ST. JOACHIM CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
435 Rutherford Road North, Brampton, ON, L6V 3V9
905-453-4472
Principal
M. Di Nunzio
Vice Principal
I. Judd
Office Staff
L. Quiambao
Y. McCutcheon
Superintendent
D. Oude-Reimerink
Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family.
Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your
companionship in our loneliness.
Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives.
Thank you for friends, for health and for grace.
May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us.
Amen
Family of Schools
Brampton North
East
Empathy is being able to identify with, and feel the
concerns, feelings and needs of another person. A
person of empathy is able to listen sensitively,
understand and lovingly “be with” another person.
Empathy is at the heart of the ministry of Jesus,
who first sought to love and understand the
people he later healed, and empathy is also at the
heart of discipleship.
Trustee
A. Da Silva
Parish
St. Anne
Parish Priest
Father J. Cherickal
Judge your
neighbor’s
feelings by your
own, and in
every matter be
thoughtful.
(Sir. 31:15)
Associate Pastor
Father F. Marrone
ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE
Parish Telephone
905 453-1303
“Through A
Celebration Of Our
Faith All Who Enter
Our School May
Grow Together As A
Christian
Community”
@StJoachimDPCDSB
It is in difficult times like the one we are experiencing that being a Catholic community brings
all of us together. That you to all of you for your love, support and care for one another. We
continue to pray for Daniel, Harrison, Millie and Gary.
God Bless,
I. Judd & M. Di Nunzio
WE REMEMBER AND PRAY
On September 29th, our school community celebrated two Masses were held to celebrate
the lives of Daniel, Harrison and Millie Neville-Lake and Gary Neville. Father James and
Father Vito lead our community in prayer while our choir led us in song. The opportunity to
come together as a faith community helped all of us to begin to make sense of this tragic
event. Thank you to the wonderful outpouring of support and prayer that has been
extended to our entire school community.
Many community members expressed interest in helping the Neville Lake family. In
response, we hosted a charity BBQ with food provided by Strano Culinary Services in their
honour before we participated in Aussie X. A total of $2051 was raised and will be
forwarded to the Neville-Lake family. Thank you to everyone who came out.
14SEPTEMBER 201
October 2015
MEET THE TEACHER BBQ
Thank you to all the families that came out to our Meet the Teacher and Open House BBQ on
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015. It was great to see many familiar faces and make connections
with new families to the St. Joachim community. Our Trustee, Anna Da Silva sent her regrets as
she was attended the rededication of the Cardinal Leger athletic playing field named after the
Honourable William G. (Bill) Davis and looks forward to meeting you soon.
ATTENDANCE
It is important for all students that we start the year off right. Missing school can create gaps in learning that are
challenging to fill by sending work home. Since much of the work is interactive and involves collaboration and discussion,
every effort should be made to have your child attend school each day.
 Establish regular and consistent routines for getting ready for school in the morning, for mealtimes, homework,
chores and bedtime. Children who are organized and can follow rules are more successful in school.
 Make sure that your child has plenty of sleep with a bedtime appropriate for your child’s age. Experts suggest that
4-6 year olds require 11 hours of sleep in every 24 hour period. Older children require 9 to 10 hours per night.
Memory and concentration are known to deteriorate when children (and even adults!) are tired.
 Establish routines while your children are young. If at all possible, place the phone, television and computer in a
room other than your child’s bedroom.
ST. JOACHIM JAGUARS SPIRIT WEAR
Spirit Wear samples will be available to try on in the office from
October 13th to October 21st, 2015. We have two logos to
choose from to put on a T-shirt ($12), Hooded Sweatshirt ($28),
Zip Hooded Sweatshirt ($30), Track pants ($25) and Navy Cinch
Sac ($10). New this year: Dry-Fit T-shirts ($16), Baseball shirts
($20) and GTECH Hooded Sweatshirt ($32). Cheques only
please – payable to 4th Quarter Inc. by October 22nd, 2015.
Order forms available in the office or on our website www.dpcdsb.org/JOACH
LATES
As we start out the year, we have been experiencing a large number of students arriving late for school
each day. Our goal is to significantly reduce the number of students arriving late. Students who are late,
miss out on class instruction. Please make every effort to have your child arrive at school on time.
Remember that they may be dropped off at 8:45 in the schoolyard. Habitual lates will be tracked and
reported to parents through letters and phone calls. Parents of chronically late students will be contacted by our school
social worker to discuss ways to support getting to school on time.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The first meeting was held on Monday, October 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. At this time, our School Advisory
Council was elected. At this meeting, the 2014-2015 council formally concluded their term and our new Council was
selected. Sincere thanks are extended to all members of last year’s council for their hard work and dedication towards the
betterment of our school community.
We welcome our new council for the 2015-2016 school year.
Co-chairs –Ms. E. Neuwirth-Mills
Treasurer – Ms. Auckbaraullee
Secretary – Ms. D. Prospero/Ms. Corona (alternate)
OPACE Representative – Currently vacant
Parish Representative – Currently vacant
Member at large – Ms. Wong
Teacher Representative – Mme. Pollard/Ms. Heslop
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October 2015
Administration – M. DiNunzio and I. Judd
Thank you to everyone who attended our meeting. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday November 10th at 7:00 p.m. All
are welcome to attend. School Councils are advisory in nature but have a tremendous impact on both the quality of
education and day-to-day activities within the school. The school council works co-operation with our school administrators
in providing the best educational experience for our students. We hope that you will decide to join the School Council Team
and join us in our commitment to Catholic Education and the future of our children.
LITTLE CAESAR FUNDRAISER
Little Caesar Pizza Kits fundraiser is back! It offers a quality meal at a great value! Every family member can make their
own masterpiece with their own favourite toppings! What a perfect solution to quick and easy dinners during the hustle
and bustle of our everyday lives! Have them on hand for practice nights, birthday parties or
entertaining guests! They’re fun to make and delicious to eat!
Order forms with payment are due on Monday, October 19th. Pizza kits will be available for
pick up on Wednesday, October 28th between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Funds raised will be used towards extracurricular school
activities for students (e.g. School clubs) and to support school community events for students and families. Did you know
that if each student ordered just one pizza kit, we will meet our goal and raise close to $3000 for our school! Just one kit
per student!
WE ALL ENJOY AUSSIE X!
Aussie X is an in-school, camp, community sport and cultural program. Through the sports of AUSSIE RULES FOOTBALL,
CRICKET, NETBALL and RUGBY, the powerful life lessons of Havin’ a Go (trying new things), Goodonya Mate
(praise others), You Little Rippa (celebrate ‘Havin’ a Go) have been reinforced. All of our students had the
opportunity to participate in activities from September 22 – 25th. Our parent engagement evening on
October 8th, gave our families a chance to get in the spirit. Thank you to all who came out to participate
in this exciting event.
RECESS
Recess breaks serve a special purpose in the daily life of the school. Students are expected to go
outside for fresh air and exercise. If your child is sick and not well enough to go outside, please keep
him/her at home until they are well. We do not have supervision available to keep them in for
recesses. This also prevents the risk of your child spreading their illness throughout the classroom.
TERRY FOX RUN UPDATE
Thank you to all students, staff and parents for your generous donations in raising money for cancer
research. This year we raised over $943.60 to help find a cure for cancer! We were close to getting to our
goal of $1100 – Ms. Di Nunzio is not getting a pie in face this time! Way to go St. Joachim School!!! Thank
you to all students, staff and parents for your generous donations in raising money for cancer research.
PEDICULOSIS (LICE)
This early in the school year, we would like to bring to your attention a problem which occurs at some time in most
schools at least once a year. This problem is head lice.
Head lice are parasites, which have been common among human beings for centuries. They are not connected in any way
with dirt or neglect. Anyone can be infested with them. Unfortunately, in recent years, they have become quite common
throughout North America. In order to control these pests please contact your drug store for information on how to
properly treat them. Students are not allowed back at school until all nits are gone. Whenever a case is found in the
school, a generic note is sent to the affected classrooms to ask parents to check their own child.
Even if cases are not reported from the school, it is a wise precaution to check your children periodically.
Pediculosis is spread only by direct contact with a ‘case’ often through the sharing of combs and brushes
and exchanging of hats. It is hoped that parents and teachers will be on the alert for excessive scratching
and will instruct the children regarding prevention.
3
October 2015
COURTESY SEATING
The transportation department has only allocated one bus for the population at St. Joachim. Many
parents have requested consideration for the empty seat policy. At this time, courtesy riders have been
placed on the bus. Please be reminded that all Kindergarten and Grade 1 students must be met at the
bus stop. It is a good idea to arrive at the stop at least 5 minutes before its expected arrival. Also note
that since there are many new riders, there may be some delays for the first week or so. French
Immersion students who are not in the St. Joachim boundary are not eligible for bussing or courtesy seats.
PIZZA DAYS
Pizza day started on Tuesday, October 6th and will be every other Tuesday. Since the money has already been
collected for this first term, the next time that orders can be placed will be in February 2016.
LUNCH MOMS
This year we will be continuing our lunch program called Lunch Moms – on Wednesdays. Order forms have be
sent out. Students will have lots of choices and can pick either a hot or cold lunch. If parents have any concerns
about the lunches or their order they should contact lunch moms directly at (905) 461-KIDS (5437). If your child
is absent on one of these days please call the above number before 8:00 a.m. that day.
MILK PROGRAM
We are continuing the milk program once again this year. Students can order either chocolate or white
milk in a 250mL carton. Orders are placed on a monthly basis. If your child is away – we will hold onto the
milk for one day.
BREAKFAST PROGRAM VOLUNTEER NEEDED
Breakfast club is back! Starting October 14th, students can arrive through the Kiss and Ride doors to attend the
Breakfast program. The program will run on all school days and begin at 8:30. Students must have returned a
breakfast club registration form prior to attending. It will offer healthy “grab and go” items such as bagels,
muffins, cereal or breakfast bars, yogurt, fruit, cream cheese, and juice. Most items will be ‘grab and go’. Our
program is supported through the Breakfast for Kids organization and donations.
We are currently looking for a ‘volunteer shopper’ who would be able to pick up some of the perishable items required
about once every two weeks. If this is something that you might be able to help with, please contact Mrs. Judd at the office.
STUDENT SAFETY AND KISS AND RIDE
Your child’s safety is our priority. If you are driving your child to and from school, be aware that the parking lot and
driveways are very busy places at arrival and dismissal times. Please park only in designated areas.
If you plan to just ‘kiss and ride’, please enter the kiss and ride in the far right lane. The left lane is for driving through to
park or leaving the parking lot.
Do not park your car in the Kiss and Ride Lanes as you can be fined by the City of Brampton Parking Authority as this is
also a designated fire route. Please consider parking on a side street or walking to school. If you are not using Kiss and
Ride, we ask that you arrange to meet your child in another area of the yard (perhaps near the doors where they exit) at
dismissal time. This will help to eliminate some of the congestion in the Kiss and Ride area and allow students waiting to
be picked up by car to see when their ‘ride’ has arrived.
LUNCH ROUTINES
Thank you to all of the parents who continue to drop off a wonderful labeled lunch for their children. Please make every
effort to have lunch available for students to pick up from the office by 12:00. When lunch arrives late, students do not have
enough time to finish eating before they head outdoors for some fresh air and activity at 12:21.
4
October 2015
ARE YOU USING YOUR WITS?
Conflict is a part of life. How we deal with it is a choice. At St. Joachim, students are reminded daily to “use their WITS”
W – Walk away
I – Ignore
T – Talk it out
S – Seek help
We are all working together to make St. Joachim a place that is safe and happy for all students.
EMERGENCY PREPARATION
We have a detailed fire/emergency evacuation and lock-down policy. We will be practicing many times over the course of
the school year. You need to know that in case we have to evacuate the school, our evacuation site is Arnott Charlton
Public School. Just a reminder that all students must wear shoes in the school building at all times. If the fire alarm goes
off, students will not be permitted to stop to put on shoes, coats, hats etc. Their safety is our first priority. Please ensure
that your child has an extra pair of shoes at school during the winter months.
STUDENT ABSENCE
In the interest of your child’s safety, it is very important to inform us if your child will be late or absent
from school. We have a 24 hour answering machine for parents to leave this information at any time. It
is the school’s safe arrival program that necessitates that the school will call your home or business if a
message is not left on the machine explaining the absence.
To record your child’s absence, Please call 905 453-4472 (24hrs) and follow the prompts. Leave the following information in
your message:
 Your Child’s name
 Your Child’s teacher’s name
 Date and time of absence
 Reason and duration of absence
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM (IB) INFORMATION NIGHT
Notre Dame C.S.S. will be hosting an open house for potential International Baccalaureate candidates on
October 29th at 6:30pm. Visit our website for a brochure outlining the program or visit Notre Dame’s website for
more details.
http://www.dpcdsb.org/NDAME/Guidance+Courses/IB+Program/
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.
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION FOR GRADE 8 STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board will hold a series of public information sessions for Grade 8 students and
their parents/guardians interested in enrolling in a Dufferin-Peel Catholic secondary school for the 2016-17 school year.
“Our secondary information sessions are intended to provide parents and guardians with an overview of the programs and
services offered at Dufferin-Peel secondary schools,” said Joanna Boudreau, Principal of Secondary Program and Student
Success. “These sessions also provide Grade 8 students with an opportunity to tour the school and talk to current students
about the transition into high school.”
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October 2015
Currently, Dufferin-Peel operates 26 Catholic secondary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Bolton and Caledon. These
schools continue to be recognized among the top performing schools in the province each year. With over 49 Specialist
High Skills Major programs, three regional Arts Programs, one regional Sports Program, two International Baccalaureate
Programs, two regional Advanced Placement programs, Extended French and Career Path programs, and the only
publically funded All-Girls secondary school in the region, Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools offer students a variety of learning
options to suit their individual education goals.
Dufferin-Peel’s secondary school public information sessions will take place throughout October and November. A
schedule of the Secondary School Information Sessions is available on the board website. For more information about the
information sessions, parents/guardians should contact their local school directly.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest and most diverse school boards in Ontario, with
approximately 83,000 students in 149 schools located throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. With
over 11,000 employees, the board is also one of the largest employers in the region.
HALLOWEEN IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
During the early years of Christianity, the church leaders found it best to add the new religious ideas to earlier, already
established beliefs. All Saints Day was proclaimed on November 1st so that the people could continue to celebrate a
familiar festival, which respected the spirits. The mass that was said on that day was called All hallowmas so the evening
before became known as Hallows Eve, or Halloween. Eventually the church recognized that Halloween had become a
cultural event rather than a religious event.
In addition, we will also be stressing the fact that the most important aspect of our activities at this time of year is the
celebration of two great Feast Days. As you know, on November 1st, we honour all the Saints of our Church and we are
encouraged to pray that we might all emulate their example in our daily lives. On the following day, November 2nd, we
will remember all those who have gone before us in faith by celebrating the Feast of All Souls. Again, we are reminded
that while those who have died are out of sight, they are not out of mind or beyond our prayers. Thus, just as we pray for
each other in life, it is consoling and a fact of faith - that we can be one with them in prayer after death. In the front foyer
of the school we will have a Book of Remembrance where we will honour those before us, should you or your child wish to
write a name in the book – please feel free to do so.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Throughout our school activities then, we will focus on these essential aspects of the two great Feasts. However, we will
not dampen two great gifts which all children have - an active imagination and a fascination with the afterlife. Hence,
students will not be denied the fun of dressing up on October 30th (appropriate costumes) however masks and weapons are
not allowed and long costumes that drag on the ground are not permitted for safety reasons. In this way we can be sure to
enjoy the day and promote the safety of all students. Due to anaphylaxis (food allergies) in the school we are asking that
no food be sent to the school. Nut free Hallowe’en cookies may be pre-ordered with proceeds going towards supporting
Student Council Initiatives.
SCHOOL WEBSITE
Please visit our website at www.dpcdsb.org/JOACH for the latest school information. We are also on Twitter!
Follow us @StJoachimDPCDSB
DPCDSB is also on Twitter! For the latest board news and information, follow us @DPCDSBSchools.
DATES TO REMEMBER
October 12 – Thanksgiving Day – no school
October 14 – Breakfast Program Begins, Rosary Apostolate, Spirit Wear available to try on (in office)
October 19 – Little Caesars Order Forms Due
October 20, November 3, 17 – Pizza Days
October 22 - BNEAA Cross Country Meet at Heart Lake Conservation Area, Spirit Wear orders are due
October 28 – Little Caesars Pick up between 3:00 – 6:00
November 4 – Picture Re-take Day, Rosary Apostolate
November 10 & 24 – Sub Day
6
Eligible Participants: JK to Gr.12
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Fundraising BBQ
4-5:30 p.m.
Aussie X Parent
Engagement 5:307:30 p.m.
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
22
23
24
National Walk to
School Day
4
11
5
Thanksgiving
12
6
Pizza Day
Spirit Wear
Samples available
to try on in the
office
Junior Volleyball
Tournament @
Sacred Heart
Breakfast
Program begins
(must bring in
permission form)
13
Rosary Apostolate
BNE Cross
Country Meet @
Heart Lake
18
Little Caesars
Orders due
Federal Elections
25
Board Cross
Country Meet @
Centennial Park
Last day to try on
Spirit Wear
19
26
Pizza Day
20
Little Caesar’s
Orders are due
27
Little Caesars
Order Pick-up
3:00 p.m. – 6 p.m.
OCTOBER
2015
21
Spirit Wear
Orders are due –
cheque payable to
4th Quarter Inc.
28
29
Reminder no food
products for
Halloween
30
Halloween – Be
safe 
NOTES:
-Just a reminder – please do not send edible
treats for Halloween (non-food items only).
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6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
SEPTEMBER 2015
NOVEMBER 2015
-Intermediate Volleyball Try-outs will take place
in October
-Grade 1 Lego Club will begin (forms went home
Sept. 28)
31