OUR PATRON SAINT
Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska, Saint (1905Saint Faustina Helena Kowalska was born in the village of Glogowiec west of
1905. She was the third of ten children. When she was almost twenty,
Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, whose members devote themselves to the care and education of
young women. The following year she received her religious habit and was given the name
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Faustina, to which she added "of the Most Blessed Sacrament," as was permitted by her Congregation's
custom. In the 1930s, Saint Faustina received from the Lord a message of mercy that she was told to spread throughout the
world. She was asked to become the apostle and secretary of God's mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and an
instrument for re-emphasizing God's plan of mercy for the world. She willingly offered her personal sufferings in union
Him to atone for the sins of others; she was to become a doer of mercy, and by writing about God's mercy, she was to
encourage others to trust in Him and prepare the world for His coming again.
She began keeping a diary in 1934. For four years she recorded divine revelations and mystical experiences, together
her own inner most thoughts, insights, and prayers. The result is a book of some 600 printed pages that repeats
",I~~;"~",
the gospel story of God's love for His people, emphasizing the need to trust in His loving action in all aspects of our lives.
After her death from tuberculosis in 1938, her closest associates were amazed as they discovered the great sufferings and
deep mystical experiences that had been given to this sister of theirs, who had always been so cheerful and humble. She had
taken deeply into her heart God's Gospel command to "be merciful even as your heavenly Father is merciful" She had fully
embraced as her confessor's directive that she should act in such a way that everyone who came in contact with her would
away joyful.
The message of mercy that Saint Faustina received is now being spread throughout the world. She was canonized
Church on April 30, 2000; and her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, has become the handbook for devotion to
Mercy. She would not have been surprised, for she had been told that the message of God's mercy would be spread through
writings for the great benefit of all souls.
She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1993 and canonized in 2000. When canonizing her the Pope said,
"Today
joy is truly great in presenting the life and witness of St. Faustina to the whole Church as a gift of
By Divine Providence, the life of this humble daughter of Poland was completely linked with the history of the 20th
century we have just left behind. In fact, it was between the First and Second World Wars that Christ entrusted
message
of mercy to her. Those who remember, who were witnesses and participants in the events of those years
horrible
sufferings they caused for millions of people know well how necessary was this message of mercy."
,)
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Principal's Message
We welcome back students and parents to a new school year. It takes all of us working together toward a common
student success to enable our shared vision to become a reality. We encourage a co-operative partnership between
school, and parish and I would like to thank parents, for the role that you play in student achievement.
dedication to
child's academic success is vital. Reinforcing strong study habits and sending your child to school motivated
learn lays the foundation for strong academic development.
following pages provide information and policies for students and parents, regarding
Faustina
embrace and promote a Catholic Faith-based curriculum with high academic standards, Responsibility and
factors in promoting self-esteem, respect and self-control in all students, staff and
a staff, we
supporting each and every child to become the best they can be! Consistent
appropriate
expectations will assist greatly in helping all students achieve their potential. Please contact
school
suggestions or concerns.
monthly newsletters will provide additional inff'lrm,;:,tirlr'l
website also provides timely updates regarding school activities
I look forward to another wonderful year as principal of
Faustina School as we
as Faith-filled, responsible citizens. Together, we can support our students to
B.
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-----....A Message From
... The Catholic School Council----------
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determined by the Education Improvement Commission, the purpose the school
is to
The main thrust of this report is "that the single best way to accomplish this purpose is for school councils to make
primary focus the involvement of as many parents as possible in the education of their own children." All of
clearly indicates that parent involvement in the education of their children is one of the most powerful factors
student achievement.
We are all working together to build a spirit of community and to enhance the educational experience of our children.
As parents, there are many ways you can impact and enhance the school environment. A great school community takes
planning and ideas from students, teachers, the church and parents working together. We welcome
enthusiasm,
and devotion of time, and encourage parents to come forward and be active in the enrichment of your
school
way of doing so is becoming a part of school councilor attending the council meetings as a participant.
The CSC or Catholic School Council shall strive to fulfill the following objectives:
i) To establish, maintain and enhance the lines of communication among children, parents, teachers and administrators
throughout the school community and the school board;
ii) To provide a forum where members of the school community can provide input into educational matters at "",nor""
meetings;
To assist in the building and enhancement of a visible Catholic community working together in the
of
education;
Iv) To assist school administrators and teachers in enhancing the School Board's and the Ministry of Education's
v)
operate any and all fund raising activities in accordance with the School Board's policies and in
school administration, in order to support the RCSAC objectives and operate as a non-profit organization.
The council meetings are always open to parents and guardians and they are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings
held in the school library at 7:00 p.m.
Parish Affiliation
St. Faustino's School's parish affiliate is St. Josephine Bakhita Parish.
Pastor: Father Mark Villanueva
Sister Necy
Sister Lindo
The church will be temporarily housed at St. Joan of Arc Secondary School
3801 Thomas St. The Parish office will be located at 3600 Forest Bluff Cres .,
Mississauga , Ontario L5N 7W2, Telephone 289-997-2105.
Throughout the year, the St. Faustino community has access to the Church of the Merciful Redeemer for
our sacraments and graduation.
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Historical Background
St. Faustina School was built in 2002. It opened for classes September 3, 2002.
There were 40 teachers, 2 secretaries, 3 custodians and approximately 825 students to begin the school
year. By the fall of 2003 St. Faustina was home to over 1075 students . In September of 2004, new
boundaries were established and St. Faustina students are now coming from our immediate area. For
2005 - 2006 we hod approximately 820 students and for 2006 - 2007 school year St. Faustina had
approximately 850 students. In the 2008 - 2009 and 2009-2010 school years, St. Faustino hod about 800
students. In the 2010-2012 school years, St. Faustino's school population was about 740 students. We
expect our student population to be in the vicinity of 700 students for the 2012-2013 school year.
Our School boundaries are as follows :
Britannia Road - North
Thomas Street - South
Winston Churchill Blvd. - East
9th Line - West
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Sharing The Faith
The stoff of St. Faustina School look forward to working together in the development of the spiritual
growth of our school community. This is accomplished through :
• being Christian to one another in our
• priest visits to the school
interactions with students, parents and
• food drives at Christmas, Thanksgiving
fellow stoff members
and Easter
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every aspect of the curriculum being
• sponsoring St. Vincent de Paul families
taught in the light of the Gospel
• donating to Shore Life
• celebration of Eucharist at our school
• assisting those in the school community
masses
who have emergency needs
We assist the priests in preparing students for the Sacrament of:
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First Reconciliation/Holy Eucharist
Grade 2
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Confirmation
Grade 8
Textbook and School Supplies Policy
Students are expected to dress appropriately to promote a positive
environment, which reflects our Catholic beliefs and values,
Students are to be neat and clean, Students are to dress in a manner that
shows respect for themselves and others, This includes suitability for
weather and special occasions, The emotional and physical maturity of the
students should be considered when determining appropriate dress,
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Shorts and skirts should be an appropriate length for school.
Suggestive or inappropriate language and violent or
vulgar symbols are not permitted on any clothing or
personal belongings,
Sunglasses and hats (including bandannas worn as a
head covering) may be worn outside, They are to be
removed when entering the school building,
Black-soled shoes, which mark the floor, are not to be
worn in the school.
Shoes must be worn indoors at all times for safety reasons,
and in the event of emergency evacuation, It is suggested
that a pair of indoor shoes be left at school throughout the year,
We encourage parents to consider sending a change
of socks and/or sweats in the winter months,
Warm clothing is needed for outside recesses in
winter months, Parents will be called to bring
warm clothing if necessary,
Reasons for Expected Behavior
Students should wear attire that is suitable to our Catholic Christian values
and morals, Good grooming is a necessary life skill.
Physical Education Activities and Clothing
education and physical fitness are important goals of the school
as required by the Ministry of Education, There will be a broad range of
activities within the program and a good variety of extracurricular sports,
Students in Gr. 6, 7, 8 are expected to have a change of clothes for gym, A
set of shorts/sweatpants and t-shirVsweatshirt is considered acceptable,
Running shoes are mandatory in the gym and we would ask parents to
purchase shoes with light-colored, non-marking soles, Black-soled shoes
mark the gym floor and are prohibited in the gym area, All students are
eXDectE~d to participate, If a child is unable to participate for a medical
reason, a doctor's note is required,
Textbooks and library books are the
and are loaned out to students with the excl6ctaticln
they will be returned, The teachers are asked
each textbook that a student is
Students
be
responsible for lost or damaged books, The school also
provides students with a wide variety of materials such as
workbooks, pencils, erasers, rulers, art materials,
and sports equipment Costs of paper materials and
textbooks are steadily rising, We expect the students to
treat these learning tools with respect
Computer Policy
Computers are the property of the school and are available
to be used by the students as an integral
of the
curriculum. All students and parents/guardians
asked to sign the Network User
and
Agreement to ensure proper usage and the respect of
privacy, Any infringements of the agreement shall result
the loss of use and/or disciplinary actions. Students are
not permitted to go into other students' files or folders,
Homework Policy
From time to time, teachers will assign
where
appropriate, in addition to a child's
Homework serves many purposes:
y reinforces skills and concepts taught in class
y helps students develop
and motivation
y allows students to gain
research
y provides an opportunity for students
study habits,
~n~.~~n'
vehicle for home-school communication
Please refer to Dufferin-Peel's Homework
following pages,
in the
Extra-curricular Activities
When considering the totality of an
certain aspects of personality
interaction which fall outside the realm
curriculum, Extra-curricular activities
opportunity for meeting with a variety situations
social interaction and
Because these activities are
necessary that school rules and
the safety and
concerned,
students will have the opportunity to take field
participate in extra-curricular activities, Prior to these
forms
be sent home
that these forms be filled out and returned school.
NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED ON ANY TRIP
WITHOUT THIS SIGNED PERMISSION FORM.
The Board sets out as the responsibility of each student "to be in
attendance at all classes and scheduled activities on time and with the
proper material required for full participation." Regular attendance on the
of students is vital to the process of learning. Students who habitually
miss class will suffer in the evaluation process because their participation
achievement cannot be fully assessed.
Faustina School expectations are as follows:
a) Students are to be punctual. Students who arrive late miss instruction
and early organizational activities and disturb the other students who have
already begun the school day. Please have your children arrive at least a
few minutes prior to the 9:00 a.m. bell.
b) A phone call is required to inform the school that a student will be
absent A call must be made each day that there is to be an absence. This
assists in the effective running of our Safe Arrival Program.
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Leaving School Property
1\
Students are NOT permitted to leave the school property during the school
day. If ever there is a need to do so, a written request is required for each
occurrence and students are required to sign out at the office. If an
emergency arises and it is absolutely necessary for a student to return
home, the school will contact the parent/guardian for permission.
Recess Policy
Under
circumstances, children who come to school are expected
participate
in the school program, This includes taking recess
breaks with the class. The recess break is vital and fresh air is not likely to
worsen a mild cold, if students are dressed properly. If the cold or illness is
severe, we respectfully suggest that the child not be sent to schooL In the
event of severe inclement weather conditions, all the children are kept
indoors and are appropriately supervised.
Students who stay for lunch must remain on school property. Students are
asked observe good manners and to be mindful of others.
Students who regularly stay for lunch and who wish to leave school
property at the lunch hour are to have a dated note from a parent/guardian
requesting that the student be allowed to leave school property, Students
are to share the note with their classroom teacher and the office staff, and
out before they leave the school property.
safety of our students is a primary concern at Sf. Faustina, We work to
monitor
who is in the building at all times, for the protection
students and for fire safety regulations. When volunteering, please report
the office, sign in and take a sticker. Prior to leaving, please sign out
Individuals in the school without appropriate identification will be asked to
to the office. If you have to bring a forgotten lunch or book to school, we
that you leave it at the main office. If you need to speak to your
a staff member will cali him/her to the office for you. If you are
child at
we ask that you wait outside the office area
classroom routines,
Safely board the assigned bus when directed
supervising teacher, administrator or bus n",trnll"",
Remain seated while the bus is moving and
head
and arms inside the bus at all times,
Do not eat or drink on the bus, or while
for
bus,
Always obey the bus driver,
Any student arriving at school
bus must take the
same bus home unless a note written
the
parent/guardian is received by the office, On occasion
students may wish to switch buses to go home with a
friend. This request must be made
the
parent/guardian in writing at least one
before the
switch is to take place, Permission may be
if space is available,
Students may not transfer from bus to bus.
Transportation on the bus is a privilege and may be revoked
for inappropriate conduct
Every effort must be made to maintain a
standard
discipline and safety the operation of the school buses.
When improper conduct is reported
On the first
the
teacher will speak to the
2. On the second occasion, a letter
made to the parents,
3 On the third occasion, the D,;r,~in,~1
restrict or remove bus privileges.
Bicycle Expectations
To ensure the safety of other
walk their bicycles on school
need to be locked at the bike rack.
obeyed, and helmets are
for
recess times, the bicycle area is off limits, The school
does not accept responsibility for
that are
brought to school.
Students are NOT
use ~t'rl(\I"'r~
blades or skateboards on school "rAncr'"
reasons, heelies are also not allowed to be worn at
schooL
Vandalism
Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)
Students are expected to show respect for school property and
the property of classmates and other individuals. Students who
lose, fail to return , or damage school equipment, i.e. library books,
textbooks, etc., will be required to make restitution. Students are
expected to help keep the buildings, grounds and neighbourhoods
clean and are expected to deposit all scrap paper, wrappers, etc. ,
into waste baskets or recycling containers.
PEDs are prohibited on school property.
What is aPED?
PEDs are wireless and/or portable electronic handheld
equipment that include cell phones, smartphones,
walkie-talkies, pagers, blackberry handsets, palm
organizers, iPods, mp3 players, and digital cameras.
Some of our students have extreme allergiC reactions to pet hair
and dander, so if you walk your pet with you when you bring your
child to school, please do not bring them onto school grounds
(with the exception of seeing eye dogs.) For classroom
presentations, prior approval must be given before animals are
brought into the school.
From the Front Office
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Office hours are from 8 am to 4 pm. Should
parents/guardians need to contact the school, please
call 905-821-2607 during this time.
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If your child is going to be absent, we kindly request you
call the school and provide the following information:
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Your child's name
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Your child's teacher's name
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Reason and length of absence
If you are unable to speak to a secretary directly, please
report a student's absence by calling the above number
and press 1 for attendance.
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It is important to inform the office of any changes to
emergency contact information.
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Students are permitted to access the office telephone
for school related and emergency matters.
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A lunch table is provided in the front lobby for lunch
drop-off. Please label your child's lunch with his/her
name and grade.
Board Policy
It is the policy of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board that PEDs are to be kept out-of-sight,
turned off and are not to be used within school premises
or during school sanctioned events. To prevent the loss
or damage of PEDs, schools encourage students to
leave their PEDs at home or in their lockers, if available.
Valuables
There is no place in the school to store valuable
belongings. We caution you to make sure that students
do not bring any valuables Uewelry, expensive watches,
money, skateboards, CDs, CD players, electronic
games/toys, cards, etc.} to school as we cannot be
responsible for their safekeeping, as, sad to say, theft
can be a problem even in an elementary school.
PLASP (peel Lunch and After School Program)
PLASP is a self-supporting, non-profit community
organization committed to providing high quality child
care that is accessible and affordable. Since 1975, they
have been delivering reliable, safe and fun-filled care for
elementary school children up to twelve years of age.
PLASP currently offers programs before school, at
lunchtime, after school and on PA days. PLASP has
always operated its programs right in the schools.
Children are registered in the program at the school they
attend, ensuring safe, accessible, and convenient child
care. Staff to child ratios are carefully monitored, in
order to ensure safe and caring supervision. To ensure
safety and effective supervision, registration for the trips
is limited to children who are enrolled full-time in any of
the PLASP programs.
For more information , please call 890-1711 .