MVA Newsletter Fall 2014 (Living)

Maryvale Academy
At work in the valley under our Lady’s guidance and protection
From the Principal’s Desk
Staff 2014-2015
Mrs. Helena Champion
Principal
Mrs. Mary Lavallée
Kindergarten
Mme. Heather Beaudry
Grade 1/2 English, 3/4 French
Mr. Michael Thompson
Grade 3/4
Miss Selina De Luca
!
On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception ten years
ago the founders of Maryvale Academy signed the first
documents of incorporation. In choosing that
auspicious day to put pen to paper they offered the
works, joys and sufferings of Maryvale Academy that
day and every day since to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Our Mother. How beautiful it is to be under her daily
protection! And how wonderful it is to be celebrating
ten years of Making Disciples of Christ!
Grade 5/6
cont’d on page 2
Mr. Stephen Fitzpatrick
Grades 7/8
M. Andrzej Skulski
Grades 1/2, 5 to 8 French
!
Board of Directors
Valedictory
!
“A friend is one that knows you as you are,
understands where you have been, accepts what you
have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
William Shakespeare
Dr. Tim Lau
Chairman
Mr. James Mikulasik
Vice-Chairman
Mr. Chris DuQuesnay
Co-treasurer
Mr. Peter Sinn
Co-treasurer
Mrs. Sophia McConkey
Secretary
Mrs. Kerry Brine
Director
Good morning, Mrs. Champion, teachers, parents,
guests and fellow students. I feel honoured to present
this vote of thanks on behalf of my fellow graduates. I
have been at Maryvale Academy since 2006, from the
first grade - more than half of my life. I could talk a lot
about Maryvale Academy, but in this short address I
would like to highlight how it has helped me grow in
different friendships: friendships with fellow students,
friendships with the teachers and most importantly in
my friendship with the Lord.
cont’d on page 7
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MVA Newsletter Fall 2014
To express our gratitude for the original inspiration of the founders and the subsequent
generosity of time, energy and talent on the part of so many people, Bishop Christian Riesbeck
will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on our behalf. The Mass takes place at St. Mary's Parish
on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception this year, Monday December 8th , at 7 o'clock in the
evening. A reception will follow. We invite all Maryvale friends, benefactors, former teachers
and alumni to join us in this the first of our 10th anniversary celebrations.
!
We do indeed have much to be grateful for, not least of which are the thousands of good souls
who have made Maryvale possible these last ten years: our Board members, our faithful
supporters, our families, our beautiful students and our dedicated teachers. I would like to invite
you to find out more about this year's teachers by visiting the Maryvale website http://
www.maryvaleacademy.ca/people/faculty.html and to follow Maryvale events on our facebook
page www.facebook.com/MaryvaleAcademyOttawa.
!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
!
Yours very sincerely in Christ,
Helena Champion
Principal
Maryvale Academy of Ottawa
8th Annual Dinner Gala
MARYVALE
ACADEMY
The board of directors would like to extend their sincerest
thanks to all the donors of the 2013 "Let the Seed Grow"
fundraising campaign. Their generosity has enabled the
Academy to continue to provide an affordable Catholic
Maryvale Academy
2013-2014 Campaign
education to families.
www.maryvaleacademy.ca
Let the Seed Grow
Saturday, February 22, 2014
You can be part of this important Catholic work
$80 perby:
person
MARYVALE
The theme of this year's Gala is "Let the (with $40 tax receipt)
ACADEMY
1. becoming a Maryvale Monthly Donor*
!
Seed Grow", a beautiful expression of our missionSt. Elias Centre
2. Avenue
making a lump-sum donation right now!*
750 Ridgewood
for tickets, please call
to nurture the academic and spiritual formation ofOttawa
Maryvale Academy
our city’s and our country's future parents, priests,Reception at 6 pm
at (613) 321-2186
*Special offer: A complimentary
ticket to the
religious and other leaders in society. Several
Dinner at 6:30 pm
Maryvale Gala ($80 in www.maryvaleacademy.ca
value) will be given to
generous donors have made it possible for us to Live and Silent Auction
donors who make monthly donations of $30 or
embark on a Let the Seed Grow Matching Donor
more for the next year and beyond, or to a donor
Drive.
who makes a lump-sum donation of $1000 or more
"
Our goal is to raise $100,000 by the
right now. This offer expires on January 15, 2014.
Maryvale Gala on Saturday, February 22, 2014.
Please print and mail the portion below today to
Our generous donors have got the campaign off to
take advantage of this special offer.
a great start by pledging to match up to $50,000
of what we raise, so we need your support to
Please prayerfully consider remembering us in
make this happen! Your generous contributions
your year-end giving. From all of us at Maryvale,
will be doubled by our matching donors!
we wish you a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
Dear Friend of Maryvale Academy,
!
On Friday, August 8th our grade 7,8 teacher Mr.
Stephen Fitzpatrick spoke at the Wojtyla Institute for
Teachers conference, an annual event of Our Lady
Seat of Wisdom Academy. The conference this year
was Rooted in Faith, Forward in Hope: Education
and
the Restoration of Christian Culture. Mr.
Fitzpatrick spoke about the writings of John Senior
and Restoration Through Education.
I would like to support the work of Maryvale Academy by:
Name of Donor: ________________________
Full Mailing Address for tax receipt:
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Email Address: __________________________
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Charitable Registration No. 86102 5294 RR0001
1. making a monthly donation of:
! $200, ! $100, ! $50, ! $30, ! Other $ ___________.
Please attach a voided cheque and sign on the line below:
_________________________________________________
(signature)!
!
!
!
!
(date)
I hereby authorize Maryvale Academy to arrange automatic
deductions from my bank account on the 15th of each month
for payments of my monthly support.
2. giving a lump-sum donation:
! I have enclosed a cheque in the amount of $ ___________.
I know that I will receive a complimentary ticket to the Gala ($80 value) on Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 when I give a monthly donation of $30
or more for 12 months and beyond, or when I give a lump-sum donation of $1000 or more right now. This offer is in effect until January 15, 2014.
Please make cheques payable to Maryvale Academy and mail to: Maryvale Academy, 2191 Benjamin Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2A 1P6
MVA Newsletter Fall 2014
ANNUAL SPRING SHOWCASE
AWARDS
Donald Creighton History
Prize
won by Lucy, GR. 8
Annual Public
Speaking Contest
Winners
Gr. 1/2 - Clare
Gr. 3/4 - BernicE
Gr. 5/6 - Crispin
Gr. 7/8 - Julianna
The St. John
Bosco Award
for extraordinary
service to the
school, awarded
to Mrs. Mary Lauzon
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MVA Newsletter Fall 2014
The Fun and Joy of Science at Maryvale
!
The aim of the science curriculum at Maryvale is to cultivate an interest in and a sense of wonder and awe
of the surrounding natural world through the study of life, earth and physical sciences. Using a classicallybased approach which capitalizes on a child’s natural sense of curiosity, Maryvale students explore the
beauty, intricacy and the amazing order in God’s creation and discover the laws that God has set into
motion that govern the universe. This past year at Maryvale, every class from kindergarten to grade 8
enjoyed a variety of engaging hands-on science lessons and activities.
In the kindergarten class, the
children looked at the different
states of matter and even some
in between. They observed with
delight as they performed a
dancing raisin experiment. They
learned about and used their
five senses to examine the
wonderful world God has made,
including specific creatures like hummingbirds,
squirrels, worms and butterflies. They
followed the stages of plant growth
beginning with seeds and discovered
what plants need in order to grow.
They even!created their own clouds
and watched them get saturated
with moisture and rain down before
their very eyes!! The children were
encouraged to ask questions, explore
and sometimes get a little messy.!
The kindergarten science classes are
always interesting, hands-on and
fun!
The grade
ones and
twos study
science in
French as
part of the
bilingual
program. This
past year, the
children kept nature
observation journals, observing, drawing and
naming various animals and insects,
as well as studied their life cycles,
habitats, and needs. They took much
delight in the year’s culminating
activity, which was to raise painted
lady butterflies from the larval
stage and release them into the wild
on a warm, spring day. Throughout
their nature studies, the children
were very enthusiastic to learn
about and wonder at God’s
beautifully diverse creation.
team to the All
Every year, Maryvale sen ds a
knowle dge and design
Science Challenge, a science
’s Talk Science against
competition organized by Let
ale Aca demy has won
other Ottawa schools. Maryv
ver y high the other
first place tw ice, and placed
o teams, one of which
years. This spring, we sent tw
local teams! Kudos to
earned third place among 34
: Anna, Clarice, Jonah,
our Maryvale team members
a, Noah and Sophie
Marysia, Maricarmen, Micael
s, as well as Mrs.
for their excellent achievement
o helped the
George and Mr. Fitzpatrick wh
nt!
stu dents prepare for this eve
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MVA Newsletter Fall 2014
The grade threes and fours also study science in French. As part of
their nature study, the students explored nature outdoors, observing
and sketching what they saw. They observed a variety of
invertebrates and vertebrates, including local inhabitants such as a
chipmunk eating a pinecone, and more rare sightings such as a redtailed hawk that had flown into the school field. In-class studies
included introductions to classification of living things, ecology, and
earth science. The students greatly enjoyed the hands-on owl
pellet dissections and examining various rock and mineral samples. The grade five and six class began the year studying the amazing human body. They
viewed under the microscope and made biological drawings of various types of human
cells, including their own cheek epithelial cells. As they learned about the various
organ systems, they constructed paper human body models showing how the organs
relate to each other as well as moveable models of the human arm. In their earth
science unit, the students studied the layers of the earth and changes in the earth’s
crust. The students had great fun building volcanoes that spewed ‘lava’. They finished
off the year with an introduction to chemistry, studying physical and chemical
properties of matter, from atomic structure to chemical reactions. The study of
chemistry would never be complete without some fun and messy hands-on
experiments, which they most thoroughly enjoyed!
The grade seven and eight class began with a review of the scientific
method and graphing. Then they studied the four major
macromolecules necessary for life: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and
nucleic acids.
They conducted experiments to observe enzyme
action, photosynthesis and respiration. The class also conducted a
field study identifying leaves.
In the physics unit, the students
studied linear and projectile motion as well as Newton’s laws. They
conducted an experiment closely imitating Galileo's in which he
concluded that gravity accelerates objects towards the Earth such
that the distance fallen is proportional to the time squared. In the
spring, the class had the wonderful opportunity to go and perform a
hands-on DNA fingerprinting activity at the University of Ottawa
Biosciences lab.
Using specialized laboratory equipment, the students
determined which suspect’s DNA fingerprint matched that of the DNA sample taken from
the ‘crime scene’. The students immensely enjoyed this hands-on experience and were
fascinated to learn more about this real-world application of science.
In addition to their classroom science studies, students from grade 1
to 8 enjoyed a beautiful spring day visit to MacSkimming Outdoor
Education Centre. The younger grades studied soil and plants, went
on a scavenger hunt nature walk, played nature survival games on
snowshoes, tapped maple trees and sampled sap. The older grades
concentrated on outdoor skills, such as map and navigational skills,
shelter building as well as some camouflage games. The students
particularly enjoyed testing their opponents’ shelters by throwing
snowballs at them to see if they were snow-proof!!
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MVA Newsletter Fall 2014
Elizabeth, Gr. 4
Philippa, Gr. 2
Maricarmen, Gr. 6
Abigail, Kindergarten
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MVA Newsletter Fall 2014
also quite extraordinary to be treated like
university students by Dr. Gay, who taught us that
we cannot understand the present without
knowing the past. Of all our teachers, Mr.
Fitzpatrick, our eighth grade teacher will have a
special place in my heart. His knowledge of
literature, love of poetry, passion for music,
especially folk songs, and captivating stories he
shared with us, have inspired me a great deal.
Many of the songs that we learnt were about
death, to the point that one of my classmates
often “complained” saying, “It’s about death
again!”. Nevertheless, we all loved to sing with
Mr. Fitzpatrick and even recorded the songs on
CD.
Our gratitude to His Grace,
Archbishop Terence Prendergast for presiding at
our graduation mass
!
Maryvale Academy is unique in many aspects. It
has been blessed with great teachers, who are
interested in cultivating a desire in each student to
be drawn to all that is true, good and beautiful.
For them, teaching is not just a job, it is a true
vocation. It is about sharing their passion for
literature, art, history, music, science, math,
religion, nature and sports with us, and
combining it with the classical education method,
discipline, and most importantly with their love
of God and their love of us, students. The
spiritual theme of school this year, “He fed them
with the best of wheat, and filled them with
honey from the rock” describes very well how I
feel about all the current and past teachers of
Maryvale Academy. They “fed me with their
best” academically, and taught me many virtues.
I still remember and cherish the enthusiasm and
patience of Miss O’Reilly teaching us how to
read and write, the perseverance of Mr.
Thompson teaching us “never ending”
multiplications, divisions and fractions, but also
true sportsmanship while preparing us for the
track and field competitions, the passion for
science of Mr. Slivinski, who made us wonder
why things happen the way they do. I cannot
forget about discovering creative writing with
Miss Templin, the “attempts” of Mrs. Bradley to
make us see logic in complex sentences. It was
Looking back at all
my teachers I can
say that I had the
good fortune to find
real teachers,
authentic friends,
who have taught me
everything I needed
to know, without
holding anything
back for me to
become “discipulus
Christi”. As a
disciple of Christ I have to be a good friend and
to have many friends. Teachers at Maryvale
Academy provide and nurture the environment of
that true friendship.
!
Being a small school, Maryvale Academy gave
me the opportunity to get to know all my
classmates and students from other grades very
well and to develop deep friendships. We learnt
how to understand and accept each other. These
friends helped me to discover and develop my
talents. They helped me persevere when I was
struggling with a difficult math problem, a
science question, or a Latin phrase. They were
thoughtful and always called me when I was sick
or shared a lunch and snack when I forgot to
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MVA Newsletter Fall 2014
bring mine. Whatever we did together, it was
always fun, even when the activity was studying
for a difficult test. At times, we had too much fun
to the point of getting in trouble, but we always
stuck together. Each year we looked forward to
the spring showcase, and
every time our play was
different, but one thing was
always the same, we
worked as a team helping
and supporting each other.
We know each others’
families, and so I was
always excited when my
friends’ families welcomed
a new baby, but also
prayed and worried when
somebody was sick or
died. Since I don’t have
any siblings, I felt that
Maryvale was like an
extended family to me.
!
Maryvale Academy is the only school in Ottawa
to have the Blessed Sacrament present on site. We
are blessed to have our very own adoration
chapel. Through these 8 years I have been able to
spend time with the Lord with the Blessed
Sacrament in many ways, as a class, with my
YES!
!
friends, and by myself. Knowing that the Lord is
so close to me all the time, made me feel safe and
open to others. The time spent in the chapel gave
me the opportunity to talk to Jesus about
everything that is in my heart. Sharing my joys
and sorrows with Him helped
me to develop my
relationship with God. I also
got to know the Lord from
the catechism questions we
learned by heart, the Bible
passages we discussed and
the history of the saints.
Through these ways,
Maryvale has certainly
brought us closer to the Lord.
There were weekly Masses,
daily prayers, talks Mr.
Fitzpatrick gave on virtues at
assemblies and a curriculum
which taught us to seek what
is true, good and beautiful.
I am truly grateful for Maryvale, for all the great
memories and friends I have made here, Maryvale
will always stay with me in my heart. I am proud
that Maryvale Academy is like an “Alma Mater”
for me. Thank you.
I want to help provide authentic Catholic education to our children!
We invite you to prayerfully consider contributing to Maryvale Academy in the following ways:
• become a monthly donor
• give a one-time gift
• become a volunteer - we are currently looking for help in various academic and administrative areas. One
particular need is someone to do maintenance work around the school.
!
Come & discover all that Maryvale has to offer at our open houses!
Please visit www.maryvaleacademy.ca
https://www.facebook.com/MaryvaleAcademyOttawa,
2191 Benjamin Ave, Ottawa, On, K2A 1P6 (613) 321-2186
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