Bishop Roborecki School

First Student Bus Hot Line – 343-3300. Please feel free to phone this number anytime there is severe weather, and check if your child’s bus is running

December 18 – Last Day of School for Christmas Break – 2:05 p.m. dismissal

This is the last newsletter for this year! Wow! Does time ever fly? It does not seem that long ago that the “wasps” living in the pine tree in the park were the center of attention and a source of distraction for some recess breaks; now, we are checking the temperature and the wind chill factor to determine if our students can go outside and get some fresh air. This is the third week of Advent and we continue to prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas. This is a time that we reflect on the “candles” that have been lit in our lives and of the “light of generosity” that comes our way. We are very thankful for the gifts and generosity that have come to the school for Ronald McDonald House, the Friendship Inn and the Saskatoon Food Bank. These “good deeds” coming to school at a time when we have other things to focus on demonstrate the caring and kindness that exists in our community. The “pennies for change” collection showed the care and compassion that exists here. We have lots of “goodness” in our school, and for that we have much to be Thankful for. These activities have helped to keep “Christ in Christmas”, a theme for us this Advent. On behalf of the staff of Bishop Roborecki School, I would like to wish you a very merry, blessed and safe Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Last Thursday, we hosted our students and their families and enjoyed a terrific supper. All of our staff participated in making this a success and I would like to congratulate each one for making the evening successful. Having said that; I would like to Thank Ms. Dutka, our Community School Coordinator, and Mrs. Turcotte, our Home School Liaison Worker, for their leadership and tireless efforts in making our Family Meal the event that it was. Mrs. Turcotte and Ms. Dutka were terrific organizers and helped with planning the event at the school. So, huge “Thank yous” are in order, please join me in congratulating our staff and recognizing the leadership of Mrs. Turcotte and Ms. Dutka.

We have been fortunate to have the facilitator from Junior Achievement with us for the past couple of weeks. Junior Achievement is a program that uses “business principles” to support the curriculum that our teachers present to our children. I think we were fortunate to be first in having this “model” of presentation made available to the students from grades 3 to 8. In observing the classes and talking to the teachers this was a great opportunity for our students and created more enthusiasm for participating in learning opportunities. One of the key components of the Junior Achievement program is collaboration. It was terrific to see our students embrace the opportunity to work collaboratively. In fact, the “business” that some of our grade 8’s created produced results that surprised their teacher and myself. Well done everyone. And thanks to Carol Ward, the JA presenter, for providing our students with a fantastic learning activity.

There will be an Assembly tomorrow at 10:40 in the gym. At that time we will be presenting the Advent Story under the direction of Mrs. Eng, the Bishop Roborecki Choir, accompanied by Mrs. Sparks and Mr. Weiman and the Grade 6 and 7/8 Bands, and conducted by Ms. Geini.

We will be saying Good Luck and Farewell to two individuals that have been with us these past months. Ms. Bryden has been an Intern with Mrs. Suwala and will be completing her Education program after Christmas. I would like to thank her for her contributions and for making our students a priority with her. Well done and good luck in your teaching career. As well, we would like to Thank Mrs. Trevisan. She has been supporting our grade one students and teacher as she completed her Educational Assistant Program with us. I would like to thank her for seeing each one of our students as special and important. We wish you the best in your future in Education.

Ms. Unser’s last day is Friday. Please join me in thanking her for helping to make our program a great place to be. Ms. Unser has had a temporary contract and it concludes on Friday because Ms. Altenberg will be returning from her assignment as an Intern Teacher. Please join me in wishing Ms. Unser all the best in her future career and welcoming back Ms. Altenberg.

In the new year we will have some future nutritionists working in our school. They will be making presentations to classes and supporting the instruction that our teachers provide. We will also be sharing the development of the Nutrition Policy for our School Division. We have being asking our students to leave the “energy drinks” at home as part of this awareness program. This will be an opportunity to see why these drinks and their ingredients do not match the advertised benefits. We hope that through these activities, children can make informed choices about their food options.

The Bishop Roborecki Choir . . . did a marvelous job performing at the Knights of Columbus Carol Festival on December 2. Thank you for all the hard work and commitment. The children that participated were:

Megan S., Keenan B., Sarah R., Raven M., Roselle C., Krystyn C., Mercedes S., Jubilen S., Darren L., Alexia M.,

Kyra L., Jedavee A., Deanna R., Adrianna B., Emil D., Justine C., Jerome L., Kayla P., Hailey B., Jadelin B., Raquel P., Christina S., Heidi E., Sarah L., Andrea C., Jacob S.

‘Tis the Season…Merry Christmas! It’s our last week before Christmas break and the school is full of Christmas cheer and celebrations. Thank-you to all the families who made it out for our Family Christmas Meal, it was a wonderful evening. We would also like to thank Care and Share who donated the turkeys for that special meal.

There are some activities coming up in the New Year that parents/caregivers need to be aware of. We will be starting up both; KHL Hockey and a Kiwanis Club Speaking Competition in January. Forms will be going home to interested hockey players this week. I would also like to congratulate eight lucky students who have been volunteering their time to our nutrition program. These students have won tickets to a World Junior Hockey Game and jackets courtesy of BHP Billiton. Good work!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the 1^st Annual CSCC Family Craft Night on Thursday, December 3! Attendance was incredible, the evening was a huge success, and we picked up some great ideas and suggestions to help make next year’s night even better! I would like to thank the following people, without whom the evening could not have happened: Kelly Dube, Heather Radke, Cindy Mooney, Abigael Ramos, Katherine Ramsoy, Alison Levesque, Cindy Isbister, Michael Pagulayan, Glenda Rodriguez, Stephanie Topacio, Ronda Fedorchuk, Ryan Quillinan, Andrea Fiss, and the staff who stayed to assist and who organized the pizza preorders. A big thank you goes to Van Houtte Coffee Services for donating all of the coffee and hot chocolate supplies. Also, a special thank you to the folllowing grade 8 students who volunteered to help guests with their crafts: Allison P., Carly B., Carla M., Maria S., Clarissa M., Angelica C., Camille I., John C., and Lyan A.

Santa Shop was a tremendous success again this year, so thank you to all of our families who supported this fun event. Special mention to the parent volunteers, without whom, Santa Shop couldn’t happen: Mary-Anne Beardy, Cindy Mooney, Kelly Dube, Chantelle Haugen, Brenda Mandez and Charlotte Domingo.

On behalf of your Home and School/Catholic School Community Council, I would like to wish you and yours’ a safe and Merry Christmas!

Cosmo Civic Center is hosting free family skate times during the holiday season. It’s a great way to be with family and get physically active.

Saskatchewan Table Tennis Association is pleased to offer FREE introductory drop-in sessions for children ages 6-12. Bring gym shoes and clothes; racquets will be available to borrow. Lessons occur at Sion Middle School, 2010 7^th Street East on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30. Table tennis is a great individual, group, and family sport, and is the second most popular participant sport in the world! Come on Saturdays for introduction to a popular Olympic sport.

Youth Whitewater Kayak Lessons: Developed for youth 10-16, our tremendous kayak programs will guide your child through the steps to becoming a star kayaker. Starting with the basics of kayaking we will help your child build confidence in themselves both as a paddler and an individual. All SWKC winter programs are held in the warmth of Saskatoon’s Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre. For information on programs and when they take place please visit our website www.saskwhitewater.wordpress.com. Visit our website or contact Brendan Curson at 306.979.5218 for registration

Attention Parents: If you have a child that has been hospitalized due to illness or injury, we would like to hear your story for our Children’s Hospital Radiothon on February 3, 4 and 5, 2010. Sharing your story with us means that you and your family can help to raise awareness and inspire others to support the fundraising for the Children’s Hospital during the Radiothon in Saskatoon. Tell us about your experience. Did you have to travel out of province for medical treatment? Please contact Shauna Korol at the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan at 931-4887 or s.korol@childrenshospitalfoundation.sk.ca for more information or to get involved.

The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools International Student Program is in need of host families. The students come from Japan, Korea, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia. They come mainly in grades 9 through 12. They usually stay for one or two semesters. Some stay longer. The students pay the host family $600.00 per month to cover expenses. For information call the Office Coordinator at the International Student Program office at 659-7688. Our homestay manual can be found at www.gscs.sk.ca/international or email at international@gscs.sk.ca.

When the Blades score their first goal of the night, throw your toques, mitts, and scarves on the ice. All items will be collected by the Blades and in partnership with MD Ambulance distributed throughout the City of Saskatoon. Come on out and help keep everyone warm…

Celebrating our Cool Culture! WinterShines Saskatoon, January 23 through February 7, 2010

16 days of great frosty get-away fun! Join us at Market Square River Landing for festival kick-off and a Sask Energy barbeque, followed by 2 weeks of Snow Carving festival activities, Celebrity “Warm the Heart” Soup cook-off, a parade of snow homes, ice carving festival, Kiteboarding, Cross-Country skiing, star gazing, skating, arts and cultural festivals and a whole lot more. Visit www.tourismsaskatoon.com or www.wintershines.com for a schedule of events and locations.

Attention Adopted Youth: Are you between 8 and 11 years old? Do you like to have fun? We have just the thing for you! The Adoption Support Centre has started a youth group for people like you. The group will enjoy many activities, such as game nights, special outings and other ideas that come from you – like glow bowling, pizza parties, tobogganing and hot chocolate. We will be meeting once a week and are excited to have everyone come out and have fun. To find out more please call the Adoption Support Centre at 665-7272.

On behalf of the staff of Bishop Roborecki . . . Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!