MS. P. MCPHEE – STUDENT SERVICES HEAD

Congratulations to all the staff and students of the Cardinal Newman community for helping to make September 2007 the best start ever. A warm welcome to the newest members of our department: Mrs. L. Carrocci, our Christian Service Animator, and Mrs. Diane Lau our Public Health Nurse. Their office hours are Tuesday and Friday respectively.

Once again, the new year promises to be exciting as Cardinal Newman has been chosen as one of the pilot sites for the new ministry initiative "Specialist High Skills Major" - Health and Wellness. This program allows students to CUSTOMIZE their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents while meeting the requirements of the OSSD. As we prepare to launch this new initiative, staff are busy putting all the elements of this program into place. Graduates of this program will receive special certification on their transcript and may see a benefit upon applying to a College or University of their choice.

Tech 2007 is another opportunity for Newman girls who are exploring careers in the trades and technology sectors. The conference will take place on Wednesday November 28, 2007 at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Please sign up in Student Services.

MS. D. JONIKAS - GRADE 12 COUNSELLOR (905) 664-3383 ext.320

A student’s Grade 12 year is filled with much excitement, confusion, self-discovery, and important decision-making. While graduation ceremonies are approaching, choices must be made about college, university or apprenticeship applications and all the while, good grades must be maintained. Here at Cardinal Newman, students are being assisted in their future planning.

In early October, Grade 12 classes attended general information presentations that reviewed graduation requirements, informed them about how to research the various options available for post-secondary education, discussed monetary matters such as tuition and book fees as well as opportunities for scholarships and bursaries and gave an overview of the on-line college and university application process. Twenty colleges and university representatives came to our school to give presentations and to answer individual questions. Many students drove to the Ontario University Fair in Toronto or attended the local University Information Fair at St. Thomas More. Over 50 students attended the annual Red Carpet Day at Mohawk College to learn more about their possible program choices.

This year the colleges and universities have totally revamped their websites. The college site can be accessed at www.ontariocolleges.ca . Here students can plan, research and apply to college all at one site. The deadline for equal consideration is February 1, 2008. This is especially important if students are applying for programs that are highly competitive such as practical nursing, radio and broadcasting or paramedics. Students should apply as soon as possible to avoid website delays as the deadline approaches. Applications can be made after February, but often programs have already been filled or students may be placed on a waiting list.

The website for university research is www.electronicinfo.ca. Here students can find prerequisite courses, required grade averages, residence costs and a wealth of other material to compare their university options. The application website is www.ouac.ca. Students will only be able to apply to university once their PIN codes arrive here at school in late November. The deadline for university application is January 9, 2008. Workshops to assist students in their application process will be held after the PIN codes arrive.

There are many scholarship opportunities available for students who are willing to fill out the required applications. Students should have their parents ask their employers for possible awards for children or dependants. Announcements are made at school and a scholarship bulletin board is found outside Student Services. Universities and colleges have bursaries and scholarships available on their websites. Students can also register at www.scholarshipscanada.ca or www.studentawards.ca. to get notices for awards that may apply to them.

As always, students are most welcome to make an appointment with me for individual consultation or take the opportunity to see me any time I am available.

MR. M. GROLEAU – GRADE 9 COUNSELLOR

A new beginning means new challenges and the potential for great things to happen. I would like to thank the grade 9’s for their cooperation, and the great start in September. In an attempt to make their transition to high school a smooth one, I have met with all the grade nines through classroom visits, during which time I explained the services available to them from their Guidance Department. As your child’s counsellor, I have also been making individual appointments. Should your child wish to book their own appointment, they should know how to go about doing so.

C.N. had a tremendous participation rate in the Take Our Kids to Work career initiative. Students were provided with a job shadowing experience that allowed them to connect with the workplace and in many cases explore potential career choices. In preparation for TOKW, students attended an assembly, during which time Ms. Colleen McPhee, our Special Assignment Teacher for the Board discussed career paths, the value of such initiatives and the need to work safely. Her interactive approach to the topic was greatly received by the students. As part of the same assembly, Mrs. Carrocci, our Christian Service animator also had an opportunity to talk to all grade 9 students about community service hours.

Ongoing communication is important to success. If you, or your child has any concerns, I welcome either a phone call or personal interview to discuss these. I can be reached at (905) 664 –3383 ext. 318.

GRADE 10 STUDENTS - MR. F. CIPRIETTI / MRS. M. MARIELLA

It has been said that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Where are you in your journey in education? When you look at your midterm marks, are you feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment? When you look at how you support our Newman community, do you feel the spirit of teamwork and co-operation in being involved in sports or clubs? At the end of the school day, are you feeling good about how you have used your God-given talents?

Midterm is a great time of the year to assess how your journey is coming along. Identify the areas that are in need of improvement and start the next step of finding help. It’s not too late to join a club or try out for a team! In fact, employers are really impressed by how a student can juggle academics and co-curricular activities. It’s not too late to start working to your potential! You would be surprised how reviewing your notes 10 minutes each night can boost your memory power for a test. No matter how well you are doing, you can make the last half of this semester even better than the first. Academic stamina is important!

As your guidance counsellors, we can offer assistance in tutoring, study tips, time management, career planning, decision-making, conflict resolution, or just time to chat about your progress and future plans. Although we often initiate the appointment, you certainly can make it yourself at any time. No matter where you are in your journey, we can help you with your next step.

 MRS. M. MARIELLA - C.N. PEER MENTORS

“Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you can’t be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people.”… Lee Iacocca

The number of members of the prestigious Newman’s Peer Mentors Club has doubled since last year. Why? It is simple. This club offers such a great way of making a true difference in our school community. With training in effective communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence, these academic students show a genuine interest in helping other students make high school a more positive and successful experience.

What a busy start to the year! First, the Peer Mentors eagerly welcomed the nervous but excited new Grade 9 students to our school as they picked up their timetables in August. The tours and the chance to have answered their questions certainly helped make their first day of high school more memorable. During the second week of September, the Peer Mentors organized and delivered an interactive and informative evening presentation entitled “9 Tips for Grade 9 Success” to invited parents and students. The resource manual that each family received provided student-friendly guidance. Even new non-grade 9 students from other countries, provinces, or cities were given a warm welcome by our Mentors with a special orientation luncheon in early October. The session included fun ice-breaking activities, a questionnaire about our school, and a tasty array of treats. Presently, many of the Mentors have been matched with grade 9 students for the Lunchtime Tutoring Program. Just as a reminder to any grade 9 student who is interested in improving marks, Peer Mentors are just waiting to meet you. Just see Mr. Groleau, your guidance counsellor or Mrs. Mariella. The Rent-A-Mentor Program which allows for Mentors to assist grade 9 students with culminating activities during class is running again this semester. Just ask Mr. Siena’s ENG 1P1 class for testimonials. Well, there are certainly more activities in the works! Stayed tuned for our next report in February. In the meantime, remember:

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst - a spark that creates extraordinary results.” CN Mentors are catalysts!

P.S. Do you have integrity? Do you show good time management and communication skills? Is there a true and sincere leader inside you? Talk to one of us. We’ll be happy to tell you more! We would especially love to have more grade 12 students!

CARDINAL NEWMAN PEER TUTORING PROGRAM

In the spirit of giving, many Cardinal Newman students volunteer their academic talents in the Peer Tutoring Program. These students, who have achieved an honour mark in a particular subject area, meet with individual students two or three times a week for about thirty minutes. During their time together, the tutor assists with homework, assignments, and test/exam preparation. Both tutor and tutee benefit from the experience. While tutors gain impressive work experience and valuable community service hours, many tutees are able to confidently earn their credits, learn more effective study techniques, or just earn an impressive mark. Last semester, over thirty students were matched with tutors (see below) who recently received their Certificate of Appreciation on the video announcements. This semester, the program is already enjoying success, due to the generosity of CN students. On behalf of the tutees, I extend a sincere thank you. The program truly owes its success to you!

Lisa Skrtich Saphir Domdadovac Peter DiDiodato Felicia Assenza Marko Arezina Vallentino DeBellis

Michael Rosati Brittany Szumilas Bailey Stewart Stephanie Tukonic Daniel Picone Nicole Gabriele

 Alex Stan Jordan Allum Victoria Daibes Joanne D’Sousa Alexa Horncastle

Katie Partito Andrew Quercia

“Without my tutor, I would have been so lost in my math class!” Joseph

“Thanks for helping me to stay organized.” Marc

“I really enjoyed seeing my tutee improve over the semester. Her mark increased and so did his confidence.” Joanne

P.S. If you are interested in improving your present mark with one-on-one tutoring, just see your guidance counsellor to fill out an application in guidance. Also, if you receive honour marks, please consider being a tutor. You can tutor 1 to 3 times per week during your lunch or after school for 30 - 40 minutes in the subject area of your choice.

Counselors

Ms. P. McPhee  (Department Head)

Ms. D. Jonikas    

Mrs. M. Mariella 

Mr. M. Groleau   

Mr. F. Ciprietti

Cooperative Education Teachers

 Mr. M. Kovacs 

Ms. L. Davino

Mrs. C. Defend-Ionico

Additional Services

Student Success Teacher:                  Mrs. M.J. Di Gregorio

Public Health Nurse:                            Mrs. J. Scheerer                                                                                                                                   

Social Worker:                                   Mrs. K. Duffy-Kariam

Christian Service Animator: Ms. G. Connolly

Secretaries Mrs. C. Simunic, Mrs. N. Frenza

Resources Available:

College and University Handbooks to look up information regarding programs offered

Easy access to on-line career programs such as Career Cruising, Choices and Career Explorer

Scholarship information

Part-time job information for students

Information on Apprenticeships and Skilled Trades

Government information on careers

Access to on-line applications for colleges and universities in Ontario

Information on SAT’s for students interested in attending colleges and universities in the United States

Interest and Skills Inventories

Credit counselling summaries.  Find out what credits you have obtained and what you need.

Christian Service Forms

Information on tutorial help, night school and summer school.