The Patriot Report – September 10

THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR CHOICES

I once heard a quote at a basketball camp spoken by a coach, “You are free to make your choices but you are not free from the consequences of your choices.” The moment I heard it I was impacted by the universality of the statement. The actual quote comes from Ezra Taft Benson and is slightly different, “You are free to choose, but you are not free to alter the consequences of your decisions.” 

The reason why this quote has impacted me is because its truth is everywhere. Want to eat unhealthy food? Have as much fast food, pop, chips, and sugar as you want? Sure. But you need to know that your future self will be unhealthy and sick – you will not be able to escape the consequences. Want to be a selfish basketball player and never pass the ball? Ok. But you better be aware that your teammates will eventually come to dislike you and not want to pass you the ball. Want to cheat on your homework? Be aware that you might just fail the test. 

Each day we make choices. Some good, some not so good. Hopefully more to the good than the bad. What we must do, is train ourselves and our children, to think about the consequences of our choices. 

Last night, one such opportunity presented itself to me as a dad. My son, did not want to go to his rugby practice as a form of protest for getting in trouble at the dinner table. Despite the fact that he loves rugby, he was going to try to sabotage the evening. Perhaps some parents reading this might identify. He even started to say that his foot was injured (despite him running around the house just 10 minutes prior). I told him that he was going to go to practice and tell his coach why he couldn’t practice. He didn’t like that but I was insistent. I was not going to be the one to speak to the coach. Once in the truck, I told him that if he was too hurt for his practice that I would support him but there would be some natural consequences. First, I would have to write to his teacher that he could not do PE or play outside at recess as his foot injury would not allow it. The truck fell silent. He knew that I meant it. I assured him that I would write the email that evening. He then said, “so you want me to do rugby and play hurt?” I told him that he was in control. I assured him that the decision was all his. I told him multiple times that I would support his decision either way. But he had to accept that there were going to be consequences for his decision. When we got to the field, he put on his cleats and joined the practice. He sprinted in the games and was perfectly fine. I firmly believe that once my son understood that the choice was his and what the consequences were, especially the idea he would have to sit out PE and recess, he then accepted responsibility and made a choice he could live with. 

None of this is easy though. It is hard to think ahead about consequences. For children, even harder. But we need to look for the moments in which we can teach our children the power of choices and consequences. 

We have had several parents park and leave their car in the drop off lane. This stops the flow of traffic and creates havoc in our parking lot. The drop off lane is next to the cones when you come in the driveway (in the picture below it is the long white arrow). Please do not park there. If you need to park and leave your car, please park in the designated areas by the grass field and basketball hoops. 

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

When will the next Patriots order be? Currently, uniform companies are very busy with fulfilling uniform orders. We will do a Patriots order at the end of September. We only do one order a year (only if there is enough demand do we do a second order in the Spring). With the exception of the PE strip, these items are not available on the Cambridge website. It is a one time special order. Please watch for this order in the newsletter at the end of September.  

We will be doing a virtual Meet the Teacher night on September 23, 2021. We are unable to host all of parents for one night so instead our teachers will create video presentations that will be shared with parents. Parents can then watch these video presentations at their leisure. As always, if you need to have a meeting with your child’s teacher please email them to set up an appointment.  

Volleyball season is upon us. Forms were given to students in Gr. 5 to Gr. 7. We are able to host practices and to play against other schools according to the guidelines set forth by ViaSport. In consultation with the CISVA Elementary Athletic Commission, games will be hosted without parent spectators. This is to reduce crowding and we are proceeding with sports in a cautious way in hopes that competitions may continue with other sports such as Basketball. If you have any questions about Volleyball please contact Mr. Campanile.

Cross Country is also underway. Students will largely practice during PE, however there may be occasional practices after school and at Beaconsfield Park. Cross Country is available to students in Gr. 2 to Gr. 7. This year, we are able to host the CISVA Cross Country Championships at Swangard Stadium on Wednesday, October 6. Given that Cross Country is outdoors, and the seating is outdoors, we can allow parent spectators.

The CISVA Cross Country Directors have put in some measures to limit crowding and reduce numbers:

1. Only 3 athletes per gender per grade per school may compete
2. There will be no Fun Run (this was a race for all other competitors)
3. Parent spectators must sit with their school
4. The start times of races have been spread out with the hopes that once children are finished they will leave and return to school

Students at St. Jude School were made aware of Cross Country starting. If you have questions please email Mr. Campanile.

Our Kindergarten students are participating in a gradual entry program where they can become familiar with their teachers and classmates. It can be an overwhelming experience for many. Given that Covid19 affects a lot of preschools and programs, the gradual entry program is incredibly beneficial. Our staff does a great job and welcoming the students, teaching them routines, and ensuring that they feel comfortable and safe at St. Jude School. 

In August, school administrators were informed that we needed to transition from a Covid19 Plan to a Communicable Disease Plan. Last week, I communicated some of the changes in my newsletter. I would like to prioritize 3 main things for you in order to keep our staff and students as safe and healthy as possible:

1. Get vaccinated. Being fully vaccinated is the best defence we have. Archbishop Miller and Pope Francis have both spoken about the moral obligation to get vaccinated. Right now the overwhelming majority of cases are with the unvaccinated. So please ensure you are fully vaccinated and all members in your household (12 and older) that are able to be vaccinated are in fact fully vaccinated. 
2. Keep sick children at home. If your child says they do not feel well you need to respond and have plans in place to keep your child home. Speak to your employer about contingency plans if your child becomes ill. Do not send your child to school if they are sick. 
3. Wear a mask. Students in Gr. 4 to Gr. 7 are to wear masks. Its is strongly encouraged that students from Kindergarten to Gr. 3 also wear a mask. Staff will be wearing masks as well. Wearing a mask outside is a personal choice. 

Frequently asked questions:

• Will children by required to socially distance from each other?
  • As of now, the guidelines state that there are no physical or social distancing requirements for staff and students.
• Will schools enforce daily health checks?
  • The PHO has stated that parents and staff need to do daily health checks. However, schools have been instructed not to track daily health checks. Health checks can use the government provided health check: https://www.k12dailycheck.gov.bc.ca/healthcheck?execution=e1s1
• Why is the entire school going over to the church for mass when there are limits on the size of gatherings?
  • The health order limiting the size of gatherings is currently not applicable to religious services or to learning activities in a school. Please read about religious service guidelines at the BCCDC website: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/community-settings/faith-based-spiritual-and-worship-practices
• Will school sports happen?
  • As of now, school sports is allowed to happen with inter-school competitions. For indoor sports like Volleyball we will not allow spectators. For outdoor sports like cross country, spectators will be limited according to PHO orders and guidelines. CISVA sports follows Via Sport guidelines. You can read about the guidelines here: https://www.viasport.ca/return-sport
• Will Meet the Teacher night be in person or virtual?
  • This year we will send home a video message from each teacher that parents can watch at their leisure. If you would like to schedule a more in depth conversation with your child’s teacher please arrange for a time through email. 
• Will Outdoor Education happen for Grade 7?
  • Camp Elphinstone has cancelled all Fall 2021 sessions. We have booked a Spring session for May 16, 17, and 18, 2022.
• Will Orchestra happen?
  • Yes Orchestra will happen. Watch your email for sign up information. In person concerts will have to follow the PHO Orders and Guidelines for public events. More information will be provided closer to the date. 
• Am I allowed to buy treats for classmates on my child’s birthday?
  • We are not allowing parents to bring in home baked goods. If you want to buy treats for your child’s classmates, always check first with the classroom teacher. We strongly suggest that instead of buying consumable treats you consider other things such as birthday pencils or even a donation to a charity in the name of the classroom. 
• Will parent participation happen?
  • Yes. Parent supervisors are able to work shifts outside and we need their assistance in keeping kids safe. Maintenance is also needed. There are always lots of projects on the go. Coaches will also be needed for the sports teams. Please connect with Mr. Campanile if you can provide coaching. All parent volunteers need criminal record checks (please see post further down in the newsletter).
• I have a question that was not answered above. Who can I speak with?
  • Mr. Chris van der Pauw is here to talk through any concerns you may have. Please email him any questions you have. The following documents were used to inform decisions at the school:
    • https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/occupational-health-safety/searchable-ohs-regulation/ohs-guidelines/guidelines-for-workers-compensation-act#SectionNumber:G-P2-21
    • https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/communicable-disease-prevention-guide-employers?lang=en
    • https://www.worksafebc.com/en/covid-19/bcs-four-step-restarthttp://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID_public_guidance/Guidance-k-12-schools.pdf
    • https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/safe-caring-orderly/k-12-covid-19-health-safety-guidlines.pdf
    • http://www.bccdc.ca/schools/Documents/Health_Safety_Checklist.pdfhttp://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/childcare-schools/camps
    • http://bccamping.org/resources/Documents/BCCA%20Overnight%20Camps%202021.07.09.docx.pdfhttps://www.viasport.ca/sites/default/files/Return_to_Sport_Restart_2.0_07-01.pdf
    • http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/community-settings/faith-based-spiritual-and-worship-practices

Hot Lunch will start on September 14, 2021. All orders must be submitted 7 days in advance. For example, if you would like hot lunch for your child on September 14, the order must be placed by September 7. 

This year we are offering the following:

Tuesdays – alternate between Pampanga’s (Filipino) and Riz Sushi

Wednesdays – Pizza Hut

Thursdays – alternate between Church’s Chicken and Ba Le (Vietnamese)

Participating in hot lunch is completely optional and you can participate as much or as little as you would like to. 

Please be aware that we use Munchalunch for all of our ordering. This program ensures that orders are accurate and you can pay online.  

New parents will need to follow this link to order hot lunch: https://munchalunch.com/schools/StJude

Existing parents can follow this link to order hot lunch: https://munchalunch.com/login

Thank you to our Hot Lunch Parent coordinators for making this possible. 

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

In 2018-19 St. Jude School cancelled its contract with Neat Uniforms. In 2019-2020 we introduced our new Cambridge Uniforms. Notable changes were made to the PE strip and we made changes to our polo shirt and school sweaters. We also added a sweater vest and we added a Patriots Spirit Wear. In 2019-2020 we announced that families would have 2 years to transition to the new Cambridge Uniform. 

As we enter 2021-22, the two year warning has passed. The old school sweater (handwritten St. Jude) is no longer considered part of our uniform. White polo shirts with no St. Jude School on it are also non-uniform. The old PE strip is also outdated and no longer considered part of the uniform. 

We understand that this may cause you a financial hardship if you need to replace all the items. If this is the case, please contact Mr. van der Pauw so that a win-win solution can be had. 

We also understand that it may take some time for families to get the correct items from Cambridge Uniforms as this is the busiest time of the year for uniform stores. As such, we will give families until the end of October to be in compliance. Those families who need more time are reminded to contact Mr. van der Pauw. 

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

Morning drop off routine will be similar to last year. Classroom doors will open at 8:30 am (a tone will signal that doors will open). Students have until 8:40 am to arrive at school without being considered late. At 8:40 am the tone will sound and teachers will usher students in and then shut their doors. Students arriving after 8:40am are considered late. They will need to come to the front office as we do track lateness.  

Primary students will need to be escorted by their parents to their classroom exterior doors (faces East 15th). Many primary parents understandably park along East 15 in the morning to cross the street and drop off their child. I ask that you ensure you obey city parking signs that say no parking and exercise caution when crossing the street due to increased car traffic. However, parking in the lot and walking your child to the grass area outside their classroom door is a great way to get in some steps 🙂