TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD March 2016 Principal’s Message Procrastination As we continue with our theme of student success, I’d like to provide you with some information on procrastination. We have created bookmarks for the kids with a great message and tips on how to avoid it. We encourage you to reinforce the same message; Sometimes it’s best just to sit down and get it done. Finish all of the things you must accomplish today before you hop on for some screen time! Turn off the phone and T.V. and resist the urge to open social media or your video games. Set an alarm for 15-30 minutes and work really hard during that time, and then take a **short** break before starting your work again. That way you don’t burn out. Plan times to study- and show up for yourself. What can parents do when all they seem to hear is; "I'll clean my room tomorrow!" "It's not due until next week!" "I'll do my chores later!" They insist. They persuade. They don't act. What else can you do as parents? Especially when you see the effects of your child’s procrastination. Research has shown that anxiety and fear are better managed by attempting to succeed at the task at hand rather than avoiding it. Therefore try; 1. Show Your Child How to "Just Get Started" A large part of the problem of procrastination comes from feeling overwhelmed about the entirety of the task. Just getting started means taking a baby step. If your child knows that they only need to do 20 minutes of work, they are much more likely to start. You can help your child set up mini-goals in their overall quest to complete a larger goal. 2. Make Sure Your Child Starts with the Easy Things Starting a project or a task can often be the most stressful part. Help them find the parts that they like, and make sure they know that they can start there! This level of control is empowering, and it makes starting anything much more enjoyable. 3. Encourage Your Child to "Time Travel" A fun way for kids to think about how procrastination affects them is to "time travel". Have your child take a trip into the future and using visualization. Ask them to close their eyes and imagine how they will feel once the task is complete and how they will feel if it is not. By imagining how much better life will be for them tomorrow, they realize that what they have to deal with now is really not so bad. "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." ~Martin Luther King, Jr. *adapted from Renee Jain Virtue of the Month: Christ the King Catholic School Where we learn together, pray together and play together! 3672 Lake Shore Blvd. Etobicoke, ON M8W 1N6 Telephone No.: (416) 393- 5257 Prayer for Forgiveness Psalm 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. You desire truth in the inward being; Therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Amen
Transcript
TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD March 2016
Principal’s Message
Procrastination As we continue with our theme
of student success, I’d like to
provide you with some
information on procrastination.
We have created bookmarks for
the kids with a great message
and tips on how to avoid it. We
encourage you to reinforce the
same message;
Sometimes it’s best just to
sit down and get it done.
Finish all of the things
you must accomplish
today before you hop on
for some screen time!
Turn off the phone and
T.V. and resist the urge to
open social media or your
video games.
Set an alarm for 15-30
minutes and work really
hard during that time, and
then take a **short**
break before starting your
work again. That way you
don’t burn out.
Plan times to study- and
show up for yourself.
What can parents do when all
they seem to hear is;
"I'll clean my room tomorrow!"
"It's not due until next week!"
"I'll do my chores later!"
They insist. They persuade. They
don't act. What else can you do
as parents? Especially when you
see the effects of your child’s
procrastination. Research has
shown that anxiety and fear are
better managed by attempting to
succeed at the task at hand rather
than avoiding it. Therefore try;
1. Show Your Child How to
"Just Get Started" A large part of the problem of
procrastination comes from
feeling overwhelmed about the
entirety of the task. Just getting
started means taking a baby step.
If your child knows that they only
need to do 20 minutes of work,
they are much more likely to start.
You can help your child set up
mini-goals in their overall quest
to complete a larger goal.
2. Make Sure Your Child
Starts with the Easy Things Starting a project or a task can
TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD | Issue # 7 2
Lenten Reflection
Taking something to heart means to hold it close, reflect upon it and allow it to become a cherished part of us. As Christians, we take to hear the message of Jesus- the Good News. Lent is a perfect time to slow down and reflect on our lives and how we live out the Gospel and assess how we practice Jesus’ examples. Upcoming Trips All our students will be going on a winter excursion of some sort in the next few weeks. The Junior and Senior Kindergartens will be going to visit the zoo which is a completely different experience in the winter. Our Grades 1 & 2 will be traveling to Mountsberg Conservation Area for a Maple Syrup experience and to learn more about the bird sanctuary. Our Grades 3-6 will be going to
Fitness4Success to learn more about how their physical well-being can greatly contribute to their overall mental health and success.
Finally, our Grade 7 & 8’s are exploring a fun trip downtown to either the CN Tower or to STEAM LABS. Athletics/Clubs Congratulations to our Boys and Girls Intermediate Soccer Team who made it all the way to the Regional Tournaments. The girls even made it to the semi-final which is the furthest a Basketball team has made in over 15 years. Congratulations to our Junior W5H as they came in 3rd in the Divisional Tournament at St. Josaphat. Must be the new uniforms! Chocolate Sales Speaking of new uniforms, thank you so much to those who supported our Chocolate Drive. The funds that were raised covered the cost of the uniforms. We greatly appreciate the efforts made from our students and parents! Dental Screening We were very fortunate to have a wonderful team come in and do a quick dental screening last week. Unfortunately, we have an increase of 6% of students with dental caries.
One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay in children is to get them enthusiastic about daily dental hygiene. Let them choose a toothpaste and toothbrush that they like and will want to use.
Look for toothpaste with fluoride that’s child-friendly, with flavors and colours that appeal to kids.
Teach children the proper technique early to help
encourage them to develop good oral health habits.
Avoid gummy candy or treats that are stickier as they sometimes sit in the teeth much longer. After they brush their teeth before bed, they should not have any juice or food.
Children need to brush their teeth at least twice a day.
Visit the dentist at least once a year.
“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today”
Join us on Instagram at CTKinaction to get updates and pictures of all the learning and fun that goes on! Board Approves Multi-Year Recovery Plan
At the February 18, 2016 meeting of the Board, the Board of Trustees approved option 3 which proposes budget reductions totaling $28.4 million spread out over the next three years with the objective of not
TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD | Issue # 7 3
increasing the accumulated deficit in each year, and eliminating the accumulated deficit in the 3rd and final year of the Multi-Year Recovery Plan. The Board also approved a recommendation for the Director of Education to quantify additional cost pressures identified in the report, and address the $3.7 million additional bussing transportation costs for a total required expenditure reduction of $32.1 million in the annual budget planning and consultation process. Option 3 was selected by 47% of those who responded to the online survey.
The MYRP is being submitted to the Ministry of Education at the end of February. A detailed budget consultation plan is in development and will be presented to the board for approval in March. Please stay tuned for details on how you can be involved in providing input into the budget setting process. www.tcdsb.org
Registration Now Open!
OAPCE Toronto Hosts 77th Annual Conference
Different Gifts, One Voice: Living our Virtues in a Virtual World
May 6-7th in Toronto. All are welcome. Check out the website for all the information https://www.tcdsb.org/FORPARENTS/OAPCE-Toronto/Events/Pages/OAPCE-Conference-2016.aspx
Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Please visit: www.lift‐jesus‐higher‐rally.org for directions, hotels and other information.
DON’T FORGET- APRIL 15th is a newly added Professional Development Day for the entire province. There will be no school on this day.
I am looking for a minimum of 10 parents who would be interested in being part of a book club with a selection of books in areas pertaining to children and raising children. This could include issues connected to anxiety, success and friendships. Our first book will be provided to you as an incentive to be part of our club. We will meet a total of three times, once every week during the month of April. Our first book is entitled “How Children Succeed, Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character” written by Paul Tough. The link for a review is https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/paul-tough/how-children-succeed/
Please email me directly if you are interested. Books would be handed out in March and our
