Niagara Catholic District School Board

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to a beautiful Sunday morning! Today is Father’s Day, a day we celebrate the awesome dads in our lives.

There’s an old saying: Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. We don’t have to look much farther than at Joseph, a man who raised God’s son as his own, as an example of being a loving and caring father. He provided love and guidance as Jesus grew, sharing his skills and his wisdom with his son along the way.

Someone special, indeed.

We also can't forget Our Father, who loves us in a way we will never fully understand.

A dad is a son’s first role model and a daughter’s first love.
They can fix everything from a broken tire to a broken heart.
Dads are fearless (at least they let us think they are).
They will 100 percent LOVE the tie, mug or shaving stuff you give them, but your time means more to them than any gift, especially as you grow older and have a life of your own.
Dads are the absolute kings of bad jokes, and live to share them with our friends.
They teach us that it’s okay to try and to fail, and prop us up as we try again and again, because failure isn’t failure, it’s a lesson we haven’t fully learned.
They can make anything, but excel at making bad days good, good days amazing and creating memories we carry with us throughout our lives and sustain us when they are gone.

So, here’s to all the dads we’re celebrating today:
The biological dads
The stepdads
The adoptive dads
The sleep-deprived new daddies
The sleep-deprived dads of teens
The dads still with us, and the dads who are alive in our hearts
The granddads, uncles, godfathers and big brothers who often fill the role of absent fathers
The fathers-in-law and all the mums who have the responsibility of being both parents.

We know that like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day can be difficult for some. For those who choose not to acknowledge those days, we wish you a day filled with peace and love. For those who are celebrating a special dad in your life, enjoy your time together, and have a great day.

Well now, as we head into a summer like weekend, here's a nice good news story from our friends at Lakeshore Catholic High School and the City of Port Colborne. Congratulations to the Lakeshore Catholic students who created this beautiful mural at the entrance to Nickel Beach! We 😍it and are so proud of you!👏👏👏

Good morning! We come to the end of another week in June and wow, what a week it's been! Congratulations to everyone recognized at last night's Retirement and Service Recognition Celebration. Whether you are a long-term employee, have already retired or are retiring soon, congratulations and thank you for your years of service to Catholic education.

Father's Day is coming up this weekend - check this space on Sunday for our annual tribute to dads - but for today, we're opening up the weather desk for a probable heat alert for Niagara next week.

Niagara Emergency Management has reached out with the advice that temps are expected to be in the area of 30-32C before the humidity makes it feel hotter for much of next week. Schools have been advised of the probability of a heat alert so expect there may be some changes to outdoor activities. Please send your kiddos to school with water bottles, hats, and sunscreen.

In a perfect world, all schools would have a/c everywhere, but our world is less than perfect. We do have cooler spaces in our schools, like libraries and gyms, and, if necessary, classes rotate throughout the school to ensure everyone gets a break from the heat.

After a rainy, cool weekend last weekend and start to this week, a little summer weather is just the ticket to get us ready for the next couple of months. Plan accordingly and have an awesome weekend, everyone!

Great news! Thank you to everyone who shared!

Located-MISSING PERSONS–NRPS are Searching for a 14-Year-Old Female and 12-Year-Old Male

https://www.niagarapolice.ca/en/news/missing-persons-nrps-in-st-catharines-are-searching-for-a-14-year-old-female-and-12-year-old-male.aspx

It is our honour to support the Niagara Children's Centre for all you do to support students as they work to overcome challenges.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Kids Helping Kids events this year to help us reach this incredible goal!

🎉 Celebrating 26 Years of Empowering Change! 🎉

This year, Niagara Catholic District School Board marked the 26th Annual Kids Helping Kids fundraiser from Feb. 12 to 23. During this fun-filled campaign, schools participated in spirit-building activities like creative hair days, jersey days, and other themed events on a “donate to participate” basis. The funds raised jointly supported Niagara Children’s Centre and the Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education, recognizing the tremendous work they both do for the community.

We are thrilled to announce that this year's campaign raised more than $17,000 for Niagara Children’s Centre! Oksana Fisher, CEO of the Niagara Children’s Centre, received the donation at last week’s school board meeting. She was joined by Gino Pizzoferrato, Superintendent of Education, Danny Di Lorenzo, Chair of the Board, and Camillo Cipriano, Education Director.

A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated students, families, and staff for your incredible support. Your contributions will make a significant difference in our community!

Apply now! Join our CommUNITY as a Behaviour Analyst and promote academic and social success. Know someone interested? Spread the word! https://niagaracatholic.ca/careers/

Goooooood morning, Niagara Catholic, and Happy Tuesday!!

It's another cool, cloudy day, but we don't define ourselves by the weather. So let's be the sunshine we're looking for today.

Nothing says sunshine like some lemonade, and we're happy to share this photo of Grade 4 students at St. John Henry Newman Catholic Elementary School who participated in last weekend's LemonAID fundraise for Niagara Foundation for Family & Children's Services

We know several students participated in the event this weekend, so if your family hosted an event, please share your pix with us through [email protected].

Quick housekeeping note: We do not post photos of students without permission from parents and guardians. So if you are sharing photos with children other than your own, please copy their parents/guardians on the email to us so that we can be sure they give permission for the photos to be posted. We'd love to use these photos in our late June Chronicle as well as on our social, so please feel free to share and we will add the photos in the comments for you. If the photo doesn't show up, it's because we were unable to confirm permission.

Thank you to everyone who signed up to support this event to help send children in foster care to camp.

Have an amazing day, everyone!

Goooood afternoon, Niagara Catholic!

It's the second Monday in June and we're still bursting with lots of learning, events, activities and good news to share!

Here's an incredible story - Notre Dame College School swimmers Alex Cabrera, James Ortiz, Josh Lee and Ben Major, as well as coach, Liz Mortier - were competing at OFSAA this year when they were approached by a producer scouting swim teams for a new national video for Kids Help Phone reminding students that even when it seems like someone has it all together, they still need support.

What a great opportunity for our student athletes to showcase their talents while supporting a resource that does amazing things for youth across Canada!

IG users, check out the link in the bio. FB users, the link is in the comments.

You can use a two-minute break. Take time to absorb the message and the powerful imagery.

Have an awesome day, everyone!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, we call on you so that we may "glory in the fullness of your grace" and grow in relationship with you, our Blessed Mother, so we may come to know how to live life in the reign of God.

🌟 A Night of Artistic Excellence at the Niagara Catholic Secondary School Art Gallery! 🌟

Last night, our talented secondary students showcased their incredible artistic abilities at the annual Niagara Catholic Secondary School Art Gallery. The event was a resounding success, highlighting a diverse array of artworks that left everyone in awe.

From vibrant paintings to intricate sculptures, every piece told a unique story and reflected the creativity and dedication of our young artists. One of the highlights of the evening was the special colour-inverted image.

Thank you to all who attended and supported our students. Your encouragement and appreciation mean the world to them. Let’s continue to nurture and celebrate the artistic talents within our community!

Well, that's a wrap on the first week of June, 2024. And it was BUSY!!

Students competing at OFSAA, donations to community events, art shows, and much, much more.

Speaking of community events, tomorrow is the annual LemonAID day for FACS Niagara. Check the link below (and in Linktree, to all on IG) to find out where stands are located in our community.

Niagara Catholic is a huge supporter of this initiative, which ensures students in foster care are able to attend summer camp. If you're so inclined, take a break from your weekend chores on Saturday to stop by a lemonade stand run by students to support this very worthy cause.

Have an incredible weekend, everyone!

https://facsniagarafoundation.org/mountainviewlemonaidday/

Congratulations to the students in Sheila DeLuca's Grade 10 Civics and Careers class at Saint Paul Catholic High School!!

They began a month-long fundraising activity for the new South Niagara Hospital at the start of Catholic Education Week in May, and concluded the month with $2,020 raised for the hospital.

Former Saint Paul teacher Mat Siscoe, now Mayor of St. Catharines, donated $2,000 to the cause in his name and the name of NF Mayor Jim Diodati, bringing the total amount donated to the Niagara Health Foundation $4,020! Andrea Scott, President of the Niagara Foundation, accepted the cheque from Miss DeLuca and her students. Saint Paul Catholic HS Jim Diodati Wayne Gates

Mayor Siscoe was unable to attend today's cheque presentation, but commended Miss DeLuca's commitment to making civics class a practical lesson in giving back to the community. Mayor Diodati noted the work the students are doing for the new hospital today will support their current and future families in Niagara Falls. MPP Wayne Gates credited Miss LeLuca and her class, noting "this is why Catholic education is important."

Congratulations to everyone! This is the start of an incredible tradition of supporting a new hospital that will serve residents in south Niagara for many years to come!

We've got your story for you right here👇

From yesterday's daily papers, a story about a student at Saint Michael Catholic High School who landed his dream job as a "yellow bug" elevator operator at the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls.

Matthew is a huge elevator aficionado and he's turned his co-op placement at the popular Niagara Falls tourist attraction into a job. On the autism spectrum, Matthew loves the multi-sensory experience of elevators, from feeling them start, move, and stop, and hearing the chirpy "ding" when it reaches its destination.

Kudos to the folks at the Skylon Tower for taking Matthew on a placement, special education teacher Vic Pietrangelo for advocating for Matthew, and to Matthew for doing such an awesome job he's turned his passion into a job. Isn't that what we all want?

Today, we remember the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history, began the liberation of France, and laid the foundations for an Allied victory on the Western Front.

On June 4, 1944, Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed Parliament, bolstering the country's resolve:

"... The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.

Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of N**i rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.

We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. ..."

And they did fight on the beaches. Tens of thousands of young men between the three countries fought to liberate Europe. They did not surrender.

Many of the thousands of 14,000 Canadians who stormed Juno Beach shortly after midnight were scarcely older than students graduating from high school later this month. It was the same for American (Omaha Beach and Utah Beach), and British (Gold Beach and Sword Beach) troops who landed on the neighbouring beaches of Normandy from the air and the sea.

Many fell in battle. The ones who returned home were forever changed.

Those young men have grown old. Few remain. Thirteen Canadian veterans of D-Day were well enough to travel to France for today's commemoration service at Juno Beach. They are all close to - if not already - a century old. This was their time to remember the valour of their youth and to say goodbye.

For the British and French saved from the N**i regime, it was a time to thank them and honour them one final time.

We honour them today, too.

Speaking of OFSSA, we wish the Saint Paul Patriots senior boys' and girls' soccer teams safe travels and good luck as they make their way to OFSAA. Best of luck!!!

Oooooh, wheee has it been busy in late May and into June. ICYMI, TJ Woods, a Grade 9 student at Denis Morris Catholic High School, cleaned up at SOSSA track and field last month. He'll compete in the 800m and 1,500m events at OFSAA at Western University June 8.

Does St. Catharines have another track Olympian on the horizon? It sure looks that way after TJ’s impressive showing at SOSSA. TJ won all three of his events – distance events, no less! - and broke all three records doing it!

TJ’s first big win was in the 1,500 metres, running 1.5K in 4:11.
His second win came on Day 2, finishing the 800m race in less than two minutes. Then he ran the 3,000m in an incredible 9:17, breaking the record previously set by Canadian Olympian (and fellow hometown runner) Mohammed Ahmed.

TJ’s Denis Morris family describe him as poised, passionate about running, and humble despite his outstanding accomplishments. Congratulations, TJ!! We can’t wait to see what comes next!

Good luck to TJ and all Niagara Catholic track and field athletes competing at OFSAA June 6-8. We know you're going to be awesome.

🌟🙏 June is Sacred Heart of Jesus Month 🙏🌟

As we enter the month of June, we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of love, compassion, and devotion. This month is a time for reflection, prayer, and renewal of our faith.

Please join us in honouring the Sacred Heart of Jesus through acts of kindness, community service, and personal prayer. Let us come together to embody the love and compassion that Jesus has for all of us.

📣✨ Proud Moment for Niagara Catholic Students! ✨📣�
Our Niagara Catholic students embarked on an incredible journey to Queen's Park in Toronto, and what a day it was! 🚌🌟

Today, secondary school students representing OSAID from across Niagara Catholic were invited by the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, the Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria and the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education, MPP Natalie Pierre, to be their guests at Queen's Park.

These remarkable students were recognized for their outstanding efforts in raising awareness about the Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) program. 🙌🚗

Upon arriving at Queen's Park, the students had the unique opportunity to sit in on a session of parliament. 🏛️ ��They were then welcomed to meet the Premier Ford, Minster of Education Stephen Lecce, Minister of Transportation Parbmeet Sarkaria, MPP Natalie Pierre Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education, MPP Sam Oosterhoff, along with other distinguished ministers. The Premier engaged in a lively Q&A session, where he not only answered their insightful questions but also commended them for their dedication and impactful work in promoting the values of OSAID. 👏💬
This experience has left an indelible mark on our students, inspiring them to continue making a positive difference in their communities. We're incredibly proud of their achievements and their commitment to driving change. 🚦💙
Let's celebrate these young leaders and their unwavering commitment to safety and awareness! 🎉👏 ��

🌟 School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week! 🌟
Celebrating School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week from June 3rd to June 7th! 🚸 Our dedicated crossing guards work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our children, and we couldn't be more grateful.
A special shoutout to Anusha, age 10, from Father Hennepin Catholic Elementary School in Niagara Falls, whose artwork beautifully captures the spirit of our amazing crossing guards. 🖍️🏆
Thank you, crossing guards, for making our world a better and safer place! 💛

June is dedicated to recognizing and honouring the rich cultures, heritage, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. This month, we pay tribute to the diverse traditions, histories, and contemporary experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. June is dedicated to recognizing and honouring the rich cultures, heritage, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. This month, we pay tribute to the diverse traditions, histories, and contemporary experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Join us in learning more about Indigenous cultures, supporting Indigenous initiatives, and fostering understanding and reconciliation. Let's celebrate and elevate Indigenous voices and stories!

Learn more about National Indigenous History Month and how you can participate.

National Indigenous History Month In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month. During this month, take time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada.

Check out our current employment opportunities and apply today to join our CommUNITY! Know someone interested? Spread the word! https://niagaracatholic.ca/careers/

🌸✨ Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a beautiful reminder of compassion, kindness, and the joy of serving others. ✨ 🌸

At Niagara Catholic, we are inspired by Mary's journey to support and uplift others. Her example guides us in our mission to nurture the success and well-being of our students every day.

Let's continue to follow in her footsteps, bringing love and hope to our communities.

🙏❤️

We are pleased to share that our Board of Trustees has renewed Director of Education Camillo Cipriano’s contract for an additional four years.

Director Cipriano has shown exceptional leadership, especially through challenging times, and has been instrumental in advancing our board's mission. Under his guidance, we have made significant strides in enhancing our educational programs and facilities.

We look forward to continued growth and success under his dedicated leadership.

Visit NiagaraCatholic.ca to read the news!

Thank you for your ongoing support of Niagara Catholic.

At tonight's Board Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting, Superintendent of Education Gino Pizzoferrato, along with Chair of the Board Danny Di Lorenzo and Education Director Camillo Cipriano, presented Chief Executive Officer of the Niagara Children’s Centre, Oksana Fisher, with a cheque. Accepting on behalf of Dan Whipple, President of Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education, is Danny Di Lorenzo, Chair of the Board.

🎉 Celebrating 26 Years of Kids Helping Kids! 🎉

This year, Niagara Catholic marked its 26th year of our Annual Kids Helping Kids fundraising. The campaign in Niagara Catholic took place between February 12th and February 23 in all of our schools. This campaign is always a fun-filled period of time in our schools where spirit-building activities such as creative hair days, jersey days, and other creatively themed days take place on a “donate to participate” basis. Funds raised during this campaign jointly support the Niagara Children’s Center and the Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education in the tremendous work that they both do.

We are thrilled to announce that our annual fundraising campaign has raised an incredible $35,214.10! Tonight, we proudly presented a cheque to Oksana Fisher from the Niagara Children’s Centre and another cheque, accepted by Danny Di Lorenzo on behalf of Dan Whipple, with each organization receiving $17,607.05.

Thank you to the dedicated students, families, and staff from Niagara Catholic for your amazing support. Your contributions are making a significant difference in our community.

Today, we had the incredible privilege of welcoming Andrew Laubacher (ALOB), a renowned songwriter, worship leader, and speaker from Southern California. 🎶✨

In the morning, ALOB shared his inspiring journey and powerful insights with our secondary school students, focusing on the themes of Humanality and our addiction to technology. His heartfelt message resonated deeply with the students, encouraging them to embrace the miraculous and healing love of God. 🙏💖

In the afternoon, ALOB brought his passion and wisdom to our elementary students, engaging them with his music and uplifting words. The younger students were captivated by his energy and message, leaving with hearts full of inspiration and joy. 🌟🎤

Thank you, ALOB, for an unforgettable day and for touching the lives of our students with your incredible gifts and insights. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of your visit in our community! 🌟🙌

🎉🎓 Congratulations to the exceptional students from Niagara Catholic who have received the 2024 MacBain Niagara Falls Scholarships! 🎓🎉

👏 Francesca Cavezza (Saint Michael Catholic High School)
👏 Charlotte Johnstone (Saint Paul Catholic Secondary School)
👏 Megan Kennedy (Saint Michael Catholic High School)
👏 Lily Lococo (Saint Michael Catholic High School)
👏 Davin MacKenzie (Saint Michael Catholic High School)

Your achievements and dedication are truly inspiring. Best of luck in your future studies! 🌟

🚶‍♂️✨ A Memorable Visit to St. Michael Catholic Elementary School! ✨🚶‍♂️

Today, students, staff and local dignitaries had the incredible honour of welcoming Fred Fox, brother of the legendary Terry Fox, to St. Michael Catholic Elementary School in Niagara-on-the-Lake! 🏫❤️

In preparation for the day, all students filled the school entrance and gymnasium with coloured prints of Terry's iconic running shoe, and created a wall honouring those who have lost their lives to cancer. ❤️

Fred shared heartwarming and insightful stories about growing up with Terry, highlighting his remarkable perseverance, dreams, and unwavering determination. 🌟🌍

Terry Fox, a true Canadian hero, embarked on his Marathon of Hope in 1980, running across Canada to raise money and awareness for cancer research despite losing his right leg to cancer. His journey, which spanned 143 days and 5,373 kilometers (3,339 miles), continues to inspire millions and fundraise through annual Terry Fox Runs held worldwide. 🏃‍♂️🇨🇦

Our students were deeply moved by Fred's recounting of Terry's journey, learning invaluable lessons about resilience, hope, and the importance of never giving up. 💪🏃‍♂️

Thank you, Fred, for inspiring our community and reminding us all of the power of courage and commitment. Terry's legacy continues to live on through stories like yours. 🙏✨

Students at Saint Paul Catholic High School are doing incredible work to raise funds for the Niagara Health Foundation and the new South Niagara hospital! Through a fun-filled games week and a student-run bake sale, they are making a real difference in our community.

Donations will be accepted until the end of May, and you can track the amazing progress of their fundraiser online at https://ofnhs.akaraisin.com/ui/SPCHS. See how much they’ve raised and feel the community spirit grow!

Let’s support these young changemakers and their inspiring efforts for a brighter future for Niagara!

🌟 Exciting News for South Niagara Falls! 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that the Niagara Catholic District School Board is building a brand new $14 million Catholic elementary school in south Niagara Falls (Kalar and McLeod Roads), thanks to the generous funding from the Ministry of Education! 🎉🏫

This state-of-the-art school will offer:
• 363 pupil spaces
• 3 kindergarten classrooms
• 12 regular classrooms
• A special education room
• A library, gymnasium, and more!

This investment reflects the growth and development in our community and the commitment to providing top-quality education facilities for our students. 📚✨

Thank you to MPP Sam Oosterhoff for the announcement and to everyone involved in making this dream a reality. 🙌

Danny Di Lorenzo, Chair of the Board, says, "We are extremely grateful for this funding. This new school will ease enrollment pressures and bring more students closer to home."

Camillo Cipriano, Director of Education, adds, "This is fantastic news for Niagara Catholic and our community. We look forward to opening a new school that will serve Catholic students for generations to come." 🏫🌟

🎉 We are overjoyed to share some fantastic news! 🎉

Adele Filice, Principal of Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, has been honoured with the Outstanding Administrator of Special Education Award at the Ontario Council of Administrators of Special Education conference! 🌟👏

This award is a testament to Principal Filice’s incredible dedication to special education, both locally and provincially. Her passionate advocacy for all students and her vision of creating an inclusive school environment where everyone belongs are truly inspiring. 🏫❤️🌈

We couldn't be prouder of Principal Filice! 🎊🙌✨ Read the full story here https://tinyurl.com/4mtzhpvs

Photo (l to r); Alfonso Monachino, Behavioural Resource Teacher, Niagara Catholic District School Board with Adele Filice, Principal Holy Cross Secondary School, and Catharine Gandola, Educational Resource Teacher, Niagara Catholic District School Board