299 Landsbridge Street
Bolton, Ontario
L7E 2K4
Phone (905) 951-8788
Fax (905) 951-8798
October 2015
Principal: K. Barton
Vice Principal: F. Troiani
PRAYER FOR THE SEASON
OF THANKSGIVING!
Secretaries: L. Grant and
G. Odoardi
SERVING OUR
Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love,
please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this
time of giving thanks.
COMMUNITY
SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS
L. Storey
905-890-1221
TRUSTEE
F. DiCosola
905-951-8898
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH
Fr. L. Leger and Fr. D.
Thank you for all the graces and blessings.You have bestowed upon us,
spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and
shelter, our health, the loves we have for one another, our family and
friends.
Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces
and blessing throughout the coming year.
Gikonyo
This we ask in the Name of Jesus,Your Son and our Brother. Amen.
905-857-1938
ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH: EMPATHY
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Judge your neighbours feelings by your own, and in every matter, be thoughtful. (Sir 31: 15)
Chair: Monique Cardinale
Co-chair: Linda Triola
During the month of October we will focus on the virtue of EMPATHY.
An empathetic person...
Please visit our
website at:
www.dpcdsb.org/JBAPT
Follow us on Twitter

listens when people speak

notices when someone is upset and tries to help

can name her-his feelings

can see a situation from another persons point of view

accepts that others have different perspectives

Our next Virtues assembly is scheduled for Thursday, October 22nd at 1:35 p.m.
Page 2
Volunteer All Star Reading Coaches
The All Star Reading Program provides opportunities for students to develop and to enhance
their reading and thinking skills. The students, who have previously participated in the program, have achieved very positive results. We really need volunteers to be All Star Reading
Coaches. This entails a half-day training session and then an hour to two hours per week
commitment for ten weeks. We are beginning our first week on October 26. We look forward
to working with you to support our students’ reading. Please complete the form attached and
return it to the school if you are interested in volunteering as an All Star Reading coach.
Please contact Ms. Cecchetto if you have any further questions. **Please complete the attached form if interested.**
St. john the Baptist
Book fair is coming!!!!!
Many of our parents and students were asking about our BOOK FAIR at the school’s open house.
This year’s book fair will be taking place the week of February 1 - 5 , 2016. As always, the BOOK
FAIR will offer a variety of books for students of all ages. More information will be coming your way!!
COMING FEBRUARY 1 - 5, 2016
STORAGE OF MEDICATION
Please be advised, our school medication policy is that ALL medication including Aspirin, (all headache medication) benadryl,
puffers etc, needs to be administered by the student and kept in the office for safety reasons. We are required to fill out a
log with this information, so it is important that you discuss with your child to come to the office for this purpose. For
puffers, students can have one in their school bag, but must also have one in the office for us to access in an emergency. A
Board form needs to be filled out if your child uses a puffer or any other medication. You can obtain this form from the office.
Please be advised we do not have the facilities to store medication, like antibiotics in a fridge, and parents must make arrangements for themselves/family member to bring the medication to school when it needs to be administered . It only makes sense
that if a student is having trouble breathing or is in pain, as the Principal, I want to know that this is happening for the safety of
your children. Should you have any questions, please speak to myself or Mr. Troiani, the Vice Principal.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
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
Page 3
TERRY FOX EVENT
Our school Terry Fox charity event was
a huge success on Thursday, September, 17th. Student awareness of the
work of the Terry Fox Foundation was
heightened and our school raised money that will be forwarded to the Terry
Fox Foundation. The exact total collected will be reported in next month’s
newsletter. Sincere thanks are extended
to Mrs. O’Donnell, Mrs. Rosa, and Mrs.
Clemenzi for their assistance with this
event and to all the students, parents
and staff who contributed to the fund
raising effort.
SCHOOL MASSES
We will continue celebrating two masses
this year at the times listed below. All are
invited to join:
9 a.m. for the following classes: Zambito,
Cocco, Quarato, Russo, Broichhagen, Richards,
Morizio, Rosa, Rago, McCaffrey, Viola, Franco,
Ough
10:20 a.m. for the following classes: Locantore, Zeni, Vassallo, O’Donnell, Donnelly, Pitcher, Campanelli, D’Onofrio, Lancia, Killman
Note: Kindergartens will not be attending mass until
December.
Need extra help in Grade 7 or 8 math?
Visit the Homework Help website for free help from Ontario certified teachers. On this
site, students have access to live chat rooms between the hours of 5:30-9:30 from Sunday
to Thursday and 24/7 resources such as videotaped lessons and interactive tutorials.
Homework Help is ideal for understanding homework, reviewing lessons, studying for
tests, and searching math topics.
Register today at https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/.
All you need to register is your student OEN number which is found on your report card.
If you have additional questions, please contact your classroom teacher.
ALLERGY ALERT!
As part of our ongoing efforts to provide a safe and healthy environment
for all of our students, parents are reminded to please not bring or send
any food items to school with your children for distribution to
other students. The most common examples of this situation are students bringing food for class events or parties or for birthday events.
Please keep these activities for “at home” occasions. Students may bring in
pencils, stickers, etc. Thank you for your cooperation!
St. John the Baptist is now on Twitter!
* Follow us on Twitter @JBAPT_DPCDSB for
school information, events, and all the great things
happening in and around the school.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Picture Retake Day is Coming!
Mark your Calendar for our School Picture Retake Day
on:
October 29, 2015
St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School will be participating in Operation Christmas Child again this year, supporting
those less fortunate. We ask that you begin looking for items to
put into the boxes. More information will be coming home
soon.
Thank you in advance for your support and generosity!!
Page 4
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
St. John the Baptist’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is now running. Please send in nonperishable food items (breakfast items, juice, children’s school snacks, etc.) with your
son/daughter or visit our school lobby to drop items off. Our final day of collection will be on
October 5th. All donations will be given to Caledon Community Services.
Thank you for your continued support in assisting those in need!
Enrichment Testing
Challenge testing for all grades 4 students will take
place the week of October 26, 2015. If you would like
additional information on this test, please contact Mrs.
Marchi.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS TO PARENTS
NO DOGS on school property
Just a reminder to parents that we have many
students who have allergies to dogs at the
school. We also have students who are scared of
dogs. Dogs are NOT allowed on school property. If you are walking with your dog in the morning, you must remain on the path at the park, which is not on
school property. Thank you for your assistance.
Kindergarten Gate Drop off in the Morning
Parents, please do not block the gate access into the kinder
yard. Young students get scared to enter the gate when they see
crowds of parents blocking the path. Please have your child go
through the gate, and then all parents must move to the long side of
the fence closest to the park. Parents are not allowed inside the
gated area. Please do not stand by the fence side near the
gate. Thank you for your cooperation.
LUNCH DELIVERIES
When delivering your child’s lunch to school, please
advise your child in advance that you will be doing so
and write his/her name and the teacher’s name on
the bag. A table to accommodate these lunches has
been set-up in the front foyer of the school. We ask
for all parents to leave the lunch on the lunch table.
Lunches must be dropped of by 11:45. Fast food
lunches such as McDonalds and Tim Hortons are not
compliant with our Peanut/Nut-Free Policy. Please
do not send McDonalds and Tim Hortons lunches to
school. Thank you.
For security reasons, please do not gather and
wait inside the front vestibule as you wait for
your child to pick up their lunch.
GOING HOME FOR LUNCH
Students going home for lunch leave by the back
door of the school. Parents can meet their child at
the black fence.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
TUTORS
Please be advised that the school policy is that information about your child is ONLY shared directly
Parents at Recess
from the teacher to the parent. We do not share
From time to time parents have been gathering by the fence near
the parking lot at recesses. Parents are reminded that they should personal or academic information with anyone outside of the custodial parents. Tutors are welcome
NOT be at the fence area during recesses or around the
to provide a list of questions to the parent to disschool property. This is permitted ONLY in the mornings for
cuss with the teacher. Please note that the school
drop off and at the end of the day. While your child knows you,
you are a STRANGER to everyone else. Your child needs time does not recommend one tutor or tutoring agency
to socialize and play with other children. If you have a concern
over another.
about your child’s socialization, please contact your child’s teacher.
OCTOBER 12TH IS
THANKSGIVING DAY
NO SCHOOL
Page 5
HALLOWEEN DANCE
NEIGHBOURHOOD HALLOWEEN SAFETY
Join us on Friday, October 30th for our student-led
HALLOWEEN DANCE!!
We will be accepting donations of $2.oo from all students,
grades JK - 8. A portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting Project Hope for the refugee crisis in Syria. More info
to follow...stay tuned!!
Please remind your children of safety guidelines for Halloween:
Costumes for Halloween
Students can wear their costumes on Friday, October 30. We ask that
your child come to school already dressed in their costume. Please
keep in mind that we are a Catholic school and students need to be
dressed appropriately even at Halloween. No masks or replica
weapons and knives are allowed.
KISS AND RIDE
Thank you to all our parents who are respectful of our Kiss and Ride and
of the parking signage. Caledon By Law Enforcement officers do regularly
enforce the signage both at school and on the roads near the school.
Do not PARK your cars in the Kiss and Ride lanes as this causes unnecessary traffic backlog. If you require more time, please park your car.
Please do not drop off your children in the drive through lane.
Students should exit from the right hand side of the car. It is dangerous to have students cross the drop off lane. Our number one concern
is the safety of our students. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
PICKING UP STUDENTS AT THE END OF THE DAY
Please be advised that parents must wait in their cars or at the back of
the school to pick up their children at the end of the day. Our Safe
Schools protocol does not allow parents to enter the school and wait
by the office until the bell. Thank you for your cooperation .
HEAD INJURY OR CONCUSSION OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
Parents/guardians are required to inform school administration in the
event of any serious injury to the head or concussion sustained outside of
school. Parents/guardians will then be provided with a form that ensures
the students have been seen by a doctor. Symptomatic students may require active supports and accommodations to return to school. Based on
medical documentation, the school team will review the impact of the
concussion on the student’s cognitive, physical and academic abilities. This
may require the development of a plan to facilitate returning to the classroom.
HEAD INJURY DURING SCHOOL POLICY
When a student receives an injury/bump to the head (however
minor), it is a Board Policy that we inform parents. A phone call
will be made to one of your contacts and a message will be left if
we are unable to reach you. It is up to the parents to either
pickup their child and assess them or send them back to class.
This is precautionary only and we ask that you check your child
when they get home for any signs of a concussion or illness.
1.
Do not wear a facemask, so your child will be able to see
clearly.
2.
Wear light coloured clothing, so drivers can see them.
3.
Carry a flashlight, so your child will be able to see on dark
streets.
4.
Go out with an adult or an older brother or sister if under
the age of 10.
5.
Stay away from cars, and friendly strangers in cars.
6.
Watch for cars, and look both ways when crossing the street.
7.
Wear costumes above the shoes so they will not trip.
8.
Do not eat treats until they are home, and parents have
checked the candy.
9.
Do not damage other people’s property
10. Start trick or treating early and be home by 8:30
PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS - “HEAD LICE”
As we enter the fall season, we would like to be
proactive in advising you that lice can often occur. It is
important at this time of year, to check your children regularly for lice, in order to help stop the spread within the
classroom and school. Individual classroom letters are sent
out with the students when an occurrence of lice is found.
Names of students are never given. Siblings are also given
a letter to help prevent the spread. If your child has “head
lice” please report this to the school secretary immediately
and please keep your child at home until all of the live lice
have disappeared. If there is another situation we should
be aware of, such as students who are in the same daycare, then please let us know, so letters can be sent to all
classrooms affected. In some cases a classroom check may
be required if there is more than one case of lice reported.
Lotions and shampoos containing 1% permethrin often
work well. They can be bought at the store without a prescription, see a pharmacist. If these do not work, a doctor
can give you a prescription for stronger medicine.
2015-16 School Year Calendar
First day of classes Elementary and Secondary schools
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
First Day of classes Semester 2 Secondary
Thursday, February 4, 2016
School Year ends Elementary and Secondary Schools
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Number of school days for the 2015-16 school year
194
Number of Instructional Days in Elementary Schools
188
Number of Instructional Days in Secondary Schools
188
Number of Professional Activity Days in Elementary Schools
6
Number of Professional Activity Days in Secondary Schools
6
School Holidays for the 2015-16 School Year
Every Saturday and Sunday
Labour Day - Monday, September 7, 2015
Thanksgiving Day - Monday, October 12, 2015
Christmas Break (inclusive) - Monday, December 21, 2015 to Friday, January 1, 2016
Family Day - Monday, February 15, 2016
Mid-Winter Break (inclusive) - Monday, March 14, 2016 to Friday, March 18, 2016
Good Friday - Friday, March 25, 2016
Easter Monday - Monday, March 28, 2016
Victoria Day - Monday, May 23, 2016
Professional Activity Days
Elementary Schools
1. Thursday, September 3, 2015 - Provincial Priorities in a Catholic context
2. Friday, September 18, 2015 - Principal’s Day: Re-organization/Faith Development
3. Monday, January 18, 2016 - Term 1 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress
4. Friday, February 5, 2016 - Reporting to Parents
5. Friday, May 13, 2016 - Provincial Priorities in a Catholic context
6. Monday, June 13, 2016 - Term 2 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress
Secondary Schools
1. Thursday, September 3, 2015 - Provincial Priorities in a Catholic context
2. Friday, September 18, 2015 - Provincial Priorities in a Catholic context
3. Wednesday, February 3, 2016 - Principal’s Day: Semester Turnaround
4. Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - *Principal’s Day: Year End Reporting and Activities
5. Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - *Principal’s Day: Year End Reporting and Activities
6. Thursday, June 30, 2016 - *Principal’s Day: Year End Reporting and Activities
*Semester and year end evaluations and school-wide promotion meetings; contact parents with summer school recommendations, OSR and report card
preparation; inventory management of books, equipment, learning materials; curriculum development for new course outlines; goal setting for the upcoming school year.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
ALL STAR READING COACHES
The All Star Reading Program provides opportunities for students to develop and to enhance their reading and thinking
skills. The students, who have previously participated in the program, have achieved very positive results. This term
we will implement the Program with our Grade 2’s. We really need volunteers to be All Star Reading Coaches. This
entails a half-day training session and then an hour to two hours per week commitment for ten weeks. We are beginning our first week on October 26, 2015. We look forward to working with you to support our students’ reading. Please
complete the form below and return it to the school if you are interested in volunteering as an All Star Reading coach.
Please contact Ms. Cecchetto if you have any further questions.
Please note:
All new coaches require training that will take place at the school. The date of the training will be forwarded to
you. If you were a coach in previous years you do not require training.
ALL STAR READING PROGRAM
I would like to volunteer to be an All Star Reading Coach.
Full Name:____________________________
Telephone Number: (Home)________________________
(Work) ________________________
Name of child(ren) in the school __________________________________
Days and Times you are available_________________________________
I am a new coach and require training
______
I have coached previously and do not require training
________
OCTOBER 2015
Sun
4
Mon
Tue
5 World Teacher’s Day
Wed
6
7 PIZZA DAY
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
8
9 Big Box of
10
Cards Fundraiser
goes home with
students.
11
12 HAPPY
THANKSGIVING
13 Rosary Apostolate 14 PIZZA DAY
15
16 Cross
Country
17
20
22 Virtues Assembly at 1:35
23 YFA Cere-
24
29 Picture Retake
Day
30
NO SCHOOL
18
25
19
26 CCAT Testing for
Gr. 4s Begins
21 PIZZA DAY
27 Immunizations
Gr. 7 (all) and Gr. 8
(girls only)
Big Box of Cards
Fundraiser ends.
Please return order
forms.
28 PIZZA DAY
mony at Holy
Fam. Church
10:00 a.m.
november 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4 Gr. 8s to St.
5
6
7
13
14
Michaels
Pizza Day
8
9 Math Challenge Day
10 Rosary Apostolate
11 Remembrance 12 Gr. 3’s to
Day Liturgy at
Crawford Lake
11:00
Pizza Day
15 Bullying
Awareness
Week
16 Wear Pink
Day in support
of Bullying Prevention
17 Progress Reports sent home
18 Pizza Day
19 Progress Re20
port Interviews
(teacher requests
only)
21
22
23
24
25 Pizza Day
26 Virtues Assembly at 1:35
28
School Council
Meeting at
7:00p.m.
27