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St. Edmunds Newsletter – February 2021

This month we celebrate our students and Catholic School.  We are proud that St. Edmund’s provides opportunities for personal excellence in educational academic and extra-curricular activities. With our philosophy of educating the whole child, the spiritual development of the children is integrated into all areas of the curriculum.  We look forward to celebrating your child’s successes during our virtual Student Led Conferences on February 10th!

This month, we will also be focusing on the virtues of love & friendship. “Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love”. (1 John 4:8) The week of February 7th to February 13th is Catholic Schools’ Week in the Vancouver Archdiocese. We thank you for your commitment to Catholic education and for your continued support of our school.

We are continuing to live-stream our class and whole school masses on Wednesdays when school is in session.  Students are participating in mass from their respective classrooms and are able to receive communion or a blessing following the livestream.  You are also welcome to join us virtually for our masses as well as daily parish masses and Sunday masses on the parish YouTube channel.

Catholic Schools Week February 7-13

This annual event was started as a means of recognizing the importance of Catholic Education.  Our CISVA schools offer our children many opportunities to explore their talents – spiritually and academically, as well as in the fine arts and athletics.

During this week, our students will be completing activities focusing on celebrating Catholic schools.  We are reflecting on our blessings to be a part of a community working together to “share, pray, encourage, learn, care and worship”.  Please continue to pray for our students here at St. Edmund’s as well as at our high school St. Thomas Aquinas.

Student-Led Conferences – Feb. 10 (No classes for students)

On Friday, January 28th, you received your child’s progress report.  This year our student-led conferences will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 10th.  If you have not yet set an appointment time, please contact the office.  All our students having been reflecting on their learning and will have the opportunity to lead you through their accomplishments and goals for the next term. Your teachers will be with you at this time, but it will be your child leading the presentation and applying their communication and critical thinking skills.

Catholic Educator Conference – Feb. 11 & 12 (No classes for students)

Catholic educators from the Vancouver Archdiocese as well as other BC diocese will be gathering virtually for this year’s conference.  This 41-year tradition is not only an opportunity for the professional development of our staffs but also a reminder of our shared participation in the evangelizing mission of our schools and Church.  This year’s highlights include sessions from dynamic and inspiring speakers such as Bishop Robert Barron, Fr, Christopher Hartley, Sr. Mary Grace, Dr. Hayley Watson, Dr. Katherine Martinez, Educational Consultant Dean Shareski and of course, our very own Archbishop Michael Miller who will be celebrating mass via livestream.

Annual General Meeting: February 18th, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Online – Please stay tuned for further information on how to login for our virtual AGM

To the families of St. Edmund’s the PEC and Principal look forward to sharing information about our year to date as well as information regarding the upcoming school year.  Your child will be bringing your registration package home on Friday the 19th.

Meeting Agenda:

  • Prayer
  • Chairperson Report
  • Principal Report: Year in Review
  • Treasurer Report: Financial Overview, Tuition & Fundraising
  • Facilities Report
  • Parent Participation
  • Leadership & the PEC
  • Acknowledgments
  • Adjournment

Basketball Season

Thank you for your continued support of our athletics programs as we adapt to our current protocols and restrictions.  Please ensure that you have read through the letter that was sent home advising of the health and safety standards that we have put in place.  Our fabulous T-bird students and coaching staff are working hard to develop and refine basketball skills while continuing to focus on personal best, sportsmanship and having fun!

Uniform Reminders

It is the expectation that all students come to school dressed in full uniform every day.  Please ensure that your child has their school sweater and black school shoes.  Additionally, intermediate students are required to wear their St. Edmund’s gym strip for PE classes and practices.  Wear your colours proudly!

Winter Weather and Snow Info

In the event of a school closure due to snow, all families are asked to check their email.  Every attempt will be made to get this information to you as early as possible in the morning (approximately 7:15 am).  You may also listen to CKNW 980 AM for information regarding closures.  Please do not call the school.  As conditions vary depending on where you live, please use your judgement in regard to driving and whether or not you decide to send your child to school.  Remember to email the school if your child will be absent.

Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA)

Our Grade 4 and Grade 7 classes will be writing the Foundation Skills Assessments (FSA) between February 16th and March 12th. The FSA is an annual province-wide assessment of all B.C. students’ academic skills in grades 4 and 7, and provides parents, teachers, schools, school districts and the Ministry of Education with important information on how well students are progressing in the areas of Literacy (Reading & Writing) and Numeracy. Our students have done very well over the past years and have already been preparing by completing sample assessments in class. If you have any questions about the FSA, please contact Mr. Aguirre (Grade 4), Mr. Dotto (Grade 7) or Ms. Silva.

Parent Support Meeting – Sexuality and your Child

Stay tuned for our upcoming parent support meeting.  Parents of Intermediate children will be soon receiving information and a link to access the LoveEd program.  The purpose of the Archdiocesan Parent Support Meeting is to support parents as the first and primary educators to transmit the truth and meaning of human sexuality to their children. We are happy to provide parents with resources to gain confidence in their own ability to communicate the truth and meaning of human sexuality to their children.

Calendar Highlights:

1st – Early Dismissal (12:45 Primary; 1 pm Intermediate)

3rd – Gr. 6 Class Mass (Live stream)

10th – No School: On-line Student Led-Conferences

11th -12th – No School: Catholic Educators’ Conference

15th – No School – Family Day

17th – Ash Wednesday – Whole School Mass 11 am Livestream

18th – AGM Presentation (7 pm)

24th – Dress Down – Pink Shirt Day