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Update from the Principal
Published on Apr 7, 2017 18:04
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Spring in Central Ontario: we are receiving 4 seasons' weather in 72 hours! I have a few important information items to share:
1. We have resumed using e-mail communication for daily absences reporting. We have also added notifications of late arrival to class, and soon we plan to add notifications of uniform and behaviour infractions. This is part of our school improvement goal of ensuring timely and accurate communication with parents. So far the e-mails have been working as we have already seen a decrease in lates and unexplained absences, so thank you for helping us from your end. Questions about absences should be directed to Mrs. C. Belanger in Attendance, while Late and behaviour issues should be addressed with the classroom teacher directly.
2. The recent construction in the back parking lot has resulted in reduced space near the back doors. Many parents are pulling in to this area to drop off/pick up students resulting in congestion and blocked access. In addition to the traffic safety concerns, this is a Fire Zone that must remain clear of traffic and cars at all times. If you have to drop off or pick up a student in the back lot off Miller Park, please enter the lot and turn to your left and proceed along the line of parked cars to make a loop near the west side entrance. This will help us to reduce congestion and ensure all staff and students are safe. Beginning Monday April 10, staff will be on hand to direct traffic, and traffic cones will be set out to indicate the driveway area. We will also be installing new signs in the back lot to assist with direction. Your assistance and cooperation with this are greatly appreciated.
3. 28 of our staff and students departed yesterday for their exciting experiential learning opportunity in France at the Vimy Ridge 100 Commemorations. We are very proud of them all as they participate in this important anniversary. As well, we also have 27 staff and students preparing for the China Mission taking place at the end of the month. Like the Vimy 100 students, they have been preparing all year for this experience and are eagerly waiting for departure day.
4. April 18 is the final day of Term 1. For some grade 10 students this means the end of their Civics course and the change to Careers. It also means our timetable flips to the Term 2 schedule beginning April 19. Periods will change order to 2,1,4,3.
4. Midterm report cards will be sent home in early May. Please be sure to review them with your son/daughter and address any concerns you may have with teachers.
5. May 1-5 is Catholic Education Week and Mental Health Awareness Week. With our Catholic School Community Council, we will be hosting a Positive Mental Health event on Wednesday May 3rd from 6-8pm for all parents. Students in senior drama class will present scenarios and monologues related to teen mental health, and Dr. Patrick Carney, a renowned expert on Positive Mental Health (and our board's Mental Health Lead) will be the keynote speaker. We will also have copies of a resource guide on hand for the first 100 parents who attend.
6. Finally, Graduation is June 29th at 6 pm in the school gym. Students will have a limited number of tickets each for guests. Please let us know if you require any special accommodations to attend. We will be using our new Online Pay system, School-Day, to collect graduation fees from students. A letter with details on accessing School-Day to set up an account is coming home with all students today (some received their letter yesterday).
Whew. Lots of info. Thanks as always for your continued support of Holy Trinity Catholic High School.
In Christ,
Brian McKenzie,
Principal
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