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Greetings from the Principal:
It is amazing how fast the time seems to fly. Summer is gone and we are now reacquainted with school routines, homework, lunches and early mornings. Through it all, we as parents can recognize the value of education and we can help promote its worth by pointing out the benefits of a good rounded education. By rounded, I mean the necessity to balance school and home life as well as doing things that will enhance the individual student in all facets of life: spiritual, emotional, physical and mental.
For our new students who arrive from our feeder schools, coterminous boards, as well as those entering high school, I wish you success in your stay at Immaculata. I have always embarked on the philosophy that you put into school what you get out of it. Get involved, enjoy the socializing, the sports/clubs and friends, but never forget that the priority is education. Focus on the task at hand and strive for the best.
School sports will be in full swing from grade 7-12 after the first week of school begins. Immaculata Bull Pen (or commonly referred to as the Homework Club) is beginning which will provide extra assistance for those who need a quiet place to complete homework or just need time to catch up on work. Student Success is still a priority and staff will work together to help students succeed, but students also need to be a partner in education and advocate for help when needed. Please do not hesitate to connect with your son/daughter's teacher for information regarding academics.
As with all schools, new staff has been hired and we welcome the following to Immaculata as permanent staff members: Ms. Veryard, Mrs. Seymour, Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. Lahey, Mr. Lama, Mr. Busa, Ms. Mandia. As well, we have Mr. Blank back with us until January. I am excited as each of these teachers is dedicated to the students and community of Immaculata.
I wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone a fantastic start to the new year.
Christopher Mes
Principal
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Chaplain's Corner:
OCSB Spiritual Theme: By Our Works We Show Our Faith
As we begin a new school year, we are continuing with our spiritual theme but with a new focus. Truly, it is by our good works that we show others the faith we have in a loving God and in Jesus our friend, saviour and guide. This year, we will focus on the way in which prayer strengthens and guides us in our works of charity, justice, compassion and peace. We will recommit ourselves to prayer so that our works will be more deeply rooted in the compassionate love of God and guided by the radically inclusive love of Christ.
I think we can all use reminders to pray without ceasing. It's so easy to forget to dedicate our lives to God each morning, to give thanks before each meal, to seek God's wisdom during times of challenge, and to give thanks at the end of each day. This year we'll explore traditional and new ways to connect with God through prayer and allow our works to show the depth of our faith.
I look forward to sharing the journey with you!
INTRODUCING.....
Fr. Nicanor Sarmiento, OMI, the new Pastor of Canadian Martyrs Parish
We offer our thanks and prayers to Fr. Smith who served as Pastor at Canadian Martyrs Parish and we are honoured to be welcoming a new Pastor, Fr. Nicanor Sarmiento.
Fr. Nicanor, a Quechua Indian, grew up in the Andes Mountains of Peru. After joining the Oblates he prepared for the priesthood in Lima and then in Bolivia. He was ordained in 1999.
Fr. Nicanor spent 6 years ministering to the Inuit communities in remote Labrador before moving to California to complete his doctoral studies. Fr. Nicanor has expressed his preference for serving the poor and marginalized people of society and he has done so in the Andes Mountains, the frozen tundra of Labrador, and the inner city of California. We would like to extend a warm welcome to him on behalf of all our students and their families, our staff and Immaculata alumni.
Uniform Donations!!
Thank-you so very much to all those who donated uniform items. I thank you on behalf of all the families who have received these donated items. Many new and returning students have been fitted for used uniforms and it has lightened the financial burden on their families.
We continue to accept donations. Our supplies are low again after all the families who were helped in recent weeks and, as we all know, children continue to grow and need new uniforms throughout the school year. Please consider dropping off your used uniforms in the main office.
Wear your uniform with pride, MAC!
May God bless our students and staff as we begin a new school year.
Leah Daly,
Chaplaincy Leader, Immaculata Catholic High School.
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| First Week of School
Students with "problems or conflicts" on their timetable must compete a Request for Timetable Change Form which will be available from their homeroom teacher. Students are to return the form signed by their parent/guardian to their homeroom teacher by Tuesday Sept. 10th. In the meantime, students are to continue attending the courses showing on their schedules as there are no guarantee that they will be able to make the requested changes.
Financial Support If you need assistance covering the costs of the student fee, costs associated with the school uniform, or other areas of financial support during the year, please contact our Chaplaincy Leader, Ms. Leah Daly. The school also operates a confidential breakfast/lunch program thanks to the generous support of the OCRI Breakfast Program.
Items Coming Home Your child should bring home a letter from the Principal, a copy of their timetable, a student agenda book, an OCSB school year calendar, a school photo order form, and a Student Verification Sheet. Please have your child return the Verification Sheet to his/her homeroom teacher as soon as possible.
Please ensure that your child is using his/her agenda book on a daily basis.
OC Transpo Update Please be advised that students who are entitled to an OSTA OC Transpo pass will no longer be required to purchase a Student Photo ID card. OC Transpo has provided a temporary Student ID card to be distributed with the regular paper passes to replace the Photo ID cards, until the roll out of PRESTO passes scheduled for November.
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School Uniform
School uniforms are available from Top Marks. Top Marks offers a direct distribution service with 24/7 ordering abilities.
Uniform items can be ordered directly via email, fax, or mail. After the initial start of school, uniform items will be delivered to your home within 48 hours. If you do not have access to email, you can pick up an order form at the school. The school code is IMM01.
Short skirts and kilts Please review with your daughter the appropriateness of the length of her kilt or skirt. The skirt or kilt should be no shorter than 7 cm above their knee.
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Immaculata Community Calendar
Keep updated on events being planned for the year by linking to a school calendar that lists events for the whole year. Events such as sporting events, coffee houses, parent-teacher interviews will be updated once dates are set.
Please click here to view the calendar.
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| Anaphylactic Students at Mac
Several students at Immaculata have life-threatening allergies to peanuts and all types of nuts. If peanut butter or even the smallest amount of any nut product enters their body, they experience serious reactions. Without medical treatment the student could die.
Please help to decrease the presence of nut-based products at the school. You can help by avoiding sending peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter cookies, and other foods where peanuts, peanut oil, or nuts might be found.
This request poses an inconvenience for you when packing your child's snack and lunch; however, your avoidance of nut products will help to provide a safe environment for many of our students. Thank you for considering this request. If you need to update your child's medical information please contact the school. |
School Website
Please visit the school website on a regular basis. The website includes daily announcements, weekly events, school information, and links to many useful resources for students and parents. A portion of the student fee goes to subscription services for student research and tutorials. Bill 13 Accepting Schools Act Update: Parents are encouraged to view the link on the school website for further information regarding the new legislation which ensures Equity and Inclusive educational practices to promote tolerance within the school. To that end, Immaculata will be focusing on bullying awareness and prevention during the Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week. (November 19 - 23). |
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School Improvement Plan
Each year our staff collaborate on our School Improvement Plan based on the school board plan. Our focus is on success for students, success for staff, and stewardship of resources all within a Catholic framework.
Our focus for student success includes:
- develop character and welcome diversity by promoting Gospel values expressed in the Catholic graduate expectations
- improve student literacy levels
- improve student mathematical literacy levels
- increase student success through pathways, transitioning and inclusionary practices
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Meet the Teacher/Curriculum
Night
Please join us on Thursday, Sept 5th starting at 5:00 p.m. for our Meet the Teacher/Curriculum Night. Curriculum Night is not the same as parent-teacher interviews. After only a few days, teachers are not in a position to provide specific feedback about your child's progress in his/her course; however, they can share with you details of the curriculum being followed and the assessment procedures for the course.
At 5:00 p.m. we will have the opening remarks in the main gym. Following this you will be invited to meet the teachers. The 7 & 8 teachers will meet in the small gym and the 9 to 12 teachers will meet in the large gym. We will conclude the evening at 6:30 p.m.
If you are not able to visit all of your child's teachers on that night and you wish to discuss curriculum-related matters with them, please call the school.
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| School Council
Immaculata has a very active School Council. All parents are encouraged to become part of the School Council. You can attend all meetings without holding a formal position on council, or you can run for one of the elected positions. Agendas, minutes, constitution, and other council documents can all be accessed on the school website. The constitution includes an outline of all formal council positions.
The first meeting time is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the library. Please check the school website for an update. We hope to see you at the first meeting and are looking forward to working with you for the benefits of our students.
If you are interested in getting involved in the School Council Executive, please contact the school to obtain an Expression of Interest Form at 613-237-2001.
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Parking Updates and Transportation Safety
Vehicles that are parked in the school parking lot should have a parking tag visible on the dashboard of the vehicle. To that end, all staff have been provided with a parking pass and if your child would like to drive to school please have he/she complete the necessary paperwork through the main office in order to obtain a student parking pass. All guests are reminded to report to the main office upon entering the school.
Lastly, please remind your child to watch for traffic when walking to the main entrance of the school from the bus stop on Main Street, as there are often parents driving through dropping off students and it can become a very busy thoroughfare.
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| OCSBconnect - School Safety Starts With You!
The Ottawa Catholic School Board will be launching the Safe Schools anonymous reporting system called OCSBconnect. It is a service that strives to make schools safer and more welcoming for students, staff and parents. OCSBconnect is a downloadable app which allows students and parents to share anonymous tips on bullying, student safety, and crime to make Immaculata a safer school. The program will be available on September 30th and more information will be made available closer to this time.
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| Parent Resources
Parent volunteers are always welcome at Immaculata. If you can help out in anyway please contact the Main Office (613-237-2001). Please check the website for resources which will be posted for parents.
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Transition for Grade 7 Students
Moving on to grade 7 is a big change from grade 6. Students will now have 6 subjects daily for 50 minutes each and will see several teachers each day.
Our students have math and physical education every day of the week all year long. Please ensure they have they gym clothes every day.
If your child experiences any difficulty with the transition, please make sure that you contact your child's Vice-Principal or Guidance Counsellor.
Remember to limit computer and t.v. time and ensure your child gets lots of sleep.
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Student Athletics
Last June, Immaculata's Athletic Department celebrated all teams and athletes at the Annual Athletic Banquet. MVP's and Coach Awards were handed out for each team, banners were unveiled for our championship teams, and the major awards were announced.
These included:
Leadership Award
Christopher Pereira Gaspar, Colin Hood, Meseret Tamrat and Michael Feil
Outstanding Achievement in an Individual Sport
Thomas Przybycien for Tennis and Mackenzie Irvine for Track & Field
Rookies of the Year
Meagan Yerxa and Julian Sieradzan
Coach of the Year
Mr. Derik Ouellette
Jr. Athletes of the Year
Danielle Humilde and Aidan Caulfield
Sr. Athletes of the Year
Taylor Cleland and Jeff Mckeen
As we begin another school year, here are a few athletic items to be aware of:
- Applications for the Athletic Council will be due Friday, September 6th. The executive members will be chosen by the end of the second week.
- There will be two Mac Wear sales again this year, in September and February.
- Our fall teams begin tryouts starting the first week and posters will be up all over the school announcing dates and times.
- The second annual "Craft Sale" fundraiser to support athletics will be held again on Saturday, November 23. Stay tuned for more information.
- Sign-ups for the first intramural activity, Touch Football, will begin the first week of school.
- Once again this year, all of our phys.ed. students and some team athletes will receive a timed result of their participation in the Terry Fox Run, on Sept. 26.
- Follow everything athletic at Mac on TWITTER @macathletics1
All the best for the 2013-2014 school year!
Kind regards,
Ginette Godmaire
Phys.Ed. & Health Department Head andAthletic Director
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| Board-Wide Email Newsletters
You can subscribe to our Board mailing list to receive emails on Board news and emergency messaging delivered right to your computer or handheld device.
Go to www.ocsb.ca and click on the green envelope icon on the right-hand side. Select the type of notifications you would like to receive, type in your email address, and click the Submit button. Your information will not be shared, and you can unsubscribe at any time. |
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