Saint Aloysius
Spring 2015
Gonzaga News
St. Aloysius Gonzaga C.S.S. 2800 Erin Centre Blvd. Mississauga ON, L5M 6R5
Phone: 905.820.3900 Fax: 905.820.3902
Marian Prayer
of St. Aloysius
Gonzaga
O Holy Mary,
my mother,
into your blessed trust
and custody, and into
the care of your mercy
I this day, every day,
and in the hour of my
death, commend my soul
and my body.
To you I commit all my
anxieties and miseries,
my life and the end
of my life,
that by your most holy
intercession
and by your merits
all my actions may be
directed and disposed
according to your will
and that of your Son.
Amen.
Administration:
St. Aloysus Gonzaga
Trustees:
Sharon Hobin (Ward 8)
Esther O’Toole (Ward 9)
Luz del Rosario (Ward 11)
Family Superintendent:
Tilia Cruz
Principal: Michael O’Grady
Vice Principals:
Matthew Di Fiore
Debbie Duke-Kelly
Virginia Luh
Parent Council Chair:
Liam Condon
Chaplain: Patrick Marcolla
Principal’s
Message
WELCOME TO THE SPRING. I hope spring is really here. I trust this
edition finds you well and that you had a blessed Christmas and are
having a prosperous New Year! As you read through the pages of our
newsletter I hope you are impressed with the many activities, academic
and co-curricular, that take place daily at St. Aloysius Gonzaga C.S.S.
and serve to aid in the personal, educational and spiritual development
of our students. I would strongly encourage you to take some time and
continue to get to know our school, I’m sure you will be impressed with
the opportunities that present themselves to all of our students throughout
the course of the year.
Semester two is well underway, and we are in the planning stages for
September 2015. I would like to acknowledge Ms. Lajoie, our Head
of Guidance, and the members of the guidance Department for visiting
our grade 8 students and helping them to prepare for their grade 9 year.
Students returning to Gonzaga next year are reminded that they should
have completed the registration process. Students who still need to do
so should make an appointment in Student Services as soon as possible.
Our School Council is comprised of a number of enthusiastic parents who
are incredibly welcoming to new members. Please come and join us, the
meeting dates can be found on our website.
As we progress towards the last term of the school year I would like to
remind everyone that our students will be completing their Culminating
Performance Tasks (CPTs). It is expected that students are present at
school on the days that CPTs and Exams are written. Vacations should be
planned accordingly.
I hope you enjoy your breif glimpse into this segment of our school
year and encourage you to continue your active participation in our
community.
God Bless and Happy Easter,
M. O’Grady
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Chaplaincy
HELLO! AND MAY THE SPIRIT BE WITH YOU!
THE SALESIAN LEADERSHIP RETREAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SELECT NUMBER OF
STUDENTS ACROSS THE SENIOR GRADES TO EXPERIENCE. Over the past year, nearly 40 students and
13 different leaders have participated in this 3-day, 2-night retreat that is rooted in prayer, community-building
activities, and faith sharing. The retreat is a truly miraculous event, with students leaving transformed by the
Spirit and inspired to bring this change back to their school community. It has been my privilege to journey with
these students as they engage in this opportunity for the soul. I want to also take a moment to thank my student
teacher, Matthew Gut, who has spent a number of weeks shadowing me in Chaplaincy and being present with
the beautiful young people of our school. Matthew’s presence was invaluable and he will truly be missed after
his final day, Friday March 13. As we head into the final stages of the academic year, I want to thank the school
community for its support of the Chaplaincy Program. As a faith animator, I work most effectively when working
with a team of faith-filled educators who recognize the place of God and Jesus within our curriculum. Catholic
education is truly an enduring gift and we are its stewards. And its rewards are most evident in the students we
instruct, guide and journey with on a daily basis.
May God’s peace and blessings be with you all.
Patrick Marcolla
Chaplaincy Leader
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Secondary School
2800 Erin Centre Blvd. Mississauga ON L5M 6R5
W: 905-820-3900 Extension 70240
“BEFORE THEY CALL I WILL ANSWER, WHILE THEY ARE YET SPEAKING I WILL HEAR.” IS 65:24
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Guidance
returning students. Students will be
receiving Course Verification Forms for
2015/2016 course selections at the end of
March. This form will give students an
opportunity to change any of their choices
to meet their chosen pathway. Once the
change is made and parent has approved the
THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
student is to hand in the revised verification
CONTINUES TO BE A BUSY HUB OF
form to their counsellor.
THE SCHOOL. In January the counsellors
Our grade 12 students have started
worked with Grade 12 students to meet
to receive offers of admission to their
postsecondary application deadlines.
prospective universities/colleges. However
All counsellors continue to meet with
the majority of offers are sent out after the
the grade 11 students to review course
universities/colleges have a chance to see
selections for 2015/2016. The focus is to
Semester 2 mid-term marks. The school
ensure students have chosen appropriate
will be uploading the mid-term marks to
courses to meet the prerequisites for their
OUAC and OCAS mid-April.
intended postsecondary destinations. We
are also meeting with grade 10 students to
Guidance Department Staff
ensure they understand the coding of the
As always, the members of the guidance
grade 11 courses and which postsecondary
department strive to make high school an
pathway they are appropriate for. Students
enjoyable and successful experience for
transitioning from grade 9 to 10 only have
ALL St. Aloysius Gonzaga students. We
2 electives to select. All other six courses
invite the parents of our community to
are compulsory.
contact us with any questions or concerns.
Students wishing to attend summer
school can pick up applications in the
Mr. Eagles (A-C) Ext. 70016
Guidance office mid-April. The deadline
Ms. Thuss
(D-H) Ext. 70013
for summer school applications is the end
Ms. Santin
(I-Me) Ext. 70014
of May. However we strongly encourage
Ms. Lajoie
(Mi-R) Ext. 70012
students to submit applications as early as
Mrs. Zanatta
(S-Z) Ext. 70011
possible as some courses do fill up before
Mrs. Raposo
Youth Worker, Ext. 70010
the deadline.
Mrs. Gomes
Course selection deadline for 2015/2016
Guidance Secretary, Ext. 70009
was February 25th. We were impressed by
how many students met this deadline. We
have very few outstanding applications
which still need to be handed in from
Counselling and
Career Resource
Centre
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
GONZAGA
WINTER
ATHLETICS
OUR GONZAGA ATHLETES EXPERIENCED
TREMENDOUS SUCCESS OVER THE WINTER
ATHLETICS SEASON. Running from November to March
Break Gonzaga athletes participated in boys and girls hockey,
swimming, wrestling , boys basketball, girls volleyball, and
curling.
The Jr and Sr Boys basketball teams failed to make the
playoffs but competed hard and had the opportunity to develop
their game further at the ROPSSAA level.
The Jr. and Sr. Girls volleyball teams both qualified for the
playoffs but both unfortunately lost in the quarter-finals. They
represented our school very well.
Our curlers, under the guidance of their coach Ms. Culpeper,
had a good year on the ice. Our Sr. Mixed
team finished in first place with an undefeated record but suffered
a heartbreaking loss 6-5 in the semi-finals to the eventual
ROPSSAA champions from Bramalea SS.
Gonzaga’s hockey program has a strong tradition of
excellence with both the Boys’ and Girls’ teams. This year was
no different. Our girls’ team, defending ROPSSAA champions,
won an exciting quarter-final game in a shoot-out over Robert
Hall from Caledon but were defeated in the semi-finals by St.
Marcellinus. This was the first time in 6 years that they did not
make it to the finals.
Ropssaa Results:
1st Place:
Jr Girls Free Relay (Chloe Cho, Chantelle
Clermont, Amanda Rozman, Chloe Wu)
Jr Boys Free Relay (Kyle Kwok, Stefan
Manoil, Zack McNeety, William Mucha)
Our Jr and Sr Boys teams both earned their way to the
ROPSSAA finals. Four bus loads of fans headed to Memorial
Arena in Brampton on Feb. 26 for a championship doubleheader
but unfortunately they came away disappointed. Our Juniors lost
in a shoot-out to St. Martin’s while the Sr.s were defeated by
St. Marcellinus. Although Gonzaga did not come home with a
hockey title we still showed we are one the best programs in the
Region of Peel.
Our swimmers and wrestlers had a great year. The ROPSSAA
Swim Championship was February 11, 2015. Gonzaga’s Swim
team came 7th overall with many swimmers achieving personal
best times in their events. In the finals, 16 swimmers took home
medals! 12 swimmers traveled to OFSAA in early March,
and our Junior Boys Free Relay won Bronze! Congrats to all
swimmers on a successful season!
2nd Place:
William Mucha (50 free)
Lucia Namgoong (100 Breast)
Michael Marcuzzi (100 I.M)
Joseph Wahba (100 Back)
3rd Place:
Joseph Wahba (100 and 200 free)
Peter Powalowski (100 Breast)
Stefan Manoil (100 free)
OUR WRESTLERS ALSO DID GREAT. Several wrestlers were top 5 at ROPPSAA and went on to represent our school at the
provincial high school championships were they all competed well. Adam Caparella, a Gd. 12 student came 4th in the province!
Males:
Adam Caprarella (Gr. 12) 2nd @ ROPSSAA/ 4th @ OFSAA
Daqi Lin (gr. 10) 3rd @ ROPSSAA (beat 2nd to go to OFSAA) Lost both matches at OFSAA
Andres Posade (Gr. 12) placed 4th @ ROPSSAA (didn’t qualify for OFSAA)
Females:
Melissa Casallo (Gr. 10) 1st @ ROPSSAA Did not officially place at OFSAA but won 3/4 matches before losing two
Sade Dowle (Gr. 12) 2nd @ ROPSSAA Did not officially place at OFSAA but won 3/4 matches before losing two.
All in all it was some outstanding achievements for our Gonzaga athletes! Way to go Bulldogs!
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Co-operative Education The possibilities are endless…the experience is priceless!
SECOND SEMESTER HAS BEGUN AND CO-OP STUDENTS ARE SETTLING INTO THEIR
PLACEMENTS. Our first semester co-op students were very successful in their placements. Those students
enjoyed learning in a variety of different job fields. Placements this semester include retail, teaching, trades,
dental, nursing, manufacturing and hospitality. The students hope to gain invaluable experience and knowledge
throughout the semester.
Not only do the students learn about specific fields of work, they also learn a variety of essential skills necessary
for everyday life. These skills include things from time management, to organization and accountability.
They learn to balance school, work and home life. All of these skills will help them in their future endeavors,
regardless of what path they may take.
While this semester is already underway, students have been selecting courses for next year. Work will begin for
next year’s placements before long. Students will be contacted before the end of the school year, and many will
already be applying for centralized co-op positions for September 2015. Students need to prepare resumes and
cover letters. They are encouraged to be actively involved in researching potential placements in fields that they
are interested in. The co-op program has proven to be an invaluable experience for many students and we look
forward to yet another successful semester.
If you have any questions about the co-operative education program here at Gonzaga do not hesitate to contact
myself, Ms Cunningham, or Ms Trigiani in the co-op office (room 220) or at 905-820-3900 extension 70220.
Curling THIS YEAR, GONZAGA CURLING HAD THREE TEAMS COMPETE IN ROPSSAA. For many of our
curlers this was not only their first time competing, but their first time stepping on to a curling sheet. Despite
this challenge, our players showed a lot of dedication and willingness to learn this great Canadian sport. In fact,
due to a playing regulation, many of our junior curlers found themselves competing in the open senior division
against several strong teams with years of experience. Still, our boys and girls teams held their own against
very tough competition, and displayed true Bulldog sportsmanship. Our Senior Mixed team was the only team
in the entire league to go undefeated during regular season play. Unfortunately, their stellar run was ended in
the semi-final in a very close game. Without last rock advantage, our Bulldogs were unable to capitalize. The
coaches are extremely proud of the talent, dedication, and level of play displayed by all of our curlers. Good
luck to our graduating players, and we look forward to continuing our tradition of strong curling next year.
And, remember, Curling ROCKS!
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Business SHSM
ON OCTOBER 8TH, THE AIM SHSM STUDENTS PARTOOK IN THEIR FIRST
SHSM “REACH AHEAD” Trip to the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE)
Conference to hear guest speakers discuss their experiences in the industry. Guest
speakers included Anton Wimmer (Director of Sales), Blerina Hoxha (Director of IT),
Gopal Patel (Sales Executive, Global Partnerships), Robert Craig (Manager, Business
Intelligence), and Conor Duncan (Account Manager, event sales). They dove into topics
including leadership, challenges, and global expansion followed by a great Q&A session
from the students. After the Q&A, AiM students were given the rare opportunity to watch
an actual MLSE soccer game hosted at the BMO Field Exhibition Place between the
Toronto FC’s and the Houston Dynamos! Despite the rain, the stadium rang with roaring
cheers filled with Canadian pride from the students. What a great way to end the day!
Thus, a concluding message from a SHSM student for grade 9 and 10 students considering
the SHSM program: it is an amazing opportunity that will change your entire high school
experience, so what are you waiting for?
Apply for SHSM and join our team as we
“Reach Ahead”!
Rose Shao - Business SHSM & Gonzaga Student
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Business continued
IT HAS BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY AND CONTINUOUSLY ENRICHING YEAR DUE TO OUR
PARTICIPATION IN THE BUSINESS SHSM PROGRAM. We’ve been able to connect with business
leaders and other business students by communicating through a variety of great excursions that the school
and business teachers have provided. Last semester, we attended an informative presentation organized by
the Canada Revenue Agency which outlined career opportunities in the world of finance. We also attended a
workshop prepared by Sheridan College at the Hazel McCallion campus location. We learned about marketing
strategies as well as business programs offered by the College itself. The fun doesn’t stop here, as there are
more excursions awaiting us this semester, such as our visit to Wilfred Laurier University and the Toyota
Manufacturing Plant. This will provide us with an opportunity to tour a university campus and experience the
inner workings of a real life car manufacturing facility. The impact of these trips have helped us by gaining a
deeper and diverse knowledge concerning the business environment and have allowed us to experience different
sectors of business. The Business SHSM program has also provided us with very practical experience through
courses such as First Aid and Customer Service Training as well as our upcoming summer Co-op program.
CPR Training has taught what precautions and procedures to take during an emergency situation in a workplace
environment. Customer Service Training has taught us how to interact with customers and co-workers, which
will help us in the future. All in all, the Business SHSM has been a very informative and enriching experience.
We look forward to our grade 12 SHSM year! Thank you to all the teachers who have made it an amazing time!
Your SHSM students,
Annesha Mendes, Natalia Basurto & Ordren Deko
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Our Wonderful Trip to Divine Mercy
RECENTLY WE HAD AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE AS PART OF OUR GRADE 9 RELIGION COURSE. Our
assignment was to re-create an Old Testament story of our choice, in the form of an illustrated children’s book. The story
had to include a moral message. Once the assignments were complete, some of the students in our class asked Mrs. Wey
if it would be possible to visit an elementary school and share our Old Testament stories. Mrs. Wey contacted the teachers
at Divine Mercy Elementary School and we were excited to hear we would be visiting grade 1-3 classes and sharing our
stories.
The day finally came when we would visit Divine Mercy. When we arrived, the kids were really excited to see us.
After the very exciting “meet and greet”, we were separated into groups. The different groups went into a variety of
classrooms and we got to visit and read our stories to many different classes. The kids were so happy when we entered
each classroom. Their faces and smiles eased our nervousness. They were really excited to listen to our stories. They were
captivated by something we created. This was worth the visit in itself!
The kids asked many questions and we listened to their comments. They had wonderful imaginations. They especially
liked the moral message and shared some fantastic ideas on ways to apply this in their own lives. We felt like Religion
teachers! What a phenomenal experience to be able to share our faith with children and give them guidance on how they
can grow and live this faith in their lives. We all agreed this trip was absolutely wonderful. It was probably one of the best
trips in Grade 9.
As a class we agreed the best part of the visit was when we entered each classroom holding up our book, the look in the
kids’ eyes was something we will never forget. It was so heart-touching because we knew that the kids were waiting all
day to listen to our stories and they were just so enthusiastic. Another way that it impacted our Gonzaga students was
that at the end of it, we all felt good about ourselves. We did something right by teaching the kids about moral lessons.
Whether it was to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and be teachers ourselves, or simply just doing a little act of kindness,
it was awesome. We taught the kids at Divine Mercy how to be nice to others and how we should all help each other out.
We helped them to understand this is what our community at Gonzaga do. High School can be a big scary place, but when
they come to the Gonzaga community, we all look out for one another. We believe that whatever we did and said at Divine
Mercy strengthened our relationship with God by spreading his message.
This trip was a trip to remember and we thank the Principal and the teachers at Divine Mercy for taking time out of their
busy schedules. We also thank Mr. O Grady and Mrs. Wey for allowing this to happen.
Raniya Siddiqi, Austin Ngobia, and Serene Rodrigues
Grade 9.
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
GONZAGA PLAYERS PRESENT… It was a cold Wednesday evening in February when two bold Gonzaga Players warmed a full audience at Port Credit S.S. The two actors, Jose Andres Bordas and Daniel Chin, were participating in this year’s Sears Drama Festival of Ontario and brought down the house with laughter and merriment. Their selected piece of theatre was Norm Foster’s candid Louis and Dave – a short, one-­‐act play about two best friends out on the town cruising for dates who soon find out they know very little about each other and new information threatens their very friendship. Foster’s comedic Canadian play was well received and we can all be proud of Jose and Daniel’s performance. As it is a Drama Festival – Cawthra S.S. and Lorne Park S.S also treated Gonzaga students to performances. The Sears sponsored program is always a superb sensation for students to learn from and entertain each other by way of published and original work. Professionals in the industry -­‐ to further talent and to encourage improvement in the Arts -­‐ adjudicate all theatrical submissions. Jose and Daniel are honored to take home an Award of Merit. Congratulations Gonzaga! We look forward to future theatrical productions and to new adventures on stage! Upcoming Events Gonzaga Players Present Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 at 7:00pm Thursday, April 16th, 2015 at 7:00pm & Tennessee William’s The Glass Menagerie Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 at 7:00pm Friday, April 17th, 2015 at 7:00pm All performances are presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play
Service, Inc., New York http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Science Club is back! On March 4th students met for the first Science Club
meeting of the year to explore the properties of the products created when mixing acetic acid and sodium
bicarbonate. The scientists were able to witness an invisible gas distinguishing flames, bubbles floating in
‘mid-air’, exploding baggies and much more! Ms. Calabria and Ms. Czyrka are now in the process of
organizing a trip to the University of Guelph Science Olympics, and several more meetings after school.
Coming soon – dissections and circuit building! We hope to see all the scientists back for more fun experiments!
ON FRIDAY BEFORE MARCH BREAK, grade 12 chemistry students are making Silly Putty as a culminating
activity to finish up the organic chemistry unit. Silly putty is a polymer made by the polymerization reaction of
two ethenol monomers cross-linked with Borax.
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Dufferin-­‐Peel Catholic District School Board COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS: PARENT GROUPS FREE TWO-­‐SESSION PARENTING WORKSHOP Brought to you by: DUFFERIN-­‐PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD/ASSOCIATED YOUTH SERVICES OF PEEL COLLABORATIVE SERVICES WHAT: Building Your ‘Relationship Toolbox’: Tips for Effective Communication within Families WHEN: April 15 & 22, 2015 (Wednesdays) 6:30 to 8:30 pm WHERE: St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School 2800 Erin Centre Blvd., Mississauga Would you like to decrease parent-­‐teen conflict at home? Would you like to help your teen be more successful at school? Healthy relationships don’t just happen naturally -­‐ they are developed and nurtured over time. Learn practical strategies for reducing conflict, setting limits and promoting open communication, as well as tips for parents/caregivers and professionals to support children/teens in creating an environment for success. TO PRE-­‐REGISTER or If You Have Any QUESTIONS: Please contact Teanna Brun – Group Services Coordinator, Associated Youth Services of Peel – at 905.890.5222, ext. 1243, or via email at tbrun@aysp.ca • Free Child Care and Transportation Assistance Provided, As Needed *Pre-­‐Registration Required* • Light refreshments will be provided • Groups Are Co-­‐facilitated By Mental Health Professionals from DPCDSB and AYSP http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/
Dufferin-­‐Peel Catholic District School Board COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS: PARENT GROUPS Session Agenda Building Your Relationship Toolbox •
To provide practical strategies to promote open communication and healthy secure interpersonal relationships •
To discuss effective strategies by reducing parent-­‐child/teen conflict and family stress. •
To provide new knowledge /skills related to developing and maintaining healthy interpersonal dynamics ,boundaries and consequences •
Tips to recognize and identify possible causes of stress for children and teens (social media, peer pressure, developmental challenges and transitions ) •
To provide best practice strategies for parents and care givers to support children and teens and create an environment for more successful ,positive interpersonal interactions •
To provide parents a forum to learn and practice newly acquired knowledge, strategies and skills •
To learn and practice setting realistic age appropriate boundaries, consequences and expectations through respectful discussion and negotiation rather than through power struggles •
To provide an opportunity to learn: active listening, “I” rather than “You” messages http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/