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Wednesday, September 7, 2022 - Volume 15, Issue 2
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Message from Administration
Hello Saints and Saint families.
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On behalf of the administration team and school staff, we are looking forward to the school year. Please join me in welcoming Jordan Figueiredo, as Vice-Principal, we are pleased to have him join our community, some of you may recognize him as he taught at SBCSS earlier in his career.
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In this edition of the BENN, we have included information to facilitate a smooth Startup to the school year. Please continue to access our school website for further information about the school and our policies.
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The staff of St. Benedict value the connection between the home and school. We encourage you to reach out to staff if you have any questions. We also ask that parents/guardians discuss the information shared through various means with their children attending our school.
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We wish you a safe, successful, and enjoyable school year.
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Introducing the Newest Member of our Admin Team
Mr. Jordan Figueiredo
I am thrilled to be joining the St. Benedict community in the role of Vice-Principal. My journey in Catholic Education has taken me across the Waterloo Region. As an educator then administrator, I have served the Waterloo Catholic District School Board at four of our secondary schools (St. David, Monsignor Doyle, St. Mary’s, and St. Benedict). This is not my first time at St. Benedict, as I was a staff member during the 2013-2014 school year. Much has changed since then, but as I walked through the halls in June after learning of my new assignment, I sensed the same “caring community” that I left nine years ago! I look forward to bearing witness to the greatness of this school community and will strive to contribute to it as well.
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Like most of you reading this, my wife and I, along with our three young children are proud residents of Cambridge! We love to stay active by getting outdoors and gathering with family and friends.
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As a long time Health and Physical Education teacher and program head I naturally enjoy participating in a wide range of sports and have coached many school teams over the years. As a life-long learner I continue to look for ways to improve personally and professionally. It was with that mindset that I recently completed my Master of Education at University of Toronto (OISE) in Educational Leadership and Policy. Guided by my favourite Maya Angelou quote, “Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better” I will serve the community to the best of my ability.
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It is my sincere hope that we as an entire staff continue to nurture hope in all students and create the conditions for them to reach their God-given potential.
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Wishing you all a great 2022-23 school year!
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Student Info Verification forms due!
Your son or daughter received a Student Information Verification form in their homeroom on the first day of school. Parents/Guardians are asked to review and make an necessary changes and return the form before Friday, September 9, 2022. If they have not received the form, please ask them to check with their period 1 teacher, or go to the Main Office to get it.
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Uniforms
Uniform policy will be in effect starting the first day of school. Spirit wear days will continue as in the past (spirit tops with uniform bottoms on Wednesdays). Civvies days will be communicated via the St. Benedict School Year Calendar and morning announcements.
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School Cash Online: IMPORTANT REMINDER
Mandatory consent forms and fees are accessible through School Cash Online. Forms are to be completed by the end of September.
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Instructions, a detailed checklist, and information documents by grade level can be found on our school website. Click here to be redirected.
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SCOL notes for students over the age of 18:
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- If a parent has an account and has the student attached then yes they will still receive notifications regardless of the student’s age. SCO doesn’t remove students from a parent’s account when they turn 18.
- If the student wants to complete the forms themselves, they will have to create an account and add themselves as a student. However the parent will still have an account and receive the same notifications and be able to complete the forms as a student can be picked up in SCO by more than one person.
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Stay Connected with St. Benedict's!
Twitter
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2022-2023 School Year Bell Times
7:55 Warning Bell 8:00 - 9:15 Period 1 9:20 - 10:35 Period 2 10:40 Lunch 11:20 Warning Bell 11:25 - 12:40 Period 3 12:45 - 2:00 Period 4
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Student Handbook 2022-2023
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We are going green! In an effort to be more eco-friendly, the student handbook is available online following the link below. Students and parents are encouraged to read through it to familiarize themselves with the school’s policies, procedures and expectations.
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Catholic School Advisory Council
St. Benedict C.S.S. sees family involvement as one of its main priorities; our Catholic Schools Advisory Council is a group of parents, teachers, and administrators that are dedicated to making St. Benedict’s a great place for all students to learn and grow. On behalf of our school community, we would like to thank the many members who contributed to the success of the 2021-2022 school year.
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We look forward to welcoming all returning members, as well as individuals who are new to our school community and are interested in joining this dynamic group. Our first Catholic Schools Advisory Council meeting for the 2022-2023 school year is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27th, 2022; 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Returning to past practice, meetings will be held in room 111.
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If you wish to nominate yourself or another parent/guardian, please complete the nomination form on School Cash Online or click here for a PDF version and email to Melanie.Baker@wcdsb.ca.
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If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact the school or Margaret Ingoldsby at Margaret.ingoldsby@wcdsb.ca.
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Catholic Parent Involvement Committee - Parent Information Hub
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Access our Catholic Parent Involvement Committee - Parent Information Hub to listen to various community organizations speak directly to questions such as: How do I support my anxious child? How do I help my child build social skills? Where do I learn more about LGBT2S+ identities? How do I keep my child safe on the internet? Interested in additional services to support your child? Follow the links to access more information on services offered by each organization.
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Bus Route Information 2022-23
Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) has announced that bus route information for the 2022-2023 school year is now available on the their website.
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Emergency Communication - Transportation
Due to a software malfunction, STSWR and our bus operators will not be able to post late notices on websites for transportation routes that are not running on schedule. Further, late notices cannot be sent to parents via e-mail or text message as normal.
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We apologize for this late notice and the issues it will create to your schedules.
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Student pick-up and drop-off
Last year, we created a new Drop-Off and Pick-Up process here at St. Benedict. In the Spring, we had new signs installed and we will start the 2022/23 school year with the same, "new" system in place. By adjusting our Drop-Off and Pick-Up system, we were able to increase safety and school transportation efficiency. We will continue to ask that parents adhere to the information below.
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All students that are dropped off or picked up by car will need to do so in the parking area just off Green Vista Drive before and after school. The green arrows on the "School Traffic Flow" Map indicates the entrance and direction of traffic flow. We ask parents to come in off Green Vista into our back entrance, follow the signs in the parking lot and leave out the other exit back onto Green Vista. We need all the cars to drive right through the drop-off area, however. If students get dropped off at the start of that parking lot, it just jams up the traffic as other cars try to pull in. On the Pick-up, please pull into that lot also to take some traffic away from the actual street on Green Vista.
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The second map shows community streets which could be used as a "Drive to 5" location - a spot where students may be dropped off giving a short walk to/from the school. This will allow a drop-off/pick-up off-site to avoid and further help with vehicular congestion.
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Thank you to all of you for assisting in this! All your effort makes a difference, and it is very much appreciated!! Thank you so much for working with us in our attempt to keep our students (and your kids) safe!!!
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Bennies Buddies
Bennies Buddies is a group of Grade 11 and 12 leaders who have been working hard over the summer to welcome the Grade 9 students to St. Benedict this year! We were so happy to see so many students involved in Head Start last week. These amazing students will also be available during the first week of school to help students find their classes and their lockers. Look for the navy blue "B a Buddy" t- shirts! In addition, the Bennies Buddies will be meeting with the Grade 9 students once a month in their homeroom classes for team building activities as well as to help the students become involved in the many clubs, activities and sports at St. Benedict! If you have any questions about this program, please contact Sarah Spitzig via email. We are looking forward to a great school year!
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News from Guidance
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Who is your Guidance Counsellor?
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Counsellor’s Name
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Ext
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Last names
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Ms. Varriano Lane |
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Pe – Q, International students
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Welcome back to all our students, we look forward to seeing you again or meeting you for the first time! We hope you had a safe and restful summer and are ready for a new school year.
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Please do not email or call Guidance counsellors directly to make timetable changes. Only students that complete the google form will be able to make a change.
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Priority will be given to students who need to make the following changes:
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- I am missing the pre-requisite (I am in grade 10 science, but didn't take grade 9 science)
- I already have this credit (I completed a course in summer school)
- I am missing a course (I only have 2 courses this semester)
- Pathway change (I am in academic, but want to be in applied)
- Post-secondary requirements (I now need Calculus for Health Sciences)
Please double check your schedules prior to the start of school (after September 2). Some counsellors are still making changes from outstanding requests.
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GUIDANCE GOOGLE CLASSROOMS
Once again, the Guidance department will have google classrooms available to share information with our students.
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Please consider joining the classrooms:
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Ontario Universities Virtual Fair
Ontario's universities are excited to host a collection of in-person and virtual events in the fall of 2022.
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Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF)
October 1-2, 2022, from 9:30 am to 5 pm (ET), daily
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Metro Toronto Convention Centre
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This event is fair style with booths from Ontario universities, and it allows you to gather information and chat with representatives one on one.
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Note: There are no university presentations at OUF 2022. If you are looking for a similar experience, we encourage you to attend the virtual Information Sessions.
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Regional Fairs Various locations and dates throughout September and October (TBD)
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Can’t make the OUF? Ontario’s universities are coming to you this fall!
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The Regional Fairs travel across the province, offering fair-style events that allow you to gather information about Ontario’s universities. Learn about programs, campus life and anything else that may help you decide which Ontario university to choose.
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Locations, dates and times TBD.
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Join us for any (or all!) of your virtual information sessions.
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Each event is divided into 6 time slots where students can learn about the universities of their choice and ask questions.
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Ontario College Virtual Fair
This year's information fair will be an in-person event. Please visit the OCF website for more information.
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Wednesday, October 19, 2022 5 pm - 9 pm
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Thursday, October 20, 2022 9 am - 2 pm
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Are You Eligible to Vote for Catholic School Trustees in the 2022 Municipal Elections?
Municipal Election Day is Monday, October 24.
Make sure your school support designation is “English Separate” (Catholic). It’s a powerful message in support of Waterloo Region’s Catholic schools & Catholic education.
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Many people assume they are registered Catholic school supporters when, in fact, they are not.
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Only Roman Catholic school supporters may vote for Catholic School Trustees.
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All Catholics are eligible to support Catholic education – not just those with children in school!
You don’t have to have children in school to direct your school support to Catholic education. In Waterloo Region there are more people who DO NOT have children in school than DO have children in school. Your support is vital to the continuation of our Catholic education system. It is an investment in our future -- and all Catholic ratepayers are partners with Catholic educators in this investment.
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Have you moved?
Even if you have been a Catholic school supporter in the past, the designation DOES NOT follow you when you relocate. You are automatically designated a public school board supporter.
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Every time you move, it is essential that you re-declare yourself as a Catholic school supporter.
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- Check the assessment section of your Tax Bill or Property Assessment Notice
- Check your Voter Information Card received during a municipal election year.
What to do if you are NOT registered as a Catholic school supporter, but want to designate your support to Catholic Education:
If you are NOT registered as a Catholic school supporter -- but want to designate your support to Catholic Education -- you need to fill out the Application for Direction of School Support.
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When a Roman Catholic and a Non-Catholic are jointly responsible for the payment of property taxes -- either directly through ownership or indirectly through the payment of rent -- a Catholic School Support Lease is required. This is simply a technical tool designed to give the Roman Catholic the sole right to determine the school support of her or his residence.
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Please visit this website for the forms and more information:
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When you have updated your forms, you have two options:
- Return the forms to your child’s school.
- If you do not have children attending school, drop your forms at your nearest WCDSB school – or drop them at (or mail them to) the WCDSB head office: 35 Weber St. W., Kitchener, ON, N2G 4G2.
At the Polling Station on Election Day:
Verify that you are registered as a separate school supporter. If your support status is incorrect, ask for an ‘Application to Amend Voters’ List’. This form may be completed and submitted at the polling station.
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Ensure the ballot you are given is a separate school ballot.
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If you have any questions, please contact the Waterloo Catholic District School Board at 519-578-3660 Ext. 2355.
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Literacy Test update
Our Literacy Test results from our Spring session were released during the summer months. Students will be receiving a letter along with their successful or unsuccessful notifications during the first two weeks of school. We thank everyone for their patience, understanding and cooperation. Welcome back Saints, we look forward to another school year with you.
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Junior Boys Soccer
All grade 9 and 10 boys interested in trying out for the junior boys soccer team please come to an important meeting in portable 7 on Wednesday September 7 at 2:15. If you cannot make the meeting you must let either Mr. Dufresne or Mr. Radic in the PHE office know. All athletes need to pick up and submit a signed waiver in order to tryout. Tryouts will begin on Thursday September 8 at 2:15 on the back field. Don’t forget your cleats, shin guards and water bottles.
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Clubs
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Racing Saints
EV Race Team
CONCEPT The Racing Saints Electric Vehicle Race Team encompasses students to engage themselves into a work environment similar to the engineering industry. Students are challenged to incorporate their various classroom knowledge into effective designs related to the automotive industry.
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WHAT IS OUR MISSION? As a student run, multidisciplinary racing team, we allow students from a range of backgrounds to further their understanding of the automotive industry by applying their academic knowledge towards creative problem solving. By creating an efficient and high-performance vehicle, we gain exposure to teamwork, leadership, and logistical skills that empower our young students to seek careers within this industry.
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WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED? We first competed in the annual University of Waterloo EV Challenge in May of 2014. In 2015, the team earned a 2nd and 3rd in their respective 12V and 24V categories. Last year, the team enjoyed a return to the podium with a well-earned 3rd place finish in the 12V category!
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WHERE ARE WE HEADING? We are continuing to build upon our success by improving the vehicle’s designs and performance. The team is experimenting with new composites, electronics, and processes to create a 3rd generation vehicle that challenges students to be innovative and think creatively.
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In the end, the experience and opportunity young students gain from such an engineering project produces engineers not found in classrooms alone. Our Team meets every Wednesday and Thursday after school in our Manufacturing Lab.
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New members are always welcomed.
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For more information please contact Victor.Castela@wcdsb.ca or Gabe.Dutto@wcdsb.ca
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Are you a Science Fiction Fan?
Then join the Star Trek Club!
Mrs. Kot is hosting and we meet every Friday at lunch in Room 123 to watch an episode of various Star Trek Series and films. Bring your lunch with you. Former club members are welcome back and new members always welcome.
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Our first Star Trek Club gathering will be on Friday, September 9th in room 123 at lunch.Hope to see you there! Live long and prosper!
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Doctor Who is back!
DOCTOR WHO CLUB returns on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9th after school in room 226. Join us for another year of pizza, prize raffles, companionship and travels through time and space with the world's longest running sci-fi/fantasy series...all about the runaway Time Lord and his time traveling Police Box.
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This year we will watch the regeneration of Jodie Whittaker's 13th Doctor & experience some heavy-duty surprises leading up to the 60th anniversary...mixed with the usual trip through past episodes. New members are always welcome -- just show up for friendship and the ultimate in geeky fun, brought to you by the geek king himself, Mr. Kukwa. We hope to see members old and new very soon.
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Do you like going on adventures in nature?
Are you interested in canoeing, camping, and hiking?
Come join St. Benedict's Outer's Club! This is a club for grade 9 - 12 students and all experience levels are welcome.
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Outer's Club is inviting you to join us for our Canoe Trip in Algonquin this September 28th - October 1st. Participants will be required to pass a swim test.
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If you are interested in joining the club, participating in the upcoming canoe trip or being a part of other Outer's Club excursions this year there will be a meeting in the first week of school. More details to follow in our morning announcements!
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Can't wait to see you there!
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BoulderDash Club
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Hey Saints! Did you know that there's a rock-climbing gym just a few kilometres away from our school? Join the BoulderDash club and you can come climbing after school every Thursday. There are plenty of walls to climb for athletes of all ability levels. It's a great way to build muscle without ever having to lift weights and it's so much fun to climb with your friends.
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To learn more, meet Mr. Porto, Ms. Novakovich and Mr. Sanders in the gym hallway September 6, at 2:10, right after school. If you can't make the meeting, find Mr. Porto, Ms. Novakovich or Mr. Sanders sometime throughout the day to get the details.
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From the librarian’s desk
Your school librarian, Ms. Pilon and the staff of Clemens Mill Library, Idea Exchange would like to welcome back all students and teachers! We hope you had a restful summer vacation and are ready for an exciting new school year. We wish all students a successful first semester. Library Learning Commons Hours Your school library opens at approximately 8am, after prayers and school announcements. St. Bennies students have exclusive access to the library until 10am, at which time we open to the public.
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The inside school doors are locked at 1:55pm and we ask that students use the public doors to enter the library after school. Student Expectations Students are expected to be in uniform in the library. Food is not allowed in the Library Learning Commons during school hours.
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Meeting Room Bookings Students are welcome to book the Red or Orange Meeting rooms for collaborative work on assignments. The digital screen is to be used for project work. Please no movies or videos on screen. Students need an Idea Exchange library card to book a meeting room.
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Resource Spotlight
The Library Learning Commons offers many online resources for students and teachers. You can access these resources from the school library website, by selecting the Online Resources webpage.
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Use this QR code to access your school’s Online Resources (databases and eBooks!)
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Featured Idea Exchange Programs
Note: The following events are hosted by Idea Exchange and are not affiliated with St. Benedict or the WCDSB. Please visit ideaexchange.org to register.
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Stranger Things Escape Room
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The Vecna Chapter: Do you have what it takes to beat Vecna’s Curse? Saturday October 22: 10am to 6pm
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Please call Clemens Mill to secure a timeslot at 519-740-6294. We recommend groups of 3 to 5 participants.
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Thursday, September 8 2:15pm: Jr. Boys Soccer tryouts 2:15pm: Jr. Boys Volleyball
Friday, September 9 10:45am: Star Trek Club 2:15pm: Doctor Who Club
Monday, September 12 Photo day
Friday, September 16 10:45am: Star Trek Club 2:15pm: Doctor Who Club
Wednesday, September 21 BENN Newsletter Release
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Friday, September 23 10:45am: Star Trek Club 2:15pm: Doctor Who Club
Tuesday, September 27 6:00pm: Catholic School Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 28 Civvies Day
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Be sure to check out the calendar on the school website for updates!
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