Mother Teresa Catholic School Newsletter A Monthly newsletter for the parent community of Mother Teresa Catholic School

ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2017

We anxiously await the Advent Season. In the spirit of giving, MTCS families are

welcome to send in donations of non-perishable food items for our friends in the

community who are in need this time of year. This is a difficult time for many, so

all donations are appreciated and must be received by December 15th.

Please be aware that our unclaimed lost and found items go to “good will” every

year at this time. Items will be on display by the parent volunteer kitchen until

Wednesday December 20th for you to look through. In order to help avoid

misplaced items, please label you child’s things with their grade and their initials.

Students must wear snow pants and boots if they are to be playing in the snow. If

students are not properly dressed for the elements, they will have to stay on the

paved area. (If you need assistance getting these essentials for your child(ren)

please contact me at the school and I will try my best to assist. As always,

information will be kept confidential).

Thanks to those who were able to support their children and our teachers during

parent-teacher interviews. Although it is only a short amount of time, it is

valuable to learn about your child’s progress.

Throughout December we will try our best to communicate any changes that may

occur. If busses are cancelled for the day, all school activities (including hot

lunches) will be postponed.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and the

very best throughout the new year. Enjoy this holiday with family and friends.

May the peace and joy of the season be with you always.

Robert Hannigan,

Principal

FCC Drive Away Hunger

Campaign

During the October FCC Drive

Away Hunger campaign, MTCS

families raised 1095 pounds of

food to help drive away hunger

in our community.

EVENTS TO REMEMBER

IN DECEMBER

Dec 3 – “Angels” sent home

Dec 3 – Celebrate & Skate,

Russell Arena, 12:30 – 2:30

Dec 4 – Advent Liturgy, 8:30

Dec 4-8 – Reconciliation for

grades 4-6

Dec 7 – Volleyball Tournament,

St. Patrick, Rockland

Dec 11 – Advent Liturgy, 8:30

Dec 13 – Choir sings for

Christmas Mass at Russell

Meadows

Dec 14 – Kindergarten students

perform at Russell Meadows

Dec 14 – OPP presentation for

grade 6

Dec 15 – Wear orange today to

show support for Matthew

Holmes, former MTCS student

Dec 15 – Kindergarten Christmas

Concert 12:30

Dec 15 - deadline for Angel Tree

gifts and Food Drive/Coin Jar

donations to be brought in

Dec 18 – Advent Liturgy, 8:30

Dec 18 –Christmas Concert for

grades 1-3, 1:00 & 6:30

Dec 20 –Christmas Concert for

grades 4-6, 1:00 & 6:30

Dec 22 – Christmas Mass, 10:10

OLMM Christmas Mass Schedule

Penitential Service Wednesday, December 13th 7:00

Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24th 4:30 (STA), 7:00 & 9:00

Christmas Day Monday, December 25th 10:00

New Year’s Day Monday, January 1st 10:00

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CHRISTMAS ADVENT ACTIVITIES

Once again, we will be running the Angel Tree Program and the Food Drive/Coin Jar as

meaningful ways in which our school community can help our less fortunate families at Christmas time. If your

family is in a position to help, this is a wonderful way to foster our children’s Christian service to others. Please

note that it is not our intention or expectation that families would participate in all programs, as we understand

that resources are pulled in many directions at this time of the year.

“ANGELS” are available from the office upon receipt of the “Angel Tree” form which went home mid-November

(purple sheet). Angels will indicate the age and gender of the child in need and should be returned attached to

the gift no later than December 15th to ensure timely delivery.

The Coin Jar will be in the Office area and Food Drive items should be sent in to your

child(ren)’s classroom(s). Food baskets will be assembled and delivered to needy

families. Any leftover items will be donated to the Good Neighbours Food Bank in Embrun.

MTCS Chess Club

The Chess Club is open to all

interested students from grades 3

to 6. It will be held in the school

library during the lunch recess on

Friday afternoons, starting in

January.

Children who have never played

the game of chess will have the

opportunity to learn and develop

skills and strategies. Novice and

expert opponents will be able to

challenge each other’s critical

thinking skills through friendly

competition.

More importantly, all the children

will have the chance to master

their skills, and enjoy the

challenges and excitement of the

game!

Eco Kids

The Eco kids would like to encourage everyone at MTCS to reduce their waste by having a Waste-Free Lunch day every week. Every Thursday, students are encouraged to bring a waste-free lunch! Those who participate will receive a draw ticket. We will have a draw once a month and one lucky student will win a prize!

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JAPANESE CLUB

Our Japanese Culture and Language Club meets every Friday to explore aspects of life in Japan, to learn some vocabulary and even how to write Japanese characters.

Currently, we’re getting ready to learn the Japanese version of ‘Silent Night.’ As well, we’re exploring the many different ways students celebrate Christmas in Japan.

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE BASKETS

The very popular Christmas Raffle Basket will once again be held this year. Each grade level has been given a theme for their gift basket along with a list of suggested items that could be used to fill the baskets.

Donations of large wicker baskets to display the items would also be very much appreciated. Boxes are being placed in each classroom for students to drop off their donations. The deadline for donations to be brought in is Friday, December 8th.

Basket themes per grade are:

JK/SK: Arts and Crafts Grade 1: Christmas Grade 2: Kitchen & Baking Grade 3: Hot Drinks & Chocolate Grade 4: Movies Grade 5: Spa Grade 6: Sports/Man of the House

The baskets will be on display at Christmas concerts where tickets will available for purchase. You can choose which basket(s) you’d like to try to win by casting your ballots in one or several boxes. Ticket prices are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. The draw date is Thursday December 21st. Winners will be contacted by phone that day and asked to pick up their baskets by Friday, December 22nd. GOOD LUCK!!

MTCS SUNSHINE-SOCIAL JUSTICE CLUB

MTCS’ Sunshine Club and Social Justice Club are pleased to announce their “amalgamation” for the 2017-18 school year. The goal of the Sunshine Club is to bring “sunshine” to other children in need. The Social Justice Club’s goal is to bring awareness to students on how to help others in their community and the greater world. So now, together, we combine our forces as we bring sunshine to others by helping others in our community and the world, with an emphasis on children.

Our first initiative was to promote the Ontario Government’s Bully Prevention campaign from November 20-24th. We brought awareness to our student population and school community about how to recognize bullying as well as how to stand-up to it.

Our next project is to join forces with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School to provide love and support to Matthew Holmes, a former student at MTCS. After a 4-year remission, Matthew is now once again in the midst of leukemia treatments. It was seven years ago, when he was in Grade 2 at MTCS that he was first diagnosed. On December 15th we encourage all staff and students to come to school dressed in orange to show we care and are thinking of him as he continues to battle and fight this terrible disease. Orange is the colour that promotes leukemia awareness and shows strength and support for leukemia survivors and their family and friends.

We meet every 2nd Thursday at lunch recess. To date, we have close to fifty Grade 3-6 students as members.

Ms. Pekalska and Ms. Kennedy are excited to be working together this year with this empathetic group of students. Together we look forward to “making a difference” in the lives of others.

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