St. Patrick's Blog Week of October 26-30

Halloween Activities

For a $2 donation, students will have the opportunity to dress up in an appropriate costume this coming Friday, October 30th. We ask that no masks cover the face (make-up is ok) and no replica weapons be utilized. Homebases are working on decorating pumpkins, which will be judged at lunch on Friday. As well, there will be prizes for best costumes, as voted on by the students. Finally, there will be a dance in the afternoon, which is free.

Friday, October 30th is also a "regular" non-uniform day where, for $2 as per usual, students may wish to dress down in appropriate attire.

Mental Wellness Sessions

In our commitment to the mental well-being of all our students, on Wednesday, October 28, we will hold some sessions for our grade 7 population as the grade 8's took part in this last week. As with the 8's, the 7's will be able to choose from a variety of life-balancing sessions including running, walking, yoga, baking, hacky sack, visual arts, and dance. I really enjoyed running with a group of grade 8's last week and will again be doing this with the grade 7's.

Photo Retake Day

Picture retakes for students who missed their first opportunity or who would like a second sitting will occur this Thursday, October 29. There is no additional work for parents who would like a retake except to remind their son/daughter to listen for the PA announcement on Thursday. The photography team will make a point to review the original and the retake image with students to ensure that they are getting the exact portrait they want.

Have a great week.

Don Murphy
Principal

Coming Up

Tuesday, October 27: 

Top Marks' Uniform Exchange @2:30 p.m.

School Council meeting @7 p.m. in Learning Commons 1

Thursday, October 29:  

Concussion Awareness presentation at St. Pius High School from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (more information is available at spe.ocsb.ca under School News and Announcements)

St. Patrick's Blog Week of October 19-23

Mental Wellness Sessions

In our commitment to the mental well-being of all our students, on Wednesday, October 21, we will hold some sessions for our grade 8 population (the grade 7's will partake in this opportunity next week). Students will be able to choose from a variety of life-balancing sessions including running, walking, yoga, baking, hacky sack, visual arts, and dance. I will be in charge of the running session and I'm really looking forward to taking a group of our students who signed up for this on a 5K-8K run around our community.

Individual Education Plan (IEP)

On Tuesday, IEP's will be sent home. If your son or daughter has an IEP, please have a look at this very important "live" document. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Resource Department and they will be able to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Homework Club

Our Homework Club has been up and running for a few weeks now. For those not familiar with this, on most Mondays and Wednesdays after-school, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., students can go to the Learning Commons to work on homework and to receive help on anything they are struggling with academically. This is a great way to meet new friends and to get work done at the same time.

Don't Forget to Check Our Website

Just a reminder to remember to check our website (spe.ocsb.ca) often, especially on the HomePage under School News and Announcements. Often, in this area, I place notices for important upcoming events that may be of interest to parents, such as topics on drug awareness, concussions, test-taking strategies, etc. I try to post events as quickly as I receive them so please check back often.

Have a good week.

Don Murphy
Principal

This Week

Thursday, October 22:

• Talk on The Gift of Reading at St. Pat's High School at 7 p.m. http://www.ottawacspa.ca/images/announcement_flyers/2015-16/Gift%20of%20Reading%20Oct%202015.pdf
  

St. Patrick's Blog Week of Oct. 12-16

Terry Fox Run

Our community did a fantastic job fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation as we exceeded our goal of $5000.  Students and staff raised money to help support the foundation as they continue their work to support cancer research. Our run culminated with a high energy assembly that saw each of our homebases decked out in their Catholic Value T-shirts.  Our top-fundraising students took turns throwing pies at our staff members. Thanks to all those who helped organize and support the Terry Fox Foundation.

Moms for Mental Health

On October 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., in the Adobe Building, 343 Preston Street, the YSB (Youth Services Bureau) is presenting a speakers' series about youth and mental health in Ottawa. This is a free event and a light breakfast will be served. For more information and to register, please access the following link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByrlYMrTjslHZzRFc09SQ2J0emJqSm4zRERQQ21TcEh2c0xj

Thanksgiving Liturgy

On Wednesday we celebrated our Thanksgiving Liturgy. I'd like to thank Steve Sweeney and his class for putting on such a spiritual event, as well as our chaplain, Paul Kozak, music director Mary Reilly and our Youth Group. To witness such a faith-strong community is very inspiring, to say the least.

I wish everyone a wonderful short-week.

Don Murphy
Principal

This Week

Thursday, October 22:

• Talk on "The Gift of Reading" at St. Pat's High School at 7 p.m. http://www.ottawacspa.ca/images/announcement_flyers/2015-16/Gift%20of%20Reading%20Oct%202015.pdf
  

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St. Patrick's Blog Week of Oct. 5-9

Opening Mass

A big thank you to Fr. Greg, Mr. Kozak, and our many student volunteers for participating in our first school mass of the year.  Fr. Greg spoke to the students about exercising discipline in order to avoid sinful situations. Mary Reilly led the singing and did a great job with the music.  We appreciate Fr. Greg taking the time to celebrate mass with us.

Terry Fox Run - Thursday, October 9th

We have been encouraging students to assist with fundraising for our Terry Fox run this coming Thursday.  In order to support our fundraising activities, we have put a number of incentives in place to get students to enlist help from friends and family.  Our goal this year is $5000. This is a great community building activity that goes to a very worthy cause.  

School Council Update

We had our first School Council meeting on Monday. I would like to congratulate all members of our School Council, being: Mr. Cees Artz (chair), Ms. Glynis Hughes (vice-chair), Mr. Dejan Roganovic (treasurer), Ms. Dayna Helmer (secretary), Ms. Sherisse Al Sabeh (CSPA rep), Ms. Sandra Cunningham (parent rep), Mr. Sam Al Sabeh (parent rep), Ms. Lisa Wilson (community rep), and Ms. Tilly Corriveau (School Rep). Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 27 at 7 p.m. in our Learning Commons.

A reminder that CSPA is putting on an event entitled The Gift of Reading with educator David Bouchard on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Pat's High School. Please access this link for more information:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByrlYMrTjslHVTl6NXRFazZZWS1hbWlMRXB3ODY0MTBEOUNZ

Professional Development Day on Friday

Just a reminder that this coming Friday there is no school for students as staff will be taking part in Christian Community Day at the Shaw Centre. This day is always productive as we learn of overall Board-wide goals and set direction to meet those goals.

In some ways, I cannot believe we are into October already. I'd like to thank our entire community for their ongoing support and wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving weekend.

Don Murphy

Principal