Weekly Memo #3 - 2026
Administration
- Principal: David Baldwin
- Vice-Principal: Robert Leaman
- Vice-Principal: Kim Michelau-Jones
For the 2026-2027 school year, we are required by policy (NL Schools Policy Operations-601) to conduct 3 practice Lockdown Drills. The NL Schools Secure Schools/Lock Down Policy is available HERE.
- Our first annual Lockdown practice drill has been scheduled to occur on Thursday, October 1st, 2026 (Period 1).
- We will be extending homeroom from 8:12- 8:40 am to offer time for teachers to review lockdown procedures with the students. After students move into their period 1 class, the lockdown drill will occur.
Lockdown Down Procedure:
- Administration will come onto the PA system and announce that lock down emergency procedures are being initiated.
- Teachers will close/lock their door and close all curtains/blinds.
- All students, staff, and visitors are asked to sit silently along a safe wall (i.e. a location that reduces visibility of occupants by a person looking through a door or window)
- Staff are asked to discuss this location with all their classes prior to the lock down drill in preparation for a real lock down.
- Disregard bells and alarms, including the fire alarm.
- No phones should be used or heard.
- Remain calm and assure students that if this was not a drill, help would be on the way.
- Another announcement will be made via the PA system when the lock down drill is over.
Sincerely,
SPJH Administration
Students and staff will participate in the 46th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope with our annual Terry Fox Walk/Run.
- We are joining with the Fox Foundation that is encouraging “All Schools on Board” for this year’s event! The date for the Terry Fox School Walk/Run at SPJH is Monday, September 28th
- Terry’s legacy of courage continues to inspire, with over $850 million raised for cancer research since 1980. Our province holds a unique connection to this history as the starting point of the marathon, where Terry began his journey at Outer Cove Beach on April 12, 1980. This year, let’s aim for the largest level of school participation ever in Newfoundland and Labrador to honor Terry’s vision of hope.
- If you wish, you can donate to this worthwhile cause in two ways:
- SPJH has a school page setup through the Terry Fox Foundation for online donations. To donate online, click on the link HERE and click on the word DONATE located on the SPJH school's page.
- On September 28th, during homeroom, cash donations will be collected by the homeroom teacher from any student that wishes to donate.
Let’s come together in 2026 to keep Terry’s spirit alive and continue the fight against cancer.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
- Newfoundland and Labrador will observe Wednesday, September 30th, 2026, as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters.
- Schools will be closed that day to allow the entire school community, and the province as a whole, to reflect on the tragic legacy of the residential school system in Canada and remember and honour the children who survived and those that did not.
- For more information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters, you may visit the Government of Canadas webpage located HERE.
- SPJH will be honoring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, September 29th, as school will be closed on Wednesday, September 30th (The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation).
- Our Safe & Caring Team will be sending out resources to support our classrooms and we encourage all students/staff to wear an orange shirt to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
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 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
- For those that miss past weekly memos, they will be archived on our Webpage HERE.
- Our Media Consent and Technology Forms are available on Rycor for completion. If you have yet to do so for your child/children, can you please do this ASAP. please.
- Parents of students in Grade 7-12 can access their Rycor account through their PowerSchool
Parent Portal account. The document HERE will help you with instructions on how to complete forms and fees through your PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Our school is in the process of seeking nominations for our 2026-2027 School Council and presently seeking nominations for Community and Parent Representatives.
- School councils provide a formal structure through which all partners can come together to discuss the education of the children with the primary goal of enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, resulting in improved student achievement.
- As stipulated in the Schools Act, 1997 Section 26(2), the functions of a school council are to: represent the educational interests of the school; advise on the quality of teaching and learning in the school; facilitate parent and community involvement in teaching and learning in the school; and, advise the board on matters of concern to the school and the community.
- To be eligible for election as a parent representative, you must be the parent/guardian of a student for the school you wish to represent (SPJH). Parents/Guardians can nominate members of the community they feel would support and represent the best interests of the greater SPJH School Community. As well, a candidate can put forward their own name for consideration.
- If you are interested in being a part of our 2026-2027 SPJH School Council or wish to nominate a member of the school community, please complete the Google form below. The major commitment includes a one-month meeting for approximately 1 hour.
- Click HERE or copy/paste the link below in your browser.
Important Notes:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMJzwozDuH86qFaX2hozhv2AoWMrEnvZTVbd2cGUDpt7vz9g/viewform?usp=sf_lin
- Once nominations are submitted, we will use the short biography of each candidate provided and a ballot will be sent to our school community for voting (voting will depend on the interest).
- The due date for nominations will be Wednesday, September 30th, 2026.
Sincerely,
SPJH Administration
To ensure all of our students stay energized and ready to learn throughout the day, our main office keeps a supply of emergency snacks for children who may need an extra bite to eat.
We are currently running low and would greatly appreciate any donations from our school community. If you are able to contribute, we are looking for individually wrapped, shelf-stable, and healthy items. Some examples include:
Granola bars (nut-free)
Juice boxes (100% fruit juice)
Instant mac & cheese cups (e.g., KD cups)
Fruit cups or applesauce pouches
Whole grain crackers or pretzel packs
Oatmeal packets
Donations can be sent in with your child to drop off at the front office or brought in directly by a parent/guardian at any time.
Thank you so much for your continuous kindness and support in caring for all of our students!
- Consistent attendance is crucial for academic and social success, as it ensures students are actively engaged and able to fully benefit from the educational opportunities we provide. When students attend school consistently, they not only keep up with their lessons and assignments, but they also develop important life skills such as responsibility, time management, and perseverance. Being present and engaged in the classroom allows students to participate in discussions, collaborate with peers, and build strong relationships.
- If your child will be absent, please use our Safe Arrival. All the necessary information is available in the link provided HERE.
If your child/children will be absent for the day, please use this system. If they are signing out, please ask them to stop by the office to be signed out. The same goes if they are late coming into school, please ask them to stop by the office to be signed in.
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 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, Tickets will be available to grade 9 students starting Tuesday, September 29th. All tickets will be on a ‘first-come-first serve’ basis. If any tickets remain, we will open to grade 8 students on October 5th and then grade 7 students on October 12th.
- 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.
Calling All Performers & Crew! Spring Musical Announcement:
- St. Peter’s Junior High is thrilled to announce our Spring 2027 musical production: Mean Girls Jr.!
- Whether you love singing, acting, dancing, or working behind the scenes on stage management, set design, lighting, and sound, there is a place for you in this production.
- Info Meeting: Thursday, October 1st
- Time: First half of lunch
- Location: Music Room
- Join us on Thursday, October 1st, to get information about the audition process, backstage crew roles, and rehearsals. If you are interested, but unable to attend the meeting, please see Ms. Dawe-Ledwell prior to Thursday.
Get ready—it's going to be grool!
The O'Donel High School Easter 2028 Tour:
- FOR GRADE 9 PARENTS ONLY (your child will be in Grade 10 on this tour).
- Big News! The O'Donel High School Easter 2028 tour has been released. Come on an unforgettable EF tour to The Ancient Mediterranean (Italy & Greece)!
- From the ancient streets of Rome to the sparkling shores of Capri, with journeys through the ruins of Pompeii and the historic heart of Athens, this Easter adventure has it all—breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, delicious food, vibrant culture, and memories that will last a lifetime.
- Bring your friends, pack your sense of adventure, and discover the world with the peace of mind of an EF-guided tour and the support of your teachers every step of the way.
Spots will be limited—don’t miss out:
- Important: A parent meeting at O'Donel High School will be held on Wednesday, October 7th, at 7:00 PM to discuss this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
- Please RSVP with this link:
https://rsvp.eftours.ca/pyxrd2h
Any further questions, please email sandiporter@nlschools.ca
St. Peter’s Junior High is excited to announce our participation in the "Kids Eat Smart Province-Wide Walk for Breakfast" in support of our school’s breakfast program.
- On Wednesday, October 7th, 2026, students and staff will come together for a fun and energetic walk around our school community to raise awareness about the importance of starting the day with a healthy meal.
- The Breakfast Club provides students with nutritious food to help them focus, learn, and thrive. To keep this valuable program running, we are asking families to consider supporting us through donations of money or food items.
Items we are especially in need of include:
Nut-free cereal bars
Fruit cups
Other healthy, non-perishable breakfast snacks
Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated and will go directly toward purchasing breakfast items for students.
Together, we can ensure that every student has access to a healthy start each day. Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our Breakfast Club!
Sincerely,
Anthony Flannigan
Breakfast Club Coordinator
St. Peter’s Junior High
School lunch ordering is now open for October 4th to October 10th.
- To ensure your child receives their meals, please submit your order by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, September 30th.
- 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!
Chartwells
- Tryouts for various grade levels/sports have already began.
- For future Athletics' news, such as new information, tryouts, etc., please click on the link HERE which will be updated by our Athletics' Director. Athletics news/information, where applicable , Mr. Christopher also posts information on the main gymnasium doors and on morning announcements.
. - 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).
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.
- October 6th, 2026: Picture Day
- October 7th, 2026: Walk to Breakfast
- October 8th, 2026: Teacher PL Day - NL Schools Closeout (full day)
- 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):
- Friday, September 25th: Dieleman Fundraiser Kickoff.
- Monday, September 28th: Terry Fox Walk
- Tuesday, September 29th: Orange Shirt Day
- Tuesday, September 29th: Ticket sales for the musical "Seussical" go on sale for our Grade 9 Students only
- Wednesday, September 30th: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (School Closed for all Students and Staff)
- Wednesday, September 30th: School Council Nominations Due.
- Thursday, October 1st: Lock Down Drill #1
- Thursday, October 1st: Meeting for students interested in being involved in the Spring Musical
- Wednesday, October 7th: Province-Wide Walk for Breakfast
- Wednesday, October 7th: The OD High School Easter 2028 Tour Meeting at OD (7:00 PM) - Grade 9 parents only
- Thursday, October 8th: Teacher PL Day - NL Schools Closeout (School closed for students)
- Friday, October 16th: Dieleman Fundraiser Orders are Due
- Friday, October 16th: Permission form and payment for the music “Seussical” deadline through Rycor
- Thursday, October 22nd: Grade 7 Student Needs Assessment (SNA)
- Thursday, November 5th: Musical “Seussical” at the Arts and Culture Centre.
