August 21, 2008
Good Afternoon Parents and Happy MacPherson Weekend! The annual MacPherson event always provides a ton of excitement for our boys; the hallways and Chapel first thing this morning were lined in red and white, topped with lots of school spirit. In addition to our pride gear, the boys are pumped about the various activities planned for the day – face painting at lunch, puck hunt, school wide Pep Rally, and most importantly, our Varsity Saints hockey game this evening – very exciting! A Middle School selfie as we head to class
A Week in Review Celebration Assembly – We kicked off the week with our monthly Celebration Assembly. It is always great when we come together to celebrate the many achievements of our Middle School students: birthdays, community service pin awards (15, 25, 50, 100, and 200-hour pins!), our French Exchange participants, Marshall Ma on the cello (such a treat, such a talent!), and wishing many members of our community a Happy Chinese New Year! Clan Spirit Day – Clan Spirit always brings about a buzz in Rogers Hall. With the theme of MacPherson, the boys jumped right in and took on the many challenges starting with Varsity Hockey Trivia (how much do you know about our Saints?), and the red and white scavnegaer hunt (did you find the item in my office?!). Always an action-packed way to start the day! Clan participants working hard to earn Varsity Hockey trivia points
Parlez francais…mais, oui! Students from Collège Sainte-Anne (CSA) arrived at SAC last Saturday to take part in the first session of the French Exchange program. We have been collaborating with CSA, a private school located just outside of Montreal in the small area of Lachine, for eight years. We are proud of the immersive and cultural connection that we share with CSA and are thrilled to have seven of our students participate in the exchange this year. The boys engage in living the life of an Andrean for a full week: they live with our families, attend classes and co-curriculars, they enjoy downtime at the School, and explored a fun day in the city visiting the Hockey Hall of
Fame, Ripley’s Aquarium, and having lunch at Jack Astor’s. It has been a pleasure welcoming these boys to the SAC community and our students look forward to the second part of the exchange when they attend CSA in April. Discovering the fun sights of our great city!
Bell Let’s Talk In an effort to raise awareness in the hallways of our very own school, David Stewart led our morning Chapel session today and spoke about his personal story of overcoming a difficult time during his high school career. The boys were encouarged to share stories of their own; some offered courage in retelling a troublesome period they faced, and admitted that opening up was helpful in overcoming a tough phase. For many, I’m sure the struggle continues, but the reinforced message was that it is important to talk, that noone should suffer in silence. I often share with the boys the many great things Ellen DeGeneres offers the world. My ultimate favourite is the manner in which Ellen concludes each of her shows, “be kind to one another” – certainly a tag line that I have adopted in helping to create a culture of kindness and empathy. Ellen plays a significant role in supporting Bell Let's Talk and is resposnible for raising sunstantial funds in having the world join in the conversation. Ellen was recenlty awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award by former US President Barack Obama. Recess Fun! The boys continue to enjoy their mid-day downtime. I was able to capture a few recess highlights this week and thought you would enjoy seeing what the boys spend their time doing. Calm library action versus crazy loud gym time!
MacPherson fun! While the Andrean Christmas is a school favourite, the high enery and spirit that comes with the MacPherson Tournament is a boy favourite! The students have been engaged in prepping for the event all week and many of them dressed the part today to add to the red and white filled stands for the pep rally and game tonight.
Members of the Arts Council painted SAC faces this afternoon during lunch
Boys were loving the red and white designs to complement their spirit dress – let’s hope it washes off
Upcoming Events & Reminders MacPherson Attendance – We are excited to welcome all members of our community to the La Brier Family Arena tonight for our annual MacPherson Hockey Tournament. All day boys are asked to sign in with Mr. Biasi or myself: grade 5 and 6 boys are to see Mr. Biasi for signin and boys in grade 7 and 8 are to check in with me. We will be in the foyer of the La Brier Family Arena. Community Giving Project – Tuesday marks our first community giving project outing for 2017! We are all excited to visit new local organizations or to head back to our previous connections. Stay tuned – lots to report on next week! U13 CAIS Basketball Tournament – Our U13 basketball team is headed to Hillfield Strathallen College next Wednesday to participate in the annual CAIS tournament. Let’s wish our Saints lots of luck! Grade 8 Upper School Course Selection Process – A reminder that grade 8 students will be involved in course selection with their advisors next Thurs., February 2. Please see the attached note and dialogue with your son this weekend about his options and potential choices. Winter Activity Day – On Fri., February 3, the entire school will be off-site participating in our annual Winter Activity Day – what a great way to celebrate Canadian winter. The School calendar is up and running and all details for each grade have been posted. Please ensure that all waiver forms have been submitted to your son’s advisor. Arts Week & Day – We will be celebrating the arts the week of February 6. Many activities have been planned in an effort to encourage and celebrate this vital component to school life.
We all recognize the important role the arts play in fulfilling the School’s mission, “Dedicated to the development of the complete man, the well-rounded citizen.” Specifically, the Middle School students will take part in our annual Arts Day on February 7. Students will sign-up for various art sessions and local artists will introduce them to new mediums. Students are to wear their uniforms; however, no blazer is required for the day. Every student must have a lab coat or smock to participate. Visual Arts will be cancelled for the Tuesday after school session. All other Arts programs will continue to run. We invite all grandparents to join their grandsons on Arts Day. If your sons’ grandparent(s) is interested in attending for the afternoon, please let Sharen Turner know. Please continue to check the School website Middle School calendar tab for daily events and the School website Middle School schedule tab for daily schedules. I look forward to seeing you all tonight – GO SAINTS GO!
Sabrina D’Angelo Director of Middle School
A Week in Review Celebration Assembly – We kicked off the week with our monthly Celebration Assembly. It is always great when we come together to celebrate the many achievements of our Middle School students: birthdays, community service pin awards (15, 25, 50, 100, and 200-hour pins!), our French Exchange participants, Marshall Ma on the cello (such a treat, such a talent!), and wishing many members of our community a Happy Chinese New Year! Clan Spirit Day – Clan Spirit always brings about a buzz in Rogers Hall. With the theme of MacPherson, the boys jumped right in and took on the many challenges starting with Varsity Hockey Trivia (how much do you know about our Saints?), and the red and white scavnegaer hunt (did you find the item in my office?!). Always an action-packed way to start the day! Clan participants working hard to earn Varsity Hockey trivia points
Parlez francais…mais, oui! Students from Collège Sainte-Anne (CSA) arrived at SAC last Saturday to take part in the first session of the French Exchange program. We have been collaborating with CSA, a private school located just outside of Montreal in the small area of Lachine, for eight years. We are proud of the immersive and cultural connection that we share with CSA and are thrilled to have seven of our students participate in the exchange this year. The boys engage in living the life of an Andrean for a full week: they live with our families, attend classes and co-curriculars, they enjoy downtime at the School, and explored a fun day in the city visiting the Hockey Hall of
Fame, Ripley’s Aquarium, and having lunch at Jack Astor’s. It has been a pleasure welcoming these boys to the SAC community and our students look forward to the second part of the exchange when they attend CSA in April. Discovering the fun sights of our great city!
Bell Let’s Talk In an effort to raise awareness in the hallways of our very own school, David Stewart led our morning Chapel session today and spoke about his personal story of overcoming a difficult time during his high school career. The boys were encouarged to share stories of their own; some offered courage in retelling a troublesome period they faced, and admitted that opening up was helpful in overcoming a tough phase. For many, I’m sure the struggle continues, but the reinforced message was that it is important to talk, that noone should suffer in silence. I often share with the boys the many great things Ellen DeGeneres offers the world. My ultimate favourite is the manner in which Ellen concludes each of her shows, “be kind to one another” – certainly a tag line that I have adopted in helping to create a culture of kindness and empathy. Ellen plays a significant role in supporting Bell Let's Talk and is resposnible for raising sunstantial funds in having the world join in the conversation. Ellen was recenlty awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award by former US President Barack Obama. Recess Fun! The boys continue to enjoy their mid-day downtime. I was able to capture a few recess highlights this week and thought you would enjoy seeing what the boys spend their time doing. Calm library action versus crazy loud gym time!
MacPherson fun! While the Andrean Christmas is a school favourite, the high enery and spirit that comes with the MacPherson Tournament is a boy favourite! The students have been engaged in prepping for the event all week and many of them dressed the part today to add to the red and white filled stands for the pep rally and game tonight.
Members of the Arts Council painted SAC faces this afternoon during lunch
Boys were loving the red and white designs to complement their spirit dress – let’s hope it washes off
Upcoming Events & Reminders MacPherson Attendance – We are excited to welcome all members of our community to the La Brier Family Arena tonight for our annual MacPherson Hockey Tournament. All day boys are asked to sign in with Mr. Biasi or myself: grade 5 and 6 boys are to see Mr. Biasi for signin and boys in grade 7 and 8 are to check in with me. We will be in the foyer of the La Brier Family Arena. Community Giving Project – Tuesday marks our first community giving project outing for 2017! We are all excited to visit new local organizations or to head back to our previous connections. Stay tuned – lots to report on next week! U13 CAIS Basketball Tournament – Our U13 basketball team is headed to Hillfield Strathallen College next Wednesday to participate in the annual CAIS tournament. Let’s wish our Saints lots of luck! Grade 8 Upper School Course Selection Process – A reminder that grade 8 students will be involved in course selection with their advisors next Thurs., February 2. Please see the attached note and dialogue with your son this weekend about his options and potential choices. Winter Activity Day – On Fri., February 3, the entire school will be off-site participating in our annual Winter Activity Day – what a great way to celebrate Canadian winter. The School calendar is up and running and all details for each grade have been posted. Please ensure that all waiver forms have been submitted to your son’s advisor. Arts Week & Day – We will be celebrating the arts the week of February 6. Many activities have been planned in an effort to encourage and celebrate this vital component to school life.
We all recognize the important role the arts play in fulfilling the School’s mission, “Dedicated to the development of the complete man, the well-rounded citizen.” Specifically, the Middle School students will take part in our annual Arts Day on February 7. Students will sign-up for various art sessions and local artists will introduce them to new mediums. Students are to wear their uniforms; however, no blazer is required for the day. Every student must have a lab coat or smock to participate. Visual Arts will be cancelled for the Tuesday after school session. All other Arts programs will continue to run. We invite all grandparents to join their grandsons on Arts Day. If your sons’ grandparent(s) is interested in attending for the afternoon, please let Sharen Turner know. Please continue to check the School website Middle School calendar tab for daily events and the School website Middle School schedule tab for daily schedules. I look forward to seeing you all tonight – GO SAINTS GO!
Sabrina D’Angelo Director of Middle School
