I hope this letter finds you well and filled with the spirit of Lent as we journey together as a community of faith.
I am pleased to inform you about an inspiring initiative undertaken by our Grade 4 students. In the spirit of almsgiving and compassion, they have dedicated themselves to organizing a Lenten Food Drive for our entire school to assist those in need within our community. From Monday, February 26th to March 22nd, our Grade 4 students will be actively promoting this initiative through various means such as flyers, announcements, and posters on our LMS pages. We kindly ask for your support in this endeavor. If you have any extra cardboard boxes that could aid in collecting food items, your contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Furthermore, I would like to draw your attention to an important event on our calendar. Pink Shirt Day, which falls on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, serves as a reminder of our commitment to creating a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment within our schools. We are called to reflect the light and hope of Jesus Christ by raising awareness about bullying and promoting the dignity of every human person. On this day, students and staff are encouraged to wear pink as a symbol of our communal expression of love, hope, and peace. This is a full civvies day where we ask students to wear a pink shirt or a touch of pink. The theme for this year's Pink Shirt Day is "Lift Each Other Up," emphasizing the power of working together and treating others with dignity and respect. For more information and classroom resources, please visit https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/.
I also want to extend my gratitude to all our dedicated staff who have taken on sports teams or clubs. Many of our teams are currently in the midst of playoffs, and we wish them the best of luck in their endeavors. Special thanks go to Mr. van der Zalm for leading the Senior Boys Basketball team, Mrs. Moutinho for coaching the Junior Girls basketball team, Mrs. Steven and Mr. van der Zalm for guiding the Senior Girls basketball team, and Mrs. Lessard for leading the Senior Boys volleyball team.
As our H.W.C.D.S.B. System Science & Engineering fair approaches this weekend, I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for our students hard work. Your commitment to scientific exploration is truly commendable, and I have no doubt that you will represent St. Bernadette with excellence. We will inform you soon about an upcoming school science fair that will highlight our student exhibits. A special thank you to Mrs. Williams and Ms. Strbra for your efforts in coaching and guiding our students. Your support has been invaluable, and we are grateful for your dedication to fostering a love for science among our students. Wishing you all the best of luck this weekend!
Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Friday, March 1st, is a Professional Activity (PA) day. Students do not need to attend school on this day.
Lastly, I would like to offer my congratulations to all the Grade 2 students who recently received the sacrament of reconciliation on February 22nd. Your commitment to your faith journey is truly inspiring. I extend my gratitude to Father Whitfield for leading our students through reconciliation and to Mrs. Ezekiel and Mr. DiCesare for organizing the event.
Thank you for your continued support and participation in our school community. Together, let us continue to nurture a spirit of compassion, inclusion, and faith.
Warm regards,
Mr. Iassogna