“Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life” – Pope Francis

Welcome to what is surely going to be an amazing week at Saint Timothy. This week will be filled with celebrations and opportunities to celebrate our faith and our community together. We are truly blessed in Ontario to have an education system that focuses on educating the soul as well as the mind. Please see here for all the information for CEW events at Saint Timothy.

We also take this week to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being.  This year’s Mental Health Week is dedicated to building stress management and healthy coping skills.

Please refer to events, information, and reminders below. 

Thank you …  

  • our school council for all their work in organizing our University of Waterloo STEM Night. We look forward to seeing all of our families on Thursday, May 9th.
  • in advance to our phenomenal Saint Timothy educators for all the work they have put forth in preparation for the upcoming Catholic Education Week. We look forward to seeing our wonderful families join us as we showcase Catholic Education in action.
  • for making Saint Timothy a fantastic place to be. Your passion, dedication, and spirit make our school truly exceptional. Let’s keep this momentum going and continue to support each other in our shared journey of education, Faith and growth.
  • in advance for the donations for the themed basket raffle for our upcoming Family Carnival. Please ask your child(ren) or teacher what you can donate for the classroom basket.

School Highlights

  • Please consider donating raffle prizes for our Family Carnival on Wednesday, June 19th.   Any fundraising donation items ranging from gift cards to merchandise would be much appreciated.  If you have any questions or need additional information about the fundraising request, please contact Yvette Thorne at thorne@wcdsb.ca.
  • We are looking forward to our end-of-year Cultural Event on Thursday, June 13th.   Planning is underway!
  • Thinking of Moving?: Please contact the school as soon as possible as we are beginning to look at our enrolment for next year.  If you are moving, it is essential that the outgoing and incoming school as aware so we can prepare.  Thank you!
  • Our next Catholic Advisory Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 p.m. in our Learning Commons.
  • This week we will begin welcoming several Colombian students to our school as part of the WCDSB short-term immersion program. Hosting foreign exchange students will certainly beneficial to all involved.  Our students will gain first-hand knowledge of different cultures and customs.
  • Welcome, Ms. Komelsen who will be joining our team as a Child Youth Care Worker until further notice. We also welcome back Mr. Freer as our lunch-hour supervisor.  We are grateful for all Mr. Zach has done to serve and support our students and staff.  I know you will all join me in wishing him well and the very best as he starts this next chapter.
  • EQAO Gr. 3 and 6: Just a reminder to families of the upcoming EQAO testing periods for our Grade 3 and 6 students. To best support our students, we strongly encourage families to avoid booking vacations, medical appointments and or sports/dance tournaments/competitions during this time. We understand that students may become ill and we will make every attempt to support our students to complete all testing within the outlined period as determined by the EQAO. Testing dates are as follows: Grade 6 – May 29th to June 3rd and Grade 3 – June 12th to 14th.
  • Kindly review the Ministry of Education publication, “Cellphone and Other Personal Mobile Devices in Schools” here: Cellphones and other personal mobile devices in schools | ontario.ca. Learn about the rules for using mobile devices such as cell phones in the classroom.  The Provincial Code of Conduct has been updated with stronger rules to help students focus on learning at school.
  • Red Dress Day: May 5th marks Red Dress Day, a significant day of remembrance dedicated to raising awareness and honouring the memory of the Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals who have been victims of violence. On this day, people around the community wear red dresses or red clothing as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity. This gesture represents their commitment to recognizing the dignity of every person and aligns with our Catholic values of compassion, justice, and the sanctity of life. We join in prayer and reflection, seeking healing and justice for all affected families and communities while reaffirming our commitment to building a more inclusive and respectful society.
  • Beacon of Hope Award Winner: As in past years, our school awards a student who is an “unsung hero”, a quiet leader, who goes throughout their day being a positive role model in the school. It is our privilege to announce this year’s award winner:  Lucas Conte.  This is a well-deserved award and thank you Lucas for all that you do to make our school community a better place through your quiet leadership and positive role modelling. 

Important Reminders

  • Saint Timothy Family STEM Night: Each year, the Ministry of Education provides funding to School Councils in Ontario known as the PRO – Parent Reach Out Grant. Council has decided to use this funding for a Science Night (University of Waterloo ESQ program) on THURSDAY, May 9th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. They will organize hands-on and interactive activities based on the Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum. Parents and children can drop in anytime between 6:30 – 8:00 pm to complete the activities. This event is open to all Saint Timothy families; no registration is required. We hope to see you there!  Saint Timothy STEM Night 2024
  • The beginning of school remains the busiest time in the school. To help reduce the demands our secretarial staff face, parents can assist by avoiding additional trips to the school or phone calls that can be avoided with better planning. Please work hard to send your children to school each day on time and with the necessary supplies and belongings to assist them in having a successful day. Thank you for your ongoing help and understanding as we strive to maintain a safe learning environment for our students and staff.
  • Purchase a yummy Friday treat and support the grade 8 graduation fundraiser. Snacks will be given out on Friday during lunch. Choose from chips, small or large candy bars or a freezie. Visit School Cash online to purchase items and thank you for your support!

Catholic Education Week

Today we begin Catholic Education Week across Canada.  We are reminded and called To Love as we reflect on the theme for #CEW2024.  This is a week set aside to celebrate our Catholic schools and why the triple connection of home, school and parish is an important and integral part of Catholic education. This triad emphasizes for our children, the reality of our wider Catholic community that collaborates on their faith formation and education. Provincial Catholic Education Week

We have planning special activities for the school in addition to the compiled activities to support our classroom celebrations. Please see the flyer for detailed information on the exciting events happening in our school: Catholic Education Week Calendar 2024.docx

A message from Bishop Douglas Crosby and videos can be found here: Catholic Education Week 2024 (hamiltondiocesecew.com)

Mental Health Awareness Week

Catholic Education Week comes at the same time as Mental Health Awareness . The theme this year is “Compassion Connects – A Call to Be Kind”. Our Catholic Social Teachings guide us to be kind and compassionate to one another. We know that compassion can make a positive impact on the lives of others. As we live in a world afflicted by suffering, we must display kindness to one another for everyone’s positive mental health and well-being. This year’s Mental Health Week is centered on the healing power of compassion and connection.

Throughout the week, we will be sharing resources and tips while encouraging our community to help support mental wellness.   We will also be doing some learning in our classes about the impact of stress on our brains, at age-appropriate levels to help students understand why it is so valuable to them to practice these skills. It is important to focus on how naming, expressing, and dealing with our emotions – the ones we like and the ones we don’t are important for our mental health..   For more information please visit Mental Health Week and our school board page WCDSB Mental Health and Well Being

For more tips on how to support Positive Mental Health at home please see here.

WCDSB Updates

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

Learning At Home:  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 apply their understanding of spatial sense and geometry
Issue No. 10 Spatial Sense & Measurement

Summer Camp:  Please see attached poster for our Indigenous summer camp:

Parent Information Night With Dr. Yeung:  Please see the attached flyer for information about a parent information night hosted by St. Mary’s High School.  We will be welcoming Dr. Alison Yeung who will be in Alumni Hall to talk to parents about smartphones, social media, and the mental health pandemic.  It is a timely conversation and it promises to be wonderful information for parents who are trying to raise children in a very technological society.  We hope to see you there! Parent Info Night with Dr. Yeung

Supporting the Walk To School and the Bus Stop – Best Bike Locking Techniques – Keep your bike safe from theft!

  1. Use a good lock – “D” or “U” shaped hard locks are best. Chain or cable locks are more easily cut, but if that is all you have make sure to use it right!
  2. Use a rack – We have several at the school and they’re placed in areas of high visibility…so these are always best.
  3. No Rack? Find a secure object – If a rack is not available, choose a secure object where you will not block people walking, especially near stairs or walkways. To make sure the object is sturdy you can try to pull or shake it with your hands. Avoid trees as thieves have been known to use saws.
  4. Two or more points of contact – Thread the lock through two points of contact:  Always through your bike’s frame and if possible, through a wheel

The best place on your bike to do this is through the rear triangle (the part of the frame that holds your rear wheel on) on the tube that also holds your seat. If you want more security, a strong cable can help connect your front wheel to your D lock.

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

In May, we will again focus on the important Catholic Graduate Expectation of being a Caring Family Member.   A Caring Family Member witnesses Catholic social teachings by promoting peace and respect for all.       Being a caring family member means I CARE!

I love God, myself and my family,
I care about and respect my ‘family’ at school, at Church, in the community, and the world,
I care about and respect God’s creation and everything in it,
Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I 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.

During the month of May, as Catholics, we will show transferable skills through Inclusion and Belonging.

This month, we will approach new situations and people with an open mind and without judgement, we will seek out and celebrate diverse perspectives from our own, and educate ourselves to learn about different cultures, religions, and lifestyles.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in cultivating a dynamic and enriching educational experience for your child.

Promoting Health/Well-Being: Because Cold Turkey Isn’t Realistic: How To Reduce Your Child’s Screen Time

It’s safe to say that by now, parents and caregivers know that too much screen time is not good for our children. We also know that screen time is simply not going anywhere. Our children are doing everything from learning about body parts to figuring out how to add and subtract integers on YouTube. They’re staying in touch with friends and family, playing games, reading, writing, and more.

However, while it’s okay to give yourself and your children a break with screen time rules every now and again, what do you do when it gets out of control? Whether you follow the guidelines strictly, or have come up with your own rules around the amount of time your kids can spend on screens, we all know the signs of too much.

Here’s some helpful advice on how to pick your battles with screen time. The trick is to reduce screen time instead of trying to eliminate altogether and stick to that plan. Being consistent goes a long way.

Read more at https://activeforlife.com/how-to-reduce-screen-time/

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, May 5th                   National Day of Awareness For Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Girls
Monday, May 6th                  Catholic Education and Mental Health Week         Immersion Program – Welcome to our Colombian friends
Tuesday, May 7th                 Pita Lunch:  Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca
Wednesday, May 8th            Pizza Lunch (pre-ordered)   School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear               Kitchener Folk Dance Festival (Kitchener Memorial Auditorium)
Thursday, May 9th                Art Shine JK-Gr. 6         Saint Timothy STEM Family Evening 6:30- 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 10th                   Popcorn (pre-ordered)       Grade 8 Treat Cart Fundraiser
Sunday, May 12th                 Happy Mother’s Day
Monday, May 13th                School Track and Field Meet Gr. 4 to 8 St. Benedict High School
Tuesday, May 14th               Pita Lunch:  Order at https://pitapitstanleypark.schoolfuel.ca
St. Timothy Catholic School Advisory Council Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15th           School Spirit – wear our school colours or spirit wear   Intermediate Soccer Tournament    Pizza Lunch (pre-ordered)
Thursday, May 16th              Celiac Awareness Day – wear green   ArtShine JK-Gr. 6
Moose Hide Campaign Day
Friday, May 17th                   Kindergarten Fire Station Visit       Grade 8 Treat Cart Fundraiser

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