Thunder News Flash – June 17, 2023

We wish all dads and grandfathers in our school community a very happy Father’s Day on Sunday.  We hope you are spoiled by your children and have a wonderful day.

June continues to be a very busy month with many activities and events planned.  Here is some information to help you plan for the remainder of the school year:

Grab & Go Gratitude – Wednesday, June 21st:

The school staff would like an opportunity to thank all of the parents for the amazing support you have given us during the school year.  From 8:00am – 8:30am we will be stationed in the Drop Off Lane, handing out coffee and homemade treats to all the parents – our small way to say that we appreciate everything you do for your children and all of us.  Just like a drive through, without the window!

Grade 7 Farewell – Thursday, June 22nd:

We will be celebrating our Grade 7 students with a special “farewell event” on Thursday, June 22nd, from 5:45pm – 8:30pm.  This evening is for the Grade 7 students and their families, and will begin with Mass at St. James Church, followed by a small celebration, in the gym.

Step Up Day – Monday, June 26th in the afternoon:

Students who will be in Grades 1 – 7 next school year will have the opportunity to “step up” to their new grade for the afternoon.  This is always a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn a little bit about their future grade, meet next year’s teacher and participate in some fun activities.  A reminder that Grade 7’s will go home at lunch on this day.

Rag & Bag Day – Tuesday, June 27th:

Each student is asked to come to school on June 27th with a rag and a sturdy bag.  They will use the rag to wash down their desk and chair, and help to clean up their classroom.  The bag will be used to pack up and bring home all of their belongings, as the school year comes to a close the next day.

Last Day of School – Wednesday, June 28th – dismissal at 11:30am:

Wednesday, June 28th is the last day of school as the 2022-2023 school year comes to an end.  We will attend Mass as a school, and we invite parents to join us for this special celebration where we send off our Grade 7 students, ask our Grade 6 students to take over the leadership role at the school, and say goodbye to a number of staff members and families who are leaving the school.  After Mass we go back to the school to watch our yearend slide show, and then the students return to their classrooms to collect their final Progress Reports.  It is always a bittersweet day at school, but we look forward to the many adventures that are to come!

Dear parents,

On Saturday, August 26th, the Archdiocese of Vancouver is hosting a one-day event for families to enter into the wonder and awe of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The event will take place at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Burnaby.  The day will begin at 1 pm and have activities for children, youth and parents.  We will have Adoration, talks, host making, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Eucharistic Procession, Mass with Archbishop Miller and a BBQ dinner. 

You can find more details about the event and registration on the event page https://beholdvancouver.org/events/family-eucharistic-summit.

Listen to the Banovich family’s testimony on how the Eucharist is central in their family and influences their relationships with each other.

https://youtu.be/rlt-TrN-sfc

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday August 26th.

Sr. John Mary Sullivan, FSE

Associate Director, Ministries and Outreach Office

While we had a very successful re-registration of our existing students, and will be welcoming many new students to the school in September, there are still some spaces available for the 2023-2024 school year.  If you know of any families who are considering sending their children to St. James & St. Ann’s School, we have limited space in Grades 4 and 7.  The Application Package can be found on our school’s website.

We would like to announce that Mrs. Wakely will be team teaching again with Mrs. Gaudet.  They will be working together in Grade 2.  We are also looking forward to welcoming back Sister Elizabeth in September.  Lastly, we would like to take the time to send our best wishes to the staff who will be leaving us: Mrs. Jennifer Ponting, Miss Mercedes Walton and Miss Karolina Lavrikova.  We thank them for their dedication to our school and wish them all of God’s blessings in their future endeavours.