The Patriot Report – June 3, 2022

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden

This was one of my favorite quotes I would rattle off to students who submitted rushed or incomplete assignments. I always had them redo the work until it reflected what they were capable of. Lately though, I have been thinking about how this quote applies to me as a parent. 

We only get one shot at being a parent for our children. There is no opportunity to restart from the beginning and so the pressure for getting it right is great. I do not believe that I am alone in my desire to not let my children down. Like all parents, I want to make sure my children do not make horrible decisions that could dramatically alter their life. I want my children to be safe, to be connected to family, to be successful caring individuals. Perhaps my hopes are similar to yours. Perhaps we all want the same things for our kids. 

One helpful way to ensure that we are doing what we can to raise our children to be the people God intended them to be, is to reflect on what this would look like. Sometimes it is helpful to picture the opposite of what we want. Picture in your mind what would lead them to that life. For example, an unsafe, disconnected, unsuccessful, selfish, and lazy child is something we all want to avoid. Unsafe children are typically ones who have no boundaries and are never held to account. They make decisions without thinking of the consequences. Disconnected kids tend to have poor relationships with their parents. Perhaps they never see their parents. Perhaps they are always on their device. Perhaps they feel that their parents are always judging but never accepting them. Disconnected children will seek out other forms of connection which are often detrimental to their development. Unsuccessful children give up easily and think that they cannot achieve. So then, the opposite will hold true as well.

Safe children know their boundaries and limits. They may make mistakes but they often try to think ahead about consequences. So, let’s be sure to set healthy boundaries and limits. If children are calling the shots in the household then that is not going to produce an end result that is best for them. Children who feel connected to family often report that they feel accepted by parents. They feel they can talk to their parents. They know they are loved and they spend time with their parents. So, let’s connect with our children. Spend time with them. Play with them. Listen to them. Successful children persevere and are resilient learners. When they fail, they know they can try again until they do succeed. They learn this through various life experiences such as sports or music. Successful children know that they have people cheering for them. So let’s register our children in sports or in music and lets encourage them to try again when they fail or falter so that they develop the resilience they need to succeed. 

We only get one chance at this, so let us make sure we are doing all we can to raise our children to be safe, connected, caring, successful individuals. 

Our Walkathon was a resounding success! Our Kindergarten to Gr. 6 classes combined to raise over $30, 000! While no class qualified for the waterslides, classes have qualified for the pizza, ice cream, and movie afternoon. We are targeting the dates of June 15 and June 22 as movie dates. Chances are that whatever movie we choose, many kids will have seen it before. The aim of the afternoon is to have some fun and to reward the kids. 

Congrats again on the Walkathon!!!

To watch a video of the days events click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bctY3X9L7Os&t=7s

In our Walkathon Promotion we said we would be purchasing a new scoreboard and we would be upgrading our playground surface. 

Our new scoreboard was recently installed and thank you to the PSG for also contributing to this purchase!

We have been researching various solutions for our playground surfaces. Due to the higher maintenance of the wood chips especially over the Fall season and the safety concerns for potential slivers, the wood chips option became the less ideal option. As such, we are looking to temporarily make the playground safer by replacing the retaining wall and bringing in more pea gravel. We will then look to save money to eventually do rubber surfacing for the playground. Due to the large surface area to be done, this project will take some time to achieve. 

We continue to look for ways to improve our learning environment for your children. Over the years we have accomplished the following:

• new chromebooks
• new projectors
• new set of Christian Education books
• new Math textbooks based on Singapore Math
• renovated washrooms
• landscaping and irrigation
• exterior painting
• new stage curtain
• new lighting for the gym
• upgraded exterior lighting

Over the next few years we will be looking to continue to improve the facilities and the learning experience for your child. Thank you for all your financial contributions!

I am so thrilled to invite you to an afternoon of music performed by our students. For the past few weeks, students have been learning songs that fit with the theme of “Color the World with Song.” The kids are sounding better and better with each week. Due to limited space, we need parents to register for the concert by clicking here so that we are not over capacity. Admission is by donation and all funds will go towards the music department (instrument purchases). Admission will be based on the online registration and we are limiting capacity to 175 seats. 

Date and Time of Performance: June 9 at 1:30pm

Location: St. Jude School Gym

Cost: By donation (all proceeds will go to the music department)

Students will wear their “costumes” for both the dress rehearsal and the performance. The dress rehearsal is on Wednesday, June 8th. They do not need to wear their uniform to school those days. 

• • • • Kindergarten: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a COLOURFUL top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)
      • Grade 1: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a PURPLE OR PINK top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)
      • Grade 2: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a YELLOW OR ORANGE top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)
      • Grade 3: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a GREEN top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)
      • Grade 4: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a BLUE top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)
      • Grade 5: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a COLOURFUL top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)
      • Grade 6: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a RED top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)
      • Grade 7: denim (jean) or black pants or skirts AND a WHITE OR BLACK top with NO print and NO images (solid colours)

Students in Gr. 4 and Gr. 6 ventured to Grouse Mountain on Thursday, June 2, to learn more about First Nations and the local environment. It was an excellent off site learning experience for the children. Field trips are wonderful opportunities to make learning come alive while creating lifelong memories. 

Parents please go directly to: https://schoolstart.ca/

Then click on the following:

– Parents Shop Here

– Purchase School Supply Kits

– Select Province, then City, then School

– Click Here to Purchase Your School Kits

– Lastly, click on your child’s Grade.

St. Jude School is pleased to confirm that there will be approximately 3 classes of Beginner’s Mandarin starting in September. Ms. Nellie Chan will email parents information on payment. Thank you.

Cost: $300 (tax and course material included) per term

Starts: September (Mondays 3:15 – 5:15) – starting September 12, 2022 – 15 week term

Location: In person at St. Jude School – classroom TBD

Requirements: This is open to all St. Jude School students regardless of age. We have more than 8 students signed up so these classes will start come September.

How to register:

Email: edu@puiying.org

Attention: Ms. Nellie Chan

Send the following information to edu@puiying.org:

Ref.: SJES
Name of Student:
Date of Birth:
Course to register: Cantonese / Mandarin
Level to register: Beginners Level 1
Name of Parent / Guardian:
Day time Contact number:
Email:

This past year we handed out $1200 in rewards to parents that referred students to our school. Every student that is referred and enrolls in our school for the year results in a reward of $200 for the the referring family. 

We currently have spots available in Kindergarten, Gr. 1, Gr. 2, Gr. 3, Gr. 4, and Gr. 6. 

To learn more about the referral program, please click here. 

Volunteer Policy

Under the Criminal Records Review Act, anyone who works with children or who has unsupervised access to children must submit to a Criminal Record Check (CRC).  The act helps protect children from individuals whose criminal record indicates they pose a risk of physical or sexual abuse.  

Based on the current programs offered at St. Jude School, this policy is applicable to the following volunteer opportunities and parent participation categories:

• Library
• Parent Supervisors for Field Trips
• Coaching Assistance / Refereeing / Extra-Curricular
• Playground / Parking Lot Supervision
• Hot Lunch helper
• Classroom / Office helper

If you plan to volunteer for the school in the capacities outlined above or your parent participation involves any of the above, you will need to complete a Criminal Record Check as soon as possible.  This check is free and can be completed online. Simply click on the link below and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to enter the Access Code to be identified as a volunteer at St. Jude School.

Online Link: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/criminalrecordcheck

Access Code: KVLB9GCYEW

If you are not able to complete the form online, please email the school office for an appointment, bring your picture ID and we will assist you at the office.

St. Jude School acknowledges that there will be no disclosure of personal information to unauthorized personnel or third parties who are not directly involved in school management or the care, supervision and instruction of your child(ren) at this school, unless written authorization from a parent or legal guardian is provided to the school.  The school will securely store all electronic and hard copy parent and student personal information.

We currently have No items available for sale in our Consignment.

If you would like uniform items to be sold in consignment, they must be in good to excellent condition. They need to be the current uniform and not the old one. You will need to set a price and fill out a form. Please contact Mr. van der Pauw or Ms. Goh at the Office if you would like an item to be sold or to purchase an item. From time to time we will post what is available for sale in consignment. 

Reminder of Uniform Schedule:

Monday to Thursday – Uniform

Fridays – Patriot Spirit Wear