Hello Tiger Families,

It was so wonderful to see everyone back from the March Break.   As we finish off the last week of March, we look toward and are grateful for the many days of learning ahead!  At school, we continue to actively participate in this season of Lent so that we can each encounter, in a more profound way, the love of Christ.  Over the announcements, we are listening to the story of Benjamin’s Box.  Each day, students from various classrooms are reading a section of the book as a way to learn more about the Easter Story.  Tigers, let us continue on our Lenten journey of showing mercy, of forgiving, of hoping, and of loving.  Let us shine the light of our faith!

Dance-a-thon Prizes!

On Friday, March 24th, dance-a-thon prizes were distributed and sent home with students who won.  Congratulations to the following classes who will enjoy lunch at Boston Pizza soon!

• Early Years: Ms. Fernandes/Ms. Buck/Ms. Fernandes’ Kindergarten Class
• Primary: Mrs. Caprio’s Class
• Junior: Ms. Giosi’s Class
• Intermediate: Mr. Gouveia’s Class

Just a reminder that all students will enjoy a movie and popcorn day, candy and gum day, and a water fun day with ice-cream!  Stay tuned for dates!  Again, many thanks to EVERYONE for your incredible support!!

Field Conditions

With warmer temperatures and the snow melting, the current field conditions at school are extremely muddy.  This unfortunately means that our students have been asked to stay off the fields and play on the blacktop.  We will continue to monitor the fields and hopefully, we will be able to use our fields to get active.  Students must have a pair of indoor running shoes at school to change into.  We would encourage students to wear splash pants and boots and bring extra clothing to school (i.e. socks, pants, etc.).  This will eliminate the need to call home if clothes do get muddy.   Thanks so much everyone for your patience and cooperation!

Use Of Technology/Cell Phones

Students may bring and use their own digital/personal devices (cell phones, ebook readers, chromebooks etc.) at school under the direction of a staff member to support their learning, and if they have signed a “Student Acceptable Use of Outside Technology Equipment Student Personal Electronic Device Consent” form (APS017).   Cell phones must be put away for the day, unless being used for a specific activity monitored by a staff member.  Audio/video recording and photographing of other students and/or staff is not permitted at any time at school, on the bus, or on school excursions.  Doing so is a violation of privacy. Please help us respect each other’s confidentiality. Our school cannot provide any technical assistance with these items, and we are not responsible for any loss or damage.  If parents/families need to talk to their child during the school day, please call the office as all communication must go through the office.

PD Day: Friday, March 31st, 2023

This Friday there is no school for students. Staff will be participating in professional Development.  The Extended Day will be running for those students currently enrolled in the program.  Enjoy your long weekend Tigers!

April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month!

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April is Autism acceptance & awareness month! We kick off the month with World Autism Day on Sunday, April 2, 2023. We will celebrate this day on Monday, April 3rd at school by wearing blue!

FREE Summer Learning Programs! Registration is OPEN!

Waterloo Catholic District School Board and St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education is committed to supporting your child’s continued learning. In July and August this year, there are several FREE learning options available for elementary students that will ignite, support and challenge student toward success and preparation for the next grade.

Find the programs listed by date and grade that best suit your child’s needs.

Visit https://www.wcdsb.ca/summer-learning/ for program details, dates, and registration links.

Elementary – in-person

• Summer Fun with Languages (JK-Grade 8)
• Summer Boost (Grades 1-6)
• Summer Expedition (Grades 6-8)
• HeadStart (Grade 8)

First Secondary Credit for Grade 8 students – in person

• Bridge to Success – HIF1O (open to Grade 8 students only)
• Exploring Engineering – TDJ1O (open to Grade 8 & 9 students only)

*All program offerings are subject to change and/or enrolment.

Math @Home

Families can make a big difference in their child’s learning by talking with them about what they are learning at school.  Here is a link with information on Math facts that help children quickly apply knowledge.  Included in this issue is information on Coding:  Issue 4 _ MATH@HOME MONTHLY (1)

Dear Tiger Families,

Welcome back everyone!  We hope you had a GREAT MARCH BREAK and that everyone is feeling energized to take on the coming months ahead!  Together, we have already accomplished so much during this school year and we look forward to more exciting new learning and fun in the next few months to come.  With spring officially arriving tomorrow, we also hope for warmer weather and brighter days to come.  We can’t wait to see you tomorrow Tigers!

Beach Day Dance-a-thon:  WE DID IT!!!!!!!

It certainly was a tropical and festive scene in our gym before the March Break!  Our students had a fantastic time dancing and moving at our Beach themed Dance-athon.  A big thank you to our Catholic Schools Advisory Council for all of their work in organizing this event!   Finally, a huge thanks out to our amazing school community who raised an outstanding $15 775.00 collectively to revitalize our playground areas!!!!   Since we surpassed our goal, all students will enjoy the following:

• Gum and candy day provided by Mr. Leonard and Mrs. Sica  (Date TBD)
• Movie and Popcorn Day (Date TBD)
• Water fun and Ice Cream Day (in June)

This week, prizes will be announced for the winning class from each Divison who will go to Boston Pizza for lunch.  Winners of all the other great prizes and top-seller prizes for each Division will also be announced. 

Again, THANK YOU!!!!  What a wonderful day to not only engage in some fun together but also help support our school!  What an incredible Tiger community we have!!

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21st!!

Get those rockin’ socks cleaned and ready to go for World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday, March 21st!!!  World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.  Since chromosomes look like socks, you can ‘ROCK, YOUR SOCKS’  by wearing mismatched, colourful, and zany socks to show your support and create awareness.  Help raise awareness of what Down Syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities and have the right to the same opportunities as everyone else!

Let’s go Tigers…..get out your socks on Tuesday, March 21st.

SVDP Lenten Project: Last Week to Donate!

During the season of Lent, the staff and students of St. Vincent de Paul school are initiating a school-wide almsgiving opportunity. As in the past, the generosity of our students and their families has been wonderful!  Our contributions from this year’s project will support Monica House, a local shelter for women and children under the age of five years old.  Beginning on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023, each classroom will begin to collect items to donate to the shelter.  Your child’s teacher will let you know what items your child’s class will be collecting via their classroom websites.  It is our hope, as a school community, that we can collect a number of items to help this group of mothers and their children. Please note that all items are due this Thursday, March 23rd, 2023.   Thank you in advance for your continued support of all of our school initiatives.

FREE Summer Learning Programs!

Waterloo Catholic District School Board and St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education is committed to supporting your child’s continued learning. In July and August this year, there are several FREE learning options available for elementary students that will ignite, support and challenge student toward success and preparation for the next grade.

Find the programs listed by date and grade that best suit your child’s needs.

Visit https://www.wcdsb.ca/summer-learning/ for program details, dates, and registration links.

Elementary – in-person

• Summer Fun with Languages (JK-Grade 8)
• Summer Boost (Grades 1-6)
• Summer Expedition (Grades 6-8)
• HeadStart (Grade 8)

First Secondary Credit for Grade 8 students – in person

• Bridge to Success – HIF1O (open to Grade 8 students only)
• Exploring Engineering – TDJ1O (open to Grade 8 & 9 students only)

*All program offerings are subject to change and/or enrolment.

News From St. Ambrose Church Parish

High School Youth Group:  In collaboration with Monsignor Doyle CSS, St. Ambrose Parish will be hosting a youth group for students in Grades 9-12 on Wednesdays from 2:50pm-4:00pm, at Monsignor Doyle CSS, in the school chapel.  To register your son/daughter to attend or would like to know more, please email Sarah Kwiecinski, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry at youth@stambrosecambridge.ca

Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday of Lent at 7:00 pm. Please join us for this beautiful Lenten devotion and invite your family.

Is your child interested in becoming an altar server? We would like to welcome children in grade 4 and older to become altar servers for our Masses. Training is provided. Please contact the parish office for information.

Children’s Liturgy at 11am Mass We are pleased to announce that our Children’s Liturgy Program, held during the 11:00 am Mass. We ask the children to remain with their parents in the church until Father Gary invites them to come forward at the beginning of Mass. More volunteers needed for this program – We welcome high school students and adults. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Barb at the parish office.

Student Achievement and Spring Testing

Below are the three tests that will take place this spring:

GRADE 4’s – CANADIAN COGNITIVE ACHIEVEMENT TEST (CCAT) – March 29-April 5, 2023

In the period of March 29 – April 5, 2023, the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test Level 10 (CCAT 7) will be administered to all grade 4 students in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.  The purpose of this board-wide screening of the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test Level 10 (CCAT 7) is to:

1. Identify your child’s cognitive areas of strength and areas of need
2. Provide information about your child’s learning style
3. Provide information to your child’s teachers in order to help them meet instructional objectives

The CCAT 7 is divided into three sections (verbal, quantitative, non-verbal) and each section has three tests. The CCAT 7 will be administered over a three-day period and each testing session will last about 40 – 45 minutes out of the regular school day.  If you do not wish for your child to participate in this assessment, please inform your school principal no later than March 24, 2023.

GRADE 7—CAT-4 (CANADIAN ACHIEVEMENT TEST)  –  April 12-19, 2023

Students in Grade 7 in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board will be administered the Canadian Achievement Test, Fourth Edition (CAT-4) between April 12 – 19, 2023.  The CAT-4 is a national standardized achievement test designed to measure achievement in the basic skills commonly taught in schools across Canada. The specific skill areas in which your child will be assessed include language arts, reading and mathematics. The CAT-4 takes approximately four hours to complete over a three-day period.  The CAT-4 will provide information for parents, students, teachers and administrators about how well students perform in the basic skill areas. This information will be used to provide direction for curriculum and program delivery at the system, school, and individual student levels.  If you wish your child to not participate in the testing, please contact your child’s school principal by March 31, 2023.

EQAO TESTING – Primary and Junior Assessments in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics:

This year’s cohorts of Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will participate in the Primary and Junior EQAO testing during the period of  Wednesday, May 10, to Wednesday, June 14, 2023.  Please mark your calendars and avoid booking appointments on these dates, if at all possible, to avoid interruptions during these testing dates.

The Staff and students at St. Vincent de Paul School would like to take the opportunity today, to say a huge THANK YOU to Social Worker Veronique Ribeiro and all Social Workers!  Your contributions to our school community are often overlooked and understated, but we want to let you know today, and this week especially, that your role on our team is valued!  Your commitment to our students when they are at their most vulnerable and your willingness to support the many adults in our buildings, demonstrate that you are here for us!  Knowing that someone like each of you is there to support us is reassuring and comforting.  Your role is vital to the success of our system, and we wanted to make sure that today especially, you know how thankful we are for YOU!

Hello Tiger Families!

This week, our school will certainly be filled with a little more excitement as we enter the week before March Break and celebrate it with “March Madness” spirit days.  Each day, there is a different dress-up theme and we need everyone to join in on the fun!  This week is also our beach party Dance-a-thon!!!  On Thursday, March 9, 2023, students will be getting their hearts pumping and feet moving as they dance their way to raising funds for our school!!  Tigers, don’t forget to dress in appropriate attire for this event (shorts, sunglasses, sun hats, etc). All donations are very much appreciated to help with the revitalization of our outdoor play spaces for our students!

PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES!!!!

• If we raise a total of $12 000.00 as a school, all students will win an Ice Cream and Water Fun day!
• If we raise a total of $10 000 as a school, all students will be treated to a Movie and Popcorn Day.  
• If we raise a total of $8000.00, all students will be treated to gum and candy (provided by Mr. Leonard and Mrs. Sica)
• Top class sales from each Division will win a lunch trip to Boston Pizza

• Other great prizes to be won include:  

• • 1 Hour of Free Ice Time at Kitchener Auditorium for up to 50 people!
  • 4 passes to Airborne Trampoline
  • Gift cards to Play With Clay
  • Gift Cards to Go Bananas
  • Family pass to Twin Valley Nature Park

• Top seller prizes in each Division will receive the following prizes:

• • Early Years/Primary:  $200.00 to African Lion Safari
  • Junior Division:  $200.00 to Skyzone
  • Intermediate Division:  Air Pods

THIS IS THE LAST WEEK TO GET DONATIONS!!!   Please ask family members and family friends to pledge. We ask that students do not go door to door and ask strangers for pledges.   Please note: all pledges must be completed on St. Vincent de Paul SchoolCash Online by Thursday March 9, 2023.  ***NO CASH OR CHEQUES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE SCHOOL***

Let’s go Tigers…. let’s dance the day away and raise some money for our school!!

March Madness!!

Get ready Tigers!  This week is March Madness at SVdP!  See the link and picture below for each of the theme days this week!    March Fun Week Slideshow

Lenten Reflection and SVdP Lenten Project

My temperate and courageous Lord, You confronted all temptation with courage and strength. You fasted throughout the forty days and forty nights so as to teach us how to navigate the ups and downs of life. Please give me the virtues of temperance and courage, and bestow the Holy Spirit upon me so that I may follow You into the desert of my own life. Jesus, I trust in You.

During the season of Lent, the staff and students of St. Vincent de Paul school are initiating a school-wide almsgiving opportunity. As in the past, the generosity of our students and their families has been wonderful!  Our contributions from this year’s project will support Monica House, a local shelter for women and children under the age of five years old.  Beginning on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023, each classroom will begin to collect items to donate to the shelter.  Your child’s teacher will let you know what items your child’s class will be collecting via their classroom websites.  It is our hope, as a school community, that we can collect a number of items to help this group of mothers and their children. Please note that all items are due by Thursday, March 23rd, 2023.   Thank you in advance for your continued support of all of our school initiatives.

Athletic Update

Congratulations to the Intermediate Boys Basketball Team on their FANTASTIC performance at Regionals this past Wednesday. Making it to the final game is something that you should be proud of! You played hard right until the end and represented SVDP well.  Well done boys!    Congratulations to our amazing girls on their fantastic volleyball season.  These girls have played with grit, perseverance, and enthusiasm. The road to regionals was not easy, and these girls never gave up, but above all, they continued to support each other and encourage each other.  Be proud girls of all your accomplishments and know we are so proud of you!

A big shout out to coaches: Ms. Monteiro, Ms. Evans, Ms. Beamer, and Ms. Hertner for all of your hard work, support, and encouragement.  Finally, thank you to our parents who came out to all of the games and for always being our biggest fans!  The success of both of these teams could not have been possible without our amazing coaches and parents!

Grandfather Teachings: Courage/Bravery

For the month of March, our students will be learning more about the moral teachings of bravery and courage.  Bravery is represented by the bear. The mother bear has the courage and strength to face her fears and challenges while protecting her young. The bear also shows us how to live a balanced life with rest, and play. To face life with courage is to know bravery. Find your inner strength to face the difficulties of life and the courage to be yourself. Defend what you believe in and what is right for your community, family, and self. Make positive choices and have conviction in your decisions. Face your fears to allow yourself to live your life.  Many thanks to our Grade 7 students in Mr. Gouveia’s and Ms. Hertner’s class who will be leading our school in our assembly this week.

Earthquake Fundraising

As many of you know, WCDSB has a long tradition of fundraising to assist relief efforts when natural disasters strike.  The devastation of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria has once again called us to action. While rescue and recovery efforts continue, it has already been confirmed that more than 35,000 people have died.  Many thousands more — including many current refugees — are in desperate need of shelter, food, clean water, and medicine.  Consequently, the Senior Team and Board of Trustees would like to invite all WCDSB students and staff to participate in a centralized fundraising campaign via the Canadian Red Cross (operating under the umbrella of the International Red Cross).

Donations of ANY AMOUNT 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.

All fundraising efforts will be collected centrally using the following link: Donations – Earthquake in Turkey & Syria

The deadline to participate is Friday, March 10, 2023.