St. Michael's News

Respiratory illnesses tend to increase as we spend more time indoors. Common colds, the flu and COVID-19 spread through tiny droplets as people who are sick breathe, talk, cough or sneeze. When other people touch these droplets and then their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands they may become sick.

Out of an abundance of caution, Fraser Health has sent public and independent schools in the region a letter about the teenager who has tested presumptively positive for avian influenza. Please see the letter attached for more information. We encourage everyone to practice the preventative measures suggested, including:

• Stay up to date on all immunizations, especially the seasonal flu vaccine
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water is not available.
• Do not touch sick or dead animals
• Stay home if you are sick

We kindly remind parents to please keep children at home if they are experiencing symptoms of illness. Students should also stay home for 24 hours following a fever or vomiting.

Our Grade 7 school and CCD students have the opportunity to attend Spirit Day on Saturday, November 16th with hundreds of other young Catholics around the Archdiocese. We pray they enjoy their time and return with a renewed sense of faith and commitment to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep our candidates for Confirmation in your prayers this year.

Please note Spirit Day cheques and EFTs will be deposited on November 15th.

The school administration team will be hosting a question and answer session and open evening for new families on Tuesday, November 19th from 6:30 - 8 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit our school and meet the principal, as well as ask any questions you may have about our community.

There will also be an open house on Monday, November 25th from 9 AM - 11 AM to allow interested families to tour the school while we are in session.

If you have a child due to enter Kindergarten in September of 2025, please contact the school office to ensure we have them on our sibling list. As we approach application and registration season, it is important we have a current list of younger siblings.

The Parents Association will be hosting an Advent Craft night on November 25th. Tickets are available on the hot lunch platform or at the school office. We hope to see you there!

SCHOLASTIC FLYERS

Scholastic Flyers are available at the school office if your child did not receive one.

Orders can be completed online!

If you would like to order online:

Go to scholastic.ca/clubshop

Create an account or log in to existing account; place order.

Enter school code (RC249384)

Orders will ship direct to your home to reduce handling.

Shipping is free when you spend over $40 and enter the school code.

Thanks for your support of this school program!

Dear SME parents,

The PA would like to hear what you think of our Hot Lunch program. We prepared a short survey asking you to share your opinions about the quality of the food, the items on the menu, and the vendor options provided throughout the school term, as well as your ideas on how we can make this program better. Please let us know if your kids enjoy St. Michael’s Hot Lunch program, what we do well and what we could improve upon. All responses will be collected, analyzed and used in planning for the spring term. We will keep the survey open for the next three weeks until December 9. This survey should only take you 5 mins. Thank you for your time.

This year's Christmas Concert is...STRAIGHT OUTTA BETHLEHEM!

Here we are in the “sleepy” little village of Bethlehem. But in this tiny town something huge and miraculous is about to happen…the birth of the Messiah! Right in the midst of all the action is an irresistibly intrepid and indefatigable group of orphans who reside at the Inn of Bethlehem who will unveil the story of Christmas and how God sent His only Son to be born, STRAIGHT OUTTA BETHLEHEM. As eyewitnesses to the holy, blessed event, their special re-telling of the story is sure to shine a bright new light on the importance of our Savior’s birth!

All students will be performing a musical number for the concert! Please see the guidelines attached below.

All students are asked to be present for both the 1:30pm and 7:00pm performances on December 12th. We invite all families and friends to attend these performances!

Information regarding our annual souvenir t-shirt sale and fundraisers was sent home Thursday in class.

If you would like to order a t-shirt, please complete the attached order form below and send it to school by Thursday, November 21st. This is a firm deadline, as no late orders will be accepted, and no extra t-shirts will be ordered. If your child will not be at school before the due date, please email aalberti@smeschool.ca with the details of your order by Wednesday, November 20th.

Gala

The most glamorous and exciting night of the year, St. Michael's Parish Gala (Casino Royale), invites you to volunteer! We are looking for:

• an in-class basket & ceramic coordinator
• ticket sale support (after weekend Mass)
• decoration set up and take down
• TUPS volunteers from 6 PM to 10 PM on the evening of March 1st

Volunteers are required to have a valid BC criminal record check completed.

For more information please contact:

Rupa Marcus

Gala Chairperson

Email: rupa.marcus@gmail.com

Tel:604-306-4190

The Rotary Club in Coquitlam is hosting speaker Tamara Williams this month as part of their Mental Health Speaker Series.

The presentation is taking place on Tuesday November 26th from 7-830pm and the topic is called Balls of Energy: Using modern neuroscience to help caregivers and children manage emotions together.

Description: Learn how to interpret the shifts in energy and emotions in your child's life and the neuroscience behind what is happening. Use this knowledge to support your child better when overwhelmed by big feelings so you can calm down or energize together to create a happier home or classroom.

to register for this free event, please go to: https://www.mentalhealthspeakerseries.com/

Nov 16th: Gr. 7 Spirit Day

Nov 19th: Confession Grade 4; SME Q & A evening 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Nov 22nd: CISVA Networking Day. No School.

Nov 25th: SME Open House 9 - 11 AM; Advent Craft Night 6 PM

Nov 26th: Confession Gr. 3; ACRSS Presentation for Gr. 6 and 7; PEC Meeting

Nov 27th: Grade 1 Advent Assembly 9:15 AM

Nov 28th: Non-Uniform Day; Learning Updates come home

Nov 29th: School Mass 9 AM

Dec 1st: First Sunday of Advent

Dec 3rd: Confession for Gr. 7

Dec 6th: School Mass 9 AM; Used uniform Store 3 - 3:30 PM

Dec 8th: Family Mass with School Choir 8:30 AM