Monday, February 6, 2012

Day 1 - H.S. & Day 1 - Gr. 7 & 8

~ CATHOLIC GRADUATE EXPECTIONS ~

~ Effective Communicators ~

An Effective Communicator is someone who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of the gospel values.

WHOLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

LET'S TALK TO SUPPORT CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH: On Bell's Let's Talk Day join the conversation to support Canadian mental health! National spokesperson Clara Hughes invites you to talk about mental illness to help fight the stigma. On February 8 – Bell will donate 5¢ to mental health for every text and long distance call made by Bell customers. (MP –Feb 8)

7/8 ANNOUNCEMENTS

STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING: All student Council members are invited to Room 235 at the beginning of lunch on Monday, February 6. (TC –Feb 6)

7/8 BOYS BASKETBALL: All grade 7/8 boys interested in trying out for the basketball team are asked to sign up outside of room 340. Tryouts dates will be posted there soon. (MP -Feb 6)

7/8 GIRLS HOCKEY: All 7/8 girls interested in trying out for hockey are asked to pick up a tryout schedule and permission form from Mr Pelletier. (MP -Feb 6)

GRADE 7 & 8 BADMINTON: Attention Grade 7 & 8 students interested in trying out for the Badminton Team: Sign up outside room 332 by Wednesday, February 1st. Grade 7 Try Out: Thursday, February 2^nd, 3 - 5 PM. Grade 8 Try Out: Monday, February 6^th, 3 - 5 PM. Final Try Out: Wednesday, February 8^th, 7:30 - 8:30 AM. (AJ –Feb 7)

REACH FOR THE TOP CANCELLED: Reach for the Top is cancelled for Thursday, February 9th. See you next Thursday! (TC –Feb 9)

HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome Back to Semester 2!

MINI-ENRICHMENT COURSES: The following students are to report to room 130 today at 9:45am to speak to Mrs McLaughlin about mini-enrichment courses. N.A., V.B., K.K., B.L., C.M., J.M., M.M., C.N., A.P., S.P., G.S. (DM –Feb 6)

AFTER SCHOOL LITERACY DEVELOPMENT CLASS: Students registered in the after school literacy development class are reminded that the first day of class is Monday, February 6 at 3 p.m. in room 311. (AB –Feb 6)

H.S. REACH FOR THE TOP: The contests will resume on Monday February 6^th. Uberspam will take on TBA followed on Thursday February 9th with Team Number Juan grappling The Pierre Bouchard Experience. Games begin at 11:40 in room 307. Spectators welcome. (JS –Feb 6)

SCHEDULES FOR SEMESTER 2: There have been a number of changes to student schedules for semester 2, for example, room changes. Please do not follow the schedule you were given in Sept. Homeroom lists will be posted in the atrium on the first day of semester 2, Monday Feb 6. Please report to the posted homeroom and new updated schedules will be handed out at that time. (JH –Feb 6)

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB: There is a very important meeting Wednesday at the beginning of lunch in room 203 for all students interested in being a part of our environmental club this semester. New members are welcome. (SR –Feb 8)

JUNIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Any grade 9 or 10 girl interested in trying out for the junior girls volleyball team are invited to attend tryouts Tuesday after school, Wednesday after school, and Thursday morning at 7:30 in the wood floor gym. Please see Mrs. Ragaisis if you have any questions. (SR –Feb 8)

JR BOYS VOLLEYBALL: There will be a practice Thursday February 2nd at 3pm in the wood floor gym and Wednesday February 8th at 3pm in the caf gym. If you cannot attend please see Mlle McMurchy in room 233. Please visit the volleyball website for practice calendar and consent forms. http://volleyballmths.yolasite.com/. (EM –Feb 8)

VARSITY GIRLS RUGBY: ANY grade 9-12 girl interested in joining the Varsity Girls rugby team is asked to come to Room 231 on Thursday, February 9^th or Friday February 10^th at the beginning of lunch. (SA –Feb 10)

VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER: ANY grade 9-12 girl interested in playing for the Mother Teresa High School Varsity Girls Soccer Team are ask to practice with the team on the following dates... January, 26th, February 1st, 8th, 16th and 23rd. Pleased be dressed and ready to practice from 3-4:30 pm in the woodfloor gym. If you are unable to attend or have any questions, please see Ms. McSwiggan. (SM –Feb 23)

STUDENT SERVICES

VOLUNTEER OTTAWA PRESENTS: Get off your Apathy - youth engagement conference. Ten organizations will be present to inspire and inform you about how you can take action on issues that are important to you. This is an all day, free conference, open to youth aged 14 - 24, consisting of three workshops of your choice and much more. Circle this date on your calendar: Thursday, February 12th. Sign in begins at 9:15 am and the day wraps up at 3:50pm at the Ottawa Arts Court. To register visit: www.volunteerottawa.ca/youth. For more information email Damien Martin @ youth@volunteerottawa.ca. (KW –Feb 10)

NIGHT SCHOOL - WINTER 2012 (FEBRUARY 21ST TO MAY 30TH) from the Ottawa-Carleton Public School Board. Registration during the day is from Monday, January 23rd to Tuesday, February 14th at 440 Albert Street from 9:00 am to 3:30pm. Evening registration is at the high school of your course’s choice (Adult High School or Merivale HS) on Monday, February 13th (6pm-7:30pm) and Tuesday, February 14th (6pm-7:30pm). Early registration is recommended as space is limited. Registration forms are available in Student Services. These forms require a signature from a parent/guardian, the student and a counsellor from our school. Once the form is completed, the original is returned to the student to take to the registration site of his/her choice for processing. (KW –Feb 13)

ARE YOU LOOKING TO EARN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS? You can volunteer at the CEFO musical, "Cinderella". February 16-19 and February 23-25. Opportunities exist for working backstage crew, or front of house selling programs, ushering, greeting, working with the choirs, selling at the canteen. You can earn 2-5 hours per night depending on job responsibility. Please email Tammy Doyle at tammy.doyle@ocsb.ca. (KW –Feb 14)

CAMP LAU-REN: A children's residential summer camp located on the shores of the Ottawa River, 10km west of Deep River is currently looking for applicants for employment for the summer of 2012. Positions to be filled include head cook, assistant cook, counsellor, caretaker, and waterfront staff. Application forms for 2012 are available at www.lau-ren.com See more info in Student Services. (KW –Feb 17)

IT'S HERE! DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM REGISTRATION FORM! Visit your Student Services Office for registration forms. Registration runs from January 16th - February 17th. In-class lessons will be Wednesdays at Mother Teresa High School for 8 weeks starting February 29th from 3:15pm - 6:00pm. Students must bring a copy (front and back) of their G1 to the first calss, plus a copy of the MTO Driver's Handbook. This Driver's Ed program combines in-class, at-home and in-car instruction. Successful completion of this program allows a reduction of the G1 license driving period and a possible insurance discount (check with your insurance company). (KW –Feb 17)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: The Volunteer Resources Department at the Queensway Carleton Hospital is looking for students to join their 2012 summer program which runs July and August. Get your community service hours! Students are required to attend a Volunteer Information Session to obtain an application package and learn about the program. If the student is interested in applying they will receive an application package which must be completed and submitted to the Volunteer Resources Office no later than April 30, 2012. Students need to be 15 years of age by December 31st 2012 and have completed grade 9 by this summer. Information Session Dates are: January 31st @ 6pm, February 17th @ 6pm, February 21st @ 6pm, March 6th @ 6pm, March 13th @ 2pm, March 15th @ 2pm and March 19th @ 6pm. Students may sign up on-line at www.qch.on.ca using the "volunteer" tab on the left or phone the office at 613-721-4709. See Student Services for more information. (KW – Feb 17)

GRADE 12’s / GRADS

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER – INFORMATION SESSION: St Francis Xavier University in Anigonish Nova Scotia, invites you and your family to an Information Session on Sunday Feb 12 in the Lago Room at the Dow's Lake Pavilion from 2:00-4:00pm. A great opportunity to find out about the application process and the various programs at St. FX. Please RSVP at infosessions@stfx.ca. (JH –Feb 10)

GRADUATING STUDENTS – POLICIES AND DEADLINES: In the past, it has been the practice of some graduating students to leave their Community Service Hours to the last month of school, thereby jeopardizing their graduation in June. As a result, the following policies are now in place at Mother Teresa:

· PROM: All graduating students must have completed their 40 hours of community service if they intend to attend their graduation dance. The earlier the better! Hours must be submitted to Student Services by Friday May 11^th, 2012.

GRADUATION: In order to attend the Graduation Ceremony, students must have the 40 hours of community service completed by Friday June 11, 2012.

Forms are available in Student Services, the main office, or on the Mother Teresa website. (SD –Feb 10)

MATHEMATICS DAY! On Friday, February 17th, the School of Mathematics and Statistics will be hosting the Fourth Annual Mathematics Day; a one day event for senior high school students who want to know more about the power of mathematics and statistics. Registration is free of charge, and lunch and snacks will be provided. Student participants will also be entered into a draw for prizes, including a $250 gift card from Best Buy. Please register online no later than February 13, 2012. See poster in Student Services for more information. (KW –Feb 13)

LAST CHANCE FOR GRAD PHOTOS. Grad Retake Day is Friday, February 17^th. Edge Imaging has opened the site for you to book your appointment on-line at www.bookmygrad.com. School code is: MTH. If you are booking for a retake photo, please bring original proofs with you on February 7th. Students who have not yet had their photos taken can also book an appointment on-line. (KW –Feb 16)

STAFF NOTES

REMINDERS FOR STAFF:

Leadership Team Meeting – February 7, 2012
All Staff Meeting – February 14, 2012

COMMUNITY CORNER

For information about St. Andrew’s Parish, including parish bulletins, please visit www.saintandrewparish.ca.

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS: Hosted jointly by the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the Catholic School Parents Association (CSPA), the Director’s Forum presents, Dr. Karyn Gordon, one of North America’s leading relationship experts for organizations and families specializing in Youth / Gen Y.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

St. Paul High School

2675 Draper Avenue, Ottawa (free parking)

6:15 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Student-led displays

7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. - Presentation in Auditorium

Reception to follow

Everyone is welcome to attend this presentation. However, you must register in advance with your school principal. To register, send an email to Mary-Ellen Agnel at Mary-Ellen.Agnel@ottawacatholicschools.ca by February 23rd. For more information, go to http://www.occdsb.on.ca/media.php?mid=62513. (KZ –Feb 23)

FREE INFORMATION SESSION - TEENS & TECHNOLOGY: If your teen has a cell phone, then you need to know this… A presentation for parents about sexting, cyberbullying, safety and mental health. WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 7 pm to 9 pm. WHERE: Adult High School, 300 Rochester Street. No Registration Required. Free parking. Bus route #14. Presented by the Ottawa Police (ottawapolice.ca) and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. (JP –Feb 15)