09/14/2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:
 


I want to thank everyone in the Mother Teresa Community for helping us get off to a great start. It was a wonderful week for me to see the renewed energy of our returning students and welcome some of our new students.


We were reacquainted with our Grade 9-11 students through grade level assemblies and we met our Grade 8 students in their classes to welcome them back to their last year as elementary school students. We treated our Grade 12 graduating class to granola bars and juice on Friday morning and spoke to them of the expectations of their graduating year, and last but not least, we were able to welcome our new Grade 7s in their classes.

The message we gave to all our Mother Teresa Titans was one of Respect...Respect of Self, Respect of Each Other, Respect of Staff, Respect of our Environment, and Respect for the Community - its rules and procedures.

The Grade 7&8 students also received a pamphlet to help with their success as they travel through their year. I have attached a copy for your review.


Click on this link to review the 7&8 Pamphlet

CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE

Community life at Mother Teresa has hit the ground running! Students are vibrant and energetic and, if the past week is any indication, we are in for a great year. Pastoral programs that were initiated last year will continue and we are preparing to start something new. Peer Mediation will be launched this Fall.   Details will be made available as we launch the program.

Our opening school masses will take place on October 5 and 6 and Fr. Steve Amesse will be celebrating with us. Please remember that you are always welcome to join us for Mass!

The Unity Cross will be at Mother Teresa this coming week and we will be gathering classes in the chapel for prayer and reflection. The cross is beautiful and will be available for everyone to see.

Once a month we have mass in the chapel at 3:15 p.m. for anyone in the school who would like to attend. Again, if you are in the school we would be pleased to have you join us.

The ACTS Team will be gathering to prepare for a new year of service.  ACTS (A Chance To Serve) is the Grade 7&8 Ministry Team. The high school Ministry Team will begin gathering after the Leadership Camp.

As always, please keep us in your prayers as we strive to serve your children.

Yours in Catholic education,

Martha Dougherty

Chaplaincy Team Leader

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT - Thursday, September 15

We welcome all parents and guardians to our informal Meet the Teacher night on Thursday.

4:30 - 5:30 

Drop by for a BBQ.  All proceeds from the BBQ will go to our Peer Helping students and Destination Employability students to help fund their activities.

5:45 -6:45            

Gather in the Cafeteria for a short welcome address and introductions, after which 7/8 teachers will remain in the cafeteria and high school teachers will proceed to the high school gym.

We look forward to seeing you and meeting you.  

TITAN WEAR

TITAN WEAR is back with some new and improved designs. New items include girls sweatpants and new cresting on sweatshirts. Order forms will be going home in October for delivery in November. There will be a complete catalogue for viewing on the school website once it has been developed by our graphic designers.

BABYSITTING COURSE

Students interested in taking the Babysitting Course please pick up a form in Student Services for more information. This course is open to anyone Ages 11-14.

ENGLAND TRIP

Students wishing to participate in an exciting London, England trip in March 2012 are asked to see Mrs. Simpson in Room 138 for more information and permission forms.

DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Driver Education will be offered at Mother Teresa on Wednesday nights, starting October 19th. For more information please see Student Services. This is a Ministry of Transportation approved course.

TERRY FOX RUN

Next Thursday, September 22nd, students will be participating in a supervised walk off school property to recall the journey of Terry Fox and his commitment to raising funds for Cancer research.

DIRECT ACCESS TO STUDENT SERVICES & COOPERTIVE EDUCATION

Our upgraded phone system has enabled us to give you direct access to:

  

   Student Services:            613-823-5033

   Cooperative Education:  613-823-5032

Please feel free to use these numbers.

SIREN TO BE CONTINUED AT MT

Our OSSLT results continue to be high at Mother Teresa and our Literacy team believes that SIREN (STOP IMMEDIATELY READ EVERYTHING NOW) has contributed to our Student success. Your son/daughter is asked to bring reading material to each class.

TRANSPORTATION

YELLOW SCHOOL BUSES:

Parents should be advising the school directly of any change to a student's home address as this may impact on transportation services. As well, the following email address and phone number can be used to communicate any other transportation concerns to OSTA:

Centre West Zone- (613) 224-8800 

centre.west@ottawaschoolbus.ca

Applications for Seat Availability:

Students, who had been approved to access school bus transportation under the Seat Availability provision for the 2010/11, are reminded that they are required to re-apply, along with any other students wishing to request this service for the 2011/12 school year.

The "Application for Access to Empty Seats on School Bus Vehicles," form is available on the OSTA website at www.ottawaschoolbus.ca. Parents complete and sign the OSTA Application for Empty Seat form and drop it off at the school prior to the end of September.  Note that empty seats cannot be assigned until after October 1st.

Please note that we are following the guidelines outlined on the OSTA websites when assigning seats and not the lottery system as previously stated in my first Constant Contact of the year.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Meet the Teacher night on September 15th and don't forget you are also welcome to attend our first Parent Council evening Monday the 19th at 7:00 p.m.

Thank you for your continued support as we journey through the 2011-2012 school year.

Sincerely,Mrs. Mary Ellen Agnel
Principal
Mother Teresa High School

07/09/2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:
 


Wow, where did the summer go? I hope you enjoyed a safe, happy summer and found time for some R and R. This is my first September start up at Mother Teresa and I am looking forward to an exciting year. I thought I would share with you some useful information as we head into the 2011-2012 school year. Much has been happening over the summer months at Mother Teresa; the library continues to be transformed into a Learning Commons - an updated new space for students to gather and learn. Our solar panels on the roof are now turning and awaiting one last inspection before they are fully functional, and our phone system and PA systems have been upgraded. Our new phone system has allowed us to assign independent phone numbers to Student Services and Co-operative Education to allow parents and students direct access to these areas. The main school number remains the same.

Here are the new numbers for Mother Teresa Student Services and Co-operative Education Departments:

• Student Services - 613-823-5033
• Co operative Education - 613-823-5032

A special thanks to our custodial staff and our school board's Planning and Facilities Departments for making the school look so amazing and getting us up and running for a new school year.

ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE

Please join me in welcoming Mr. P. Gillis as the newest member of our Administration team. Mr. Gillis will be taking the place of Ms. C. Bowie, Vice Principal, who has been moved to Immaculata High school. Mr. Gillis comes to us from Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville. He brings with him many years of experience in the Vice Principal role

SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE

High School 7/8 Homeroom 8:40-8:50 Homeroom 8:40-8:50 Period 1 8:50-10:05 Period 1 8:50-9:40 Period 2 10:10-11:25 Period 2 9:42-10:32 Lunch 11:25-12:10 Nutrition Break 10:32-10:38 Period 3 12:15-1:30 Period 3 10:38-11:30 Period 4 1:35-2:50 Period 4 11:32-12:22 Lunch 12:22-1:08 Period 5 1:08-1:58 Period 6 2:00-2:50

TRANSPORTATION

As you are aware OC Transpo has undergone major bus route service changes which may or may not affect your child's travel time to school. Information on the fastest trip to school can be found on the Travel Planner as well a list of the school routes can be found under Routes and Maps > High schools and middle schools. Please direct any inquires to www.octranspo.com.

YELLOW SCHOOL BUSES:
Parents should be advising the school directly of any change to a student's home address as this may impact on transportation services. As well, the following email address and phone number can be used to communicate any other transportation concerns to OSTA:

Centre West Zone - (613) 224-8800 ext. 2382
Centre.west@ottawaschoolbus.ca

Applications for Empty Seat Availability:
Students, who had been approved to access school bus transportation under the Empty Seat Availability provision for 2010/11, are reminded that they are required to re-apply, along with any other students wishing to request this service for the 2011/12 school year.

The "Application for Access to Empty Seats on School Bus Vehicles," form is available on the OSTA website at www.ottawaschoolbus.ca.

Parents complete and sign the OSTA Application for Empty Seat form and drop it off at the school prior to the end of September. Please note that empty seats cannot be assigned until after October 1st.

Consideration will be given to medical/extenuating circumstances, Grade 7&8 students, after which any empty seats will be assigned by way of a lottery. Please note that OSTA reserves the right to withdraw approval anytime based on changing student numbers and route efficiency requirements. Assigned seating is for the 2011/2012 school year only.

Communication is Key at Mother Teresa - Staying in touch with what is happening at school - what homework?

Finding out what is going on at school has been an eternal problem. We also realize this and are trying to help, using tools of the modern age of digital communication...so what are your options? Daily Morning Announcements - The daily announcements that are read in each homeroom every morning have been posted online for over six years now! Just go to the school website (www.mths.ca) and look on the right-hand side and click on Daily Announcements. They are usually posted at about 3:00 pm the previous day. Find out what is happening at Mother Teresa even before your child does. School Calendar - In the paper school agenda that every student received, there is a Calendar of Events. The problem is dates are changing all the time. To see (or even subscribe to) the Mother Teresa Event Calendar, go to www.mths.ca , click on "Our School" and then "School Calendar". Homeroom Websites - For Grade 7 & 8 students, each homeroom has its own website with a running homework blog. Go to www.mths.ca; click on "Departments" and then "Grade 7 & 8" to find a list of all homerooms. This homework blog is maintained by the students, so if your homeroom is not up to date you can get your child to volunteer to update it! Some subjects also have specific pages where teachers post content as well. Course Websites - For high school classes, every course and section has its own website. You will have to ask your child for their schedule and find out the course codes for each of their classes (ex. ICS2O-01). Just go to www.mths.ca and then click on "Departments" and then the appropriate department for the course. Most high school teachers are now using and updating them daily. Bi-Weekly E-News Letter -is sent out by the Principal highlighting what has happened and what will happen at school. (You already get it; this is the e-news letter!). To sign up or be removed, send an email to info@mths.ca. iPhone App - Yes that is right! Mother Teresa has its own iPhone app, now with Push Notification. All the above can also be accessed on your iPhone in its own app. We also send out push notifications (those pop up reminders) to tell you about special events that are happening at the school. If you or your child has not downloaded the app yet, just go to apps.mths.ca or search for "iMTHS" on the Apps Store and stay up to date. Facebook and Twitter - Yes you can even follow us on Facebook or Twitter http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mother-Teresa-High-School http://twitter.com/MotherTeresaHS Hopefully this will help you stay tuned to the happenings at Mother Teresa. If you have any other suggestions to help keep you informed, drop us a note at info@mths.ca.

OUTSTANDING FEES/TEXTBOOKS

Please remind students in your home who have outstanding course fees, textbooks, or course materials, that these items need to be returned prior to them receiving their 2011-12 course materials.

Thank you for your support with this matter.

REPORT CARD PICK UP

The school has been open throughout the summer months for students to pick up their final report cards from the 2010-11 school year. Students who have yet to pick up their report cards are requested not to come to the Main Office the first week of school (September 6th to September 9th) due to the heavy volume for the start up of our new school year.

Report cards can be picked up starting next week, September 12th.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

Our school is now completely wireless and with this brings a new level of responsibility on the part of our students with respect to their personal electronic devices. I am requesting your help in discussing the following with your children to ensure they understand the appropriate use of cell phones and the many other electronic devices they may own.

Students are allowed to use their personal electronic devices if they are being used to enhance learning in the classroom. They should never be used for texting, personal phone calls, filming or photographing their peers or staff, or for accessing social media sites during class time unless under the direction of their teachers. Students should not be responding to texts received during class time as this can be distracting to others in the class. Social etiquette on the use of personal electronic devices will be a focus of discussion at our grade level meetings.

Our 21st century learners are very adept at the use of electronics but need to be guided and taught their appropriate use. We will be addressing this with our students throughout the year but would really appreciate your support in sharing the ground rules for use of personal electronic devices in schools.

More information on this topic can be found in the student agendas that were distributed to every student on the first day.

PPM 150

As of September 1st, 2011 PPM 150 comes into effect. This policy ensures healthy food and beverages are sold in schools. This policy applies to all food and beverages sold in cafeterias and vending machines as well as at events on school properties.

A full listing of approved and non-approved foods can be found at:
www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/ppm.html

STUDENT COUNCIL CO-PRESIDENTS

Mother Teresa Student Council will be led by Co-Presidents Bridget Mowat and Mehr Singh.

Congratulations and we look forward to your leadership.

INFORMATION SENT HOME

Please be on the lookout for the following information that will be distributed during the first few days of the new school year:

Signatures Required:

• The following information needs to be signed and returned to the school as soon as possible:
• Student Verification Form (To be signed by both parents or parent if single parent, if joint custody, both parent signatures are required)
• Course Outline (High School only)
• Ottawa Catholic School Board - Accepted Use of Technology Agreement
• Student Fee and Yearbook Order Form
• Photo Form (Photo Day is Sept. 14th)
• Freedom of Information Sheet

Thanking you so much for your cooperation in returning these forms.

Other information that you may wish to review with your son/daughter:

• Student Agenda
• Student Timetable
• Student Insurance Form
• School Calendar
• Standards/Expectations -Please review as they apply to all high school courses.
  

CHEO INFORMATION SEMINARS

CHEO has launched a series of information seminars where CHEO's own pediatricians, specialists and mental health experts will share their medical expertise with parents in the community. The first CHEO Connects! is for parents of teens between 14 and 18 years old and will be held on Monday September 19. It will include a plenary session on Understanding Your Teenager, and five breakout sessions:

• Mood, Anxiety and Depression
• Calm Down - And Other Stuff You Should Never Say to Your Kid
• How to Help, Not Harm: Talking to Your Kids about Body Image
• The Talk: Sexual Health and Sexual Identify
• How to Encourage Healthy Active Living
  

Click on this link to view the CHEO flyer for more details.

GOLD CERTIFIED ECO SCHOOL

All students are encouraged to bring a litterless lunch to school, keeping in line with our Gold Certified Eco School. Re-useable, recyclable containers are encouraged and a reminder that green bins are located in the cafeteria and on the first floor of the school.

DATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, September 13th Last day for course changes Wednesday, September 14th School Photo Day Thursday, September 15th Meet the Teacher Night BBQ - 4:30-5:30 Assembly - 5:45-6:30 Monday, September 19th School Council - Meeting/Elections 7:00-9:00 We welcome all parents to attend council meetings and become involved. I am blessed to be working for the Mother Teresa School community as we start this new school year. Please know that you are always welcome at Mother Teresa and my door is always open. Working together as home, school and parish can only bring success for all members of our school community. I look forward to seeing everyone at Meet the Teacher night on September 15th. We will begin the evening with a BBQ at 4:30 and all are welcome to attend

Sincerely,

Mrs. Mary Ellen Agnel
Principal
Mother Teresa High School