Monthly Archives: October 2023

Registration for the 2023 Christmas Support Network begins November 1st at 9am.

The Christmas Support Network is a group of organizations in Waterloo Region that connects community members to support for food and toys over the Christmas Season. These organizations provide families with toys for their children and food for a holiday meal.

Online registration for the Christmas Support Programs opens on November 1st at the following link. https://christmassupport.ca/

In person registration will be provided at the Chandler Mowat community centre on November 2^nd from 1-3pm

To learn more about the organizations that provide support, visit the links below.

In Kitchener and Waterloo, toys are provided by the Kitchener Salvation Army and Sertoma Club and food is provided by House of Friendship. Family 100 provides both toys for kids and food.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul supports families in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.

If you need food support, please call the Food Assistance line at 519-743-5576 ext 340.

Hey Haller Hawk Families!

Join us this week as we try to “Scare Away Hunger” with a food drive from Monday October 30^th to Friday November 3rd. The non-perishable food items most in need include canned fruits and vegetables, canned meat and fish, dry beans, hot and cold cereals, individually wrapped snacks (apple sauce, fruit cups, granola bars, juice boxes and pudding cups), pasta, rice and tomato sauce.

Every food item brought in will earn students a point for their colour house!

These were found in our parking lot a few weeks ago. If they belong to you, please call the office at 519-579-1230.

D2L App:

Would you like to be connected to your child’s D2L classroom? Video tutorials in Arabic, English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Tigrinyan have been created to assist families in getting connected to their students’ D2L classrooms. Videos are housed on the WCDSB Parent and Guardian Page (scroll to the bottom).  You only need to go through the steps once and all your students who attend WCDSB schools will populate in the app. Please note that you must have provided the school with your email address when completing the Student Verification Forms to sign up for the parent portal.

Please click on the link WCDSB Brightspace Parent & Guardian (d2l.com) to access the recording to the parent webinar that was held at the end of September.

D2L team and WCDSB will be hosting webinars for parents on Brightspace for Parents and Guardians on October 24th 7:30pm 

Click the link to Register  – https://d2l.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqf-CvqDkuE92KBAZAn1KjwRKQdSZupOqu

Strong Start:

Are you interested in helping our students build literacy skills? We are in desperate need of volunteers to support our Strong Start program. If you are interested, please visit Strong Start to Reading for details.

Friday, October 20, 2023 is Canadian Library Workers Day

The staff and students of Monsignor Haller would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all our Librarians & Librarian Technicians today on “Canadian Library Workers Day”.  From cataloging so many books, story time with classes, and supporting schools with technology and other resources, we say thank you to all of you. You are always ready to lend a helping hand. You all play valuable roles in our schools. Ms. Maidment, you are simply amazing, we hope you enjoy your day!

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 is Early Childhood Educators Day

The staff and students of Monsignor Haller would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all our Early Childhood Educators today on Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.  It is often said that “It takes a big heart to work with a small child.”  We are so thankful for your efforts with our youngest learners.  Our students in Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten learn and grow so much, thanks to your efforts with them, day-in and day-out.  Your endless patience, kindness and enthusiasm with our youngest learners helps to create an environment that they want to be in, that their parents trust, and that builds the foundation for a wonderful educational experience for years to come.  Everyone here at Monsignor Haller would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you!

Wednesday, October 18 is National Bus Drivers Day

The staff and students of Monsignor Haller would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all our Bus Drivers today on “National Bus Drivers Day”.  You are sometimes the first smiling adult a child sees each morning and the last before they get home.  You always brave the weather to get our kids safely where they need to be, while being a shining example for students as you do it!  You are truly superheroes and today we want to say THANK YOU!

Catechetical Resource Fair (1)

Picture Day: 

Extended Day Parents:

Christmas Break January 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2024

In order to determine site viability and staffing, account holders must access their OneList account to apply vacation credits for January 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2024 if the Extended Day Program is not needed.

This must be completed on or before Friday, November 3, 2023.

Any changes to your OneList schedule, including registration or withdrawal for January 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2024, must be made on or before Friday, November 3, 2023.

Please note: all sites may not be running on these dates depending on registration.  If your school site is not operating you will receive notification outlining alternative Extended Day locations on or before Tuesday November 7^th, 2023.

*Please note that no changes will be accepted after November 3, 2023, for January 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2024*

Special Education

Individual Education Plans for Term 1 will be coming home soon.  You will find a Parent Guide here.  You can also find more information about the Special Education Program within our board at https://www.wcdsb.ca/programs-and-services/special-education/.-services/special-education/

Saturday Skills Builder Program

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board strives to create success for each and a place for all. St. Louis offers a program called Saturday Skills Builder and works with our day school elementary teachers to help students who need:

• more time and attention outside of school hours
• a different approach to learning
• to hear, see, and apply new knowledge more than once

Skills Builder is a literacy and numeracy support program for Gr 7 and 8 students attending ANY school within Waterloo Region.  If your child needs help to get through this transitional time and grades or study habits are suffering, encourage them to get the extra help they need.

Taught by Certified Intermediate teachers, Skills Builder will provide instruction and additional resources to assist with the skills and tasks that follow this year’s curriculum. For example, Skills Builder could prepare them for tests and assignments with a more solid understanding of concepts, math formulas.  When your child feels unsure and not following along in school, their confidence is affected.  Teachers make every effort to make this time on Saturdays, fun and engaging, using technology and online resources, videos, tactile activities, independent and group applications, appealing to every learning style.

Saturdays, 9:00am to 12:00pm 

October 21, 2023 to May 11, 2024

(No classes: Dec. 23, 30, 2023; Jan. 6; Feb. 17; March 9, 16, 30, 2024)

Registration Form

Grade 7-10 Girls:

Go ENG Girl @ Conestoga College is an exciting opportunity for grade 7-10 girls or non-binary youth and their parents/guardians to explore the field of engineering.  Come join us at Conestoga’s School of Engineering and Technology-Cambridge Campus, for fun, hands-on activities, inspiring guest speakers, and opportunities to connect with female engineering faculty, graduates, students, and professionals.  The Go ENG Girl event is free to attend.  Sessions are popular and often fill up, so be sure to register early to guarantee your spot: Go ENG GIRL @ Conestoga.  Mark Your Calendars for Saturday, November 12, 2022.

Halloween:

Halloween is a fun and eventful occasion here at Monsignor Haller Catholic Elementary School. In our Catholic education community, we want to promote respect, inclusion, and empathy for all individuals.  As our students and staff select Halloween costumes, we encourage everyone to reflect responsibly, be mindful of cultural appropriation, and create a welcoming school environment for all. All students are welcome to wear school-appropriate costumes. The costumes selected must be safe and not depict violence or gore. Face coverings, masks, weapons, and inflatables are not considered school safe. The costume should allow for movement and ease throughout the day. More specific details about costume selection will also be shared with students. Students may decide not to wear a costume. Anyone choosing not to wear a costume may decide to wear orange and black. This event is a fun-filled day for students to enjoy Halloween – on Tuesday, October 31st. Thank you for your support; Monsignor Haller Families.