COVID-19 is not God’s judgment, but a call to live differently, pope says

This article was shared with me by a parent.  As people of faith we can look to our faith and Church leaders to find comfort and support during this difficult time.  A link to the article is provided below.

Sincerely,

Vic Longo – Principal

http://COVID-19 is not God’s judgment, but a call to live differently, pope says

Good Saturday Morning,

It is  the weekend, I imagine that weekdays and weekends are somewhat blurring into each other.  Hopefully you are finding ways to make the weekend standout.  I will be making regular post on our school website to keep the school community up to date with developments.  In addition, I will encourage you to check the WCDSB website.  Please let your friends and neighbours know that they should sign up to our school website and twitter if they have not done so.

A few updates.  

As you see in the news ,the response to the coronavirus world event is very much directed at government levels; education is no different.  The Ministry of Education is working in collaboration with school boards across Ontario to develop a coordinated and equitable response for all students to continue their learning.  We are sharing the develops as they happen.

Phase one of the plan required teachers to reach out to students and families through a digital platform.  They were to inquire about your technology and internet needs.  It is important you respond to your child’s(ren’s) teacher, letting them know if you have technology needs or don’t.  The school board along with the Ministry of Education will use this information to meet the needs of students across the province.  Phase one also asked teachers to provide light and simple learning activities or tasks.  You should determine your child’s readiness to engage in them; quantity and duration.  We are leaning into this time slowly to ensure the emotional well-being of all and allow for an adjustment period.  Phase one will last until April 6.  The government and school board will share the details of the next phase within a week.

Some parents have asked about retrieving student belongings from the school.  At this time, access to the school is restricted to ensure compliance with government and health department directions.  There are discussions at all levels to develop a plan and protocols should it become necessary to gain access to the building and retrieve items.

First Communion and Confirmation have been postponed.  The Diocese of Hamilton will develop an alternative plan and share it with us at some point.

I have consider the impact on our graduating class.  Not to worry, we will acknowledge your accomplishments and years at Holy Family.   If we remain out of school for the remainder of the year, I will work with families to schedule and plan a graduation celebration at another time.  Perhaps in September.

Digital platform use

The degree to which we are using a digital platform for learning is a new experience for all of us.  There are norms and expectations that teachers and myself will be encouraging.  First and foremost, digital platforms are an extension of the school and classroom.  All expectations for appropriate and respectful conduct apply.  It is important to keep the focus of the platforms on learning.  The teachers are using them to follow through with their obligation to provide a continuation of learning.  They are expected to create a structured, focus, purposeful and disciplined learning community.  As before this event, student’s should continue to use personal social media apps or phones to have social conversations and connect with each other.  Students should not be posting personal photos, youtube channels, personal content or links.  Simple greetings and well wishes are welcomed of course.   I am very mindful of the emotional well-being of families and students, this may be increasingly challenged as time goes on.  Students mood and engagement with learning may fluctuate.  It is important that we focus on maintaining hope, optimism and an openness to keep up with learning during these challenging times.  I am asking students to help each other by keeping comments positive.  If they are feeling stressed, bored, anxious, frustrated etc., it is important that they connect with an adult to share and process their feelings.   On line is not the best venue. Parents please use teacher board email to ask questions, share insights or raise concerns.

Be well and take care.

Sincerely,

Vic Longo – Principal

Good Evening,

I hope all of you are well and you are coping with the unique circumstances we are facing.  I know from my phone calls with families each of you is impacted in different ways.  I heard that most, if not all, are keeping good spirits, taking care of your families, as well as expressed concern for your neighbours, fellow Canadians and people throughout the world.  We will get through these challenging times.

Please know that the teachers and staff are working from home to prepare and continue learning activities for your children, our students.   The number one priority is the emotional and physical well being of all.    Day to day life seems to be changing quickly and information through the news outlets adds to the intensity of the situation.  I appreciate that this will affect each of us differently and will do so in the days to come.  As we move forward, I wish to make sure that our actions provide comfort and reassurance and do not contribute additional stressors.  Please be patient.  Right now the staff have been asked to set up a digital platform (ie. google classroom, D2L) to make contact with the students.   Each of us have different comfort level with these programs, so please be patient as the teachers become more familiar with the technology.  I have asked them for the next two weeks to focus on greeting the students, making sure each has access and provide a few simple and light learning activities.  These activities could be; read each day, write a journal entry, draw a picture and write a sentence describing it, do some math questions(addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), research a topic of interest, go for a walk(6 feet apart), measure the perimeter of a room and find the area.  Light and simple!

Below are a few links to websites that you may wish to review and use to engage your children with learning activities.

Be Well

Vic Longo – Principal

Learn At Home Ministry of Education website

https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home#section-0

General Gr. k-6

https://www.tvokids.com/school-age

EQAO – Assessment examples

https://www.eqao.com/en/assessments/examples-of-the-assessments/Pages/default.aspx

Math

http://www.mathstorytime.ca/en

Mathematics

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxNAcNMKHCXHY9dwVOElKpQ

Math Mpower

https://mpower.tvo.org/#/login/

Gr.6-10 Math

https://www.tvomathify.com/students

Language

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdZLh7XMeNmm7B1unPIv49A

Scholastics

http://www.scholastic.ca/

Science and technology

TVO Science and technology

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBCuoKUX7SIEIBK6YhUbyiA

http://www.scholastic.ca/

STEAM DAYS- WCDSB

https://www.wcdsb.ca/STEAMDays/

Dear Parent / Caregivers –

Since last we reached out to you, the global situation in relation to COVID19 has continued to worsen and here at home we have seen unprecedented actions taken by our federal and provincial governments. As you know, schools are now closed and it would appear that this will stretch beyond the Easter weekend, although exactly when we might return to face to face learning is not yet clear. These decisions are being informed by a concern for preserving the health and safety of all, and in this regard we know that each of us shares this common goal. Nonetheless, the news that students will be home indefinitely may be disconcerting to you and your child.

We want to assure you that at Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we will be working to the best of our ability and in collaboration with the province, to ensure that your child is connected to learning opportunities. We will use the initial two weeks for the board to support our teachers in establishing at least an initial contact with all of their students through the most appropriate means possible. We will try to use this time to establish what is needed to support teacher-led learning and to aid you as families, to the best of our abilities under the circumstances.

We also want to acknowledge that this could be a time of great uncertainty and anxiety for our students. We would encourage you to visit our board website where a number of resources can be found that may be helpful to you or your child, as you navigate this time. We are also truly blessed to have our faith and prayer to aid us at this time. Our God walks with us always and the Holy Father reminds us that prayer is a sign that we are not alone.

While we are in the process of “gearing up”, we would remind parents that WCDSB has launched #STEAMDays, a fun and interactive way to be connected to activities that have a daily focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts or mathematics. Further, the Ministry of Education has launched the website “Learn at Home” and you are encouraged to visit that site for learning activities. https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home

Finally – we encourage you to closely follow any and all directives from our governments and Waterloo Region Public Health. As a global community – we have never been more connected by an event or issue and now is the time to do everything we can to ensure we can soon return to life as we knew it not so long ago. We wish your family good health. Remain confident that we are here to support you, as we walk as a hope-filled community of faith toward the season of Easter and the re-birth it brings.

Sincerely,

Loretta Notten                                                            Bill Conway

Director of Education                                                  Chair of the Board

Dear Holy Family Community,

I hope all of you are safe and healthy.  Like many of you, I find that I am at a loss of words to describe the current global events and the impact they are having on our daily lives.  To say the least these are unprecedented times.   The relationship between staff and students develops a unique bond and sense of responsibility to care for, protect and nurture our students during challenging times.   This is one of the times where we wish our students were with us to receive our support and reassurance.   Until we are able to gather again as a school community, we offer our prayers for the health and well-being of all Holy Family community members.

Sincerely,

Vic Longo – Principal

In addition, I am sure many of you have questions about the next two weeks and perhaps beyond.   School principals are having virtual meetings with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board’s senior administrative team early next week to discuss the planning and implementation of student learning activities.  Details will be released by the school board.

WCDSB Closures & Cancellations Due to COVID-19

Parents of Grade 2 First Communion students:  Please be advised that the meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 19th, 2020 has been postponed until further notice.  Thank you!

Principal

February has passed and we are now into March.   The last few weeks of February have provided opportunity for parents to share in the learning of their children and supporting a few of our school traditions. Our Shrove Tuesday pancake breakfast was a great success and was made possible with the volunteer dad, grandads and uncles as well, several parent also took time from their day to support student learning with “Scientist in the School” activities. THANK YOU!

I have been receiving comments and calls from parents sharing their desire to have more communication from the classroom. It is a primary responsibility of an educator to communicate their students’ achievement with home. Parents are co-educators and have a significant impact on each child’s academic success and growth. Parents should be informed of the units and topics being taught throughout the month, are aware of assignments and tests and have received some assessed student work that identifies the student’s strengths and what they need to focus on as a next step.

March’s Umbrella Skill is KINDNESS. This is a timely focus as it connects with the Lenten season. Father’s message on Ash Wednesday encouraged us to deliberately practice kindness; in what we do, what we say.  The message of kindness is universal and is the basic virtue that we instill in our children. Kindness will make their days and lives more enjoyable, peaceful and stress free. Kindness also has an incredible ability to positively impact others and the community we live in.

Through my day to day responsibility of addressing student behaviour, I am often required to support students who have come into conflict. Most incidents begin with a minor circumstance and then quickly escalate into a more impactful and hurtful exchange of words and actions.  It isn’t uncommon for students to hit or push each other because of a disagreement while playing at recess, someone was gossiping, unkind words were spoken, an item was taken without permission, or a child rushes through a door to be first and not holding or opening it for others coming in behind them. My wish and goal for this month is to have one day at school, free from any of our students experiencing unkind words or actions

I ask that we work together every month, but especially this month to focus on kindness. Please have discussion with your child about their day, debrief situations that they may have found challenging or unpleasant. Discuss their role and contribution, and what actions they could have taken to reduce the unkind act and promote kindness.  Encourage them to restrain from reacting or retaliating when someone has demonstrated an inability to make healthy and appropriate choices.

Vic Longo

Principal

Early Years

Ms. Jardine FDK

In Math, we have been exploring money. Our Dramatic Play Centre was renovated into an ice cream shop where we learned about coins and explored using coins in an authentic way. We had an ice cream party where we used money to pay for the number of scoops and toppings we wanted. Learning can be delicious! We will continue to use money to practice counting by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s and 10’s as we move into number sense and numeration. In Language, we are focusing on comprehension as we read. We are learning that we can make predictions by using pictures and words from the cover and back of a book. We are practicing our retells of the story, focusing on the sequencing of events. As we read, we are learning how to make connections to our real-life experiences.  In Science, we are going to become Scientists! We will conduct a new and exciting experiment each week. In Religion, we are learning about how Lent is a time to prepare and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. As a class, we decorated our Prayer Table to represent Lent. Ask your child what colour we changed our Prayer Tablecloth to and what that colour represents

February was another busy month in our classroom.  In Math we worked on prediction skills, graphing and exploring the value of 100!  We celebrated the 100th day of school with much excitement, comparing and contrasting how great and small the number of 100 can look depending on the size of items when counting by ones. We continue to practice counting to 100 by 1s, 5s and 10s.  In language we have been busy “Word Wizards” learning new sight words and charting our progress, working our way to earning a pj party.  We continue to practice our reading comprehension and writing skills, including use of punctuation as we read and write.  In Science, we’ve  had a lot of fun exploring “Marvelous Machines”, our Scientist in the classroom was a wonderful learning experience.  In religion, we are learning how Lent is a time to prepare and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  As a class, we are charting the countdown to Easter, and discussing ways to help others, reflections and acts of generosity as a way of putting others first during preparations for Easter.

Mrs. McClory

February was another busy month in our classroom.  In Math we worked on prediction skills, graphing and exploring the value of 100!  We celebrated the 100th day of school with much excitement, comparing and contrasting how great and small the number of 100 can look depending on the size of items when counting by ones. We continue to practice counting to 100 by 1s, 5s and 10s.  In language we have been busy “Word Wizards” learning new sight words and charting our progress, working our way to earning a pj party.  We continue to practice our reading comprehension and writing skills, including use of punctuation as we read and write.  In Science, we’ve  had a lot of fun exploring “Marvelous Machines”, our Scientist in the classroom was a wonderful learning experience.  In religion, we are learning how Lent is a time to prepare and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  As a class, we are charting the countdown to Easter, and discussing ways to help others, reflections and acts of generosity as a way of putting others first during preparations for Easter.

Mrs. Roth & Mrs. Benbow

Hi everyone! We can’t believe it is almost March Break!  This past month, we have continued to show a strong interest in outer space!  We are reading about it, and have begun to ask many questions.  Continue watching D2L for research we will be doing to help answer these questions, as well as many art projects we will do to share how the planets look from our viewpoint.  We have been making our own surveys and graphs, thinking of questions we could ask our friends, learning about the words more, less, and the same.  We are always writing about our findings, stories in our journals, and things that we like (such as lists of our friends’ names)!  Please continue to check D2L for the most up to date information and news!

Primary

Mrs. Sike

Math: We are nearing the completion of our study of Addition and Subtraction. We have learned strategies to compose and decompose numbers, how to write number stories and corresponding number sentences. We can solve number problems involving counting, joining, taking one group away from another, or a missing part. We can explain strategies to find parts of a whole. We have also been using cuisinaire rods to explore fractions (half, thirds, fourths). We’ve been having fraction talks (math talks about fraction.) Next up: Symmetry and Motion Geometry!

Literacy: We have continued on with the Reading Comprehension strategy: Inferring. Ask your child about our inferences to the book Swimmy by Leo Lionni!

Religion: As we travel through our Lenten journey we discuss ways to give, pray and fast. We are also learning about the many miracles Jesus performed.

Science: It has been an exciting exploration of energy as we kicked off our learning with interactive stations from Scientists in Schools. As we wrap up our exploration of Energy in our LIves we will be creating a poster explaining how we can be energy savers. This will contribute to your child’s Science and Media mark!

Did you know?

• We know how to pick a “just-right” book during Self-Reading after lunch.
• We find ways to explore numerical concepts throughout our day, every day, in every subject.
• We learn words of the week by body spelling and cheering them!
• The Reading Centre/Quiet Zone is a place to enjoy a book quietly and comfortably.
• 10 minutes of ‘Chew time’ and then 10 minutes of ‘Chat time’ is our quiet lunch time experience after outdoor play.
• We laugh a lot!

Mrs. H. Shouftas

Dear Families,

We have now begun our Lenten journeys. We have had a successful start with dads volunteering to make delicious pancakes for our students on Shrove Tuesday. In Religion, we have been talking about the meaning of Lent and what we can do to prepare ourselves for Easter. We shared ways that we can be helpful and kind at home, church and at school.

In Math, students have been using location words such as above, under, beside and between to say the location of  items on simple maps. Students have also been learning about symmetry. They have been learning to recognize symmetrical shapes and figures. They have even created their own symmetrical drawings. We have extended our learning about symmetry in Art by creating symmetrical butterflies with paint.

In Science, students are learning about sources of energy (e.g., electrical, solar, wind, food, battery). Students have been learning about which types of energy various devices need. They discussed ways to stay safe around devices such as to always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car. Students had fun building a device that needs wind energy to work. Students came up with excellent ways in which they can save energy in their home and school. They then created posters that contain two ways to save energy.

In Reading, students are learning how to make inferences about how a character may be feeling by looking at the pictures and text of a story for clues. They are also making other inferences about various stories they read. In Writing, students have been writing about adventure stories. Their latest story was what they would do on a snowy day. They have been learning about adjectives and verbs and have been adding them to their stories. Ask your child about the adjectives they have been learning!

Just a reminder, please remember to bring your child’s Home Reading book back every Thursday. I will exchange books on this day during our library time. Students have really been enjoying sharing their reading opportunities at home!

Enjoy Your March Break!

Ms. Gentile

March is here already, which brings the beginning of Lent (last Wednesday) and the dedication to be successful on our Lenten promises! In Language, we will move on to following directions and instructions, and writing procedural texts to teach others “how to” do something. Please continue nightly reading at home, the improvement of our grade 2 readers is awesome to see! In Math, we are looking at place values, and adding and subtracting numbers, which will continue after the break. We will introduce adding and subtracting 2-digit numbers, as well as multiplication and division. This numbers unit will be a big one! We will be working through our Social Studies on communities around the globe, and mapping skills. Have a safe and healthy March break!

Mrs. Gruber

Here is to hoping that March goes out like a lamb and that Spring will be here soon!  There is lots to update you about this month.  Our class is eagerly exploring many exciting topics and the students’ enthusiasm for learning has really been shining over the past few weeks.  In Religion, the students have been learning about the meaning of Lent.  As a special Lenten activity, we are learning a new prayer and are also striving to “Grow our hearts with LOVE ” by writing notes and “Put Ups” to each other throughout the month.  In Literacy, we have been integrating some of our Social Studies unit into our reading and writing activities.  The class has also spent a few weeks exploring the elements of stories by participating in a book report about the characters, setting, problem and solution in Flat Stanley and Invisible Stanley.  Most students have completed their paper bag book reports and will be presenting them in the coming days.  The students are applying their learning from this activity by planning and writing their own stories about an adventure that happens to Stanley’s jealous brother Arthur.  Can’t wait to read their final copies!  In Math, we started a new unit about Measurement.  The students have been busy measuring everything from each other, to the hallway system of the school.  They will continue to explore the concept of Measurement, including Time and Money throughout the month.  Giving your child many opportunities to tell time and calculate money amounts when opportunities present themselves would be fantastic to help build your child’s growth and understanding.  In Social Studies, the class is learning about Global Communities.  They are fascinated with this topic and love exploring maps and learning about the different parts of the world.  We are presently learning about the continents and comparing similarities and differences based on things like climate, natural resources, etc… Just a reminder that March Break falls between March 16th and 20th.  Enjoy your week!

Mrs. Rice

Welcome March, and hopefully some milder weather! Considering it is the shortest month, February seemed quite long and a little dreary! However, nothing stops us as we have been plucking away with our learning in Grade 3. We have mastered the concepts around multiplication and division and I will hopefully have those marked and sent home for signature before March Break. After we return, our focus will be Measurement. We will review a few concepts around Time and Temperature but our major focus will be learning how to calculate Perimeter and Area of shapes. In our Language Arts program, the students will be starting their Biographies and sharing their knowledge and the contributions of a famous person that has made a difference in our world. They will become more competent using a computer for research purposes. We will also be taking on Adventure Stories with a focus on conventions and format of a creatively written story. Thank you to the families that help to make our classroom a comfortable place to learn through their donations. We always are always happy to accept plastic spoons and Kleenex to help especially during the colder months. Wipes have also become a popular item in our portable as there is no sink. Some of you have already escaped south and I know a few more that are making that venture over the March Break. Family time is so precious! I hope EVERYONE has fun and safe vacations, whether it be somewhere warm or by staying warm and cozy in our homes.

Mrs. Schlotzhauer

Dear Parents,

Hopefully by now you have seen the small notes taped into your child’s agenda regarding our date change for Pottery to Go, from Feb. 28th to Mar. 2nd and our trip to Laurel Creek Nature Centre on Mar. 3rd. If you have not already done so, please go to cash-on-line to pay for these two activities. On Mar. 9th, we are participating in a cardboard innovation activity with Michael Leonard in the library. Please ask your child to tell you about their day!

In Religion, we have begun our Lenten journey and are discussing symbols that keep us focused and the meaning of sacrifices in our lives. In Reading, we are learning how to answer a written response to a question and express personal opinions about ideas presented in texts. We are currently writing opinions for; would you rather… (live in a treehouse in the Amazon or a castle in Scotland). Students are expected to give detailed reasons for and against and give examples to justify their reasons. We have started a new unit in Math on Measurement. The focus will be on telling and writing time using both digital and analog clocks to the nearest           5 min., recording the capacity of containers and the mass of familiar objects, read and record temperatures and lastly make purchases and change for money up to $10. We are coming to an end in our Science Unit on Forces. Unfortunately our visit with Scientists in the Schools, was cancelled due to the weather on Feb. 28th and I will let you know when it gets rescheduled. Students are currently building a toy that requires a force as their culminating activity. Please discuss this with your child as they were asked to bring some materials in from home to complete this activity. Students will also have an opportunity to present to their peers once completed.

Enjoy Your March Break!

Juniour

Ms. Jarvis

Dear Grade 4 Parents,

The momentum towards the end of the year is moving quickly.  We will be there before you know it.  Here is an outline of where we are headed in many of our units:

Science –  We are working on our Pulleys and Gears unit and will be creating structures that use pulleys and/or gears as our final assessment

Social Studies – We will be moving onto one of my favourite units which is Medieval Times and Ancient Civilizations.  This will begin when Science is over.

Writing – We are currently starting a unit on Procedural Writing where our final project will be a creative recipe project.  After that, we will be integrating our Social Studies unit into a research project on comparing 2 ancient civilizations. The students will also be writing speeches before the end of the year.

Math – We just finished up our Multiplication and Division Unit and are now working on Probability. We will be working on Time and Money after that.

Physical Education:  Students have created their own gym lesson to lead the class in.  They were asked to create a warm up, activity and cool down in groups.  This will take us a few weeks to get through.

Intermediate

Planning Time

News from the desk of Mrs. Afonso-Magolon

I would like to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  During this day of cheer, take time to remember that this day is to remind us of St. Patrick spreading the word of the Holy Trinity and using the shamrock as a symbol.  Also, I hope you and/or the children have a safe and wonderful March Break.

EARLY YEARS

Physical Education & Healthy Living

In Physical Education, the children will engage in balance activities to improve the purposeful control and stabilization of major body parts; demonstrate balance on gym equipment and on different body parts; demonstrate whole body flexibility in movement by engaging in rolls and somersaults; learn to properly and safely jump and land on the floor.  In Health, the children will continue learning about the benefits of eating nutritious foods.  We have been focusing on how Fruits and Vegetables help to keep us from getting colds and we will be learning about getting energy from grain products through games, singing and movement.

The Arts

This month, the children will continue to use their face and body to express how a character feels.  They will use a variety of locomotor and non-locomotor movements to depict creatures and objects through pantomime activities.  Pantomiming in large groups, helps even the shyest child build confidence in a nurturing and “safe” environment.  In music, we will explore rhythm  by continuing to learn simple notation through fun games and use body and percussion instruments to accompany songs.  We will continue to explore the element of tempo (i.e., fast and slow) by singing and comparing songs of various tempos.

GRADE 2

Physical Education & Healthy Living

In Physical Education, the children will perform a variety of static balances with and without equipment (e.g., on lines), using different body parts, levels and shapes (e.g., low level: v-sit); demonstrate the ability to jump, hop and land safely using different body actions.  In Healthy Living, we will be investigating what a balanced diet should look like the new plating suggested by Canada’s Food Guide.

The Arts

This month in music, through song and participating in musical experiences, the children will practice the solfege and arm signs to simple songs.  They will also use music terms to describe songs they hear and share personal responses to music.

GRADE 3 

Physical Education & Healthy Living

In Physical Education, the children will perform a variety of static balances with and without equipment (e.g., on lines), using different body parts, levels and shapes (e.g., low level: v-sit); demonstrate the ability to jump, hop and land safely using different body actions.  In Healthy Living, we will be comparing processed, whole, locally grown and organic foods.

The Arts

In Music, through song and participating in musical experiences, the children will continue to learn about pitch (i.e., high and low sounds), practice the solfage and arm signs to simple songs and continue to use music terms to describe songs they hear.

Special Education

Mrs. Mash

Second term is well under way and hopefully your child has been sharing various samples of work that he or she has done in the classroom with you at home.

If your child is a Grade 2 student in the Empower Reading Program; Spelling & Decoding, he should be bringing home their blue Home Reading folder about every second day. Students should be reading the short passage with a parent and demonstrating how they are able to use 1 of 3 learned strategies; Sounding Out Strategy, Rhyming Strategy, and/or the Peeling Off Strategy to read words they do not know. Please make sure to complete the Reading Log before sending the folder back to school with your child. Using the skills taught in class at home, on a regular basis, is an essential component of the program and will help your child meet with continued success.

Students involved in the Empower Comprehension Program have been practicing their Summarizing Skills. Using the formula 4W + 3W + 1H (4 W questions; 3 W questions, 1 H question), students have been extracting the most important details from a piece of writing. These details are then written in the student’s own words in order to create a summary. These skills will help students as they progress through the grades and encounter more complex written material that they will need to comprehend.

Thank you to everyone who has signed and returned their child’s Term 2 IEP Parent Form acknowledging that you have received your copy of the second term IEP. Keeping an open line of communication between home and the school is the best way to support our learners and make sure that they are being properly programmed for.

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing March Break.

Click on the link to read the Waterloo Catholic District School Board’s updates on COVID-19

Region of Waterloo Information– Parent Letter

Notice of Immunization Suspension postponement, by Waterloo Public Health

2020_-_Rescindment_of_suspension_orders_for_elementary_students_ (4)

The Ministry of Education has launched Ontario’s survey on bullying. The survey will be used to gather information from students, parents/guardians, and school staff so that we can better understand this complex issue and help find new ways to make schools safer and more inclusive.

The survey can be accessed at https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-bullying-ontario-schools and will close by March 31, 2020. This survey is one of the five measures to prevent and combat bullying in Ontario schools announced by the Minister on November 27, 2019.

The ministry is committed to ensuring online safety, consent and the privacy of students. Students under 16 years of age who wish to participate in the survey will be asked to seek permission from a parent or guardian. The survey is also open to parents/guardians and school staff because we know they are committed partners in education and may want to offer feedback.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to support their children in taking the survey. Participation in the survey provides an opportunity for parents/guardians and students to talk about bullying. To support this, Information for Parents/Guardians about Ontario’s Survey on Bullying is available online.