Spotlight on the London District Catholic School Board November 5th


May 23rd, 2008


Mrs. Galbraith assists in the reading instruction of Mrs. Zaleski's grade 1 class on a sunny day at St. Paul.

On Wednesday, three of our Catholic Schools, St. Patrick- Lucan, St. Catherine of Siena and Regina Mundi College, were invited to sing as part of a mass choir event at Alumni Hall. The event, Brick by Brick is raising money to build a secondary school in the Southern Sudan. Guest conductor, Jim Papoullis, from New York City, worked with students during the afternoon rehearsal sessions. Mark Keilburger, CED of Free the Children, was on hand to support the event as well as the mellifluous musciality of our own Denise Pelley. Special thanks to the teachers for the work with the students in preparation of the event. Truly a wondrous evening of song and hope. Brick by Brick we can change the world.

RMC grade 12 Senior Social Science and International Business students, together with teachers Theresa Kaszowski, Julie Lewis, Raquel Silva, and Ryan Walmsley, visited New York City from May 15 to 19. The group toured the United Nations Building and the American Museum of Natural History; viewed Ground Zero and the NYC skyline from the Empire State Building; absorbed the sights and sounds of Time Square; walked through Central Park, Strawberry Fields, and Fifth Avenue; cruised around the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan; and saw "The Lion King" on Broadway. While attending mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, Jenny Mayer, one of our students, was asked to serve as an usher. A wonderful, memorable experience was had by all.

After 4 months of writing to each other, Mrs. Perquin’s grade 3/4 class from St. Mark’s finally met their ‘Pen Pals’ from Mrs. Gorski’s grade 11 Mother Teresa Parenting class. The two classes spent the day at Storybook Gardens where they enjoyed a tour guided hike, a picnic lunch, and participated in the different activities that the park has to offer. This project is a wonderful way for students (in both the secondary and elementary panels) to promote literacy. Certainly a fun day for all!

The staff and students of Monsignor J. H. O'Neil School had a surprise waiting for Ron Curridor on May 8th to celebrate his 40th birthday (May 10th). A sign was created by Yvonne Wheeler-DeBrabander's 5/6 class and it was hung on the outside wall of the school. Forty skunks and flamingos were scattered around the flag pole awaiting his arrival that morning. Just prior to lunch time the students were gathered in the gym while Ron cooked hotdogs on the BBQ. He was called down to the gym where the students sang Happy Birthday to him and a big chicken presented him with balloons. Ron managed to blow out the 40 candles and cake was enjoyed by the staff.	St. Anthony French Immersion School feted its volunteers at a special beach-themed luncheon. The volunteers, who help with everything from hot lunch programs to reading to fund-raising, received a plant grown by school secretary and luncheon organizer Mrs. Pettit.

Happy St. Rita Feast Day! The students at St. Rita Catholic School participated in daily mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish on Thursday, May 22nd, to celebrate the feast of St. Rita. A special thank you to Miss Wubben and the Grade 7/8 students who prepared the mass and led us with the music. "Yes, Lord, Yes, Lord...Yes, Yes, Lord!

Jean Vanier Catholic Elementary School held a blessing and official opening of its newly-completed building addition this week. The renovations and additions include new classrooms, an enhanced and expanded library and the addition of the Ontario Early Years Centre to the 35-year-old school. As the entire student body looked on (Above and right), Father Rob Rocheleau blessed the crucifixes that will hang in each classroom. Board Chair John Ferris thanked the school's administration and staff and the students, for their patience during the renovation period. "I am sure you will agree as you look around today that it was worth it," he said. Mr Ferris also thanked the parents who supported the purchase of more than twenty thousand dollars in new books for the library through the school council.	t

Students, staff and parent volunteers joined together at Blessed Kateri Catholic Elementary School to "get active" and raise funds and awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation with our annual Jump Rope for Heart fun event. The total amount raised is: $10,401.65Thanks to parent co-ordinators Ms. Helena Steinmetz and Mrs. Andrea Orsini and teacher co-ordinator Ms. Maureen Murphy.
	Steve Peters, MPP for Middlesex-Elgin-London, visited the grades 4/5 and 5/6 classes at St. Mary's in West Lorne on Wed., May 21st. Back in the Fall, during the Provincial Election, both classes created Election Scrapbooks and participated in Ontario Votes Student Program as part of their Social Studies Unit on Government. Teachers, Tara Lopes (gr.4/5) and Kelly Hayes (gr.5/6) invited Mr. Peters to come out and speak to their students. In eager anticipation of his visit, the students prepared questions for him. The visit went very well with Mr. Peters spending time letting the students know what some requirements of his job as MPP are and how he might spend his free time.

Making good use of the new playground equipment at Blessed Kateri. (Right)	Holy Cross elementary students are saving up their coins in support of the Pedal for Hope campaign raising awareness for Pediatric Cancer patients.

Mrs. Lopes’ grade 4/5 class at St. Mary’s, West Lorne combined art and social studies when they learnt about Canada. Each group was given a province or territory and using only recycled materials they were to create a representation of that province or territory.

St. Anne's had two Medieval visitors this week who spoke to the Grade 4's about life in the Middle Ages. The two knights came dressed in "Knight Gear" that they had hand-made. Heraldry, jousting, chain mail and armour information, feasts, events, weapons, etc. were all discussed. The students were enthralled! Curriculum brought "to life".