299 Landsbridge Street
Bolton, Ontario
L7E 2K4
Phone (905) 951-8788
Fax (905) 951-8798
MARCH 2016
EASTER SEASON PRAYER
Principal: K. Barton
Vice Principal: F. Troiani
Secretaries: K. Badger &
V. Lombardi
Lord as we prepare to enter the Easter Season
SERVING OUR
We ask you to illumine our minds and hearts
COMMUNITY
With the hope and promise of Christ’s passion, death
and resurrection.
SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS
Give us eyes to see Him in the breaking of bread and
L. Storey
905-890-1221
Hearts that reach out to Him in service to one another.
TRUSTEE
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
F. DiCosola
905-951-8898
Amen.
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH
Rev. L. Leger and Fr. D.
Gikonyo
905-857-1938
ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Chair: M. Cardinale
905-951-8788
OUR VIRTUE FOR MARCH—KINDNESS
Please visit our
website at:
www.dpcdsb.org/JBAPT
In the month of March we will highlight the virtue of kindness. A kind person:
Follow us on TWITTER

Says nice things about others so they feel good about themselves
@JBAPT_DPCDSB

Sticks up for people who are picked on or need help

Refuses to join others who are insulting, intimidating, mean or hurtful

Watches and looks for ways to help those in need
THE NEXT VIRTUE ASSEMBLY WILL BE ON THUR. MARCH 10 2016 AT 1:35 P.M.
Page 2
CLASS LISTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2015
Staff will soon be meeting to organize class lists for September
2016. If there are any special learning needs your child has that
you feel we should know when making up classes, please do so
in writing to the pr incipal by April 30th. Letter s that list a
request for a specific teacher will not be considered. Please limit
comments to specific learning styles. Requests for your child
to be placed with a “friend” will not be considered. If you feel
your child has an ongoing conflict with another child, please
write us a letter and we will do our best to separate them. All
staff work hard to balance class lists by abilities, gender and
learning style. Please bear in mind that small primary classes
(max 20) often result in combined classes throughout the school.
These are a fact of life that children will have to experience
from time to time.
Requests for students not to be placed in a combined grade will
not be consider ed.
PLAN AHEAD . . .
We are in the process of planning staffing and organizing classes
for the 2016-2017 school year. If you are planning on moving
out of the St. John the Baptist area, or simply changing addresses within our boundaries, please let the office know as soon as
possible. Families with students who live outside of the school
area are reminded that they must apply through the Flex
Boundary policy to the Principal for permission to attend the
school in September 2016. Consideration will be based on the
following:

Attendance and punctuality

Consistent good behavior as deemed by the principal

Class sizes
DROPPING OFF CLOTHING AND HOMEWORK IN THE OFFICE
Parents please encourage your children to
remember to bring all their items to school
in the morning. Calling classrooms to remind students to pick up materials, causes
interruption to the class and lessons being taught and
the school does not have enough personnel to make
these calls.
Page 2
EQAO
EQAO for all grade three and grade six students
will take place for this year during the period starting May 25th to June 8th. We kindly ask that
parents refrain from booking appointments or holidays during this time. Parents may visit the
EQAO website at www.eqao.com for many resources and useful information regarding EQAO,
including sample tests from last year. More specific information will be coming shortly.
HAVE YOU BEEN RECEIVING OUR NEWSLETTERS???
There are still several parents who are not receiving the school’s newsletter and other notifications through email. Those parents are encouraged to come by the front office to sign up
to receive email notifications. Thank you for
your support!
Lenten Season
Our Liturgical Season of Lent is well underway and
continues until Easter weekend (March 25-28).
During our six week Lenten journey we recognize
and discuss with our students our human frailties
which causes us to sin. We prepare for the coming
of Easter through reflection, prayer and charity. We
respond to Jesus’ call for a “change of heart” by
becoming stronger in our will to say ‘yes’ to God
and ‘no’ to our selfishness. We look forward to our
Lenten journey together, a strengthened and renewed faith in God’s will.
The Grade 4 students in Mrs. Killman's class have worked to raise $1500 USD towards the Healing Classrooms Challenge hosted by Students Rebuild, Global Nomads Group, and the International Rescue Committee. Inspired by a student-led inquiry asking, "How can we change the world in
5 minutes a day?" students worked as a team to meet their goal of creating 500 pinwheels towards the challenge. Each pinwheel made would be
matched by the Bezos Family Foundation with a $2.50 donation towards "Healing Classrooms" for Syrian children refugees living in Iraq and Lebanon. Healing Classrooms trains teachers in special techniques to engage conflict-affected children with social-emotional learning opportunities and
to create secure, nurturing learning environments. This program helps children heal and learn during crisis. The Grade 4s have worked diligently
since September on their goal and surpassed it, creating 600 pinwheels in total. Congratulations Grade 4s! The pinwheels you created represent a
Call to Action and will work towards giving Syrian youth the peace and security that all children deserve.
Page 3
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
AS
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 are implementing the program with our grade one students. This entails a half day training session
and then an hour or two hours per week commitment for ten weeks. We look forward to working with you to
support our reading program. We really need volunteers to be All Star Reading Coaches. If you are interested in helping in this capacity, please return the form attached to our newsletter or pick up
one at our school office. Please contact Ms. Cecchetto if you have any questions regarding this program.
ANNUAL OFFENCE DECLARATION for VOLUNTEERS
In order to be a volunteer in a school setting (this includes going on field trips as a parent volunteer), a Criminal Reference Check is required. Please see the front office for the package. For
those parents/guardians who have completed a Criminal Reference Check, an Annual Offence
Declaration (AOD) must be completed on a yearly basis and returned to the school. If you have
not completed the AOD, please see the attachment at the end of this newsletter and return it to
the front office. If you are uncertain as to when you completed your reference check, please
contact the school for assistance. Thank you for your cooperation.
KISS N’ 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.
Greetings from the Eco Team,
Wow! February is already behind us and we would like to thank all of those people who have joined us in celebrating our special days: Winter Walk
Day and National Sweater Day. On Winter Walk Day, we had a lot of participation before and after school, but the best part was our Lunch Walk!
On sweater day, we sure were warm and cosy as we “toasted” the possibility of turning down the heat (in our homes) to save money and more
importantly energy! The WWF has great information on their website about why sweater day matters. In fact, you can make every winter day a
sweater day, just by turning down your thermostat by a couple of degrees. Nationally, the savings can be huge!
We look forward to two important events in March: The Great Gulp, which St. John the Baptist will join in on Thursday, March 24th, at 11:40 am;
and Earth Hour, celebrated at home on Saturday, March 19th from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, and at school, TBA. Look for our Twitter announcements!
Remember to follow us @JBAPT_DPCDSB
Page 4
ATTENDANCE AND LATES
Why is it important for my child to be in school
every day and on time?








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Parents and the school can work together to keep kids in
school. One of the most important first steps is for parents
to become aware of the dangers that school absenteeism
poses to a child’s success in school and later in life
When students miss school, they fall behind. When your
child comes home from school after an absence and tells
you they didn’t miss anything, remember, they were away
and can’t begin to know what they missed during the hours
the class was together.
Each school day a teacher presents new material and
builds on work given the previous day. When students
return from an absence they must catch up which can be
difficult for students who are not strong independent workers. Even strong students find it difficult to do their best
when there are gaps in their knowledge
Insist that the kids leave the house in time to arrive at
school at least five or ten minutes before the bell. The
time spent in the school yard before school is a transition
time that allows your child to reconnect with classmates
and to refocus on school issues. Lining up to enter the
school with the rest of class allows your child to become
part of the group and ease into the routines of school.
Arriving to school on time makes a difference. Your children learn the importance of punctuality from the example
you set.
The first few minutes in the classroom are critical. During
these minutes the teacher deals with important messages,
dates, and opening lessons.
As parents, you have many responsibilities toward your
child. One is the ensure your child is in school every day,
ready to learn. In fact, it is the law. The Provincial Education Act states that every child between the ages of 6 and
18 is required to attend school every day on time from
September to June. Consistent absences and lates are required to be referred to the school social worker.
The habit of non-attendance established in elementary
school typically continues into secondary school. By the
time your child is in high school, he or she will have more
independence and you will have less influence. Begin now
to set the standard that every school day is compulsory,
even on days your child is not ready for a test, or is tired.
Consider too, the messages you send about your own attitudes toward missing work or using sick days
If you are thinking of taking your child out of school for a
week or more, reconsider. Most children cannot afford to
miss a week or more of class work.
STAYING HEALTHY
Wash Your Hands Frequently: washing your hands is the
best way to stop germs from spreading.
Sneeze Into Your Elbow: don't cough or sneeze into your
bare hands; use a tissue or if none are available -- cough or
sneeze into your elbow
Stay Healthy: Eating healthy, be active and get lots of rest,
keeps your immune system strong.
WELCOME MRS. LOMBARDI!!!
The St. John the Baptist School community would
like to welcome Mrs. Lombardi, our new part-time
secretary. Kindly take the time to welcome her to
the school! The school looks forward to having her
as part of our staff.
MARCH BREAK 2016
There will be no school for students during the
week of March 14-18. School will resume on
Monday, March 21st.
EASTER WEEKEND
There will be no school for students on Good Friday, Friday, March 25 and on Easter Monday, Monday, March 28. School will resume on Tuesday,
March 29.
Page 5
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 1’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 March 28, 2016. 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
I have had a recent criminal reference check ______
I require a criminal reference check _______
_______
MARCH 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Gr. 4 to Cold
Creek
2 Pizza Day
3 Gr. 8s Drop off 4 See/Hear Clin.
Registration at St. Hockey Tourn.
Michael’s 3-5pm
H.Sch. Math Visit
&6-8pm
5
6
7
8 Rosary Apostolate 9 Immunizations for 10 Virtues Assembly 11
at 1:35
Int. Speech Compt. Gr. 7 students and
Gr. 8 girls / Pizza
12
13
14 MARCH
BREAK
15 MARCH
BREAK
16 MARCH
BREAK
17 MARCH
BREAK
18 MARCH
BREAK
19
20 PALM
SUNDAY
21
22
23 Pizza Day
24 Stations of the
Cross 1:00 (no
kinders)
25 Good Friday
26
HOLY WEEK
Leone Meats Fundraiser Begins
NO SCHOOL
Gr. 8 Grad Pics
27 EASTER
SUNDAY
28 Easter Monday
29
30 Pizza Day
31
NO SCHOOL
APRIL 2016
Sun
3
Mon
4
Tue
5 Virtues Assembly
at 1:35
Wed
6 Spring Photos
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Junior Speech
Compt.
2
7
8 Sharelife Hock- 9
ey Game at 1:00
14 Easter Mass at
9:00 and 10:20
15
16
Pizza Day
Parent Council at 7
10
11 P.A. DAY
NO SCHOOL
12 Rosary Apostolate
13 Pizza Day
Welcome to Kinder
Night 6:00pm
17
18
19 Dance Competi- 20 Pizza Day
tion @ Rose Theatre
21 Diversity Conference at St.
Mikes
22
23
24
25
26
28
29
30
27 Pizza Day
Read and Write Gold – Literacy Support Software for Home”
On Tuesday April 5th, 2016, the Dufferin-Peel Special Education Advisory Committee (S.E.A.C.) is inviting parents and
guardians of elementary and secondary students with diverse learning needs to attend a Parent Engagement Workshop: “Read and Write Gold – Literacy Support Software for Home.”
This event will take place at St. Marcellinus Secondary School, 730 Courtneypark Drive West, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The evening, presented with funding from the Ministry of Education’s Parent Reaching Out (P.R.O.) Grant, is intended
to provide a hands-on learning opportunity to discover how Texthelp’s Read and Write Gold software may provide reading, writing, studying, and research support within familiar applications (e.g. Word, Internet Explorer, Adobe Reader). A
light dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. and the learning session will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Please direct parents to RSVP via e-mail or by phone to Laura Conte at: laura.conte@dpcdsb.org (905) 890-0708 ext.
24011 by March 22, 2016