“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” – Pope John Paul II
We hope all of our families are enjoying a blessed Easter, the holiest of holidays on the Christian calendar as it marks the fulfillment of God’s promise. Rejoice, He is risen! Following Easter Sunday, the season of Easter begins and lasts for seven weeks, ending with Pentecost. It is a time for rejoicing and reflection. Monday is a holiday and there is no school. We will see everyone on Tuesday!
Please refer to events, information, and reminders below.
Thank you …
- for participating in National Epilepsy Day. It was wonderful to see so many students and staff wearing purple for awareness of such an important cause.
- for your support of our Lenten Food Drive – St. John’s Kitchen. We were amazed by the generosity of our community. Donations were picked up on March 28th and were very much appreciated!
- to those of you who were able to join us for Stations of the Cross, a beautiful service prepared by Mr. Hutfluss and Mrs. Coughlan’s classes.
- Mrs. Presslee for all of her time and effort in organizing our Kindergarten registrations for September 2024.
- Mr. Carvalho and Mrs. Zach for preparing and leading our Easter Mass which will be held this Thursday. The mass will begin at 2:00 p.m. and please consider joining us.
- Wilfrid Laurier University and Sun Life for offering afterschool activities for our older students during the past two months. Reminder the last session will be this Wednesday.
School Highlights
- As the weather gets warmer, we will be using the field area more and more at recess. Please provide an extra pair of shoes to remain at school so that the child(ren) can switch from outdoor to indoor shoes after each recess. This is to limit the amount of dirt being tracked into the classroom.
- The 2024-2025 School Year Calendar has now received final approval from the Ministry of Education. The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year for all WCDSB students is on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024. For more information and to view the entire list of dates and holidays for the 2024-2025 school year, please visit the Board’s website.
- Beginning on Tuesday, April 2nd, St. Mary High School student activities council leaders will be at our school offering extra-curricular activities for our Grade 4 and 5 students over the lunch hour. We are excited about this partnership as we will be providing another activity for our students.
- Medication and Medical Health Information: Families please kindly update the office if there are any medical dietary restrictions/allergies or other that we should note. This information is helpful to have in case we have special school events that offer a food option so we can plan with the family. In addition, if your child requires any type of medication through the school day, including children’s or regular Tylenol etc., please fill out the Oral Medication Forms on the WCDSB website: https://www.wcdsb.ca/about-us/policies-and-administrative-procedures/administration-of-oral-medication-to-students-under-the-age-of-18-aph004/
Important Reminders
- ArtShine program is coming back for a Spring Session. Registration is now open online and pay for the program via the website artshine.ca. Details of the two programs can be found on the attached flyer: StTimothyCatholic(3-6)_Kitchener_Spring2024 StTimothyCatholic(JK-2)_Kitchener_Spring2024
- We will have a Catholic Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30 p.m. All parents in our community are welcome to attend the meeting as non-participants. The meeting will take place in our Learning Commons Room.
- World Autism Awareness Day is on Tuesday, April 2nd. This day provides an opportunity for positive action to provide spaces of support and advocacy for our diverse communities while learning about autism and how to make our communities better for people on the autism spectrum. Students and staff are encouraged to wear blue to show their support and recognition of World Autism Awareness Day. For more information, please follow the link below: https://www.autismontario.com/
- Monday, April 8, 2024, is a Professional Development Day. The purpose of the day is to focus on Student Achievement Planning and initiatives.
- Some students will want to start bringing their bicycles or scooters to school now that the nice weather has arrived. Please review the traffic safety rules with your child(ren) and ensure that the bike, scooter is in good working condition. Please ensure that your child(ren) wears his/her bicycle helmet. Also, please note any student choosing to travel to and from school on one of these devices will be required to walk the bike, or scooter onto school property. For safety, bike, and scooter racks are at the front of the school – please remind your child to lock his/her bike or scooter.
WCDSB Updates
Please visit our School Board Website for updates and recent information. Here is the link: http://www.wcdsb.ca
2024-Summer-Learning-Poster-as-of-Feb-23-2024-1 (please click on the title for information)
Learning At Home: Oral Language Skills are the foundation for your child’s success in not only reading and writing but in all areas of their development. Please see the attached poster for 9 Tips to Support Your Child’s oral language skills: Oral-Language-Tips-for-Parents 
Parents can make a big difference in their child’s learning by discussing their learning at school. Check out our WCDSB Monthly Math @Home Newsletter to better understand how students learn to collect, organize, display, and analyze data to make convincing arguments, informed decisions and predictions. Issue No. 8 Data
Cyber Safety, Digital Literacy, Esports Presentation: WCDSB is pleased to present a virtual parent and guardian information evening on Cybersafety, digital literacy, and esports gaming on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Matthew Johnson, the Director of Education from Media Smarts will speak about online safety and digital literacy as well as resources available to families from Media Smarts. Katina Papulkas is the Senior Education Strategist at Dell Technologies and will guide online gaming and how parents and guardians can support their children’s passions, explore career opportunities, and appreciate the engagement it provides. If you are interested in this presentation, you will need to register so a link can be emailed to you ahead of time. 
School Climate Survey For Families: Please see the attachment from the WCDSB about the Family Climate Survey: WCDSB-School-Climate-Survey-for-Families-2024-Family-Letter
Distinguished Graduate, Community Partner and Chair’s Awards: Nominations are open for the annual WCDSB “Distinguished Graduate Award”, “Community Partner Award” and “Chair’s Award”. Information about the awards is available HERE. If you wish to make a nomination in any of the categories, please complete and submit your application by Monday, April 8th, 2024. . https://www.wcdsb.ca/nominations-are-open-distinguished-graduate-community-partner-chairs-awards-2/
Easter Sunday – March 31st
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!” – Psalm 118
Easter is the most significant celebration in the church year. Catholics celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is an octave, lasting eight days.
The readings for Easter show that God sent his Son to free us and let us live without fear of death. The message of the empty tomb was confusing when the disciples first encountered it. Where had they taken the body? What has happened here? But they are reminded of Jesus’ words and then it made sense. The experiences of our own lives can be confusing when we try to interpret them without faith. Some reflection questions to think about while we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection: Think about a time when life was confusing, did you turn to faith? How can you spread the good news today?
Cell Phones At School: Not recommended
We are reaching out for your continued support in your child’s positive school community and academic learning. We strongly encourage cell phones and ear pods are NOT brought to school. Should a student NEED to bring a cell phone it should be turned off during the day and in their school bag. The only time cell phones are permitted to be used during the school day is with an exception, with teacher permission. We have Chromebook devices for instructional purposes, so cell phones are not needed. We have phones in the office and all classrooms, any communication with students during the day should go through a teacher or the office. Should a student bring a cell phone and/or ear pods to school and they are using them without permission they will be directed to the office and a call home may follow as well.
Cell phones are a normal part of life for many kids. Staying in touch with friends is important to preteens and teens. However, if phone use is getting in the way of family time, homework, and other responsibilities, it might be time to help your kid manage their phone time too. Here are a few great places to start if you are looking for resources too.
Basic Safety Rules for Cellphones
Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Snapchat
https://mediasmarts.ca/parents
Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations
In April, we will focus on our Catholic Graduates’ expectation of being a Responsible Citizen. We will engage in a range of classroom activities aimed at developing this skill throughout the month.
- I am fair
- I am a peace-maker
- I am forgiving
- I follow rules and do my share
- I help the poor and care for people in need
- I stand up for what is right
- I know that all life is precious
- I respect and protect the world and all that is in it
Because I accept my responsibilities, I can make a difference and will live my life like Jesus.
Deep Learning: Transferable Skill
Transferable skills are the skills and attributes that students need to thrive in the modern world. Sometimes called “competencies” – they will help students navigate the world of work and meet with success in the future.
As Catholics, we will show transferable skills through Global Citizenship and Sustainability in April, which involves understanding diverse world views and perspectives. It involves gaining information, motivation, and skills to appreciate the world’s diversity of people and perspectives. It calls for envisioning and working towards a better, more sustainable future for all. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in cultivating a dynamic and enriching educational experience for your child(ren).
Promoting Health/Well-Being – Raising Mentally Strong Kids
Parenting today is not an easy job. The number and array of outside influences on kids are, thanks to the internet, approximately infinite, perpetually evolving, and way beyond the reach of parents, instantly available—not to mention sometimes antithetical to healthy development. At the same time, many parents are confused about what kids need most. The result is a mental health crisis among young people today. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Read more at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-author-speaks/202403/raising-mentally-strong-kids
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.
Upcoming Dates To Note
https://sttimothy.wcdsb.ca/calendar/ (please use this address to access our school calendar)
Sunday, March 31st Happy Easter
Monday, April 1st Easter Monday – no school
Tuesday, April 2nd World Autism Day – wear blue Pita Lunch: Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca St. Mary SAC Extra-Curricular Activities – Grades 4 and 5
Wednesday, April 3rd Sun Life/WLU Healthy Communities Program (Gr. 6 – 8) Pizza Lunch – JK to Grades 5 School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear
Grades 6 – 8 Toronto Marlies Excursion Trip
Thursday, April 4th Easter School Mass at 2:00 p.m. in the gym Pizza Lunch Grades 6 – 8 (due to excursion trip on April 3rd)
Friday, April 5th Popcorn (pre-ordered)
Sunday, April 7th World Health Day
Monday, April 8th Professional Development Day – no school for students Solar Eclipse
Tuesday, April 9th Saint Timothy Catholic School Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Grade 8 Graduation Meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Pita Lunch: Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca Cyber Safety, Digital Literacy, Esports Presentation at 7:00 p.m. Register HERE
Wednesday, April 10th Sacrament of Confirmation 7:00 p.m. St. Aloysius Church Pizza Lunch School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear
Thursday, April 11th St. Mary SAC Extra-Curricular Activities – Grades 4 and 5
Friday, April 12th Grade 4-6 Excursion – Camp Brebeuf
Wishing all of our Saint Timothy Families a very Happy and Holy Easter with your loved ones! Please follow us on X formerly known as Twitter @sttimothy3 to see all the amazing happenings at Saint Timothy.
Respectfully yours,
Albert Simoes, Principal
God of new beginnings,
We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, whose resurrection has brought light into our world and renewed our faith. May this Easter be a time of reflection and renewal for all St. Elizabeth Seton community. Help us to embody the spirit of love, compassion, and forgiveness that Christ exemplified in his life and teachings.
Bless our students, parents, and educators with your grace and guidance as we continue our journey of learning and growth. Grant us the strength to continue to overcome challenges, the courage to stand up for what is right, and the humility to serve others with kindness and generosity.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen
