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MONSIGNOR J.J. O’BRIEN SCHOOL
99 Bridlewood Road S.W., Calgary, AB T2Y 4J5
Mr. J. Mooney, Principal
Mrs. J. Pablo-Wrzosek, Vice Principal
Mr. J. Patoine, Assistant Principal
Phone: (403) 500-2104
Fax: (403) 500-2304
www.cssd.ab.ca/msgrobrien
October 2014
Giving Thanks
As we move into our second month of school, it is important that we take the time to give
thanks for all the wonderful things God provides. At our school, we are a busy building
and have a wealth of things to be thankful for.
We have had a very smooth start to our school year and our new staff members have
embraced the school community. The tone of our school as we move into October is
very positive and the energy that is bubbling out of classrooms is wonderful to see.
Our school council meeting this month was one of the best attended meetings in several
years. Parents are engaging themselves in our school and the input we receive is highly
valued. We had the opportunity to discuss upcoming events and fundraisers that will
continue to make JJ O’Brien a great place to be. We invite all parents to attend these
meetings and get involved.
Our Cross Country and Volleyball teams have been practicing and competing
throughout the first month of school, and have performed valiantly. This month we will
be hosting our annual Lions Cup senior volleyball tournament. Preparations have been
ongoing since school started and it will prove to be a great community building event.
This month will we will choose our student representatives to participate in WE Day. We
will be sending a group of students to the event to be inspired and learn about ways that
they can become student activists and create change in the world. WE Day will serve as
a springboard for our Social Justice and Community of Caring projects for the year.
As you can see there is much to be thankful for as we move into October. As an
administrative team we count our blessings daily and look forward to more as the school
year progresses. Please take the time to count your blessings as we give thanks this
month.
John Mooney
Joy Pablo-Wrzosek
Jennifer Patoine
School Photographs
School photographs were taken on September 26th. Most of the students had their pictures taken on this
day, however if your child was absent or would like retakes they can do so on October 24th.
New to us this year is the option to view and order online.
Online Ordering Option!
More ways to order means happier parents
Online proof is an exciting payment opportunity for your parents. This payment option means
in addition to using the order form, parents can place their photo order online and view their
images without having to return anything to the school.
Here are the facts:
• Parents can order using the traditional order form OR they can go
to mylifetouch.ca and order using their Portrait ID and Access Code
• Most orders will still come via the paper order form – these order forms need
to be returned to Lifetouch
• All packages ordered online or through the school on the paper form will
be shipped back to your school for distribution.
• After the due date, parents ordering online, will pay a shipping fee of $7.50 and
their packages will be shipped to their home
• Parents are able to view their child(ren)’s images through our safe and secure
site using their Portrait ID and Access Code
• Online parents can mix and match portrait looks in a package – each sheet can
be a different image! This option is not available if ordering through the order form.
• Our family plan is available when submitting the order form back to the school,
but currently not available when parents order online.
Your Photography Partner,
Thanksgiving Liturgy
Our Thanksgiving Liturgy will be held on Thursday, October 9th at
1:00pm in the school gymnasium. Grade 4 students will be hosting
the liturgy. All parents are welcome to attend.
Our 2014-2015 Patrols are hard at work keeping our students safe. To help them, we
challenge all parents and students of Monsignor J.J. O’Brien School to become Crosswalk
Champions by making the following commitment:
I PROMISE TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN ON CALGARY’S STREETS
- EVEN WHEN I’M LATE.
WHEN DRIVING:
•
I will remember that children may be headed through my neighborhood on their way to school
early in the day, and will be prepared to slow or stop for them.
•
I will remain aware of school and playground zones, and slow my speed to posted limits.
WHEN DELIVERING OR PICKING UP CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL:
•
I will choose safety over convenience, especially when parking my vehicle.
•
I will obey traffic signs and laws.
•
I will always use crosswalks.
•
I will not take unsafe shortcuts, make illegal u-turns, jaywalk or let children out on the road, in no
stop or bus zones.
•
Recognizing that children follow my example, I will model safe behaviours.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP KEEPNG EVERYONE SAFE- From The patrol team.
Lunches and Forgotten Articles
We know that parents and students have a lot on their plates these days and it is
inevitable that articles will be forgotten at home. We are a large school and we do try to
get these forgotten articles to the children in a timely fashion. It is very disruptive to
interrupt the classes on a continual basis so we try to make announcements prior to
recess and lunch. Because of the large volume of students in the school we ask that
parents please do not make it a habit of dropping lunches at the office on a daily basis.
Please send lunches with your children in the morning.
Late Arrivals
The Alberta School Act states that it is the responsibility of each parent to
ensure that his/her child “be in attendance at all classes and scheduled
activities on time and with the proper materials required for full participation.
At Msgr. O’Brien School, we endeavor to teach children to be on time for their
scheduled classes.
Regular attendance on the part of the student is vital to the process of learning. Students who are late
for class suffer in the evaluation process because their participation and achievement will be affected.
Your child’s lateness affects not only their academic program but also disrupts the class.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
School Hours
(times when ALL students should be entering the building)
8:20 a.m. – First entrance bell
12:42 p.m. – After lunch bell
2:50 p.m. - Dismissal
Volleyball
The season for junior girls volleyball team started in the second week
of September and will continue until October 15, which will be their last
game. The girls will play a total of 6 games (3 home/ 3 away) and
have weekly practices to continue to develop their skills. The team would
love for you to come cheer them on at their home games, which are after school on October 2, and
October 6.
Miss Andrew & Mrs. Reghenas
Jr. Girls Coaches
Junior boy volleyball started off with the season with practices the last three weeks of September. We
have 4 matches booked in the month of October. Besides needing rides to the away games, the students
would love to see their families and friends at the games. Please join us on October 1st at St. Stephens,
October 2nd at home vs OLP, October 8th at St. Bonaventure, and October 15th at St. Albert the Great.
Mr. MacDonald & Mr. Perry
Jr. Boys Coaches
Cross Country
This year was a really exciting year for cross country as the team tripled in size. We had
over 60 students participate. We are proud of our hard working students who have
trained hard over the past weeks. The J.J. O’Brien student who qualified for the
district cross country city finals on October 4th is Michael Eastham.
Congratulations!
Library News
Our school library’s goal for this year is to become a learner-centered, physical
and virtual space for collaboration and inquiry to expand and deepen learning.
We will continue to improve and renew our collection which includes print and
non-print resources. Students can access our Online Library System via the
school website 24/7. They can locate books or do research using the online
system.
During class Library sessions, Div. 2 students now take turn to be the Student Librarian, they help their
classmates check-in and check-out books. This frees me up to help students locate, select and evaluate
the books they want. Jr. High students can join the Library Club and they will be trained to be Student
Librarians helping out in the Library during lunch recess.
We are inviting authors to come and share their writing experience with students. Mr. Tyler Enfield,
author of the book Wrush, is coming in fall. There will be lots of fun in the year ahead in the Library.
Follow this link to get on to our Online Library System:
http://tinyurl.com/p6sfjlw
Or scan the QR code below and click ‘Monsignor J.J. O’Brien’ after your get on to the site:
Or visit the School Website and look for the link to the Library System.
Ms Wu
School Librarian
Lion’s Cup
It is with great excitement that Lion’s Coaching staff want to
announce the return of the Lion’s Cup! Both of the Sr. Teams
will be hosting a tournament at Monsignor JJ O’Brien this
year. The Boys will be feasting on opponents on Wednesday
Oct. 8th from 4pm-9pm. The girls will be luring their opponents
in the Lion’s Den on Thursday Oct. 9th from 4pm – 9pm.
--Go Lions Go!!--
CTS News
The Grade 9 Fashion students have been learning about the environmental, social, and
economic issues related to the production of blue jeans. They will be reusing old blue jeans
to complete a sewing project. If your family has any old pairs of blue jeans that are not being
used, please consider donating them to CTS. We also welcome any fabric or sewing supply
donations.
Thank you for your support.
Miss Hatton
Music Parents’ Association
Monsignor JJ O’Brien School is filled with fantastically talented band and choir members; and we are
working hard to revitalize and improve the music program. We need your help! We would like to start a
Music Parents’ Association (MPA) - a Junior High Band and Choir parent-based group that would meet
with Ms. Amanda McArthur (Band/Choir Director) once per month in order to discuss
fundraising, camps, activities, etc. The purpose of the MPA will be to help promote the music
program at the school, especially in terms of increasing our fundraising so that the students
can have more opportunities for their musical education. If you are interested in becoming
a member of the MPA, please send an email to [email protected]!
Please also include what week day evenings and hours (between 3:30-9pm) you
would not be available for the monthly meetings.
FAITH DAY CELEBRATION
October 31, 2014
On Friday, October 31st, all employees of the Calgary Catholic School District will
be attending the annual District Faith Day celebration.
This is a wonderful opportunity for District staff to come together as one to
celebrate our faith journey. On Faith Day there will be NO classes for students.
P.A.R.T.Y. PROGRAM
Grade 9 students will be participating in the P.A.R.T.Y. program on Oct 1st. P.A.R.T.Y. stands for Prevent
Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth. This program challenges students to look at the possible
consequences of their actions and make safer choices. This program invites parents and teens to have
honest and direct discussion about what would happen if… (my ride is drunk, if the teen becomes
intoxicated, if there is alcohol or drugs at a party etc.) I have included an article called how to talk to
Teens that was taken from the Party Program website. I encourage parents to take the time to look
through the website at www.partyprogram.com for other valuable information.
How to Talk to a Teenager (and Know That They're Listening) by www.SixWise.com
If you've got a child between the ages of 13 and 19 and feel that having a two-way conversation with this
teenager is often painful, and often impossible, keep reading. There are ways to break through what can
seem like an insurmountable communication gap. And if you're thinking about giving up, don't.
"Studies resoundingly show that a lack of parental support and guidance is one of the primary causes for
at-risk behavior such as drinking, smoking, taking drugs and having unprotected sex," says Dr. Michael
Anastasi, a family counselor from La Verne, Calif. "While there is certainly a balance to be struck, it's
absolutely imperative that parents go through the struggle of keeping in touch with their teens and revising
their role as caregivers."
Keep in mind that during the teen years, your child is developing his or her own sense of identity. Teens
may try to distance themselves from their parents to do this, and the way you react can make all the
difference in having a healthy or destructive relationship.
Ask Questions, and be "Askable" Yourself
According to Ingrid Sanden, spokeswoman for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, the
single most important thing a parent can do to stay in touch with their teen is to be "askable."
"Talking early and often with kids about things like relationships, sex and drugs may be hard, but children
and teenagers consistently say they would rather hear about sex from their parents than from their friends
or the media," Sanden says.
As a parent, you should strive to ask your teen open-ended questions. These are good for two reasons: 1.
They can't be answered with a yes or no, which your teen may be tempted to use otherwise 2. They show
that you are really interested in finding out what your teen has to say.
Daniel F. Perkins, Ph.D., assistant professor, department of family, youth and community sciences at the
University of Florida, says that if you ask closed-ended questions, you limit the range of responses and
suggest that you already know what is going to be said.
Spend Time With Your Teen
Even though it may seem that the last thing your teenager wants is to spend time with you, most teenagers
look forward to time spent one-on-one with their parents -- particularly if you let your teen decide what
you do.
"Teens today need more quality as well as quantity time," says Dr. Larry Jenson, Ph.D., who has taught
parenting development courses and workshops for more than 34 years. "Many experts document this need
but it seems that many believe that since teens are more self-sufficient they require less maintenance,
supervision or monitoring. Not so. In fact the best predictor of positive outcomes for teens raised in high
risk neighborhoods is maternal supervision."
Simply asking your teen to go out to a movie or a special dinner can strengthen your relationship and give
you time to talk, without feeling like talking is forced. Having family dinners at least a few times a week is
another great way to spend time together--but make sure that you talk during the dinner (not watch TV,
etc.).
Be Respectful, Not Judgmental
A teen, like anyone, wants to feel respected. And if you're too busy to talk to your teen while watching a
TV program, or only show interest in their lives on the weekends when they go out, your teen will feel that
you're not interested in them. Likewise, if you dole out advice or make judgments before you've heard
what your teen has to say, they won't feel like they're able to open up.
This also extends to your tone of voice and body language. Make a real effort to listen to your teen in the
respectful, engaged way you'd want to be listened to.
"You need to work hard to be nonjudgmental. Certainly, as a parent, you want to respond in an honest,
helping and counseling manner, but maybe it would be better to wait or at least delay your response," says
Dr. Jenson. "At least wait until they are finished communicating what they want to say. Then agree with all
that is agreeable, but say something like, 'There are some things you said that are troubling to me,' 'I don't
understand,' or 'Let me think about what you said,' and 'We will continue this conversation later.'"
Empathize With Your Teen
Showing your teen that you understand situations they are going through will make them more likely to
open up to you in the future. To do this, Perkins says, " ... You must ignore your own, adult perception of
the situation for the moment and accept your teen's feelings, thoughts, and ideas of the situation as yours."
Of course, this doesn't mean you have to agree with your teen, just that you accept their thoughts and
opinions. Over time, each time you talk your conversations will get easier.
Lighten Up
It's imperative that you let your teen know you're a real person, that you, too, made and make mistakes,
and that it's OK to laugh at yourself sometimes. Tell your teen about your own mishaps as a teenager, and
use humor to lighten up situations that are unnecessarily tense.
Choosing your battles is also important, as pushing an unimportant issue can push your teen away, rather
than bring them closer.
"One of the things I found is that often if I tried to push something too much, it became impossible. He
shut down. Boys especially, but all teenagers today like to feel like they are in control," says single mother
of three teenagers, personal coach and director for the Center for Successful Communities, Paula
Dawidowicz.
Finally, if you're at your wits end and feel like your teen just won't open up, keep in mind these three tips
from Dr. Jenson:
"If a parent listens first the teen will in turn be more likely to listen. Second, make yourself useful or
needed. Parents have a lot to offer but teens need to know this. Third, use humor where ever possible and
begin by making the conversations pleasant."
For more information and another perspective feel free to visit the "Why Let Drink Decide", a British
resource for parents and teenagers.
Welcome Back Barbeque
On Friday, October 3rd Msgr. J. J. O’Brien Parent Council is providing a
“Welcome Back Barbeque” for the students and staff of our school. This
lunch will consist of a hotdog, bag of chips and drink. The morning
Kindergarten students will be provided lunch in their classroom at
approximately 10:45 and the p.m. class will be provided lunch at 12:10.
As additional hotdogs will not be provided please supplement your child’s lunch with snacks if you think
they will require more than is provided.
Thank you Parent Council!
Parent to Parent
Monsignor J.J. O’Brien School Council
Hello all, and welcome back!
My name is Karin Heavens, your new Vice Chairperson for parent council. Each month I will be keeping
you all apprised of what is happening with the council, and upcoming events we have planned.
Our last parent council meeting was a great success, with nearly 30 parents turning out to support our
parent council. Elections were held to fill the vacant positions of parish liaison, and vice chairperson.
Your new council is:
Chairperson- Mayra Majore
Vice Chairperson- Karin Heavens
Fundraising committee- Carley Mak, Joan Ellwood
Spirit days committee - Michelle Green, Karin Heavens, Tanya Viktorin
Parish Liaison-Sandra Periera
Treasurer-Lawrie Gardner
Secretary- James Ellwood
School dance committee- Marie Guigon, Ivy Planicka, Jennifer Eriksson
SUTP books will be available till October 9th. Please show your support by purchasing one of these books.
50% of the profits made benefit your child’s experience at JJOB, to help purchase things such as
Chromebooks, new libraries for the classrooms, and equipment needed in the gymnasium.
Our welcome back barbecue will be held on Friday October 3rd, where all students will receive a free BBQ
hot dog, drink and chips for lunch. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to
bring a lunch that day.
The next council meeting will be held Thursday October 16th, and will involve budget discussions for the
coming year. We look forward to seeing as many of you as we can. Thank you for your support!