Monthly Archives: November 2023

This upcoming week is our Increase the Peace! Week with a focus on kindness, empathy, community and anti-bullying awareness. We will have a daily focus for each day inspired by our WCDSB Pastoral theme of STRENGHTEN. We will share our focus each morning with all of our students in their classes and on our daily school-wide morning announcements.

 

• Monday: Strengthen our friendships
• Tuesday: Strengthen our capacity for empathy
• Wednesday: Strengthen our listening ears
• Thursday: Strengthen our conflict resolution skills
• Friday: Strengthen our Kindness

Happening This Week: 

Reminder: Progress Reports and Conferences

Progress Reports will be going home on Monday, November 20th. We hope you recognize the strengths in learning so far and celebrate successes for the start of the year at school. These initial reports highlight progress towards the end of the year expectations. There is still lots of time to reflect on next steps for growth in learning and set goals for the school year.

Conferences are scheduled for this upcoming week and we look forward to connecting with our families. Please be sure you have booked a conference or reached out to your child’s teacher. Thank you for your continued support as partners in education.

How to Book a Parent-Student-Teacher Conference:

1. Click the Link: Parent-Student-Teacher Conference 

2. Select your child’s teacher from the “Select Staff” dropdown menu

3. Click “November 23rd” on the Calendar

4. Pick a conference time (Only available times will be listed)

5. Add your details (Email and Phone number are required in case we need to contact you for any changes, etc.)

6. Click Book and you will receive a confirmation email

Bookings will close at 10am on Thursday November 23rd. You will need to call the office at 519-579-0890 for assistance after this time.

 

Grade 8 Night at Resurrection Catholic SS

Calling all Future Phoenix! Join us on Wednesday, November 29th at 6:30 pm at Resurrection to learn more about the transition to high school.

https://resurrection.wcdsb.ca/student-services/guidance/grade8/

Other Information: 

Attendance

There are 194 school days in a given year. Missing a “few” might not seem like a big deal, but “a day here and a day there” can add up to a substantial amount of learning loss. Every day matters; routine matters. A healthy routine with regular attendance is essential to a child’s success. If you have a concern, please talk to us at school.

Attendance Matters Late Chart

 

Winter Weather Reminder 

It is imperative that students have a pair of inside shoes for safety. Now that the colder weather has arrived, the halls are often wet, and boots and socks will become wet quickly. Also, it can get very cold in the yard during recess times with the open field.  Please pack extra hats, mittens, and socks in your child’s backpack.  Students are outside for two 15-minute recess breaks and a 40-minute lunch recess.  This can feel very long if not appropriately dressed.

Please check the weather before school to be prepared.

In the colder winter months, depending on the severity of the weather, there are times that we shorten our time outside or do not go out at all.

• When the temperature is between -20°C and -27°C, students will not be outside longer than 15 minutes.
• When temperatures are colder than -27°C, students remain inside

The cancellation of buses does not automatically indicate that schools will be closed. The decision to close schools due to inclement weather is a separate decision from buses. Please be sure to monitor our NewsWire before school on days when winter conditions may indicate buses could be canceled or that schools are closed.

 

Lunch Box Weather Reminder

When buses are cancelled, food days for that day will be cancelled too.  The office will call the vendor the morning of to advise that the delivery is cancelled that day.  The Lunchbox Support Team will process credits to the family’s accounts for the cancelled lunch orders.

 

Together, we will build a strong community that is committed to lifting up others, repairing harms of the past, and creating a better tomorrow for all. #Strengthen

Important Dates

December 25th – Christmas Break Begins

January 8th – Back to School New Year 2024

January 19th – PA Day (no school for students)

February 15th – Term 1 Reports go home

February 19th – Family Day (no school for students)

March 8~15th – March Break (no school for students)

March 29th – Good Friday (no school for students)

April 1st – Easter Monday (no school for students)

April 19th – PA Day (no school for students)

May 20th – Victoria Day (no school for students)

May 31st – PA Day (no school for students)

June 25th- Term 2 Reports go home

June 27th- Last Day of School

June 28th – PA Day  (no school for students)

Thunder Community,

What a beautiful weekend to Remember. On November 11th, Remembrance Day, we were called to remember those who have given up so much for us in their quest to bring peace to the world. We were also reminded of our call to be peacemakers in our school, family, and community. This month, as we focus on the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectation, “I have a Voice!” we are learning how to speak up against injustice, use our words for good, and how to make changes that create a safe & inclusive space for everyone in our community. Our Grade 5 students are doing a fantastic job sharing messages, announcements, and Google Slides with our school community. #studentvoice

Reminder: NO SCHOOL MONDAY NOVEMBER 13th

Strengthen: PD Day in November

“I can do all things through the One who strengthens me”

Our WCDSB Pastoral Plan this year is Strengthen. With this theme, staff and students explore how we are the People of God, listening and responding, STRENGTHENED to share the Gospel.  Our Spiritual PD day is November 13th. (no school for students) 

 

Thank you to our 2022-23 Catholic School Advisory Council for the time and energy you invested in our TD Friends of the Environment grant. We have been awarded a $14 025.97 grant toward an Outdoor Classroom & Gardens. Work on this grant will begin soon and we are very excited about the finished product. We will share more information as the project continues.

 

2023-24 Catholic School Advisory Council

Our second meeting of this school year took place on Monday November 6th. The focus of our meeting was a review of the Student Generated Funds & Fundraising policy. Our WCDSB Internal Auditor, Shane Durham, gave a presentation to help explain the policies and answer questions. Please see the full presentation linked below.

Student Generated Funds & School Council – What to Know

All money raised from fundraising must go directly to support students and activities in the school, offering the potential to enrich the experience of our students and help build a broader sense of community. The province of Ontario provides a publicly funded education system which allows every student the right to attend and the opportunity to succeed. Participation in fundraising activities is voluntary. Funds raised for school purposes are used to complement, not replace, public funding for education. These include but are not limited to:

• costs associated with Grade 8 graduation
• subsidizing transportation costs for curricular and extra-curricular excursions
• extra classroom materials

November 6th CSAC meeting minutes

We are hoping to have an increase in participation at our upcoming meetings. All parents/ guardians are welcome to attend, and your voice is important. Please consider joining us at our next meeting on Monday December 4th from 6pm – 7:30pm.

 

Fall Fire Drills complete

We have completed all three of our fall fire drills. Students have learned the importance of taking safety preparedness drills seriously and exiting the school quickly, calmly and quietly. These drills are important to practise at home, too.

 

Other Information:

Progress Reports and Conferences

Progress Reports will be going home on Monday, November 20th. 

This year the Parent-Student-Teacher conferences will be held on November 23rd, 2023 from 4-8PM at our school (St John’s) located on 99 Strange Street, Kitchener ON N2G 1R4. 

We want every parent/ guardian to meet with your child’s teacher to be able to discuss your child’s progress in the term thus far. Your child should attend the meeting with you, if possible.

 

How to Book a Parent-Student-Teacher Conference:

1. Click the Link: Parent-Student-Teacher Conference 

2. Select your child’s teacher from the “Select Staff” dropdown menu

3. Click “November 23rd” on the Calendar

4. Pick a conference time (Only available times will be listed)

5. Add your details (Email and Phone number are required in case we need to contact you for any changes, etc.)

6. Click Book and you will receive a confirmation email

Please note, if you require any assistance in booking a conference please call us at 519-579-0890 and we will be happy to assist you!

 

Grade 8 Night at Resurrection Catholic SS

Calling all Future Phoenix! Join us on Wednesday, November 29th at 6:30 pm at Resurrection to learn more about the transition to high school.

https://resurrection.wcdsb.ca/student-services/guidance/grade8/

 

Together, we will build a strong community that is committed to lifting up others, repairing harms of the past, and creating a better tomorrow for all. #Strengthen

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Important Dates

November 20th – Progress Reports go home

November 23rd – Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences (pm)

December 25th – Christmas Break Begins

January 8th – Back to School New Year 2024

January 19th – PA Day (no school for students)

February 15th – Term 1 Reports go home

February 19th – Family Day (no school for students)

March 8~15th – March Break (no school for students)

March 29th – Good Friday (no school for students)

April 1st – Easter Monday (no school for students)

April 19th – PA Day (no school for students)

May 20th – Victoria Day (no school for students)

May 31st – PA Day (no school for students)

June 25th- Term 2 Reports go home

June 27th- Last Day of School

June 28th – PA Day  (no school for students)

Hello Thunder families!

A final reminder that we are hosting our CSAC: Catholic School Advisory Council meeting tonight from 6pm – 7:30pm in our Learning Commons.

Please see the November 6 CSAC agenda. All are welcome to attend.

Thunder Community,

As we head into November, we continue with our positive momentum and efforts in establishing a safe and inclusive community for all. Staff have spent the last two months working with students to help them develop the essential learning skills of responsibility, organization, independent work, collaboration, initiative and self-regulation. These skills are reported on for Progress Reports and Term 1 and 2 Report Cards.

Staff have also spent a considerable amount of time developing a sense of community within their classes encouraging positive and respectful social behaviour and relationship building among students. We thank you for all of the work you do at home with your child to help them be successful at school, too. This is truly a collaborative effort with the best interests of students at heart.

 

Daylight Saving Time

We hope the extra hour of sleep this weekend is a good reset for everyone! It is also a great time to change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Happening this week: 

Treaties Recognition Week: November 5-11

November is also the month of Treaties Recognition Week. In 2016, Ontario passed the first legislation in Canada declaring the first week of November as Treaties Recognition Week. This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

WCDSB Information on Treaties Recognition Week

 

Catholic School Advisory Council

We will have a CSAC meeting on Monday, November 6th at 6:00 pm in our school Learning Commons. Thank you to our parents who have offered their time to volunteer in support of our school community. All are welcome.

 

Bus Evacuation Drills 

Evacuation drills are conducted annually through our schools in collaboration with Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region. Parents/guardians can help ensure safe student transportation by reviewing and discussing safety rules and procedures with their children regularly. Annually, our evacuation drills are preceded by a classroom discussion to discuss the basics of bus safety and to view a safety video. An actual drill with a bus onsite follows. For more transportation safety information, please visit:  https://www.stswr.ca/parents/safety-programs/

Roles & Responsibilities: Student Transportation Services

1.1 Responsibilities of Bus Operators and Bus Drivers
1.2 Responsibilities of Taxi Operators and Taxi Drivers
1.3 Responsibilities of Students
1.4 Responsibilities of Parents
1.5 Responsibilities of STSWR

 

Remembrance Day

We will honour this day with a school Remembrance Day service on Friday, November 10th. November 11 is a day of national commemoration for the more than 100,000 Canadians who have died in military service. The costs for Canada, with its relatively small population, have been substantial. The adoption of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance has international origins. The first person to use it this way was Moina Michael, a member of the staff of the American Overseas YMCA in the last year of the war. Michael read McCrae’s poem and was so moved that she composed one of her own in response. She recalled later: “I pledged to keep the faith and always to wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance and the emblem of ‘keeping the faith with all who died’.”

At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.

 

Strengthen: PD Day in November

“I can do all things through the One who strengthens me”

Our WCDSB Pastoral Plan this year is Strengthen. With this theme, staff and students explore how we are the People of God, listening and responding, STRENGTHENED to share the Gospel.  Our Spiritual PD day is November 13th. (no school for students) 

Other Information: 

Progress Reports and Conferences

Progress Reports will be going home on Monday, November 20th. 

This year the Parent-Student-Teacher conferences will be held on November 23rd, 2023 from 4-8PM at our school (St John’s) located on 99 Strange Street, Kitchener ON N2G 1R4. 

We want every parent/ guardian to meet with your child’s teacher to be able to discuss your child’s progress in the term thus far. Your child should attend the meeting with you, if possible.

 

How to Book a Parent-Student-Teacher Conference:

1. Click the Link: Parent-Student-Teacher Conference 

2. Select your child’s teacher from the “Select Staff” dropdown menu

3. Click “November 23rd” on the Calendar

4. Pick a conference time (Only available times will be listed)

5. Add your details (Email and Phone number are required in case we need to contact you for any changes, etc.)

6. Click Book and you will receive a confirmation email

Please note, if you require any assistance in booking a conference please call us at 519-579-0890 and we will be happy to assist you!

 

Food4Kids

For 40 weekends of the school year and 90 days of school breaks, Food4Kids Waterloo Region provides healthy food to 1,100 children ages 1-14 within our region. They are currently supporting kids in 82 of 151 elementary schools, and they need your help to reach more as they are, sadly, limited in their funding. They depend on donations and fundraising to support their current and growing list of children. By donating today, you are helping put an end to childhood hunger. Donate online: www.food4kidswr.ca/toonies4kids (You can donate specifically to our school too!)

 

Fundraiser: Sheltering Hearts: A Home for Everyone

Join WCDSB in building a brighter future for the homeless community. ‘Sheltering Hearts: A Home for Everyone’ is not just a fundraiser; it’s a movement of compassion and solidarity. Together, we can provide safe havens and restore hope for those in need. From November 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023, the WCDSB has our Sheltering Hearts: A Home for Everyone fundraiser. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to A Better Tent City (Kitchener-Waterloo) and The Bridges (Cambridge). Donations are made easily through the QR code on the poster or this link to School Cash Online. Here, you can select which of the two organizations you wish to donate to and can request a tax receipt for donations over $50.00.

Sheltering-Hearts-Tiny-Home-Fundraiser

 

Together, we will build a strong community that is committed to lifting up others, repairing harms of the past, and creating a better tomorrow for all. #Strengthen

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Important Dates

November 13th – PA Day (no school for students)

November 20th – Progress Reports go home

November 23rd – Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences (pm)

December 25th – Christmas Break Begins

January 8th – Back to School New Year 2024

January 19th – PA Day (no school for students)

February 15th – Term 1 Reports go home

February 19th – Family Day (no school for students)

March 8~15th – March Break (no school for students)

March 29th – Good Friday (no school for students)

April 1st – Easter Monday (no school for students)

April 19th – PA Day (no school for students)

May 20th – Victoria Day (no school for students)

May 31st – PA Day (no school for students)

June 25th- Term 2 Reports go home

June 27th- Last Day of School

June 28th – PA Day  (no school for students)