St. Patrick’s Blog Week of November 4th, 2013

St. Patrick’s Blog

Week of November 4th, 2013

There were several activities taking place at St. Patrick’s last week.  All of our grade 7 students participated in an excursion to the Baxter Conservation Centre where they focused on ecological learning.  Many students returned tired but enthused by the activity.  We also had a full assembly that focused on “The Right to Play”; a Canadian movement that encourages a proper approach to sports here in Canada, while promoting the “right to play” in other countries including China and countries in Africa.  Several groups of students also had the opportunity to participate in a discussion on Cyber-bullying and internet safety with our School Resource Officer Constable Lemieux and a colleague of hers.  Students learned of the importance of privacy and posting carefully when sharing personal information on the internet.

Students enthusiastically participated in our Halloween activities on the 31st.  Many students “dressed-up” in costume and paid $2 to support our Christmas basket fund for the coming Christmas season.  We had a best costume at the grade 7 and grade 8 level.  Homebases also participated in a pumpkin decorating contest that had students creating some scary and very creative displays!

There is a school council meeting this Tuesday, November 5th at 7:00 in the learning commons (second floor of building one).  We had a great turn out at our first meeting and we are looking forward to having any other parents join us this week.  Remember that there is little fundraising or other time consuming involvement required.  However, we are anxious to share what is happening at the school, and provide you with updates on our priorities at St. Patrick’s Intermediate.

Our staff is participating in the Ottawa Catholic School Board “Jeans Day” to support our United Way initiative this Tuesday.  It is an opportunity for teachers and support staff to support the United Way and dress “comfortably” on November 5th.

Our progress reports went home last Thursday (October 31st).  Teachers collaborated on a report of learning skills to date, and provided some indication as to how students are progressing to date.  Our parent-teacher interviews are this Thursday, November 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 and 5:00 to 7:30 pm.  This will give you an opportunity to discuss your son/daughter’s progress in specific subject areas to this point in the year.  We would strongly encourage you to fill out the interview sheet that went home with the progress reports to indicate a time that is convenient for you to come in.  We are working to have language interpreters come to our interview night.  Please let us know if you would like the service of someone to assist with a translation of your meeting.

Our Board’s Christian Community Day is this Friday, November 8th.  It is a professional development day for staff and there is no school for students.  Each year on this day our Board staff meets as a full group to examine our priorities for the year and to celebrate mass together.  This year some of our students will be at the gathering to publicize one of our charity initiatives “Mirror of Hope”.  This organization is a Community Based Organization dedicated to working with orphans and vulnerable children, youth, families, and the community of the Kibera slum of Nairobi in order to transform and develop their capacity to contribute positively and earnestly towards their own development. They are dedicated to working with the most vulnerable children, youth and women. They reach out to all regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Mirror of Hope is based in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Parish in Kibera.