February 22^nd, 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians of the Holy Cross Community:

Earlier this month, I shared with your sons and daughters and the staff of our school community news regarding an allegation of misconduct against Fr. Labelle, our School Chaplain. The Ontario Provincial Police have now issued a press release “Charges Laid in Historical Sexual Assault” indicating that Fr. Labelle has been formally charged with Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Exploitation - Invite.

In sharing this information with you, I acknowledge how difficult it is to receive this news. There remain questions that are unanswered and unsettling for all of us. Our legal obligation and responsibility, however, is to ensure and protect the privacy of all those involved. Classroom discussions, speculation, rumours or gossip (including through social media) regarding this matter are not appropriate and I request that you ask your children to refrain from such discussions.

We recognize that all of us have various reactions and responses to this news. It is important that we deal with our emotions and feelings and encourage our children to talk about them in a healthy and appropriate way. I also encourage you and members of your family to seek support as needed. Our Response Team is available to support any members of our school community. Please feel free to call any member of our Administrative Team, Guidance Department, Pastoral Coordinator, Special Education- Resource Department or Youth Worker if you or any member of your family needs assistance. External support staff will be available at the school.

There is the possibility that media may be present near our school. However, they are not permitted to be on school property with regards to this issue. Please know that you and your family are under no obligation to respond to their questions. Any media inquiries will be directed to the Office of the Director of Education.

This is a time when we need to care for each other, all members of our community and ourselves. I would ask for your prayers.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Walsh Principal

Please note:

• Hard copies of this letter for students to bring home will be distributed on February 22^nd .
• Grade level meetings will be held on Wednesday, February 22^nd, 2012

Dual Credit Courses at Holy Cross

A students in the Dual Credit Program spends some of their time at St. Lawrence College or Loyalist College taking college or apprenticeship courses and the rest of their time at Holy Cross taking regular high school courses and/or Coop courses. See the wide variety of courses and apprenticeship programs appealing to many interests!

Advantages of Dual Credit Courses

• You earn credits at both college and high school by taking a single college course. Successfully completing a Dual Credit college course enables a student to earn both a high school credit and a college credit at the same time. Successfully completing a Dual Credit Apprenticeship Program enables the student to earn two high school credits and the Level 1 Apprenticeship at the same time.
• You can take a post-secondary course in an area you are interested in before applying to it after high school.
• You have a chance to experience the post-secondary environment while still in high school which will ease the transition in the future.
• You can earn credits towards an apprenticeship or college program before leaving high school.
• It is entirely free - all costs including tuition, transportation and books are covered.

Who Should Take Dual Credit Courses?

• Students interested in pursuing a trade so they can get their Level 1 Apprenticeship.
• College bound students interested in a specific college program so they can get a head start on earning credits in the program.
• College and university bound students who are interested in one or more careers but would like to try post-secondary courses in those areas before committing time and money.
• College and university bound students who are in their fifth year of high school and are looking for new challenges outside the high school environment.

Want More Information?

• Talk to Mr. Murphy, the HC Dual Credit Teacher any time in Room 217.
• Select DUAL CREDIT on course option sheet - you will then be called for a meeting with counselor to determine your course interest.
• Visit the Dual Credit Program websites at:
  www.passpathways.on.ca (General site describing the Dual Credit Program)
  dualcredit.squarespace.com/slc-kingston-welcome (Dual Credit Program site for St. Lawrence - Kingston Campus)
  
  
  

Jr. Boys' Basketball Team KASSAA Champs!

Both Crusader Boys' Teams played in the the 2012 KASSAA Boys' Basketball Finals on Sunday, February 19^th at the Queen's A.R.C.

The Juniors Crusader avenged their only regular season loss with a solid 63 - 54 victory over the previously undefeated against the Bayridge Blazers. The team now heads to Brockville to compete in the Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (EOSSAA) Junior Boys' AAA Basketball Championship on Wednesday, February 22^nd.

The Seniors were on the wrong end of a heart-stopping 58 - 56 loss to the Ernestown Eagles. The Crusaders host the Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (EOSSAA) Senior Boys' AAA Basketball Championship on Thursday, February 23^rd.

 

New Course for Senior Athletes and Artists!

HC offers a course just for you! TGJ 3O Grade 11 Communications Technology Broadcast and Print Production.

"Promo U" is designed to assist the advancement needs of graduating students. Artists and athletes will create promotional materials for application to college, university, or work. Students will produce their own personal promotional video, DVD case cover, photos, and electronic portfolio web site. TGJ 3O is only offered in the fall semester to provide students the opportunity to create their promo materials in time for application deadlines. Enrollment is limited. Select TGJ 3O this February during the course selection sessions for the 2012 - 2013 school year.

To learn more information contact Mr. Esford in Room 218 and to view sample videos, photos, web sites, etc... go to the TGJ 3O course page on HCToday. (From the top menu, follow Tech/Com. Tech./Grade 11 Com Tech:Broadcast and Print Production)

Helping You Child in Deal With Stress

The Holy Cross School Council at is hosting a workshop for parents with Dr. Mike Condra, Queen's University entitled Teen Stress and Distress for parents who want to learn how to help teens deal with stress and distress. The workshop takes place on Wednesday, February 29^th, 2012 at 7:00 pm at Holy Cross. There is no cost to attend the presentation, and everyone is invited. This session is funded by the Ministry of Education's PRO grant program.

Overview
The teen years are often associated with increased levels of stress, turmoil and confusion. As well, there is an increasing awareness of the impact of these on the mental health and well-being of young people. How can we as parents understand these pressures, and at what point should we become concerned about the effects of these on the mental health of our children?

In this presentation, Dr. Condra will review the “lived experience” of young people as a way to understand the types of stresses that teenagers are likely to experience. He will discuss the way that stresses may manifest themselves and suggest ways in which we can help our teens to deal with them. Finally, he will talk “warning signs” which suggest significant mental health difficulties in teens.