IT STARTS

in the Schools

February 2012

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 1 St. Agnes Catholic School

280 Otonabee Ave., North York

416-393-5345

Online Social Networking Safety 101

7:00 p.m.

February 1 James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic

High School

1440 Finch Ave. W., North York

416-393-5527

ILITE

TCDSB Leadership Conference for Grades 7 & 8

Leaders

February 2 St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School

49 Felstead Ave., Toronto

416-393-5546

ILITE

TCDSB Leadership Conference for Grades 7 & 8

Leaders

February 3 Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic

Secondary School

40 Sewells Rd., Scarborough

416-393-5538

ILITE

TCDSB Leadership Conference for Grades 7 & 8

Leaders

February 7 St. Richard Catholic School

960 Bellamy Rd., Scarborough

416-393-5301

Extended French Information Evening

7:00 p.m.

February 7 St. Gregory Catholic School

126 Rathburn Rd., Etobicoke

416-393-5262

Extended French Information Evening

6:30 p.m.

February 8 St. Cecilia Catholic School

355 Annette St., Toronto

416-393-5218

Walk to School Day

8:00 a.m.

February 9 St. Benedict Catholic School

2202 Kipling Ave., Etobicoke

416-393-5267

Extended French Information Evening

7:00 p.m.

February 9,

10, 11

St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School

49 Felstead Ave., Toronto

416-393-5546

TCDSB Staff Arts presents The Odd Couple

7:30 p.m.

February 10 St. Jude Catholic School

3251 Weston Rd., North York

416-393-5279

Celebration of Life Concert

annual tribute concert to former student

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

February 13 Msgr. Percy Johnson Catholic School

2170 Kipling Ave., Etobicoke

416-393-5535

Northern Spirit Games

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

February 14 Catholic Education Centre

80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto

416-222-8282 Ext. 2626

Living and Coping with Anxiety and How Parents

and Teachers Can Help

3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

February 14 Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary

School

101 Mason Blvd., North York

416-393-5510

Project LOVE

Launch of school wide volunteer initiative

February 15 Brebeuf College School

211 Steeles Ave. E., North York

416-393-5508

Northern Spirit Games

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

February 17 Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts

36 Greenfield Ave., Toronto

416-393-5556

Dance Festival

7:30 p.m.

February 21 St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School

49 Felstead Ave., Toronto

416-393-5546

Building a Responsible Teenager

7:00 p.m.

February 23 Our Lady of Grace Catholic School

121 Brimwood Blvd., Scarborough

416-393-5372

Extended French Information Evening

7:00 p.m.

February 23 James Culnan Catholic School

605 Willard Ave., York

416-393-5325

Extended French Information Evening

7:00 p.m.

February 24 Archbishop Romero Catholic

Secondary School

99 Humber Blvd., York

416-393-5555

Northern Spirit Games

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

February 24 St. Mary of the Angels Catholic School

1477 Dufferin St., Toronto

416-393-5228

French Carnaval Activity Day

February 24 Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic

School

55 Ludstone Dr., Etobicoke

416-393-5276

French Carnaval Activity Day

February 27 St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School

49 Felstead Ave., Toronto

416-393-5546

Northern Spirit Games

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

February 27 Catholic Education Centre

80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto

416-229-5364

French Public Speaking Contest

Grades 9, 10 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Grades 11, 12 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

February 28 Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic

Secondary School

40 Sewells Rd., Scarborough

416-393-5538

Northern Spirit Games

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

February 29 Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts

36 Greenfield Ave., Toronto

416-393-5556

Road to Calvary

7:30 p.m., St. Justin Martyr Church

February 29

– March 2

St. Clare Catholic School

124 Northcliffe Blvd., York

416-393-5214

Pinocchio

1:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

St. Barnabas Volleyball Champions

The St. Barnabas Boy‟s Intermediate Volleyball team completed a successful season by winning the

TCDSB City Championship this past November. The team was entered in a total of seven tournaments

winning six and finishing second in the gold round of the prestigious Provincial Cup Tournament. Not

only did the team defend its city championship, they were able to win a second consecutive Catholic Cup

tournament as well. The coaches Candice Carvalho and Gord MacLEAN had a great time working with

this team. They were always being complimented on their sportsmanship as well as their ability.

Team members included: Ronald S., Jose F., Kevin Y., Jayden S., Anthony H., Joshua F., Niccolo C., Zach C., Emmanuel D., Jaymen H.,

Nicholas T., Justin C., and Marc G.

Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard at St. Malachy Catholic School

St. Malachy Catholic School nominated crossing guard Carl Edquist in the “Canada‟s Favourite Crossing

Guard” contest sponsored by Federal Express Canada Ltd. and Safe Kids Canada. The school is proud to announce that Mr. Edquist has been selected.

The crossing guard has been welcoming students and their families, and helping them cross safely at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Bennett Road for many years.

All classes participated in the nomination process. The students created books, poems and raps celebrating

Mr. Edquist and his involvement in the school community. There was even a life-sized mural of the

crossing guard, photos of him in action and student stories about their interactions with their favourite

crossing guard.

Artwork Highlights “Student Success” in a Catholic School

“Student Success”, a three-panel piece of artwork inspired by

the lives of students at Monsignor Fraser College, has been

donated to the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and will

be permanently housed at the Catholic Education Centre. The

artists are Visual Art Students at Monsignor Fraser College‟s,

Norfinch Campus: Tania Augerre Martinez, Gloria Gonzalez,

Herbert Hernandez, Jessenia Jovel, Andy Lee, Melanie Monez

and Brittany Murphy.

The use of modeling paste creates a rigid overall texture with

deep rooted cracks and imperfections. The rough peeks and

valleys add a sense of struggle and hardship that life can

bestow, which add an emotional sense of sadness and isolation.

This is especially seen in the mountain range depicted in blue at

the forefront of the painting.

The pathways of success are portrayed in the painting where all students are given the opportunity to

succeed. The idea of the multicoloured silhouettes finding a pathway and climbing over adversity, struggle

and hardship is seen in the middle ground of the painting.

Prince of Peace Celebrates the Year of the Dragon Prince of Peace Catholic School students dressed in the Chinese New Year clothes to celebrate the Year of

the Dragon with their very own dragon at the school.

St. Joseph’s College School and St. Francis Table

This is our third year volunteering at the St. Francis Table. Run by the Franciscans, it has provides a warm

dinner to many in the Parkdale community. This outreach programme has a minimal staff of two cooks,

Domenic and Sam. The rest of the work is done by volunteers and Brother John who coordinates the

volunteer helpers.

St. Francis Table is runs like a proper restaurant. The patrons pay one dollar and have a choice or two

entrees, coffee or tea plus dessert. Many of the desserts are donated by local bakeries and restaurants. Our

Thanksgiving food drive help provide canned goods like beans and tomato sauce that are used in the

recipes.

The St. Joseph‟s students volunteer once or twice

a month on Wednesdays. When they arrive, they

help butter bread and organize the tables. Five of

the students work as servers; this provides them a

chance to talk to the clients providing a lovely

evening out. Other students plate the food, bus,

pour coffee or tea, wash dishes and scrap plates.

St. Francis Table is a fun experience for the

students and the people who attend. Most of the

patrons are homeless, elderly or are suffering from

mental illness or addiction. This place provides a

warm place to have a chat and a nice meal. The

girls at St. Joseph‟s College School truly enjoy the

work they do at St. Francis Table.

Motivating Blessed Trinity Students to Read

Blessed Trinity Catholic School students and staff are pleased to announce their new addition. On January

12th, 2012, Wonderworm, Blessed Trinity‟s Reading Mascot arrived. For several days, the worm was

nameless. But, after several days of intense deliberation, a decision was made. Wonderworm was selected

as the favourite name. Watch Wonderworms‟s tail grow around the school as Blessed Trinity continues to

share their love of reading!

After Hours International Languages (Elementary) Program Celebrates Christmas Offering classes in more than 20 languages, the International Languages Program (Elementary) provided

the perfect setting to showcase the wonderfully diverse ways in which various cultures celebrate the birth

of Our Lord. Each year most schools take this opportunity to also showcase the language skills acquired by

their students.

Vietnamese Community of St. Jane Frances on December 12th

At St Mary of the Angels Catholic School, the only school in the GTA to provide instruction in Tigrigna, a

North African language spoken in Eritrea, students, staff, family and friends were treated to a concert that

included music, song, dance, theatrical performances, and food. Also present was Brother Vittorio Boria

Chaplain of St. Nicholas of Bari‟s „Ge'ez Rite Community'.

St. Theresa Shrine Polish community produced a breathtaking production featuring “Stella Polonia Band”

a folk and dance Polish music group.

Winter Walk Day at St. Cecilia’s

St. Cecilia Catholic School is taking part in a School Travel Planning project that will focus on students‟

journey to and from school. The ultimate goal of a School Travel Plan is to create an environment that

encourages more people to walk, cycle or use active transportation to and from school, and improve the

journey for those who use cars or take school buses.

The first walk to school was October 18th, where a group of students began their walking journey at St.

Cecilia church. The group of students were accompanied by teachers, parents and travelled on skates,

tricycles and bicycles. The 2nd school community “Walk to school Day” was December 15th and students

were met by Toronto Mounted Police Officer Carol Windsor on her horse Wolfe. The event concluded

back at the school with Christmas carols and hot chocolate.

TCDSB Chair Reads to Students on Family Literacy Day

The Chair of the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Ann Andrachuk, visited St. Leo Catholic

School‟s Parenting and Family Literacy Centre on January 26th to celebrate Family Literacy Day.

The TCDSB Parenting and Family Centres are school-based programs for children from birth to six years

of age and their caregivers to promote the development of literacy and numeracy skills through discovery,

inquiry, exploration and creativity. The programs are free and open to all.

Our Lady of the Assumption Give to Kids this Christmas

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School

participated in the CP24/ CHUM Christmas Wish

toy drive. The CP24/ CHUM Christmas Wish

continues the longstanding tradition of helping to

give a kid a Christmas. Five garbage bags full of

toys along with $410.00, raised from the schools

annual Christmas bazaar was donated.

Cardinal Designate Inspires Students

Cardinal Designate, Archbishop Thomas Collins visited

students of St. Joseph‟s College School this January. He

explained to students that we are called to experience God

most fully through physical acts of humility and service to

others. His Grace also reflected on his own personal

journey of becoming a priest, a Bishop, an Archbishop and

his excitement about being chosen to become a Cardinal.

TCDSB Schools Off to the Races

The 3rd annual Elementary Cardboard Boat Race event was

held on December 7th at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton

Catholic Secondary School.

18 teams from across the Toronto Catholic District School

Board participated in construction, racing and weight

challenges. This annual event encourages leadership, team-

work, math and technology skills.

Third place finalist team from

St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School

“IT STARTS IN THE SCHOOLS” is published monthly throughout the school year. Events, locations and times are subject

to change. For more information, call 416-222-8282 Ext. 5314. This publication can be found on the Internet at

www.tcdsb.org, see “news”.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board educates more than 93,000 students from diverse cultures and language

backgrounds in its 200 Catholic elementary and secondary schools and serves more than 475,000 Catholic school

supporters across the City of Toronto.

Toronto Catholic Schools

Faith in Your Child

February 2012

Toronto Catholic District School Board, 80 Sheppard Ave. E., North York, ON M2N 6E8

phone: 416-222-8282 website: www.tcdsb.org email: webmaster@tcdsb.org