Ecole St. John XXIII School News

September 5, 2026

SCHOOL NEWS

IMPORTANT DATES

• September 7 – Labour Day – NO SCHOOL
• September 11 – First day of regular busing and classes for Kindergarten
• September 14 – Soccer season starts
• September 14 – Auditions for students in Grades 5 to 9 for Youth Theatre Canada
• September 16 – Grade 4 Bible Ceremony at 11:00 AM – parents are invited
• September 18 – School Opening Liturgy – 11:30 for JH, 1:30 for Elementary – all are welcome!
• September 21 – Elementary Cross-Country Run at Rundle Park
• September 21 – 23 Fitset Ninja – in school field trip for K to 9 – see below for details
• September 23 – Photo Day – volunteers needed – see below for details
• September 24 – Curriculum Information Night – 6:30 PM – Adult only evening – see below for details
• September 25 – Terry Fox School Run and Walk
• September 25 – Elementary Hot Lunch – see below for details
• September 28 – School Council Annual General Meeting at 6:30 PM
• September 29 – Orange Shirt Day at STJ
• September 30 – Truth and Reconciliation Day – NO SCHOOL for all students

FITSET NINJA

We are excited to welcome Fitset Ninja to our school. Please see the letter below for details. The fee is $7.50 per students and is due on September 18.

PHOTO DAY

Photo Day is coming up (Sept 23), and we are looking for three or four parent volunteers to help support the photographers. If you are able to help, please send a note in your child’s agenda to the homeroom teacher or email the homeroom teacher directly. Thank you in advance for your support!

CURRICULUM INFORMATION NIGHT

We invite parents/guardians to our Curriculum Information Night on September 24th, at 6:30 p.m. During the evening, you will have the opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and receive important, class-specific information from their teacher. Please note that this is an adult-only event, as teachers have a limited amount of time to share essential details. Childcare will be provided for school-age children only (no babies or toddlers), with limited spaces available, and families are asked to call the school in advance to register. 780 469 2451

HOT LUNCH – Elementary Hot Lunch starts September 25

As we welcome everyone back for a new school year, we are excited to get the Elementary Hot Lunch Program started again!

You will need to register for the new school year.

1. Go to Healthyhunger.ca
2. Click add students
3. Add:

• first name
• last name
• Alberta
• Edmonton
• St. John XXIII Edmonton Catholic
• Select grade, ensure the teacher’s name is correct

Hot Lunch Ground Rules

1. If your child is sick or absent on a lunch day

If you have already ordered lunch and your child will be absent, please contact the school to let them know what you would like to do with the lunch:

• Donate it to another student, or
• Arrange to pick it up by the end of the day

Ordering cut-off is Sunday at midnight

The ordering deadline is Sunday at MIDNIGHT for the upcoming Friday lunch.

Please do not message the hot lunch coordinator, the school, or Healthy Hunger asking to add an order after the deadline. Unfortunately, once the ordering window has closed, late orders cannot be added.

We are there to help your child

We ask that you remind your child to speak up right away if anything is missing from their lunch.

We do make rounds during lunch and will always try our best to help. If we have extra food available, we may be able to provide a substitute. However, this is not always possible.

Volunteers are welcome

We are always looking for extra hands to help make hot lunch days run smoothly!

If you would like to help, please come to the school office at 11:50 AM.

Even an extra set of hands makes a big difference.

Thank you!

Sheralee – Hot Lunch Coordinator

STJ DIFFERENCE – something new!

This year, we are introducing something new. The St. John XXIII Difference. Each month, our students and staff will focus on a different way we can live out the teachings of Jesus and make a positive difference in our school and in the lives of those around us. Through simple acts of kindness, compassion, gratitude, service, courage, and faith, we will be reminded that being a follower of Jesus is not just about what we believe; it is about how we live. Each monthly focus will give us an opportunity to grow together as a Catholic school community and to make The St. John XXIII Difference in our community.

LUNCH WITH THE PRINCIPAL – we are continuing the fun!

We are excited to continue our Lunch with the Principal program this year, as it was such good fun last year. To participate, students simply write their name and class on a slip of paper and place it in the special box in the office. Each month, one student will be randomly selected to enjoy lunch with the principal, and a friend or sibling will be invited to join them. As a special treat, the winning student will choose their favourite lunch, which will be ordered for them.

SCHOOL FEES/JUNIOR HIGH COURSE FEES/BUS FEES

School fees and Junior High course fees will be posted on PowerSchool on September 29 and are due October 30. 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. Bus fees are already posted on PowerSchool and can be paid in advance or on the first day of each month.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

SCHOOL COUNCIL REQUEST

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS

School Council – Get Involved – next meeting is September 28

Our School Council plays an important role in supporting students, staff, and the overall school community. It’s a great way to stay informed, have a voice, and help shape school initiatives in a positive way. We are currently welcoming interest in the following positions:

Chair

The Chair leads School Council meetings and helps set the agenda in collaboration with the principal. They guide discussions, ensure meetings stay on track, and act as a liaison between parents and school administration. The Chair supports a collaborative, respectful environment and helps move initiatives forward.

Vice Chair

The Vice Chair supports the Chair and steps in when the Chair is unavailable. This role often helps coordinate events or special projects and works closely with other council members to ensure smooth communication and follow-through.

Secretary

The Secretary records meeting minutes and helps distribute them to the school community. They maintain organized records of meetings, motions, and council documents. This role is perfect for someone who is organized and detail-oriented.

Treasurer

The Treasurer oversees the financial aspects of School Council, including tracking income and expenses, providing financial updates at meetings, and ensuring transparency in reporting. They help ensure funds are managed responsibly and in alignment with council decisions.

Serving on School Council is a meaningful way to contribute to our school community, connect with other families, and support enriching experiences for our students. If you’re interested in learning more or putting your name forward, we’d love to hear from you!

We invite all parents and guardians to join us on Monday, September 28 at 6pm for our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where executive positions will be voted in for the upcoming year. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and get involved in supporting our school community.

We hope to see you there!

Stay Connected!

DIVISION NEWS

Chief Superintendent’s Message

With the school year now underway, we are blessed to see so many wonderful things already happening across Edmonton Catholic Schools. Join Chief Superintendent Lynnette Anderson as she welcomes you to the new school year. Click here for September’s message

ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH NEWS

Here is the latest bulletin from our church: STM Bulletin August 30

Mark your calendars for the start of Sacramental prep. See the bulletin above for details. Classes start on September 15 for First Reconciliation & First Eucharist and on September 16 for Confirmation.