St. Martin's Catholic School

The long January is over and February is HERE! Just a quick reminder that this week is unique with Early Dismissal on Feb. 5th and then it is TEACHERS CONVENTION on Thursday and Friday with No School. Please also be aware that because of the short week there will be no School Newsletter until Feb 16th. One last reminder as well about our VIRTUAL Parent Council Meeting tomorrow Feb 3rd.

Other Highlights of this weeks Newsletter:

1. Classroom Learning 👨🏻‍🔬🧪🔬
2. Jump Rope for Heart 💝💕💙
   
3. Grade 1/2 Prayer Assembly 📿🤲🛐

STMN Office Staff:

🎅Mr. Darby Murphy (Principal)

⛄Mrs. Melanie Sorochan (Ast. Principal)

🎄Ms. Fronde Dubuc (Secretary)

Have you seen our 2024-2025 Education Assurance Survey?
Your feedback is a blessing, helping us reflect on how we are nurturing students in faith, learning, and community. Check your email for the survey link sent on January 20. If it’s not in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folder. Thank you for your insights as we continue to serve our students and families. #eicscatholic

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.

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.

We are excited to invite all parents and guardians to our upcoming Parent Council Meeting on Monday, February 3rd.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 VIRTUALLY. The virtual link will be sent out tomorrow by email, we hope you can join us. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to make a positive impact on our school!

• Feb 1: Registration for the 2025-26 School Year Opens
• Feb 3: Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00pm
• Feb 4: Basketball Practice Grades 5/6 3-4pm 🏀
• Feb 5: Early Dismissal Day - School ends @ 1:55 for students
• Feb 5: Spirit Day: Wear as Many Patterns as you Can!
• Feb 6-7: Teachers Convention - No School for Students
• Feb 13: 100th Day of School
• Feb 14: Jump Rope for Heart
• Feb 14: Arch Bishop Smith Visiting Vegreville
• Feb 17: Family Day - No School
• Feb 24: PD Day - No School
• Feb 26: Pink Shirt Day
• Feb 26: "Come and See" Day - PreK/Kinder Tours
• Feb 28: Winter Carnival

Please check our website calendar for any updates

Were you or a family member born outside of Canada? Do you identify as Indigenous or have connections to an Indigenous community? Or maybe you have an interest in learning about some of the unique cultures that make up our community? Welcome to Culture Connect! This fun and interactive after-school club is all about exploring diversity and celebrating the unique customs, traditions, and histories of some of the students within our school. Whether it’s through food, art, music, festivals, or storytelling, Culture Connect will help students and families develop connection, understanding, empathy and respect for all of God’s people. Some activities will include cultural storytelling, international food tasting, “show and tell” presentations, learning traditional dances, and creating a Global Rhythms song playlist! The club will conclude with a cross-cultural potluck meal for students and their caregivers (date and time TBD).

Who can join? This club is open to all students in Grades 4-6 and their caregivers. There is a limit of 20 participants.

If you are the parent or caregiver for a student in the club and are available to assist with the weekly activities, we would greatly appreciate your help! We also need 5 volunteers who would be willing to provide a unique food item or an international dish for 20 students to do a taste-testing.

What is required? All students will need a signed permission form (sent by email). Parents who can assist with the club will require a CRC/Vulnerable Sector Check. If you are unsure whether you have one registered with the school, or need a letter to waive the application fee, please email Mrs. Dubuc in the office.

When & Where:

• Meeting Time: Tuesdays from 3-4pm

• Dates: February 11th, 18th, 25th

March 4th, 11th, and 18th

• Location: St. Martin’s School

• Sign Up: Complete the consent form by February 4th

We’re excited to kick off our Jump Rope for Heart fundraising initiative at St. Martin’s! To start, this past week at Prayer Assembly students watched a special video introducing the campaign and the importance of heart health.

This year, students have two ways to participate in fundraising:
✔ Online Fundraising – Parents will receive instructions and a registration link from in their email from our office staff.
✔ Offline Pledge Forms – Students who wish to collect offline pledges must have parent permission (via agenda note, Seesaw message, etc.) before receiving a pledge form.

All offline pledge forms must be returned, whether pledges are collected or not. Fundraising will continue until February 21.

Thank you for supporting this great cause and helping our students learn the value of giving back!

This week, the students in Mrs. Bilyk’s Grade 1/2 class took on a leadership role as they led the school community in our weekly prayer assembly. With confidence and enthusiasm, the young learners shared prayers, scripture readings, and reflections, reminding us all of the importance of faith, kindness, and gratitude.

The students worked hard to prepare, practicing their parts and sharing their voices with reverence and joy. Their message of love and unity was a beautiful way to start the week, setting a positive and prayerful tone for the entire school.

We are so proud of these young leaders for their wonderful efforts in spreading God’s word. Thank you, Mrs. Bilyk’s Grade 1/2 class, for your inspiring leadership!

St. Martin’s Catholic School is honored to welcome Archbishop Richard Smith on Friday, February 14th, for a very special visit. This occasion is a significant celebration of faith, unity, and community as we gather with our friends from St. Mary’s Catholic School for a shared Mass.

Archbishop Smith, the spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, will preside over the Mass, bringing together students, staff, and families from both schools in a meaningful act of worship. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together in prayer and reflection, deepening our connection to our faith.

Following the Mass, Archbishop Smith will spend time visiting with students and staff, engaging in conversations, and sharing his wisdom and encouragement. His presence is a true blessing, and we are grateful for the chance to welcome him into our school family.

We look forward to this special day of faith and fellowship and encourage all students, staff, and families to take part in this memorable event. Let us prepare our hearts to warmly welcome Archbishop Smith and celebrate this joyous occasion together!

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