Pius XII Catholic Elementary School

Pius XII Early Learning Students Loving New iPads

With the recent addition of ipad centres in the ELK classrooms at Pius XII school, many students are opting for time with technology during play! The kindergarten classrooms received 4 ipads each loaded with interactive games focused on the development of students’ fine motor, literacy and numeracy skills. The classroom teachers and early childhood educators also each received an ipad to help facilitate the documentation of student learning. A welcomed tool to help in the recording and organization of student observations! “We are fortunate to be at a school in a board that recognizes the importance of introducing technology to students at an early age. The ipads provide the ideal environment for a 21st century learner!” explained classroom teacher, Camille Heaton. “Almost all of my students got the ipad in hand and began navigating it and its application with ease.” she added.

Pius XII Celebrates Jesus’ Presence in Our Lives

Today Pius XII students participated in a celebration of the Eucharist with Father Remi from Holy Redeemer Parish. Father Remi highlighted the importance and value of salt and the healing power of light to the students. Both the salt and light are symbolic of Jesus Christ’s presence in our lives as Catholics. We are blessed as a staff and student body to have Father Remi come celebrate the Eucharist with us in our school.”

Successful Start to Early Learning at Pius XII

Since September, ELK (Early Learning Kindergarten) students at Pius XII school have been engaged in play-based learning and loving it! Mrs. Heaton (classroom teacher) and Mrs. Monaghan (ECE) believe that carefully planned play centres focused on inquiry in the six areas of learning are key to students’ knowledge development and skill building.
For example, the house center was transformed into a fruit market last month and students were encouraged to write their grocery lists using classroom resources posted at eye level. This month, ELK students will write letters to Santa and family on real stationary in the kindergarten post office. An authentic way for young writers to practise printing skills!
Given the holiday season, the “Polar Express” center was recently added. Some ELK students re-enact scenes from the movie “The Polar Express” which they viewed the week previous to the center opening while others creatively add new scenes of their own. ELK students learn about taking turns, cooperation, and problem solving while engaged in meaningful play. These skills are key in helping students become friendly and positive group members!
The ELK team members are thrilled with the progress made by all of the students in kindergarten at Pius XII and congratulate them on a tremendous start to the school year!

Aboriginal Dancing and Drumming at Pius

Pius XII students, staff and families from Minnow Lake Best Start and Maple Tree Preschool participated in their first Aboriginal Dance and Drum workshop on Tuesday, March 23rd in the Pius XII School gym. Fancy shawl and jingle dancers, Rosemarie Erb, Tracy Recollet, Chelsea Recollet and Kiana Manitowabi, wore their beautiful regalia and danced to the beat of the drummers. A special prairie chicken dance was performed by Hayden Shears-Recollet. The lead drummers, DJ MacGregor and Brad Robinson, were accompanied by four student drummers, Dawson Baptiste, Joey Manitowabi, Karaka Osawamick and Isaiah Hunt from the Native Studies class at St. Charles College. All together at the big drum, they aligned their drum beat with the heart beat of mother earth. Students had the opportunity to dance with the dancers to the beautiful songs of life. After the dancing and drumming in the gym, dancers visited the JK , SK and Minnow Lake Best Start classes and created their own paper doll regalia with sparkles, beads, feathers and jingles.

Pius XII School Community Celebrates Mass

All of the students and staff of Pius XII came together as a school community on March 8, 2010 to celebrate mass with Father Remi at Holy Redeemer parish. The school took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and walked over to the church to enjoy mass each other. It was a great way to start the week as well as an excellent opportunity for the school to re-energize their faith before beginning their March Break.

Pius XII Catholic Elementary Celebrates Heritage and Science

Parents, family members, and students from other grades had the opportunity to view all of the Grade 5 and 8 Heritage Fair and Grade 7 Science Fair projects at Pius XII Catholic Elementary School on February 26, 2010. The gym was filled with bright and colourful displays showing off the students’ hard work. Pauline Therian, a retired teacher as well as Glenn Thibeault were brought in to help judge the projects to determine which would be moving on to the regional competition. Todd Horn, the Grade 6/7 was pleased with the outcome of his students’ projects. “These projects allow students to deepen their research skills and utilize technology to find out their information.” said Horn. “With respect to Heritage Fair, it is important for them to find out all about different aspects of the past and link it to the future.”. Megan Murphy, Vice Principal of the school was also one of the judges on hand to evaluate the different projects. “The students are quite proud of their work today.” said Murphy. “It is wonderful to see their pride in their work and their community on display.”. Winners from the school’s Science Fair will move on to the regional competition on March 9 and the winners from the school’s Heritage Fair will move on to the regional competition on May 7, 2010.

Pius XII Holds First Annual Bluez Brothers Dinner and Show

Pius XII Catholic Elementary School held its first Bluez Brothers Dinner and Show on February 4, 2010. The stage and gym were set to amaze and entertain audiences. The Heroes Rock Band and the Restless Group Syndrome (RGS) Dance Band opened for the Bluez Brothers. All three bands had the audience grooving to the music. It was an awesome evening put together by many hands from Pius XII School. Funds raised from this benefit performance were collected for two worthy causes: the Haiti Relief and the Pius Ottawa Trip.

Pius XII Catholic Elementary School Holds Second Annual Health Fair

Pius XII Catholic Elementary School held it’s second annual Health Fair on February 4, 2010. Approximately 45 second year nursing students from Laurentian University visited the school and held different sessions for the J.K. to Grade 8 students including Winter Safety, Benefits of Physical Activity, Teeth and Oral Hygiene, Handwashing and Bullying. The sessions were in various classrooms throughout the school and the students rotated between presentations. The nursing students are required to do community involvement hours and this Health fair allowed them to fulfill this requirement as well as teach the students about really important health issues. Megan Murphy, Vice-Principal of the school said that the students found the day to be really engaging and educational. “The students expressed excitement about the day.” said Murphy. “They were thrilled to have learned about so many different health issues and couldn’t wait to share their newfound knowledge with their families!’

Pius XII Catholic Elementary School’s Early Learners Celebrate Family Literacy Day

Students from Pius XII Elementary Catholic School’s J.K. and S.K. classes, as well as children from the Maple Tree Preschool and the Minnow Lake Best Start Hub were invited to celebrate Family Literacy Day in the school’s library on January 19, 2010. Aboriginal Artist and Storyteller William Morin engaged the children in animated stories and had them participate using actions and costumes. Parents were also invited to be a part of the celebration. After the story, the students went back to the classroom and made their own masks inspired by the day.

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