Welcome to the month of May! Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter.
May is Asian Heritage Month, an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the wonderful country we all share today. We look forward to students learning more about the achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent.
Catholic Education Week
This week is Catholic Education Week! The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness”. Bishop Joseph Dabrowski writes, “…these words remind us that life is a journey. Each day we learn, grow, and discover how God calls us to live with faith, courage, and trust in His plan for us…”
God of grace and love,
Strengthen and sustain us as we continue to journey as pilgrims of hope.
Guide us on the path to holiness with the light of your love.
Inspire us to serve joyfully in the love of Christ
through the beautiful examples of the saints.
As we journey together in faith,
may we experience the peace of Christ through the presence of one another.
We pray that all young people in our Catholic schools may believe,
and become empowered by, these three important Gospel messages:
“God loves you!”
“Christ saves you!”
“The Holy Spirit lives in you!”
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
This year’s theme for Catholic Education Week, “Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness.”, was inspired by a number of considerations, including:
– the ongoing opportunity to serve the common good and recommit ourselves to prayer, service, and evangelization;
– embracing the journey toward holiness and peace;
– living as pilgrims on a journey of faith, toward a hope grounded in the unshakeable love of the Risen Jesus
– becoming, more and more, the people God created us to be.
During this week, students will participate in a variety of classroom and school-based activities with Virtue Buddies, to learn more about how to live as Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness.
Rocks and Rings!
On May 11th and 19th, we will welcome the Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings Curling Program to our school! This program features a variety of drills, relays, and team-building activities that introduce students to the sport of curling and wheelchair curling with a focus on FUN!
Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings presented by Curling Canada brings the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling to schools. Students of all ages and abilities will experience the sport of curling.
Kindergarten to Grade 6 classes will participate in a 40min session. Students will:
– develop locomotor skills through a variety of activities and drills;
– develop movement skills, movement strategies and movement concepts;
– develop fair play, leadership, teamwork and communication skills through team sport activities;
– develop accuracy and control through an engaging physical education target game;
– build community through active and safe participation in physical education.
We are grateful for the generous donations of members of our school community which have enabled us to offer this program at no cost to our students.
Junior Oral Communications
Congratulations to Sienna F. who was placed first, and Alex G. who placed runner up, in our school’s Junior Oral Communications Competition! We wish Sienna F. the best of luck as she represents St. Mark CES at the Area Finals Junior Oral Communications Competition!
Artwork at Latcham Gallery
During Catholic Education Week, families are invited to visit the Latcham Gallery (in the Leisure Centre) to view artwork created by our students. Let us enjoy and celebrate their creative work!
Athletics
Basketball
We wish our Junior boys and girls basketball teams the best of luck for their tournaments taking place this week. We thank our coaches and team members for their hard work in preparation for these tournaments. GO LIONS!!!
Track and Field
We look forward to junior students participating in our school track and field day on Wednesday, May 13th at Stouffville Arena. We thank our staff for their hard work to prepare students for the various track events, and students for their commitment and dedication to their training. We wish all students the best of luck!
Catholic School Council (CSC) Fundraiser
Don’t forget to place orders for Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Kernels popcorn!
Visit www.school-day.com to place your orders for family, friends and neighbours by tomorrow, Monday, May 4th at 11:59pm. There will be no exceptions.
Thank you for supporting our Krispy Kreme and Kernels Popcorn Fundraiser!
Next Week’s Activities and Events
Here is a look ahead to next week…
May 4th-8th: Catholic Education Week
Monday, May 4th:
– Junior Boys Basketball Tournament at École Catholique Pape-François, all day
– Krispy Kreme and Kernels Popcorn Fundraiser; last day to place orders via www.school-day.com
Tuesday, May 5th:
– Junior Girls Basketball Tournament at Blessed Chiara Badano CES, all day
– Area Finals Oral Communications Competition, Our Lady of the Annunciation CES
– Virtue Buddies (Group 1): Faith Play Day
Wednesday, May 6th:
– Catholic Education Week 2026 Province-Wide Virtual Mass, 12:20pm
Thursday, May 7th:
– Virtue Buddies (Group 2): Faith Play Day
Upcoming Activities and Events
May 11th: Rocks & Rings Curling Program, 40min class sessions
May 13th: FDK (Couperthwaite/Ferrara, Roszell/Lucci) In-School Mad Science Presentations
May 13th: Junior Track Day at Stouffville Arena; students and staff only
May 13th: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Kernels Popcorn Fundraiser orders pick up, 3:00-6:00pm
May 14th: CSC Meeting in Library, 6:30pm
May 15th: Shake for ShareLife Pyjama Day!
May 18th: Victoria Day (no school)
May 19th: Rocks & Rings Curling Program, 40min class sessions
May 21st: 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 (DeAcetis), 1:45-2:25pm
May 26th: Rosary Apostolate May Celebration
– Kindergarten to Grade 3 classes, 8:30am
– Grades 4 to 6 classes, 10:00am
May 27th: Grade 5 (Bufalini) STREAM Centre Visit at All Saints CES, all daty
Closing Prayer
In this month we honour and celebrate Mary, the Mother of God.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Wishing you a great week!
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal