Monthly Archives: February 2024

Tomorrow…Wednesday, Feb. 28th is PINK shirt day!

We invite all our Dragon students and staff to wear a pink shirt tomorrow.

Students across the WCDSB are encouraged to wear pink to promote kindness and inclusion, and to make a stand against bullying.

This tradition began in Nova Scotia in 2007. A student was teased for wearing a pink polo shirt to school, and the next day, students arrived at the school all wearing pink to show solidarity and offer support for him. This message has spread across the world.

Let’s spread a little extra kindness tomorrow, Dragons!

Good Monday morning St. Dominic Savio parents and caregivers.

The Second Sunday of Lent is known as The Transfiguration.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2–3

In last week’s gospel we saw Jesus in the desert resisting temptation.  This week’s gospel focuses on the transfiguration of Jesus which happens on Mount Thabor where people often went to offer sacrifices to God above. Jesus revels himself to 3 of his disciples; Peter, James and John.  He disclosed that he is the Messiah anointed by God and His son who will die for their sins.   To further support this, out the looming clouds above a voice came down saying, ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.’ Let us thank our divine Lord, for giving this encouraging vision of his glory to his Apostles and through them to us. It was for them, and it is for us, a guarantee and a foretaste of the joys and the glory that will be ours for eternity.  It begs us to ask, if God willingly gave up His only son for us, what are we willing to give up for God?

Dear Jesus, show me how to be generous just as you are generous. Help me to let go of my attachments so that I can be free to receive your blessings. Thank you in advance for your many blessings; those I see and those I don’t see.  Amen

The parent council (CSAC) is doing a delicious fundraiser for the last days of February!

Between February 25 – 29, when you order a large 3-topping pizza online from the Highland Road Dominio’s Pizza store, the school gets 30% back!

Mark your calendar and make one of these nights a pizza night.  Let’s eat our way to more equipment for our students in our school!

Wear Pink on Wednesday, February 28th to Show Your Support

The theme for this year’s Pink Shirt Day is “Lift each other up.” It is a simple statement with a powerful message that encourages everyone to work together and treat others with dignity and respect.  It is a reminder to encourage us to look beyond our differences and celebrate the things that make us unique.  Participating is easy! You can wear pink in your hair, as a piece of clothing or as a cool accessory!

Reminders about Personal Items

Mobile Technology Devices:

Students are only allowed to use mobile technology devices when directed by a staff member for the purposes of learning.  Students are not allowed to use their mobile technology devices on school premises or at school related events.  Mobile technology devices will be confiscated from anyone violating this rule.  The school is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen items.

Personal Property

At times, students bring personal belongings to the school (electronic devices, footballs, hats, ball gloves, knapsacks, special clothing).  They are responsible for these possessions.  Their names should be clearly labelled on these articles.  Please note that the school is not responsible for the loss of personal items.  If a child has lost or misplaced an article of clothing, please have them check the Lost and Found area. We also ask that the children NOT bring anything to school that has monetary or sentimental value.

Valuable Personal Items:

Students are strongly discouraged from bringing valuable belongings to school (e.g. I-Pods, electronic games and toys).  Students are not to use/play with these items during class time.  If they do so, they will be confiscated from the student.  The school is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen items.

Student Achievement and Spring Testing

Below are the three tests that will take place this spring:

GRADE 4’s – CANADIAN COGNITIVE ACHIEVEMENT TEST (CCAT) – March 20- 27, 2024

In the period of March 20- 27, 2024, the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test Level 10 (CCAT 7) will be administered to all grade 4 students in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.  The purpose of this board-wide screening of the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test Level 10 (CCAT 7) is to:

1. Identify your child’s cognitive areas of strength and areas of need
2. Provide information about your child’s learning style
3. Provide information to your child’s teachers in order to help them meet instructional objectives

The CCAT 7 is divided into three sections (verbal, quantitative, non-verbal) and each section has three tests. The CCAT 7 will be administered over a three-day period and each testing session will last about 40 – 45 minutes out of the regular school day.  If you do not wish for your child to participate in this assessment, please inform your school principal no later than March 8, 2024.

GRADE 7—CAT-4 (CANADIAN ACHIEVEMENT TEST)  –  April 10-17, 2024

Students in Grade 7 in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board will be administered the Canadian Achievement Test, Fourth Edition (CAT-4) between April 10 – 17, 2024.  The CAT-4 is a national standardized achievement test designed to measure achievement in the basic skills commonly taught in schools across Canada. The specific skill areas in which your child will be assessed include language arts, reading and mathematics. The CAT-4 takes approximately four hours to complete over a three-day period.  The CAT-4 will provide information for parents, students, teachers and administrators about how well students perform in the basic skill areas. This information will be used to provide direction for curriculum and program delivery at the system, school, and individual student levels.  If you wish your child to not participate in the testing, please contact your child’s school principal by March 8, 2024.

EQAO TESTING – Primary and Junior Assessments in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics:

This year’s cohorts of Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will participate in the Primary and Junior EQAO testing during the period of  Wednesday, May 8, to Monday, June 17, 2024.  Please mark your calendars and avoid booking appointments on these dates, if at all possible, to avoid interruptions during these testing dates.

Please be advised that the Professional Activity (PA) Day originally scheduled for April 19, 2024, will now be held on April 8, 2024. This change is being made to ensure our students’ and staff’s safety and well-being during the Total Solar Eclipse expected on April 8, 2024. https://www.wcdsb.ca/change-in-pa-day-schedule-solar-eclipse-safety-tips/

March Break is just around the corner.  We have an extra day added on to the March Break week this year, so students officially begin their March Break on Friday, March 8th.  Students are due to return back to school on Monday, March 18th.

Have a fabulous last week of February Dragons!

The parent council (CSAC) is doing a delicious fundraiser for the last days of February!

Between February 25 – 29, when you order a large 3-topping pizza online from the Highland Road Dominio’s Pizza store, the school gets 30% back!

Mark your calendar and make one of these nights a pizza night.  Let’s eat our way to more equipment for our students in our school!

Happy Family Day to all our dragon families!  We wish you a lovely extra special day celebrating the importance of family and loved ones.

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the gift of family.
Bless our family, Lord,
Guide us, protect us, and keep us united in your love.
Grant us the strength to face challenges together
And wisdom to grow in understanding and compassion.
Help us to forgive one another
And to always strive for reconciliation.
Bless our home with peace and joy,
And may we always seek to do your will
In our lives and our family.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lent explained in 3 minutes.  Video

The First Sunday of Lent: Jesus is Tempted in the Desert

After Jesus was Baptized, he went into the desert for 40 days.  He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights to nurture his spirit in the quiet where he could hear God’s voice more clearly.  While in the desert, Jesus was very vulnerable to the elements and the devil found this an opportune time to tempt Jesus. But Jesus stayed strong and resisted the devil’s temptation repeatedly and remained faithful to God.  Like Jesus, we should let the Holy Spirit lead us out into the desert this Lent where we can confront the devils that haunt our lives, and like him too, triumph over them.

PA Day Change- April 8, 2024

Please note that the Professional Activity (PA) Day, initially set for April 19, 2024, has been rescheduled to April 8, 2024. This adjustment is to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff due to the Total Solar Eclipse expected on April 8, 2024.  The Extended Day program will not be operating on April 8, 2024, but will be open for regular Before and After School programs on April 19, 2024.

It is important to remember that directly observing the Sun can lead to severe eye injuries, particularly during a solar eclipse.

For safe observation of a solar eclipse, it’s essential to use eye protection specifically designed for this purpose (conforming to the ISO 12312-2 standard). Regular sunglasses do not offer adequate protection for your eyes. Moreover, attempting to view any phase of a solar eclipse through the camera of a smartphone, a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without attaching a special solar filter to the front of the device can result in significant eye damage.

Total Solar Eclipse Safety Tips

A total solar eclipse is a rare and exciting natural phenomenon. However, it is crucial to view it safely to prevent any damage to the eyes. Here are some tips for safely experiencing the solar eclipse:

1. Use Proper Eclipse Glasses: Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for viewing the sun. Special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers, must be used. Ensure they meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
2. Adult Supervision for Children: Ensure that children are supervised when using solar filters or eclipse glasses. Teach them the importance of not removing the glasses while looking at the sun.
3. Alternative Methods: For those who do not have eclipse glasses, using a pinhole projector is a safe way to view a projection of the eclipse. This can be a fun and educational activity to do with children.
4. Avoid Unsafe Methods: Do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays can damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.
5. Check the Weather: If it is cloudy, you may not be able to see the eclipse. Use online resources to watch it live if the weather does not permit outdoor viewing.
6. View it Safely via Livestream: The eclipse can be viewed via livestream broadcast through the NASA Exploratorium.

We hope these tips are helpful for you and your family to safely experience this spectacular event. For more safety tips and information, please visit https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety.

University of Waterloo Engineering Outreach Opportunities

STEMpowered After School Clubs for Black Youth in Grades 7-8
Women in Engineering (WiE) for girls and non-binary youth in Grades 5-7 in one-off workshops, Grades 3-4 in After School Clubs, Grades 7-10 Go Code Girl event on Saturday, March 2nd, and Grade 11 on April 27-28th

Pink Shirt Day

Wednesday, February 28th, 2024. We continue to promote diversity and inclusion at St. Dominic Savio. The purpose of Pink Shirt Day is to create a kinder, more inclusive world by raising awareness for anti-bullying initiatives.  Today our diversity is becoming more visible than ever as people continue to embrace their cultures, identities, and true selves in more open and direct ways. The 2024 slogan “ALL KINDS OF KINDNESS” aims to spotlight that all forms of kindness contribute to building an inclusive and connected community.  Let’s have greater acceptance, respect, and inclusion for everyone!

Learning Math at Home

Math skills are important to a child’s success – both at school and in everyday life. Learning is enhanced when students are engaged in problem-solving with relevant and authentic connections that provide multiple entry points. In recognition of this, all students’ learning opportunities must be mathematically rich, and meaningful and serve to expand their understanding of the world around them.

Access the Ontario Mathematics Curriculum (2020) and the parent guide New Math Curriculum for Grades 1-8 | ontario.ca on the Curriculum and Resources site.

Religion at Home

Did you know that Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ is the Religious Education program endorsed by the Catholic Bishops of Ontario and developed in collaboration with Catholic educators from across Canada that we use daily in our schools?  The program is based on the Catholic Elementary Curriculum Policy Document for Religious Education, Grades 1-8 and Catholic School Kindergarten Program.
Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ has a variety of Lent and Easter resources to help bring meaning to this faith-filled celebration of this holy season. Check it out to continue learning about Lent and Easter at home!

Website: http://www.pearsoncanada.ca/school/growinginfaith/student-home/
user name: wcdsb99
password: Student99

Attendance Matters

There are 194 school days in a given year. Missing a “few” might not seem like a big deal, but “a day here and a day there” can add up to a substantial amount of opportunity lost.

A webinar on Generative AI hosted by WCDSB Innovation consultants on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Registration: 

This presentation will introduce what Generative AI is, its implications for education, and how WCDSB intends to leverage the potential of GenAI to enhance learning experiences while upholding our vision of our Catholic Schools as the “heart of the community — success for each, a place for all.”

To explore our WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, visit: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/ai/

Good afternoon parents and caregivers!

Students and staff had an exciting day yesterday eating pancakes and celebrating Valentine’s Day with a fundraiser dance.

We want to give a big shoutout to our St. Dominic Parent Council who served everyone a pancake from the Sunset Grill. We heard lots of compliments regarding the taste!

Another big shoutout goes to our St. Dominic Student Council who ran a fabulous dance in our gym.  A good time was had by all, and the gym was so nicely decorated around the theme of love!

Thank you, parents, for all your sponsorships, we had a happy Kindergarten student who won the big prize of a Chromebook and 3 other students who won gift cards of their choice.

The highest fundraising class was JK/SK D, and they won a pizza party!  Two other classes tied for second highest fundraising (Grade 1/2 and Grade 7/8) and will receive individual popcorn bags as a treat.

Again, fun days like these cannot happen without your support so thank you for all you do.

Have a good evening.

Good afternoon, Dragons!

This Thursday, February 15th is KW Titans School Night at the Aud. Please see the below flyer for the promo code to get your tickets now!