Happy Friday you A-W-E-S-O-M-E Hurricanes!
Please find attached our Hurricane ‘WEEKLY’ Newsletter for February 26th – March 1st, 2024.
February is such a busy month for us as a school community! However, there are two ways to look at that. It’s “a lot of extra work,” or “it is the work we are called to do!” With that said, we know your lives are very busy too, so we’ll keep this update very brief;
We extend our heartfelt wishes to Mx. Hutchinson, our Librarian Technician. Munirah served her last day here at H.T. on Thursday, February 22nd and will be moving closer to family in the Sudbury area. One of our School’s Inclusion and Equity Plans #1 goals, is to create a sense of “BELONGING” in our schools. And for this, Mx. Hutchinson knocked the ball out of the park! Our Library space was always buzzing and available for our students. It became a space that so many felt safe at recess too, and a welcoming area for new clubs and activities! Library commons today aren’t just about books and silent reading, it’s a place of “learning, acceptance and gathering!” Best wishes Mx. Hutchinson, you formed many strong relationships and we will all miss you. On that note, the school board has posted the vacant position, and new applicants will be interviewed shortly. We hope to fill the position as quickly as possible, so our Library space can continue to serve as a safe and welcoming area for our young Hurricanes to enjoy everyday!
We are facilitating two events happening to raise funds for the Guelph Community Foundation and Healthy Snack Program. First, is our Pasta Lunch on February 28th. Information was emailed home already and we are asking for an online donation. Secondly, is our LiveFREE from Hunger TOONIE Donation Day on March 1st. Both funds ultimately funnel back to our snack program which “all” Hurricane children use and benefit from each day at H.T.! Thanks for your TOTAL SUPPORT Hurricanes!
Finally, we invite everyone to keep the conversation and engagement with Lent going on our young people. More and more research shows that FAITH really helps build resilience, purpose and hope in young people’s lives. It becomes a “protective” factor for them, something to lean on and anchor themselves. However, lent requires us to take small steps to make more room for Jesus in our lives. We all drift and our lives need re-calibrating. As Martin Luther King once said, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." So during this Lenten season, take a step each day to put your trust in God. When we begin to acknowledge that only the Lord can provide for all of our wisdom, direction, and power to live and to serve, we become more balanced and less dependent on just our physical or earthly materialistic needs providing our happiness. In fact, that’s why our school is so blessed. It’s not the building or equipment that makes this community a beautiful place, it’s the relationships, the generosity, the kindness we all share with one another. Father Valentine got this right when he taught our kids, THE LORD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, AND ALL THE TIME…THE LORD IS GOOD!
Have a terrific weekend Hurricanes.
Take care of yourselves and each other!