St. Evan February Monthly Update

Spirit of Abundance, God of Grace, Mother of Hope, we pause now to remember those stories that are all around us, but so often passed over, those stories that speak of real culture and identity. This Month is Black History Month. Help us to realize that Black History is a part of all of our journeys. May the day come when these journeys are so wildly taught. We know that this comes if we work together, we stand tall, we lift up our voices and we take up space. May we celebrate those who have thrived, and remember to serve those who are marginalized. May we celebrate the rich journey and heritage of many - past, present and future. There are so many beautiful stories needing to be told. And we need to get a chance to hear them. Widen our vision so that the history that is shared this month, and every month, come to be known as our history too. We are most human when we see the humanity in otheres.

Amen.

The virtue of Respect reminds us that every person is created in the image of God and deserves dignity, kindness, and understanding. Rooted in the DPCDSB Catholic Graduate Expectations, respect calls us to communicate with compassion, value our own gifts, work collaboratively, support our families, and act as responsible citizens who care for others and for creation. By practicing respect in our words, actions, and choices, we grow as discerning believers and members of a faith-filled community. Throughout this month, we encourage students, families, and staff to seek simple, daily opportunities to show respect and reflect Christ’s love in all they do.

Representatives from the Rosary Apostolates continue to bless us with their presence once a month throughout the entire school year. Their commitment to praying the rosary with our students offers a beautiful opportunity for spiritual growth and reflection, helping to deepen our students’ understanding of prayer and devotion. We are truly grateful for these inspiring community leaders who bring such meaningful faith-filled experiences into our school, fostering a strong connection between our students and the traditions of the Catholic Church.

St. Evan Catholic School Council is proud to be a vibrant part of our school community, working together to support student success and foster a welcoming environment for all. We are especially grateful for our dedicated parent representatives, whose time, insight, and care make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and staff.

Thank you to each member for your continued support and dedication!

Report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, February 10th. We invite families to join us for Interview Night on Thursday, February 12th, with additional interviews taking place all day on Friday, February 13th. Please note that there will be no school for students on Friday, February 13th due to interviews, as well as Monday, February 16th in observance of Family Day. We look forward to connecting with you as we celebrate student growth and learning.

On Thursday, January 29th, our Junior Girls Soccer Team competed at the Our Lady of Providence Invitational and proudly captured first place, finishing the tournament as undefeated champions and bringing home a banner for our school. We also congratulate our Junior Boys Team, who played with determination and heart, but unfortunately lost in the quarter-finals. We are incredibly proud of all our student athletes for their hard work, teamwork, and school spirit.

Students in Grades 6–7 participated in a fun and engaging French à l’école baking experience by making traditional French langues de chat cookies. This hands‑on activity combined language learning with real‑world application, allowing students to practice French vocabulary and phrases in an authentic and meaningful context. Throughout the lesson, students followed simple instructions in French, learned baking‑related vocabulary, and worked collaboratively to measure, mix, and prepare the cookie dough. The activity encouraged communication, teamwork, and problem‑solving, all while reinforcing French language skills in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. By engaging their senses and working together, students gained confidence using French while building a positive connection to the language and culture. Best of all, they enjoyed tasting the delicious results of their hard work!

On January 29th, Matthew "Testament" Jones’ PEACE Presentation offered students an engaging and meaningful approach to Black History Education by emphasizing unity, shared humanity, and the power of hip hop culture as tools for learning and connection. Rather than presenting Black history as separate or isolated, Jones encouraged students to see it as an essential part of a collective story that belongs to everyone. The PEACE Presentation encouraged students to reflect on their own roles in creating inclusive communities with a powerful message: when we learn together, listen to one another, and respect our shared histories, we create a stronger and more peaceful future for all.

On Friday, January 30th, our Catholic School Council hosted a Glow-in-the-Dark Community Party, and it was an overwhelming success. Students, families, and staff came together for an evening filled with music, laughter, and vibrant neon fun. The event not only raised funds for our school but also strengthened the sense of connection and community that makes our school such a special place. A heartfelt thank‑you to our Catholic School Council and all volunteers whose hard work helped create a memorable night for everyone.

On February 5th, St. Evan will recognize National Sweater Day, a special initiative that reminds us of our responsibility to care for God’s creation. By turning down the heat and putting on our coziest sweaters, students and staff will take part in a simple but meaningful act that supports energy conservation. As a school community, we continue to grow as good environmental stewards, learning to make small, everyday choices that help protect our planet for future generations. This day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our commitment to living out our faith through caring for the Earth.

https://bookfairs.scholastic.ca/bf/stevancathelemschool2

The St. Evan Book Fair is just around the corner! Students will have the opportunity to browse beginning February 6th, with sales running through to Friday, February 13th. Families are warmly invited to shop on Thursday, February 12th during Interview Night in the library, as well as on Friday, February 13th until noon. The Book Fair is a wonderful way to promote a love of reading while supporting our school—thank you in advance for your participation and enthusiasm!

In January, our students and staff shared an exciting community moment during the Students vs. Teachers Volleyball Game, where everyone had the chance to showcase their skills, teamwork, and school spirit. Laughter and cheers filled the gym as students put their talents on display—especially as they faced off against their teachers, including Mr. Amodeo, who enthusiastically joined the fun on the court. The event was a wonderful reminder of how sports can bring us together, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the vibrant, caring community we have at St. Evan.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is a national initiative that encourages open conversations about mental health and helps reduce stigma through awareness, education, and action. In recognition of this important day, the St. Evan Bee Squad took an active role in spreading kindness and positive messages throughout our school community. As students arrived in the morning, Bee Squad members greeted them with welcoming smiles and handed out swag, helping to create a supportive and inclusive start to the day. Their efforts highlighted the importance of mental well-being, empathy, and looking out for one another. Through these meaningful interactions, the Bee Squad reminded students and staff that talking, listening, and showing kindness can have a powerful impact. We are proud of our students for demonstrating leadership and helping to foster a caring, compassionate school environment.

EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians

Join us for a free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9.

During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from EQAO research into assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

Next available session: January 28, 2026 12:30-1:30 pm ET (offered on multiple dates, a recording will be provided to registrants).

Registration: https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5puRqI8uQJypIaHgBYoBMw#/registration

EQAO will be offering additional webinars throughout the year for families, administrators, and teachers.

Please check our website regularly for an updated list of upcoming sessions.

https://www.eqao.com/school-outreach

If you haven't set up your parent portal to access report cards and other important information. Please follow the instructions below, by clicking on the links.

​'Parent Portal Parents Did Not Receive Access Id and Password'​.

We would like to remind all families that food delivery services (such as Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, DoorDash, etc.) are not permitted at the school.

For safety and security reasons, as well as to minimize disruptions to the school day, deliveries from outside vendors will not be accepted for students. If a student forgets their lunch, parents or guardians may drop it off at the main office, clearly labeled with the student’s name and grade, and we will ensure it is delivered at an appropriate time.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to maintain a safe and orderly environment for all students.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr. Amodeo & Mrs. Holyk

We are happy that your child is part of the St. Evan community. As a new school year is underway, it’s a fresh start and a good opportunity to set up new routines and habits to support daily attendance and being on time for school.

We know that arriving on time for school and being ready to learn is a building block to learning success. When kids can start their day alongside their peers and participate in the morning procedures at school, it can help them to feel more connected to their classroom community and at school. We know that this is helpful for overall student wellbeing and mental health.

Ideas to boost on time attendance at school:

· Establish a consistent bedtime schedule on school nights.

· Remember that school age kids need approximately 8-9 hours of sleep each night.

· Get organized the night before including backpacks, completing any homework tasks/filling out forms and even getting lunch items ready.

· In the mornings, try to give yourself enough time (without being rushed) to go through your routine.

· Have conversations with your child(ren) about why arriving at school on time is important and if they have any ideas to help achieve that goal.

· Plan for vacations and holidays during scheduled school vacation times where possible.

Parents are important partners in joining with us to promote on time arrivals and everyday attendance at St. Evan. Thank you for your support.

If you are planning to sign your child out during the school day, please keep in mind the scheduled recess times listed below. To ensure a smooth and efficient departure, we kindly ask that you arrive approximately 10 minutes before recess begins. Signing out during recess can be more challenging, as students are outside and not easily accessible. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and organized environment for all. Thank you for your understanding and support.

School Hours

​Morning Bell​ 8:15am

Supervision begins at 8am. Please DO NOT DROP your child off before 8am because there is no supervision in the yard.