masthead2014
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 - Volume 12, Issue 3

Welcome to the third issue of the BENN for the 2019-2020 school year!

After this issue, we will resume with our bi-weekly schedule for the rest of the year. This means that after this issue of the BENN look for the next issue to arrive on Wednesday, September 25.

Please feel free to send questions, comments, or feedback to our editor, Mr. Milardovic.

Catholic School Advisory Council

St Benedict’s Catholic School Advisory Council (formerly School Council) is a group of parents, guardians, community members, teachers and administrators committed to making our high school a great place to learn and grow! The council sees family involvement as one of its main priorities and is committed to welcoming parents into the St. Benedict community by increasing communication, removing barriers, and creating opportunities to get involved!

Meetings are from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, eight times throughout the year, and are typically held in Room 111.

If you would like to be a regularly participating member of the advisory council and receive agendas in advance of the meetings, please complete the CSAC Member form and return the completed form to the Main Office by September 16th, 2019.

Administrative

man w transparency

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School

Invites you to the

Grade 9 Parent Night

Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 6:30 pm

Welcome to St. Benedict! Parents, here is your chance to follow your child’s schedule, meet their teachers, discover the joys and perils of moving from class to class and hopefully gain some information that will aid you with your child’s secondary education.

Please bring a copy of your child’s schedule with you.

Our Administrative Team, Guidance, Counselors, Chaplain, Special Education and Student Success Teachers will be available in the atrium throughout the evening. Grade 9 students are welcome to attend this evening with their parents or attend the grade 9 dance from 6:30-8:30 in our gym.

Grade 9 Dance 6:30 – 8:30

Don’t forget to come to the dance that is just for you! Have your parents drop you off at the back doors, then, park their car and they can go meet your teacher! Hope to see you all there!

WCDSB “Called to Belong” Twilight Retreat Opportunity for Parents/Guardians

calledtobelong
Our Board’s theme for this year is: Called to Belong! The experience will be facilitated by Fr. Joseph de Viveiros, C.R., the Spiritual Animator for the Board. Come and discover more about the spiritual journey upon which our staff and students have embarked. All are welcome to come and learn and pray around the awesome mystery of God’s universal love!

You may join us at the location that is most convenient to you. All retreats begin at 7:00 p.m. and are two hours in length. Please sign up at this link:
"Called to Belong Twilight Retreat". Light Refreshments will be served.

Cambridge - Wednesday September 25th - St. Mary of the Visitation Parish (16 Cooper St, Cambridge, ON)
Waterloo - Thursday September 26th - St. Michael Parish (80 University Ave W, Waterloo)
Kitchener - Wednesday October 9th - St. Anthony Daniel Parish (29 Midland Dr, Kitchener, ON)

News from Guidance

By Mrs. L. O'Neill

Who is your Guidance Counsellor?

Mrs. Lesley O’Toole A-Di & International Students ext. 5190
Mrs. Karla Arkell Dj - Ki ext. 5636
Mr. Nick Betik Kl - Pl ext. 5633
Mrs. Laura O’Neill Po - Z ext. 5634
Mrs. O’Connor Administrative Assistant ext. 5631

Grade 12’s and Post-Secondary Options

Grade 12’s will be invited to a post-secondary information session on Tuesday September 17 or Wednesday September 18 during period 2. Students on spare during period 2 should plan to attend on Wednesday at 9:50 am (second half of period 2). These meetings for grade 12 students who are considering college or university application for September 2020 will take place next week. If you are unable to attend, please stop by Guidance to pick up an information sheet. If you are feeling confused about the application process and are having difficulty navigating through web sites and documents, consider taking advantage of the following supports:
  1. Please confirm with your son or daughter that they have completed, signed and handed in the “Consent for Disclosure of Information to the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) and/or the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC). This form was part of the registration packages that were online this summer to all grade 12 students. Unless this form is completed and signed, the school is not allowed to transmit marks to colleges and universities. If you are unsure as to whether or not your son or daughter has taken care of this important detail, please contact the appropriate counsellor for clarification.
  2. Plan now to attend our Post-Secondary Information night on Thursday October 24 at 7:00 PM. This event is being hosted by the Guidance Department and coincides with parent/teacher/student interviews. The presentation will take place in the Lecture Hall.
  3. Jacob Hespeler will be the site for the Cambridge University Information Presentation on October 17 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. All Ontario universities will have representation at this event and there will be opportunity to attend formal presentations, as well as time to tour displays.
  4. Conestoga College will be hosting their annual College Information Presentations on October 22 from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 – 7:30 PM at their Doon Campus. All Ontario colleges will have representation at this event and Conestoga will also have additional information available to parents and students regarding their programs.
  5. Attend the Ontario Universities Fair (OUF) September 27 – 29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from 10am to 5pm daily. Visit www.ontariouniversitiesfair.ca for more details.
  6. Attend the Ontario College Information Fair October 23 5:00 – 9:00 PM and October 24 9:00 AM to 2PM at the Enercare Centre, Toronto.
  7. Follow us on Twitter @sbenguidance to get the latest information in 280 characters or less!
  8. Both the Ontario Colleges website and the Ontario University website offer a wealth of information regarding schools, programs and the application process. To research colleges and their programs go to www.ontariocolleges.ca To research Ontario universities and their programs go to www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca

College and University Presentations

We have been fortunate in arranging visits to our school with liaison officers from several Ontario universities and colleges who will be making presentations to interested grade 12 students. The presentations will get started at the end of September and provide an excellent way for students to ask questions about specific schools that they are interested in. Students must sign up to attend the presentations that they are interested in attending, by the end of lunch the day prior to the visit. While we do not limit the number of visits that students may attend, we do encourage students to be selective about the visits that they attend as many of them take place during class time. Students are responsible for any school work that they miss if they choose to attend a presentation. Please refer to the complete list of presentations that is posted on our school website.
What does it take to get into an American University?
Find out more on Saturday September 21st at the Ontario Science Centre from 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Families will have an opportunity to interact with US experts and US College grads.
Learn about early admission, NCAA, SAT, Common App and more! Admission is FREE. Pre-registration is required at www.prepskills.com

St. Benedict welcomes International students

This fall the St. Benedict community has welcomed several International Students to our school. We have a growing number of Chinese students, as well as students from South Korea, Hong Kong and Colombia. These students are here on student visas and will study at our school with the intent to graduate with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. While a few of our International students live with relatives while they are here, the vast majority of them live with “home stay” families. All of them bring something special to our community and we look forward to learning more about them and the countries and cultures that they come from.

Community Service Opportunities

In addition to fulfilling an important diploma requirement, volunteering provides students with a way to give back to their community. As opportunities become known to the guidance department, they will be announced on the announcement system, posted on the Guidance bulletin board and listed in the BENN.

LOOKING FOR ACADEMIC AWARD NIGHT VOLUNTEERS
Sign-up sheet available in Guidance to assist with Academic Awards on October 10th.
This is a great opportunity for Grade 9 students!

SCREAMPARK
Is looking for volunteers. Do you have what it takes to be one of us??
Screampark.ca 519-744-1555 425 Bingeman Centre dr. Kitchener Email jobs@bingemans.com to apply
September 27, 28 October 4-6, 11-13, 17-20 & 23-27

Grade 12 Students from Ontario Universities

The new Ontario Universities' Info 2020 is live! Find and compare Ontario university programs, plus research residences, scholarships, campus visits and more.

OUInfo 2020 includes a refreshed look and new logo, while maintaining the same functionality. It was renamed to better align with the Council of Ontario Universities' new branding and the Ontario university community, and to more closely reflect the content of the website.

OUInfo is the only resource that is updated directly by the Ontario universities. Visit: www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca.

Universities post updates to OUInfo throughout the year - check back regularly.

Find more information about Extenuating Circumstances on the Guidance website.

All the best in the new school year!

Are you considering volunteering at St. Benedict?

man w transparency
Volunteers are a welcome resource at St. Benedict C.S.S. The school is in a position of trust with regards to students and must strive to protect their intellectual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As such, the WCDSB administrative procedure (APO 001) mandates that all volunteers be screened, references checked, and Criminal Background Check (CBC) done. School administration reserves the right to oppose or rescind any volunteer placement.

If you would like to volunteer at St. Benedict, please contact Ms. Fondacaro or visit our Volunteering page on the school website.
put on calendar

Save the date!

St. Benedict's 21st Annual Academic Awards Night will be held on Thursday, October 10 this year. If your daughter or son was on the Honour Roll last year (in grades 9, 10 or 11) or if they received one of the top two marks in their course (all pathways), they will receive an invitation in their homeroom class to attend and be recognized. Invitations will most likely be distributed the week of September 16.

Support Catholic Education

B1013-ticked
GRT Tap and ride

Academic

Enriching the Lives of Students

By Mrs. D. Wittmann
There many opportunities for students to enhance their learning experience: Enrichment courses, LEAP, OYAP, UCEP, Co-op, Home Build, SHSM, and Skills Canada. Visit the Enrichment blog for information on all these opportunities. The Blogroll contains a plethora of learning enhancements. To learn more about what we offer, click on Enrichment@St.Benedict.

English Corner

By Mrs. D. Wittmann
To receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) each student must obtain four credits in English (one credit per grade). Visit the English blog to read the course offerings provided by the Saint Benedict English Department. The Blogroll has great resources for both students and parents. Enjoy! English@St.Benedict blog.

Advanced Placement at St. Benedict

By Mrs. D. Wittmann
Advanced Placement (AP) is an internationally recognized program that allows students to enrich the Ontario Curriculum with the goal of achieving university accreditation.

What does the research say about AP students?
Research shows that the best predictor of whether or not a student completes a university degree is not their high school grades or standardized tests. Rather, the best predictor is how many challenging courses a student has taken in high school. Students who challenge themselves with AP courses and exams are much more likely to complete a university degree in four years or less.

Visit the Advanced Placement blog:
https://advancedplacementsaintbenedict.wordpress.com/
shsmbanner

Are you signed up for SHSM?

Training opportunities are happening! Check your school email account for messages about upcoming certifications.
You can also go to highskills.ca and go under trips and trainings for your school and sector to see what is coming up.

Still want to become a Specialist High Skills Major student?

Grade 10’s and 11’s can still get registered for the program–forms are in guidance and the coop office (2nd floor).

Grade 11 SHSM students watch for an information meeting to be happening in a few weeks.

GOT QUESTIONS?

See your guidance counsellor or Mrs. Crowell in the co-op office.

Arts & Culture

Business

Construction

Energy

Environment

Health & Wellness

Hospitality & Tourism

Info & Communications Tech

Justice, Emergency Services & Community Safety

Manufacturing

Transportation

High Skills

St. Benedict Library Learning Commons

LearningCommonsLibraryLogo
Library staff extend a warm welcome back to all staff and students of St. Bennie's. We trust you had a wonderful summer and wish everyone a productive, successful first semester!

The Library opens every school day at 8am. A reminder to students that they are expected to be in uniform and there is no food allowed in the library during school hours.

Chrome books are available for loan at the Member Services desk. A valid Idea Exchange library card and St. Benedict student ID card are required.

Starting September 17, we will be offering St. Bennie’s students a mid-day mental re-boot in the form of “making” on Tuesdays. On Tuesday, September 17 come to the mini-Makerspace to make a quote using our Cricut machine and removable vinyl. You can take your design and use it for your locker, your binder or for your bedroom. All materials supplied.

On Tuesday September 24 unwind from the early semester stress by creating interesting and complex geometric art using Spirograph.

From Idea Exchange, check out the following programs:
  • Teen Tastemakers will begin again on Monday September 16 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at our Preston location. Discuss the newest novels, movies and music, write website content and prepare and promote teen events. Refreshments provided.
  • Interested in community theatre? Check out our Acting Out Teen Theatre project which begins on Monday September 16 at 6:00pm at the Hespeler branch. Rehearse and perform a holiday play for the popular Music and Lights Festival in Hespeler on Friday, November 29.
  • You can learn about Drones at the Queens Square library on Saturday September 28 with the Drone Basics for Teens. Learn about becoming a certified drone pilot and spend time flying a real drone!
mathclub

Sports

Bennie's Athletic Council

Good morning SAINTS! Do you have an appreciation for sport? Do you love supporting your school and all its athletic pursuits? Would you like to be a part of a formal club, that has LOW commitment BUT brings HIGH return? If you would like to be a part of the Benedict Athletic Council (better know as BAC), please attend a lunch time meeting in the Lecture Hall on Thursday, September 12. If you can't make it, or have any questions, please see Ms. Reis-Power in the PhysEd office.

Student Activities

Gradwear store open!

Attention Grade 12s, our Gradwear store is open! Check out the link to the store which can be found on the SAC Instagram accounts. The store closes on September 22 so make sure to order your grad-wear. There are no extensions to the deadline!

Clubs

Chess Club debuts!

Have you always thought that a Pawn Shop was a place where chess players hang out? Have you seen Searching for Bobby Fischer ten times? Well then do we have a new club for you, Chess Club! Any interested members can come see Mr. Mathé in room 125 Thursday at lunch for our first ever meeting. Whether you are a new player or consider yourself a grand master, all are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Cosmo Club is baaaaaaaaaack!!!

Do you love doing make-up? Do you love Halloween and creepy special fx looks? Have you wondered how to get the perfect contour and eyebrow shape? If you have a passion for make-up and hair then we invite you to come to Room 124 every Wednesday at lunch. We are accepting members beginning next Wednesday, no experience necessary.
If you are an expert or someone who wants to learn we invite everyone to connect with like minded creative students!! Our first event will be Bennie's Haunted House, the club will be deciding on this years theme!! See you Wednesday!!!!

Finance Club

If I had a million dollars…. how often have you thought about it? Is it possible to ever have a million dollars (other than by winning a lottery or robbing a bank, neither of which we recommend)?

The Finance Club is a chance for students who are interested in the world of investing and financial instruments to get together to share their passions, and look at what it takes to have a seven-digit figure in the bank. We will look at stocks, investing, and run a bit of a contest to see who can build a money making portfolio.

Another important component of the club is financial literacy—knowing what to do with your money, from earning it to spending it, saving, and investing. It’s the important money stuff that most people don’t know where to turn to get.

While we cannot guarantee that you will leave the club at the end of the year with a million dollars in your pocket, we do guarantee that you will have fun talking with other students about your financial passions, share some hints and tips, and gain some insight into the world of investing.

This semester the Finance Club meets in room 216 Mondays at lunch. Students can drop into 216 other days during lunch to update their stock portfolios, make trades, and just chat with other club members. If you get on our email list, we will send out an email to inform you of the coming week’s topic of discussion. This coming Monday we will be starting our Stock Market Challenge, which allows students to pick stocks in real time (with fake money). Bring your lunch and a friend!

Attendance at all meetings is not mandatory, but having fun and learning about your money is!
6659DCAB-F867-4217-9316-D68D8CACBBAE

Arts Council

Do you want to get involved in the Arts scene at the school? Come join Arts Council, which meets Tuesdays during lunch in room 112. We talk about events relating to the school's drama, art and music programs, plan events, and have a lot of fun! Bring your lunch, bring your ideas, and bring your enthusiasm for our events!

We are getting ready for a Coffee House and the Haunted House in October, a musical, and much more! We hope to see you Tuesdays!

MarioKart Club

MarioKart Club is back in action, with our first meeting today at lunch. If you missed us, be sure to join us every Wednesday in 203 at lunch.

Reach for the Top!

Do you know random trivia? Do you like Jeopardy? Come join the Reach for the Top club in room 217 at lunch every Thursday. It's just like Jeopardy but none of us seem to get any questions right.

Coding Club

Are you interested in learning how to code? Or do you know how to code and are looking for a challenge? If so, Coding club is for you!

Coding club is a good place for grade 9 and 10 students to start if you are considering taking the grade 11 programming course (ICS 3C or 3U), but students of all skills and level of interest are invited to join!

Students with programming experience will get an opportunity to try past ECOO and UW programming contests to prepare for those contests in February and March, and participate in Project Euler online to test their programming prowess! For these students we will focus on the Python and Java programming languages. However, we are open to other languages if there is enough desire.

This Friday we will talk about ordering our first over Coding Club spirit wear; please plan to attend if you are interested.

DECA Business Club

Do you have a keen business sense? The power of persuasion? A winning attitude? DECA may be the club for you! If you've ever wanted to do a Dragon's Den sale pitch, or take on a project to improve a business or community organization, alone or with a partner, here's your chance.

We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch in rooms 214 and 216. We have started with category selection., so students are urged to please get that done and to register on the deca.ca website as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Ratz, Mr. Milardovic, Miss Grebinski or Mr. Szpiech.

Last year we had several students qualify for international competition, and two of our students went to Orlando, Florida for a week. We are hoping to build on that success. Do you want to be part of the winning team? Join DECA today!
yearbook2019-20appliations

The Arts

Other News

Fall vendor market
St. Benedict's is hosting its third vendor market to raise funds for local and global social justice initiatives! Vendor spots are still available. Please email laura.varrianolane@wcdsb.ca for an information and application package.

smh-sjhs reunion

Calendar of Events

Be sure to visit our school website for an updated calendar with detailed information links for most calendar entries.
Thursday, September 12
10:40am: Bennie's Athletic Council meeting
10:40am: DECA Business Club
10:40am: Reach For The Top Club
10:40am: Chess Club
10:40am: ACE Robotics Club
10:40am: MCU Club
2:15pm: Band
2:15pm: Math Club

Friday, September 13
10:40am: Coders Club
2:15pm: Doctor Who Video Club

Monday, September 16
10:40am: Finance Club
10:40am: MCU Club
2:15pm: Choir

Tuesday, September 17
10:40am: Arts Council
10:40am: DECA Business Club
10:40am: Champions for Change Club
10:40am: Racing Saints E-Car Team
10:40am: MCU Club

Wednesday, September 18
10:40am: Cosmo Club
10:40am: Spoken Word Club
10:40am: MarioKart Club
10:40am: Racing Saints E-Car Team
2:15pm: Magic the Gathering club

Thursday, September 19
8:00am: Photo Day
10:40am: Coders Club
10:40am: DECA Business Club
10:40am: Chess Club
10:40am: Racing Saints E-Car Team
10:40am: MCU Club
2:00pm: Yearbook applications due
2:15pm: Band
2:15pm: Doctor Who Video Club
2:30pm: Cross Country: Preston Fun Run
6:30pm: Gr. 9 Meet the Teacher Night
6:30pm: Gr. 9 LINK Dance
Friday, September 20
Professional Activity Day

Monday, September 23
Fall Equinox
10:40am: Finance Club
10:40am: MCU Club
1:00pm: Girls Golf: CWOSSA Qualifier, Round 1
1:00pm: Girls Golf: CWOSSA Qualifier, Round 2
2:15pm: Choir

Tuesday, September 24
10:40am: Arts Council
10:40am: DECA Business Club
10:40am: Champions for Change Club
10:40am: Racing Saints E-Car Team
10:40am: MCU Club

Wednesday, September 25
BENN Newsletter release
10:40am: Cosmo Club
10:40am: Spoken Word Club
10:40am: MarioKart Club
10:40am: Racing Saints E-Car Team
2:15pm: Magic the Gathering club

Thursday, September 26
Opening School Mass
10:40am: DECA Business Club
10:40am: Chess Club
10:40am: Racing Saints E-Car Team
10:40am: MCU Club
1:00pm: Boys Golf: CWOSSA Qualifier, Round 1
1:00pm: Boys Golf: CWOSSA Qualifier, Round 2
2:15pm: Band
6:30pm: Catholic Schools Advisory Council Meeting

Friday, September 27
10:40am: Coders Club
1:45pm: Cross Country: Shades Mills
2:15pm: Doctor Who Video Club

All fall sports schedules will be posted soon!

facebook twitter website