A Message of Welcome
from the Director of Education
Dear Members of the London District
Catholic School Board Community:
I hope that you enjoyed a safe and happy
summer with your friends and family and are ready to return to a
faith-filled and productive learning experience. My warmest welcome
to each of you - and especially to our new employees and the many
students who have joined our family for the first time.
The theme for this year is the theme for
Catholic Education Week: Rejoicing in Hope. We have so many reasons
to rejoice and so many reasons to look to the future with hearts
filled with hope.
It is fitting that the first day of school,
Tuesday, September 8th, is the birthday of our mother Mary. Mary is
a model of Christian hope. She looked to the future with love in her
heart and love in her womb. She will always be a model for all of
us.
~There are so many reasons why Catholic
education is a very special gift. You should all be very proud of
the part you play.
May this year bring you many blessings as
we journey together to fulfill our callings in Christ's name.
Wilma de Rond
Director of Education
LDCSB staff launched the new school year with a Faith Formation Day,
which included the sharing of messages from Bishop Ronald Fabbro, Chair
Demelo and Director de Rond with staff at eighth secondary school
sites.
Keynote speaker, Father Tony Ricard,
(above) reminded all of the staff how important it is to
believe, to be people of hope, and to be people who actively live
the Word of God each and every day.
Fr. Tony is an author and lecturer and is a priest for the
Archdiocese of New Orleans.
He spoke with humour, song, sincerity, with wisdom and sacred
respect for Scripture, his community, and the community of the
LDCSB.
He charged us with an important call to action at the start of a new
school year: to stand firm in our faith in loving and compassionate
service to our colleagues, our students and their families, given
the many challenges of daily life.
Fr. Tony also reminded us that Jesus is in our midst as we walk with
the children and youth we serve and that we need to stand firm in
faith, be ministers of hope, and BELIEVE!
(If you are interested in obtaining Fr. Tony's book 'Don't be
Stupid please email John VanDommelen indicating your
name/school and number of copies by September 15th 2009)
"Our Catholic Schools have a huge impact on our Diocese.
It is because of you, the teachers and staff."
... Bishop Ronald Fabbro.
"You serve as a source of hope in the lives of our children.
You touch them in ways that you may not appreciate for years to
come. As role models and leaders, you make a positive and lasting
difference in the lives of students."
... Loren Demelo, Board Chair
"We must always continue to nurture and grow in our faith. Learning
never ends."
...Wilma de Rond, Director of Education
Above, Principals and new teachers celebrated the
Eucharist at the Regina Mundi Chapel.
Teachers and administrators from TVDSB and LDCSB gathered at the CEC
Monday and Wednesday to work through the Teaching-Learning Critical
Pathway process in preparation for the 2009-2010 school year.
Students from Holy Cross Catholic Secondary
School had an early start to the school year as they prepared for
the grade 9 orientation. Peer Helpers along with members of the HCC
Student Council play an important role in this annual event attended
by most grade 9 students and many parents. These dedicated groups of
students have been meeting over the month of August to plan
activities that will assist the new Centurions with the transition
to high school. Staff from The Peer Power Centre who have been
involved in leadership training with students over the past three
years once again came out to work with Peer Helpers this week.
Activities planned for the orientation
include homeroom activities, an assembly, parent meeting, tour of
the school, finding classrooms, and completing a Homeroom Challenge.
Grade 9 students have opportunities to get to know other students in
their homerooms while participating in these activities.
According to Cathy Hird, Staff Advisor for
the Peer Support Programs at HCC, “While the theme for orientation
may vary from year to year, the intent remains constant. We want
students to experience a sense of belonging and understand how this
can happen through relationships and active involvement in their
learning and school activities.”
A video and further information can be
found on the HCC
web site.
Many thanks to TD/CANADA TRUST. The bank has
collected and donated to our system children well over 100 packed
back packs. (Above) We have filled requests for only 10 of our
schools so far for a total of 98 backpacks being distributed.
Our
Mission
To serve the
student in a community that nurtures a living faith and provides a
quality Catholic education that enables the
individual to become a
contributing member of the Church and Society.
For feedback,
submissions, suggestions and input, please contact:
or contact:
John Boles, Manager of Communications, 519-663-2088, ext
40015
Spotlight
is produced weekly by
the Communications Department of the
LDCSB.
Spotlight is a BRAVO Award
winner for demonstrated excellence, recognized by the Canadian
Association of Communicators in Education and a winner of the
Glorya Nanne Award from the Ontario Association of Parents
in Catholic Education for making a substantial contribution to
fostering better understanding of Catholic Education.
