The Good News June 9, 2024

In June we often find ourselves balancing between the familiar and the new. It’s a special time where we celebrate all we’ve accomplished while also looking forward to what’s next.

Our wonderful teachers and staff are enjoying their last moments with this year’s students, and at the same time, they’re preparing for next year’s classes. Parents, you’re probably feeling the same way—still making lunches and getting everyone out the door, but also starting to think about next year. And our students are excited about new adventures but might also be a little nervous about leaving what they know.

This time of year comes with a lot of questions: Will next year’s teacher understand that I sometimes need a quiet space? Will my friends be in my new class? Will my child’s new teacher know what worked well this year? Will my new students need extra help? Will I be enough? Will my child be okay?

These questions are completely normal. We all feel a bit uncertain during transitions. In our Catholic faith, we are reminded of God's guidance and the importance of trusting in His plan. Just as the Apostles trusted in Jesus’ teachings and followed His path, we can find peace in knowing that God is with us every step of the way, filling us with hope, love, and joy.

As we step into these new beginnings, let’s have faith in the process and enjoy the excitement of what’s to come. Together, we can support each other and make the transition smooth and joyful.

Monday, June 10

• Gr 1 TPet
• No Assembly

Tuesday, June 11

• Fr. Abraham Gr 1
  
• K and NK Fun Day
  

• Fun Day
• Hotdog lunch

• Gr 4 Farewell Assembly 1pm
• NK/K Edmonton Valley Zoo
  

• Pie Throwing Fundraiser
• Lockdown practice

June 18 - Fun Run 12:30, Year End Mass @ OLA Church

June 20 - Talent Show 1pm

June 21 - Indigenous Peoples Day, K Safety City

June 25 - Kinder Grad

June 26 - Last Day for 1-4 Students, Report Cards are emailed

A huge thank you to our School Council for organizing the fantastic year-end BBQ. It was an absolute blast and brought so much joy to everyone involved – students, parents, and staff. Our School Council's hard work, enthusiasm, and teamwork have truly made a remarkable impact, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate group of parents supporting our school community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do!

On Wednesday, June 12th, students from the JPII Sport for Life Program will be sharing games that they've created at our Fun Day. All students will get the opportunity to participate in the activity stations.

Please make sure that your child is dressed for the event with appropriate clothing and shoes as well as a water bottle that they can take outside. The event will happen rain or shine.

Please return all Library books as soon as possible. Thank you!

Get ready for our 2nd annual Pie Throwing Fundraiser. Imagine the joy of watching your favorite teachers and staff members become targets of silly, splat-tastic fun!

For just $1 you can enter the raffle for a chance to throw a pie at one of our staff members.

It's your time to shine as you take aim and let those whipped cream pies fly through the air to help raise funds for a great cause. Cash only please.

This fundraiser is dedicated to supporting our Chalice Foster children. Every dollar raised will go towards providing them with essential resources, support, and opportunities for a brighter future. It's an amazing chance to make a difference in the lives of children who truly deserve our help and love.

Elk Island Catholic Schools invites staff, students and families to submit art work to go with our faith theme. Please submit your work to Andrea Haston ( andrea.haston@eics.ab.ca) by June 14.

We are thrilled to announce that The Servant Leadership Squad is hosting the 11th annual school wide talent show! All students are welcome to share the gifts and talents that God has blessed them with during this show. A letter was sent home with your child this week with all of the details, including audition dates. If you have misplaced the letter, please refer to the document linked below.

St. John XXIII’s Got Talent” will take place on June 20 at 1:00pm in the gym.

• Grade fours have had a school visit at JPII
• Teachers, along with our Student Support Team have created class compositions based on professional criteria and optimal learning environments for each student
• Teachers and Student Support Team met in collaboration to prepare for new classes
• New families came to our St. John XXIII Open House
• Wednesday, June 19 families can log into Powerschool to see their homeroom teacher for next year. Details on how to do this will be in next weekend's Smore.
• Students with ISPs will have transition meetings with current team and next year's team. Many thanks to Mrs. Holt for her dedicated efforts in coordinating all these meetings
• Any students who require a little more support will have pictures and social stories to aid in positive transitions
• As always, please continue to communicate important information with our team, beginning with your child's teacher, so we can support your child. There are many dedicated people who wrap around your child every day to provide positive and caring faith and learning journeys for each student.

At St. John XXIII, staff work diligently every day to build connections and foster relationships with ALL students, regardless of class, they are all "our kids" and this makes transitioning so much easier. Thank-you for your continued trust in all we do!

Students entering grade 4 in the fall will need to bring a device to school as another tool for learning. EICS recommends Chromebooks as the ideal device due to price, battery life, fast startup, and usability.

As the school year comes to an end, we would like to inform you that it’s time to update your child’s 2024-2025 Demographic Validation Form. Having the most up-to-date information about our students ensures that we receive all available funding to support your child's learning as well as current information to reach you during the day if necessary.

We ask that you please complete this form in PowerSchool

You can follow these steps to access, review and submit the form:

1. Log into PowerSchool at https://eics.powerschool.com/

2. Under the “Forms & Fees” menu click “School Engage Student Forms”

3. Students - Select your child’s name (please complete one form for each child)

4. Click on the word “New” beside the form name A.8) 2024-2025 Demographic Validation

Video tutorial link (**from 2021-2022) on how to complete the form https://www.eics.ab.ca/parents-and-students/powerschool-log-in

Thank you in advance for completing these forms so your child experiences the full learning benefits at St. John XXIII Catholic School.

Please contact our secretary at 780-998-7777 if you have any questions.

2023-2024 outstanding fee statements were emailed on May 14th. Instructions on how to pay fees are located on the bottom of every newsletter.

Please contact the school office if you have any questions or concerns. 780-998-7777

Our school offers a supplemental Nature Kindergarten program which operates Tuesdays/Thursdays and some Fridays. This paid program offers students the opportunity to spend a large part of their day outside engaged in meaningful ways of learning with their body, mind and spirit, while located in a natural setting. Enrolment in this program provides an option to attend kindergarten full time.

Nature Program Grade 1 and Grade 2

This program provides students with an opportunity to spend two half days outside each week. This paid program connects students to nature by fostering rich learning experiences, physical literacy and independence.

Please visit our website to access the Nature Programs Parent Handbook, found in the Quick Links

If your child is currently attending St. John XXIII, and you would like to register in one of our Nature Programs (K,1 or 2) please submit a B.3)Nature Program Application

Registration for Kindergarten, Nature Programs and NEW students began ONLINE, February 1st. Please note that Nature programs will be number dependent.

• To go to the EICS Kindergarten webpage - please click here. This includes a Kindergarten calculator, programming and transportation information.
• Pre Kindergarten at St. John XXIII, screening information click here
• St. John XXIII Pathways Program click here
  
• EICS NEW Student Registration-click here
• To request transportation, click here

*Please note, you only need to register your child if they are entering Kindergarten or are brand new to St. John XXIII

*If your child is currently attending St. John XXIII, and you would like to register in one of our Nature Programs (K,1 or 2) please submit a B.3)Nature Program Application

Email: stj@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stj.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9526 89 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-998-7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.JohnXXIII
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII