St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School

Transcription

1 Durham Catholic District School Board St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School In the Beginning The first day of school in September 1992 was an exciting time for the students and parents who lived in the area near Dryden Boulevard, just North of Rossland Road, off Thickson Road, in Whitby. The doors of the school opened to 304 students that first year. They came from St. Paul Catholic School and St. Bernard Catholic School, whose classrooms were overflowing with students. That first year, there were only seven Grade 8 students, but there were 53 Junior Kindergarten students! There were 13 classrooms, an art room, a library, a gymnasium and a music room to serve the needs of the students. Room to Grow An addition was built in 1999, while Mitch LePage was principal. Teachers moved into their new classrooms over the Christmas holidays so the students 1

2 could start the new millennium in their new rooms. Sunday, April 25, 1993, was the official opening and blessing of the school. A number of special guests attended, including Tom Oldman, Chair of the Board; Earl Lagroix, Director of Education; Beverly Freedman, Ministry of Education; Monsignor Breen, Holy Family Parish; Rene Soetens, MP; Drummond White, MPP; Marcel Brunelle, Deputy Mayor of Whitby; John Brown, Superintendent; Beryl Cameron, Principal; and Bishop Knight, who blessed the school. The festivities included a ribbon dance, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a slide presentation in the gym. At school, students were invited to wear blue and gold all week. There was a book fair, an opening mass, an open house, Jump Rope for Heart skipping, and a talent show. The week ended with a panoramic picture taken outside of all the students and staff, which has become a tradition at St. Mark the Evangelist C.S. 2

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4 What a busy week as the new school officially opened. 4

5 Beryl Cameron, our first administrator These creatures are a big hit and are still housed in our library. 5

6 Our Faith in Action From the moment you walk through the front doors, you know you are in a Catholic school. Holy Family Catholic Church 91 Ribblesdale Drive, Whitby, founded in

7 First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation all milestones in our students faith journeys, celebrated here, in community. 7

8 Academic Achievements Spelling Bee French Immersion 8

9 Learning Is Happening 9

10 School Spirit 10

11 Blue and Gold Day 11

12 Carnavale 12

13 We are an EcoSchool Kandalore Spirit Days 13

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16 Lego Club Sports 16

17 As We Grow So many exciting times are happening now, including like Me to We, Fitness Friends, Rainbows, Choir, Sports Teams and Clubs, Social Justice Projects and many more to come. In September 2012, St. Mark the Evangelist C.S. welcomed two new grades to its growing French Immersion/Extended French Program: Grades 3 and 6. Prior to that, the program included Grades 1, 2, 4 and 5. In 2013, the school community will welcome the Full Day Kindergarten program. May St. Mark the Evangelist continue to guide this Catholic community as students and staff learn and play together. Kim Walsh (principal), Roslyn Nestic (secretary) and Lisa True (vice-principal), school year Mission statement Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic School is a Catholic Learning Community that values and respects each individual by nurturing their academic, spiritual and personal growth. 17

18 Our Patron Saint St. Mark was born in North Libya three years after Jesus birth and was an educated man. Both Mark (also called John Mark in the New Testament) and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there. The Gospel of Mark (the earliest of the four gospels to be written down) is attributed to him. Although he did not witness the events of Jesus s life, he heard about them from St. Peter. St. Mark s feast day is April 25. School Prayer St. Mark, We pray to you to help us find the right path to follow in our actions, and in our words, to help us find knowledge and peace. Help us every day to become closer to Jesus word of love and forgiveness. Inspire us to be closer to God and His teachings of life. St. Mark, give us the courage and strength to be the best Catholics we can be. Amen. 18

19 Principals Beryl Cameron ( ) Mitch LePage ( ) Brian Miettinen ( ) Mary Simpson ( ) Gerry O Reilly ( ) Kim Walsh (2010 present) Contributor: Lisa True 19