December 2019 Newsletter  Mrs. F. Toohey Connolly-Principal, Mr. Bernard MacGregor- Assistant Principal 

Welcome to the month of December! It will be a busy one both at school and at home. We welcome our families to attend our First Advent Liturgy Nov. 29 with Father Varghese at 2:30pm in our gym and our Christmas Concert on December 4 at 6 pm in the gym. Students in 100 Voices- Grade 3 need to arrive between 5:30 - 5:45 pm for their 6 pm performance. Students in Grades 4 -6 need to arrive between 6:55 - 7:05 pm for their 7:15 pm performance. These are wonderful opportunities to celebrate the Advent Season and hear your children’s amazing voices.A special welcome to our New Grade 4 teacher Ms. Luis, who is replacing Mrs. Gall for a while.

Prayer of St. Augustine                 Breath into me Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may be holy. Move into me Holy Spirit, that my work may be Holy. Attract my heart Holy Spirit, that I may be only what is Holy. Strengthen me Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is Holy. 

Thank you in advance for your food donations in the coming month. We teach our children empathy and kindness towards others through these acts of giving. On behalf of the entire staff, may the peace of the Christ child touch each of your hearts over this Christmas season and may you enjoy good health and happiness in 2020!

” Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

~Matthew 24:42~An Advent reflation from Superintendent Joan Carr

Advent is just about upon us, and once again, we feel that sense of preparation and excitement. We know that Jesus will arrive soon, and we are making our hearts, our schools, and our homes ready to receive Him. Our scripture passage counsels us to be alert as we wait for this precious gift from God, not just during this season, but every day.Theologian Henri Nouwen shares with us: “It is this joyful expectation of God's coming that offers vitality to our lives. The expectation of the fulfillment of God's promises to us is what allows us to pay full attention to the road on which we are walking.”As we begin this journey of joyful expectation of the coming of Christ and experience the inevitable busy-ness of the upcoming season, I hope you find many opportunities pay attention and to “keep awake” so that you are alert to the presence of Jesus in your life each day.

ADVENT CELEBRATIONS

“Come Lord Jesus,Come and Be Born in our Hearts.”

Advent is the time when we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, the light of the world. As a Christ centered Catholic community, we are extremely fortunate to be able to focus on the religious celebration of the Christmas season.

We welcomed Father Varghese to lead us in our Advent Celebration November 29th at 2:30 p.m. The prayers and reflections helped the children to better understand how we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord, Jesus. Other Advent celebrations will take in the classrooms on the Fridays in December.

Christmas Hampers and Food Bank Food Donations- During this season of giving, we would like to donate the gift of food to some of the less fortunate in our community. We encourage families to bring items for food hampers that will be assembled and given out. Your child will receive information about collections in each class. Please keep an eye on the agendas for updates. Food can also be donated at the Christmas Concert and to the classroom.

REMINDERHAVE YOU PAID YOUR 2019 – 2020 SCHOOL

FEES YET? 2019 – 2020 SCHOOL FEES ARE:

KINDERGARTEN - $30.00 FOR THE YEAR

GRADES 1 – 6 - $50.00 FOR THE YEAR

SCHOOL FEES CAN BE PAID ONLINE OR THEY ARE ACCEPTED AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY CHEQUE MADE OUT TO “ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL” OR BY CASH. YOU CAN PAY ANYTIME DURING SCHOOL HOURS, OR SEND PAYMENT IN WITH YOUR CHILD, TO BRING TO THE OFFICE.

THANK YOU! ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL OFFICE

CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL BUS SERVICEIn the event that school transportation must be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, please note that the following radio stations will carry announcements:

Chuck FM 92.5FMCISN FM 103.9

CFMG 104.9 FMUP 99.3FM

CHED 630 AMGlobal 880 AMCFRN 1260 AMTHE BEAR 100.3FMCBC 740CFCW 790 AM

SHINE 105.9 FMNOW 102.3 FMBOUNCE 91.7 FMK97 97.3 FM CAPITAL FM 96.3

Every effort will be made to have messages broadcast commencing no later than 6:30 a.m.

It is critical that all families have a back-up plan in the event that a bus does not arrive in the morning.

SKI DAYSGrade 5 and Grade 6 students will be skiing twice this month. Come have fun. The dates are December 6 and December 13. These will be full day Ski trips to Snow

Valley Ski Club.

Christmas LunchWe thank our Parent council for putting on our annual Christmas lunch for all the staff and students, on December 19 at noon. We may have a special visitor that day as well. We will have to wait and see.

Christmas ConcertThe 2019 edition of the Christmas concert takes place December 4. The evening will start with the younger grades followed by an intermission and then the older grades. There is no admission charge, but we do ask you to bring some new winter gloves or hats to hang from our bare Christmas Trees in the entrance of the school.

Christmas Concert Social Justice

Come to the concert and bring your best canned and other nonperishable food items for a festive feast for those who cannot provide a feast for themselves. We will have donation boxes to accept your donations for those most in need.

CHANGE OF DISMISSAL TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

We will once again be exchanging our early dismissal prior to each major holiday throughout the year. Our dismissal times for Christmas will be as follows:

100 Voices:AM Class;Thursday, Dec. 19 – 8:23-11:20 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20 – NO SCHOOL PM CLASS:Thursday, Dec. 19 – 12:03 – 3:00 p.m.

Friday, Dec 20 – NO SCHOOL Grades 1-6: Thursday, December 19 – Full Day Friday, December 20 – Early Dismissal at 11:58 a.m.

We wish you a restful and joyous Christmas season!Kindergarten:Friday, Dec 20 – NO SCHOOLPM Class – Thursday, Dec. 19 - 12:02-3:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 – NO SCHOOL AM Class –Thursday, Dec 19 – 8:23-11:22 a.m.

100 VOICES (Pre-K) RGISTRATION2019 - 2020

On January 6, 2019, we will begin accepting registrations for the 2019-2020 school year. In order to be eligible for the 100 Voices program your child must be four years of age by March 1, 2020.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION2019 - 2020

Although it seems early, we have already had inquiries about kindergarten for the 2020 – 2021 school year.

If you have a child who will be five years of age before March 1, 2020, your child will be eligible to attend kindergarten in the 2019 – 2020 school year.We will begin accepting registrations for September 2019 on January 7th, 2019.If you would like your child in a specific class placement, morning or afternoon, placements will be made based on date of registration.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

School Council held its last meeting on Tuesday, October 8th. Thank you to those parents who were able to attend. We would like to see more parents in attendance. Please consider attending our next meeting. Your presence is important!

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS Wednesday, January 14th 6:30 p.m.

Hello Parents,Here is some important information about the Christmas concert. It takes place on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

Students in 100 Voices- Grade 3 need to arrive between 5:30 - 5:45 pm for their 6 pm performance.

Students in Grades 4 -6 need to arrive between 6:55 - 7:05 pm for their 7:15 pm performance. Clothing: Black or white pants with a white, black or red shirt.  Dresses can be black, white or red.  Dress shoes would be preferred, but if that is not possible then black or white runners would be acceptable. Drop-off/ Pick-up: Students are to go to their classroom upon arrival. Parents then proceed directly to the gym.  Parents will pick their child up from their classroom at the end of the performance.  * Parents: Please be aware that if you bring your younger children, they are always to stay sitting with you. They can not be running around in the gym while the concert is on, as this is not safe because we have equipment set up. Please also remember to turn your phones to silent.

Social Justice Food Hampers  We encourage families to bring a new pair of mittens, a scarf, toque or pair of socks to place on the Christmas tree by the front office. All items will be donated to Edmonton’s homeless. Thank you in advance for your donation.

Sincerely,

Ms. Prystupa, Music Teacher

2019 Christmas Concerts

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBERMonday, January 6, 2020 School Resumes 8:35 a.m.

Friday, January 10, 2020Epiphany Celebration 2:30 p.m.in the gym.

Tuesday January 14, 2020 Parent Council Meeting

Thursdays, January 24 & 31, 2019Grade 6 babysitting and first aid course

Christmas GiftsHow can you support your child’s literacy development through the gifts you buy?Consider these options:

BooksGive the gift of reading to every member of the family! Consider your child(ren)’s ages, interests, and favourite genres. Ask your local bookstore for age specific recommendations.

PuzzlesPuzzles can help improve our children’s fine motor control and spatial awareness; puzzles can heighten observation skills; puzzles can bring all members of the family together for quality time. There are puzzles designed for all ages from babies to adults!

Did you choose a dinosaur book for your child? Add a dinosaur puzzle to create a themed gift.

Magazine SubscriptionsAre you looking for an alternative to a new book? What about a magazine subscription! Check out: Owl Kids or National Geographic for options for all ages. 

Board GamesBoard games can also help our children practice their literacy skills in a fun, engaging way. The new games will be a hit during Family Game Night!