IT STARTS in the Schools Summer 2013 UPCOMING EVENTS August 28 - TCDSB – Boardwide Registration for TCDSB evening credit October 26 80 Sheppard Avenue East, North York courses begins 416.222.8282 (Registration continues through until October 11th for night school and October 26th for Saturday programs) Classes begin: September 30th and October 1st for night school October 7th for eClass September 21st for Saturday classes For information on registration visit: http://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/Conti nuingEducation/SecondaryCreditCourses/Nigh tSchool/nsregistration/Pages/default.aspx September 8 TCDSB – Boardwide International Literacy Day 80 Sheppard Avenue East, North York 416.222.8282 September 10 – TCDSB – Boardwide Caring and Safe Schools Weeks 21 80 Sheppard Avenue East, North York 416.222.8282 September 16 St. Ambrose Official Opening and Blessing 20 Coules Court, Etobicoke 7:00 p.m. 416.393.5259 September 19 St. Albert Parent and Family Literacy Centre 1125 Midland Avenue, Scarborough Grand Opening 416.33.5335 10:30 a.m. September 21 Prince of Peace 25th Anniversary Celebration 255 Alton Towers Circle, Scarborough 10 a.m. 416.393.5416 September 26 St. Anthony Parent and Family Literacy Centre 130 Shanly Street, Toronto Grand Opening 416.393.5210 10:30 a.m. September 30 St. Jerome 50th Anniversary 111 Sharpecroft Blvd, North York Afternoon activities begin at 12:45 p.m. 416.393.5294 Evening activities begin at 5:30 p.m. October 6 Madonna Catholic Secondary School 50th Anniversary 20 Dubray Avenue, North York 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 416.393.5506 RECENT HIGHLIGHTS TCDSB Appoints New Director of Education Angela Gauthier has been appointed as the new Director of Education effective August 1, 2013. A highly respected and experienced educator with an extensive record of achievement, Ms. Gauthier brings a wealth of leadership experience to the position, having served as the TCDSB’s Associate Director of Academic Affairs since 2008. During her tenure, she has focused on the Board’s 21st Century Learning strategy and improving access to technology for both students and teachers. As a graduate of the TCDSB (when it was known as the Metropolitan Separate School Board), Ms. Gauthier has a clear understanding of the gains already made by this Board and is very passionate about how we can better support the academic achievement and well- being of our students. The Board of Trustees looks forward to moving ahead together with Ms. Gauthier and the senior administrative team to introduce innovative, new ideas that support learning and deal with the challenges ahead. Meet Our 2012/2013 TCDSB Top Scholars! The Toronto Catholic District School Board announced this year’s top scholars from the 2012/2013 graduating class. The students’ averages are based on their top six subjects: Emma Buller (Bishop Allen Academy in Etobicoke): Emma earned 100 percent in Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Biology, Chemistry, English and French Immersion (Bishop Allen one of only two secondary schools in the Board to offer the Early Immersion French Program at the secondary level.) As well as a top scholar, Emma belonged to the school’s Science Gurus Club, the Volleyball and Badminton Teams and organized a “Locks of Hope” initiative at the school to donate hair to kids with cancer. She is registered to attend McMaster University to study Engineering. Roberto Nanni (Bishop Allen Academy/St. Stephen Catholic Elementary School in Etobicoke): following close behind Emma, Roberto earned an overall average of 99.83 percent. He scored 100 percent in Calculus and Vectors, Advanced Functions, Psychology, Philosophy, Religion and 99 percent in Data Management. He is heading to Western University to study Medical Science. At Bishop Allen, he was Editor of the school newspaper and a member of the school’s Salesian Club which fosters Christian leadership and service. Top Student in the former City of Scarborough: Matthew Halat (Neil McNeil High School/Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Elementary School). Matthew, as with our other top scholars, has been active in his school community as a peer mentor, school bands and athletics. He is a member of the school’s Young Spiritans, who advocate for human rights and global causes. He has volunteered for the TCDSB Angel Foundation for Learning, and his parish, Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church. In September, he will be studying Engineering Science at the University of Toronto. Top Student in former City of Toronto: Sanziana Andreica (Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School/St. Bonaventure Catholic Elementary School). Sanziana is a natural leader both within her school as captain of the Varsity Field Hockey Team and beyond, earning her the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Silver Medal. Sanziana has also completed her Grade 8 piano. Top Student in the former City of York: Claudia Silva (Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School). Claudia was the top student at Archbishop Romero C.S.S., earning an average of 93 percent. She speaks Portuguese fluently and earned a 95 percent in her Level 4 of the Portuguese language. She has enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at Humber College for September. Witness to Faith Cross Embarks on its Final Journey Students from 15 secondary schools across the Toronto Catholic District School Board carried the Witness to Faith Cross across the top of the city from Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School to the Catholic Education Centre on Thursday, May 30th. Elementary students from across the Board lined the route as they shared in this final journey. TCDSB embarked on a Journey of Faith in September 2011, with the blessing of the Witness to Faith Cross, which travelled to each and every school across the system throughout two school years, as well as various special events throughout that two-year period. The Witness to Faith Cross was created by students and staff from Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School in time for our Year of Witness, the third year in the Board’s three-year pastoral plan focusing on Word, Worship and Witness. The travels of the cross bridged the transition from one pastoral plan to another, as in September 2012 the Board began its celebration of the Year of Faith, the first in our three-year plan focusing on the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. TCDSB was pleased to share the end of this two-year journey with His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins at the closing liturgy on June 3rd at the Catholic Education Centre. Students, parents, staff, trustees and special guests were on hand for the special celebration, which included a retrospective of the travels of the cross. Cardinal Collins referred to the cross as “the lens of Christ; allowing us to see what is there.” He also told the gathering that “love that is rooted in faith can transform the world.” Banner Day at Blessed Sacrament On Monday, June 17 staff and students at Blessed Sacrament celebrated Banner Day. The Banner Day celebration is a cherished tradition at Blessed Sacrament that started about 40 years ago as a way of connecting the students in grade two, who receive their First Communion and those in grade eight, who receive Confirmation. The amazing idea of having the grade eights make a memento or banner for the grade twos to celebrate and remember their First Communion and demonstrate their growth in Faith from grade two to grade eight reminds us that our faith is a journey. This tradition has kept on and the grade 8's not only want to do this, but insist because they still have the banner they were given in grade two and cherish it very much and want to do the same for the grade two First Communion students. Tree Planting Each school in the TCDSB was given a seedling and a small container of soil combined from soil samples from every school across the system. The seedling was planted to commemorate the two-year journey of the Witness to Faith Cross over the period of September 2011 to June 2013 throughout the Year of Witness and the Year of Faith. The tree will be a lasting keepsake of that spiritual journey and a sign of hope for the future. Chaminade students receives Schulich Leader Scholarship Congratulations to Joan Miguel Romero, a Chaminade College student for receiving the Schulich Leader Scholarship. Each undergraduate scholarship is valued at $60,000. Joan's nomination for the scholarship stated that: Joan Miguel Romero is an outstanding candidate for the Schulich Leader Scholarship and Chaminade College School is very pleased to endorse his application. Throughout his years at Chaminade College, Joan has attained excellent results in all subject areas and has achieved honour roll status, placing him among the top of his class each year. Joan possesses excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. He is extremely responsible, hard-working, dedicated, self-motivated and continually displays great energy and enthusiasm in all his undertakings. He works collaboratively with others, is a true team player and is highly respected by his peers and teachers. He has been and is currently involved in developing, planning, co-ordinating and implementing various school-wide initiatives as well as community-service based activities as outlined in his application. Joan is an extremely positive role model and fine mentor who seeks to enrich not only his learning experience but also that of peers. His enduring willingness to strive even higher makes him a most worthy candidate for the Schulich Leader Scholarship. It is our pleasure and privilege to be working with Joan Miguel Romero at Chaminade College School. --Gina Mancini, Chaminade College School Guidance Dept. Head Doors of Hope: Celebrating 100 Years of Catholic Charities The Doors of Hope project is an exciting celebration of the TCDSB’s commitment to inspire through charity, and the students across the system were proud to have participated in this event.