January 2014 - Regina Catholic Schools

Regina Catholic School Division
Director’s Communiqué
Issue 33, January 2014
A message from Director of Education Rob Currie
Jesus teaches us another way: Go out. Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers, go
out and share, go out and ask. Become the Word in body as well as in spirit. –Pope Francis
Every month, the Communiqué features numerous examples of our students and staff members
reaching out to others in our local, national, and international communities in an effort to put
into action our Division’s theme - Go, Make a Difference. Making a difference for others is an
example of one of our Division’s priorities, Demonstrating Christ-like Behaviour, in action.
Just before the Christmas Break, I received a copy of a DVD from St. Francis Community School
illustrating how its staff and students made a difference and, in effect, Demonstrated Christ-like
Behaviour. After watching the DVD, I felt its message should be shared with others. You can
download the video yourself at http://www.rcsd.ca/uploads/StFrancis.m4v. During the Advent
Season, the students and staff reached out to the community in a variety of important ways. As
published in St. Cecilia Catholic Church’s December newsletter, and in the words of the school’s
principal Ben Szumack:
“…each of our classes performed some type of Advent community service. This community service took on many forms:
from caroling at Queen Victoria Estates, spending time with the residents at Martha House, working for the Food Bank,
cleaning the Church, shoveling snow in the neighbourhood, to helping seniors with their grocery shopping at Safeway, and
entertaining children at the YMCA daycare. The overriding theme was that everyone involved gave of themselves for the
benefit of others. This project not only aligned with the Regina Catholic Schools’ goal of becoming a “people of service”
but also with the words of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who stated that “…because with us what is highest must be at the
service of others.”
The St. Francis staff and student’s actions as people of service is significant. The volunteer hours they gave is one of the
many examples of our schools making a difference within our community. Thank you!
2014 promises to be an exciting year bringing many new discoveries and positive affirmations. From a Division perspective,
January’s celebrations and activities include:
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Christmas Day for Byzantine Rite Catholics (January 7)
Kindergarten and Prekindergarten registrations begin
High school course finalization days
Outstanding Arts Ed productions featuring our talented students
Engaging extracurricular activities for both elementary and high school students
Developing a school calendar for the 2014-2015 school year
Strategic Planning for the 2014-2015 school year and beyond
Planning for the three new joint elementary schools opening in September 2017
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration, I thank you for your many significant contributions in
2013. Collectively, our staff members and students have made a difference in the lives of others within our schools, and
within our local and global communities. I invite and encourage us all to continue to focus on making a difference in our
world through the gift of Catholic education in 2014.stos Rozhdaetsya! Slavimo Yoho! Christ is Born! Let us worship Him!
God bless,
Regina Football League Awards
Improving Student Outcomes
At the Regina Intercollegiate Football League awards
The Miller coaches, 7 of 10 of whom are graduates of the
night on Wednesday, November 28, many Regina Catholic school, were also named the Stewart Conference’s coaches
School Division students and coaches were honoured.
of the year. Congratulations to:
Landon Anderson from Miller Comprehensive Catholic
High School was named the Stewart Conference’s lineman
of the year. Archbishop M.C. O’Neill Catholic High
School’s Derek Eckert was the offensive player of the year
and Yoi Piok was named the defensive player of the year.
Brandon Chay, graduate
Many students were also named league all-stars. From
Miller, the players included:
Nathan Hoffart, graduate
London Anderson, 2 way All-star O Line/D Line
Brad Sich, 2 way All-star O Line/D Line
Jacob Schenher, 2 way All-star Receiver/Defensive Back
Nathan Hemphill, All-star Defensive Back
Eliya Hamad, All-Star Receiver
Dwayne Ell, graduate
Steve Fairbairn
Bob Faris
Brant Hubic
Matt Lipp, graduate
Landon Perra, graduate
Dan Ripplinger, graduate
Brett Sich, graduate
Drive Away Hunger Campaign
Demonstrating Christ-Like Behaviour
On November 28, thirteen members of the
Riffel Royals football team shaved their heads
following the school’s annual food drive. In
October, staff and students collected 16,000
pounds of food for Farm Credit Canada’s Drive
Away hunger campaign - more than any other
high school in the country. The players agreed
to shave their heads if the school met its goal of
raising 15,000 pounds of food.
Debate Day at St. Josaphat
Demonstrating Christ-Like Behaviour
On November 28, Mr. Clayton Ford’s Grade 7 and 8
classroom was fortunate to have MLA Trent Wotherspoon
as a guest speaker. The students are currently learning about
the Canadian government, specifically the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, so it was pertinent to have Mr. Wotherspoon
speak about his role as a politician and his personal views
on a myriad of social issues. This was also a special day for
the class as they had put in considerable time preparing for a
formal debate.
Mr. Wotherspoon was kind enough to judge the debates and
the students gained some valuable experience regarding public
speaking, civic involvement, and forming and articulating
thoughtful opinions.
St. Augustine Mathletes
Improving Student Outcomes
Ryan Montague, the Grade 5 teacher at St. Augustine Community School, challenged his students to try to become
the number one ranked classroom of mathletes in the world, as judged by www.mathletics.ca. After a great deal of math
and effort, they became number one. They were also able to hold the top spot for a full week, a feat that required a lot
of collaboration and hard work. For instance, one Saturday morning students came into school to work to reclaim their
spot at number one after falling to number two during Friday night. The students worked at it all day and retained their
coveted spot all week, losing it only a few times while they slept and other countries were awake. Congratulations, St.
Augustine!
Partnership with Continental Engine Rebuilders
Opportunities through Partnerships
For years, Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School has partnered with Continental Engine Rebuilders to send
automotive students to the company for tours and work experience. The Regina Catholic School Division truly appreciates
this partnership and all the benefits it brings to our students and staff. To show appreciation, Rob Currie, the Director of
Education, Richard Donnelly, the Division Partnership/PAA consultant, and Ned Mannion, Miller’s automotive teacher,
presented Eldon Paul, the owner of Continental Engine Rebuilders, and Jim Stinson, the manager of the company, with a
plaque of appreciation.
LeBoldus Golden Sun Football
Improving Student Outcomes
Fifteen reporters from Canadafootballchat.com (CFC)
annually work with “selected area scouts” to rank Canadian
high school football teams and players. It’s a daunting
task as there are more than 400 teams playing in top tier
secondary school football across the country. This year,
eight provinces are represented in the ranking list of the
top fifty high school football teams in Canada.
The teams never play each other, making comparisons
difficult. There are several undefeated teams, and different
school systems for selecting teams. In Quebec, for instance,
high school teams are comprised of Grade 10 and 11
students only. In Ontario, Grade 13 students are permitted
to play. The rankings also reveal several high school
football ‘hot beds’, such as Western Ontario. Eight teams
from this region made the list, including four in the top 20
and five from London and Windsor alone. Other areas well
represented on the list include Calgary and Quebec City.
The Regina Catholic School Division’s LeBoldus Golden
Suns, who finished the season with a 9-0 record, were
ranked #4 of the 50 chosen in Canada. The Suns have
dominated Saskatchewan high school football from start to
finish with 18 consecutive victories dating back to the 2011
provincial finals.
Three players from the LeBoldus team were also named top
Canadian players - Daniel Nesbitt, Eric Wicijowski, and
Blake Anaka.
Congratulations to the LeBoldus team and trainers for a job
well done!
Philippine Relief
Demonstrating Christ-Like Behaviour
Staff and students at Archbishop M.C. O’Neill Catholic High
School have a belief: that you support your family, whether
they be at home or abroad. With this in mind, Titan staff and
students mobilized to support those impacted by the typhoon
in the Philippines.
With several amazing initiatives – a Hat Day, a Pot-Luck
Lunch, a Pajama Day, Classroom Collections, a Raffle, and a
Cupcake Sale - facilitated by the staff and students, the school
was able to raise $2,208 for relief efforts. That translates to
$4416.00, as the Government matched all donations. We are
all proud of the Titans as they demonstrated the epitome of
Christ-like Behaviour. Well done, everyone!
Canadian Catholic Missions
Demonstrating Christ-like Behaviour
Out of a desire to make a difference, staff and students at St. Luke School worked with student Encouragers to learn more
about the Canadian Catholic Missions. Some of the school’s staff knew about the missionary work of Sr. Fay Trombley who
works in Tuktoyaktu, Northwest Territories, and decided to collect items for her. But, what did she need and how would the
school get the collected items to her?
And so it began – the school collected gently used technology items, books, and clothes throughout November. They also
collected recycled beverage containers to raise money to cover the cost of shipping the collected items all the way to the
Northwest Territories. Thanks to the generosity of the Holy Trinity Parish chapter of the Catholic Women’s League, parents,
and the Saint Vincent de Paul distribution Centre in Edmonton, the school was able to send several hundred pounds of goods
in 14 boxes to Sr. Fay Trombley. Well done, St. Luke!
O’Neill High School’s Interact Club
Demonstrating Christ-Like Behaviour
The Interact Club at Archbishop M.C. O’Neill Catholic High
School brings the school’s motto “Service Above Self ” to
life. Their tireless efforts to help people in need, both locally
and aboard, is apparent in their many initiatives. The club
organizes various fundraising efforts and their staff advisor,
Chauntel Baudu, applies for many grants to help fund the
group’s activities. One important activity is the ‘Backpack
Project’. The project, currently in its 4th year, is a partnership
between the club and Ms. Brenda Ell’s Prekindergarten class
at Sacred Heart Community School.
The project allows for one of Ms. Ell’s classes to receive the
backpacks full of books, school supplies, toiletries, mitts,
and toys. This year, the Interact Club members were able
to fundraise enough money to purchase and fill 16 of these
backpacks!
Chauntel Baudu and her Interact Club Members believe
this project provides an opportunity for students to connect
with their community, create social awareness, and promote
multiculturalism. They believe that everyone – recipients
and club members alike - benefits.
A special thank you to all who supported the Interact Club
project. As the Interact members walked into Sacred Heart
Community School to deliver the backpacks, they saw many
students who had received backpacks in the past still using
them. They are very important presents.
St. Francis Prayer Blankets
Demonstrating Christ-Like Behaviour
At St. Francis School, Mrs. Cooper’s Prekindergarten
classes and Ms. Wagner’s Grade 1 class made fleece knotted
prayer blankets as an Advent service project. The fleece was
purchased from FabricLand and Global Fabrics at a reduced
price, and then turned into beautiful prayer blankets by the
students, helped by their parents.
Before starting each blanket, the children said a prayer:
“Dear God, We pray that you bless this blanket. May it bring
comfort to those who use it.” Father John Weckend was also
on hand to help with the process. The school decided to
donate the blankets to Regina Police Services to be distributed
to those in need.