St. Martin's Weekly Smore

May 18th, 2025

✍🏻 Office Information

Brief Message From the Office Staff

Wishing all our St. Martin’s families a joyful and restful May Long Weekend! As we take this time to slow down and enjoy the company of family and friends, may we also take a moment to give thanks for the many blessings God has placed in our lives. This season of spring reminds us of the beauty of renewal, growth, and the promise of new life that comes from our faith in Christ.

May your weekend be filled with peace, laughter, and the warmth of loved ones. As we continue to walk in faith together as a school community, may God’s grace guide and protect each of you. Stay safe, enjoy the break, and know that you are in our prayers.🌷🙏

Other Highlights of this weeks Newsletter:

Gr. 3S Bee Houses 🌼🐝🍯
ECS - Safety City 👷🥽🦺
JU and Options @ STMN 🤩🤏🕺

STMN Office Staff:

🦸🏻‍♂️Mr. Darby Murphy (Principal)

🦸🏻‍♀️Mrs. Melanie Sorochan (Ast. Principal)

🧙🏻‍♀️Ms. Fronde Dubuc (Secretary)

✝️💐 "WE ARE THE EASTER PEOPLE AND HALLELUJAH IS OUR SONG" - POPE JPII ✝️💐

📸 Highlights of the Week

Grade 3 Builds Bee Houses with Teacher’s Pet! 🐝🔨🌼

This week, our Grade 3 students had a buzzing good time with an exciting in-school field trip hosted by Teacher’s Pet! As part of their hands-on learning, students rolled up their sleeves and took part in a Wood Project where they each built their very own Bee House. This engaging activity not only helped students learn about pollinators and their importance in our ecosystem, but also gave them the chance to develop fine motor skills, follow instructions, and take pride in a job well done.

The Bee House project tied in beautifully with the students’ science curriculum and sparked lots of great discussion around nature, environmental stewardship, and the role we all play in caring for God’s creation. Each student left the workshop with a handcrafted bee home that they can proudly display and use to support local pollinators.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of our amazing parent volunteers who helped make this project run smoothly. Your support, encouragement, and helping hands made all the difference in creating a positive and memorable experience for our students.

Drawing Club 🎨📏✍🏻

🌟 Community Engagement

📆 Mark the Calendar

May 19: Victoria Day - No School
May 21: REAL Foundation Golf Tournament
May 27: School Wide Rosary Day - Wear Blue
May 28: Language Arts PAT (Part A) Exam for Gr. 6
May 29: St. Mary's Open House - Grade 6's there in the PM
June 4: All Library Books RETURNED to school
June 5: Grade 2 Telus World of Science Field Trip
June 6: Caribou Carnival @ STMN
June 9: Grade 3 Zoo Field Trip
June 10: Grade 6 Metis Crossing
June 11: Grade 1 Jurassic Forest Field Trip
June 13: Grade 6 Math PAT Part A
June 13: ECS Zoo Field Trip
June 16: Grade 5 Birch Bay Field Trip
June 17: Grade 6 Math PAT Part B
June 17-18: Grade 4 Drumheller Field Trip
June 18: Grade 6 Social PAT
June 19: Grade 6 Strathcona Wilderness Center
June 20: STMN Track and Field Day
June 23: 4/5D Bowling/Egg Park Day
June 23: Grade 6 Farewell
June 24: Gr 4-6 REC Swim
June 24: St. Martin's Got Talent
June 25: Last Day of School for Students

Please check our website calendar for any updates

🏫 Learners and Learning

Kindergarten Explores Safety City! 🚦👮‍♀️🚲

This week, our Kindergarten students enjoyed a fun and educational field trip to Safety City! The visit was filled with excitement as students learned all about how to stay safe in their communities. Through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, the children practiced important pedestrian safety skills, such as using crosswalks, understanding traffic lights, and recognizing safety signs.

One of the highlights of the day was getting to ride bikes and mini cars through a child-sized city, where students could apply what they learned in a playful, engaging environment. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they navigated the little roads, stopped at signs, and looked both ways before crossing streets. These real-world lessons were not only fun but also incredibly valuable for helping our youngest learners build awareness and responsibility.

We are so thankful to the staff at Safety City for creating such a welcoming and enriching experience for our students. A heartfelt thank you also goes out to our amazing staff and parent volunteers who helped make this trip safe and successful. It was a joyful day full of learning, laughter, and life skills our Kindergarten students will carry with them.

😁 Systemic Wellness

St. Martin’s Students Thrive in Junior University and Options Time 💃🎶📚🧠💛

Every Wednesday afternoon at St. Martin’s Catholic School, our halls buzz with excitement as students from Grades 1–6 participate in a variety of enriching and engaging activities through our Junior University (JU) and Options programs. These special sessions provide students with opportunities to explore new interests, build important life skills, and connect with peers in fun, creative ways.

Our Division 1 students take part in "Junior University," rotating through themed classes that spark curiosity and hands-on learning. Meanwhile, Division 2 students enjoy a range of Option classes that include everything from basketball and rhythm games to music, drama, and more. One of the highlights this week was a high-energy line dancing class led by our very own school secretary, Ms. Dubuc! Students had a blast learning new moves and dancing together, and we are so grateful to Ms. Dubuc for sharing her talents and bringing such joy to our school.

Beyond academic enrichment, programs like JU and Options also provide important mental health benefits. These creative and active learning opportunities allow students to reduce stress, boost self-confidence, and feel a greater sense of belonging within their school community. By fostering fun, connection, and positive expression, we support the overall well-being of our students—mind, body, and spirit.

⛪ Faith Integration @ STMN

🌟 Habemus Papam! – Celebrating the Election of Pope Leo XIV 🌟

A joyous moment has arrived for Catholics around the world as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel and the words “Habemus Papam!” echoed through St. Peter’s Square. The Church rejoices in the election of Pope Leo XIV, the 268th successor to Saint Peter.

Chosen by the College of Cardinals after days of prayerful deliberation, Pope Leo XIV steps into this sacred role with a deep commitment to faith, compassion, and unity. His election marks a new chapter for the Catholic Church, bringing fresh hope, especially during a time when the world so greatly needs the light of Christ.

Pope Leo XIV is known for his humility, theological insight, and dedication to social justice. He has already expressed a heartfelt desire to walk closely with youth, families, and the marginalized, echoing the words of Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

At St. Martin’s Catholic School, we joined in celebration and prayer as we welcomed our new Holy Father. Our students have been learning about the significance of the papacy and offered prayers of thanksgiving during our morning liturgy.

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide Pope Leo XIV as he leads the global Church with wisdom, courage, and love. We pray for his health and strength as he begins this sacred mission.

Viva il Papa! Long live Pope Leo XIV!

May - Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary

O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother,
we come to you with hearts full of love and trust.
During this month dedicated to you,
we offer you our prayers, our sacrifices, and our hearts.

Queen of Heaven, guide us closer to your Son, Jesus.
Teach us to imitate your humility, your faith, and your obedience to God's will.

Protect our families, our Church, and our world.
Inspire in us a spirit of charity and service,
that we might love as you loved and serve as you served.

O loving Mother, we place all our needs before you,
confident that you will present them to your Son.
Intercede for us, strengthen us, and lead us safely to eternal life.

Amen.