St. Martin's Catholic School

Happy New Year and Welcome Back! We have certainly hit the ground running here at St. Martin's with students off on ski trips, spirit days and of course report card preparations for the end of the month. Thank you for your continued support of our fantastic school! Please join us for Parent Advisory Council tomorrow night if you can make it.

Other Highlights of this weeks Newsletter:

1. Disney Day 🤳📸🎥
2. Assurance Survey in January ✍🏻📝✍🏻
3. Ski Trip 🎿😁🎿

STMN Office Staff:

🎅Mr. Darby Murphy (Principal)

⛄Mrs. Melanie Sorochan (Ast. Principal)

🎄Ms. Fronde Dubuc (Secretary)

We are excited to announce that our Assurance Survey will be open from January 20th to February 10th! This is your chance to provide valuable feedback and help us continue to make St. Martin’s Catholic School the best it can be.

The survey is built on our Four Assurance Pillars, which guide everything we do:

• Faith Integration: Ensuring faith is woven into the heart of our school’s culture.
• Learners and Learning: Supporting academic excellence and lifelong learning for all students.
• Systemic Wellness: Fostering a safe and healthy environment for students, staff, and families.
• Community Engagement: Strengthening partnerships with families and the broader community.

Your feedback is instrumental in shaping our school’s direction and ensuring that we meet the needs of our students and families. We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the many initiatives we’ve undertaken in each pillar. You can revisit previous editions of our SMORE newsletter to see how these pillars are brought to life through faith-building activities, student success stories, wellness programs, and community connections.

The Assurance Survey provides an opportunity for your voice to be heard. By completing it, you’re not only helping us celebrate what’s working but also guiding us on where we can grow. Together, we can continue to build a thriving, faith-filled school community. Thank you for your time, trust, and partnership in your child’s education. Let’s work together to make St. Martin’s even better! Your voice matters.

We are excited to invite all parents and guardians to our upcoming Parent Council Meeting on Monday, January 13th at St. Martin's Catholic School. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our school community.

Your input and participation are invaluable in ensuring that our school continues to be a nurturing and engaging environment for our children. Whether you're a returning member or new to the council, we welcome you to join us for a productive and collaborative evening.

The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the school staff room. There will be a virtual link sent out the day of the meeting by email for those who are unable to attend in person but we hope you can join us. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to make a positive impact on our school!

Over the Christmas Break St. Martin's had some upgrades to our front door. If you are coming to the school please ring the bell and you will be buzzed in by the office. Pull on the LEFT hand door.

• Jan. 13: Parent Council/Foundation Meeting @ 7:00 👪
• Jan. 15: Quesada Lunch 🌮
• Jan. 20: Assurance Survey Opens! 📝
• Jan. 21: Basketball Practice Grades 5/6 3-4pm 🏀
• Jan 22: Board of Trustees Public Meeting @ 1:00pm 📝
• Jan 22: Subway Lunch 🌭
• Jan. 28: Basketball Practice Grades 5/6 3-4pm 🏀
• Jan 29: 1st Semester Ends - No School for Students (PD Day)
• Feb 1st: Registration for the 2025-26 School Year Opens
• Feb 4th: Basketball Practice Grades 5/6 3-4pm 🏀
• Feb 5th: Early Dismissal Day - School ends @ 1:55 for students
• Feb 6-7th: Teachers Convention - No School for Students

On January 6th, the first day back from the Christmas break, St. Martin's Catholic School’s Division 2 students (Grades 4-6) hit the slopes for a memorable ski trip. The outing turned out to be more than just a fun activity—it became a heartwarming way for staff and students to reconnect after the holidays.

Teachers and students alike shared glowing feedback, noting how the shared experience brought everyone closer together. Conversations about holiday memories and laughter on the slopes created an incredible sense of community.

The timing of the trip proved to be an unexpected bonus, as the slopes were nearly empty, giving the group plenty of space to enjoy the day. Reflecting on the success of this outing, many have suggested that it might just become a new tradition at St. Martin’s. What better way to start the new year than with fresh air, smiles, and a shared adventure? Here's to more traditions that bring us closer together as a school community!

We are inviting the grade 5 and 6 students to join the St. Martin’s Basketball Club!

In School practices will be Friday lunch hour recess from 12:02-12:22.

After school practices will be from 3:00-4:00, on the following dates:

Tuesday, January 21st

Tuesday, January 28th

Tuesday, February 4th

Tuesday, February 11th

Tuesday, February 25th

• Parents are asked to pick up their child at the gym doors promptly at 4:00, please.
• Our first afterschool practice will be on January 21st!
• Unfortunately we cannot have any younger siblings join us in the gym for that hour.
• Our goal for the students is to focus on improving skills and having fun. We have asked that if the students join, they commit to practices and let us know if they will be missing any.
• We will keep parents posted with any new information and any games.
• All students must have signed consent before joining the Basketball club! Sheets have been sent home with those interested and extras area available at the office.

Happy 2025! MHCB programming at St. Martin’s will resume the week of January 13th with grades 3 through 6 continuing in the Open Parachute curriculum. We also have some exciting new clubs starting in February, one being our Culture Connect club for grades 5 and 6. This club is all about exploring the diverse world around us and celebrating the unique customs, traditions, and histories of different cultures. Whether it’s through food, art, music, festivals, or storytelling, this club will give students the opportunity to learn about, appreciate, and respect the rich variety of cultures that make up our amazing community! Parents are welcome to participate in this club. Stay tuned for more information! – Mrs. Scripture

In January, MHCB promotes Bell Let’s Talk Day throughout all the schools. This annual campaign will be held on January 22nd and aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health by encouraging conversations about mental illness, highlighting the importance of mental health care, and supporting those living with mental health challenges. On this day, Bell donates 5 cents for every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, or use of the hashtag #BellLetsTalk to mental health organizations, funding crucial services and programs across the country! You can visit https://letstalk.bell.ca to access more information as well as some free tools and resources.

PARISH EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Weekday Divine Liturgies are celebrated Mon.-Fri. at 8 AM)

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St. Martin's Catholic School

Asst. Principal: Mrs. Melanie Sorochan

Main Office: Ms. Fronde Dubuc

Email: stmn@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stmn.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 4314 - 54A Avenue, Vegreville AB T9C 1C8

Phone: (780) 632-2266
Facebook: stmartinscatholicschool