SMCS Newsletter - Toronto Catholic District School … · Humanity—in its hurt and sinful state—has a caring God who rushes to our side. God became man to help us. ... Vincent

Principal’s Message— Mr. B. White

A nother calendar year has begun but memories of the Christ-

mas season are still fresh – sold-out Massey Hall shows,

performances at Scotia Plaza, the Hospital for Sick Children, the

Ministry of Education and various special performances by our

benefit choir. It was wonderful to see our Tenor Bass Choir

singing ‗Carol of the Bells‘ during the opening of the ‗Hockey

Night in Canada‘ broadcast on December 22nd! This busy time

culminated with inspirational singing in the Cathedral for the

Christmas celebrations. The photos in this newsletter provide a look back at

some of these activities.

January, off to a chilly start, is a time for academic assessment for both ele-

mentary and secondary students as teachers are preparing report cards for early

February. These reports will provide students and families with a chance to see

how things are going and to set personal goals for the second half of the year.

As we venture into this new year, we pray that our school will continue to

be blessed during the next 12 months. We wish all of our students, families, staff

members and alumni the grace of God‘s love throughout 2014!

High School Open House

7:00pm Thursday January 16th, 2014 in the Auditorium

Our Grade 8 students and their parents are invited to an open house featuring

a presentation about the experience of being a high school student here at St

Michael’s Choir School.

TCDSB

SMCS Newsletter A Newsletter for the Families of

St Michael’s Choir School

Our Mission:

S t . M i c h a e l ’ s

C h o i r S c h o o l i s a

C a t h o l i c

C o m m u n i t y

w h o s e p r i m a r y

m i s s i o n i s t h e

e d u c a t i o n o f

y o u n g C h r i s t i a n

g e n t l e m e n . A t

t h e c e n t r e o f t h e

c o m m u n i t y ’ s

a c a d e m i c e f f o r t

t o m a k e t h e

u n i v e r s e

i n t e l l i g i b l e t o

g r o w i n g m i n d s i s

a n e x p e r i e n c e o f

m u s i c f o r t h e

p r a i s e o f G o d i n

J e s u s C h r i s t

———————————

St. Michael’s Choir School

67 Bond Street

Toronto, On M5B 1X2

Telephone: (416) 393-5518

Fax: (416) 393-5880

[email protected]

www.smcs.on.ca

TCDSB

TCDSB

CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2014

Director’s Message—Mr. S. Handrigan

Mr. Handrigan is attending the Cathedral Musicians Conference this week in

Washington.


SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 2

W e would like to congratulate one of Mr. Belic’s organ stu-

dents Manuel Piazza for winning the Grade 8 RCM Gold

Medal award in organ. Manuel will be honoured at a

ceremony on January 12, 2014.

W e would like to congratulate one of our former graduates

Ryan Nunes, one of Mr. Kekley’s students for winning

the Grade 7 RCM Gold Medal award in organ. Ryan will be hon-

oured at a ceremony on January 12, 2014.



BENEFIT CHOIR PERFORMING AT SICK KIDS’ HOSPITAL

ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013



SENIOR SELECT CHOIR - Performance at Mowat Block/ Queen‘s Park

Thursday, December 19, 2013



Dr. Jerzy Cichocki Conductor

Minister of Education Ms. Liz Sandals

Deputy Minister of Education George Zegarac

CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS December, 2013


Scotia Bank Plaza Concert

Full Senior Choir -

Wednesday,

December 18, 2013

Junior Choir—Performed on Wednesday,

December 11, 2013 at the Novotel Hotel

SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 7


T he classic children’s author, Dr. Suess expresses a few words of wisdom about Christmas

when he says:

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!

―Maybe Christmas,‖ he thought,

―doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe Christmas…perhaps…

Means a little more!‖

T hese simple lines connect with the mystery of the Christian faith. That the God who fathomed all of existence

- time, space, matter, energy, and who is all-loving and all-powerful could and would enter into the corporeal

world is the true meaning of the season. This is not just a theological principle (although it is that too), but it is a

principle that should resonant personally. It is a touching and reassuring notion to know that God came to us. Per-

haps we might recollect being little, and being scared or hurt, and the feeling that someone (Mom? Dad?

Grandma?) ran to our side. Beyond the immediate comfort that that person brought us by running to us, there is a

comfort knowing we are loveable enough to be the immediate concern of that loving adult. A similar sentiment

comes up each Christmas. Humanity—in its hurt and sinful state—has a caring God who rushes to our side. God

became man to help us. God’s incarnation was not just for humanity as a collective, but for us all individually.

God loves us all, by name and soul, to the point that God entered into this world as little baby Jesus for our sake.

Let us remember what Christmas is truly about then, it is not the store bought commercialism, it is the fact that we

are so loved that God has come rushing to our aid.

Mr. Hume

GRADE 8 CONFIRMATION RETREAT—DECEMBER 2, 2013

I n preparation for their Confirmation next spring, the grade 8s attended a retreat on December 6 at Our Lady,

Queen of the Apostles. The day provided a chance for our young men to explore the faith. Jody Balint and

Fr. Pawel did an excellent job helping our students discern the role that the sacraments play in their lives and

the need for prayer. Fr. Pawel encouraged the group during his homily in the afternoon to make time to invite

Christ into their lives through daily prayer. In addition to the spiritual nourishment of the day, our students had

the chance to mingle with students from St. Michael's Elementary School and students in the public system go-

ing through Confirmation preparation. The combination of spiritual nourishment and social nourishment was

matched by physical nourishment with an amazing meal that was enjoyed together.

Mr. A. Hume

Mme F. Lo Curto

President

E xams are right around the corner for the high school students, and with our Christ-

mas season behind us, it is time to focus on our academic responsibilities. To wel-

come all the students back we have a free Civies Day this Friday, January 10th. We look

forward to February and all the big plans we have for the students, including the 2014

Java Jam with our sister school, St. Joseph‘s College.

We would also like to thank the students and parents for their astounding generosity, as

our annual Christmas Toy Drive was a great success, benefiting many less fortunate fami-

lies and children through the St. Vincent de Paul Society in our parish community. As a school, we truly

spread the spirit of Christmas, not only by our singing, but also by our donations to the less fortunate. We

finished our Toy Drive with 226 total donations. Congratulations to Upper Ronan House and Lower Arm-

strong House for bringing in the most donations. However, the Toy Drive would not have been possible if

it was not for the endless hard work of Ms. Codrington.

Finally, our Student Survey will be distributed to the students this week. Once completed, the results will

be analyzed and the information provided will aid the Student Council and the administration to better plan

for the future. If any parents wish to obtain a copy of the results, please send me an e-mail at

[email protected].

We wish the best of luck to all students on their exams. Remember to work hard and study hard as the

end of the semester is right around the corner!

Zackary Crichton

Student Council President

St. Michael‘s Choir School

―Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.‖- Steve Jobs



Student Council—2013-2014

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.theweathernetwor k.com/index.php?pr oduc t=weather &pl acecode=camb002http:/ /www.theweather networ k.com/ index.php? produc t= weather&placecode=camb0025&wbR ef= www.brandonsun.com&link=cityPage&switchto=c&swi tchto=c&ref= wxbtn234x60_



VIRTUE—CHARITY AWARD:

Front Row: Jesus Serrano, Lukas Urban,

Victor Mesquita, Vincent Gatchalian

Back Row: Christian Sforza, Michael Cuenca,

Julian Addesa, Rossvan Rafinan

CHORAL AWARD:

Front Row: Ethan Kwon, Daniel Primandono,

Colin Fok, Davis Ko, Kieran Goebs-Hansen

Back Row: Joshua Hernandez, Lucas Ben, Jona-

than Pitino

FRANCAIS AWARD:

Front Row: Colin Fok, Paolo Carandang, Lukas

Urban, Daniel Cunic, Liam McAlpine

Back Row: Rayleigh Becker,

Michael Simone

http://www.theweathernetwor k.com/index.php?pr oduc t=weather &pl acecode=camb002http:/ /www.theweather networ k.com/ index.php?pr oduc t=weather &pl acecode=camb0025&wbRef=www.br andonsun.com&li nk=cityPage&switchto= c&switchto=c&ref=wxbtn234x60_



W e are pleased to announce that a DVD has been produced by Salt and Light docu-

mentary of St. Michael’s Choir School, ―Into the Mystery‖ It depicts the history of

the Choir School through to the Italy Tour 2013.

THE DVD MAY BE PURCHASED BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE

http://www.smcs.on.ca/recordings/into-the-mystery-dvd-pre-order/

http://www.smcs.on.ca/recordings/into-the-mystery-dvd-pre-order/

http://www.theweathernetwor k.com/index.php?pr oduc t=weather &pl acecode=camb002http:/ /www.theweather networ k.com/index.php? prod- uct= weather&placecode=camb0025&wbR ef= www.brandonsun.com&link= cityPage&switchto=c&switchto=c&r ef= wxbtn234x60_text_



Elementary Christmas Assembly -

December 19, 2013

Junior Choir Dads

have a very important

job during the winter

months as you

see!!!!!!!!

STREET PATROL: We are very proud of our grade 10 Religion class for thinking of people

less fortunate during the Christmas season. On Friday, December 13, 2013 the boys provided sand-

wiches, fruit and hot coffee to the homeless in the surrounding area of St. Michael’s Choir and the Ca-

thedral.

http://www.theweathernetwor k.com/index.php?pr oduc t=weather &pl acecode=camb002http:/ /www.theweather networ k.com/index.php?pr oduct= weather&pl acecode=camb0025&wbR ef= www.br andonsun.com&li nk=cityPag e&swi tchto=c&switchto=c&ref= wxbtn234x60_text_

SMCS Dinner Dance: SAVE THE DATE

T he SMCS Annual Dinner Dance is an exciting evening whereby the parents, staff, alumni

and supporters of the Choir School gather together to raise funds to subsidize the cost of sending our boys on tour. Join us on Friday, February 28th, 2014 from 6:30 pm at Spirale Banquet & Conference Centre (888 Don Mills Rd, Toronto) for dinner, dancing and a silent auction. The evening will also feature an open bar, live music, DJ, door prizes and draws! Kindly return the attached ticket order form by Wednesday, January 15th, 2014 to the music office. Ticket captains for each grade are needed in order to make this event a resounding success. Atten-dance at the dinner dance is not mandatory to vol-unteer. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering as a ticket captain or to join the Dinner Dance Committee.

We look forward to hearing from you!

SMCS Dinner Dance Committee




http://www.theweathernetwor k.com/index.php?pr oduc t=weather &pl acecode=camb002http:/ /www.theweather networ k.com/index.php? prod- uct= weather&placecode=camb0025&wbR ef= www.brandonsun.com&link= cityPage&switchto=c&switchto=c&r ef= wxbtn234x60_text_



SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM— Our parent volunteers work really hard to

provide a hot lunch every Friday. Congratulations to each parent who gives of

their time to help out.



Dear Families of St. Michael's Choir School,

O n behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Michael's Cathedral, I would like to extend a very heart-

felt thank you to all of you who participated in the annual Toy Drive during the month of December.

There was a mountain of toys to distribute among all the children who came to our weekend Christmas Out-

reach. In the church hall, while they were waiting for food vouchers, everyone enjoyed some sandwiches, fruit,

beverages, and cookies and the children had some colouring and arts and crafts activities available to them.

People were overwhelmed at the incredible generosity shown by the Choir School families. There really was an

amazing amount of toys and gifts!

THANK YOU sincerely for taking the time to help the St. Vincent de Paul this year.

God bless,

Christina Codrington





http://www.theweathernetwor k.com/index.php? produc t= weather&placecode=camb002http://www.theweathernetwor k.com/i ndex.php?pr oduc t=weather &pl acecode=

Monday, January 6, 2014 - School Begins

Tuesday, January 8, 2014 - High School Students Late Start 9:00 AM

Saturday, January 11, 2014 - Enrolment Ceremony—Confirmation

Sunday, January 12, 2014 - Enrolment Ceremony—Confirmation

Thursday, January 16, 2014 - Grade 8—High School Open House—7:00 PM

Saturday, January 18, 2014 - Bambino 1—Vocal only—Auditions

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - Grade 4 Gifted Assessment

Thursday, January 23, 2014 - CSAC Meeting—Auditorium—7:00 PM

Friday, January 24, 2014 - P.A. Day—Elementary

- High School Exam—AM

Monday, January 27, 2014 - H.S. Exam—AM

Tuesday, January 28, 2914 - H.S. Exam—AM

Wednesday, January 29, 2014 - H.S. Exam –AM

Thursday, January 30, 2014 - H.S. Exam—AM

Friday, January 31, 2014 - High School—Ski Day

Monday, February 3, 2014 - 2nd Semester Begins

January, 2014 CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS

DIRECTOR: MS. ANGELA GAUTHIER

SUPERINTENDENT:

Mr. J. Shanahan

(416) 222-8282 Ex. 5371

TRUSTEE 2013-2014

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

WARDS 1. PETER JAKOVCIC 2. ANN ANDRACHUK 3. SAL PICCININNI 4. PATRIZIA BOTTONI 5. MARIA RIZZO 6. FRANK D’AMICO 7. JOHN DEL GRANDE

8. GARY TANUAN 9. JO-ANN DAVIS– CHAIR (416) 512-3409 10. BARBARA POPLAWSKI 11. ANGELA KENNEDY 12. NANCY CRAWFORD—VICE-CHAIR

STUDENT TRUSTEE

William Lawrence and Enrique Olivo

TRUSTEE FOR ST MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL

[email protected] - www.jo-anndavis.ca


St. Michael’s Choir School Advisory Board

Rev. Ivan Camilleri, Chancellor of Spiritual Affairs

Mr. Jim Milway, Chancellor of Temporal Affairs

Mr. William Dunlop, Comptroller, Archdiocese of Toronto

Rev. Michael Busch, Rector of St. Michael‘s Cathedral

Rev. Brian Clough, SMCS alumnus, , Judicial Vicar

Rev. Larry Leger, Chair Nominating Committee

Dr. Constance Price

Dr. Joseph Gasser, SMCS alumnus— Chair

Mr. John Anderton, SMCS Alumnus, Chair of Finance

Ms. Patricia Parisi, Chair Governance committee

Ms. Anne Bolger

Ms. Andrea Chisholm

Mr. Stephen Handrigan—Director

Dr. Paul Gauvreau, Parent

Mrs. K. Lagroix

SMCS 2013-2014 CSAC REPRESENTATIVES

Geoff Rawlinson - Co-Chair

Pina Povolo - Co-Chair Angela Racco - Secretary

Weilie Shen, - Treasurer

-

ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO

Chancellor: Cardinal Thomas Collins


http://www.jo-anndavis.ca

Documents

SMCS Newsletter - Toronto Catholic District School … · Humanity—in its hurt and sinful state—has a caring God who rushes to our side. God became man to help us. ... Vincent