Hi Saints!

This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow, March 30, is the last day to donate to Tiny Homes. This is completely optional and we thank all our families that have donated so far.

Our school wide Lenten Mission project to serve others in need in our region is the Tiny Homes Project.

Tiny Homes Project

A Better Tent City: Tiny Homes is located on Lot 42 in Kitchener. It is currently the site of more than 50 structures constructed for the homeless community. This  project is possible through the grace of local donations and the work of people like Fr. Toby Collins, who is a tremendous support to this initiative. These homes have drastically changed the lives of our homeless community and restored a sense of dignity and self-worth for residents.

Take a few minutes to watch this powerful video of how local heroes have helped the homeless community in Kitchener-Waterloo. https://vimeo.com/486941338/b087a1c51a

Our Catholic faith calls us to help those in need. We believe when you view this video it will change the way you see the plight of our most vulnerable people. The video ends with this compelling quote “We are people who support our homeless brothers and sisters, while collectively tackling homelessness in practical ways. Help us evolve into an organization that drives social entrepreneurship, education, healing and change.”

Donations are urgently needed to support the construction of 10 new private, secure indoor living quarters and the costs of wiring and heating the outdoor cabins. You can donate through School Cash Online from March 17th until March 30th. 

You are encouraged to learn more about this work by visiting this web site: http://stmarysrcchurch.ca/tiny–homes-for-a-better-tent-city-at-lot42/

Thank you for considering this very worthy cause.

RE: MESSAGE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH

Please know there is now no probable COVID case at St Clements and high risk contacts no longer need to isolate.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

We look forward to seeing all of our Saints Monday morning.

Dear Parents/ Guardians:

• fever and/or chills
• cough or barking cough (croup)
• shortness of breath
• decrease or loss of taste or smell
• sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• runny or stuffy/ congested nose
• headache
• nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
• extreme tiredness or muscle aches

We are keeping all of our families in our prayers during this challenging time.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Dafoe

Principal

Hi Saints Families!

This week, we continue our focus on the Paschal Mystery as we move closer towards Easter Sunday.  I hope that you are able to find the time as a family to reflect on the Holy week:

• “Holy Thursday”: what is nourishing to us spiritually and how we can be a person who nourishes others through service as well.
• “Good Friday”: God wants us to relinquish or “let go of” those things in our lives that make us weary – stress, anxiety, bad habits.  When we can let these things go, we can be better for others and for God.
• “Holy Saturday”, a time to Thank God for those opportunities to practice our patience.
• “Easter Sunday” : we find the JOY and NEW LIFE that IS EASTER SUNDAY
• I wish you a weekend of finding your JOY, Saints!  Hopefully, you can take some moments at home to stop, breathe and let God speak to you. Blessed Easter Wishes!

April Family Spring ParticipACTION events!

SAINTS Spirit Wear for sale in the virtual store

Exciting news! Saints can order their spirit wear online. We have a new vendor with many new and exciting designs and options. Check it out at the following link:  https://www.stitchgraphix.com/showroomsf.htm

Orders can be placed until April 1^st. All payment information is on the site. No charges will be processed to credit cards until April 1^st. All items will be delivered directly to your home!

Happy Shopping!

April Break Stem Camp

An April Break Stem Camp is being offered. Please see the attached poster for details. AprilBreakSTEMCamp

Do NOT Ride Notification

Please see Public Health’s definition of a cohort below:

“The term cohort includes students and staff in the same class, students involved in group activities or who have been in shared spaces during school, students that ride the same bus, attend before/after school care, or participate in extracurricular programming together.”

If your child is bus eligible and you have changed your mind about sending your child to and from school on the bus please complete the DO NOT RIDE form below. It is really important that we have accurate seating plans for each bus. Please complete this form if you child will not be riding the bus for the remainder of the year.

https://www.stswr.ca/policies/information-for-parents-students/do-not-ride/

Umbrella Project: March Theme: Autonomy

March at the Umbrella Project is focused on the skill that helps us think and do for ourselves, feel that our life is in our control and confidently make our own choices when faced with uncertain situations. This skill is Autonomy.

POST 4

Teach your child to reflect on their progress and take responsibility for themselves.

Self-reflection is a very helpful tool when it comes to autonomy and making good decisions.  It’s important that our children don’t get stuck doing things that don’t help or serve them, just because they want to feel independent. Taking responsibility for and reflecting on our own progress or learning is a great way to build confidence and help us recognize the choices we have along the way to improve.   At the end of the day we want our children to feel responsible for their learning.

Edutopia recently posted a great resource for this type of reflection and ownership over our efforts. This autonomy builder is a great tool to use for and self-created goals.

Some of my favorite reflection questions are:

• Are my choices moving toward my goal?
• Does my behaviour mirror what I want to accomplish?
• Are my words and conversations positive/helpful in creating my success?

Until next time,

Dr. Jen, The Umbrella Project

Additional Resources

Interested in learning more? Here are a few more short and sweet videos about Autonomy  from Dr. Jen.

Parenting Styles and Autonomy

Maintain A Strong Community

Feeling out of control? Take a few small actions

Watch out for perceived unfairness

Find a mentoring group for your child

Self-directed goals and report cards

On choosing extracurriculars

Ask ‘What could you have done?’

Upcoming Important Dates

April 2 – Autism Awareness Day

April 1 – Holy Thursday

April 2 – Good Friday (No school for Staff and Students)

April 3 – Holy Saturday

April 4 – Easter Sunday

April 5 – Easter Monday (No school for Staff and Students)

Here are some of the great things that happened this week at St. Clement School! Follow us on Twitter for more @stclementsaints

Saints wear purple today to honour Epilepsy Awareness Day  and spread the word about the seizure disorder that affects one in 100 Canadians

Happy Crossing Guard Appreciation day- we thank you for keeping us safe!

Our grade 4’s received the good news of Jesus Christ during their bible celebration this week

Tomorrow, March 26, is Global Epilepsy Awareness Day! Please wear purple to show support and promote epilepsy awareness.

Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness. We will be honouring this day at St. Clement school and encourage all Saints to wear purple in support.

Tomorrow, March 26, is the final day for students to submit their yearbook covers for the contest to the office before 3:00 pm! Thank you to all of our Saints that submitted a cover and good luck!

Today is…

Crossing Guard Appreciation Day!

On behalf of the staff and students at St. Clement, thank you to our awesome crossing guard, Cathy!

For always keeping our students and community safe… and always sharing a smile and a wave.