Bulldog Bulletin – November 28, 2022

Parents and Guardians,

A reminder we are holding our Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences today.

A form, indicating the time of your conference was included with your child’s Progress Report Card on Monday.

All conferences will take place in your child’s classroom/portable.

The time has come to let the community know that the 2022 Christmas Miracle Food Hamper Project is a go for this year!!! 

The last 2 years had been challenging due to the COVID-19 uncertainties, but one thing is guaranteed — we cannot cancel Christmas. The committee has been busy planning and getting things ready for this yearly event. This will be another challenging year due to the post effect of COVID-19 to the economy, thus affecting each, and every one of us in our community. 

The annual Christmas Miracle Food Hamper Project was started in 1982 by Florence Carbray (who sadly passed in early 2020). This is her legacy – to bring the community together as one. Since then, this project has significantly grown into delivering 50 healthy food hampers with hats and mitts, and books for children. This is now coordinated by 11 committee members, who work closely with DPPCA (Doon Pioneer Park Community Association). We are thankful for the continued support received from area schools, churches, businesses, and individuals over the past 39 years, and look forward to working with the community for the year 2022. 

This will be our 40th year to make this happen. With your help and support, we know we can do this. You make this project possible ! We are all in this together ! 

SPREAD THE WORD (If you or know of anyone who can benefit from this project) 

• We are looking for 50 families within the Doon area (N2P/N2R postal codes) who are in need of a FOOD HAMPER. 
• You can register and qualify until Dec. 7 th , 2022 via the following methods. 
• call the Doon Pioneer Park Community Center – DPPCC at (519) 741-2641 or
• email AnnualChristmasMiracleProject@gmail.com 
• provide your name and phone number/email address
• One of the committee members will get in touch with you to confirm and get more details.

HAVE QUESTIONS? 

Email: AnnualChristmasMiracleProject@gmail.com 

Leave a message with the DPPCC Staff: 519-741-2641

Bulldog Bulletin – November 21, 2022

Important CUPE Update

Yesterday, the Ontario government & education workers represented by CUPE reached a tentative contract agreement.  As a result, all WCDSB sites & programs will be operating today on their regular schedules.  Thank you for your patience & understanding as we worked through this time of uncertainty.

Cold Weather Reminders

Some reminders for parents and students as we head into the cold weather months:

• students are outside for more than an hour each day (2 x 15 min recesses and a 40 min lunch recess)
• it is always better to come dressed/prepared for cold weather (wearing or bringing a winter hat and gloves/mitts) even if you think your child will be fine without the cold weather gear
• students will go outside for recess for a maximum of 15 min. if the temperature is between -20 and -27 C.
• students will remain indoors during recess if the temperature, factoring in wind-chill, dips below -27

 ​Progress Report Cards and Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

​Parents/Guardians – your child’s Progress Report Card is being sent home today, along with your Parent-Student-Teacher Conference time.   Conferences are going to be in-person this year, taking place the afternoon/evening of Thursday, November 24th.  We ask, where possible, your child attend the interview with you and their teacher.  The conversation and feedback provided at the interview will help students set personal achievement goals for the second half of Term 1.  If you are unable to make the time of your interview, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange an alternate time to discuss your child’s progress.

St. Kateri Bulldogs Athletics Update

Good luck to our Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ Volleyball Teams as they head into regional playoff action this week!

Called to Serve – Winter Clothing/Gear Drive

Our Gr. 5 students are organizing a winter clothing/gear drive for patrons who visit Tiny Homes Takeout!  Tiny Homes, which is operated and supported through St. Mary’s Parish in downtown Kitchener, serves more than 700 meals each day to those less fortunate in our region.  The winter months are the most challenging for our brothers and sisters who may find themselves living ‘on the street’.  The St. Kateri school community has made a commitment to helping support the Tiny Homes winter clothing drive, but we need your help.  If your family is in a position to help, please send any of the following items with your child, or drop them off to the main office, up until November 30th.  These items can be brand new or gently used.

• toques & scarves
• gloves & mitts
• hot paws (for hands and/or feet)
• winter boots (women’s sizes 7-9 … men’s sizes 9-12)
• winter jackets (women’s sizes M & L … men’s sizes L & XL)
• sweatshirts
• blankets
• underwear (all sizes, new only)
• women’s sports bras (all sizes, new only)
• backpacks
• flashlights & batteries

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region has grown significantly over the past few years.  The Region of Waterloo estimates that about 1000 people are currently experiencing homelessness in our region, including 450 who are experiencing chronic homelessness.

The Church asks individuals and societies to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first (Matt. 35:31-46); this is accomplished on a global level by distributing goods fairly throughout the world; bringing immediate aid to those in need; and working for structural changes that establish a fairer distribution of goods while addressing the root causes of poverty.

St. Aloysius Parish – Spring 2023 Sacrament Timelines and Dates

Registration for First Communion and Confirmation is now open until December 15, 2022 on the parish’s website: https://staloysius.on.ca/. Those who would like to participate in the Sacraments in the Spring of 2023 will need to register in advance through our Parish website.

To register, parents/guardians can click on the ‘First Communion’ and ‘Confirmation’ buttons on the homepage and follow the registration instructions.

The parish will be hosting parent/guardian information meetings in November where families can find out more information about the Sacraments. More information can be found below.

Here are some important dates for 2022-2023:

SACRAMENTS OF FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION DATES:

Wed Nov 23, 2022 at 6:30pm – First Reconciliation and First Communion Information session in Church for all parents/guardians of candidates.

Dec 15, 2022 – Registration deadline for Spring 2023 First Reconciliation and First Communion.

Sat Mar 25, 2023 – First Reconciliation by appointment only between 9am-12pm. Registration link will be emailed to all parents/guardians of registered applicants.

Sat Apr 15, 2023 at 1pm: Sacrament of First Holy Communion for St. Kateri and Public/Private Schools.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION DATES:

Thurs Nov 24, 2022 at 6:30pm in the Church – Information meeting for parents/guardians of Conformandi.

Dec 15, 2022 – Registration deadline.

Wed Apr 26, 2023 at 7pm – Sacrament of Confirmation for all schools.

His Excellency, Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton, will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Aloysius Parish.

Looking Ahead…      

(please mark your calendars)

November 21                                        Progress Report Cards go home

Nov. 21-25                                            Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week (Guest Speaker & NBA Entertainer, Q-Mack, visits Friday afternoon)

November 23                                       First Communion & First Reconciliation Parent Meeting @ St. Aloysius Parish

November 24                                       Confirmation Parent Meeting @ St. Aloysius Parish

November 24                                       Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 25                                       Hoodie Day!  Wear your fav Hoodie today, Bulldogs!

November 29                                       Advent Liturgy – 12:30 p.m. (parents welcome)

December 15                                       Registration Deadline – First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation

December 20                                       a.m. – Christmas Concert for K-3 … p.m. Christmas Concert for Gr. 4-8

December 21                                       Christmas Mass @ St. Aloysius Parish

December 26 – Jan. 6                         Christmas Break

January 20                                          PA Day

February 17                                        Term 1 Report Card Distribution

February 20                                        Family Day

February 22                                        Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the school gym, 12:40 p.m.

February 23                                        Family Math Night (6:00-7:00 p.m.)

March 13-17                                        March Break

March 31                                             PA Day

April 7                                                  Good Friday (no school)

April 10                                                Easter Monday (no school)

April 14                                                Easter Mass – 10:15 a.m., gym (parents welcome)

April 15                                                Sacrament of First Communion at St. Aloysius Parish @ 1:00 p.m.

April 18                                                Gr. 4 Bible Celebration – 10:15 a.m.

April 21                                                PA Day

April 26                                                Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Aloysius Parish @ 7:00 p.m.

May 1-5                                                Catholic Education Week

May 22                                                 Victoria Day (no school)

June 2                                                  P.A. Day

June 16                                                Mission Day

June 23                                               Closing School Mass, 10:15 a.m.

June 27                                                Term 2 Report Card Distribution Date

June 28                                               Grade 8 Grad

June 29                                               Last Day of School (Regular 3:05 p.m. dismissal)

Important Update on CUPE Strike

Earlier this evening, the Ontario government and education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees – Ontario – (CUPE) reached a tentative contract agreement.

As a result, all WCDSB sites and programs will be operating tomorrow on their regular schedules.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked through this time of uncertainty.

Dear Parents & Guardians:

As you may be aware, the Ontario government and education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees – Ontario – (CUPE) continue to negotiate in hopes of reaching a deal that works for all.

On Wednesday, November 16th, CUPE served five days’ notice that if no contract is reached, their workers would be on strike effective Monday, November 21, 2022.

CUPE and the government have negotiation dates scheduled up to and including Sunday November 20, 2022.  It is our hope that a deal will be reached before Monday’s strike date and kids can come to school as normal.

The WCDSB has more than 1,200 staff represented by CUPE, in multiple different roles in schools.

As before — given such a large number of potentially absent staff, should a strike occur, it will not be possible to safely open and operate our schools.

If a strike occurs, and schools are closed to in-person attendance, we will move directly to synchronous remote learning.

Chromebooks will be available to students who need them in advance of any school closure.

In the event of a strike, St. Louis Adult Learning classes will continue to run, but St. Louis site offices will be closed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the learning of all students keeps moving forward.

We will keep you updated as further information becomes available.

Please monitor our website: https://www.wcdsb.ca/about-us/labour-updates/ 

Update on Masking in WCDSB Schools

As we move into the winter months, please keep in mind:

Drop off and Pick up Procedures for St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Elementary School 

Please make note of the following information and adhere to our school drop off and pick up procedures that are in place to keep your children safe.

We encourage students in Gr. 4 – 8 who live within 1.6 km of the school (0.8 km for JK – Gr. 3 students) to walk to school.  Those who live further than 1.6 km (0.8 km JK – Gr. 3) are eligible for bussing.

Drop Off (8:20-8:35 a.m.)

Parents who choose to drive their children to school are asked to either:

1. “Drive to Five” (BEST OPTION) – Drop your child off a block or two away from the school (5 min. walk). You will avoid navigating and contributing to the congestion in front of the school (bus loading zone) and the walk will do your child good – they will be that much more alert to begin their day!  Black Walnut Drive (beside Carlyle Park), Perin Place, Vintage Cres or Nathaniel Cres are all good options.
2. Use the school’s driveway (SECOND BEST OPTION) – Pull into the school driveway and drop your children off in front of the school in front of or behind the school bus zone.  To keep traffic moving and keep the bus zone free from traffic, parents who choose to pull into the school driveway may not get out of their vehicles and children may only exit the vehicle from the passenger side.   Please do not stop or park in the through lane, or Visitor Parking.  St. Kateri parents are also not eligible to park in the daycare parking lot or school parking lot.

Pick Up (2:30-2:55)

Parents choosing to pick up children at the end of the school day cannot do so using our school driveway as it needs to remain free of traffic for our eight school busses.   The lane on the right is reserved for buses and the Visitor Parking spots are not a safe option nor were they designed for end of day pick up.  Parents are also not able to use the Daycare parking lot, which is reserved parking.  At the end of the school day, parents are required to park on a side street and have their children cross safely at the cross walk in front of the school.  Please park on one of the side streets and help your children walk safely to your parked vehicle.

The City of Kitchener works closely with all schools to ensure the streets around them are safe for students, parents and others in the community.  Please keep these City of Kitchener bylaws in mind if you choose to drive your children to school.

Parking is not permitted:

• Within 1.5 metres of a driveway
• Within 3 metres of a fire hydrant
• Within 9 metres of an intersection
• In a bike lane
• In a school bus loading zone

Note: Please also be aware of all the no parking/no stopping areas around our school.

Each year, the city receives complaints about drivers in school zones. Here are some of the practices to avoid:

• Stopping or Parking in a restricted zone
• Blocking a driveway when you park your car
• Travelling too quickly
• Making U-turns
• Parking in a driveway without the homeowner’s permission

Please be respectful of residents who live on streets around our school.

By-law Enforcement staff regularly patrol school areas to help keep everyone safe by watching for infractions.

By working together, we can ensure St. Kateri continues to be a safe, nurturing, and engaging school where your children will meet with success.  Thank you in advance for your understanding, cooperation and support.

Please feel free to contact us at the school should you have any questions or concerns.

Students Arrival

All students in grades 1-8 must proceed to the back of the school (Blacktop or soccer fields) and wait until the bell rings before lining up at the entry/exit doors.

Thank you !

Bulldog Bulletin – November 14, 2022

Remembrance Day Ceremony

A BIG BULLDOG THANK YOU to Mr. Nicholls and his Gr. 7 students for leading our Remembrance Day ceremony last Friday, where we had an opportunity to remember, and thank , in a special way, those individuals who have served in the name of peace.  Students learned how they too can be peacemakers, right here in our school community, at home, and in the broader community, as disciples of Jesus.  Special mention to Mr. Kelley and the Gr. 2s and 3s he teaches, for sharing their gift of music at the ceremony.

Cold Weather Reminders

We had a nice run but the cold weather is here to stay for a while now, it seems 🙂.  Some reminders for parents and students as we head into the cold weather months:

• students are outside for more than an hour each day (2 x 15 min recesses and a 40 min lunch recess)
• it is always better to come dressed/prepared for cold weather (wearing or bringing a winter hat and gloves/mitts) even if you think your child will be fine without the cold weather gear
• students will go outside for recess for a maximum of 15 min. if the temperature is between -20 and -27 C.
• students will remain indoors during recess in the temperature, factoring in wind-chill, dips below -27

​Progress Report Cards and Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

​Parents/Guardians – an interview time preference form was sent home with your oldest/only child attending St. Kateri, last week – we have asked for the forms to be returned to help us with interview scheduling.  If you haven’t returned the form, please do so by Tuesday morning, the latest.  On Tuesday, we are going to schedule parent-teacher-student interviews.  The interview forms will be sent home with your oldest/only child’s report card on Monday, November 21st.  Conferences are going to be in-person this year, taking place the afternoon/evening of Thursday, November 24th.  We ask, where possible, your child attend the interview with you and their teacher.  The conversation and feedback provided at the interview will help students set personal achievement goals for the second half of Term 1.  

PA Day – Friday, November 18

A reminder that this Friday, November 18^th is a PA Day and there is no school for students.

2021-2022 EQAO Results – School, Board, and Province

EQAO is an arm’s length government agency that contributes to the quality and accountability of Ontario’s publicly funded education system for K-12. As an evidence-based research-informed organization, EQAO is focused on empowering educators, parents, guardians, stakeholders, and the public at large with the insights and information needed to support student learning and improve student outcomes.

The Spring ’22 EQAO results were released last week to the public.  As you will see, last year’s Grade 3 and 6 students outpaced both the province and board in all six batteries – a reason to celebrate the rich & engaging learning that takes place at St. Kateri!  In the coming weeks, our School Improvement Team and Divisional Teams will examine and use this data to assist us with programming, planning, and target setting. 

St. Aloysius Parish – Spring 2023 Sacrament Timelines and Dates  

Registration for First Communion and Confirmation is now open until December 15, 2022 on the parish’s website: https://staloysius.on.ca/. Those who would like to participate in the Sacraments in the Spring of 2023 will need to register in advance through our Parish website.

To register, parents/guardians can click on the ‘First Communion’ and ‘Confirmation’ buttons on the homepage and follow the registration instructions.

The parish will be hosting parent/guardian information meetings in November where families can find out more information about the Sacraments. More information can be found below.

Here are some important dates for 2022-2023:

SACRAMENTS OF FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION DATES:

Wed Nov 23, 2022 at 6:30pm – First Reconciliation and First Communion Information session in Church for all parents/guardians of candidates.

Dec 15, 2022 – Registration deadline for Spring 2023 First Reconciliation and First Communion.

Sat Mar 25, 2023 – First Reconciliation by appointment only between 9am-12pm. Registration link will be emailed to all parents/guardians of registered applicants.

Sat Apr 15, 2023 at 1pm: Sacrament of First Holy Communion for St. Kateri and Public/Private Schools.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION DATES:

Thurs Nov 24, 2022 at 6:30pm in the Church – Information meeting for parents/guardians of Conformandi.

Dec 15, 2022 – Registration deadline.

Wed Apr 26, 2023 at 7pm – Sacrament of Confirmation for all schools.

His Excellency, Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton, will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Aloysius Parish.

Looking Ahead…      

(please mark your calendars)

November 18                                        PA Day

November 21                                        Progress Report Cards go home

Nov. 21-25                                            Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week

November 23                                       First Communion & First Reconciliation Parent Meeting @ St. Aloysius Parish

November 24                                       Confirmation Parent Meeting @ St. Aloysius Parish

November 24                                       Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 29                                       Advent Liturgy – 12:30 p.m. (parents welcome)

December 15                                       Registration Deadline – First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation

December 20                                       a.m. – Christmas Concert for K-3 … p.m. Christmas Concert for Gr. 4-8

December 21                                       Christmas Mass @ St. Aloysius Parish

December 26 – Jan. 6                         Christmas Break

January 20                                          PA Day

February 17                                        Term 1 Report Card Distribution

February 20                                        Family Day

February 22                                        Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the school gym, 12:40 p.m.

February 23                                        Family Math Night (6:00-7:00 p.m.)

March 13-17                                        March Break

March 31                                             PA Day

April 7                                                  Good Friday (no school)

April 10                                                Easter Monday (no school)

April 14                                                Easter Mass – 10:15 a.m., gym (parents welcome)

April 15                                                Sacrament of First Communion at St. Aloysius Parish @ 1:00 p.m.

April 18                                                Gr. 4 Bible Celebration – 10:15 a.m.

April 21                                                PA Day

April 26                                                Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Aloysius Parish @ 7:00 p.m.

May 1-5                                                Catholic Education Week

May 22                                                 Victoria Day (no school)

June 2                                                  P.A. Day

June 16                                                Mission Day

June 23                                               Closing School Mass, 10:15 a.m.

June 27                                                Term 2 Report Card Distribution Date

June 28                                               Grade 8 Grad

June 29                                               Last Day of School (Regular 3:05 p.m. dismissal)

You are Called to Serve, St. Kateri!!!

Our Grade 5 students are organizing a winter clothing/gear drive for patrons who visit Tiny Homes Takeout. (learn more here, and here)​

Tiny Homes, who operates in connection with St. Mary’s Parish, serve over 700 meals a day to those less fortunate in the region.  The winter months are the roughest ones to get through when living on the street, and braving the elements is much more tolerable if you have the appropriate clothing and equipment.

They are in need of some important items!!

Our community collection will run for the month of November to support those in need.

These are some of the GENTLY USED items that Tiny Home patrons would appreciate:

• Toques & Scarves
• Gloves & Mitts
• Hot paws (for hands and/or feet)
• Winter Boots Women sizes 7-8-9
• Winter Boots Men sizes 9-10-11-12
• Winter jackets (Men’s Large & X-Large, Women’s Medium & Large)
• Sweatshirts with or without hood
• Blankets
• Men’s and women’s underwear all sizes (NEW)
• Women’s sports bras all sizes (NEW)
• Backpacks
• Flashlights and batteries

Did you know?

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region has grown significantly over the past few years.

The Region of Waterloo estimates that around 1,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness across the region, including around 450 people experiencing chronic homelessness!

The Church instructs individuals and societies to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first (Matt. 35:31-46); this is accomplished on a global level by distributing goods fairly throughout the world; bringing immediate aid to those in need; and working for structural changes that establish a fairer distribution of goods while addressing the root causes of poverty.