The Patrioteer – October 2, 2026

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

-George Santayana-

This week marked the commemoration of Truth and Reconciliation Day. This day is always one marked with community activities to discuss the past, but ultimately look towards a better future. We teach the future generation about Canada’s history so that they can learn from the past and help create a better tomorrow. 

Canada’s residential schools were the cause of much pain and that’s a truth we cannot escape from. But by acknowledging the truth we can move forward to reconciliation. This week we talked about what truth and reconciliation looks like for us today in our school and the students had some good insights into how to live peacefully. Some of these insights are sharing with others, asking for forgiveness when you make a mistake, and caring for those who are hurt. If only the rest of us could see the world through the eyes of a child! I am feeling very hopeful for the future these children will inherit and I look forward to continuing to guide them in the years to come.  

St. Jude, Pray for Us! 

If you have signed up your child for Mandarin classes, they start this Monday, October 5 from 3:15 – 4:45pm.  

Students will line up in the pickup area at around 3:05pm and the Mandarin teachers (Ms. Deng and Ms. Zhao) will lead them to the classroom assigned. These teachers will wear Pui Ying ID green lanyard for easier identification.

As usual practice, please pick up your child(ren) at 4:45pm in the car parking area. Children not picked up by 4:55pm will be taken to the After School Club for pickup before 5:30pm.  

Parent Teacher Interviews are coming up on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The purpose of Parent Teacher Interviews is for the teacher and the parent/guardian(s) to discuss the child’s behaviour, habits, attitude, and performance. The conversations are to focus on goals for the child and the strategies to implement at home and at school so that greater learning can happen. It is also an opportunity to raise and address concerns. It is not an opportunity to discuss other children or other teachers.

School tours are now being offered to prospective families interested in having their child attend St. Jude School.  They are led by our lovely Gr. 7 School Ambassadors and can be booked in advance by calling our office.

A reminder to our families that our referral program is operational. Every student that is referred and enrolls in our school for the year results in a reward of $200 for the the referring family. 

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

Exciting news! Our online gallery from our school photo session is now live!

• Please visit this link to access the gallery: https://vando.imagequix.com/K9L3W9Z
• The login code to access your images is on the yellow QR flyer your child was given on photo day. Please check with them.
• Any active email address can be used to login.
• Your order deadline is: October 13 2026
• All orders will be shipped to the school. If you miss the deadline, your order will be shipped with your school’s Catch Up Photo Day orders at no extra cost, however this will take 3-5 weeks.

Missing your login code? No problem!

1. Visit https://www.mountainwest.ca/support-for-families
2. Enter the information required.
3. Your code will be emailed within 1 business day.

Catch Up Photo Day:

• Did you miss the first photo day or are needing a retake? Retakes are offered for expression, poor posture, or head tilt; not for personal style changes (ie: change of clothing or hair). Please note all glass glare is removed on final prints. 
• If you would like your photo taken, we will be at your school on: October 27 2026
• St Judes Retakes CLICK HERE to sign up. The cutoff to sign up is October 25 2026

If you plan to volunteer with the school (e.g. field trips) or your parent participation requires interaction with children, we ask that you complete a Criminal Record Check.  There is no cost for this and it can be completed online. Please click on the link below and enter the access code. You will need your BC Services Card to submit an online request and it should only take you a few minutes to complete.

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

Access Code: KVLB9GCYEW

If you are unsure if you have a CRC on file with the office or if your CRC is expired, please email office@stjude.ca.  CRCs are valid for 5 years from the date of issue. 

Our Hot Lunch ordering site, Munchalunch, is open for ordering!

Ordering will close at 7am every Wednesday for all the hot lunches of the following week. For example, for lunches Tuesday, October 13th – Thursday, October 15th, ordering will close on Oct 7th at 7am.  

You will need a Munchalunch account to order. Please follow this link to sign up (or log in for returning families) and begin ordering: https://munchalunch.com/schools/StJude/ 

Feel free to contact the office if you have any questions.

If your family has recently moved, or if you have a new phone number, please email office@stjude.ca with your new address/contact information so that we can update our records.

There is a fair amount of school uniform, jackets and tupperware in the Lost and Found.  Please remember to label your child’s clothing and tupperware if they take it outside for recess.   The Lost and Found is located at the front office if you would like to come and take a look. Thank you!

With Halloween fast approaching, St. Jude School will allow students to dress in costumes on Friday, October 30, 2026.

Please ensure that your child’s costume is appropriate and suitable for our Catholic school community. Those who dress as Saints or Biblical Characters will receive special prizes!

Students are not permitted to wear the following:
● Any costume that covers the face. Staff members must be able to identify
students.
● Costumes that are provocative, revealing, sexual in nature, or employ questionable props, including fake weapons.
● Costumes that depict violence, alcohol, or drugs.
● Costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate a stereotype of someone’s culture, gender, heritage, age, sexual orientation or religion.
● Costumes that mimic or imitate another person or group of people in our community.

Students who choose to not be in costume are to be in their school uniform.

St. Jude’s Parish offers an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program for anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and for Catholics who have not received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation.  For more information, please contact the parish office to speak with Fr. Mauricio at 604-434-6700.

St. Jude Weekend Mass Times 

Saturday (anticipation mass): 5pm

Sunday: 9am, 11am and 5pm