Bishop Roborecki School

First Student Bus Hot Line – 343-3300. Please feel free to phone this number anytime there is severe weather, and check if your child’s bus is running

Our journey as a Catholic School is guided by a series of statements that highlight the Gospel Values. This is a summary of where we have been and in what direction we are headed.

We teach children how they can encounter God in everyday life. Through prayer and teachings, we emphasis the uniqueness and importance of everyone.

…A CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE…Gospel Value: Community.

We continue the teaching, healing and guiding work of Jesus. Our focus has been and will continue to work to give all students a sense of belonging.

Our actions and relationships with each other reflect our faith. Our thoughts and decisions are influenced by the words; “what would Jesus do?”

…WE STRIVE TO HAVE EACH STUDENT ATTAIN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, BASED ON EACH ONE’S GOD-GIVEN TALENTS…Gospel Value: Hope

Catholic education helps all children as they strive to reach their full potential spiritually, academically, physically, socially and emotionally. We have goals and strategies to support a child’s academic growth.

…STUDENTS DISCOVER HOW THEIR FAITH IS PART OF LEARNING AND OF LIFE…Gospel Value: Courage.

Our faith is at the heart of understanding who we are and our place in the world. The Gospels help to guide us with all of our challenges.

…OUR YOUNG PEOPLE GROW IN FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY. Gospel Value: Reconciliation.

We have the freedom to choose our path in life, to choose right from wrong, to create or tear down. Reconciliation motivates us to fix what we have “broken”.

I shared with our families, that we have chosen one word to guide us this year. Respect would seem to fit with “where we have been” and “where we are going”. We are building our understanding of Respect using these main ideas.

WHAT IS RESPECT? Being respectful is an attitude of honoring people and caring about their rights. Being respectful is reflected in the courtesy with which we treat one another, the way we speak and the way we treat other people’s belongings.

HOW DO YOU PRACTICE IT? A good way to practice respect is to think about how you would like to be treated and then treat others that way.

SIGNS OF SUCCESS… Listening to those around us and trying to provide some Hope.

Our School community displays all of these virtues. But, we do have some work to do. Please help us to make all of these virtues more recognizable. We will be reviewing this throughout the year.

Educational Assistant; Mrs. R. Jenkins After-School Program; Ms K. Unser, Mr. J. Shirley, Mrs. M. Roberts Nutrition Coordinator; Mrs. L. Roy

As we welcome Mrs. Roy, our Nutrition Coordinator, we also say farewell to Mrs. R. Stalker. Mrs. Stalker has volunteered with CHEP, (Child Hunger and Education Program), to provide lunches for our students for the last six years. She has done a marvelous job in a very challenging role. Thanks Mrs. Stalker, you have done a great service for our school. The change from a CHEP Volunteer to a Nutrition Coordinator, who is an employee of our School Division, is another example of the support our School receives from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. We appreciate the opportunity and are looking at how we support children and families with this extra resource.

We are expected to rehearse “LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES” for our students and staff. There are 3 types of Lockdowns. – Perimeter Lockdown, Shelter-in-Place, Full Lockdown.

We will be rehearsing a Perimeter Lockdown on Tuesday, September 29 from 10:05 to 10:20. All students are to return to their classrooms, classrooms are locked, and all school entrances are locked. Exit and entry will be by the front doors of the school, with supervision by Mr. Hunks or Mr. Johnson. No students will be allowed to leave the school without permission from Mr. Hunks. Classroom instruction will be continued.

We rehearse these procedures to try and maintain a sense of calm if there happens to be an issue. We pray that we never have to announce a Perimeter Lockdown for our school. As a parent, you may get questions from some younger students. Please try to emphasize that this is practice and that there is no emergency. If there was a “real-life” issue, we would communicate this with our families.

We are sending home a Student Health Update form. We have some information that there are a number of our children in our community that have sensitivities or allergies to nuts or nut product. If your child is severely affected by nuts, please give your child’s teacher a note to follow up the Health Form, explaining the issue. If there are other complications related to peanuts, etc for your family, please contact Mr. Hunks. Like other schools, we may have to respond to the health and safety of our students by creating a Nut Alert status. If that is the case we will inform you through the school newsletter.

If children arrive at school before 8:30 they are asked to remain in the Mudroom on the West-Side of the school. Those doors are open by 7:45 in the morning. At 8:30, students are invited in to the school and are expected to be in their classroom and following the teacher’s expectations.

We restrict the use of the Front Doors of the school to our Pre-k and Special Needs students and those children accompanied by a guardian. We do this to keep our little ones safe from all the traffic that could potentially use the front doors. It is a small area and does not allow small children to wait safely for their transportation and facilitate the number of people accessing the Front Office at dismissal times. We have reminded students of our expectations. If there are extraordinary circumstances for students and families that this practice challenges, you are asked to contact Mr. Hunks.

We would ask that you respect the Parking Restrictions that are near the front entrance of the school. We ask that you do not park in the area that our School Bus loads students from. We appreciate that the availability of parking around the school is quite limited but we would hope that you would help us try to keep our students safe. Thank you.

Please join us on Monday, October 5^th at 7:00 p.m. for the AGM for our Catholic School Community Council. This is an opportunity to meet the individuals who contribute so much to the programming of our school. They help create opportunities for our students that we just could not do without extra resources. The agenda includes a summary of last year’s activities and a chance to nominate someone to join us in a dynamic productive role. We have 3 positions to elect individuals to. They are: Treasurer, Vice-Chair, and Members at Large. Also, if you wish to volunteer, this is a chance to do that as well. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

We have attached a form to today’s newsletter to help you indicate your interest in volunteering for our Council. Please forward them to the office, and we will see that you are included in the future plans.

The After School Program is up and running! This program is available from dismissal until 5:30 on all SCHOOL days; this does not include Common Dismissal Days or Holidays. We will be busy creating art projects, playing sports, reading, playing and lots of fun activities. The After School Program also provides a nutritional snack. Please register ASAP by picking up a form from the front office. Your new program facilitators are Kalee Unser, Maureen Roberts and Joe Shirley. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please read over carefully the white Student Data Verification form and make sure all information is accurate and updated, and send it back to your child’s classroom teacher or the office. . The purple media consent form has also been sent home for you to check off what you permit your children to participate in with media coverage. Please have both forms signed and sent back to the school as soon as possible.

Has issued out an orange pamphlet for all sorts of age groups, and it has been sent home with the newsletter today.

Tuesday, October 29 is Picture Retakes. This will also be the day for the Kindergartens in the A group to have their photographs taken at Bishop Roborecki.

First off, I would like to thank all the parents for their patience in waiting for our After School Program (ASP) to begin. We are now in full swing with ASP and I would encourage any working/student parents to sign their children up.

I am still accepting enrollment for a FREE parenting program to be starting at our school on Thursday October 1, 2009 at 11:40 am. “Reaching Out, Connecting with Your Children” is a wonderful 10 week program which offers childcare and lunch for parents who sign up. Call me for more information or to sign up: Danielle Dutka; 659-7817

After school handball league will be starting on Wednesday September 30^th from 3 – 4:30pm. All children interested who are between the ages of 9-11 will receive a membership application to bring home.

Dance - Music By “The Road Pirates” With Old Time Country Classics, Rock And Modern Day Music.

Tickets: Available Before And After Weekend Masses Or From The Parish Office (384-1100)

Adult: $10 Child $5 Preschool Free (But Need A Ticket For Seating.) Dance Only $5

Each Family Is Reminded To Pick Up A Colored Ribbon From The Table In The Welcome Area. Please Print Your Family Name And Add The Names Of Your Family Members. These Ribbons Will Be Used At Our 25th Celebration.

Are you a new resident to this area? Of so we have information regarding local, civic, community services and facilities. We also have gifts for you from local merchants and businesses. Call Kathy at 384-4357 to schedule a visit. I look forward to meeting you.

The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation invites you to our 16^th Annual “Share the Spirit” Gala Evening on Friday October 30^th, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Sheraton Cavalier. This is an evening of fine dining, entertainment and lively bidding on auction items. Tickets are $110.00 per person ($50.00 tax receipt). Thanks to our supporters, our Foundation’s investment in our students has surpassed $2.5 million dollars in disbursements which have provided opportunities in leadership, learning and spiritual growth that are not funded by provincial grants or municipal taxes. Contributions of silent auction items, in-kind services or any financial support are most welcome. Posters are displayed at your school.

Try a new activity in the pool! Water Polo Saskatoon invites grade 3-12 teachers to book a learn-to session with your class this fall. Each session lasts one to two hours and costs $30.00 for the instructors and equipment. For more information, see our poster in your staff room, or contact us via email (info@waterpolosaskatoon.com) or phone (242-0972).

Oskāyak Fall Pow-wow - Thursday, September 24, 2009 at Oskāyak High School, 919 Broadway Avenue. Pipe Ceremony @ 8:15 a.m. Grand Entry @ 10:00 a.m. Grand Exit @ 2:30 p.m. Registration @ 8:45—10:30 a.m. Hot dogs and refreshments served. Giveaway. For further information or to RSVP contact Jeanne Auramenko at (306) 659-7815, fax (306) 659-2170, or email: jauramenko@scs.sk.ca.

The Saskatchewan Scholastic Chess Association Inc. is pleased to announce the Saskatoon Fall Classic Scholastic Chess Tournament, and Simultaneous Exhibition on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at St. George School, 748 Redberry Rd., Saskatoon. (just south of Lenore Dr.). Registration begins at 9:45 a.m., with the tournament scheduled to begin by 10:30 a.m. Likely end time is 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. The tournament is open to all Saskatchewan K - 12 students. Cost is $15.00 registration fee plus all players must be current members of the SSCA. (Annual SSCA memberships available at the door for $5.00). Players will be divided into sections according to playing strength or grade level, at the director's discretion. Minimum five round tournament. Pre-registration requested! Please pre-register by contacting the Tournament Director, Don MacKinnon, at donmac451@sasktel.net, or by telephone at 306 445 8369. All tournament players are eligible to play National Master Keith MacKinnon in a simultaneous exhibition over the lunch hour. Test your chess skills against a Chess Master.

Community Music Education Program (University of Saskatchewan) Celebrating Excellence in Early Childhood Music Since 1986. There are a few spots left in our Fall Programs:

For more info contact Nicole Wilton Elliott, Program Manager at nicole.elliott@usask.ca OR 966-5625

Sponsored by Mother Teresa School. Saturday, November 14 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Mother Teresa in the gym.

Vomiting and/or diarrhea

· children should not return to school until 48 hours have passed since their last symptom

Respiratory infections

· sore throat, coughing, earaches or persistent cough with discharge from nose and/or throat

Rashes

Pink eye

· your child can return to school after 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic treatment