November Newsletter 2026
Ecole James S McCormick School
November 3: Boston Pizza Hot Lunch for those who ordered
- November 4: Remembrance Day Service @ 10:30am
- November 9 - 13: Fall Break - No School
- November 11: Remembrance Day
- November 16: 7 Sacred Teachings - Courage Assembly @ 12:45pm
- November 18: Wear What Makes You Happy! ~ School Wide Theme Day
- November 23 - 25: Portfolio Walks
- November 26: Lacombe's Santa Claus Parade @ 6pm
- November 27: PD Day - No School
Paw Prints ~ A note from our Principal
We’ve had a great first two months of the school year! Our hallways and classrooms have been filled with learning, laughter, new friendships and so many opportunities for our students to grow. Thank you to all of our families who took the time to come in and meet with your child's teacher in early October. Building strong connections between home and school is such an important part of creating a positive learning experience for our children, and we appreciate the opportunity to work alongside you!
As we look ahead to November, there are a few things we are excited about. We will begin the month with our Remembrance Day Assembly on November 4th at 10:30 am. Parents and guardians are welcome to join us as we take time to remember and honour those who have served. A reminder that November 9–13 is Fall Break, and there will be no classes that week. November 16th is our next 7 Sacred Teachings assembly at 12:45 pm in the gym. This assembly will focus on Courage.
Later in November, we are looking forward to inviting families back into the school for our Portfolio Walks! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their learning, celebrate their growth and accomplishments, and reflect on their learning journey alongside their families and teachers. Teachers will send out more information later in the month, including an invitation to sign up for a time. Please keep an eye out for that communication!
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our families for the many ways you support your child's learning and contribute to our school community. We know that students do better academically, socially and behaviourally when parents are engaged in child's learning. We are grateful for the role you play in your child's educational journey and for the trust you place in our team.
One great way to become more connected with our school community is through our School Council! We welcome new faces, ideas and perspectives, and would love to have you join us. Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:45 p.m. in the Wellness Room at the school.
Thank you for being such an important part of our JS community. We look forward to another wonderful month of learning and growing together!
Kacey Oehlerking ~ Principal
Student Attendance
At EJSMS, we take student attendance twice daily; morning & afternoon. In the morning, the report exports at exactly 8:50am. Any students marked as ABSENT at that time will receive absent alerts. If your child is going to be late or excused, please call the office at 403-782-3096 ext 8 and leave a message on our attendance line. If students are coming in after 8:50am, they need to check in at the office, please. Afternoon attendance is taken at 12:25pm.
School Council Update
Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Thank you for your support in our main fundraiser this year! Orders are anticipated to arrive in early December. Please stay tuned to the weekly Swifty's Snapshots for details on pick up!
If you have any questions, please contact ejsmfundraising@outlook.com
White Elephant Sale
Its back! One of our favorite School Council fundraising events will be making a come-back this Christmas season! Our White Elephant Sale is always a delight for students, staff & parents alike!
The White Elephant Sale is an annual School Council Fundraiser that will take place on November 30, December 1, 2 & 3, 2026. Your children will be given the opportunity to shop for each member of their immediate family, who lives in the same house as them. All families are asked to bring gently used donated items for the White Elephant Sale; these are then set out for all the students to do their own Christmas shopping. We have no set limit on the amount of items you can donate, however, we suggest that if your child will be shopping for 4 items, you donate at least 4 items. For anyone who has been involved in the sales in the past, you know the joy and pride that these little faces radiate upon selecting the “perfect gift”.
Suggestions for donations: new or like new toys, craft items, scrapbook supplies, aprons, placemats, puzzles, baby toys, picture frames, posters, books, candles, candle holders, vases, etc. Please Note: for health reasons we cannot accept unsealed make-up, clothing, pierced earrings, shoes, hair brushes or hair accessories. We also ask that you DO NOT send movies, games or books that have age inappropriate pictures or themes. Stuffed animals are welcome, but only gently loved ones please. They should be clean and intact.
WE ARE ALWAYS VERY SHORT OF GIFTS FOR DADS, TEENS AND BROTHERS. Some suggestions for donations are: golf balls and tees, new hats, tools, ties, coffee mugs, candy, CD’s, movies, games, etc.
All items must be clean and in good shape (example: ensure all puzzle pieces are included). Remember, the items you donate will be a Christmas Gift for a child’s loved one!
Please send donations between now and November 26. Donations can be dropped off just outside the front office door. Donations of wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, gift bags, etc. are also greatly appreciated.
WHEN: November 30, December 1, 2 & 3 - 2026
Gently used donations can be brought into the school and dropped off on the cart outside the office door. Students will get a chance to shop for their own special gifts for immediate family members from Nov 30 - Dec 3. Monetary donations of $1 or $2 per family member are encouraged but not required as all students receive the opportunity to shop for their families. These can be made online in your Parent Portal under "NEW ITEMS".
Parent/Guardian volunteers will be needed to help in the following areas to make this event a success:
sort & organize donations in the days prior to the sale
help students wrap gifts & shop during the daytime
pack-up any leftover donations after the sale
School Council Contact
Our School Council has set-up some general email inboxes for direct communication with our families.
Chairperson - Adam Garstka
Vice-Chair - Krystal Prins
Treasurer - Pam Dedora
Fundraising - Renee Spelt
Secretary - Kacey Oehlerking
Next Meeting...
Music Music Music!
Around The School
Fire Lane
The front lane is a designated fire lane and needs to remain clear at all times. Tickets can be issued for those using this lane to park or drop off in. Please use the North parking lot if needed. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sticker Club!
We are excited to offer a Sticker Club at our school! Sticker Club is a fun way for students to build friendships, practice kindness and good sportsmanship, and enjoy collecting and trading stickers in a respectful environment. Forms must be signed for students to participate, please see the attachment below. Sticker Club takes place on Thursdays during lunch recess.
Community Events
What's Coming Up?!
- December 2: School Council Meeting @ 6:45pm
- December 11: PD Day (or Weather Recovery Day) - No School
- December 14 - 17: Christmas Concert Week! *see Music poster above for details*
- December 21 - January 3: Christmas Holidays
- January 4: Classes Resume
Remember to subscribe to our calendar on our website to sync school-wide events to your personal online calendar!
Contact Us
Email: jsm@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Website: www.ejsm.wolfcreek.ab.ca
Location: 5424 50 Street, Lacombe, AB, Canada
Phone: 403.782.3096
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EJSMSchool