Hello Saints,
We hope that you have been able to remain healthy and enjoy some elements of our Christmas season.
We ask that you carefully review all of this letter from our Director of Education. As you have likely heard, our students do not return to school form in person (or remote) learning until WEDNESDAY, January 5th.
Although likely a quieter one, we wish all of our Saints Families a Happy New Years!
Reminders for the Week
A Christmas Quote: “Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow people should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” – George F. McDougal
During yet another year of unprecedented times, it is probably even more important to prepare for His coming and to be thankful for everything we have. Throughout these last few months, I have been thankful for the support of St. Clement’s students, staff and parents in following all protocols, the kindness they show daily and their enthusiasm for the activities leading up to Christmas.
| On behalf of the staff at St. Clement CES, we want to sincerely thank you for the overwhelming gratitude and support you have demonstrated since the start of the school year. We are so very appreciative of your kind words and generous support! In all truth and sincerity, it has been a very long and tiring haul and we are truly looking forward to the break! Taking care of your children has been our number one priority: “where is your mask?, cover your nose, spread out, and sanitize your hands” are phrases your children will know well by now! We are all grateful that we can take a break from these measures over the next two weeks provided we stay home, isolate, and follow the guidelines set out by the federal and provincial governments, as well as Region of Waterloo Public Health. |
| We look forward to welcoming your children back to school in the new year. Whether face – face or virtual, we are prepared for either circumstance. We hope the Christmas season is as time for rest, renewal, and rebirth for you and your entire family. And let this Christmas be filled with joy and gratitude to be celebrating this special time of year with our loved ones. May all of us be blessed with good health, inner peace and the spirit of joy. |
On behalf of everyone at St. Clement Catholic School, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and many blessing for the New Year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Dafoe
Here are some Reminders:
Christmas Holidays
The last day of school in December will be Friday December 17th with dismissal at the usual time, 3:20 p.m. School will begin in the New Year on Monday January 3rd, 2022.
Christmas Holidays and Extended Day
The board has made the decision not to operate the Christmas Break Extended Day program this year. Information was shared with the families of extended day from the board.
Are you Leaving the Country During the Christmas Break?
A reminder that at this time, students under 12, travelling with vaccinated parents do not have to quarantine per se, but they are not allowed to return to school until 14 days from their return have passed. This is federal policy – guidance is found on our webpage.
Mental Health And Return to School
Please see resources from the WCDSB to support a mentally healthy return to school. https://www.wcdsb.ca/return-to-school/. You can also visit the general WCDSB Metal Health and Wellbeing webpage for more. webpage
Daily Screening:
In the new year, we ask that you continue to complete the COVID-19 screening for your children every day AND return the signed sheet to your child’s classroom teacher attesting that it is complete (this sheet was given to your classroom teacher today). To avoid the office calling and disturbing you at work or home, kindly ensure that you have completed both the screening and signed the log for your child (ren) and returned the log each day to your child’s teacher. Here is the link: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/ (The log was given to each student on Friday, Dec. 17th by the classroom teacher).
Rapid Antigen Test Kits – sent home Monday
In an effort to promote a safer return to the classroom after the winter break in January, on behalf of the Government of Ontario, the WCDSB is pleased to be able to provide take-home rapid antigen screening kits.
The rapid antigen screening kits are intended for use by any child that attends a publicly funded school, regardless of their vaccination status. Rapid antigen screening kits are to be distributed to students who attend in-person learning. This testing option will not be available to students who have been learning remotely since September 2021.
There is a kit available for every student in the school to take home for Christmas holiday. There are 5 tests in each kit and families are encouraged to use these as a tracking mechanism to make sure everyone is healthy coming back to school in the new year. Please note, your child’s participation in this rapid antigen screening is voluntary. Students are not required to participate in order to return to the classroom after the winter break.
The testing kits, along with the paper instructions, were distributed by your classroom teacher Monday in your child’s backpack.
BTNX Self Screening Instructions-EN
Christmas Charity Fundraiser:
Thank you for your generosity and kindness for your donations to our St. Clement Christmas Charity to help the homeless of the Waterloo Region. We are so blessed as a community to have the ability to assist with this amazing cause. The Hemlock Barn (Lobsinger Line) will be distributing the back packs along with a meal to the less fortunate members of the community in time for Christmas.
| Snow Days/ Bus Cancellation Days
For the 2021-2022 school year in the circumstance when transportation is cancelled due to weather and road conditions, all schools will be closed to students. Asynchronous student work will be provided. Work will be posted by 9:30 a.m. on Google classroom/D2L for students. Students are expected to login and work on their own timing in their home. Teachers will be available through Google classroom/D2L and email for questions. If you have ordered a hot lunch on a day that school is closed, then the order will be cancelled and your account will be given a credit. Hiring Lunch Hour Supervisor Positions St. Clement CES is looking to hire permanent and supply Lunch Hour Supervisors! You must be: · 18 Years of Age or older · Canadian citizen with Social Insurance Number or valid work permit to be eligible to work in Canada The Salary is between $22.20 – $23.46 per hour. You will be required to work one hour a day from 11:35- 12:35. If you are interested or know of someone who may be interested, please contact the principal by email andrea.dafoe@wcdsb.ca or call the school at 519-699-5271. Thank you for considering! |
| WCDSB Updates
Please visit our School Board Website for updates and recent information. Here is the link: https://www.wcdsb.ca/ |
| Families are reminded to check the WCDSB website regularly for updates on our Operational Guidelines. Please know families can review the Ventilation Report for schools and/or the Board should you wish to have more information: https://www.wcdsb.ca/living-learning-looking-forward/
Congratulations to Ms. Milardovic and the Grade 5/6 Class The WCDSB Kindness and Anti-Bullying Week central Committee chose several of the Grade 5/6 class card and poster designs as winners for their contest. Congratulations to Lily, Maika, Darcy, Charlotte, Georgina and Avery who were winners with their designs. Thank you to Ms. Milardovic for her active participation as well.
Keep the kindness challenge going As we approach the end of the month, keep kindness going by challenging everyone in the family to do one act of kindness each week. Pick a day that the family eats dinner together regularly and make it a reoccurring Kindness day. Have everyone in the family take turns sharing the story of the kind thing they did that week with the rest of the family. This makes for great dinner conversation and primes their brains to look for opportunities to intentionally use kindness. It also helps to sustain the good feeling we get from being kind when we share the experience with others. At the beginning, your child may need reminders to look for opportunities to be kind. My mom used the expression, “spread a little sunshine” with us as kids and I still use that expression with my own family. It helps to keep them thinking about how they can have a positive impact every day. She didn’t know it at the time, but the research now shows that kindness is something we can actually spread! Keep kindness going in your family for long lasting benefits! See this blog for a more detailed look at coaching children through the challenges of building kindness. Until next time, Dr. Jen, The Umbrella Project Here are some great things that happened recently at our school, please follow us on Twitter @stclementsaints for more information about these and other exciting news:
So humbled by all the donations from Saints families towards the homeless. They were packed up and dropped off. The Hemlock barn will be providing a hot lunch too! #WCDSBAwesome #ChristmasKindness
Saints used the clues to figure out the Nutcracker’s hiding spot last week. The water bottle filling station…of course!
Saints continue to participate in virtual Advent Liturgies to prepare their hearts for Jesus’ coming.
Our Kindness Board just keeps growing. Saints are so good at showing their Umbrella Skills.
Mrs. Dafoe has been so disruptive when visiting classrooms with her “bell-ringing, flashy” slippers! Saints thought they were so cheery! #CountDownToChristmas #HolidaySockSlipperDay
Saints enjoy wearing their Christmas socks and slippers for our Count Down for Christmas . #HolidayCheer
Saints continue to enjoy playing name that tune every morning leading up to the holiday. #ChristmasFun
Saints students continue to be Elf’ed… tasty treats to celebrate the lead up to Christmas! #ChristmasFun
Staff continue to be MUGGED! #ChristmasKindness
Today we awarded Saints who did a wonderful job exemplifying KINDNESS for December. #UmbrellaProject
Saints showing their Christmas Spirit with fun head gear.
Our “Cookies For Santa” door decorating theme continues this week making our hallways so festive. #ChristmasFun
The stage is set up and ready for our Christmas performances! Staff and students are excited to wear their red and green today as our Count Down to Christmas continues.
Students are getting ready for their Christmas performance. Its the most wonderful time of the year!
Staff participate in some Math and looking at the resource Building Thinking Classrooms at the staff meeting Tuesday. Thank you Mrs. Koebel and Mrs. Martin for volunteering with our hot lunch program!
The Christmas concert is spreading Christmas cheer!
Christmas Cheer!
Saints participate in our virtual Christmas Liturgy #BuildingCommunity #ChristmasMeaning
Today we played Christmas BINGO schoolwide as countdown to Christmas continues! #ChristmasFun #WCDSBAwesome
The Hidden Nutcracker was found… he was relaxing in our new chairs in the Learning Commons! #CountDownToChristmas
Saints LOVE PJ Day! #ChristmaJammiesAndAMovie
School Calendar: https://stclement.wcdsb.ca/calendar/ (please use this address to access our school calendar for all upcoming and future events). o January 3rd – First day back to school – please sign your child’s log to attest that you have done the screening. These logs were sent home on Dec. 17th- contact your child’s teacher if you did not receive one. o January 6th– St. Clement Saints Spirit Wear Day – show your pride! o January 21st – PA Day – no school for students. Teachers will be devoting their time to provincial ministry priorities of assessment February 17 – Term 1 Report Card Distribution February 21 – Family Day – no school for students March 2 – Ash Wednesday March 14-18 March Break – School holiday April 8 – PA Day – no school for students / Ministry and Board Directed priorities for teachers. April 15 – Good Friday – School holiday April 18 – Easter Monday – School holiday May 2-6 Catholic Education Week May 23- Victoria Day – School holiday June 3 – PA Day – no school for students / Ministry Directed priorities for teachers. June 27- Term 2 Report Card Distribution Date June 29 – Last day of school
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Today is the last day for Count Down to Christmas for Saints!
Today is Jammies and a Movie Day! Of course we left the best for last! We know how much you love to wear your pajamas to school, Saints.
We will continue to lead our day with Christmas music, find the hidden nutcracker and name that tune!
It will be a real comfy and FESTIVE DAY at St. Clement School!
Good afternoon Saints,
You have no doubt been hearing a lot of talk about “What will happen after the break?” I can honestly say “No one knows”. What we do know is that we hope and pray that we will be able to see all of you in-person on January 3, 2022. We sincerely believe that this is best for students and for all of us!
The decision however, is not in our control. As of now, we are planning to be back in person in the new year. However, if something were to change over the break, we want to be prepared. To that end, we sent home a box of Rapid Antigen tests (and instructions) with all students, a Chromebook if requested and forms filled out and tomorrow students will be reminded to take home learning materials and personal items (it may be wise to send an extra grocery bag to school tomorrow to allow for students to carry home what they need).
It is my sincere hope that this information does not cause anxiety or panic. Please know that we are taking these measures IN CASE AN ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE.
Please have a wonderful Christmas Break! Focus on the reason for the season – Jesus! Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends, stay safe and we hope to see you all back in person on January 3rd!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the main office.
Merry Christmas!
Mrs. Dafoe
Please find attached the Director’s Christmas Letter and Update to WCDSB Parents.
Count Down to Christmas continues for Saints!
Today is Christmas Bingo! Of course you can still wear any of your favourite Christmas gear/attire! Let’s continue to be festive!
We will continue to lead our day with Christmas music, find the hidden nutcracker and name that tune!
It will be another GREAT DAY at St. Clement School!
Please look at the resources and attached poster regarding the Anishnabeg Outreach December Programs. To register for events, Parents are to email info@aocan.org . Please find more information below.
Count Down to Christmas continues for Saints!
Today is Christmas Sweater Day! Wear your favourite Christmas sweater or any red or green article of clothing!
We will continue to lead our day with Christmas music, find the hidden nutcracker and name that tune AND it is our Christmas Concert for Saints! Classroom teachers have informed parents with further information on their platforms.
It’s an AMAZING DAY at St. Clement School
Count Down to Christmas continues for Saints!
Today is Festive Headwear! Wear your favourite Christmas hat, headband or toque!
We will continue to lead our day with Christmas music, find the hidden nutcracker and name that tune!
It will be another GREAT DAY at St. Clement School!
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Hello Saints, |
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We appreciate your continued support in helping us keep our students safe. Maintaining your child’s screening is important as we lead up to the Christmas break. We thank all our parents and families for partnering with us. |
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Today, each student will be coming home with a COVID-19 Rapid test kit. Please review the following information carefully. The earliest the tests should be used is December 23rd as the intent is to pre-screen students prior to their January 2022 return. These tests are temperature sensitive so you will want to remove them from your child’s backpack as soon as possible. If your child is absent from school today your child’s classroom teacher will give them their kit upon their return to school. |
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Letter Describing why Rapid Antigen Tests are being sent home: Rapid Antigen Test Kit Info for Parents Dec 2021 |
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Instructions on how to administer these tests: BTNX Self Screening Instructions-EN (2) |
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Letter from the Ministry further explaining the context of these tests: Minister Letter to Parent Winter Break 2021 – EN – FINAL-AODA (1) |
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Frequently Asked Questions: COVID 19 Immunization Disclosure Policy: Ministry of Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – COVID-19 Immunization Disclosure Policy – December 6 2021 (2) |
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Stay Safe Saints! |
