Madonna Catholic School News

Dear Madonna Families,

As we move into the month of February, our school community has transitioned into the reflective and prayerful season of Lent. We began the week with a wonderful celebration of Shrove Tuesday. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated Parent School Council volunteers for their hard work in organizing this special treat for our students. Your time and effort made the day truly joyful!

On Ash Wednesday, we were blessed to gather as a larger faith community at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Parish. Celebrating Mass alongside several of our sister schools was a powerful reminder of our shared journey. It was a beautiful way for our students to mark the start of this holy season through prayer and the receiving of ashes.

As we move forward through the forty days of Lent, we encourage our students and families to be mindful of the unique gifts and talents we have each been given. Lent is not only a time for sacrifice but a time to consider how we can share those blessings with others in our community.

May this season be a time of growth, kindness, and renewal for your family.

Fiona Wimmer

Assistant Principal

February 23 - Gr 4 fused art project (in-school fieldtrip) & Lego Club meet at lunch

February 24 - Taanishi Circle at lunchtime

February 25 - Pink Shirt Day

February 26 - Gr 2 in-school Science learning program

February 27 - Reckie Lloyd visits Madonna

**Reminder that every Wednesday the school dismisses @ 2:13pm

Thank you to the parents and grandparents who were able to join our school as we gathered at OLPH Church for Ash Wednesday mass. It was a beautiful litrugy led by Fr. Paul Kavanagh who was once a student at Madonna with Mrs. Wimmer!! Yes, we are that old. ;)

Thank you to the Charlotte for her reverant reading and the staff who helped administer ashes and eucharist. Our classes were amazing as they participated in the mass and we gratefully appreciate the opportunty to gather with our EICS school friends as one Catholic community.

We are excited to share that Tololwa Mollel recently visited Madonna Catholic to share his amazing stories and creativity with our students!

Mr. Mollel is a world-famous storyteller and author originally from Tanzania, a country in East Africa. He has written over 20 books in both English and Swahili. His stories are loved all over the world and have been translated into many languages, including Korean, Norwegian, and Spanish.

Why His Work is Special

Award-Winning Books: You might recognize titles like The Orphan Boy, My Rows and Piles of Coins, or his newest book, From Lands of the Night. Many of his books have won prestigious awards for their beautiful writing and art.
"Story-Plays": Mr. Mollel doesn’t just write books; he is also an actor! He creates "story-plays" that mix traditional storytelling with live acting, music, and dance.
Cultural Heritage: He brings stories to life using his African roots and folk tales from cultures all around the world.

Mr. Mollel engaged all grades—from Kindergarten to the older years—in a "feast for the mind" through interactive songs, movement, and storytelling. It was a wonderful, hands-on experience that brought his world-famous books to life and inspired our young writers!

Our school office is currently seeking donations of new or gently used clothing items to help support students who may need a change of clothes during the school day.

At this time, our greatest needs are:

Pants (sizes 6–9)
T-shirts
Socks

These items allow us to care for students quickly and discreetly when spills, accidents, or unexpected messes happen.

If you are able to help, please bring donations directly to the school office. Your kindness and generosity make a meaningful difference in ensuring all students feel comfortable and supported while at school.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community—we truly appreciate it.

Faith, Fellowship, and Fluffy Pancakes! 🥞 Our school community came together today in a beautiful celebration of Shrove Tuesday. It was a joy to share this time of fellowship and gratitude as we prepare our hearts for the beginning of Lent.

We want to extend a HUGE thank you to our incredible Parent Council and the dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. From the early morning shopping and mixing to the endless flipping and serving, you nourished our students with both food and smiles. Special shout out to School Council Co-Chair Elle Lyrette for her leadership!

We are especially grateful for the extra care taken to ensure students with dietary needs were fully included. This thoughtful kindness truly reflects our commitment to looking out for one another. Thank you for helping us grow together in faith, friendship, and Christ’s love.

We also had an impromptu visit from our local Fire Department on Shrove Tuesday who then spent some time visiting classrooms. We are truly blessed to live in a community with such supportive teams close by to our school!