Dear Students and Parents:
This September 1st will be my 30th first day of school as an educator and my 24th first day of school as a school administrator. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the 2020-21 school year will be like no other. I hope the experience and skills I have acquired will help our school community adjust to our new reality. Although there will undoubtedly be many challenges and mistakes, I 2020-21 will be a gratifying year. I believe that our school staff will work incredibly hard to make student learning a positive experience, whether students are on-site or choosing at-home learning. The COVID-19 pandemic will make for a unique experience, but please know that your children will be cared for and loved while they are in our care. We will be applying our Van Tighem Virtues of Honest, Accepting, Wise, Kind, Spiritual to all that we do at school.
Recently I noticed a gif from the Institute of Child Psychology. The 2020-21 school year would be a great time to follow this check list:
From past posts, many parents know that I typically do not sleep before the first day of school—not due to anxiety about the start of the school year, but due to feelings of joy and excitement for beginning another year. Despite the current uncertainty, I still have a sense of excitement and joy. We do need to be aware that many of our students, parents, and staff are very anxious and worried about the start of this school year. We will support the wellness of all the members of our learning community. I welcome all the members of our learning community to the 2020-21 school year at Father Leonard Van Tighem School.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold our Welcome Back BBQ. Our Family Blessing will be done differently this year; final details will be sent to parents soon.
We are getting bigger, both physically and in numbers. Our new portable is not quite ready. We hope to be using it next week.
The biggest challenge for us this school year will be adapting to education in the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, we will be focusing on our faith, learning, First Nations, Metis and Inuit Educations, and wellness. Also, we are excited about the second year of our Faith Plan. This year’s faith theme is Transformed by the Journey. The primary focus is on being grateful and being gracious. We will continue to integrate our faith plan with the Van Tighem Virtues of Honest, Accepting, Wise, Kind, Spiritual.
Now, for some housekeeping news. Like last year, you can pay your school fees and other fees online. Please click on this logo for more information:
Online School Payments
To help with communication, here are some social media links (please click on the logo):
We look forward to working with you to continue to make Father Leonard Van Tighem School a special place. On behalf of our staff, I wish everyone a successful school year.
Blessing,
Greg Kostiuk
Greg Kostiuk 