Blessed John Paul I Newsletter
September
October News
Dear Blessed John Paul 1 Families,
As we move into the beautiful season of October, we are reminded of God's many blessings and the gift of belonging to such a caring and faith-filled school community. October is a special month in the Catholic Church as we honour the Rosary and spend time reflecting on the life of Jesus through prayer with Mary. It is also an opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with God and one another through acts of kindness, service, and gratitude.
As a Catholic school community, we are also beginning our work on our School Education Plan goal, which is shared across the Division this year:
Students will experience the Catholic faith as a living presence, woven into learning, relationships, and daily experiences across all aspects of school life.
At Blessed/Pope John Paul I School, this goal is foundational to who we are. We are blessed to have a vibrant Catholic culture that includes student-led prayer, weekly Gospel reflections, liturgical celebrations, parish partnerships, social justice initiatives, and visible signs of faith throughout our school.
Our work aligns closely with our P.A.C.K. values:
Perseverance – We trust in God and continue growing in faith and learning, especially when faced with challenges.
Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions and choices, recognizing that Gospel values should guide how we treat one another and contribute to our community.
Compassion – We put our faith into action through service, stewardship, and acts of kindness. We seek opportunities to live out Catholic Social Teaching and respond to the needs of others with empathy and love.
Knowledge – We embrace learning as a gift from God, asking thoughtful questions and engaging in meaningful conversations about faith, values, and our role in God's world.
We are excited to work alongside our Religious Education Consultant, Kathleen Nguyen, as we continue building student ownership of lived Gospel values. Together, we will explore how our P.A.C.K. values, our patron saint, and our Catholic faith call us to be disciples who make a positive difference in our school, parish, and community.
Throughout October, students will have opportunities to celebrate our faith, cultural traditions during Hispanic Cultural Month, engage with story during Read-In Week and practice giving thanks during Thanksgiving, and recognize how they are living the P.A.C.K. Way each day. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in helping our students grow into confident learners, caring friends, and faithful disciples of Christ.
May God bless you and your family this month, and may the example of Pope John Paul I inspire us to lead with joy, humility, and love.
Living the P.A.C.K. Way, together in faith.
Rosanne Boutin
Principal
#VamosLobos 🐾
Growing Together at Home and School
At school, students are developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and habits described in our Portrait of a Graduate. These competencies help students grow as learners, communicators, people of faith, and contributing members of their communities.
This month's focus is on
📚 Academic & Life Skills
At home, I notice my child:
☐ asks thoughtful questions
☐ tries different ways to solve problems
☐ learns from mistakes
☐ shows creativity and new ideas
☐ explains their thinking
🏠 Family Action Challenge
Choose one challenge to complete together over the next month.
📚 Academic & Life Skills
Choose one:
☐ Learn something new together and share what you discovered.
☐ Solve a household problem together and discuss different solutions.
☐ Set a family goal and track your progress for one week.
☐ Ask a "wonder question" each day and explore the answer together.
Want to learn more about optimal learning? Please click here to watch a short video.
Spanish Bilingual Program News
Blessed John Paul 1 School is a proud member of the ISA network of schools. The International Spanish Academy (ISA) program is a partnership between the Ministry of Education of Spain and high-performing schools in the United States and Canada. ISA schools offer a Spanish-English dual language immersion program that integrates Spanish language, culture, and history across the K-12 curriculum. Membership provides official recognition from Spain, access to educational resources and professional learning opportunities, and connections to a network of outstanding dual language schools around the world.
This program allows Canadian school districts to recruit qualified teachers from Spain to teach in elementary, middle, and high schools. These native Spanish-speaking educators bring language expertise and an international perspective, enriching learning experiences for students, families, and school communities. This year we welcome Srita. Vanessa Ferrer Arin to our school, who is teaching grade 3.
Upcoming Events:
In October, our Latin Folklore Dance Group will get started once again. Information on how to register your child can be found below and will also be emailed by homeroom teachers in the Spanish Bilingual Program.
On November 19th, Blessed John Paul 1 students in grade 5 will participate in Edmonton Catholic Schools’ first Spanish Bilingual Fun Day at Commonwealth Stadium. This event will provide students from across seven Spanish Bilingual Schools an opportunity to share language and culture through fun and exciting activities.
La Escuela Blessed John Paul I es un orgulloso miembro de la red de escuelas de las Academias Internacionales de Español (ISA). El programa ISA es una alianza entre el Ministerio de Educación de España y escuelas de alto rendimiento en Estados Unidos y Canadá. Las escuelas ISA ofrecen un programa de inmersión bilingüe español-inglés que integra el idioma español, la cultura y la historia a lo largo del currículo de Kindergarten a Grado 12. La membresía brinda reconocimiento oficial por parte de España, acceso a recursos educativos y oportunidades de desarrollo profesional, además de conexiones con una red internacional de destacadas escuelas de inmersión bilingüe.
Este programa permite a los distritos escolares canadienses contratar docentes calificados de España para enseñar en escuelas primarias y secundarias. Estos educadores, hablantes nativos de español, aportan experiencia lingüística y una perspectiva internacional que enriquecen el aprendizaje de los estudiantes, las familias y la comunidad escolar. Este año damos una cordial bienvenida a la Srta. Vanessa Ferrer Arin, quien está enseñando en 3.º grado.
Próximos eventos:
En Octubre, nuestro Grupo de Danza Folclórica Latina iniciará nuevamente sus actividades. Próximamente se enviará por correo electrónico a las familias la información para inscribir a sus hijos.
El 19 de noviembre, los estudiantes de 5.º grado de la Escuela Blessed John Paul I participarán en el primer Spanish Bilingual Fun Day de las Escuelas Católicas de Edmonton, que se llevará a cabo en el Commonwealth Stadium. Este evento brindará a los estudiantes de las siete escuelas bilingües de español la oportunidad de compartir el idioma y la cultura a través de actividades divertidas y emocionantes.
School Fees
No School Days
Holiday Hamper
The Holiday Hamper program is a not-for-profit charity partnered with the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton and Santas Anonymous to provide families in need with food and gifts for the Christmas holidays in December.
The program representatives work directly with our Family School Liaison Worker (FSLW) Jenny Beltran Faryna, to make the application and delivery process easier for parents, with less chance of missed deliveries/errors.
For more information on how to receive this support, please contact Jenny directly at Jenny.BeltranFaryna@ecsd.net as soon as possible.
Student Clubs
We are pleased begin our student clubs this month. Additional information will be or has already been sent to families and respective grade levels on or before the start date.
Folklore Dance Group
Who: Open to students in Grade 4 and Grade 5 in the Spanish Bilingual Program. We will have another group of dancers starting later on in the year for younger grades.
When: Tuesdays at lunch recess and Wednesdays after school - 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
Starting the week of October, 12 and ending the week of December, 11.
Where: Blessed John Paul I
Spots available: Limited to 20 students (first 20 students to sign up will get spot)
If your child is interested in participating, please complete the registration form sent by your homeroom teacher.
We will be accepting registrations until October 05. We will notify you by October 7th, if your child is a confirmed participant. We look forward to celebrating culture, community, and creativity through this wonderful new group!
Leadership Team Club
Grades 4 - 6 students will have the opportunity to work together to brainstorm, plan, and lead activities and initiatives that support the well-being of students throughout our school. Students will have a voice in deciding what our initiatives look like and will work together to bring their ideas to life. The team will be divided into smaller groups at times, with students working on initiatives for both Division 1 (K–3) and Division 2 (4–6). Please contact Sra.Melara for more information.
Volleyball (Grade 6 students only): Try outs begin first week of October.
Halloween Reminder
Costumes will be worn in the afternoon for Grades 4 - 6. Kindergarten - Grade 3 students can come in their costumes for the day.
Safety First
- Try to avoid masks that cover the entire face; students should be able to see clearly and move safely.
- Costumes should allow for easy movement and be free of tripping hazards.
- No props or weapons.
School-Appropriate
- Costumes should be appropriate for the classroom environment; please avoid outfits that are revealing or contain inappropriate language or symbols.
- Consider clothing that can be worn over a sweater or coat, as students may still go outside for recess.
- Ensure the costume does not interfere with participation in activities or movement around the school.
- Label small costume items or accessories to prevent them from being lost.
We will begin with a parade in the gym at 1:00pm to allow students to change into their costumes after lunch recess. From there, children will participate in fun Halloween activities in their classrooms.
Literacy and Numeracy Screeners
Student Vacations and Absences
Please let the office know if you are planning on being away from school for an extended period of time. We understand that family travel and time spent with loved ones can be meaningful and valuable experiences for children. We also recognize that families may have important cultural, family, or personal reasons for travelling.
At the same time, we would like to share some important information about how an extended absence from school may affect your child’s learning.
When students are away from school, they miss more than classroom assignments. Teachers provide daily instruction, discussions, hands-on activities, presentations, group work, and opportunities for students to ask questions and receive feedback. These learning experiences cannot always be replaced through work completed at home.
Teachers are not required to prepare individual assignments or lessons for students who are away on vacation.
When your child returns to school, teachers will continue with the regular classroom program and may not be able to reteach all of the learning that was missed during the absence. Your child may need additional time to catch up and become comfortable with the classroom routine again.
Extended absences can be particularly challenging when students are already developing their English language skills or require additional academic support. Regular attendance provides students with important opportunities to practise English, build relationships, participate in classroom conversations, and receive ongoing support from their teachers and classmates.
We also encourage you to talk with your child about what they may miss while they are away and how they can prepare for their return.
We value our partnership with families and want every student to experience success at school.
After School Pick Ups
Edmonton Catholic Schools utilizes the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival system to simplify reporting absences for families. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can report your child’s absence in advance using any of these options:
SchoolMessenger App (iOS or Android)
PowerSchool (click on the SchoolMessenger icon in the left hand menu)
Website: go.schoolmessenger.ca
Phone: 1-833-788-7662
Using SchoolMessenger is quick, convenient, and helps keep your school informed and your child safe. For full instructions and more information, visit ecsd.net/reportingabsences.
School Messenger messages do not come directly to the office secretary. Please let us know if your child requires a pick up by calling the office.
Recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) Minutes
Our recent School Council & Fundraising Society meeting, held on September 23, was a very productive meeting where we discussed upcoming initiatives, fundraising opportunities, and ways we can continue supporting our school community.
Please click the link below to view the meeting minutes and stay informed about the work, updates, and plans of our School Council & Fundraising Society.
SAC Meeting and AGM
Our Partnerships
COBS Bread: If you are shopping at COBS at the Harvest Pointe location please mention our school and your purchase helps support our school.
Papa John’s Pizza Night: Our upcoming pizza night weekend is taking place on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25.
Thank you SAC
Hot Lunch
Here are the hot lunch dates:
November 6 and 20
December 4
January 15 and 29
February 12
Casino Night
Our Casino Night at Pure Casino is coming up on March 20 & 21, 2027, and we are starting to bring together the volunteers needed to make this important fundraiser a success!
We will need approximately 35–40 parent volunteers to help cover the different positions and shifts throughout the event. No previous casino experience is required. More information and training will be provided.
Volunteer forms with the available positions and schedule will be sent out soon.
If you are interested in joining our team of volunteers for this event or would like to learn more about what it involves, please reach out to us at:
blessedjohnpaul1sac@gmail.com.
Your support makes a difference! 💙
Artist in Residence and Hispanic Cultural Month
We have rescheduled our artist in residence to a week in January to allow more time for student to engage in the cultural activities.
The students will be engaging in Hispanic Cultural Week in the following ways at BJP1.
School Wide Art Project
School Wide Song
Wear your traditional clothing - October 23.
Stay tuned to our school instagram for our projects in action!
Read IN Week
October 5- 9 is Read-In Week, a wonderful celebration of books, stories, and the joy of reading! This year, our school is excited to host many guest readers throughout the week, sharing their favorite stories with our students and inspiring a love of reading. Parents and family members are warmly invited to join us as guest readers, too! If you’d like to participate, please connect with your child’s homeroom teacher to schedule a time.
Be sure to follow our school’s Instagram page to see photos and updates of our special guest readers in action — we can’t wait to share these reading moments with our community!
School Photo Day - October 6
Students will have individual and class photos taken on Tuesday, October 6.
Woodvale Community League
Our Woodvale Community League supports our school and the families in our community in a variety of ways.They offer a matching grant program to the school for the purchase of items for our students. In past years, they have supported with the purchase of technology, resources and updated classroom furniture. Parent volunteers are required for Bingo shifts with Woodvale to raise funds for such purchases. The school receives $500 for every volunteer shift, that there is no experience necessary, and friends/grandparents/family can volunteer in honour of your child/school. This is 5 times more than what other workers would get for working a bingo.
Here are the listings of the upcoming Bingos:
Friday OCTOBER 2 2026: EVENING bingo (4:30-Midnight)
Tuesday, October 20, 2026: DAY bingo (10:30-3:30 pm)
Thursday NOVEMBER 5 2026: EVENING bingo (4:30-Midnight)
Monday NOVEMBER 16 2026: DAY bingo (10:30-3:30 pm)
Tuesday DECEMBER 8 2026: EVENING bingo (4:30-Midnight)
Wednesday DECEMBER 23 2026: DAY bingo (10:30-3:30 pm)
This past year we received matching grants to help pay for document cameras and projectors for the classrooms.
To volunteer to cover a Bingo shift for the Woodvale Community League, please contact their bingo coordinator Nathalie at:
We sincerely thank all the volunteers who have helped cover our previous Bingo shifts, and we encourage parents and community members to continue supporting this valuable funding opportunity for our students and school.
Cure MD and Connect Clinic
Did you know there are services/resources available to families who are wanting further psychiatric or mental health assessment for their children that is covered by Alberta Health. Please contact Kendall Harnett (Mental Health Manger) at kendall.harnett@curemd.ca for more information.
Families who are concerned about their children's learning and achievement, concentration and attention can also request a referral from their family physician to the http://www.theconnectclinic.com/ who also provides assessments that are covered by Alberta Health.
Family Futures
Family Futures has many programs and services available for families.
Please visit https://familyfutures.ca/ for more information.
Catholic Education Sunday
St. Theresa and Corpus Christi parishes invite you to hear the message about Catholic Education on Sunday October 18.
Our division has "Catholic Education Week" marked following Catholic Education Sunday. Our school will be making a special observance on announcements on Tuesday, October 20.
SACRAMENTAL PREP
Corpus Christi has Confirmation schedule is now available - please see the link below.
For all other sacraments please visit https://www.corpuschristi-edm.ca/sacraments for dates, times and registration information.
SACRAMENTAL PREP
Please see the brochure for First Reconciliation dates and times.
SACRAMENTAL PREP
Please see the brochure for First Communion dates and times.
SACRAMENTAL PREP
Please see the following links for confirmation information.
Confirmation Reg. Form (Gr.6-12): https://sttheresa.caedm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-Reg.-Form-Confirmation-1.pdf
Confirmation 2027 Program:
https://sttheresa.caedm.ca/sacraments/confirmation/
Registrations close October 8, 2026.