St. Mark Weekly Update

We hope this newsletter finds all well.

Tuesday, we spent time learning and reflecting on the children who suffered much in the Residential Schools across Canada. Students completed an activity of reflection which will be posted in the school once all copies have been collected from our teachers. Thank you to Ms. Isaac for supporting our students and this activity.

Today, we will be running in our annual Terry Fox Run. This morning, students will be heading out for a few laps around the school. If you have not donated and would like to, there is still time. We will be collecting until October 13. You can donate at the link found below in this newsletter (click on the button).

As we look to the introduction of new curriculum in junior high next year, some of our teachers have volunteered to pilot aspects of Math or Social. In the upcoming days, information will be shared as to what this means for your child's assessment reporting.

Next Wednesday (7 October) is a professional development day for teachers. This means students will once again not have class. We are aiming to have our newsletter released on Wednesday with our updates. We have added a few dates just in case we get a little busy.

Wishing you a blessed week.

A. Stabile and J. Hertlein

Administration

Here are the events this week as currently known.

• October 1-31 - Hispanic Canadian Heritage Month
• We invite our Hispanic families to share their cultural practices with us! Please email the school if you wish to contribute!
• Thursday 1 October - Terry Fox Run (am)
• Please consider donating using the link below. Please share with your friends and family in supporting cancer research across Canada.
• Friday 2 October - Custodial Appreciation Day
• Friday 2 October - Recreation Academy Billiards
• Friday 2 October - Recreation Academy Payment #2 Due
• Monday 5 October - World Teachers' Day
• Monday 5 October - Recreation Academy Canoeing
• Wednesday 7 October - School Professional Development - NO CLASSES for students
• Friday 9 October - Student Leadership Welcome Back Activities (pm)
• Monday 12 October - Thanksgiving Monday - NO SCHOOL
• Tuesday 27 October - School Council (6:30)

Should you have any questions, please email stmark@ecsd.net or the staff member you wish to connect with. Our office is open from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm (3:00 on Thursdays).

Calendar dates not included here can be found on our public calendar/website.

If you need support in how to do this, please click the bar below. Alternatively, you may call Ms. Greenways between 9:30 and 2:30 (when she is less busy and completed attendance) for support.

Regular attendance is important for our students. Not only do they learn about Math, Social, Science, English, etc., but they are learning valuable skills that will prepare them for a changing work world.

Learning is moving away from memorization and moving towards skills and "doing". This means hands-on approaches where students gain valuable experience in real-time. If students miss, they may miss valuable opportunities to gain these skills - many which are not covered in a book or on a YouTube video and some which may not be available at home.

However, there will be days our students need to be away. If they are ill or if they have appointments, it is a valid reason to be away from school.

Our school uses SchoolMessenger SafeArrival, a convenient tool that allows families to report absences 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once submitted, the information is sent directly to the school. Reporting absences in advance helps ensure attendance records are accurate and allows the school to quickly follow up on unexpected absences. Learn how to report an absence online by visiting ecsd.net/reportingabsences.

The mission of St. Mark Catholic Junior High School is to provide a Catholic

education that inspires students to pursue excellence as they imagine, create, transform,

achieve, and celebrate their individual potential and unique gifts given to them by God.