LOYOLA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
4010 Sladeview Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 6B1
Telephone: 905-820-9822
Fax: 905-820-1753
GRADE 9 WELCOME NEWSLETTER
Welcome to Loyola Catholic Secondary School! The information in this newsletter is intended to assist you
with your preparation for Grade 9, and in particular the first month of school.
MISSION STATEMENT
We believe that Loyola Catholic Secondary School fosters personal academic excellence in a socially supportive
environment. We strive to instill in our students the love of God and neighbour, and the desire to acquire skills,
knowledge, attitudes and values which will allow them to become independent, responsible, productive and contributing
members of a rapidly changing multicultural society. We, the staff, promote a commitment to life-long learning, family
and social responsibility, environmental awareness, and social, cultural and gender equity.
We, the staff of Loyola Catholic Secondary School believe that our fundamental purpose, in conjunction with parents, the
Church and the community, is to assist students in their journey to lead fulfilling, productive and generous lives.
OUR SCHOOL
Loyola Catholic Secondary School is a school of approximately 1000 students, of diverse ethno cultural backgrounds,
from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Our school population generally reflects the socioeconomic mix found within Mississauga.
The school community at Loyola is committed to the search for excellence, the uniqueness of the individual and the
education of the whole person while experiencing a life in a community founded on gospel values.
The school provides a caring school and community environment that stresses tolerance and acceptance of others,
commitment to our Catholic faith and high academic standards. We provide a safe and comfortable learning environment
where models of Gospel values and Catholic doctrines, teachings and beliefs are an integral part of the daily life of our
school.
At Loyola, we are proud of our balanced religion, academic, performing arts and athletics program. We currently have 9
out of 11 Ministry Technical Programs. We also have an all purpose football/soccer field, a rubberized track, a greenhouse
and 3 gymnasiums. Our programs offer students a well-rounded and value-centered education to help them make good
choices for the future. It allows us to reflect and serve the entire community as we prepare our students for post secondary
education and careers.
Furthermore, we are proud of the achievement of our students and the commitment of our staff. Together with our parish
and our parent community we strive to live our school motto as we prepare Loyola students to be people fully alive in
the glory of God, “Gloria Dei Vita Plena.” Our theme for 2015-2016 will be Continuing to Walk the Talk –
Make a Difference.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Our Loyola Catholic School Council functions as an advisory body to the school administration on a variety of issues
including programs, services and operation of the school. Interested parents are welcome to join our council and
participate in monthly meetings that are usually held on the third Monday of each month in the School Lecture Hall. The
last meeting of the 2013-2014 school year is scheduled for Monday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. At that time, a new
school council will be elected for the 2014 – 2015 school year. Everyone is encouraged to participate and discuss the
many facets of school life at Loyola, including school improvement, extracurricular accomplishments and challenges.
On behalf of our School Council, our Student Council and the Staff, welcome to our Loyola Catholic Secondary School
Community. We look forward to hosting a welcome barbeque for all our incoming Gr. 9 students as part of this
orientation session. Best wishes for a safe, peaceful summer.
J. Giancola, Principal
ORIENTATION SESSION / BBQ
The purpose of this Orientation Day is to help you make a positive transition from elementary school to high
school. On Orientation Day, Grade 11 and 12 students will be serving as Leaders and Mentors to the Grade
9’s. Large and small group activities are designed to address students’ needs and concerns in an enjoyable
manner. Please remember to wear your uniform shirt and comfortable shoes – don’t bring all your stuff…
travel light! A BBQ lunch will follow.
 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (Check-in, Assembly, BBQ)
 Students are to check in wearing their navy blue school
sweater.
 Grade 11 and 12 members of our Student Link Crew will be
serving as Leaders and Mentors to our Gr. 9’s.
 Any student who cannot attend the Orientation Session should
arrive to school no later than 7:55 a.m. on Tuesday,
September 2nd in order to allow sufficient time to locate their
Period 1 class.
 Dudley locks are required for your lockers. Locks will be sold
at the Orientation Session for $5 each.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SEPTEMBER
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Monday, Sept. 28
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
First Day of School will be a regular schedule
School Council Elections – 6:30 pm
Opening School Mass
Gr. 9 Retreats (Students with Religion in Semester 1)
Gr. 9 School Dance
Gr. 9 Retreats (Student with Religion in Semester 2)
DAILY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Period 1
Period 2
Period 3A
Period 3B
Period 3C
Period 4
8:12 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
9:35 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
10:55 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. (Grade 9 Lunch)
11:35 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
12:15 p.m. – 12:55 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
GET READY
Get Ready Program – Thursday, August 27, Friday, August 28, Monday, August 31 & Tuesday, Sept. 1st
from 8:30-1:30 at the school. This summer school program is designed to provide your son/daughter a
successful transition into Loyola by providing them with an opportunity to review key concepts in literacy
and numeracy. As well, the students are introduced to effective learning strategies and organizational skills
that are instrumental for academic success. The program also consists of orientation to the secondary
school by including an overview of secondary programs, schedules, school layout and practices.
Registration forms can be obtained from your Grade 8 teacher. No uniform is required. Please bring a bag
lunch.
Getting the Most out of High School
A gift for you entitled “Getting the Most out of High School” has been included in this mailing. In order for
students to get good grades, they need to be organized. They need to know how to read a textbook, how to
take notes, how to study, and how to get along with others. In addition to providing practical, easy-to-read
suggestions on these topics, Setting Goals, Getting Involved, Making Good Choices, Knowing how to handle
Stress. The final section in the booklet provides parents with tips on how they can help their children be
successful in school. Please share the booklet with your child.
THE LOYOLA UNIFORM POLICY
The Loyola uniform is a symbol of our unity and equality, a sign of our place
in the school community. It is worn to give students pride in and
responsibility for their personal appearance. As well, wearing the uniform
will prepare students for certain expectations in the employment market
later in life.
R. J. McCarthy Limited is the official Board supplier of school and physical education uniforms.
For this reason all items of the Loyola uniform (except footwear) must be purchased from
R.J. McCarthy Limited (360 Evans Avenue, Etobicoke – 416-593-6900)
STUDENT UNIFORM
 Navy blue McCarthy dress pants with the Loyola Logo on the pant.
 Navy blue crested rugby shirt. Academic crest is found on the front of the rugby top, sports crest on the
back, below the collar. The rugby shirt is available in both short and long sleeve versions. The sweaters
have been redesigned for comfort using 100% cotton. In addition, we have a short sleeve golf shirt that
can be purchased (optional).
 Garments (t-shirts) worn under the LOYOLA sweater must be white in colour and not showing past the
school sweater. Long sleeve items are not to be worn under the short sleeve sweater/golf shirt.
 Solid black shoes. No additional colours added to the shoe. Shoes should be close toe and closed heel.
Black laces & no mocassins, boots, sandals, slippers, etc.
NOTES
 Students are expected to be in proper school uniform at all times while on school premises.
Non-uniform items such as coats, sweaters, jackets, hats and boots are to be kept in lockers.
 The rugby shirt (long-sleeved or short-sleeved) is to be worn all year round.
 Pants with logo are to be worn at the waist.
 School uniform must be kept in good condition. Ripped, torn or altered uniform items must be repaired
or replaced.
 Baseball caps, hats, bandanas, headscarves or other headwear are not permitted during school hours.
These items will be confiscated if worn during school hours.
 Uniforms are to be worn for all school field trips unless approval is given by the school administration.
At the discretion of Loyola’s administration,
students who disregard uniform expectations may be sent home to change.
NON-UNIFORM (Civvies) DAYS
The Student Council provides a non-uniform (civvies) day approximately once per month during the school
year. These dates appear in the Student Agenda Book. These days are a privilege and not a right.
The expectations of appropriate attire are still in place on non-uniform days. Appropriate and modest dress
is expected – as determined by teachers and school administration (e.g. no tattered or torn jeans, no short
shorts, no inappropriate slogan t-shirts, no halter tops, tube tops, bare midriffs, bare shoulders etc., or
any items which do not respect the rights of others).
PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORMS
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 All students participating in physical education classes are required to wear a Loyola
T-shirt, blue uniform shorts, white athletic socks, and running shoes with a non-marking
sole.
 All items (especially shorts and t-shirts) should be labeled with the student’s name, be
clean and in good repair. Lost uniform items must be replaced by the student at his / her
own cost.
 For some units, students are expected to participate in outdoor activities. On these
occasions, warmer athletic wear is permissible. Students are expected to always have
proper uniform and running shoes available if a planned outside class has been changed to an indoor
class due to inclement weather.
All students are expected to be in gym uniform. Loyola does not assume responsibility for personal items
lost or left in a change room. It is recommended that any items of value should be kept in their locker.
Uniforms may be purchased from R.J. McCarthy Limited.
GRADE LEVEL CLASS VISITS
The school administration will have class visits within the
first weeks of the new school year. The purpose of these
visits is to stress the importance of communication and
to clarify some of the important policies / procedures in
our school community.
Topics
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will include:
Making a Positive Difference
The Catholic Code of Conduct
Student and Staff Safety
Health and Smoking
Bullying / Fighting
Neighbourhood Police Unit
Crime Stoppers Program
Attendance Procedures
School Dress Code
Personal Electronic Devices, Laser Pointers
Ambassadorship within the community
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Parents/Guardian Responsibilities
 Notify the Attendance Office by 9:30 a.m. on the day
of the absence; 905-820-9822 Ext. 66160
 Provide the student’s name, grade and reason for the
absence;
 Provide a parental/guardian signed and dated note
confirming the absence (duration and reason) on the
day of student’s return to school.
Student’s Responsibilities
When a student is absent from school or signing out
during the school day, he/she is required to:
 Provide the parental/guardian note to the Attendance
Office BEFORE school begins. Students who do not
have a first period class are required to provide the
parent/guardian note to the Attendance Office prior
to their first class of the day.
 Receive an admit / release slip which must be shown
to each one of his/her teachers.
 Students must leave the school premises promptly at
the time indicated on their sign out.
It is the policy of the DPCDSB that PEDs are to be kept out
of sight, turned off and not used within school premises
or during school sanctioned events.
To prevent the loss or damage of PEDs, the school
encourages students to leave their PEDs at home or in
their lockers.
The DPCDSB, in acknowledgement of the potential for
disruption to the instructional day and the possibilities of
interference with school operations represented by the
unrestricted use of PEDs, sets forth the following
requirements:
Prohibited uses of PEDs may result in disciplinary actions
up to and including confiscation, detention, suspension,
exclusion or expulsion. Additional consequences for
inappropriate use of PEDs may also include the
involvement of police services.
1.1 The use of PEDs that compromises the academic
integrity of the school or individuals within the
school (using PEDs during exams, tests, quizzes,
assignments, projects, etc.).
1.2 The use of PEDs that interferes with or disrupts the
academic
day
or
the
teaching-learning
environment
(using
PEDs
in
classrooms,
instructional spaces, hallways, stairwells, etc.).
1.3 The use of PEDs that violates a person's reasonable
expectation of privacy (using PEDs in change rooms,
washrooms, hallways, stairwells, or during a private
meeting, etc.).
1.4 The use of PEDs that compromises personal and/or
school safety (using PEDs to bully or harass
etc./using PEDs during emergency such as an
evacuation, lockdown, heightened risk situation,
etc.).
1.5 The use of PEDs that facilitates the commission of a
crime (using PEDs to break federal, provincial or
municipal laws).
Students without an admit slip are not permitted to
class and are to be redirected to the Attendance Office.
If a student leaves school without signing out, the
absence will be considered as a truant class.
1.6 Any other use of PEDs that the Principal deems
compromises or interferes with school security,
personal safety, individual privacy or academic
integrity.
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PED)
POLICY (under review)
PARISH - HOME - SCHOOL PARTNERSHIIP
TEAM
To promote respect for the dignity of all members of our
school community and to enhance student achievement
and safety, the use of a PED is strictly prohibited on school
premises or during school related activities (such as
retreats, field trips, sports events, etc.) during school
hours.
Failure to comply with this policy may result in the
confiscation of the PED and/or disciplinary action as
outlined in the Catholic Code of Conduct. The school and
the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB)
assume no responsibility for the loss, recovery, repair or
replacement for any PED brought onto school property.
Loyola Parish Pastor: Fr.Charles Egbulefu & Fr. Tim
Hanley
School Council Chair : Lynda McQueen
Principal: Joe Giancola
Vice Principals: Gwen Scalon, Diana Potoczny
Head Administrative Assistant: Lillian Landry
School Chaplaincy Team Leader: David Smibert
School Trustee: Sharon Hobin
SUMMER HOURS
June 29 – July 3 - 7:30 – 3:00
Aug 31 – Sep.4 - 7:30 – 3:00
PLEASE NOTE: CLOSED JULY 1