The Patriot Report – September 16, 2022

“I am the Good Shepherd” Jn 10:11

In 2008, my wife and I walked the pilgrimage route known as “the Camino” or “the Way.” We journeyed for 30 days across Spain, walking approximately 750 kms from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela. While it has been slightly more than 14 years since completing the pilgrimage, there are lessons that I still find myself reflecting on. 

I can recall one day we were walking along countryside in the hills of Northern Spain when we heard a cowbell being rung in the pastures along the path. The morning was foggy so initially it was difficult to make out where the cowbell was coming from. Walking along further, the bell became louder and finally we saw its origin; a man walking with a flock of sheep was ringing the bell. 

Growing up in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows means I have seen my share of farms but never had I seen a man walking with sheep. The man was not dressed like a biblical shepherd. Rather he was wearing blue mechanic overalls with rubber boots. Nevertheless, he was walking among the sheep. There were sheep in front of him and behind him. He was quite literally in the midst of the flock. That image is as clear in my mind today as the day I saw it. 

Seeing that man walking with his sheep crystalized for me the image of the Good Shepherd. It was no accident that Jesus chose a shepherd as an image for his followers. For Jesus walks in our midst. He accompanies us on our journey. Like a shepherd calling his flock, Jesus calls us through his teachings to follow him. But we need to listen in order to hear it. 

The sheep follow the shepherd because they trust that the shepherd will lead them out of danger. When walking past the man shepherding his sheep, I did not see him dragging sheep or yanking them along. Rather he was just walking with them and ringing the bell so that they would hear him and could follow him. 

Similarly, we are not forced to follow Jesus. We can go our own way and the choice to follow Jesus has always been ours to make. In examining the path Jesus lays out for his followers, I can say with confidence that it is a path that leads to better outcomes. It is a path that celebrates the dignity of all life, teaches gratitude and forgiveness, models compassion, accepts suffering, prays for others, and brings joy. And while it may be a challenging path at times, I am confident that the will of God nevers takes us to places where the grace of God will not protect us. 

This is a reminder that Monday is a Non-Instructional day for all schools in CISVA. This means that all programming (sports, after school club, Mandarin class) are cancelled for this day. 

There are some important operational procedures that parents of the Patriots Club (After School Club) need to follow:

1. Please remember to sign your child out with Miss Daly to aid with paperwork.
2. Please take all backpacks, uniforms, clothing and lunch bags with you to aid in cleanup.
3. After you sign out your child, you must leave the premises in order to help Miss Daly manage the remaining children; children are not to be signed back into Patriots Club after signing out.
4. Please remember to send snacks/food for your child as they do get hungry after school.
5. Please remind your children that we follow the 4 Rs at all times: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Reverent, Be Resilient

6:00pm – Gather in the gymnasium – coffee (decaf and regular), tea, and pastries will be provided

6:15pm – Prayer, Land Acknowledgement, Introductions, Principal’s Address to Parents

6:30pm – Session 1 – Classrooms

6:45pm – Transition to Session 2 – tone will sound

6:50pm – Session 2 – Classrooms

7:05pm – End of Meet the Teacher Night

* Session 1 and Session 2 are repeat sessions. We offer two sessions so that parents with multiple children in our school can attend multiple sessions. If you only have 1 child in our school then you only need to attend the 1st session. 

* We will start on time out of respect for everyone’s evening 

* Meet the teacher night is not the time to try to have a conference with your child’s teacher. The purpose of this evening is for the teacher to provide parents  with an overview of the curriculum, present to parents their classroom expectations, and to outline how your child can have a great year.  

* While we understand that finding childcare may be difficult, we strongly recommend that children do not attend as it can be boring for them and they can grow restless and distract others

There are several important reminders that are worth mentioning regarding emails and school.

1. Keep emails brief – they are meant for short communication
2. Do not use email to raise concerns or explain complex situations involving your child
3. Use email to set up meetings with your teacher 
4. Teachers may not respond right away and in some cases responses may come 24-72 hours later
5. Use a specific subject line to identify the purpose of the email. E.g. “Jack Smith Gr. 3 – early pick up today”
6. Never email when you are upset

Thank you for helping us keep email an effective communication tool. 

1. Please update the office on any changes to address or telephone by email office@stjude.ca
2. Please use the drop off lane in the parking lot, instead of dropping off on 15th ave
3. Please inform the office of sickness, early pick ups or planned absences, email is the preferred method 
4. Please do not linger in the foyer, we need to keep the area clear as it is a fire exit

Parents are reminded to sign up for the After School Club through our website: https://stjude.ca/after-school-club/ 

Please note that there has been a very small price increase. You can read more below. 

Description of Club: Will run daily Monday-Friday 3:00-6:00 p.m. It will also be in operation from 12 noon to 6 PM on Curriculum Planning (early dismissal) days. It will not operate on professional or conference days or holidays. Students will engage in games, arts and crafts, reading/homework, and outdoor play.

Cost per child is $13.00/day or $55.00/week on regular school days. If the child is picked up before 4:00 pm it will be $6.50. On early dismissal (12 Noon) days the cost will be $25 to 6:00 pm or $13 if the child is picked up before 3 pm. (Those who are attending the whole week and paying $55 a week will not be charged extra for early dismissal days).

I would like to remind families of the following uniform rules:

1. Our uniform policy is found online in the parent handbook.
2. Summer Uniform can be worn from now until Thanksgiving.
3. Polo Shirts are to be St. Jude School polo shirts purchased through Cambridge Uniforms.
4. Cambridge is offering a pants option for girls and this must be purchased through Cambridge Uniforms.
5. All sweaters must be up to date (St. Jude Crest on the sweater). Sweater vests or cardigans are a part of our school mass attire.
6. Black shoes are required for indoor shoes – if you would like clarification on shoes please see your classroom teacher or the principal.
7. Every Friday is Patriots Spirit Wear: (students are not allowed to wear items that are not school issued).
   • PE strip is a part of Patriots Spirit Wear.
   • Patriots hoodies, sweatpants, and long sleeve warm ups.
   • Walkathon shirts.

All hot lunch orders are completed online using Munchalunch. Orders must be completed at least 1 week in advance.

New parents click here: Munchalunch for New Families

Existing parents with a Munchalunch account click here: Munchalunch for Returning Families

Please subscribe to our school calendar for a list of important dates. 

To subscribe to our calendar feed copy the link below and paste it into your calendar app:
https://stjude.ca/events/?ical=1&tribe_display=month

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.

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, and Gr. 2. 

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

We have some extra cardboard moving boxes from U-Haul in sizes large, medium, and small in the downstairs space of the school. If you are in need of some boxes feel free to approach the teacher on duty before school starts or immediately after school has ended. Boxes are free and first come, first serve. 

Thank you!