October News

St. Joseph Catholic School A Season of Giving...

“That which you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”

Our school has been brimming with activity during our first month. We have had the chance to set expectations through our Welcome Assembly-introducing our theme of “Year of Service”; practice important aspects of emergency preparedness through our Safe and Caring Schools Week activities; launch our cross country team; form our Catholic School Council; hold our annual Terry Fox School Run event and celebrate the beginning of a new school year at our Meet the Teacher Night Open House. All of this has unfolded over a few short weeks!

I’d like to thank the parents who came forward to serve our school through our Catholic School Council. Our Council was formed at our election meeting Sept. 14th, and the list of our members will be posted on our website (www.dcdsb.ca, select schools, Oshawa, St. Joseph). Meeting dates are always included on our school calendar, so that the work of the Catholic School Council may reach our larger community. All parents are welcome to attend any meeting we hold. The next few meeting dates have been established as follows: October 16th, November 14th, January 24th—7pm in the Library . This year our Catholic School Council have chosen to continue our school fundraiser of selling chocolate bars from mid November to early December (Laura Secord). We will still have a Halloween Dance, admission will be a food donation throughout the month of October.

Our school’s ‘Toonies’ for Terry Fox Day was a great success this year, our community raised $500. The students had the opportunity to name the person(s) they were running for and many chose family members affected by cancer. We are proud to be able to continue the legacy of Terry through the work of our students. Special thanks to Mrs. Accardi for coordinating, and to all the parent volunteers who came to help out with the event.

Our school, along with all other schools in Durham Catholic District School Board, participated in a loose change event for Red Cross Hurricane Relief - we raised $800! 

On October 10th, we will come together to celebrate our first school Liturgy of the Word in our  gym with Father Eric. The grade 4 students will also have their new bibles blessed at the liturgy. Parents are always welcome to attend any of our school masses, school level liturgies and assemblies. Please join us if you can! Mass/Liturgy will begin at approximately 10:00am.

October is a month for giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives. To that end, we are promoting a Thanksgiving Food Drive Campaign, in support of St. Vincent’s Kitchen/Durham Outlook for the Needy. Please send non-perishable food items to the school if you can. The campaign runs the month of October.

Looking ahead, at the end of the month (Oct. 31st), our classes will participate in our always popular Halloween Dance. Admission will be a food drive item. Costumes are permitted, however, if you choose to wear a costume you must consider the following: no fake blood, no fake weapons and the costume must be appropriate to wear at school.  We will also have another Halloween cake walk like last year, if you are able to donate a cake or cupcakes to this event, please let the office know.

Parents, caregivers and visitors to our school are reminded that, like all Ontario schools, after the entry bell rings at 8:30AM, you will find all doors are locked. You must enter through the main front door area of our school.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and peaceful month,