XTRA! XTRA!
St. Andrew’s School Newsletter
April 24th, 2008

********************************************************

LET US PRAY

A BLESSING FOR STRENGTH
O God, where hearts are fearful and
limited, grant freedom and daring.
Where anxiety is infectious and
widening, grant peace and reassurance.
Where impossibilities close every door
and window, grant imagination and
resistance.
Where distrust reshapes every
understanding, grant healing and transformation.
Where spirits are daunted and dimmed,
grant soaring wings and strengthened
dream.
We ask this in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

PEC ELECTIONS

The attached sheet provides important information about what is expected of members of the PEC. In the parish bulletin you will have read about when and how the elections will take place. The role of the PEC is a critical one as it ensures that our school runs efficiently and that prudent financial decisions are made for the good of the school community.

LITERACY WORKSHOP

Last night we had our first ever parent literacy workshop. I was so pleased to see that we had parents from every grade. We even had some dads – way to go dads! I think this was a very worthwhile meeting for the parents who attended. We are thinking about doing more meetings in the future for parents who want to learn more.

Thank you to all the parents who attended – you made me proud!

PREPARATING FOR KINDERGARTEN

Last week we sent home a flyer about a very special meeting for parents and their 3 and 5 year old children. This of course includes our new kindergarten children as well as parishioners of St. Andrew’s. Please remember to call the school to register – only children who are registered will receive the special package.

When? Friday, May 23rd from 10:30 till 11:30
Where? School library
Who? Children who are 3 or 4 and their parents

INTERNET SAFETY MEETING

As you know, many students spend a great deal of time on computer, often unsupervised by their parents. A few weeks ago, our Grade 6 and 7 students attended an information meeting on Internet Safety. The presenter was Shandra Feenan. Shandra has a great deal of expertise in this area, and I have invited her to do a presentation for parents. I will be checking with each class to determine the number of students who spend time on the Internet. I strongly encourage the parents of these children to attend. You will be surprised and even shocked at some of the facts you will learn. The cost of this session is just $2 per person.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21st @ 7 p.m. in the church basement. Registration forms will be sent home next week.

ST. ANDREW’S IDOL!

If you wish to purchase tickets for this special event, please some to the school office. The cost of tickets is $5 for adults and $3 for children. All funds raised will go towards purchasing school supplies for children in Sierra Leone, Africa.

SHOP FUNDS NEWS

At this point we are completely sold out of Safeway Cards. These cards can only be purchased in a specific window of time, so we won’t have any more until October. Please remember that there are only four more weeks of shopping left. After we close the Shop Funds books for the year, each family will receive their statement. For your information, here are the specific dates you need to know:

May 19-22 Last week of shopping
May 30 Statements sent home
June 7 Deadline for ‘balance’ cheques
June 9 Cheques deposited

If you have any questions about your statement or cheque, please call Mrs. Paulyn and she will be glad to assist you.

STUDENT PICK-UP

This message is a repeat of last week’s. We have an ongoing problem at St. Andrew’s with end-of-the-day pick up. Far too many of our students are left waiting for parents, sometimes for as long as an hour or more. It is our expectation that parents wait for their children to exit the school right at 3 o’clock. The children should all be off school grounds by 3:15 at the latest. It is very dangerous for children to be left unattended. If you are a repeat offender, please take this reminder seriously and pick your child up promptly.

GRADE 2 PARENTS

As you know, this year the Archdiocese of Vancouver celebrates its 100-year anniversary. Our First Communicants have been invited to participate in part of the celebration that’s taking place in Abbotsford. We’ll be sending the registration forms home tomorrow, but I need them back ASAP so that we can let Father Joseph know how many will be attending. We are hoping for a great turnout, and depending on numbers, may book a private bus (at the suggestion of some of our parents).

Have a wonderful week.

With love,

Mrs. Mailley

Past Newsletters