Administrators Message

Few times during the year are more sacred for a family than Christmas. Along with the Advent season, Christmas time is rich in traditions which, despite commercialism, still stir our hearts and imagination. The Christmas tree, the manger scene, the music and carols, and the lights shining in the winter darkness all joyfully proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ and call us to come and adore him. Advent Season is already upon us! This is a time of anticipation for both young and old alike. It is a time of gathering and rekindling old friendships and starting new ones! St. John XXIII will conduct weekly advent celebrations in class each Monday morning during Advent. On Thursday, December 17th at 9:00 a.m. we will celebrate Advent as a community. This will be an uplifting experience to share in the joy of the coming of Jesus Christ.

December will look different for our students this year. Our students will be participating in several social justice

projects. Our elementary students are doing a food drive to support St. Teresa of Calcutta School and our Junior

high Christmas elves will be doing their shoebox gifts to support another one of our inner-city schools. More

details about these events are found in this month’s newsletter.

Follow all the school events this month on our Instagram account @stjohn_xxiii

St. John XXIII staff wish you all a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless!

Michael Kovacs Kathleen Korner Mark Huculak

Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

Advent

This month, we will be preparing for Christmas through our many Advent celebrations. We celebrate Advent to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ. It is only in the shadow of Advent that the miracle of Christmas can be fully understood and appreciated. Starting on Nov. 30th, every homeroom will celebrate the first three weeks of Advent with a special celebration on Monday mornings. Our fourth week of Advent will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 17th.

Christmas Social Justice Activities

Good deeds and generosity have always been an important part of preparation for Christmas. Acts of charity are the driving force of social doctrine in the Church, and the staff and students at St. John XXIII would like to use this Advent season to practice our spiritual acts of mercy. This year, we have chosen to give to many different communities and organizations as follows. Food Bank Collection

Every year Edmonton Catholic Schools are involved in Social Justice Actions by students and staff that make meaningful connections to their community. As a meaningful educational experience for our students, for our Advent Social Justice Activity we are asking our St. John XXIII families of Elementary students to donate a non-perishable food item(s) to support the St. Teresa of Calcutta School’s breakfast, lunch and food bank program. St. Teresa of Calcutta Elementary School is in the heart of the inner-city of Edmonton. The school is named after Mother Teresa who devoted her life to serving the most vulnerable and poorest of the world. Their school has been working towards providing their students with healthy food and providing access to a food bank for their families.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items from Monday November 30th to Wednesday December 9th, 2020. Our goal is for each student to bring at least one item. Parents, please do not drop off food at the school. All food must be collected in homeroom classrooms and will be quarantined for the appropriate time before being packed up for transport to St. Teresa of Calcutta. Possible food item donations: • Healthy breakfast cereal (e.g. Fiber One - any type, Kashi- 7 Whole Grains Cereal Honey Puffs/Flakes, Total,

Shreddies, Cheerios - original and multigrain), Life, Kix, Mini Wheats, etc.) • Cheese Whiz jars • Canned ham/tuna/turkey/chicken • Cooking oil • Milk powder/tea/coffee/hot chocolate/sugar • Canned fruit/fruit cups • Chef Boyardee • Instant potatoes • Ketchup • Instant noodles • Cookies

This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to help other children and families within our school district. Thank you for your generous donation towards the St. Teresa of Calcutta School food program! Junior High-Santa’s Elves Despite the pandemic St. John XXIII is still participating in the Santa Elves Social Justice Project. Our grades 7-9 classes will package shoe boxes filled with toys and books for students who attend school in less affluent communities. As students get older, they are more able to give more directly of themselves through time and effort. Through the acts of charity and social justice undertaken by our schools there are many people who are helped, both with their immediate needs and long-term needs. Once again, the presents will go to the K-2 classes at St. Gerard School an inner-city school.

Scholastic Book Fair - Virtual

St.John XXIII will be hosting a Virtual Scholastic Book Fair from November 30th – December 11th. All orders will be placed online and proceeds from this virtual bookfair will go to supportig literacy at St. John XXIII. A flyer went home with students on Friday November 27th outlining the details and all orders will be delivered to your house.

Orders placed online are shipped directly to the home address. We offer standard free shipping on orders of $35.00 or more, or a flat rate of $6 on orders below this minimum. The orders should ship 24 to 48 hours after it is placed. Customers will receive an email notification with tracking number once the order ships. The site will accept major credit cards and Visa Debit as forms of payment. Scholastic is offering free shipping for orders completed on either Wednesday, December 2nd or Wednesday, December 9th between the hours of 6 pm to 8 pm local time. No minimum, no coupon code is required. Here are the links to access our Virtual Scholastic Book Fair. What's New!!! Junior and Senior booklist sample Scholastic Virtual Book Fair Family Night Link to Access the St. John XXIII Virtual Book Fair Access the St. John XXIII Book Fair

Remembrance Day Celebration

On November 10th, St. John XXIII held its Remembrance Day Ceremony virtually. We were fortunate to have Father Julian, our co-district chaplain here in our school to participate in reading the Gospel for our ceremony. Each classroom took a moment to reflect on the significance of Remembrance Day and the impact war has had on our lives.

School Advisory Council News

Hello Parents of St. John XXIII

On November 17, the SAC had its second meeting of the year. Congratulations to the follow members who were voted in as the new executive.

Chair-Audric Moses

Vice-Chair-Azumme Degun

Secretary-Tabitha Potts

Treasurer-Daynelis Britto

Thank you to Robert Mckenna who has served as Treasurer for the past two years and Susan Wuite who has been our Secretary for all their hard work. Both have offered to help mentor our new executive members this year.

Fundraising Events

FlipGive

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited our school’s typical fundraiser events. Our popular movie nights and school dances have had to pause - for now.

The School Advisory Council would like to encourage all our St. John XXIII families to participate in a new fundraiser. We have signed up with FlipGive, an app that will earn the school cash for the things you are already buying.

With favorites like Sobeys, Esso™/Mobil™, Indigo, Nike and Under Armour all you have to do is continue to buy the things you need. You can earn money for the school for everyday things like groceries, holiday shopping, take out, gas etc.

Join our existing team:

Download the FlipGive App or visit www.flipgive.com/join to sign up. You will be asked to enter our unique code to join St. John XXIII Elementary/Junior High School which is 7K2SQB

St. John XXIII Bottle Drive Fundraiser

St. John XXIII families can help raise funds for our school by dropping off your empty containers at the Green Bottle Depot right here in Windermere. Just let the staff know the empties should go to “St. John XXIII”. You will receive a receipt for your donation – you do not have to keep the receipt. Please share with your friends, family and your neighbours and help our school raise some money!

3523 Allan Dr SW, Edmonton, AB T6W 1A4

http://greenbottledepot.com/

As we come to the end of the year 2020, we would like to extend warm wishes to you and your families, neighbors, and friends! May the blessings of this special time of year spill into 2021.

St. John XXIII SAC Executive

Music News

Music/Band grades 5-9 It has been a very noisy couple of months drumming in class, and although we all thoroughly enjoyed it, it was time to move on to something a little different, and a little quieter :).

Junior High Music students have spent the last couple of weeks learning about scales, intervals, and chord progressions. They are now able to recognize and reproduce certain intervals on the beautiful Sonor Orff instruments owned by the school. During class time, students were given the beginning of popular Christmas melodies, and are tasked to complete the melody line on the Orff keyboards. They were very successful! Students also learned the importance of accompaniment rhythms and harmonies. They then put all of these new skills into practice by selecting appropriate comping patterns, rhythms, and the correct intervals to accompany their Christmas melody. As JH Band students turn to online learning for a few weeks, they will access different programs depending on their assignment. All theory assignments will occur on Breezin’ Thru Theory. All performance assignments on their band instrument will take place on SmartMusic and any face-to-face meetings will take place on TEAMS. If students are struggling with any of these platforms, please encourage the student to reach out to me through e-mail Julie.scott@ecsd.net or via TEAMS. I am more than happy to help :) Theory Assignments - Breezin’ Thru Theory https://breezinthru.com/ Username: stjohnmusic Password: sharp163 Students then use their unique AccessID which they received when they first signed up. If they do not remember/cannot find their AccessID, students can request it through e-mail at Julie.Scott@ecsd.net.

Performance - SMARTMUSIC home.smartmusic.com Username: their first name and last name squished together (ex. TerryFox) Password: they selected their own password. If they have forgotten their password, they can click Forgot Password, and a password reset will be sent to their school e-mail account. Students have not shared their password with me. If the password reset does not work, please have the student contact me at Julie.Scott@ecsd.net, and I’ll see what I can do.

PLEASE NOTE: Although SmartMusic assignment submissions are auto graded by the system, I listen to each recording and often times have to adjust the mark. Sometimes the recording does not come out clearly. When this happens, I will reassign it to the student, and they must redo the assignment. It is important that students regularly check SmartMusic for these updates, which can be found in the comment section of their SmartMusic assignment. In person meetings – TEAMS This platform was used a lot last school year by various teachers. Band students will be meeting during their regular block times, as they did when they were taking classes on site. Some blocks will be full class meetings while other will be small groups or time allocated to work on the other platforms (SmartMusic and/or Breezin’ Thru Theory). Meeting times will show up in their TEAMS calendar, and they will receive a call from me during that time. Please keep in mind that I also teach grade 5 and 6 Music classes on site throughout the day. If a student is trying to reach me outside of the times listed below, I may not be able to respond right away, as I will be teaching in person classes. Please be patient, I promise to respond as soon as I can :)

Band 7-1 Tuesday 9:25am Wednesday 2:00pm

Band 7-2 Thursday 10:40am Friday 11:15am

Band 8-2 Monday 2:00pm Tuesday 8:20am

Band 9-2 Wednesday 11:20am Friday 2:00pm

A message from our student teacher, Ms. Darby When I first started to teach here at the beginning of November, the students welcomed me with open arms and a willful determination to learn a new instrument! I taught the grade 5 and 6's the ukulele, focusing on chord progressions and keeping a steady rhythm while strumming. The students played and practiced hard, working up to play "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz on the ukulele! Now that we are getting closer to December, we have moved on to more festive songs on the ukulele, like Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Meanwhile the

Grade 7 and 9 classes I am working with are learning how to play the Orff Instruments which requires a bit of hand-eye coordination and keeping the rhythm steady. They have learned a Christmas original song each, First Snowfall and Troika which have fun and playful melodies.

Elementary Music K-4 St. John XXIII school has introduced many new instruments in elementary music! So far, students have had the opportunity to try our new castanets, spoons, rhythm sticks, wrist bells, boom whackers and ukuleles. There is even a new music rug in storage, and we eagerly await the day that it is once again safe to use rugs on our floors to introduce it in the music classroom!

Despite the limitations and restrictions of the pandemic, Miss Davies is ensuring a meaningful and enriching experience in her music lessons. Our grade 1 and 2 students are working hard on our Nutcracker Unit. They have been demonstrating

their listening skills in identifying the different instruments they hear, the style and mood of the different pieces, and performing both planned and improvised movement to demonstrate the form. They make connections with the story of the Nutcracker as well as different cultures that are mentioned in some of the works (e.g. Spanish, Arabian, Chinese and Russian Dances). The grade 3s are learning about the four families of the orchestra and the different types of instruments that exist within these families. They are learning about the way we play these instruments (i.e. we can play a percussion instrument by striking, scraping, or shaking), and the function behind how their sound is made (i.e.

how vibration makes sound). They have also had many opportunities to play different percussion instruments (drumsticks, castanets, spoons, and boom whackers) through play-along activities and soundscapes.

Grade 4 students are learning important concepts of music theory both through learning the basic techniques with recorder and through learning about famous classical composers (i.e. Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach). They have also just begun their "Fantastic Elastics" unit (an optional at-home activity) on recorder! They can send in a video on Flipgrid of them playing a song, and Miss Davies listens and gives feedback. For every song they can play through with proper technique and rhythm, they will merit a colored elastic to indicate the level they have reached so far. This is a very motivating way for students to practice the recorder at home when they cannot play at school. Miss Davies ensures the safety of her students by maintaining a distanced seating plan, choosing non-singing and partnerless activities, encouraging mask-wearing when possible, sanitizing and washing hands before and after music class and sanitizing/washing instruments and shared items between each use. Safety is our number one priority in elementary music!

Demonstration of Learning

Demonstration of learning was the week of November 23rd – 27th. In Elementary classes students sent home a portfolio of student work for families to review as well as a refection to be completed by parents and students. In Junior High, students’ marks are always found on PowerSchool. In Health classes students did a self -reflection and then shared their thoughts and goals with their parents. Our students and teachers enjoyed showing you the many successes of your children.

Bus Passes

Parents whose children ride the yellow bus are asked to pay for their passes online, pay by cash, or postdated cheques. Bus passes can be paid for the entire school year. If passes are not paid by the 1st of every month your child will not be allowed to ride the bus and may jeopardize their transportation.

Both ETS and Yellow bus passes are available at the office.

ETS and yellow bus passes can be purchased $35.00 for elementary students and $59.00 for junior high students. Since Junior High students have gone on-line for December any payments made will be credited to your account. Please contact the office for bus pass payment and information. Bus passes will be available the first week in each month.

School Fees

Last May, together with the St. John XXIII SAC, the school set its school fees for 2020-2021. The division has now finalized school fees for schools. Some fees have been modified due to the Pandemic and on-line students will not be paying a certain portion of the fees. A message will be sent out next week with more information and instructions on how to pay the fees.

2021 Return to School

The last day of classes in 2020 is December 18th and will be a half day. Thursday December 17th will be a full day. We will return to online classes from January 4th – January 8th with a return to in person learning on Monday January 11th, 2021.

Wishing you all health and happiness over the Christmas break!

Message from Archbishop Richard Smith & Chief Superintendent

Robert Martin

December 2020 Dear friends, Advent, which comes from the Latin word meaning coming, is intended to be a season of preparation for the arrival of Christ, but often, this underrated liturgical season is set aside in favour of the more popular pre-Christmas rush. Yet, Advent is a time worth making. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is also intended to be a period of preparation, much like Lent. This year, the season of Advent is observed from the first Sunday of Advent on November the 29 th to Thursday, December the 24 th . Given our unique circumstances this year, preparing for the coming of Christ will be different. Yet, even in the midst of the Pandemic, the season of Advent is important. How do we journey to Christmas? Consider taking some quiet time for you and your family, reading, and reflecting on a short daily devotion and listening to Advent music. Decorate for the season with an Advent wreath and as a family, light a candle every week. Assemble a Nativity scene in your home and talk about the Christmas story. Support a social justice initiative and donate to a local charity in your community. As Christmas approaches, discern which activities to dismiss on the side of dedicating more time to your family. There is no doubt that Christmas is a beautiful time of the year as we anticipate the birth of Christ. He is the reason for the season, and we need to celebrate his birth appropriately and with great reverence. Yet the Christmas season also brings with it the hustle and bustle of sales and deadlines that veer us away from its true meaning. For us Christians, Advent is that distraction; that opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for his coming. As we journey to Christmas, let us remember to pause and consider what God is asking of us in this season of Advent. Take time to appreciate the people around you, pray, read scripture, attend Mass - in person or remotely, and participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While we cannot erase the challenges of the past nine months, we can still rejoice in knowing that Christ is coming amid shouts of joy. Yours sincerely in Christ,

Richard W. Smith Archbishop of Edmonton

December 2020

When the darkness closes in, Come, Lord Jesus!

Courage fails and hopes grow dim, Lord Jesus, come!

Clear the shadows from our sight; set our troubled world aright

Fill our eyes with radiant light. Lord Jesus come!

(M.D. Ridge, Come, Lord Jesus)

The lyrics of this Advent hymn are, perhaps, even more poignant this year as we prepare our hearts and our homes for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus. Our world seems to be lonely and dark, and we are all overwhelmed by the seemingly unending pall of Covid-19 in our lives. As we turn our eyes towards Bethlehem in these upcoming weeks, let us take the time to reflect upon the promise to be found in the baby Jesus. God loves us, and that love is triumphant. Advent is a time of hope, and we need to let that hope permeate all aspects of our lives. Edmonton Catholic Schools’ Fine Arts team is a very creative group, and they have designed a beautiful online Advent experience for all to enjoy. Starting on November 29, you will be able to “open a door” on our virtual arts Advent calendar each day. You will experience weekly celebrations, art, performances, and Advent themed activities. Visit www.ecsd.net and click on the Art of Advent graphic to learn more. Did you know that the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ religion resource for grades 1-7 has

various resources to support your family’s Advent journey towards Christmas? Click on the

Pearson Advent Bulletin For Parents to find out exactly what those resources are. You can continue

learning about Advent and Christmas at home by logging into the Student-Home Website and

finding these specific resources listed in the bulletin above. The username is ecsd99 and the

password is Student99.

The new Covid-19 measures that were announced on November 24 were a possibility that we have been preparing for. We have known right from re-entry at the beginning of this school year that we needed to be able to pivot quickly between scenarios and we have plans in place to do so. Unlike our experience in the spring, our junior and senior high students who are now moving online will be following their existing schedules and will participate in learning following regular school hours. You will receive more comprehensive communication on this pivot in the upcoming days. Elementary families will receive information about the one-week pivot to online learning (January 4-8, 2021) before Christmas Break. On November 25 at our Public Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved our 2019 – 2020 Audited Financial Statements and our Annual Education Results Report (AERR). Historically, the AERR has been combined with our 3 Year Education Plan, however, we shared that plan, the Division Plan

for Continuous Growth 2020-2023 in May. As we join the rest of the province in shifting to an Assurance Framework, we will continue communicating these two documents separately. We will share more with you about the shift to an Assurance Framework in the upcoming months.

In his Midnight Mass homily last Christmas Eve, Pope Francis shared a beautiful piece of wisdom that I will leave you with: “Dear brother, dear sister, if your hands seem empty, if you think your heart is poor in love, this night is for you. The grace of God has appeared, to shine forth in your life. Accept it and the light of Christmas will shine forth in you.” Have a blessed Advent and a very Merry Christmas! Sincerely, Robert Martin Chief Superintendent

Message from St Thomas More Parish

Advent Reflection

What do we like best about school? Is it reading? Writing? Math? Spelling? Recess? Well, when I was in school, I think my favorite thing was "Show and Tell". I always looked forward to the days when we had "Show and Tell" because it gave me the chance to show and tell others about something that was really important to me. It is really fun to show and tell others about something that is really important to us, isn't it? The Bible tells us about a man named John who loved to

"show and tell" others about Jesus. John was trying to tell people that it is two minutes to midnight. He was trying to prepare them for an event that they never dreamed to be possible. The very Son of God was about to enter human history and be born as baby – dressed in poor clothes and lying in a manger. The Bible says that one day John was standing with a group of people when he saw Jesus coming. He said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! I have seen him, and I tell you that this is the Son of God." Because John loved to show and tell others about Jesus, many people came to know Jesus and follow him. It is important for you and me to show and tell others about Jesus too. We can show others about Jesus by doing the things that Jesus taught us to do - things like loving one another and being helpful and kind. Then people will see that we know Jesus and that will give us a chance to tell them about Jesus. We can tell them about what he has done for us and what he wants to do for them. Yes, each day we should show and tell others about Jesus! + Yours in Christ, Father Mitch Fidyka