masthead2014
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 - Volume 12, Issue 2

We know school has already started, but...

Do you know what you need?

School and office supplies on white background. Back to school.

Got your eyes on school supplies?

If you are looking to update that old binder or brighten up that pen collection, you may want to make a stop online before you hit the stores. On the school website we have updated the page What you need to help you be prepared for classes. On this page you will find many of the courses listed, including requirements and suggestions for materials needed for them. While not all courses are listed, the page will give you a good idea of what you need to succeed.

Administrative

Welcome to our new Administrators

Starting this September we will have two new faces in the admin offices. With the departure of Mrs. Temple, our new principal is Mrs. Ingoldsby. Taking the place of Mr. Jaeger is Mr. Stehlik. We asked them both to introduce themselves to the St. Benedict community.

Mrs. Margaret Ingoldsby

I am truly excited to return to St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School for the 2019-20 school year. I know much has changed in the years since I worked at SBCSS as a new teacher, and I am looking forward to reconnecting with the Saints community. One of my fondest memories of my time at Bennie's was when we journeyed as a school community from our worn-down building on Elgin Street to our state-of-the-art facility on Saginaw Parkway. We were filled with optimism and hope for the opportunities that awaited our community. Clearly, the innovation and excellence continue today as evident in the many conversations I have had with staff since my return.
Since leaving St. Benedict, I have had the opportunity to work in three of the other high school communities in our board. Each of these communities provided me many opportunities to grow as a teacher and leader. I am grateful for the many mentors, colleagues and students that I have had the pleasure to serve.
St. Benedict holds a very special place in my heart, and I am looking forward to working with all of you to make this the best year ever! My experience of this community is that it is made up of people who care about our students and work tremendously hard to provide opportunities for success. Although, like many of you, I wish summer could last just a little longer, I am ready to embrace the many activities and celebrations that await us this year.

Mr. Rich Stehlik

Father of two and married for 17 years, I grew up in Kitchener and went to high school at St. Jerome’s HS and graduated from Resurrection CSS. I got my BMath Degree from the University of Waterloo and BEd degree from the University of Western Ontario. I am an active member of the Blessed Sacrament RC Church community.
I spent the last 21 years at St. Michael CSS in Stratford. I taught math (throughout) and computer science (first few years) for 19 and a half years, spending the last 1½ years as vice-principal. I have coached junior/senior badminton my entire time at St. Mike’s and have also coached varsity baseball, junior basketball and midget/junior volleyball while there.
Aside from family and work, my biggest passion is officiating basketball. I’ve been doing that since I was 16 and have had a lot of great experiences with that “side-job”. I currently referee the OUA and the NBL.
I have many passions. I’m a teacher at heart and love trying to get the most out of every student. I’m a huge fan of all extra curriculars. I love to watch people excel in their passions (whatever that may be). I’m sad to be leaving St. Mike’s but I’m really excited to be joining the St. Benedict Family and the Bennie's admin team!

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.

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
Christine O’Connor Administrative Assistant ext. 5631

Course Changes

The deadline for changing course this semester will be September 10, 2019. All course changes must have a pink course change sheet signed by a parent or guardian, before any changes can be made. Please note that not all changes may be possible. We ask that students please follow your current timetable until you have met with a guidance counsellor.

If you have an error, you’re missing a course or a prerequisite on your timetable, please come to Guidance at lunch, on your spare or after school as soon as you can.

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!
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/

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!

ESL Student Meet and Greet

Attention all ESL students: Please join us in Room 3.3 on Friday at lunch for an ESL meet and greet. Come meet new friends, get your questions answered, and course support. Any questions, please see Mrs. O'Connor in room 3.3.

Sports

Cross Country

Attention runners! Cross country practices are taking place every day after school. Please meet in the phys-ed hallway after school dressed ready to run. See Mrs. Gonzalez-Day or Mr. Porto for a permission form or if you have any questions. All are welcome.

Boys and Girls Golf

Are you an avid golfer or maybe you just like to golf occasionally with friends? It does not matter at St. Benedict's because we accept all! If you would like more details about the boys or the girls golf team then please attend a brief meeting with Mr. Krzysztofik and Mr. Porto in room 306 on Tuesday September 10 at the start of lunch.

Saints Football is Back!

The Junior and Senior Football teams are excited about getting another District 8 season underway! Tryouts will begin for both teams on Wednesday, September 4th at 2:30 p.m. on the front field. All players are asked to dress in athletic gear including cleats, shorts, t-shirt and a water bottle. Equipment fitting will be taking place following each tryout. Practices will be taking place all week long. Any questions see Mr. Reitzel (Junior) or Mr. Vale (Senior). Go Saints Go!

Junior Boys Volleyball

Information Meeting for Junior Boys Volleyball tomorrow, Thursday, at the beginning of lunch in Portable 5. Volleyball scorekeepers are also welcome to attend.

If you are interested in trying out but unable to make this meeting, please see Ms. Gill in Portable 5 at lunch or after school today.
Tryout

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 4th at 2:15. If you cannot make the meeting you must let either Mr. Dufresne in the PHE office or Mr. Briere in room 213 know. All athletes need to pick up and submit a signed waiver in order to tryout. Tryouts will begin on Thursday September 5th at 2:15 on the back field. Don’t forget your cleats, shin guards and water bottles.

Tennis

There will a brief meeting for anyone interested in tennis this year on Thursday at the beginning of lunch in the Lecture Hall.

Junior Girls Basketball

Mandatory pre-season Meeting : Wed Sept 4th in room 125 @ lunch
Tryout: Thursday after school from 2:30-4:15. Any girls interested in trying out are asked to bring a filled out permission form to practice and be ready to go at 2:30. Forms can also be picked up from Mr. Mathé in room 125 at lunch.


Senior Girls Basketball

Mandatory pre-season Meeting : Wed Sept 4th in room 301 @ lunch
Tryouts: Thursday Sept 5th 4:15-6:00pm and Friday Sept 6th 2:30-4:15pm

Student Activities

Your Student Activities Council for 2019-2020

Co-Presidents
Savannah Danayan
Bryson Meadus

SAC Advisor
Ms. Ashley Kreuger

Arts
Matthieu Preston (Executive)
Jenna Elises
Sarah Gomes
Stephanie Oei
Erika Singh

Athletics
Kennedy Koeslag (Executive)
Aryan Anand
Kylie D’Souza
Victoria Joseph
Alison Staples

Communications
Karina Gugliemi (Executive)
Lucija Dodig (Yearbook Liason)
Victoria Milardovic (member)
Wesley Tran (secretary)
Media
Alycia Henriquez-Belony (Executive)
Allison Kempton
Jacenia Pahal
Breanna Steel

Social Justice
Jasmine Hersh (Executive)
Tyah Cabral
Hajer Elghamudi
Madison Mercier
Jerill Morales

Special Events
Emma Braga (Executive)
Anna Baumgartner
Nikkyah Bouktsis
Alyssa Simpson
Jewel Villapando

Spirit
Alex Ghazarian (Executive)
Hailey Barnett
Sarah Lee
Savannah Meadus
Natalie Zuccarello
SBCSS Apparel 2019

Clubs

Champions for Change Club

When you think about obstacles and opportunities in your life what comes to mind? Money? Education? Who you know? Where you live? All those things can have an impact on the kind of life we live, but, girls also face certain obstacles and stereotypes just because they’re girls.

Champions for Change Club supports the "Because I am a Girl" global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty.

Through the Champions for Change Club we’re going to explore different issues that affect girls and women here in Canada and around the world. By understanding these issues, we can take action, make a difference and show the world that being a girl matters – for hope, for power, for positive change. If you are interested in being a Champion for positive change in the world please attend the first club meeting at lunch, on Tuesday, September 10th, in room 123. Bring your lunch with you. Mrs. Kot and Ms. Stockie look forward to seeing you there!

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. Bring your lunch and a friend!

Attendance at all meetings is not mandatory, but having fun and learning about your money is!
Robotics2019

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.

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.

Students interested in joining DECA should come to a brief meeting on Friday at lunch in room 214. If you cannot make the meeting, 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!

Magic the Gathering Club

Want to learn how to play the strategy card game that started it all? Want to improve your current MTG decks? Then join the Magic the Gathering Club, we meet every Wednesday in room 227 after school. This club is for new players and old, many opportunities to win prizes and improve your decks, see Mr. Riso in room 227 for further details.

MCU Club

Are you tired of hanging out in the cold cafeteria at lunch? Are you sick of being kicked out of the plaza for loitering? Then come to room 227 every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at lunch and watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe story unfold before your very eyes. Bring your lunch and friends to the MCU club starting with Captain America Monday, September 9.

Racing Saints E-Car Team

The Racing Saints E-Car Team will meet ever Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at lunch in room A4. AKA the Manufacturing Lab! Listen to the announcements to hear when we are starting up.
yearbook2019-20appliations

Coding Club

Coding Club--previously known as Programming Club--provides students with an opportunity to either gain exposure to the incredible world of computer programming, or to challenge those who already know how to code. Advanced coders will hone their skills with challenges that will help them prepare for the ECOO team programming competition, and the individual Beaver Computing Challenge and Canadian Computing Challenge put on by the University of Waterloo. The club is open to all students interested in gaining some exposure to the programming, especially if they are considering taking the grade 11 ICS 3U or ICS 3C course. We will meet in room 216 at lunch, exact day of the week TBA.

Doctor Who Club

13th Doctor Picture
Doctor Who Club resumes September 6
Join us for another year of pizza, prize raffles, and adventures through time and space with the world's most famous time traveler. We meet after school every week in room 226, and we will once again alternate between classic episodes & the new adventures of the 13th Doctor, as played by Jodie Whittaker. New members are always welcome.
Our first meeting will feature the first prize raffle of the year, and the 10th Doctor episode "Army of Ghosts", starring David Tennant.

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.
Wednesday, September 4
2:15pm: Magic the Gathering club
2:15pm: Jr. Boys Soccer information meeting
2:30pm: Sr. Boys Football: tryouts
2:30pm: Jr. Boys Football: tryouts

Thursday, September 5
10:40am: Tennis information meeting
2:15pm: Sr. Boys Volleyball tryouts begin
2:15pm: Jr. Boys Soccer tryouts begin
2:30pm: Sr. Boys Football: tryouts
2:30pm: Jr. Boys Football: tryouts
4:15pm: Sr. Girls Basketball tryout

Friday, September 6
10:40am: ESL Student meeting
2:15pm: Doctor Who Video Club
2:30pm: Sr. Boys Football: tryouts
2:30pm: Jr. Boys Football: tryouts
2:30pm: Sr. Girls Basketball tryout

Monday, September 9
10:40am: Finance Club
10:40am: MCU Club

Tuesday, September 10
10:40am: Champions for Change Club
10:40am: MCU Club
10:40am: Girls Golf information meeting
10:40am: Boys Golf information meeting
2:00pm: Course Change Deadline

Wednesday, September 11
BENN Newsletter release
2:15pm: Magic the Gathering club
Thursday, September 12
10:40am: MCU 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

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

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

Thursday, September 19
8:00am: Photo Day
10:40am: Racing Saints E-Car Team
10:40am: MCU Club
2:00pm: Yearbook applications due
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
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