The Good Shepherd Catholic School December Newsletter 23 Cloughley Dr., Barrie, ON 705-728-2302 ~ gsh.schools.smcdsb.on.ca “Witnessing Christ through loving, learning and serving God” The Advent Wreath This tradition helps us celebrate Our Lord's birth as well as helps to make our hearts truly ready to receive Him. Joy and Hope Advent is the season of joy and hope for all who follow Jesus. We must be careful not to lose sight of the true meaning of the season as the world around us hustles to buy and sell, to have parties and plan vacations. Advent is a time to renew our life in Christ and to thank God for saving us in Jesus; it is a season for asking God to save all people and for praying for peace in the world. During Advent, we are invited to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord – to wait in joyful hope for his return in glory at the end of time and to prepare for the annual celebration of his birth. Lord Jesus, our brother and our Saviour, come into our hearts with your love, with your joy, your hope, and your peace. Help us to reflect your love for all by loving and serving all we meet. Lord Jesus, come into our lives, and share your gifts with all people. Blessed are you, Lord Jesus, forever and ever. Amen! National Liturgy Office, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, combined with the liturgical colours of the candles is symbolic. The circle of evergreen in which the candles are placed represents everlasting life. As you and your family prepare, it is important to remember that each week has a particular focus: Week 1 Hope - light one purple candle Week 2 Faith - light two purple candles Week 3 Joy - light two purple candles and one pink candle Week 4 Love - light three purple candles and one pink candle Christmas Day - light all candles and place a white candle in the middle-Jesus is born! May the joy of the Advent season bring you peace. Blessings to you all during the Advent and Christmas season. Mrs. Leah Smith The Good Shepherd Catholic School December Newsletter 23 Cloughley Dr., Barrie, ON 705-728-2302 ~ gsh.schools.smcdsb.on.ca “Witnessing Christ through loving, learning and serving God” Council Corner (Catholic School Community Council – Parent Council) Poinsettia & Cookie Dough Pickup Thank you for your support during our “Getting Ready for the Holidays” Program. We hope you will enjoy your beautiful poinsettia and yummy cookie dough. Orders will be available for pickup on Thursday, December 11th from 3:30 to 8:00pm in the school foyer. This is also the night of our Movie Night. Thanks to the parent volunteers for helping to order and distribute them. Wendy’s Restaurant Night Thank you to the many families who came out to support our Wendy’s night fundraiser. Although the weather didn’t cooperate and prevented many more families from attending, it was a successful event. We will host another night in the spring, when we won’t be “snowed out.” Parent-Teacher Interviews Thanks to all those who attended our recent ParentTeacher Interviews. It is always nice to have our families at the school and is also a great way to celebrate your child(ren)’s learning. Let us know how we can help you and your child(ren) reach their academic goals for the rest of the year. Movie Night at The Good Shepherd Need some time to get some last minute shopping done without the kids? We will be having a Pajama movie night on Thursday, December 11th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm here at the school. This is for students in Kindergarten to Grade 7. For $5.00 your child will be watching a movie, having a snack and a drink while you get some shopping done. We will also have other snacks available for purchase at the movie night (for $2.00). Admission profits will be going towards supporting our grade 8 graduation celebration. Drop your child off on the 11th, with a nice soft blanket/pillow and wearing their pajamas so they can enjoy a movie with their friends. Exact cash is appreciated. Thanks! Barrie Colts Game Night The Good Shepherd Catholic School is happy to have been selected once again to be part of the Barrie Colts Adopt-A-School program. This is designed to raise funds for the school and promote school spirit, and of course, the love of hockey! We will have our kickoff assembly on January 27th, with members of the Colts attending. The game will take place on February 19th. Mark it in your 2015 calendar now! More information will be sent home in the new year. 2. Packaged Foods: pasta, spaghetti, rice (boxed not bagged), macaroni and cheese dinners, cake, brownie, cookie or muffin mixes, jello, puddings, dry soups and meals, boxed cereal 3. New Unwrapped toys: specifically for babies and children aged 8-10 years of age Our students and school community have made tremendous contributions to our Christmas Cheer Campaigned over the years, and we are hoping for the same support this year. Students may bring in: 1. Canned Foods: meats, fish, soups, spaghetti/tomato sauce, veggies, fruit, stews, pork and beans, canned dinners, stews, spaghetti or ravioli 4. New Books-for all age levels, including babies. 5. Canadian Tire Money Please be sure to check expiry dates on food items before you send them in. Send any donations no later than Friday, December 12, 2014. Thanks! Upcoming Dates Sun. Nov. 30 Mon. Dec. 1 Tues. Dec. 2 Wed. Dec. 3 Thurs. Dec. 4 Fri. Dec. 5 Mon. Dec. 8 Tues. Dec. 9 Thurs. Dec. 11 Fri. Dec. 12 Mon. Dec. 15 Wed. Dec. 17 Thurs. Dec. 18 Fri. Dec. 19 Mon. Jan. 5 First Sunday of Advent ~ HOPE Advent Celebration in the gym – 9:10 Families welcome! Sr. Girls BB game @ Terry Fox Lunch Lady Lunch * Note change in day to Mondays CSCC Meeting at 6:30pm in the library Red/Green/White day to support Christmas Cheer Intermediate Presentation on International Exchange Programs – am Pizza Lunch * Pizza will continue on Wednesdays Rosary Apostolate in each class Sr. Girls BB Tournament @ Holly Community Centre – all day Christmas Sweater Day to support Christmas Cheer Nicholyn Lunch * New lunch offering JOA visit to all Grade 8 Classes Advent Celebration in the gym – 9:10 Families welcome! Advent Mass at the school – 9:15am Grade 2 & 3 Trip to St. Joseph’s High School Play Christmas Socks and Scarf Day to support Christmas Cheer Getting Ready for Christmas Movie Night & Poinsettia and Cookie Dough pick-up Science Presentation ~ Ms. Mask’s class Bus/Foot Patroller Dance Christmas hat day to support Christmas Cheer Advent Celebration in the gym – 9:10 Families welcome! Praise and Recognition Assembly – 1:10 Christmas Sing-A-Long in the gym Christmas Pajama Day Last day of school before the Christmas Holidays First day back after the Christmas Holidays The Good Shepherd Catholic School December Newsletter 23 Cloughley Dr., Barrie, ON 705-728-2302 ~ gsh.schools.smcdsb.on.ca “Witnessing Christ through loving, learning and serving God” St. Mary’s Parish Update DAY OF CONFESSION On Wednesday, December 10, 2014, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Archdiocesan Day of Confessions. This week, let us make the journey into the heart of our relationship with God. Take a long, loving look at the ways God calls us to grow. Take this challenge and hold it in readiness for the rich blessing that is manifest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessions at our parish will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Yearbook order forms are being sent home today! Get yours before Christmas and save money. Bus Cancellations When there are school bus cancellations due to weather, please note that we are in the Central Weather Zone. Cancellations will be posted on the website and on local radio and television stations. A morning eBlast will also be sent out. Weekly Email Updates Edge is coming to St. Mary’s Parish! Edge is a youth ministry program for grades 5 – 8. The program will run on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month and launches in the parish hall at the end of this month on Friday November 28 from 6 pm-8 pm. All students in grade 5, 6, 7 and 8 are invited to check it out. There is no registration required but parents/guardians are asked to RSVP and direct any questions to Sharon LaPlume, Youth Minister: [email protected] or (705) 728-2985 ext. 118. See you there! Winter Weather Now that the winter weather is here, please ensure that your child wears appropriate clothing to school. An extra pair of socks and mitts is also encouraged. If you haven’t already done so, go to The Good Shepherd website and hit subscribe or go to the main SMCDSB website and click the “subscribe” button at the bottom left side of the screen. Then hit “subscribe” on the right and type in your email address. You can then subscribe to various schools, ours is at the bottom. Or, you can complete the form below, cut it out and send it to school with your child. Our website: http://gsh.schools.smcdsb.on.ca/ """"""""""""""""" Name(s): _______________________________ Student(s) Name(s): _______________________ Email Address: ___________________________ I give my express consent for The Good Shepherd Catholic School staff to send me updates via the above email address. Signature: _______________________________