St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School
September 8th, 2015—Welcome Back!
You have been missed, and we have been waiting for you!
L.D.C.S.B
Mission-To serve our students through excellence in Catholic education.
Vision-Inspired by Christ. Learning together. Serving together.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
We welcome everyone back to the start of another exciting school year. You have been missed, we have been
waiting for you. On behalf of the entire staff of St. Michael’s Catholic School, we hope you and your family had a
safe, enjoyable and restful summer break.
We extend a very special welcome to our new families. Welcome to the St. Michael’s Mustang School community.
Your journey has begun at a student-centred school which prides itself on meeting the individual needs of each
and every student. Thank you for entrusting us with the education of your child. Together, we will work to ensure
that St. Michael’s continues to be a safe, inclusive faith-filled and Christ-centered school.
In June many hours went into making class lists. This was a collaborative effort between all staff members. Please
be aware of the factors care and concern that go into making class lists. These factors are considerations such as
student academic needs, special education needs, social needs, gender and class dynamics. Request for changes
to class lists will not be accepted at the office. With continuing registrations and mindfulness Ministry guidelines
of class sizes, and class needs there is always the possibility of classroom lists changing and students being moved
within the first few weeks of September. If this becomes necessary it will be done with as little disruption as
possible.
As our school community grows with students, staff and volunteers we need to be mindful of our parking situation
for the safety of everyone! With over 35 staff members, we ask for your assistance with before and after school
drop-off and pick-up. Our parking lot will not accommodate all of the cars (staff and visitors) and we therefore
ask that all students who are eligible to travel on the school bus, do so. We also support our student walkers
and ask that you walk whenever possible. We also ask families to use the services of the crossing guard (and
use the side streets off Devonshire Ave.) and/or use Cree Ave. behind our school.
Meet the Staff Night Open House is on Thursday September 17, 2015 from 4-6 p.m. This will just be a quick
stop by the classroom and say “hello”, we all understand how busy September can be. There will be no pizza
as in past years.
We wish all of our students a fun and productive year of growing, learning and living the Catholic faith.
~ Mrs. Pais
Page 2
Home of the Mustangs
September 2015
St. Michael’s Catholic School Prayer
Dear Lord,
We ask you to bless our St. Michael’s School family - our students, staff and parents.
Help us to grow as a caring school community by being understanding and helpful to the people
with whom we work and play.
Help us to develop our talents and skills in all our activities by sharing our best efforts with
others.
Help us to live up to our commitment to responsibility and excellence, with hard work and respect
for one another.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen
The School Day
8:45-9:00 a.m.
Safe arrival of students (before school supervision duties)
8:55 a.m.
Warning Bell
9:00 a.m.
Opening Exercises
9:00-10:20
Block A
10:20-10:35
Recess (Yard Duties)
10:35-11:55 a.m.
Block B
11:55-12:55 p.m.
Lunch (Classroom and Yard Duties)
12:55-2:15 p.m.
Block C
2:15-2:30 p.m.
Recess (Yard Duties)
2:30-3:25 p.m.
Block D
3:25-3:40 p.m.
Safe Departures Bus Departure 3:25, Walk/Ride Departure 3:30
(after school supervision duties)
INTRODUCING THE AMAZING
MUSTANG STAFF FOR 2015-2016
D. Raycroft L. Lagos ECE FDK
J. Poel T. Proulx ECE FDK
D. Douglas Gr. 1/2
L. Sangers Gr. 1
B. Pietersma Gr. 2
N. Van Ryswyck Gr. 2/3
R. Jones Gr. 3
M. Stevenson Gr.4
P. Jackson Gr. 4/5
M. Hill Gr. 5
M. Stevenson/L. Allison Gr. 6
S. Ignagni Gr. 6
P. Popovich Gr. 7/8
S. Cox Gr. 7/8
W. Whittal Secretary
H. Pais Principal
J. Alyea SPST
S. Juarez Rivas FSL Primary
L. Belleau FSL J/I
R. Nakonechny Music
L. Scarpelli P& P
MJ. Wilmot EA
A. Muil EA
S. Murphy EA
D. Muck EA
B. Ricketts EA
L. Cunningham EA
T. Plumb Librarian
S. Efstatheu NHS
J. Tunn NHS
D. Whiting Custodian
M. Brolese Custodian
Page 3
Home of the Mustangs
September 2015
Important Reminders:
Student Verification Forms will be coming home with all students in the coming days. We ask
that families return these forms to the office as soon as possible– with or with-out changes. It is
important for the office to have up-to-date information for all of our students.
All families are reminded to sign students in and out when arriving to or leaving from the
school during school hours. The sign-in book is located in the main office. Families are also
reminded to send an email to MIWofficeadmin@office.ldcsb.on.ca or call the school in the
event that your child will be absent for any reason. This will assist us in keeping track of
attendance.
Many factors are taken into consideration when planning class assignments and student
classroom placements. Ministry of Education guidelines assist with this process, highlighted
many considerations including: class size, gender, split-grades, individual student needs
(academic and/or social ), staff support, etc. In the event of increased student enrolment to our
school in the coming weeks, classes may need to be re-assigned in order to comply with
Ministry class size maximums. We ask that all families keep this in mind during the first two
weeks of school. If admissions and new enrolment become a reality, your child’s class
assignment may change. We appreciate the difficulties that may arise in the event of
opening new classrooms and we will communicate with all families if this becomes a reality for
us.
Families are reminded that St. Michael’s is a nut-free and fragrance aware school. We do
have students in the school with life threatening allergies, and students and staff with fragrance
sensitivities.
Student Agendas will be used again this year for all students in grades 1-8. These will be
coming home later in the week.
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION!
The L.D.C.S.B has taken on a new initiative to go paperless. St. Michael’s will be offering the School
Newsletter and other school communications starting in September on line only.
If you still need a paper copy please call the school to get on our paper copy list. (519) 675-4425
1. School webpage http://www.ldcsb.on.ca/schools/MIW/Pages/default.aspx
2. Facebook search-St. Michael’s, Woodstock click LIKE to follow
3. Twitter @StMikeWdstk click follow
4. Envoke weekly email updates (sign up at the office)
We have a communication method to meet everyone’s needs.
Today, I Will Try My Best & Show I Care