IT STARTS in the Schools January 2012 UPCOMING EVENTS January 9 TCDSB Elementary Schools Registration for September 2012 Kindergarten 416-222-8282 ext. 5314 Begins January 10 Our Lady of Peace Catholic School French Immersion Information Evening 70 Mattice Ave., Etobicoke 6:30 p.m. 416-393-5253 January 11 St. Agatha Catholic School French Immersion Information Evening 49 Cathedral Bluffs Dr., Scarborough 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5302 January 11 St. Cyril Catholic School French Immersion Information Evening 18 Kempford Blvd., North York 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5270 January 11 St. Bonaventure Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 1340 Leslie St., North York 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5263 January 18 All Saints Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 1435 Royal York Rd., Etobicoke 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5290 January 18 St. Clare Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 124 Northcliffe Blvd., York 6:30 p.m. 416-393-5214 January 19 Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic School French Immersion Information Evening 10 Japonica Rd., Scarborough 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5510 January 19 St. Cecilia Catholic School French Immersion Information Evening 355 Annette St., Toronto 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5218 January 19 Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 35 Saffron Cres., Etobicoke 6:00 p.m. 416-393-5288 January 19 Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 3176 St. Clair Ave. E., Scarborough 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5252 January 19 St. John Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 780 Kingston Rd., Toronto 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5220 January 19 St. Martin de Porres Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 230 Morningside Ave., Scarborough 6:30 p.m. 416-393-5286 January 19 TCDSB Elementary Schools Extended Registration Evening at many TCDSB 416-222-8282 ext. 5314 Elementary Schools for Kindergarten 2012 January 23 Mary Ward Catholic Secondary Birthday Celebration School cake sharing over the lunch hour 3200 Kennedy Rd., Scarborough 416-393-5544 January 24 Blessed Sacrament Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 24 Bedford Park Ave., Toronto 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5226 January 25 Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic Back to Beatles Musical Performance School 1:15 p.m. in school gym 55 Lodstone Dr., Etobicoke 416-393-5276 January 26 St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School Extended French Information Evening 116 Fermanagh Ave., Toronto 7:00 p.m. 416-393-5227 January 28 Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic School Choir to perform at Toronto Marlies game School 2:00 p.m. 55 Lodstone Dr., Etobicoke 416-393-5276 RECENT HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement Neil McNeil Catholic High School received the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement on November 7th, 2011. Back row: Marguerite Jackson (CEO, EQAO), Ann Andrachuk, Vicky Zeltins, Anne Buckley, Maria Rayson, Dr. Brian L. Desbiens (Chair, EQAO) Front Row: Trevor Hills, Dr. Bette M. Stephenson, Mike Wallace Photo Credits: Kristof Borkowski/Pinpoint National TCDSB Commemorates Holodomor Day Schools throughout the TCDSB on November 5th. Students at Bishop Allen Academy painted a replica of the original monument to the Holodomor victims which stands in Kyiv, a symbolic cross with the Mother of God holding the Christ Child, a representation of the destruction of the Ukrainian nation in the 1930s. Thirty-three candles, representing the year of the Holodomor, lit up this symbol in front of the alter in the school Chapel. Czech Boys Choir at Loretto Abbey The Loretto Abbey community had the exciting opportunity on November 24th to host the internationally-acclaimed Czech Boys Choir. Led by artistic director Jakub Martinec, the boys, between the ages of nine and twenty-two, performed a wide range of impressive choral repertoire for the student body before working intensively with Loretto Abbey‟s own concert choir. Their concert, which was comprised of various international Christmas carols and hymns, along with some Czech folk songs and classical choral pieces, was truly inspiring to all in attendance. The professionalism and artistry within their performance paired with their enthusiasm and passion for the music was brilliant to behold, and will truly create lasting memories for the aspiring music students at the Abbey. It was certainly a privilege to witness such talent in those so young – their visit in the midst of their Canadian performance tour was an experience not to be forgotten. National Day of Remembrance Students at Loretto Abbey commemorated The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Dec 6th. Exactly 22 years ago, 14 women were killed in a gendercide at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec. This day marks the anniversary date of this tragic massacre in Canada. Students took the opportunity to provide an informative skit, host a memorial and they also welcomed TEAR, Teens Ending Abusive Relationships from Toronto Victim Services. A memorial display was produced for students to view and reflect upon during the week of Dec 6th. When one female is affected by violence, we are all affected. Les Dames in Montréal Notre Dame High School brings young women to Montréal to empower them as leaders in French and in Science and to learn about our Catholic roots. 15 female students, a French teacher, and a Biology teacher at Notre Dame High School, ventured on a 4 day tour de force in Montréal from November 17th to 20th to explore French culture, connect to faith, and learn about biodiversity. By day students wandered through the maze of the city‟s Biodôme, seeing monkeys and penguins side by side, while in the evening they went to a light show at Basilique Notre Dame to learn about the history of the church and about our school‟s patron saint Marguerite de Bourgeoys. Students resided at Oratoire Saint Joseph during the excursion and participated in French mass on Sunday to conclude the trip. As part of this cross-curricular, social-scientific trip, students identified both environmental damage in Bangladesh at the Musée McCord, and strolled the urban environment along Rue St. Catherine bargaining in French as they shopped for les chandails and les jeans. Ball Fit at St. Lawrence Catholic School Colleen Reel, teacher at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School and Professional Learning Network Lead for Areas 7 and 8, conducted a “Lunch and Learn” for staff at St. Lawrence Catholic School called “Ball Fit. Lunch and Learn is based on a fun physical activity that all staff could get involved in. The Health and Physical Education Department purchased exercise balls and drum sticks this year in an attempt to introduce "Drum Fit" into TCDSB school Physical Education classes. During her day at St. Lawrence, Ms. Reel drummed with all the students and staff from grades JK to grade 4. These balls and drumsticks are a great way to promote physical activity while having lots of fun and incorporating music and movement. All participants were very impressed with their raised heart beats after only 10 minutes of drumming. TCDSB Students Build Homes in the Philippines Eighteen students from Toronto Catholic Schools, including one from a York region school, departed Toronto on December 27th for the Philippines. The youth are helping to construct shelter homes in Manila. The project was initiated by TCDSB teacher Michael Consul, who established a connection with “Answering the Cry of the Poor”. They are visiting one of the poorest communities in Manila where people live in shanties and make-shift homes, without electricity or running water. In a separate visit to another community, they will be serving lunch to 200 children and distributing Christmas gifts. They will also be conducting a community clean-up and running a mini-Olympics. The gifts, luncheon and cleaning supplies are all donated by the students through their own fundraising efforts. The students will also visit an orphanage to meet the residents and help out with daily chores. Students qualified for the trip by writing an essay explaining why they wanted to participate in the project. Most felt privileged to live in Canada and wanted to give back to those less fortunate. The students raised funds to pay for their transportation and accommodations. They will return to Toronto on January 10th. Loretto Abbey Christmas Concert The evenings of December 7th and 8th proved to be extraordinarily successful for the Loretto Abbey Music Department. Their 6th Annual Christmas concert, “O Holy Night”, was both a showcase of musical ability and a celebration of this joyous Christmas season. Under the direction of Mrs. Nijole Benotas and Mrs. Nina Hollington, instrumental music students and choir members of all grades had the opportunity to share their talents with family, friends, Loretto Sisters, and members of the faculty. With a repertoire that spanned from traditional carols to popular holiday favourites including a sing- along or two, the concert set an undeniably festive mood. Mary Ward Tribute Evening The Mary Ward Tribute Evening was held on the November 4th in the Loretto Abbey School auditorium. The evening began with the Abbey Choir singing "O' Canada". They delighted the audience with a medley of other songs as well. The MC for the evening was Maureen Harquail, the President of the Loretto Alumnae Association. The three recipients of the order Mary Ward were Sr. Susan Moran, Johanne Stewart, and Sandra Bezic - all three are alumnae of Loretto Abbey School. Sr. Susan Moran taught for the TCDSB until 1985 and then became chaplain of St. Michael's College school until 1995. She is the founder of the "Out of the Cold" program and continues to be its guiding force. She also founded St.