May 2012

St. NicholasCatholic School News

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic Education during Catholic Education Week. This year’s celebration entitled Catholic Education: Walking in the Light of Christ is scheduled for the week of May 6-May 11. The scriptural theme is ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path’ taken from Psalms (119:105) In John’s gospel, Jesus proclaims, ‘I am the Light of the World’ (John 8:12). Our Catholic schools rejoice to walk in that Light, ‘a Light which overcomes the darkness with its radiance’ (Matthew 4:16)

Walking in the Light of Christ

Your word is a lamp to my feetAnd lights me on my way.

Walking in the light, the light of Christ each and every day.

We are listening in the light of ChristWith open eyes and ears.

Learning in the light to discover with is rightGod will wipe away our tears.

We are living in the light of ChristWith our hands, our feet, our voices.

Loving in the light, we are precious in God’s sightWith one heart the world rejoices.

We are leading in the light of ChristIn what we do and say.

Walking in the light with wisdom, truth and mightOur love in action day by day.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Written by Nancy Bodsworth

Please join us: May 7, 2012 at 9:15, 10:45 or 1:15 for the Celebration of Mary our Mother. May 30, 2012 at 1:00 pm for the Liturgy of our Word celebrating the virtue of

Compassion.

The Full Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program will begin September 2012 at St. Nicholas Catholic School. This program for four and five year olds is a full day program. It can help improve your child’s reading, writing and math skills and provide

Parents are reminded that students should not be dropped off before 8:30 am as there is no appropriate supervision .

St. Boniface Catholic Church 21 Markanna Drive,

Scarborough M1M 2H9Telephone: 416-261-5983

Pastor: Fr. Bernard Vellozo

Principal: M. E. Stubbings

Superintendent:G. Grant 416-222-8282

Trustee:Nancy Crawford 416- 512-3412

School Enrollment: 287

Hours of Operation: 9:00 – 3:30

Lunch Hour: 12:00 – 1:00________________________________

(Temporary Location)90 Balfour Ave.,Toronto, Ontario

M4C 1T6Telephone: 416-393-5308

Our grade 6 class went on an exciting trip to the Loblaws formally the Maple Leaf Gardens. We had an amazing time. We went on a tour of the entire store, we participated in a cooking class and we went on a grocery shopping experience. The cooking class was fun, we made our very own pizza, we put the toppings of our choice on it and we made a delicious Quinoa salad. In addition to that we made banana cupcakes, they were so yummy. We had a fantastic time, we learned the benefits of healthy eating and we learned how to measure ingredients to make our meal. Our class had a great time, it was such an educational trip and yet at the same time we had so much fun.

Our grade 6 class participated in a Brain Day presentation. Two Ryerson students came to our school and gave us a presentation on the importance of our brain. We learned many interesting facts about our brain and we also participated in many demonstrations. We labeled all the parts of the brain and we also learned that our brain is connected to our entire body. At the end of the presentation the two university students made a brain out of jello and we got to eat it, it tasted really cool. What an amazing presentation.

On Saturday, April 21st a small group of selected students attended this year’s Math Olympics! Over 120 students attended the event. It was an amazing way for our students to take part in the joy of Math with fellow students across Toronto. This event took place at Madonna Secondary School. The students were placed in a challenging setting with one another; solving Math problems of all calibers. One of the most amazing parts of this activity was the team work. Although there were students from the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) they put away their differences to work together. This was a great way to show teamwork between our minds of tomorrow.

Iain F. (student)

Travelling to Francis Libermann High School to participate in a Medieval Fair was thrilling to the students in our grades 3 /4 and 4/5 classes. This experience brought much of their studies to life as they viewed and participated in a number of activities!

News from our Student Council!During the month of April, your Student Council planned two Spirit Days. These Spirit Days were Cartoon Day, which was on Friday April 13 and Jersey Day on Friday April 27. All funds from Cartoon Day are heading to Free The Children Foundation.

This is the season for assessment. The students in grades 3 and 6 will be participating in the Ministry assessment called EQAO. Students in grade 2, 5 and 7 will be participating in the TCDSB assessment called CAT 4. Assessment drives our teaching. The staff at St. Nicholas will gather the data from these assessments and discuss at length the findings and then create goals and strategies to better our practice when teaching your children.

Traditionally we leave the last week of May and the first two weeks of June open for these assessments to take place. Please ensure your child is in attendance and well rested if participating. Further information will be sent home very soon for each grade participating! Our next CSAC meeting will be held May 28, 2012 at St. Richard Catholic School. Looking forward to seeing all interested parents at 7:00 pm.

Our new school building is going up quickly! If you have time to drop by and capture the changes by taking a few photos please do not hesitate to send them to the school as to share what you see. Looking forward to planning for our return to this new building early next winter!