Monthly Archives: February 2024

Dear Saint Gabriel Families:

We are writing to inform you that earlier this afternoon, we initiated a “hold and secure” protocol at our school. This decision was made after an unauthorized individual attempted to enter the school premises. Please be assured that the police were immediately notified and are currently onsite managing the situation.

We want to emphasize that there is no imminent danger to our students or staff, and the hold and secure was enacted as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our school community.

The hold and secure has been lifted. We deeply appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of everyone within our school.

P. Bruni and N. Montes

Principal and Vice Principal

ATTENTION ST. GABRIEL FAMILIES:

Please note that the Professional Activity (PA) Day, initially set for April 19, 2024, has been rescheduled to April 8, 2024. This adjustment is to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff due to the Total Solar Eclipse expected on April 8, 2024.

It is important to remember that directly observing the Sun can lead to severe eye injuries, particularly during a solar eclipse.

For safe observation of a solar eclipse, it’s essential to use eye protection specifically designed for this purpose (conforming to the ISO 12312-2 standard). Regular sunglasses do not offer adequate protection for your eyes. Moreover, attempting to view any phase of a solar eclipse through the camera of a smartphone, a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without attaching a special solar filter to the front of the device can result in significant eye damage.

Total Solar Eclipse Safety Tips

A total solar eclipse is a rare and exciting natural phenomenon. However, it is crucial to view it safely to prevent any damage to the eyes. Here are some tips for safely experiencing the solar eclipse:

1. Use Proper Eclipse Glasses: Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for viewing the sun. Special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers, must be used. Ensure they meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
2. Adult Supervision for Children: Ensure that children are supervised when using solar filters or eclipse glasses. Teach them the importance of not removing the glasses while looking at the sun.
3. Alternative Methods: For those who do not have eclipse glasses, using a pinhole projector is a safe way to view a projection of the eclipse. This can be a fun and educational activity to do with children.
4. Avoid Unsafe Methods: Do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays can damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.
5. Check the Weather: If it is cloudy, you may not be able to see the eclipse. Use online resources to watch it live if the weather does not permit outdoor viewing.
6. View it Safely via Livestream: The eclipse can be viewed via live stream broadcast through the NASA Exploratorium.

We hope these tips are helpful for you and your family to safely experience this spectacular event. For more safety tips and information, please visit https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety.

Hello Wings Nation!

This coming Tuesday, in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, the school council will be serving pancakes to all students. In our ongoing efforts to prioritize eco-friendliness at Saint Gabriel School, we kindly request that students bring their own forks. We extend our gratitude to our Catholic School Advisory Council for upholding this annual tradition as we eagerly anticipate the Lenten Season of 2024!

WCDSB Proudly Presents

An Evening with Indigenous Author David Robertson

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is a two-time winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award, has won the TD Canadian Literature Award, as well as the Writer’s Union of Canada Freedom to Read award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba for outstanding contributions to the arts and distinguished achievements in 2023. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg.

Click here for details on how to register for this special free event

Term 1 Report Cards and Kindergarten Communication of Learning will be sent home with your child on Thursday, February 15th, 2024.

Report Cards and Kindergarten Communication of Learning support student learning by providing opportunities to:

• establish a positive relationship between teachers, parents/guardians, and students;
• involve parents and guardians as partners in a conversation about learning and assessment, and what each can do to support a child’s learning;
• identify concerns about student progress and develop strategies to improve student learning.

This reporting system provides descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, meaningful, and timely to support improved learning and achievement. Communication between home and school about student achievement should be continuous outside of the formal reporting periods and throughout the year. We value the partnership between home and school and encourage all parents/guardians to contact your child’s teacher(s) should you have any questions about their academic, social, emotional, or spiritual development at school.

Hello Parents & Caregivers,

February is upon us and we wanted to share a reminder regarding the intersection of two significant events that fall on the same day this year – Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday.

Valentine’s Day is a time to focus on the virtues of love, kindness, and charity. However, it’s important for us to recognize that this year, it coincides with Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season in the Catholic faith tradition.

Ash Wednesday holds deep spiritual significance for many, symbolizing reflection, repentance, and a commitment to a period of self-discipline. It is a solemn day that kicks off the 40-day journey leading up to Easter, during which many individuals choose to engage in acts of penance and sacrifice. 

Considering the religious importance of Ash Wednesday and the subsequent season of Lent, the St. Gabriel School Community will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Thursday, February 15th. This way, we can fully embrace the spiritual significance of Ash Wednesday without letting it be overshadowed by other festivities.

By adjusting our plans and commemorating Valentine’s Day on a different day, we can ensure that our celebration of love, kindness and charity does not unintentionally detract from the reverence owed to Ash Wednesday and the sacred season of Lent that follows.