Principal’s Weekly Update and Important Information- March 20, 2026
Attachment: Letter to Schools Regarding Measles
Our playground is an important space for students to connect, build friendships, and enjoy time outdoors. Many families choose to remain on school grounds after dismissal so children may play together under parent/guardian supervision. In recent weeks, however, we have observed an increase in unsafe play after school, including student injuries and concerns raised with the administration. To ensure our school grounds remain welcoming and safe for all, we ask families to review and reinforce the expectations outlined below.
Please note that school rules and safety expectations continue to apply after dismissal. For everyone’s safety, tackling, pushing, and wrestling on the turf are not permitted. We also ask families to ensure play remains age‑appropriate, particularly when older students are playing with significantly younger children. On the play structure, students may not play tag, climb up the slide, or climb the bars to the very top.
As a reminder, the school day officially ends at 3:25 p.m. Supervision by school staff is not provided after dismissal. Families who choose to remain on the grounds are expected to supervise their child(ren) closely and intervene immediately if play becomes unsafe. Next week, we will be reminding students that expectations for respectful, safe behaviour apply at all times while on school property.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student safety. With your cooperation, we can ensure that after‑school time on the playground remains positive, inclusive, and safe for all students.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK …
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Enrichment
- Learn to Skate
- Reconciliation
- Musical practices
- Pizza Fundraising Lunch
- HCA Popcorn Day
- Science Fair
- Student Report Cards distributed
- PowerSchool re-opened
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK …
- Book Fair Week
- “Guess the Candy Count” weekly Fundraiser
- Lost & Found tables
- Advisory on Tuesday
- Musical practices
- Wednesday Hot Dog/Subway Fundraising Lunch
- K-6 Student Led and Gr7-8/Specialists Parent Teacher Conferences
- Staff Appreciation Day on Thursday
- Inservice/No School on Friday
- BASC until 4 pm only on Friday
LOOK WHAT’S COMING UP …
- Spring Break – No School/No BASC
- First day back to school after Spring Break is April 7th
- 230 pm Early Dismissal on April 9th
VIP HOURS
Please ensure VIP hours are entered in a timely manner and check carefully to avoid duplicate submissions. Many families still have outstanding hours that have not yet been entered. If you are looking for volunteer opportunities check out the red links throughout the Update. They are also featured on our website. Here is the direct link to Parent Zone: www.stccs.ca
CONFERENCES
We are excited to celebrate student learning and connect with families this spring.
- Kindergarten to Grade 6: Student‑Led Conferences
Students will guide their parent(s) through a portfolio. - Kindergarten to Grade 8 Specialist Teachers: Parent‑Teacher Conferences
Meet one‑to‑one with (Resource, French, Music, and Physical Education) teachers. - Grades 7–8: Parent‑Teacher Conferences
Meet one‑to‑one with (Math, Science, ELA, Social Studies) teachers.
Here is the link: SIGN UP FOR K-GR6 STUDENT LED CONFERENCES & GR7/8/SPECIALISTS 1:1 PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS March 26 & March 27, 2026
GUESS THE CANDY COUNT Grade 8 Fundraiser
Get ready for a sweet challenge! Our Easter “Guess the Candy Count” fundraiser will run next week during Book Fair week.
Tickets are just $1 per guess, and all proceeds support our Grade 8 Farewell.
Our Grade 8 students will be selling tickets each day at lunch-thank you for supporting their leadership efforts.
COLOURING CONTEST
Thank you to all students who participated in our Keep Christ in Christmas colouring contest. We were impressed by the creativity, care, and attention to detail shown in each entry. Entries were judged by members of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service organization that supports our parish and school community through charitable work and volunteerism.
Congratulations to our winners-each received an Indigo gift card in recognition of their outstanding work.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Our Scholastic Book Fair starts on Monday! The fair will run March 23–27 in the cafeteria. Families can shop after school, and students will also have the opportunity to purchase items during lunch hour.
Please send cash in a labeled envelope if your child will be shopping at lunch. Our wonderful parent volunteers will be on hand to assist students as they browse. There will also be fun contests throughout the week to help celebrate our love of reading!
Every purchase helps us add new books to our classrooms and school library, directly supporting literacy for all our students.
Here is the link to volunteer: Volunteers needed for our “HATS OFF TO READING” SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR March 23-27, 2026
40 CANS FOR LENT
As part of our Lenten journey, we are participating in the 40 Cans for Lent initiative. Families are encouraged to donate canned goods and non‑perishable items, which can be dropped off at the school office or in classrooms.
Giving teaches children compassion, empathy, and responsibility. You can help nurture generosity at home by:
- Choosing pantry items together to donate
- Selecting a donation while grocery shopping and discussing its impact
- Encouraging children to earn and set aside a portion for charity
Thank you for helping us make a meaningful impact this season.
MUSICAL
MAY 4: Tickets can be purchased in the school office. Tickets are $10
Support our Musical program by purchasing tickets for musical baskets! Tickets are $2 each and can be purchased through the school office or at WAG on May 4.
This year’s baskets include:
- Kids’ Basket – valued at $150
- Couples’ Basket – valued at $300
- Family Basket – valued at $375
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF SAFETY REMINDER
We continue to see students getting in and out of vehicles in unsafe areas. This increases the risk of accidents. The problem areas continue to be:
- The bus loop
- Cars stopping on St. Charles Street (both sides)
For everyone’s safety, please use only the designated loading zone, parking lot, behind the church or any side streets for student drop-off and pick-up. Your cooperation helps keep all students and families safe.
We are looking for parent volunteers to assist with our parking lot and loading zone patrol. Please sign up using the link below:
2025-2026 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | PARKING LOT & LOADING ZONE PATROL
THE 26TH ANNUAL SCCS GOLF TOURNAMENT
In Memory of Robert Morrison & Chad Friesen
Our annual tournament is on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Breezy Bend Country Club.
Sponsorship packages and additional information are available on Parent Zone. Please help support this important fundraising event for the school!
Our golf tournament is just around the corner, and we are currently looking for a few coordinators to help support planning.
If you are interested and available, please contact fundraising@stccs.ca
BASC
Here’s what’s happening in BASC next week:
- Monday: BLINE
- Tuesday: Easter Craft
- Wednesday: No BLINE
- Thursday: No Cheer
- Friday: Full-day BASC; closes at 4:00 p.m.
Reminders:
- A reminder to please submit payment for any outstanding BASC fees at your earliest convenience.
- April’s “Working with Food” programs are nearly full.
- We are also pleased to offer a new program in May: a hands-on STEM learning experience. The registration deadline is April 10.
- Golf & Tennis programs have limited spots available.
- May and June BASC forms are available at the front entrance and will be posted on the website soon.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Furutani.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Applications are available online. Please submit completed applications to the school office by May 15, 2026. The forms are posted on Parent Zone under Forms & Programs.
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART
So far, our school community has raised $675.00! Thank you to all our supporters and fundraisers. Every dollar contributed helps fund new research that saves lives and supports families affected by heart disease and stroke.
Our Jump Event will take place on March 25th and 26th during Phys. Ed. classes. If you haven’t registered online to fundraise yet, there’s still time!
And don’t forget to keep practicing your EASY healthy habits:
- E – Eat fruits and vegetables
- A – Active for one hour or more
- S – Screens for less than 2 hours a day
- Y – Yes to water, and no to sugary drinks
Let’s keep our hearts and brains healthy—together!
You can access our fundraising page here: St Charles Catholic School – Winnipeg | Heart & Stroke Jump Rope for Heart
HOT LUNCH FUNDRAISER
Our Wednesday hot lunch fundraiser continues!
Reminder: All orders must be placed through Munch-a-Lunch at www.munchalunch.com ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE.
If you have questions, please contact fundraising@stccs.ca.
We also are in need and have many volunteer opportunities available: VOLUNTEER for WEDNESDAY FUNDRAISING LUNCHES 2026
Uniform fittings will take place in the small gym. Envision staff will be onsite to support families with orders and answer any questions. Sample garments will be available to try on.
To help us manage busy times, we kindly ask families to book a fitting appointment. A SignUp Genius link will be shared shortly. All orders placed in May will be delivered to the school in June (date TBD).
Exciting update: Next year, we are pleased to offer long‑sleeve polo shirts as part of our uniform options!
Please visit:www.envisionuniforms.ca
CAMP
Our Grade 7 & 8 students had an amazing time at Camp Assiniboia, embracing the outdoors and making great memories together. From active winter games and team challenges to snowy adventures like skating, sledding, and snowshoeing, students demonstrated resilience, leadership, and plenty of school spirit throughout the trip. Thank you to the Camp Assiniboia staff, and to our parent volunteers, for all the effort, planning, and care that made this experience safe, meaningful, and fun for everyone.
2026 – 2027 SCHOOL KEY DATES
| 2026–2027 School Year Key Dates | |
| First Day of School for students | September 9, 2026 |
| Last Day Before Christmas Break | December 18, 2026 |
| Students Return After Break | January 4, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 29 – April 2, 2027 |
| No School / No BASC – Good Friday | March 26, 2027 |
| No School / No BASC – Easter Monday (in lieu of March 29) | April 5, 2027 |
| Last Day of School | June 30, 2027 |
TURF CAMPAIGN – FROM THE GROUND UP – HELP BUILD OUR PLAYGROUND
We are asking for your help! So far we have raised $108,095. Amazing!
You can track our progress on the school website. There is also an attached QR code in the brochure (see .pdf copy below).
Have a great weekend!
Aneta Prettie PRINCIPAL
St. Charles Catholic School
Phone: 204-837-1520 ext. 222
Link to .pdf version of Principal’s Weekly Update