Yearly Archives: 2024

Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (wcdsb.ca)

Good morning Tiger volunteers!

In our weekly updates, we have talked about our upcoming Volunteer Appreciation Event.  This is another friendly reminder to join us.  Our school community would like to show our appreciation for our volunteers.  Throughout the year, you have helped us with field trips. strong start reading, school council, sporting events and so many other important elements of our school.  We want to say thank you!

If you have volunteered at any point this year, in any capacity, please rsvp and plan to join us on Wednesday 26th at 8:45 a.m. in the Learning Commons:  https://forms.gle/hFSrT3UG8yBijEYC9  
We will have coffee, tea and pastry for you and our staff will have the opportunity to say their thanks.

We look forward to celebrating with you as we wrap up this school year and look forward to another!

Have a great day!

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can install in us.” – Hal Borland

We have made it to the last update for the school year and what a year this has been! There is so much to be grateful for as we wrap up this year. We have welcomed new families, we have said goodbye to old friends, we have laughed together, learned together, played together and sometimes cried together and we have done all this with grace and patience. Thank you for being amazing!

This is your last weekly update for the 2023-2024 school year.  We hope you have enjoyed the weekly updates.  We wish you a relaxing and restful summer break. Take the time to spend with your families and rejuvenate, and we look forward to seeing you in the new school year.

Please refer to events, information, and reminders below. 

Thank you …  

• to our amazing students: You have shown incredible resilience and enthusiasm. Keep up the great work and continue to be curious and kind. Have a Super Summer!
• to our dedicated parents and guardians: Your support has been invaluable. Thank you for being our partners in education and for always being there for our students. Enjoy the Summertime fun with your loved ones!
• Father Melvin, Father Sunil and the pastoral team of Saint Aloysius for their assistance in the Catholic education of our students. We appreciate your involvement in the support of Catholic education. We encourage our students and families to pray, to repent, to give to others and to reflect.  For confessions, masses and other events happening at St. Aloysius Church, please visit:  https://staloysius.on.ca/
• Kindergarten Team for a wonderful Teddy Bear Picnic and congratulations to our students as they move onto Grade One.
• Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Hutfluss, staff and parents for all of your hard work, dedication, time, and planning in facilitating all of the Grade 8 Graduation festivities this week. Thank you… our parent volunteers for all of your support and collaboration. Thank you to our Grade 8 graduates for sharing your gifts and talents with us over the last ten years.  You will always hold a special place in our hearts.  We wish you all the best in this next chapter of your lives! Best wishes, next year in high school.
• Ms. Kolb and Mrs. Matesa for planning the trip for their students to Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto later this week.
• our amazing school community for a fabulous Family Fun Fair event. The event was so successful and it is all attributed to you. Special thanks to Yvette Thorne, our Funfair leader, and the rest of our school council, in addition to the many students, parents, and staff volunteers. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to everyone who generously donated items for our raffle baskets, your contributions added extra excitement to the event!
• Mrs. Edgar, Mr. Reyna Pienado, Ms. Garvey and Mrs Ferracioli for planning the water park trip. Thank you… to all the parent volunteers for dedicating their time to help with supervision.
• Thank you to the students who showcased their amazing talents during our Talent Show. Your performances were nothing short of spectacular.  A special thank you to Mrs. Matesa and Mrs. Sydoryshyn who made this event possible.

School Highlights  

• Please click on the link for this week’s St. Aloysius Catholic Church bulletin – HERE
• Celebration of Cultures: – Monday, June 24^th – We look forward to celebrating the rich tapestry of the Saint Timothy community. The day will feature gallery walks where displays prepared by students about their culture will be showcased. There will also be food from different cultures so we can taste the delights from many places across the globe. To help celebrate the beauty of multiculturalism in our school, staff and students are invited to wear colours from their country’s flag.  If students have a jersey or t-shirt with their national flag or colours they are encouraged to wear this.
• On Thursday, June 27th at 10:30 a.m., we will have a year-end assembly with the students. This will be a time to celebrate numerous awards and say goodbye to some of our staff. We look forward to ending our year through the celebration of all the wonderful things we have experienced together!
• Families are encouraged to access parent resources on the Strong Start website. There are FREE, downloadable activity resources that have been designed to be fun, engaging and interactive. The games and activities promote early reading skills and provide simple ideas for families to support literacy development at home. These resources are a great way to continue learning over the summer months. The instructions are also translated into other languages using Google Translate.
• Lunch Hour Supervisors: We will be looking for some lunchtime supervisors for the 2024-25 School Year. If anyone in the community (or you know anyone) is interested, please reach out to our office staff! It would be for one hour 11:45 – 12:45 pm, and it is a paid position.
• Mrs. Edgar were selected by our staff as this year’s recipient of the “Staff Recognition Award.” Each year staff votes to select a staff member(s) who exemplifies our Board’s mission and vision statement. Congratulations!
• Congratulations to Jimena Perez Leon who was awarded the Grade 6 Love of Learning Award. This award recognizes a Grade 6 student who shows intense interest in learning in and beyond the classroom.   We would also like to thank Shannon Baker from Evokate for creating this award for our school.
• Each year, WCDSB recognizes staff who have contributed years of service to the education of the young people in our Catholic Schools. This year our board recognized Mrs. Coughlan, Mme Piotrowski, Ms. Catney and Mrs. Grebinski. Congratulations!
• Elnatan Mebrahtu has been recognized and awarded the Karli Kindness Award for his outstanding acts of kindness and empathy towards others. His genuine compassion and dedication to spreading positivity have made a significant impact on our community.

Important Reminders

• The school office will be open on Tuesday, August 27^th at 8:30 a.m. Office staff and administration will be available all that week. New registrations will be accepted that week as well. Please drop off epi-pens, other medications and forms during this week. Parents are also invited to review the medical plans with the administration this week, if possible.
• If your child has any medication at the office, we ask that a guardian or your child come to the office to pick it up on their last day of school.  We want to ensure they have all the necessary mediation they may need for the summer as well as have expiry dates checked.
• We still have several Lost and Found Please ask your child to check to see if they own anything as any unclaimed items will be donated over the summer.
• Thursday, June 29^th is the last day of school for the year! We will be doing lots of clean up and there will be lots coming home … bring an extra bag with you. Dismissal will be at 3:30 p.m. Please notify the school if you are keeping your child(ren) home from school during the last few days of the school year.
• Term 2 Report Cards for your child(ren) in Grades 1 to 8 and the second Communication of Learning for children in Kindergarten will be sent home on Tuesday, June 25th. Please sign and return the bottom portion to school on Wednesday, June 26th.  This form is a legal document that must be attached to the copy of the report and included in your child’s Ontario School Record file.  Please note this is an opportunity for you and your child to comment on goals, student achievement, and home support.
• Volunteer Appreciation Tea/Coffee: We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for our volunteers’ impact on our school community this year.  Our school’s volunteers’ dedication, support and efforts have made a difference in the lives of our students this past year.  We hope anyone who has volunteered their time will be able to accept our invitation to join our school on Wednesday, June 26^th at 8:45 a.m. in our Learning Commons.  RSVP: https://forms.gle/hFSrT3UG8yBijEYC9

WCDSB Updates

Please visit our School Board Website for updates and recent information.  Here is the link: http://www.wcdsb.ca

IMPORTANT: The WCDSB is closing the NewsWire platform for school starting in September.  We will ONLY be using SchoolMessenger moving forward to communicate news.  The Weekly Updates will continue next year – only you will get them through the SchoolMessenger email.

Ideas For Summer Reading

• Don’t view reading as a chore—Create a positive environment for reading so that children look forward to it. You don’t have to read; you get to read!
• Reading doesn’t have to only be books—Get a magazine about your child’s favorite hobby, turn on the captions and turn down the volume on the television, and look for information on the web.
• Your day-to-day routines can provide reading experiences—cooking, using the phone book, reading instructions for a new game, and reading maps or brochures for your vacation spots are all authentic reading experiences.
• Read during transitions times—Get some more reading time in during the drive to Grandma’s house or while waiting for the dentist.
• Keep reading those old favourites—Reading books that are a little easy or are even memorized builds confidence and fluency.
• Read to your child—You get quality time with your child; you are a great reading model and you have the opportunity to talk to your child.  
• Talk about books—Ask your child open-ended questions such as “What do you think about that story?” “What would you have done if you were that character?”
• Visit the library—Not only can the librarian help you find good, interesting books for your child, but they probably have a summer reading program your child can participate in.

Support your child’s writing—There is no better letter/sound practice than writing. Provide supplies and opportunities for your child to write—letters, lists, messages, vacation journals or scrapbooks, etc. Don’t worry about spelling—just praise your child’s efforts.

September Start-Up    

• September Return: Grades 1 through 8 return to school on Wednesday, September 4^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Our bell times remain the same. Grade 1 – 8 students are asked to proceed to the school playground where they will meet their teachers.
• 2023 – 2024 School Year Calendar: Elementary-Calendar-2024-2025
• Kindergarten Students will have a staggered entry and DO NOT begin on Wednesday, September 4^th, 2024, as the Teachers and DECEs will be taking part in interviews. Year Two (Senior Kindergarten) students begin on Thursday, September 5^th, 2023. A phone call or email with all the information will be sent out with specific times for interviews and staggered entry dates during the week of August 29^th.  Monday, September 9^th, all JK and SK students attend school.
• The 2024-2025 School Start-Up forms are MANDATORY and will be accessible through School Cash Online. ALL families will be notified via School Messenger/Newswire when the forms are available.
• Transportation Information For Bused Students: Please note that bus information for September 2024 will be available on August 19, 2024, via the Parent Portal on stswr.ca. Due to high traffic that week, the website may experience slower performance. If you are unable to access your transportation information by August 26, please contact us. Bus-information-letter-for-September. The attached link provides more information: https://www.stswr.ca/transportation-details-2024-2025/
  Also, all JK’s and elementary students without an OEN number will receive an email instead of a letter providing them with their busing information (provided we have an email on file).  Those who have not provided you with an email address will still receive a letter
  If you have questions regarding bussing please contact the transportation department, STSWR at 519-650-4934 Ext. 0, or go to the school board website at www.wcdsb.ca.
• Class placements will be sent to families via School Cash Online on Friday, August 30^th. Placements are a carefully thought-out process with each child’s needs carefully selected. We will not take requests for specific teachers, however, we are confident your child will be pleased with their placement and will have a wonderful school year.  Please note, as enrolment fluctuates, lists could still change all the way up to Thanksgiving in the event the school board requires a class readjustment.  This means students may be moved from one classroom to another if the number of students increases.  The board may direct us to combine classes to make smaller class sizes whereby students have more teacher attention.

Staffing Update:

As we celebrate the end of a successful school year, we also say goodbye to some of our beloved teachers/staff members who are moving on to new adventures. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and the positive impact they’ve had on our students and community. Their dedication and passion will be greatly missed. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours and hope they carry with them the wonderful memories of their time at Saint Timothy Catholic School. At this time, we say goodbye to the following staff members:

• Mrs. Fulton (Early Childhood Educator)
• Ms. Abdukerim (Early Childhood Educator)
• Ms. Barbosa (Special Education Teacher)
• Ms. Kaur (Education Assistant)
• Mme Piotrowski (French Teacher)
• Mrs. Grebinski (Grade 6/7 Teacher)
• Mr. Hutfluss (Grade 7/8 Teacher)
• Mr. Reyna Peinado (Grade 1/2 Teacher)
• Mr. Shanahan (Child Youth Care Worker)
• Ms. Kornelsen (Child Youth Care Worker)
• Mr. de Villeneuve (Multi-Lingual Teacher)

An updated staff list for the new school year will be available in September.

Promoting Health/Well-Being:   Fun and Active Games For Kids To Play On the Beach

While beaches may not come to mind as Canadian tourist destinations, Canada is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, several of the most notable of which you can find in our list to the right. And that list represents only a smattering of the gorgeous beaches this country has to offer.
Beach holidays can be wonderful family getaways if you’re prepared. Of course, sand and water are a combination that invites free play and will trigger most kids’ imaginations to create fabulous, undirected games and activities.
But having a list of engaging ideas in your back pocket might mean the difference between them wanting to pack it in after only an hour at the beach and not being able to drag them home after several.
The following activities are fun and also help kids develop their basic movement skills.
Read more at – https://activeforlife.com/21-active-beach-games/

Mabel’s Label Fundraiser 

Click HERE and enter “St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School (Kitchener)” from the drop-down list to support our school when you buy labels through MABEL’S LABELS.  Our fundraiser will continue throughout the summer months, giving you the perfect opportunity to purchase labels as you get ready for the new school year.  Thank you for supporting us!

Upcoming Dates To Note
https://sttimothy.wcdsb.ca/calendar/ (please use this address to access our school calendar)

Sunday, June 23^rd               National Day of Remembrance For Victims of Terrorism
Monday, June 24^th               Celebration of Cultures Day
Tuesday, June 25^th              Pita Lunch:  Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca.
Term 2 Report Cards and Kindergarten Communication of Learning Goes Home
Wednesday, June 26^th        School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear    Pizza (pre-ordered)              Volunteer Coffee/Tea Appreciation    Grade 3 and 4 Excursion – Ripley Aquarium
Thursday, June 27^th            Year End Assembly at 10:30 a.m.   Canadian Multiculturalism Day  Last Day of School -dismissal 3:30 p.m.
Friday, June 28^th                  Professional Development Day – no school for students.

Wishing you a blessed and wonderful week.  Please follow us on X formerly known as Twitter @sttimothy3 to see all the amazing happenings at Saint Timothy.

Respectfully yours,
Albert Simoes, Principal

Heavenly Father,
As we come to the end of this school year, we pause to give You thanks and praise
for all the blessings and challenges that have shaped us. We are grateful for the knowledge we have gained, the friendships we have formed, and the growth we have experienced.
Bless our staff, students, and families as we transition to summer. Keep them safe over the summer, and bless everyone with joyful and enriching experiences. 
May we always seek Your guidance and trust in Your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

*** LAST DAY FOR POPCORN ORDERS***

Today is the last day to get in your summer popcorn orders! Get your orders in to enjoy Farm to Table popcorn all summer long. 

St Timothy School Council is selling the Large Family Size bags of popcorn to stock your pantry with for the summer holidays. Each 125grm bag of popcorn contains 10-12 cups of popcorn, and these will be sent home with your child/children on June 27 . ***NEW*** We will also be selling their Kettle chips, 142g a bag – about 6 cups, as well! The popcorn and chips are from the same local company, Farm to Table, as the small weekly popcorn bags are. Money raised will be used to fund different initiatives supported by school council within your children’s classroom and school community. We thank you for your support!

Dear Parents,
 
Thank you so much for pre-purchasing your tickets for our Family Fun Night! Tickets were sent home with your child TODAY. If your child was absent, we will hold the tickets at the ticket table for pick up. 
 
PLEASE ensure that your child’s name and class are on the back of the ticket. 
 
For those who missed online purchasing, no need to worry! There will be a ticket table there for purchases. 
 We can’t wait to see you all there. 

Dear Tigers families;

As you know, today marks the beginning of a heat wave in the Region of Waterloo. WCDSB Schools will be following the guidelines listed below:

Extreme Heat: Temperature With or Without Humidex

• Cooler than 35 C: students may remain outside for all regular outside activities.
• Between 35 & 40 C: students may remain outside for no longer than 20-minute intervals at a time.
• Hotter than 40 C: students must remain inside.

Note that sporting events scheduled during these periods of time are subject to this and may be cancelled as a result.

Students are encouraged to bring a hat to school for shade; limit the amount of physical exertion; and sit in the shade when possible. 

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Good morning Tigers,

Unfortunately, due to the extreme temperatures, all tournaments scheduled this week have been cancelled.  This includes today’s 3-pitch boys tournament.  Our apologies for the late notice, we just received the directive from the School Board Board minutes ago.

extreme-heat-brochure-keep-children-cool-en
Extreme_Heat
Heat Stress Bulletin 2024

“Let us choose the way of Jesus. It is a way that demands effort, but the way that brings peace.” – Pope Francis

It is hard to believe that we are down to the final two weeks of school.  What an incredible year this has been. I want to thank every one of you for the support, the patience, the understanding and the joy, you and your children, have continued to bring to each day. The staff and I are so appreciative!

Please keep in mind that these last few weeks, while exciting, can have a huge impact on many of our students. Continuing with routines, setting boundaries, maintaining a good sleep schedule, and staying healthy and active will help all of us get to the end of the year in tip-top condition. Thank you in advance for your continued support, patience, and cooperation.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, big brothers and father figures who work hard every day to support and guide our students! You are powerful, positive role models for the children in your lives. We hope today brings the perfect balance of rest, relaxation and quality time with the people you love!

Please refer to events, information, and reminders below.

Thank you …  

• Catholic School Council members who led us through another great year. Through meetings, Family Carnival, and our fundraising events, your members are the voice of the community and advocate for your needs.  I strongly encourage parents who are interested in being a part of the decision-making process for the school to consider running when the form becomes available in September.
• Yvette Thorne for her commitment and dedication over many years as a member of our School Council. We will miss you at the council table.
• Ms. Barbosa and Mme Piotrowski for coaching our Saint Timothy Track and Field Team. Thank you Mme Piotrowski for accompanying the team finalists for the Board System meet.  We are SO VERY PROUD of all our athletes. Huge shoutouts to the students who took home ribbons.  What an accomplishment!
• Mrs. Matesa and Mrs. Sydoryshyn for organizing our Annual Talent Show for our students.
• Mrs. Coughlan, Mrs. Grebinski and Mr. Hutfluss for their meticulous planning made the Bingeman trip an unforgettable experience for everyone.
• Teachers and parents for supporting our students through EQAO. We are proud of their dedication and hard work which truly embodies our school values.  Our Grade 3 and 6 students worked incredibly hard to complete the test.  They approached each test with focus and determination and we are confident that their efforts will be reflected in their results.
• for your incredible generosity and for being an integral part of the St. Vincent de Paul Pencil case project. Your involvement in this drive not only helps those in need but also teaches our students the profound impact of collective effort and kindness.
• Southwest Kitchener Optimist Club for donating $500.00 to our school for the purchase of sporting equipment. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to our students.
• Mihret Measho, Abigail Ansah and Bev Rodgers for their unwavering dedication and outstanding efforts as Strong Start Coaches. Also thank you to our school leader, Mrs. Foster for her leadership.  Your commitment has been truly remarkable and the growth in literacy skills is evident with our students.

School Highlights  

• Please click on the link for this week’s St. Aloysius Catholic Church bulletin – HERE
• Celebration of Cultures: – Monday, June 24^th – We look forward to celebrating the rich tapestry of the Saint Timothy community. The day will feature gallery walks where displays prepared by students about their culture will be showcased. There will also be food from different cultures so we can taste the delights from many places across the globe. You can also wear colours from your culture and/or flag or traditional clothing from a country.  We are looking forward to hosting this event.
• Grade 8 Graduation: We are SO looking forward to celebrating the success and accomplishments of our Grade 8 graduates.  Tuesday, June 25th will be dedicated to honouring this milestone in the educational and faith journey of our Grade 8 students. As a staff, we are so proud of our graduates and we congratulate them on their growth and success. They are an incredible group of leaders, positive role models, and lifelong faith-filled learners who will move on next year to the next chapter in their academic and faith journeys. We wish you continued success, happiness and fulfillment as you graduate from Saint Timothy Catholic School!

Important Reminders

• For those families that were not able to attend our Welcome To Kindergarten presentation, please contact presslee@wcdsb.ca  office to arrange a time to pick up the Welcome to Kindergarten bag.  Our families are also welcome to come back on Thursday, June 20^th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for a library orientation from our librarian technician Ms. Huie.
• If your child has any medication at the office, we ask that a guardian or your child come to the office to pick it up on their last day of school.  We want to ensure they have all the necessary mediation they may need for the summer as well as have expiry dates checked.
• We still have several Lost and Found Please ask your child to check to see if they own anything as any unclaimed items will be donated over the summer.
• Thursday, June 27^th is the last day of school for our students. We will be doing lots of clean up and there will be lots coming home … bring an extra bag with you.
• With warm weather arriving in full force this week, we need your help parents, ensuring students come to school prepared with a hat, sunscreen and water bottles. Please apply sunscreen before school. Students are also reminded to wear closed-toe shoes for safety reasons. We will continue to monitor the weather to make sure students are able to go outside for recess. Thank you for your understanding.
• Saint Timothy Talent Show: Our talent show will be held on Friday, June 21^st at 1:00 p.m.  Parents as well as family members are more than welcome to come and support our students.
• Our Grade 8 students will be leading our end-of-the-year liturgy at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18^th. Father Sunil will be joining us in the celebration of the closing of our school year and our Grade 8 graduation.  We will also be presenting school-wide awards following the mass.  Parents are welcome to join us.
• Report Cards for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 students will be sent home on Tuesday, June 25th. Please sign and return the bottom portion to school on Wednesday, June 26th.  This form is a legal document that must be attached to the copy of the report and included in your child’s Ontario School Record file.  Please note this is an opportunity for you and your child to comment on goals, student achievement, and home support.
• Volunteer Appreciation Tea/Coffee: We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for our volunteers’ impact on our school community this year.  Our school’s volunteers’ dedication, support and efforts have made a difference in the lives of our students this past year.  We hope anyone who has volunteered their time will be able to accept our invitation to join our school on Wednesday, June 26^th at 8:45 a.m. in our Learning Commons.  RSVP: https://forms.gle/hFSrT3UG8yBijEYC9

WCDSB Updates

Please visit our School Board Website for updates and recent information.  Here is the link: http://www.wcdsb.ca

Summer Reading Clubs: Check out this digital flyer promoting library cards, library connections and summer reading across our region;

Stop the Slide With Summer Reading:  Check out the flyer to learn about resources available to keep students reading this summer: InfoBlast Summer Reading 2024

Saint Timothy Family Carnival

Our annual family carnival is only three days away.  It is Wednesday, June 19^th starting at 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. here at Saint Timothy rain or shine! We hope to see our many families and friends here to enjoy another wonderful community event with us.  There will be tons of awesome activities and fantastic food.  As part of the carnival, we will have a raffle to raise funds for families in needs in our community.   If you would like more information or would like to donate goods or services, please contact yvette.thorne@wcdsb.ca.

Tickets pre-ordered will be sent home with your child(ren).  Cash or debit will only be accepted for the food trucks.  Food trucks will not take tickets.  A POS (point of sale) machine will be onsite if needed.  Bring a blanket or chairs for your family to sit in the yard. We hope to see many of our families come out for a fun evening of activities for the whole family.

Promoting Health/Well-Being:   Extra Curricular Activities – Benefits and Balance

Participating in extracurricular activities can benefit your teen in a lot of ways. Here are (sometimes surprising) examples of some key benefits.

• Improve Academic Abilities
• Expand Possibilities for Identity Development
• Bolster Personal Growth
• Cultivate Character Development
• Build Relationships

Read more at https://parentandteen.com/extracurricular-benefits-balance/

Mabel’s Label Fundraiser

Click HERE and enter “St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School (Kitchener)” from the drop down list to support our school when you buy labels through MABEL’S LABELS.  Our fundraiser will continue throughout the summer months, giving you the perfect opportunity to purchase labels as you get ready for the new school year.  Thank you for supporting us!

Upcoming Dates To Note

https://sttimothy.wcdsb.ca/calendar/ (please use this address to access our school calendar)

Monday, June 17^th               Junior Boys 3 Pitch Tournament in the afternoon – Southwest Optimist Park
Tuesday, June 18^th            Year End and Grade 8 Graduation School Mass 10:30 a.m.            Pita Lunch:  Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca   
Wednesday, June 19^th        School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear                   Pizza (pre-ordered)                Grade 1 to 2/3  Excursion to Waterloo Park
Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic             Family Fun Night/ Carnival  4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 20^th            Library Visits For New Kindergarten Families 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.                 School Spirit – Hat Day
Friday, June 21st                 Popcorn (pre-ordered)                Father Melvin Silver Jubilee at 5:00 p.m. St. Aloysius Church           Talent Show at 1:00 p.m.      National Indigenous People’s Day
Sunday, June 23^rd               National Day of Remembrance For Victims of Terrorism
Monday, June 24^th               Celebration of Cultures Day  
Tuesday, June 25^th              Pita Lunch:  Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca.      Term 2 Report Cards and Kindergarten Communication of Learning Goes Home
Grade 3 and 4 Excursion – Ripley Aquarium            Grade 8 Graduation
Wednesday, June 26^th        School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear             Pizza (pre-ordered)              Volunteer Coffee/Tea Appreciation
Thursday, June 27^th            Year End Assembly at 10:30 a.m.                     Canadian Multiculturalism Day      Last Day of School -dismissal 3:30 p.m.
Friday, June 28^th                  Professional Development Day – no school for students.

Wishing you a blessed and wonderful week.  Please follow us on X formerly known as Twitter @sttimothy3 to see all the amazing happenings at Saint Timothy.

Respectfully yours,
Albert Simoes, Principal

Happy Father’s Day to All of our AMAZING Saint Timothy Dads!

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for our volunteers’ impact on 
our school community this year. 

The dedication, support and efforts of our school volunteers have truly made a 
difference in the lives of our students this past year.  We hope anyone who
has volunteered their time this year may be able to accept
our invitation to join our school Volunteer Appreciation Tea/Coffee.

The event will take place on Wednesday, June 26th beginning at 8:45 a.m. here at school.
Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/hFSrT3UG8yBijEYC9

Lord, reawaken in us a sense of praise and gratitude for our Earth, and for everything You have created” – Pope Francis

Here…we…go! As we approach the 15-day marker of school days remaining, I pray that we continue to celebrate, acknowledge and achieve the many things that make our school community an amazing place to be. From spirit day, to grade 8 graduation we have many Blessed events on the horizon. May God and Saint Timothy watch over us and give us strength.
Please refer to events, information, and reminders below. 

Thank you …  

• Mrs. Phillips and Mr. Hutfluss for planning the Grade 8 Graduation trip and accompanying our graduates.  Thank you also to our volunteers who joined the trip. We are so very PROUD of our students and how they conducted themselves- they are TRUE LEADERS!
• Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Ferraccioli, for organizing the Junior Boys 3 pitch baseball team this year. Good luck on Monday, June 17^th.  
• Yvette Thorne and Mrs. Presslee helped make our pizza program run so smoothly this year. The last pizza day is Wednesday, June 26^th.
• Holly Herteis for organizing and leading our successful Pita lunch program this year. The last Pita lunch day is Tuesday, June 25^th.
• Colleen Taylor for attending our Welcome To Kindergarten Night as a representative from our school council. Colleen did a wonderful job explaining the council’s role and recruiting new members.
• to our School Council and in particular Yvette Thorne for organizing our Family Carnival/Fun Night. It will be a great event with lots of activities, food, and prizes to be won.  Looking forward to letting everyone see what an amazing spirit this community has when we are all together!
• for returning all library books to school. We are still missing items, so please take another look and return them to school.
• to our Tigers Cross Country team, consisting of nearly 70 students in grades 4 to 8, had the opportunity to participate in our WCDSB Cross Country meet last week. Thank you to our coaches, Ms. Garvey, Mrs. Ferraccioli, Mrs. Coughlan and Mrs. Grebinski for supporting the students with training and attending this exciting event.
• We want to thank the parent community for using the School Messenger App when reporting your child’s absence from school.   This is a friendly reminder that teachers are not connected to the Messenger App and have no visibility to early dismissal requests that are reported on this platform. In our effort to serve you better, we do ask that you put a courtesy note in your child’s agenda informing the teacher of your early dismissal plans so that staff can do their best to have your child ready for you when you arrive at the school.

School Highlights

• Please click on the link for this week’s St. Aloysius Catholic Church bulletin – HERE
• Our Grade 3 students will begin writing the EQAO assessment this week. The types of questions included in the EQAO e-assessment will be familiar to our students as they are based on the work they have been doing throughout the year. Sample assessments are available on the EQAO website for Grade 3 students. For more information please visit here. We wish our students all the best as they show what they know!
  Tips to Help Your Child:
  Maintain a Positive Attitude: Encourage a positive outlook towards the tests. Avoid putting too much pressure on your child, as this can lead to anxiety.     Ensure Rest and Nutrition: Ensure your child gets enough sleep and eats a healthy breakfast on the days of the test. Physical well-being can significantly impact performance
• Celebration of Cultures: NEW DATE – Monday, June 24^th – We look forward to celebrating the rich tapestry of the Saint Timothy community. The day will feature gallery walks where displays prepared by students about their culture will be showcased. There will also be food from different cultures so we can taste the delights from many places across the globe. We are looking forward to hosting this event.
  Please see the attached poster from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. We will be teaming up with them to support those in need in other countries.  This is a wonderful opportunity for us to make a positive impact.  All items can be dropped off at school until June 14^th.  Thank you for your generosity and kindness.  Pencil Case 2024
• June is the month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which for Catholics is a sign and symbol of God’s boundless and passionate love for all humanity. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is our recognition of the long-suffering love and compassion of Jesus towards humanity. It developed in the seventeenth century as the result of a series of apparitions to a Catholic nun, Mother (Saint) Margaret Mary Alacoque. Many families will enthrone a blessed picture of the Sacred Heart in their homes. Learn more: Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Institute for Catholic Education (iceont.ca)
• Congratulations to some of our students who qualified for Track and Field Regionals. We wish them all the best this week.  They will compete at the regional meet held at Resurrection on Tuesday, June 11^th.

Important Reminders

• For students who already have a Student Plan of Care due to life-threatening medical conditions, the current plan will be coming home. Please review, and verify, the information found on these forms and revise ANY pertinent information directly on the form. Please ensure the revised plan is returned before the end of the school year.
• For those families that were not able to attend our Welcome To Kindergarten presentation, please contact presslee@wcdsb.ca  office to arrange a time to pick up the Welcome to Kindergarten bag.  Our families are also welcome to come back on Thursday, June 20^th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for a library orientation from our librarian technician Ms. Huie.
• Graduation Update – as previously communicated to families our school has been preparing for our graduation ceremony for the last several weeks and extensive planning and work have already been undertaken to create a memorable celebration to honour our Grade 8 Graduates. Our Grade 8 Graduate Mass and Saint Timothy Year End Mass will both take place on Tuesday, June 18^th beginning at 10:30 a.m. in our school gymnasium.
  The actual ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 25th beginning at 5:30 p.m. in our school gym.  Diplomas will be distributed, speeches will be read and awards will be presented.  Following the ceremony will be light refreshments (cake, coffee, etc.).  At 7:30 p.m., parents will then be asked to leave, and the graduates will then have a party until 9:30 p.m. Please arrange a way home for your child.   For more details, or questions or if you would like to help, please reach to phillips@wcdsb.ca and/or nick.hutfluss@wcdsb.ca.  We are so very proud of the young adults they have become and we wish them all the success the world can offer.  We are excited to have been part of their elementary school journey over the last 10 years. 
• Saint Timothy Talent Show: Our talent show will be held on Friday, June 21^st. in the morning.  Parents as well as family members are more than welcome to come and support our students.
• Our Grade 8 students will be leading our end-of-the-year liturgy at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18^th. Father Sunil will be joining us in the celebration of the closing of our school year and our Grade 8 graduation.  We will also be presenting school-wide awards following the mass.  Parents are welcome to join us.

WCDSB Updates

Please visit our School Board Website for updates and recent information.  Here is the link: http://www.wcdsb.ca

Safe Arrival Absence Reporting: The School Messenger SafeArrival Attendance Program started this week. Thank you for your support and patience as we worked through our first few days! Moving forward, please report absences in advance using SafeArrival instead of sending notes or calling/emailing the school.  Please follow the link for more information: SchoolMessenger – SafeArrival (wcdsb.ca)
Looking for some guidance – Check out these helpful videos

1. Video – School Messenger App (What it is & What it Offers):  https://vimeo.com/180768415
2. YouTube – How to Create a Safe Arrival Account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkk-Fmp0bWU
3. YouTube – How to Use SafeArrival to report Absences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VCMBirmjg0

Did You Get a Phone Call Indicating Your Child is Absent? Not a problem! Just listen and follow along with the prompts given in the message.

Supporting Math At Home Parent Survey: Schools offer a variety of opportunities for parents to learn more about how to support their children: for example, events related to mathematics may be held at the school (e.g., family math nights); teachers may provide newsletters or communicate with parents through apps or social media; and school or board websites may provide helpful tips about how parents can engage in their child’s mathematics learning outside of school and may even provide links where they can learn more or enjoy math activities together.
The following brief survey will assist our school district in gathering data about how parents/families feel in terms of being informed about what their children are learning in math, how parents/families feel about supporting their children’s learning in math, and about parental access to math learning resources at home.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and participation:  https://bit.ly/SupportingMathAtHomeSurvey2024 
This survey will remain open until June 14th, 2024.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the collection of this information please contact K-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Board Math Lead, Petra LeDuc at petra.leduc@wcdsb.ca , 519-578-3660.  Please refer to www.wcdsb.ca for the most up-to-date news.

Nurturing Love and Inclusion Across Our Saint Timothy Community

The month of June is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which for Catholics is a symbol of God’s boundless and passionate love for all humanity. Drawing on the example of Christ, who preached a message of love and inclusion throughout His ministry, our Catholic schools are called to ensure we are nurturing safe and inclusive learning environments, where every student and every member of the community is welcomed, valued, and respected.  It is most fitting that June is also designated National Indigenous History Month as well as Pride Month in Canada.

Canadian Multiculturalism Day- June 27, 2024: June 27th is Canadian Multiculturalism Day, an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and learn about the importance of multiculturalism to the Department of National Defence (DND), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and to the country. Canada has long been recognized around the world as a role model for multiculturalism and our society is known as a mosaic of many cultures. In fact, Canada’s 2021 Census reported over 450 ethnic or cultural origins by participants. In 2002, the Government of Canada enacted Multiculturalism Day as a day to celebrate the vast and important contributions that Canadians of different cultural backgrounds have made to our society. This day is also a great time to highlight other cultural celebrations happening in June, like National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month, Portuguese Heritage Month and Filipino Heritage Month. Canadian Multiculturalism Day is about embracing and recognizing the rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures that make up this great country

Saint Timothy Family Carnival

Our annual family carnival is next week.  It is Wednesday, June 19^th starting at 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. here at Saint Timothy! We hope to see our many families and friends here to enjoy another wonderful community event with us.  There will be tons of awesome activities and fantastic food.  Here is a list of items already booked: Pawley’s Reptile Show, Food Trucks, Conestoga Karate, Big Kahuna water bucket, carnival games, face painting, guessing jars and so much more!  If you would like more information or would like to donate goods or services, or volunteer please contact yvette.thorne@wcdsb.ca  Thank you and we will see you there!
Please order your tickets on the School Cash On Line until Thursday, June 13^th.  … tickets pre-ordered will be sent home with your child(ren).  Cash will only be accepted for the food trucks.  Everything else will have to be purchased through School Cash On-Line.  A POS (point of sale) machine will be onsite if needed.

Promoting Health/Well-Being:   Celebrating The First International Day of Play

This year, the first-ever International Day of Play will be observed and celebrated on June 11. For children, this is big news. Honouring and celebrating play recognizes it as an essential part of a child’s well-being and development. It’s been considered so important, in fact, that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has made play a fundamental right of every child.
As the United Nations states, play “fosters resilience, creativity, and innovation in individuals. For children in particular, play helps build relationships and improves control, overcome trauma, and problem-solving.”  We’ve long felt that play, in all its forms, has countless benefits and is a very important part of childhood development.   Read more at https://activeforlife.com/international-day-of-play/

Mabel’s Label Fundraiser

Our school is fundraising with Mabel’s Labels! If you’re not familiar with Mabel’s Labels, they are personalized, durable, waterproof labels. They are great for everything from shoes, clothing tags, water bottles and backpacks. You can customize them with your name and a design, and they are dishwasher, laundry and microwave safe.   Mabel’s Labels also offers clothing stamps, silicone bands for water bottles and medical alert labels. This is a great way to ensure your items don’t end up in the lost and found or mixed up. To reduce the spread of germs, we highly recommend labelling but they are also useful for everyday life.
Click HERE and enter “St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School (Kitchener)” from the drop-down list to support our school when you buy labels through MABEL’S LABELS.  Our fundraiser will continue throughout the summer months, giving you the perfect opportunity to purchase labels as you get ready for the new school year.  Thank you for supporting us!

Upcoming Dates To Note
https://sttimothy.wcdsb.ca/calendar/ (please use this address to access our school calendar)

Monday, June 10^th               Bingeman Excursion:  Grade 5/6 and Grade 7          Grade 3 EQAO
Tuesday, June 11^th               AA Track and Field Meet at Resurrection High School                Grade 3 EQAO           Pita Lunch:  Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca
Wednesday, June 12^th        School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear                    Pizza (pre-ordered)            Grade 3 EQAO
Thursday, June 13^th            Last Day for Ticket Safes – Family Fun Night/Carnival
Friday, June 14^th                  Grade 8 Treat Cart             Popcorn (pre-ordered)          St. Vincent DePaul Pencil Case Due Date
Sunday, June 16^th               Happy Father’s Day
Monday, June 17^th               Junior Boys 3 Pitch Tournament
Tuesday, June 18^th             Year End and Grade 8 Graduation Mass at 10:30 a.m.               Pita Lunch:  Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca
Wednesday, June 19^th        School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear                Pizza (pre-ordered)             Family Carnival/Family Fun Night  4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Grades 1 to 3  Waterloo Park Excursion
Thursday, June 20^th            School Spirit Day – Hat Day                Library Visit For New Kindergarten Families  10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Friday, June 21^st                  Father Melvin Silver Jubilee at 5:00 p.m. St. Aloysius Church              Popcorn (pre-ordered)              Talent Show        National Indigenous Day

Wishing you a blessed and wonderful week.  Please follow us on X formerly known as Twitter @sttimothy3 to see all the amazing happenings at Saint Timothy.
Respectfully yours,
Albert Simoes, Principal

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
O most holy heart of Jesus, a fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you,
and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.
Amen.