“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”

—Jane Goodall

Dear Tiger Families,

This week, students got to participate in three incredible presentations. These presentations provided valuable learning opportunities for our students and reinforced important messages about cultural awareness and personal empowerment. On Tuesday, April 16th, our Grade 8 students traveled to Guelph to attend the Youth Symposium to listen to several speakers talk about the importance of decision-making and resilience, highlighting the impact of our choices on our lives and providing strategies for overcoming challenges and obstacles. Our Grade 6 and 7 students had the privilege of hearing Dwayne Morgan speak on the same day. Dwayne Morgan spoke to the students about strategies to confront harmful language and ways to cultivate a respectful, inclusive atmosphere. Finally, yesterday our students participated in a demonstration of a pow-wow from The Healing of the Seven Generations of Kitchener. The presentation centered around an Indigenous drumming circle, where students had the opportunity to engage with traditional music and learn about the regalia and the cultural significance of the circle and drumming in Indigenous communities. Through interactive demonstrations, our students gained a deeper understanding of Indigenous traditions and the importance of preserving and honoring diverse cultural heritage.

This upcoming week, SVdP will be celebrating Earth Week with a series of engaging and educational activities focused on environmental awareness and sustainability. Earth Week is an opportunity for our school community to come together and reflect on the importance of protecting our planet and taking action to preserve its natural resources for future generations. Through a variety of spirit days, events, and initiatives, we aim to inspire our students to become responsible stewards of the environment and make positive changes in their daily lives:

Mindful Monday (April 22nd): Let’s be mindful of how much garbage we produce at school and at home. Use reusable water bottles and make your lunch by using reusable containers. Turn off lights and electronics that are not being used at home.
Take it Outside Tuesday (April 23rd): Take your learning outside today! Go for a walk and appreciate the beauty of our world!
Walk to School Wednesday (April 24th): Conserve energy! Reduce your carbon footprint by walking or biking to school today! Let’s see which class will have the most people who walked or biked today!
Thoughtful Thursday (April 25th): Bring your garden gloves to school today and let’s be thoughtful of our yard by cleaning it up.
Dress Like Mother Earth Friday (April 26th): Wear blue and green or rainbow colours. Get creative in your best Mother Earth look.

Thank you for your continued support of our school’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Together, we can make a difference!

HAPPY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DAY TO MRS. BARTLETT AND MRS. SOARES!

On Wednesday, April 24th, we will take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. Soares on “Administrative Professionals Day” for all the incredible work they do. Their dedication, organization, kindness, and warm demeanor make our school a better place every day. From greeting visitors and students with a friendly smile to efficiently managing administrative tasks behind the scenes, their contributions are invaluable and greatly appreciated. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our school community and for always going above and beyond to support our students, staff, and parents. Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we are truly fortunate to have you as an integral part of our team. May you be celebrated and appreciated for all that you do, not just today but every day.

Wishing you a wonderful Administrative Professionals Day filled with joy, recognition, and appreciation!

First Holy Communion Retreat

Our Grade 2 students have been diligently preparing to receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion, a significant milestone in their spiritual journey. As part of their preparation, they will be attending a special retreat on Friday, April 26th at St. Ambrose Church to further deepen their understanding of the sacrament and reflect on its significance in their lives. During the retreat, our students will engage in prayer, reflection, and activities designed to help them grow in their faith and prepare their hearts to receive the Body of Christ for the first time. Led by our teachers, Ms. Santos, Ms. Wright, Ms. Purdy, and Ms. Martin as well as Father Gary Schlack, the retreat will provide a sacred space for our students to connect with God and one another as they continue their journey of faith. Our Grade 2 students will celebrate their First Holy Communion on Saturday, April 27th.

Dental Screening For JK, SK, and Grade 2 Students!

On Wednesday, April 24th, the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services will be offering a dental screening program at our school. The dental screening is a provincially required program under the Ontario Public Health Standards that aims to ensure all children receive equal access to dental care across Ontario. All JK, SK and Grade 2 students at our school will be screened (as well as other select students as appropriate). Dental screenings are a quick look in your child’s mouth to check for any urgent dental concerns. A Registered Dental Hygienist performs this visual check using a single-use, sterilized mouth mirror (one per child). This screening does not replace your child’s regular visit with a dentist. Each participating student will be sent home at the end of the screening day(s) with a confidential result letter in a closed envelope.

How can I opt in or opt-out from the dental screening?
If your child is in one of the grades listed above, they will be screened. Please complete this form at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/dentalopting or call 519-575-4400 ext. 5010 if you do not want your child to be screened or if your child is not in one of the grades listed and you would like them to be screened

Promoting a Culture of Inclusivity and Independence: Insights from Michael Jacques & Dr. Gillian Parekh: April 23rd

Join us for an enlightening discussion featuring Michael Jacques, a compassionate and determined young adult with autism and an intellectual disability. Michael, author of “Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s My Book” and “I Belong, Can I Play?”, speaks passionately about topics such as learning, inclusion, advocating, independence, and the power of perseverance.

Following Michael’s inspiring presentation, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Gillian Parekh, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Disability Studies in Education at York University. Dr. Parekh, renowned author of “Ableism in Education,” brings a wealth of experience as a former special education teacher and research coordinator with the Toronto District School Board. Her expertise in structural equity, special education, and academic streaming promises invaluable insights. This event is brought to you by WCDSB SEAC. The online presentation starts at 6:30 pm on April 23, 2024. Please register for the event by: Promoting Independence

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain knowledge, inspiration, and support for promoting independence in our communities!

Circuit Training for Track and Field Grades 4 – 8: Starts MONDAY!!

Starting on April 22, students in Grades 4 to 8 will begin circuit training in preparation for the Track and Field event on May 14th. These sessions will help to develop student’s strength, speed, endurance, and agility and are crucial for their preparation in the upcoming event. To ensure safety, students must come to school prepared with proper athletic attire, including appropriate shoes.

Catholic Education Week: We Are Called to Love

Catholic Education Week 2024 is scheduled to take place during the week of May 5 – May 10. All Catholic schools in Ontario will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly funded Catholic education. Publicly funded Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841 and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very well. The current generation of students in our publicly funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit and generosity as their previous generations.

This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is, “We are called to love.” The theme for Catholic Education Week 2024 was inspired by the following consideration:

With joyful anticipation of the Jubilee Year of 2025, we are inspired by Pope Francis announcing the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” With open hearts of love, we can continue to “fan the flame of hope” for a bright future.
On the fifth anniversary of Renewing the Promise, we celebrate that Catholic Education is centered on our Christian call to love. This love permeates how we live in the world and as we act with love, we build a better future. As Pope Francis stated in 2023, “He wants us to be artisans of a new history, weavers of hope, builders of the future, peacemakers.”
The theme of the synod, “Enlarge the Space of Your Tent,” invites us to listen in love, to be a healing presence to one another and to strengthen relationships.
In his visit to Canada last summer, Pope Francis gave us hope for our continued work for Truth and Reconciliation. Through prayer and a commitment to love, stronger bonds are forming and a new way forward is emerging.
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.
In our continued work for Equity and Inclusion in Catholic schools, a focus on love reminds us that all God’s children are loved unconditionally.

Using these resources, as well as our own developed activities, we will be preparing a series of activities, which will highlight how our school is being Called to love together. Stay tuned for more information!

EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians of Elementary School Students

Register for this free live webinar on April 30th or May 7th and learn about EQAO’s primary and junior Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Participants will learn about the purpose of Ontario’s large-scale assessments. EQAO staff will explain the assessment format, highlight resources to support students and answer questions from participants.