ST. JUDE SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER 6 FEBRUARY 2016
Principal: Mrs. L. Scardicchio
St. Francis Xavier Church
Trustee: Thomas Thomas
Secretary: Mrs. M. Finelli-Kiru
Pastor: Msg. Pan
Mississauga Ward 5
School Phone: (905) 568 - 3720
(905) 890 - 5290
(416) 845 - 8225
Superintendent: L. Papaloni
(905) 890 - 1221
thomas.thomas@dpcdsb.org
LENTEN PRAYER
These forty days are Yours, Lord,
Days for thinking about our past
And looking forward to our future,
Help us grow in love for You,
Help us become Your daily friend.
We are sorry for our sins because
They cloud our friendship with You.
We are sorry for our sins because
They keep our world from
The happiness it can achieve.
Help all of us to put Lent into our lives,
And in doing this learn to love You so
much more.
Amen
LENT
What does the word “Lent” mean?
Why have we given this name to the time of
preparation before Easter?
Lent comes from an old word meaning
“springtime”.
During the spring of the year, daylight increases,
trees begin to bud and flowers start to appear.
The new life that comes to the world each spring
is like the renewal of life that comes when we
pray and try harder to follow Jesus.
On February 10, 2016, our Ash Wednesday
Liturgy will be held in our school gym in order to
acknowledge the most important time of our
Liturgical year, the beginning of Lent and the
Easter Season.
During the 40 days of Lent, we are trying to
become more aware of the presence of God in
our daily life. Lent is a journey we make
together, in solidarity with each other. It is a
journey we make daily until we are ready to
“recognize” God as Father and recognize
ourselves as sons and daughters. During this
time of Lent we try harder to follow Jesus. We
look at ourselves to see how our relationship with
Jesus can become stronger and more
meaningful.
During the Lenten season our students will be
involved in several projects. With our Lenten
focus on “doing” rather than “giving up”, it is my
hope that the combined experiences of liturgy,
the receiving of ashes and our social justice
projects will help students enhance their
personal understanding of the significance of
Lent so that they may truly “live the gospel”.
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH:
RESPECT
A RESPECTFUL PERSON…




uses a positive tone of voice and body
language
avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs,
and inappropriate gestures
says ‘Excuse me’, ‘Please’, ‘Pardon me’
avoids gossip
NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MARIANNE MAZZORATO
We welcome Marianne Mazzorato as our new
Director of Education. Ms. Mazzorato began her
career at Dufferin-Peel in 1983. During her 32
years as an educator, she has served as
Elementary Teacher, Vice-Principal, Principal,
Superintendent of Schools, Superintendent of
Program and, for the past two years, as
Superintendent of Early Years, Community
Partnerships/Relations. From 2011-2013, she
was seconded to the Education Quality and
Assessment
Office
(EQAO)
as
Chief
Assessment Officer.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is Black History Month.
The Ontario Black History Society
(OBHS) is the organization in
Canada that successfully initiated
the formal celebration of February
as Black History Month with the City
of Toronto in 1979, the Province of
Ontario in 1993, and the entire
country passed in December of
1995, effective February 1996.
Classroom activities focus on the
recognition, preservation and promotion
of Black peoples and their collective histories through
education, research, and cooperation.
WINTER ATTIRE
A reminder to all parents and guardians that as the
cold weather is upon us, students will need to be
dressed appropriately for outdoor weather. It is
important for students to have a winter jacket, hat,
mittens or gloves and boots so that they are able to
enjoy outdoor recess in the colder months. Please
remind your son/daughter to ensure that if they wear
these items to school, they are expected to wear them
for recesses. Thank you for your cooperation.
In the event your child gets wet during outdoor play,
please send extra attire such as socks, pants, t-shirt,
etc., to school with your child.
COLD AND FLU SEASON
Cold and flu season is back and so too are children’s
illnesses. Please use discretion in keeping your child
home to recover. A sick child is not in a state to learn
but is in a position to infect others. Remember, if your
children are well enough to attend school, they are
well enough to go outside at recess. If there is a
medical reason why your child must remain indoors,
we require a doctor’s note.
WINTER FOOTWEAR
Parents are asked to ensure that students come to
school with footwear appropriate for the weather
conditions. In order to maintain student safety and
cleanliness of the building, all students must have
indoor and outdoor shoes.
SAFETY IN THE GYM
Special thanks to Mrs. Quach for coaching the
team.
MARCH BREAK
A reminder to all that March Break will be from March
14th to 18th this year. There are no classes during this
week-long break and the school will be closed.
Students are reminded to take personal belongings
home with them. Also, as it is a holiday and in
accordance with the school board’s Homework
Policy, there should be NO HOMEWORK assigned
over the break. Classes will resume on Monday,
March 21st.
KISS AND RIDE
Students are reminded that they must wear proper
indoor shoes for gym and appropriate gym clothes.
Jewelry must be removed when in gym class or
during sports activities. Students are not allowed to
wear their “outside” shoes in the gym.
READING AT HOME
As a parent you are a powerful influence on your
child’s success in reading. Reading with your child
conveys a critical message that reading is both
important and enjoyable. It is essential to plan
reading times when there will be minimal distractions
and interruptions. Your child can learn that reading
together at home is a priority. Reading with your child
can open the door to a lifelong interest in stories and
books.
JUNIOR SCIENCE OLYMPICS
TEAM
Thank you to all parents/guardians for using the
sidewalk to enter and exit the school property. This
ensures
greater
safety
for
the
children
exiting/entering the vehicles in the Kiss and Ride
lane. Please refrain from crossing the lanes as this
creates a very unsafe situation for you and your child.
Also, please be aware that the lanes in front of the
school are in a fire route area. Please do not leave
your car unattended as Parking Authority
randomly comes by. We have had several
parents/guardians receive parking tickets (over
$100) for leaving their vehicles unattended. Thank
you for your support in this matter.
JUNIOR BOYS & GIRLS
BASKETBALL
The Junior Boys and Girls basketball teams have
begun practicing for their upcoming minitournaments. Good luck to both teams. Go Jaguars!
The Junior Science Olympics Team will be competing
in the Mississauga Brampton Central Family of
Schools Junior Science Olympics competition on
February 11 at Pauline Vanier School. Teams will
design various construction challenges throughout
the day. Special thanks to Mrs. Quach for coaching
the junior team and taking them to the competition.
VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY ON
SCHOOL TRIPS
INTERMEDIATE
TEAM
HEALTHY SCHOOL FOCUS
MATH
MANIA
The Math Mania Team will compete at the
Mississauga Brampton Family of Schools Math
Mania competition on February 25th at Our Lady
of Peace. Good luck to all team members!
Parents are reminded that, in accordance with board
policy, photographs and video taken during school
sanctioned events such as field trips or class
excursions, must be of your child only.
Your
cooperation is appreciated.
St. Jude continues to participate in the “Healthy
Schools Challenge”. There are a number of initiatives
that support the development of a safe, caring,
inclusive and healthy school community. Bullying
prevention and positive behavior are promoted
through our Virtues. Other activities include our Eco
School activities, promoting healthy eating and
activities and Virtues discussed in class.
Students and parents are reminded to pack
healthly snacks and lunches, preferably in litter
less containers.
Our ultimate goal is to make EVERY day an
ACTIVE week and a Healthy Day! We are pledging
to make our school a healthier environment.
GRADE 8 GRADUATION PHOTOS ~
INTERNATIONAL RANDOM ACT
OF KINDNESS WEEK
International Random Act of Kindness week also
known as RAK is a worldwide celebration of kindness
that takes place the second full week in February
each year. This year it begins Feb 17 and we will have
our first Random Acts of Kindness week here at St.
Jude.
The week will be dedicated to a Spirit Week plus a
variety of different activities will take place from Feb
17-19.
Will take place on:
Friday, February 19th in the morning.
Bring your best smile!
BEHAVIOUR IN THE
PLAYGROUND!
Students are encouraged to experience their outdoor
recess breaks in an active, enjoyable and safe
manner. To ensure that students play safely we have
a couple of very important rules for all students to
follow:
1. “NO CONTACT”
We have a ‘no contact’ rule in the schoolyard. This
means that students are to play games that do not
involve physical contact. Students are reminded that
if a game develops where contact becomes a part of
that activity, they are to remove themselves from that
activity and report to the adults on duty.
2. “SNOW STAYS ON THE GROUND”
Every child in the school is made aware of the
importance of this rule in preventing injuries to others.
A snowball that hits another and causes injury is
viewed very seriously. Students are encouraged to
constructively use snow and build forts, sculptures
and so on. Please review these rules with your
children so that together we can create a schoolyard
that is safe for students during the winter months!!
(WWF) National Sweater Day.
The event is held each year across Canada to raise
awareness about the importance of energy
conservation. According to the WWF, heating makes
up 80% of all energy used in homes and schools
across Canada. If every Canadian home and school
turned down the temperature of their home or school
by two degrees during the winter for four months, that
would save enough energy to close an entire coalpowered plant.
SPIRIT WEEK
Feb 17 Band Together with Kindness
Wednesdays – Wear purple to show that we are
banded together in kindness
Feb 18 Attitude of Gratitude Thursdays – Be
thankful today and every day and count your
blessings. Wear yellow and put a smile on your face.
Spread joy today and every day
Feb 19 Loving Fridays – Wear pink/red to show that
your heart is always ready to show love
ECO TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT!
Every Wednesday is Waste-free Wednesday.
Let’s use recyclable containers for lunch and reduce
our garbage. Therefore, reducing our carbon
footprint!
Wednesday, February 3rd, is Winter Walk to School
Day. Let’s give our cars a break and reduce pollution.
We would like to get students to walk to school with
their families. So bundle up and get ready to walk!
Also, on Thursday, February 4, Dufferin-Peel Catholic
schools and board sites will turn down the heat and
put on a sweater in honour of World Wildlife Fund’s
(WWF) National Sweater Day.
The event is held each year across Canada to raise
awareness about the importance of energy
conservation. According to the WWF, heating makes
up 80% of all energy used in homes and schools
across Canada. If every Canadian home and school
turned down the temperature of their home or school
by two degrees during the winter months, that would
save enough energy to close an entire coal-powered
plant.
As an ongoing initiative to count down our energy
usage at St. Jude, we are starting an “Operation
Energy TLC” campaign. This message will be posted
by the light switch in every classroom. It will remind
us to do three things before we leave our rooms.
1. Turn off the computers and all electronics
2. Turn off the lights when we leave the room
3. Close the doors
It is time for some TLC at St. Jude!
Activity Day has been scheduled for Monday,
April 11, 2016.
Therefore, there will be no classes for either
elementary or secondary students on Monday,
April 11, 2016.
Thank you for your attention to this addition to the
2015-16 School Year Calendar.
PRAYER TO SAINT VALENTINE
We are thankful for the gift of love,
And for the gift of knowing that you are
Watching over us in everything that we do.
Your power of healing and love for others
Has shown us the true meaning
Of loving others, ourselves and most of all God.
The first blooms of crocus flowers in spring
Symbolize a celebration of new life,
A new beginning and a new person in all of us.
Your continuous blessings of hope, strength,
Courage and love will strengthen
And enrich our faith in you.
Carry us on your wings of love
And sweet flowing grace.
Inspire us to help others and dedicate
Our lives into service for others.
Guide us through life and through
All obstacles and difficulties.
2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL
ACTIVITY DAY: MONDAY, APRIL
11, 2016
Terms of the recent contract settlement between the
teacher federations and the Ministry of Education
included the provision of an additional Professional
Activity Day for the 2015-2016 school year for both
elementary and secondary schools. Recently,
boards were directed to schedule this additional
Professional Development Day on or before April 15,
2016.
In the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board, the designated additional Professional
Let us not be tempted to do things against
Your will. Let peace and justice be in our hearts
and let helping others be our mission.
This we ask through Jesus Christ’s Name.
Saint Valentine pray for us.
Amen