extra special ‘thank you’ goes to Mrs. Wakely, Mrs. Dos Santos and Mrs. Schwagele for their leadership and hard work on making this retreat possible!  

As we head into the most holy days of the Easter Triduum, let us reflect on The Empty Tomb.

Jesus had been buried, with the tomb sealed and guarded by a watch of Roman soldiers. Yet on the third day of His burial, on the morning of the first day of the week, the body was no longer there, and the empty tomb still stands today as an unanswerable proof that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead.

“Lord Jesus, We Rejoice in your Resurrection!  Thank you for your gift of life and love.  May your light shine brightly in our hearts and home this Easter.  Bless our family, bringing us closer to you and to each other.  Amen”

Follow the link to an Easter colouring page you can download and print – Easter Candle

We are happy to let you know that we will be holding Student-Led Conferences on Thursday, May 1st from 8:30am – 4:00pm at the school.  This will not be a regular school day, and students attend only for their Conference time, in their school uniform.  The link to sign up was emailed to parents earlier this week.  If you haven’t signed up for a time yet, please do so soon as the spaces are quickly filling up. School-aged siblings are encouraged to bring a book or quiet activity and they are welcome to sit outside on a chair in the hallway while they are waiting their turn. There is no child-minding available on this day.   This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with your child to discuss his/her strengths, areas of improvement, behaviour, and progress thus far this year! 

Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Zumbathon 2025, is coming up on Friday, May 9, 2025!  Information packages, including pledge sheets were sent home to each family before Spring Break.  This year is our 2nd year for the 3 years initiative to raise money for new playground equipment for our school.   The students celebrated on Friday afternoon with a fun filled Pep Rally led by our Grade 7 Leadership team.  Students are excited to continue to fundraise for a new playground!  

2 Ways to Collect Pledges:

• IN PERSON using the pledge sheet provided (cash or cheque accepted and tax receipts are issued for donations of $25 or more)
• ONLINE at  https://www.stjameselementary.ca/zumbathon/ (Visa, Mastercard and Amex accepted online and tax receipts are issued for donations of $25 or more) *Be sure to have them include the student’s name and grade in the notes of their donation.

We will have some great prizes that can be won, which will be announced in the coming month.  We would like to thank the following companies and sponsors for their generous donation of prizes for our Zumbathon!

• Canadian Tire South Fraser Way
• Treasure Landing, Fort Langley
• Replay Store, Langley
• Nicola Humphrey

If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Brandy Harris at catsyte@hotmail.com.  Thank you for your consideration!

 Together we can raise $30,000!

The role of the Regional Education Committee (REC) is to implement the policies and decisions of the CISVA Board of Directors. and to support our school.  We are grateful to the hardworking individuals who currently serve on our REC for answering the call to serve  and for their work in promoting Catholic Education and all its values and benefits to the community.

We currently have 3 positions open and are looking for new REC members from St. Joseph’s Parish, Sts. Joachim and Ann’s Parish and St .Ann’s Parish.  If you are interested in becoming a member of the REC please pick up a nomination form at the office and / or contact our current REC chair, Greg Kenny at ecchair@stjameselementary.ca for more information.

Mark your Calendars for the Important upcoming dates and times:  

• April 21st – Easter Monday (No School)
• April 22 – Grade 6 immunizations
• April 24- St. Catherine’s track meet
• April 25th – Staff Retreat (No School)
• May 1st – Student Led Conferences (Non -instructional Day)
• May 5th – Grade 7 Confirmation
• May 9 – Zumbathon 

Track and Field Season has begun!

Track and Field practices are Scheduled Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 2:45-4:00pm

SJB will be hosting an Open Gym for elementary school students every Saturday morning from 10;00-11:30am.  This is open to students in Grades 4-7.  Sessions will be a mix of skill development and fun games. 

Registration is also currently being accepted for summer Basketball Camps for Grades 2-4 and Grades 5-8.  See the attached posters for more information.  

ELEMENTARY BASKETBALL OPEN GYMS

SJB Summer Basketball Camps