masthead2014
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - Volume 13, Issue 6

Message From the School Administration

Introducing the newest member of our Admin Team: Mr. Remberto Roque

Hello everyone, it is an honour to become part of this community and part of the St. Benedict’s family! I am originally from El Salvador and I came to Canada when I was 17 years old. I attended St. Jerome’s HS, and graduated from St Mary’s HS. I obtained my B.A. from University of Waterloo, my M.A. from Western University, and my B.Ed. from the University of Western Ontario. I was a private for four years then I became a second lieutenant for the last three years in the Royal Canadian Regiment, Tango company (Stratford).

I am an active member at the Blessed Sacrament RC Church community where me and my family volunteer with the Children’s Liturgy. I spent my last 19 years at Loyola CSS in Mississauga where I was a Religion Program Head. I was a vice-principal and principal for Continuing Education for DPCDSB for the past 15 years. I have coached wrestling, senior boys’ soccer, chess, I was a student council advisor and breakfast program coordinator for the past 18 years at Loyola.
I have been married for 15 years and I am a father of two 8 and 10-year-old boys. I have a 9 month, 85 pounds St. Bernese named LEO.

My hobbies are going to the gym, gardening, playing chess and watching soccer and football. It is my intent, to help all our kids in this community graduate and become purposeful members of society.

Lastly, I am thrilled to be part of St. Benedict’s admin team and become part of this long tradition of excellence.

School Schedule and Calendar

Quick Link to Our Calendar - https://stbenedict.wcdsb.ca/parents/current-students/school-year-calendar/

Our calendar (with Cohort info and key dates) can be accessed through our school website - https://stbenedict.wcdsb.ca/. You can then access the calendar by going to ABOUT US > School Year Calendar

Quadmester One final evaluation days

It is hard to believe that we are a week away from this quadmester's Final Evaluation days. On those two days, students will be online to complete their final evaluations in a remote synchronous session. As outlined by the Ministry of Education, a final evaluation does not need to be an examination and is administered at or towards the end of the course to allow students an opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the overall expectations. Teachers can provide a broad range of culminating activities for the final evaluation to allow students to demonstrate their learning. Possible options may include a performance, an essay, a test, a debrief of the course, a presentation, an individually scheduled exit interview, or another method of evaluation suitable to the course content.
The period one final evaluation for both cohort A and B will take place on November 11th at 8:00 am and the period 2 final evaluation for both cohort A and B will take place on November 12th at 8:00 am. November 13th is a turn around day and students do not attend school face to face or on line on this day.
Further details about the final evaluation for each course will be provided by the teacher to your student.

Quadmester 1 final evaluations

Period 1 for both cohort A and B
November 11 at 8:00am

Period 2 for both cohort A and B
November 12 at 8:00 am

A Remembrance Day to remember?

By Mr. A. Milardovic

One of the days that I fondly look forward to every school year is Remembrance Day. Between our Chaplain Bob, and the various students involved in all aspects of the commemoration, it fills me with a sense of awe when I see the respect our students have for those who gave their lives freely so others can freely live.

Reflecting on this, I realize that this will be my first year at St. Benedict that we don't all stop at 11:00 and have our Remembrance Day observance. Students will be wrapping up their Period 1 final evaluations that morning from home, and teachers will be in the building winding down the first quadmester, getting the period 2 evaluation ready for Thursday, and starting prep on quadmester 2.
While the school will not be full of students for the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, we will stand and observe two minutes of silence for our fallen. We encourage students to do the same at home.

Bob has provided us with a prayer, seen here on the right. While we may not be together physically for Remembrance Day, we are together in spirit!

Please join us for two minutes of silence at 11:00 next Wednesday, and then join us in prayer.

Videos you can use for your own observance:

Leonard Cohen recites “In Flanders Fields”

Terry Kelly's "A Pittance of Time"

The Last Post
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Prayer for Remembrance Day

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may give us peace:
for the service men and women
who have died in the violence of war,
each one remembered by and known to God;
may God give peace.

For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief
and the sadness of our loss;
may God give peace.

For all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering family, friends
and all who pray for their safe return;
may God give peace.

For civilian women, children and men
whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,
calling to mind in penitence
the anger and hatreds of humanity;
may God give peace.

For peacemakers and peacekeepers,
who seek to keep this world secure and free;
may God give peace.
For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership,
political, military and religious;
asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve
in the search for reconciliation and peace;
may God give peace.

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen.
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Frequently Asked Question

Is there a cohort-specific schedule?

YES THERE IS!

Cohort A Cohort B

McCarthys

New Store Hours

Tuesday: 10am – 6pm
Thursday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
OR VISIT: www.mccarthyuniforms.ca
1-800-668-8261

COVID Test/Screening and Outbreak Protocol

All students (or guardians on their behalf) will be asked to engage in a daily self-assessment before reporting to school and anyone feeling unwell or identifying a concern based on their self-assessment should not report to school. COVID-19 self-assessment (Ontario.ca)

Once at the school, all students will be required to wear mask at all times. Students are to sanitize their hands upon entering and leaving the classroom.

Operational guidance: COVID-19 management in schools (Ontario.ca)

What to do when my child isn't feeling well?

Click here to view the memo for Parent/Guardians from the Region of Waterloo Public Health Unit. The document provides direction for parents and caregivers regarding the role of families, Public Health and schools.

Message from Guidance

Take our kids to work day

Attention all grade 9's! Take our Kids to Work Day is going Virtual this year! On Wednesday, November 4, you can choose to participate in live, interactive breakout sessions about careers in the following areas: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Technology & Finance, Skilled Trades and Healthcare. Please visit the attached link for further details: https://www.thelearningpartnership.ca/take-our-kids-to-work/parents-and-students.

Post-secondary info for Grade 11s & 12s

Are you looking for important post-secondary information and want to get it all quickly and in one place?
Join the Grade 11 & 12 Guidance Information Updates Google Classroom. Click on this link or log into Google Classroom, select Join class, and enter code iftswz7. We will be using this website as a method of communicating important information.

Your Guidance Team

Mrs. L. O’Toole - A to Di
Mrs. K. Arkell - Dj to Ki
Mr. N. Betik - Kl to Pl
Mrs. L. O’Neill - Po to Z

Connect with the Guidance Department

Guidance has set up two Google Classrooms to help communicate information from our department. Please take a minute and join! This is especially important for our grade 12 students as we will be updating the site regularly with important postsecondary and graduation information.
Grade 9 & 10 students - Class code: 6fkoqp3
Grade 11 & 12 students - Class code: iftswz7

Academics

Specialist High Skills Major news

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Grade 11 and 12 Specialist High Skills Major Students are reminded that online certifications are available! Go to Highskills.ca and under Trips and Trainings go into Online Training and follow the instructions. Feel free to contact Mrs. Crowell if you have questions.
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The students of room 213 created this beautiful Remembrance Day poster for their classroom to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. In these times it is important for everyone to remember the sacrifices made in their own way. Great job class!
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Student Activities

Halloween Week Recap

Hi Saints and Saints family members! Thank you to those who participated in last week's Hallowe'en week, it was a blast! We had a pumpkin carving contest, a Hallowe'en themed Coffee House and a movie night. All of the pumpkin carving submissions were spook-tacular! Pictured here is the winning pumpkin.

The virtual Coffee house was a blast! All of the acts were amazing! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents with us Saints! It was truly amazing to see something wonderful come from this strange time.
winningpumpkin
If you missed out on Hallowe'en week, that's okay! We will have our Spirit week coming up soon! Follow us on Instagram at @bennies_sac_updates so you don’t miss out!

Other News

Are you in need of support?

Christmas Hampers and Supports
https://christmashampers.ca/

WCDSB Mental Health and Wellness
https://www.wcdsb.ca/programs-and-services/mental-health-and-well-being-at-wcdsb/

Langs Youth Wellness Hub offers a variety of programs and services for youth and teens including free counselling and groups for teens.
Tech Centre & Study Space: Need a quiet space to study with a friend or two? Text or call to reserve your space at 519.807.1855 open Mon & Wed 3-8p and Tue, Thu, Fri 10-4p
Hoops: Work on your basketball skills on Mon & Wed 6-8p and Thu from 2:30-3:30p
STEAM at Home & Kitchen Kreations
Call Darcy at 519.653.1470 ext. 357 for more information about virtual and face to face programs. Email is darcye@langs.org

BEACON Digital Therapy is now available free of charge to support individuals through stress and well-being concerns – funded by the Government of Canada. This is a personalized digital course/intervention guided by a therapist. Click here to find out more
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Virtual Career Discovery Expo

Calendar of Events

Thursday, November 5
8:00am: Period 1 Cohort B Face to Face
11:15am: DECA meeting
12:25pm: Period 2 All students Distance learning

Friday, November 6
8:00am: Period 1 Cohort B Face to Face
12:25pm: Period 2 All students Distance learning

Monday, November 9
8:00am: Period 1 Cohort B Face to Face
12:25pm: Period 2 All students Distance learning

Tuesday, November 10
8:00am: Period 1 Cohort B Face to Face
12:25pm: Period 2 All students Distance learning

Wednesday, November 11
Remembrance Day
8:00am: Period 1 ALL STUDENTS Final Evaluation

Thursday, November 12
8:00am: Period 2 ALL STUDENTS Final Evaluation
11:15am: DECA meeting

Monday, November 16
8:00am: Period 3 Cohort A Face to Face
12:25pm: Period 4 All students Distance learning
Tuesday, November 17
8:00am: Period 3 Cohort A Face to Face
12:25pm: Period 4 All students Distance learning

Wednesday, November 18
BENN Newsletter release
8:00am: Period 3 Cohort A Face to Face
12:25pm: Period 4 All students Distance learning

Thursday, November 19
8:00am: Period 3 Cohort B Face to Face
11:15am: DECA meeting
12:25pm: Period 4 All students Distance learning

Friday, November 20
8:00am: Period 3 Cohort B Face to Face
12:25pm: Period 4 All students Distance learning

Be sure to check out the calendar on the school website for updates and changes!

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