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!