Newsletter February 2009.pub - Holy Cross Catholic Academy
Newsletter February 2009.pub - Holy Cross Catholic Academy
Newsletter February 2009.pub - Holy Cross Catholic Academy
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Awards night- October 22, 2008Awards Night was a great success! Theefforts, talents and achievementsof our students were acknowledgedat our annualAwards Night. Congratulationsto all <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> students whoreceived awards. Aspecial thanks goesto parents and familymembers forattending and donatinga beautiful arrangement offood for the evening. Thanks to Mr.Allan Mackey, Superintendent ofEducation, we truly appreciate yoursupport of the <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> community.We would also like to extenda sincere thank you to membersof the <strong>Catholic</strong> School Council, the Chaplaincy Team, our TeachingStaff, our Secretarial Staff, Administration, Custodians and theAwards Committee who made a considerable contribution to theevening’s celebration.Congratulations to all of our awards winners.Giving a Child a Christmasby: Vanessa FernandesMany students of <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> have probably never even heard of the VolunteerNow! Committee, but for a dedicated group of students, being a part of this committeehas provided them with the inspiration and motivation to make a difference intheir community. As a part of the Free the Children foundation founded by CraigKielburger, Volunteer Now! is a program directed towards introducing youth to the differentways in which they can change the world through volunteering, from a local to aglobal scale.For the past few years, the <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> Volunteer Now! Committee has made ita tradition to volunteer at the CP24 Chum Christmas Wish Foundation every December;this December, the tradition continued. The CP24 Chum Christmas Wish has becomeone of the largest distributors of toys to children in need in the GTA, and has become thelast hope for many to give a child a Christmas. The visit to the foundation’s warehouse,organized by Ms. Passero and Ms. Savo, gave a group of nine dedicated students thechance to experience how their actions could bring happiness to hundreds of childrenliving in the GTA. While at the warehouse, the committee packaged toys for distributionto the many registered organizations which the foundationsupports. The foundation receives hundreds ofrequests for toys every Christmas, and relies on donations and the help of volunteers to fulfill these requests.The foundation exhibits principles of unity, compassion and philanthropy through its dedicatedvolunteers. Through the experience, the Volunteer Now! Committee understood how a little time andeffort spent volunteering can make all the difference in their own lives and in the lives of those they help.We would like to extend our gratitude to the wonderful student volunteers: Diana Kyprianou, VanessaFernandes, Adriana Dimitri, Melanie Vitta, Marco DiStefano, Justin Bianco, Channing Quigley, CassandraTornabene, and Nicole DiCeglie.Page 2
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT :Course SelectionDuring the month of <strong>February</strong>, all returning students must choose and submit their course selections for the upcoming academic year2009-2010.Please make sure to mark your calendar with the following key Course Selection dates and deadlines:• Monday 9 <strong>February</strong> to Friday 13 <strong>February</strong>: Guidance Counsellors will be visiting Grade 9 to 11 Homerooms toprovide course selection details and Course Selection Information packages;• Tuesday 17 <strong>February</strong> to Friday 20 <strong>February</strong>: Guidance Counsellors will be available in the atrium during all three(3) lunch breaks to answer questions and assist with any queries;• Wednesday 18 <strong>February</strong> from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Guidance Counsellors will be available to current Grade 9 to11 students and their parents/guardians to assist with course selection on a first come, first served basis; and,• Monday 23 <strong>February</strong> to Thursday 26 <strong>February</strong>: Completed Course Selection Forms and cheques must be submittedto Homeroom teachers.These deadlines are final. Students will receive a Course Verification Form in May 2009. Students will be required to checkcarefully the courses selected. Changes may be made at that time. Thereafter, in September 2009 and/or <strong>February</strong> 2010, theonly changes allowed will be in the event of either failure or successful completion of a summer/night school course. NO EX-CEPTIONS.Students may browse the <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> Course Calendar currently available at http://hocr.ycdsb.ca orwww.holycrosscatholicacademy.ca.Ms L. PevatoGuidance Department HeadPage 3@ your LibraryToday information comes to us in a variety of formats and the only constant about it, is the fact thatit is in a constant state of flux!How do today’s students contend with this changing world of information?One place to look for assistance is the School Library – here the <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> community has access to thousands of print and electronicresources to help them with their reference and research needs - visit our physical setting as well as the virtual library at (http:// hocr.ycdsb.ca). It isavailable to all 24/7 and makes access to information only a click away!As well, the library is constantly building its selection of current resources to satisfy the quest for the latest news or best fiction novel. TheWhite Pine Reading Program offers students popular fiction titles geared to them and the issues in their lives. Chanda’s Wars about a young Afghaniwoman is a look at courage and strength at its best, while Dooley Takes the Fall shows the reader that it is important to take responsibility for one’sactions in spite of the many challenges presented in life. Change is possible! These are but two of the ten novels selected for this program that offerpowerful messages and are fabulous reads for teens. Please join the group and share your opinions. Regular meetings will start to take place in secondsemester. Look for the announcement of meeting dates and times.The <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> Library Club, Freedom4Tomorrow/SLIC Leaders, has also been very activein raising awareness and sharing information. In the fall, the group assisted with the promotion of InternationalSchool Library month as well as sponsored “Celebrate for Change” to address the global issueofchildren who have no official status in their countries.For 2 nd semester, F4T has planned several morecampaigns and will assist with the White Pine ReadingProgram and the Vow Of Silence. New members,volunteers and participants for upcomingevents are always welcome.Become informed, Make a difference, Joinin the activities!Michelle Regina, Department Head of LibraryFreedom For TomorrowMembers: (left to right)Jessica Bozzato, Mona Akawi,Amanda GuidoParticipating students (left to right)are: Deanna Znidarcic, NatalieAndriano, Cristina Suppa.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENTThe English Department has to everyone’s benefit, remained relatively stable this year with onlyMs. Fewer’s return to <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> being an addition. As is customary with our department, studentsthis past semester were enriched with a trip to Toronto’s Hart House Theatre’s presentation of Macbethincluding the grade 11’s in Ms. Dotto, Mr. German, and Ms. Ritacca’s classes. The excellentformat Hart House presents includes the afternoon program where stage combat, and the tricks ofShakespearean dialogue are just some of the insights the workshops provide.Also in keeping with popular tradition the English Lab, for students seeking guidance with their written work, is being held everyWednesday from 2:40 to 3:40 in room 129. While our annual English Writing contest will be held in the spring, immediate submissions,especially with term end in sight, are being encouraged in all the areas of communication from poetry and drama scripts to essaysand short stories.On the curriculum front a new board/school initiative resulting in the development of “Smart Goals” for the “Continuous GrowthPlan” is being fully supported by board/school resources and has already begun to impact classroom performance with the promise ofcontinued benefit to our students. Strategies as well as evaluation considerations are under review and refinement with an eye to representingthe most accurate skill demonstrations our students are capable of.Finally a reminder that you, the parents and guardians are the first and most enduring educators and your home the first and most enduringclassroom. Christian values and the love of learning are indeed seeded in your garden for us to nurture along.Paul Videka, English Department HeadINTO The WOODSThis semester brought with it one of the most excitingand ambitious productions in the history of <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong>Drama. Filled with music, costumes, an incredible setand a very talented group of young actors, Into theWoods played to over two thousand audience membersover eight matinee and evening performances. Congratulationsto all of you! You truly made me proud tobe your teacher. A very big thank you is also in orderfor the students and teachers who took a great deal oftheir own time to ensure thiswas a very successful show.Thank you in particular to Mr.David Almeida, Ms. RosePavia, Ms. Stephanie Rea, andto the entire administrationand custodial staff who areprobably very happy that thelong hours of rehearsal arenow over…but don’t get too comfortable…injust a couple of months the secondsemester production will be well under way. Thank you!!David Farro and Beth Facchini, Drama TeachersPage 4
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT UPDATEDepartment Head Santo RossiCOSMETOLOGY“STYLE-A-THON”REGAINS HOPE FORCHARITYOn December 10th the CosmetologyDepartment had a Style-athon benefitting Dr. Simone’s “CanadianFood for Children Charity.” AllCosmetology students were servicingthe school community and their families.Through the services, raffles, and auctions$1,310.00 was raised to benefit familiesin need, especially during this Christmasseason. The spirit of caring and giving wasprevalent through the Cosmetology students,<strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> community, and families ofstudents. Thank you so much, A. Panetta.CULINARY ARTS STUDENTSSERVE IT UPA School Council Chairs’ meeting was hosted by <strong>Holy</strong><strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> in the Bonaventure Room on November3rd 2008. The prepared dinner for guests was cooked by students,friends, teachers and alumni of <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong>. The reviewsof the school and the Hospitality Departmentwere simply outstanding. Many ofthe guests were surprised by the excellenceof our facilities, staff and how supportiveour students are. Mr. Donadio and Mr. Belvederewould like tothank all those whohelped out with thenight’s success.CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGYCLASSES ROCKAll Construction tech studentshave been busy creating unique projectsfrom DVD cabinets to Wonkees. The beautifulplanter bench in the atrium was builtby the Grade 12 class for the <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong>community. Other student projects includean ice-fishing hut, a poker table aswell as a working replica Guitar herobuilt by student Alex Skerlan. Look forexciting news about the new Woodworkingcourses next year. ConstructionTech in tune with student success!Rock Classes led by Mr. Carvalho.NEW TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTER COURSE CODESHere are the new course codes that can help in the selection ofyour child’s path in a technological field.GRADE 9 EXPLORING TECHNOLOGIES: TIJ10COMPUTER STUDIES: ICS20, ICS3C, ICS4C,TEJ3M, TEJ4MICONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY: TCJ20, TWJ3E, TCJ3E, TCJ3C1,TCJ4C1, TCJ4E1,COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY: TGJ3M1, TGJ4M1,TGG3M1/4M - YEARBOOK.TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY: TTJ20, TTA3C, TTA4C,TTJ3CA,TTJ4CA.HAIRSTYLING &AESTHETICS TECHNOLOGY: TXJ20, TXJ3E,TXJ4EHOSPITALITY & TOURISM: TFJ2O1, TFJ3E,TFJ4E,TFJ2OB - BAKINGMANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY: TMJ3C1, TMJ4C1See the 2009 - 2010 course calendar for details and specificationsor a Technological Studies teacher. Please visit the followingweb link for instant access:http://hocr.ycdsb.ca/CoursecalendarCheck out a Technology or Computercourse at <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>Academy</strong>
Much has been happening with the Visual andPerforming Arts Department these past fewmonths. From the Woodbridge Fair, TalentNight, Arts Night, Grade 11 Drama Night to the New York City Trip, it has been a very busy firstsemester. Mr. Farro and Mrs. Facchini along with the Grade 11 & 12 Drama students have justcompleted a very successful 4 day run of “Into the Woods” at the York <strong>Catholic</strong> Centre for the PerformingArts in Thornhill...BRAVO! We wouldalso like to welcome Meaghan Ferrari, who will beteaching dance in the 2nd Semester.VISUAL ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHYThe visual arts and photography students did extremelywell at the Woodbridge Fair High SchoolArts Competition on Thanksgiving Weekend, 2008.Our student s placed 1st in 10 categories. Specialcongratulations goes to Anne Fucunla who’s Landscapeoil painting won Best in Show. Thanks toMrs. Stirpe who helped mat and frame the artwork for the show and of course, tothe talented students who participated.NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!!This year marked the 10th anniversary of the New York City ArtsTrip. Both Grade 11 and 12 art student attended the Novembertrip and I think it is safe to say “they had a great experience”.Besides going to the galleries, seeing the sights and shopping, wesaw two excellent Broadway shows, Young Frankenstein andBilly Elliott. Mrs. Stirpe and Mr. Testani were awesome chaperones.Much thanks goes to them for helping to make the busyitinerary run smoothly.John Austin from George Brown College came to our school late November to talk to any interested Grade 11or 12 visualart/photography students about portfolios. This is the third time John has come to <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> and his workshops have provedinvaluable for those students wishing to pursue post-secondary studies in visual arts/photography.The Grade 12 Art Show has been postponed until the beginning of second Semester. The oil paintings of Mary and Jesus havetaken a lot longer to complete than originally thought. Upon completion they will be placed permanently above the display casesat opposite ends of the atrium and will be one of the main attractions of the Grade 12 Art Show.Joseph SwanekUPCOMING EVENTS:►Arts Night (May 7)Department Head►Grade 12 Visual Arts Night (Feb. 12 tentative) ►Grade 12 Drama Production (May 20, 21,22 & 23)►Talent Night (April 2)►Grade 11 Drama Night (April 15)►Chicago (Music/Drama Trip) (Apr. 24-27)►Grade 12 Photography Show (May 28)►Fashion Show (T.B.D.)►Music Competition at Ontario Place (June 12)Page 6