SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT. 6 7 Christmas Rehearsal at the Yates. Bishop s Appeal Mission Mexico Day Collection taken at school today

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1 Page 1 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Sunday Gospel readings listed below: 1 2 Luke 21:25-28, Professional Development Day no school for students Christmas Rehearsal at the Yates Christmas Concert at the Yates at 7:00 pm. Drop students between 6:30 & 6:45 please. 2nd Advent Celebration Luke 3:1-6 Morning Kindergarten to the Fire Hall Bishop s Appeal Mission Mexico Day Collection taken at school today Hot Lunch Christmas Turkey 3rd Advent Celebration 16 Luke 3: Kindergarten Teddy Bear Gala 6:15 7:30 pm Gr. 3 Dessert Raffle for Santa s Anonymous 18 1M to the Galt Museum 19 Div II Choir performs at Gardenview Lodge and City Hall 20 Kindergarten to Galt Museum Gr.2 Christmas Centres Div I Choir perform at City Hall 21 4th Advent Celebration Comfy Cozy Day / 30 Luke 1: / CHRISTMAS BREAK Luke 2:41-52

2 Page 2 JANUARY 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Sunday gospel readings listed below: Matthew 2:1-5, 7-12 First day back to School Gr. 6 Basketball Practices begin this week Jan 17th Online Pizza order due Luke 3:15-16, Grade 2 St. Martha s Pizza Lunch John 2:1-11 Gr. 4 to Galt Museum Kindergarten to Westwinds Gymnastics Hot Lunch Jan 31st Online Pizza order due School Council 7pm 27 Luke 4: Crusader Assembly & Jersey Day 31 Pizza Lunch

3 Page 3 Message from the Principal What a joyous time! Advent is here, snow you can actually play in has arrived (no doubt some wind is waiting in the wings for its cue), and our school community is focusing on gratitude this month as its wellness trait. As is customary during Advent, it is time to take stock, to reflect on 2018, and to ask ourselves the same question Jesus asks of us: Who do you say that I am? For our students at school, we explore this idea in numerous faith-filled ways. Advent activities revolve around preparing for Jesus birth and answering our baptismal call to Love one another as [he] has loved [us]. Our weekly Advent liturgies draw attention to each candle representing hope, peace, love and joy; they are quiet, calm, and instructive starts to each Friday. Our annual Christmas concert is always fun and entertaining, but at its core, we are reminded that there is no Christmas without Christ. Through charitable opportunities, students and staff can contribute socks for local charities and coin donations (bake sale Dec. 12) for Santa s Anonymous, as well as create heartfelt expressions of communion through buddy-made greeting cards for the vulnerable among us. Our staff donated time this week to the Interfaith Food Bank to give back, as well, parceling Christmas treat bags for hampers. There is no shortage of reminders for our community that who Jesus is says a lot about who we are. As for gratitude, I cannot say enough about the strength and commitment of our parent (and extended family) community. From volunteering your time on field trips and in classrooms to jumping in with both feet for hot lunches, School Council meetings and our next Gala fundraiser (see details inside), our parents continue to look for big and little ways to enrich our students learning and to make school a community hub. Over the last 6 weeks, you have come together to well exceed School Council s original fundraising goal for operating costs, and have moved the group into wishlist territory! Thank you for your generosity and community spirit! If you have not yet given but wish to, it is not too late - call the office for more details. So, where do we go from here? What does 2019 have in store for St. Patrick Fine Arts? My sincere hope is that we return from the break with many stories of family time well spent alongside some memorable experiences of truly sharing our bounty - our time, treasure, and talents - with those around us, especially strangers. So many of us are financially fortunate to be able to give anonymously, but there is always room to give in person. For volunteering opportunities year round that might fit your family, please connect with your local parish or visit Being that human face that says, I care. I am here. I am listening is the difference for so many, both those in need and on the ground staff. Someone might easily say that a child has too many toys, but no one would say that a child has too big a heart! Merry Christmas from all of us at St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School, Mrs. Jones-Husch (Kathy) St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School 80 RIvergreen Road W. Lethbridge, AB T1K 7Y1 Ph: Fax: Principal Kathy Jones-Husch Associate Principal Mark Matsalla

4 Page 4 Growing in Faith It is hard to believe that we are in December already! As we focus on sharing our bounty this year, we can t help but reflect on all of the gifts that we receive from God. We are truly blessed. This year, our fundraising efforts are going toward Chalice, a Catholic organization devoted to helping the impoverished as well as Santa s Anonymous family hampers in December. The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Mary was Immaculate because she had to be the Mother of God. She has received the original grace of purity and the final state of the blessed life that we also, by collaborating with Divine Grace, hope one day to receive. Please pray the following prayer with your family this month: Hail Mary, full of grace The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death. Amen Pope's intention for the Month of December: Evangelization: In the Service of the Transmission of Faith: That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time. Important Dates in December 2nd - First Sunday in Advent 8th - The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 12th - Mission Mexico Day; Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe; National Day of Prayer in Solidarity With Indigenous People 25th - The Nativity of the Lord Weekly Advent prayer services will be held at the school during the month, so please consider joining the school community for these prayer times. Week 1 Friday, November 9:00 led by the 6M class Week 2 Friday, December 9:00 led by Grade 2 Week 3 Friday, December 9:00 led by Grade 4 Week 4 Friday, December 9:00 led by the 6L class May God bless you and your family this month, Mr. Matsalla Grade 3 Mission Project - Santa s Anonymous Dessert Raffle On Monday, Dec. 17, if you see a dessert you love, you can buy raffle tickets for a chance to win it! All proceeds go to support the 75 hampers being built for Holy Spirit families in need.

5 Page 5 General Information Library News Rocky Mountain Book Awards: The Rocky Mountain Book Awards is going well. The students are involved with reading the nominated books and reporting to me on them. In order to vote, the students need to read a minimum of 5 RMBA books. The participating students will not only get to vote for their favourite book but at the SPFA library they will get a chance to win some prizes. Library Manners Jar: The Library Manners Jars are filling up their classroom jars by using proper library behavior. The goal is for students to fill their classroom jar first by using great library manners, so they can win a classroom prize. The fullest jar by December 13 will be the winning classroom for this term. Bulletin Board: Our Teachers READ too. Can you guess who? contest has started. Students have until December 5 to fill in the provided form and guess which disguised teachers are reading their favorite children s book. Volunteers / Visitors, Sign In Please Please come by the office and say hi while signing our Volunteer / Visitor Guest Book. We enjoy having the chance to meet with you and to send you in the right direction!

6 Page 6 Upcoming Events This year s Christmas Concert will be held on WEDNESDAY, Dec 5th and THURSDAY, Dec 6th at the YATES MEMORIAL THEATRE at 7:00 pm. (Students should arrive between 6:30 6:45 pm, please) Dress Rehearsal will take place at the Yates during the day on Wednesday, Dec 5th starting about 12 pm. There is no cost to attend this performance. Preview Pictures.

7 Page 7 Upcoming Events CHOIR CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES Div II Choir *Parents and others are welcome to attend these performances. Tuesday, Dec. 11 Lethbridge College 10:30 11:30 am Wednesday, Dec. 19th - Garden View 10:30 am* - City 12:00 pm* Div I Choir Thursday, Dec. 20th - Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization 10:30 am* - City 12:00 pm* Parents, Save the Date. Saturday, October 5, 2019 SPFAE FALL BALL Silent Auction & Live Auction Supper, Live Music, Dancing All funds raised go to purchase water bottle fillers & upgrade our theatre technology. Look for sponsorship opportunities early in Grade 6 Christmas Wreath Fundraiser A sincere thank you to everyone who ordered a Christmas Wreath this year. $1020 of profit raised will offset travel costs for the Grade 6 Year End trip to Calgary. Food Bank Donations Thank You s Thank you to everyone who donated non-perishable food items during the month of November. We delivered 327 lbs of food on Monday! St. Patrick Fine Arts is such a caring and sharing community!

8 Page 8 School Council Update Hello Again SPFA parents, School Council, as always, has been behind the scenes planning for the year. We held a family Bizzarro Bingo Night, and we had a friendly and competitive turnout. Everyone who came brought fun prizes from home and anyone who won a round got to go pick an item off the table. There was lots of great energy in the gym and fun was had by all. In the new year, look for family skates at ATB. If you have other ideas, bring them to the group! This month, we did a Subway hot lunch. I hope everyone enjoyed their subs. We will be hosting the Christmas Turkey whole school lunch on the 13th of December. Every student gets to participate free of charge. Our first hot lunch of 2019 is in January and we will be trying out Mucho Burrito, so keep an eye out on Online for the opportunity to order for that lunch. Thank you to everyone who helped with donations for our Art of Fundraising campaign. With your support we now don t have to fundraise for school council again this year! We reached a total of $5820 with 58 donations! That is amazing! Just because we are no longer promoting this fundraiser doesn t mean you are not still able to donate if you would like. Just make sure if you decide to make a donation that you are clear it is for School Council on SchoolCashOnline. Thank you, everyone, for all your support! Our next meeting is on January 21 at 7 pm. All are welcome. Tricia Doherty SPFA School Council Chair Our next meeting is on January 21 at 7 pm. All are welcome!

9 Page 9 School Caretakers Sock It To Em Annual Appeal Between December 4 and 14th, all students are invited to bring in new pairs of socks for children, teens, men and women. How full can we make our Sock Christmas Trees??? For every pair you bring, you ll get an entry in a draw to Sock It To Mr. Matsalla with a pie in the face on Dec. 21. All donations will be passed along to local charities including Streets Alive, Harbour House, and Woods Homes (youth shelter). =

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11 Page 11 From the Board Office SCHOOL CASH ONLINE PARENT SUPPORT

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