Dear St. Dominic Families,

There is a lot going on over the next 5 weekdays at St. Dominic.  Here is an overview of what we have planned:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16: Our Grade 6 students are hosting a Bake Sale and Cake Raffle in an effort to raise funds for their year end activities. Bake Sale items will be sold for between $.25 and $1.  Cake Raffle tickets will be $1 each, or 5 for $10.  Nut-free and gluten-free items will be available.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17: Weather permitting, Winter Play Day will be taking place this Friday. Children will be outside for half of the day. Students in Kindergarten, Grades 3 and 6  are outside in the morning. Students in Grades 1, 2, 4, and 5 are outside in the afternoon. Students will also be receiving a cup of hot chocolate as a treat.  

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 is Family Day.  The school will be closed.  Enjoy the holiday!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardis Gras, or Pancake Tuesday.  It is a day of festivity and feasting before the 40 solemn days of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday.  To mark Shrove Tuesday, St. Dominic Catholic School Council volunteers will be serving students pancakes and syrup.  This will be more of a snack than a meal, so children should eat breakfast and bring their lunch and snacks as usual.  If you would prefer that your child not be served a pancake, please let your child’s teacher know.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.  Our school community will be gathering in the school gym at 11:00 a.m. for a short liturgy and to receive ashes. All students will be invited to receive ashes.  Those who would prefer not to receive ashes will be instructed to let their teacher know.  A limited number of seats will be available for parents and family members to join the liturgy.    

Many thanks for your ongoing support and prayers.

From all of us at St. Dominic

Dear St. Dominic Families,

Here is the link to the Good Shepherd Parish newsletter for February 2023. Included are details of what the parish has planned for Lent.

Also, 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,

Here is the link to the St. Dominic Catholic School Council Meeting Minutes for recent meetings. 

School News for February 7, 2023

Dear St. Dominic Families,

While many creatures may be sleeping away the winter months, no one is hibernating at St. Dominic.  In fact, February is an incredibly busy month.  Please read on to find out about some of what we have going on this month.

HAPPY BLACK CANADIAN HISTORY MONTH! Throughout the month of February, children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 will be learning about (and being inspired by) some incredible Black people in Canada and beyond through art work, conversation, videos and books.

BLACK STAR FALL TUTORING PROGRAM:  In partnership with our school board, Jaku Konbit and Black Star Tutoring, a free Math and Language tutoring program for Black students is being offered to St. Dominic students in Grades 4, 5 or 6. The program runs one hour per week, beginning the week of Feb 13 and running until April 21, 2023.  If you are interested in having your child participate in this program, please email Dominic@ocsb.ca as soon as possible as space is limited.

REPORT CARDS:  At 5pm on February 9th, Report Cards will be posted on the Parent Portal.  IEPs will also be posted on the Parent Portal for some students.  Be sure to take a look, and let us know if you have any questions. Please note that paper copies of Report Cards and IEPs will not be sent home.

SCHOOL COUNCIL: All St. Dominic parents and guardians are invited to attend this month’s School Council meeting taking place on Thursday, February 9th at 6:30 p.m. the school.  Join us to find out about Council projects and special events such as Pizza Days, the Family Barbeque, fundraising and other special events.

HAVE A HEART DAY: On Valentine’s Day, students are invited to red, white, and/or pink in support of First Nations children.  Have a Heart Day is a First Nations Child and Family Caring Society event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.

VALENTINES DAY TREATS ALLERGY ALERT:  Due to the risk of allergic reactions, we ask that you please do not send in candies or other edible treats for children to share.  Sending in Valentine’s Day cards, or non-edible treats is absolutely okay.  Please contact your child’s teacher for more information.

MORNING ARRIVALS: All students must arrive at school between 9:00 and 9:15 in the morning.  Arriving early means that children have time to safely get to their lineup spot in the school yard and enter the school with their classmates.  Arriving after the bell is not only disruptive to classroom routines, but could potentially have significant consequences if a student ends up locked outside.    

BAKE SALE AND CAKE RAFFLE:  On February 16, our Grade 6 students will be hosting a bake sale and cake raffle as a fundraiser for their year end activities.  

Bake Sale items will be sold for between $.25 and $1.  Cake Raffle tickets will be $1 each, or 5 for $10.  Nut-free and gluten-free items will be available.

FRENCH PROGRAM INFORMATION:  Would you like to know more about FSL programs at the OCSB? Do you wonder how you might better support your child in French?  Join the “Café français”, a free webinar taking place on February 16 at 7pm Register at www.eventbrite.ca/e/cafe-francais-tickets-520183170867

EQAO TESTING:  Each spring, students in Grade 3 and 6 participate in provincial assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics.  If you are interested in learning more about EQAO Testing, please register for a free parent/guardian webinar on either March 28th or April 4th.  The presentation will be approximately 45 minutes and will be followed by a live Q & A session with EQAO staff. Register at www.eventbrite.ca/e/451955981507

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

February 17 ~ Winter Play Day ~ Dress for the weather

February 20 ~ Family Day Holiday (School Closed)

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

February 22 ~ Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins)

March 1 ~ Grade 6 Parent Information Night @ St. Peter High School

March 13-17 ~ March Break

May God bless each of our students, staff members and families throughout 2023!

Paul Gautreau

Principal

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!