November 2026
St. Augustine Elementary
Principal's Message:
Dear St. Augustine Families,
As we move into November, I am filled with gratitude for the many moments of joy that have already shaped our school year. Each day, I have the privilege of witnessing students learning, growing, and supporting one another in ways that reflect the caring community we strive to build at St. Augustine. Whether in classrooms, on the playground, or through school-wide activities, our students continue to demonstrate kindness, curiosity, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.
This year, our school's work is guided by the Division's vision for Optimal Learning. Through our School Growth Plan, we are focusing on three key conditions that help all students thrive: Catholic Faith Permeating, Joy & Rigour, and Ownership of Learning. These priorities come to life every day as students deepen their faith, engage in meaningful and challenging learning experiences, and develop confidence as active participants in their own learning journey.
November invites us into a season of reflection and gratitude. We will gather as a school community for our Remembrance Day Liturgy on Tuesday, November 10 at 10:45 a.m. Families are warmly invited to join us as we honour the sacrifices of those who have served and continue to serve our country. Throughout the week leading up to the liturgy, students will have opportunities to learn about the importance of remembrance, and donations to support the Royal Canadian Legion will be gratefully accepted.
Later in the month, we look forward to connecting with families during our Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences. These conversations provide a valuable opportunity to celebrate student successes, discuss growth, and strengthen the important partnership between home and school. Information regarding conference bookings will be shared with families in the coming weeks.
As always, thank you for the trust you place in us each day. Your support, encouragement, and partnership play an important role in the success of our students. Together, we continue to nurture a community where faith, learning, and joy flourish.
Warm regards,
Carmen Markowski
Have you heard the news??
This year St. Augustine is using the SpacesEDU platform to engage and inform our families on classroom news and student progress. Spaces EDU is a digital portfolio and competency-based learning software built to showcase student growth.
Teachers can post newsletters, photos from fieldtrips, and/or displays from their bulletin boards and classrooms. We will also be teaching students how to ‘post’ their work in the one-to-one space (where only their families can see) so parents can view their child's learning in ‘real time’. Families will have the ability to engage with posts (like Instagram and FaceBook). It’s an exciting new tool, so if you haven't signed up yet, we encourage you to do it now. SpacesEDU will be THE place to get current classroom news and updates on your child's progress. Check it out!
Reminder About Punctuality and Regular Attendance
We understand that family life can be busy and that unexpected challenges sometimes affect school attendance and punctuality. We also know that every family is doing their best. As partners in your child's education, we want to gently remind families that arriving on time and attending school regularly are two of the most important factors in student success. When students arrive late, they often miss important instructions, routines, and learning opportunities that set the tone for the day. Joining a lesson that is already underway can be difficult and may leave students feeling less confident or connected.
Similarly, frequent absences can make it challenging for students to keep up with classroom learning, group projects, and special experiences that help build friendships and a sense of belonging. While most of our students attend regularly and arrive on time, we encourage families whose children struggle with attendance or punctuality to make a renewed effort whenever possible. Every school day matters, and the habits students develop today help build the foundation for their future success.
