The Good News October 13, 2024

Thanksgiving day reminds us that it's within our families where we learn to share and get along with others. We learn about each others burdens and about sharing one another's joys. We celebrate the fact that God picked this batch of less-than-perfect individuals to be our family. This weekend we gather and give thanks for all that God gives us.

Thank you for being a part of our St. John XXIII family. We are grateful for you!

• Happy Thanksgiving! No school

• Sacramental Prep (First Reconciliation) with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45
  

• N1 & N2 Bannock making
  
• Sacramental Prep (First Reconciliation) with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45

• NK Strathcona Wilderness Centre (SWC)
  
• Sacramental Prep (First Holy Communion) with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45
  

• Thanksgiving Celebration 10am @ OLA Church
• School Council Halloween Dance 6-8pm

Looking Ahead...

Oct. 17, 21, 24, 25, 28, 30 - Sacramental Prep (First Holy Communion) with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45

Oct. 19 - Oct. 25 - Catholic Education Week

Oct. 21 - School Council Meeting, N1 &N2 SWC

Oct. 23 - N1 SWC

Oct. 28 & 30 - ISP/RSP Meetings

Nov. 5 - 3 Way Conferences. Picture Retakes

Nov. 6 - 3 Way Conferences

Nov. 7 - 3 Way Conferences for Kinder only

It feels like Fall is in the air and we have been so blessed that the weather has been so beautiful. The only day that did not cooperate was on our Opening Mass day. We have rescheduled our Opening Mass to Friday, October 18th at 10:00am at Our Lady of the Angels Parish. We would love to see you there.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18.

We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to come in and read to our classes! Your presence and storytelling brought so much joy to our students, and it’s moments like these that create a lasting impact. Whether it was sharing a favorite book or sparking imaginations, you’ve helped nurture a love of reading and learning. We’re so grateful for your involvement in our school community!

Thank you for helping us grow young minds—one story at a time!

Your child's proofs were sent home this week!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.ca or create an account using your student's student ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE digital Pictures2Protect Card.

More about the Pictures2Protect program here.

New Photo Package Pricing for your families:

As prices rise and families struggle to pay for all the necessities, Lifetouch Photography made the decision to decrease packages by up to 25% on all our packages and individual photo sheets. It is Lifetouch's commitment to provide our partners and their families with quality images at a reasonable price.

Shutterfly Gift with Purchas for Families

Families who purchase their photo packages online at, www.mylifetouch.ca, will receive a Shutterfly coupon for $30 off any Shutterfly purchase and a free 8x11 photo book.

Fall Fundraiser Ending Soon!

Don’t forget to participate in our fall fundraiser! The last day to shop is October 26th.

Simply share your student’s unique account link with friends and family to get started.

If you haven’t set your account up yet, Follow these easy steps:

1. Visit https://www.dfscanada.com/shop-now/

2. Select "Register Now"

3. Enter Organization ID: 8512

4. Choose your classroom

5. Complete the remaining information

Once registered, you’ll receive a special shopping link for your student. Happy shopping, and

thank you for your support!

Last Day to shop the fundraiser is Oct 26th

If you have any questions, please contact our Fundraising Coordinator - Michelle at

m_oquinn@me.com

Join us for a spook-tacular evening of dancing and fun for the whole family! The School Council

is thrilled to host our annual Halloween dance!

Friday, October 18, 2024

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Ticket Sales:

Tickets are just $5 per individual, or $20 for families of 4-10 (immediate family only).

Available in PowerSchool until Wednesday, October 16th at NOON.

Please note, tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis to comply with safety capacity

regulations.

*The form will close when we reach fire code capacity.

Snacks, drinks, and glow sticks will be available for purchase at the dance – cash only please.

We can’t wait to see you at the dance!

For instructions on how to purchase your tickets through PowerSchool, please see the link at

the bottom of the newsletter.

******School council is looking for donations of items/gift baskets for the Halloween dance.

Mark your calendars! Our next School Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 21, at

6:30 PM. We encourage all parents and guardians to attend. We look forward to seeing you

there!

School fees have been applied to your child's account in PowerSchool.

You can pay on-line with a debit card or credit card. However, if you wish to pay by cash (exact change only) or cheque, please send it to the school office (make cheques payable to Elk Island Catholic Schools). If you have other questions or require assistance with the online payment, please refer to the link at the bottom of this newsletter, and contact our school at 780-998-7777 if you need further assistance.

If you are experiencing financial hardship please review the fee waiver here or contact the principal, Mrs. Kristine Willis Dengler at 780-998-777 to arrange a meeting.

Please submit your child's absences in PowerSchool, and also notify your teacher with a Dojo message or a note sent with your child. For accuracy and tracking purposes, absence coding in PowerSchool is to be submitted by parents, not teachers.

Please refer to the EICS Parent Technology Handbook for instructions on how to report you child's absence, early departure, leave & return or multiple day absence.

For any last minute Early Departures, please call the office before you arrive so we can make arrangements for your child to come to the office for pick up.

Does your child have medical information, a condition the school should be aware of or require medication? If so please complete a B.2) 2024-2025 Medical Status Update/Request for Medical Treatment form located in your Parent Portal . This form is required yearly. We use this important information to alert any staff members, including substitute teachers, of any existing medical needs we need to be aware of. If your child requires medication at school you must fill out the medical form with all relevant information related to the medication.

If your child requires use of an EpiPen, please make sure this is filled out immediately. At this time, all medical forms are past due. If your child no longer has a medical condition, please update the form accordingly.

Please note:

• All medications, even over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Benadryl etc. require a label from the pharmacy
• The submission of a Medical Form is required prior to medication being sent to the school

If you need assistance, please click the Medical Form link found on our website.

We are so blessed to be able to have our school and parish work together to walk with you and your child on their Sacramental Journeys. Father Carlos and our Sacramental Prep team will be offering Sacramental Prep classes at St. John XXIII after school from 3:15 - 3:45 on the following dates:

First Reconciliation Prep Classes

October 3,7,8,9,10,11,15 and 16 (At STJXXIII)

First Holy Communion Prep Classes

October 17, 21, 24, 25, 28, 30 (At STJXXIII)

Celebrations:

First Reconciliation Nov 2nd at the Church OLA at 10:30am

First Holy Communion Nov 3rd at the Church OLA at 3:00pm

More information can be found at https://www.olafortsask.caedm.ca/Sacraments

E-mail registration forms to: olangels.ftsask@caedm.ca (We accept e-transfer of fees to the same email address.)

As Catholics, we are all called to celebrate the significance of Catholic education and the transformative impact of Catholic schools on individuals in our community and in society. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the upcoming summit taking place at the Catholic Parish of St. Luke in Calgary on October, 25, 2024.

Event Details

• Date: Oct. 25, 2024
• Time: 7:15 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Location: Catholic Parish of St. Luke (1566 Northmount Drive NW, Calgary)
• Who: This event is for trustees, educators, parents, students, clergy and parishioners
• Registration cost: $75

More Information

• Click here for the 2024 Summit Program
• Click here register!

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