Good Evening CMHS Parents, Caregivers, Students and Guardians,
As we head into the holidays, we hope you are finding moments of connection with friends and family, time for reflection on the past year, and some well-deserved rest and relaxation. I hope you have many opportunities to spend time with loved ones over the next few weeks. An invitation to exist in another’s presence is fundamental to relationship, and the holiday season offers us many opportunities to do just that.
I usually travel over the winter break, but this year I decided to stay home and spend time with my family. I informed my nephew (fortunately or unfortunately) that since he has the biggest house, it was obvious that he would be hosting the entire family. However, I did reassure him that I would bring all the food. Thankfully, our CMHS culinary program sells Christmas meals, so I ordered enough for everyone, including pies and festive treats. Let’s just say my nephew’s wife let out a deep sigh of relief knowing she wouldn’t be cooking for a crowd. The CMHS Annual Holiday Bake Sale and Christmas Meal packages will certainly make many Kromms happy this festive season.
Inviting loved ones into our homes, sharing traditions, and offering a place at the table are powerful acts of connection. Ideally, we welcome people to “come as they are.” I grew up in a home where holidays revolved around food and family gatherings, with a long-standing tradition that anyone, friend, neighbour, or relative, who might otherwise be alone was always welcome. This holiday, our family has included a university student from another country who is boarding with my sister as she attends the University of Calgary.
Earlier in my career, when I taught up in Northern Alberta, my family welcomed one of my colleagues and her husband to Calgary for the holidays when they were unable to return home to Newfoundland. These gatherings shared a common thread: generous invitations, freely given, with no strings attached.
Even small invitations can reach places words may not. Whether it is children, extended family, friends, or those who enter our lives through partnership, the coming weeks offer meaningful opportunities to deepen relationships, to help others feel seen, valued, and that they truly belong. Invitations need not be grand. They may look like a cup of hot chocolate, a favourite food added to the table, a small bag of baking left at someone’s door, or a thoughtful message expressing care. Money may be tight this time of year, but words, spoken or written, often mean more than anything we could buy.
I challenge our school community this winter break to connect with others and make someone feel special, seen, and cared for. Connection is one of our deepest human needs and is vital to our wellbeing. Any time is a good time to bring those we care about a little closer.
Warm holiday wishes to you and your families.
Anne Kromm
Principal
Important Dates to Remember
Friday December 19 - Last Day of Classes before Winter Break
Monday January 5 - Classes Resume
Tuesday January 13 - New PVA Student Application Deadline
Tuesday January 20 - Friday January 23 - PVA Audition Week
Tuesday January 27 - Last Day for S2 Class changes
Thursday February 19 - S2 Language Challenge Opportunity
Tuesday April 7 - Last Day to drop classes in S2
CMHS Sports
Tuesday January 6 - Sr Boys Basketball vs RT 5:30
Tuesday January 6 - Jr Boys Basketball vs ST 7:30
Tuesday January 6 - Sr Girls Basketball @ RT 5:30
Thursday January 8 - Jr Boys Basketball vs SGA 5:30
Thursday January 8 - Sr Boys Basketball vs SGA 7:30
Friday January 9 - Saturday January 10 - Sr Boys Basketball Host Raffin Classica ALL
DAY Friday January 9 - Saturday January 10 - Sr Girls Basketball Host Raffin Classica ALL DAY
Future School Events
Wednesday January 14 - Dance Fusion 7:00
Friday January 16 - PVA Music 20 Recital 1:35
Thursday January 29 - Central Memorial Open House 5:00