IT STARTS in the Schools
February 2011
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 3 St. Richard Catholic School Extended French information evening 960 Bellamy Rd. N., Scarborough 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5301
February 4 Monsignor John Corrigan Catholic West Region – Girls Individual Chess Tournament School 9:30 a.m. 100 Royalcrest Rd., Etobicoke 416-393-5399
February 7 St. Bede Catholic School East Region - Girls Individual Chess Tournament 521 Sewells Rd., Scarborough 9:30 a.m. 416-393-5425
February 7 - 11 TCDSB Catholic Education Centre Display of students’ artwork related to psychology 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto CEC Atrium (2nd Floor) 416-222-8282 ext. 2626
February 4, 5, Brebeuf College School TCDSB Staff Arts Opening Night 11, 12 211 Steeles Ave. E., North York 7:30 p.m. 416-222-8282 ext 2787 (ARTS) Adults $17.50, Student $10.00
February 9 St. Benedict Catholic School Extended French information evening 2202 Kipling Ave., Etobicoke 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5267
February 9 St. Luke Catholic School Online social Networking Presentation 319 Ossington Ave., Toronto 7:00 p.m., School Gym 416-393-5347
February 10 St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School Extended French information evening 116 Fermanagh Ave., Toronto 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5227
February 11 Father Serra Catholic School 8th annual Give from the Heart Dance-A-Thon 111 Sun Row Dr., Etobicoke fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 416-393-5391 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
February 14 Transfiguration of Our Lord Valentine’s Day Dance Catholic School (JK-8) 55 Ludstone Dr., Etobicoke 416-393-5276
February 15 Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary Loretto Abbey Senior Concert Band will be School participating in the Ontario Band Association 101 Mason Blvd., North York Festival 416-393-5510
February 17 Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary 2nd Annual Loretto Abbey Film Festival School 200 minutes of short films from Loretto Abbey, 101 Mason Blvd., North York Cardinal Carter, Marshall McLuhan and Chaminade 416-393-5510 College. Proceeds going to Me 2 We Adopt a Village. 7:00 p.m., auditorium
February 22 St. Patrick Catholic Secondary TCDSB Northern Spirit Games School 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 49 Felstead Ave., Toronto 416-393-5546
February 22 St. Anthony Catholic School Theatre Presentation: “Sugar and Gold” 130 Shanly St., Toronto the Story of the Underground Railroad 416-393-5210 1:30 p.m.
February 22 - 25 St. Luke Catholic School School Spirit Week 319 Ossington Ave., Toronto 416-393-5347
February 23 Don Bosco Catholic Secondary 2011 African Canadian Heritage Month Mass and School Cultural Expose 2 St. Andrews Blvd., Etobicoke 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 416-393-5525
February 23 TCDSB Catholic Education Centre Psychology Symposium for teachers/parents 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto Topic: Coping with Anxiety 416-222-8282 ext. 2626 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
February 23 St. Ambrose Catholic School Celebrate and Remember Open House 20 Coules Crt., Etobicoke 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 416-393-5259
February 24 Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic TCDSB Northern Spirit Games Secondary School 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 40 Sewells Rd., Scarborough 416-393-5538
February 24 Our Lady of Grace Catholic School Extended French information evening 121 Brimwood Blvd., Scarborough 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5372
February 24 St. Anthony Catholic School Family Math Night 130 Shanly St., Toronto 7:00 p.m., School Gym 416-393-5210
February 24 St. Jude Catholic School Celebration of Life Musical Concert 3251 Weston Rd., North York 9:00 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. 416-393-5279
February 25 St. Luke Catholic School Carnaval 319 Ossington Ave., Toronto students welcome Bonhomme 416-393-5347
February 25 Notre Dame Catholic Secondary African Canadian Heritage Month Dress Up Day School staff and students celebrate and dress in African 12 Malvern Ave., Toronto dresses/prints 416-393-5501
February 25 Archbishop Romero Catholic TCDSB Northern Spirit Games Secondary School 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 90 Humber Blvd., York 416-393-5555
February 26 St. Paschal Baylon Catholic School Parent Information Fair for Newcomers 15 St. Paschal Crt., North York 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 416-393-5283
February 28 TCDSB Catholic Education Centre Secondary French Public Speaking Contest 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto Grades 9 & 10: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (approx.) 416-222-8282 ext. 2540 Grades 11 & 12: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (approx.)
February 28 Msgr. Percy Johnson Catholic High TCDSB Northern Spirit Games School 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 2170 Kipling Ave., Etobicoke 416-393-5535
February 28 Transfiguration of Our Lord Substance Abuse Presentation Catholic School 1:15 p.m., Grades 4-6 55 Ludstone Dr., Etobicoke 416-393-5276
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Bishop Boisseneau Visits Students Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School had the pleasure of receiving a visit from Bishop Boisseneau on Friday, January 14th. His Excellence visited a number of classrooms, and enjoyed tea and treats with the staff at Our Lady of Sorrows.
Students Spread Cheer On Tuesday, January 11th, students from St. Josaphat Catholic School went caroling throughout their local community. Many financial institutions were visited and entertained with traditional Ukrainian carols and sayings. Mrs. Sokolyk, heritage Teacher, prepared the students for this event and they spent the morning on Bloor Street singing and praising the joys of the season.
Identity and Impact Awards The Toronto Youth Cabinet is a youth driven advocacy organization which strives to improve the quality of life for Toronto's youth. In working together with City Counsellors and through fostering partnership among youth organizations, the Cabinet is dedicated to providing young people with a forum in which they are able to build an equitable, youth-friendly Toronto.
Students from Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School nominated their Child and Youth Worker, Lina Naccarato, for her outstanding work with both the Toronto Public Health Department and East Metro Youth Services. Their proposed work project started in late spring and took flight in December 2010 where the pilot presentation entitled Healthy and Safe Dating Relationships was well received by all. This 2011 touring presentation which will be provided to interested grade 8 and 9 classes in the Toronto Catholic District School Board will touch the lives of many. In addition to presenting to students in TCDSB schools, this presentation will be offered to various inner city youth groups, community centers and interested agencies. Students from across the Greater Toronto Area will have an opportunity to engage in an interactive presentation provided by students in the Loretto Abbey's Safe Schools Committee. Intermediate elementary and secondary students will learn more about making healthy choices and knowing the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship.
The Child and Youth Worker of the Year Award which recognized Ms. Naccarato, was presented to her by Michael Cumberbatch who is the Senior Accounts Manager from TD Financial and he acknowledged her role in celebrating contributions that young people make to communities throughout Toronto and also recognized the important role youth play as advocates, visionaries and agents of social change.
Archbishop Romero Students Flourish in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme The Duke of Edinburgh‟s Award, an exciting self-development program available to young people between the ages of 14 and 25 has captured the interest of some Archbishop Romero students who have taken up the challenge with great enthusiasm. Since September 2006, beginning with a small group of 6 students, registration in the Duke of Edinburgh has grown to a current roster of 30 active participants.
Students continue to achieve the many goals they have set for themselves. Their fitness challenges are met on the basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, in the gym lifting weights and cross training, and in swimming pools across the city. They have undertaken the acquisition of new skills in photography, crocheting, playing musical instruments, chess, driving, leadership, languages, and debating. Their community service has included tutoring children in public libraries, serving in their churches and ethnic language schools on the weekend, assisting in youth programs, and even dog sitting. Romero students have learned the basics of orienteering in preparation for their outdoor expedition. They have learned how to use a compass, how to set up camp in the woods, how to hike safely.
Last June sixteen Archbishop Romero students received their Bronze Award and another six received their Silver Award. Currently at Archbishop Romero there are 10 new students working on their Bronze Awards, 15 working on their Silver, and four working on their Gold Award.
International Literacy Programme Grade 4 classes at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School have been invited to participate in the "International Literacy Program: Getting to Know You" by HOZA! Creative Mediation in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Education South Africa. On Friday, January 14th, students began blogging a group of Grade 4 peers from Ikhusi Elementary School in South Africa. Eagerly they asked who they are, what their school is like and expressed their excitement about communicating regularly with them across the continent. Varieties of activities are planned for February and March tying in with Black History month. Drumming and dancing involving Grade 4 students from four other school boards in Ontario will culminate the events for the year.
Miss Ryall and Mrs. McKoy (Grade 4 Teachers at St. Francis de Sales School) have set up a South Africa table in their classroom. From maps to texts to artifacts, the centres represent South African historical culture and traditions. The teachers will be exchanging and sharing information by blogging to the South Africa staff of Ikhusi school. Ms. Rachel Ryall (Gr. 3-4 Teacher), Mr. Michael Caccamo (Principal), Ms. Merlyn McKoy (Grade 4 Teacher), Ms. Marisa Agostini (JLI Teacher/Coach)
Students Awarded for 2010 Essay Competition Various TCDSB students have been announced winners in the Essay Competition organized by the Human Rights and Race Relations Centre in 2010. The subject of the essay was „Five reasions why I love Canada and its diversity.‟
First prize winners include: Angela W. (Grade 11 Cardinal Newman Secondary School; Emily L. (Grade 12. Senator O‟Connor College School); Jazel A. (Grade 10. Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School); Leslie O. (Grade 11. Cardinal Newman Secondary School); and Sanziana A (Grade 10. Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School).
Second prize recipients include: Kendra J. (Grade 8. St. Margaret Catholic Elementary School) and Manuel P. (Grade 8. St. Michael's Choir School).
Second prize winners of the Junior category include Johan T. (Grade 6. Sts. Cosmas and Damian Catholic School) and Patrick A. (Grade 6. Our Lady of Guadalupe)
St. Patrick Students Successful at Construction Challenge Students at St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School are one of three teams in the province to qualify for the international finals of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Construction Challenge taking place March 21st to 25th in Las Vegas.
The first and largest challenge at the Toronto Qualifying Rally held on January 15th at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute, required the students to design and build a roadway incorporating nine transportation infrastructure components allowing traffic to flow unobstructed, within a six hour timeframe. St. Patrick‟s students worked well as a team and utilized their collaboration and leadership skills to complete the task, winning 1st place in this challenge.
The second challenge required the team to design and build a water filtration system that would filter organic and inorganic contaminants. The challenge required the team to create a drawing representing the technical, architectural and engineering needs for their proposed water filtration system. The team had 20 minutes to complete the drawing and the system.
The third challenge required the students to prepare a proposal for an infrastructure improvement in their local community. The students needed to understand the infrastructure issue, and develop and present their proposal to decision makers. The proposal presentation was prepared in advance, and presented in front of a camera within a 10 minute window.
The award winning team comprises of: John A., Cesar B., Daniel E., Harveer G., Jose G., Sebastian L., Argus M. and Simon S, under the guidance of team leader Joe Saponara, Technology teacher at St. Pat‟s. Construction and Design Technology is part of St. Patrick‟s new Arts, Media and Technology program.
St. Francis de Sales School Celebrates Feast Day On Monday, January 24th, students and staff of St. Francis de Sales Catholic School celebrated the feast day of their patron saint. Staff and students engaged in a St. Francis de Sales Ritual and Liturgy involving a reflection on the life story of Francis, a gospel passage representing Francis‟s ways (“Duc in altum- Put out into the deep” Luke 5:4) and a prayer that Francis wrote.
During the Classroom Liturgy, students and staff gathered around the prayer table to receive the St. Francis de Sales blessing -- “Be who you are and be that well” – and receive a piece of holy bread to dip in honey and enjoy.
In preparation for the feast day, during the week prior, students and staff heard reflections and prayers about St. Francis de Sales during morning exercises and during classroom activities conducted by Teachers. St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of educators, journalists, writers, and deaf/hard of hearing people.
Principal’s Receive Accolades Congratulations to Antonio Morsillo from Holy Child Catholic School and Adrian Della Mora from Bishop Allen Academy for receiving the School Principal of Excellence Award from the Toronto Association of Parents in Catholic Education.
“IT STARTS IN THE SCHOOLS” is published monthly throughout the school year. Events, locations and times are subject to change. For more information, call 416-222-8282 Ext. 5314. This publication can be found on the Internet at www.tcdsb.org, see “news”.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board educates more than 90,000 students from diverse cultures and language backgrounds in its 201 Catholic elementary and secondary schools and serves 474,876 Catholic school supporters across the City of Toronto.
Toronto Catholic Schools Faith in Your Child
February 2011 Toronto Catholic District School Board, 80 Sheppard Ave. E., North York, ON M2N 6E8 phone: 416-222-8282 website: www.tcdsb.org email: [email protected]