“Goodness is hidden, silent; it requires slow and continuous excavation. Because God’s style is discreet. He does not impose himself. He is like the air we breathe-we don’t see it but it allows us to live.”

-Pope Francis

Calendar
Please refer to the the Calendar page for up to date events/activities scheduled during this busy time of the year.

Cold and flu season
The cold and flu season is well underway, and together we want to do everything we can to prevent the students from getting sick. Inevitably, however, they will catch something from somewhere.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care, in collaboration with the BC Centre for Disease Control want to ensure that all parents are aware that their child should not come to school if they are sick and unable to participate fully in routine activities.

Families can support this practice by being diligent in doing the daily health check every morning before their child comes to school. The daily health check means regularly checking to ensure they (or their child) are not experiencing symptoms of illness (including but not limited to COVID-19 symptoms) that would limit their ability to participate fully in regular activities before coming to school to prevent spread of communicable diseases within the school settings.

If a student develops symptoms at school:

• Masks are available for those who are sick and the people assisting them
• Students who are ill will be asked to wait in the office for their family member to pick them up
• The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to have their child picked up as soon as possible
• Custodial staff will clean and disinfect the area and the surrounding areas the person used
• The person should stay home and follow public health advice on when to return to activities. Most people can return to school when their symptoms have improved, and they feel well enough to participate in regular activities.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), research shows that the health of students is linked to their academic achievement and their social and emotional well being.

Here are a few tips for cold and flu season to help stop the spread

1. Start off with a healthy meal. Providing your child with a healthy meal not only gives them enough energy to focus it keeps their immune system in shape.
2. Get a good night’s rest. A sufficient amount of sleep helps fight off sickness because a good sleep has a major effect on your child’s immune system.
3. Good hand washing – keep little hands clean. One of the most important ways to stop the spread of germs is hand washing. The benefits of hand washing have been emphasized more than ever over these past two years, and it still remains incredibly important for preventing the spread of cold and flu germs. Make sure to teach your children to wash their hands before eating, touching their faces, and when returning from school. Washing for at least 20 seconds can help eliminate germs and keep your whole family much healthier.
4. Healthy habits and good hygiene. Cover your cough! Respiratory illnesses such as the flu or common cold are spread airborne. Continue to reinforce your child habits like sneezing and coughing in their elbow helps prevent others from getting sick and washing his or her hands after he or she sneezes.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth or face. Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
6. Sanitize – Common areas or high-touch areas are disinfected with antibacterial disinfectant. This includes surfaces, door handles and cabinet pulls, the refrigerator and microwave, toilet seats and bathroom faucets.

Student- Led Conferences – Thursday, Dec. 1
Student-led conferences are a time for the students to celebrate and show their families the work they have accomplished this term and the ebb and flow of their class.

Thursday, Dec. 1st is a late start.
Classes will begin at 12:55 for students. However, there will be supervision starting at 8:15 a.m. for any student who needs to come to school.

There are four Student-Led sessions that parents can choose from. Families do not need to sign up for a specific time. But instead may attend any ONE of the following sessions:

3:15 to 4:15 or 4:15 to 5:15
Doors will be closed from 5:15 to 6:00p.m.
6:00 to 6:45 or 6:45 to 7:45
Doors close at 8:00p.m.

“We must not fear moments of sadness and desolation but be confident and sure that the Lord never abandons us. Prayer is the quiet source of strength which brings peace.”

-Pope Francis

Urgent Attention – Immediate Action Required
We have been notified by St. Thomas More that some OLM parents are parking in their back parking lot adjacent to Mary Avenue Park. There is a reduced number of available parking spots due to fire regulations therefore OLM parents are no longer permitted to park there. OLM parents are welcome to park along 12th Avenue and walk through the STM lot and along the track to bring their children to school.

Halloween Candy Needed
We will be collecting wrapped candy for the Agape Street Ministry. This local ministry provides street youth with meals and treats throughout the year. We ask that your child donate a portion of his or her candy to this worthy cause. Please bring the candy in a baggie marked “Agape” to school between Tuesday November 1- Friday November 4.

Illness
Please send an email to the office ([email protected]) if your child is absent. This includes all absences such as vacation, medical appointments, illness’ etc.)

We are getting several emails asking what the protocol is if your child tests positive for COVID. As per the CDC Government website, below is a copy of the protocol and what to do if you test positive or have symptoms:

If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.

Stay home for at least 5 days

• Stay home for 5 days and isolate from others in your home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas and do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask
• Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
• Do not travel and avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis if possible.

As a reminder, it is the parents’ responsibility to do the Covid Daily Health Check at home each morning prior to bringing your child to school.

We will be having our first Jump Rope FUNDRAISER on Nov 16th to the 18th. All students are encouraged to participate, so let’s all join in. If you can skip 10 times or 400 times in 2 minutes it doesn’t matter. Participation is what is important and all participants will enjoy a delicious bag of popcorn.

Each student will have the opportunity to jump rope for 2 minutes in their Gym class. Each student will have an adult counter who will keep track of the number of jumps. We encourage all students to start practicing as we will be handing out 3 prizes for the students in each class with the highest number of skips.

We will also be handing out 2 prizes in each class for the students who raise the most $$$. This is a fundraiser so we need your help. Ask your loved ones, friends and family to sponsor your child, or even better have your child ask.

There are 2 ways to pledge a jumper.

• Flat fee donation – For example – $20 per student, $30 per student, $50 per student or any amount
• Pledge amount per jump – .50 cents, $1.00, $2.00 etc. per jump

The money raised will benefit students, such as, purchasing new sports equipment, outside playground equipment or games for inside the classroom when the days are too cold to go outside.

10% of ANY donations over $50 will go towards the Students Fundraising Commitment Fee.

Complete, print and return the pledge form below, along with your donations to the school office by Monday, November 21, 2022. Alternatively, you can also complete your donations online using our fundraising portal.

Purdys Fundraising Links: