This past week was a very busy one here at Mother Teresa High School as we celebrated Bullying Awareness Week with special events and presentations; distributed report cards to all students Grades 7-12 on Thursday, November 18th; and hosted Transport Canada's National Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, November 17th.
This week began with a visit by Max Keeping to our Broadcasting classes on Monday morning and Grades 7&8 parent-teacher Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, November 24th.
National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims
Wednesday, November 17th, was a huge success as we hosted the Federal Minister of Transport, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, who spoke to our Grades 10, 11 and 12 students about the importance of road safety. Other speakers included Ottawa Catholic School Board Director of Education, Julian Hanlon; President of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), Steve Martin; President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Denise Dubyk; Executive Director of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving, Anne Leonard; and our own regional representative for OSAID, MT student Emily MacDonald.
It was my privilege to deliver a tribute to Christian Williams, our grade 12 student who was killed in a road crash on June 22nd, 2010, and to have the Williams family present with us for the event. We also remembered the sister of our staff member Norm Duhamel. Lyn Duhamel was killed in a road crash in May of 2010 when she was cycling with triathlete teammates southeast of Montreal.
In addition to the assembly, all students from Grades 7-12 had an opportunity to visit thirteen interactive kiosks displayed by road safety providers, as well as the "Choose your Ride" exhibit in front of our school. MADD also held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Minister of Transport to launch their Red Ribbon Campaign for this year.
The day was a huge success! Please click on the following link to see some photos from the day:
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Grade 7&8 Parent-Teacher Interviews
Our students received their Progress Reports last Thursday, November 18th, and hopefully you have had a chance to review the new style of report card used for our Grade 7&8 students' first reporting period. Interviews with your children's teachers are scheduled for this Wednesday, November 24th, beginning at 2:30pm. An interview request form went home with the Progress Reports.
Please make sure you sign up for an interview time with the teachers you would like to see. All interviews will be held in the cafeteria gym.
The University & College Application Process Has Begun
Our graduating students have received handouts explaining how to apply to college as well as usernames and passwords for applying to university. Please check the Student Services section of our school website for these handouts as well as important related information.
www.mths.ca --> Departments --> Student Services
Teen Truth Live Assembly
This Thursday, November 25th, all MT students will be participating in an assembly on the topic of bullying presented by Teen Truth Live. Grades 9 and 10 will take part during Period 1, Grades 11 and 12 during Period 2, and our Intermediate students following their lunch break during Periods 5 and 6.
Please see the following link for more information on Teen Truth Live. Last year they presented to our school on the topic of body image.
http://teentruthlive.com/programs/bully-school-violence/
MT Live
Friday, December 3rd, from 7pm to 9pm, our Student Council will be hosting a talent show to showcase the many talented students we have attending our school. Students will be auditioning this week in the Multipurpose Room for the opportunity to perform. Signup sheets for auditions are posted outside Room 305.
Yearbooks on Sale
Yearbooks went on sale this Monday, November 22nd priced at $45. The early bird special price in effect from November 22nd to December 3rd is $40.
Yearbooks can also be personalized with the student's name for an additional $5. Order forms were distributed during homeroom on Monday. Cash or cheques, payable to Mother Teresa High School with a note of the student's name, homeroom and yearbook made on the memo line, will be accepted during both the high school and intermediate lunch breaks.
Orders for yearbooks cannot be accepted after the Christmas Break.
Christmas Hampers and Breakfast with Mayor Jim Watson
By Chaplain Martha Dougherty
Every year our school community demonstrates its generosity and compassion through Christmas hampers. This year we are shaking things up and changing the way we support families in financial need. Beginning on Wednesday December 1st, all homeroom classes are challenged to raise a minimum of $64. Yes, just $64! If all our 64 homerooms raised $64, we would easily meet our goal of $4000. This money will be converted into Walmart gift cards. The more money we raise, the more money we can give to our families.
The two homeroom classes that raise the most money will enjoy a special breakfast in the Atrium on Thursday Dec 16th. Our special guest that morning will be Mayor Jim Watson and members of the media.
So remember, Advent collection for Christmas begins school wide on December 1st! We are well into Advent preparations this week.
First Intermediate National Capital Championship Since 2003!
Congratulations go out to Mlle. McMurchy and the members of our Grade 7&8 Girls' Volleyball Team on their National Capital Championship win last Monday, November 15th against St. Patrick's Intermediate School. Members of the Mother Teresa team are: Emily Ferguson, Hilary Freake, Madison Graves, Julia Hallarn, Morgan Hector, Karina Katsepontes, Elizabeth Kelly, Nina Klajic, and Serena Weaver. The girls won five of their six regular season games before going on to win the quarter finals, the semi finals and the final game that was played at home.
Congratulations to our girls' team! We are so very proud of their accomplishments!
Read-A-Thon for our Grade 7&8 Students
On Wednesday, November 24th, students in Grades 7&8 have the opportunity to spend the day in the library with visiting author Max Turner, along with food, prizes and great reading materials.
Students can pick up pledge sheets in the library.
On Wednesday morning, students taking part report to their homerooms for attendance and then proceed to the library following the announcements. Many thanks to our teacher-librarian, Mrs. Harrington-Veryard, for organizing this event.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Norma McDonald
Principal
Mother Teresa High School