Principal’s Update – January 24th, 2025
The Gift of Resilience
Resilience is an essential skill for navigating life’s challenges, and it’s something we can help children develop every day. It’s the ability to adapt, keep going when things get hard, and find strength in the face of obstacles. Faith can play a key role in building resilience by reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and that challenges can help us grow in unexpected ways.
Children develop resilience by working through setbacks. For example, when a child struggles with a challenging math problem, encourage them to break it into smaller steps or try a different approach. If they lose a game at recess or don’t make the team they hoped for, help them reflect on the effort they put in and discuss what they can do differently next time. These everyday moments are powerful opportunities to teach perseverance and problem-solving skills.
Faith can also provide comfort and perspective during tough moments. Taking time for quiet reflection or prayer can help children process their feelings and regain a sense of calm when life feels overwhelming. For example, sharing the story of David and Goliath can remind children that courage and trust in something greater can help them overcome even the most daunting challenges. Similarly, pointing to moments when they’ve overcome difficulties in the past—like learning to ride a bike or giving a speech—can help them recognize their own strength and progress.
At home, give your child opportunities to work through difficulties independently, like organizing their backpack after forgetting a homework assignment or solving a disagreement with a sibling. Recognize and celebrate their effort and persistence, even when the results aren’t perfect. Resilience isn’t about always getting it right; it’s about learning to move forward, step by step, and finding strength in both the setbacks and successes along the way.
Together, we can help children build the confidence and adaptability they need to thrive.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK …
- Learn to Skate on Monday
- School Mass on Tuesday
- Wednesday Pizza Fundraising Lunch
- PAC meeting
- Toonies for Tuition Colour Day – thank you everyone for your support! We raised $495.20.
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK …
- Re-registrations will be distributed on Monday, January 27th and are due back by Friday, February 21st
- Basketball Games begin. Good luck to all the teams!
- Learn to Skate on Monday
- Enrichment and Hockey Enrichment on Tuesday
- On Tuesday, January 28th we will be hosting our Kinder Fair at 6 pm and our General Open House at 630 pm
- Wednesday Subway/Hot Dog Fundraising Lunch for those who have ordered
- Friday, January 31st there will be no school as SCCS Staff will be participating in a Faith Development Retreat all day
LOOK WHAT’S COMING UP …
- Grade 7 & 8 Exams
- “I Love to Read Month”
- PML Lunch Hour Recital on Wednesday, February 5th
- 230 pm Early Dismissal on Thursday, February 6th
- BINGO Night Friday, February 7th – watch for details!
- Middle Years Ski Trip Monday, February 10th
- Catholic Schools Week February 10- 14th – watch for details!
More detailed information can be found on the school website, in the calendar section under Parent Zone!
BASC
A few updates and reminders for BASC:
- BLINE will be held on Monday and Wednesday.
- Friday: No school, and BASC is full.
- Valentine’s Craft: Coming up soon!
- No School & No BASC on February 14th and February 17th.
- Please do not drop off your child before 7:00 AM. We close promptly at 6:00 PM—late fees apply.
- BASC Tax Receipts will be sent home by the end of February.
- Summer Care Applications will be available by the end of next week.
New Month Reminder: Be sure to submit your BASC form before attending.
Feel free to contact me with any questions at 204-880-8245 or email kfurutani@stccs.ca.
Ms. Furutani
SCCS BINGO NIGHT
Bring your friends, co-workers or family to join the fun! Friday, February 7th, 2025 @ St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2400 Portage Ave. Doors open @ 6:00pm – Bingo starts @ 6:30pm. A night for fun: Bingo games; Silent Auction; Canteen.
Volunteer Opportunity: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094CA5AB22A4F49-54480483-bingo
For more information, see the Principal’s Update .pdf at the bottom of this post.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
If you have a child born in 2020 who is ready for kindergarten, please email enewman@stccs.ca to request a registration package. We are currently accepting applications and scheduling interviews for January. Kindergarten acceptances will be finalized in February, and we anticipate wait lists again this year.
Flyer cards were sent home with each student in the hope that you will share them with family and friends or post them in appropriate places. Our parent community has always been our best source of promotion, and we sincerely appreciate your help in spreading the word about how wonderful SCCS is. Thank you for your support!
Volunteer opportunity link: HELP NEEDED for our Open House on January 28th, 2025
HOLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION
During the Advent season, we raised $278.23 through our Advent Mission Banks collection—thank you to all the students and families who contributed!
Your generosity supports children in the Republic of Chad through the Holy Childhood Association, providing for their educational needs.
Our next fundraiser for HCA will be a popcorn sale on February 28.
GRADE 5 SCIENCE WORKSHOP
The Grade 5 students at St. Charles Catholic School recently had the opportunity to participate in an engaging presentation and workshop titled Brain and You, presented by students from St. Mary’s Academy. This student-led initiative explored the fascinating world of the brain, providing an interactive and educational experience tailored for younger learners.
Through hands-on activities and dynamic discussions, the workshop covered key topics such as how the brain processes information, the importance of healthy habits for brain function, and strategies to enhance focus and learning. The presenters shared relatable examples and creative demonstrations, making complex concepts accessible and exciting for the Grade 5 students.
The event not only enhanced the students’ understanding of neuroscience but also inspired curiosity and collaboration. St. Mary’s Academy students were fantastic role models, showcasing leadership and a passion for education. This experience was both memorable and impactful, leaving the Grade 5 students eager to learn more about the amazing organ that powers their thoughts and actions.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
INTRODUCTORY MEETING for Grade 2 and up
WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND CHILDREN
10:30 am Sunday, January 26, 2025, Saint John XXIII Church 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg
PLEASE CONTACT OUR PASTORAL ASSISTANT, SHARON CAMIER, TO REGISTER: Call Sharon at 204-832-7206 or email sharon@johnxxiii.ca
SCIENCE FAIR: BE A JUDGE!
We’re excited to announce that preparations for the Science Fair are well underway! To make this event even more special, we’re looking for parent volunteers to join our panel of judges. If you have a background in science, medicine, engineering, or a related field, we’d love to have your expertise. Please note that judges will not be assigned to evaluate their own child’s project and will be provided with training to help them.
If you’re interested in contributing to this inspiring event, please let us know!
NEW! GRADE 5 AND 6 SCIENCE FAIR CLUB
This year, St. Charles Catholic School is thrilled to introduce a Grade 5 and 6 Science Fair Club! Students will have the opportunity to brainstorm, research, design, and create their own science fair projects, with guidance from two experienced science fair mentors.
The Science Fair Club will meet on Thursdays after school from 3:30–4:30 p.m. (excluding early dismissal days) and Fridays from 11:35–12:00 p.m.
Students will showcase their projects at our SCCS Science Fair on March 21, 2025. Those interested in advancing their projects further can participate in the Bison Regional Science Fair on April 10, 2025, at Holy Cross School.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Ms. Copeland and Mr. Domolewski
SUMMER OPPORTUNITY
Royal City Soccer Club – Soccer Day Camps 2025 …. more than just a soccer camp! For more details about our programs and locations, please visit our website at www.royalsoccer.com
METIS PRESENTATION
The Grade 1-2 class had the wonderful opportunity to immerse in Métis culture. We listened to a captivating story, admired intricate beadwork, enjoyed a traditional song, and even learned how to play the spoons.
A class parent also shared a capote—a jacket made from Hudson Bay blankets—and a ceinture flèche for us to see.
To top it all off, they tasted freshly made Bannock, making it a truly memorable day!
KID-NETIC WORKSHOP
The Grade 3 and Grade 4 classes had an incredible opportunity to participate in the WISE Kid-Netic program. WISE Kid-Netic Energy, a program from the Price Faculty of Engineering, offers engaging STEM workshops to Manitoba classrooms. These workshops are hands-on, aligned with the curriculum, and led by undergraduate students specializing in Engineering and Science-related fields.
The Grade 3 students were introduced to the basics of coding through fun, unplugged kinesthetic activities and a programmable mouse game.
After learning about various traditional Indigenous structures and concepts such as forces, stability, and strength, students took on the role of civil engineers to design their own Indigenous-inspired structures.
The Grade 4 class began by learning about how sound travels, discovering that it moves most effectively through solids. To apply this knowledge, they built their very own gramophone speaker and used it to play a record, witnessing firsthand how sound waves are amplified.
The students explored the anatomy of the eye, gaining insight into how we see and process light. A highlight of this session was the opportunity to participate in an eye dissection, which allowed them to observe the different parts of the eye up close and understand their functions.
To conclude, students tapped into their creativity and problem-solving skills by creating color codes for an Ozobot robot. These codes directed the robot to respond in specific ways, blending technology and science into an engaging and interactive activity.
TURF CAMPAIGN – FROM THE GROUND UP – HELP BUILD OUR PLAYGROUND
We are asking for your help! So far we have raised $69,020. You can track our progress on the school website. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Thank you!
Here is a video preview link of the turf project completed by Venture Landscaping:
https://listings.uncutcreatives.com/videos/0192fdf4-eaae-71a9-afcc-7624693d82bb
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
-1 Samuel 17:47This verse highlights the importance of trusting in a greater purpose and relying on inner strength and faith rather than external tools or circumstances. It’s a powerful message for resilience and confidence when facing life’s challenges.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
Aneta Prettie PRINCIPAL
St. Charles Catholic School
Phone: 204-837-1520 ext. 222
Link to .pdf version of Principal’s Update.