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Corpus Christi Catholic School
 

"By Our Works, We Show Our Faith"

March 2014 Issue 6 
In This Issue
Principal's Message
Lenten Project
P.D. Day and March Break
Parent Council
Blues in the Schools
Nurses Corner
Mandatory Dental Screening
Ottawa Safety Council Jobs

  PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE:   

Dear Parents,

  

We begin our liturgical season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Mass on March 5 at 9:30 am. What is Lent all about?  Easter is when we celebrate the rising of Jesus after his death on the cross. It's a great day: because of Easter, we don't have to be afraid, and we never have to be apart from God. But at one time, we were apart from God and had much to fear. We can learn about this time and about why Jesus died on the cross during a season called Lent, a forty day period leading up to Easter.  Easter is the goal, the great day... but before we get to Easter - before Jesus gets to Easter - we have to deal with death.

God cares about what happens when we are together-God loves relationships. At a deep place inside of us, we know that we need each other and that we need to be with God. When we do things that are hurtful to others or that hurt our relationship with God, we become separated. What separates us from God? Not listening to God's Spirit, Who speaks within our conscience; not loving the ones God loves; or not speaking the truth at a time when somebody needs to hear it. Everybody trips up from time to time, and we may be surprised to see how far away we've gotten from what's good, how far we've drifted from God. When we're far from God, we're not at peace: our hearts are not at rest. The scripture says, 'Everyone has done wrong and is far away from God' (Paul's letter to the Romans-3.23). As if that weren't bad enough, without God's help, we are not able to fix it. Without God's help, we can't come back, and the people born to be in relationship with God are faced with the terrible fact of living their whole lives and dying apart from God.

Lent is really about denying yourself of something that you enjoy in order to be reminded that it's God that you depend on in life, that it's your heavenly Father that you most need in life - not facebook or a favourite food. This is the real meaning of Lent. In this way Lent mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. He voluntarily removed himself from the pleasures of life and company of people so that he could draw close to God, hear from Him, and prepare Himself for what was to come - an intense period of public ministry culminating in His death and extraordinary resurrection.

So during this Lenten Season don't forget the most important thing ... Easter is coming. Remember that Jesus was not beaten by death. Jesus has won a great victory! He is the only One that could. He is the only One strong enough to overpower death. That's why God sent Him to set us free from this great fear.

  

Remember, because of what Jesus did, we don't have to be afraid, and we never have to be apart from God. Because of Easter, we have hope, and our hearts can be at rest.

 

God Bless,

 

Michael Schreider

Principal

    






LENTEN PROJECTS:


The giving of alms is an important part of Lent and we ask that you give generously to our food drive in support of Shepherds of Good Hope. As well, we will be holding fundraising activities for Free the Children and Help Lesotho.  More details of events and how to donate food to follow.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY AND MARCH BREAK:

There is a professional development day on Friday March 7 and our schools are closed.  Our March Break this year is March 10 - 14. Dismissal time on Thursday March 6 will be at the regular time - 3:40 p.m. The staff at Corpus Christi Catholic School wish you and your family a relaxing and enjoyable time.

PARENT COUNCIL NEWS: 

 

It seems hard to believe as I write this and it is -20 outside, but we had to postpone the Family Skating Party on February 21st because it was too warm - and raining! We are hoping to reschedule sometime after March Break so stay tuned.

 

Parent Council has been busy as usual. We are in high gear for Mardi Gras, which is March 4, 2014 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the school gym. There will be pancakes and ham, pizza, lots of games, prizes and a silent auction with great gifts like highly coveted concert tickets and gift certificates to restaurants and local shops. It is always a great night and our biggest fundraiser of the year so come out to support the school and have some fun! Volunteers are always needed so if you can spare some time during the day next Tuesday, come find us in the gym and we will put you to work - otherwise during and after the event as well.

 

Winter I Walk day on February 6th was a great success - with 174 kids participating. There was hot chocolate and prizes and lots of rosy cheeks!

 

Looking ahead, we have the annual Bike Rodeo planned for Thursday, June 12th for Grades 1-4. Volunteers are always needed so if you are available, please let us know.

 

The next Parent Council meeting is April 9th, 2014 at 7:30 in the library. See you there!

BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS:
We are excited about being part of the Blues in the Schools again this year.  Thank you to Mrs. Wong and Mme Fortin for organizing this wonderful event and for the financial support of School Council.  The following is the schedule of Artists that will be at our school this year:
 
Monday February 24th - Kelly Sloan and Katie Hurdon 
Tuesday February 25th - Catriona Sturton and John Carroll 
Wednesday February 26th - Scarlett Jane 
  
The Core Group Artist is Scarlett Jane and they will be working with the Mrs. Loubser's Grade 4 class from February 27 to March 4th. The Core Group presentation is on Thursday March 6th at 9:30 a.m..  All are welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NURSES CORNER: 

 

Research shows healthy eating and being active can improve health regardless of weight changes. Weight is not always a good measure of health. Children look to adults as they develop their views about weight and body image. Parents can play a vital role in helping children feel good with their body, and to value and like themselves for who they are.

What parents can do:

  • Help children know people come in many shapes and sizes.
  • Become aware of the messages and comments you send about your own body and other people's bodies.
  • Teach your child not to tease others about weight.
  • Talk about how the media promotes an unrealistic body shape and size. 
  • Praise your child for their talents and skills, and focus on health rather than on appearance.

For more information contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or visit www.ottawa.ca/health.

 

Ottawa Public Health is pleased to launch the "have THAT talk" campaign. This includes a mental health video series created to give parents more information about mental health. The series covers where to get help and how to talk to children and youth about mental health. The program was launched on Bell Let's Talk Day.

 

Mental health problems affect 1 in 5 Canadians. Also, 75% of all of these problems start before the age of 24 years. Parents can watch these videos at www.haveTHATtalk.com to learn how they can talk about stress, coping, depression and when and where to get help. Please share these videos through Facebook, Twitter, or email. By talking openly about mental health, parents can help their children and youth become healthy and resilient adults.

 

For more information contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or visit www.ottawa.ca/health and www.haveTHATtalk.com.





MANDATORY DENTAL SCREENING:

Julie Sabourin, a registered dental hygienist with Ottawa Public Health, will provide a dental screening using a tongue depressor on April 30/2014 for grades JK, SK, 2 and other children as necessary. If your child's grade is not selected, but you wish for the dental hygienist to see him/her, please advise the school. Only children identified as having dental needs will bring home a form. Follow-up school visits by the dental hygienist for individual children may be done. THIS DOES NOT REPLACE REGULAR DENTAL VISITS WITH YOUR FAMILY DENTIST.  

 

This dental screening is offered in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, Mandatory Health Programs under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Personal Health Information is collected under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act and will be used for the purpose of dental assessment, treatment and oral hygiene instruction, and for statistical purposes. Questions concerning the collection and use of this information should be directed to the Supervisor of Dental Health Promotion, Ottawa Public Health, 400-1580 Merivale Rd., Ottawa, ON, tel.: 613-580-6744 ext 26376..

  

OTTAWA SAFETY COUNCIL JOB OPENING:

 

Adult Crossing Guard provides a vitally important service to the community by being responsible for the safe passage of children and the public through assigned City of Ottawa intersections before and after school, even when it's a snow day, keeping children safe on their way to and from school.

Our Crossing Guard team have some immediate openings to serve your school area. Here are some more details about this great part-time employment opportunity:

  • Pay rate: $16.06 each shift
  • Benefit: AD&D Insurance
  • Full Training and Equipment provided

For more informations and detailed job post, please visit our web page: www.ottawasafetycouncil.ca

Upcoming Events: 

 

Monday February 24 to Thursday March 6 - Blues in the Schools

Tuesday March 4 - Mardi Gras 5:30 p.m. (School Gym) 

Wednesday March 5 - Ash Wednesday Mass 9:30 a.m. (Blessed Sacrament Church) 

Thursday March 6 - Core Group Presentation 9:30 a.m. (School Gym) 

Friday March 7 - Professional Development Day (School Closed) 

Monday March 10 to Friday March 14 - March Break (School Closed)
Wednesday March 19 - Iwalk to School Day
Wednesday April 9 - School Council 7:30 p.m. (School Library)
Wednesday April 16 - Iwalk to School Day
Friday April 18 - Good Friday (School Closed)
Sunday April 20 - Easter Sunday
Monday April 21 - Easter Monday (School Closed)
Wednesday April 30 - School Easter Mass 9:30 a.m. (Blessed Sacrament) 
Closing Message:
 
"Lent is like a long 'retreat' during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual 'combat' which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism."  Pope Benedict XVI 
Contact Info

Principal: Michael Schreider 613-232-9743
Superintendent: Mrs. Manon Seguin 613-224-4455 ext. 2371
Trustee:  Mrs. Kathy Ablett 613-526-9512   
School Council email address: cc[email protected]
School website: www.cch.ocsb.ca
Board website:  www.ocsb.ca