Winter Play Day Is Here!

St. Dominic will be hosting a Winter Play Day on Friday, February 17. Students will be participating various outdoor stations for half the day, and watching a movie indoors during the other half of the day. One of the outdoor stations will be a warm up station with hot chocolate. Please let your child’s teacher know if you would prefer that your child does not have hot chocolate. As half of this day will take place outside, we recommend the following: extra mittens and socks, neck warmers instead of scarves, snow pants, and wearing layers. If the weather is inclement, the outdoor portion of the day will be cancelled.

We are looking for parent volunteers to help run some of the outdoor stations between 9:00am-12:00pm, and 12:45-3:45pm, or both. We kindly request that volunteers not bring younger siblings. If you are available to volunteer, please fill out this Google Form. You will then be contacted with further information. We will be splitting the school and a mix of half the students will be out at a time, in order to maximize play time. Please see the schedule below that shows when each grade will be participating in the outdoor part of the day if you wish to volunteer while your child is outside. Of course, you are more than welcome to volunteer for either time slot.

AM Outside - Kinder, Grade 3, Grade 6

PM Outside - Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 4, Grade 5

Looking forward to a snow-filled day,

The Winter Play Day Committee

Winter Play Day Is Here!

St. Dominic will be hosting a Winter Play Day on Friday, February 17. (If inclement, the outdoor portion will be cancelled) Students will be participating outdoors in various stations for half the day and watching a movie the opposite half. One of the outdoor stations will be a warm up station with hot chocolate. Please let your child’s teacher know if you would prefer that your child does not have it. As this activity day will be outside, we recommend the following: extra mittens and socks, neck warmers instead of scarves, snow pants, and wear layers.

We are looking for parent volunteers to help run some of the stations between 9:00am-12:00pm, and 12:45-3:45pm, or both. Please note, we kindly request that you do not bring younger siblings with you when volunteering. If you are available, please fill out this Google Form. You will be contacted with information. We will be splitting the school and a mix of half the students will be out at a time, in order to maximize play time. Please see the schedule for what grades will be participating outside, if you wish to volunteer while your child is participating; but you are more than welcome to volunteer for any time slot.

AM Outside - Kinder, Grade 3, Grade 6

PM Outside - Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 4, Grade 5

Looking forward to a snow-filled day,

The Winter Play Day Committee

Dear St. Dominic Families,

Here is the link to the Good Shepherd Parish newsletter for January 2023. Included in the newsletter are important dates for children who are preparing to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation.

Dear St. Dominic Families,

After returning from the Christmas break, I thought it would take some time for children to settle back into the routines of the school day, but I was absolutely wrong. During the first block of the first day back, I visited class after class and saw how students (and staff) were right back to regular routines. Regardless of being off school for two weeks, and regardless of the many special events that took place in the lead up to Christmas, classrooms were humming along smoothly on that first day back, as they did all week long. While the break from school is appreciated, it definitely seems like many of us were happy about getting back to school, friends and learning. Here’s to a great 2023!

WINTER WEATHER: It was a long time coming, but winter weather has finally arrived. All children from Kindergarten to Grade 6 should come to school prepared to spend time outside. Recess is only cancelled when the temperature is -25 celsius or below. So, a good jacket, snow pants, boots, hats and warm mitts are a necessity for staying warm and enjoying the snow. If you need help getting outdoor clothing for your child, please contact the school office.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Children who will be four by December 31, 2023 may be registered to begin Junior Kindergarten at St. Dominic in September. Simply click this link to REGISTER ONLINE.

MOVING ON TO GRADE 7: After Grade 6, St. Dominic’s students typically go to St. Peter H.S. for Grade 7. In the spring a variety of transition activities take place to prepare students for the move. All this happens AUTOMATICALLY and there is no need to register at St. Peter. If your Grade 6 child will be going to a school other than St. Peter for Grade 7, please let us know.

ADVENT GENEROSITY: Our Pyjama Fundraiser was a huge success thanks to the generosity of the St. Dominic School Community. When all was said and done, 100+ pairs of pyjamas were donated to www.pyjamapatrol.com, and 50+ pairs of pyjamas and $262 was donated to our partner school, St. Brigid. Thank you for brightening up Christmas for so many! Thanks to our Advent Project Fundraising Team (Mme Lee, Mme Benjamin, Mme Manon) and to the St. Dominic School Council.

IMMUNIZATION: Ottawa Public Health is in the process of sending out letters regarding required childhood immunizations. For more information about immunization clinics, or about how to submit your child's immunization information, please call 613-580-6744, or visit parentinginottawa.ca/immunization.

MORNING ARRIVAL: Please aim to have your children arrive at school at 9:00 a.m. While classes don’t start until 9:15, arriving early just makes the start of the day go more smoothly for everyone than when students arrive at bell time or later.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

• January 19 ~ School Council Meeting

• January 27 ~ PD Day (No School for Students)

• February 9 ~ Report Cards and IEPs posted on Parent Portal

• February 17 ~ Winter Play Day

• February 20 ~ Family Day Holiday (School Closed)

• February 21 ~ Shrove Tuesday (aka Pancake Tuesday or Mardis Gras)

• February 22 ~ Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins)

• March 13-17 ~ March Break

May God continue to bless our school community.

Paul Gautreau

Principal

Dear St. Dominic Families,

Here is the link to the St. Dominic Catholic School Council Meeting Minutes for November, 2023.

Dear St. Dominic Families,

Kindergarten registration is NOW ON! Children who will be four by December 31, 2023 may be registered to begin Junior Kindergarten at St. Dominic in September.

Simply click this link to REGISTER ONLINE NOW. When you register you will receive a special Kindergarten welcome package in the mail (while supplies last).

For more information...

• Visit our Kindergarten webpage and take a virtual 3D tour of one of our Classrooms

• Find out about Kindergarten at the OCSB

• Call or email with your questions

Why register in January? We encourage parents to register their children as soon as possible so that we have plenty of time to hire staff, purchase supplies, and set up classrooms.

Please share this information with your neighbours and friends!