Thanksgiving Dinner Prayer
Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day, we bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You’ve done, especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see, for joy and health, friends, and family.
https://www.southernliving.com
IWalk Month
IWALK Month, which officially kicks off on Wednesday, October 4. International Walk to School Month (IWALK) is an annual celebration of active transportation that takes place around the world throughout the month of October.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School Council News
Our St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School Council plays a vital role in the education of our students here at the school. The Catholic School Council provides a forum through which parents and other members of the community can contribute to improving our students’ achievement and the school performance.
We would like to thank the members of the 2022/23 council who worked so diligently on behalf of our students. Our council consisted of the following members: Regina Kulasekaran, Kristina Costabile, Paula Viola, Lori Tatangelo,Sonja Razmovski, Jennifer Agnew, Sarah Deir, Shelley Chionglo, Logan Purdy, Ava McBlain, Andrew Miller, Meredith Sherlock, Tegan Hsieh and Teacher Rep: Amy Shea, Non Teacher Rep:Celeste Cunha
This past Monday (September 25, 2023) the Catholic School Council gathered to dissolve last year’s council and establish this year’s council. We are pleased to introduce the members for the 2023/24 school year:
EXECUTIVE: Chair: Shelley Chionglo Vice Chair: Kristina Costabile (OAPCE Rep.) Secretary: Paula Viola Treasurer: Andrew Miller / Michelle Felip
COUNCIL MEMBERS: Principal: Marc Caruso Teacher Representative: Amy Shea Non-Teaching Representative: Celeste Cunha Sarah Deir Regina Kulasekaran (Parish Rep) Paula Viola Manjini Maria Jacob Meredith Sherlock Lori Tatangelo Tegan Hsieh Sonja Razmovski Jennifer Agnew
CSC Meeting Dates: (All meetings will start at 7pm)
Monday November 13, 2023 Monday January 15, 2024 Monday March 4, 2024
Monday, April 15, 2024 Monday June 3, 2024
Hot Lunch Program – CSC
We are so grateful to our Catholic School Council offering our St. Kateri families the opportunity to participate in their Hot Lunch Program for the 2023/2024 school year. The program will once again be divided into entry/exit periods, the deadline for orders to be placed for this first period of the program is October 4, 2023. If you and your family are interested in participating in the program we would kindly ask that you review the following letter for further details.
Halloween Fundraiser Information for Families – CSC
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.
2023 Donation Form.doc Halloween Dance 2023.docx
Halloween Costumes
We would like to remind our families that when considering costumes for their child to consider the following points:
- 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.
Program for Academic and Creative Extension (PACE)
The York Catholic District School Board offers the opportunity for all grade four students to participate in a screening process for possible identification as a gifted student and participation in our Program for Academic and Creative Extension (PACE). The Screening Process for Entry into the PACE program is a three stage process, please see the letter for further details.
CCAT PACE Parent Information Letter to Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 2023
Terry Fox Run
Our school event this past Thursday on the track beside the school was such a success. Thank you to all of our families who have helped support the Terry Fox Foundation. If you would like to still donate, please see the link in the attached letter below.
Blessed Frederic Ozanam Parish News
Mass:
We look forward to celebrating Mass with Fr. Rick Davis this Friday, October 6 @ 9:20 am. All our families are most welcome to come and join us to celebrate as a school community.
First Communion:
The First Communion Registration Day will be held on Saturday, November 18th at St. Brother Andre Catholic high school. Specific registration details will be shared with parents in the coming months via an email, which will be sent from St. Kateri, and through the BFO church website.
Parish Gala Information: Our Legacy Gala Flyer-8.5×11-digital (002).pdf
Fall Food Drive in support of Markham Food bank
This week from October 2 to 6, we as a school community will be collecting food and toiletry items in support of families in our local community. All the items collected will be donated to the Markham Food Bank. Donations can be brought to the front foyer of the school on Monday October 2nd through to Friday October 6th.
Thank you for your help and support of our local community.
St. Kateri Food Drive Letter 2023 Revised Date
SVDP Winter Coat Drive- 2023
The York Region conferences of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Society(SSVP) along with the Salvation Army are working together again this year to make sure this important project continues. This fall St. Kateri Tekakwitha will be participating in the Winter Coat Drive.
For over 15 years SSVP has been organizing this initiative to help families in York Region who struggle to make ends meet through the long winter months. Our school community has always supported this project generously!
We hope that you can help us out by looking through your closets and donating any coats that are no longer needed by you or your family and your neighbours. We need coats in good condition for men, women and children…all sizes! Coats will be accepted until October 12th, 2023 at our school.
Please send all coats tied up in plastic bags for ease of transport. Thank you for sharing and for your ongoing support of the work of Saint Vincent de Paul in our community!
York Region Public Health Immunization Clinic Information
OCTOBER 3RD – 2023_2024 School Clinic Reminder memo.pdf
ECO Challenge
Our school is participating in the Earth Ranger’s Battery Blitz Contest this October! Please send in old batteries so we can win money! Our School’s Mission is to recycle as many used batteries as we can! Please send used batteries to school from now until November 3.
The schools that collect the largest volume of batteries (by weight) will win a cash prize – $5,000 for first, $3,000 for second, and $500 for third–seventh place winners. In addition, a $500 prize will be awarded to the school – outside of the top 7 – that collects the most batteries per student!
For more information, including contest rules and regulations, please visit: https://www.earthrangers.com/batteryblitzschoolcontest/
For more information on battery recycling, visit: www.RecycleYourBatteries.ca
UkuleleKids Program
Please review the following flyer for information regarding this extracurricular activity being offered at St. Kateri. Further information about UkuleleKids can be found @ www.ukulelekids.org
Parent Flyer – St Kateri Tekakwitha.docx Flyer.Front Side.pdf
Important dates to mark on your calendars:
October 3, 2023 Immunization Clinic Gr. 7/8
October 6, 2023 Mass @ 9:20 am
October 10, 2023 Thanksgiving
October 11, 2023 School Picture Day
October 12, 2023 Cross Country at Bruce’s Mill
October 16 to 19, 2023 Gr. 4 CCAT testing
October 20, 2023 PA Day
October 21, 2023 Blessed Frederic Ozanam Parish Gala