St Teresa of Avila Catholic Elementary School & StuffIn’ Stockings Charity Drive

Thank you for the donations we have received so far! It is not too late to donate!

When: From Monday, November 21st – Friday, December 2, 2022

Going into its 12th year, StuffIn Stockings is a registered charity offered through the St. Jacobs Lions Club that is dedicated to one simple goal: providing thoughtfully stuffed stockings to those in need in our region.

Last year we delivered 3200 stockings to 18 not-for-profit charities right here in our community. Stocking requests for this year are already at 2500, and still coming in! We fill stockings for all age groups from infants to seniors.

List of Our Biggest Need Items:
● Baby items (duckies, small stuffies, soothers, rash cream, hats, teething toys, body wash, washcloths etc. in neutral colours)
● Toddler items (small toys, hats, neutral colours)
● Small games/items for tweens & teens (small enough to fit in gift bag with other items – ie. card games or other small games)
● Toothbrushes/toothpaste
● Soap/bath & body wash
● Socks
● Winter Hats
● Mitts
● Handwarmers
● Deodorant
● Stationary/pens
● Shampoo & Conditioner for adults and seniors (2-in-1 is a great option here)
● Eyeglass repair kits for elderly

If you are able to support this community initiative, please consider donating! Your child can bring the items to school and it will be collected by their teacher.

We appreciate your support and thank you for considering!

Sincerely,
The StuffIn’ Stockings Charity Committee

To learn more about our charity, check out our website at
https://www.stuffinstockings.ca/

Our Amazon Wish List is live! To shop online and support our charity from the comfort of your home! Check it out! (Click on the “Donate” tab on the Stuffin’ Stockings website.)

Please feel free to contact Jennifer Brown at tcmtfa.spiritwear@gmail.com with any questions.

St Teresa of Avila Catholic Elementary School & StuffIn’ Stockings Charity Drive

Thank you for the donations we have received so far! It is not too late to donate!

When: From Monday, November 21st – Friday, December 2, 2022

Going into its 12th year, StuffIn Stockings is a registered charity offered through the St. Jacobs Lions Club that is dedicated to one simple goal: providing thoughtfully stuffed stockings to those in need in our region.

Last year we delivered 3200 stockings to 18 not-for-profit charities right here in our community. Stocking requests for this year are already at 2500, and still coming in! We fill stockings for all age groups from infants to seniors.

List of Our Biggest Need Items:
● Baby items (duckies, small stuffies, soothers, rash cream, hats, teething toys, body wash, washcloths etc. in neutral colours)
● Toddler items (small toys, hats, neutral colours)
● Small games/items for tweens & teens (small enough to fit in gift bag with other items – ie. card games or other small games)
● Toothbrushes/toothpaste
● Soap/bath & body wash
● Socks
● Winter Hats
● Mitts
● Handwarmers
● Deodorant
● Stationary/pens
● Shampoo & Conditioner for adults and seniors (2-in-1 is a great option here)
● Eyeglass repair kits for elderly

If you are able to support this community initiative, please consider donating! Your child can bring the items to school and it will be collected by their teacher.

We appreciate your support and thank you for considering!

Sincerely,
The StuffIn’ Stockings Charity Committee

To learn more about our charity, check out our website at
https://www.stuffinstockings.ca/

Our Amazon Wish List is live! To shop online and support our charity from the comfort of your home! Check it out! (Click on the “Donate” tab on the Stuffin’ Stockings website.)

Please feel free to contact Jennifer Brown at tcmtfa.spiritwear@gmail.com with any questions.

Bus 316 is on its way!

Practice will resume next Monday (Dec. 5).

Good evening Tornado Families:

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the start of a four-week observation beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Derived from the Latin word for arrival — “adventus” — Advent is observed by Christians worldwide to mark the start of the spiritual period of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day, and the beginning of a new Christian year. Advent is a time of expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation, and joyful preparation for God coming into our lives and hearts. To help us count down the four weeks of Advent, we will celebrate each week of Advent in school with a liturgy and lighting of the Advent Candle. The first candle is the candle of HOPE. The lighting of the candle reminds us that we too are the light, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:14. We can shine a light in dark places, providing kind gestures or kind words to those in need. Together, we pray: Come, Lord Jesus!

We would like to send a sincere thank you to all the parents who came out to our Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews this past week! If you were unable to meet with your child’s teacher, please be sure to reach out to the teacher to discuss your child’s progress thus far. Working together, we can provide support for your child’s learning and growth.

This past week was Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. We wanted to again share this link to Ministry resources on bullying and conflict: https://www.ontario.ca/page/bullying-we-can-all-help-stop-it which has some great ideas about how to identify if your child is being bullied and what to do.

This past Friday, we had a very special visitor to our school who was moved by a performance by our Junior Choir and Bell Ringers of a song called, “Orange” in honour of our indigenous community. Check out our Tweet:

This week:

Monday, November 28

• First Week of Advent Liturgy (10am)
• Grade 7 Immunization (HPV & Meningicocil)
• PM – Girls’ Basketball Tournament

Tuesday, November 29

• Sports Jersey or Hoodie Day – Wear your favourite team jersey or hoodie! It can be your own team!
• Giving Tuesday – Toonies for Tummies ends (Thank you to those who have donated) – Toonies 4 Tummies
• Umbrella Project Assembly – Intrinsic Motivation

Wednesday, November 30

• Spirit Wear Day! Wear spirit wear and/or blue and/or red
• Pizza Day (if you ordered through School Cash Online)

Thursday, December 1

• Lunch Lady (if you ordered through School Cash Online)

Friday, December 2

• Last day for Donations to StuffIn Stockings Charity Drive

StuffIn’ Stockings Charity Drive Ends December 2nd

When: From Monday, November 21st – Friday, December 2, 2022

Going into its 12th year, StuffIn Stockings is a registered charity offered through the St. Jacobs Lions Club that is dedicated to one simple goal: providing thoughtfully stuffed stockings to those in need in our region.

Last year we delivered 3200 stockings to 18 not-for-profit charities right here in our community. Stocking requests for this year are already at 2500, and still coming in! We fill stockings for all age groups from infants to seniors.

List of Our Biggest Need Items:
● Baby items (duckies, small stuffies, soothers, rash cream, hats, teething toys, body wash, washcloths etc. in neutral colours)
● Toddler items (small toys, hats, neutral colours)
● Small games/items for tweens & teens (small enough to fit in a gift bag with other items – ie. card games or other small games)
● Toothbrushes/toothpaste
● Soap/bath & body wash
● Socks
● Winter Hats
● Mitts
● Handwarmers
● Deodorant
● Stationary/pens
● Shampoo & Conditioner for adults and seniors (2-in-1 is a great option here)
● Eyeglass repair kits for elderly

If you are able to support this community initiative, please consider donating! Your child can bring the items to school, and it will be collected by their teacher.

We appreciate your support and thank you for considering!

Sincerely,
The StuffIn’ Stockings Charity Committee

To learn more about our charity, check out our website at
https://www.stuffinstockings.ca/

Our Amazon Wish List is live! To shop online and support our charity from the comfort of your home! Check it out! (Click on the “Donate” tab on the Stuffin’ Stockings website.)

Please feel free to contact Jennifer Brown at tcmtfa.spiritwear@gmail.com with any questions.

WOOLWICH COMMUNITY SERVICES

Woolwich Community Services provides many different programs and supports for our community. Have a look at the posters for upcoming programs at The Hub. Families can follow them on social media or join their E-Blast by visiting their website at https://www.woolwichcommunityservices.org for the most up-to-date information.

WCA Brochure

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARISH ~

Please have a look at this week’s Parish Bulletin here: November 20 2022

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CHOIR – We are hoping to have our young people, Grade 2 and up, join the Children’s Choir for the Christmas Eve 6 p.m. Mass.  Practices will be Mondays, beginning November 21^st, at 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Please register your child beforehand by calling the Parish Office at 519-669-3387 or emailing StTeresaofAvila.Elmira@rogers.com.  Children attending St. Teresa’s School may meet in the schoolyard by the fence and Iris Miltenburg will bring the children over to the church.

The St. Teresa of Avila SUNDAY CHILDREN’S LITURGY PROGRAM, for children JK to Grade 2, has begun at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass.  All are welcome!

The FIRST RECONCILIATION for Grade 2 students will be on Tuesday, December 6^th at 6:30 p.m.  All other students attending St. Teresa’s School will receive reconciliation on Thursday, December 15^th.

The St. Teresa of Avila PARISH RECONCILIATION will be on Wednesday, December 14^th at St. Boniface, Maryhill at 7:00 p.m.

Please pray for our Parish Administrator who will be having knee surgery on November 30^th and will be away until the end of February.  Please also pray for those who will be helping in the Parish Office at that time.

We Build A Dream ~ Nov. 30

THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR YOUNG WOMEN, GIRLS, AND THOSE THAT IDENTIFY AS FEMALE IN GRADES 7 – 12 (AND THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS!)
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Dear young women, those who identify as women, and their parents/guardians,

On behalf of Build a Dream and your school board, we invite you to attend our FREE Kitchener-Waterloo Career Discovery Expo on the evening of Wednesday, November 30th at the
Bingemans.

We will be highlighting opportunities in several careers to better assist young women in high school in making career choices. As a community, we recognize the critical role parents play in the
development and education of their children, which is why we are providing this opportunity for parents to attend with their daughters and learn more about careers in the growing sectors.

Our Career Discovery Expo events feature:
• A main stage with theatre seating hosting impactful speakers and panel discussions
• Exhibitor Booths that showcase career opportunities with industry partners & Build a Dream’s corporate sponsors
• Free swag and food
• Access to scholarships, educational tools & resources, door prizes, games and more!

Check out the flyers for more information:

Registration link:  https://www.webuildadream.com/event/waterloo-career-discovery-expo/

Parent Letter – KW Career Expo Waterloo Flyer

Dec. 20 ~ Christmas Turkey Lunch

Our school CSAC will be offering a Christmas Turkey Lunch for students on Tuesday, December 20th. More information will be shared soon including the menu and other options. Catering is provided by The Lunch Lady.

CSAC – School Council

Please go to our school webpage by visiting stteresaelmira.wcdsb.ca  and clicking on the School Council tab to check out the minutes of our last meeting and also to learn more about our Catholic School Advisory Council. Everyone is always welcome to join our next meeting on Tuesday, December 6 at 6pm. Come and see what it’s all about! If you cannot commit to joining our CSAC but would like to offer to volunteer for events when required, please email paula.pizarro@wcdsb.ca.

Click here to go directly to the CSAC webpage

CSAC Parent Outreach Letter 2022

Hot Lunches 

We are happy to share that Lunchbox by SchoolCash Online will be offered at our school for the 2022/2023 school year. Lunchbox is a convenient, online ordering platform featuring local vendors. An ordering calendar has been coordinated for the school community and can be found on our SchoolCash Online items page.

The ordering features the following options:

• Wednesday – Twice The Deal Pizza
• Thursday – Lunch Lady (there are some gluten-free options available)
• Orders may be placed weekly or in advance, for the full length of the program.

Please read the following document that shows you how to order:  How-to-Order-Guide (St. Teresa Avila)

FYI: Palm Pizza is closed until the new year due to new ownership.

The Umbrella Project Message for Parents

For December at the Umbrella Project we are excited to be focusing our energy on Intrinsic Motivation. Intrinsic Motivation is motivation that comes from inside you instead of from external rewards like money or grades. It’s the pleasure you get from doing something because it is interesting, challenging and absorbing.

When we are intrinsically motivated we do activities simply for enjoyment, and we don’t worry as much about the reward at the end. Failing to hit the goals, marks or

achievements we are hoping for can be tough, especially when the outcome was the only thing we cared about. When we enjoy the process, it takes some of the stress off

the end result and makes us feel happier overall. In fact, being intrinsically motivated increases our wellbeing and our success at the end of the day.

Use proximal, self-directed goals to build intrinsic motivation

Building intrinsic motivation is about helping our children find enjoyment and reward in the process of achieving their goals. It’s a great way to protect their well-being, even if the end outcome isn’t what they had hoped for. You can use goal setting to help your child build this important skill by encouraging them to set proximal, self-directed goals. Another umbrella skill, autonomy, is the skill that helps our children make self-directed decisions so this tip is continuing to make use of autonomy to build intrinsic motivation.

Proximal means that the goal being set is close to where they currently are. It’s the next small step needed to get to a bigger goal. Proximal goals have been shown to help students progress rapidly and achieve higher levels of mastery and interest in areas that they previously experienced disinterest or significant deficits. It improves their self-efficacy and perceived competence by breaking the task into smaller and more manageable tasks.

Self-directed means that our children are choosing the steps in the process for themselves instead of having us tell them what to do next. This autonomy allows children to make their own path to success, improves their enjoyment of the process and highlights how all of the umbrella skills work to build and support each other into the strongest umbrella of protection for our children. The autonomy our children build will help them set these proximal, self-directed goals that in turn, build their intrinsic motivation.

Listen here, where I describe proximal, self-directed goals in this 3 minute video  

Chat soon, 

Dr. Jen, The Umbrella Project

DAILY SCREENING & MASKING

Fall cold/flu season is here– it is important that any student not feeling well should stay home and also follow the guidance of the screening tool found on our school website.

While it is not mandatory to wear a mask – the screener does indicate in what situations and for how long we should wear a mask i.e., wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including school and child care). Thanks for your support in following the screener guidance.

• For 10 days after you tested positive (or from when symptoms started, whichever came first)
• For 10 days after last their exposure to the person who tested positive for COVID‑19

Coming Up:

• December 5th – Second Week of Advent
• December 6th – CSAC Meeting; Grade 2 First Reconciliation Meeting (6:30 pm)
• December 8th – Advent Mass at Church
• December 12th – Third Week of Advent
• December 15th – Sacrament of Penance at the Church
• December 19th – Fourth Week of Advent
• December 20th – Christmas Lunch by CSAC
• December 21st – Pajama Day
• December 22nd – Christmas Concert (PM – Parents invited)
• December 23rd – Red and Green Day
• January 9th – First Day back to school

Wear PINK today to stand up to bullying!

By wearing pink, you can show your support to those who have faced bullying in their lives.

This culminates our week on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. It won’t stop there, we will continue to work towards preventing bullying all year.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences start today after school. Please bring your child’s progress report as a good starting point for discussion with your child’s teacher. There are many areas of success for your child and also room for setting reasonable goals for the remainder of the first term. We know that parents have an important role to play in supporting student learning. Studies show that students perform better in school if their parents or guardians are involved in their education. We thank you for all the support in your child’s learning and growth.

The specific time for your child’s conference was provided on Monday in the progress report envelope.  Interviews will be in your child’s classroom. We kindly ask that you please show up on time for your appointment. If you find that you may need more time, please schedule a follow-up appointment with your child’s teacher. Thank you in advance for your understanding and flexibility.

You may park in our school parking lot or at the church parking lot.

As you enter and exit the school, please be sure to check out the Lost and Found table for any of your child’s items.

For now, celebrate your children and create some goals together!  Your children are amazing!

Have a wonderful evening TORNADOES!

Calling all dancers/singers/entertainers:

Check out the poster here for information from Legacy Auditions which celebrates and appreciates black culture and excellence.

legacykwca

Website:  www.legacykw.ca

Both busses have left the school. Bus collision – No Students on Board, no injuries.