Students at Pius XII school are learning how to fill their buckets! Through a school community building activity senior student, Cody Watson read to the ELK students a story about “filling their buckets” by doing good deeds, and then explored different ways to make it happen. Kindergarteners as well as all students now understand that everytime they do or say something nice for someone else they’re actually filling their own “buckets” and the other student’s “bucket”. Student council can often be heard during morning announcements giving reminder messages to keep buckets full of positivity and its catching on. The goal is to keep your bucket overflowing so that it might spill onto others!
Making the Connection with our Troops at Pius XII
“Early Learning Kindergarten students at Pius XII school received a visit from Private Scott Barbe on Remembrance Day. This authentic learning experience gave students the chance to learn about the life of a soldier and make connections to their lives. Many students shared stories and asked questions that helped them learn more about this brave soldier.”
Reading Buddies Start up at Pius XII
The reading buddies program has begun at Pius XII! This literacy program generates a strong sense of community at the school. In the program, big and little buddies read to eachother. The Reading Buddies program works to proactively prevent bullying in the school by building strong relationships across all grades.
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.”
Mayoral candidate Visits Grade 8 Students at Pius
Mayoral candidate Ted Callaghan visited Pius X11 School recently to discuss his platform with Mr. Horn’s grade 8 class. Students listened attentively and voiced concerns that they had about the city. Mr. Callaghan answered all the questions and a thought provoking discussion ensued.
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 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.