Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! Please note the following:

New Year’s Resolutions: January, the traditional time to make New Year’s Resolutions, is now upon us. As parents we need to teach our children to be introspective and teach them how to make positive changes in their lives. In school, we talk about goal setting and taking little steps to make big changes. As parents we can model this by talking to our children about the things we would like to change in our own lives and how we go about making these changes. As my parish priest said in his sermon, they are not New Year’s wishes but they are actually resolutions where we make positive steps and resolve to keep these changes. God bless you as you begin a new year. May it be filled with faith, love, hope, and joy.

Mass and Canned Good Collection (Jan. 14): There will be a Mass this Thursday, January 14, 2010, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church. The Gr. 3 class is organizing this Mass. All parents are welcome to attend. There will also be a canned goods collection on Thursday. Thank you for your generous support to the food bank.

Open House (Jan. 20): The Vancouver College Open House will take place on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Please feel free to come to the Open House with your son so that he son can visit the other sections of the school and see what is to come in his educational journey.

Early Dismissal (Jan. 20): There will be an early dismissal on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, due to the Open House. Students in the elementary will be dismissed at 1:45pm. Please be prompt in picking up the boys.

Casual Day (Jan. 21): Our next May Fair casual dress day will take place on Thursday, January 21, 2010. The committee will be collecting new and used clothing, toys, sporting goods, and used books. Thank you for your donations.

Up-Coming Events: Please add the following dates to your calendar:

• February 10, 2010 – Late start (school starts at 10:00am)
• February 11, 2010 – May-Fair Casual Day
• February 12, 2010 – Toonie Red Day (Money directed to Love is the Answer)
• February 12, 2010 – Early Dismissal (1:45pm)
• February 8-12, 2010 – Collections for the Sisters of Atonement

Christmas Concert CD: Thank you for all of your kind words regarding the Christmas Concert. If you would like to order the Christmas Concert CD, please send $10 to school in an envelope with your child’s name, grade, and phone number on the envelope. Please label the envelope “Christmas Concert CD”. The orders need to be into the school by Wednesday, January 20, 2010. The money raised will go towards purchasing items for the music program.

Fundraising Results : During Advent, the elementary school was able to raise approximately $1150 for Love is the Answer. We also raised $550 for the paralyzed student at St. Michael’s School. Thank you for your generous support.

Lost items: We are missing a number of library books. Please have a look around your son’s room for any books that may belong to the school. Also, we are still missing a red lunch kit and a Gap jacket. Could you please check to see if these items have made it home?