Weekly Memo #5 - 2026
Administration
- Principal: David Baldwin
- Vice-Principal: Robert Leaman
- Vice-Principal: Kim Michelau-Jones
- School will be closed for all Students and Staff on Monday October 12th, 2026, for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday.
- Tryouts for various sports teams have already started, and in some cases, teams have been picked. For future tryouts scheduled, please click on the link HERE which will be updated by our Athletics' Director (Mr. Christopher). Mr. Christopher also posts tryout information on the main gymnasium doors and on morning announcements.
- All athletes must bring their parent/guardian’s email address to the tryouts so coaches can communicate with them.
- Mr. Leaman looks after key cards and keys for team access to the school/gymnasium. He will not be distributing them until Mr. Christopher advises of the specific identified coach of the team. Please give him at least two days' notice to pick them up and sign the agreement form. Only 1 key card and key will be issued per team (Lead Coach Only).
Upstream NL is a program which aims to provide access to supports for students that allow youth to increase their school engagement and provide connections in the community. One of the ways to identify students who could use support to prevent school disengagement is through a survey called the Student Needs Assessment (SNA).
- Upstream Canada and York University have partnered with NL Schools to deliver and study the success of the Upstream NL initiative. This research has received ethics review and approval by the Human Participants Review Sub-Committee, York University’s Ethics Review Board and conforms to the standards of the Canadian Tri-Council Research Ethics guidelines.
- On Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, SPJH Grade 7 students are voluntarily invited to participate in the first stage of the program, the “Student Needs Assessment (SNA)”, which is a short survey designed to identify students who may benefit from the Upstream Program.
- Please read the information letter by clicking HERE. It contains all of the specific details pertaining to the Student Needs Assessment (SNA)
- Since the survey is voluntary, if you do not wish for your child to participate, you can withdraw him/her by:
- Completing the Google Form HERE.
- If you do not have a computer or internet access, you can contact the Upstream NL Program Coordinator (Leslie Strickland) at 709-691-9577 by Wednesday, October 21st, 2026.
- Complete the paper copy in the document HERE (Page 3). The paper copy must be returned to our SPJH main office.
Contacts:
- If you have any questions about the Student Needs Assessment or the Program in general you may Contact:
Kim Michelau-Jones (SPJH Vice Principal)
709-368-0189
Leslie Strickland
Upstream NL Coordinator
lstrickland@choicesforyouth.ca
709-691-9577
- Our Chromebooks have still not arrived for our grade 7 students.
- NL Schools Information Technology is experiencing an unexpected delay in distributing new Chromebooks to our Grade 7 students for the upcoming school year.
- High Global Demand: A key reason for the delay is a worldwide shortage of computer processors and memory modules. These components act as the device's "brain." As tech companies across the globe are competing for the same limited supply, delivery is taking much longer than expected.
- Estimated Arrival & Next Steps: NL Schools Information Technology are in regular communication with their suppliers to expedite delivery. Estimated delivery times are targeted for mid-October. As soon as the devices arrive, they will be configured by their IT team and schools will be notified immediately.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as NL Schools Information Technology Department works through these global supply logistics to equip our students.
St. Peter’s Junior High is once again hoping to welcome the Roots of Empathy Program to our school community again this year. The experience last year was incredible for our grade 7 students as the baby and family became part of our whole school community.
We are presently looking for a family to be a part of this wonderful program with a child between 2-4 months of age. "Change the world, child by child" by becoming a Volunteer Family. If you are interested, please contact Deanna Miles at: deannamiles@nlesd.ca
- The Program is centered around you and your baby's loving relationship, with a Roots of Empathy Instructor guiding a discussion with children, encouraging them to read your baby's emotional cues and take your baby's perspective.
- Your baby is the "Tiny Teacher". The children learn to identify and name your baby’s feelings, reflect on and understand their own feelings, then bridge to understand the feelings of others. The development of emotional literacy helps children understand how their behaviour or words can hurt others, and enables children to make friends and build positive relationships.
This award-winning program supports children’s positive mental health and well-being by building empathy, kindness, and emotional understanding.
Throughout the school year, a Roots of Empathy Instructor will introduce students to the baby and family from our school community. Through nine monthly classroom visits, students will have the opportunity to watch the baby grow and cheer on each developmental milestone of the first year — from rolling over and sitting up to waving, clapping, crawling, and more.
The Instructor will support students in observing and recognizing the baby’s emotional cues, using these moments to spark meaningful conversations about feelings, relationships, and understanding others. The heart of the program lies in the loving connection between a baby and caregiver — the foundation from which empathy begins.
We would certainly love to bring this enriching program to SPJH and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our school community as the baby and family becomes a special part of our school family this year.
For more information on the “Roots of Empathy Program”, please click HERE
- Please click Here for our poster and details on this initiative.
- Basically, we are asking parents/guardians/former students willing to donate any SPJH SWAG that is no longer useful and can be provided to SPJH students that would like to have it. This includes gently used hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc.
- This initiative will continue from Tuesday, October 13th - Friday, October 16th and items can be brought to the main office. ANY DONATION COUNTS!
Welcome to a new school year! We are excited to launch one of our 2026-2027 St. Peter’s Junior High School Fundraisers and this year, we are once again partnering with Dielmans, a Canadian fundraising company.
- Your child will bring home a catalogue on Friday, September 25th, 2026. The catalogue contains great items to purchase for your family, friends, and neighbors and could make fantastic Christmas gifts.
Why We Fundraise:
- Your support directly impacts our students' daily learning experience. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward upgrading our classroom technology resources and enriching our educational programs. Every order helps us reach our goal!
Important Dates:
- Kickoff Date: September 25th, 2026
Order Deadline: October 16th, 2026
How to Order:
Please return all order forms and total payments to your child's classroom teacher by Friday, October 16th. Orders will arrive approximately 3 to 4 weeks after our master order is submitted and we will distribute them to students shortly after.
You can order online following the instructions in the catalogue. These orders can be shipped directly to your home.
- Please make all cheques payable to St. Peter’s Junior High.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Beth Hubley at: bethhubley@nlesd.ca
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to enhancing our school community!
Sincerely,
SPJH Fundraising Committee
Etcetera Production
- Our school has been invited to attend the Etcetera production of “Seussical” at the Arts and Culture Centre on Thursday, November 5th, 2026. On that day, students will be leaving the school on by bus at 8:50 AM and should arrive back at the school no later than 12:30 PM. We are very excited to attend this show as some of our current and former SPJH students will be performing in this production.
- Unfortunately we have a limit of only 200 student seats, therefore, available tickets are on a ‘first-come-first serve’ basis. Tickets are now available to ALL students in Rycor!
- In order to move forward with this event, students who are interested in going must complete the permission form and pay the money on Rycor no later than Friday, October, 16th. The total cost for this event (plus transportation) is $16.00.
Audition Announcement: "Mean Girls Jr."
- It’s time to take the stage! Auditions for our spring musical production of Mean Girls Jr. are right around the corner. Everyone who wants to be in the show (lead role, chorus, or dancer) must complete an audition.
- Audition Date: Thursday, October 15th
- Time: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Music Room
- Sign-Up: A sign-up sheet is posted outside the Music Room door. Be sure to pick a time slot!
How to Prepare
A. Interested in a Lead Role?
- Prepare a short song of your choice (you can sing acapella, bring an instrument, or use an instrumental backing track).
- Scripts for scene work are available outside the Music Room door to practice beforehand.
- You may audition in a small group.
- Prepare a simple song of your choice (e.g., O Canada, Happy Birthday, or another song you enjoy).
Everyone participating will also complete a separate Dance Audition. The date for this will be announced soon!
D. Can't make October 15th?
- If you are unable to attend the audition in person, please speak with Ms. Dawe-Ledwell, Ms. Grant, or Ms. Mercer as soon as possible. Video/recorded auditions will be accepted! Any recorded auditions should be submitted by the audition date (Oct. 15).
School lunch ordering is now open for October 18th to October 24th.
- To ensure your child receives their meals, please submit your order by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, October 14th. Unfortunately, late orders cannot be accepted, so please be sure to place your order before the deadline.
Thank you for participating in the School Food Program!
Here is a list of school closeouts for 2026-2027, scheduled and to be decided (TBD). School will be closed for students on these full or half days.
- Monday, October 12th: Thanksgiving Day Holiday - School closed for all Students and Staff
- November 27th, 2026: Teacher PL Day - Grading/Reporting and School Development (full day)
- December 7th, 2026: Teacher PL Day - NL Schools Closeout (full day)
- December 10th, 2026: Family Conferences - Students dismissed after period 4
- March 12th, 2027: Teacher PL Day - Grading/Reporting and School Development (full day)
- March 24th: Family Conferences - Students dismissed after period 4
- May 14th, 2027: Teacher PL Day: Mental Health and Wellness
- June 18th, 2027: Teacher PL Day - Grading and Reporting (full day)
- 1 More Closeout: To Be Decided (TBD):
English Edition (Awaiting email from the RCMP)
French Edition (Awaiting email from the RCMP)
- Tuesday, October 13th - Friday, October 16th: Donation of Swag Items (Final Call)
- Thursday, October 15th, 2026: Auditions for Mean Girls Jr.
- Friday, October 16th: Dieleman Fundraiser Orders are Due
- Friday, October 16th: Permission form and payment for the music “Seussical” deadline through Rycor. Tickets are now available to all students in any grade.
- Thursday, October 22nd: Grade 7 Student Needs Assessment (SNA)
- Thursday, November 5th: Musical “Seussical” at the Arts and Culture Centre
- Friday, November 27th: School Development-Report Card Writing Day (School closed for Students)
- Friday December 4th: Term 1 Report Cards Released
- Thursday, December 10th: Term 1 Family Teacher Conferences (1/2 day closure for students)
- Monday, December 7th: District Close Out 2 (School closed for Students)
- Friday, March 12th: School Development-Report Card Writing Day (School closed for Students)
- Friday, March 19th: Term 2 Report Cards Released.
- Wednesday, March 24th: Term 2 Family Teacher Conferences (1/2 day closure for students)\
- Friday, May 14th: Staff Ministerial Day(School closed for Students)
- Friday, June 19th: Final Report Card Writing Day (School closed for Students)
- Thursday, June 24th: Final Report Cards Released (School Closed for Summer Holidays)
- Friday, June 25th: Final Admin Day
