Monthly Archives: May 2024

Progress Pride Flag will fly at all WCDSB sites for the entire month of June.

Called to Belong Prayer

Creating God, out of your great love you created all things. After the flood you crafted the rainbow and placed it in the sky as a reminder that you love everything and everyone you have created.

Yes, each individual colour of the rainbow is beautiful but its true beauty is found in the way that the colours are beautiful together. We are all called to belong, and we are most beautiful when we are together.

As human beings you crafted each of us in unique, distinctive and wonderful ways.

Some of us identify as 2SLGBTQIA+

No matter how you created us, we are all made in your image and likeness.

May all of your children come together and hold hands in peace and harmony. May we all work together for a world where acceptance, equity, justice, and celebration are possible for every person.

As the love of Jesus on the Cross extended to all people, by the power of your Holy Spirit may we love and embrace everyone in the same way.

Amen.

Fr. Joseph de Viveiros C.R.

June is the month traditionally devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which, for Catholics, is a sign and symbol of God’s boundless and passionate love for all humanity. The month of June is also designated as PRIDE season in Waterloo region and across Ontario. This month, and each and every month, our Catholic schools are committed to nurturing safe and inclusive learning environments where every student and every member of the community is welcomed, valued, and respected.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board celebrates diversity within our school communities and welcomes and values all children. We honour the inherent dignity in all of our 2SLGBTAQIA+ staff, students, parents and family members by treating one another with sensitivity, compassion, and respect. As Catholics, we believe that each of us is made in the image and likeness of God. 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. As we live, learn, and work together, we encourage one another to celebrate the glorious discovery of how we are made and loved by a God who knows us intimately and who invites us into a deeper relationship with Himself.

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

St. John’s Thunder families…

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers and mothers-at-heart within our school community. Today, we humbly recognize all the women who have shared moments of maternal love and joy in our lives.  Your love, dedication, and support enrich the lives of our students every day. We thank all the caring people who love us and are with us today and those we hold in our hearts. Wishing you a day filled with joy and appreciation.

Thank you for a great week!

Last week, we hosted many events during Catholic Education Week:

• Family of Schools CSAC Mass & Social
• Grade 4 Bible Celebration
• Welcome to Kindergarten
• Track & Field meet
• First Holy Communion
• Catholic Community Cafe & Open House

We are truly grateful to all the people who attended, helped out, and celebrated the gift of Catholic education with us. We finished off a very busy week with our Community Cafe & Open House, and it was a tremendous success once again! We love having our families join us in the school to see learning happening. Thank you for taking the time to start your day with us and help build community at St. John’s.

2024/2025 School Year Calendar

The first day of the school year for students will be Wednesday, September 4th, 2024.
The last day of the school year for students will be Thursday, June 26th, 2025.
The last day of school in December will be December 20, 2024, and the first day of school in the new year will be January 6, 2025.

Elementary PA Days
September 3, 2024
October 11, 2024
November 1, 2024
January 17, 2025
March 31, 2025
May 30, 2025
June 27, 2025

Registration for 2024-25 school year

Our online registration system is always available for families to register their children. If you have younger children who are not yet registered for next year, please begin this process immediately. If you know other families who are hoping to have their children attend St. John’s next year, they must register now. Our staffing is based on registrations at this point in time. School boards do not wait until the last week of summer to begin the staffing process. Thank you for spreading the word about online registration for 2024-25!

Thinking of Moving or Changing Schools?

Please contact the school as soon as possible as we are preparing classes for next year. Staffing is based on the number of students who are registered so we need an accurate number of students in each grade. If you are moving, it is essential that you inform us so we can prepare.  Thank you!

Welcome Mr. Mike Sullivan

You will notice a new face around our building over the next few weeks. Mr. Mike Sullivan will be joining the St. John’s community as Vice Principal for the 2024-25 school year. He will be spending a few transition days with us to get to know our community and become familiar with the layout of the school. He is coming from St. Anne’s CES in Cambridge.

Mr. Matt Figueiredo will continue to be our Vice Principal until the end of this school year. He will be moving to St. Anne’s CES in Cambridge for next school year.

Happening THIS week: 

Join D2L for an overview of Brightspace Parent and Guardian and an opportunity to ask questions!

Live Webinar: May 13, 2024 06:30 PM

Registration:  https://d2l.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sc-ugqTgsE9ylrLqG9oMuCCT6nEQFHIia

Video tutorials in Arabic, English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Tigrinyan have been created to guide our families in getting connected to their students’ D2L classrooms. Videos are housed on the WCDSB Parent and Guardian Page (scroll to the bottom).

Parents only need to go through the steps once and all their students who attend WCDSB schools will populate in the app. A parent email must be on file with your child’s school as this is a requirement for families to sign up for the parent portal. You can also watch this webinar recording to become familiar with D2L Brightspace Parent & Guardian access by web browser or app.

Sacrament of Confirmation: Tuesday May 14th

Grade 7 students who are registered with the church will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday May 14th. Mass begins promptly at 6pm; please arrive at the church by 5:45pm.

Upcoming Assessment Dates

Grade 3 & 6 EQAO May 8-June 12

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

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

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

June 18th – Grade 8 Graduation

June 25th- Term 2 Reports go home

June 27th- Last Day of School

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

Let us begin this week with our Catholic Education Week Prayer

Love is our calling, and the goal for which you have made us.
As we celebrate Catholic Education Week,
may our love in action reveal to our world
that we are people of justice and mercy.
May our daily words and example show clearly
that we are people of faith and hope.
In the ways we reflect you daily,
may everyone recognize us as people of joy.
Help us to never forget how much you love us,
and to cherish your life within us,
which gives energy and direction to our loving.
May we hear your call to love generously and inclusively,
and may we call our world to be more loving also.
All of this we ask in the name of Jesus, our Friend and our Lord. Amen.

CEW2024 Prayer Card

Happening THIS week: 

This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is “We are called to love.” It coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week. Through love and compassion, we continue to support each other’s well-being. 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.

Please see our daily themes below:

• Monday, May 6th:          As people of hope
• Tuesday, May 7th:          As people of faith
• Wednesday, May 8th:    As people of mercy
• Thursday, May 9th:        As people of justice
• Friday, May 10th:            As people of joy

In place of our Catholic Schools Advisory Council Meeting this month, the Resurrection Family of Schools Administrators will host a Catholic Education Week Mass & Social 2024 RCSS Family of Schools Mass Social

Monday, May 6th, 2024
6:00pm to 8:30pm
Mass 6:00pm @ St. John’s parish
❖ 85 Strange Street Kitchener, ON
❖ Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Francisco Cruz

Happening this week: 

Click on the image below to expand.

Welcome to Kindergarten!

If your child is starting Kindergarten in September 2024, please come to our Welcome to Kindergarten event on Tuesday May 7th at 4:30pm – 6:00pm. See the flyer below.

Community Cafe May 2024 invite

Back by popular demand! Our Christmas Cafe & Open House was a huge success so naturally, we are doing it again! All parents/ guardians are invited to join us for a hot beverage and some morning treats. Then, you can join your children in class for an activity connected to Catholic Education Week! Hope you can join us!

When: Friday May 10th starting at 8:30am

Where: in the gym at St. John’s

Click on the photo below for more details.

Other Information: 

Red Dress Day

WCDSB Guardians of the Game

Are you navigating your child’s online world and missed The “Guardians of the Game” webinar, hosted virtually on April 9th? It was a big success, and the guest speakers were incredibly informative and engaging. Not to worry; families who didn’t attend can still access the resources.  View the recording here. 

Guardians of the Game Resources FINAL

Upcoming Assessment Dates

EQAO May 8-June 12

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

May 14th – Sacrament of Confirmation (Grade 7 students)

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

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

June 18th – Grade 8 Graduation

June 25th- Term 2 Reports go home

June 27th- Last Day of School

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