Thursday Update – January 27, 2022

Dear St. Matthew’s Elementary School Families,

     Thank you so much for your generosity!  We collected many cans of unperishable foods for the St. Matthew’s St. Vincent de Paul Society.  These donations will directly benefit local families in the Fleetwood community.

It is hard to believe we are already on the cusp of the month of February!  February, though a relatively short month, will be filled with a lot of activities for your children:  we will celebrate Catholic Schools’ Week (the week of February 14th) and we hope to have a school themed Mass at the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, February 27, 2022!  Stay tuned for more details.

Thank you ALL very much for your continued diligence regarding the restrictions and guidelines as we hopefully round the corner on this pandemic!  We know it is difficult but, keeping your children home when they are sick is important.  Please note that now children, if sick with COVID-19 symptoms, have only to stay home up until 5 days (if their symptoms have ceased).  Please see below for a link to the most up-to-date and handy chart of What to do When Sick.

Lastly, Happy Lunar New Year to all of our families celebrating this new start to the year!  May your celebrations be joyous and safe!

Sincerely in Christ,
Miss Welsh

BIBLICAL WORDS OF WISDOM:

I will sing of your salvation!

(Psalm 71)

Dates of Note

Friday, January 28, 2022:  NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

Saturday, January 29, 2022:  GRADE 7 MASS 5:30 PM

Saturday, January 29, 2022:  LUNAR NEW YEAR BEGINS

Friday, February 4, 2022:
SCHOOL ASSEMBLY (Grade 1)

Thursday, February 10, 2022:  SMES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (VIRTUAL) @ 6:00 PM

Saturday, January 29, 2022:  LUNAR NEW YEAR BEGINS

NEWS FOR THIS WEEK

TUITION FEE INFORMATION 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR

Dear Parents,

We are communicating to you in advance about an increase in tuition fees for the 2022-2023 school year.  Two years ago, based on an analysis of school budgets across the district, the CISVA mandated that all Catholic elementary schools are required to raise tuition fees by a minimum of $17 for the next four years.  The $17 is based on an average cost increase across all CISVA elementary schools.  The coming 2022-2023 school year will be the third of the four required annual increases and after an in-depth analysis of our operating budget, it has been decided that our increase will be an average of $18.37 per child.

SCHOOL YEAR INCREASE

2020-2021  +$17 (completed)

2021-2022  +$17 (completed)

2022-2023  +$18.37 (average)

2023-2024  +$17 (minimum)

Specifically, the increase breaks down as follows:

CATEGORY 1  $343  $549   $703

CATEGORY 2  $393  $599   $753

CATEGORY 3  $603  $809   $963

The required $17 minimum would have represented an average overall increase of 6% whereas $18.37 represents an average increase of 6.4%.

Two main reasons are behind this decision.  First, with inflation reaching 4.8%, a rate not seen in 30 years, we must plan for the school’s expenses to rise accordingly.  Second, although our facilities are still modern, they are now 10 years old; the demand for repairs, maintenance and component replacement will increase in the next two to five years so we want to ensure we continue to build up our ability to financially support this.

We understand this increase is significant and so have chosen to give you this information early so that families have time to make the necessary adjustments.

This tuition increase will be discussed in more detail at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 10, 2022.  In the meantime, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at pec@stmatthewselementary.ca.

St. Matthew’s Elementary PEC

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Parents, please mark your calendars!  On Thursday, February 10, 2022 we will hold our St. Matthew’s Elementary Annual General Meeting at 6:00 pm, virtually.  As per school policy at least one family member is expected to attend this meeting.

A Zoom link will be sent a few days before the meeting and we ask everyone to indicate their presence at the meeting by putting their child(ren)’s name and grade into the chat.  PEC members will be monitoring the chat for attendance purposes.  Please note that re-registration packages will be given the following day to those whose names have been verified as attending.In order to minimize crowding, for this year we will be sending home the re-registration package with your eldest child on Friday, February 11, 2022.

Return your fully completed re-registration package no later than Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 3:00 pm to be eligible to win one of two Google Home Minis!

Final deadline to return re-registration packages without incurring a late penalty of $50.00 is Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 3:00 pm. Once again in order to minimize crowding, the re-registration packages can be returned with your child.

Please note that re-registration packages that are not filled out completely or correctly will be returned.

VALENTINE’S COOKIE MAKING KITS

Let’s spread some love…to our family, friends and even to ourselves!  Your purchase of the highly sought after Valentine’s Cookie Making Kit is sure to bring a smile to your loved ones face all while helping to raise funds for outdoor, gym and sports equipment for the school.  A reminder that we are trying a new, more convenient way of ordering and encourage you to order through the following link https://saintmatthews.ca/cookie.  Order forms were sent out this week if you prefer that method.

All orders are due by no later than the end of day on Monday, January 31.  Late online orders/forms cannot be accepted.  Thank you!

WHAT TO DO WHEN SICK

Please click HERE or on the image to link to a handy flow chart that summarizes what to do when either you or your child is sick.   This information is from the BC CDC.

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

The Parent Support Group (PSG) is a group of 3 parents who assist our school by facilitating the distribution of provincial gaming grant money towards the purchase of extracurricular activities/materials for our students.

Elected members are expected to make a year’s committment to the group.  If you are interested in running in an election for this position please contact Miss Welsh at welsh@stmatthewselementary.ca for more details.  Thank you!

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

ANSWER FROM LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE:  Pa – pa – ya!

THIS WEEK’S RIDDLE:  

A word I know, six letters it contains, remove one letter and 12 remains, what is it?

The answer will be revealed next week!