Admin
Home  smcdsbcat  Newsletter  St. Catherine of Siena Schoo...  End of October Update

End of October Update
Published on Oct 23, 2017 11:31

Good Monday Morning Everyone....

I hope this note finds you well. Here are some news items and updates:

* Our school has emergency plans in place for any number of possibilities: Violent Intruder, Fire, Severe Weather and Bomb threats. This week, we will be reviewing with our students our "Lockdown" plans for both indoor and outdoor. Classroom teachers will review the plans with their students and I will follow up with them in assemblies later this week. Our Community Service Barrie city Police officer will be here next Monday, Oct. 30 for our practice to evaluate and provide feedback for our preparedness. If you would like to discuss any of our plans, please give me a call. Thank you.

* Our first SWEET Day will occur on Friday, Oct. 27 of this week. SWEET is an acronym for "Super Wicked Epic Electives Time". Students have an opportunity to choose from several activities to enjoy for the afternoon.  As part of our Mental Health strategy, we use these days as a means of appealing to a wide range of our kids' interests....we want ALL our kids to feel like St. Catherine of Siena has a place for them....that everyone belongs at our school.A student's sense of belonging is a huge marker for a healthy school's well-being. A huge thank you to Mrs. Sponagle and Mr. Cillis for organizing and to all the staff for providing the activities. Should be a fun afternoon!

* Halloween will be celebrated next week on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Our social justice group will be organizing a dance for our entire school (grades will each have their own time in the gym). Halloween costumes are absolutely allowed! We would simply ask that the costumes not portray violence or gore....thanks!

* "We Scare Hunger" is the name of our school's food drive. Please bring in your non-perishable food items that will support needy families in our community. Thank you to Mrs. Chenier for organizing.

* Progress reports will go home on Nov. 15. This is a report that will give you an early indication as to how your child is progressing. This report does not have "grades" just an indication of their progress. We encourage that ALL our parents arrange an interview with their child's teacher. We will once again offer an "on-line" interview booking system. We will send home within the next week the link to booking your appointment with the teacher along with a password. Interviews will occur on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 4-8 pm and all day Friday, Nov. 17. Nov. 17 is a PD day...no classes for students. Thanks.

* Our Thanksgiving Mass was tremendous. Our grade 1 students in Mrs. Biemann's class and grade 5 students in Mr. Luymes' class organized.....they did a great job! Our choir consisted of all our grade 4's...as usual, Mrs. Linden prepared them exceptionally well and the music was great! Mrs. Kyrsko arranged the technology that allows kids to follow along with each part of the Mass...so that they can learn about the significance of the various stages of Mass. Fr. Mark shared with our students how fortunate we all are - and the gifts we have been given to be "thankful" for. It was great to see so many parents and extended family join us. You are always welcome to attend our Masses.

* Remembrance Day - This year Remembrance Day falls on a Saturday. We will have our service on Friday, Nov. 10 beginning at approximately 10:30 am. We have requested a speaker from Base Borden along with poetry, music and other experiences designed to pay homage to our soldiers...past and present. Our students will also engage in classroom activities designed to create a further understanding of our armed forces and the incredible sacrifices that have been made through the years by Canadians to promote peace and freedom.

* Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board Book Launch on Oct. 25 at 6:00 pm at Holy Spirit Parish - "Our Story - Our Journey". Our school board is hosting a Mass and book launch that chronicles the history of our school board and each of each its' 50 schools. You are invited to attend this evening. Please follow this link if you are interested in attending.  On-line Form There will be a reception following the Mass. The author of the book will give an overview our history.

* WowButter as a lunch. I have been approached at a recent CSCC meeting regarding the use of WowButter as a lunch alternative to peanut butter. The answer is...yes, it can be taken to school. Please read this next paragraph and visit the link attached:

WOWBUTTER was designed and developed as a peanut free spread to provide the necessary protein and nutrition that all kids need, while providing a safe school environment to those allergic to peanuts and nuts. It provides a 100% peanut free school lunch solution for the traditional school lunch staple, the peanut butter sandwich.  WOWBUTTER is a safe and nutritious new food staple that is 100% Peanut & Nut Free and is supported with an accompanying School Lunch Procedure for lunch identification.

That's it for now.....

All the best,

Rich