Monthly Archives: January 2024

After-School Tutoring and Homework Help

A group of Community Organizations is working together to provide after-school tutoring and homework spaces for our community. The grade ranges from 1 to 12, but with a specific focus on students in Grades 7 to 12. Here is the link to see the full schedule and details for each site: https://www.caminowellbeing.ca/tutoring

For more information please contact Raas Siddiqui @ rsiddiqui@caminowellbeing.ca or (519) 404-2549

CAREERS at WCDSB

Did you know that WCDSB has various career opportunities? There are supply opportunities like lunch hour supervisors, supply administrative assistant positions and more. Be sure to check out https://www.wcdsb.ca/careers/ for job opportunities and how to apply.

CSAC ~ Catholic School Advisory Council

Any parent can be a part of our CSAC council, also known as Parent Council. Some of CSAC’s responsibilities include planning our fundraisers, deciding how to spend our fundraising dollars, volunteering for different initiatives and sharing your opinion about what the Council can do! To find out more, have a look at the resources below. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 6th at 6 pm. You can attend virtually or in person. Please email paula.pizarro@wcdsb.ca if you’d like to attend in person or virtually.

Hot Lunches

When families place lunch orders, the school receives a small donation. The school receives $1 from each Pita Pit order, $1 from each Twice the Deal Pizza order, and $0.50 from the Lunch Lady. All the proceeds go towards the school and student needs.

Tuesday – Pita Pit (Order instructions here: Pita Pit Ordering Information and Link)
Wednesday – Twice The Deal Pizza (through School Cash Online)
Thursday – Lunch Lady (there are some gluten-free options available NOW) (through School Cash Online)
Orders may be placed weekly or in advance for the entire length of the program.

WOOLWICH COMMUNITY SERVICES & COUNSELLING

https://www.wcdsb.ca/our-schools/register-for-school/extended-day-program/

Visit https://www.woolwichcommunityservices.org for the most up-to-date information. WCA Brochure

January Deep Learning Skill: Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we step into the month of January at St. Teresa of Avila School, our focus will be on fostering Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship among our students. These essential skills empower students to ask questions, share their opinions, and cultivate new ideas. We aim to inspire them to contribute solutions to real-world problems, nurturing leadership qualities, imagination, creativity, and the ability to motivate others.

Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship are crucial skills for personal and academic growth, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in the future. We encourage you to actively engage with your child at home by fostering an environment that supports these skills. Encourage them to explore, question, and share their thoughts, allowing their creativity to flourish.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in cultivating a dynamic and enriching educational experience for your child.

Your partner in education,

P. Pizarro

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations Themes: A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker

How many items does your child(ren) lose yearly to the Lost and Found or, worse yet, goes in the trash? Want to save money by NOT having to replace lost items because no one knows who it belongs to? Get Mabel’s Labels!

We are happy to report that our school signed up for an ongoing fundraiser with Mabel’s Labels. Our school has the opportunity to earn 20% commission on all sales, and you have the peace of mind of knowing that your child(ren)’s items are labelled. And we are thankful that our Lost and Found does not fill up every term.

Factory Shoe Partnership – Indoor Shoes and Boots

Now that the snow has arrived, we kindly ask that your child has a pair of indoor running shoes that stay at school. When students take their shoes home, they sometimes forget to return them to school.

For safety reasons, students need to wear running shoes in gym class. The running shoes also help to protect feet/toes from getting crushed by a chair leg or banging against a desk leg. A pair of shoes is also essential if we evacuate due to a fire alarm, as we cannot wait for students to get their boots on. Students are not allowed to wear their boots in class because it becomes a slipping hazard due to the floors getting wet.

If you need financial assistance for indoor shoes, don’t hesitate to contact the office, and we will try our best to help. We have partnered up with Factory Shoe, where for any purchase of children’s boots over $35, our school will receive a small donation that we can put towards school items. When you go to pay, ask them to donate towards St. Teresa School in Elmira.

Coming Up:

Wednesday, February 7: Winter Walk Day
Thursday, February 8: 2 PM Palm Burning
Tuesday, February 13: Pancake Tuesday and celebrate St. Valentine’s Day (no food, please; loot bag items are best), Mardi Gras Fun Day in the afternoon
Wednesday, February 14: 9 AM Ash Wednesday Mass at the church
Feb. 15-Mar. 8 – School Climate Survey
Thursday, February 15: Term 1 Report Cards Go Home
Monday, February 19: Family Day (No School)
Wednesday, March 6: Dance-A-Thon!!
March 8-15: March Break
Thursday, March 21: 10 AM Lenten School Mass

Preregister Now for 2024-2025 Extended Day Program

The 2024-2025 school year Extended Day Program is open for Pre-Registration!

Extended Day Program

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board assesses the viability of the Extended Day Program at all schools every year. A program is determined viable when there is sufficient parental interest. Parents demonstrate their interest by pre-registering for the Extended Day Program yearly.

Please remember that viability is open yearly where parents can express their interest for a program to operate at their child’s school. Further information on registration is available at your child’s school or by emailing extended.day@wcdsb.ca.

Weekly Updates ~ Jan. 22-26, 2024

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” — Fred Rogers

Happy Sunday, Tornado Families:

This week is Mental Health Anti-Stigma Week! Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff on this very important work. We are here for you if you ever need support. Please know that you are never alone.

The staff and students will participate in mental health activities throughout the week. At St. Teresa of Avila, our staff and students are dedicated to practicing good mental health every day, so this week will be in addition to all the good activities we already do. For more information on WCDSB Mental Health, click HERE.

The 2024-2025 School Year Extended Day Program is open for Pre-Registration!

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board assesses the viability of the Extended Day Program at all schools every year. A program is determined viable when there is sufficient parental interest. Parents demonstrate their interest by pre-registering for the Extended Day Program yearly.

Please remember that viability is open yearly, and parents can express their interest in a program to operate at their child’s school. Further information on registration is available at your child’s school or by emailing extended.day@wcdsb.ca.

Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 NOW OPEN

Do you have a little one at home or a friend or neighbour with little ones who will be eligible for kindergarten next year? Kindergarten registration for the 2024 – 2025 school year is available for Waterloo Region’s 43 Catholic elementary schools — providing the Region’s youngest citizens with a chance to benefit from a 185-year tradition of education excellence. Students do not need to be Catholic to apply; however, the students will be expected to participate and learn in a Catholic school setting.

Children born in 2020 are eligible for JK/Year 1 Kindergarten.

Children born in 2019 are eligible for SK/Year 2 Kindergarten.

You have two options for registration: online or in person at the school.

Click here for more information: WCDSB Kindergarten Registration

School Climate Survey Feb. 15-Mar. 8

Before the March Break, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) will be conducting school climate surveys to collect information from students and families. While the Ministry of Education requires all school districts to conduct these surveys (Education Act s.169.1(1)(a), (a.1), (a.2) and PPM 145), we are committed to providing a safe, caring, and inclusive place for everyone in our schools. The purpose of the school climate surveys is to assess the perceptions of safety (e.g., from students, and families), make informed planning decisions about programs to help prevent bullying and promote safe and inclusive schools, determine the effectiveness of programs on an ongoing basis, and build and sustain a positive school climate. Below you will find details related to each survey.

For Families:
We will administer a school climate survey for Families between February 15^th and March 8^th. You will be provided with the link to participate on February 15^th.

For Students:
We will invite students in grades 4 through grade 12 to participate in the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) between February 15^th and March 8th. The MDI is an anonymous and voluntary online survey and will take place during class time on a board-provided device with their classroom teacher. The MDI survey asks students about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in school and in the community related to five areas of development that are strongly linked to well-being, health, and academic achievement: Physical Health & Well-Being, Connectedness, Social & Emotional Development, School Experiences, and Use of After-School Time. Additionally, students will be asked demographic questions on the survey (e.g., Adults they live with, Number of siblings, Gender, School, Grade, Indigenous identity, Race, First language, and English proficiency) in accordance with the Anti-Racism Act (ARA s.6(5)).

The MDI was developed by researchers at the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the administration of the MDI will be facilitated by the WCDSB Research Department.

Any student may choose not to participate, to stop participating, or to skip a question at any time. Additionally, parents/guardians of students under 18 years of age can ask that their child be exempt from participating in the MDI survey by completing this opt-out form before February 8^th, 2024. For more information, please visit our Student School Climate webpage: https://www.wcdsb.ca/school-climate-survey/

Please have a look at what is coming up this week:

Monday, January 22

Scripps Spelling Bee competition at school (for those students who entered)
Practice Good Posture – Back Exercises video

Tuesday, January 23

Pita Lunch Day (if you ordered)
Practice Circular Breathing video

Wednesday, January 24

Spirit Wear Day! Or wear blue and/or red
Pizza Lunch Day (if you ordered)
Breathing and Noticing Exercise video

Thursday, January 25

Lunch Lady Day (if you ordered)
Five-Minute Gratitude video

Friday, January 26

How to Improve Mental Health video
Goodbye to Mr. Elchert (our awesome afternoon custodian), who is moving on to John Sweeney!

Mental Health and Wellness

Circle of Security Parent Groups (8-week group) – Learning to read your children’s emotional needs; supporting your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions, enhance the development of your child’s self-esteem Camino Flyer – COSP Winter 2024 4 DoD Winter 2024 flyer
Free To Be Me – Female identifying and non-binary identifying youth, ages 10-13 (8-week group) Free to be Me Winter 2024
Defeating Our Dragons for youth of all genders, ages 14-17. Neurodiverse are welcome. Six-week group where the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons will be used to teach participants about navigating anxiety and depression in a group setting. DoD Winter 2024 flyer

A Message From Fr. Peter & Parish News

January 14, 2024 Bulletin: January 14, 2024
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive – Join us for learning, support and fun on a Friday evening, held on the 2nd and 3rd Fridays of each month. These get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. Join in-person (700 King St. West, Hamilton), or by ZOOM. Contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 if you plan to attend in person and for the zoom link if joining online. We look forward to seeing you!
COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR KICK-OFF! CNOY 2024 is February 24, 2024

Artshine Winter 2 Information

After-School Tutoring and Homework Help

A group of Community Organizations is working together to provide after-school tutoring and homework spaces for our community. The grade ranges from 1 to 12, but with a specific focus on students in Grades 7 to 12. Here is the link to see the full schedule and details for each site: https://www.caminowellbeing.ca/tutoring

For more information please contact Raas Siddiqui @ rsiddiqui@caminowellbeing.ca or (519) 404-2549

CAREERS at WCDSB

Did you know that WCDSB has various career opportunities? There are supply opportunities like lunch hour supervisors, supply administrative assistant positions and more. Be sure to check out https://www.wcdsb.ca/careers/ for job opportunities and how to apply.

CSAC ~ Catholic School Advisory Council

Any parent can be a part of our CSAC council, also known as Parent Council. Some of CSAC’s responsibilities include planning our fundraisers, deciding how to spend our fundraising dollars, volunteering for different initiatives and sharing your opinion about what the Council can do! To find out more, have a look at the resources below. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 6th at 6 pm. You can attend virtually or in person. Please email paula.pizarro@wcdsb.ca if you’d like to attend in person or virtually.

Hot Lunches

When families place lunch orders, the school receives a small donation. The school receives $1 from each Pita Pit order, $1 from each Twice the Deal Pizza order, and $0.50 from the Lunch Lady. All the proceeds go towards the school and student needs.

Tuesday – Pita Pit (Order instructions here: Pita Pit Ordering Information and Link)
Wednesday – Twice The Deal Pizza (through School Cash Online)
Thursday – Lunch Lady (there are some gluten-free options available NOW) (through School Cash Online)
Orders may be placed weekly or in advance for the entire length of the program.

WOOLWICH COMMUNITY SERVICES & COUNSELLING

Visit https://www.woolwichcommunityservices.org for the most up-to-date information. WCA Brochure

January Deep Learning Skill: Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we step into the month of January at St. Teresa of Avila School, our focus will be on fostering Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship among our students. These essential skills empower students to ask questions, share their opinions, and cultivate new ideas. We aim to inspire them to contribute solutions to real-world problems, nurturing leadership qualities, imagination, creativity, and the ability to motivate others.

Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship are crucial skills for personal and academic growth, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in the future. We encourage you to actively engage with your child at home by fostering an environment that supports these skills. Encourage them to explore, question, and share their thoughts, allowing their creativity to flourish.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in cultivating a dynamic and enriching educational experience for your child.

Your partner in education,

P. Pizarro

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations Themes: A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker

How many items does your child(ren) lose yearly to the Lost and Found or, worse yet, goes in the trash? Want to save money by NOT having to replace lost items because no one knows who it belongs to? Get Mabel’s Labels!

We are happy to report that our school signed up for an ongoing fundraiser with Mabel’s Labels. Our school has the opportunity to earn 20% commission on all sales, and you have the peace of mind of knowing that your child(ren)’s items are labelled. And we are thankful that our Lost and Found does not fill up every term.

Factory Shoe Partnership – Indoor Shoes and Boots

Now that the snow has arrived, we kindly ask that your child has a pair of indoor running shoes that stay at school. When students take their shoes home, they sometimes forget to return them to school.

For safety reasons, students need to wear running shoes in gym class. The running shoes also help to protect feet/toes from getting crushed by a chair leg or banging against a desk leg. A pair of shoes is also essential if we evacuate due to a fire alarm, as we cannot wait for students to get their boots on. Students are not allowed to wear their boots in class because it becomes a slipping hazard due to the floors getting wet.

If you need financial assistance for indoor shoes, don’t hesitate to contact the office, and we will try our best to help. We have partnered up with Factory Shoe, where for any purchase of children’s boots over $35, our school will receive a small donation that we can put towards school items. When you go to pay, ask them to donate towards St. Teresa School in Elmira.

Coming Up:

Wednesday, February 7: Grade 6-8 Chicopee Ski Trip (Information to Follow); Winter Walk Day
Thursday, February 8: 2 PM Palm Burning
Tuesday, February 13: Pancake Tuesday and celebrate St. Valentine’s Day (no food, please; loot bag items are best), Mardi Gras Fun Day in the afternoon
Wednesday, February 14: 9 AM Ash Wednesday Mass at the church
Feb. 15-Mar. 8 – School Climate Survey
Thursday, February 15: Term 1 Report Cards Go Home
Monday, February 19: Family Day (No School)
Wednesday, March 6: Dance-A-Thon!!
March 8-15: March Break
Thursday, March 21: 10 AM Lenten School Mass

P.A. Day Friday, January 19th ~ No School For Students

2024-2025 Extended Day Program Pre-Registration

The 2024-2025 school year Extended Day Program is open for Pre-Registration!

Extended Day Program

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board assesses the viability of the Extended Day Program at all schools every year. A program is determined viable when there is sufficient parental interest. Parents demonstrate their interest by pre-registering for the Extended Day Program yearly.

Please remember that viability is open yearly where parents can express their interest for a program to operate at their child’s school. Further information on registration is available at your child’s school or by emailing extended.day@wcdsb.ca.

Bus 236 Delayed 30-40 Minutes

RouteID	Zone	BusStops	Operator	Message	Reason	When	Schools	Transfers	Comment
236(236 (TEE003))			SHARP	Delayed 30 – 40 minutes	Weather	12:01 AM – 11:00 AM	St. Teresa (E)

Weekly Updates: Jan. 15-19, 2024

Happy Sunday, Tornado Families:

We had a great first week back at school! The week began with an assembly for our grades 1-8 students about our routines and safety in the schoolyard. Here is the information shared with our staff and students: January School Assembly

The recess activities have not been taken away; they are now streamlined as we have been dealing with different grades playing together (specifically soccer), where the students get physically hurt, get into fights and arguments, chirp one another, etc. Students have been talking back to the adults, excluding students, and it carries into the classroom after recess, interrupting learning. For these reasons, the junior and intermediate grades have specific days to play soccer, basketball, etc. There have also been problems with students playing soccer on other parts of the field that are not designated for soccer, resulting in the same as mentioned above. The injuries due to students not playing in the designated ball zones are most concerning (i.e., head injuries). For the safety of all concerned, this is the plan for now.

We kindly ask that students not bring any equipment from home. Each class has different equipment and has received instructions on its proper use. For example, a volleyball is to be used to volley, not to be used as a soccer ball. We appreciate all your support with this endeavour.

We have a short week this week as staff have a P.A. Day, and there is no school for students on Friday.

Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 NOW OPEN

Do you have a little one at home or a friend or neighbour with little ones who will be eligible for kindergarten next year? Kindergarten registration for the 2024 – 2025 school year is available for Waterloo Region’s 43 Catholic elementary schools — providing the Region’s youngest citizens with a chance to benefit from a 185-year tradition of education excellence. Students do not need to be Catholic to apply; however, the students will be expected to participate and learn in a Catholic school setting.

Children born in 2020 are eligible for JK/Year 1 Kindergarten.

Children born in 2019 are eligible for SK/Year 2 Kindergarten.

You have two options for registration: online or in person at the school.

Click here for more information: WCDSB Kindergarten Registration

Factory Shoe Partnership – Indoor Shoes and Boots

Now that the snow has arrived, we kindly ask that your child has a pair of indoor running shoes that stay at school. When students take their shoes home, they sometimes forget to return them to school.

For safety reasons, students need to wear running shoes in gym class. The running shoes also help to protect feet/toes from getting crushed by a chair leg or banging against a desk leg. A pair of shoes is also essential if we evacuate due to a fire alarm, as we cannot wait for students to get their boots on. Students are not allowed to wear their boots in class because it becomes a slipping hazard due to the floors getting wet.

If you need financial assistance for indoor shoes, don’t hesitate to contact the office, and we will try our best to help. We have partnered up with Factory Shoe, where for any purchase of children’s boots over $35, our school will receive a small donation that we can put towards school items. When you go to pay, ask them to put the donation towards St. Teresa School in Elmira.

Please have a look at what is coming up this week:

Monday, January 15

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 16

Pita Lunch Day (if you ordered)
Artshine for those students who are registered

Wednesday, January 17

Spirit Wear Day! Or wear blue and/or red
Pizza Lunch Day (if you ordered)

Thursday, January 18

Lunch Lady Day (if you ordered)

Friday, January 19

P.A. Day – School Closed

Mental Health and Wellness

Circle of Security Parent Groups (8-week group) – Learning to read your children’s emotional needs; supporting your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions, enhance the development of your child’s self-esteem Camino Flyer – COSP Winter 2024 4 DoD Winter 2024 flyer
Free To Be Me – Female identifying and non-binary identifying youth, ages 10-13 (8-week group) Free to be Me Winter 2024
Defeating Our Dragons for youth of all genders, ages 14-17. Neurodiverse are welcome. Six-week group where the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons will be used to teach participants about navigating anxiety and depression in a group setting. DoD Winter 2024 flyer

A Message From Fr. Peter & Parish News

January 14, 2024 Bulletin: January 14, 2024
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive – Join us for learning, support and fun on a Friday evening, held on the 2nd and 3rd Fridays of each month. These get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. Join in-person (700 King St. West, Hamilton), or by ZOOM. Contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 if you plan to attend in person and for the zoom link if joining online. We look forward to seeing you!
COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR KICK-OFF! CNOY 2024 is February 24, 2024

Artshine Winter 2 Information

After-School Tutoring and Homework Help

A group of Community Organizations is working together to provide after-school tutoring and homework spaces for our community. The grade ranges from 1 to 12, but with a specific focus on students in Grades 7 to 12. Here is the link to see the full schedule and details for each site: https://www.caminowellbeing.ca/tutoring

For more information please contact Raas Siddiqui @ rsiddiqui@caminowellbeing.ca or (519) 404-2549

CAREERS at WCDSB

Did you know that WCDSB has various career opportunities? There are supply opportunities like lunch hour supervisors, supply administrative assistant positions and more. Be sure to check out https://www.wcdsb.ca/careers/ for job opportunities and how to apply.

CSAC ~ Catholic School Advisory Council

Any parent can be a part of our CSAC council, also known as Parent Council. Some of CSAC’s responsibilities include planning our fundraisers, deciding how to spend our fundraising dollars, volunteering for different initiatives and sharing your opinion about what the Council can do! To find out more, have a look at the resources below. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 6th at 6 pm. You can attend virtually or in person. Please email paula.pizarro@wcdsb.ca if you’d like to attend in person or virtually.

Hot Lunches

When families place lunch orders, the school receives a small donation. The school receives $1 from each Pita Pit order, $1 from each Twice the Deal Pizza order, and $0.50 from the Lunch Lady. All the proceeds go towards the school and student needs.

Tuesday – Pita Pit (Order instructions here: Pita Pit Ordering Information and Link)
Wednesday – Twice The Deal Pizza (through School Cash Online)
Thursday – Lunch Lady (there are some gluten-free options available NOW) (through School Cash Online)
Orders may be placed weekly or in advance for the entire length of the program.

WOOLWICH COMMUNITY SERVICES & COUNSELLING

Visit https://www.woolwichcommunityservices.org for the most up-to-date information. WCA Brochure

January Deep Learning Skill: Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we step into the month of January at St. Teresa of Avila School, our focus will be on fostering Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship among our students. These essential skills empower students to ask questions, share their opinions, and cultivate new ideas. We aim to inspire them to contribute solutions to real-world problems, nurturing leadership qualities, imagination, creativity, and the ability to motivate others.

Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship are crucial skills for personal and academic growth, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in the future. We encourage you to actively engage with your child at home by fostering an environment that supports these skills. Encourage them to explore, question, and share their thoughts, allowing their creativity to flourish.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in cultivating a dynamic and enriching educational experience for your child.

Your partner in education,

P. Pizarro

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations Themes: A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker

Greentec – Turn Your Old Cellphones and Laptops into Food for the Waterloo Region Food Bank

Starting December 7th, people can drop off old or unwanted smartphones, laptops, and tablets at The Food Bank at 50 Alpine Court in Kitchener, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Greentec will collect and recycle the devices and donate their end-of-life value back to The Food Bank—supporting its work of acquiring and distributing food to the Community Food Assistance Network, a system of 120+ community programs and agency partners that provide food, support, and services to people in need.

How many items does your child(ren) lose yearly to the Lost and Found or, worse yet, goes in the trash? Want to save money by NOT having to replace lost items because no one knows who it belongs to? Get Mabel’s Labels!

We are happy to report that our school signed up for an ongoing fundraiser with Mabel’s Labels. Our school has the opportunity to earn 20% commission on all sales, and you have the peace of mind of knowing that your child(ren)’s items are labelled. And we are thankful that our Lost and Found does not fill up every term.

Coming Up:

January 22 – 26: Mental Health Anti-Stigma & Help-Seeking Week!
Wednesday, February 7: Grade 4-8 Chicopee Ski Trip
Thursday, February 8: 2 PM Palm Burning
Tuesday, February 13: Pancake Tuesday and celebrate Valentine’s Day
Wednesday, February 14: 9 AM Ash Wednesday Mass
Thursday, February 15: Term 1 Report Cards Go Home
Monday, February 19: Family Day (No School)
Wednesday, March 6: Dance-A-Thon!!
March 8-15: March Break
Thursday, March 21: 10 AM Lenten School Mass

WCDSB Kindergarten Registration is OPEN!

Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 NOW OPEN

Do you have a little one at home or a friend or neighbour with little ones who will be eligible for kindergarten next year? Kindergarten registration for the 2024 – 2025 school year is available for Waterloo Region’s 43 Catholic elementary schools — providing the Region’s youngest citizens with a chance to benefit from a 185-year tradition of education excellence. Students do not need to be Catholic to apply; however, the students will be expected to participate and learn in a Catholic school setting.

Children born in 2020 are eligible for JK/Year 1 Kindergarten.

Children born in 2019 are eligible for SK/Year 2 Kindergarten.

You have two options for registration: online or in person at the school.

Click here for more information: WCDSB Kindergarten Registration

QUICKFacts

~~ When registering your child to attend a Catholic elementary school, you must be prepared to provide proof of the child’s date of birth and either the child’s Catholic baptismal certificate or the Catholic baptismal certificate of at least one parent or guardian.

~~ If you are non-Catholic (including a non-Catholic newcomer to Canada), but wish to explore a Catholic education for your child(ren), please review the WCDSB Admissions to Catholic Elementary Schools policy. Our secondary schools are open to students of all faiths.

~~ A complete list of WCDSB schools that will offer the Extended Day Program in 2024-25 will be web-posted before the end of this current (2023-24) school year. Please call your school directly for information about the Extended Day Program. A complete list of WCDSB schools currently providing the program is available via this link: Extended Day Program. Our school did not have Extended Day this year because we did not meet the minimum requirement by the due date. We will send out information when it becomes available for you to register for the extended day program with reminders of the closing date so the program can reopen at our location.

~~ For information about French Immersion programs in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, please click here: French Immersion Registration Information.

Bus 236 Delayed 20-30 minutes

Mechanical issue

Weekly Updates ~ Jan. 8-12, 2024

“May the Epiphany remind us of the good news of Christ.”

Happy Sunday, Tornado Families:

We hope you all had a restful holiday and were able to celebrate with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school tomorrow ~ Monday, January 8, 2024!

The start of the new calendar year is a great time to reset. This may mean reviewing our goals, working towards them, or setting new ones. This is the perfect time to remind students of the expectations and routines at school. This week, we will have a Code of Conduct assembly with the students to remind them of those. Challenge your child(ren) to say or do at least one kind act daily to someone they do not typically talk to!

Winter reminder of the dangers of throwing snow/ice and sliding on any icy spots/hills outside. Serious injury can often result from what is often considered ‘just good fun’ or ‘joking around’ in the snow. At school, we enforce the rule of NO SNOWBALLS at any time. Students are also not allowed to kick or “throw snow” for the same reasons. Please reinforce this important rule with your child(ren) at home. This helps us all remain safe while walking to and from school each day and playing at recess. Sending an extra pair of mitts and socks in your child(ren)’s backpack is recommended.

Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 NOW OPEN

Do you have a little one at home or a friend or neighbour with little ones who will be eligible for kindergarten next year? Kindergarten registration for the 2024 – 2025 school year is available for Waterloo Region’s 43 Catholic elementary schools — providing the Region’s youngest citizens with a chance to benefit from a 185-year tradition of education excellence. Students do not need to be Catholic to apply; however, the students will be expected to participate and learn in a Catholic school setting.

Children born in 2020 are eligible for JK/Year 1 Kindergarten.

Children born in 2019 are eligible for SK/Year 2 Kindergarten.

You have two options for registration: online or in person at the school.

Click here for more information: WCDSB Kindergarten Registration

Factory Shoe Partnership – Indoor Shoes and Boots

Now that the snow has arrived, we kindly ask that your child has a pair of indoor running shoes that stay at school. When students take their shoes home, they sometimes forget to return them to school.

For safety reasons, students need to wear running shoes in gym class. The running shoes also help to protect feet/toes from getting crushed by a chair leg or banging against a desk leg. A pair of shoes is also essential if we evacuate due to a fire alarm, as we cannot wait for students to get their boots on. Students are not allowed to wear their boots in class because it becomes a slipping hazard due to the floors getting wet.

If you need financial assistance for indoor shoes, don’t hesitate to contact the office, and we will try our best to help. We have partnered up with Factory Shoe, where for any purchase of children’s boots over $35, our school will receive a small donation that we can put towards school items. When you go to pay, ask them to put the donation towards St. Teresa School in Elmira.

Please have a look at what is coming up this week:

Monday, January 8

Welcome Back To School!

Tuesday, January 9

Pita Lunch Day (if you ordered)
Artshine for those students who are registered

Wednesday, January 10

Spirit Wear Day! Or wear blue and/or red
Pizza Lunch Day (if you ordered)
AM – Grade 2 Laurel Creek Field Trip – Please dress for the outdoors
PM – Grade 7 Laurel Creek Field Trip – Please dress for the outdoors

Thursday, January 11

Lunch Lady Day (if you ordered)

Friday, January 12

Breathe and get a good nights rest

A Message From Fr. Peter & Parish News

Please have a look at the Parish Bulletin here: December 31, 2023 & January 7, 2024

In the bulletin, you will also find some events for the adults in the community. Be sure to check them out!

RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive – Join us for learning, support and fun on a Friday evening, held on the 2nd and 3rd Fridays of each month. These get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. Join in-person (700 King St. West, Hamilton), or by ZOOM. Contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 if you plan to attend in person and for the zoom link if joining online. We look forward to seeing you!
COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR KICK-OFF! CNOY 2024 is February 24, 2024

Artshine Winter 2 Information

After-School Tutoring and Homework Help

A group of Community Organizations is working together to provide after-school tutoring and homework spaces for our community. The grade ranges from 1 to 12, but with a specific focus on students in Grades 7 to 12. Here is the link to see the full schedule and details for each site: https://www.caminowellbeing.ca/tutoring

For more information please contact Raas Siddiqui @ rsiddiqui@caminowellbeing.ca or (519) 404-2549

CAREERS at WCDSB

Did you know that WCDSB has various career opportunities? There are supply opportunities like lunch hour supervisors, supply administrative assistant positions and more. Be sure to check out https://www.wcdsb.ca/careers/ for job opportunities and how to apply.

CSAC ~ Catholic School Advisory Council

Any parent can be a part of our CSAC council, also known as Parent Council. Some of CSAC’s responsibilities include planning our fundraisers, deciding how to spend our fundraising dollars, volunteering for different initiatives and sharing your opinion about what the Council can do! To find out more, have a look at the resources below. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 6th at 6 pm. You can attend virtually or in person. Please email paula.pizarro@wcdsb.ca if you’d like to attend in person or virtually.

Hot Lunches

When families place lunch orders, the school receives a small donation. The school receives $1 from each Pita Pit order, $1 from each Twice the Deal Pizza order, and $0.50 from the Lunch Lady. All the proceeds go towards the school and student needs.

Tuesday – Pita Pit (Order instructions here: Pita Pit Ordering Information and Link)
Wednesday – Twice The Deal Pizza (through School Cash Online)
Thursday – Lunch Lady (there are some gluten-free options available NOW) (through School Cash Online)
Orders may be placed weekly or in advance for the entire length of the program.

WOOLWICH COMMUNITY SERVICES & COUNSELLING