Semester 1, Week 16 - Merry Christmas!

We had another very successful Christmas Lunch last week. Some of the pictures from that day are below. As you can see, Miss Spicer came back for a guest appearance. She's looking great too! Thanks for everyone for participating and bring in your great food. A very tasty and enjoyable lunch for all.

 This is the last week of school before the Christmas Break (December 24- January 6). Classes resume on Monday January 7.

If you need a picture with Santa, FMM Student Government will offer pictures with Santa during lunch A & C from Monday to Wednesday this week.

Have a great week! Merry Christmas and have a restful and enjoyable holiday with your families.

Semester 1, Week 15

Our big ELL event this week is Wednesday's Annual ELL Christmas Potluck Lunch.

Please remember to sign up (if you haven't don't so already) and bring your items to Room 327 (between 8 - 8:25 am). We are looking forward to another outstanding time and great food. If you are unable to make something, please see Mr. Hospedales and donate cash so he can pick up something for you -- quite a few students have done this already.

The lunch will occur in Room 327 during period 3 only! If students have tests or important class activities that they need to be in class for, they can attend during their scheduled lunch period but must return to class.

See you Wednesday and have a great week!

Semester 1, Week 14

It is the first week of December so you can expect a busy month ahead with only three more weeks until Christmas Holidays – the last day of class is Friday December 21.

Here are the major activities for this week:

Marketing Fair – December 4-6.

Advent Liturgy – December 6

** Wednesday December 5 – Board staff will be here all day to visit and interview our new ELL students.*** Students will be given specific appointment times.

Remember, our Annual Christmas Potluck Lunch is next Wednesday December 12.

By the way, Ms. Spicer sends her best wishes and hopes to come into the school for a visit soon. Maybe during the Christmas Lunch??

Have a great week.

Semester 1, Week 13

Another busy and exciting week ahead:

All week our Grade 12 ELL Religion class will read their morning and afternoon prayers over the PA for the entire school.

On Wednesday November 28, the RIDE Program will officially launch at our school. We will have a number of dignitaries in attendance and displays outside. The York Region Police will also conduct RIDE (Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere) checks outside the school on McCowan road. Here are a few more details:

2012 R.I.D.E. program Kick off
Location: Father Michael McGivney CA (Gym)
Time: 10 am - 12 noon (guest arrival: 9 am)
Host: Kevin Frankish ( Breakfast Television)
Invitees: Police, Members of MADD Canada, all 15 high schools (10 students from each OSAID chapter), victims and families, Ministry of Transportation, Local Council including Mayor and insurance reps


On Friday at 6 pm in the cafeteria, Student Government will host the talent show. Tickets are available for purchase right now. Don't be disappointed.

Have a great week!

Semester 1, Week 12 (Free the Children Week)

We were very pleased to have met many of the parents/guardians of our ELL students this past Thursday. But please be reminded that parents/guardians are free to contact teachers at the school at any time. We can make arrangement for interpreters.

Here are the major activities going on this week:

Wednesday November 21
* Arts Awareness Day - Lunchtime Activities in the Atrium and Cafeteria
* Grade 12 Retreat for ELL Students (Miss Zawadzka)
* Talent Show Rehearsal in Cafeteria (2:45-5pm)
* Yoga Class in Weight Room (3-4pm)

Thursday November 22
* Homeroom Penny Collection
* Talent Show Rehearsal in Cafeteria (2:45-5pm)

Friday November 23 - No Classes --- PA DAY

*** We will have our Annual ELL Potluck Christmas Lunch on Wednesday December 12 ***

Semester 1, Week 11

Surprise, surprise, we have another busy week at FMM.

Check out our major events this week:

Tuesday November 13 - Grade 8 and IB Open House (6:30 pm)

Thursday November 15 - Parent/Teacher Interview Night (5:30-8:30 pm)

* it is Bullying Awareness Week too - there will be a variety of activities all week long.

Have a great week!

Semester 1, Week 10 - Remembrance Day Week

We have another busy week here at FMM. All week we will be commemorating the sacrifices of Canada's soldiers. All will culminate on Friday November 9th will Remembrance Day Observances in the morning.

Report Cards will be distributed on Thursday November 8 during last period. Students will report to their Home Room class at 2:20pm to collect their report cards. Make sure to book your appointments for Parent/Teacher Interviews (Thursday November 15) as soon as possible.

Also on Thursday, we will have "Shirt Day" where for a $1 donation, students can wear a solid Red or Blue shirt. All money will go to a Francophone charity.

On Wednesday November 7, all grade 9's will attend Take a Kid to Work Day.

Additionally, this week is OSAID Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week. This week will be packed with activities, guest speakers, displays, and much more. Make sure to participate in all these worthwhile activities.

By the way, congratulations go out to Dishanth Peter-Dias who competed at the Ontario Cross-country Championships (OFSAA) this past Saturday at Heart Lake Conservation Area. He finished 65th out of 266 runners. He ran 6km in 23:42.

Have a great week!

Semester 1, Week 9 (2012) - Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

On Wednesday September 31, students will be allowed to attend class in a "costume". It is NOT a Civies day. If you are doubtful that what you are going to wear is a costume, then it probably isn't. So don't wear it and you should just wear your school uniform or just bring along your school uniform just in case. Keep in mind that masks are not allowed. We must be able to see your face.

Also on Wednesday, check out the fashion show and costume contest during lunches & a Haunted House put on by SAC in the Gym. There will also be a home room door decoration contest - judged during period 3.

Congratulations to the FMM Crosscountry Team that participated last week at the YRAA Championships.
One of the students, Dishanth Peter-Dias placed second overall and advanced to the Provincial championships this coming weekend.

Here is what else that will occur this week:

Monday October 29

• Grade 11 ESL World Religions Retreat at Good Shepherd

Tuesday October 30

• Hunger Awareness Day
• Cambrian College Information Booth (Lunch A & C)

Thursday November 1

• We Scare Hunger - Can Collection in Home Rooms
• DECA Students On-Line Business Test (Period 2)
• ****Numeracy Classes Begin***** -- afterschool (2:45-3:45pm)

Friday November 2 & Saturday November 3 

• OFSAA Crosscountry at Heart Lake Conservation - FMM XC Team (Hospedales)

Have a great week!

Semester 1, Week 8

It is Health Week at FMM. Listen to morning announcements for Quizzes, keep an eye out at lunches for displays and presentations, and after school for more activities.

Photo re-take day is Tuesday October 23 in the Library Seminar room. Pay attention to announcements for the call-down.

The Crosscountry Team will be participating at the YRAA Championships on Thursday October 25 - good luck to them and the ELL students competing.

Have a great week!

Semester 1, Week 7

Our big event this week takes place this Friday.

Our MIC (McGivney International Circle) is organizing the first gathering of the year with all of our ELL students. Students and teachers are invited to gather in Room 327 at 2:45 pm to learn more about the group, meet new friends, and to participate in fun activities with a Halloween theme. See you there!

On Thursday, the Awards Night takes place here at McGivney. All award winners have been notified. Congratulations to all award winners.

Have a great week!

Semester 1, Week 6

We have you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families!

This week we have:

Wednesday October 10 - FMM Cross-country Team at Boyd Conservation Area (some of our ELL students are part of the team and one is the manager)

Thursday October 11 - Student Government Elections for Grade 9 Rep (during A & C lunch in the cafeteria)

Have a great week!

PS: If you are looking for something inspiring to watch on Saturday, check out the Ironman World Championship race from Hawaii starting at 12 noon our time.Go to Ironman.com

Semester 1, Week 5

Welcome to week 5 of semester 1.

From Monday to Wednesday the Grade 9's will be at Muskoka Woods, the rest of the Grade 9's will be engaged in Grade 9 group activities at school. So all students should be at school whether they are on the trip or not.

For the ELL's, the MIC group will have a meeting on Friday at 2:30 pm.

Don't forget that there are no classes on Monday due to Thanksgiving.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your families.

Semester 1, Week 4

Welcome to week 4 of semester 1. We hope everything is going well for you. A big welcome to the new students that joined us last week.

Here is what is going on this week:

Monday September 24
ELL & NOW Trip to Milliken Mills Community Centre (8:30am-12:30pm)

Tuesday September 25
Spirit Day Activities by Student Government in the Cafeteria

Wednesday September 26
Grade 12 University Information Session in the Cafeteria (8:45am-9:45am)
Yoga Class in Weight Room 3-4 pm

Thursday September 27
Markham Public Library Session in Cafeteria (9:45am-11:08am)
Terry Fox run (A to C Lunch)

Friday September 28
PA Day - No classes

Have a great week!

2012: Semester 1, Week 3

What's up this week?

McGivney International Circle - First Meeting on Tuesday September 18 - Room 327 @ 2:45pm

Picture Day - in the Gym

FMM Club Fair @ at all Lunches - get information about all student clubs at FMM

* EXTRA HELP: is available every day after school in Room 327at 2:30pm. The room will be cleared and locked by 3 pm if students do not attend and require assistance.

Have a great week!

2012: Semester 1, Week 2

We hope all is going well with all of you.

If we have not had the chance to see you yet, please drop by Room 327 to say hello.

A note to Parents and Guardians of Grade 9 students: there is a Curriculum Night this Thursday at the school. You will get the opportunity to meet teachers and to go through a simulation of a typical day at FMM. You will be able to try your child's schedule by travelling from class to class every 15 minutes. That way you can experience what your child is learning day to day.

We hope to see you Thurday.

Have a great week.

Welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year!

Welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year at Father McGivney Catholic Academy!

The ELL (English Language Learner) Centre staff is excited to welcome everyone back, both old and new students.

* If you require timetable changes please see Mr. Hospedales and he will take care of any issues for you.

Your FMM ELL Centre staff consists of:

Miss Corazza
Mrs Kiriella
Miss Selvakumar
Miss Zawadzka
Mr Hospedales - Department Head

Please visit us in Room 327 and say hello to us especially if you do not have a ESL/ELL course on your timetable for the first semester.

We hope to see you soon.

Just two more days!

There are just two more days left in Semester 2. Many of you have already started your exams, while most of you will get started or continue writing when the formal exam schedule begins on Wednesday.

If you placed a request to write your formal exams in Room 327, please check the list in Room 327 to ensure we have received your request, and you are set to write your exams with us.

Just remember to arrive to school in FULL UNIFORM, and to report to Room 327 on the day and time of your scheduled exam.

Good luck!

Semester 2 - 7 School days left!

There is just 7 school days left until Formal Exams start on Wednesday June 20.

ELL students are reminded to submit your requests to write your exams in Room 327 now. Give these to Ms. Spicer and Mr. Hospedales.

Also, there will be no more eating of lunch and socializing in Room 327 during Period 3. We are in full Exam Mode now and the room must remain quiet. Please eat your lunch in the cafeteria.

The EQAO Math Test takes place Tuesday and Wednesday for our grade 9 math students. All ELL students will write their tests with Ms Spicer in the Library during first and second period.

Don't forget the Grade 12 Musical takes place this Thursday and Friday at 7 pm at the school. Get your tickets for $5 or $10 at the door.

Here is the surprise that took place at the Student Appreciation Assembly.

Semester 2, Week 17 - Student Appreciation

We have a few big celebrations taking place this week.

On Wednesday, the teachers will say an official goodbye to our beloved FMM ELL Department Head, Carol Spicer. More on that later.

Then on Thursday, all our students will participate in our Annual Student Appreciation Day. Many will received awards, and all will engage in an entertaining assembly - with a surprise from the teachers, a free lunch, and fun activities outside.

Have a great week, and make sure to complete any assignments and to start reviewing for exams.

Semester 2, Week 16 - Earth Week!

Our students enjoyed a wonderful Prom on the Friday that just passed. It will be sad to see our graduating students leave but we still have one month left.

This week is Earth Week at McGivney. As usual, a variety of student groups will lead activities of awareness all week long.

Student government elections also occur this week. Candidate speeches will take place on Tuesday during lunches A & C in the cafeteria, and Voting will commence on Wednesday during lunches in the cafeteria.

Our closing Liturgy will also occur this week. When will it be? We will keep it a surprise for you.

Have a great week! And start reviewing for your exams.

Semester 2, Week 15 - OSAID Week

It is OSAID Week at McGivney with lots of great awareness activities planned by the Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving Group.

Wednesday - Red T-shirt Day, Impaired Driver Simulation beside the portables outside

Thursday - Candle Light Vigil Visiting Classes

Friday - Car Crash wreck outside by the portables, PROM at 6pm (Grand Bacchus)

Semester 2, Week 14

We have another busy week ahead, here are some of the major events:

Tuesday May 15
- 5km Spring Fling (Markham Stouffville Hospital Fundraiser)
- Remember that Period 2 will be your normal period 4 class today, and Period 4 will be your normal Period 2

Wednesday May 16
- Arts Night in the Cafeteria (6:30-9pm) *some of our ELL students will be presenting a dance

FMM ELL Cultural Fashion Show 2012

Semester 2, Week 13 - Catholic Education Week

It is Catholic Education Week at McGivney. We will have a variety of activities and guest speakers throughout the week.

We had such a successful week last week and we have lots of pictures and video.

Our ELL students under the leadership of the (MIC) McGivney International Circle did a magnificent job with their Cultural Displays and the International Fashion Show.

Much thanks goes to the wonderful passion and hard work of MIC President Kevin Garce. The fashion show would not have been so great without you. And of course the dedication of our Settlement workers from the School and Education Partnership in York Region (SEPYR). Thanks to Julie and Logini.

The best way to know about the excellent work done by our students is to show what they did with some pictures and video. Enjoy!

Let us start with the Diversity Displays.