Good morning, St. Dominic Savio Community!

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

It is hard to believe April is almost over!  We hope with the ending of April we will begin to see more sunshine and flowers in bloom. The robins have been busy on our field catching the worms as they surface from their safety underground.  With the arrival of May comes a sense of renewal and anticipation for the many exciting events and opportunities ahead.

Last week our school community expanded its understanding of what it means to take care of our planet during Earth week.  Many engaging activities and initiatives took place throughout each class, and our students embraced the opportunities to make a positive difference for our world.  A big Thank You to all students who helped clean up our school playground.

First Communion

Our grade 2 students celebrated a beautiful First Communion on Sunday, April 28th at St. Mark’s Church.  This is a significant milestone in their spiritual journey, and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and commitment to their faith.  May this sacrament be a source of grace, joy, and strength for each of them as they embark on this next chapter of their spiritual journey. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our wonderful parents and guardians for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. Your love, prayers, and involvement in your child’s religious formation have been instrumental in preparing them for this special day. A huge round of applause is also due to our dedicated teachers, Ms. Batiste, Ms. Risch, Ms. and Ms. Dietrich who have provided our students with guidance and spiritual support.   Congratulations Dragons!!

Picture Retakes

For any student in Senior Kindergarten or Grade 8 in need of having their graduation pictures retaken or who missed picture day at school, please click on the following link to make an appointment:  Localstudiokw1 – Pegasus School Images (pegasus-si.com)

Nutrition for Learning and Smile Cookies

Smile Cookies are back at Tim Horton’s restaurants.  They are not only delicious, but 100% of the proceeds are donated directly to local charities including Nutrition for Learning- the organization that supports our nutrition program. For $2.00, you can help support charities within Waterloo Region. Every cookie makes a difference!”

Willy Wonka Play was a great success!

A huge congratulations to the cast of Willy Wonka.  The entertainment was never ending, and boy do students at St. Dominic Savio School have talent! Thank you to all our parents and family members who came out to enjoy the show.  As well, thank you parents and caregivers for your support picking up your children later from school so they could stay and run through all the rehearsals. A big shout out to directors Mr. Coates, Ms. Di Gravio, and Ms. Guerrero for all their dedication and hard work to make this production happen!

Digital Safety Awareness and Human Trafficking Prevention Education April 30th

WCDSB is pleased to present a virtual parent and guardian information evening on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.  Bestselling author and survivor Timea Nagy will speak about digital safety awareness and human trafficking prevention education.   Please see Registration Poster – Human Trafficking Prevention Education to register for this event.   Please note that the chat will not be open for the presentation.  If you would like to ask questions ahead of this event, please fill out this form.

Catholic Education Week:  Called to Love

Catholic Education Week 2024 is scheduled to take place during the week of May 5 – May 10th . The theme of Catholic Education Week is:  We are Called to Love.  At school and throughout this week, we will be focusing on the 5 subthemes for the week:

• Monday, May 6th:          As people of hope
• Tuesday, May 7th:          As people of faith
• Wednesday, May 8th:    As people of mercy
• Thursday, May 9th:        As people of justice
• Friday, May 10th:            As people of joy

Throughout this week, we will be highlighting each of these subthemes with special activities and celebrations.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Catholic Education Week comes at the same time as Mental Health Awareness. The theme this year is “Compassion Connects – A Call to Be Kind”. Our Catholic Social Teachings guide us to be kind and compassionate to one another. We know that compassion can make a positive impact on the lives of others. As we live in a world afflicted by suffering, we must display kindness to one another for everyone’s positive mental health and well-being. This year’s Mental Health Week is centered on the healing power of compassion and connection.  For more information please visit Mental Health Week and our school board page WCDSB Mental Health and Well Being.

Learning At Home

Parents can make a big difference in their child’s learning by discussing their learning at school. Check out our WCDSB Monthly Math @Home Newsletter to better understand how students learn to apply their understanding of the relationships between shapes and measurement to develop formulas to calculate length, area, volume and more!  Issue No. 9 Spatial Sense & Measurement

Grade 7 and 8 – Go CODE Girl – May 4

Conestoga’s School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology, in partnership with the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering, will host Go CODE Girl at the Waterloo campus on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for girls and non-binary youth in Grades 7 to 10 to explore the worlds of coding, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and esports. Run by/at Conestoga College, Waterloo Campus.  Register to attend.

Have a fabulous week dragons!

What a Show!  Last night our talented young actors and actresses performed the musical play, Willy Wonka, to a packed audience.  Performers were entertaining from start to finish.  Thank you to our cast and crew for sharing your talent with us.  A big thank you also goes out to directors:  Mrs. Guerrero, Mr. Coates, and Mrs. Di Gravio.  They have spent countless hours rehearsing with students and stage crew developing them so they could give the best of themselves.

The final performance is tonight – hope to see you there!

The staff and students at St. Dominic Savio CES would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the Administrative Assistants today on “Administrative Assistant’s Day”. Behind every successful day at school – however you measure that success – is YOU. YOU are the face of our schools.  The first smile that our students and families see when they come to us.  YOU are the medical expert, giving ice, providing tissues and paper towels, handing out medication and inhalers.  YOU are the mental health experts, calming bodies, minds, and hearts with ease.  YOU are the ones that our students go to for everything they need; the ones that all staff go to for everything they need; and the ones that our Administrators go to for everything we need.  YOU at the one.

Today we recognize the sacrifices Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Luszczki make in their personal time, their family time and in their lives for the good of the school.  We recognize the dedication they have to our school community, and we recognize the challenges that they deal with – with ease.

Today we recognize Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Luszczki and the impact they have on our world. They keep us all going!

Good day St. Dominic Parents and Caregivers.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall

Today is Earth Day. It was founded in the Spring of 1970 because Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin Senator, was concerned about pollution on our earth. Our school community is also concerned about caring for our planet as God intended us to do so teachers and classes have planned a variety of activities this week to commemorate Earth Day and Earth Week.  Our kindergarten students begun their part in helping our earth by cleaning up around their play area. They did a fantastic job and the grass around their play area looks very thankful to be rid of the winter garbage. Earth Week is an opportunity for our school community to come together and reflect on the importance of protecting our planet and taking action to preserve its natural resources for future generations.

• Mindful Monday (April 22nd):   Turn off lights and electronics that are not being used at home. Take your learning outside today!  Go for a walk and appreciate the beauty of our world!
• Trash less Tuesday (April 23rd):  Let’s be mindful of how much garbage we produce at school and at home. Bring a litterless lunch, use reusable containers and water bottles!
• Walk to School Wednesday (April 24th):  Conserve energy!  Reduce your carbon footprint by walking or biking to school today! Let’s see which class will have the most people who walked or biked today!
• Thoughtful Thursday (April 25th): Let’s be thoughtful of our yard by cleaning it up.  Pick up litter at school with your class!
• Earth Friendly Friday (April 26th): Wear blue and green (or earth tones) to show your support for the colours of the earth.

HAPPY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DAY TO MRS. Hayes AND MRS. Luszczki!

On Wednesday, April 24th, we will recognize and express our heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Luszczki on “Administrative Professionals Day” for all the incredible work they do.  They always have a smile on their face despite the thousands of tasks and questions they face each day in their job. We appreciate all they do for us and hope they know haow valuable they are to the St. Dominic Savio Community!

First Holy Communion Retreat

Our Grade 2 students have been diligently preparing to receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion, a significant milestone in their spiritual journey. As part of their preparation, they attended a special retreat last Monday at St. Mark’s Church to further deepen their understanding of the sacrament and reflect on its significance in their lives.  During the retreat, our students engaged in prayer, reflection, and activities designed to help them grow in their faith and prepare their hearts to receive the Body of Christ for the first time. Our Grade 2 students will celebrate their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 28th at 2pm. Please keep our Grade 2 students in your prayers this week.

Promoting a Culture of Inclusivity and Independence: Insights from Michael Jacques & Dr. Gillian Parekh: April 23rd

Join us for an enlightening discussion featuring Michael Jacques, a compassionate and determined young adult with autism and an intellectual disability. Michael, author of “Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s My Book” and “I Belong, Can I Play?”, speaks passionately about topics such as learning, inclusion, advocating, independence, and the power of perseverance.

Following Michael’s inspiring presentation, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Gillian Parekh, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Disability Studies in Education at York University. Dr. Parekh, renowned author of “Ableism in Education,” brings a wealth of experience as a former special education teacher and research coordinator with the Toronto District School Board. Her expertise in structural equity, special education, and academic streaming promises invaluable insights.  This event is brought to you by WCDSB SEAC.  The online presentation starts at 6:30 pm on April 23, 2024.   Please register for the event by:  Promoting Independence

Circuit Training for Track and Field Grades 4 – 8: Starts MONDAY!!

Starting today, April 22, students in Grades 4 to 8 will begin circuit training in preparation for the Track and Field event in May.  These sessions will help to develop student’s strength, speed, endurance, and agility and are crucial for their preparation in the upcoming event.  To ensure safety, students must come to school prepared with proper athletic attire, including appropriate shoes.

Catholic Education Week: We Are Called to Love

Catholic Education Week 2024 is scheduled to take place during the week of May 5 – May 10.   All Catholic schools in Ontario will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly funded Catholic education.  Publicly funded Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841 and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very well. The current generation of students in our publicly funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit and generosity as their previous generations.

We will be preparing a series of activities, which will highlight how our school is being Called to love together.  Stay tuned for more information!

EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians of Elementary School Students

Register for this free live webinar on April 30th or May 7th and learn about EQAO’s primary and junior Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Participants will learn about the purpose of Ontario’s large-scale assessments. EQAO staff will explain the assessment format, highlight resources to support students and answer questions from participants.

Register here: Registration

Wishing you a fantastic week Dragons!

Good morning parents and caregivers!

Please remember when dropping your child(ren) off in the morning that you are to stop at the city sidewalk and let your child(ren) walk onto the school grounds themselves.  Parents and caregivers are not to be on school property after 8:45 am for safety reasons.  The school has staff who are on the school grounds to support and supervise students.

Thank you for your continued support.

Happy Monday St. Dominic Savio parents and caregivers.

It looks like we have a few beautiful days ahead of us as well as some April showers for the latter part of our week. Thank you for sending your child(ren) to school with clothing that weathers the mud!  The forecast in early spring is always a bit unpredictable but so worth the wait as we see the trees starting to bud and the flowers rising up to the sun.

The solar eclipse last Monday was truly a sight to see. We hope your child(ren)’s curiosity and wonder was awakened and that they had the opportunity to witness the moon pass in front of the sun.  The next solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2045, according to NASA so there will be no need for school boards to change a PA Day!

School Highlights

Dress Code – As the weather turns warmer, students are eager to break out their summer wear.  Please remind your child(ren) that comfortable, loose-fitting clothes should be considered so they are able to move easily during gym and recess breaks.  NO spaghetti strap tops or, shirts that do not cover the stomach area completely should be worn at school.  Shorts are to be mid-thigh length and not to have rips showing undergarments. These styles of clothing are great to wear at the beach but not to school.

Fire Drills – As the weather begins to warm up, students will participate in 3 fire drills as required by the Ontario Fire Code. These drills allow the school to be prepared in case of an emergency. Staff and students are aware of these emergency procedures as student safety is the priority.

Front Door Access to Child and Youth Mental Health Services: If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s mental wellbeing, you can call Front Door and they will listen and provide options or suggestions to help with your unique situation at no cost to you. Front Door has its own programs as well as access to refer you to other services in the Waterloo Region.

Circuit Training for Track and Field Grades 4 – 8 – Track season is soon to start up which means students in Grades 4 to 8 will begin circuit training in preparation for our Track and Field event at Resurrection High School on May 13th.  These sessions will help to develop student’s strength, speed, endurance, and agility and are crucial for their preparation in the upcoming event.  To ensure the safety, it is essential that students come to school prepared with proper athletic attire, including appropriate shoes.

EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians of Elementary School Students – Register for this free live webinar on April 30th or May 7th and learn about EQAO’s primary and junior Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Participants will learn about the purpose of Ontario’s large-scale assessments. EQAO staff will explain the assessment format, highlight resources to support students and answer questions from participants.  Registration Link

Introduction to Race with Dwayne Morgan: April 16th – Students in grade 6 & 7 classes have an extraordinary opportunity on Tuesday, April 16th, to participate in a workshop with Dwayne Morgan, an esteemed figure in the literary world.  Through this session, students will gain insights into racial challenges’ historical and societal roots, strategies to confront harmful language, and ways to cultivate a respectful, inclusive atmosphere. It highlights the importance of dialogue, reflection, and action. It aims to equip students with the means to facilitate impactful discussions, drive positive change, and create a school culture that embraces diversity, understanding, and equity.

Promoting a Culture of Inclusivity and Independence: Insights from Michael Jacques & Dr. Gillian Parekh: April 23rd – Please join us for an enlightening discussion featuring Michael Jacques, a compassionate and determined young adult with autism and an intellectual disability. Michael, author of “Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s My Book” and “I Belong, Can I Play?”, speaks passionately about topics such as learning, inclusion, advocating, independence, and the power of perseverance.

Following Michael’s inspiring presentation, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Gillian Parekh, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Disability Studies in Education at York University. Dr. Parekh, renowned author of “Ableism in Education,” brings a wealth of experience as a former special education teacher and research coordinator with the Toronto District School Board. Her expertise in structural equity, special education, and academic streaming promises invaluable insights.  This event is brought to you by WCDSB SEAC.  The online presentation starts at 6:30 pm on April 23, 2024.   Please register for the event by:  Promoting Independence.  Don’t miss this opportunity to gain knowledge, inspiration, and support for promoting independence in our communities!

Welcome to Kindergarten Evening – Families new to kindergarten in September 2024 are invited to our Orientation Night on Tuesday, May 14th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This will be an in-person meeting, families will gather for an information session and will have an opportunity to visit our kindergarten classes. Our educators will be available that evening to answer any questions you may have as you prepare your child(ren) to transition to school in the fall.  We look forward to meeting our new families!

School Board Calendar – The 2024-2025 School Year Calendar has been posted to our Board’s website.  The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year for students is on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. For more information and to view the entire list of dates and holidays for the 2024-2025 school year, please visit the Board’s website.

Wishing you a productive and joyful week Dragons!

Good afternoon parents and caregivers.

Please see attached information on the School Climate Survey for Families and Caregivers, the survey closes on April 14th.

The WCDSB conducts this School Climate survey with
parents/guardians every two years as a key strategy to building a
positive school climate and is also a requirement of the Education
Act s.169.1(1)(a), (a.1), (a.2) and PPM 145. Specifically, this
survey will invite parents/guardians to share their experiences so
that your child’s school and the Board can:
• make informed planning decisions about programs to promote
safe and inclusive schools,
• determine the effectiveness of programs on an ongoing basis, and
• build and sustain a positive school climate.

WCDSB-School-Climate-Survey-for-Families-2024-Family-Letter-1.pdf

Please complete the survey by following this link:   Survey

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Solar Eclipse Day Dragons!

Just a reminder that today is a Professional Activity (PA) Day.  Our Extended Day program is closed as well. This change has been made to ensure student and staff safety and well-being during the Total Solar Eclipse happening today. Here is a link for more information and safety tips:  https://www.wcdsb.ca/change-in-pa-day-schedule-solar-eclipse-safety-tips/.

GRADUATION PICTURES and Class Photos this Thursday, April 11th!

This Thursday, April 11th, Pegasus will be at our school to take graduation photos of our Year 2 Kindergarten students and our Grade 8 students.  Kindergarten grad pictures will be taken in the morning followed by our Grade 8 graduates.  Grade 8s, don’t forget to wear your white shirt! Pegasus will also be taking class photos after graduation photos.

Math @ Home April Issue

Parents can make a big difference in their child’s learning by talking with them about what they are learning at school. While these resources are optional, they provide valuable information about what students are learning at school and ideas for supporting their learning at home.  Please click HERE for ways to have fun with math at home!

Promoting a Culture of Inclusivity and Independence: Insights from Michael Jacques & Dr. Gillian Parekh

Join us for an enlightening discussion featuring Michael Jacques, a compassionate and determined young adult with autism and an intellectual disability. Michael, author of “Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s My Book” and “I Belong, Can I Play?”, speaks passionately about topics such as learning, inclusion, advocating, independence, and the power of perseverance.

Following Michael’s inspiring presentation, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Gillian Parekh, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Disability Studies in Education at York University. Dr. Parekh, renowned author of “Ableism in Education,” brings a wealth of experience as a former special education teacher and research coordinator with the Toronto District School Board. Her expertise in structural equity, special education, and academic streaming promises invaluable insights.  This event is brought to you by WCDSB SEAC.  The online presentation starts at 6:30 pm on April 23, 2024.   Please register for the event by:  Promoting Independence

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain knowledge, inspiration, and support for promoting independence in our communities!

Cyber Safety, Digital Literacy, Esports Presentation: WCDSB is pleased to present a virtual parent and guardian information evening on Cyber safety, digital literacy, and esports gaming on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Matthew Johnson, the Director of Education from Media Smarts will speak about online safety and digital literacy as well as resources available to families from Media Smarts. Katina Papulkas is the Senior Education Strategist at Dell Technologies and will guide online gaming and how parents and guardians can support their children’s passions, explore career opportunities, and appreciate the engagement it provides. If you are interested in this presentation, you will need to register so a link can be emailed to you ahead of time.

2024-2025 School Year Calendar

The 2024-2025 School Year Calendar has been posted to our Board’s website.  The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year for students is on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. For more information and to view the entire list of dates and holidays for the 2024-2025 school year, please visit the Board’s website.

Extended Day Program 2024-2025: Registration is Open!

Between January and April each year, families are asked to express their interest in having their child(ren) attend the Extended Day Program during the upcoming school year (September 2024 to June 2025). The Board uses this information to determine space, staffing needs and expanding programs.

To pre-register, please log into your OneList Waterloo Region account. When prompted to pre-register, click Yes and your child will be added to the pre-registration list for next school year. You will receive an email in late June asking you to confirm your child’s schedule for the 2024-25 school year, this will complete your registration.

For assistance with the OneList Waterloo Region site, please contact OneHSN Support at support@onehsn.com.

School Climate Survey:

At Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we value your feedback as a parent/legal guardian of a student in our school. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and share your opinions with us. We want to learn about your child’s experiences at school so we can understand what is working well and how we might improve in order to contribute to a more positive school climate.

CLICK HERE for the School Climate Survey for Families

Catholic Education Week

During the week of May 6TH to May 10th, 2024, we will celebrate the significant contribution that Catholic Education has made to the community, the Province of Ontario, and Canada. Our Catholic Graduate Expectations challenge students to articulate in society those fundamental values that underpin Catholic education. The theme for this year’s Catholic Education Week is “We are called to love / Appelés à aimer”. Our students and staff are planning many engaging activities to celebrate Catholic Education Week; families will be invited to our school to join in these activities.

Calling All Students born in 2020 or 2019!  There is Still Time to Register For Kindergarten!

Registration is still open for children who are starting Kindergarten in September 2024.  These are children born in 2020 who would be eligible for Junior Kindergarten/Year 1. Children born in 2019 and who have not enrolled in Junior Kindergarten/Year 1 this year are eligible for Senior Kindergarten/Year 2. If your child is already attending JK/Year 1 for this current school year, there is no need to do anything.  Please register online:  Link to Register.   If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office at 519-740-0678.  For more information please visit:  The Kindergarten Program.

Community News

We are lucky to have Front Door: Access to Child and Youth Mental Health Services here in Waterloo Region. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s mental wellbeing, you can call Front Door and they will listen and provide options or suggestions to help with your unique situation at no cost to you. Front Door has its own programs as well as access to refer you to other services in Waterloo Region.

Front Door 8.5×11 Poster V2

Calling families who live near West Meadow Park: the 6th Annual Park Clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, April 20 from 9:30-10:30a.m. Come on out to help clean up the neighborhood, enjoy some Starbucks treats and socialize with your neighbors!

Are you shopping online at Mabel’s Labels? If so, remember at checkout to search for St. Dominic Savio (Kitchener) fundraiser to have 20% of your purchase come back to the school!  https://mabelslabels.ca/en-CA

Looking forward to a fabulous 4 day week of learning!

Good morning parents and caregivers.

Please see attached information on the School Climate Survey for Families and Caregivers, the survey closes on April 14th.

WCDSB-School-Climate-Survey-for-Families-2024-Family-Letter-1.pdf

Survey