February 2026
SCHOOL NEWS
IMPORTANT DATES
- February 2 – ECSD pre-enrollment and new registration start
- February 4 – Internet safety session for 5A and 5B
- February 5 – Open House Day – let your friends and neighbours know
- 6:00 PM for Junior High and new students
- 6:45 PM for Kindergarten
- February 6 & 9 – Inclusion and Diversity training for Grades 4 to 9
- February 9 – Elementary student symposium – Mrs. Burke and 4 students from grades 5 and 6 attend
- February 11 – Grade 1 field trip – Bowling – AM
- February 11 – Junior High Hot Lunch – Taco Bell – order by Feb 6
- February 12 – Annual STJ Gr. 6 Elementary Volleyball Tournament
- February 13 – Valentine’s Day celebrated
- February 13 – Elementary Hot Lunch – Papa John’s – order by Feb 8
- February 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day
- February 16 – Family Day – NO SCHOOL
- February 16 to 20 – Random Acts of Kindness Week
- February 17 – Shrove Tuesday – pancakes for all, donations of $2 are requested for our Lenten Project.
- February 18 – Ash Wednesday Celebration – parents and grandparents are very welcome!
- 11:00 AM for Junior High students
- 1:00 PM for Elementary students
- February 19 – Lenten project to support Burundi English School starts – see below
- February 20 – Senior Girls and Boys Basketball Showcase at MMM 4:00 – 9:00 PM
- February 21 (Saturday)– Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw Competition at Joan Carr School for students 9 years to 14 years – 9:30 AM start
- February 23 – Pink Shirt Day at STJ
- February 24 – Multicultural Day – see below
- February 25 – Faith Development Day for all ECSD staff – NO SCHOOL
- February 26 & 27 -Teachers’ Convention for all teachers – NO SCHOOL
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
STUDENT ABSENCES
If your child will be away from school for more than two days due to illness or travel, it is very important that you email your child’s classroom teacher directly in addition to entering the absence in Message Sender.
SCHOOL FEES
A reminder that school fees are now due. All Junior High option fees have been posted. We kindly ask for your prompt attention to this important matter, as these fees help us continue to provide excellent learning experiences and fun opportunities for our students.
PRINCIPAL’S CHALLENGE – February
OUR LENTEN PROJECT
This year, our school is raising funds for the Burundi English School (BES) in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Why BES? Founded in 2008 by ECSD teachers, BES began with just a handful of students serving the Catholic and Christian community. Today, the school has grown to educate over 475 children from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 13.
Why Burundi? As one of East Africa’s poorest nations, Burundi faces significant educational challenges. BES provides quality English-language education to students who might otherwise have limited opportunities for academic advancement.
How can we help? Our fundraising efforts will supply BES with essential educational resources—books, learning materials, and classroom supplies that help these students succeed.
Getting Started: We’ll kick off our fundraising on Shrove Tuesday with a toonie donation drive. More details about fundraising activities will be shared throughout Lent.
MULTICULTURAL DAY
St. John XXIII’s Student Council Committee is proud to announce One School, Many Cultures, taking place on Tuesday, February 24. This celebration is an opportunity to honour the rich cultures and diverse backgrounds that make our school community so special.
To help us highlight the many traditions represented at St. John XXIII, families will soon receive a Google Form inviting them to share information about their cultural heritage.
On the day of the event, students are invited to wear their traditional cultural attire or colours and join in a festive Parade of Nations celebrating the beauty of our school’s diversity. As this event will be during Lent, it also offers a meaningful opportunity to tie into our school’s Lenten project by weaving together themes of unity, gratitude, and reflection.
SUPPORTING FRENCH IMMERSION
Supporting French Immersion learning at home is easier than you think. Every child can succeed in French Immersion, and every family can play a meaningful role in that success.
Oui Learn Together is #ECSD’s new online resource hub created for French Immersion families. It offers practical tips, simple activities, and video resources to help with learning at home.
The first topic is Oui Build Readers, featuring five easy ways to support literacy at home.
New topics will be released throughout the year, each curated by #ECSD’s French Immersion consultants to make learning at home easier and more enjoyable.
Learn more at ecsd.net/ouilearntogether
STUDENT SAFETY – TRAFFIC
We need your help to keep our students safe during arrival and dismissal times. We’ve observed several concerning traffic patterns that put children at risk:
- Cars stopping on crosswalks
- Vehicles traveling on the wrong side of the road
- Students being dropped off on the street side rather than at the curb
- Cars blocking bus lanes or bus access to our parking lot
- Vehicles remaining in the drop-off zone instead of pulling forward immediately
These situations have led to a few close calls and create unnecessary congestion for everyone.
Please remember:
- The staff parking lot is off-limits for parent drop-off, pick-up, and through-traffic.
- U-turns are not permitted in front of schools.
- Keep traffic moving by pulling away promptly after your child exits the vehicle.
Your children’s safety depends on all of us working together and making responsible choices during busy school times. Thank you for your attention to these important safety measures and for doing your part to support safe and smooth drop-off and pick-up routine. During winter and with challenging road conditions, it is especially important that we all remain vigilant and follow the rules to keep every child safe.
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
School Council Meeting – Join Us!
Our next School Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10 at 6:00 pm. We welcome all parents and guardians to attend—your voice and involvement truly make a difference.
Stay Connected!
DIVISION NEWS
Chief Superintendent’s Message
Please read Chief Superintendent Lynnette Anderson’s February 2026 Message
Click here for February message
ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH NEWS
Here is the latest bulletin from our church: February 1
For Children Aged 7-11
Registration for Spring Cycle 3 – 2025-2026 1st Reconciliation & 1st Holy Eucharist is OPEN
February 10: 6:15 – 7:15 pm – Parent Orientation
February 17: 6:15 – 7:30 pm Class 1
March 3: 6:15 – 7:30 pm Class 2
March 7: 11 am – 1:00 pm First Reconciliation
April 14: 6:15 – 7:30 pm Class 3
April 21: 6:15 – 7:30 pm Class 4
April 28: 6:15 – 7:30 pm Class 5
May 3 at 4:30 pm (First Eucharist Celebration)
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