Welcome

ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE

Welcome Back! 

It is always wonderful to see a new year begin.  The enthusiasm and energy of the students and staff is so contagious. We welcome some new faces this year—both with students and staff.  There are lots of little bodies and smiling faces excited about learning!  I’m sure everyone will make our new students and staff members all feel a part of our community! We are excited to welcome Mrs. Anna Kulig who will be teaching Grade 3, Mrs. Izabela Wlazly, a Special Needs Teacher Assistant in Kindergarten, and Miss Leanne Mckenzie, a Special Needs Teachers Assistant in Grade 6.

The theme this year at St. Paul will be based on the children’s story, “How Full is Your Bucket” by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. Each of us has an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it’s empty, we feel awful. Yet most children (and many adults) don’t realize the importance of having a full bucket throughout the year. In the book, Felix the main character begins to see how every interaction in a day either fills or empties his bucket. Felix soon realizes that everything he says or does to other people either fills or empties their buckets as well. This is our theme for the school and will be used throughout the year as a spiritual and inspirational message. This beautiful book celebrates the simple beauties of the world and the happiness it brings us when we open our eyes to it. Each classroom has a bucket where students can recognize a classmate that has filled someone else’s bucket. Our gold ticket draws will be from the classroom buckets this year.  Each student in the school will also have their own bucket that will be used in a number of activities and to remind us all to remember to fill each others buckets. Throughout the year we hope to invite our children on a lifelong journey of growth within community and in appreciation for God’s continuing presence in our lives—and to discover the love and beauty in the community of St. Paul School.

We have many exciting and inspiring learning activities planned for the community of St. Paul School.  The District will again be continuing with its Assessment for Learning and AISI Literacy programs for staff. This year we will also focus on the new 21^st Century Learning Program where staff will learn to bring the skills needed to succeed in the 21^st Century classroom. Some of the areas we will explore are: inquiry based learning, differentiated instruction and the use of technology in the classroom.  These programs are receiving worldwide recognition for its innovative approach for improving student achievement. I am sure you have noticed that all our classrooms now have a projector, smart board, interactive camera arms and Senteo interactive response pads to increase student engagement and promote active participation. This technology will allow us to continue our journey as a community of professional learners, collectively inquiring into best practices and continuous improvement in teaching using the new technology in the classrooms. Many extra-curricular and club programs will be happening in our school again this year!  Running Club will soon be underway as will the Grade 6 Volleyball Club.  Our Grade 4 students will again be the members of our SPTV Broadcast Club, celebrating the birthdays, special occasions and the many accomplishments of students.

This year St. Paul will participate in a Christmas artist in residence program. In December the group “Dramatic Learning” will be here to produce our Christmas Concert. We had this group last year and the Christmas Concert was one of the best we have ever had at St. Paul. In spring our music program will be showcased with students performing different musical pieces at each grade level. We are also very excited about continuing our Robotics program that will enrich our science and technology curriculums and fair days.

As the year unfolds, be sure to enjoy and celebrate your child’s successes!  Contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Remember that the doors to the office are always open for any comments, questions or concerns as well.  Remember to check out our school website, www.stpaul@ecsd.net,  for any school information!

The staff is looking forward to working and learning with you and your children this year!  It is exciting to be back again at St. Paul School and to be working with such wonderful teachers, support staff, and parents who are truly dedicated to children.