Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God: everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”  – 1 John 4:7

Dear Tiger Families,

As we step into the final month of this fantastic school year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we have experienced together. June marks not only the end of the academic year but also a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and growth demonstrated by our students, staff, and the entire school community.  As we enter June, we have a lineup of exciting events and activities to celebrate the accomplishments of our students. These include:

• Graduation Ceremonies: We will honor our Year 2 Kindergarten and Grade 8 graduates and celebrate their hard work and achievements as they prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey.  Our Grade 8 graduation is on Thursday, June 20th, and our Year 2 Kindergarten students’ celebration is on Friday, June 21st.
• Final Assessments and Reports: Our Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will be writing the EQAO Primary and Junior Assessments these next two weeks. Teachers will also be conducting final assessments, and report cards will be distributed on June 25th.
• Field Trips and Outdoor Activities: Planned activities will provide students with engaging and educational experiences outside the classroom.
• Tournaments and Regional Track and Field Events:  This Tuesday, June 4th, our students will be participating in their run at Shades Mill.  June 13th is scheduled for our athletes who have qualified for Regionals.  On Monday, June 17th, our Intermediate Co-Ed Ultimate Frisbee team will be participating in their day tournament.  Finally, our Junior Boys and Girls 3-Pitch tournaments are scheduled for June 20th.  Good luck to all of our athletes and thank you to all of our coaches: Ms. Ahearn, Ms. Harnack, Mr. Toole, Mrs. Hertner, Ms. Sousa, Mrs. Racco, Mrs. Shaqo, Mrs. Beamer, Mrs. Evans, Ms. Beha, Ms. Green, and Ms. Schade!

We encourage all students to stay focused and maintain their enthusiasm for learning throughout this month. Tigers, let’s finish the year on a high note, reflecting the dedication you have shown all year long!

Congratulations Mr. Leonard!

We would like to congratulate Mr. Leonard who has been appointed to a new role as Principal at St. Elizabeth’s School effective September 1, 2024.  While we are saddened to see him leave our school, we are incredibly proud of his achievement and know that Mr. Leonard will bring the same level of dedication, leadership, and compassion to his new school that he has shown at SVdP.  As Mr. Leonard embarks on this new chapter, we wish him all the best and thank him for all his work and contributions to our school.  You will be missed and remember Mr. Leonard: once a Tiger, always a Tiger!  Congratulations and all the best!

We would like to welcome Ms. Pasqualino who has been appointed as the new Vice Principal of St. Vincent de Paul effective September 1, 2024.  Ms. Pasqualino comes to us with a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to student success, and a passion for fostering a supportive and inclusive school.  She is eager to meet our students, collaborate with our talented staff, and engage with all of you, our wonderful school community.  Welcome Ms. Pasqualino to SVdP and we look forward to working with you!

June is Pride Month!

The month of June is designated as PRIDE month in Waterloo region and across Ontario and throughout the month of  June, we will join other schools across our district in raising the Pride (Rainbow) flag outside of our school building.  This month, and every month, WCDSB is committed to nurturing safe and inclusive learning environments where every student and every member of our community is welcomed, valued, and respected.  We are called to see each other through God’s eyes – with sensitivity, compassion, and respect, and we see God in one another –wonderfully made, just as we are. The Pride flag will fly for the month of June as a visible symbol of our commitment to nurturing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments where every student and every member of the community is valued, and respected.

Students and staff are encouraged to dress in their rainbow colour on Monday, June 3rd as we celebrate the rainbow – a sign of God’s promise to love us and a symbol of inclusion for all in our community!

JUNE IS NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. It’s a time to honour the stories, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.  At school, we will be highlighting inspirational Indigenous Canadians whose determination and commitment to their passion and beliefs have, and continue to, improve Canada’s culture and social wellness.  Click HERE to learn more about several Indigenous Canadians that we will learn more about at school.  Families can also use these interactive resources.

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations: June is a Learner For Life

As June, the final month of the school year is here, the OCGE focus is on being a Learner for Life.  Students will continue to have opportunities to take charge of their own learning.  They will continue to develop a growth minset learn to think about their thinking, and build resilience.  How fitting that our last focus is on being a learner for life and we hope it doesn’t stop on the last day of school!  Keep learning and exploring through the summer!

By Being a A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner: I AM A LEARNER FOR LIFE!

• I use my gifts and talents given to me by God
• I always do my best
• I build on my strengths and weaknesses
• I set goals
• I accept change
• I am proud of the good things I do
• I am thankful for the gifts of others

Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my dreams, by living my life like Jesus

NEW Safe Arrival Attendance via School Messenger starts June 5th!

Yesterday, a message was sent via School Messenger to all of our families in regard to a new student absence reporting system called SafeArrival.  This new system will reduce the time it takes to verify student attendance, make it easy for you to report your child’s absence, and easy for staff to respond to unexplained student absences.

With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:

1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the link at SchoolMessenger).
2. The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
3. Use the SafeArrival website, SchoolMessenger. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
4. Call the toll-free number 1-833-251-3283 to report an absence using the automated phone system.

These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.  Future absences can be reported at any time. 

In addition, we will use the SchoolMessenger Communicate automated notification system to contact parents whose child is absent when the absence was not reported in advance. The automated notification system will attempt to contact parents at multiple contact points until a reason is submitted for the absence. If our system is unable to reach the designated contacts, office staff will follow up.  If you report your child’s absence in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number, website, or mobile app, you will NOT receive these notifications.

Starting June 5th, please report absences in advance using SafeArrival instead of sending notes or calling/emailing the school.

Starting June 5th, staff will begin using the SafeArrival notifications to let you know if your student is absent (when you haven’t reported the absence in advance).

Below are some wonderful School Messenger Information Guides to answer any questions you may have:

SchoolMessenger – English-SafeArrival-Quick-Guide

SafeArrival for Families FAQ

SchoolMessenger-App-for-WCDSB-Parents-Mobile-Guide

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we implement this new system.

COMING SOON:  Mission Fun Day!

We are thrilled to announce that our annual Mission Fun Day will be held on Friday, June 14th.  This is the day when St. Vincent de Paul School raises money to help various local charities in our community. Several years ago, we raised over $3600.00 and the money went to 12 different organizations. Can we do it again? YES WE CAN!

The staff at St. Vincent de Paul are planning many great activities for our students to participate in during the afternoon on Friday, June 14th from 1pm-3pm.  The following items are needed to make our Mission Day a great success:

• PRIZES FOR WINNERS/PARTICIPANTS (DOLLAR STORE ITEMS), PENCILS & ERASERS
• TATTOOS – child friendly
• *CLEAR JARS FILLED WITH CANDY (for the Guessing Room- please include amounts taped to jar)
• USED STUFFED ANIMALS AND ITEMS FOR A WHITE ELEPHANT (GARAGE) SALE
• PEANUT FREE CANDY/CHOCOLATE (BAGGED, INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED/ PRE-WRAPPED)
• BAGS OF CHIPS AND CHIPS (small)
• STICKERS
• CAKES (all cakes must include a list of ingredients AND packaged to go home with the winner)
• SWEET PACKAGED SNACKS, CANDY AND BAKED GOODS (INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED/CUT INTO PORTION SIZES-NUT FREE))– for the snack shop
• Nail Polish
• Gently used books
• Glow sticks/necklaces
• Beads, plastic lacing for making bracelets
• Jibbitz

If you are able to make a donation, you can drop off items at the main office on or before June 10th.  Cakes and baked goods can be delivered Friday morning. All items must be nut-free.  Gluten and dairy-free items are also needed. 

 Tickets will be sold online May 31 to June 10. Your child will be given their tickets just before the start of our Mission Day.  *NO Cash will be accepted in advance*.   All activities will cost between 1-3 tickets to participate in. Some games are games of chance in which a prize may or may not be won, and some games are a guaranteed prize. Some activities that will be available are: Cake Walk, Nail Salon,  Fish Bowl Toss, Guessing Jars, Snack Shop, Stuffy Sale, BINGO, Dance Party, Lawn Games, and many more. Parents are welcome to join us for the afternoon. 

As always, thank you for your continued support of our school activities.

Dear Tiger Families,

Due to significant rain overnight and expected through the morning, and the potential for storms in the afternoon, the Intermediate Co-Ed Gold Soccer Tournament today will be postponed to its rain date of Wednesday, May 29^th.

“Faith must lead us believers to see other persons as our brother & sisters that we need to support and love”

– Pope Francis

 

Dear Tiger Families,

As we step into the final week of May, below are some updates from our school community. The warm and sunny temperatures have certainly lifted everyone’s spirits this week, and it’s been a joy to see our students and staff embracing the outdoors!

Congratulations to our Confirmation Candidates!

Many of our students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation tomorrow, Saturday, May 25th at St. Ambrose Church.  This is a significant step in their faith journey and marks their commitment to a deeper relationship with God and active participation in the Church community.  Many thanks to Ms. Giosi and Ms. Hertner for their help in preparing the students and for their commitment to nurturing our students’ spiritual growth.  Thank you also to our parents for your guidance and for reinforcing the importance of this sacrament.  We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with our students and their families.  Let us continue to pray for their spiritual growth and openness to the Holy Spirit.

Thank you to our Catholic Schools Advisory Council Committee (CSAC)

On Wednesday, May 22nd, we held our final CSAC meeting for the 2023-2024 school year.  A very big thank you to all of our parents who sit on this committee:  Diane Gouveia (Co-Chair),  Alice Figueiredo (Co-Chair) Katie Reid (Co-Chair) Melissa De Franier (Treasurer), Tish Bagley, Filomena Cruz, Shane Carlos, Manuel da Silva (Community Representative) Gorette Varao (Recording Secretary), Skyler Tanner.  It has been a very successful year thanks to your time, work, and efforts!  THANK YOU!  Attached is the final CSAC Annual Report: St. Vincent de Paul CSAC Annual Report 2023-2024

SVdP Sports Teams Update!

Congratulations to the Intermediate Badminton Team! Congratulations to our Intermediate Badminton team who placed second in the one-day tournament at Monsignor Doyle this past Wednesday! Our students showed not only great skill but great sportsmanship and teamwork!  Well done Tigers!  We are so proud of you.  Thank you to Mr. Gouveia, Ms. Beha, and Ms. Gioisi for all their work in helping our students.

Intermediate Co-ed Soccer Tournament:  Our school’s Intermediate Co-Ed Soccer Tournament is just around the corner!  The team will be participating in a half-day tournament on Monday, May 27th (rain date May 29th).   Many thanks to Mrs. Racco and M. Hutfluss for their work and time in coaching our soccer athletes!  Good luck Tigers!

Cross Country Meet (Cambridge Schools): Our students have been working hard training for the Cross Country Meet scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th.  You are doing awesome Tigers and keep working hard!  Thanks to Ms. Ahearn, Ms. Harnack and Mr. Toole for their help.  

Friday, May 31st is a PD Day!

This Friday is a Professional Development Day and therefore, no school for students. The Extended Day program will be open for those families registered in the program.  Enjoy your long weekend Tigers!

Return all LIBRARY BOOKS!

Each year, our Learning Commons begins the year-end library inventory. You can help us by returning ANY library books that you have at home to the school this week. All books are due back by Thursday, May 30th! .  Thank you!

ARE YOU MOVING?

If you are aware that you will not be returning to St. Vincent de Paul in September, please let the office know. We are planning for next year and having the most updated information is very helpful.

Lord, send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth.

   Psalm 104

Dear Tiger Families,

As we approach the Victoria Day long weekend, we hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend and that it brings you and your family joy and relaxation!  As we continue our learning journey,  please stay informed about your child’s progress and classroom activities by visiting your child’s D2L site where teachers share assignments, announcements, and resources.   This Sunday, May 19th, we will celebrate Pentecost.  Pentecost is a significant event in the Catholic Church and is observed 50 days after Easter.  It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and followers of Jesus.  This event is considered one of the most important feasts in the liturgical calendar.

School Messenger Safe Arrivals

Exciting news is coming to help families with calling attendance for children!  School Messenger Safe Arrivals would have sent you a message (phone, voicemail, email or text) this past Thursday to let you know this system is coming to the WCDSB.  This will make attendance reporting so much easier for families.  Please see this flyer for more information:  2.-SMS-Text-Opt-In-Flyer-WCDSB

Catholic Schools Advisory Council Meeting: Wednesday, May, 22nd

CSAC Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 22nd.  Mass will begin at 6:00 in the chapel. We will have a guest speaker Sarah Kwiecinski the Youth Coordinator at St. Ambrose Parish sharing information about Youth and Faith.

Summer Camp for Indigenous Students!

Please see below for information about a summer camp!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our marvelous mothers and mother figures at SVdP!  Today we take the time to recognize and thank those who are with us today or in our hearts, for their unconditional love, patience, and selflessness.  Wishing all a blessed and enjoyable day!

Dear Tiger Families,

What a wonderful week we had at school celebrating Catholic Education theme where each of us where reminded about our call to love and to let our light shine!  Throughout the week, our students and staff came together to reflect on how we are people of hope, faith, mercy, justice, and joy!  It was so great to see so many of our parents and guardians attending our events, volunteering and being active participants in our celebrations.  As we continue our journey in faith, let us remember that we are called to love one another, just as Jesus taught us.  May our school community always be a place of love, kindness, and compassion.  Thank you for entrusting your children to us!  We are so blessed to be a part of their growth and learning!

Bienvenida a nuestra escuela!

SVdP is pleased to welcome students visiting the WCDSB from Colombia!  This past week we welcomed 10 students and they will be with us until June!  We hope you enjoy your stay!

Track and Field for Grades 4 to 8 on Tuesday, May 14

We are so excited that on Tuesday, May 14th our students from Grades 4 to 8 will once again be participating in the annual Track & Field meet at Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School.  Students will be walking to Monsignor Doyle shortly after 9:00 am and will be walking back to SVdP in the afternoon.   We are in need of parent volunteers to help with running some of the events and to help supervise.  If you are available, please email your child’s teacher for more details.  Please see  SVDP School Meet 2024 for important information and details that have been shared with your child

This is just a reminder that students are not permitted to leave the meet at any time during the day.  If you will be picking up your child at Monsignor Doyle or if you have made alternate arrangements, please ensure that the Dismissal Form that was sent home has been completed and signed.  If we do not have this completed form, your child will walk back to school and be dismissed at the regular 3:30 pm time.  Students will only be allowed to enter the high school to use the bathroom only.  Please ensure that your child has enough water, healthy snacks, and lunch as there is nowhere to purchase food.  In between their events, students will be sitting in an assigned area with their class.

What all students should bring to Track & Field:

• Water, lunch, and snacks (there is nowhere to purchase food)
• Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen/sunblock
• Extra clothes for layering (just in case)
• Proper running shoes
• Clothing appropriate for physical activity
• Blanket or towel to sit on
• Book, cards, or other small games that can be played with a small group

Tigers, please remember that we are guests at Monsignor Doyle and we know that you will show the same respect, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship that you do at school each and every day!  Let’s have a great day, Tigers!

ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

May is designated as Asian Heritage Month and an opportunity for us to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the country we know and love.   Over the last two centuries, immigrants have journeyed to Canada from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western and Southeast Asia, bringing our society a rich cultural heritage representing many languages, ethnicities, and religious traditions. This month, we recognize the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to the growth and prosperity of our country.  The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2024 is “Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: Amplifying Asian Canadian Legacy”. This theme celebrates the rich heritage and contributions of people of Asian origin in Canada while also looking forward to the future with optimism and hopefulness. We are acknowledging the voices, stories, and achievements of people of Asian origin in Canada and recognizing their contributions to all aspects of our society, including the arts, sports and social justice.

WCDSB Multi- Year Strategic Plan Survey

As we reach the midpoint of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP), our Board is committed to ensuring our strategies and actions align with our goals. By utilizing our MYSP indicators and implementing evidence-based practices, we are diligently monitoring our investments and efforts. Our accountability framework further positions us to meet our objectives effectively.

Your input is important to us. We are reaching out to parents and community members to gather your perspectives and insights. Please take a few moments to complete our spring survey. Your feedback will help shape the direction of our initiatives and ensure that we continue to progress in a manner that reflects our shared values and priorities.

Thank you for your participation and support.

COMPLETE SURVEY: https://wcdsb.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hC7fij9iAmHrGC

  Math @ Home May Issue

Parents can make a big difference in their child’s learning by talking with them about what they are learning at school. While these resources are optional, they provide valuable information about what students are learning at school and ideas for supporting their learning at home.  Please click  HERE  for ways to have fun with math at home!

EQAO Assessments in Grades 3 and 6

This year, we are once again following Ministry’s direction to administer the assessment from the Education Quality and Accountability Office for all Grade 3 and 6 students. Both our Grade 3 and 6 students will be writing a sample test in May to help our students familiarize themselves with the questions and online platform.  The actual assessment will take place beginning June 3rd.  EQAO has created a short video for parents and guardians of primary- and junior-division students participating in the assessments.

Parish News

Mom & Tots Pray & Play:  Do you want to introduce your child/children to Eucharistic Adoration? Do you need some quiet time praying with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? If so, this program is for you. Bring your children to adoration, and when you’re ready you can drop them off to enjoy supervised play with other children for the remaining time while you adore alone.  This will be held the LAST Wednesday of each month from 10:00-11:30am in the Adoration Chapel and Children’s Liturgy room at St. Ambrose Church. Registration is required, please email momtotsprayplay@gmail.com   Please register for the upcoming date of  Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Children’s Liturgy at 11am Sunday Mass our Children’s Liturgy program is offered at 11:00am Mass.  At the beginning of Mass children will be invited to come forward to follow the leader downstairs to our Children’s Liturgy room. At the offertory, the children will return upstairs and sit as a group in the front pews for the remainder of Mass. (no registration required)

Is your child interested in becoming an altar server?  Our parish is in need of more altar servers.  It is an honour to serve at our Lord’s table during Holy Mass.  Parents, please speak to your child about becoming an altar server.  Grade 4 and older.  Training provided.

Parish Ladies, we invite you to come together in friendship to Praise the Lord and discover the ways God has personally called each of us, and how deeply He loves us.
Together, we will study scripture, share testimonies (or listen to others), and watch films, that will help us to respond to His call and His tremendous love for us.  We will serve each other, our families, our parish, and our community as we are inspired by the Holy Spirit.  LADIES, JOIN US as we begin to deepen our relationship with the Lord. We will meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 7pm to 9pm, in the Parish Hall.   If you have questions please contact the parish office. Next dates: Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Be A Man Men’s group in St. Ambrose Church Hall every Saturday morning from 7:00 am to 8:30 am.  All men welcome, 18 years and older.  Come and join us for good conversation, fellowship and coffee and muffins.

“If we love one another, God lives in us.”

                                                     (1 John 4:12)

We are thrilled to announce that next week, May 6-10, we will be celebrating Catholic Education Week at St. Vincent de Paul. This is a special time for us to come together as a community and reflect on the impact of Catholic education in shaping the hearts and minds of our students.  This year’s theme is “Called to Love”  which reminds us of the central message of our faith: to love one another as God loves us. Throughout the week, we will explore how this call to love shapes our identity, influences our relationships and inspires us to make a positive difference in the world. Catholic Education Week comes at the same time as Mental Health Awareness Week. Through love and compassion, we continue to support each other’s wellbeing. God is love and we are always called to live out this love.

We have several activities planned to highlight the daily themes for week:

• Service Projects: As part of our commitment to living out the Gospel values, students will participate in collecting items for service projects aimed at serving those in need and spreading love and compassion in our community.  The staff and students and St. Vincent de Paul would like to show that we are a ‘People of Justice” by making cards and collecting items by making cards and collecting items to support Camino Wellbeing and Mental Health (formerly Monica Place), a local shelter for women and children under the age of 5 years old.   Classes have already started to collect items to donate to the shelter.  Your child’s teacher will have already let you know what items your child’s class will be collecting via their classroom D2L site.   As in the past, the generosity of our students and their families has been wonderful!  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 Wednesday, May 15th.   Thank you in advance for your continued support of all of our school initiatives.
• Liturgical Celebrations: We will gather as a school community to celebrate Easter Mass on Wednesday, May 8th at St. Ambrose Church at 10:00 am.  On Friday, May 10th, we will be celebrating the Crowning of Mary at 10:30 am in our school’s gym.  Parents are welcome to attend both our mass at St. Ambrose Church and Crowning of Mary, where we will pray together
• Folk Dancing: Our students have been diligently practicing and preparing for the WCDSB’s Folk Dance presentation that will be held on Tuesday, May 7th at the Galt Arena at 7:00 pm.  The students will be showing various dances and their talent and creativity in dance for the entire school during the day on Tuesday.
• Volunteer Recognition: On Friday, May 10th, we will be taking a moment to recognize and express our sincere appreciation for all of our volunteers.   Please make sure to RSVP by Monday May 6th!  Your dedication and commitment have truly made a difference in the lives of our students, staff and school community and we can’t thank you enough!

Welcome to Kindergarten Night!

We are thrilled to invite our future Tigers to our upcoming Welcome to Kindergarten Night on Thursday, May 9th at 6:oo pm.  This special event is designed to provide you with a warm introduction to our school community and help prepare your child for their exciting journey into kindergarten!

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations: May is A Caring
Family Member

In May, we will again focus on the important Catholic Graduate Expectation of being a Caring Family Member.  A Caring Family Member witnesses Catholic social teachings by promoting peace and respect for all.

Being a caring family member means I CARE!

• I love God, myself and my family
• I care about and respect my ‘family’ at school, at Church, in the community, and the world
• I care about and respect God’s creation and everything in it,
  Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I will live my life like Jesus!

Deep Learning: Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are the skills and attributes that students need to thrive in the modern world. Sometimes called “competencies” – they will help students navigate the world of work and meet with success in the future.  During the month of May, as Catholics, we will show transferable skills through Inclusion & Belonging. This month, we will welcome approaching new situations and people with an open mind and without judgement, seek out and celebrate diverse perspectives from our own, and educate ourselves to learn about different cultures, religions, and lifestyles.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in cultivating a dynamic and enriching educational experience for your child.

ARE YOU MOVING?

If you are aware that you will not be returning to St. Vincent de Paul in September, please let the office know. We are planning for next year and having the most updated information is very helpful.

Summer Camp for Indigenous Students!

Please see below for information about a summer camp!