God has blessed us with more beautiful weather this week!  Please pray that it will be just right on Sunday for the Walkathon and BBQ - no rain, and not too hot!  We are so glad to have our pastor, Father Gio, back with us, and it has been such a blessing to have our new assistant pastor, Father Felix, getting involved with the school community.  Thank you to both of our priests for their care and dedication.

THANK YOU

• To those who helped with coupon book sales and collecting Walkathon pledges after Mass this weekend.

INFORMATION

• The Chilliwack Chiefs have extended an invitation to ALL St. Mary's families to purchase tickets for the home opener at the discount price of $10/ticket.  Choir members who attend will receive a free ticket.  If you want to purchase these discounted tickets, call the box office and let them know you are a St. Mary's family.  We are so excited to have our choir singing the national anthem!

• Choir members will be bringing home a permission slip tomorrow so we know how many free tickets we will need.  Please have it back by Tuesday.

• Our Fall Sports programs are beginning this week. If your student brings home a permission slip, please sign and return it as soon as possible.  Please note that practices always run from 3:00 - 4:00.  We remind you of the following things:

• practices are open only to the grades specified.  Younger or older siblings are not permitted to attend the practice.  They must be picked up at the usual dismissal time.

• please make sure that your child knows in the morning that he or she is able to stay for practice.  We always get a number of students trying to phone home right when we are trying to do end-of-day prayer and announcements.  You can always write practices and games in their school planner!

• please pick up promptly at 4:00.  Our coaches are putting in this extra effort after school and often still need to prepare for teaching the next day.

• we do not provide transportation to and from away games. Parents must make those arrangements themselves.  If you have arranged for another family to transport your child, please always inform the coach and classroom teacher.

We have often been told how sportsmanlike our students are, in addition to being talented athletes.  I am looking forward to another great year of athletics.  Thank you to our talented coaches!

• Students frequently ask for spoons and forks for lunches - please be sure to include these with your child's lunch if needed.  

REMINDERS

• It is not too late to add your information to the On Volunteer list.  If you haven't yet done it, please go to this form to do so.  If you're not sure if you did or not, please send me a message and I'll let you know. Thank you!

• Coupon books are available in the office - $15 each, with $7.50 coming to the school.  Please promote these to friends and family.

• Walkathon Theme Raffle Baskets - deadline for donations has been extended to this Wednesday.  A reminder of which class is collecting what:

• Kindergarten - Spa Basket

• Grade 1 / 2 (Kessler) - Family Games Basket

• Grade 1/2 (Prost) - Gardening Basket

• Grade 3 / 4 - Italian Themed Basket

• Grade 4 / 5 - Sweet & Salty Snack Basket

• Grade 5 / 6 - Baking Basket

• Grade 7 - Reading Basket 

• Walkathon Participation opportunities are being posted this weekend.  We need a lot of help to make this successful - please be watching for the emails and Facebook posts about this!

• Please fill in and return the form confirming your attendance at the Walkathon and BBQ.  I understand the online form wasn't working properly on Friday - it should be available here.

MONDAY

• Choir meeting at lunch time for all current and new choir members (Grades 3 - 7)

TUESDAY

• Cross Country Practice - Girls and Boys, Grades 3 - 7.  Practices are from 3:00 - 4:00.  Please note:  there will be 3 meets this year, all on Thursdays.

WEDNESDAY

• Mass for Grade 1 to Grade 7, 9:00 a.m.  Please wear complete uniform, including sweater.  All families are welcome to join us at this Mass.

• First Hot Lunch of the year!  Pancakes and sausages.

• Soccer Practice - Girls and Boys, Grades 4 and 5.  Practices are from 3:00 - 4:00.  Please note:  our soccer GAMES will always be on Tuesdays.

• Tripleball Practice - Grade 6 and 7 Girls.  Practices are from 3:00 - 4:00.  Please note:  tripleball GAMES will always be on Thursdays.

• PEC Meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the school staffroom.  Anyone is welcome to attend; however, as noted in the September newsletter you are not permitted to speak at the meeting unless you have previously requested permission.

THURSDAY

• Cross Country Practice - Girls and Boys, Grades 3 - 7.  Practices are from 3:00 - 4:00.  Please note:  there will be 3 meets this year, all on Thursdays.

FRIDAY

• Terry Fox run - primary students will run in the morning, intermediate students in the afternoon.

SATURDAY

• School Choir sings the National Anthem at the Chilliwack Chiefs home opener! 

SUNDAY

• WALKATHON and 75th Anniversary Celebration!

• Check in at the school gym to receive your map and checkpoints card.  You may begin walking any time between 10:00 and 11:00.

• Check in at the gym after your walk to have your checkpoints card validated and entered into the draw for family prizes.

• Come back to the church at 2:00 for the 75th anniversary Mass.

• Come out to the field/gym after Mass for the BBQ!

LOOKING AHEAD

• Wednesday, September 27 - Friday, September 29:  Grade 7 Outdoor Education at Camp Squeah

• Friday, September 29:  Orange Shirt Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• Monday, October 2:  NO SCHOOL (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Stat Holiday)

• Tuesday, October 3 - Friday, October 6:  Scholastic Book Fair

• Thursday, October 5: Parent-Teacher Interviews, 5:00  - 8:00 p.m.

• Friday, October 6:  Parent-Teacher interviews, 9:00 a.m. - noon  (NO SCHOOL)

• Monday, October 9:  NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Stat Holiday)

• Thursday, October 12:  Photo Retakes (also for those students who were absent for Photo Day)

Have a wonderful week!  I look forward to celebrating 75 years with you next Sunday!