St. Nicholas News

Dear Families,

With the winter months of January and February upon us, we know the colder weather can bring unique challenges, including the possibility of indoor recesses. According to the Elk Island Catholic School Division's procedure on inclement weather, students will remain indoors for recess if the temperature is -25°C or colder, with or without the wind chill.

In previous years, students stayed in their classrooms during indoor recess to play games or watch videos. However, we’ve observed that when students miss several consecutive days of outdoor play, it can affect their ability to focus and engage in academic work. Recess is a vital part of the school day, offering students time for play, social-emotional regulation, fresh air, and exercise.

This year, we’re excited to introduce something new to support our school-wide focus on raising resilient children: the Polar Bear Club! This initiative will allow students to go outside for recess even when temperatures drop below -25°C, as long as they are properly dressed for the weather.

Proper winter clothing includes:

• A winter jacket
• Snow pants
• Warm socks
• Mittens or gloves
• A toque
• A face covering or scarf
• Winter boots

We’ll also teach students about dressing in layers and choosing weather-appropriate clothing so they can enjoy the outdoors safely. We believe this experience will support both their physical and mental wellness while helping them build resilience.

More details about the Polar Bear Club will be shared in a separate email, so please watch your inbox for that information.

Lastly, a gentle reminder for families whose children take the bus: Even though your child may rely on bus transportation, unforeseen situations like a breakdown could leave them waiting in cold or wet conditions. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather to keep them safe in case of emergencies.

Thank you for your support in helping us create a safe and enriching environment for our students. We look forward to seeing them thrive, no matter what winter brings!

Warm regards,

Joe Kucy
Principal

• Monday January 13 - Parent Council - In-Person & Virtual - 6 pm
• Wednesday January 29 - Semester 1 ends and PD day - No school for students
• Thursday January 30 - Semester 2 begins
• Friday January 31 - Report Cards go Online
• Thursday February 6 & Friday February 7 - Teacher's Convention - No School

Exciting New Full-Day Programs for 4- and 5-Year-Olds Starting in 2025!

St. Nicholas Catholic School is thrilled to offer two new full-day programs to enhance Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten learning:

1. Pre-Kindergarten Full-Day Program

• A full curriculum designed specifically for 4-year-old learners.
• Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, full days from 8:35 AM to 3:10 PM TBC

2. Enrichment Program (4- and 5-Year-Olds)

• Extends learning with a nature-based curriculum and second language opportunities.
• Eligibility: Open to PreK and Kindergarten students registered at St. Nicholas School.
• Schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Fridays, full days from 8:35 AM to 3:10 PM TBC

*Scheduling will be confirmed upon numbers of students that have registered

Please Note: Completing the form does not guarantee a spot. Families will be notified if their application is approved.

If you have questions, please contact us at 780-467-3633 or visit our website for more details about the PreK or Enrichment Programs.

We can’t wait to welcome your child to these exciting programs! If you are interested, please link on the following link, as we plan this NEW program:

https://forms.gle/SbVP2GdLjXGTEe8o7

Granola Cups

1½ cups (375 ml) Large flake oats

¼ cup (60 ml) Wheat germ

¼ cup (60 ml) Sliced or slivered almonds

2 tbsp (30 ml) Butter, melted

2 tbsp (30 ml) Molasses or honey

2 tbsp (30 ml) Brown sugar

1 tsp (5 ml) Ground allspice

¼ tsp (1 ml) Salt

1 tsp (5 ml) Vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F.

2. In a large bowl mix oats, wheat germ and almonds.

3. In a smaller bowl mix butter, molasses, brown sugar, allspice, salt and vanilla extract. 4. Pour the molasses mixture into the large bowl and stir until combined.

5. Grease a muffin tin and divide the mixture evenly among 10 muffin cups.

6. Press the granola down into each cup and up the sides. (Tip: to get started, use your pointer and middle finger to push firmly down in the center of each muffin cup.)

7. Bake for 15 minutes until golden.

8. Allow cups to cool completely before removing from muffin tins.

9. Fill with your favorite yogurt and fresh fruit.

Parenting in Canada is a new program Family and Community are running with a focus on supporting parents not originally from Canada. It will be a 4 week evening program. You can register by calling 780-416-6730 or email familyresourcenetwork@strathcona.ca.

Navigating Sibling Rivalry

Please register here

Digital Wellbeing

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For children or youth we have:

Confident Kids

Please register here

"Our Catholic School Family, embracing both English and Ukrainian Bilingual programs is dedicated to providing the best opportunities for learning while nurturing in our students' continuous personal growth.” Office #780-467-3633