Welcome to the month of March! This month we focus on the virtue of perseverance. Perseverance is the quality that allows someone to keep going and continue trying even when faced with difficulties or obstacles.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which serves as a reminder that each individual, regardless of their abilities, has the right to be respected, embraced, and provided with opportunities to thrive. This is also a key message of our faith and grounded in the Catholic Social Teaching Principle of Human Dignity. Each one of us is a beloved child of God, valued and worthy of respect. God calls each one of us to honour the dignity of others.
Today is the Second Sunday of Lent. We continue our Lenten journey.
Almighty and Everlasting God,
You have given the human race
Jesus Christ our Saviour as a model of humility.
He fulfilled Your will by becoming man
and giving His life on the Cross.
Help us to bear witness to You
by following His example of suffering,
and make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.
Active School Travel
“The wheels on the bus go round and round…”
Walking to the school bus stop and riding the bus to school are considered important forms of active school travel. Students who live outside of the Non-Transportation Zone for their home school qualify for school bus service.
Walking to the bus stop and riding the bus provides a number of benefits including:
– Teaching children the value of time and being organized
– Keeping children active, which leads to strong physical and mental health
– Encouraging social interaction and improving and building social skills
– Keeping communities safe and reducing private automobile traffic congestion
– Reducing environmental air pollution
– Making school more accessible for all children
For more information on the benefits of walking to the bus stop and riding the bus as well as school bus safety tips, please see the YCDSB Active School Travel March newsletter.
March AST Communication - Bus Safety Tips.pdf
Free Parent EQAO Webinar
Join EQAO for a free live webinar about how EQAO assesses students’ writing skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss writing prompts and questions from the reading component of the primary- and junior-division assessments. Participants will hear how these prompts and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
Webinar date:
March 25, 2026, starting at 12:00 pm
Click here for registration.
Holy Land Board-Wide Fundraiser
As part of our Lenten observances, our school will participate in a board-wide fundraising initiative to support Christian schools in the Holy Land. On Friday, March 6th, 2026, students are invited to donate a toonie as we enjoy a pyjama day!
The money raised will support the Latin Patriarchate school system, which educates nearly 19,000 students of all faiths in 44 K–12 schools in Jordan, Palestine and Israel. This school system and the local Christian community have experienced significant financial hardship due to the pandemic and recent regional conflicts.
All funds raised by the YCDSB will be donated to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. This lay Catholic organization is raising $12 million to repair school buildings and pay teacher salaries.
For more information on this initiative, please click here to watch a video from the EOHSJ or click here to read an info sheet.
Thank you for your generosity. Together, we help the children in the Holy Land and create a brighter future for all who live there.
Next Week’s Activities and Events
Here is a look ahead to next week…
Tuesday, March 3rd:
– Dairy Farmers of Ontario Presentations, Primary and Junior classes
Thursday, March 5th:
– Dairy Farmers of Ontario Presentations, Kindergarten and Primary classes
Friday, March 6th:
– Holy Land School Fundraiser; students are invited to donate a toonie as we enjoy a pyjama day!
– Virtue Buddies: A Focus on Perseverance
Upcoming Activities and Events
March 12th: Board-Wide Lenten Mass (Virtual), 1:45pm
March 16th-20th: March Break (no school)
March 24th: Praying with the Rosary Apostolate, all classes
March 26th: HERO program, facilitated by St. Mark Parish Youth Minister
> Grade 5 (Bufalini), 12:10-12:50pm
> Grade 6 (McGinnes), 12:50-1:30pm
> Grade 6 (Rastoaca), 1:45-2:25pm
March 26th: CSC Meeting at 6:30pm in the library; all parents and guardians are welcome to attend
March 27th: Stations of the Cross, 12:30pm in the gymnasium
Closing Prayer
Throughout the season of Lent, we close with our Lenten prayer.
God of the Journey,
Walk with us this Lent.
Teach us to pray, fast, and give
in ways that bring us closer to you.
Help us to persevere in staying with you
on the journey through Lent to Easter.
Amen.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal