Good afternoon and happy Fri-Y-A-Y you awesome Hurricanes!
Please find attached our Hurricane WEEKLY Newsletter for May 6th – 10th, 2024.
We just finished our Talent Show today, and it was a fabulous success! It was so heartwarming to showcase all of the brave and creative gifts our young people possess. Always remember the words of Pope Francis, “Dear young people. Do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you. Do not be afraid to dream of great things!” And to the staff members who spent countless hours in the gym and at rehearsals facilitating this – THANK YOU for creating the opportunity for our young people to shine their S-T-R-E-N-G-T-H-S and feel like they belong! That is your superpower!
Two important athletic events coming up are Monday, May 13th - our school Track and Field competition. Please note that a concession stand will be set-up and all proceeds will be directed to ONE-BY-ONE Guatemala Missions. And on May 15th, our Special Olympic Athletes will participate in the large and collaborative festival between the Wellington Catholic District School Board and Upper Grand District School Board! We are so proud of our students and their peer mentors! They have been practicing so hard at recesses to prepare! A special shoutout to our Special Education Teachers and Educational Assistants with their leadership with this - they always work so hard to make sure all of our children feel like CHAMPIONS! By the way, both events will be held at the St. James Catholic Secondary School Sports Fields should you want to come and cheer us on!
Next week is Catholic Education Week across the province of Ontario. We have several activities and guest speakers planned to promote our Catholic Faith and this year’s theme of WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE. We welcome retired educators Mark Beradine and Georgine Willemsma to illuminate the importance faith AND volunteering for social justice in our lives! It is also Mental Health Week across the province, and we have invited two Wellington Catholic graduates Ashley and Breanna Bolliger, (sisters and twins) to speak about their first children's book “Carrie Can Fly Too.” Their book tells the heartwarming story of Carrie, a yellow bird who dreams of flying despite facing challenges and doubt. With themes of self-confidence, diversity, kindness and acceptance, their aim is to raise awareness about mental health in a way that resonates with younger audiences. To purchase a book, visit carriecanflytoo.com. We also welcome retired and former H.T. educator Mrs. Cindy Della Croce, to speak about her first authored book, “Shine Your Light,” a story about learning to find the light from within you! Last but certainly not least. Our Child and Youth Worker Mrs. Diane Fountain has worked tirelessly with our Wellness Club student leaders to facilitate an OUTDOOR Wellness Day the following week, on May 14th! All students will learn and practice various wellness activities outside. Please ensure your child has sunscreen, and sunhats, and are appropriately dressed for the weather. It's gonna be great time to connect as a school community! But ultimately, we want these themes to resonate for our staff and students;
- MONDAY: We Are Called to Love as People of Hope
- TUESDAY: We Are Called to Love as People of Faith
- WEDNESDAY: We Are Called to Love as People of Mercy
- THURSDAY: We Are Called to Love as People of Justice
- FRIDAY: We Are Called to Love as People of Joy
Finally, from May 6th-17th you will have the opportunity to help shape the Wellington Catholic District School Board by completing the 2024 Student Census! As a parent of a student in kindergarten through grade 6, we encourage you to submit responses with or on behalf of your child at home. Students in grades 7 and 8 will have the opportunity to complete the census in the classroom. Responses from this confidential survey will help us understand our student demographics and experiences, identify systemic racism, sexism, and classism that affects the learning outcomes of our students, identify and minimize the barriers for our students and their families, guide our professional development, training, and pedagogy. For information on how to complete the survey or to learn more, please visit: www.wellingtoncdsb.ca/studentcensus
As always Hurricanes, take care of yourselves and each other. And remember, “all who live in Love – live in God…” God bless.