Follow us on Twitter @StMichaelsBby
SENDING THE VERY BEST!
One of the most recognized slogans in advertising is Hallmark Card’s famous trademark, “When you care enough to send the very best!” Put that into the Christian perspective: God cared enough to send the very best! God loved us enough to come in person. That is why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas is not about the stars and the sheep and the kings. Christmas is about the infinite love that God has for each and every one of us. God’s love is so great and so intense that it comes to life in our midst. God actually becomes a human being! God takes on a human body and assumes a human nature in order to express His awesome love for us in a way that we can see, hear, touch and understand. Christmas was not the beginning of the story – God loved us long before the world began. Easter is not the end of the story—God will love us for all eternity. But Christmas is a focal point for us in that God, our Creator and Master of the Universe, cared enough to come among us as an infant child. There was no fanfare. There was no threat. There was, and still is, just His loving Presence.
The staff at St. Michael’s School would like to wish all our families a blessed and peaceful Christmas. We are especially grateful for the warm and loving spirit which characterizes our community. We are truly blessed with the generosity and gifts of many who work together to create the best learning environment for our children. May Christ the King continue to bless you and yours in the New Year and may the birth of Christ the Saviour renew hearts, awaken a desire to build a future of greater love and peace, and bring joy and hope to everyone.
Merry Christmas!
PEOPLE OF HOPE
During this season of Advent, we focused on the virtue of Hope. Pope Francis says, “Advent is a journey toward the horizon of hope. The hope of Advent does not disappoint because it is founded on the word of God. A hope that does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful!” Hope is the knowledge that our lives have meaning—that each day that we live matters and that we matter because we are beloved by God.
At school this month, we have tried to live out the virtue of Hope by being i) optimistic; ii) inspired and inspiring to others; and iii) trying to see the good in the world.
Let us pray for the grace and courage to continue to be people of hope, people who can see, participate in and contribute to God's goodness emerging around us.
NON-UNIFORM DAY
The Student Leadership Team will be holding a special
“Crazy Christmas Cheer” theme non-uniform day
today! Students may come dressed up in their most festive Christmas colours, crazy sweaters, etc. To participate, we ask for a minimum $2 donation. As this special outreach collection will be used for Chalice, a Catholic international aid charity focused on child, family, and community development, we appreciate your generosity!
Thank you for your support of all our Student Leadership initiatives.
LIBRARY BOOKS
If you still have any school library books at home, please return them tomorrow. Thanks!
TAILS FROM THE MANGER
A standing ovation to all our students for their wonderful performance in our Christmas Concert last Thursday! At last Friday’s Mass, Father Rossi praised and thanked the students for bringing the true message and meaning of Christmas to the forefront for all of us. Many thanks also to Ms. M. Alberti and Ms. A. Alberti for all their work and countless hours spent to put on this production, and to all our staff and parent volunteers for their help behind the scenes. We could not have done it without all of you!
It was also wonderful to see Mrs. Kennedy at the matinee performance! Mrs. Kennedy sends all of you her love and gratitude for your continued prayers for her recovery.
And thank you, our wonderful parents, for your generosity. We were overwhelmed by the donations received and ended up with a sizeable profit which will be used to offset some of the expenses of our spring musical,
Annie.
| INCOME |
|
EXPENSES |
| Admission and Concession Stand |
$2,905 |
|
T Shirts |
$1830 |
| T Shirts |
$2,240
|
|
Seacoast lighting & sound |
$950 |
| Total income |
$5,145 |
|
Costumes |
$200 |
| |
|
|
Total expenses |
$2980 |
| |
|
|
Net profit |
$2,165 |
THANK YOU TO OUR PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION!
We can’t say enough about our St. Michael’s Parents’ Association (PA) who work tirelessly on behalf of all the parents to help make St. Michael’s School such a special place for your children and for the staff.
Yesterday’s Skating Party at Moody Park was one such example. The children loved it, and it was wonderful to see so many parents join us at the rink to skate or watch. (We are very sorry that parking was even worse than advertised as, unbeknownst to us, the roadway was closed for paving. We really appreciated parents’ patience to find a parking spot.) Other than parking, it was a perfect day!
Thanks also to all our Hot Lunch Parents for providing such delicious lunches every week. The children are looking forward to their Pizza Lunch today! (A reminder—if you did not order pizza for your child, please send in lunch as usual.)
And finally, thank you to the PA for putting on a special lunch for all staff to enjoy on December 10
th! There were so many smiles at the table and the staff felt very appreciated!
DESK CLEAN-UP
All students are asked to bring in a large, sturdy bag tomorrow. Students will be cleaning out their desks and bringing all items home for the holidays as the janitors need to move the furniture in order to polish the floors. Students must return the items to school after the holidays
LOST AND FOUND AND USED UNIFORM
Please be aware that the Lost & Found cupboard will be cleared out following the carolling on December 20
th. All families should check for and reclaim any lost items before they're donated away to charity or back to the Used Uniforms store. Suggested homework for the holidays—ensure your child’s uniform (including gym) articles are
clearly labeled so we can return them when they get lost!
CHRISTMAS BREAK
Students will be dismissed for the Christmas holidays tomorrow,
Friday, December 20th at 12:00 noon. Thanks for making arrangements to have your child(ren) picked up at that time. Please join us for Mass at 9:00 am and then come to the gym at 10:45 am for the singing of Christmas carols.
School will reopen on
Monday, January 6th, 2020.
ST. MICHAEL’S SCHOOL CHOIR
A reminder that the school choir sings Christmas Day at the 8:30 am Mass. For this special mass, you do not have to come in school uniform, instead wear your Christmas best.
NEW FAMILY REGISTRATION FOR 2019-2020
Please let your friends know that we are hosting an Open House on
Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 pm for any
NEW family interested in having their child/ren attend St. Michael’s School (any grade). There is no need to RSVP for the Open House. Application packages for new families will be available that evening.
GRADE TWO FIRST CONFESSION
First Confession for our Grade 2 class will be held on
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the church. Please keep these children in your prayers.
2020 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
| JANUARY 2020 |
| MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
| 6 |
7 |
8
Gr. 5 Boys @ STM Chancellor tourney
(11:30-2) |
9 |
10 |
13
Gr. 6 G/B vs OLF
@ St. Michael
Girls first/boys |
14
Gr. 7 B/G vs OLF
@ St. Michael
Boys first/girls |
15 |
16
Gr. 5 B/G @ OLF
Boys first/girls
Gr. 7 Boys tourney at St. Frances de Sales
(Starts @ 9:30 a.m.) |
17 |
20
Gr. 6 G/B @ St. Patrick (MR)
Girls first/boys |
21
Gr. 7 Girls vs St. Patrick (MR)
@ St. Michael
|
22
Gr. 5 Girls/Boys @ St. Michael vs.
St. Patrick (MR)
Gr. 7 Boys @ OLA |
23
Gr. 5 Boys vs OLA @ St. Michael
|
24 |
27
Pro D Day
|
28
|
29
Gr. 6 Girls @ OLF |
30
Gr. 6 B/G @ OLA
Boys first/girls
|
31 |
| FEBRUARY 2020 |
| MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
3
Gr. 7 B/G @ QAS
Boys first/girls |
4
Gr. 6 Boys vs QAS @
St. Michael
Gr. 6 Girls vs OLA
@ St. Michael
|
5
|
6
Gr. 5 G/B @ QAS
Girls first/boys |
7 |
10
Gr. 7 B vs QAS
@ St. Michael
|
11
Gr. 7 G/B vs OLA
@ St. Michael
|
12
Gr. 5 G/B vs St. Mary @ St. Michael |
13
Catholic Educators’ Conference
No School |
14
Catholic Educators’ Conference
No School |
17
Family Day
No School
|
18
Gr. 7 Boys @ OLF
|
19
Gr. 6 Girls vs St. Patrick @ St. Michael’s
|
20
|
21 |
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28 |
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN GRADE 7
ST. THOMAS MORE OPEN HOUSE
St. Thomas More Collegiate is hosting an Open House on
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at
6:30 pm. This is a perfect opportunity to meet with members of the staff and student body to see first-hand what STMC has to offer. STMC is currently accepting registrations for all incoming Grade 8 students. Check out the following link:
https://stthomasmorecollegiate.ca/ for more information. A STMC staff member will be coming in to visit the Gr. 7 students today to talk about programs, etc.
ARCHBISHOP CARNEY OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, January 23, 2020 @ 6:30 p.m.
CARIBOO HILL SECONDARY SCHOOL – OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 @ 6:00 p.m.
BURNABY NORTH SECONDARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 6:00 p.m. to 815 p.m.
Please check out their website
http://north.burnabyschools.ca/ for a complete schedule.
Open House will include:
- Information on course selection
- A view of our school culture
- An understanding of registration procedures
- Information about Graduation requirements
- An overview of Career Programs and Youth Train and Trades Programs
- An opportunity to meet school staff.
PREPARING FOR THE WEATHER
When it snows on a school day, please follow this procedure:
- Tune in to CKNW AM 980 on the radio for information regarding any school closure. Information can also be found on their web site, or on our website www.stmichaelschool.ca. In the case of inclement weather in the morning, closures are usually reported every ten to fifteen minutes.
- The class phoning parents will phone all the families by 8:00 a.m. to ensure that everyone is informed of the closure. Please do not tie up the school and parish telephone lines by trying to call these offices.
- The radio station WILL NOT announce if the school is open; therefore, if you DO NOT hear the name of the school then the school is open and/or
- As traveling conditions vary depending on where you live, please use your own judgment regarding sending your child to school.
- The staff will always work to keep the school open when safety is not in question.
- Please remind your child/ren to wear clothing appropriate for the weather, (i.e. boots, warm jacket, mitts, toques). If weather conditions are reasonable, students will go outside to get some fresh air during recess and lunch breaks.
JANUARY 2020 CALENDAR
Please visit the school website to find the January calendar.
ST. MICHAEL’S AUCTION UPDATE
Take a trip back to the Middle Ages with this year’s Auction:
A Night in Camelot
Save the date: April 25, 2020
EARLY BIRD DRAW WINNERS
The Early Bird Draw winners were randomly chosen this week (thanks Mrs. Bird!), and here they are:
- Christmas concert tickets: Lian family
- Canucks tickets: Cheung family
Congratulations to the winners, and a big thanks to all of the families that donated early!
AUCTION DONATIONS
While you’re shopping for Christmas gifts, why not keep an eye out for gift cards that you can donate to the Auction? We always need gift cards (restaurants, retail stores, and services are great) in denominations of $25, as well as electronics. Donations can be dropped off in the box near the school office.
We’re also looking for donations of house paints to be used in the decorations, since our previous set of paints went missing. Thanks for your support!
Care to Lend a Hand?
The Auction Committee is gearing up to create another amazing Auction experience, and we need your help! We’re looking to fill some roles, so if you’re interested in helping out and earning some valuable participation hours we’d love to hear from you.
Stay tuned for more details, and check out the Facebook page for all the latest info:
https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelsauction/
Thought of the week…
“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you. It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. The coming of Jesus at Bethlehem brought joy to the world and to every human heart.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta
