Thunder News Flash – January 9-13

If you already have children in the school, and would like to have a sibling come into Kindergarten or any other grade for the 2017-2018 school year, you must complete an Application Form. The Sibling Application Form is now available at the school office.  These applications must be filled out and returned to the school office with all the required supporting documents no later than January 27th. We will be having our information session for new families on Wednesday, February 8th and we would like to be able to tell the new families approximately how many spaces are available in each grade.

With the snow, icy roads and predictions of more snow, we know that you may have been very busy last week, and may not have had the opportunity to speak to your children about donating a few dollars of any Christmas gift money they have have received.  So we are giving the students one last opportunity on Monday, January 9th to bring in a portion of their Christmas gift money to help support those in need.  Together we can make a big difference in the lives of those in need of clean water sources! 

The new Hot Lunch Order Forms went home last week, and are due back on Friday, January 13th by 2:40pm at the latest.  Please note that no late orders can be accepted.  This week’s hot lunch is sushi.

St. John Brebeuf High School’s Open House is Thursday, February 16th from 6-8pm (2747 Townline Road, Abbotsford).  This is a chance for prospective families to tour the school and see what St. John Brebeuf has to offer its students.  Spend your evening exploring the campus, talking with students and staff, and see what quality education within a Catholic setting looks like at the high school level.  For more information visit http://www.stjohnbrebeuf.ca or call 604-855-0571.

Once again we are selling DVD copies of our Christmas Musical, Wrapping All The Way, for $10 each.  If you would like to order a copy, simply email the school office by clicking here and requesting a copy.  Please let us know the family name and the number of copies you would like.  This is the last week that we are accepting DVD orders.  We will let you know when the copies are available, and will collect the money for the DVD when you come to pick it up.

Once again the long-range forecast is calling for a real mixed bag of weather – sun, clouds, rain, snow and freezing rain.  If the weather is bad, please listen to Star FM 98.3 or CKNW 980 AM, or watch Global News.  Please do not call the school.  Also, please check our website for updates on school closures, as weather related closures will be posted by 6:30am at the latest.  We will still be monitoring the weather on a daily basis and making decisions about whether the students will be inside or outside based on the amount of snow on the school grounds, the temperature with the wind chill, as well as the winter wear that the children are dressed in.  Remember, all students should arrive at school with boots, gloves, a good winter jacket with either a hood or hat, and no bare legs!

There will be a meeting for all Grade 7 Confirmation Sponsors on Wednesday, January 11th at 6:45pm at St. Ann’s Parish Centre.  If your child’s Sponsor is unable to attend this meeting, a parent must come in their place as it is mandatory that one adult represents each child being confirmed at this meeting.

We will be hosting a New Parents’ Information Session on Wednesday, February 8th from 6:45pm – 7:30pm in the Library at St. James & St. Ann’s School.  This will be an opportunity for new families who are interested in enrolling their children at St. James & St. Ann’s School for the 2017-2018 school year to come and learn all about the school, the application process and have a guided tour of the school.  If you are aware of any families who are interested in having their children attend our school for 2017-2018, please encourage them to attend this meeting.

Our next Work Bee is scheduled for Saturday, January 14th from 9:00am – 2:00pm.  This is a good chance to ensure that you have completed 10 hours of Parent Participation before the January 31st deadline.  If you are not scheduled to be at this Work Bee, but would still like to attend, just be at the school at 9:00am, sign in, and remember to log your hours through the website once you have completed them.  If the weather is very bad on Friday and the roads are not in good shape, this Work Bee may be cancelled.  The decision about whether the Work Bee will go ahead will be made by 8:00pm on Friday, January 13th, and an email will go out to all parents to inform you only if the Work Bee is cancelled.