The Good News March 3, 2024

Lent is time of reflection and renewal. It is a great time to reflect on how you are allowing God to transform your life.

Is there anything you want to change in your life? Do you respond to the challenges in your life or let them overcome you? Do you see your obstacles as chances to dive deeper into God’s grace, or do you become bitter for having to face difficulties? Though our circumstances, emotions, and thoughts change, God is ever-present and ever-persistent in loving, caring, and fighting for us.

God didn’t think “good enough” when He created you. “God saw all that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31). God has great plans for your life!

How are you allowing God to transform your life this Lenten season?

Monday, Mar. 4

• Regular School day

• Father Abraham visit - Gr. 2
• Archbishop Smith visit, 10 am Assembly
• Gr 4 Swimming 1-2pm

• Early Dismissal 2:10, wear purple for Lent
  

• Hot Lunch
• Choir at Music Festival, AM
• NK going to SWC
  

Friday, Mar. 8

• Regular School day

Mar. 12 - PSC Meeting 6:30

Mar. 15 - Kindergarten 3 Way Conferences

Mar. 19 - 3 Way Conferences 3:30-6:30pm

Mar. 20 - 3 Way Conferences 4:00-7:00pm, Hot Lunch

Mar. 22 - Start of Spring Break

Apr. 4 - Gr 3 Telus World of Science

Apr. 9 - Gr 4 TPet

Apr. 15 - PSC Meeting 6:30

Apr. 17 - Gr 2 Gymnastics

Apr. 19 - Gr 3 gardening with Sharon

As part of our ongoing commitment to service and community engagement, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our Lenten Service Project - the Cereal Box Challenge for the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank. This initiative aims to support those in need within our community while fostering a spirit of generosity and compassion among our students.

We invite all students to participate by bringing in donations of a box of cereal or any non-perishable food items packaged in boxes, such as macaroni and cheese, to contribute to this worthy cause. Donations can be brought to the school starting February 20th to March 20th. To celebrate the collective effort and generosity of our community, we will be organizing a special event in the gymnasium. A domino track will be meticulously set up to showcase the impact of our donations as they cascade through the track, symbolizing the ripple effect of our collective kindness and support.

Date: Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Time: 11:00 am

Location: Saint John XXIII Gymnasium

The season of Lent is a high point in the Catholic calendar. It is an opportunity for “spiritual self-improvement” as we look towards living Lent with mercy. Lent focuses on an increased emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the students at St. John XXIII will be celebrating ”Alms to Break the Rules” day! As a part of our Lenten initiative this year, we will be working in conjunction with Our Lady of the Angels Parish and collecting money to donate to the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank.

This is an optional activity where students (with the help of their parents), choose which rules they would like to break. Students are asked to bring in donations to participate. Students need to sit down with their families and figure out which rules they are ready to break. Students need to bring in the completed form with payment that can be sent to school in a sealed plastic bag.

More info will be shared on class dojo later this week.

Parent-Student-Teacher conferences will take place on Tuesday, March 19th from 3:30-6:00 and Wednesday, March 20th from 4:00-6:30. The first 1.5 hours of each night will be in person conferences, and the last hour will be virtual via Google Meets.

Kindergarten will have additional time slots on Friday March 15th from 9:00 -3:00.

Details will be sent in next week's newsletter.

Your child's Evidence of Learning journey will be shared with you next week. We are looking forward to connecting with you and your child to celebrate their learning progress and together, setting learning goals for their future growth.

If you would like to attend our next PSC meeting via Zoom, at 6:30 March 12th, 2024, please click the link below to register

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdeypqjMuH9QZa2mo_mXttfDUWb3F0Vvo

Please ensure that you have selected the correct homeroom class for your child when you create your account/place your Hot Lunch orders. If you have made an error, please edit the account as soon as possible.

Nature Kindergarten

Our school offers a supplemental Nature Kindergarten program which operates Tuesdays/Thursdays and some Fridays. This paid program offers students the opportunity to spend a large part of their day outside engaged in meaningful ways of learning with their body, mind and spirit, while located in a natural setting. Enrolment in this program provides an option to attend kindergarten full time.

Nature Program Grade 1 and Grade 2

This program provides students with an opportunity to spend two half days outside each week. This paid program connects students to nature by fostering rich learning experiences, physical literacy and independence.

Please visit our website to access the Nature Programs Parent Handbook, found in the Quick Links

If your child is currently attending St. John XXIII, and you would like to register in one of our Nature Programs (K,1 or 2) please submit a B.3)Nature Program Application

All current St. John XXIII students are required to fill out the Next Year Intentions form (and not a new registration form) in PowerSchool so that we can plan accordingly for next year. Please log into your PowerSchool account and fill out the Next Year Intentions form. This form is located on the left hand side, above the Grades and Attendance dropdown. Please refer to the PowerSchool page on our website for more information.

Did you know that our school website is full of important information, where you can find answers to many of your frequently asked questions? Please visit our website, where you will find information about the following (and much more):

• how to apply for busing
• details of the programs offered at St. John XXIII
• our bell schedule, school events calendar and PowerSchool support
• School Parent Council, hot lunch dates and how to order hot lunch
• how to report student absences
• how to contact staff

Registration for Kindergarten, Nature Programs and NEW students began ONLINE, February 1st. Please note that Nature programs will be number dependent.

• To go to the EICS Kindergarten webpage - please click here. This includes a Kindergarten calculator, programming and transportation information.
• Pre Kindergarten at St. John XXIII, screening information click here
• St. John XXIII Pathways Program click here
  
• EICS NEW Student Registration-click here
• To request transportation, click here

*Please note, you only need to register your child if they are entering Kindergarten or are brand new to St. John XXIII

*If your child is currently attending St. John XXIII, and you would like to register in one of our Nature Programs (K,1 or 2) please submit a B.3)Nature Program Application

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