Don’t Forget – Friday is a PA Day (Extended Day is CLOSED)

Students do not attend school on Friday, January 19^th  – it is a Professional Activity Day for school staff. Staff will be engaging in report card writing and other professional learning activities.

Extended Day Closure

Attention: Extended Day Before & After School Parents and Guardians:
IMPORTANT BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM CLOSURE

The Before and After School Extended Day Program at St. Michael will not be operating on January 19, 2024, a WCDSB PD Day.
All Extended Day staff will be participating in professional development training.
Account holders will not be invoiced the Before and After School rate on January 19, 2024.
Please email Katrina.behr@wcdsb.ca if you have any questions.
Thank-you.

January 19 2024- Extended Day Closure (St. Michael)

Thank you!

-St. Michael’s School Staff

When schools are open, special consideration must be given to the safety and well-being of students while they are outside at recess, lunch, or for other outdoor activities. The following temperatures (including windchill) and actions will be followed during the winter months:

• When the temperature is between -20°C and -27°C, principals will move to a shortened outdoor recess and lunch period. This period will not be longer than 15 minutes.

• When temperatures are colder than -27°C, students must remain inside

Thanks for making sure that your child is dressed for the weather!

-St. Michael’s Staff

Hello Families, Happy New Year!

We hope that your family enjoyed a peaceful Christmas season. There is certainly a sense around the school this week that the break was well used by many!

Please take a moment to read the important information contained in our Angel Updates so you are kept up to date on everything happening at St. Michael’s. A reminder that should you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teachers or the office. We endeavor to provide your children with the best possible education as we serve the St. Michael community.

Our Mission:

“As disciples of Christ, we educate and nurture hope in all learners to realize their full potential to transform God’s world.”

Our Vision:

“Our Catholic Schools: heart of the community – success for each, a place for all.”

-The St. Michael’s Staff

There are a handful of updates as we launch the new calendar year:

Don’t Forget – Friday is a PA Day (Extended Day is CLOSED)

Students do not attend school on Friday, January 19^th  – it is a Professional Activity Day for school staff. Staff will be engaging in report card writing and other professional learning activities.

Email or Text Notifications for Busses Running Late

As we deal with more wintry weather, it is predictable that there will be some disruptions to the timing of our school bus routes. Our transportation services are all coordinated by an organization called Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR). STSWR plans all of the routes, and contracts bus companies to cover the routes. The only information that we have about bus routes comes directly from STSWR. If your child rides a bus and you would like an email update whenever a bus is running late, please visit https://www.stswr.ca/parents/  and create a login. From there, you will be able to select an option to receive bus updates via email or text. Please be sure to use the email address that you have registered with the school (i.e., the email address where you received this message) to create your login for STSWR.

Dressing for The Weather Reminder

By looking at the forecast, it looks like the real winter weather is finally here to stay and it is going to be cold!!! A reminder that students need to dress for the weather as they will be going outside for all three recesses, including the 40-minute lunch recess as long as the temperature does not dip below -20 C.

• Please make sure to pack a hat and mitts!
• Please remind your child to bring, and wear, a jacket.  Some students don’t like to wear their jackets at recess, even if they wore them to school.
• Please make sure your child has a pair of INDOOR SHOES – students will need to change their shoes when they come inside the classrooms so that we can help to keep our learning spaces clean and dry.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation (Hope Skill) for January: I Have Ideas!

 To help start the new year off on a positive note, St. Michael’s staff and students are participating in the One Word Challenge! The one-word challenge is a fun, interactive way to connect our classes and community in a positive way! The idea is that we select one word to guide us, motivate us, and encourage us, to be our best selves. Mrs. Routhier’s one word is: BELIEVE. Mrs. Best’s one word is: FAITH. This challenge is nicely connected to our OCSG Expectation: I have ideas, as we can use this challenge to highlight the power of positive thinking.

What is your one word? #OneWord Challenge

I HAVE IDEAS! 

(A Reflective and Critical Thinker)

• I have thoughts and opinions that matter
• I make good choices
• I have hope for the future
• I solve problems with knowledge, understanding and prayer
• I know we are all equal and special

Because I have ideas, I have a purpose, and I will live my life like Jesus.

Extended Day Closure

Attention: Extended Day Before & After School Parents and Guardians:
IMPORTANT BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM CLOSURE

The Before and After School Extended Day Program at St. Michael will not be operating on January 19, 2024, a WCDSB PD Day.
All Extended Day staff will be participating in professional development training.
Account holders will not be invoiced the Before and After School rate on January 19, 2024.
Please email Katrina.behr@wcdsb.ca if you have any questions.
Thank-you.

January 19 2024- Extended Day Closure (St. Michael)

Children’s Liturgy at St Clement Church!

Calling kids 4-7 years old! Join us for NextGen Sunday, January 21 at the 11:30am Mass at St Clement Church in Cambridge as we offer a Children’s Liturgy of the Word.

Children’s Liturgy will use the methodology from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – a ministry for children that is based on Scripture and the Sacred Liturgy. It is inspired by the principles of Montessori education and ensures an engaging, interactive and fruitful experience of God’s Word.

Children’s Liturgy will also be offered during the 11:30am Mass on February 18 and May 19. We hope to see you there!

Mass Resources for Kids January

Parking Lot Reminders

***PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE KISS AND DROP ZONE IS FOR EARLY YEARS (KINDERGARTEN) FAMILIES ONLY. VEHICLES MUST PRESENT THE ISSUED PARKING PASS TO USE THE KISS AND DROP. THANK YOU!

Please read the following information and follow our school’s drop off and pick up procedures that have been developed to keep your children, our students, safe.  We encourage students in Gr. 4 – 8 who live within 1.6 km of the school (0.8 km for JK – Gr. 3 students) to walk to school.  Those who live further than 1.6 km (0.8 km JK – Gr. 3) are eligible for bussing. Parents who choose to drive their children to school may use our Drive to Five option (the ‘Kiss & Drop’ zone is for Early Years Families only).

Parents who choose to drive their children to school are asked to “Drive to Five”.  Please drop your child off a block or two away from the school (5 min. walk). Safe drop-off and pick-up locations include Winterhalt Ave., Langs Dr., and Langs Community Health Centre. You will avoid contributing to the congestion on Concession Rd. and the walk will do your child good – they will be much more alert to begin their day!

2023-2024 School Year Calendar – Some Important Dates

February 6        Parent Council Meeting (CSAC)

February 13       Shrove Tuesday (SAVE the DATE, It’s Pancake Day!)

February 14       Ash Wednesday

February 15       Term 1 Report Card Distribution

February 19       Family Day

March 8-15        March Break

March 27           SAVE the DATE: Family Guest Speaker Event, Q-Mack Presentation (info to follow)

March 29            Good Friday (no school)

April 1                 Easter Monday (no school)

April 19               PA Day

April 24-26        Mount Mary (Grade 8, more info to follow)

April 28-May 3  Catholic Education Week

May 20               Victoria Day (no school)

May 31               PA Day

June 20             SAVE the DATE: Grade 8 Graduation at St. Benedict’s (more info to follow)

June 24              Term 2 Report Card Distribution

June 27               Last Day of School for Students

June 28               PA Day

-St. Michael’s Staff

POPCORN ON SALE NOW!

Our Grade 8 Grads are selling Farm-to-table bags of popcorn this February and March. Delivery of popcorn begins on Tuesdays, starting on February 13, 2024! The popcorn comes in various flavours; Butter and Salt, White Cheddar, Sweet and Salty, and Dill Pickle. The proceeds will help students fundraise money for our Mount Mary retreat, graduation activities, and our year-end trip. You can make a monthly purchase of popcorn, for $1.50 per bag, on school cash (thank you, Mrs. Best!). Your child will be able to choose the flavour they want on delivery.
Thank you for supporting our intermediate students!

Popcorn letter to parents

-St. Michael’s Staff