St. John of the Cross School
December 2015
3180 Aquitaine Avenue, Mississauga, ON L5N 3S5
Tel. 905-824-3058 Fax 905-824-4413
Website: www.dpcdsb.org/JCROS
December Newsletter
DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
A PRAYER FOR ADVENT
Lord God, we seek You in both the light and the
darkness, the silence and the sounds, the fullness
and the emptiness of this Advent season.
Fill our hearts with hope for Your coming, love
for those who are most in need, and faith in Your
promises.
May this time of preparation help us celebrate the
birth of Your Son with deep gratitude and abundant joy. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the
Light of the World.
Amen.
Christmas will soon be here!
The sights, sounds and smells of the season greet us each day as we
eagerly anticipate happy times with family and friends. During this holy
season of Advent, it is important that we take the time to prepare not
only our homes, but our hearts as well. Advent is a season of hope and
a time to remember that the birth of Jesus is central to the celebration.
Advent traditions such as the Advent wreath serve as visual reminders of
this time of waiting and preparing. The Advent wreath is a popular custom that originated in Germany hundreds of years ago. The wreath is
circular to remind us of the unending love of God for us. The evergreen
branches also remind us of this gift. The wreath was an ancient symbol of victory and symbolizes the glory of Christ’s birth. The candles remind us that we were waiting in darkness until Jesus, the Light of the World was born. During Advent we think about the many ways God comes
to be with us. At school, staff and students are preparing for the season with Advent wreaths,
liturgies, Christmas stories, artwork, letters to Santa, songs, plays and charitable assistance.
Throughout the school one can see the traditional symbols and customs which help the students to celebrate this special time of anticipation and preparation. As a school we will be
working with the students to involve them in developing the Christian ethic of giving, not just
receiving. It is our hope that as we join together as a community to worship together at our
Advent/Feast Day Mass and serve together through our “Angel on the Tree” project and food
drive, we will help our students experience the true meaning of the Christmas season. A joy
which comes from the satisfaction and pride associated with being in community with one another and giving to others. The emphasis on caring and sharing with those in need is in keeping
with the spirit of the first Christmas. On behalf of the staff of St. John of the Cross, I extend our
best wishes to you and your family during this holy season. We hope that you will be blessed
with the spirit and gifts of that first Christmas - Peace, Love and Goodwill toward all mankind.
D. Scardicchio
St. John of the Cross School
Catholic Community of Culture and Caring!!
Principal
Dear Parents/Guardian(s):
Secretary
Dufferin-Peel nourishes the growth of students through a learning environment
that is committed to developing the spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional,
social and physical capabilities of its students. Good health is connected to
being a symbol of God’s love and a precious gift from God, for a healthy body
is a way of praising God as we are created in the image of likeness of God. To
ignore the importance of good health and let it fall into disrepair would show a
lack of gratitude and respect for such a great gift.
D. Scardicchio
J. Gillis
School Council Chair
K.A. Santaguida
Dufferin-Peel CDSB
Personnel
Director of Education
J. Kostoff
905-890-1221
Associate Director
John Hrajnik 905-890-1221
Associate Director
S. McWatters 905-890-1221
T. Cruz
Superintendent
905-890-1221
E. O’Toole
Trustee
905-812-5163
Parish
St. John of the Cross Church
6890 Glen Erin Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 2E1
905-821-1331
905-858-8486 Fax
e-mail: stjohnofx@rogers.com
website: www.saintjohnofthecross.com
Pastoral Team
Fr. Joseph Kalluvila, O. Carm.
Fr. Felix Anthony, O. Carm.
Fr. Sebastian Joseph, O. Carm.
Kate Watkiss, Pastoral Associate
Mass Times
Weekends
Sat. 5:00 p.m.,
Sun. 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.,
12:00 & 4:00 p.m.
Weekdays
Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m., First Friday
only-no morning mass 7:00 p.m.
(at the Church)
The Ontario government is committed to making schools healthier places for
students in order to establish the conditions needed to realize the potential of
all students. A healthy school environment enhances student learning and success, and enhances students’ social and emotional well-being. Schools have
an important role to play in helping students lead healthier lives, including
teaching students the skills to make healthy choices and reinforcing those lessons through school practices.
The School Food and Beverage Policy contributes to improved education and
healthy outcomes for all students. The School Food and Beverage Policy constitutes a comprehensive approach to the sale of food and beverages in schools
province-wide. The implementation of this policy is another step in creating
healthier schools in Ontario. It also reinforces the knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding healthy eating that are developed through the various subjects
and disciplines in the Ontario curriculum. For further information on the
School Food and Beverage Policy, see Foundations for a Healthy School, at
www.ontario.ca/healthyschools .
As part of our school’s ongoing effort to promote healthy eating and to comply
with the Ministry of Education’s School Food and Beverage Policy, we have
been working with students, parents, and the staff to improve the nutritional
value of food and beverages for sale at our school. The availability of the milk
program everyday, on pizza days, pizza compliant with the Ministry Food and
Beverage policy is being served, along with the lunch program from Mr. Sub.
It is our hope that the continued sale of these items will make it easier for students to choose healthy food and beverages and will help them practise what
they learn in the classroom about healthy eating.
QSP FUNDRAISER
This year we are continuing to use QSP as one of our
Fundraisers. These make great Christmas gifts for students, family members and businesses. All orders are
to be done on-line: www.qsp.ca Code # 3716990
Orders may be placed throughout the school year!
Thank you for your support!!
PIZZA DAYS DECEMBER 3, 10 & 17
SUB DAYS Dec. 1, 8 & 15
“The Season of Advent”
Advent
“Advent” is a Latin word meaning ‘the coming’. During the season of Advent, Christians across the world
prepare for the celebration of the coming of the Lord into the world. Advent is a time to celebrate light in
the midst of darkness, as symbolized best by the Advent wreath. At St. John of the Cross, Advent is
once again a time when we emphasize charity, social justice and stewardship. It is a time to prepare our
hearts for the coming of Jesus within ourselves. A time to look closely at how we are living our lives and
time to question how we can improve in our day to day faith development.
Advent Liturgies
Each week during Advent the students will gather in their classrooms to participate in weekly Advent liturgies. They will light the Advent Candle and reflect on our spiritual preparation for Christmas. Advent
wreaths and candles were distributed to all classes at our liturgy on November 27th to assist in classroom prayer and preparation.
Staff Liturgies
One day each week at 8:30 am the staff will join together in a quiet prayerful way to prepare our hearts
and minds for the season of Advent. By renewing our spirit, we are better prepared to renew the spirit of
our students. We remember that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”.
Feast Day & Family Advent Mass
On Monday, December 7th at 7:00 pm at St. John of the Cross Church we will be celebrating our Feast
Day and Advent Mass. Please take time out of your busy schedules to come and join us for this special
celebration!
It will be a community celebration full of the sounds and symbols of this holy season. Immediately following the mass we will be gathering in the Church hall for a social organized by the School Parent Council.
The active participation of the community is a true reinforcement of our partnership - Church, home and
school.
Santa and Angels on the Tree
Our Christmas Tree in the foyer will be full of Santas again this year. Please help us help others by signing out a Santa and fulfilling a dream. Each family that participates will receive an ANGEL to put on our
tree. It is through giving that children gain a sense of responsibility towards others. All gifts should be at
the school by December 14th.
Grade 8’s
Our Grade 8 students are also involved in a special project. On Thursday, December 17th they will be
involved in a hands-on activity where they will purchase groceries, food supplies, toiletries and gifts for a
specific family in need. The class will walk together to the Metro Supermarket at the Meadowvale Centre
to purchase all the necessary supplies for this family. They will then walk over to the Eden Food for
Change drop off (formerly called the Eden Food Bank) located at the Eden United Church to drop off the
donated food.
mental health services for children and youth
Are you worried about your child’s or teen’s:
• Behaviour at home or at school
• Constant worrying or anxiety
• Feelings of sadness that don’t go away
• Not doing things that he/she used to enjoy
• Hurting himself/herself, or others
• Avoiding friends and family
• Not getting along with others
• Use of drugs or alcohol?
These are just a few of the things that we can help you with.
Our services include crisis support, counselling, groups,
psychiatric assessment and treatment.
Call us. Help is at your fingertips!
We are a central point of access to a wide range of programs in the Peel community, all free of
charge. When you call, together we can figure out the best service that can make a difference.
We respect your culture and will provide language interpreters if required.
Call us 905.451.4655
Monday to Friday,
9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
If you call after hours, we will call you back the next working day.
PEEL CHILDREN’S CENTRE
NEXUS YOUTH SERVICE
ASSOCIATED YOUTH SERVICES OF PEEL
Remembrance Day
Our Remembrance Day service was truly a meaningful event. Our students
were given the opportunity to join together in prayer and reflection. Mrs.
Perruzza’s Grade 6 class worked hard to make this a meaningful remembrance of those who sacrificed so much for us.
We would like to thank all of the parents who were able to join us for this special service and liturgy.
Dress for Winter Weather!
The colder weather is upon us and it is important that students come to school prepared to
participate in all activities, including outdoor recess. Parents, please outfit your children
with hats, scarves, mitts, winter outerwear and boots.
Please put identification on your child’s belongings.
All students are to have a pair of indoor shoes so that the classrooms are kept as clean and dry as
possible. It is also a great idea for our younger students to have an extra set of clothes for those ‘wet or
muddy accidents’.
Safe Play and Snow
Playing in the snow can be a lot of fun, however, our school has a rule forbidding the throwing of
snowballs and the kicking of snow onto others. Students are reminded of the importance of this rule
in preventing injury to others and they are encouraged to constructively use the snow that winter
brings to build snow persons, sculptures, etc. Please assist us by reviewing with your child the danger in
throwing/kicking snow and the importance of preventing injury to other children. This will help to make our
schoolyard a safe place for all of our students during the winter season.
DECEMBER 2015
Full Day 2016-167Junior and Senior Kindergarten Registration
Monday, January 25, 2016
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.*
*Snow Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, January 27, 28 & 39, 2016
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Admissions are open to Catholic children and children of Catholic parents.
Jr. Kindergarten students must be at least 4 years of age by Dec. 31, 2016
Senior Kindergarten - Children must be 5 years old by Dec. 31, 2016
For more information about registration and the Full-Day Kindergarten program, contact St. John of the Cross
School at 905-824-3058 or visit www.dpcdsb.org.
Parent Evening to Support the Transition of Children with Differing Abilities into Kindergarten
There will be an information session for parent(s)/guardian(s) of children with differing abilities such
as vision, hearing, autism, physical/medical and/or developmental delays who are entering JK, SK or
Full Day Kindergarten in September 2016. The information session will be held at the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board -- Catholic Education Centre, Room 301 on Tuesday January 12, 2016
from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Snow date Wednesday January 13, 2016, from 7:00-8:30 pm.
Extended French
Students in Grade 4 this year are eligible to apply for the Extended French Program. Extended French in Dufferin-Peel
starts in Grade 5.
An information meeting will be held on Thursday , January 14, 2016, 7:00 pm at St. Therese of the Child Jesus School,
6930 Forest Park Drive. At the present time, the above mentioned school is the designated centre for our area. Applications will be accepted at that centre until 3:00pm Thursday, February 16, 2016. If a lottery is necessary—February 24,
2016 time to be determined.
Intermediate Girls Volleyball
Congratulations to the following girls who participated on the St. John of the Cross Intermediate Girls Volleyball Team:
Danielle C., Maxine D., Chiara M., Kate M., Karina P., Miya S., Athanasia S., Erica S., Kelly S., Brittany W.
The girls put forth extreme effort and dedication throughout 2015 season. Looking forward to next years season with
most players returning. GO MUSTANGS GO!
Thank you to coaches P. Blimkie, and R. Boryszko and for your dedication and support!!
Intermediate Boys Volleyball
Thank you to the boys who participated on the St. John of the Cross Intermediate Boys Volleyball Team: Jason A.,
Jack D., Steffen D., Connor T., Aaron D., Kyle H., and Michael S.
The boys put forth a great effort during the 2015 season. They demonstrated wonderful teamwork and outstanding dedication! Go, Mustangs, Go!
Thank you to coaches L. Santangelo, and S. Tomazela for all of their time and effort.
MN Speech Competition
Congratulations to Maxine D. and Aiden D. for representing St. John of the Cross at the Mississuaga North
Family of Schools speech competition on Nov. 26! Maxine’s topic in the Intermediate Division was “Inner
Beauty” and Aiden placed 2nd in the Jr. Division with his topic on “Saying No To Drugs”.
DECEMBER 2015
Library December News!!
We have spent the last few months orienteering ourselves around the layout of our school library, learning how to select a “Just Right Book”, and discussing the responsibilities associated with checking out library books. Students that
forget their library book or have overdue books, are given a brightly coloured note listing the books they are required
to bring back to school. Students are asked to bring the book(s) back the next school day.
Don’t forget to visit the Mississauga Public Library and their website this Christmas break. Their website
offers many useful and informative resources for students and parents to use free of charge.
I hope you all have a safe and joyful Christmas break! See you in January.
God bless,
Mrs. Lichacz
"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."
Jacqueline Kennedy
School Driveway/Kiss’N Ride
The Kiss ‘n Ride program continues to be in effect at St. John of the Cross School. Thanks to those parents who
help out. Your dedication and support are greatly appreciated. We are always looking for parent volunteers who can
assist in Kiss’N Ride for the school year. If you are able to help out one day per week, please contact the school and
leave your name with the secretary.
In the interest of safety, please do not enter the school parking lot during entrance and exit times. In order to ensure
student safety, the parking lot will be closed in the morning between 8:45 - 9:00 am and 3:15 – 3:40 pm in the afternoon.
Please use the Kiss ‘n Ride lane to drop off your child in the morning. After school parents are asked to park on Aquitaine Avenue or Tenth Line.
Cold and Flu Season
Volunteers—You Are Appreciated!
Please use discretion in keeping your child home to recover if
they are ill. A child who is coughing, wheezing, etc. is not in a
state to learn and will only infect others. As well, please understand that if your child is well enough to attend school, they
should be well enough to go outside at recess. (It is impossible
for supervision and safety to have some students inside and
the others outside).
During this Advent season we would like to thank
all volunteers for your efforts in helping our children. Your time and effort in helping during school
trips, your participation in the fundraising events
sponsored by our School Council, your help in distributing pizza to classes, on school trips, Kiss and
Ride, or any other contribution to the school community are greatly appreciated.
On extremely cold days, when the wind chill equivalent temperature is minus 25 degrees Celsius or lower, students will stay
inside as per Peel Health Department guidelines.
As the temperature drops, students need to be reminded to
dress appropriately for the weather. Mittens, scarves, boots
and other winter attire should be worn to school.
NEXT SCHOOL COUNCIL
MEETING—
JANUARY 21, 2016 @ 6:30 PM
in the library!!
All parents welcome!!
Please join us!!
DECEMBER 2015
May our Lord Jesus Christ bless each and every one
of you and may you all have a joyous Christmas!
P. A. Day Reminder
On Monday, January 18, 2016 there is NO
SCHOOL for students!
The teachers will be involved in Assessment
and Evaluation of Term One Pupil Progress.
From Your Catholic School Trustee
Esther O’Toole
I am so pleased that Marianne Mazzorato is our new Director of Education Designate. She will become our Director on January 15, 2016. As you know our current Director John Kostoff will be retiring in the New Year. John has devoted
many years as a teacher, superintendent, associate director and director to
Dufferin-Peel and so it is with much gratitude that I wish him well.
Ms. Mazzorato has been a teacher, principal, superintendent, and spent a few
years working with the Ministry of Education in the EQAO department. She
brings to us much enthusiasm, a true belief in Catholic education and a goal to provide the best opportunities
for each student. Ms. Mazzorato believes “positive relationships imbued with trust, confidence and competency increases the likelihood that Dufferin-Peel will continue to be a vibrant board as evidenced through increased student achievement and well-being, system morale and well-being, growth and leadership of everyone in the organization and the confidence of parents, our partners in Catholic education, parishes, and the
public at large. Each and every child deserves our collective commitment to help them succeed in all aspects
of their growth, well-being and development.”
Thank you to all of our schools for the heartwarming tributes to our veterans on November 11th. We owe a
great debt of gratitude to our veterans of all wars and conflicts. We are blessed to live in this great country
and with the events of the last weeks we continue to value freedom and resolve to always stand for and protect that freedom.
Thank you to all of our administrators and teachers for their hard work. It shows again and again and as ever,
in our 2015 EQAO scores. And while we can always improve we know that we can be assured that our students are reaching the goals that have been set for and by us. Each school will continue to develop their own
plans for improvement. Results can be found on our Dufferin-Peel web site.
During this Advent season many of our schools will be taking part in Advent Masses, liturgies, concerts,
breakfasts with Santa and many other activities. I so enjoy this time of year in our schools and I encourage
you to attend one or more of these Masses and events. These touching events will bring the true meaning of
Christmas to the forefront in your minds and hearts.
Please consult the Dufferin-Peel web site for minutes of meetings, meeting schedules, current events, news
and more. The web address is www.dpcdsb.org
I wish you a happy and blessed Christmas and the very best for 2016. May God continue to bless us and to
change hearts from evil to good, bringing peace to all to us.
Merry Christmas!
Esther & Rusty
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF PEEL REGION (STOPR)
BUS CANCELLATIONS/SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO BAD WEATHER
During the winter months inclement weather may cause disruption of bus transportation and
regular school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation and/or to close
schools is usually made by 6:00 a.m. and will be announced on the following radio and
television stations:
VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
NEWSTALK1010 AM
AM860
FM Z103.5
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540
GLOBAL NEWS
CHUM AM1050
CJCL AM590
EZ ROCK FM97.3
CFTR AM680
CHFI FM98.1
CJBC (FR)
FM93.1
CBC99.1
CTV
FM Q107
CITYPULSE
CANADA AM
We will be communicating one of six standard messages to the radio stations. The six announcements and their effect on the transportation system are as follows: (Please note that the
highlighted text only will be communicated by the radio stations).
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES SERVING
ST. ANDREW, ST. BENEDICT AND ST. PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND R.F.
HALL SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON ARE CANCELLED
FOR TODAY”.
This means that ALL buses which operate into, out of, and within the Town of Caledon
are cancelled for the entire day.
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON AND THE COUNTY OF
DUFFERIN ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY”.
This means that all runs listed under announcements #l and #2 are cancelled.
Individual schools will be notified if this cancellation affects their school.
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”
This means that ALL buses which operate into, out of, and within the City of Mississauga are cancelled for the entire day.
“ALL DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND PEEL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSES ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”
This means that ALL transportation services provided by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board and the Peel District School Board, including buses, vans and
taxis have been cancelled for the entire day.
“ALL BUSES ARE CANCELLED AND THE SCHOOLS AND OFFICES OF BOTH THE
DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD ARE CLOSED”.
This means that ALL Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and Peel District
School board schools and offices are closed to all students and staff.
Note: For Secondary School students Riding Public Transit, cancellation of service
will be communicated by the respective transit property over the radio. Please be advised
that Public Transit rarely cancels and that the level of service on days with inclement
weather is unpredictable.