Thunder News Flash – March 6-10

We hope that each family has received their Lenten Calendar to help them journey through this season, and has it in a prominent place in their home so that it can be a central focus each day.  We have had many positive comments about this calendar, and much thanks should go to Mrs. Wakely and the Grade 7 students for the work that they put into making each day special.  As it stated in the letter, this calendar is not meant to be a financial burden to any family, but instead is designed to make us think and to give what we can.  As a family you can decide whether to direct any donation you choose to make to vocations by placing your donation in your child’s mite box, to Chalice by putting the donation in our jars at the school office, or splitting your donations between the two.  You may also choose to bring in your donations daily and place them in the Chalice jars at the office, however it would be much easier for the school if you simply kept track of what you would like to donate and brought it in on Holy Thursday, or after the Easter weekend.  We hope this Lenten Calendar draws you close together as a family as you journey towards the great celebration of Easter.

This is just a reminder that the Communicating Student Learning Progress Reports for the second term will be going home on Wednesday, March 8th.  Student-led conferences will then be taking place on Friday, March 10th, and you will be receiving the time of your child’s conference early next week.  Students only come to school on Friday, March 10th for their 30 minute conference, and should be dressed in their school uniform.  We look forward to a wonderful celebration of your child’s learning.  

As you are aware, there has been a high number of students away from school due to illness over the last two weeks.  After much communication with both our Superintendent’s Office and our Public Health Nurse, cleaning precautions were taken and the water fountains were closed.  The best methods to stop the spread of these illnesses is for the students to properly and frequently wash their hands, and for them to remain at home until their illness has run its course.  The water fountains will remain closed next week, and we are hopeful that with the two week Spring Break coming soon the students will return well rested and healthy!

On Thursday, March 9th the future principal of St. John Brebeuf, Mr. Gianni Bittante, will be coming to speak to the students in Grades 4 – 7 about SJB and all the wonderful things the school has to offer our students when they are ready to attend high school.  The presentation will take place in our gym beginning at 1:45, and parents are welcome to attend.  After the presentation to the students, the students will go back to their classrooms and parents are welcome to stay for a question and answer session.  We hope to see many of you there, as it is never too early to think about Grade 8 for your child.

Re-Registration Packages went home on Thursday, March 2nd with the oldest child in the family.  If you have not received your package yet because your child was absent, it will be sent home with them on Monday, March 6th.  If your child is still going to be absent on Monday, please come to the school to pick up the Re-Registration Package or call the school office to make arrangements for another family to pick it up for you.  Completed Re-Registration Packages are due back on Wednesday, March 8th at the end of the Re-Registration/AGM Night (packages will not be accepted early).

Our mandatory annual Re-Registration/AGM Night will be held on Wednesday, March 8th from 6:30-8:00pm.  The Education Committee will be serving bowls of chili starting at 6:00pm in the gym and there will also be free babysitting for school-aged children available in the library for those families who are not able to leave their children at home.  Only completed Re-Registration Packages received at the end of the evening will be eligible for the discounted registration fee.  Please note that all completed packages must be returned by Friday, March 10th at the latest to hold your child’s space for the 2017/18 school year.