Blessed Frederic Ozanam Parish News
Please see the attached letter for details regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation.
CONFIRMATION PARENT LETTER_2022.pdf
Safety Reminders:
We would like to thank our parents and guardians who park their car and escort their child(ren) to the gates of the school playground. All other parents using the Kiss and Ride are asked to continue to proceed past the pylons in the Kiss & Ride lot and pull over to the curb to drop off their child(ren). We would also like to ask our families to keep the use of the handicap parking spots for those families that require these special spots.
Further, we would like to remind our families that school supervision starts at 8:45 on the yard. This means that at this point children entering our yard will be supervised by our staff. Students should not be on the yard prior to this time unless supervised by a parent or guardian or are currently attending the B and A program at the school. Please note the B and A program is not responsible to watch students not in their care.
School Bus Updates
Currently we have one bus route experiencing some delays in pick up and drop off routines. Parents and Guardians are reminded to check delays on school bus city. (http://net.schoolbuscity.com/policies-procedures-notices)
A big Thank You! from the St. Kateri Parent Council
As we have recently wrapped up our 2021-22 school year, we would like to thank all of the parents and families who contributed their time and efforts to our events, as well as all who contributed to our fundraising over the year. With your help, we were not only able to enrich your child’s school experience with community building events, but also provide the school with well-needed technology, supplies, and support to ensure the best learning environment for our children.
Last year’s support from the CSC:
- 10 New laptop computers, replacing outdated technology in every classroom
- A New Bright Links projector and board to support student learning in the library
- New Physical Education Equipment: Basketballs, hoola-hoops, etc.
- Support for our Grade 8 graduation event
- Funding and organization of in-school celebrations such as Carnaval, Shrove Tuesday, and Play Day!
- And of course our community-building events: Ribbons and Bows (Christmas), presentations for parents, along with this year’s Curriculum night and BBQ
We have big plans for this year and thank you in advance for your support in enriching the student experience at St. Kateri!
Finally, if you love our school, let the world know with a 5-star Google review. Click here and select “Write a review” on the right hand side.
Go Tigers!
Halloween Fundraiser Information for Families
The Catholic School Council is excited about the return of the Halloween Dance Fundraiser to support our school community and enhance student learning at St. Kateri Tekakwitha by supporting a variety of initiatives and supplemental resources to support the school.
Please note:
Individual cheques made payable to York Catholic District School Board for tax receipts must have the individual’s name and address on the cheque.
Halloween Costumes
Halloween this year at St. Kateri Tekakwitha will mark the return of our Halloween school fundraiser and with this we know our students are excited to get dressed up and celebrate together. We would like to remind our families that when considering costumes for their child to keep in mind:
- Culture is NOT Costume: Please refrain from using costumes that represent a cultural group or ethnicity. (e.g. Indigenous, Chinese, Arabic, etc.)
- Masks as Part of a Costume are Discouraged (Excluding PPE): Wearing masks that conceal one’s identity can compromise the safety of the community. We should always be identifiable in our community for the safety and comfort level of others in the community.
- Awareness of Costume Appropriateness is Important: Costumes that are not appropriate to the moral tone of our Catholic Schools.
- Awareness of Fear and Evil: Be aware that Ghoulish costumes can terrify younger students, students with special needs, or students with phobias.
- We Must Be Trauma Sensitive: There may be members of our communities who have traumas that can be triggered by certain costumes.
- When in Doubt, Think Saint: Halloween precedes All Souls and All Saints Days. Encourage students to dress as saints and religious figures.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence have honoured exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines since 1994, with over 1,700 teachers honoured to date. Each year, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence awards up to 10 Certificates of Excellence and up to 25 Certificates of Achievement. The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence in STEM awards up to 2 Certificates of Excellence and up to 15 Certificates of Achievement.
The Awards are administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development on behalf of the Prime Minister, in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada.
The achievements of all recipients are promoted both nationally and in the teachers’ home communities. Certificate of Excellence recipients are profiled in individual videos describing their exemplary teaching practices and how they might be replicated by other educators. The videos will be used to dynamically share national recipients’ stories with the education community and the media helping to promote their accomplishments. The videos will be posted on-line and shared on social media.
Recipients are recognized for their leadership and exemplary teaching practices as well as for their commitment to help the next generation of Canadians gain the knowledge and skills they need for future success in a world inspired by ideas and driven by innovation.
Nominate an Exceptional Educator Today! Nomination packages must be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Awards program office by January 17, 2023.
Visit CANADA.CA/PM-AWARDS for further information.
Last Call for Yearbooks
Our school currently has a limited number of yearbooks left from the 2021/22 school year. If you are interested in purchasing one, please email marc.caruso@ycdsb.ca.
The Offord Centre for Child Studies and McMaster University
With the past few years bringing unprecedented hardship to all families, there has never been a greater need to provide support. Our team has partnered with four mental health agencies across Ontario to launch a study on parenting programs and understand if, and how, families can benefit from them. One of these agencies is close to your area. Our study is actively looking for families with children aged 2-6 years to enroll in our study and receive free, immediate, and direct access to one of our parenting programs. By taking part in the study, families will be asked to complete several study visits and they will receive $350 in gift cards for completing all visits. Our team also takes additional care to reach families who face traditional barriers to services so we can provide participants with free access to iPad devices and internet for study visits.
If you are interested in learning more about the study or have questions about our work, please feel free to check out our website at www.strongfamilies.ca/ or reach out to me at speckreid@mcmaster.ca.
PHF Social Media Post_with HIREB copy.pdf
Community Flyer(s)
Important dates to mark on your calendars:
October 31, 2022 Spook-A- Thon at St. Kateri/ Halloween Activities
November 3, 2022 Invitational Volleyball tournament at FMM
November 7th to 11th Book Fair @ SKTA
November 9, 2022 INT BVB @ St. John XXIII
November 10, 2022 INT GVB @ SKTA
November 15, 2022 Progress Reports Go home via Parent Portal @ 4pm
November 16/ 17 Formal Parent Interviews
November 17, 2022 PA Day
November 21, 2022 The Saidat Show Presentation