Knapsack News
June 2008
Thank you to everyone who has helped enrich our
children's education by helping at the school, organizing events and
fundraise. Your participation and contributions to the school allowed us
to organize many events such as our annual Homecoming BBQ, the Halloween
dance, the Advent reception, Pancake Tuesday, skate night, movie night,
we helped fund school trips, scientist in the school programs, our
choir's CD, the SK and Grade 8 graduations, we assisted students in
attending programs such as Destination Imagination, purchased playground
equipment, a laminator for the school and many other programs,
activities and events. This would not have been possible without our
parent's support. Thank you!
QSP magazine fundraising campaign
The popular QSP magazine fundraising campaign is
returning this fall!
Please support CSAC fundraising and renew your magazine subscriptions in
the fall through our school program!
The QSP Magazine sale will start early October and run for two weeks.
Once again there will be great prizes and incentives for students.
Remember if you have any questions regarding your magazine order please
call QSP Customer Service at 1-800-667-2536.
Thank you for your continued support.
Homecoming 2008
Keep Saturday, September 13th open on your calendar. That's the day
we've chosen to again celebrate our annual Homecoming.
We'll all bounce, eat, run, play and laugh our way through another
wonderful afternoon of fun on our school grounds.
More information coming in early September!
Friendly Friar
It is hard to believe that this school year is almost over. The snow has
finally gone, the flowers are beginning to bloom and the caterpillars
are here, much to the delight of the students!
Sunday afternoon I went for a walk in Edwards Gardens even though it was
such a hot day. The beauty of the flowers and shrubs, along with the
mother duck with her babies and the goose with her seven goslings
created an atmosphere of peace. One could only feel overwhelmed at the
total wonder of God's creation and his love for us displayed here in our
own backyard.
This has been a good year in many ways, and as usual I am sad to see it
come to an end. It is always my great pleasure and privilege to share in
the lives of your children. Some of you will be moving on to greater
things, especially our grade eights. However we know that for every
'good bye' there will be a new 'hello', and so we approach summer
vacation looking ahead to the joys of free time away from our usual busy
schedules.
I often tell the children that while God does not take a vacation, Jesus
enjoyed many of the same things as we do: fishing, sailing, picnics,
barbeques and being with his friends. So remember that God is always
happy to hear from you by way of a prayer rather than a postcard. And
remember to drop in for a visit with him at the nearest church, there is
one somewhere in the area!
I wish everyone a very blessed and happy summer, and above all a safe
summer, and look ahead to seeing you all in September. May God walk with
you and keep you in his care. Friar David
Movie Night Was a Huge Success
St. Bonaventure Movie Night was a fun filled way to end the year. With
hot dogs, popcorn, sour keys and glow items the kids enjoyed every
minute of the evening. Students in JK to grade 4 watched How to Eat
Fried Worms and those in grades 5-8 were treated to the hilarious Balls
of Fury. Thanks to all of the parents and teachers who volunteered to
help make movie night a great event.
March 2008
Galaxy Bash... Leap Day Dance-a-thon
Our Galaxy Bash fundraiser was amazing! We raised over $6,000 that will be used directly towards school programs and activities. The parent volunteers were out of this world ... we had over $1,000 worth of prizes donated as well as drinks and snacks for our cosmic dancers. We applaud the students for their effort in creating and designing their costumes. You really felt like you were in space when you walked into the school yard. We even had a robot with a paper mache head that came with a blinking light. Great job students! Spirit was high during the week leading up to our dance as we played Galaxy Bingo. Wooly Mammoths, knapsacks, gift certificates, punching bags and blow up chairs, best friend necklaces, bracelets, puzzles, Scholastic gift certificates, McDonald french fry gift certificates, Happy Feet key chains, Pirates of the Caribbean figures, Little Mermaid jewelry boxes and Land Before Time stuffed dinosaurs were just a few of the prizes. Congratulations to our bingo winners: David, Emmett, Benedict, Julia, Nicole, Dallas, Sierra, Brendan, Edward, Raphael, Alyssa, Michael, Jordan, Josephine, Lucas, Bronwyn, Dominique, Alex, Shawn, Anthony, Caleb, Matthew, Konrad, Adam, Deborah.
Our DJ really got us rocking during the dance. There was a lot of cosmic energy in the gym that day. More wooly mammoths and dinosaurs as well as Tinkerbell piggy banks, Quo Make Up, Make Up brush kits, Wii collector coins, 1 time passes to Bull Dog Fitness and 25 prizes from Planet Dance were awarded to our dancers.
Congratulations to our top sellers: Emily in M. Li's grade 6 class won a digital camera, Zoe in Mrs. Flynn's JK class won an Alltimate Party'n Play Package and Ginny in Mme. Sui's grade 5 class won a pool party for 20 friends.
The classes that collected the most pledges from each division were: Mrs. Kerin's Grade 1 and Mrs. Werner's Grade 4 classes who will have a presenter come in to help them conduct some awesome science experiments including shooting off a rocket and M. Li's Grade 6 class won a lunch for collecting the most pledges between the Grade 6, 7 and 8 classes. For the class participation challenge the following classes have won a donut party: Ms. Bortolussi and Mrs. Kerins grade 1 classes tied with 100% participation for their division, Ms. Zupan's grade 8 class also achieved 100% participation and Mrs. Werner's grade 4 class won the participation challenge for their division.
For every $10 in pledges that were collected, students had their name entered in for a raffle where prizes included family passes to the ROM, Science Center and Zoo as well as an MP3 player, Mary-Kate and Ashley DVD, Bulldog Fitness Passes, dinosaurs and of course the favourite wooly mammoths. Winners included Kate, Erika, Josh, Gina, Mathieu, Michelle, Alexis, Priscilla, Nichole, Kenneth, Bianca, Harrison, Glynis, Daniel, Jessica, Justine, Yeri, Grace, Sharon, Konrad, Maya, Douglas, Andrea, Julia and Kiera.
Our heartfelt appreciation to the businesses who donated prizes for this event: the Royal Ontario Museum, the Metro Zoo, Big Pete's Swim School and GH2O Fitness, BullDog Fitness and Premier Salons. Also thank you to the stores who graciously provided drinks and snacks for our students to re-energize after all that dancing: Longos (at the corner of Leslie and York Mills), Dominion (on Don Mills Road), Costco (Warden and Ellesmere) and The Great Canadian Superstore (on Eglinton). Thank you for supporting our school.
Friendly Friar
Welcome back, I trust you all enjoyed your March Break and are looking forward to spring, which is hiding somewhere beneath all this snow. Last week as I sat in my office I looked out the window to see three cardinals sitting on the snow, and I have seen a couple of robins and heard many more, so hang in there, spring will come.
We are now in Holy week which began Sunday with Palm or Passion Sunday. This year Easter is very early, just about as early as it can be, so it sort of caught us off guard. I know I came back from Costa Rica on the Monday before Ash Wednesday and wondered what had become of the Christmas season. But now we are into the Holiest part of the Christian year, a time to look at ourselves as we prepare for the great events of the Triduum; Holy Thursday with the celebration of the gift of the Eucharist and marked by the washing of the disciples feet; Good Friday with the remembrance of Jesus’ passion and death on the cross; and then the Easter Vigil with the lighting of the new fire and the celebration of the Resurrection. What a wonderful time to be a part of our great Catholic faith. I truly hope that all of you will take advantage of this great opportunity and join us in our celebrations.
A reminder that all are welcome at our next school mass on April 3rd and also that we will be celebrating first Communion and Confirmation in May.
I wish that you all may enjoy a very blessed Easter season.
Friar David
After School
Program Update
Rippleton Roadsters Daycare has put an application before the
Committee
of Adjustments requesting a change to the existing zoning by-law in
order to allow for a licensed daycare to run a program here at St.
Bonaventure C.E.S. We hope this will be successful. Ms. Melo will
continue to keep the community updated.
Office Depot School ID
Every time parents and school supporters give our school ID number when purchasing products at Office Depot, they will give 5% back to our school. The St. Bonaventure School ID number is 80007044. The closest Office Depot store to our school is located at 32 Steeles Ave. W., at the corner of Yonge and Steeles.
Next CSAC Meeting
The next CSAC Meeting will be held Thursday April 10th 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Babysitting will be provided.
February 2008
News Release from Toronto Police Services
The Toronto Police Service has issued a News Release that they suggest schools bring to the attention of our parents.
On Thursday, February 21, 2008, Junior Spencer, 30, was released on Warrant Expiry from jail. He has been designated as a high-risk to re-offend by Correctional Service Canada. Parents and the community are reminded that Junior Spencer, like many sex offenders, places himself in a relationship position with victims and their families, then exploits that position to abuse children. We should always be aware of our children’s activities and mindful of whom they’re with. His picture and additional information can be obtained at the police services site: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/release.php?id=13481
Galaxy Bash Dance-A-Thon
CSAC’s “Leap Year” Galaxy Bash dance-a-thon, on February 29th, is quickly approaching so send in those pledges!! Funds are being raised in support of our school programs such as Scientist in the School, classroom sport bags as well as spirit events such as Pancake Tuesday, Skate Night, as well as all future school sponsored activities which enhance your child’s school experience.
Our fabulous DJ will be awarding prizes for the most creative costume within each group of dancers. Students are encouraged to use their imaginations and CREATE something “cosmic”. Be a planet, star, rainbow or alien….anything relevant to ‘Leap Year’ or the galaxy is eligible. As usual, costumes must be in good taste and weapons of any kind are not permitted at the school, so please leave those light sabers safely at home!
Friendly Friar
Ash Wednesday came very early this year. It seemed to me that Christmas was just over and then we were into Lent. I guess that much of this was because I was ill for most of this period, but nevertheless it still felt strange. However I would like to say thank you for all the prayers on my behalf, they were certainly welcomed and appreciated.
Lent is a time when we need to reflect on our personal journey, to look ahead to our goals, to prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of the Easter season. Lent is traditionally a time of personal sacrifice, often in the form of abstaining from those things we enjoy, such as deserts and candy. However this can also be a time when we make some extra efforts in our spiritual life. Perhaps spend more time in prayer, or make an effort to get to an extra mass on a Saturday morning, and above all to attend a Penitential service in your parish.
Our school is looking at a different approach to Lent, participating in ‘Random Acts of Kindness’, which I believe is a wonderful way to teach us all about looking out for those around us, about sharing and caring, for answering Jesus’ call to love our neighbour as ourselves.
Your children continue in their preparation to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation, and I look forward to seeing those parents at the meetings. I would also remind all parents that you are always welcome at all school masses. We are blessed to be able to celebrate together as a Christian community.
I continue to be proud and honoured to be part of this school community. I am amazed with the faith and generosity of both the children and staff of our school, and of course of all of you parents. May God’s blessing and peace be with you always!
Friar David
Family Skate Night
The annual St Bonaventure Family Skate Night was very well attended this year. The weather cooperated and we had a lovely evening to skate under the stars. Thanks to the MacInnis Family for donating the ice time and the adjoining room and to CSAC for providing the refreshments and nut free treats for this Spirit Event. A special thanks goes out to our enthusiastic group of volunteers who ran the event that night.
Canadian Tire Money
A reminder to parents that we are still collecting Canadian Tire Money to be used to offset the cost of running various activities at the school. If you have any Canadian Tire Money which is simply sitting in your junk drawer, please send it into school with your child. There is a box marked "Canadian Tire Money" in the office, into which the money can be deposited. Thanking you all in advance.
After School Program Update
I am continuing to work with Ms. D. Vuocolo from Rippleton Daycare to provide an after school program here at St. Bonaventure. At this time, TCDSB and Rippleton's Board of Directors have agreed to establish this "satellite" program. One difficulty has arisen, our school is built on land which is designated "green belt", this zoning sets various restrictions for future building permits including no licensed daycares. All interested parties are working diligently to resolve this zoning by-law issue and we hope it will be cleared in time for us to open in September 2008. I will keep our school community updated as to our progress. Thank you for your continued support. Mrs. Melo.
Pancake Tuesday
Pancake
Tuesday was a great event thanks to CSAC and the fantastic community
of St. Bonaventure parents. The 3rd floor had their own special pancake
room while the portables and the 1st and 2nd floors gathered in the gym
to
taste the yummy flapjacks. Thank you to all of the parents who helped.
We
made over 800 pancakes in 2 hours and put quite a few smiles on the
student's faces.
Congratulations to Jacqueline, Sarah, Sam, Sandy, Adam, Tyler, Emily,
JD,
Anthony, Christian, Jessica, Paul B, Paul J, Alex, Thomas, Megan and
Yuliya
who won Toronto Marlie tickets for Saturday March 1st. The tickets will
be
sent home the last week of February.
Next CSAC Meeting
The next CSAC Meeting will be held Thursday April 10th 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Babysitting will be provided.