All Saints Blog Week of November 30th, 2015

First Week of Advent - Hope

We celebrated the first week of Advent this past Sunday, and as a Christian community, we light the first candle in our wreath and consider the theme of Hope.  This focuses our attention on the true preparation for Christmas that is often competing with the messaging that comes so quickly in our malls and in our media.  We are fortunate at All Saints to have a number of practical ways of spreading the message of hope within our wider community.  Our sponsorship of a Syrian refugee family and our collaboration on Christmas Hampers for the needy allow us to sow the seeds of Hope with others.

All Saints sponsors Syrian family - Meet the Salamehs:

The Salameh Family is our refugee family being sponsored by St. Elizabeth Parish in collaboration with All Saints and our HOPE Team social justice club. The Salameh’s father, Naji, was a taxi driver in his home region of Dara’a, Syria. One day in 2011, he was called to drive some individuals to a remote area of town. There he was forcibly told that he must join the Syrian Free Army or he would be killed. He falsely told them that he would join them to save his life. They tortured him and he finally managed to escape and decided to flee Syria with his family. Naji is 47 years old, speaks Arabic and can read some English.   

Naji’s wife Georgette Matouk was a hairdresser when the family lived in Syria. She is 39 years old and speaks some French.  Their daughter, Victoria, recently turned 18. She was at school the day militants stormed the school and terrorized all of the children. They forced the children out and bombed the building. Victoria can speak Arabic and French, and understands some English.  Their son, Tony, just turned 16 years old in early November. He has not yet completed high school and speaks Arabic and some French.

The Salamehs are devout Christians. They have been residing in a refugee camp in Lebanon, but just recently discovered that they would be travelling to our city. The staff and students at All Saints have been gracious in their donations of various household items and their assistance in preparing an apartment for the family.  We sow the seeds of Hope for the Salameh family.

Christmas Hampers at All Saints

Our expression of Hope also extends to our organization of support around our Christmas Hampers and the assistance that provides to families in our wider community.  Each homeroom has been assigned a family to help.  Collection of food and gifts will continue this week and we encourage all students to get involved.  This year we are helping 45 families from our own school, our sister school St. Elizabeth, Lester B. Pearson and a couple of families who have been referred to us from the community.  This is one of our biggest charitable endeavors of the year and we really encourage families to engage in conversation about giving and respecting the dignity of those in need. This is a wonderful example of Restoring One Another in the Spirit of Gentleness (our Board theme) and we know from past years how much our assistance means to the families we help.  We so the seeds of Hope for our community

School Production: The Delightful Quarantine

Congratulations to our students and staff involved in organizing this term’s production of A Delightful Quarantine.  The play focused on a number of vignettes of individuals “stuck” with each other during an alien quarantine, and the resulting situations are both humorous and uplifting.  The students’ enthusiasm in preparing their roles was very evident, and their collaboration on the final product was great.  

Ottawa Senators Ticket Fundraiser

The All Saints School Council has teamed up with the Ottawa Senators to bring hockey tickets to our community at a reduced rate.  In addition to the savings to ticket purchasers, a portion of the ticket proceeds go directly back to the school.  We are looking to use the funds to begin refurbishing our weight/exercise room for students.  Tickets are available for a number of games with different seating levels for each.  Order forms are available from your son/daughter or you can download the form here (click on link), fill it out and send it into school with your son/daughter.  Please make cheques payable to All Saints School Council.  Makes a great Christmas gift!

All Saints Christmas Concert

Our School Christmas Concert is this Wednesday, December 2nd from 6:30 to 8:30.  We encourage all of our community to attend and bring a canned food for our food drive.

Communications

Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

All Saints Blog Week of November 23rd, 2015

Dominican Experience Auction

A huge thank you to the large group from our school community who turned out to support our DR experience auction last Friday.  The funding from the auction assists with our work in the Dominican where we opened a small school in 2013 to provide early learning for Haitians in the country who are not entitled to government sponsored education. All Saints pays the salaries of two teachers and buys uniforms and supplies for the children who attend. The auction funds will go a long way to continue the Canadian support for this school.

School Play: A Delightful Quarantine

Our school play will be presented this coming week.  Our student Marco Cornejo wrote the following synopsis of the play:

When extra terrestrial visitors offer a threat to the public safety of the suburban community of Susqua Creek Acres, Pennsylvania, its residents and guests are forced into immediate house bound quarantine, the time of which shows to be more than a little inconvenient. As the dwellers are haphazardly corralled, the situation creates opportunity for secrecy, romance, familial ligature, and buffoonery. A Delightful Quarantine leads audiences through the entwined stories of a mother reunited with the daughter she gave up to adoption thirty-two years earlier, an ill executed house burglary, two curiosity-brimmed young boys “home alone” for the duration, a man with a secret that may doom his marriage, a rekindling high school romance, a woman with fourteen invisible cats, and a brother who cannot honor his sick sister’s only wish.

Ottawa Senators Ticket Fundraiser

The All Saints School Council has teamed up with the Ottawa Senators to bring hockey tickets to our community at a reduced rate.  In addition to the savings to ticket purchasers, a portion of the ticket proceeds go directly back to the school.  We are looking to use the funds to begin refurbishing our weight/exercise room for students.  Tickets are available for a number of games with different seating levels for each.  Order forms are available from your son/daughter or you can download the form here, fill it out and send it into school with your son/daughter.  Please make cheques payable to All Saints School Council.  Makes a great Christmas gift!

Communications
Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

Dealing with the terror attacks in France

November 16th, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As a Catholic School Community we are deeply saddened by the recent events in Paris.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected in France.  Families and educators will together be instrumental in helping children and youth understand and cope with this violence and loss of life. One of the goals in our school is to work in collaboration with our parent community to help children feel safe and to understand that events like this are rare. We recognize that it is important to gauge each child`s reaction, if any, and to allow each person to express as much concern and grief as they wish.

It is recommended that parents/guardians monitor their child’s and their own personal exposure to information on television or other media forums. On-going exposure to traumatic events can increase stress levels.  We realize that most students will receive sufficient support through family.  If, however, you feel your child requires additional assistance in dealing with these unsettling events,
please do not hesitate to contact our Student Services department.

We continue to pray for all those affected by this tragedy.

Sincerely,
Sean Kelly

All Saints Blog Week of November 16th, 2015

Bullying Awareness Week

This coming week is Bullying Awareness Week across Canada.  We have a number of activities planned at All Saints to bring awareness to this important topic.  Tuesday is our Blue Ribbon day, where students will write about practical things they can do to stop bullying.  These messages will be on display in our atrium.  On Wednesday, Peer Helpers and Kindness Club members will facilitate Pink Day activities during both lunches in the atrium.  All staff and students are invited to sign our poster as a pledge that we will celebrate diversity & stand up to bullying. Everyone who signs the poster will be entered into a draw to win mini pink cupcakes. One winner will be awarded in high school and one in 7/8.  In addition, everyone is asked to wear pink as a way to show support.  Thursday is Cyber Celebrating Day where Peer Helpers will be in the atrium at lunch encouraging students to post a positive message on social media with the #stand up to bullying.  Students who post a sweet tweet, instagram or facebook message will receive a “sweet”.  Morning prayers and announcements will also focus on the theme of eliminating bullying.

Remembrance day

All Saints observed a very meaningful Remembrance Day ceremony at the school this past week.  Students presented a number of videos highlighting the accomplishments of our veterans, as well as stories of those who supported our country through numerous conflicts.  The ceremony focused on the importance of peace while remembering the participation of our country in times of war.  Thank you to our staff who facilitated the presentation, as well as the many students who participated.

WE Day

A number of our students participated in Ottawa’s celebration of We Day last Tuesday.  Two of our students collaborated on a description of their experience:

A selected group of high school and 7/8 students had an amazing and inspiring trip to We Day. We heard from aspiring activists and celebrities who shared their motivational stories such as Justin Trudeau, Rick Hansen (Para-olympian), Spencer West, Lily Singh (Youtuber), Henry Winkler, and the creators of We Day, Marc and Craig Kielburger. During our time there, we were told about all the amazing programs that Me to We has created, such as the Adopt a Village program. We heard that we do not need to be the change of tomorrow, but that we can be the change of today. After a life changing day, we were all ready to get started to do anything we could to help change the world a little bit at a time. We left We Day with the message that we are powerful young minds who can change the world.  – Maeve Cavanagh and Mia Gadiano

Ottawa Senators Ticket Fundraiser

The All Saints School Council has teamed up with the Ottawa Senators to bring hockey tickets to our community at a reduced rate.  In addition to the savings to ticket purchasers, a portion of the ticket proceeds go directly back to the school.  We are looking to use the funds to begin refurbishing our weight/exercise room for students.  Tickets are available for a number of games with different seating levels for each.  Order forms are available from your son/daughter or you can download the form here, fill it out and send it into school with your son/daughter.  Please make cheques payable to All Saints School Council.  Makes a great Christmas gift!

Dominican Experience - Live and Silent Auction Wine & Cheese

All Saints Catholic High School has been running a Dominican Experience program for students since 2009. Through fundraising, we opened a small school there in 2013 to provide early learning for Haitians in the country who are not entitled to government sponsored education. All Saints pays the salaries of two teachers and buys uniforms and supplies for the children who attend. On Friday, November 20th at 6:30 pm they are hosting a Live and Silent Auction Wine & Cheese at the school in support of this cause. Signed jerseys, hockey tickets, spa packages, and gift baskets are among the items to be bid on. All are welcome!

View the information poster here

7&8 Parent-Teacher Interviews

Grade 7&8 parent-teacher interviews will take place this week on Thursday, November 19th.  There will be an early dismissal at 1:30 pm for all students grades 7-12. The times for interviews are 2:00 to 4:00 and again from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Booking interviews will be done online through the You Can Book Me program. The link is on our website as well as here: https://allsaintshigh1.youcanbook.me/.  Please note interviews are 10 minutes in length and parents are asked to request a maximum of one interview slot per teacher (even if the teacher teaches your child more than one subject).  Progress Reports were sent home Thursday, November 5th.

Parent Session with Barbara Coloroso

From toddlers to teens, teaching kids to think and act ethically Featuring Barbara Coloroso - educator, speaker, best-selling author.

All parents are invited to a FREE evening packed with solid practical advice on how to use the stuff of everyday life to teach children to act with integrity, civility, and compassion.  Childcare will be available. If you require childcare, you must pre-register in order to reserve a place for your child

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

6:30 - 8:30 pm - Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School - 120 Chesterton Drive, Nepean

Register Now:  http://bit.ly/1LM5zXb

Student Feedback - Take Your Kid to Work Day

Last week I spoke about the great experience students had with Take Your Kid to Work Day.  Two students were kind enough to share their experience regarding the opportunity:

'Take Our Kids To Work Day' was a very inspirational and informative day.  I got to go to work with my Dad, an engineer who designs parts for the military and airplanes. I got to meet his colleagues whom he talks about at the dinner table.  I now have a better understanding of the workforce.  I think everyone should participate in 'Take Our Kids To Work Day', as it is a great way to see what your parents/guardians do.

-Jaclyn Szick

My impression of 'Take Our Kids To Work Day' was amazing.  I learned so much about what my Mom does.  She is the 'chief corporate' of classifications at Stats Canada.  What I did at my Mom's office?  Well, I did filling of classification decisions, but I also got to watch the swearing in of Justin Trudeau!  I photocopied for my Mom's colleague as well.  I the met the director and the director-general as I sat in on a meeting.  The day was the best day of all time.  I learned so much and am interested in working for Stats Canada when I'm older.

-Sam Clost

Communications

Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

Coming Up:

November 25th to 27th: School Play

All Saints Blog Week of November 9th, 2015

Career Week @ All Saints

We observed Career Week last week in all of our Ottawa Catholic Schools.  All Saints took a strong lead, offering a number of different activities throughout the period.  We organized a “Specialist High Skills Major” and Focus Program awareness morning on Monday, allowing our students to explore these specialized programs and ask questions directly of the teachers.  On Wednesday, all of our grade 9 students participated in our “Take your Kids to Work”  day, allowing them to check out various occupations in the community.  On Thursday, we hosted a robust Career Fair, bringing post-secondary institutions together with employers in the Ottawa region to offer information to students.  Students were challenged to complete a career fair passport that allowed them to reflect on some of the academic and work opportunities of which they could take advantage.  Big thanks to Ms. Muldoon, who organized this week and invited other schools from the board to visit.

2014-2015 Awards Ceremony

Thank you to all of the parents and guardians who were able to join us for our grade 10-12 awards ceremony on November 3rd.  It was an overwhelming experience to see the multitudes of students, including over 300 honour roll recipients, who had made academic success a priority.  In my opening address, I spoke of the importance of this gift of strong academic effort, and how we can trace back its origins to the encouragement of our families.  Special congratulations go to our top average winners and subject award recipients.  You make us very proud to work collaboratively with you in your academic pursuits.  Special thanks to Ms. Wilson, who did a fantastic job organizing our student data and preparing the ceremony as well.

Grade 7&8 Computer Coding Experience

As part of our focus on technology supporting the curriculum and learning, our grade 7&8 students were involved in a computer coding experience this past week.  One of our students, Rhiannon Hendley, shares her experience below:

Learning computer science was a wonderful and useful experience for all students. I have had some experience using Scratch, but thanks to Google CS First, I now feel that I understand the language of code. This week of coding was very fun, and a great way of getting deeper into computer science. Learning code is like learning to read a different language. I think that everyone should learn to code. I’d really like to create an app for the app store and I feel I have the some of the knowledge to do it. As Steve Jobs said, “Everyone should know how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.”

All Saints Craft Fair

The All Saints Craft Fair took place this past weekend and hosted more than 130 tables of crafts, goodies and other gift items.  It was a one stop shopping event for the many who came out to visit.  Many thanks to the All Saints students who helped with set up and organization, and to our own Office Administrator Patti Koeslag who managed the event.  The proceeds generously go to assist with the All Saints Christmas Hampers, “Grands and Friends” which supports Grandmothers in African nations as well as one of our own inner city schools.  Thank you to all for giving of your time in supporting this initiative.

Dominican Experience - Live and Silent Auction Wine & Cheese

All Saints Catholic High School has been running a Dominican Experience program for students since 2009. Through fundraising, we opened a small school there in 2013 to provide early learning for Haitians in the country who are not entitled to government sponsored education. All Saints pays the salaries of two teachers and buys uniforms and supplies for the children who attend. On Friday, November 20th at 6:30 pm they are hosting a Live and Silent Auction Wine & Cheese at the school in support of this cause. Signed jerseys, hockey tickets, spa packages, and gift baskets are among the items to be bid on. All are welcome!

View the information poster here

Elementary School Winter Clothing Drive

Cette année, la classe d’immersion de Religion de 9e année ramasse des tuques et des mitaines usagés pour l'école St. Elizabeth. La récolte aura lieu du lundi 9 Novembre au vendredi, le 20 Novembre. Les articles peuvent être déposés dans l'Atrium avant la cloche de 8h20. Pour démontrer notre appréciation, l'étudiant qui apporte le plus grand nombre d'articles, recevra 2 billets au cinéma. Merci d'avance pour votre effort d'amener de la chaleur aux mains et aux cœurs de plusieurs dans notre communauté.

English Translation: This year, the Grade 9 Immersion French Religion Class will be collecting gently-used hats and mitts for our sister-school St. Elizabeth.   The drive will take place from Monday, November 9 to Friday, November 20. Items can be dropped off in the Atrium before the 8:20 bell. To demonstrate our appreciation, the student who brings in the most items, will receive 2 movie tickets.  Thank you in advance for bringing warmth to the hands and hearts of many in our community.

Help Your Child Succeed in School Session

CSPA and the International Languages program present: How to Help Your Child Succeed in School, with keynote speaker, Jacqui Strachan from People for Education.

Come learn more about how to help your children be successful in school, how the education system works, and the role of school councils.  

Saturday, November 14, 2015  9:30 —11:30 AM

Saint George Catholic School  130 Keyworth Ave, Ottawa

REGISTER: http://bit.ly/1KogoOc

Grade 10 Literacy Support Course

Grade 10 students will be writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on

Thurs. March 31, 2016. A successful outcome is a graduation requirement. In order to prepare students we are offering an after school program. This program will run Monday and Wednesdays beginning Mon. Nov.23, 2015 - Wed. Mar. 23, 2016 for a total of 20 sessions.  All grade 10 students received an invitation letter to the course, however, if you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the school.

7&8 Report Card Distribution and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Our grade 7&8 progress reports were distributed on Thursday, November 5th, and our parent-teacher interview date has changed.  Grade 7&8 parent-teacher interviews will take place on Thursday, November 19th (they were originally scheduled for November 12th).  There will be an early dismissal at 1:30 pm on November 19th for all students grades 7-12. The times for interviews are 2:00 to 4:00 and again from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Booking interviews will be done online through the You Can Book Me program. The link is on our website as well as here: https://allsaintshigh1.youcanbook.me/.  The link on our website will become active at 5:00 pm on Monday November 9th.  Please note interviews are 10 minutes in length and parents are asked to request a maximum of one interview slot per teacher (even if the teacher teaches your child more than one subject).  Progress Reports were sent home Thursday, November 5th.

Communications

Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

Coming Up:

November 9th: (7:00pm) School Council meeting

November 13th: High School report card distribution

November 19th: Grade 7&8 parent-teacher interviews

All Saints Blog

Week of November 2nd, 2015

All Saints Feast Day

Our School’s namesake feast day is an opportunity to honour and remember all of the men and women whose lives reflected extraordinary faith and commitment to God.  The lives of all saints mirror the values of the Beatitudes which was read this weekend at Mass.  Let us keep these individuals in our prayers as we strive to emulate their example.

All Saints Halloween Spirit Week

Our students and staff enthusiastically participated in our Halloween Week spirit activities last week.  We had door decorating, lunch-time student council activities and dress up days.  Thank you to our student council and staff facilitators for putting their time in to make the week run smoothly.  Thanks to all our students who participated!

Governor General’s Literary Awards

Our students and staff are extremely proud of our own Caroline Pignat, teacher at All Saints and winner of this year’s Governor General’s Literary Award for her novel The Gospel Truth.  Ms. Pignat is no stranger to awards for her writing, including Egghead (Red Maple Book Award, 2009) and Greener Grass (GG Award, 2009). Her writing regularly appears in children’s periodicals such as Highlights for Children, Guideposts for Kids, Living Faith for Kids and Clubhouse Magazine. See a CBC television interview with Ms. Pignat here (30 minute point of the news clip).

Career Week Activities

The Ottawa Catholic School Board recognizes November 2nd to 6th as “Career Week” in all our schools.  We are observing this week with several career awareness activities with our students.  On Monday we will be inviting grade 9 and 10 students to visit our Specialist High Skills Major and Focus Program Fair.  This is an opportunity to share information regarding these special programs while answering any questions that students might have.  On Wednesday, grade 9 students across the province take part in Take Your Kids to Work Day.   At All Saints, our grade 9’s will be participating as well, exploring career options in many different areas.  On Thursday we will host our Career Fair - an opportunity for students to explore additional vocations in many areas, as well as discuss post-secondary options with individuals from Algonquin College.  We will also be sharing announcements over the PA throughout the week encouraging goal setting and job readiness on the part of our students.

Grade 10 Literacy Support Course

Grade 10 students will be writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on

Thurs. March 31, 2016. A successful outcome is a graduation requirement. In order to prepare students we are offering an after school program. This program will run Monday and Wednesdays beginning Mon. Nov.23, 2015 - Wed. Mar. 23, 2016 for a total of 20 sessions.  All grade 10 students received an invitation letter to the course, however, if you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the school.

7&8 Report Card Distribution and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Our grade 7&8 progress reports will be distributed on Thursday, November 5th, however, please note that our parent-teacher interview date has changed.  Grade 7&8 parent-teacher interviews will take place on Thursday, November 19th (they were originally scheduled for November 12th).  Our online booking process will be opened for interview scheduling the week before interviews will take place.  Further specifics around this schedule, including instructions to book an interview, will follow.

Communications

Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our

website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!