St Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School & Council
80 RIVERGREEN RD W T1K 7Y1 Lethbridge, AB, Canada

Oh this is so true....it's a challenging week and you're going to have not so great moments. Also, it reminds me how scary I thought ET was as a kid watching the movie in the theatre!! (Kathy)

One half of our Grade 5s film their dance segment for Christmas concert. This is so exciting!!

One last reminder to submit your photos by Monday, tomorrow!

All set to make music magic tomorrow. Distant and masked, we raise our voices and notes up! Thanks to Sonic Multimedia for their professional support this year.

Today has a lot of emotion for all of us adults. We continue to be grateful for our school community and for our faith to guide us, but let’s face it - many things are saddening and maddening. This article helps with some tips on managing. There is no one size fits all, but this is kind of a time of mourning and it is okay to feel everything. We all feel the pressure, too, of knowing that little eyes are watching. Sending prayers out your way, for peace and comfort in the turmoil.

More from Destination Exploration, this time just for the girls in your house! This is a super route for a loved one who lives away from a major centre like Lethbridge, too - the best of the best comes to you virtually!

Christmas fundraising opportunities are launching this week at St. Pat's - Cuppers coffee sales for Chalice, Mom's Pantry orders for our Christmas concert, and Angel Tree and Santa's Anonymous community support opportunities. This year, more than ever, your generosity matters! Look for more info here on Facebook, via e-mail and in your child's backpack!

Or, maybe an after school STEAM club is more up your child's alley?!! Destination Exploration has done an excellent job in keeping remote learning engaging and purposeful. Thank you!

Bullying Awareness Week is Nov. 16-20 in Alberta. From Alberta.ca: Bullying is a relationship problem that involves a power imbalance, which is why it can be so challenging to overcome it by ourselves. Regardless of where bullying happens in school, the office, at home or in the community there are people and resources that can help. This year’s theme, #WhereToTurn, encourages everyone to learn where to turn when dealing with bullying. The Bullying Helpline (1-888-456-2323) is available 24/7 in over 170 languages. Stand up to unhealthy relationships you witness. Be ready to ask, "Are you okay?" and then be ready to listen.

You will surely know the difference you make.... Lethbridge Family Services and Catholic Central High School, Lethbridge

This month's wellness newsletter from Holy Spirit focuses on helping through grief and loss. Especially to honour our history for Remembrance Day and the inevitable losses that impact all families, you might be looking for some resource support. Please share with your loved ones, and if desired, connect with the school to look into any of the resources named (only school staff can access resources from the Behaviour Support Team).

As you know, we have a partner school in Tanzania - Mateka School. To support their building and school supply needs, we continue to raise funds that are sent directly to them through Chalice - a Catholic international charity. This year, due largely to COVID restrictions and cohorting requirements at school, we are moving to an at-home fundraiser that will be available continuously. We have partnered with Cuppers Coffee to sell 'See a Need Fill a Need' fresh roasted coffee. ...For each $20 bag sold, $5 goes to our partner school. We will place regular orders with Cuppers Coffee and send your purchases home with your child. This is a great way to check items off your Christmas list, fill your own coffee cups, and teach the children about the importance of making charitable giving and learning about others' need a priority. Look for a link in your School Cash Online accounts very soon. Orders placed by Dec. 4 will be filled for pre-Christmas delivery, too! Congratulations to label designers Owen L, Mila T and Kate M whose ideas brought this project to life.

Looking for some engaging learning over the break? This group might have something that works for you!

School Council Fundraiser - to support a video version of our Christmas concert. Check out the info below! All orders due by Nov. 23. You were going to do some Christmas shopping anyway, right? Read the info link below for more information! Thanks for your support....

Thank you so much to some snow angels who helped to clear the drifting snow before school started today! What an awesome community to be a part of!

Just a reminder our first council/AGM meeting is being held tomorrow night (Thursday) at SPFA at 6pm. We will meet out front. If the weather doesn’t cooperate then a message will be sent out with an online link. We love to see new faces! There is no pressure to hold an executive position on council (although always welcomed). There are many ways of getting involved and we welcome new ideas See you there!... Ps...bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, social distancing will be in place but in a case where we have a large number of attendees, masks will be required.

Good afternoon everyone, Now that we have had a chance to start getting back into the routine of back to school, it is time to start going with council again. We will hold our first meeting/AGM on Thursday September 17th at 6pm, outside at the school so please bring a lawn chair or something to sit on. We are starting a little earlier in hopes the temperature stays nice for us. If the weather changes we will move to an online format. At this meeting we will also be holding el...ections for council positions. If you know of anyone who may be interested in a position on council please encourage them to come out to this meeting. Please come with ideas of ways council can still be involved in a meaningful way this year, it will look very different from previous years. I'm looking forward to excellent brainstorming. If you would like to be removed from this email list please let me know. Thanks. See you on Thursday, Tricia

Hey SPFA families - the city has let us know there have been some schedule adjustments for yellow busses. Please check your child’s route and schedule before tomorrow!

Grade 6s doing quick responses for subitizing (super numeracy word) via personal white boards and markers. Affirm your own thoughts and learn new things by considering your classmates’ views in an instant.

Meet our staff, with their whole faces smiling for the start of a new year!

To make physical distancing work and have some mask-free time, our classes are outside. Thank God for this beautiful weather!

New group today and just as amazing! For staff, day 2 was a nice little redo. We live this staggered start and hope it continues post-COVID. Kids say they like two lunches, too. More fuel for thinking, playing and creating. Such thoughtful and yet fabulously silly kids! Blessed to be together!

About half of our students are here for orientation day. They are so excited to be together and adjusting nicely to all of the changes. So thrilled to open the doors wide (well, sort of ).

Thanks to everyone who completed our parent survey. We had 93% of students spoken for, and about 10% of our students are planning to start the year at home. More information will continue to come your way as we go. If you didn't get a chance to complete it, just message or e-mail me to connect with your plans or concerns. My latest mask find has black swans on it....what prints are you sporting these days!!?? Remember, mask or no mask, we still see YOU in all of your amazing-ness. I know, that is not really a word, but it is today!

hi Families - Do you know about PBS Daily? Great family resources to guide kids through all sorts of topics. If you subscribe, you get inbox messages daily to spark your parent interest, to get informed, and to help your kids out through these tough times. Check it out! https://pbskids.org/

Grade 4-6 students can bring their own Chromebook or laptop to school this year. More info sent to families via e-mail, but here's the skinny, too. Thanks to Peter Gallagher at SFJH for the design help! https://drive.google.com//154N1szT6abbDra0Bqj531UJuv/view

We want to know what you think about returning to school. Families, check your e-mail for the link, too, but if you head to this site, you can get to the survey. Due on Aug. 13!

Today's press release details regarding face covering use in grades 4-12 as well as for staff in different circumstances throughout the school day.

Would your children like a free activity kit? Stop by our tent tomorrow between 10am - 2pm outside at Westminster Elementary School. Holy Spirit Catholic Scho...ol Division, Lethbridge & Area, LPL Kids, Supporting family Wellness and Family Centre in Lethbridge will be on site with their free kits as well! See more

Such great advice as we manage big school decisions. Be kind to yourselves as you navigate all of the info coming your way. It is okay to not be okay. Thanks, Pluto!

Ready to get your school supply shopping face on!!?? We are ready for you to unleash yourself on your neighbourhood stores or your computer! Visit https://spfa.holyspirit.ab.ca/cms/One.aspx to access important info from school, the complete list, and info about how you can use Staples for at-home delivery, too.

More info about Holy Spirit's re-entry plans has been sent to your e-mail today. Here it is in case you are new to us! In Mr. Sampson's letter, please note the description about 'home schooling'. Electing to have your children do distance learning for short/long-term is much different than registering for home schooling (through another school division). Thank you for staying up to date on all of the information provided! https://drive.google.com//12RPL3sstLmhME0oCmP3CprnzJ/view

Morning everyone! We are moving forward in our plans to be back at school in September. Just wanted to remind you of the 'official' stuff to date from our division. School supply lists have been sent to Staples and will be posted ASAP for you to get your shopping done, even from home with home delivery! Check back for more info here and on our school website. Miss you all and hope you're safe and well in the sunshine!... https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/division/response_to_covid

With Ab Ed's announcement about scenario 1 Tuesday, more info will be coming to families soon about re-entry to school, including a survey from the Holy Spirit School Division. Start talking to your kids about the proposed expectations in ways they understand and keep up the good work around handwashing, physical distancing and wearing masks when needed in indoor/public spaces. Of course, keep exploring, being creative and spending time with family. Visit www.alberta.ca/returntoschool for more information from the government and follow reputable news and social media to stay informed about various aspects of our upcoming challenge. We are excited to be able to see our kids' faces soon!

Just completed my City of Lethbridge Rec and Culture Master Plan survey. Deadline is July 30! Have you done yours yet? These are great ways to show support for the arts in Lethbridge and area. https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/recreation-and-culture-mas