Principal’s Update – November 22nd, 2024
Looking back on this week, the themes of preparation and anticipation truly stand out. Our teaching staff has been hard at work completing first-term report cards, a process that requires meticulous attention to detail along with the additional tasks of checking, processing, printing, and preparing them for distribution. It’s a collaborative effort, with support from our entire team, and I am grateful for everyone’s contributions.
Reading through each report has been an inspiring experience. The growth, progress, and hard work of every student are evident, along with thoughtful goals for the next term that highlight their commitment to academic excellence. I am incredibly proud of all that our students have achieved so far, made possible by the dedication and teamwork of our exceptional staff.
This week has also been filled with excitement as students head out on field trips, embracing new experiences and hands-on learning that enriches their education. At the same time, our community is busily preparing for the upcoming Christmas concerts and PML recitals. The dedication and creativity going into these events promise to make them truly memorable celebrations of our students’ talents.
Meanwhile, our Buildings & Grounds team has also been hard at work, completing significant upgrades. The boiler system installation, which began in May, is now fully finished with four new high-efficiency boilers. Our gymnasium also received a major update this week, featuring 12 new LED lights, 6 industrial fans, 4 spotlights, and a freshly painted stage. These improvements enhance our facilities for everyone and create a more welcoming and functional space.
With only four weeks remaining until Christmas break, there is so much to look forward to. Let’s embrace the joy of this season, the achievements of the term, and the opportunities for learning and connection that lie ahead in term 2.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK …
- School Mass
- Musical Bake Sale
- Subway/Hot Dog Wednesday Fundraising Lunch
- MB Moose – Project 11 field trip for Grades 5-8 students
- Children’s Museum field trip for Grades 3-4 students
- Report Cards were distributed & PowerSchool Parent Portal has re-opened
- Music rehearsals
- Volleyball practices & Games
- Reading Club
- Our Koats for Kids collection has wrapped up
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK …
- Musical Candy Cane-gram starts on Monday – watch for details below!
- Advisory Classes & Hockey Enrichment continue Tuesday
- Kinder Open House Tuesday, November 26th at 630 pm
- MB Museum Field Trip for Grades 1-2 on Wednesday, November 27th
- Wednesday Fundraising Pizza Lunch for those who have ordered
- SCCS Christmas Craft Market here at school on Saturday, November 30th
LOOK WHAT’S COMING UP …
- The Season of Advent begins December 1st
- PML Lunch Hour Recital December 3rd
- PML Evening Recitals at OLPH 630 pm December 4th & 5th
- Early Dismissal December 5th 230 pm dismissal
- St. Nicholas Day December 6th with an assembly to celebrate at 115 pm
- SCCS Raffle draw at 1 pm on December 6th – submit your raffle ticket booklets if you haven’t already!
- Grade 6-8 Band Concert, Reconciliation, SCCS Matinee & Evening Christmas Concerts, and Christmas Spirit Week – watch for details!
- No lunch programs on December 13th and 20th.
More detailed information can be found on the school website, in the calendar section under Parent Zone!
IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION
Thank you to everyone in our community for following the parking protocols and signage to help keep everyone safe. Reminder, there is NO PARKING in the loading zone. It is also a NO IDLE ZONE. Please be KIND to the parent volunteers.
We are ALWAYS looking for volunteers to help with this initiative. As a thank you, FREE BASC (Before and After School Care) is being offered to our volunteers. You can sign up directly here: PARKING LOT & LOADING ZONE PATROL | Monday to Friday
BASC
Update:
- BLINE: Sessions are on Monday and Wednesday.
- Christmas Craft: A few spots are still available.
- December BASC Form: Due next week.
- No PM BASC: Please note there will be no PM BASC on December 20th.
Reminders:
- If your child arrives at school before 8:15 am, they will be sent to BASC, which incurs a fee.
- For safety reasons, we lock the gates when BASC is outside. Please use the front doors and your fob to enter.
- Please note that craft activities will not be completed before 4:45 pm. When signing up, ensure your child can stay until then, or plan to wait until the activity is finished.
January BASC Information:
- Forms are available in the front entrance and will soon be posted on the website.
- January activities include cake baking, apple crisp baking, sushi rolling, a new session of BLINE, a New Year craft, and full-day BASC with fun activities at school (no field trips).
Feel free to contact me for any questions about BASC at 204-880-8245 or email kfurutani@stccs.ca
Thank you, Ms. Furutani.
CAR CHECKS – UPDATE!
Most Child Abuse Registry (CAR) Checks that were submitted in September 2024 have been returned to us here in the SCCS Front Office. Any CARC applications that were submitted in October or November are still being processed by the CAR office in downtown Winnipeg. If you would like to inquire to see if your CARC has been cleared and is on file in the SCCS Front Office, please email reception@stccs.ca. Thank you to all the parents who filled out this paperwork!
MUSIC PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please note that we have a change in location for our Annual Christmas Concerts, along with the addition of a new concert this year. They all occur at one of our sponsoring parishes! A detailed information package will be emailed soon, but in the meantime, please save the dates! It is important that all students attend the evening concerts to ensure full class representation. We have been working hard on these performances since September, and we’re excited to share them with you!
Private Music Lessons Recitals: December 4th and 5th @ 6:30pm @ OLPH, 4588 Roblin Blvd. Students to arrive @ 6:00pm.
Band Concert (All Grade 6-8 Students): December 12th @ 6:30pm @ St. Paul the Apostle, 2400 Portage Ave. Students to arrive @ 6:00pm (in school uniform).
Christmas Concerts (All K-8 students): December 13th @ 1:30pm and 6:30pm @ St. Paul the Apostle, 2400 Portage Ave.
1:30pm Concert: Students will be bussed (in school uniform)
6:30pm Concert: Students need to arrive @ 6:00pm
BAND CONCERT HELP NEEDED Thursday, December 12, 2024
CHRISTMAS CONCERT HELP NEEDED Friday, December 13, 2024
KINDER OPEN HOUSE
If you have a child ready for Kindergarten in the Fall (birth year 2020), please contact sec@stccs.ca for your registration package. We start accepting applications on November 27th.
If you would like to help here is a link to volunteer and donate: HELP NEEDED! KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, November 26, 2024
CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER
SCCS has a unique opportunity to connect with our parishes through our annual chocolate and raffle ticket sales. It’s an excellent way to bridge the connection between each parish and our school. It is also a great opportunity for our students to develop social and math skills, as well as good customer service, showcasing our great community. We have heard from families that cost is a concern, as is unsold product. Moving forward, families are permitted to take a box of chocolates and a raffle booklet to sell at Parish Masses at no cost, simply pick up on Friday from reception and return any unsold chocolate/raffle tickets on Monday. VIP hours will remain at 1.5 hours for each mass.
RAFFLE TICKETS
If you still have raffle tickets to hand in, please get them into the Front Office by Friday, December 6th in time for the 1 pm draw!
Are you interested in earning VIP Hours? Can you sell more raffle ticket booklets? Earn 1 VIP Hour for each additional raffle ticket booklet you sell. Please see the Front Office for details!
KOATS FOR KIDS
We’ve collected several boxes of winter clothing—way to go, Chargers! Thank you to the Safe & Caring Schools Committee for organizing this for our school community.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed!
TOQUES
The toques have arrived and have been distributed to students who ordered them. If you still need to make a payment or pick up your order, please contact the school.
If you’re interested in purchasing a toque, we have extras available in the school office—don’t miss out!
RECYCLING CLUB
Did you know we have a student recycling club? Every day, a group of dedicated students collect paper recycling from all the classrooms and offices. There are also recycling containers for all drink containers situated around the school.
A big thank you to this amazing group of students for their commitment!
As the saying goes, “Recycling turns things into other things, which is like magic.” Let’s all do our part to protect our planet!
MOOSE GAME
On Thursday, our Grade 5-8 students had the exciting opportunity to attend the Project 11 Manitoba Moose Game!
This event was more than just hockey—it was an incredible experience that combined the thrill of the game with a powerful message about mental health and wellness.
Students enjoyed the chance to cheer on the MB Moose, connect with their classmates, and reflect on the importance of taking care of their mental health.
Thank you to Project 11 for hosting such an inspiring event and for promoting positive mental health strategies for youth. Thank you to all the teachers who helped to organize this event for our students. It was a memorable day!
LOOKING FOR HELP WITH WOOD FLOOR REFINISHING
I’m reaching out to see if anyone in our community has the skillset and interest in refinishing wood floors. If this is something you’re experienced with or would like to help with, please let me know!
GYM
Exciting news! Today, two lifts were delivered to our building in preparation for the installation of six ceiling fans and new LED lighting in the gym next week—an amazing uplift for our gym!
During this time, the gym will be closed, and some gym classes may be relocated to our amazing turf field or the Parish fields. Please ensure students are dressed appropriately for outdoor weather.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to enhance our facilities!
CANDY-CANE ORDER
To help raise funds for the Musical.
You can order a special candy-cane for $1 for your child, friend, classmates, or teachers.
Each will have a special Christmas tag attached to it.
Candy-Canes will be distributed on Tuesday, Dec. 17th to each classroom.
All orders must be in by 6:00pm on Thursday, Dec. 12th.
Please use the Permission Click link TO PLACE YOUR ORDER:
https://permission.click/7EeJg/ca
BAKE SALE
Thank you all for your amazing support with the bake sale! There were so many delicious treats to enjoy, and your contributions directly support the success of our musical.
TURF CAMPAIGN – FROM THE GROUND UP – HELP BUILD OUR PLAYGROUND
We are asking for your help! Visit our link for more information. So far, we have raised $43,920. You can track our progress on the website. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Here is a video preview link of the turf project completed by Venture Landscaping:
https://listings.uncutcreatives.com/videos/0192fdf4-eaae-71a9-afcc-7624693d82bb
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for Him.”
-Matthew 3:3This verse highlights the value of preparation and trusting in God as we anticipate the fulfillment of our efforts and plans.
Have a great weekend!
Aneta Prettie PRINCIPAL
St. Charles Catholic School
Phone: 204-837-1520 ext. 222
Link to .pdf version of Principal’s Update.