Our Lady of the Way School

Our Lady of the Way School
                             PRINCIPAL: MEGHAN BOURGEOIS

                                17 Boucherville Road, Stratton, ON P0W 1N0
                                       Phone: 483-5477 Fax: 483-1102

The season of Advent is a time to prepare for the birth of Jesus. This newsletter comes out just as we begin
the season of Advent. The Church’s New Year begins on Sunday, November 29, with the first Sunday of
Advent.

I have many fond childhood memories, as I think back on this special time of year one of my favourite
memories is of my family walking through the snowy bushes of Elliot Lake, in search of the perfect
Christmas tree, rehearsing for our church’s Christmas pageant and feeling nervous as I performed. But my
favorite memory is when we would load up our vehicle and head west to Nipigon, to spend Christmas
with my Grandmother. Her house was always full of love and laughter. Every one gathered together in
her huge Italian kitchen and shared memories and indulged in her amazing cooking. My Grandma would
gather us all in her living room as she played the piano and we all belted out Christmas songs and old
family favourites. Being with family during the Christmas season is something that I cherish. Now, as a
mother, watching the joy in my children’s eyes as we make new traditions and memories together is
something I hold near to my heart. There is a Christmas saying, “in the eyes of children we find the Joy of
Christmas; in their hearts we find the meaning”. As we prepare to enter into the wondrous and
miraculous Advent journey, we are reminded that we are called to have patience, perseverance and
prayer at many times in our lives.

There are many activities planned throughout the school during this time and we are excited to be able to
celebrate together. During the Christmas season, we teach our children about our faith traditions; we
share our familiar Christmas story of new life, of a very special child born. May this time of anticipation
and waiting fill our hearts, minds and souls.

I pray that as we begin our journey through this year’s Advent we are inspired to create special memories
that keep Christ in our family’s Christmas. May God bless you and your loved ones at this special time of
year.

Meghan Bourgeois

PAGE 2

CLASSROOM NEWS

The students are excited that we have made it to December and we
are that much closer to Christmas break! We have begun our Advent
preparation and are looking at Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
In Science, we are finishing up learning about systems in our world.
The students looked at various systems and how they work together
including space, the human body, the water cycle and how we use
energy in our lives. We did a lot of fun experiments such as creating
a heart model, pop bottle rockets, and a water cycle.

In Phys-Ed, the students are learning how to play badminton! They
are all learning quickly and are naturals at serving and hitting the
birdie. They are having a lot of fun learning about this sport and are
planning on having a class tournament.

Students have continued participating in Makerspace and are making
awesome creations! During this time, students get to build or create
anything that comes to mind. They have been exploring with coding,
painting, modelling clay, and building out of cardboard. Currently
they are making a 3D city, animals and so much more. This is a time
where their creativity really shines.

Miss Mary Tonello

PAGE 3

     Monday, December 14th!
     Christmas Socks!

      Tuesday, December 15th
      Red & Green Day

               Wednesday, December 16th
Christmas Headwear, Wear a Santa Hat,
 Antlers, Elf Hat or Christmas Headband!

           Thursday, December 17th
           Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

                     Friday, December 18th
                              Pyjama Day!

Virtual Christmas Concert
 This year we will not be hosting our
annual Christmas Dinner and Concert.
Instead our Christmas Concert will be
   presented virtually through our
    Facebook page and the Board
   YouTube Channel on Thursday,
     December 17th at 5:00p.m.
       More details will follow.
          Christmas Hampers
 Because we cannot enjoy our annual
 Christmas Dinner with you, we wish
   to bring dinner to you and your
family! Each family will be receiving a
  hamper that will include a turkey,
potatoes, stuffing and more! Hampers
    will be available for pickup on
     Wednesday, December 16th.

     December Catholic Value

                                          We have many fun activities planned
                                               for the last week of school!
                                           Students will be making gingerbread
                                          houses, participating in a candy cane
                                           hunt, making Christmas decorations
                                                     and much more.
                                                  More details to follow.

Sun       Mon          Tue        Wed         Thu            Fri        Sat

                       1           2           3             4          5

6          7           8           9           10            11         12

13         14          15          16          17            18         19
           Christmas        Red    Christmas      Ugly
           Sock Day          &     Headwear     Christmas
                                               Sweater Day
                           Green     Day!
                           Day!

20         21          22          23          24            25         26

27         28          29          30          31