NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER Imperial Road South, Guelph, Ontario, N1K 1Z4 Phone: (519) , Fax: (519) Attendance Line: (519)

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1 NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER Imperial Road South, Guelph, Ontario, N1K 1Z4 Phone: (519) , Fax: (519) Attendance Line: (519) November News YEAR OF FAITH BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14 TH THE MISSION OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI We the staff and students of St. Francis School will strive to grow spiritually, socially and intellectually in our faith community; providing an atmosphere for learning that is safe, attractive, pleasant and educational. Central to our existence is the student. Nurturing and guidance will help each child to develop dignity and self-worth while exposing them to a variety of experiences promoting skills and talents and an appreciation of the uniqueness of self and others. We invite parents to be our partners to make the vision of child as gift a reality and to foster in each student a life-long love of learning. We acknowledge our commitment to the community, working together with parish and home to mould young minds into future leaders of society exemplifying a life of Christian values. In an atmosphere of mutual respect and support we will encourage the development of each other s unique gifts from God, promoting professional growth and sharing as educators of youth. Viewing ourselves as valued members of St. Francis of Assisi School, we trust in the security and acceptance of our school family, openly taking risks without fear of ridicule. The common thread weaving through our curriculum is our Catholic Christian values providing perspective and direction in our daily lives. The Year of Faith is a time for us to reflect on just how important, how precious, our Faith is for us, how it makes us who we are. Bishop Crosby On October 21 st, Pope Benedict XVI declared Blessed Kateri a saint. St. Kateri Tekakwitha lived a life of Faith: a life of courage, and devotion. She exemplified her commitment and love for God and neighbours, both in prayer and in acts of charity. This month, on November 9 th, Random Act of Kindness Day, we invite all members of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School community to promote service and kindness to each other. May our own individual acts of kindness, collectively help to promote that, kindness is priceless and ageless. Wishing everyone a great month. Sincerely, Mrs. J. Basso Principal

2 CATHOLICITY Confirmation Preparation Continues. Confirmation is quickly approaching! The Grade 7 and 8 students have been studying and preparing for the final sacrament of initiation since the first day of school. November is a busy month for our Confirmation Candidates. On Monday, November 12 th, the Gr. 7 Candidates will travel to the St. Brigid Retreat Centre and the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel on the grounds of Ignatius for a full day Confirmation Retreat. The Gr. 8 Retreat occurred on October 22 nd. The retreat is designed to remind the students of their Confirmation promises and to prepare them to receive the Holy Spirit. On Saturday November 17 th at 10:30 am, our Candidates will be confirmed at St. Joseph s Church by Bishop Ustrzycki. We would like to thank all parents for their support through this process. THANKSGIVING Food Drive Coordinators, Mrs. Uliana and Mrs. Conversano BULLYING AWARENESS AND POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS (November 19 th 23 rd ) Gr. 7 and Gr. 8 Staff and Students Thanks to your generosity our annual Thanksgiving food drive was a huge success. The food was given to the Guelph Food Bank to assist many needy families in our community. The third week in November (November 19 th 23 rd ) is designated as Positive Peer Relationships Week. Our Safe School Team, including representation of the School Council Chair, Mr. Breadner, Mrs. Seftel, Mrs. Basso and Gr. 7 and 8 students will be messaging our theme for the year, WE CELEBRATE OUR FAITH, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, PROMOTING STUDENT WELL-BEING during this week, as well. During the week prior, (November 12 th -16 th ) each class will be asked to co-operatively create a 5-7 word, telegraph to be placed on our outdoor school sign reflecting our school theme and that of Safe Schools and Positive Peer Relationships. ST. JOSEPH S SPORTS YOUTH GROUP Greetings St. Francis of Assisi Grade 8 Students! For the month of November we have three youth group sessions. There is November 2 nd at St. John s Parish on Victoria Road and November 16 th and 30 th at our regular location, St. Joseph s School Gym. The Christmas Party and Gym Night is December 14 th. Our Youth Group runs from 7:00 9:00 pm. This November 2 nd the youth group session will be shared with the St. John s Parish Youth Group. We will be going to the 7:00 pm mass and following that, there will be sports and pizza at St. James High School Gym. See you Friday! INCLEMENT WEATHER The decision to close schools, or cancel transportation will be posted on the Board Website and relayed on the local radio stations: 1460 CJOY and FM. Parents are to decide whether or not it is safe for their child to leave for school in inclement or severe weather. Please note that when a bus does not travel a route in the morning due to fog, ice or snow conditions, it will not travel that route in the afternoon.

3 A decision to cancel transportation is made by 6:30 am in order to give all parents and drivers sufficient notice. The decision is based on a number of factors, including the actual weather and road conditions, as checked first-hand by designated bus operators in each area, weather predictions made by Environment Canada, and information on road conditions from the local Road Superintendent. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT On November 14 th, all students in WCDSB, including St. Francis of Assisi students in Grades 1-8, will be bringing home a Progress Report. The purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. Interviews for SK, JK/SK and Grades 1-8 will be held on November 22 nd from 3:30 6:30 pm inclusive. Please call the school to schedule the student, parent, teacher conference. CROSS COUNTRY Special congratulations go to Top Ten runners in their divisions. A big thank you also goes out to our parent volunteers, without your help, the day would not have been possible. Thank you to our parent volunteers for volunteering, and to all parents who came to cheer the team on! SR. BOY S SOCCER Congratulations to the Senior Boy s St. Francis Falcon s Soccer Team for another successful season of soccer. The boys demonstrated excellent team spirit and commitment and represented our school proudly throughout our entire season. Our skills developed as our boys displayed good teamwork and fair play. We finished in 4 th place in a very competitive pool at our City Wide Soccer Tournament. A special thanks to our supporting parents and student spectators who came out to cheer on our boys at many of our games. A big thank you goes out to one of our parents for helping to coach the team. Way to go Falcons! Congratulations to the team! SR. GIRL S SOCCER The students on the Cross Country Team did an excellent job yet again this year. Our final meet, held at Bishop Macdonell High School, was a great one, with many personal bests. A big congratulations goes out to all our runners who did an amazing job. Congratulations to the St. Francis Girls Soccer Team for a wonderful season. The girl s gave 100% both in exhibition and tournament play. They proudly represented St. Francis both on and off the field and demonstrated true Falcon spirit! Throughout the season the girls came together as a team and displayed excellent commitment, sportsmanship and teamwork. Overall, the girls placed 4 th in the City Wide Soccer Tournament. A big thank you goes out to all of our supporting parents, grandparents, and student spectators who came out to cheer on our team. Well done girls! Let s hear our cheer one more time! One We are the Falcons, Two A little louder, Three I still can t hear you, Four more, more, more Go Falcons!

4 VOLLEYBALL Congratulations to the Grade 7/8 boys and girls that made the volleyball team! Thanks to all those who tried out! RECOGNITION OF CHARACTER TRAITS Congratulations to the team! DANCE CLUB Dance club has kicked off here at St. Francis School and has already been a huge success. Through hiphop and jazz routines, our talented students are learning to work together as a team and the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle. Thank you to all students who regularly participate in dance club. Keep dancing and enjoy every step along the way! MUSIC CLUB Falcons have talent! Any students who take music lessons or know how to play an instrument are encouraged to join our school s Music Club. Show off what you ve learned, try playing in a group, and maybe even perform a song for the school. We have students who play guitar, piano, and cello. Students in Grades 4-8 who love to sing are also encouraged to join Glee Club. Listen to the announcements for upcoming meetings! Congratulations to the students that were recognized for their acts of RESPECT during the months of September and October. The character trait for November and December is FAITH. HOMEWORK HELP If you re a parent worried about how to support your child s math homework questions, don t worry! An exciting free online initiative designed to help students succeed continues to be available. The Ministry of Education, through the Independent Learning Centre has launched Homework Help website for a selected number of school boards for Math students in Grades 7 through 10. Our board, WCDSB, has joined in this project to help our students do better in Math. Students simply log-on to Homework Help at and using an interactive chat room, can obtain personalized tutoring from a certified Ontario math teacher from the participating boards. Online tutoring sessions take place Sunday to Thursday between the hours of 5:30 9:30 pm. Homework Help is free, live and anonymous! Visit to learn more and watch the chat room demo. ACTIVITY FLYERS We have several student activity flyers available at the Main Office. If your child is interested in any of these sports or activities, please have them come to the office to pick up one.

5 They are as follows: Great Big Theatre Company Acting Classes Guelph Youth Singers Girl Guides of Canada Continuing Education Fall 2012 Upward Basketball & Cheerleading NEIGHBOURHOOD/COMMUNITY REQUESTS NEEDED! A responsible Grade 6, 7 or 8 student is needed immediately to walk a JK student to and from Imperial Rd. at Deerpath to St. Francis School each day. Pay will be provided. Contact the school if interested. LOOKING FOR I m a neighbour of the school, new to town and looking for some help with my 8 month old son (both while I m home and when I m out). I live on Paisley near Ryde Rd. and am looking for some occasional after school assistance, as well as occasional weekend/evening babysitting. We also have a large dog, so he/she would have to be comfortable around animals. If interested, please contact the school. WALK THIS WAY On November 9 th, Ron Bachman visits St. Francis and will address Grades 4-8 students with a positive message about Peer Relationships. His presentation is entitled, Walk This Way. Family Name: Parent Signature: