Monthly Archives: June 2023

Back To School:

• Grades 1 through 8 return to school on Tuesday, September 5th beginning at 9:00 am. Our bell times remain the same.
• When the summer begins to wind down you can start to look for Newswires and school communications as information about the school start-up becomes available. 
• Class placements for the 2023/2024 school year are not finalized until the end of summer and will be shared with families on Labour Day weekend through SchoolCash.
  
• The school office will be open on Monday, August 28th. Office staff and administration will be available that week. New registrations will be accepted that week as well.
  
• Please drop off epi-pens, other medications, and medication forms during this week. Medical Plans of Care will go home the first week of school for review.

Kindergarten Staggered Start:

Tues. Sept. 5: Scheduled visits for JK/new SK students and their families only
Wed. Sept 6: All SK students attend
Thurs. Sept. 7: All SK students attend; half of the JK students attend all day 
Fri. Sept. 8: All SK students attend; half of the JK students attend all day 

Please visit our Getting Ready for Kindergarten page for more information on preparing for school:

https://stmichael.wcdsb.ca/our-school/getting-ready-for-kindergarten/

School Hours:

Our school hours remain the same and our school day will begin at 9:00am and end at 3:30pm. 

8:45am – Outside supervision begins
9:00am – Bell rings for morning classes
11:45am – Lunch hour begins
12:45am – Bell rings for afternoon classes
3:30pm – Dismissal

Transportation:
All families will be able to access September bussing information towards the end of August. This information can be accessed at our website stswr.ca and STSWR Login Page

If you already have an account, you can log in for the information, families without an account will need to create an account, using their students OEN from any report card.
Please Note: JK and some SK students new to schooling will not have an OEN and these new students will receive mailed route information in mid-August.

Newswire:
If you already registered to our Newswire, you do not have to re-register for the 2023-2024 school year. However, if you are new to our school, please sign up at: https://stmichael.wcdsb.ca/newswire-subscribe/

Please visit our School Board Website for updates and information.  Here is the link:  http://www.wcdsb.ca.

I would like to genuinely wish our whole Angel Community a safe, restful, and rewarding summer.  Enjoy the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends and come back to school with a sense of rejuvenation in the fall.

May God bless us until we see each other again in September! 

Hello Angels, 

Our 2022/2023 school year comes to a close this week as Thursday, June 29th marks the last day of school. This year we embraced our school theme, Be YOU, and continued to develop our Umbrella Project Skills. Students practiced skills such as growth mindset, mindfulness, compassion, empathy, and mastery! Let’s celebrate the growth, and achievements of another successful school year as the Angel community.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to our incredible staff for their dedicated efforts. We appreciate all the little extras you do each and every day to support our students and each other!

We would like to show our gratitude for our students continuing to build their Umbrella Project skills this year and living out our theme Be You. Students, you are Amazing Angels! Keep learning, growing, and showing kindness each and every day!

To our Graduates, we could not be more proud of each of you. You showed us your faithfulness during your time at St. Michael! Now, as you move onto high school, may you go through ALL your days with courage, authenticity, and kindness! Commit to doing the best you can to become your best self!  May God bless you on your journey. 

Finally, thank you to ALL our Angel families and our parent council for your support and for helping to make our school year a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to join us last Tuesday evening for our End of the Year Community Celebration. Thank you as well to all our volunteers, student leaders, staff, and community partners who made this event possible! 

This Week At-A-Glance:
June 27: Term 2 Report Card Distribution
June 27: Talent Show – afternoon performance for families. See below!
June 28: Canada Spirit Day
June 29: Last Day of School 2022/2023

Talent Show:
We are excited to invite parents and families to join us for the return of our annual Talent Show! On Tuesday, June 27 we will be having our St. Michael’s Talent Show at 1:00pm. Doors open at 12:45pm. We will be accepting non-perishable food items for donation to be delivered to the Cambridge Food Bank. Please come and show your support to some of our St. Michael’s Talent!

Student Medication:
If your child has any medication at the office, we ask that a guardian or your child come to the office to pick it up on their last day of school.  We want to ensure they have all the necessary mediation they may need for the summer as well as have expiry dates checked.  Thank you!

Report Cards:
Report Cards for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 students will be sent home on Tuesday, June 27th. Please sign and return the bottom portion to school on Wednesday, June 28th.  Please note this is an opportunity for you and your child to comment on goals, student achievement, and home support.

Extended Day Program 2023-2024:
The Extended Day Program at our school for the 2023-2024 school year will be operating.  Registration will open June 19th.   To confirm and manage the child’s registrations and schedules throughout the school year, simply log onto your account with OneList Waterloo Region.
For assistance with the OneList Waterloo Region site, please contact OneHSN Support at: 1-888-722-1540 or support@onehsn.com.
LINK to Flyer: Extended-Day-Program-2023_24-

Good morning Angels,

We are excited to invite parents and families to join us for the return of our annual Talent Show! On Tuesday, June 27 we will be having our St. Michael’s Talent Show at 1:00pm. Doors open at 12:45pm. We will be accepting non-perishable food items for donation to be delivered to the Cambridge Food Bank. Please come and show your support to some of our St. Michael’s Talent!

Angel Community,

First, to all fathers and any fathers-at-heart, we thank you for all you do to share your love and compassion. Being a model to all those who look to you for guidance or reassurance. Today we humbly recognize all those who share in our lives moments of joy, laughter, or even comfort in times of sorrow. We give thanks to all the caring people who love us and are with us today and also those we hold in our hearts. Wishing everyone in our community a wonderful, sunny, and happy day!

This week At-a-Glance:

Monday, June 19th:
-Whole School trip to the Movies (AM) – Please be sure to arrive at school in a timely fashion

Tuesday, June 20th:
-Community Celebration from 5:00-6:30pm! Come join us!

Wednesday, June 21st:
-Grades 4-8 Excursion – Please come prepared with water, healthy snacks/lunch, and sunscreen!
–Angel Spirit Day! Wear your spirit wear or Blue & Gold, Angels! 

Thursday, June 22nd:
-Primary Excursion – Please come prepared with water, healthy snacks/lunch, and sunscreen!

Friday, June 23rd:
-Grade 8 Graduation at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School 5:30pm

Next week:
June 27: Term 2 Report Card Distribution
June 27: Talent Show – afternoon performance for families. More details to follow early this week!
June 28: Canada Spirit Day
June 29: Last Day of School 2022/2023

St. Michael School Community Celebration:
On Tuesday, June 20th from 5:00 – 6:30 pm join us for an evening of food, fun, and friendship! We have much to celebrate together as a school community!
-Pizza and frozen yogurt will be available for those who ordered through SchoolCash online.
-We will have games and activities for all to participate in as well as a silent auction!

Graduation 2023
We will recognize our Graduating Class of 2023 with a Graduation Ceremony and Liturgy at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School on Friday, June 23rd at 5:30pm. We can’t wait to celebrate our Angel graduates!

Last Day of School Reminder:
The last day of school is Thursday, June 29th. Students are dismissed at our regular time of 3:30 pm.

Student Medication:
If your child has any medication at the office, we ask that a guardian or your child come to the office to pick it up on their last day of school.  We want to ensure they have all the necessary mediation they may need for the summer as well as have expiry dates checked.  Thank you!

National Indigenous Peoples Day ~ June 21, 2023
This is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada. The day was first celebrated as National Aboriginal Day in 1996 and is to be celebrated annually on June 21st.  This date was chosen for many reasons, including its cultural significance as the Summer Solstice, and the fact that it is a day on which many Indigenous peoples and communities traditionally celebrate their heritage. It was renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017.

Extended Day Program 2023-2024
The Extended Day Program at our school for the 2023-2024 school year will be operating.  Registration will open June 19th.   To confirm and manage the child’s registrations and schedules throughout the school year, simply log onto your account with OneList Waterloo Region.
For assistance with the OneList Waterloo Region site, please contact OneHSN Support at: 1-888-722-1540 or support@onehsn.com.

LINK to Extended Day Flyer: Extended-Day-Program-2023_24-

Region of Waterloo Public Health Vaccination Catch-Up Clinic Information:
Please review the following letter from the Region of Waterloo Public Health regarding Catch Up Clinics: Public Health Parent Communication

Angel community,

As we move through June many activities are still taking place within our community! This week is our year-end celebration complete with pizza and fro-yo, games and activities. We look forward to seeing many families there!

Last week we recognized our students of the month for May demonstrating the Umbrella Project skill of Integrity. We also kicked-off our June skill – MASTERY! 

We reached our next POM POM SPIRIT METER incentive level and are so excited for our upcoming trip to Landmark Cinema! Please return permission forms by Tuesday this week!

Thanks for your continued support of our AMAZING ANGEL school community! 

This Week:

Tuesday, June 13th: Junior 3-Pitch Tournaments (PM) Thank you to our coaches!

Wednesday, June 14th: Community Celebration 5:00-6:30pm

Friday, June 16: Grade 8 Excursion and Grade 4 & 4/5 Excursion.

Angel Spirit Day each Wednesday! Wear your spirit wear or Blue & Gold, Angels! 

St. Michael School Community Celebration:
On Wednesday, June 14th from 5:00 – 6:30 pm join us for an evening of food, fun, and friendship! We have much to celebrate together as a school community!
-Pizza and frozen yogurt are now on sale through SchoolCash online! Place your orders by Monday, June 12th!
-We will have games and activities for all to participate in as well as a silent auction!

Poster: June Celebration (1)

Warm Weather Reminders:
Thank you to our parents and families for sending your child prepared for the summer-like weather! Please ensure that your child has a reusable water bottle, a hat, and sunscreen.

Graduation 2023:
We will recognize our Graduating Class of 2023 with a Graduation Ceremony and Liturgy at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School on Friday, June 23rd at 5:30pm. We can’t wait to celebrate our Angel graduates!

Looking Ahead:

June 19: Trip to Landmark Cinema
June 23: Grade 8 Graduation
June 27: Term 2 Report Card Distribution
June 27: Talent Show (more details to follow)
June 28: Canada Spirit Day
June 29: Last Day of School 2022/2023

Umbrella Project:

Welcome to Mastery Month in The Umbrella Project. Mastery is a great way to wrap up the year because it requires us to use many of the skills we have learned over the year. Mastery is our ability to work towards excelling at something – our craft, our relationships, our jobs, and many others. The early stages of mastery require many of our Umbrella Skills to push through the boredom, fear, impatience, and other difficult emotions of the learning journey. Over time, we build strength and confidence and are able to accomplish great things.

Help your child discover their natural inclinations and curiosities:

The best masters start with a deep interest and curiosity in the area they are working towards mastering. The journey to mastery requires time, patience, and overcoming obstacles so this interest (see intrinsic motivation skill tips) is paramount in persevering through the learning process. You may have a vision for your child but if this doesn’t align with their personal interests it is unlikely that they will go on to master this path while building their well-being.  Trying to master something you don’t care about is arduous, requires lots of willpower and depletes our energy and happiness.

When you start with your child’s natural interests, they are much more likely to engage in the process of learning and mastering their chosen activity. Start by helping your child notice the subjects they are most engaged in and the problems they most want to solve. Try to be specific when having these conversations ie. “What unit in science did you like the most?” and “Why instead of that subject do you like…?”  For example, this year my daughter noticed that she really loved learning about energy in science and is also concerned about the environment, which led her to think about the jobs that might exist in sustainable energy. She is far from having to make these types of life decisions but reflecting on things that peak her interest will help her engage and learn when opportunities present themselves.

Chat soon,
Dr. Jen, The Umbrella Project

Angel community,

It sure is starting off to be an action-packed June at St. Michael with many extracurriculars, experiential learning opportunities, excursions, and so much more happening! A huge thanks to our entire staff, including our coaches, for making these experiences possible. Thank you to all our Angel families for your active engagement and support in all our school activities.

June is National Indigenous History Month. As a community, we continue to deepen our understanding of the role we must take in recognizing our impact on our Indigenous brothers and sisters and our part in promoting truth and reconciliation. Our journey will continue throughout this month too.

The month of June is also designated as PRIDE month in the Waterloo region and across Ontario.  As we fly the Pride flag this month, it reminds us that we are all called to belong and like the colours of the rainbow, we are most beautiful when we are together.

This Week:
June 5:
-UW Play Day (Grades 6 & 7)

June 6:
-Regional Track and Field Meet
-Grade 7 Day at St. Benedict
-CSAC Meeting 6pm

June 7:
-FDK Community Excursion
-Grade 4/5 and Grade 5 Excursion

June 8:
–Beach Spirit Day! Wear your beach-inspired accessories, Angels! Appropriate clothing required for learning and outdoor play.
-Grade 8 Freezie Fundraiser (order through CashOnline)

June 9: Grade 4-8 Excursion

Angel Spirit Day each Wednesday! Wear your spirit wear or Blue & Gold, Angels! 

St. Michael School Community Celebration:
On Wednesday, June 14th from 5:00 – 6:30 pm join us for an evening of food, fun, and friendship! We have much to celebrate together as a school community!
-Pizza and frozen yogurt are now on sale through SchoolCash online! Place your orders now!
-We will have games and activities for all to participate in as well as a silent auction!
POSTER: June Celebration (1)

Warm Weather Reminders:
Thank you to our parents and families for sending your child prepared for the summer-like weather! Please ensure that your child has a reusable water bottle, a hat, and sunscreen.

Graduation 2023
We will recognize our Graduating Class of 2023 with a Graduation Ceremony and Liturgy at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School on Friday, June 23rd at 5:30pm. We can’t wait to celebrate our Angel graduates!

Looking Ahead:
June 14: St. Michael School Community Celebration 5-6:30pm
June 23: Grade 8 Graduation
June 27: Term 2 Report Card Distribution
June 27: Talent Show
June 28: Canada Spirit Day
June 29: Last Day of School 2022/2023

The staff and students at St. Michael would like to say a huge THANK YOU

to all of our Educational Assistants and Child and Youth Care Workers

on “EA and CYCW Appreciation Day!” 

A good Educational Assistant and Child & Youth Care Worker must be friendly in nature, patient, and sensitive toward the needs of the children they support. It is their support and dedication to our students, and their commitment to the success of each child, that helps our students and school be successful.  The growth that we see in our students is not measured each day, but each year, and when we reflect on our students who need thier support most, the growth we see is amazing – and it is because of them!  We THANK them for all that they do to make our schools safe places where our students have an opportunity to learn, grow, feel valued, achieve their full potential!

It truly takes a special person to do what they do and we appreciate that they are an integral part of our school community!