ST. EMILE SPIRIT
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER, 2012
Principal’s Message
Two months have passed by very quickly and everyone is settled in for this school year. What a busy month we have ahead of us!November 1st is All Saints Day. It is so rewarding to know that all our Saints are working with us and are guiding us on our path in life. We welcome all the new Saints who were canonized just this October—especially Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.
November 2nd is All Souls Day. We remember all the departed members of our families and we pray that we may share in His resurrection. Our school Mass on November 7th (9:30) will assist us with our prayers for the dearly departed.
On November 9th the staff and students will participate in a Remembrance Day Service at the school to honour all the women and men who worked and served our country to grant us the freedoms we enjoy today. We ask God to guide us, as we teach the values of that freedom to all our young people who will continue to honour it as we jointly continue in our footsteps of the future.
Another major activity during the month of November is the Annual General Meeting on November 26, 2012. It is a responsibility that the parents of a child at the school should take very seriously. I look forward to seeing many of you at this meeting. The Parents Association Executive members have set their meeting for the same night so that you could attend both meetings.
Thanks to the Parents’ Association for hosting all the fundraising activities throughout this month as well as throughout the last two months. They have worked very hard and they have been very creative with their means of communication to you about all their endeavours. Please support them as they raise money for all the special events in the school. Enjoy the Peak of the Market products.
Thanks to a group of parents who outlined procedures for our parking lot. They have brought the rules forward and now it is up to the general public to follow them. Always enter the parking lot off Sterling Avenue. DO NOT enter off St. Anne’s Road. The signs are to be adhered to and not ignored. Always EXIT unto St. Anne’s Road. Please digest the information provided on the handout referring to the parking rules and the parking lot diagram. Thanks to the parents who have helped in providing us this information. Safety on the parking lot is everyone’s business and we must all abide by the rules set up to maintain that safety.
I look forward to December as we find time to prepare ourselves for the Christmas season—a prayerful time.
Mr. John Talaga
**********************
Scholastic All-Star Book Fair!
Thursday November 15. 2012
3pm – 7pm
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! What better way to promote reading to our students than by supporting this important literary event.
We invite your entire family to participate by purchasing the latest and greatest in children’s books. Did you know that for every $10 you spend at the Fair up to $6 comes directly back to our school? Your support of this vital literary event is key in helping us obtain new books and resources for our library and classrooms.
You’ll find hundreds of quality books at our Book Fair with a wide assortment for all reading levels. Don’t forget the Family Event Draw ballot that parents can deposit during our Family Event. You could win $50 in books – $25 for your family PLUS $25 for your child’s classroom!
Don’t forget to mark the Book Fair dates on your calendar! We look forward to seeing you during our Scholastic Book Fair and thank you, in advance, for supporting this great literary fundraiser. Mostly, thank you for believing in books and the importance reading has on your child’s future.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Hollett
Book Fair Chairperson
As you have noticed on the calendar, the Student-Led Portfolio evening has been slated for Thursday, November 15, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. Please be aware that all appointments are half an hour each. For all grades booking time for students will start at 4:00 p.m. and the last one will be booked at 6:30 p.m.
A note will be sent home for parents to sign. We will try to accommodate everyone 's request. We will do our best for those families with more than one child. Please sign and return this note to the teacher by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012.
THANK YOU
Parents’ Association News
Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 13th at 7pm in the school staff room. Meeting is open to all parents/guardians of a St. Emile student. Coffee/tea and dainties will be served. Meeting will focus on AGM preparations, updates of current fundraisers, and December “to do” lists.
Notice of Annual General Meeting:
The St. Emile School Board and the St. Emile Parents’ Association are holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and you are invited to attend.
Date: Monday, November 26th, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: St. Emile School gym, 552 St. Anne’s Rd., Winnipeg, MB
This is the first time that both AGM’s will be held together. More information will be distributed in the coming weeks.
There will be no provisions for child care, so please make any necessary arrangements prior to attending.
LOOK FOR OUR PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEW WALL SPACE
IN THE FRONT ENTRANCE--
With so many families new to our school and so many events and school info to keep track of, the Parents’ Association started posting a monthly poster of notices in the front entrance. It’s a quick “go to” place to see highlights of most of the items you should be aware of that will be happening for the month and hopefully avoid or at least reduce many “night-before surprises”.
We have now also expanded to include the bulletin board next to the gym entrance doors and installed hooks to hang our many clipboards posting volunteer sign-up opportunities. We hope this will become a regular spot to check when dropping off/picking-up. We would appreciate any feedback on how we can make it better or if there are other items you would like to be included. Thanks to Charlene Okrainec for getting our board set up.
Volunteer Opportunities:
The Parents’ Association is looking for volunteers for the following positions:
- Hot Dog Day Co-ordinator – oversees operations of monthly Hot Dog Day. Hot Dog Day lunches have been enjoyed by our students and their families for many years and it is a much loved tradition that we hope will continue. Hot dog days are held in the gym on the early dismissal Tuesdays. Monthly time commitment is 3-4 hours and certainly could be shared by 2 people if so desired. Instruction and support will be provided to anyone interested in assuming this position.
- Hot Lunch Co-ordinator – oversees operations of weekly Hot Lunches. These lunches or held at the end of the week and consist of a rotation of choices including pizza, hamburgers, and sub-type sandwiches. This can certainly be a shared position. Instruction and support will be provided to anyone interested in assuming this position.
- Parent Classroom Reps – We are looking for parents that are interested in being a communication conduit to the other parents in your child’s class.
- MOM’S PANTRY Volunteers- sign-up sheet will be posted to help with sorting and distribution of order items on Wednesday, November 14th in the school gym after 2pm for pick-up between 3:30 and 5:30 pm.
- Hot Dog Day and Hot Lunch Day Volunteers– sign-up clipboards are available in the front hall and dates are posted to allow for plan ahead scheduling.
HOT LUNCH DATES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER:
- Friday, November 2nd – Dairy Queen hamburger lunch
- Friday, November 9th - Subway lunch and Farm to School fundraiser update
- Thursday, November 15th – Pizza lunch
- Tuesday, November 27th - Hot Dog Day in the gym (2:30 pm dismissal). Grades 3 & 5 to bring baking.
The List of Future Hot Dog Days
Tuesday, January 29th grades 4 & 8 to bring baking
Tuesday, February 26th Kindergarten & grade 7 bring baking
Tuesday, April 23rd grades 1 & 2 to bring baking
Hot Dogs/Veggie Dogs - $1.50
Juice boxes - $.50 Bottled water - $1.00 Baking - $.50
When you do volunteer, don’t forget to put your name in the Volunteer Sign Up binder in the office. Be sure to sign in your child’s name and grade as well. This will help for good record keeping and ensure your time is tracked correctly. If you are part of a group that the event coordinator provides a sign in sheet, they will submit the entire sheet to the office on behalf of that activity. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your volunteer hours or submitted cheque, please email the Finance Office at [email protected].
Fundraiser Activities:
Completed Fundraiser - MOM’S PANTRY Products:
Monday, October 22nd – was the deadline for the return of all monies and orders. Thank you to everyone who participated with the preparation, distribution, sales, and collection of these orders. Special thanks to Elizabeth Hrycak, who assumed the chairperson position for this fundraiser and to Tara Meneer for assisting with order processing. Thanks to Michelle Wiebe for preparing the packages for distribution.
ORDERS WILL BE AVIALABLE FOR PICK-UP AT THE SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2012 BETWEEN
3:30-5:30 PM.
Completed Fundraiser – Entertainment Coupon Books:
Monday, October 29th – was the deadline for the return of all monies and any unsold books. If you have any outstanding books or monies, PLEASE return them ASAP! Reminder notes have been distributed. Thank you to everyone who participated with the preparation, distribution, sales, and collection of these orders. Thank you for using the envelopes/bags when returning the books and monies. Special thanks to Monika Dueck, who assumed the chairperson position for this fundraiser.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: On October 15th, an envelope containing $30 cash (1 x 20 and 2 x 5) was submitted with no name/grade/book #. We would like to credit the correct student. If this sounds like it could have been yours, please contact Monika Dueck or leave your information with Suzanne at the office.
Updates on the success of these above fundraisers will be included in our December newsletter.
Upcoming Fundraiser (BRAND NEW) –
Peak of the Market Farm to School:
November 1st - 19th/ Order Pick-up Thursday, Nov 29th
Fundraiser chair – Tara Meneer
This is a “new to us” fundraising opportunity that has so many positive benefits. It’s a great way to promote healthy food choices and provides a healthy, eco-friendly alternative for school fundraising. The school receives 50% profits for every bundle sold!! 2 options of bundles for purchase (at $10 or $20) will be available. Items are from local Manitoba farmers and are staples on everyone’s grocery list. These bundle packs will be on everyone’s grocery list as we head towards the holiday season. Also, consider these bundles as an easy charitable donation for our local food banks, especially at this time of year, when we count our many blessings. Mrs. Jean Weselowski (gr 4) and Mr. Ryan Querel are our Healthy Schools staff reps and they will be helping us kick off this fundraiser as well as provide some healthy fun and games during our campaign. We will be having a Subway lunch in the gym on Friday, November 9th to update the classes on their progress.
This will also be our first fundraiser that the class with the most sales orders will win our “Awesome Class Fundraiser trophy” as well as a movie party!! The trophy will remain in the winning class until the next event when it will be presented to the next “awesome class”!!
AWESOME CLASS FUNDRAISER TROPHY – which class will be our first winners?
Postings for volunteer opportunities, as always, are in the front entrance foyer (Don’t forget to check out their new location !!).
UNIFORM INFO:
· RETURNS - Monday, November 5th is the last date for returns/exchanges of TOP MARKS Uniforms pieces. Please drop off any unused, unwashed, unworn, unaltered pieces at the school office. A representative from TOP MARKS will pick them up and send them back to Montreal at no cost to you.
For any questions, please contact Lorraine Mitchell @ 204.979.1049.
- St. Emile School Gym Shirts – Gym shirts are available from Mr. Ryan Querel for $10 each. Please send the money with your child to school and Mr. Q will fit your child with the appropriate size during their gym class.