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.
Principal
Mother Teresa High School