St. Patrick's Intermediate Blog Feb. 27 to March 3

Ash Wednesday
We will observe Ash Wednesday with an afternoon service on March 1st. We will reflect on the meaning of Lent and invite students and staff to be marked by ashes that represent our mortality and are an outward sign for forgiveness. Because the administration of ashes is sacramental and not a sacrament, all individuals, regardless of their faith, may receive ashes. Students who would rather not receive ashes will be encouraged to come forward for a blessing.

Parent-Teacher Interviews
Our parent-teacher interview night on Thursday was well attended. Thank you to all in our community who were able to make it out and special thanks to our School Council for their presence.  Please consider attending the next School Council meeting on March 22 (see below for further info.).

Dress-Down Day on Monday
Don't forget that Monday is a dress-down day for charity.


Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, March 22:  St. Patrick Intermediate School Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Learning Commons Building 1

Thursday, March 2:  CSPA Presents Well Being:  Our Students, Your Children (see spe.ocsb.ca for further information and registration instructions)

St. Patrick's Intermediate Blog February 20-24

Family Day on Monday, February 20

As Monday, Feb. 20 is Family Day, parents and guardians are reminded that there is no school for students.  School resumes on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

St. Pat's High Band Drops by for a Visit

On Tuesday, we were entertained by the St. Patrick's High School Senior Concert Band as well as their R&B band.  Students really enjoyed the music and all were interested in hearing about what SPH has to offer in terms of programs in music.  We hope they drop by again soon!

Changing the Learning Environment
Along with our focus on effective collaboration and reciprocal teaching, some teachers at SPI are experimenting with a change in the learning environment. Pictured below is Ms. Fournier's class.  Instead of the teacher desk being at the front of the room, she has hers in the middle of the room, allowing her to facilitate between student groups to a greater degree.  At SPI we are always eager to learn about, and try, innovations in education.

Parent-Teacher Interviews - Thursday, Feb. 23
Report cards went home on Thursday (Feb. 16) and parent-teacher interviews take place on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.  We invite you to fill out your son's/daughter's interview form (sent with the report card) to schedule a 10 minute meeting with teachers.  This sheet needs to be returned to classroom teachers so that they may finalize their schedule with parents.  Our school council will also be present, along with the Student Services department from St. Pat's High, to answer any questions and to provide information.

Early Dismissal on Thursday, Feb. 23
In order to accommodate parent-teacher interviews, there will be early dismissal on Thursday, Feb. 23.  Students will be dismissed an hour early, at 1:10 p.m.

Safety Alert re:  Illegal Prescription Drugs
I sent an important e-mail Thursday evening regarding illegal prescription drugs which I hope you will review with your son and/or daughter.  If you did not receive this message or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great short week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, March 22:  St. Patrick Intermediate School Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Learning Commons Building 1

Thursday, March 2: CSPA Presents Well Being: Our Students, Your Children (see spe.ocsb.ca for further information and registration instructions)

St. Patrick's Intermediate Blog February 13 - 17

Reciprocal Teaching
One goal we are working on at St. Pat's Intermediate this year is the focus on more effective collaboration via the pedagogical practice of reciprocal teaching. Essentially, this high-yield strategy involves group members taking on specific roles and tasks in order to make their overall work more productive. On the left are a couple of photos of reciprocal teaching in action from Ms. Hubbard's class.

Jamaal Rogers
On Tuesday, poet Jamaal Rogers paid us a visit. Jamaal is an award-winning urban poet and hip-hop artist who specializes in slam poetry. The students really enjoyed his upbeat and energetic performance.

Report Cards and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Term 1 report cards go home on Thursday, February 16.  Parent-teacher interviews are available by appointment using the form that will accompany the your child's report card. Interviews take place a week later, on Thursday, February 23 from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Grade 9 Parent Night

On February 16th, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., parents and guardians of students in grade 8 are welcome to join the staff at St. Pat's High School for an informative session regarding what to expect as students transition to grade 9.  Students have been given a great deal of information regarding course selection and what to expect in high school; however, this is an opportunity for parents to receive information.  Hope to see many of you there.

High School:  A Parent's Guide

To access a brand-new OCSB publication, High School:  A Parent's Guide, please access the following link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByrlYMrTjslHWlhHQU1kdmxMaHRldThBMGhKd0U5emdxLVJ3

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wed. Feb. 15:  Parent Focus Group on Student Well-Being, 6:45-8:45 p.m., Holy Trinity Catholic High School (see spe.ocsb.ca for more information and to register)

Wednesday, March 22:  St. Patrick Intermediate School Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Learning Commons Building 1

St. Patrick's Intermediate Blog February 6 to 10

SPH Visits to Showcase Art

St. Pat's High School paid us a visit this week to discuss with students art course options as well as to showcase various projects done by students predominantly at the grade 9 level. We are always to happy to welcome SPH to SPI!

Important Immunization Notice

Some parents/guardians will have received a notice from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) advising them that their immunization records are incomplete. If you have received such a notice, please be advised that your child will be suspended from school beginning on Feb. 8 and will be unable to return until OPH advises the school that he/she may be readmitted. If you have any questions please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.

Visit to St. Benedict School

I had the pleasure of visiting St. Benedict School, the OCSB's newest school, located in Ottawa South. I went there with the purpose of looking at colours, designs, and furniture in order to see, first-hand, various possibilities for our new addition at St. Pat's High School. Julia Fournier, our curriculum leader of math and science, and superintendent Manon Seguin joined me on this exciting visit. Thanks so much to principal Lynne Charette for hosting us.

Important Contact Information

Our School Council chair is Cees Artz and can be reached at chair@StPatsInt-council.ca

Our Trustee is Mark Mullan and can be reached at mark.mullan@ocsb.ca

Have a great week.

Don Murphy

Principal

Upcoming Events

Wed. Feb. 15:  Parent Focus Group on Student Well-Being, 6:45-8:45 p.m., Holy Trinity Catholic High School (see spe.ocsb.ca for more information and to register)

Wednesday, Feb. 22:  St. Patrick Intermediate School Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Learning Commons Building 1