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DIFFERENCEThe St. Jude’s Academy

Your Monthly Whole - School Newsletter Celebrating Student Successes and Events

DECEMBER 2019

DATES TOREMEMBERal SJA Science Fair, which saw our

JK to Grade 3 classes complete a class experiment and our Grade 4 to Grade 8 students complete individ-ual experiments. We welcomed our judges and hosted our SJA families. Christmas concert rehearsals are well underway and we are very excited to share with our SJA families the final product. We ended the month with our annual SJA Book Fair; A Galaxy of Stories.

Remembering NovemberMonday, Dec. 2 Term 2 begins for Lower School

Thursday, Dec. 5 Student-Led Confer-ence for Lower School

Tuesday, Dec. 10 JK to Grade 2 Christmas Concert (1:00 & 6:00 pm)

Tuesday, Dec. 17 Grades 3-8 Christmas Concert (1:00 & 6:00 pm)

Wednesday, Dec. 18 Casual Day - Students who have paid may dress down

Thursday, Dec. 19 Red, Green, and White Spirit Day and last day of school before Christmas Break

Friday, Dec. 20 toTuesday, Jan. 7 No School – Christmas Break

Wednesday, Jan. 8 First day back after Christmas Break

At St. Jude’s Academy, November was busy month. We began with our annual Guy Fawkes Day, where stu-dents memorized the Guy Fawkes Poem. We held our Remembrance Day ceremony, where we took the time to remember those that fought and those who are still fighting to-day. The Grade 5 - 8 students took part in another extracurricular event, which saw them curling at the Acton Curling Club. We hosted our annu-

SJA Student AmbassadorsWe are thankful for our Student Ambassadors who provided their expertise and

knowledge of the school to perspective families during the Open House. This valuable experience builds confidence, speaking skills and presentation skills.

SJA Student AmbassadorsWe are thankful for our Student Ambassadors who provided their expertise and

knowledge of the school to prospective families during the Open House. This valuable experience builds confidence, speaking skills and presentation skills.

IB Diploma Programme Information NightDecember 11, 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Antechamber

For all Parents and Students who would like to learn about the IB Diploma Programme. This event is great for those in Grades 8 to 10 but many in earlier grades have found it to be helpful in plan-ning ahead. We invite you to learn about the IB Diploma Programme and the St. Jude’s Acade-my difference.

IB Diploma Programme Information NightDecember 11, 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Antechamber

For all Parents and Students who would like to learn about the IB Diploma Programme. This event is great for those in Grades 8 to 10 but many in earlier grades have found it to be helpful in plan-ning ahead. We invite you to learn about the IB Diploma Programme and the St. Jude’s Acade-my difference.

ACADEMICS

The St. Jude’s Academy DIFFERENCE page 2

International TripsSt. Jude’s Academy Upper School students (Grades 9-12) are given once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to take trips around the world for educational pur-poses. Students learn about other cultures and their history while seeing breathtaking sights, and in doing so, gain a deeper appreciation for global engagement and international-mindedness. Last year, our Upper School students had a blast em-barking on a trip to Prague, and this year, we are excited to announce that our students will be vis-iting the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In October 2018, a group of students in the Upper School travelled to Prague. During the 10-day trip they visited:

St. Wenceslas SquarePrague CastleCharles BridgePrague Astronomical ClockPrague Old TownPrague Underground CityJohn Lennon WallSt. George BasilicaSt. Vitus CathedralSt. Barbara’s ChurchKutna HoraKarlstein CastleSt. James BasilicaTerezin Concentration CampJewish Cemetery and MemorialBoat Cruise


Action StarsGrade 6Pooshne applied her learning of graphing energy production using Excel when she graphed her Hal-loween candy loot in Excel! She also took on the challenge to learn about the difference between a tale and a legend and she shared her research with her classmates. Jasmeet participated in a pa-per plane building and testing activity in class. He then went home and learned how to fold more sophisticated paper planes and brought these to school to share with his peers. Divyansh shared a video with the class during their inquiry into flight. The video was taken by his family when they were on a flight where the pilot had to return to their point of origin. Before doing so safely, the pilot had to dump all the fuel. He also shared a picture of himself in the cockpit of a plane at a museum. Vishva read a short story to the class about the life of Amelia Earhart during the Inquiry Into Flight class.

Grade 5 Alyssa, Zain, Jordan, Aidan, Max, Sanjana, Ka-reena, and Sachi brought in items for Operation Christmas Child. Other classes that took part in-cluded Ms. Bannon’s SK class, Ms. Gandy and Mr. Foster’s Grade 1 classes and Ms. Chiappetta and Ms. Foti’s Grade 3 classes.

JK: Amihan D.JK: Jacob B.SK: Ava V.SK: Amogh M.Grade 1: Rohan M.Grade 1: Alina C.Grade 2: Simrin C.Grade 2: Syra I.Grade 3: Srikaran V.Grade 3: Keshav J.Grade 4: Khaliya S.Grade 4: Isabella P.Grade 5: Maxime N.Grade 5: Ben C.Grade 6: Adn U.Grade 6: Divyansh T.Grade 6: Ronit M.Grade 7: Harshvir B.Grade 8: Maram I.Grade 9: Additi M.Grade 10: Krish J.Grade 11: Rumi I.Grade 12: Alex H.

Primary French: Noorah S.Primary French: Damien A.Junior French: Rayen W.Junior French: Emana R.Junior French: Jordan L.MYP French: Christiaan S.Phys Ed PYP: Damien A.Phys Ed PYP: Daniel D.Phys Ed MYP: Julian B.Phys Ed MYP: Ilias F.Music PYP: Kaitlyn C.Music MYP: Akshita S.Music PYP: Ava V.Design MYP: Daniyaal K.ESL: Huanyu (Tony) D.

November Thinker Award Winners


On November 8, SJA faculty and staff participated in a Professional Development (PD) Day. Profes-sor Trevor Brown from Tyndale University led an enlightening session on mathematics. A co-author of Math Makes Sense, he focused our discussion of math education on concrete classroom materials and teaching for conceptual and instrumental understanding. We were privileged to have him visit St. Jude’s Academy, and our goal of improving math education benefitted greatly from his exper-tise. The day also allowed teachers to collaborate on class units and review report card standards. Generously, parent volunteers provided lunch to the teachers as part of a teacher appreciation session, complete with a touching video from our students.

SJA Professional Development


STUDENT LIFE

St. Jude’s Academy Elite Basketball Team (GHP) 77 - Royal Crown Prep 66

Sports Teams

Lower School Coach (who to contact) Rough TimelineGrades 4-6 Coed Indoor Soccer Samuel / Orr / Di Mascio February - March

Upper SchoolGrades 7/8 Indoor Boys Soccer Beresford / Coach Allan January - MarchGrades 9 -12 Indoor Boys Soccer Beresford / Coach Allan January - MarchGrades 9 -12 Indoor Girls Soccer Lopez December - MarchGrades 9 - 12 Boys Basketball Beresford / Coach George November - FebruaryGrades 7 - 8 Girls Volleyball Zerafa December - FebruaryGrades 7 - 8 Open Basketball Orr November - February

Intramural Sports Organized by Rough TimelineUpper School Open Spike Ball Neal / Whetstone / Beresford November - DecemberUpper School Dodgeball Neal / Whetstone / Beresford January - FebruaryLower School Dodgeball Neal / Whetstone / Beresford January - February

Upcoming Field Trips: SkiingGrades 5 – 6 Skiing at Glen Eden Grades 7 – 8 Skiing at Horseshoe Valley Ski Resort •January 22, 2020 •January 10, 2020•February 19, 2020 •February 10, 2020•March 4, 2020 •February 24, 2020


Remembrance Day 2019In Flanders Fields and through various stations, we took the time to remember the sacrifice that people we never knew made for people they’d never know. Our theme was We Remem-ber When We Work for Peace. The idea is that we best remember peo-ple who died for us by working towards the very same thing they fought for and died to protect: Freedom and Peace.

Upper School Students visited various stations designed to help them gain fresh understanding of the sacrifices made for them by the soldiers. Station #1 –Vet Testimonial (Student Reflection)Station #2 –What if democracy hadn’t won? (Stu-dent Reflection)Station #3 –Poppy Push (Students Wrote on pop-py the names of family members affected by war – these were placed on mural)Station #4 –Take Up Our Quarrel (Student Reflec-tion - How do we, a group of 300 people in Missis-sauga, work for peace in our world?)Station #5 – Pack Walk (Can a student bear the load a soldier was expected to carry?)Station #6 – Memorabilia Exhibit Station #7 – A Pittance of Time Station #8 – Remembrance Day / Last Post / Mo-ment of Silence

In Flanders FieldsBY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie,In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

Extracurriculars Celebrating diversity and individuality is an inte-gral part of St. Jude’s Academy’s student life and all-around school culture. The variety of extracur-riculars available for our students reflects our dif-ferent interests and the ways in which we express ourselves uniquely. Clubs at St. Jude’s Academy are meant to give our students opportunities to ex-press themselves in ways that are not explored in the classroom. Clubs allow the student community to grow and connect organically through shared interests.

We have exciting clubs taking place at St. Jude’s Academy. Take a look through to see where your child’s interests are and encourage them to take part!

Readers ClubMs. Hayward will be running a primary and ju-nior recess Readers Club. Grade 5 and 6 students may visit the Library on Monday and Wednesday mornings during first recess and students in Grades 1-2 may visit the Library on Tuesday and Thursday during first recess.

JK/SK Recess Readers Club This club will run on Day 4 from 10:30-11:00 am. Stu-dents who are interested may join Mrs. Blair and Mlle. Jessica in Room 5.

Crafts Club This club will run on Day 4 from 11:30 -12:00 for stu-dents in Grades 1-2. Students who are interested may join Ms. Coldwells in Room 25.

Soccer PracticeMs. Samuel and Mrs. Di Mascio will be running a soccer practice for Grade 4-6 Co-ed Soccer Team.

Chess ClubThis club will run on Day 3 from 11:00 -11:30 am. Students who are interested may join Mr. Conte in Room 31.

Choir Mr. Conte, Ms. Chiappetta and Mr. Oliver will run this club on Day 5 from 11:00 -11:30 am. Students who are interested may join them in the Music Room.


Well-being Club Mr. Iqbal will run this club every Friday from 12:30 - 1:00 pm. Upper School students who are interest-ed may join Mr. Iqbal in the Art Room.

Math Club Dr. Kaur will run a Math Club every Wednesday morning at 8:00 am for both Lower and Upper School. Upper School students may also join her on Day 2 from 12:20 – 1:00 pm.

Art Club Mrs. Padovan, Ms. Bannon, and Ms. Carm will run this club for the upcoming holidays: Christmas - December 18 Easter - April 8 Mother’s Day - May 7 Sign up early as there is limited space available.

Board Games/Cards Club Every second Day 2, Grades 3-6 students may join Mrs. Hocevar in room 16. Every second Day 1, Grades 3-6 students may join Ms. Jaskolka in Room 30. Don’t forget your board games or cards!

Monthly House Points Update

858 400

887 900

845 900

KIPZBP

QSY

There are a number of fun and interesting After School Programs that students can choose to at-tend.

Piano (Tuesdays or Wednesdays with Ms. Bannon or Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays with stu-dent teacher Frederick Meneses)Piano is a fun way to encourage and develop your child’s musical ability. We have group lessons, semi-private and private lessons for SK-Grade 6. All classes are 30 minutes in duration. Spaces are lim-ited and time slots are given on a first-come basis.

Art & Recycling (Mondays with Ms. Veldboom from 4:00-5:00 pm)Let your child explore their inner Picasso through St. Jude’s Academy’s After School Art Program. Chil-dren will create their own masterpiece using dif-ferent art mediums such as paint, canvas, wood, and glass. (Minimum of 10 students)

Karate (Tuesdays & Thursdays – JK/SK 3:30-4:00 pm & Grades 1-6 4:00-5:00 pm): Karate is an ex-citing way to get your child up and active. Give your child the opportunity to develop: respect, dis-cipline, focus, and concentration.

Yoga (Wednesdays with Blossom Yoga from 4:00-4:45 pm)We are excited for the return of Blossom Yoga to SJA. Classes combine yoga poses, music, breath-ing techniques, games, and reflective art to cap-ture the attention and imagination of young yoga buds. Students will learn calming and relaxation techniques, build physical literacy, balance, flex-ibility, and have fun. (Maximum of 15 students)

Dance (Fridays with In the Mix from 4:00-5:00 pm)St. Jude’s is excited to welcome back ‘In The Mix’ video productions. Kids learn dance moves in these high-tech energized classes. Through solo and group participation, every child gets to ex-plore what’s new in dance, music and iPad tech-nology. The students work in teams being a direc-tor, dancer, choreographer, DJ, or producer to create one-of-a-kind music and dance videos. (Minimum of 10 students).

For more information please contact [email protected]

After School Programs (JK to Grade 6)


Why are University Campus Visits so import-ant? Campus visits are critical to the process of choosing which college or university is a good fit. A campus visit allows the student to experience the trip involved to get to the school, the people who are there, and the actual learning environment on campus.

University Campus Visits

University of Waterloo

RyersonUniversity


JK – Grade 3: Ms. Chiappetta’s Grade 3s (1st), Mr. Foster’s Grade 1s (2nd), Ms. Hughes’ Grade 2s (3rd)Grade 4 Ms. Samuel: Aashrith (1st), Julia (2nd), Honor (3rd)Grade 4 Mrs. DiMascio: Nathan (1st) , Arya (2nd), Alister (3rd)Grade 5 Mrs. Hocevar: Jai (1st), Aidan (2nd), Sachi (3rd)Grade 5 Ms. Cass: Medha (1st), Nicole (2nd), Daksh (3rd)Grade 6 Mrs. Haag: Divyansh (1st), Jaiden (2nd), Emana (3rd)Grade 6 Ms. Jaskolka: Manny (1st), Willem (2nd), Kooshali (3rd)Grade 6 Mr. Conte: Ahil (1st), Krina (2nd), Rajan (3rd)Grade 7A: Lynne (1st), Manisha (2nd), Jallone (3rd), Sophie (3rd)Grade 7B: Ethan (1st), Thomas (2nd), Suhana (2nd), Dolapo (3rd)Grade 8A: Nikhil (1st), Sia (1st), Rishaan (2nd), Emilia (3rd)Grade 8B: Mehar (1st), Hassan (2nd), Roya (3rd)

Science Fair Winners

Congratulations to all of this year’s Science Fair Medalists!


COMMUNITY

Parents Giving Time Sharing Expertisein Finance with Students.

Thank you for your support during our Fall Fundraiser 2019!Chromebooks! Thanks to the incredible fall fundraising efforts we raised $10,685.60! We were able to purchase Chromebooks for stu-dents to use.

Galaxy of Stories Book Fair

Our Wonderful SJA Community includes parents and grandparents who show how much they ap-preciate and value the work of our faculty and staff. We are truly thankful to be part of this wonderful community at St. Jude’s Academy. Thank you to our amazing parents who provided a special Staff Appreciation Lunch at the Professional Development Day in November.

Mr. DeFrancesco Mrs. DeFrancesco

Bring your own skates. Rentals available: skates $16; helmets $8

Christmas Skate

December 12 3:30 -5:30 PM$10 per student / Free for Parents

Meadowvale 4-Rinks

Celebrate the Holiday Season with some skatingfun for your children or with them!

Hot chocolate and treats for each student.Selles with Santa as well! Ice time from 4:00-5:00 pm

Order forms due by December 2.

We are accepting

non-perish-able food

donations at this event.


St. Jude’s AcademyRe-registration 2020-2021Packages

will be distributed December 12Packages for students in Lower School and their older sibling(s)

will be sent home with youngest sibling.

Packages for students in Upper School (Grades 7 to 12) will be mailed home.

Deadline date for re-registration: February18, 2020 @ 4:00 pm


HEAD OF SCHOOL: Melissa Chin; FOUNDER: Aaron Sawatsky; EDITOR: Ann HarveySend Your Comments, Questions & Address Updates to: [email protected]

EDITORIAL REVIEW COMMITTEEA. Harvey, H. Hocevar, M. Chin, C. Sawatsky, P. Beresford, M. Filion, S. Neal.

The St. Jude’s Academy Difference is a monthly communication created and distributed electronically to members of the SJA Family of Schools Community during the academic year.

© St. Jude’s Academy 2019

ST. JUDE’S ACADEMY FAMILY OF SCHOOLS

ST. JUDE’S ACADEMY

THE MAPLES ACADEMY

OAKWOOD ACADEMY


HEAD OF SCHOOL: Melissa Chin; FOUNDER: Aaron Sawatsky; EDITOR: Ann HarveySend Your Comments, Questions & Address Updates to: [email protected]

EDITORIAL REVIEW COMMITTEEA. Harvey, H. Hocevar, M. Chin, C. Sawatsky, P. Beresford, M. Filion, S. Neal.

The St. Jude’s Academy Difference is a monthly communication created and distributed electronically to members of the SJA Family of Schools Community during the academic year.

© St. Jude’s Academy 2019

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