St.Mary's C.S.S. Website: School News

November 4, 2008.
Grade 8 Open House 7:00 p.m.

St. Mary's Secondary Presents The Unicorn
St. Mary's unveiled this year's edition of The Unicorn on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at an English/Music Breakfast Celebration, where students were honoured for their contributions to The Unicorn, as well as to the students that showed year-round determination and effort in the St. Mary's Jazz Band. The Unicorn presents the literary arts collection of St. Mary's students. The purpose of it is to encourage literary and artistic endeavours by publishing students’ work, and to showcase the many talents of St. Mary’s students to the community.

St. Mary’s Secondary Presents The Outsiders
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School showcased students’ talents at five sold out performances of The Outsiders, a full-length play adapted by Christopher Seigel from the novel by S.E. Hinton. The performances, produced and directed by Feanna Drake, brought together the incredible talents of more than 80 St. Mary’s students. Under the choreography of St. Mary’s alumni Christian Alex Harris-Mungo, the audience was also entertained with powerful dance sequences. Staff and students of St. Anthony, St. Cecilia, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Helen, Holy Family, St. Luigi, St. Luke, St. Mary, St. Raymond, St. Rita, St. Mary of the Angels, St. Roch, St. Sebastian, Senhor Santo Cristo, and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Schools attended this year’s matinee productions.

ESP Event
St. Mary's students were honoured in November to have their documentary shown at the Canadian Safe Schools Network Unforgettable Dinner. On April 28th, along with officers from 14 Division of Toronto Police Services, students presents Mr. Stu Auty from the CSSN with an award in appreciation for his work and contribution to programs dealing with school safety. The ESP team also presented Kevin Kobus, Director of Education, with a gift to thank him for his continued support and to wish him well in his retirement.

St. Mary’s Secondary Students Think Fast
Nearly 30 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School joined a group of staff members and participated in this year’s Think Fast. It was an opportunity for students to raise both funds and awareness for Development and Peace, an organization of the Catholic Church of Canada. The students, who participated in the event, fasted for 25 hours. The event commenced with an opening prayer before students proceeded to volunteer with Street Patrol providing food to Toronto’s homeless. Students remained at St. Mary’s for the remainder of the fast participating in various community-building activities, including a car wash. The success of the event is a testament to the dedication of staff and students as they work together to raise awareness and funds to support their commitment to social justice.

April 24, 2008.
Parent Teacher Interviews from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

St. Mary’s Secondary Captures Championship
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School thrilled fans with an exciting basketball season as the Junior Boys’ Basketball Team finished their season undefeated with 14 wins and no losses. The team energetically approached each game with sportsmanship and skill under the coaching of Amanda Gopaul. In the end, St. Mary’s Secondary defeated Crawford Academy by a score of 65 to 56 winning the TDCAA “B” Division Championship.

St. Mary’s Secondary Welcomes Minister of Education
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School proudly welcomed Minister of Education, The Honourable Kathleen Wynne; Deputy Director of the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Les Nemes; and School Superintendent, Josephine DiGiovanni to mark Safer Internet Day. The Minister’s visit coincided with the release of “Get Connected, Get in the Know”, an Ontario publication which explores online responsibilities. The Minister’s visit provided students with the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the Minister as they discussed the uses of Internet technology inside and outside the classroom. The goal of the event was to raise awareness of and discuss the responsibilities associated with online technologies.

TCDSB Child and Youth Worker Acknowledged for the Promotion of Safe Schools
Catherine Byrd, Child and Youth Worker at St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School and ESP Advisor (Empowered Student Partnerships) is the recipient of the Galen Weston Safe School Award. Ms. Byrd was being recognized for outstanding service and achievement in the promotion of safe schools in Canada. The award was presented at the recent Canadian Safe Schools Dinner held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

St. Mary’s Secondary Celebrates Cultural Diversity at Third Annual Breakfast
In keeping with the school’s inclusive environment, St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary hosted its annual English Language Learners’ Breakfast. The celebration brought together many of the school’s nearly 100 English Language Learners, teachers, support staff, administrators, and community partners. The event seeks not only to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity among students and staff, but also supports the building of crucial bridges between students and staff and between students, as they are supported in their transition into Ontario schools. The breakfast was complemented by the beautiful multilingual vocal performances of the St. Mary’s choir and band.

Ministry of Education Approves SHSM at St. Mary’s C.S.S.
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School was recently selected to offer the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in the area of transportation technology. As described by the Ministry of Education, schools that have been approved to offer the SHSM allow students to specialize their secondary school education in a particular field earning recognized industry certifications and developing Essential Skills and work habits connected to their career destinations. The SHSM allows students to track for four different destinations: apprenticeship, college, university, and workplace. Students earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the SHSM designation. This exciting opportunity differentiates compulsory course work based on students’ interest in the transportation field. Further it provides students with numerous experiential learning opportunities including cooperative education and reach ahead experiences in college and apprenticeship training settings.

St. Mary’s Secondary Welcomes New Students
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School was alive with activity the week prior to the official start of this academic year. The school welcomed nearly 150 students to participate in two community-building activities. For over thirty new English Language Learners, a week-long session was delivered. Newcomer Orientation Week (NOW), funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and delivered by committed TCDSB and LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) staff, gave recent immigrants the opportunity to explore their new secondary school. Students were introduced to the daily routines of life in an Ontario school–announcements and all–as they shared their stories, posed their questions, and joined the St. Mary’s community. In addition to the successful NOW program, more than 120 grade nine students participated in the school’s Jump Start Day. Another opportunity designed to ease the transition into secondary school. As the day unfolded, students familiarized themselves with the school and acquainted themselves with their peers and teachers as student leaders facilitated several exciting events.

Leadership and Peer Support St. Mary’s CSS Summer School Class
For four summers students have signed on for a Leadership and Peer Support Credit. Some of the best students across the city of Toronto, voluntarily give up their month of July to help those in need across the city. This year’s fantastic group of students worked with over a dozen different organizations providing over 1, 000 hours of much needed help. They participated in a wide variety of activities including: cleaning up Dufferin Park, helping out at the Loyola Arrupe Centre, packing donations for Canadian Food For Children, making lunches and delivering them to those in need on the streets of Toronto, cleaning up at Vance Latchford, distributing flyers for St. Luigi, gardening at Horizons for Youth, helping with the day to day events at All Saints Church drop in centre, cleaning up at the YWCA, helping Furniture Bank prepare for their big move, assisting University Settlement House run a festival, spending a day with the clients at St. Jude’s, serving food to those in need at Scott Mission and assisting with the sorting of donations at the Artsjunktion.

The organizations benefiting from the help of these incredibly hard working ambassadors of good will were all very appreciative of their efforts. It is wonderful to see young people step up and make a difference in their communities. Not only did they help but they also gained first hand knowledge of the important work that these organizations are providing by serving those in need. They also developed stronger self esteem as they witnessed the positive impact their efforts had. Many of the students complete this course with dreams and goals of continuing to make a difference.
Steve De Quintal, Teacher

Antonio Giuliano of St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School receives the Esteemed Sandra Montgomery Student Bursary
Congratulations Antonio Giuliano of St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School! Antonio is the recipient of the Sandra Montgomery Student Bursary 2007-2008.

Antonio is a student in the Special Education Class at St.Mary’s. He is an exceptionally friendly and outgoing individual with a great sense of humour. Antonio will be attending St. Jude Academy of the Arts this summer. Antonio is excited about the opportunity and says he is looking forward to making new friends and participating in the activities.

Administered by The Angel Foundation for Learning, the Sandra Montgomery Student Bursary recognizes the contributions of Sandra Montgomery. Following an exemplary career of 35 years of service with the Toronto Catholic District School Board Sandra’s last assignment was Superintendent of Special Services, a position for which she was destined. Her unwavering commitment and compassion for students with special needs has been the cornerstone of her career. A fitting legacy, this bursary benefits students with special needs. The recipient is given $500.00 to help defray the cost of admission to community-based programs.

TCDSB Secondary Students ‘Make an Impression’ with Selection Committee of the Toronto Catholic School Board Employees Credit Union Student Bursary
Each year the Toronto Catholic School Board Employees Credit Union has awarded $500 to one secondary student for the TCSBECU Student Bursary. The bursary was established in 2002 to provide a graduating student with financial assistance in order to pursue studies at university or college. Students across the system are invited to submit a one page essay for the bursary. Students must demonstrate a ‘B’ average or higher, financial need, overall contribution to the school and community and acceptance into a post-secondary institution. The selection committee was impressed by the strong quality of the applications received this year, and are delighted to provide financial support to two graduating students.

Congratulations Manuel Cardama of St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School and Teresa Waihenya of James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic Secondary School for winning the Toronto Catholic School Board Employees Credit Union Bursary 2007-2008.

Manuel was born in Venezuela and immigrated to Canada with his family a few years ago. He is a remarkable student and has received awards for his academic achievements and his conduct in class. He won a special Award of Excellence in his Grade 11 English Class. Manuel is planning to study Biotechnology at Seneca College in September. He enjoys Science and is committed to “making the world a better place.” Manuel, we are so proud of you! Best of luck next year.

St. Mary's Secondary Welcomes Congueros
The music program at St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School continues to engage students by inviting various musicians into the classroom. Most recently, music students had an opportunity to enrich their musical horizons with the syncopated sounds of conga drumming. The percussion workshop, very popular among young adults, provides students with the opportunity to perform together with the artists. The guest percussionists performed several rhythmic patterns while sharing their personal stories with staff and students.

St. Mary's Secondary Remembers Veterans
St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School observed Remembrance Day with a memorable commemoration on November 11th, 2008. Staff and students listened as the moving letters of soldiers were read aloud. A dramatic production captured the agony and pain as events of World War II were recounted. Tadeusz Gosinski, Eight Army in Montecassino, 2nd Corps, under General Anders and Eric Orshulik, Lieutenant of 1st Polish Pancer Division from the Royal Canadian Legion, General W. Anders Branch 621, laid a wreath in memory of all those in the armed services.

TCDSB continues to expand the OFIP After School NUMERACY and Literacy Tutoring Program
More than 2000 TCDSB students to date, are benefiting from the OFIP After School NUMERACY or Literacy Tutoring Program.The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat (Ministry of Education) has provided funding for this program in designated TCDSB schools. The tutoring programs, both in Literacy and in Numeracy, were specifically designed by the TCDSB Mathematics Department and Literacy Team.The programs provide support for Grade 3 to 6 students; along with professional development for teachers that supports differentiated instruction. The After School Tutoring Programs provide students with an opportunity to extend their learning in Literacy and Numeracy in a small group, supportive environment (maximum 8 students/class). The OFIP After School Numeracy Tutoring Program focuses on mathematical skills and mental math strategies, exploring mathematical ideas, and reviewing and consolidating mathematical knowledge. The OFIP After School Literacy Tutoring Program focuses on reading, with attention to explicit instruction in reading comprehension strategies, vocabulary and oral language development. Students involved in the program provided very positive feedback. Both student and teacher reflections highlighted the learning that occurred for students. In addition to the above programs, TCDSB also worked in partnership with The Working Women Community Centre and The Filipino Centre of Toronto. Tutoring/after school homework clubs were run by these groups at: Our Lady of Lourdes, Senhor Santo Cristo, St. Helen, St. Nicholas of Bari, St. Sebastian, Pope Paul VI and St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School. Our partnership was strengthened with these community groups and the respective school/parent communities as a result of this project. Staff and students at the community centres were appreciative of the support and mentorship provided by TCDSB staff.

Crime Prevention Week -- Toronto Police Service
- Article about St. Mary's student
- Crime Prevention Week speech

St. Mary's Secondary Welcomes Parents at Student Success Information Night
St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School proudly welcomed nearly 100 parents, guardians, and students to the school for the second annual Student Success Information Night. Greeted by members of the school's Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC), Administrators and members of the school's Student Success Team and Literacy Committee, parents were introduced to the many deliberately personal student success strategies employed in the school, including the Homework Hub; an after-school tutorial centre in the school library offering students academic assistance. Additionally, the evening highlighted the school's focus on numeracy and literacy development, student engagement opportunities, and the newly-introduced Specialist High Skills Major in the area of transportation technology. Equally important, the evening allowed parents/guardians to pose their questions and discuss their next steps as the community, working in partnership with parents, continues to support the success of every student.

Toronto Catholic Secondary School Students honoured at Father Patrick Fogarty Awards Dinner
Students from across the Toronto Catholic District School Board will be among the honourees at the 25th annual Father Patrick Fogarty Awards dinner on October 25th. They will be among the recipients of the Catholic Student Award, which recognizes young people who best exemplify the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation. Congratulations to Amanda Passos from St. Mary's, who is one of this year's winners.