Treat yourself like someone you love.

Glennon Doyle Melton

Dear Tiger Families,

Welcome to a new week and the last full week of January. Next week, is Mental Health Anti-Stigma Week. From January 22 to 26th, SVdP will open up conversations about mental health to reduce stigma When we create safe spaces for talking about mental health and mental illnesses and encourage help-seeking amongst young people, we are creating understanding, compassion, and hope for a new generation. Just as our pastoral plan intentionally connects and guides our faith journey with our lived experiences and allows our community to reflect and be responsive to our current needs, we hope that we can use our lived experiences and knowledge of mental health to Strengthen in us a greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of those struggling with their mental health while students Strengthen their support plan. Tigers let’s wear BLUE on Friday, January 26th to help remind us to pay attention to our own mental health and to reach out to someone who may need a helping hand. Here are some other tips to promote good mental health practices:

Spend time doing something you enjoy. This activity can be on your own or with a group of people. It’s a moment for you to engage with healthy hobbies that make you happy.
Take breaks. Take time out for yourself. Being busy can be good but being stressed all the time is not. Give yourself permission to rest and relax. Doing “nothing” is actually doing something. It’s helping you build your strength for the next challenge.
Help others. When you take time to be kind to others, or get involved in something bigger than yourself, it can give your own mental health a boost. Small things that don’t take a lot of your own energy can sometimes make a huge difference to someone else. Say “hi” to someone new in the halls, invite someone to sit with you at lunch, hold the door open for someone, and see if it gives you a lift too.
Notice the good things. It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives that happen in life. Instead, look for the positives each day, even in situations that might seem bad. Be grateful for the small things.
Get sleep. We know school starts early and you may like staying up late, so you might not get enough sleep all the time. But aim to get 8 or more hours of sleep most nights. Here are some tips on how to improve your sleep.
Try to increase your water intake – carry a water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated throughout the day. Consider decreasing or discontinuing your caffeine intake – caffeine has been shown to create a stress reaction in your body and might cause you to feel nervous, irritable or restless.
Fuel yourself well. Sometimes it helps to have a healthy snack nearby so you can refuel easily and avoid getting “hangry”.
Try to limit screen time. Research has linked social media use with mental health issues – you’ve probably heard this before. Using social media can cause us to compare ourselves… we do this without noticing, so it can be hard to stop. Many smartphones let you set timers on apps to help you limit how much you use them.
Move! Physical activity is good for our mental health. It can be as simple as taking a walk. Even better, join an activity at school – it’s a great way to meet people who you can be active with.

Catholic Schools Advisory Council (CSAC) Meeting: Wednesday, January 24th

This Wednesday, January 24th, CSAC will be meeting at 6:00 pm will be meeting in our Learning Commons.

Parent Meeting For Sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation, and Confirmation

The meeting for parents of Grade 2 students, regarding the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation – is Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 6:30 pm at St. Ambrose Church. See you there!

There will be an information meeting for parents of Grade 7 students on Thursday, February 1st at 6:30 pm at St. Ambrose Church.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year Now Open!

Kindergarten is an exciting milestone for your child and for your family! Our school offers a full-day, 2-year Kindergarten program, designed to engage curious early learners through different kinds of play, that help children learn how to reason and problem-solve as they interact with one another. The online registration portal for Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open!

Children born in 2020 are eligible for Year 1 of The Kindergarten Program (Junior Kindergarten)
Children born in 2019 are eligible for Year 2 of The Kindergarten Program (Senior Kindergarten). *Children currently enrolled in Year 1 (JK) do not need to register for Year 2 (SK)

For more information on registering your child for kindergarten, please visit the WCDSB website: Entering Kindergarten – Waterloo Catholic District School Board (wcdsb.ca)

Just a reminder that our school has been ‘capped’ and therefore, closed to Out of Boundary admissions. For those existing families/students who attend SVdP and are out of bounds, they will be able to continue to attend our school but will be subject to year-to-year capacity. If new students (i.e. JK students) have older siblings who currently attend SVdP, they can register but again would be subject to year-to-year capacity.

Popcorn Sales: Last Day to Order is Sunday, January 21st!

‘Pop’ on to School cash online to order some delicious and nutritious popcorn! Indulge in a variety of mouth-watering popcorn flavors, including classic butter, dill pickle, white cheddar, and sweet and salty. Our popcorn comes from ‘From Farm to Table Canada’ and meets our Board’s nutritional policy. Their popcorn is freshly popped and irresistibly delicious, making it the perfect snack at school!

Careers in the Skilled Trades

FREE Event on January 31, 2024 – What Waterloo Region Parents Need to Know about Careers in the Skilled Trades

Skilled trades are a great option for all high school students to seriously consider. There’s a high and growing demand for people to fill good paying, satisfying careers in the skilled trades. This webinar will feature a keynote address from Jon Callegher, Executive Director of JobTalks, information about the OYAP program, followed by a Q & A.

In this captivating presentation, Dr. Callegher will reveal:

What makes a “Good Job” according to Ontario parents
Common concerns about children’s well-being today
What parents really think about University and College pathways
The physical and mental health benefits of the Skilled Trades
How “University-bound” traits are also Skilled Trades traits

Dr. Jon Callegher, an award-winning employment researcher, will explain why guidance counsellors and teachers can be confident in their support of the Skilled Trades as a post-secondary pathway for their students. Waterloo Catholic Region School Board OYAP Recruiter Leonard Bumbacco will be speaking regarding local opportunities and the OYAP program.

DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Registration Link – Webinar Registration – Zoom

Host Families Required for Japanese Exchange

International Education Services requires Short-Term home stays for a group of Japanese Exchange students who will be in Waterloo from April 12, 2024 – April 26, 2024. What’s involved? You will host 2 Japanese students – aged 15 or 16 years old. Students will require a bedroom (can be shared) and separate beds – can be twin, futon, air mattress, etc.), as well as meals. Home Stay families will be expected to pick up and drop off students for field trips and different events during the two weeks. Excursions will be provided for students during the week, and host families will provide weekend activities to help students engage in a Canadian Experience. Families will be provided with $500 to help cover costs of hosting. If you are interested in hosting, or learning more, please contact Carla Santomero (carla.santomero@wcdsb.ca) by January 26, 2024.

Winter Walk Day: February 7th

Winter Walk Day is the first Wednesday of February every year, and it celebrates those students who walk during the winter months as Canadian weather strong! Students are encouraged to dress for the weather, understand special winter walking tips, and join their peers in the walk to and from school. Register for a chance to win a $20 Indigo gift card! Walk/wheel from home or park and walk a few blocks to qualify. https://forms.gle/x7uDBD5mfdFy49UA6