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A Mid December Message
Published on Dec 10, 2018 11:29
Good Morning Everyone....
As we move into the second week of Advent, it won't be long before Christmas day is here! Lots of energy here at school as our kids look forward to Santa's visit. It's a magical time in the lives of kids...and for us all to experience it with them....let's enjoy it.
A few things:
* Santa's Breakfast was a tremendous success! Our largest crowd ever attended on a beautiful snowy Saturday morning here at school. Santa had many excited kids pay him a visit, gingerbread people were decorated - and eaten -, vendors sold some real nice Christmas crafts and baking and a good breakfast was served! I would like to thank Mrs. Couto for her leadership in coordinating our CSCC and for the parent volunteers who cooked, served and cleaned up. I'd also like to note the help provided to us by past St. Catherine of Siena graduates who came back to us to volunteer...it was great seeing them. "Once a Sabre Cat, always a Sabre Cat!"
A special thanks goes out to Mr. Paul Larmand. Paul's children graduated from our school a number of years ago and yet he still comes back to us to act as photographer for Santa's Breakfast - to take a picture of each of Santa's visitors. Thank you Paul.
I'd also like to acknowledge the continued support of our community by Mr. Joe Zerdin. Joe continues to support our community even though his two daughters are now at JOA. Joe may have a new nickname..."Mr. Santa's Breakfast". His fingerprints are all over the 'Santa' part ;).
I'd also like to thank Starbucks, who for the 6th year in a row, donated coffee and hot chocolate to us free of charge. They even delivered their product to us!! It is wonderful to know that businesses like Starbucks see the value in supporting local community events like ours.
Along with a great atmosphere, $500 of Santa's Breakfast proceeds are directed toward JOA's graduation whereby a former St. Catherine of Siena student headed for post secondary school will be awarded the "Joe Zerdin" bursary for "Volunteerism". With any remaining funds, a donation is made to a local initiative. In the past we have donated to Green Haven Women's Shelter and the Season's Center for Grieving children.
Over the past 14 years, over 4000 breakfasts have now been served as part of the event. An amazing way for our community to celebrate Advent...Jesus' birth.
* Our school has spent many hours making Christmas cards and gifts for the seniors living at Simcoe Terrace. A group of our students will be visiting them this coming Friday to sing some songs and play board games with the men and women living there. This will be a great experience for our students as they spend time with their elders at Christmas. Thank you to Mrs. McPhail, Mrs. Latour and Ms. Yellowage for leading this initiative.
* On Friday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 am our school will celebrate Mass at Holy Spirit Church on Essa Road. All our students will be bussed to and from the Church. Please join us for this Advent celebration.
Have a good week....
Rich
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