March 2016 Newsletter - Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board

March 2016
Issue 7
St. Martin School Newsletter
Welcome Mr. Arnone!
On January 22, St. Martin School had a brand
new addition. It is our pleasure to officially
introduce, Mr. Les Arnone, our new Vice
Principal.
He has already made many
connections with our community with parents
and staff, but most importantly with the
students. He is very excited to be here and we
are very excited to have him. He brings a
wealth of experience to the role, through his
work as a special education teacher and as an
acting administrator.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Tuesday
On Tuesday, February 9th, close to 750 staff and
students enjoyed pancakes in honour of Shrove
Tuesday. There were over 30 volunteers that
made it all possible!
Catholic Virtues In Action:
March’s Virtue is FORGIVENESS
During the month of March, we celebrate the
virtue of forgiveness. It is the power to forgive
and be forgiven that dwells in each of us. We
remember that God our Father loves us
unconditionally and forgives us for our mistakes,
and that we grow more like Jesus by the way we
love and forgive one another. This month, we
examine our hearts to see if we truly are able to
forgive others, especially when we have been
really hurt by their words or actions. We are
reminded that forgiveness is a gift to ourselves as
we let go of the burden of resentment when we
forgive another person. Traditionally during Lent,
we attend a Lenten Penitential Service, where in
community with one another we acknowledge our
trespasses and ask for forgiveness.
On Ash
Wednesday, we heard the words “repent and
believe in the Gospel.” For six weeks we look deep
into our hearts in preparation for the resurrection
on Easter Sunday. The parable of the Prodigal Son,
is the perfect example of God’s love for us. When
we have strayed from God and we return, God
does not lecture or punish us. Instead he is there
with arms wide open to welcome us back with joy.
A Lenten Prayer
Merciful Father, send your Holy Spirit upon us this
Lent to guide us by the light of the gospel. May
we set aside all that impedes us from taking up
our cross and following Jesus. May all our prayer,
self-denial and acts of charity lead us closer to you
and deepen our compassion for our suffering
brothers and sisters. Revive in us a lively sense of
of the divine gifts of faith, hope and charity so that,
whatever the circumstances of our lives, we can
trust in your everlasting care. Amen.
Please visit our website at: www.tbcdsb.on.ca/martin or Twitter account at: @TBCDSB_Martin
March 2016
Issue 7
Positive Connections Project
As part of the commitment to student mental health and well being, the Thunder Bay Catholic
District School Board is piloting the “Positive Connections” project at St. Martin and St. Jude
schools from February to June 2016. St. Martin School now has enhanced access to social work
support during these upcoming months. The social worker assigned to our school is Holly Maki,
MSW. She has a wealth of experience in the field and has worked in our schools before embarking
on this journey with us.
The primary objectives of the Positive Connections Project are to: 1)
connect the board student mental health strategy to the school through implementation of the
Leading Mentally Healthy Schools Resource Guide; 2) support staff learning about positive mental
health promotion in schools through social work consultations, coaching strategies and coteaching opportunities in the classroom; 3) connect students and families to share learning and
invite input into planning a whole school approach to mental health and well-being. The Thunder
Bay Catholic District School Board is committed to providing a learning environment where
children, their families and the larger school community feel genuinely supported in achieving
overall mental health and well-being.
St. Agnes Parish News
There will be a RECONCILIATION Service for any
children receiving their First Communion this year on
Wednesday, March 30th at 7:00 pm. Many priests will be
available to hear individual confessions
The AMPED Youth Group continues to meet every
Sunday from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. in the church hall
immediately following the 11 a.m. mass. All students in
Grades 4 - 6 are welcome to attend. Please note that
there will be NO AMPED Youth Group session on
Wednesday March 16th due to the March Break.
POW WOW Had Great WOW Factor!
On Friday, February 12, St. Martin students
participated in a First Nations Pow Wow.
Many of the dancers and drummers shared
personal stories of what dancing meant to
them. We even had royalty in attendance! The
students were mesmerized by the beautiful
dancing and the beat of the drums. Many of
our own students participated in the dancing
but a special shout out goes to Harley Millard
and Jerrell Sutherland for their drumming.
St. Agnes Parish will be having a PARISH MISSION
from Monday, March 14 until Thursday March 17th at
7:00 pm each evening. Deacon Glenn and Linda
Harmon, from California, will be leading the sessions.
HOLY WEEK MASSES:
March 24 8:00 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
March 25 11:00 am Children’s Way of the Cross
March 25 3:00 pm Liturgy of the Passion
March 25 4:30 pm Meatless Soup and Bun Meal (church
hall)
March 25 7:00 pm Youth Way of the Cross
March 26 8:00 pm Easter Vigil followed by dessert
social
March 27 - Easter Sunday - 8:30 am, 10:00 am (Family
Mass) and 12:00 pm.
Please visit our website at: www.tbcdsb.on.ca/martin or Twitter account at: @TBCDSB_Martin
March 2016
Issue 7
Primary Winter Activities
During the month of February all of our primary students, JK - Grade 3, participated in
winter activities at different venues throughout the city. Being physically active is part of a
healthy lifestyle. The students actively participated at the following venues: Boys & Girls
Club, Lakehead University, Fort William Historical Park, Fort William Curling Club,
Monkeynastics, St. Pat’s High School, and Karate.
Please visit our website at: www.tbcdsb.on.ca/martin or Twitter account at: @TBCDSB_Martin
Easter Sunday
27
Palm Sunday
Kangaroo Math
Contest
6th Sunday of
Lent
First day of
Spring
20
Daylight savings
time begins – spring
ahead one hour
5th Sunday of
Lent
13
Easter Monday
No School
28
21
14
March is Nutrition
Month
7
4th Sunday of
Lent
6
29
16
9
Upward Bound
Homework Club
BIG CRUNCH
Upward Bound
Homework Club
30
Upward Bound
Homework Club
Upward Bound
Homework Club
Thunder Bay Museum
Crago 9:30 – 11:30
Home Depot Tour –
Wright, Bergamo
9:10 – 12:00
31
Upward Bound
Homework Club
Upward Bound
Homework Club
Holy Thursday
24
23
BREAK
Upward Bound
Homework Club
Southside Floor
Hockey Tournament
10
Upward Bound
Homework Club
Thursday
Upward Bound
Homework Club
3
HCA POPCORN
DAY
Wednesday
LU – Hughes, Morvan –
Session #4
2
MARCH
Upward Bound
Homework Club
22
15
Upward Bound
Homework Club
8
Upward Bound
Homework Club
St. Pat’s High School –
Lampi, Crago
Self Regulation EXPO
Lenten Food Drive for
RFDA – please donate
generously to this
worthy cause.
Non
perishable food items
gladly accepted.
3rd Sunday of
Lent
Tuesday
1
Monday
29
28
Sunday
March 2016
Pizza Day!
Pizza Day!
Friday
1
25
18
Pizza Day!
No School
Good Friday
All Pizza Money is due
today – last one of the
year up to June 24
11
4
Saturday
2
Easter Vigil
26
19
12
5
March 2016
Issue 7
Please visit our website at: www.tbcdsb.on.ca/martin or Twitter account at: @TBCDSB_Martin