stdomadmin

Dear Grade 8 Families,

On behalf of Resurrection Catholic Secondary School, in the absence of a Grade 8 Night, we’d like to share information about the high school that includes a video overview as well as 14 additional recorded videos which provide information about each of the school’s departments.  The webpage also includes a note from our school chaplain, librarian and school administrators.    

 Please take the time to explore the school and don’t hesitate to contact anyone of us at the school at 519 741-1990 or the Resurrection website, click on ‘about us’, then ‘staff lists’ for specific emails. 

 We look forward to having you join our Phoenix community,

Leisha Craftchick, Patrick Eby, Mark Modolo and Marisa Munroe

 The following “Explore Our School” feature link is now located on our official Resurrection website:

Kindergarten Registration- No Experience Needed

Calling all Baby Dragons:

Virtual learning extended to January 25th:

1st Week of Virtual Learning behind us and we want to thank our parents for being so supportive and encouraging. We know it is a lot to work to keep students engaged and we couldn’t do it without you. 

Want to switch mode of learning starting February 16th? (Rebroadcast)

Complete the survey to transition from face-to-face learning to virtual or from virtual to face-to-face on January 27th starting at 6am to the 29th at 6pm. Here’s the link: Switch modes of learning

Umbrella Project:

See the rain of life as important for your child

Imagine you are on stage about to perform for thousands of people.  You’re sitting at a beautiful piano but you have never played it before.  The crowd is expecting a brilliant performance and you are not prepared. How do you feel?  Fear? Panic?

This example beautifully parallels life. In order to be prepared for something we need to practice. To build resilience we need adversity.  Every time we successfully weather a challenge in life, we gain a little bit more confidence in our ability to do that and we become a bit more resilient.  Most parents dislike seeing their children upset and stressed, thinking that a bad thing has happened. Actually most of the small challenges in life are what prepare you for the bigger ones along the way.

Now imagine you are sitting at that piano in front of thousands of people. Leading up to this point you have taken many lessons. You’ve performed first at your school recitals and slowly with bigger and bigger audiences and bigger and bigger venues. You’ve played this specific piece so many times your body naturally plays the keys without really thinking about it. This is the biggest performance of your life so far but you are ready. Better, right?!  

Teach your kids to play at life. The good stuff, the tough stuff…don’t shelter them from all of life’s sprinkles. You can even try to feel a little bit of happiness, mixed in with the normal parent worry, every time they get to practice.  

Listen in as I describe this analogy in this video.

Health & Happiness, 

Dr. Jen, The Umbrella Project

Mabel’s Labels: Don’t lose items to the LOST AND FOUND! Check out Mabel’s Labels!  Campaigns.mabelslabels.com Select ST DOMINIC SAVIO FUNDRAISER (KITCHENER) from the list.

Is your New Years resolution to get organized? Mabel’s Labels have just added customization options and are launching them at 20% off. Here are some great suggestions for places you can use your Household Labels to get organized:

• Pantry
• Bathroom
• Basement storage
• Fridge
• Playroom/toys
• Cleaning supplies
• Linen closets

Go here to check them out and play with the gorgeous customization options.

COBS Bread Bakery will donate 10% of a sale to St. Dominic’s if the buyer (St. Dom’s family members) states that they are supporting St. Dominic Savio school. 

Reminders:

• January 22nd – PD day
• Bell Let’s Talk Day – wear blue day
• January 27th – 29th – ability to switch mode of learning:
• February 16th – Date the Change of Class Would Take Effect

Grade 5-6 Math Problem of the Week – Submit your response by clicking this link for a chance to win a Tim Hortons gift card in our weekly draw. 

Unfortunately we didn’t get a perfect solution to last week’s problem. Check your answers with the solution below. Better luck next week!

Students are expected to attend remote learning regularly and be punctual.  Parents are required to phone the school, 519-576-5503 ext. 1 if a student will be absent or late. Messages may be left on the attendance line at any time.

If a child has not arrived at school and a phone call or email or note has not been received, the administrative assistant will attempt to alert parents by telephone at home or at your place of employment if necessary. If parents cannot be contacted, we will contact the emergency number provided by the parents. Failing to reach parents or emergency contacts, the police will be notified and sent to the home.

If your child is going to be absent, please:
● Send email your child’s teacher in advance when possible
● Phone the school and leave a message on the attendance line which operates at any time during the day or night
● State the date of the absence, your child’s name, spell your child’s last name, the teacher’s name, and the reason for the absence. Unless you notify us otherwise, we will assume your child will be back the following day. At no time is the student to report themselves absent for the school day or is the student to have someone less than 18 years of age report them absent
● Contact the school and speak with the administrative assistant

Source:  https://stdominic.wcdsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/2020-21-Parent-Student-Handbook-1.pdf

Dear Dragons:

We are connecting with you to let you know that we are thinking of you. We understand that these times are exceptionally hard for parents with everything that needs to be juggled. Our staff are here to help so please do not hesitate to let your child’s teacher know if you need support. You can also call Mrs. Hayes or Mr. Runstedler or Mr. Litschgy at the school. We are here for you!

We are sharing this link to make you aware of what the WCDSB is doing to promote wellness:

https://www.wcdsb.ca/programs-and-services/mental-health-and-well-being-at-wcdsb/.

Also, if you or anyone you know might need food, clothing or other supports, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Agnes Church is ready to help:

https://saintagnescatholicchurch.org/food-clothing-and-aid/.

We know that all of our families are doing their very best to have their children connect to their virtual classroom daily and complete the work that is provided. Although we are still expected to account for all students twice daily through regular attendance procedures (as communicated via SchoolMessenger and Newswire), we realize that we are not in normal times and that exceptions may need to be made. We simply ask that you communicate with us so we can work together to figure out the best way to support your family and your child’s learning.

Thank you for your continued support and for being such incredible partners in the education of your children.

Sincerely,

Pat Runstedler and Gary Litschgy
St. Dominic’s Admin. Team

Kindergarten Registration- No Experience Needed

Calling all Baby Dragons:

Virtual learning extended to January 25th:

1st Week of Virtual Learning behind us and we want to thank our parents for being so supportive and encouraging. We know it is a lot to work to keep students engaged and we couldn’t do it without you. 

Want to switch mode of learning starting February 16th?

Complete the survey to transition from face-to-face learning to virtual or from virtual to face-to-face. vice-a-versa on January 27th starting at 6am to the 29th at 6pm. Here’s the link: Switch modes of learning

One Time Donation Fundraiser:

Thank you! Let’s keep the momentum going as we work together to create amazing learning opportunities for your children. Donations can be made on School Cash-Online and Grandparents or other family members can donate directly by clicking here.

Umbrella Project

Help your child face their fears,

Avoiding our fears may be the easiest road in the short term but doesn’t help us build resilience.  What we actually need is small, repeated exposure to the things that scare us.  Small successes over these fears over time help us slowly build the confidence to navigate the adversity.

Here’s an example from my family.  When my daughter was young she didn’t like to be the centre of attention.  This became glaringly obvious the day she wore a fancy dress to school for the first time in years, received at least 5 compliments in the first minute and proceeded to burst into tears and beg me to take her home.  It seemed like a small thing but it pushed a big fear button inside her.  Parenting dilemma…take her home to change or make her stay in a state of clear distress. 

Actually there is a third choice.  We had time to go home and change but only with the following condition; she was going to have to work on being the centre of attention.  That was the deal.

I explained that life will present her with many similar circumstances and I want her to have the skills to deal with these situations.  While this current challenge was too big for her, we were going to choose smaller opportunities for her to practice.  She agreed and we have since helped her practice this skill in many contexts until she is now more comfortable when she finds herself pushed this way. In fact, last year she made it to the school finals for the speech competition.  A huge change from the girl crying in the hallway over some positive attention.

This is how resilience is built.  Not avoidance, not full immersion, but repeated small fears faced and defeated over time.

In this short, 2 minute video, I explain the importance of facing our fears. 

You’ve got this!

Dr. Jen, The Umbrella Project

Mabel’s Labels: Don’t lose items to the LOST AND FOUND! Check out Mabel’s Labels!  Campaigns.mabelslabels.com Select ST DOMINIC SAVIO FUNDRAISER (KITCHENER) from the list.

COBS Bread Bakery will donate 10% of a sale to St. Dominic’s if the buyer (St. Dom’s family members) states that they are supporting St. Dominic Savio school. 

Reminders:

• January 22nd – PD day
• January 27th – 29th – ability to switch mode of learning:
• February 16th – Date the Change of Class Would Take Effect

Grade 3 to 4 Math Problem of the Week – Submit your response by clicking this link for  a chance to win a Tim Hortons gift card in our weekly draw. We will hand out prizes when in class learning resumes. 

Congratulations to Yogesh who won our last POW. Check out his solution: 

Please read the attached letter from our Director of Education, Loretta Notten with regards to the extension of remote learning.

School Building Closure Update to WCDSB Parents Jan 8th 21

St. Dominic’s and other schools surrounding us are looking for Lunch Hour Supervisors. If you are interested in the applying for a position please email a copy of your resume to gary.litschgy@wcdsb.ca.

All successful candidates will have all necessary training provided to them.

Good Morning Dragons!

Please see the attached letter from Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education

Ministers_Letter_to_Parents_-_January_2_2021_FINAL

Lettre_du_ministre_de_l’Éducation_aux_parents_-_2_janvier_2021_(2)_FINAL

Have a great day!

Lifetouch – time is almost up!

Attention all Senior Kindergarten Parents and Guardians,

This is a reminder that registration for the French Immersion lottery will be open from January 7 – 31, 2019.  Interested families may register on the WCDSB website:
https://www.wcdsb.ca/programs-and-services/fsl/

If you have not had an opportunity to attend one of the French Immersion Parent Information Meetings, the final one will be held at St David CSS. 4 High St. Waterloo, on Monday January 14 from 6-7pm.