St. Mary Weekly Update

God wants us to treat each other as we would like to be treated.

A fair person…

• listens to both sides of a story

• is a good team player

• knows that the same rules apply to everyone

• works to bring about peaceful solutions to problems

Mindful Monday - May 29

• EQAO GRADE 3

Thoughtful Tuesday - May 30

• EQAO GRADE 3
  
• Final Grad Meeting 3:15 Office
  
• Journey into Learning @ 6pm

• EQAO Grade 3

Turn it Around Thursdays -June 1

• EQAO Catch Up

Funday Friday - June 2

• EQAO Catch-Up

June - Indigenous Heritage Month (TEACHERS and Classes to Support)

June 2 - CSC Freezie Fridays (Coming Soon)

June 5 - Girls Soccer Tournament

June 6 - Boys Soccer Tournament

June 7 - Grade 7/8 Social Media Presentation

June 7 - Last Staff Meeting of 2022-2023

June 12 - REPORT CARD WRITING from HOME

June 14 - Brampton West Track Day

June 16 - Grade 7 Confirmation Retreat - Hope Stone - Church Hall

June 16- Kinder Trip PAMA PM

June 19 - School BBQ

June 20 Primary Movie Trip

June 21 - Kinder Celebration of Learning

June 22 Grad 6pm

June 23 - Grade 8 Celebration Trip Dave and Busters

June 26-29 Guelph Grotto FunFair

June 30 LAST DAY of SCHOOL

BE MINDFUL OF THE WORDS YOU USE AND HOW YOU SAY THINGS TO STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES - SPREAD KINDNESS

IT STARTS WITH YOU

VISIBLE SUCCESS CRITERIA AND LEARNING GOALS

As Catholics, we believe that we are wonderfully made in the image and likeness of a God who created us and loves us unconditionally –just as we are. We are called to love and celebrate one another, just as God loves and celebrates each one of us. We honour the inherent dignity in each other by treating one another with care, compassion, and respect. The month of June is designated as PRIDE month in many communities across Ontario. Each and every month, our Catholic schools are committed to nurturing safe and inclusive learning environments where every student and every member of the community is welcomed, valued, and respected. Additional resources are available on the Equity SharePoint

It is important that we have students supervised at all times. When an incident occurs, parents often question who was supervising. While we hope that our students can travel through the halls safely, there have been interactions with other students, often in different classes that have to be addressed afterward. These same incidents could be avoided if we are with students as they move through the halls. Please be mindful. As the year ends, just as we are getting tired, so are our students. This can lead to even more dysregulation. Hoping we can leave on a high note.

Please remember:

• be on time for supervision duties
• please do not go in early, and ensure all students have entered their respective areas before leaving
• please bring a walkie and talkie
• please circulate in your area

The month of June in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Sacred Heart is a devotion, or prayers, to the heart of Jesus as it represents his godly love for every human person. The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus emphasizes God’s mercy for us all and it is used as a constant reminder of the generous love of Jesus.

As a community of joyful disciples, we are called as one body in Christ to find comfort and rest in the Sacred Heart of Christ’s love for each and every one of us. Scripture reminds us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

In his Pastoral Letter, Heart Speaks to Heart, Cardinal Collins says “we need to know Jesus, personally, and deep in our hearts. Focusing on the Sacred Heart leads us to the very heart of who Jesus is, the divine person who took on our humanity, who journeys with us, who meets us on the road, as he did with the discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.

As we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we invite you to visit the Religious Education and Faith Formation SharePoint site to access the following resources:

• Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Institute of Catholic Education
• PPT slides for the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (beginning June 8th)
• Sacred Heart of Jesus - Liturgy of the Word - PPT slides
• Litany for the Sacred Heart of Jesus – PPT slides
• Video Reflection by Monsignor J. Shiels
• Student Activities
• Video: Symbolism of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Video: The Need for the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Resources from the Archdiocese of Toronto
• Activities for Students – Archdiocese of Toronto – Look, Jesus Give Us His Heart! / Sacred Heart Prayer Cards / Sacred Heart Litany Cards
• Resource List –Updated for 2023

We invite schools to share with us how they are honouring the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus through photos, videos, quotes and artwork on social media @DPCDSBSchools.

To access these resources, please go to the DPCDSB Program & Learning Services SharePoint / Religious Education & Faith Formation SharePoint / find the “Liturgies and Prayers” tab at the top of the page and select Sacred Heart of Jesus.

For more information, please contact the Religious Education and Faith Formation Academic team:

• Religion and Faith Animator: Deacon Ray Frendo (ext. 24408)
• Gr. K-3: Julie Webster Academic Consultant (ext. 24320)
• Gr. 4-6: Janina Navarro Academic Consultant (ext. 24340)
• Gr. 7-8: Brian Barbosa Academic Consultant (ext. 24522)

Indigenous Peoples Month - June

The month of June is National Indigenous Peoples Month. It is an opportunity to highlight and share the historical, ongoing, and daily contributions of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples and nations. Indigenous peoples have unique, diverse, and complex knowledge systems which have been in existence since time immemorial in science, math, art, literature, sport and many more. The Indigenous Education department invites you to continue to uplift these contributions throughout the entire month with a calendar of events an initiative.

Visit the DPCDSB Indigenous Education SharePoint to review the calendar and register for sessions.

For more information, please contact:

Jodie Williams, Academic Coordinator, Indigenous Education, ext. 24420.

Cheri-Anne Byrne, Academic Consultant with a Focus on Indigenous Education and Supporting Secondary Indigenous Youth

Adam Thrasher, Academic Consultant with a Focus on Indigenous Education and Supporting Elementary Indigenous Youth

Book Spotlight: Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes

Identity-affirming texts give all students the opportunity to see a variety of identities affirmed through stories. This connection is incredibly important especially when students’ lives differ from the dominant narrative often presented in mainstream texts and media. In those cases, finding texts that truly connect with all students can involve a focus on equity that uplifts different ways of knowing and being. Texts provide a lens which offers children an opportunity to learn about who is important, who matters, who is visible. Identity-affirming texts foster positive self-conception and self-worth while improving a student’s overall academic engagement and success.

All elementary schools have received a series of Identity Affirming Texts, we invite educators to uplift and center the following stories and open conversations surrounding acceptance. In May and throughout the year we celebrate Asian Heritage. We invite educators to share the following story:

Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes - A girl explores her love of dancing and her cultural identity in a lively picture book with echoes of the real-life collaboration between Bharatanatyam icon Rukmini Devi Arundale and ballerina Anna Pavlova. Paro comes from a dancing family. At home, she dances Bharatanatyam with her mom, and now she’s excited to learn ballet. But what if she can’t dance like the other kids in her class? Ballerinas move like fairies, while Bharatanatyam dancers seem like queens. Paro can’t be both...can she? Anu Chouhan’s vibrant, energetic illustrations emphasize themes of creative flexibility and navigating the intersections of different cultural identities.

Virtues and Themes: Acceptance, Community, Inclusion, Storytelling, Self-expression

For more information, please visit Equity and Inclusive Education SharePoint or contact Denize Alphonso-Balogun, Academic Consultant: Tutoring Support Program Focusing on Culturally Relevant Resources (K-8).

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Learning Table Series: Identity-Affirming Texts Drop-In

Now that all the identity-affirming texts have arrived in all elementary schools, are there questions you have? You may be asking: What do we do with the texts now? How can I use the texts in more ways than reading aloud? What are some activities I can do with my class? Come join us for a drop-in session where we can hopefully answer these questions and more.

Please see the available times below. We will be hosting these chats virtually using the Microsoft Teams platform. Once you have registered, a link will be sent to you. Prepare to walk away with some new ideas on how to further engage students while having fun!

Session #2

Session #3

Session #4

Session #5

Session #6

REGISTER HERE

STAO Conference (In-Person): August 15-17, 2023

Science Teacher’s Association of Ontario (STAO) is excited to offer an in-person conference this summer, with this year’s theme being ‘Immersive Experiences in Science’. Topics include Emerging Technologies, Coding, Engineering Design Process, CRRP and Equity in Science, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Land-Based Learnings, De-streaming, Curiosity and Wonder, Wellness.

The conference will have one-hour experiential learning workshops, poster showcases and a STAO playground of exploration (e.g., digital tool, perform a STEAM activity). New to the STAO conference this year will be a pre-conference program on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 that offers 2.5-hour hands-on sessions for educators to delve deeper into specific topics.

Dates: August 15 – 17, 2023

Location: Humber College, North Campus, Toronto.

Address: 205 Humber College Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 5L7

Cost: Refer to the STAO website for early bird, advanced and walk-up rates (on-site parking included in prices).

For more information and for conference updates, click here.

Note: DPCDSB teachers may apply for board conference funding through Professional Learning. Click HERE to access instructions.

DPCDSB Elementary and Secondary teachers are entitled to:

• a maximum of $300.00 per conference registration fees, plus two days occasional teacher coverage if required.
• OR $600 maximum on registration fees when the conference is held on a weekend (Saturday and/or Sunday) or during the summer months

Funds are available every other school year until the funds are depleted. Membership fees are not included.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Buczek, Academic Coordinator, Technology Enabled Learning, ext. 24180.

Eva Bruni, Academic Consultant, Science 7-12, ext. 24528.