St. Bernard of Clairvaux
October 2015
3345 Escada Dr. Mississauga, ON L5M 7V5
Tel. 905-542-9203
Love, Service, Peace, Excellence
October Newsletter
Dufferin-Peel C.D.S.B.
Let Us Give Thanks
O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.
Administrator Message
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let us give thanks to…..
Our first month together at St. Bernard of Clairvaux. To friendships new and old, to new challenges, new
learning and much success.
Father Mark and the many staff and students involved in preparing prayers, songs and readings for our opening school mass on September 24th, 2015. It was a wonderful celebration reminding us of our many blessings.
All the parents, students and staff for a wonderful Open House. We are blessed to have had such a wonderful
turn out. As always, we will continue to encourage a cooperative partnership between home, school and
parish, and will continue to work collaboratively in the best interest of the students entrusted to our care.
The students of St. Bernard of Clairvaux School and community for support of our Terry Fox Walk.
Our volunteers, staff coaches/leaders and all other persons who give unselfishly of their time to children to
enhance their learning experiences.
The staff, students and community of St. Bernard of Clairvaux who assisted in organizing our Thanksgiving
Food Drive in order to reach out and help those in need during this time. We also thank all families for their
donations. Please consider donating canned goods and toiletries from October 5th to October 9th. Thank
you for your support of this event.
On behalf of the entire school staff, we would like to wish our school community a joyous Thanksgiving.
We hope you will have the opportunity to feast together as family and give thanks for the many blessings we
have been bestowed. As we celebrate our blessings, let us always remember those in need and those who are
suffering during these times.
Together in Faith
B. Pullara
N. Podobnik
“Always be faithful in the little things, for in them our strength lies.”
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta No Greater Love
Our Virtue of the Month:
God wants us to care about everyone’s feelings.
An empathetic person…
• listens when people speak
• notices when someone is upset and tries to help
• can understand and name her/his feelings
• can see a situation from another person’s point of view
• accepts that others may feel differently about things than they do
There are days in our lives that we may see others come to school sad,
afraid, frustrated, or even angry.
To live the virtue of EMPATHY is to walk in another’s shoes, truly striving to understand their situation and seeking ways to help. We do not
judge others because we never know what others are holding in their
hearts. In your everyday life, try to remember that you may not always
understand what others are feeling, but you can always be a good friend.
Let us now pray… for the grace and strength to be people of empathy –
people who can really identify with and feel the concerns of those around
us. Amen
Catholic Education: Distinctly Different
Ontario’s Catholic education system is not a duplicate of other
school systems. While it adheres to Ministry of Education
requirements, it does so from a Catholic perspective. The
curriculum is enhanced by Gospel values. Teachers are
professionally trained and committed to serving in Catholic
schools. At the heart of Catholic education is the person of Jesus.
Faith development is integral to every part of Catholic education,
as students are called to respect the dignity of all human persons
in a caring community. In the Catholic education system, home,
school and parish form a vital partnership. Through participation
in the community and involvement with the parish, students are
guided by the Gospel values, principles and standards that reach
into every facet of school life.
St. Josephine Bahkita Parish
3600 Forest Bluff Cres. Mississauga, Ontario L5N 7W2
Phone: (289)-997-2105 FAX: (289)-997-2104
Email: parishoffice@stjosephonebahkita.ca
Website: www.stjosephinebahkita.ca
MASS SCHEDULE
At St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School
(3801 Thomas St. Mississauga Ontario)
Saturday Vigil Mass 5 p.m.
Sunday Mass 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday/Friday 7:00 p.m.
At St. Peter’s Mission Church (just north of Britannia on the Ninth Line)
Sunday Mass 7:30 a.m.
Monday 7 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.
The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
Catholic education views human life as an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in this vision, Catholic education fosters the search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest.
The expectations of Catholic graduates, therefore, are described not only in terms of knowledge and
skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions.
Vision of the Learner
The Graduate is expected to be:
1. A discerning believer formed in the Catholic F aith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of
God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.
2. An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light
of gospel values
3. A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed
moral conscience for the common good.
4. A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.
5. A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and
contributes to the common good.
6. A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community
7. A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.
Time to Say Farewell
World Teacher’s Day
We bid a fond farewell to Mrs. Sajko, our head secretary
at the end of September. Mrs. Sajko began her maternity leave. We wish her
well as she enjoys this very precious
time with her family. We would like to
welcome Mrs. Stott who is a welcome
addition to our office staff.
Monday October 5th,
2015 is United Nations
World Teachers’ Day
and we would like to
take the opportunity today, to recognize and
celebrate our teachers for
their commitment and dedication to Catholic Education
here at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School.
OCTOBER IS INTERNATIONAL
WALK TO SCHOOL
MONTH!!
We encourage all students and people in our
community to walk to school. This promotes
an increase in daily physical activity, improved safety, and enhanced environment, a developed
sense of community cohesion, social interaction and reduced traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools.
Teachers have a great influence on us. They help
prepare us for life. They teach us skills we need to
participate and compete. They help us identify our
strengths and weaknesses. They work to make us
stronger students and hopefully, better people.
To our outstanding team of teachers, we would like to
thank them for the work they do on a daily basis. They
are the reason we have such an exciting, vibrant school
and the dedication and effort they put forth help our students to excel.
Please Join Us…
We will be gathering as a school community on
Thursday October 8th, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. for our first
Virtues Assembly. We thank our grade 2 teachers for
organizing this faith filled event for our students and
community.
Opening School Mass
Our Opening School Mass took place on Thursday,
September 24th, 2015 at 9:15. It was a beautiful
gathering of our school community. We thank Father Mark for his continued spiritual support and
guidance. We would also like to
thank our grade 7 teachers; Mrs.
O’Neill, Mrs. Mooney, and Miss
Shamon and the grade 7 students for
their hard work in preparing our
Mass.
Sacraments
We encourage any new families to our school community to
contact the parish to inquire about registering for these
sacraments.
FIRST RECONCILIATION
The First Reconciliation Celebration for our students will take
place on Tuesday February 23rd, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at Merciful
Redeemer Parish.
FIRST COMMUNION
First Communion for our grade 2 students will
be held on Sunday May 8th, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
at Merciful Redeemer Church.
CONFIRMATION
This year our grade 7 and 8 students will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation for our grade 8 students
will take place on Friday April 22nd, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Confirmation for our grade 7 students will take place on Friday
May 13th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. The sacr amental celebr ations
will continue to be held at Merciful Redeemer Parish. We thank
Father Vid and his parish team for their continued support and
generosity as we work to build a church for our new parish community.
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith” Galatians 5:22
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK: May 2-6, 2016
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Monday: Mercy that Welcomes
Tuesday: Mercy that Loves
Wednesday: Mercy that Forgives
Thursday: Mercy that Lives the Gospel
Friday: Mercy that Rejoices
Catholic Ratepayers —Check Your Tax Bill To Ensure Proper Tax Support:
If you are a Catholic ratepayer, we urge you to check your property tax bill to ensure that your
support is directed to your local Catholic school Board, in our case, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. If you are a tenant, you can verify your support by contacting our
Admissions Department at (905) 890-0708, ext. 24511, 24512 or 24519, or your local
Municipal Office. By ensuring that you are accurately recorded as a Catholic school supporter, you can help deliver a powerful message to the government about the level of support for
publically-funded Catholic education in Ontario. Also, in order to be eligible to vote for your
local Catholic school board Trustee, you must be registered as a separate school supporter.
Reporting Student Absences
Cyber-Safety
Daily attendance and punctuality are very important. As in the past, we ask that you call the
school on the days your child will be absent. This
is a safety precaution that can save precious moments should there ever be an emergency situation. We thank you for your continued support in
following this procedure. Please continue to report student absences to the school office by calling 905-542-9203 and pressing 1 for attendance.
Please indicate the date, your child’s
name, teacher and grade when leaving
a message.
The Internet can be a great resource for children and adults. They
can use it to research, communicate with others, and play interactive games. Sometimes that access can pose hazards. One area that
we are seeing an increase in abuse is in the use of social media.
That's why it's important to be aware of what your children see and
hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what
they share about themselves online. Just like
any safety issue, it's wise to talk with your
children about your concerns, take advantage
of resources to protect them, and keep a close
eye on their activities.
Bringing Your Child To School
It is wonderful to see that so many parents and guardians accompany
their children to school. If parents and guardians would like to wait until the bell rings, we ask that you remain outside the school yard boundaries, and kindly keep the pathways clear for students to enter the yar d. Staff on
duty are visible in orange vests to supervise the children. You are known to your individual child, however to other
children you are a stranger. We thank you for your assistance in making our school a place where students feel welcome and safe. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to work together in the best interest of our students.
We would also like to remind parents that schoolyard supervision does not begin until 8:30 am. Students should not
be arriving before this time, as the playground inot supervised. Thank you for keeping our students safe.
Custody of Children
On rare occasions, we are
faced with difficult situations in which non-custodial parents arrive at school asking to visit their child or to take
their child home after school. We are best able to serve and
protect students when we are made aware of legal custody
arrangements, visitation rights, and other special instructions. If legal custody matters affect your family, please
ensure that our office and classroom teachers are aware of
custodial arrangements between parents that may affect
your child during school hours. Please ensure that a copy
of the Court Order is on file at the school office.
Safety in the Gym
Students
are reminded that they must wear proper indoor shoes for gym and appropriate gym clothes. Jewelry must be removed when in gym class or during
sports activities. Students
are not allowed to wear
their “outside” shoes in
the gym.
Pediculosis
Head Lice is a common problem which
occurs at some time in most schools. Head lice are parasites
which have been common among human beings for centuries. They are not connected in any way with dirt or neglect.
If a case is found in our schools, we shall inform parents of
the students in that classroom with a letter. We have had a
number of cases so we ask that you also check your own children regularly. If you find them to be infested, please notify
the office. For more information go to the following link
http://www.peelregion.ca
Let’s Wash Our Hands
Hand washing when done correctly is the
single most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as the
flu. Please help us to reinforce the proper techniques with your child.
1) Wet our hands
2) Soap our hands
3) Wash our hands
4) Rinse our hands
5) Dry our hands
6) Use paper towels to turn taps off.
STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region)
STOPR is providing bus transportation services for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board. The STOPR website address is
www.stopr.ca. This website pr ovides access
to up to date information regarding delayed
buses and bus cancellations due to inclement
weather. To check for eligibility for transportation, please access the following website:
businfo.stopr.ca.
STOPR Telephone Contact Information: 905-890-6000
Bus Driver Appreciation
Bus Driver Appreciation Day is Friday October 23rd, 2015. We celebrate and appreciate
all of our bus drivers and
we thank them for their
hard work. If you see a
bus driver, be sure to say
thank you.
School Bus Safety
The conduct of individual students on the bus directly affects the
safety of all the students on the bus. The driver’s attention needs
to be on the road. If students are misbehaving, this can distract the
driver.
We are requesting that all parents/guardians reinforce the School Bus Safety Rules with their child (ren).
All Students Should:
Be at the bus stop 5-10 minutes prior to their stop time. Never play close to the road. Be ready to board the bus by
waiting in an orderly line.
Board the bus in single file, use the handrail and sit down in their seat as quickly as possible.
Listen to the bus driver.
Always remain seated while the bus is moving.
Do not throw anything around the bus or out of the window.
Keep the aisles clear of all objects (back packs, lunches, books etc.)
Do not shout or cause any other unnecessary noises. Be especially quiet at railway
crossings.
Never put any part of your body out an open window.
Be sure to look all ways before crossing the road.
Do not damage the bus in any way.
Do not throw garbage on the floor.
Do not consume any food or drink on the bus.
If students fail to follow the bus safety rules, the following actions will be taken.
First Offence – child is warned by administration with a phone call home
Second Offence – parents will be notified in writing and/or a telephone call.
Third Offence – student may lose bus privilege.
Courtesy Seats
We continue to review all the requests for Courtesy Seats and will be contacting all parents as soon as possible to inform them if, and when we are able to accommodate their requests. We are not always able to accommodate all of the
requests. We are encouraging all students to walk to and from school with a friend. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Kiss and Ride
Please follow these guidelines when using the Kiss and Ride Program at St. Bernard of
Clairvaux School.
The Do’s:

Children are to be dropped off or picked up, using the drop off lane between the hours of 8:30 - 8:45 am and
3:15 – 3:30 pm. Due to the high volume of cars, and dependent on weather conditions, please consider arriving
early.

As cars enter the school driveway, please proceed in a slow and cautious manner, around the perimeter of our
parking lot. The drop off and pick up lane is directly in front of the kindergarten yard. Students are not
dropped off or picked up in front of the school. This lane is r eser ved for buses only.

Please drive up to the very top of the kiss and ride lane to drop off and pick
up your children to facilitate a steady flow of traffic.

Children are to exit the car in a safe and careful manner, with their backpacks
ready to avoid a long wait time in the drop off lane. Children are to exit the
vehicle on the right side of the car, onto the landing, for safety purposes
and proceed to the school yard.

Cars are to exit the driveway in a slow and cautious manner and must turn
right in order to ease the flow of traffic.

Cars may park in the parking lot in available spaces only.
The Dont’s:

Cars are not to enter the Kiss and Ride drop-off lane with any speed-they must proceed in a very slow and cautious manner.

Do not park or leave your vehicle unattended in the Kiss and Ride Lanes.

Cars are not to stop at the turn point of the driveway and let children out-this is a very dangerous and unsafe
practice. It also causes a back log of cars.

Please do not attempt to move into the drop-off lane from the drive thru lane.

Under no circumstances ar e car s to access the bus lane or par k in the bus lane; if you need to enter the
school, please use the parking lot.
We thank you for continued support in making our kiss and ride a safe and effective process.
Mental Illness Awareness Week
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) carries on where Mental Health Week leaves off by
focusing attention on mental disorders: signs and symptoms, how to get help, stigma, hope
and recovery, and the impact of mental illness on lives, families, workplaces and society. MIAW was initially spearheaded by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and is now an education project of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, a national fifteenmember alliance of organizations representing the entire mental health-illness continuum.
Mental Illness Awareness Week is always the first full week of October. October 10th, 2015
is World Mental Health Day. (https://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/events/awarenessweeks)
Allergies/Anaphylactic Shock
St. Bernard of Clairvaux is an allergen aware school. We have a number of students in our school who have severe allergic life threatening r eactions to peanuts, peanut butter , peanut oils, any peanut/nut by-products and dairy products. As in the past, we are asking you to not put any child at risk, therefore, are
requesting that PEANUTS, PEANUT BUTTER, PEANUT OILS, ANY PEANUT/NUT BY-PRODUCTS NOT BE
BROUGHT INTO THE SCHOOL. WE ASK THAT YOU READ THE
LABELS OF ALL FOOD ITEMS SENT TO SCHOOL. A letter was sent home in September which
addressed this issue for each particular class. We are asking parents not to send food items to school when celebrating
your child’s birthday since there are many alternatives such as
pencils, stickers, etc. We thank you for your continued understanding.
Storage/Administration of Medication
Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medication and forms are updated annually. If your child requires medication please have all pertinent forms completed and returned with the medication to the office as soon as possible. A reminder that children are not allowed to keep any medication in their desk, backpack or classroom (with the exception of
an epi-pen if allergies are severe). All dispensing of medication requires medical permission and must be stored in the
office.
Our School Website
Student Illness
We have updated our website. This site will be continually
updated and has information for parents regarding school calendar information, newsletters and school updates. Visit
www.dpcdsb.org and link onto the Elementary site at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Elementary School @ www.dpcdsb.org/
BRND. A special thank you to Mrs. Marano for overseeing this
site.
Students who are ill should be
kept home where they are most
comfortable and can get better,
sooner. A child who is too ill to
go out for recess is too ill to be at
school. Your co-operation to keep your child home
when he/she is ill is greatly appreciated.
Newsletter Distribution
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Newsletters are available on the
School Website. Newsletters are posted by the first Friday of
the month. Help us reduce our carbon footprint by accessing the
newsletter online rather than requiring a paper copy. We will
be forwarding communication (ie. Newsletters, letters, etc.)
to parents/guardians via email. Communication via email
will be sent to households that have provided us with their
email addresses and have completed the Canada’s Anti-Spam
Legislation (CASL) Consent Form. If you have not provided
the office with your email address and would like to receive
school information via email, please contact the main office
to be added to the distribution list.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux is on
TWITTER
Follow us @StBernardDPCDSB
You can also follow us on Twitter at
@DPCDSBSchools
Progress Reports
EQAO
As per Ministry of Education guidelines, students in
Grades 1-8 will receive progress reports on November
17th, 2015. Interviews for students requiring them, will
take place on Thursday November 19th, 2015.
The 2014/2015 EQAO results for St. Bernard of Clairvaux
School will not be available until mid November.
It is important to keep in mind that these results are a snapshot of student achievement, and must be considered along
with a variety of assessments which occur in the classroom.
Individual student results will be sent home, with your
child(ren).
Emergency Procedures
Each and every school within Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is required to have a fire emergency and
evacuation plan. We are required under Board Policy to have three practice “Fire Drills” during the first term. The
classroom teachers have and will continue to review these procedures with their students. We are also required to review “Hold and Secure” and practice “Lockdown” and “Shelter in Place” procedures. We will continue practicing
these drills throughout the school year. Teachers will be assuring their children that this is strictly a practice. Please be
assured that we always have the safety of our children as our first concern.
Emergency Evacuation Plan
In the unforeseen event that we should have an emergency at our school, we will evacuate to:
St. Faustina
St. Sebastian
3420 McDowell Dr
3460 Aquinas Ave
Mississauga, Ontario
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 6R7
L5M 7L2
Safety regulations and Board Policy require us to have this contingency plan in place.
Picture Day
Picture day was Tuesday September 29th, 2015. If your child was absent, they will be able to have
their photo taken on retake day. Retakes are scheduled for Thursday November 5th, 2015.
We Need You!! Volunteers
Interested in volunteering at St. Bernard of Clairvaux School? Volunteers
support programs and activities at the school. We appreciate and rely on parents who can devote a small portion of their time to help. You may pick up a
volunteer form and a Criminal Reference Check Form at the school office. People who volunteer in schools and attend tr ips ar e r equir ed to
have completed Criminal Reference Checks, which can be picked up from
our school office and taken to Police Headquarters listed on the form. Once
the form is completed, your volunteer service can begin. We look forward to
working with you for the betterment of all students.
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. The online reporting tool
link will be posted to our website and will be live at the end of March.
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.
Terry Fox
On Wednesday September 30th, our school ran to honour Terry Fox. Staff and students from Kindergarten to Grade 8
wore red and white to celebrate the accomplishments and spirit of our Canadian hero. When Terry Fox was eighteen
years old, he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg and so he had to get his leg amputated and replaced with
a prosthetic leg. He ran an amazing 3, 339 miles to raise money for cancer research. He
started his run in Newfoundland and sadly ended his attempt to run across Canada
when he reached Thunder Bay because the cancer had spread to his lungs. Terry Fox
passed away on June 28th, 1981. We will never forget this amazing hero who showed
love and empathy for people with cancer. This year we raised $3052.55 for the Terry
Fox Run!! All money raised is sent to the Canadian Cancer Society. The money is used
for research to find a cure for cancer because as Terry Fox said, “Somewhere the hurting must stop.” Thank you to ever yone who contr ibuted to our Ter r y Fox Run
this year.
Homework Help
Homework Help is a free online Math help resource for students in Grades 7-10 in Ontario.
‘Homework Help’ provides free, live one-on-one tutoring from Ontario-certified teachers Sunday to Thursday, from
5:30 pm—9:30 pm ET. It is funded by the Ontario government and administered by TVOs Independent Learning Centre. Gr. 7 & 8 teachers will be registering their students online for this Math support. Please speak to your child’s
teacher if you have any questions regarding this support.
United Way/Share Life
Our staff has contributed to the United Way/
ShareLife Campaign. The funds will allow staff to dress down on Fridays. We are
very pleased to be participating in such a worthy cause.
Kidssentials the Catering Service for Kids Serves Food Fresh at Lunchtime
Kidssentials is very different from other companies. They serve food fresh onsite and they don’t pre-package anything
that will get soggy or mushy. 100% Nut Free facilities and products - menus always include allergen-free entrées
(gluten, soy, egg, sesame, seafood, and dairy free) including vegetarian options, healthy snacks and beverages.
Tired of making lunches, but still want your child to r eceive a fr esh, nutr itious, delicious, and affor dable homestyle meal? Take a break from packing lunch by ordering Kidssentials. For more information about Kidssentials meals
and any allergy related inquiries please contact Kidssentials directly. 905.855.1914 / mail@kidssentials.com /
www.kidssentials.com
All students are invited to wear or bring their costumes to school on Friday October 30th or wear black and orange. Just a reminder that all costumes must be safe
and appropriate. Please remember that guns, swords or weapons of any kind are
not permitted at school on this day. Also, due to safety reasons, students are not
allowed to wear full masks to school. We are having a school dance in which all
students will have an opportunity to attend. We thank our Catholic School Council for organizing this event for our students. More details with be forthcoming.
This year we will also be collecting Halloween candy for Dr. Simone. Please encourage your child to sort the candy
and donate some to this wonderful cause. More information to follow.
Junior Intermediate Choir
The Junior Intermediate Choir is open to students from Grade 4 to 8. This ensemble rehearses each Tuesday and Thursday during lunch recess from 12:09 until
12:49 under the direction of Mrs. Boles and Mrs. Roda-Zaffino. Training in choral
singing is provided, which can also benefit students who take private music lessons
outside the school to further develop ear-training skills. The choir participates in
competitions and community events throughout the school year. In addition to
these events, the Junior Intermediate Choir will sing for many liturgical celebrations and sacraments. Please encourage your child to raise a voice and be part of
the Junior Intermediate Choir in the 2015-2016 school year!
Pupil Accommodation Review Policy Public Consultation
The Ministry of Education released the new Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline (PARG) in March 2015. This
guideline sets expectations for all school boards on managing and reviewing underutilized school space, including potential school closures, and for the greater coordination and sharing of planning related information between school
boards and other community partners.
The guideline requires all school boards in the province to develop or revise Pupil Accommodation Review Policies
and to invite public input into the policy before it is finalized.
A survey to collect feedback on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s draft amended Policy 6.51 Pupil
Accommodation Review will be available for review and comment on the Board’s website at www.dpcdsb.org until
4:30 pm on Friday, October 16, 2015. Supporting documents will also be available for reference and review. Please
consider reviewing and providing input on this policy.
Student Monitors
We are presently looking for parents who may be interested in taking on the role of Student
Monitors. Although the full time positions are presently filled we are looking for individuals who would be interested
to fill in when there is a need due to illness or vacations. The job description in posted below please contact the office if
you are interested.
DUTIES OF THE STUDENT MONITOR: Under the super vision of the Pr incipal or designate, the Student
Monitor will: Carry out supervision duties assigned by the Principal; Ensure that all reasonable safety procedures are
carried out in activities for which the Student Monitor is responsible Co-operate with the Principal and teachers to
maintain consistent disciplinary practices in the school.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT MONITOR:
Be aware of the school rules;
Be prompt in reporting for supervision assignments;
Become informed of specific medical/behavioural situations pertaining to students supervised
Be aware of the school emergency plans;
Notify the teacher on duty when a problem arises.
Personal Electronic Devices on Board Premises and/or Board Sanctioned
Events for Educational Purposes
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board acknowledges the value of the use of
technology for learning. Students are permitted to register and use personal electronic devices (PEDs) on board premises and/or board sanctioned events for educational purposes,
under the direction of staff and only with parent/guardian permission (GF 066, Network
User Application and Agreement). Students may register their PED for the purpose of connecting to the board wireless
network. Students are required to adhere to the student “Personal Electronic Device Used with WI-FI Network Student
Agreement” and the “Network User Application and Agreement.” Please be advised that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board will not be responsible for any cost incurred through the use of personal data plans.
PEDs are to be used responsibly and should not interfere with learning; their use must comply with the Catholic Code of
Conduct, board policies and procedures. Any personal communications (i.e., phone calls, text messages, etc.) will continue to be directed through the main office. Failur e to comply with these guidelines may r esult in a loss of PED
privileges and/or any other consequences deemed necessary by school administration. The
school principal may authorize limited acceptable uses of personal electronic devices during
school-sanctioned activities for a specific designated purpose outside of instructional spaces
and/or in common areas.
Students are responsible for the safety and security of PEDs at all times and the Board
assumes no responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen devices.
Sports Alive and Well: GO BEARS!!!
Junior Boys and Girls Volleyball
Our junior boys and girls volleyball teams have been chosen and the season is well underway. The teams are working really hard in practice. They are working on their
skills and enjoying being part of a team. The teams will be participating in the Mississauga North Family Meet at St. Aloysius Gonzaga on Thursday October 15th, 2015. A big thank you
goes out to our students and their coaches. We wish them luck. Go Bears!!!
Cross Country
Fall has arrived and so has Cross-Country r unning at St. Ber nar d of Clair vaux. Students
have been training hard for the past few weeks and on Thursday, October 8th, 2015, the boys
and girls will be participating in the Mississauga North Family Meet on at Erindale Park. Those
runners who qualify will participate in the Board Cross-Country Meet at Centennial Park in Etobicoke on Monday
October 26th,2015. Thank you to the coaches, Miss Woods, Mme. Fabbri, and Mrs. Ariganello
Eco-School Update
Environmental Message
As we begin a new school year, we continue to have the opportunity to be apart of a successful
Ontario Eco-School Club. In 2014-2015 school year, we attained a Silver medal standing in Ontario and last year we attained a GOLD MEDAL. We are continuing to strive toward maintain a goal
of a Gold medal. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
In order to minimize our ecological footprint, St. Bernard of Clairvaux will continue to encourage our students to have
Waste-free Wednesdays, where students bring in snacks and lunches that are packed in reusable containers instead of
containing any disposable waste (For example: plastic bags, wrappers, saran wrap etc.)
Tips For An Eco-Friendly Back to School
Reusable Water Bottles: Avoid all of the wasteful plastic and pollution that is cr eated from single use plastic water bottles. The tap water in our schools is safe, tasy and
free! Help us turn our throw-away culture into a culture of conservation.
Active and Safe Routes to School: It is encour aged that if you live close enough, and ar e able to, consider walking
with your child to school or allowing your child to ride a bike to and from school by following the Walk to School
Route signs posted in the neighborhood. This will encourage a healthy and active living for all.
Paper Usage: Consider implementing a GOOS (Good On One Side) bin in your home to ensur e that paper is
used on both sides. Check notebooks from last year to see if they contain empty pages and can be used again.
Idle Free Zone: If you will be dr iving your child to and fr om school, please keep in mind that idling car s ar e
harmful to the lungs of our students and our planet. Please turn off your car while waiting. Help us keep our air clean.
We will keep you informed over the course of the year as initiatives are being implemented and update you on our progress.
The Staff of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
We would like to take this opportunity to present to you, the staff of St. Bernard of Clairvaux School for the
2015/2015 school year.
Intermediate Division
Gr. 8 Mr. J. Kostoff Gr. 8 Mr. E. Gegeny
Gr. 7 Miss N. Shamon Gr. 7 Mrs. C. O’Neill
Gr. 7 Mrs. S. Mooney
Junior Division
Gr. 6 Mr. M. Le Brun Gr. 6 Mr. W. Hannah
Gr. 5 Miss L. Woods Gr. 5 Mr. D. Salerno
Gr. 5 Mrs. C. Gaspar Gr. 4 Mrs. A. Boles
Gr. 4 Mrs. R. Tomas-Zahhar Gr. 4 Mrs. L. Vitale
Primary Division
Gr. 3 Mrs. J. Anisko-Clutton Gr. 3 Mrs. D. Putzu
Gr. 3 Mrs. K. Guimaraes Gr. 3 Mrs. J. Medeiros
Gr. 2/3 Mr. W. Manne Gr. 2/3 Mrs. S. DeMedeiros
Gr. 2 Mrs. A. Montis Gr. 2 Mrs. C. Matos
Gr. ½ Mrs. L. Childerhose Gr. 1 Mrs. J. Craig
Gr. 1 Mrs. C. Roda-Zaffino Gr. 1 Mrs S. Brown
Kindergarten
Teachers D.E.C.E.
Mrs. F. Castelo Ms. S. Caruso
Mrs. A. Mauricette-Skyers Mrs. N. Trudeau
Mrs. C. Macri Ms. L. Lin
Mrs. R. McGrath Mrs. M. Daminato
Mrs. J Szafer
Special Education Teachers
Mr. P. Caetano Miss D. Brow
Ms. C. O’Gorman Mr. M. Dietz
ESL
Mrs. C. Androulakis
Planning Time Teachers
Mrs. M. Gibson Mrs. K. Sylvestre
Mrs. B. Ariganello Mrs. J. Antezza
Library
Mrs. T. Marano
FSL
Mrs. S. Fabbri Mrs. L. Cosentino Miss S. Molinaro
Educational Resource Workers
Mrs. L. Maguire Mrs. M. Frackowiak
Ms. C. Ager-Smyth Ms. B. Penaloza
Miss. R. Groesbeek Ms. K. Rose
Miss. S. Izidoro Mrs. A. Jones
Secretary
Mrs. P. Keenan, Mrs. C. Stott, and Mrs. A Didio-Coletta
Custodians
Mr. M. Calvan, Mr. Z. Reyes and Mr. M Mayuyu
St Bernard of Clairvaux
School
Principal: B. Pullar a
Vice-Principal:
N. Podobnik
Secretaries: P. Keenan,
C. Stott, A. Didio-Coletta
Parish Corner
St. Josephine Bakhita
Parish: Temporarily
located at St. Joan of Arc
S. School
3801 Thomas St.
Pastor– Father Mark
Villaneuva
289-997-2105
Trustee
E. O’Toole
905-812-5163
Dufferin-Peel CDSB
Personnel
Director of Education:
J. Kostoff
905-890-1221
Associate Director,
Instructional Services
S. McWatters
905-890-1221
Associate Director,
Corporate Services,
Chief Financial Officer
& Treasurer
John Hrajnik
905-890-1221
Superintendent:
T. Cruz
905-890-1221
YMCA
Coordinator:
Rashida Hercules
647-267-2400
Catholic School Council
Lamontagne Chocolate Fundraising Campaign
On Thursday, October 1, 2015, we officially launched our 2015/2016 Lamontagne Chocolate
Fundraising Campaign! Our goal is to raise $12,000 to use towards the purchase of resources –
including technology – to continue to support all of our students. Thanks to the generous donations of many families who participated in our opt-out program, we are off to a very good start.
This year’s campaign will run from October 1st until October 14th. For every donation received
before October 1st, and every box sold by October 14th, a ballot will be entered into a draw for the
chance to win one of the top three prizes:
First Prize:
32-inch Samsung Smart TV
Second Prize:
$100 gift card to Playdium
Third Prize:
$75 gift card for Best Buy
Plus we will have draws for Chapters gift cards, iTunes gift cards and
Cineplex movie passes.
There are also other fun prizes to be won – be sure to ask your child(ren) what they saw offered
during our kick-off assembly held on October 1st.
We will continue to update you about the campaign as more information becomes available. In the
meantime, your Catholic School Council thanks you for your continued support.
Weekly Pizza Days and Sub Sandwich Days
The response to our pizza and subway programs has been overwhelming. Thank you to everyone
who submitted both orders and payments by our October 1 st deadline. Our first Subway Day will
take place on Tuesday, October 6th and our first Pizza Day will take
place on Wednesday, October 7th.
Many thanks to the parents, guardians and grandparents who volunteered their time to help with both programs. A member of Council will contact
you via email in the near future with additional details.
Criminal Reference Checks vs. Declarations
Please be reminded that if you wish to volunteer at the school or class field trips you need a valid
Criminal Reference Check. The process to do so is very simple. Complete the application form
that is available in our school office. Take the completed form, along with two pieces of government issued identification (e.g. drivers license, SIN card, birth certificate, citizenship card etc) to
one of the locations listed on the reverse of the form. Once there an officer will photocopy your
drivers license (or other applicable identification) and send you on your way. The results will be
mailed directly to you, after which time you are asked to bring it to the school where a photocopy
will be kept on file. (The original is yours to keep.) Please note that our school does not accept
declarations. If you have a declaration on file at the school you will need to complete the CRC
process.
As always, we are grateful for the time our parents dedicate to our school community. Your support is invaluable!
Catholic School Council Meeting
Our next Catholic School Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October
7th, 2015 at 7:00pm in the school library. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend. We
hope to see you there!
Halloween in a Catholic School?
History
Many of today’s Halloween traditions go back to the time of the Celtic people. They lived in Britain and Northern Europe more than 2000 years ago. The Celtic year began in what we call late Autumn but their calendar had only two season, winter, which started in November and lasted until April, and summer which started May 1 and ended October 31.
This calendar was based on the needs of the farming community.
On October 31, their New Year’s Eve, the Celtic herdskeepers would gather together with the rest of the community
and their priests, called Druids, to honour their chief god. He was called Samhain, Lord of the Dead. This day was
used to tell stories of the dead and to eat and drink with the community.
The Celts believed that the spirit world became active and more alive at the time when the natural world of plants was
withering and dying. So all the spirits of the people who had died in the past year were believed to be wandering outdoors while the people were safe in their homes. To keep themselves safe they put candles in their windows, hence the
use of turnip lanterns or pumpkins in the Halloween tradition. The Celtic people also thought it was wise to share their
feast on this day so they put out little gifts of food and drink on their doorsteps; that way the wandering spirits would
treat them kindly. The children who go out in costumes today would be acting as these wandering spirits asking for a
trick or a treat.
Christian Response
During the early years of Christianity the church leaders found it was best to add their religious ideas onto earlier beliefs rather than trying to stop old practices. Instead of trying to stop the Celtic Hallowe’en they first, in 837, proclaimed November 1 to be All Saints and All Souls Day and in 998 separated the days, making November 2 All Souls
Day. They borrowed the idea of respecting the spirits at this time of year.
The early Church recognized that Hallowe’en had become a cultural expression of society and not a religious event.
The history of Hallowe’en which was a primitive expression of religion, was not the worship of evil spirits or the Black
Arts. Rather it was an expression of the people of the time just as Native Indian religions in Canada were an expression
of their reality. The Church realized that Hallowe’en was not a religious expression anymore as people were not worshiping the god of the Celts nor were they using the sacred chants or gathering rituals; it had become a cultural festival.
Rather than outlaw the festival, the Church selected All Souls and All Saints Day celebrated on two separate days.
These days celebrated the people’s respect for their dead and those who were living Christian lives, rather than remove
the cultural expression of Hallowe’en, which had become an empty religious event, and thus a cultural celebration.
Implications for School
Certainly the Church would oppose any participation in Black Magic or any of the Satanic Arts, but this is not what
Hallowe’en celebrates. Its origin was a primitive faith and Vatican II recognized and respected primitive expressions of
faith. Hallowe’en should be considered a cultural ritual in which to participate just as August 8 is often a cultural holiday in some parts of Canada, called Crayfish Day, or the Spring Equinox that is celebrated in parts of Europe.
Hallowe’en in today’s culture, among children, is rarely a celebration of the Celtic religion. Children today often dress
in costumes that reflect the heroes of the culture, (ghostbusters, Batman, etc.) While some will claim that Hallowe’en is
a threat to Christianity, clearly the Church did not when they established All Saints and All Souls Day and allowed Hallowe’en to remain as a cultural festival. In the same way, Father’s Day in June is a cultural event and does not take
away from our understanding of God as Father.
Halloween Safety Tips
Wear a bright coloured, flame resistant costume. Use reflective tape strips on front and back so you can
be seen in the dark.
Wear a short costume so you will not trip. No bike riding – your costume might get caught in the spokes.
Masks are not recommended if you must wear one, wear one with large eye holes so you can see clearly.
Non-toxic make up is better.
Carry a flashlight so you can see in the dark and be seen better by passing motorists.
Never Trick-or-Treat alone; always travel in groups, preferably three or more people.
Younger children should trick-or treat while it is still light out with older children or an adult.
Tell your parents your route and when you will be home.
Stay away from houses that are not well lit. Never go in side a stranger’s house.
Do not take short-cuts through backyards, alleys, or parks.
Trick-or-Treat on one side of the street, then the other. Walk on sidewalks, not the street.
Cross only at street corners: look in all directions before crossing; obey all traffic lights and walk, don’t
run, across the street.
Never criss-cross the street or cross between parked cars.
Have a snack or meal before going out. Do not eat any of your treats until you get home. Then have an
adult look through them to make sure they are okay.
Discard all candies which are not wrapped or whose wrapping appears to have been opened or punctured.
Look for Block Parent homes or emergency service vehicles along your route. If you are in trouble, they
are there to help.
While enjoying the festivities keep animal safety in mind by leaving pets at home. Dogs might find costumes scary. A frightened dog can be unpredictable and bite or run away.
Keep candy in a safe place so that dogs and cats can’t get it. Dark chocolate can be especially harmful.
Wrappers, if swallowed, can be almost as harmful as the candy.
Have A Frightfully Good Halloween!!