This was a very busy week around the school, with much excitement all around!  School in December is very hectic, and places a lot on teachers and other staff members (and parent helpers!) as they work to provide fun experiences for the students, but I know that everyone feels it is worth it when they see the joy on the children's faces.  We are blessed to be able to work with our families.

Please click here for an end-of-year letter from the Minister of Education.

THANK YOU

• to those who helped set up for, serve at and clean up after the Christmas lunch on Wednesday.  Thank you also to the shoppers!  We had a wonderful time together!

• to those who helped set up, take down and wrap gifts at the Christmas Shop on Friday.  This event could not run without the support of so many, and it is definitely one that brings happiness to the students as they get to give to their families!

• to those who ordered gift cards using our Shopping Through Our School program.  This could be such a lucrative fundraiser with little effort and no extra cost if more people placed orders not only at Christmastime but through the year to buy their own gas and groceries!

• to the "elf team" who will be busy putting together the Christmas hampers this week, and to all those who contributed to the hamper drive 

INFORMATION

• School Musical:  each spring, the whole school participates in a musical production coordinated by Mrs. Choboter, Mrs. Olivares and Mrs. Weberg.  Older students are permitted to audition for speaking roles on stage, and all classes will learn a class song and a whole-school song for an opening and/or finale.  Auditions are happening next week.  Older children were told about this and had the opportunity to pick up a permission slip for auditioning.  Any questions regarding audtions should be directed to the coordinating teachers, dweberg@saintmarysschool.ca or rolivares@saintmarysschool.ca

• Note:  please read the audition letter carefully if you wish to have your child participate.  The children must be available for practices on weekday mornings (aside from Friday) from January to March.  In the past we have had children selected for parts who then go on vacation during this rehearsal period, which can be an issue as the play is always evolving through the rehearsal process.  If you know your family is going to be going away, please do not have your child audition this year.

• You will see "Musical Rehearsal" on the calendars in the next few months.  This is only for children who have stage roles.  All other children will rehearse their songs during school hours.

REMINDERS

• This Wednesday evening is the Advent Prayer Service, our version of a Christmas Concert.  We have heard from some children that they may not attend because of practices for outside activity, but we do urge you to consider skipping those other events in favour of this one - the children have been working very hard over the last few weeks to perfect their class songs.  I know that in the past when my own children participated my mother- and father-in-law always remarked that this event really started the Christmas season for them.  Come and enjoy a peaceful time in the church to help your heart be ready to welcome Jesus!

• Students should meet in their classroom no earlier than 6:30 p.m. and no later than 6:45 p.m.  Please do not leave your child outside unattended.

• LOST AND FOUND:  there are a number of clothing items and other items (including helmets from skating) still here at the school.  Please come and take a look, especially after the service on Wednesday.  We will try to email some pictures tomorrow so you can claim items that are yours.

MONDAY

• School Musical Auditions

TUESDAY

• School Musical Auditions

• Grade 7 Christmas Hamper Shopping Trip - 9:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY

• School Musical Auditions

• Gr. 1-7 Mass, 9:00 a.m.

• Sacrament of Reconciliation for Grade 5/6

• Advent Prayer Service, 7:00 p.m. in the church.  Students should meet in their classroom no earlier than 6:30 p.m. and no later than 6:45 p.m.

THURSDAY

• Preschool Christmas Concert, in the evening

FRIDAY

• Red and Green colour day (non-uniform day)

•  Christmas Sing-a-long in the gym, 11:15 a.m. - parents and other relatives/friends are invited to come join in the fun!

• Noon dismissal 

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

• Fourth Sunday of Advent AND Christmas Eve!

• Sunday and Christmas are both Holy Days of Obligation. 

Saturday, December 23, 5:00 p.m. (Sunday obligation)

Sunday, December 24, 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Sunday obligation)

Sunday, December 24, 5:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m, midnight (Christmas mass)

Monday, December 25, 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Christmas mass)

LOOKING AHEAD

• Monday, January 8, 2024:  SCHOOL REOPENS

• Tuesday, January 9:  Meeting for families of Confirmation students

• Wednesday, January 10:  School Mass for K - 7 

• Thursday, January 11:  Rehearsals begin for those selected for roles in the Musical

• Friday, January 12:  Grade 7 students to Little Cub Classic Tournament at SJB

• Sunday, January 14:  School-led Sunday Mass, 9:30 (choir and lectors)

• Tuesday, January 16:  whole school to go to see Chilliwack School of Performing Arts production of Descendents

That's a busy first week back!!!

I wish all of our families and staff God's blessings of the season - may you enjoy a wonderful holiday and return safely to us in January!

-Mrs. Sallos