Volume 24--Issue 24

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            Good day everyone!  This is Even Week 24.  Even though last week was a short week due to Family Day, we still managed to fit in five days worth of activities into four.  It is amazing how that happens.

            The French exchange students from Versailles have finally departed on the weekend.  They enjoyed some great activities, hospitality, and the opportunity to really engage in our Canadian culture.  Our students will be travelling to France in April to complete the exchange adventure.  Many thanks to the entire French department including Mlle Morgan and Mlle McAndrew!  You were really able to pull a rabbit out of the hat this time!

            Our Black History Month assembly last week went very well.  Once again, our Mary Ward students were unbelievably attentive and showed true respect to the subject matter and to the performers.  Dwayne Morgan, the guest speaker, presented a universal message to all of us for the need to love and celebrate ourselves so that we can show the rest of society and the world how truly great we are!  On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank Ms. Jones for her leadership in organizing the assembly and performances.  As usual, Ms. McGroarty and the Choir were excellent.  Thank you also to all the tech crew personnel, performers, and behind the scenes staff whom helped to make the performance a quality production.

            On Thursday, Ms. McGroarty and 45 members of the Choir were asked to perform at the opening of the EQAO conference downtown.  The Choir performed three songs in front of an audience of over 500 people including our former principal, Barbara McMorrow.  By all accounts, the Choir performed exceptionally well and left many delegates in tears.  Compliments showered over the performers and they were lauded as an example of what the EQAO process is all about – excellence in achievement.  Congratulations to Maura and the Choir.  Thanks also to Pierre Cuschieri who accompanied the Choir.

            Thank you to all staff whom may have had to readjust their schedules to accommodate teacher participation in the Student Success conference on Thursday and Friday of last week.  There were many wonderful presentations and we hope to share our knowledge with all staff at a later date.

            As I was at the conference on Friday, I missed hearing about Vince’s co-rehearsal with Emily Carr S.S.  I am also waiting to hear how Mike Waud’s two-day debating competition at Hart House turned out.  We will keep you informed.

            This week will have three alterations to our Day 0 schedule.  This first is this Monday which is an Extended TA to facilitate distribution of course registration materials for 2009-10.  Please read the instructions carefully.  The bubble sheet will NOT accompany this initial package.  We will begin collection of forms and money the week of March 2^nd.  More on this later…  Please ensure that you find the time to meet with your advisees individually or as a grade grouping to discuss options and academic directions.

            This is Free the Children Week at Mary Ward.  There will be many activities throughout the week highlighting the importance of this organization both here at Mary Ward and throughout the world.

            Picking up from our discussions from last Friday’s PA day, we are seriously considering offering a Mary Ward 101-style of GLS course for new grade 9’s this summer.  Mike Wetzel sent an email to all staff.  Anyone who is interested in contributing their input is asked to attend the first meeting on Monday at lunch in the Office Conference room.  All are welcome.

            This is a reminder that Monday is the Unit 11 Target Date!

            On Tuesday we will have a CSAC meeting at 7:30 p.m.  Please be sure to forward any items or presentations to both Terry Pastore and Carm so that you can be added to the agenda.

            This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.  For those staff that are new to the community, we have a wonderful tradition of celebrating the beginning of the Lenten season by the sharing of ashes within our TA groups.  This will be done within the timeframe of an Extended TA.  We would ask that all adults that are not associated with a TA group please invite yourselves into a TA group for the Extended period so that you will be part of the giving and receiving of ashes.  The Test Centre will be closed during the Extended TA time.

            ThinkFast is also taking place Wednesday and Thursday.  Ms. Morgan and a specific group of students will begin a 24 hour fast which will begin after school on Wednesday and will conclude at 5 p.m. on Thursday.  Students will be sleeping over at the school Wednesday evening

            This Thursday, St. Aidan’s grade 7’s will be attending Ward for a morning Physics PLN session.  Pierre Cuschieri and students will be helping the St. Aidan students build and learn about structures.  Their grade 8’s will be coming here on Friday.  Good luck to all.

            Finally, this Friday is a Faculty Meeting day.  We will change our focus of the morning’s meeting to make it a bit of a social to celebrate Carm and Mike and to later, welcome Patricia Coburn.  Breakfast will be served for ALL staff beginning at 8:15 a.m.  Please bring your appetites.  John from Gourmet Catering will be providing a hearty breakfast.  We will still need to supervise the areas but it may be possible for support staff to spell one and other off so that you are able to come by the Library.  We will have to take another time so that our students can say a proper goodbye to both Carm and Mike.  We will begin our morning at 8:30 and would ask all staff to be in the Library at that time.  Patricia Coburn will come by at approximately 9 – 9:15 a.m.

            That’s it for now.  Have a great week.

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