Dear Parents and Members of the MPSJ

Community,

Once again, mid-terms are upon us. This se-mester, the mid-term coincides with the begin-ning of the Easter Season. This period in our students’ lives invites reflection, and transfor-mation.

The Michael Power-St. Joseph High School community continues to foster the spirit of goodness, discipline and knowledge beyond the classroom in the numerous activities through-out the school. As our student clubs and activi-ties thrive, many compete at a provincial and national level. We would be remiss not to rec-ognize the work of the adults that goes into supporting our young people. We thank the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly with our students after school and on weekends so that they can participate in the various clubs, activities and sports.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to the MPSJ Catholic School Parent Council, which has sup-ported our extra-curricular life through numer-ous grants to various activities totaling over $20,000.00 this year alone. The parents’ group has raised these funds through your $10 dona-tion that accompanies the activity fee, and through their summer used uniform sale. This sale benefits our students as the parent council uses the proceeds to provide much-appreciated funds to our school activities.

As the warm weather approaches, this is a natural time to have your sons and daughters re-examine their uniform items and ensure that they have the proper pieces to finish the year. If students have uniform items that no longer fit, you are encouraged to drop off these items to the main office so that they can be cata-logued for the summer uniform sale at the school by the parent council. The uniform is an

outward sign of belonging to the MPSJ school community. The expectation is that the uniform is worn as outlined in the school agenda, and worn with pride.

This spring, as the TCDSB develops its budget for the next school year, we will feel the constraints at the school level as 10 teachers at MPSJ have been declared sur-plus. As with all secondary schools across the board, this will affect our teaching staff num-bers both in the classroom and in supportive roles outside of the classroom. The TCDSB encourages all members of our Catholic school communities to participate in the dis-cussion to inform our Board’s budget setting priorities for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. Our parent council will be participating in the board survey on May 8. In an effort to ensure that all Catholic stakeholders have a chance to provide input please visit the 2019-2020 Budget Consultation site. You can also participate in the board Budget Consultation and Virtual town hall on May 1st from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at www.tcdsb.org/BudgetConsult.

The Easter story reveals to us that life does not end at the crucifix, but through Je-sus, life triumphs over death. We experience the transformational power of Easter every time our faith is rejuvenated and we have the courage to try again and to see ourselves as God sees us. Dwelling in God’s love gives us the power to overcome our weaknesses and our failures. Jesus sees beyond our fail-ings and calls us to be at peace.

Dear families, as you support your sons and daughters to finish their school year to the best of their potential, I wish you all the peace that Jesus offers at this Easter season.

Sincerely,

Rose Mary Rossetti

Principal

Principal’s Message

MPSJ Powerlines A p r i l , 2 0 1 9

D a t e s f o r t h e C a l e n d a r :

April 30

Parent Teacher Interviews

May 1

Late Start—Staff PD

Non-uniform Day

May 6-10

Mental Health Awareness

Week

May 7

IB Exams begin

May 10

Fashion Show

May 13-17

SAC Election Week

May 14-16

Powerful Visions Art Show

May 23

Co-op Parent Information

Evening

May 24

IB Exams End

Graduation Formal

May 29

Parent Council Meeting

May 31

Early Dismissal

June 4

Athletic Banquet

June 4 & 5

End of Year Liturgies

June 6 & 7

Grade 9 Math EQAO

June 14

Semester 2 Exams begin

June 25

Exam Review Day

June 26

Grad Mass & Luncheon

June 27

Graduation Ceremony

Michael Power · St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School - 105 Eringate Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M9C 3Z7

P a g e 2

M P S J P o w e r l i n e s

entire province!! We are looking forward to seeing the results of our 54 grade 12 students who wrote the Euclid contest on April 3.

Our Math Café is still running Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. All are welcome. Students can drop by anytime to seek math help, work with peers, tutors and teachers. It has been very a very popular after school activity.

This year 150 students, from grades 9 – 11, wrote the Waterloo Math Contest. Our students faired very well. We were Zone Champions for the Gr. 10 Cayley Contest. We also placed third in our zone for the Gr.11 Fermat Contest. Not only are we proud of our many certificate recipi-ents, but a special congratulations goes to Siqui Wang in Gr. 10 who placed in the top four of the

Department News

The Student Council would like to thank the school community for their continued support - par-ticularly to the teachers and administrators who have volunteered to supervise our events all year long.

Student Council The 2018-2019 MPSJ Student Administrative Council has been busy offering events for the student body. This year, SAC has held dances, open mic events like the annual Coffee House. The highly-anticipated Jr. Semi-Formal is right around the corner. On April 26th the Panamon-te banquet hall will host one of the year's most popular events. Our Grad Representatives are working hard with the staff to prepare for end of year activities like Prom and the Grad Assem-bly.

Student Elections for next year's council are coming up. Preliminary meetings will take place during the first week of May with nominations to follow and culminating in Election Week from May 14-17th.. All are encouraged to con-sider getting involved with the council and its activities.

Celebrating the Arts!

On Thursday April 4th, students studying mu-

sic were invited to listen to MPSJ grads share

their talents and experience at the Power Fam

Jam. Joining us this year was Musical Theatre

grad Amy Jansen, fiddling sensation Andrew

Dawydchak, and Toronto indie rock band Fxrrvst

with Matthew Fuentes and

Holly Forest.

These alumni gave out-

standing performances for

our students and then

shared inspirational sto-

ries about recording,

writing, performing and

studying

music. Can't

wait to see

who will visit

us next year!

Congratulations to Power House Show Choir for

their soulful, energetic and creative performance

in Canada's National Show Choir Championship that

took place on April 13th at Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Students studying Visual Arts and Communica-

tion Technology invite you to the Powerful Visions

Art Show, which will run from May 14-17 in the

library.

Cheer Team The 7 a.m. practices all year paid off for the MPSJ Com-petitive Cheerleading Team as they placed 3rd at the OCF Provincial Championships on March 2, 2019. The girls performed their best and hit a great no deduction rou-tine!!

The team participated in the Na-tional Cheerlead-ing Champi-onships on April 13th and 14th where their 4th place finish quali-fied them to compete at the World Event in Florida next season. The team performed their routines for students at lunch in preparation for Nationals and impressed the audience with their courage and precision.

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In recognition of National Volunteer Week Ms Harquail posted the names of the 338 Grade 12 students who have completed their Community Service Requirement for graduation. Special congratulations to Chelsea Reys who has given 972 hours of community service, as well as Ryan Taylor with 850 hours and Branavan Jeyendira with 493

hours. It is wonderful that 67% of our graduating students have brought in their confirmation of completion. Those remaining are encouraged to bring in their form as soon as possible. Community Service hours are a requirement for graduation as well as OUAC and OCAS applications.

Grade 12 students are also asked to ensure they have registered for graduation and completed an exit sur-vey on My Blueprint. The status of applications on OUAC and OCAS sites should be checked frequently to make sure that academic information is correct. When you are ready to accept an offer of admission, make sure you press "submit”!

Best wishes to all the Grade 12 IB students who will be writing their final exams between May 7th and 24th. For morning exams stu-dents should be in their writing rooms by 8:30 and at noon for afternoon exams.

As we journey through Lent, we continue to contemplate what it means to be Catholic

Leaders in our school community. MPSJ participated in the annual Salesian Leadership retreat weekend in March. Our students spent a spiritual fun filled weekend learning what it means to be a leader emulating Jesus and his apostles.

We are looking forward to our Easter Social Justice pro-ject "Backpacks of Hope" launching on April 23rd until May 3rd. Homeroom classes will be asked to donate new school supplies in new backpacks that will be sent to Nigeria in sup-port of students in Catholic Schools run by the Spiritan Priests. Thanking you in advance for your generous sup-port.

The Chaplaincy team hope you and your families had a Blessed Holy Triidu-um and a Happy Easter!

Catena Manco Teacher/Chaplain, Michael Power St. Joseph

Chaplaincy Guidance News

IB Update

MPSJ’s Annual Blood Drive Staff and students participating in the schools annual Blood drive on April 17th con-tributed 52 pints of blood for the Canadian Blood Services. We are so proud of those who gave the gift of life!

Ski and Snowboard Teams Power's Ski and Snowboard teams once again domi-nated the slopes at the TDCAA championships this year at Mount St Louis Moonstone. The girls' ski team brought home the gold and Jenna Lippa, the fastest girl on the hill, won the individual gold!

The girls' snowboarding team with only 3 boarders somehow still man-aged to win bronze and the boys' snowboard team for the third year running won the gold medal. Curtis Phil-lips smashed the competition to take his second indi-vidual snowboard gold! Congratulations to all of these fine athletes.

M P S J

A T H L E T I C S

Curlers’ Rock! For the third year running, Power stoned the com-petition and brought home the TDCAA Rec Curling Championship banner.

Team Alexandra Tzanova, Alexandra Marriott, Gene-vieve Scully with all star Skip Alexandra Scully, delivered stones of glory and took home the gold and the pen-dant.

Team Hon, Vecchiarelli, Millaward, & Melnykova dominated with the best regular play record and took the consolation silver medal.

Newbie team Wiltman, O’Sullivan, Lewycky, Gallop, & Bialy, played their first ever games and still managed to steal end after end with outstanding efforts!

On the Boy’s side, Team Beg, Grdadnyk, McAvoy & Oller hammered their way to take the all around Bronze and team Runas, Gayo, and Orrin swept for the con-solation gold.

Senior Boys’ Basketball The Senior Boys showed worked incredibly hard this year, resulting in the first TCDAA championship for MPSJ in 54 years. What made this team special is how the players seemed to rise to each occasion with different team members contributing in multiple key moments.

The players showed great resilience all season, cul-minating in a heart stopping TDCAA final against Henry Carr. The game was close with Power coming back with a basket to equalize every time they were down, with a final three pointer clinching the championship in the final minute.

The boys went on to OFSAA in Hamilton, where they defeated the #3 seeded Cathedral CSS and ad-vanced to the quarter finals, where they fought val-iantly but finally succumbed to Saltfleet.

Congrat-ulations to the players and their coaches, Mr Renaud and Mr Dobbs on an excellent season.

MPSJ's Swim Team has had an-other successful year competing in Toronto District finals in February and qualifying a dozen swimmers for OFSAA, our the provincial finals.

OFSAA saw multiple top ten fin-ishes including a gold medal by Erik Helmus in the 100M Breaststroke.

The coaches would like thank all our team mem-bers for a good season and look forward to build-ing on this year's successes for an even stronger season next year.

Swim Team

Follow our teams on Twitter @MPSJathletics