As first teachers, parents/caring adults are vital educational partners in supporting students throughout their schooling journey. As such, connecting with students’ families in authentic ways is essential to building and sustaining a healthy and like-minded partnership that see all stakeholders fully. This includes students, families and school staff. This connection is truly important and requires intentionality.
As emotional researcher Brene Brown notes “connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued.” Considering how busy school and home life can be, true connection must be fostered and cultivated so that all stakeholders can come together as a caring family, with the shared goal to support and empower students to be what God intends them to be.
In the spirit of growing a deeper connection and further building on the positive partnership between home and school, Saint Oscar Romero CSS is proud to present Log Off – Power Down, a special workshop series facilitated by Dr. Marlyn Morris, PhD.
Log Off – Power Down will provide parents/caring adults with at-home strategies to support student academic and social-emotional learning. This includes tips to help students form a healthy relationship with school, building a deeper understanding of social media’s impact on young people and why goal setting is essential to raising resilient children.
All Saint Oscar Romero CSS school families are invited along with TCDSB neighbouring area 2 elementary schools.
With students currently working diligently on Semester 1 culminating activities and preparing for final exams, looking forward with a renewed mindset is critically important. Doing so, will provide students with the opportunity to embrace Semester 2 with the growth mindset to continuously build on their next steps and successes.
Along with living their faith through the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, students have the opportunity to embrace Semester 2 as a new beginning full of hope and promise.
With a commitment to fully supporting student academic achievement and well-being, Saint Oscar Romero CSS invites parents and families to a special presentation about the importance of students reflecting on their successes, next steps, setting goals and fully understanding the Ontario Learning Skills as transferable life skills that will enable success in school and beyond.
This presentation is hosted by the school administration, guidance staff and featuring special guest Dr. Marlyn Morris, Phd.
These words from Steven Spielberg, the legendary filmmaker responsible for cinematic classics such as Jaws, Raiders or the Lost Ark, E.T, Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List, speaks to the special connection between movies and audiences.
This special connection where story comes to life in the shared experience of the movie theatre was at the centre of Frame, a special theatrical showcase of short films produced by Saint Oscar Romero Communications Technology students and Romero Visionaries.
Held at Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale last month, the Sunday morning celebration, provided student storytellers with the opportunity to not only experience their work on the big screen, but introduce their friends and families (the custodians of newly created memories) to their ability to tell stories with purpose and meaning. With students new digital skill set projected onto the silver screen, memories were certainly “made in and from the film frame.”
With movies being the most universal of art forms, the movie theatre is truly a place where all people can come together to share thee unifying power of story. As the student filmmakers discovered, movies have the potential to shape, transform and unify, through a mosaic of visuals, music, sound effects, emotion and more.
Mr. Raterman (Communications Technology and Romero Visionaries Co-Moderator ) and Mr. Perrotta (Romero Visionaries Co-Moderator) are so proud of all of all the student filmmakers screened.
Filmmaking is a complex process and thus all students should be incredibly proud of their work and progress.
Student Filmmakers Reflect on Frame and Their Learning
Click on the image above to watch Frame as seen at Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale
Join us on Tuesday October 18 starting at 7:00pm and discover what Romero has to offer. As a faith-centred community committed to the well-being of all students, Saint Oscar Romero CSS is a school family, where all members can thrive to be their best in school and beyond. With so much to offer, find out what Romero is to you.
Saint Oscar Romero CCS is incredibly excited to present a special theatrical showcase of student produced short films.
Premiering on the big screen at Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale will be a festival presentation of short films produced by Communications Technology students and members of Romero Visionaries, an after school club that highlights storytelling through digital media.
Memory, a short film produced by the Romero Visionaries will screen as part of this special event. Funded by the TCDSB Experiential Learning Project, Memory provided students with an enriched opportunity to connect and learn from a number of industry partners including acclaimed director Vincenzo Natali (In the Tall Grass, Cube), celebrated movie poster illustrator Paul Shipper and award-winning music producer Freddy Brobbey of Just Over Music Inc.
To reserve your ticket for FRAME, please click here. Tickets are $5.00 per person.
FRAME takes place on Sunday October 23 from 10:00am – 11:00am at Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale.
My name is Phuong Le and I’m a Grade 12 student here Saint Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School.
I’m writing this blog to share my passion for photography with you.
In fact, you may recognize me as the student who is always behind a camera lens. Nonetheless, I’m really excited to be sharing my work as a photographer with you and others who may be visiting this website.
I’ve recently joined Romero Visionaries, where I will be working with Vice Principal Mr. Perrotta, Media Arts & Communications Technology teacher Mr. Raterman and other like-minded students in creating content for this website and more. Importantly, this content will not only be expressive of school life but who we, the students, are as people. We have the opportunity to share our own passion and interests.
I’m so inspired by photography and the power that can live and radiate from a photo. As I like to share, “seize the opportunities that appear in front of you and capture it.” As a student in a Catholic school, my photography work really aligns with being an Effective Communicator who shares and celebrates God’s gifts in an expressive way.
Below, you’ll find two sets of photos.
On the Court: My goal with the photos was to capture smiles and joys behind the COVID masks and away from 150 minutes of class. This is lunchtime or after school fun – shooting hoops and feeling free.
Game Day: This set of photos was captured yesterday at Chaminade College School, where the Romero Raiders football team played their first game in 715 days. It was a long time coming and an afternoon of great fun.
My passion for photography began in 2019. I would capture the world around me with my iPhone as I became increasingly intrigued with the stories that photos could tell. That intrigue definitely flourished as I transitioned from an iPhone to an DSLR this past August.
In fact, a co-worker of mine at Metro encouraged me to invest not only in the camera but myself. Who would think that Daryl at Metro would be the reason I carry a DSLR with me everywhere I go? He saw my potential and gave me the boost I needed. This type of motivation can come from anyone who really understands who you are. Embrace those types of friendships. Thanks Daryl!
So, here I am.
As a Romero Visionary, I will be sharing an original photo series bi-weekly on this website. I hope you check back regularly and find my photos to be interesting.
You can follow me and my photography escapades on Twitter at: @MaiiSakurajimaa
Looking to the meaning of Thanksgiving and October as the month of Gratitude at the TCDSB, it’s important to pause and reflect on the role gratitude plays in our respective lives. Although, each of us will be spending Thanksgiving in our own way, we’re connected as a school family with much to be thankful for.
Specifically, Thanksgiving provides us all with the opportunity to embrace the importance of gratitude in our everyday lives. As shared in the Harvard Health Publishing article Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier, “gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power” (“Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier.” Harvard Health).
Thus, as we continue to grow as Discerning Believers and shape our own unique relationship with God, gratitude can play a significant role in becoming what God intends all of us to be. From our daily interactions in school to how we engage in our broader communities, intentionally practicing gratitude can nurture a positive relationship with self and others.
Looking ahead, take the time to intentionally pause and reflect on what you are grateful for. Perhaps its the warm sun in the morning, the colour of leaves in the Fall, the support of a teacher and the friendship of a colleague. For students it could even be the high expectations of a school that is committed to community, justice, knowledge and the betterment of one’s self in doing what is right and just.
Personally, this Thanksgiving I have much to be grateful for. This includes the Romero Family. Arriving at a new school during COVID is not an easy thing. This is a reality that many of our own students may recognize, including our Grade Nines.
With all things COVID, school life is not really the same (although we’re starting to feel some normalcy again) and getting to know people behind masks and without much social interaction can be isolating at times. However, every encounter I’ve had thus far has been incredibly positive. Let me stress, EVERY.
From TPH screening at the front doors, to hallway chats with staff, to working with students on school initiatives and even when students are not having their best behavioural moments, I’m grateful for it all. These are all moments in time that connect me to others.
Everyday, I have the true privilege to engage with dedicated staff who inspire and wonderful young people who are sent to Romero by parents and caring adults who want their child to be what God intends them to be. There’s so much to be thankful for in recognizing the true gift that comes in working with young people every day. I’m grateful for the opportunity and know the weight of the responsibility.
What are you grateful for?
In the video below, Chaplaincy student leaders share thanks for their friendships, school and relationship with God.
Nonetheless, as we continue with this school year, please reflect on what you are thankful for today and everyday. You’re welcome to share your thanks here on this website; just let me know.
My hope is that you’re thankful for the Romero Family and what it means to be part of a Catholic school community that is deeply committed to ensuring that each family member can be their very best.
Romero is truly a special place.
A special note of thanks to Chaplaincy and everyone who contributed to the Thanksgiving “Civies Day” Food Drive and the Gratitude Wall this past Friday. It was truly heart warming to see staff and students both giving and showing thanks as a loving community.
The Romero Family is thrilled to connect with all grade 8 students and their families who are looking to make Saint Oscar Romero CSS their future high school experience.
For all that Romero is and has to offer, please join us for our Gr. 8 Virtual Open House on Wednesday October 6 starting at 7:00pm.
Thank you for visiting the new official website for all things St. Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School. We’re currently working on making this website your destination for school news, general information and stories celebrating the wonderful accomplishments of the Romero Family.
Looking to the first day of school on Thursday September 9, please visit SCHOOL DAY INFO for important information.
Below is the schedule for Timetable pickups.
Remember to visit often for updates, news and more!
St. Oscar Romero CSS 