Thunder News Flash – October 31, 2020

Since we were unable to go to the pumpkin patch this year, the staff decided to bring the pumpkin patch to St. James & St. Ann’s School.  Thursday was a wonderful day at school and a great way to celebrate what is usually a favourite activity for many students – being able to pick out their own pumpkin.  There were many people involved who helped to make this day special, and they deserve a big THANK YOU:

• to all the staff who came to school early to help put out the pumpkins on the field, brought their wheelbarrows or wagons for us to use and helped the students pick out their pumpkins
• to Mrs. Dlugan and Mrs. Wimmer for the decor
• to Mrs. Hunger for arranging for us to purchase 200+ pumpkins from Willowview Farms
• to Mrs. Wimmer for going to pick up the pumpkins and deliver them to the school
• and a HUGE THANK YOU to Willowview Farms for getting us that many pumpkins with relatively short notice, and for providing the whole school with fresh squeezed apple juice as a treat

What a great way to celebrate the Fall!

Whether you are choosing to go out for Halloween, or stay home and have a quiet evening with your family, we hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend.  Please remember that if you do get some candy, we are collecting the extras for NightShift from November 2nd – 5th in each classroom.  Also, just a reminder that Halloween treats should be enjoyed at home and not at school!

Monday, November 2nd is All Souls Day.  We should all take some time on Monday to pray for our family members, or those dear to us, who have passed away, as well as those souls who have nobody to pray for them.  While we won’t be at school on Sunday, November 1st, it will be All Saints Day, so on November 2nd we encourage all students and staff to come to school dressed as their favourite saint.  Unfortunately we won’t be able to gather together for Mass on November 2nd and take a picture of all of those “saints” on the altar like we did last year, but we are sure to get pictures of those students and staff who do dress up to put on our website, and hopefully in our yearbook.  The Leadership Team will once again come around and judge the costumes to award prizes in each classroom for the best male and best female saint.  Let’s see if we can top the amazing creativity that was shown last year!

After speaking to Fr. Ashley, we have decided that it is far more meaningful for the students to attend Mass at the Church; however, since we cannot attend as a whole school this year, each class will be attending a morning Mass at St. James Church on Wednesdays.  The class will be sitting in the vestibule of the Church, Fr. Ashley will bring them communion after the parishioners inside the Church have received communion, and all students who are able to receive communion will receive on the hands.  Classroom Teachers will be letting parents know when their class will be going to Mass as it will take a few months for all the classes to attend, and if you have any concerns about your child attending Mass in-person, please email the Classroom Teacher directly.

The cold and windy weather reminds us that it is time to bring out our warmer clothes.  Please ensure that your child comes to school each day with boots, a warm jacket with a hood, and it is time to find those gloves and scarves too!  On PE days the students are encouraged to either wear their Thunderwear over their gym strip, or wear it in place of their gym strip.  If you did not order Thunderwear, please note that your child may substitute either navy or black sweatpants and sweatshirts to keep them warm.

Just a reminder to please drop off and pick up your children as quickly as possible when using these lanes before and after school each day.  Please do not get out of your vehicles if at all possible, and please do not wait and watch your children until they get right to the school doors – they are well supervised when they are on the school property.  Some parents are getting a bit frustrated as they wait in the line for the cars ahead of them to move forward, as they don’t want to be late for work in the morning.  This routine is working so well, and we want it to continue that way for everyone!

Also, a big thank you to all the parents who are using their signal lights to indicate that they are pulling over to the curb for their children to get in or out of their vehicles, and then using their signal light to indicate that they are ready to leave the lanes.  This is a HUGE help when directing traffic.  It would also be appreciated if parents who are parking their vehicles would also use their signal lights in the lot – it is sometimes difficult to tell if parents are just driving straight through the lot or going to park.  Thank you for your cooperation with all of these new procedures!

St. James & St. Ann’s School is seeking to hire someone who loves working with children to join our Thunder Club staff.  We are specifically looking for someone to fill the after school shift, Monday to Friday, from 2:30pm – 5:30pm.  This is a paid position, and a great opportunity to work part-time.  Are you interested in this position, 18 years of age or older, and do you have the following qualifications:

• experience working with children or supervising children
• good organizational skills
• the ability to manage a group of children
• good communication skills when dealing with both children and adults
• good problem-solving skills, and 
• first aid training

The successful candidate would have to complete a Criminal Record Check through our Superintendent’s Office, and would be provided with training in all of the school’s health and safety protocols.  For more information, please contact the school at 604-852-1788, or submit your questions or resume by clicking here.  

Just a reminder that there are two Professional Development Days in November – Friday, November 6th and Friday, November 20th.  Please note that there is no school for the students on either of these days. 

Fundraising is an essential part of every Catholic school’s budget in an effort to keep tuition at an affordable level for all families.  In addition, fundraising enables St. James and St. Ann’s to complete projects and purchase items that are needed and benefit all students.  The Parent Fundraising Association (PFA) of St. James and St. Ann’s School has been at work to replace some of our traditional in-person fundraising events, which have been cancelled due to concerns about COVID-19 transmission.  Check out our next Fundraiser:

Our next fundraising program will launch on Monday, November 2, 2020, which we believe will truly be a WIN-WIN fundraiser.  You will not be “out of pocket” in any way, and the school will still make 3-10% on your everyday grocery, household and Christmas purchases.

• Buy a $25 gift card and get a $25 gift card for the retailer of your choice (other denominations available)
• Many different participating retailers:  grocery stores, entertainment options, gas stations and so many more!
• For each gift card purchased, retailers offer a 3-10% kickback to our school
• Many ways you can use gift cards:  purchase them to use at your favourite grocery store, purchase them for the retailers you plan to buy Christmas gifts from or use them as your gifts!

Look out for your order form coming home Monday and help support our school!

Just a reminder that parents are asked to complete a Daily Health Check of their children each morning before they come to school.  Please assess your child for the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough or worsening of chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting

If your child has one of those symptoms, excluding fever, they should stay home for 24 hours from when the symptom started.  If the symptom improves, they may return to school when they feel well enough.  If the symptom persists or worsens, seek a health assessment.  If your child has two or more of the symptoms, or they have a fever, you should seek a health assessment for them.