St. Patrick's Intermediate June 5 to June 9

Yearbooks on Sale

A reminder that yearbooks are on sale until Friday, June 16.  Cash is no longer accepted but you can still use School Cash Online to pay the $20 cost.

Visit to St. Patrick's High School

On Tuesday all of our grade 8's went over to St. Pat's High School to get a taste of all the good things going on there.  Students could ask questions, discuss various pathways, and they were able to see the site.  We are very appreciative of the warm welcome we always receive from our high school Shamrocks.

Professional Development Day on Friday

A reminder that Friday, June 9 is a professional development day for staff in Ottawa Catholic School Board schools, meaning that there is NO school for students.

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

St. Patrick's Intermediate May 29 to June 2

Student Success Visit

On Friday a team from the Board visited us for our annual Student Success Visit.  We visited twelve classrooms and then reviewed our past and future goals, celebrating our successes and outlining what it is we need to work on. This visit went extremely well and will form the foundation for our School Innovation Plan for student achievement and well-eing.

School Innovation Planning for student achievement and wellness (SIPsaw)

A group of staff from St. Patrick’s participated in the Board’s SIPsaw planning date this past week.  This is an opportunity to set academic and student wellness goals for our 2017-2018 school year.  The team focused on initiatives in the areas of faith development, literacy, numeracy and diversity.  Our school is proud of our goal work this year and we look forward to the initiatives for focus next year.  

Yoga on Parliament Hill

Each Wednesday until the Fall, yoga takes place on Parliament Hill at noon for free. This past Wednesday some of our students took part in this event and had a wonderful time, especially given the fact that the weather was so nice. Students had the opportunity to learn different yoga moves as well as the importance of stretching when taking part in athletic endeavours.

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 31: School Council Meeting @7 p.m. in Learning Commons 1

Summer Programmes for Newcomers (click to access)

Youth Centre Summer Fun 2017

Newcomer Orientation Camp Flyer

Newcomer Orientation Camp Registration Form

St. Patrick's Intermediate May 22-26

Debunk the Junk

To celebrate Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Day on Saturday, May 20, our Cooking Club has been asking students to complete a survey, Debunk the Junk, having to deal with junk food. Students who completed the survey received a sweet or salty healthy snack.

Future Building
A number of our students took part in Future Building at the EY Centre on Thursday. Future Building is an annual event designed to introduce young career seekers in grades 7-12 to the building and construction industry. Students informed me that the event was extremely worthwhile and that they took part in many experiential activities.
Swim Team

Congratulations to our swim team! There were some spectacular individual results with first place finishes from Carlos Lopez in the 25m freestyle and Abby Garner in the 50m backstroke. Second place finishes abounded from Ahmed Nasser in the 25m backstroke, Sarah Kuchciak in the 25m freestyle, Madison Simonini in the 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, and 100m individual medley, Nick Tello in the 50m butterfly and 100m individual medley, and Joel Petrie in the

50m freestyle. Our relays, which are team efforts, did really well holding their own and having solid second and third placings. Way to go SPI!

Touch Football

Our girls' and boys' touch football teams put forth a strong effort in their openers against Frank Ryan. The girls fought hard until the end but came up short, losing 6-0. The boys were able to overcome an early deficit and score with three minutes remaining. Good job, Shamrocks!

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 31: School Council Meeting @7 p.m. in Learning Commons 1

St. Patrick's Intermediate May 15 to 19

SPI Wins Big at Chess Tournament

Congratulations to our Chess Team who participated in the Board-wide chess tournament on Wednesday. The Shamrocks did an outstanding job, finishing third in overall team standings. A special congratulations goes to Jamie Quinlan who won the individual championship trophy as best player of the tournament with an undefeated record of 11 matches. Way to go, SPI!

Waterloo University Math Contest
Congratulations to our top three Waterloo University Math competitors. In grade 7, Valerie Stoica came in first place with Michael Krivchitch and Griffin Brown placing second and third respectively. In grade 8, Jose Edurardo Foncesca came in first with Brianna Buttera and Gabriella Watkins placing second and third respectively. It was a very tough test so all participants should be commended for coming out and trying.

Special Olympics Swim Meet
Students from St. Pat's Intermediate took part on Thursday in the Special Olympics swim meet at the Nepean Sportsplex. Congratulations to Nico Nino who swam in two events and finished first in both! St. Pat's is very proud of all competitors who competed in this important event.

Immunizations

Immunizations continue this week on Wednesday and Thursday. This is the last set of immunizations for this school year...HepB for grade 7 students and HPV for grade 8 girls.

PD Day

A reminder that this Friday, May 19 is a PD Day, meaning that there is no school for students on this day.

Victoria Day
A reminder that Monday, May 22 is Victoria Day. There is no school for students on this day.

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 31: School Council Meeting @7 p.m. in Learning Commons 1

St. Patrick's Intermediate May 8 to 12

School Band Collaboration
As part of Education Week, the Canterbury High School band collaborated with our band on Wednesday.  It was a great experience to hear two schools play together and students informed me that they learned a lot from each other.  

Waterwalk
On Thursday members of the me to WE club participated in a water walk from the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre to St. Pat's Intermediate.  Essentially, students carried containers of water from one location to the other, signifying that many communities do not have water and have to walk long distances to get it.  Facts on the world's water supply were also read over the PA system each morning during morning announcements.  This is the first year this type of event was held but it won't be the last as it was very informative and successful.

Grade 7 and 8 Mental Wellness
Our mental wellness activities held on Wednesday and Thursday this week were once again highly popular. Students chose from a number of events, from running to yoga, to colouring to dog-therapy, in order to highlight and learn more about mental wellness. We have run this event in the past and will continue to do so as students consistently comment on how much they enjoy it.

City of Ottawa Helmet Discount
For a sixth year, Ottawa Public Health has partnered with sports retailers across Ottawa to bring residents a discount on helmets. Helmets prevent serious brain and head injuries by absorbing the force from a fall or hit to the head. Helmets are recommended for activities like skateboarding, rollerblading, biking, sledding, skating, skiing and snowboarding. In Ontario, it is mandatory for anyone under the age of 18 to wear a certified helmet while riding a bicycle.

The Retailer Helmet Weekend Discount is May 13 & 14, 2017.

For a list of participating helmet retailers, please visit:

http://www.parentinginottawa.com/en/children/Helmet-Discount.asp

Pathway Mentors
On Friday a group of our students attended Algonquin College for Pathway Mentors, a program engaging students to consider their interests and skills and connect them to the appropriate resources.  This is an excellent opportunity which students always enjoy, year after year.

Open House
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Open House on Thursday.  Parents and students really enjoyed the displays, the bbq, and, of course, the music by our band and vocalists.  The weather also co-operated making it a perfect event. A good time was certainly had by all! 

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 31: School Council Meeting @7 p.m. in Learning Commons 1

St. Patrick's Intermediate May 1-5 (Catholic Education Week)

Brain Health Forum May 3

On Wednesday, May 3, St. Patrick's High School and St. Patrick's Intermediate School are hosting a Brain Health Forum, funded by Ontario's Ministry of Education.

This event will take place at St. Patrick's High School (2525 Alta Vista Drive...corner of Alta Vista Dr. and Heron Rd.) at 6 p.m.  There will be information booths from several Ottawa-area organizations focussing on the symptoms and preventative techniques associated with brain-health related issues.

Present, as well, will be guest speakers from the Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley and Epilepsy Ottawa.  

Complimentary childcare will be provided.  We hope you can join us! To register, please access this link:

http://www.punchbowl.com/parties/37c9426d15cd9c499535

Open House May 4

Parents, students, and guardians are reminded of our Open House taking place at St. Pat's Intermediate from 3 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.  From 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria there will be displays, information from public health, School Council personnel, computers to complete School Climate surveys, and much more. From 4 to 5:15 p.m. there will be a BBQ where tickets can be purchased for hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks.  And, finally, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. there will be a music showcase.  Hope to see you there!

Poetree Planting

As part of Canada's 150th, schools have been submitting poems for a poetry contest. In honour of this, various "poetrees" are going to be displayed at Ottawa Public Library branches around the city, one of which was made by our very own Joan Sweeney.

At the Alta Vista Branch of the Ottawa Public Library (across from St. Pat's High School) our tree from St. Pat's Intermediate was "planted" on Wednesday. 

Mr. Mark Dalipaj's class was present as well as some students from St. Pat's High School.  It's a real honour to have one of our trees on display at our community library.

St. Patrick’s French Excursion to Quebec City

We welcome our students and staff back from their Quebec City trip this past week. They arrive Saturday evening. The group was involved in a French language and cultural experience that included a visit to Sainte Anne de Beaupre Basilica, a guided sightseeing tour of the city, and an exploration of the history surrounding the Plains of Abraham.  There was also a little time for shopping and, I hear, some great meals! Thank you to our parent community for supporting this activity.

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 31: School Council Meeting @7 p.m. in Learning Commons 1

St. Pat's Intermediate April 24 to 28

Parent School Climate Information Survey
Every two years the Ministry of Education requires that schools conduct a School Climate Survey where we ask students, staff, and families to provide their input on the environment in our school.  In Catholic schools, our Catholic teaching on the dignity of the human person is the starting point for all issues of diversity. Catholic schools strive to create an environment where all members of the school community feel safe, welcomed, included, and valued.  

We need your voice in that we ask for your input as we continue to build positive school climates.  We encourage you to take 10 minutes to complete our survey and ask each family to complete only one survey.  Please note that this is the same survey sent by e-mail last week.  Please click on this link for the parent survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PARpatrickinter841900

All students in grades 4-12 will complete a similar survey at school.  The student survey measures safety, bullying, equity, inclusivity, and student well-being. Our school staff will also complete a survey.  

The surveys will help in-school teams determine school needs, make decisions on improving the climate of our school, as well as help to determine whether programs are effective at improving the school climate.

The survey will be available for completion until May 5, 2017.

St. Pat's Intermediate Administration Change
Following the meeting with Trustees last week, there were a number of changes to administration teams across the Board.  These changes did have an impact on St. Pat's Intermediate as we are losing our vice-principal, Ms. Kristine Burgoyne, to St. Mark High School.  Ms. Burgoyne has been an important member and contributor to our community and we will miss her very much.  I wish Ms. Burgoyne much success as she heads to Manotick.  

Taking Ms. Burgoyne's place will be Mr. Marc Paradis, currently a department head at St. Pius X High School.  I look forward to working with Mr. Paradis in the coming year.

Feeder School Concerts

Our school band went to all of the feeder schools this week to perform for students there.  This provided us with an excellent opportunity to promote our music program at our school. Feedback from the schools was nothing but positive.  A big thank you to our music teacher, Ms. Reilly, for putting this endeavour together.

Open House May 4

Parents, students, and guardians are reminded of our Open House taking place at St. Pat's Intermediate from 3 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.  From 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria there will be displays, information from public health, School Council personnel, computers to complete School Climate surveys, and much more.  From 4 to 5:15 p.m. there will be a BBQ where tickets can be purchased for hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks.  And, finally, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. there will be a music showcase.  Hope to see you there!

Brain Health Forum

On Wednesday, May 3, St. Patrick's High School and St. Patrick's Intermediate School are hosting a Brain Health Forum, funded by Ontario's Ministry of Education.

This event will take place at St. Patrick's High School (2525 Alta Vista Drive...corner of Alta Vista Dr. and Heron Rd.) at 6 p.m.  There will be information booths from several Ottawa-area organizations focussing on the symptoms and preventative techniques associated with brain-health related issues.

Present, as well, will be guest speakers from the Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley and Epilepsy Ottawa.  

Complimentary childcare will be provided.  We hope you can join us! To register, please access this link:

http://www.punchbowl.com/parties/37c9426d15cd9c499535

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday April 26: St. Patrick Intermediate School Council Meeting at 7 p.m. in Learning Commons 1.

Thursday, April 27: CSPA presents Recognizing and Supporting Mental Health Needs at Immaculata High School (see spe.ocsb.ca for further information)

Wednesday, May 3: Brain Health Forum at St. Patrick's High School (see above for information)

Thursday, May 4: St. Patrick's Intermediate Catholic Education Week Open House, 3 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.