Dear Tiger Families,

What a terrific week we had last week.  Our week began with a staff vs students 3-Pitch game where both teams showed a tremendous amount of skill and sportsmanship.  Although it was a close game, the staff at SVdP ultimately were crowned champions! Well done students and staff and congratulations to the staff on the win!  It was such fun to see the school cheer each other on and have some fun.  We also had our annual pumpkin walk and it too was a huge success where our students were able to showcase their creativity and artistic ability!  Thank you to the Student Leadership group for leading the various Halloween activities at school.   Please see our Twitter page (@svdptiger) for pictures of what is happening at school.

As we enter into the month of November, please remember that the weather is changing and it is always a good idea to dress in layers and bring extra socks, hats, and mitts!  Our field can get muddy at times and having extra clothes at school makes it easier as we can avoid calling home.  It also helps keep everyone warm during outside play and learning.  Please also remember to bring a water bottle and indoor running shoes.

Halloween Reminders!

Tomorrow,  Monday, October 31st, staff and students are welcome to wear their costumes OR black and orange.  As families plan for tomorrow, please keep in mind the following:

• No costume masks that cover the face or fake weapons of any kind are allowed.  You may wish to use face paint.
• Extremely graphic or gory costumes (including blood), wearing/bringing weapons, or other inappropriate costumes are not permitted.  Students in costumes that violate our Catholic values will need to call home for a change of clothing.
• Costumes should not interfere with classroom activities.  Students must be able to comfortably sit, walk, see, hear, etc.,
• Costumes with lots of props or pieces may be difficult to sit in all day and may get broken or lost.  Opt for a more comfortable costume for school!

Please remember that it is not necessary to send in treats for students as we have many students with food allergies.  If you would like to send something with your child, non-food items such as stickers, pencils, glow bracelets, etc. are preferred to share or hand out to friends.   If you are wishing to bring in treats, they must be store-bought, wrapped, and all nut FREE.  Any homemade treats cannot be distributed to students and will be sent back home as we have many students with multiple food allergies.  We appreciate your understanding.

Covid Screener: When To Stay Home

Is your child feeling sick?  Do they have any symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, or fever?  Please use the COVID screener (updated October 3, 2022) to help determine if and when your child can return to school.  Be sure to read the final page as it includes important information and guidelines.  In most instances, if you have any symptoms, staff and students should stay home for 24-48 hours and are feeling well enough.  At school, we continue to remind our students to:

1. Wash hands often with soap and water. Hand sanitizer can also be used.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Cover coughs and sneezes using the elbow.
4. Stay at home if you are ill.

Staff is also regularly cleaning/disinfecting high-touch surfaces (e.g. railings, door handles, etc.).

Catholic Schools Advisory Council (CSAC) Meeting: Tuesday, November!

We will be having a virtual CSAC meeting this Tuesday, November 1st at 6:00 pm.  St. Vincent de Paul’s Catholic School Advisory Council is a group of volunteer parents, guardians, community members, teachers, and administrators committed to making our school a great place to learn and grow! The council sees family involvement as one of its main priorities and is committed to welcoming parents into the Tiger community by increasing communication, removing barriers, and creating opportunities to get involved!  All parents are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend this meeting, please email tammy.sica@wcdsb.ca and a link will be sent to you.

Seven Grandfather Teachings Monthly Program

This Wednesday, we will be having a school assembly on the Seven Grandfather Teachings.   Our students will be learning about the 7 moral teachings (Respect, Wisdom, Love, Humility, Courage, Truth, and Honesty) and how we can exemplify each of these teachings in our lives.  Thank you to Ms. Evans and Ms. Beamer for leading us in the assembly on Wednesday.

Luncbox Orders: Coming Soon!

We continue to work with Lunchbox  by School Cashonline for the delivery of our hot lunch program.  We are just waiting for a start date of when they can begin this program with our school.   Our hot lunch schedule will be:

• • • • • • • • Tuesdays: alternating Montana’s and Mr. Sub
              • Wednesday: Pizza Pizza
              • Thursday: alternating Harvey’s and Quesada

We apologize for the delay and will let families know as soon as we are given a start date.  Just a reminder that all lunches must be ordered and paid using School Cashonline.  Thanks for your patience.

Photo Retake Day: November 21st!

Pegasus will be back at our school for retakes on November 21st.  Pictures will be taken of those students who were absent or are in need of retakes.

Saturday Skills Builder For Grade 7 and 8 Students!

The WCDSB is offering an in-person Saturday Skills Builder program with a new STEM focus.   Parents must register their child using this link:  https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca/programsandcourses/gr-7-10-support/skills-builder/or for inquiries contact Jaime.Sobotka@wcdsb.ca

Once registered, students can begin that Saturday.  FIRST CLASS was Saturday, October 29th but you can still register!

Please see Saturday Skills Builder flyer 2022 for more information.

Dear Tiger Families,

We are entering the final week of October and from the looks of the weather forecast, it should be a beautiful week!  Just a reminder that tomorrow is a Professional Activity Day.  As such, there is no school for our students, and our Extended Day Program is also CLOSED tomorrow.  Staff will be engaged in professional development including special education, mental wellness, and STEM.

Catholic Schools Advisory Council (CSAC)Meeting: Wednesday, October 26th!

Our next CSAC meeting is this Wednesday, October 26th at 6:00 pm!  St. Vincent de Paul’s Catholic School Advisory Council is a group of volunteer parents, guardians, community members, teachers, and administrators committed to making our school a great place to learn and grow! The council sees family involvement as one of its main priorities and is committed to welcoming parents into the Tiger community by increasing communication, removing barriers, and creating opportunities to get involved!  All parents are welcome to attend.  Meetings will be held in person in our Learning Commons.

Halloween Fun!

Our Student Leadership Team has planned some fun activities for our school this week.  Students will be engaged in Scavenger Hunt, Trivia, and a dance! This Thursday, October 27th and 28th, our gym will be transformed into a spooktacular pumpkin walk!  Students will be invited to the gym at a set time and will be able to vote for their favorite pumpkin based on different categories.  Many thanks to our families who have donated pumpkins for this activity.   Prizes will be awarded by division!

On Monday, October 31st, staff and students are welcome to wear black and orange OR their costumes.   As families plan and create their costumes, please keep in mind the following:

• No costume masks that cover the face or fake weapons of any kind are allowed.  You may wish to use face paint.
• Extremely graphic or gory costumes (including blood), wearing/bringing weapons, or other inappropriate costumes are not permitted.  Students in costumes that violate our Catholic values will need to call home for a change of clothing.
• Costumes should not interfere with classroom activities.  Students must be able to comfortably sit, walk, see, hear, etc.,
• Costumes with lots of props or pieces may be difficult to sit in all day and may get broken or lost.  Opt for a more comfortable costume for school!

Please remember that it is not necessary to send in treats for students as we have many students with food allergies.  If you would like to send something with your child, non-food items such as stickers, pencils, glow bracelets, etc. are preferred to share or hand out to friends.   If you are wishing to bring in treats, they must be store-bought, wrapped, and all nut FREE.  Any homemade treats cannot be distributed to students and will be sent back home as we have many students with multiple food allergies.  We appreciate your understanding.

Saturday Skills Builder For Grade 7 and 8 Students!

The WCDSB is offering an in-person Saturday Skills Builder program with a new STEM focus.   Parents must register their child using this link:  https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca/programsandcourses/gr-7-10-support/skills-builder/or for inquiries contact Jaime.Sobotka@wcdsb.ca

Once registered, students can begin that Saturday.  FIRST CLASS is Saturday, October 29th!

Please see Saturday Skills Builder flyer 2022 for more information.

Dear Tiger Families,

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board is committed to providing safe, modern, and efficient spaces for our students to learn and thrive. Please see our Ventilation Report by clicking on the link:  St. Vincent de Paul – Ventilation Report Memo (002)

Dear Tiger Families,

We are hoping that everyone is having a beautiful weekend enjoying the stunning landscape and fall foliage!  This past week was a wonderful opportunity for our students to get outdoors and increase their physical activity and support cancer research by participating in the Terry Fox Walk.  Our students were inspired by Terry’s story and were doing their part to keep Terry’s dream alive!  Many thanks to our families who are so generously supporting our school’s walk/run.  As a school, we set a goal of raising $1000.00 and we have surpassed this and as of this morning, we have raised $1605.00!!!  THANK YOU!!!   There is still time to donate to our Terry Fox School Run and support cancer research!  Click this link: https://schools.terryfox.ca/13284 to our school’s fundraising page. It’s fast, and easy and donors get a receipt immediately by email.  The last day to donate is tomorrow, Monday, October 17th.   Thank you so much Tigers!

On Tuesday, we recognize the commitment, hard work, and dedication of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and staff who work with young children. Early Childhood Educators have the role of collaborating and working in partnership with other educators to plan and implement the Kindergarten program and maintain a healthy physical, emotional, and social learning environment. The contributions that ECEs make every day in our community are amazing and we are grateful. At SVdP, we have 6 ECEs who work within the Extended Day and Kindergarten programs. A special shout-out to Ms. Tracy McKeown, Ms. Dianna Brown, Ms. Nicole Buck, Ms. Aimee Davidson, Ms. Chantel Fontes, and Ms. Jen Sousa for all they do!  We also share our building with the YMCA of Three Rivers and appreciate the work they do as Early Childhood Educators with our greater community too.

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is Wednesday, October 19th!

On any given school day, thousands of students and families count on school bus drivers to provide a safe ride to and from school.  The bus drivers at SVdP are an important part of our school community and we appreciate their hard work and dedication to health and safety as they transport our students. If you take the bus, make sure you show your driver some appreciation this week!

Seven Grandfather Teachings Monthly Program

This year,  our school will be learning more about the Seven Grandfather Teachings. The 7 moral teachings that our students will learn about are:  Respect, Wisdom, Love, Humility, Courage, Truth, and Honesty.  Each month, we will focus on one moral and students will be watching videos and engaging in teachings and activities for each of the moral   These moral teachings will be the focus of our monthly assemblies.  We will also share information about what our students are learning with our families.

School Photo Day is This Friday, October 21st!

This Friday, October 21st, all students will have their individual photos taken.  Class composites will also be taken.  This year we will be using a company called Pegasus.   Paper flyers will not be sent home as families do not have to “prepay’ for their photos.  No money is collected on photo day and parents will have their own unique access code and will be able to view a proof online and order directly online from the website.

Halloween and Pumpkin Walk

On October 27th and 28th, our gym will be transformed into a spooktacular pumpkin walk!  Students will be invited to the gym at a set time and will be able to vote for their favorite pumpkin based on different categories.   Prizes will be awarded by division!

On Monday, October 31st, staff and students can wear black and orange or their costumes.   As families begin to plan or create their costumes, please keep in mind the following:

• No costume masks that cover the face or fake weapons of any kind are allowed.
• Extremely graphic or gory costumes (including blood) are not allowed as we have young students who might be afraid.
• Costumes should not interfere with classroom activities.  Students must be able to comfortably sit, walk, see, hear, etc.,

Please remember that it is not necessary to send in treats for students as we have many students with food allergies.  Our Student Leadership Team and staff are planning lots of fun activities to celebrate Halloween.  Activities planned include a scavenger hunt, Trivia, parade, and many other activities.  If you would like to send something with your child, non-food items such as stickers, pencils, glow bracelets, etc. are preferred to share or hand out to friends. Thank you so much for your cooperation and we are looking forward to a spooktacular day!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!  On this Thanksgiving weekend, the staff of St. Vincent de Paul wishes you and your loved ones a wonderful day.  Thanksgiving is a special time for us as it offers us a chance to gather with family and friends and to expresss our gratitude.  We are grateful for our students who bring such a wonderful vibracy to our school community.  We are thankful for their curiosity, their diverse perspectives, their school spirit, and the way they volunteer to help others.  We are grateful for our families who continually support us and work with us to ensure each child’s success.  We could not do this without you and we are thankful for the countless ways that you help us.  We are grateful for the staff of St. Vincent de Paul who’s commitment to inspire our students to create, explore, question, discover and share their God-given gifts is remarkable!  We also thankful for Father Gary Schlack and the rest of the staff at St. Ambrose Church who also support us on our journey.   We are certainly grateful for each and every one of you!  We hope you enjoy this special time.  See you on Tuesday, October 11th!

COVID Screening Tool:  When to Stay Home

Is your child feeling sick?  Do they have any symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, or fever?  Please use the COVID screener (updated October 3, 2022) to help determine if and when your child can return to school.  Be sure to read the final page as it includes important information and guidelines.  In most instances, if you have any symptoms, staff and students should stay home for 24-48 hours and are feeling well enough.

Fall is Here!

With the season of fall upon us, the weather is certainly changing.  Mornings tend to be cooler but we have also seen where temperatures can drop during the school day.  As such, please ensure your child dresses in layers and has a hat and thin mitts so they are prepared for the fluctuating temperatures.  Students are outside for 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon and 40 minutes over the lunch hour.  A pair of indoor running shoes are also requried to stay at school.

School Photo Day is Coming! October 21st!

On Friday, October 21st, all students will have their individual photo taken and class composites will also be taken.  This year we will be using a company called Pegasus.   Paper flyers will not be sent home as families do not have to “prepay’ for their photos.  No money is collected on photo day and parents will have their own unique access code and will be able to view a proof online, and order directly online from the website.

Terry Fox Walk/Run: October 11th to October 14th!

St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School is proud to be participating in the 2022 Terry Fox School Walk/Run. From Tuesday, October 11 to Friday, October 14 students and staff will be taking part in the annual Terry Fox School Walk/Run. Please come dressed for the weather EVERY DAY that week, as the classes will be competing against one another to walk/run as many laps around the school as they can.

Our fundraising goal this year is $1000.00 and we can achieve this goal if every student and staff contribute a toonie (online)!!  Fundraising will run from Monday, October 3 to Monday, October 17. 

Our school is proud to play an important role in supporting cancer research. Through our participation in the Terry Fox School Run, we hope to encourage leadership in our students and create positive agents of change in our wonderful school community.

How to donate:

Click this link: https://schools.terryfox.ca/13284 to our school’s fundraising page. It’s fast, easy and donors get a receipt immediately by email. Alternately, go to terryfox.org and follow the instructions below:

1. go to www.terrryfox.org
2. click “Terry Fox School Run”
3. click “Donate to a Student/School”
4. Enter the name of your school and follow the prompts to donate

In 1980, Terry set the bar high for himself when he started his Marathon of Hope saying, “Nobody is ever going to call me a quitter.”  We are very excited to be a part of this year’s Terry Fox Run. This is our opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from cancer. We hope you will join us as our school community bands together in the fight against cancer. Thank you in advance for your support!

Good morning Tigers,

As many of you know, WCDSB has a long tradition of fundraising to assist relief efforts when natural disasters strike.  The devastation of Hurricane Fiona across Atlantic Canada has once again called us to action.  Last weekend, the Prime Minister announced the federal government will match all funds raised via the Canadian Red Cross. Donations will support the range of emergency services the Red Cross is delivering to those in need including interim housing, clothing, food, and other essential supplies.  The deadline to participate is Friday, October 14, 2022. 

All fundraising efforts will be collected centrally using the following link:

https://wcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/69645/83/False/True

Dear Tiger Families,

As we begin the month of October, great things continue to happen at SVDP!  This past week was a busy one at school where we celebrated St. Vincent de Paul Feast day where we were reminded to bring God’s love and compassion to all in need of God’s love.   Our students participated in hands-on learning with Ms. Jennifer Staats, our board’s K-12 Indigenous & Equity Consultant, using an Indigenous Map of Canada to learn more about truth and reconciliation.  As a school community, we also engaged in a Smudging Ceremony on National Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day to honour and reflect on the history of residential schools and the survivors that live on today.  We, as a school, are committed to continuing these conversations to uncover truths and to learn more about acceptance, forgiveness, and compassion for all.

Sunday, October 2: National Custodial and Maintenance Workers Recognition Day. 

We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to  Mr. Medeiros, Ms. Saunders, and Ms. DaCosta for their hard work and daily commitment that they share within our SVdP school community every day!  The role of the school custodian has changed immensely over the course of the past couple of years. We can’t thank our custodial staff enough for their hard work, their dedication to the job, and their continued role in the safety of all.   We would also like to thank the many board maintenance workers that work hard in all our schools, to keep things running smoothly.  Many times, their work is done in the early hours of the morning or the late hours of the evenings, and recognize today, your important contributions to the success of our schools and our students.  THANK YOU!!

Wednesday, October 5: World Teacher’s Day!

On Wednesday, we say a huge THANK YOU to all of the teachers on “World Teacher Day”.  On this day, we want to let you know that we recognize the sacrifices that you make in your personal time and your family time for our students.  We recognize the dedication that you demonstrate to your craft, inspiring students to understand an ever-changing curriculum and pushing them to learn more.  We recognize the genuine love you demonstrate for our students, as you take care of all their needs – spiritual, emotional, and social.  On Wednesday we recognize YOU and the impact that you have on our world.  Keep changing the world!

Terry Fox Walk/Run: October 11th to October 14th!

St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School is proud to be participating in the 2022 Terry Fox School Walk/Run. From Tuesday, October 11 to Friday, October 14 students and staff will be taking part in the annual Terry Fox School Walk/Run. Please come dressed for the weather EVERY DAY that week, as the classes will be competing against one another to walk/run as many laps around the school as they can. 

Our fundraising goal this year is $1000.00 and we can achieve this goal if every student and staff contribute a toonie (online)!!  Fundraising will run from Monday, October 3 to Monday, October 17. 

Our school is proud to play an important role in supporting cancer research. Through our participation in the Terry Fox School Run, we hope to encourage leadership in our students and create positive agents of change in our wonderful school community. 

How to donate:

Click this link: https://schools.terryfox.ca/13284 to our school’s fundraising page. It’s fast, easy and donors get a receipt immediately by email. Alternately, go to terryfox.org and follow the instructions below: 

1. go to www.terrryfox.org 
2. click “Terry Fox School Run” 
3. click “Donate to a Student/School” 
4. Enter the name of your school and follow the prompts to donate 

In 1980, Terry set the bar high for himself when he started his Marathon of Hope saying, “Nobody is ever going to call me a quitter.”  We are very excited to be a part of this year’s Terry Fox Run. This is our opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from cancer. We hope you will join us as our school community bands together in the fight against cancer. Thank you in advance for your support! 

Nutrition For Learning: Volunteers NEEDED!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

In order to run our Nutrition for Learning Program, we are in need of parent volunteers.  Volunteers would work from approximately 8:45 am to 9:45 am, one to five days a week, running the snack table upstairs in the hallway for our students.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Tracy McKeown (tracy.mckeown@wcdsb.ca) or call the school at 519-740-0678.

Every Wednesday is School Spirit Day!

Tigers, don’t forget to wear your SVdP spirit wear or black, green and gold every Wednesday!  Need more spirit wear??  St. Vincent de Paul Spirit Wear is back and available for purchase online. We have a new design this year that will be featured on a variety of items for you to choose from. Families are welcome to make individual purchases online and orders will be delivered to the school for distribution by the end of October/ early November. Students are encouraged to wear spirit wear every Wednesday, so this is an excellent opportunity to showcase your Tiger pride. The deadline for orders has been extended to the end of this week!

Link to purchase: www.schooltee.com

Access Code: SVIN.CAM

Our Grade 8s off to Camp Brebeuf!

For over thirty years, a Residential Retreat has been an important faith experience for the grade 8 students in our School Board.  This experience offers a wide variety of community-building, fun, and faith-based opportunities for our students.  This week, our ‘GREAT 8’s” will be participating in this retreat from Wednesday, October 5th to Friday, October 7th.   Enjoy your retreat and may God continue to guide and bless you always!  Thank you to Mr. Figuereido, Ms. Ianni, Ms. Leandres, and Ms. Maw for their support of our students during this retreat.

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month!

​October is Cyber Security Awareness month and you can be a Cyberhero! Each week in October promotes a specific topic:

• Week 1 focuses on social media, gaming, metaverse risks and best practice
• Week 2 focuses on cyber scams and phishing risks, and what you can do to avoid being a victim.
• Week 3 is about good cyber hygiene for everyone to adopt and practice.
• Week 4 focuses on the importance of digital wellness, as we sometimes lose sight of the fact that we may be spending too much time online.

Staff will be exploring these topics with our students throughout this month.