In February, we celebrate the virtue of empathy. God wants us to understand and care about

others. God has given us the ability to form connections with each other - to live together.

Empathy helps us to connect and live together in safe, caring, inclusive communities.

An empathetic person...

• listens when people speak
• notices when someone is upset and tries to help
• can name his/her feelings
• can see a situation from another person’s point of view
• accepts that others have different perspectives

Please join us in welcoming Cecilia Silvana Pickford to our extended St. Michael's family. Mr. & Mrs. Pickford welcomed Cecilia this morning and both mother and child are doing well. Let us pray that she will always know God's loving grace and that the Pickford family will be blessed with peace, love, and laughter.

With the cold days of winter upon us, please remind your child(ren) to wear clothing appropriate for the weather, (i.e. boots, warm jacket, mitts, toques). If weather conditions are reasonable, students will go outside to get some fresh air during recess and lunch breaks.

In the event of inclement weather, such as snow, please monitor your email and the school website - www.stmichaelschool.ca.

You will receive an email by 7:30 AM if the school is closed.

Families in the ASC will receive a message by 6 AM if the before-school session is closed.

Please do not tie up the school and parish telephone lines by trying to call these offices. If you do not receive an email from the school office, then the school is open.

All emails will be made by 7:30 AM.

As travelling conditions vary depending on where you live, please use your judgment regarding sending your child(ren) to school. The staff, however, will always work to keep the school open when safety is not in question.

This is a reminder that Reading Club calendars are due on Monday, February 3 in order to receive your prize for the term. New calendars were sent home this week for February to May, and will need to be returned in June for a prize. Please find attached a copy of the Reading Club calendar for your convenience.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 6th at 7 PM. Please note attendance for every family is mandatory and a requirement of our Parent Participation Program. As noted on the parent participation guidelines and registration papers, families who do not have a representative in attendance will be charged a $50 fee. Consideration will be given to extenuating circumstances for absence if reasonable notice is given directly to Mrs. Grant by emailing egrant@smeschool.ca by 9 AM on Thursday, February 6th.

Re-registration packages and 2024 tax receipts will be distributed at the meeting.

Childcare will be available at the school for those families who may need it to attend.

During the AGM, our PEC and school administration team will endeavour to answer any questions you have. If you would like to submit a question for the Parish Education Committee or the Principal, please do so using the form below.

Thank you!

As part of St. Michael's ongoing efforts to keep you informed of your child's learning experiences, we have scheduled time for our students to share their hard work with their parents in the classroom.

These Student-Led Conferences will take place on Thursday, February 20th between the hours of 11 AM and 7 PM. There will be no regular classes that day as teachers will be facilitating the conferences.

Students are to attend their conference, wearing their school uniform at their scheduled time. Each conference will take approximately 25 minutes. We are using an online scheduling system to set up appointment times.

Online Scheduling

• Opens Sunday, February 2nd at 9 PM

• Closes Thursday, February 13th at 10 PM

If you do not schedule an appointment, teachers will allocate time for you from their remaining time slots. Please click the link below to access the appointment website once scheduling opens.

Our Scholastic Book Fair will once again be open in the gym during Student-Led Conferences.

As outlined in our Parent Participation Guidelines, all participating families are required to complete and log at least 20 hours of participation by the end of February. If you have not yet completed 20 hours, or will not complete 20 hours by the end of February, please contact our Parent Participation Coordinator as soon as possible at parentparticipation@smeschool.ca

Don't Forget!

We ask each primary student (grades K-3) to bring in a cake, cupcakes or donuts for the Cakewalk and each intermediate student (grades 4-7) to bring in a candy jar, bag or bar for the Candy Jar Game. Candies may be packaged in any type of container...be creative.

All items can be dropped off the morning of Winter Fair at the school kitchen in the gym with your child's name and grade.

Classes with the most candy & cake donations win a non-uniform day!

The Gala will be an evening filled with delicious food, live entertainment, good friends, and overall great vibes! Tickets for this fabulous event are available for purchase at the school and church offices and after the weekly Sunday masses. Tickets are going fast, so don’t forget to get them early. Sale ends February 20, 2025.

Limited VIP tickets are sold separately for only $80. General entry tickets are $60.

Childcare tickets will be available for sale at $20.00 each.

Ticket payment options:

Cheques payable to St. Michael's Parish

Cash

To purchase your ticket with a debit or credit card, please visit the school office. (2.65% service fee will apply)

Volunteer opportunities:

• Ticket sales after weekly Sunday Masses.
• Set up on Thursday, February 27th after school
• Set up on Friday, February 28th
• Clean up on Sunday, March 2nd

Childcare volunteers are needed for the evening of March 1st, from 6pm-10pm.

Contact:

Rupa Marcus

Gala Chairperson

For more information and Volunteer opportunities

Email: rupa.marcus@gmail.com

Tel:604-306-4190

Catholic Schools Week

Feb 2nd: 8:30 AM Family and Grade 2 Introductory Rites Mass with the school choir

Feb 4th: Confession for Gr. 5

Feb 5th: 9:15 AM Gr. 7 Assembly; 7 PM Gr. 2 Parent Meeting

Feb 6th: 7 PM Annual General Meeting

Feb 7th: 9AM School Mass; 3 - 3:30 PM Used Uniform Sale

Feb 9th: 8:30 AM Grade 2 Liturgy of the Word Mass

Feb 10th: Parent's Association Winter Fair

Feb 11th: Confession for Gr. 4

Feb 13th and 14th: Catholic Educators Conference No School

Feb 17th: Family Day Holiday No School

Feb 18th: Confession for Gr. 3

Feb 20th: Student-Led Conferences 11 AM to 7 PM

Feb 21st: School Mass 9 AM