The Good News January 12, 2025
St. John XXIII Catholic School
Baptism of the Lord
Leadership Message
This week, we reflect on the Baptism of the Lord (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22). In this moment, Jesus showed His humility and love for us, stepping into the waters of the Jordan to share fully in our humanity. God’s words, “You are my Son, the Beloved: with you, I am well pleased,” remind us that we, too, are God’s beloved children.
This passage speaks to the heart of our shared faith journey at the school. Like Jesus’ baptism, our daily work is an invitation to live out our identity as beloved children of God. It challenges us to follow His example of humility and service, stepping forward with faith and courage to live as witnesses of God’s love.
In our school community, we see reflections of this calling in so many ways: in the kindness shared among students, in the dedication of our staff to nurture the gifts of each child, and in the partnership with families to create a vibrant, Christ-centered environment. We are reminded that, like Jesus, we are called to listen to God’s voice in our lives, to seek His guidance, and to share His light with others.
Looking Ahead
- N1 & N2 SWC (in class presentation)
- Regular Day
- Face to Face Retreat
- Hot Lunch
- N1 & N2 Fire Lighting program
- Regular Day
- Assembly (1:20)
Jan 20 - N1, N2 Hawks of Alberta, Parent Council Meeting 6:30
Jan 22 - Busayo Disu Cultural Presentation
Jan 23 - Fitset Ninja
Jan 28 - Hot Lunch & Arctic Winter Games (Weather depending)
Jan 29 - Report Cards go live
Jan 30 - Kindergarten in school field trip (Makery)
Jan 31 - Kindergarten in school field trip (Makery)
2025-2026 Registration Opens February 1st - Stay Tuned for More Details
January Hot Lunch is now open!
We’ll be using Munchalunch for ordering hot lunch! It’s a simple, convenient way to choose and pay for your child’s lunch online. You can easily pay with a credit card (Visa/Mastercard), debit-credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or a pre-paid credit card.
How to Register:
1) Go to: https://munchalunch.com/schools/stjohnXXIII
2) Click the “Register Here” button (as shown below). The system will guide you through the registration process.
3) After adding your children, click the green “Order Lunch!” button to order.
4) Next time, just click the “Login Here” button to access your account.
Ordering Information:
Online ordering for January Hot Lunch is now live:
Tuesday, January 28th - Pancake Lunch (Ricky’s)
Important Reminders:
Orders will be accepted up to 7 days before the hot lunch date.
If your child is ill or absent on a hot lunch date, you’re welcome to pick up their lunch order by 11:30 AM. If you’re unable to do so, please consider it a donation for a child in need.
Please note that we are unable to issue refunds. We appreciate your support of our hot lunch program, as the prices include costs associated with running the program and help raise funds that benefit the student experience at our school. Thank you for your understanding!
If you need assistance with ordering, please contact our hot lunch coordinator Brandy at Hotlunchstjohnxxiii@gmail.com
Yearbook Cover Contest – Calling All Artists!
We invite all St. John XXIII students to submit their artwork for this year's Yearbook Cover Contest! All entries must be submitted by January 20th. A panel will select the top five submissions, and then the school population will vote on their favorite design via a Google form.
The winning artwork will be featured on the front cover, while the remaining top four selected designs will be showcased on the back cover.
Don't miss your chance to have your artwork seen by the entire school!
Submit art on:
8.5 x11 sheet of white paper
Vertical orientation only
Colorful (bold, dramatic lines and colours. No pencil crayons or water-colour paints as they do not show up well when scanned. Suggested tools- markers, sharpies)
All entries must include:
Our theme - “Rooted in Christ", inspired by John 15:5,8: “I am the vine; you are the branches… bear much fruit, and become my disciples.”
Entries due January 20th
Tips for a good entry:
Limit the amount of white space - lots of colors (including the background)
Use up the whole sheet of paper (the bigger the better)
Choose bright and bold colours! Avoid using pencils and light colored crayons.
To make your cover POP, create a thick outline using a sharpie or marker
Covers will be scanned so artwork must be completely flat
Big Box of Cards for Sale!
We're excited to offer our remaining Big Box of Cards sets! Each box contains 35 handcrafted cards for just $36.32. Choose between the All Occasion box or the Birthday box set—perfect for any celebration!
Hurry, as these sets are available on a first come, first serve basis and quantities are limited. You can order as many boxes as you'd like from our available stock, so be sure to stock up for all your upcoming events! Payment is quick and easy through MunchaLunch, and must be made at the time of order. Don’t miss out on this fantastic deal!
Join Us for the Next School Council Meeting!
Mark your calendars! Our next School Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 20th, at 6:30 PM. We encourage all parents and guardians to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Fort Saskatchewan Public Library "Reading is Our Jam" Challenge
Did you know that the Nourishment Centre (Food Bank) has a hard time stocking up on jam? Here is an opportunity for our students to make a difference!
This week SJXXIII will be participating in the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library's Jamuary 2025 Reading Challenge. This initiative is a collaboration between Twice but Nice, the Food Bank (Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre), and FSPL.
Last week, students brought home a Jamuary Reading Tracker. Please help us by tracking your child's reading minutes each day from January 13th to January 19th. Return the completed tracker to school on Monday, January 20th. The public library will tally the reading minutes from each participating school in Fort Saskatchewan. The school with the most reading minutes (adjusted for student ratios) will win the prestigious GOLDEN JAM JAR trophy! The best part of this challenge is that Twice but Nice will match the total number of reading minutes with a donation to the Food Bank, up to a maximum of $500!
Thank you for your support!
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a GREAT Day to be a St. John Kid!
St. John XXIII January Decalogue Award
Jersey Day
Learning Commons
PreK
Nature Kinder
Nature 1
Nature 2
Pathways
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Community Events
Saint John XXIII Catholic School
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