The Patriot Report – October 8

“Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” – Harvard Health Publishing

On Wednesday October 6, 2021, 30 CISVA schools gathered together at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby for our CISVA Cross Country Championships. After the 2019 event, I was asked to become one of the Directors for the Cross Country Championships. The first meet I was to help run was cancelled last year due to the health restrictions and limits on gatherings. With those restrictions lifted, we were able to move forward with hosting the event this year. 

Hosting an event is always filled with pressure and anxiety. The day before, it had rained hard and heavy. Cross Country Meets are just not as enjoyable in the rain. On Wednesday morning, my brother (principal at St. Bernadette School) and I arrived at Swangard at 6:00am to begin setting up for the event. And the rain was coming down upon us. As much as I wanted to ignore the rain, I kept thinking of the athletes and the coaches and the volunteers and how we would all just be soaked. However, as time passed, the rain began to ease up and I wondered if we just might see the sunshine. 

Seeing the sun break through the grey clouds as Deacon Henk, Superintendent of CISVA, led the stadium in prayer and a Land Acknowledgement, was a moment for me to practice gratitude. The rain stopped. The sun was shining. And I stood on the field giving thanks for the blessing of good weather. The rain held off for the entire day. Not one race had rain. More than that, children got to be children. Our schools got to see one another in an outdoor setting. I was grateful to be a part of the event. 

Every day we have an opportunity to be grateful. If we can adopt a spirit of gratitude then I do believe we will experience more joy. Happy Thanksgiving. 

On October 21, 2021, we will have our annual Parent Teacher Interviews. This year we will offer in-person and virtual options. If you are attending in person we ask that you take all steps to protect yourself and our staff from Covid19 including: wearing a mask, ensuring you are symptom free, and getting your Covid19 vaccinations. If you prefer a virtual option via Zoom, our teachers will send out a Zoom link to you with the time you signed up for. 

The length of the interview is 10 minutes. The purpose is to give parents a snapshot of how your child has started off the year and to provide one or two suggestions to support learning at home. Parents are also encouraged to ask questions or to bring forward any needs. This is not a space for lengthy discussions. If you feel that 10 minutes is insufficient, we ask that you make arrangements to speak at another time. Furthermore, if you do meet with your child’s teacher between now and October 21, you do not need to sign up for an interview time. 

To sign up for an interview time slot please click here. 

We are excited to welcome kindergarten sibling registration for children born in 2017, turning 5 in 2022. These children will begin kindergarten in September, 2022.  We ask that you complete this form to hold a spot for the sibling.  

The PHO and the Ministry of Education announced today, October 1st, that all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 will be expected to wear masks at school while indoors. This order comes into effect for Monday October 4th, 2021. 

Please ensure your child knows how to put on their own mask and review with them how to take it off. Teachers are not expected to put masks on students. Students must be independent. If your child has difficulty with masks or cannot wear a mask for health or behavioral reasons please contact your child’s teacher. Students will not be expected to wear masks while in PE or while eating or drinking. 

I thank everyone in our school community for cooperating with our Covid 19 protocols. 

The PSG is looking for new members!  To know more about what we do, please visit our web page here: https://stjude.ca/parent-support-group/. 

Contact info:  Anthonette Imperial,  psg@stjude.ca.

The following items are part of the Patriots Spirit Wear:

• current PE strip (shirt and shorts)
• Patriots hoodie
• Patriots sweatshirt  
• Patriots sweatpants
• Patriots long sleeve warm up shirt
• 2021 Walkathon Shirt

Update – we are working with Cambridge Uniforms however there are items that are currently hard to find due to supply line challenges caused by the Covid19 Pandemic. I appreciate your patience and we will let you know when ordering will happen. Stay tuned. 

The gray Patriot’s Gear is available for order.  Please click here to order.  

A valid Criminal Record Check (CRC) must be on file for parents who will be volunteering in our school in any of these parent participation categories:  

• Library
• Coaching Assistance / Refereeing / Extra-Curricular
• Playground / Parking Lot Supervision
• Hot Lunch helper
• Classroom / Office helper

For existing families:  the office will email you if your CRC is expiring or expired.  

New families:  If 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

We currently have the following items available for sale in our Consignment:

3 – Girls Tunic – size 5 – $10 each

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 if you would like an item to be sold. 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