St. Mary Catholic School News ST. MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL MOUNT FOREST ON, N0G 2L3 519-323-2586 • @StMaryHuskies

December 2015 The Night Before Christmas by Sister St. Thomas A spiritual version of the famous Christmas Story Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town, St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down; Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild, While Joseph was seeking a place for their Child. The children were nestled, each snug in their beds, The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said; When even the innkeeper sent them away, Joseph was wondering, where they would stay. He thought of a stable near the side of a hill, Let’s go there said Mary, its silent and still; The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go.

The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear, It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here! They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door, Till Mary invited them in to adore. He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet, Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet! He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew, He was telling them secrets and blessing them too. Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay, And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day; Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill, Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will! Merry Christmas and a blessed 2016! From, Mrs. J. Vandenheuvel and the Staff of St. Mary Catholic School

And there in a stable, in a cradle of hay, Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day! The Father was watching in heaven above, He sent for His angels, His couriers of love. More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came; Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name; Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael, Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel. Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live, Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give; The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night, And saw in the heavens and unearthly light.

St. Mary's Parish Christmas Masses Christmas Eve Mass 5:00 PM & 9:30 PM Christmas Day 9:30 AM

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Christmas Concert 2015 th

Please join us on Tuesday December 8 to the St. Mary 2015 Christmas Concert in our gymnasium. We will have an afternoon performance at 1:30 PM and an evening performance at 7:00-8:00 PM. We have a snow date in case of th inclement weather and this date is Wednesday Dec 9 , 2015. Please have your child at the school on Concert Night, December 8th, for 6:45 pm. Every year upon entry a collection is taken and the donation is made to a charity. This year the collection will be directed towards the Food and Friends Breakfast & Snack Club. We will be holding a draw for the Best Seats in the House. If you would like to arrive minutes before the concert begins, without a concern about parking or having someone blocking your view, feel free to purchase a ticket for your chance to win The Best Seats in the House. Each ticket is a toonie….enter as often as you would like. Tickets can be purchased from the class teacher or the office. The winning ticket will have reserved front row seating and Platinum Parking. The draw will take place at noon on the day of the concert. The money raised will be donated to the Food and Friends Breakfast & Snack Club. Many thanks to Mrs. Mullen and to all the staff for all their work in preparing students for the concert.

Boys DJ C., Anthony F., Owen W., Dylan D., Noah B., Eric M., Xariethy J., Brent H., & Patrick B. Thank you to Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Lyons for their coaching!

Volleyball 2015 Over the past two months, the boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams have been practicing very hard to prepare themselves for the county volleyball tournaments which took place last week. The girls’ tournament was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School on Tuesday, November 17th and the boys’ tournament was held at St. James Catholic High School on Wednesday, November 18th. Tremendous improvement, effort, sportsmanship and team spirit was demonstrated throughout the volleyball season, especially at the tournaments. Coaches, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Kleinsteuber and Mrs. Lyons are very proud of our St. Mary Husky players.

Girls MacKenna G., Andrea A., Jazmine O., Shakira D., Aalia G., Taryn N., Abby W., Kaitlin G., Chloe R., Alyssa V., & Hailey W. Thank you to Mrs. Kleinsteuber and Mrs. Lyons for their coaching!

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Monthly Husky Huddle… On the last Friday of each month St. Mary School will gather in our gymnasium at 2:45 to celebrate our awesome school spirit. We will recognize the recipients of the monthly Christ Attributes Awards, the present sport teams and any other reasons to celebrate! Classes will share their Husky Cheer and at the end of the year we will decide which cheer we will use at our assemblies. We ask that all students and staff wear their Spirit Wear or something blue. Some parents have shared that they will require new spirit wear. The cost of T-shirts are $20 and order forms will be sent home this week. The due date for th order forms will be December 14 . Go Huskies Go!!

in helping out in any way please call Katherine @ 519-323-1215 or Donna @ 519-338-2571 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

From the Mount Forest County Library Youth Leadership (Teen) Sharpen your communication skills with this free 7-week program offered in partnership with Mount Forest Motivators. All materials provided. Grades 7 and up. Limited space. Registration required. Thursdays, December 3, 10, 17 and January 7, 14, 21, 28, 6:00 – 7:45 pm

Operation Christmas Child A huge thank you to all the families and staff that donated items and filled over 50 shoe boxes to be sent to children of need!! Thank you Mrs. Lyons and the Grade 8 class for coordinating this awesome social justice event!

Hat, Mitten and Sock Tree We are asking for donations of hats, mittens and new socks for our tree in the front foyer. Our hope is to cover all the branches of the tree by December 17th. Your donations will be sent to the Christmas Bureau and will help many keep warm this winter. Thank you!

Breakfast Club and Snack Program We are still looking for volunteers to assist with Breakfast Club Tuesday-Friday for set up and cooking. Please remember we are only asking for one hour a week or whatever time you can offer.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow From St. Mary Parish

Snow Hills

Grade 4 and up. Your parish family could really use your help. We are in need of more altar servers. We will be having a Christmas get together. I will let you know the date. Bring your family, we will have pizza and other treats. If you are interested please call Donna @ 519-323-2571 or e-mail @ [email protected]

It won’t be long before we have significant amounts of snow on our playground. When the snow hills finally arrive, we would like the students to enjoy playing on them. However, students will only be allowed to play on the hills if they are dressed appropriately. This means students are wearing boots, snow pants and a winter coat, hats and gloves. If students are not properly dressed, they come in from recess covered in snow, which then melts and leaves students sitting in cold wet clothes for the remainder of the day. Students should not be phoning home for clothes to be brought to school. We ask that parents support the staff and safety of all at St. Mary by speaking with your children regarding the dangers of throwing snowballs. Although this can be a “fun” winter activity at home, it is not allowed here at the school due to the

WELCOME BREAKFAST WITH PANCAKES AND SAUSAGES. Staffs, students and families on Sunday January 10th, we will be having a FREE Parish Family Breakfast following a 9:30 a.m. Children's Mass. We need your help to make this breakfast a success. Come out and reacquaint yourselves with old friends and make new ones as well. If you are available and interested

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amount of students and the risk of injury. If a student is throwing snowballs, they will be given a first warning, if a second time they will walk with the teacher and if a third time loss of recess and parent meeting. We thank you for your anticipated support.

Christ Attribute for December The attribute for the month of December for our Student of the Month is RESPECT. RESPECT: A student who demonstrates a respect for others by acting in a thoughtful and considerate manner, throughout the school community and by respecting the rights of all.

St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Women’s League  

Our Christmas Dinner will be held on Tuesday, December 8. Details in the parish bulletin. The Christmas Bake Sale will be after the Masses on December 19 and 20. Trays of assorted squares will be available as well as other items. Donations of baking are welcome. Details in the parish bulletin.



We are looking for new members – see the poster on the bulletin board by the entrance of the school The members of the CWL extend wishes for a Blessed and Merry Christmas to the entire school community of St. Mary School ST. MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL • www.wellingtoncdsb.ca/school/stmarymountforest

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 18th HUSKY HUDDLE wear your spirit wear or blue! School resumes on Monday January 4th, 2016. There will not be any milk available on January 4th and 5th. Milk will be available beginning Wed. Jan 6th. January milk and pizza order forms will go home before Christmas Break and are to be returned by January 6th. Thank you for your understanding. Please note that the school will no longer be able to accept used ink cartridges.

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Wellington Heights Parent Info Night December 1st @ 6:15 PM Grade 8 December 3rd to Galaxy Guelph for Career Pathways @10:30 Christmas Concert December 8th at St. Mary in gymnasium. Afternoon 1:30 PM & 7PM (Snow date of Wednesday December 9th) Dress Rehearsal December 7th at 1:30 PM Gr 4-8 students to Theatre Orangeville December 4th 9:30-2:30 PM School Mass December 10th @ 9:15 Confessions December 11th at St. Mary Wellington Heights Band perform December 14th at 1:00 PM The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Performance by Gr 4-6 December 15th for students and December 16th for Parent Community Grade 8 to St. James December 11th @ 10:30

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ST. MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL • www.wellingtoncdsb.ca/school/stmarymountforest