The Good News April 24th 2026

As we reflect on Good Shepherd Sunday, we are reminded of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who selflessly cares for us, putting our needs before his own. Just as Jesus lays down his life for his sheep, we are called to emulate his example by making sacrifices and putting the well-being of others above our own desires. Every act of kindness and compassion we show reflects the love of the Good Shepherd. Let us strive to follow in his footsteps, being a beacon of light and hope in our community, and may his love guide us always.

Warm regards,

Mr. Dan Holden & Mrs. Erin Croft

St. John XXIII Leadership Team

Monday, April 27

N4 WRE
4D Linking Generations

Tuesday, April 28

Regular School Day

Wednesday, April 29

Early Dismissal 2:08 pm
Parish Visit Gr. 1

Thursday, April 30

N3 WRE

Friday, May 1

PD day (No School)
Nature Form goes live in PowerSchool at 9 am

Looking Ahead:

May 5- Lifetouch Spring Photos

May 6- Early Dismissal Spirit Day (Hats on for Mental Health), Lifetouch Spring Photos

May 7 - NK Nature Playground

May 8 - N1 TPet

May 26- Fit Set Ninja

June 11- Grade 4 Farwell (1:30 PM)

June 17- Kindergarten Farewell

*Please note that there will be NO talent show this year

The Nature Commitment form will go live in PowerSchool on May 1st, 2026.

Full details are available on our website (Nature Programs page)

A very special thank you to Mrs. Potter for all she does to keep St. John XXIII a special, happy and organized school! From handing out bandaids, ice packs, to completing registrations, she does everything with immense love and care for students. We are all so grateful for her and showed her our appreciation this week with cards, flowers, tea and treats.

We want to take an opportunity to thank all of our amazing volunteers that make our school so special. We would not be able to enjoy so many of the fun activities, including hot lunch, without the kind hearts of our volunteers. Please fill out the below RSVP link if you are planning on attending our Volunteer Appreciation Event on June 2, from 9:30-10:30 am.

RSVP LINK for Volunteer Appreciation Event

Due to the high volume of calls we've been receiving at the end of the school day, we kindly ask that dismissal and transportation plans be arranged before students arrive at school each morning. Last-minute changes create challenges during our busiest time of day and may lead to missed messages or confusion for students.

If an unexpected change arises, please ensure the school is notified at least 15 minutes before dismissal so we can communicate with your child in time.

Thank you for your support in helping us keep students safe and ensuring the end of the day runs smoothly for everyone.

If you wish to register your child for the bus or change your current route, please contact the Student Transportation Department of EIPS at (780) 417-8151 or st@eips.ca.

School Council Website

School Council Facebook Page

The St. John XXIII Yearbook Committee has been working hard to make this year’s yearbook special - featuring a student-designed cover, fun interviews with our kinder and grade 4 students, and snapshots of the moments that made this school year unforgettable. It’s more than just a book—it’s a keepsake your family will treasure for years to come.

How to Order:
Order online through your Munchalunch account. Sales open Monday, April 13 at 10 AM and close Monday, May 4 at noon.

Cost:
$32 — a small price for memories that last a lifetime.

Thank you for your continued support!

Order your child's hot lunch conveniently through MunchaLunch. Simply visit https://munchalunch.com/schools/stjohnXXIII to register or log in.

MunchaLunch makes ordering and payment (credit, debit-credit, Google/Apple Pay) simple. After adding your children, click "Order Lunch!" to get started.

Ordering Information:

Online ordering for May Hot Lunch is open:

Monday, May 11 - McDonald’s

Tuesday, May 19 - Panago

Important Reminders:

Orders will be accepted up to 7 days before the hot lunch date.
If your child is ill or absent on a hot lunch date, you’re welcome to pick up their lunch order by 11:30 AM. If you’re unable to do so, please consider it a donation for a child in need.
Please note that we are unable to issue refunds. We appreciate your support of our hot lunch program, as the prices include costs associated with running the program and help raise funds that benefit the student experience at our school. Thank you for your understanding!

If you need assistance with ordering, please contact our hot lunch coordinator Brandy at Hotlunchstjohnxxiii@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed

Our program depends on the help of our wonderful volunteers! When you’re logged into your account, you’ll find a volunteer page where you can indicate your availability to help distribute hot lunch to the classrooms. If you’ve marked that you’re able to volunteer, the hot lunch coordinator will reach out with a schedule.

Ever wondered what the role of your school council is? We’ll be sharing insights into the different positions that make up your school council. This week: the Co-chair.

On some school councils, the role of chair is shared through co-chair positions. Co-chairs work collaboratively with the chair to manage responsibilities, ensuring tasks and duties are handled effectively and together. In the event of the chair’s resignation, incapacity, or leave of absence, the co-chair steps in to fulfill the chair’s responsibilities. In such cases, the co-chair supervises the school council’s affairs and presides over meetings.

The role of co-chair is vital in supporting the school council’s work and fostering a positive, engaged school environment.

If you’d like more information or to put your name forward for any school council position, please email st.johnxxiii.psc@gmail.com

Stay tuned for more insights into the other roles on the council!

We're excited to offer our Big Box of Cards sets - your choice of the All Occasion box or the Birthday box set—perfect for any celebration! Each box contains 35 handcrafted cards for just $36.32.

Quantities are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to grab yours before they’re gone! You’re welcome to order as many boxes as we have in stock—perfect for stocking up for upcoming events.

Payment is quick and easy through your Munchalunch account, and must be completed at the time of order.

Mark your calendars! Our next School Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11, at 6:30 PM. We encourage all parents and guardians to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you to Father Abraham for coming to our school each week.

The Medicine Wheel is a sacred symbol in many Indigenous cultures, representing balance, connection, and the cyclical nature of life. Divided into four parts, it reflects the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of our being, as well as the seasons, directions, and stages of life. It reminds us that all things are interconnected and that wellness comes from living in harmony with ourselves, others, and the natural world.

Our school has had the privilege of bringing this beautiful teaching to life through a collaborative art installation led by Kelsey Bishop, our Nature teacher for Grades 3 and 4 and Indigenous Lead. With care, intention, and guidance, every student in the school contributed piece by piece to create a stunning Medicine Wheel. Watching this project come together has been truly meaningful—it reflects not only creativity, but unity, respect, and shared learning across our entire school community.

This work also connects deeply to our Catholic faith. Just as the Medicine Wheel teaches us about balance and caring for all aspects of our lives, our faith calls us to love and care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. It echoes the message that we are all part of God’s creation, called to live in relationship with one another and with the world around us. This project is a beautiful reminder that when we work together with open hearts, we create something far greater than ourselves