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St. Mary's High School 555 15th Street East Owen Sound N4K 1X2 Phone: (519) 376-4278 Fax: (519) 376-0793 Email: smhs@bgcdsb.org Website: www.smhs.net Bruce-Grey CDS Board Phone: (519) 364-5820
G. Miller, Principal
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CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE
A number of songs are running through my head as I write this last message - “So long, it’s been good to know you”.......”The party’s over, it’s time to call it a day”.......”So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night”....and the list goes on. But, I guess I’ll just stick with my own words. For the past twelve years, I have been given the priviledge of starting off each month’s newsletter with a few words to St. Mary’s broader community. This has always struck me as a quite serious responsibility, and I hope that occasionally I have written something worth reading.
For those of you who may not know, I am retiring from the teaching profession at the end of June and so this duty will now fall to someone else. I don’t know at this time who the new chaplain will be, but I wish that person the same blessings and graces I have received over my years here. St. Mary’s High School lives up to it’s motto of being “a still more excellent way” thanks to the caring staff and enthusiastic students who fill each day with graced moments. I hope that you will all continue to be Bound by Respect, Bound by Acceptance, Bound by Faith in the years to come.
Au revoir, St. Mary’s!
Mollie Wilson, Chaplain
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Wow! Where has the time gone? As the month of June begins we often ask this question. It seems that the school year flies by so quickly that it is hard to pause and think about all the blessings that have been bestowed on us in this fantastic school. But I think it is important to reflect on our many blessings. As principal of St. Mary’s I feel it is an honor and a privilege to serve my fellow brothers and sisters in whatever way I can. Some days that task is quite easy and some days it is more difficult. Many of us, because of humanity, struggle to be Christ like and to follow the ways of Jesus. As a Catholic school community, however, we pray that our school community will continue to grow in the image of Christ and that we will continue to be a school bound by respect, bound by acceptance, and bound by faith. As the 2007-2008 school year comes to a close I want to thank all of our staff for their dedication to Catholic education. The staff of St.Mary’s must be commended for their tireless efforts in providing so many great opportunities for our students to grow. Educating the whole child is key at St. Mary’s. Secondly, I want to thank our parents and guardians for supporting their children each and every day. Parents are the primary educators of their children and I want to highlight the important role of parents. We continue to foster a strong home-school-parish relationship and so I want to thank Father Steve Lacroix for his support of our school. We also wish him well in his new assignment at Immaculate Conception Parish, Formosa. And finally Immaculate Conception Parish, Formosa. And finally I want to thank all of the students at St. Mary’s High School for making our school the school of choice in Owen Sound. I have noted this before and I’ll note it again; our student population is second to none in Bruce- Grey. Our students live up to high expectations on a daily basis and I want to thank all of our students for being wonderful ambassadors for our school. I would like to wish everyone a safe and relaxing summer and may God bless you with health and happiness.
Yours in Catholic Education
Glenn Miller, Principal
JUNE EXAM DATES
Semester 2 Exams are scheduled from Tuesday June 17th to Friday June 20th. All Period 1 Exams or Final Assessments will be written on Tuesday June 17th . All Period 2 exams or Final Assessments will be written on Wednesday June 18th. All Period 3 exams will be written on Thursday June 19th. All Period 4 exams will be written on Friday June 20th. Exams will be written in the morning each day starting at 9:00 a.m.. Teachers will be available in their classrooms each afternoon to assist students with preparations for their next exam.
A complete exam schedule will be distributed in homerooms prior to the exam period. Please note that students are not required to be at the school when they are not writing an exam. There will be fewer distractions at home when studying. School buses will run at their regular times each day.
Attendance for all exams is mandatory. Students missing an exam due to illness must provide a medical note from a doctor.
Our school dress code is in effect at all times during the exam period. Anytime you are on school property you must follow the dress code.
TRACK & FIELD RESULTS
The St. Mary’s Mustang Track and Field team had another success filled season. Though the weather was not on their side for most meets, athletes competed through the wind, rain and cool temperatures and waited patiently for passing thunderstorms. Notable achievements this year were the following:
BAA – Kincardine - May 13 / 14
Junior Boys – Silver Overall
Chris Hatcher – 4th Overall (2 first)
McKenzie Santin – 3rd Overall (2 first, 1 third)
Eastlyn Bellamy – 3rd Overall (1 first, 1 second, 1 third)
Alysha Hooper – 6th Overall (2 first)
Other athletes placing 4th or higher, who moved on to CWOSSA were: Sydney
Prahl-Davis, Eric Hachey, Brandon Twining, Corey Jones, Nicolaas Preston,
Tyler Day, Ona Mezenberg, Megan Gibson, Luke MacMillan, Jesse Borges
Brandon Wasitis, Joe Cassidy, Bridget Schrempf, Madison Arthur, Lauren
Bouillon, Glen Haley and Drew Barfoot
CWOSSA – Guelph – May 22 / 23
Eastlyn Bellamy – 2nd in Shot Put, 3rd in Discus, 4th in Javelin Alysha Hooper – 2nd in 3000 m Glen Haley – 3rd in Shot Put
OFSAA West – London – May 30 / 31 Athletes competing were Eastlyn, Alysha and Glen.
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EQAO GRADE 10 LITERACY TEST RESULTS
Results from the March 2008 Administration of the Literacy Test will be mailed home in June (once we receive them). Students who were unsuccessful on the Literacy Test will need to rewrite it again next year or successfully complete the Grade 12 Literacy Course. A literacy test preparation program will be offered prior to the test next March. Watch for more details in the newsletter next year. |
STUDENT TRUSTEE
Sarah MacArthur was the successful candidate for our student trustee to represent our student body at the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board table for the 2008/2009 School Year. She will be a strong embassador and voice for St. Mary’s at the Board Table. Thank you to Nicole Brulotte for putting her name forward as another worthy candidate for this position. Congratulations Sarah!
ENCOUNTERS CANADA
Students can apply NOW for programs that begin in the fall. Register early to ensure that you are able to secure your first choice. See Mr. Lacey for more details.
SUMMER CO-OP
Applications for summer co-op are available in the guidance and co-op offices. Students may earn one or two credits at a co-op placement during the month of July. Summer co-op will be of interest to students who do not have time to fit a co-op class in their regular September to June school year. It is also an excellent opportunity for students interested in learning about outdoor careers including: construction, landscaping, agriculture and tourism.
All students will attend the two in-school days July 2nd and 3rd . Topic discussed during these days will include safety at work and WHMIS training. The remainder of the time will be spent on the job at their placements. While working on the job, students will be required to complete daily log sheets of their activities and will be visited weekly by the co-op teacher.
Students who have summer jobs may complete an application to determine if it is an appropriate placement to earn summer co-op credits. Placements found by the co-op department will not be paying placements.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus invite you to celebrate the year’s end and beginning of summer by being part of St. Mary’s Parish Annual Garden Party. This annual party will be held in the churchyard on Saturday June 21st from 12-5:00 p.m. Hope to see you there !
THANK YOU !
Students can apply NOW for programs that begin in the fall. Register early to ensure that you are able to secure your first choice. See Mr. Lacey for more details.
GRADE 8 TRANSITION TO GRADE 9 PROGRAM
All students entering Grade 9 at St. Mary’s High School in the fall are invited to participate in our Transition to Grade 9 Program on August 20th and 21st. The program will allow participating students the opportunity to get acquainted with their new school. Timetables will be distributed, lockers assigned, and computer login procedures will be demonstrated. Students will also have the opportunity to meet some of their teachers, peer mentors, tour the school, learn about school procedures and co-curricular opportunities. The purpose of the program is to ensure a smooth transition into high school. All new grade 9 students are strongly urged to attend both days. More details will be sent to all registered grade 9 students. Any incoming Grade 9 student who has not received their Invitation to the Transition to Grade 9 Program is asked to contact the school.
MANDATORY STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE FOR SEPTEMBER
Once again in September all students will be required to purchase a student card for $20. Homeroom teachers will be collecting this fee during the first week of classes.
The student card fee will be used by our Student Activities Council to provide activities, services, and events for our student body. It is hoped that this fee will eliminate the need for our SAC to complete major fundraisers (i.e. chocolate bar sales).
The student card fee will provide students with:
- an agenda planner (school handbook) - Value $5
- subsidized school dances (Did you know that it costs our SAC over $700 per night to have police officers present at our school dances?)
- school assemblies
- access to school library services
- access to school computers
- access to co-curricular opportunities (school teams/clubs)
- access to school field trips
- access to late bus service
- discounts at various local businesses
Your support and prompt payment of this $20 fee during the first week of classes is greatly appreciated.
FYI - Most of the other local high schools charge a mandatory fee of $50. They also charge an additional fee for every team/club that you join.
GRADUATION
St. Mary’s High School Graduation will take place this year on Thursday, June 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium at the school. Graduating students are asked to assemble in the hallway between the library and gymnasium no later that 6:30 p.m. In order to defray the costs associated with our graduation ceremonies (gowns, hats, class composite photo, decorations, diploma, folders and treats for the reception), graduates are asked to pay a $35 grad fee. This is now due at the main office. Please pay Mrs. Myatt as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
Congratulations to all of our graduating students!
TO DO LIST FOR GRADUATES
? Check the “Eligible to Graduate List” in the Guidance Office. Ensure that your name appears on the list.
? Pay your Grad Fee of $35 to Mrs. Myatt in the main office. This fee is used to cover the costs of graduating (e.g. gown rental, composite photo, diploma and folder, decorations, snacks etc.)
? Make sure that you have completed your 40 volunteer hours and have submitted the required documentation to the main office.
? Ensure that you will have successfully completed 30 credits (including the 18 compulsory credits) and the literacy requirement.
NOTICE TO PARENTS OF STUDENTS RIDING BUSES
Should you require different arrangements for your children's busing in September 2008, due to moving, etc., please contact the school as soon as possible. (Arrangements must meet guidelines defined in the Pupil Transportation Policy.) If these changes should occur during the months of July or August, please contact the Transportation Department either in writing or via telephone at the following address for either the Bluewater District School Board or the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board:
799-16th Avenue, Hanover, Ontario N4N 3A1
Telephone: (519) 364-5820 Fax: (519) 364-5882
Email: transportation@bgcdsb.org
Please have the following information available when contacting either the School or the Transportation Department:
- Student(s) name, school, grade
- New home address, including 911 civic address (house number, road name, town/township)
- Telephone number
COPS FOR CANCER CAMPAIGN
Our Cops for Cancer Shave-Off is took place on May 26th. A number of staff and students collected pledges in support of this cause. The total amount raised was $4,356.39 ! Way to go St.Mary’s !
ATHLETIC BANQUETS
Our Annual Athletics Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday June 10th. The banquet will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Hillyer Hall. Parents are welcome to attend.
EQAO GRADE 9 MATH ASSESSMENT
The Spring 2008 Grade 9 Math Assessment will be written from June 9th to 13th for students taking Grade 9 Applied Math and Grade 9 Academic Mathematics this semester. It is important that students be in attendance for the assessment. The test will be written during the students’ regular math class. Please do not book appointments on these dates.
REGISTRATION OF NEW STUDENTS
If you know of a new family moving to the area wishing to register at St. Mary’s please have them contact the school as soon as possible. Last minute registrations in August may not be accommodated due to space limitations. New families to the area will receive priority when registering over students trying to transfer from another local high school.
NOT RETURNING TO ST. MARY’S IN THE FALL?
If for any reason you are not returning to St. Mary’s in the fall, please notify the school as soon as possible. This information is important to us so that we are not looking for you in September.
CO-OP LUNCHEON
Our annual Co-op Luncheon will be held on Wednesday June 18th to thank the participants in our co-op program this year. We are forever indebted to the employers in our community who open their doors to provide our students with real workplace experiences. Many thanks!
2007-2008 Co-op Employers
Tim Horton’s
Miracle of Silence Cabinet Making
Saugeen First Nations
Owen Sound City Hall
Glenn Catto Farms
Wooden Hill Daycare
Peninsula Ford Owen Sound
Martini Twist - Blue Mountain Village
Allenford Esso
Port Elgin Home Hardware
MacDonald’s Owen Sound
Grey Gables Retirement Home
Chaise Lounge
Norma Jean’s Bistro
Jim Snider Auction Services
Inglenook Creche Daycare
Grey Roots Museum & Heritage Centre
Billy Bishop Heritage Museum
Salvation Army Daycare
Alzheimers Society
Heather’s Chair
Barry’s Construction
Pete Janson Auto Service
Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School
Grey Bruce Pet Hospital
Sun Times Newspaper
Diagnostic Imaging GBHS
Sauble Pet Hospital
GBHS Emergency Dept
GBHS 6th Floor
Association for Community Living
Alexandra Community School
St. Basil’s Catholic Elementary School
The Salon - Karen & Company
Cloud Nine Aesthetics
Owen Sound Veterinary Clinic
Parson’s Foto Shop
Women’s House Grey Bruce
Gallery deBoer
Intertownship Fire Department
Owen Sound Fire Department
Rogers Television
Mane Street Hair Salon
Sportmakers
Forty Knolls Construction
Brough and Whicher Ltd.
MacKinnon Motors
Lynn Givens Masonry
Ningwakwe Publishing
Stephen Long Electrical
Bruce Connell Construction
Kids n’Us Daycare
King and Associates
Dr Klym Dentistry
Wayne Dillon Construction
Grey Bruce Auto Wreckers
Inn on the Bay
Guy Doherty Aircraft Maintenance
Riverforest Montessori School
Salvation Army Wiarton
Queen’s Valley Farm
Sear’s Clean Air
The Colonial Motel - Port Elgin
Watson’s Tackle House
Have1.com
PPG Industries
Dr Dors Optometry
Ron Kreuger Custom Steel
Stone Tree Fitness Centre
Bruce Power Generation
Canadian Forces
Owen Sound Marina
If your business is interested in hosting a co-op student in the future please contact Mr. Newell or Mrs. MacPherson at the school.
SMHS 2008 Math Club (32)
Grade 9: Pascal (8) and Fryer (6)
1) Sarah Plane
2) Margaret Robson-Gordon
3) Jessica Dubeau
4) Natalie Jung
5) Chris Hatcher
6) Corey Jones
7) Nicole Mathies (Pascal Only)
8) Brittney West (Pascal Only)
Grade 10: Cayley (7) and Galois (8)
1) Sarah Longland
2) Kaella Earle (Cayley Only)
3) Brittany Gole
4) Robyn Armstrong
5) Adela Bezemer
6) Konrad Schnurr
7) McKenzie Santin (Galois Only)
8) Katherine Hillyer
9) Phil Finlayson (Galois Only)
Grade 11: Fermat (4) and Hypatia (5)
1) Lauren Bouillon (Hypatia Only)
2) Ashley Nunes
3) Michelle Mills
4) Shreya Gakhar
5) Simeon Robson Gordon
Grade 12: Euclid (10)
1) Evan Giehler
2) Paul Flood
3) Katie Wakeford
4) Joe Reid
5) Sarah Baines
6) Matthew MacInnis
7) Michael Snowdon
8) Alina Reid
9) Alysha Hooper
10) Joel Clancy
RESULTS
School Champions
Grade 9
Natalie Jung
Grade 10: Tied
Sarah Longland and Konrad Schnurr
Grade 11
Michelle Mills
Grade 12
Alina Reid
Distinction (Top 25%) Natalie Jung Sarah Plane Michelle Mills
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
The school office will close for the summer on Friday July 4th and re-open on Monday August 18th. If you need to get in touch with the school over the summer please leave a message on the school answering machine at 376-4278 (or contact the Board Office in Hanover - 364-5820). The answering machine will be checked on a regular basis.
REPORT CARDS
All Semester 2 Report Cards will be mailed home on Wednesday July 2nd.
TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS
Prior to the last day of school please ensure that all school library and textbooks are returned to the school. Please search your house and locker and return all books. Your assistance in returning books promptly is appreciated. It saves us a lot of time when we don’t have to track down books and send out bills for unreturned materials. It also saves us a lot of money when we don’t have to replace texts unnecessarily.
Note: All library books are due back by Friday June 6th.
SUMMER JOBS
Need help finding a summer job? Contact the Service Canada Centre for Youth for Students at (519)378-2424 or visit their office at 1450 - 1stAvenue West, Owen Sound.
FINAL LOCKER CLEAN OUT
All lockers must be cleaned out following your last exam. All lockers must be vacated by Monday June 23rd at 9:00 a.m. at the latest. Please ensure that your locker is totally empty after you vacate. All garbage should be placed in one of the garbage cans found throughout the school. All locks remaining on lockers after June 23rd at 9:00 a.m. will be removed and the contents of the locker will be disposed of. The school takes no responsibility for items accidently left behind.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 10th Athletic Banquet
June 11th Closing Mass
June 17th Period 1 Exams - Morning
June 18th Period 2 Exams - Morning
June 19th Period 3 Exams - Morning
June 20th Period 4 Exams - Morning
June 26th Graduation - 7:00 p.m.
SMHS REGULAR REMINDERS
MATH HELP CENTER - Extra math help is available in Room 24 East every Tuesday and Thursday at lunch.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS - It is important that the school have accurate information (i.e. phone numbers, addresses, emergency contacts). If any of this information changes throughout the school year, please be sure to contact the main office at (519)376-4278. We need this information for contacting you in the event of an emergency and when mailing out reports.
REPORTING ABSENCES - If you know that your son or daughter will be away from school, PLEASE CALL and let us know. Messages can be left 24-hours per day at (519)376-4278.
OFFICE HOURS - Our school office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day Monday to Friday. If you call during these hours and get our answering machine this indicates that all of our phone lines are busy. Please leave a message or call back later.
NO PARKING ZONE - Please note that the area along the neighbour's fence is a "No Parking Zone". When waiting to pick up your son or daughter at the end of the day, please park out on the street or behind the school in the parking lot. Your co-operation is appreciated.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES - Many scholarships and bursaries are available to students heading off to post-secondary schools. Check out the web-sites: http://www.scholarshipscanada.com or http://www.studentawards.com or http://www.millenniumscholarships.ca for more details. Many of the universities and colleges also list scholarships and bursaries in their guidebooks which are available in the guidance office.
PEANUT SENSITIVE SCHOOL - Just a reminder that St. Mary's High School is a peanut sensitive school. Please do not bring peanut products into our school.
KEEPING OUR SCHOOL CLEAN - Please do your part to help keep our school looking great. Remember to clean up after yourself. Garbage cans are available throughout the school. If you make a mess clean it up! If you see a mess left by someone else, please help out and clean it up!
NEWSLETTER - Our school newsletter is published and distributed to each student on the first school day of each month. Parents--If you are not receiving your newsletter each month please talk to your son/daughter. The newsletter can also be accessed on the school web-site (http://www.smhs.net).
EMERGENCY LUNCHES - Emergency Lunches are available in the main office. If you require one, please ask.
KEEPING OUR SCHOOL SAFE - In order to keep our school safe, please inform Mr. Kuntz or Mr. Van Weiringen or one of your teachers of any issues that arise. You have a responsibility to report things that need to be reported. You may leave an anonymous message on the school answering machine 24-hours a day or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Thanks for your help in keeping our school great.
ENCOUNTERS WITH CANADA - If you are interested in attending the Encounters With Canada Program in Ottawa please see Mr. Lacey for more details.
Past Newsletters
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