Dear Colleagues and Families,
Happy Easter Season!
Many people know that Lent lasts for 40 days, but few are aware that the Easter season is a 50-day period to celebrate the promise of God's love. Our mission as Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) is to discover God's love and make it known. We do this through the service of education and in a relational framework called the Goals and Criteria. By extension, everyone of our staff and family members has the responsibility to embrace our Goals, and to radiate the Heart that makes them meaningful.
One of my favourite quotes of St. Francis of Assisi says: Preach the Gospel each day, use words if necessary. and, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat said: Your actions, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.
An eloquent example is given by Kinsey and Kendra Fader, twins in Primary who were born prematurely and have experienced more medical treatment in their young lives than
most people ever will. In their gratitude for care received, the Faders have sought to raise funds and willingly share their story in numerous ways (events, blogs, radio, television). At age five, the girls know about empathy and compassion... and ways to comport themselves at adult functions! Kinsey and Kendra were nominated for the Maritime Philanthropy Awards to be given by the IWK Foundation at its gala event in May. This is only the second time the foundation has ever nominated children.
Last summer, in preparation for a speaking engagement at a donor reception, these little girls learned that relatives of a man who donated his life savings to the IWK Foundation would be attending. The donor had been disabled throughout life, and yet he saved money to help the IWK. Kinsey and Kendra radiated God's love as they made canvas paintings for this man's family. At the reception, the presentation of their gift was very moving and the family was deeply grateful to have priceless representations of their relative's generosity and life witness. Following on this, the girls gave paintings to the ReMax Gala auction in support of the Children's Miracle Network; the Faders were thrilled to speak at the event and to present their paintings to the generous winning bidders!
Discovering God's love is a 24/7 mission that lasts a lifetime. It is not seasonal, and it knows no bounds. I am grateful to be in a community where hearts are huge, and where every little bit counts as we nurture new life, and sow seeds for the future!
With Easter Joy,
Sr. Wachter
Prayer Corner
(Requests may be sent to Patricia Nichols or Sr. Wachter)
We are grateful that Maddy Brennan and Auriane de Naquard are steadily recovering after a week in hospital. We continue to pray for Cynthia Goshn, Gr. 9, who is in hospital. I ask your prayers for the community of Our Lady of Schools, a local Catholic school that will be closing after this academic year; it is a difficult time for their families, staff, and Board. The grandmother of Eva and mother of Brian Lumsden recently had surgery and we are praying for a full and speedy recovery for her.
Three Cheers For...
(Future Submissions to Patricia Nichols)
In my prior Letter I lauded Emma McLean for her perfect score on the Grade 9 Pascal Mathematics Contest (the only other student in Nova Scotia with a perfect score is from Antigonish). Over the weekend, we learned that our Grade 9 team placed 3rd behind Bedford Jr. High and a public school in Antigonish - all three were very close. Also this past week, Emma learned that she is one of only 72 girls chosen from across the country to attend the exclusive summer CEMC Workshop in Computer Science for Young Women; it will be held at the University of Calgary in Alberta.
Madison James, Grade 6 was one of 54 finalists in the Nova Scotia Spelling Bee held last Saturday. We are proud to announce that she placed 7th overall!
We salute four high school students for achieving the bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh: Hannah Bekkers, Rachel Field, Bailey Francis, and Andy Samman.
Congratulations to the Grade 5 class on placing third at the 2013 Discovery Centre Film Competition.
High School faculty member D.J. DeCoste, recently
completed his M.A. in Theology and Religious Studies!
Next week, six of our Grade 12 students will attend the French for the Future conference at Mount St. Vincent University. Three cheers to Emilie Barakett, Carley Bekkers, Ellen Bursey, Tina Kim, Claire McCusker, and Marianne Saunders. French for the Future is a not-forprofit organization that supports and motivates Canadian students on their path towards bilingualism. The primary goals of the conferences are to forge linguistic and cultural links among students enrolled in French first and second language education programs (principally immersion) and to help students think about their bilingual and bicultural lives, now and in adulthood, including the positive career potential resulting from learning a second language.
On March 27, Author Haroon Akram-Lodhi spoke to our high school boys and girls. A professor at Trent University where he teaches agrarian political economy, he was in Halifax to launch his newly released book, Hungry For Change: Farmers, Food Justice and the Agrarian Question. The book uses a story-telling approach to help gain an understanding of the basis of the current global food crisis.
Building Community
The Sound of Plaid - April 4, 5, 6
Tickets for our high school musical production can be purchased at reception and during the evening of parent/teacher interviews. Show times and tickets:
Thursday, April 4@ 7:30pm, $15 (includes a post show dessert reception)
Friday, April 5 @ 7:30pm, $10 adult/ $8 students & seniors
Saturday, April 6 @ 2:00pm and 7:30pm, $10 adult/$8 students & seniors
Blessing of the Babies - April 9 (Date since changed to 4/18)
On April 18 at 8:30am in the Large Parlour we will welcome
babies (younger than preschool age) of our families and
friends. At 9am we will move upstairs for an Easter Liturgy
with the Elementary School; we will bless the very young
members of our community during the opening prayer. If
you have a little one, or know someone with a young child
who can join us on the morning of April 18, please RSVP to
Barb Martell, bmartell@shsh.ca.
Grandparents' Day - April 26
We are inviting our grandparents to GP Day! Please send to
the homeroom teachers the preferred Grandparent contact
information (student's name, grandparents' names, emails
and/or home addresses) so we can include them in this
inaugural event!
Upon Arrival, Grandparents of ...
Boys Gr. 7-12 enter Fountain beginning at 9:30
Girls Gr. 7-12 enter main door beginning at 9:30
Pri. - Gr. 6: enter main door beginning at 1:00
Jr. Primary: enter main door beginning at 1:30
The Programme for Grandparents of ...
Grades 7-12 Boys: 10 a.m. programme in Little Theatre
followed by classroom activities
Girls 7-12 Girls: 10 a.m. classroom activities followed by
11 a.m. programme in Little Theatre
Primary-Gr.3: 1:30 programme in Little Theatre followed
by class activities
Grades 4-6: 1:30 class activities, 2:15 programme in Little
Theatre
Jr. Primary: 2-3 p.m. classroom visits and a Tea Party.
Admissions Notes . . . Contact: Robyn Erickson
April 22 will be Movie Night at Empire Theatre, Bayers Lake. Sacred Heart students, friends and prospective students are welcome. The movie, Matilda, is most appropriate for Grades 4-12, however those under age 10 need adult supervision at the Theatre. Tickets are free and available by sending a request to Ms. Robyn Erickson that includes the names of attendees, as well as the email address and contact phone number of the parent(s).
The Ultimate Pick-Up Basketball Game
For 10 & 11 year-old boys!
Saturday April 20, 9:30am-Noon @ SHSH.
Format: 3-on-3 with a 5-on-5 Finale.
The morning will include a full, professional warm-up; shoot-around and short skills session; team selection; 1st half-court games (no refs); break & talk (speaker from the Rainmen organization); 2nd half-court games; full-court 5-on-5 finale. For more information, contact Robyn Erickson.
Homestay Families
There are many outstanding opportunities for those who provide homestay for an International Student; you are invited to contact Alison Boyer for more information (aboyer@shsh.ca, 422-4459). This is a wonderful way to put Goals IV and V into action!
Bring a Friend on Friday, March 22, brought 31 visitors to campus. Thank you for your support of this opportunity. Whenever you know students who would like to visit the school, please submit this form in advance. Our third Bring a Friend Day will coincide with the May 17 HRSB professional development day for P-12.
Pre-School 2013-14
We are seeking PreSchool children (age 4 by the end of 2013); if you know prospective families, please encourage them to tour Sacred Heart (PreSchool tuition is eligible for a tax receipt).
Halifax Shopping Centre - On May 11th we will be greeting shoppers at our Sacred Heart booth. Support is needed, so please talk to Robyn Erickson or Barb Martell if you are able to be an ambassador for an hour or two (students and parents are needed and welcome).
Sunnyside Mall - Thank you to those who supported our information booth on March 23rd!
Advancement Activity
Bursary Dinner - April 27
The Bursary Dinner Committee is tending to final details in preparation for Soiree Sacre Coeur to be held at the Lord Nelson Hotel. Please join us ... silent and oral auctions, French cuisine, dancing into the wee hours ... a joyful way to support the tuition needs of students. Tickets are available online (click here) or at our reception desk.
Annual Giving Fund
In November, we sent each family an Annual Giving Fund letter to request your participation. This spring, we are following-up our quest to have all of our parents onboard. Remember, 100% of our faculty, staff, administrators and Board members have already participated! If you have misplaced your giving envelope, you can simply send a check payable to Sacred Heart School to Sr. Wachter with a note indicating that it is for the Annual Giving Fund. Alterntaively, our website has an Annual Giving button. If you wish to give in more creative ways, you can discuss this with Sr. Wachter or Barb Martell. Thank you for joining our efforts to close the 10% gap between tuition income and operating expenses!
Parents' Guild
Night on the Town - Karaoke ... We are singing the praises of Veronica Lawen, Traci Sullivan, and Jody McDonald for leading another successful and hilarious (at times) fun-raiser. This community building event also netted $400 for our programmes!
