On Wednesday, September 21st, the Grade 3 and 4 students at Holy Cross school, had the opportunity to participate in the 12th Annual Children’s Water Festival at Anderson Farm in Lively. The students had a great time learning all about water through a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations, such as, working together to complete a wetland puzzle, and reviewing boat safety while sitting in an OPP boat.
Category: Schools
St. Charles College Spirit Week Begins with a Character Day
It’s a week intended for all the students at St. Charles College but it is especially exciting for new grade 7, 8 and 9 students. Spirit week is filled with theme days such as colour crusade and twin day but it all begins with character day today.
Today at school, staff and students are decked out in Pokemon gear, Harry Potter costumes and even a couple Where’s Waldo characters have surfaced.
Students Amariah and Grace Levac went all out on a hot, muggy day, along with classmate Ben Amari. All three students are in grade nine are especially excited for the full slate of activities on Wednesday for grade nine day.
Cubs take the lead on a patterning adventure
Mme Blais-Callaway’s Grade 4/5 FI class leaped into patterning this week, hosting the board’s new Intensive Support Facilitators and Superintendent Nicole Bédard in their class for a hands-on math lesson. Using tiles and pattern blocks, they showed their guests how they used tools to help them to visualize how their patterns grew, extending patterns, and creating new ones of their own. The facilitators would like to thank the Holy Cross school community, especially Grade 4/5 FI, for the invitation and wonderful learning opportunity. We appreciate your leadership, Cubs!
Mass For Rev. Gerald Lalonde C.S.B.
Rev. Gerald Lalonde C.S.B., the last Basilian Principal of St. Charles College, died in Toronto on June 14, 2016 at 79 years of age. He was in the 50th year of his priesthood. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Father Lalonde served in various roles at St. Charles College: teacher, Department Head, Vice-Principal and Principal (1983-1985).
Most recently, he was the pastor of Our Lady of Peace church in Capreol. He was a much respected and much loved priest!
A Mass will be offered for Father Lalonde on Tuesday, September 20 at the Church of Christ the King at 12:05 pm. After the Mass, everyone is invited to go to the Caruso Club Restaurant for the luncheon buffet. The upper level of the restaurant has been reserved for this group. The cost of the buffet is $12.35 + taxes.
St. Charles College Graduates First Ever Grade Eight Class
This year was the first year that grade seven and eight students were introduced to the mix at St. Charles College. The high school which has been in existence since 1951 introduced a 7-12 model in September 2015. That meant there was not one but two sets of graduates this year.
June saw more than 200 grade twelve students cross the floor and then another 100 students again to form the first ever graduating class.
Along with their diploma, each grade eight student was given a special gift in preparation for grade nine next year in the high school setting.
In photo: Grade eight students Loukus Lalonde and Aidan Ragognia head down the aisle to become two of more than 100 grade eight graduates for the first time in St. Charles College history.
St. David School Students Enjoy Victory Park Splash Pad
Mira Lahoud, kindergarten student at St. David Catholic School beats the heat at the Victory Park Splashpad with her class to celebrate the beginning of summer.
Marymount Family Tree
In 2015, Miss Simpson’s Church and Culture class established the Marymount family tree. “Rooted in Faith” was designed with all Regals in mind. Intertwined with the roots of the tree are the signatures of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the nuns who founded Marymount Academy 60 years ago in 1956. The hands of the MMA staff, our school board, and the trustees represent the grass supporting the tree. The handprints of Marymount students are the leaves of the tree, and they surround a beautiful owl painted by our visual arts teacher, Mrs. Fairgrieve. While the owl represents wisdom and education, to many of us it also represents Kodee Daoust who was a student in the religion class until the end of October when she passed away in a car accident.
The family tree is a living legacy for all Regals. Every year, just like all of us, the mural will change and grow as new students and staff add their handprints to the tree. “Rooted in Faith” reminds us that we will always be part of the Marymount family.
Connecting to the land
Recently our secondary schools students had an opportunity to attend a sweat lodge building and ceremony as part of the “Bundle Roots Program”. The event was hosted by Indigenous Education Secondary Support staff & teachers. At this event we had students from various cultures take part. The turnout was great and the weather was wonderful. There were three secondary schools that took part in this activity. The Sweat lodge was held on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek territory.
The sweat lodge is a structure, which is dome shaped made using natural materials given to us by the land. sweat lodges are used by Indigenous people on Turtle Island for ceremonial prayers. The ceremony and traditions associated with the sweat lodge vary from region to region but are similar in nature.
Students were able to partake in constructing the sweat lodge which was a rich learning experience for all staff and students. All the young men and women took part in constructing the sweat lodge. The Elders were both helpful and insightful for the youth and the staff, and shared their knowledge.
We completed our very full day with a very delicious feast, along with a spirit plate given back to our sacred helpers during this ceremony.
The Arts are alive and well at St. David School
On Wednesday, June 22 2016 Jeff Stewart from the Spirit of World Drumming spent the day at St. David Catholic School, drumming with students ranging from kindergarten to grade 6. In the drum circles, students were introduced to a variety of drums and percussion instruments from around the world. Music concepts, verbal / non-verbal language and mathematical awareness were integrated into cultural awareness to create a fun learning experience for all students!
“Mr. Stewart was a wonderful teacher, not only for our students, but also for our staff members. He re-inforced the importance of the arts in the curriculum and its positive impact on both literacy and mathematical achievement. He also spoke of music supporting students find their voice. It was a wonderfully positive and fun day.” stated Cindy Blinn, kindergarten teacher at St. David School.