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
We want to take a moment to wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy and togetherness.
A heartfelt thank you for your generous donations to our food drive. Your kindness and support make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
On Behalf of the staff of St. Kateri, we wish you all a warm and happy holiday!
Halloween Fundraiser Information for Families
St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES is excited for the upcoming Halloween Dance Fundraiser (Thursday October 31, 2024). All funds collected will be utilized to enhance student learning through supplemental resources and performances.
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.
.St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES Halloween Fundraiser Dance 2024
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.
Fall Food Drive in support of Markham Food Bank
This past week we as a school community collected food and toiletry items in support of families in our local community. Thank you for your generous support of the Markham Food Bank.
Blessed Frederic Ozanam Parish Gala
Below is the link to the Blessed Frederic Ozanam Parish Gala. All further inquiries can be made with the parish about the event.
Our Legacy Gala II-flyer_EARLY BIRD.pdf
SVDP Winter Coat Drive- 2024
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 17 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 15th, 2024 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!
High School Registration Information
On Monday, October 21, families of Grade 8 students will receive a digital registration form to register their child for high school. The deadline to submit the form is Wednesday, December 4. Please note the link to this form is only to be used for YCDSB students who are currently in Grade 8, as there is a different registration process to be followed by non-YCDSB students.
Eradication of Poverty – October 17
We are pleased to announce the York Catholic District School Board’s first Annual Loonie/Toonie Civvies Day Fundraiser in support of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17, 2024.
The Attendance Counselling Services Team (ACS) at YCDSB, assists identified students who face significant financial challenges that impact their school attendance. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise awareness and provide essential support, such as food, housing, clothing, and transportation, to students and families in need through our Board attendance counselling services.
The YCDSB students and staff are invited to participate by donating a Loonie or Toonie to help make a difference in our community. This event will raise funds to provide more equitable access and responsive service to students and families experiencing financial distress, with the goal of increasing regular/compulsory school attendance in pursuit of overall academic achievement.
We hope you will join us in a message of love and compassion for those in need within our YCDSB Community through this Loonie/Toonie Civvies Day Fundraising Event.
Mental Health Resources
The following resources may be useful for families in navigating several topics with their children.
- Helping Your Child Manage Digital Technology (available in multiple languages)
- Noticing Mental Health Concerns for Your Child (available in multiple languages)
Noticing mental health concerns for your child-worksheet (available in multiple languages)
- Prepare, Prevent Respond – A suicide prevention guide for parents and caregivers (available in multiple languages)
YRPH Immunization Clinic Update
Attention Gr. 7 families who may have missed this week’s clinic at the school.
2024_2025_Immunization_Not_Given_Memo_-_School.pdf
Important dates to mark on your calendars:
October 14, 2024 Thanksgiving Holiday
October 17, 2024 YCDSB Eradication of Poverty Day – Wear Green Loonie/ Loonie and Twoonie Drive
October 18, 2024 YCDSB Cross Country Board Championship Day
October 21, 2024 PA Day
October 31, 2024 Halloween Dance
November 11, 2024 Remembrance Day Ceremony @ 10:30am/ CSC meeting @ 7pm – School Library
November 14, 2024 Parent Teacher Interview Evening
November 15, 2024 PA Day