February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
February 2016
PRINCIPAL:
VICE PRINCIPAL:
HEAD SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
A. D’Agostino
V. Viola
M. Villella
A. Cafagna
February 2016
120 Harvest Moon Drive, Bolton, Ontario L7E 2W1 Phone: (905) 857-7582
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS:
TRUSTEE:
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH
PASTOR:
ASSOCIATE PASTOR:
L. Storey
F. Di Cosola
1-800-387-9501
905-951-8898
Fr. L. Leger
905 857-1938
Fr. D. Gikonyo, IMC
Fax: (905) 857-9353
ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Co-CHAIRS: K. Foschia and L D’ Orazio
SCECRETARY: M. Pacek
Treasurer: L. Girimonte
Community rep- N. D’Emilio Parish Rep: J. Christie
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM: Please remember to phone in your child’s absence: (905) 857-7582.
The answering machine is available 24 hours - Messages are picked up regularly.
For more information about school events, go to our school website: http://www.dpcdsb.org/NICHO
Student Faith Formation and Engagement: The Heart of All We Do
SAINT VALENTINE
In the month of February we celebrate Saint
Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine was a
bishop who bravely died for his faith. The
name Valentine means “Valiant” or
“Strong”. This day is connected with love
because of the legend that birds pick their
mates on February 14th. Secret notes of love
and friendship sent on this day are called Saint Valentine’s notes or
valentines.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
During Black History Month, we celebrate the
promotion of positive values of our African
Canadian leadership, through advocacy,
through professional life, and through the arts. These values echo
the main principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and we pray that
such values become respected by all Canadians.
SHROVE TUESDAY
Our Catholic School Council will once again put on a Shrove
Tuesday
Pancake Day! Shrove Tuesday is Tuesday February 9, 2016.
ASH WEDNESDAY CELEBRATION
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
9:30 am and 11:00 am
All Parents Welcome to Attend
FEBRUARY 15, 2016 FAMILY DAY
SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED
PRAYER FOR STRENGTH
Amazing Grace!
How sweet the sound that has saved a
wrench like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind and now I see.
“Twas grace that taught my heart to
fear, and grace my fear relieved; how
precious did that grace appear the hour
I first believed.” Therefore, if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; the
old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 3:17
JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY
We call on God to have
mercy, we are calling on
God in the only way we
know him—as one who
responds with
compassion to those in
need. When we show
mercy to others, we are
responding as God
responds, with
compassion. Students at St. Nicholas
demonstrate mercy through their
actions as demonstrated in their
“Merciful Hearts”.
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community
February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAY: MONDAY,
APRIL 11, 2016
Terms of the recent contract settlement between the teacher
federations and the Ministry of Education included the provision of an
additional Professional Activity Day for the 2015-2016 school year
for both elementary and secondary schools. Recently, boards were
directed to schedule this additional Professional Development Day on
or before April 15, 2016.
In the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, the
designated additional Professional Activity Day has been
scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2016.
Therefore, there will be no classes for either elementary or
secondary students on Monday, April 11, 2016.
Thank you for your attention to this addition to the 2015-16 School
Year Calendar.
FRENCH IMMERSION
Important notice for Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of students in SK/Year 2
Kindergarten:
The French Immersion Online Application System is now open for
submissions. To apply, go to www.dpcdsb.org. Applications will
be accepted until February 14, 2016.
Reminder:
•
All eligible submissions are accepted and, in the event that
the number of applications is greater than the number of spaces
available at a French Immersion school, a centralized, computergenerated lottery will be held at a date yet to be determined.
•
Some French Immersion schools offer Grades 1 to 8 and
others offer Grades 1 to 4, with Grade 5 to 8 offered at a nearby
school. Please refer to the Board website for more information.
•
Parents and guardians of students registered in the program
are responsible for providing transportation for their child(ren) to and
from their registered French Immersion school. *****Please note
that for students living inside the regular school boundaries of a
French Immersion school, eligibility for student transportation is
based on the policies established by the school board.*****
•
A successful placement in the French Immersion School
does not guarantee placement of younger siblings in future years.
If more details are required, please review the board website for upto-date information. You may also contact your child's present
school, the principal of the French Immersion school in your area, or
the board's French as a Second Language Consultant at (905) 8900708 extension 24307.
IMPORTANT IMMUNIZATION
MESSAGE FROM PEEL PUBLIC
HEALTH
Peel Public Health will be reviewing
immunization records of all students at
our school. Peel Public Health must
have proof that your child has been fully
vaccinated (immunized) according to the
Ontario immunization schedule. If you
receive a letter please ensure that your
child has received the required
vaccine(s), then give the date(s) your
child received these vaccine dose(s) to
Peel Public Health immediately to
update your child’s record. For more
information please call Peel Public
Health at 905‐799‐7700 or visit
www.ImmunizePeel.ca Translation
services are available.
STUDENT INFORMATION
It is very important that we
have up to date records of your
address, phone numbers and
emergency contacts in the
event that the school must
contact you regarding your child. If
there are any changes, please ensure that
we have updated information. If your
child’s medical condition also changes
please let us know as soon as possible.
SAFETY PROCEDURES IN PLACE
Creating a caring school
environment in which
staff and students respect
and trust each other and
where all students feel
connected, understand expectations, and
receive behavioral and mental health
support is essential. The work we do
through our virtues program to build
empathy within our students is a
proactive step we engage in daily to help
them develop strong Catholic values.
We appreciate your on-going assistance
with following our rules in the interest and
safety of our students.
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community
February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
SECURITY
A reminder that all visitors INCLUDING PARENTS must come
into the office, sign in and pick up a visitor’s badge when on a
prearranged visit. Anyone not wearing an identification badge will be
asked to return to the office immediately. This procedure will help
students and staff recognize visitors to our school. For the safety and
security of your children ONLY staff and assigned supervisors are
allowed in the school yard during all recesses. Parents are kindly
asked to NOT go into the students’ play yard at the back of school. If
you need to speak to your child during a recess, arrangements can be
made in the front office. We thank you for your cooperation in
supporting the safe environment of our school.
SCHOOL ACCESS
Parents/guardians and visitors please remember to
come to the office first if you have a message/school
materials for your child. If you are dropping off a lunch
please use the lunch drop off table, located just inside
the front door. The table is supplied with paper and
writing tools so you can easily mark his/her name on the
lunch. Lunch begins at 12:00 pm and we recommend dropping the
lunch off prior to that time. A reminder to all parents to please before
12 noon to give your child an opportunity to eat their lunch in the 20
minutes provided.
IT HAS BEEN SPIED AT KISS “N” RIDE
We would like to thank those who have been using St.
Nicholas “Kiss and Ride Program”. However, we
have had many parents/ guardians and staff express
their concerns about the following infractions:
1. Never leave your car unattended in the “Kiss And
Ride” lane. It is against the law and you may be
ticketed.
2. If you need to walk your child into the schoolyard or you need to
stop at the office, please park in the parking lot. DO NOT PARK in
the “Kiss And Ride” lane.
3. DO NOT DROP students off near the back fence.
4. At dismissal time please do not park in the “Kiss and Ride”.
Please park in the parking lot or on the street if you arrive before the
bell. We appreciate your co‐operation in following these procedures.
Your child(ren)’s safety is our main concern.
YEARBOOKS!
Our St. Nicholas Yearbooks are
back! The cost is $22 please
submit payment by April 10,
2016. Please see Life Touch
order forms.
LATE STUDENTS
A number of students
continue to arrive late daily.
Any student arriving after
9:15 a.m. is considered late
and should be accompanied
by an adult. Please make every effort to
have your child/ren at school on time.
When a child is late he/she misses
valuable teaching time. Late arrivals
cause disruption to the other students
and also to the teacher who has already
started the lessons for the day.
Developing good work habits and time
management skills can maximize a
child’s learning potential. Let’s work
together to develop these skills.
LITERACY DAY
Great work St.
Nicholas! On
January 27, 2016 St.
Nicholas school
celebrated Literacy
Day. All students celebrated the joy of
reading.
2016 TREEHUGGER INCENTIVES
National Sweater
Day: Thursday
February 4th
National Sweater Day
is a fun way to learn
about the importance of
saving energy, and inspire
people to use less heat all winter.
Heating accounts for 80% of residential
energy use in Canada, and is a
significant source of emissions.
Treehuggers are encouraging all families
to follow Pope Francis and his letter
L’Audato Si. As children of the earth,
we all have a responsibility to care for it.
See what our Treehuggers are doing to
support and care for our earth, here at St.
Nicholas
1. Turn off the Tap Tuesdays! St.
Nicholas students tested water samples
from the tap and bottled water and our
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community
February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
school population said that TAP water is BEST!
2. Waste Free Wednesdays. Reusable containers went out to each
family in our school to kick off our waste free lunch Wednesdays!
3. Lights off Thursdays! Every Thursday we are encouraging energy
conservation.
4. Tree Huggers Support Winter Walk Day!
Its winter! Don’t hibernate- walk to school and celebrate!
PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
Thank you to the Youth Faith Ambassadors
that lead St. Nicholas in a Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity. We continue to pray
that we are in harmony with people around
the world, which brings its own graces.
THE ONLINE REPORTING TOOL
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School board has developed a
new way to help nurture a safe, caring and inclusive school
environment. The Online Reporting Tool is intended for students in
grades 3 – 8 who become aware of bullying incidents and negative
behaviours. The student can simply ‘click’ on the link found on our
school’s website to fill out the report. The report will then be directly
emailed to the principal and/or vice principal and will be dealt with
accordingly.
It is important to recognize that the Online Reporting Tool is an
alternate reporting option. It is best practice to speak directly with a
responsible adult at home and/or in the school.
ALLSTAR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Any parents interested in becoming an ALL Star
Reading coach are asked to contact Mrs. Morrone or
Mrs. Kramaric at the school. This is a very rewarding
experience for coaches and students. It requires a
commitment of 1 to 2 mornings or afternoons a week
for a total of 10 weeks beginning after Easter.
BULLYING PREVENTION
There is a difference between tattling and
telling. In dealing with bullying situations,
students are encouraged to use the strategy,
‘telling an adult’. The goal of telling an adult is
to keep children safe. Tattling/ratting is defined
as telling in order to get someone into trouble,
or telling when there is no one being hurt and
no rule has been broken that could result in a dangerous situation.
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH: RESPECT
During the month of February, we celebrate the virtue of
“Respect”. God has given us the virtues of friends and
companions to keep us company and to help us to get
along.
VIRTUE AWARDS
Congratulations to our January
Virtue Catch the Spirit Award
Recipients!
Kindergarten – Jake H.
Primary –. Stefano N.
Junior – Brayden S.
Intermediate – Gianluca M.
These students received a Virtue T - Shirt
for demonstrating and living the virtues
at St. Nicholas school.
DATES AHEAD
FEBRUARY
2
Report cards go home
4
Parent Teacher Student
Conferences Night
5
Parent Teacher Student
Conference Day
5
P.A. Day
No school For Students
9
Shrove Tuesday
10 Ash Wednesday
Liturgy 9:30 & 11:00
15 Family Day no school
16-19 French Carnevale
16 Am Junior Boys mini
Basketball Tournament
St. John Paul
Pm Junior Girls
17 Barichello’s class to
Peel Safety Village
18 Catholic School
Council Meeting 7pm
18 Mrs. Felice’s class to
Peel Safety Village
24 Artist in the School B Boyz
9:30am & 1:30pm
26 St. Cornelius Hockey Tournament
MARCH
9-10 BECDM Hockey Tournament
14-18 March Break No School for
Students
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community