Newsletter:November 24, 2011

Christmas Concert Tickets

The Christmas Concert Tickets order form will be emailed early next week. There is a maximum of 4 tickets per family. We are requesting a monetary donation to help offset the costs associated with this production. The suggested donation is $2.00, but any amount would be greatly appreciated.

Donate Toiletry Items for the HomelessIn conjunction with St. Thomas More, OLM is collecting toiletry items for the homeless. It would be extremely appreciated if you are able to donate any of the following items:

• Toothbrushes
• Individual sized toothpaste
• Shaving razors
• Individualized sized shampoo
• Individualized sized conditioner
• Bars of soap
• Combs
• Deodorant

Students can either bring the items to their classroom or put the items in the donation boxes near the office.

Thank you.

Vow of Silence in the Elementary ClassroomThis year, on November 30, youth around the world will participate in Free the Children’s Vow of Silence campaign and stay silent in solidarity with children who are denied their human rights and their voice. This campaign was initiated by Michel Chikwanine who was only five years old when he was abducted by rebel soldiers from a soccer field in Congo and was forced to become a child soldier.
Imagine not having a voice; not being able to speak or stand up for your rights. It is a reality that children in the world are subjected to exploitation, forced to live in poverty, and denied basic human rights.

At the school assembly on, Tuesday, November 22, 2011, two Grade 7 students explained the Vow of Silence to the student body. The teachers have also been explaining that every person has human rights. These are basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to regardless of their nationality, gender, race, religion, language, etc.

(Parent Note: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly. This document lists the essential rights for all human beings and sets the standard for how we should behave towards one another so that everyone’s dignity.)

“Going Silent” has different interpretations. Our Grade 7 leaders have asked the primary students to refrain from talking between 12:00pm to 3:00pm. The intermediate students and staff have been given a more challenging Vow of Silence. We have been asked to refrain from talking or using electronic communication from 12:00pm to midnight. Therefore, when your child goes home we are asking you to encourage them not to text, email, Facebook, twitter etc. Instead we are asking students to pray, read, do homework or other silent activities.

Our hope is to raise awareness with our students. One young person who participated last year states, “I do it because a lot of people around here don’t realize that there are kids their own age across the world that aren’t in school, and are stuck doing manual labor every day. I think awareness needs to be raised so people see what life is like for people living in other countries.”

Another young person states, “We are giving a voice to the voiceless. By raising awareness I hope to inspire others to take action against the horrific conditions endured by some children. I believe one person can make a difference.”

For more information and informative videos please visit, www.freethechildren.com.