St. Patrick's Blog Week of November 23-27

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

Between November 16th through 20th, we observed Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week at St. Patrick’s.  This is a national initiative around which we were able to integrate our own activities. Throughout the week we shared prayers about strengthening our community and being kind to one another, we had a retreat, we encouraged students sit with someone "new" at lunch and we made anti-bullying and self-awareness buttons.  While these activities took place over the week, the staff at St. Patrick’s is always open to discussions around ensuring that our students are comfortable at school. Please see an administrator or visit our Student Services department if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Grade 7 Retreat

Our grade 7 retreat took place on Wednesday and was a huge success. Students were given the opportunity to play, pray, and reflect. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our grade 8 retreat which was supposed to happen on Thursday. The weather forecasted for Thursday was not good at the time cancellation had to take place in order to be able to retain deposits for buses, lunch, etc. We will make it up to the grade 8's by having a retreat for them in the Spring.

Play Performance

Frankenstein Slept Here is our school play which will perform three times this week: the first will be on Monday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. for family and friends (admission will be an item of canned food); the second will be for grade 7 students on Monday at 12:30 p.m.; and, the third will be for grade 8 students on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. We are really looking forward to seeing what Mr. Leury and his team of talented students have put together.

School Council Meeting

A reminder that our monthly School Council Meeting will take place this Tuesday, November 24 at 7 p.m. in our Learning Commons (Library), Building 1. Our School Council is an important aspect of our St. Patrick community. Parents/guardians of students at St. Patrick Intermediate are encouraged and are always welcome to attend these important and informative meetings.

Dress-Down Day

We will be having a dress-down day for charity this coming Friday, November 27 where, for a two-dollar donation, students may wear suitable non-uniform clothing. These dress-down days occur on the last Friday of each month.

Career Fair: Call for Presenters

If you, or a member of your family or a friend, would like to present at our grade 7 Career Fair at the school on Wednesday, December 16 from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., please contact me directly at 613-733-3736 or at don.murphy@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy
Principal

Coming Up

Monday, November 23: 

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

Monday, December 7:  

Arts Turn-around Day

Wednesday, December 9: 

Grade 8 Dental Screening

Wednesday, December 16:  
Grade 7 Career Fair

St. Patrick's Blog Week of November 16-20

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

This is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week across the country in Canada.  While we are constantly engaged in practices that promote well-being among our students, this week provides us with an opportunity to emphasize the importance of being good to one another.  Our activities this week include prayers around the topic, retreats on separate days for both grades, anti-bullying discussions at our Monday Morning Assembly, and our encouraging students to reach out to someone “new” at lunchtime. Students are regularly reminded that it is our expectation that they are happy and comfortable at St. Patrick’s, and if, for some reason, this is not the case, they need to seek out a staff member or use OCSB Connect, an anonymous app to report bullying behaviours. Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is featured on our Board blog at this address:

http://ocsb.ca/news/bullying-prevention-week-2015

There is also anti-bullying information on the OCSB's Facebook page, accessed at:
https://www.facebook.com/ottawacatholicschools/posts/981319988591578

Remembrance Day Observation

We have a great deal to be proud of following our Remembrance Day observation this past week at school.  We took the time to pray as a school, while we honoured those who had made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for others.  We thank Captain Matthew Gregg and Mr. Mark Lindsay for speaking to us of their, and their family's, experiences.  

Immunizations

Immunizations take place on November 18 (grade 8) and 19 (grade 7). Please complete the immunization forms which students brought home last week. Once the form is carefully completed, students are to personally hand the form to the public health nurse on the day they are to be immunized.

Grade 7 and 8 Retreat

Pending appropriate weather, our grade 7 retreat takes place this Wednesday and our grade 8 retreat happens on Thursday. This retreat is an important component of this year's School Improvement Plan in which students will be given to opportunity to come together, play, pray, and reflect. Permission forms went home with students last week and are due this coming Monday, November 16. If you require any information on this important activity, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

I would like to thank everyone who came out to attend our parent-teacher interviews, which were held on Thursday. The turnout was excellent and it was great to see parents, teachers, and students working together. A special thank you to our School Council for providing coffee and for our community service providers who put up displays.

Remember, though, that you do not have to wait for formal parent-teacher interview evenings to take place if you have a concern. Teachers can always be contacted directly by phone through the school and will be more than happy to answer any questions parents/guardians may have.

Free Discussion Evening on Wednesday

This Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School, 120 Chesterton Drive, educator, speaker, and best-selling author Barbara Coloroso will speak on teaching children to act with integrity, civility, and compassion. Child-care will be available. The title of this event is Just Because It's Wrong Doesn't Make It Right: From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically. Here is the link to register: http://bit.ly/1LM5zXb

Have a great week.

Don Murphy
Principal

Coming Up

Saturday, November 14 

CSPA presents How to Help Your Child Succeed in School at St. George School, 9:30-11 a.m.

Monday, November 16

CSPA evening on Restorative Practices at Mother Teresa High School, 7-8 p.m.

Tuesday, November 24

St. Patrick's Intermediate School Council Meeting, 7 p.m., Learning Commons 1

St. Patrick's Blog Week of November 9-13

Experiential Learning Visit

On Monday I had the pleasure of visiting Versailles Hair on Bank Street for an experiential learning opportunity. Students were given an outline of the program and then had the opportunity to have their hair done. Thank you to our Head of Student Services, Ms. Paniccia, for organizing this fun and informative visit.

Remembrance Day

On Wednesday we will have our Remembrance Day assembly. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours. All are welcome to attend this important tribute acknowledging those who have done so much for us.

Immunizations

Immunizations take place on November 18 (grade 8) and 19 (grade 7). Please be on the lookout for the immunization forms which students will bring home this week. Once the form is carefully completed, students are to personally hand the form to the public health nurse on the day they are to be immunized.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parent-Teacher Interviews take place this Thursday, November 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Yellow interview request sheets went home with report cards on Thursday, November 5. Use of the sheet, as explained in my earlier mass phonemessage and e-mail, is the ONLY format permitted to request an interview with a teacher. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Important: Early Dismissal on Thursday

Please remember that we dismiss at 1:10 p.m. this Thursday, November 12 in order to accommodate parent-teacher interviews.

Grade 9 Math Pathway Meeting

Are you wondering which grade 9 math pathway your grade 8 son/daughter should choose? A team from the Mathematics Department at St. Pat's High School will be at our school at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 to give a presentation which will help parents and students make the right choice. The presentation will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and will take place in Learning Commons 1.

WE Day 2015

On Tuesday, a group of students and teachers will be heading to the Canadian Tire Centre to celebrate WE Day 2015. Essentially, this is a day where young people come together to celebrate as well as hear talks on transforming communities and lives. More information on this important day can be found by accessing the following link:

http://www.weday.com/we-day-events/ottawa/

Have a great week.

Don Murphy
Principal

Coming Up

Monday, November 9 

CSPA evening on preventing depression and anxiety at Holy Trinity High School, 7-9 p.m.

Saturday, November 14 

CSPA presents How to Help Your Child Succeed in School at St. George School, 9:30-11 a.m.

Monday, November 16

CSPA evening on Restorative Practices at Mother Teresa High School, 7-8 p.m.

St. Patrick's Blog Week of November 2-November 6

Progress Report Cards

Student progress reports will go home this Thursday, November 5th.  These report cards provide an indication of how students are progressing in each of their subject areas.  In most cases, there is an indication that students are progressing well, or very well.  In cases where students are progressing with difficulty, teachers have indicated a next-step for success.  At the school, we meet as an administrative and student services team to review any students that are having some difficulty.

After-School Academic Support

As part of our Student Success plan at St. Patrick’s, we are offering a number of options for after-school support.  These programs range from informal homework assistance to numeracy/literacy incentives.  Parents/guardians may have already been contacted about their son/daughter participating in an after-school course.  If you have any questions, please contact the school.  

Quebec City Trip Information Session on Tuesday

Once again this year, a trip to Quebec City is being planned for grade 8 students, to take place from April 27, 2016 to April 29, 2016. This trip is the perfect opportunity for both Immersion and Core French students to practice their French speaking skills in an authentic environment. This trip is limited to 50 students. An information session will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, in the Cafeteria, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Have a great week!

Don Murphy

Principal

Coming Up

Wednesday, November 4: 

A Parent's Guide to Special Education, 7-9 p.m., OCSB Boardroom, 570 West Hunt Club

Thursday, November 11: 

Parent-Teacher Interviews

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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