St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
665 Willowbank Trail,
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 3L6
Telephone: (905) 848- 5397
Fax: (905) 848-0738
Principal:
Head Secretary:
Superintendent:
Pastor:
D. Brkic
S. Ferenc
T. Lariviere 905 890-1221
Fr. John Facey 905 270-2301
Trustee: M. Pascucci 905 302-3096
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Fax: 905 890-0888 905 890-0708
mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org
April 2016
O Lord,
How amazing is your love,
A love that overcomes, endures and redeems.
How astounding is your life,
A life that sustains, heals and creates.
How awesome is your hope,
A hope that promises, restores and inspires.
How absorbing is your truth,
A truth that releases, changes and rebuilds.
How we worship you, as we remember the moment
when your love conquered.
When out of the cave of sorrow Jesus arose to release
forgiveness to the world.
And each time we encounter this resurrection day we
are again lifted to an eternal place.
Our sin, brokenness and darkness fall away and your
light and peace flood our lives.
How we thank you for this incredible celebration we call
Easter.
Amen.
In April,
we
celebrate
the Virtue of
Love
Virtues
Assembly
April 28,
2016
at 2:00 p.m.
DATES TO REMEMBER
April 6 9:30 Easter Mass
April 11 PA Day
April 23 First Communion
April 24 First Communion
April 28 Virtues Assembly
April 30 First Communion
May 1 First Communion
May 1-6 Catholic Education Week
May 9 Crowning of Mary Celebration
May 12 Welcome to FDK
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
APRIL VIRTUE – LOVE
SVDP LENTEN FOOD DRIVE
A Person of Love…
Wants the best for others
Is willing to make sacrifices for the good of others
Learns from the heroic lives of saints & holy people
Knows that we are all lovable
Prays for others
Thank you to everyone who sent in non-perishable food
items for our SVDP Lenten Food Drive, in support of Dr.
Simone’s Canadian Food for Children Charity. You helped
to make our Grade 7 & 8 Food Drive a huge success!
God has given us many examples of how to live faithfully.
He sent his Son Jesus to make sure that we could see how
we should live our lives.
Jesus made one lesson clear above all other lessons – the
lesson to love. Love is not about us – it is about forgetting
ourselves and looking out for the good of the other. He
chose to give up His life for the good of others – for us!
Becoming a truly loving person is challenging. It takes
prayer and concentration to get used to making little
sacrifices for the good of others. Through prayer and
concentration, we can get better at showing love to
everyone we meet.
In March, we celebrated the virtue of kindness.
Congratulations to all students who received certificates
for modelling the virtue of kindness for all of us.
On Wednesday, March 9th, our intermediate students
visited Dr. Simone’s warehouse, learned about the work of
Dr. Simone and his dedicated volunteers, and had the
incredible opportunity to work alongside the volunteers,
helping with sorting clothes and food items, loading
containers with food to be shipped to developing
countries, and stamping and addressing envelopes. It was
an incredibly meaningful experience for our students,
knowing that they had helped to make a difference in the
lives of our brothers and sisters in need across the globe!
Thank you to our SVDP community for your support of our
Lenten alms-giving campaign!
ROSARY APOSTOLATES
Thank you to the Rosary Apostolates who have been
visiting our school every month and praying the rosary
with our staff and students. Prayer is making a difference
at school and in our lives: deepening our convictions of
faith, prompting the conversion of our heart, and
strengthening our will to follow Christ.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SVDP LENTEN CLOTHING
DRIVE!
TOONIE
TWO-BALL
SHARELIFE!
A huge thank you goes out to the entire SVDP
community! Our Lenten Clothing Drive campaign ended
on Thursday, March 24th and was a great success! Last
Tuesday, March 29th, John Cabot high school picked up
our donations and delivered them to Dr. Simone’s
Warehouse and the Good Shepherd Ministries. Mrs.
Esvelt, John Cabot’s Chaplain and her students were
very appreciative of the generosity and efforts of the
SVDP community.
On Friday, March 11th, the Gr. 8
students hosted Toonie Two-Ball!
All classes from KG - Gr. 7 were given
the opportunity to score as many
points as they could in “two” one-minute timed blocks and
to show off their basketball moves! There are definitely
some future NBA stars here at SVDP!
Thank you to all of the students and families who brought
in gently-used clothing during our three week campaign.
The Grade 8 students and Ms. Ricardo really appreciate
your help and support in making our Lenten sacrifice
such a success for the third year in a row. This has been
a wonderful and meaningful way for the Grade 8 students
to prepare for their transition to high school through
social activism and faith development. Thanks to you all,
men, women, and children in our local and global
communities will know that their brothers and sisters
here at SVDP care about them and want to help. Your old
clothes have become cool again! Way to go SVDP!!!
FOR
This was a wonderful opportunity for our Grade 8 students,
who are preparing to transition to high school next
September, to develop their leadership skills and to model
perseverance, self-esteem, teammanship and a positive
attitude towards physical fitness and healthy living, for our
younger students. It was a day of great fun and excitement
for everyone here at SVDP!
A huge “Thank you” from Ms. Ricardo and the Grade 8
students to everyone who brought in their “toonie”!
Together we raised almost $300.00 for Sharelife! Way to
go SVDP!!!
The Grade 8 Students and Ms. Ricardo
LET’S KEEP THOSE MILK BAGS
MOOOOVING!
Thank you to everyone for sending in
your clean, used milk bags. We have
already collected more than one box
of milk bags for John Cabot high
school. These are being weaved into
mats and will be sent to developing countries to be used as
sleeping mats.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
It takes about 420 milk bags to
make just one sleeping mat, so we
still need many, many more bags.
This project will continue for the
remainder of the year, so please
keep the milk bags coming in!
The Grade 8 students will be collaborating with John
Cabot this month to learn more about this initiative of
charity and love. We thank you for your continued
support of this campaign and of our Gr. 8 Faith transitions
to high school!
Ms. Ricardo and the Gr. 8 Students
played with tenacity and courage and represented us well in
a very competitive and tense competition!
Congratulations to our Intermediate Team who made it all
the way to the playoffs, where some nail-biting matches
were played and some great moves were made! These
valiant vikings played more games than the other divisions
and kept on going with only 10 minutes for lunch! Our
Intermediate team had an amazing battle to the finish
and brought us home a fourth place medal win!
Our SVDP Viking Chess players have shown great
determination and spirit, by coming out to multiple
practices with Ms. Ricardo every week. Way to Go
Primary, Junior, and Intermediate Chess Teams you
have made your entire school community proud!
EASTER MASS
Easter will be celebrated on April 6 at 9:30 a.m.
All parents are welcome to join us.
SVDP CHESS TEAM FAMILY TOURNAMENT
Kudos to all of our Chess Team Players, who competed
with the valour of Vikings at the Family Chess
Tournament last Friday, April 1st at St. James Catholic
Global Learning Centre! Our courageous Primary
Vikings were the youngest team at the competition and to
ever represent SVDP. Look out for these little Viking
chess warriors in the future! Our Junior Vikings also
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
SVdP ECO TEAM
Our Eco Team continues to promote eco-friendly
practices within the school and the community.
Students are reminded to pack a waste-free lunch with
NO throwaway packaging every Wednesday.
All food items and drinks should be packed in re-useable
containers, Tupperware or plastic, a stainless, re-useable
or thermos drink bottle and cutlery or silverware to wash
at home and reuse. Our Eco School Team has been
checking all recycling and garbage bins every
Wednesday!
The EcoTeam would like to thank everyone for
participating in our symbolic Earth hour at school. It was
a success and a great way for all to recognize how small
actions can have a large impact on our world. Most of the
lights and electronics were switched off during that time.
Each class will also experience a Region of Peel's Waste
Reduction Workshop delivered by Ecosource on April 14
or 15. Our last initiative this month will be a outdoor
school-wide cleanup during the week of Earth Day (April
22).
Walking to School Can…..
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Help children meet daily physical activity
guidelines
Allow you and your children to spend more time
together
Provide you with an opportunity to teach your
children about safety skills
Save you money
Improve your mood
Make our streets safer and cleaner
The
theme
for
Catholic Education
Week
2016:
Opening Doors of
Mercy
“Blessed are the
merciful, for they
will receive mercy.”
– Matthew 5:7
The subthemes for
Catholic Education
Week 2016 are as
follows:
Monday: Mercy that Welcomes (Jesus and the Woman at
the Well: John 4: 1-42)
Tuesday: Mercy that Loves (The Good Samaritan: Luke
10:25-37)
Wednesday: Mercy that Forgives (The Prodigal Son: Luke
15:11-32)
Thursday: Mercy that Lives the Gospel (Zacchaeus: Luke
19:1-10)
Friday: Mercy that Rejoices (Healing of the Paralytic: Luke
5: 17-26)
Catholic Education Week begins on a Sunday to highlight
the partnership that remains the foundation of Catholic
education between our Catholic schools and local Catholic
parishes. Throughout Catholic Education Week, we ask you
to reflect on the significance of Catholic education’s
presence and contribution in our Church, and in our
society. We invite all members of our community, to
participate in the celebrations and activities that will mark
the celebration of Catholic Education Week 2016 in our
schools.
We are highlighting some of the activities/events that will
take place at St. Vincent de Paul School during the Catholic
Education Week. More detailed information will follow.
Thank you for supporting our initiatives.
EQAO UPDATE
This year the EQAO assessments for students in grades 3
and 6 will take place between May 25 and June 8.
Therefore, we kindly ask that parents try to avoid
medical or dental appointments during the assessment
periods. Watch for more details closer to the assessment
dates.
EQAO Parent Tips:
 Celebrate your child’s successes and hard work
each day.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”






Remind your child that the assessment will have
questions asking them things that they have
already learned in class.
Be sure your child receives enough sleep every
night so that they are rested.CO-CURRICULAR
AND SCHOOL COUNIL CORNER
During test days ensure that your child eats a
healthy full breakfast
Remember to keep a positive and relaxed
attitude in the home environment.
Do not force your child to study for these tests.
They are already working hard at school.
For additional information on grades 3 and 6
testing visit the EQAO website at www.eqao.com
and click on “Parent Resources”.
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.
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2016
We will be meeting soon to work on class placements for
September 2016. When determining placement, we
consider many factors. Although we are limited in our
placement options due to the school size, we make every
effort to create balanced classes. As your input is always
appreciated, please submit any concerns you may have in
writing by April 29, 2016.
Please do not make specific requests for a teacher as
current and tentative assignments may change between
now and September.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
LATE ARRIVALS
Dufferin-Peel is offering the Full-Day Kindergarten
program in all 123 Catholic elementary schools in
Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.
Registration materials are available for pick-up at the
schools. Parents/guardians are to register their child in
person at their designated Catholic school. To find out
which Catholic school is in your area, please contact our
Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.
Parents/Guardians should bring the following documents
when registering their child:
· Proof of age of the child (birth certificate or
passport)
· Original Catholic Baptismal Certificate of the
Roman, Greek or Ukrainian Rite, for parent (one)
and child (if the child has not been baptized, a
letter of counseling with the parish priest, to
complete the process will be accepted.
· Updated immunization records
· Proof of home address (2 pieces: utility bill, bank or
credit card statement, rental agreement)
· Proof of English Separate School support (may
be done at the time of registration by completing an
Application For the Direction of School Support
and/or Separate School Lease Agreement available
at the school.
Our Welcome to Kindergarten night is scheduled
for May 12th, 2016. Parents will be contacted with
more information.
All students should start school on time. This
prevents interruption of classes and loss of
information for the students. A student is
considered late if the school bell has rung and they
are not in line and entering the school with their
classmates. Being consistently and continuously late
interrupts the classroom during lessons, creates
delays in the office and sets a poor example for
those who do arrive on time. Please note that if your
child arrives between 9:05 and 9:15, the door may
not be opened until we are done with prayers and
announcements.
SABRINA’S LAW-ANAPHYLAXIS
If your child has a severe reaction to peanuts,
peanut by-products, bee/wasp stings or any other
allergies or medical conditions, please let the school
know as soon as possible. It is essential that the
information you provide to us is accurate and up-todate.
There are various forms which need to be
completed by you and your family doctor if it is
necessary to store an epipen/medication at school.
We continue to have students with severe, life
threatening allergies to nuts and peanuts. Although
this may or may not affect your child’s class directly,
we require your continued cooperation in sending
foods to school that are free of peanuts, nuts, or
their by-products. We cannot guarantee that any
classroom is nut free, but we are attempting to
minimize the exposure and keep everyone as safe
and healthy as possible.
PEDICULOSIS (Head Lice)
Pediculosis is a problem that occurs from time to
time each year in schools. If cases are found, we
inform all parents of the class involved by letter. If a
child is infected, we request that she/he be kept out
of school until she/he has been treated with the
correct medicated shampoo. Please keep us
informed if this happens to your child.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
DRIVEWAY/ KISS AND RIDE SAFETY
Many thanks to parents / guardians who have been
using the correct and safe procedure for dropping
their children off in the morning in our Kiss and Ride
program. Our driveway is made safer when
everyone cooperates. Please ensure you have pulled
up to the front of the drop line to let children in or
out of your car. The driveway gets very congested
as 9:00 a.m. approaches, and many students are
arriving after the bell rings. As already mentioned,
it is our expectation that children arrive at school on
time and prepared to work.
LUNCH HOUR ROUTINES
A reminder that students who regularly stay for
lunch are NOT permitted to leave school property
without a signed and dated note from parents each
time they leave school grounds. Students either go
home for lunch or stay in school for lunch. Thank you
for supporting this important safety routine.
throughout the year. These drills are standard
practice across the Board and ensure that in the
event of a real emergency our students and staff can
respond quickly and appropriately. If you have any
questions or concerns regarding these drills please
speak to your child’s teacher or the main office.
In rare circumstances, our students and staff may
need to evacuate the building as a result of an
emergency in the building or in the nearby
community. Our evacuation site is John Cabot
Secondary School. Board regulations and safety
precautions require this contingency plan. Should
an evacuation be necessary, you will be notified as
soon as possible and your child will be held at John
Cabot School until we make direct contact with a
parent/guardian.
IMMUNIZATION
Ontario Law (Immunization of School Pupils Act,
1990) requires all school age children to be
immunized against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio,
Measles, Mumps and Rubella. The law requires Peel
Health to keep up-to-date records of your child’s
immunization. In the past we have had a number of
students receive letters of suspension from school
due to records not being updated at the Health
Department. It is your responsibility to forward the
information to Peel Health. Whenever you have your
child immunized, inform the Health Department.
Your child, before turning age 7, must have the Age
4-6 Booster for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio. All
necessary immunization records for your children
must be sent to Peel Health. You may fax your upto-date information to Peel Health at 840-7144 or
call 791- 7800 ext. 7661.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
St. Vincent de Paul School is required to conduct
three fire drills in the fall and three in the spring. We
will also be conducting two lockdown drills
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”