Dear St. Joseph School Families,

As we step into April, we hope this message finds you well. We are delighted to share some important updates and reminders for the month ahead.

We also want to take a moment to thank you to the Parent Council for organizing the wonderful Spring Dance we had in March! Also thank you to the many families who came out and attended this wonderful event. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our families for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Your dedication and partnership are truly appreciated.

Holy Week and Easter Celebrations

Holy Week is a time for reflection and celebration within our community. This year Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 13, 2025. Please take note of the following key dates regarding holidays from school:

• Good Friday: April 18th
• Easter Monday: April 21st

We encourage everyone to take this time to reflect on the significance of Easter and to cherish moments with family and friends. As the Bible reminds us, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3)

We wish you all peace and love during this special season. May the spirit of Easter bring renewal and hope to your hearts.

Yours in Catholic Education,

Jill Gardiner
Principal

Dustin Garrett
Vice Principal

Do you have a child born in 2021?

Starting school is an exciting time for young children and their families. If you or someone you know has a child born in 2021, now is the time to register for Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year that starts in September.

ALCDSB’s online registration process is now open. To learn more or to register visit: https://bit.ly/42aBNxB

Please contact the school if you have any questions or if we can help with the process.

St. Joseph Catholic School, is designed in a Learning Community model. In this model, classrooms (referred to as learning studios) are grouped together according to a general age/grade (e.g., Kindergarten, grade 1/2, grade 2/3, grade 3/4, grade 5/6, grade 7/8). There is a central learning commons for each community, which is an extension of the learning studios as a shared workspace and collaboration zone. Collaborative working rooms are located around the learning commons for small group collaboration or independent workspaces. All spaces are furnished with diverse and flexible furniture. The Heart is at the centre and allows for large group gathering.

A learning community model consists of a suite of learning spaces of various sizes and characteristics, conducive to different purposes, with flexible boundaries between these spaces. Each student is assigned to a homeroom teacher, and within their learning community, the group of teachers work cooperatively among shared spaces. Learning experiences for students may be designed and assessed collaboratively, with student learning portraits at the forefront. The spaces used by both educators and students will change throughout the day, according to the purpose of each learning experience. Teachers may teach portions of the curriculum to a variety of learners in the community, as student groupings and spaces are flexible. As a result, students have access to additional peers and educators outside their learning studio grouping, can have greater autonomy over their learning, and are supported in becoming self-motivated, self-directed learners. Additionally, the learning community model is supportive of educator professional growth, self-efficacy, and well-being as educators work and collaborate in teams.

St. Joseph Catholic School works in partnership with St. Joseph's Catholic Church to support the development of the faith life for the school community. We thank Father Rod McNeil for his spiritual guidance and we appreciate his school visits and monthly school Masses at the Church, along with Deacon Bill Garland.

Masses will be at the Church at 10:00 am and families are welcome to attend on the following upcoming dates:

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025
  
• Thursday, May 15, 2025
  
• Thursday, June 12, 2025

Check out the Church's Bulletins: Click Here

The new dragon logo was selected through a student voting process. The logo is a symbol of strength, courage, and community. It also represents the heart and spirit of our school—where every student is loved, inspired and successful.

To celebrate the dragon logo, we have opened an online apparel shop, where you can find a variety of clothing and accessories featuring our updated design. From cozy hoodies to stylish T-shirts, there’s something for everyone to show their St. Joseph spirit. It is open 24/7 and purchases will be delivered to the school and sent home with your children.

We appreciate that families have purchased spirit wear with the previous logo and all existing spiritwear is most welcome! There is no requirement to make new purchases.

You can explore the new dragon logo and shop for apparel by visiting the link below:

https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/STJOSEPHCS/

Life threatening allergies are a reality for many of our students. To protect our students, we must work together to reduce the possibility of exposure to allergens. Foods containing nuts, peanuts and nut products are not allowed at school. If your child accidently brings a food item to school which contains or may contain any nut product, they will be offered an alternative snack from the school.

It is important that the school is aware if your child has a severe medical condition including diabetes, allergies, asthma and seizure protocols etc. School staff are only permitted to administer medication to students with written authorization from the parent/guardian and the prescribing physician.

Please contact the school to discuss your child’s medical condition and to request Medical Information and Consent forms. Additionally, all medications must be clearly labelled with an agreed upon plan for storage which is usually in the child's backpack.

Student absences, early departures and late arrivals are reported through School Messenger. School Messenger is available through a mobile app, website, or toll-free number. Student safety is our number one priority, this program allows school staff to know where students are faster and track their absences efficiently.

Please do not leave a message on the school voice mail regarding absences, late arrivals or changes to your child's pick-up routine as it may not be heard in a timely manner. Please use School Messenger. If it is a last-minute change and you need to call the school, we ask that you do so prior to 1:00 p.m. to ensure that there is time to communicate the changes prior to dismissal and to reduce disruptions during class time.

Please contact the school if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Grade 6 students and below will be expected to store personal mobile devices out

of site and powered off throughout the full instructional day in an area designated by the

educator. Progressive discipline measure will occur when students do not follow the

expectations of the use of personal mobile devices.

Grade 7 and 8 students will be expected to store personal mobile devices out of site

and powered off during instructional time, except when their use is explicitly permitted

by the educator. Progressive discipline measure will occur when students do not follow

the expectations of the use of personal mobile devices.

All communication must go through the office (i.e. student pick-up or illness etc.). The office phone is available for students to connect with parents/guardians when needed.

What is it: Students possessing, using or providing a vape will have the device taken away and disposed of with notification to parents/guardians. Repeat offences will result in progressive discipline according to school board policy, and the involvement of public health as per the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, including the possibility of charges and/or fines.

Why this is important: Approximately 13% of students in Gr. 7-12 report vaping in the past year (Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, 2023). Vapes often contain nicotine, which has been proven to be addictive and harmful to lungs and young brains. The use of nicotine can impair memory and concentration, which are essential for academic success. It can also increase feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, and can negatively impact overall well-being.

How can you help: Talk to your child about the risks of vaping. Consider using apps like "Quash" that can help them quit if they already vape. Be a role model, don't vape or smoke in areas where smoking and vaping is banned, including school grounds, community recreational facilities, playgrounds and hospital properties.

How we will help: The Ontario curriculum includes teaching students about the risks of vaping.

The vision of the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board is that we imagine a world where every person is empowered to reach their full potential through faith and service. Our mission is to build faith-filled learning communities where each member is loved, inspired, and successful.

The pastoral theme for the 2024-25 school year, “Called to Witness”, reminds us of our baptismal call to share our faith with others and to bring people closer to Christ. The Church’s mission given to us by Jesus Christ is to carry out and continue his work on Earth. To be a witness to Christ means that as Church, our words, actions and attitude reflect that we are members of the Body of Christ.

In Catholic education, we are called to witness to all members of our Catholic community and beyond. We speak about Jesus. We share and explain his teachings, we describe how he lived and what he asked people to do, and we spread his love. As witnesses, we are guided by the Holy Spirit. We can turn to witnesses that have gone before us, such as the saints, loved ones, the Popes, and many others who have helped us along our own faith journey, for inspiration.

Logo:

The “Called to Witness” logo is represented by a flame in the shape of a cross with the outline of a dove at the centre of the cross. Both the flame and the dove are symbols of the Holy Spirit. This is a reminder that it is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who guides us as we witness top the Catholic Faith. The cross reminds us that we are witnessing to Christ, who commanded us to "Love one another, as I have loved you". Christ loved us so much that he gave his own life so that we may have eternal life.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses." -Acts 1:8

Tri-Board Busing Information

If your child(ren) takes a bus, please sign up for Tri-Board alerts.

https://triboard.ca/alerts/

Email: flhpjose@alcdsb.on.ca
Website: https://jose.alcdsb.on.ca/
Location: 405 Bridge Street East Phone: 613-962-3653