35 Black Oak Drive
Brampton, ON
L6R 1B9
Ph.: 905-458-7080
Fax: 905-458-1657
Principal
R. Pazzelli
Vice-Principal
A. Fiore
Integrating Technology
Head Secretary
P. Giuliano
Assistant Secretary
R. Reda
In today’s classrooms, students come to life using mobile devices,
Superintendent such as tablets, ipads, laptops and desktop computers to name a
L. Storey few. Students can explore, review, search, collaborate etc. to
905–890–1221 perform tasks introduced by the teacher. Students are taught
‘digital citizenship’ to ensure respect and privacy when dealing
Trustee
S. Xaviour with the wide variety of resources offered to them. They are better able to document their own learning.
905–890-1221
In the photo above, Kindergarten students are exploring the use of
Parish
St. Marguerite d’Youville apps for their learning inquiries.
2490 Sandalwood Pkwy E
Brampton
905-792-8049
Pastors
Fr. R. Mignella
School Council Co-
Father,
We thank you for the opportunity
To begin this new year,
Chairs
V. Pedley
And we ask that you bless the students, teachers, and students’ families
L. Alonzi that make our school a great place.
We pray that you will guide us in all ways,
School Website:
So that we will seek your will www.dpcdsb.org/PROVI
In everything that we do.
AMEN
January 2016

On behalf of the Staff of Our
Lady of Providence School, we would like to extend wishes for a healthy, productive and Happy New Year to all of our Community!
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY THANKS
YOU!
The St. Vincent de Paul Society extends gratitude for the overflowing boxes of food. They also wish to thank our students for the many pairs of mittens, socks and scarves that were donated during the mitten drive!
DRESSING FOR WINTER WEATHER:
Please assist us in encouraging the children to dress appropriately for this weather. When on yard supervision, teachers are checking, not only on the activities/games children play, but also noting that they are wearing boots, hats, gloves and scarves when necessary. Except when the weather is extremely cold or wet, the students will be going outside during the recess and lunch periods. Playing outdoors is a pleasant and healthy activity when students are wearing suitable clothing!
For the younger students, it would be helpful if parents were to label items of clothing with their child’s name, so that each person can more easily locate his/her own clothing from the class coat rack area.
Each term, items make their way to the Lost and
Found and are never claimed. Labeled items can be returned more easily and mixed up items sorted out more readily.
If your child brings home an item by mistake, please return it to the school so that this mix up may be corrected. We would like to remind parents to please remove drawstrings from your child’s clothing, as they have proven to be a hazard to children’s safety!
SNOWBALL THROWING:
In a busy, crowded school yard, a snowball may become a dangerous object if thrown.
Please help us by reinforcing the risks to students of snowball throwing in the schoolyard!
TOYS FOR TOTS—A HUGE SUCCESS!
As you know, Our Lady of
Providence School assisted
Peel Regional Police in the
“Toys for Tots” program!
Thanks to the generosity of our school community, we were able to collect enough new toys to fill a police cruiser (trunk and back seat spaces!). Peel Regional
Police assisted in distributing the toys to those in need in our region! You made it a success!
KIDSSENTIALS LUNCH DAYS AT OUR LADY
OF PROVIDENCE:
The School Council has organized a new Hot Lunch
Days experience this year.
These lunches will be provided by ‘Kidssentials’ which customizes to each school and students’ specific needs, while at the same time meeting the requirements of “Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy
Eating” and the “Food and Beverage’ Act. Order forms have already gone home.
These hot lunch days will be taking place every Monday until the end of the school year.
Students look forward to these days and you will also be assisting in fundraising efforts for the school!
PA DAY!:
The next PA Day is Friday, February 5, 2016. This day is for the reporting of Term 1 Assessment and
Evaluation of Pupil Progress.
Please be sure to connect with your child’s teacher to arrange an interview.
Interview request letters have already gone home. Report Cards will be sent home on Tuesday, February 2.

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY MONTH:
We are fortunate to live in an area as diverse as the GTA. At
Our Lady of Providence we welcome all opportunities to celebrate our diversity.
During the month of February, we have planned various activities and events to celebrate our ‘DIVERSITY
MONTH’!
Students will focus on diversity found in our ethnicity, culture, language, abilities, talents and other ways that show uniqueness. Please refer to the attached document outlining the activities and events specific to your child’s classroom curriculum study. Please join us if you are able.
JK/SK NEWS:
Registrations for JK students (& new SK
Students) will be held on:
 January 25 from 7:00-9:00pm with a snowdate on January 26, 7:00-9:00pm
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Please bring with you the following documents:
Catholic Baptismal Certificate
One Parent’s Baptismal Certificate
Birth Certificate
Updated Immunization Records
Proof of address
FAMILY DAY HOLIDAY:
Please be aware that all
Dufferin-Peel schools,
Offices, and other facilities will be closed on Monday,
February 15, 2016 statutory holiday.
in observation of the Family Day
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH is SELF-CONTROL:
This month we will also celebrate the Virtue of SELF-
CONTROL. God has given us the ability to choose. We are able to control how we react to what happens around us.
Through prayer and concentration, we can get better at controlling our reactions and showing self-control.
When we use self-control, we can be sure that our school will be a safe, caring and inclusive place to live and to learn.
A person of self-control is…
 Patient;
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Knows how to wait his/her turn;
Can calm him/herself down and think before reacting to situations;
Knows how to avoid physical aggression;
Can think things through and do what is best for everyone.
CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER:
Our school’s current fundraiser is the sale of
Lamontagne Belgium Chocolates , which is a new recipe this year. The kick-off assembly took place
January 11. Letters were sent home last week and chocolates were sent on Friday, January 15. If you do not wish your child to take part please return the pink letter signed with the box of chocolates.
Proceeds will go toward the support of supplemental learning materials and programs in the school as well as additional electronic equipment.
Please consider supporting this fundraiser!
SAFE SCHOOLS COMMITTEE:
As part of our Mission to create a safe, caring and inclusive school community, we have established a steering committee composed of students from each Grade divisions, parents and staff.
This committee is the Safe Schools Action Team, also known as the ‘Catholic Community Culture and Caring’
Committee.
This Committee meets monthly to promote safety and anti-bullying awareness and strategies school wide.
To date, the committee has continued to address the results collected from Climate Survey two years ago. In particular, strategies to empower the victims of bullying are the focus for this school year.
A need that has arisen from the data has been to focus on all students feeling included, accepted and respected.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday,
February 10th, 2016.

EXTENDED FRENCH:
Parents of Grade 4 students who wish to enroll their child in a Grade 5
Extended French class for September
2016, were invited to attend an information meeting at: St. John Brebeuf
The meeting will took place on W ednesday January
14, 2015 at 7:00 pm. Information has been sent home with each Grade 4 student with their Progress
Report Card.
63 Glenforst Road,
Brampton ON L6S 1L8
BUS LANE/KISS AND RIDE LANE:
The separate Bus Lane & Kiss & Ride
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
Lane were developed to increase safety for all students.
When you drive your children to school, please remember the following:
The Bus Lane is strictly for buses: No cars, vans or other vehicles should ever be in the bus lane.
The Kiss & Ride Lane is designed for parents who drive or pick up their children at school:
Never, ever leave your vehicle parked in this lane!
Drive to the front of the line where a supervisor (if available) will assist your child
 safely between the car and the sidewalk.
The drive through lane is strictly for driving through. Do not park in this lane.
 Please do not park in the driveway and wait for your child(ren)!
Thank you in advance for your support in this valuable program to ensure safety for all children.
FAMILY LITERACY DAY,
January 27th :
Created by ABC CANADA Literacy
Foundation in 1999, ABC CANADA
Family Literacy Day is a national initiative that promotes the importance of reading and learning together as a family. Every January 27, families and communities across Canada celebrate this special day to Literacy-themed events coordinated by literacy organizations, schools and libraries.
Family Literacy Facts:
 Family Literacy refers to the many ways families develop and use literacy skills to accomplish day-today tasks and activities, such as writing a note to a child’s teacher, sharing a bedtime story, making a shopping list or using a recipe. (Family Literacy in
Canada: Profiles of Effective Practices, 1998).
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Simple things like reading and telling stories to a child at 18 months are powerful stimuli for brain development in the early years. (the Early Years Study,
1998).
Reading to children more than once a day has a substantial positive impact on their future academic skills. In addition, research indicates children with early exposure to books and reading are better at performing mathematical tasks. (National Longitudinal
Survey of Children and Youth, Statistics Canada, 1996
-1997).
Children aged 2 and 3 who are read to several times a day do much better in Kindergarten at the age of 4 and
5 (National Longitudinal Survey of Children and
Youth, Statistics Canada, 1996-1997).
Family Literacy Day celebrates adults and children reading and learning together, and to encourage
Canadians to spend at least 15 minutes enjoying a learning activity as a family every day.
In 2016, Canadians will ‘aim high and read together’!
Go to the following website to learn more: http://www.abclifeliteracy.ca/en/fld/playliteracy
DON’T BE LATE:
We are concerned at the number of students who arrive late for school. All students are required to be at school on time! This prevents interruption of classes and loss of instructional time. Please assist your child(ren) to recognize that punctuality is a responsibility, which all students should be developing.
Research indicates that there is a strong connection between attendance/ punctuality and academic achievement.. Students are to line up with their respective class and enter the school through their assigned door! Students enter through the front door if they are late ONLY!
PHONE MESSAGE SYSTEM AND ATTEND-
ANCE VERIFICATION PROGRAM!
If your child is going to be absent from school, please call our Office to report his/her absence before 8:45 am on the day of the absence.
You may also call at any time and leave a message on the answering service as well.

SCHOOL FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICY
PUT IN PRACTICE AT OUR LADY OF
PROVIDENCE SCHOOL:
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.
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 wellbeing. 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 (PPM 150) contributes to improved education and health 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 the 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.
EARLY SCHOOL CLOSURES:
In the event that it is necessary to dismiss students early or close the school during the school day, the decision will be made before noon. Radio stations will carry the announcement of this decision.
Occasionally, when a storm develops during the school day, bus carriers will request early closure to ensure home delivery of students. At that time, parents/guardians will be notified. PLEASE ENSURE
THAT EMERGENCY CONTACT
INFORMATION (ie. NEIGHBOUR,
RELATIVE) IS UP TO DATE! Please send a note with your child if there are any changes .
OUR LADY OF PROVIDENCE ECO GREEN
TEAM:
Our ECO Green team continue to be active in the school. A few of the activities that they are currently involved with and are planning for the near future include:
 Monitoring and assisting with proper recycling habits for each classroom
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Reusing paper with the ’GOOS’ initiative (’Good
On One Side’) where each class is provided with a bin to collect paper that is still good to use on the blank side
Establishing an ECO Green Corner where ECO
 initiatives and tips are displayed
Planning a ’Litterless W aste Lunch W eek’ school wide (more information to come!)
 Energy conservation (more information to come!)
We wish to acknowledge and congratulate the efforts the ECO Team continues to do!
HEALTH TIPS ABOUT THE FLU:
The flu (influenza) is a serious infection caused by the influenza virus. The flu is spread through coughing, sneezing or by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus (eg. Toys, cutlery and unwashed hands).
Tips for Parents:
 Encourage good hand washing by setting an example for those around you. Make sure you use soap!
 If you are sick with the flu, please stay home and get plenty of rest and fluids. Avoid contact with people who may be at higher risk of becoming ill
(eg. Those with health problems, elderly people).
For more information, call Health Line Peel at
905-799-7700 or www.region.peel.on.ca

January Library Update:
It is that time of year when Library books meet up with the elements and invariably, books lose!
There have been large number of damaged books returned to the Library lately. Please try and keep
Library books separate from babies, pets, lunch bags and the elements.
Book Fair:
Thank you to Mrs. Alonzi, Mrs. Rainbird and to Mrs.
Pedley for their tremendous support and time given to assisting with the Book Fair. Our Book Fair resulted in the highest monetary amount achieved! We sold over $6,000.00 worth of books! Congratulations to all who participated!
Returning Library Books
It seems that in the rush of the Christmas Season, many students have not returned their library books to the school library. Thank you in advance for your efforts in locating the overdue books. If you have not done so yet, please return all overdue library books as soon as possible!
Gently Used Books
Several families have donated ‘gently used’ books for use in the school. We would like to thank you for your generosity and for contributing to our efforts to recycle and reuse. These books will be distributed to classrooms where needed!
CYBERBULLYING:
Are our students really safe in our digital world? Are your children being harassed online? Better yet, would your child(ren) tell you if they are being bullied online? Chances are they wouldn’t. What can you do? How would you know?
Judy Rose, author of ‘ Cyber Bullying -You R a
LOOSER!’ found in the Canadian Child Magazine,
Winter 2012, offers the following tips:
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Is your child hesitant to be online? Is he/she visibly upset when a message appears?
Does your child seem to have trouble sleeping, is
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 moody or weepy, appears to be depressed, doesn’t seem to have an appetite?
Is your child upset AFTER using the computer?
Does your child suddenly refuse to use their cell phone?
Is your child falling behind in school work? Are marks dropping?
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Does your child spend time alone or seem withdrawn?
Is there a change in your child’s behavior?
Does your child hide the computer screen from you when you walk into the room?
Children need adults to listen to them, not only when they are talking, but when they are non-verbal. Look at their body language. Encourage them to reach out to an adult when they are being teased, bullied, harassed or called a name. Try to focus on what your child is feeling.
Attached is a document with more specific details of what parents and children can do to promote cyber safety.
Next Library Fundraiser:
Save the date for our next exciting fundraiser! On
May 2, 2016, we will be planning an evening at the
Chapters Store at Highway #10 and Bovaird. That evening, we will showcase our students’ vocal talents and displays.
You are invited to shop for books or other items. A percentage of all sales will go to the Library at our school! It’s a WIN / WIN situation!
More information will be sent home!
Interactive SMART Board:
Due to the funds collected during our Fundraisers this year, we have installed an interactive SMART Board with SMART Technology in the library! How exciting!
ATTACHMENTS:
1.
January & February 2016 Calendars
2.
DIVERSITY Events at Our Lady of Providence
3.
Media Dangers, Part 1, CYBERBULLYING
4.
Cyber Academy offered by Peel Regional Police
5.
Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

OUR LADY OF PROVIDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SCHOOLWIDE PLANS FOR
DIVERSITY MONTH
February, 2016
What is ‘Diversity’?
We see diversity in ethnicity, culture, language, abilities, talents and any kind of uniqueness. Teachers assist their students to understand that there are various ways that people display diversity.
During the month of February, teachers will display their students’ work that focus on the theme of ‘Diversity’ throughout the school.
FDK #1, #2, #3 –
T. Zannona & M. Jerman
Cultures Around the World
K. Owens & J. Trentin
S. Jordan & C. Gurgacz:
There will be a focus each day on one student who will share their own multi-cultural background (Music, Clothing, Food,
Dance)
Gr. 1 FI -
K. DeFaria & C. Franco:
Writing / Art Activity displayed on bulletin board
‘With these two hands, I can….. Students will reflect on ways they can contribute to Society (using kindness) in a meaningful way. The focus will be how to make the world a better place.
Gr. 1/2s - Diversity Bulletin Board Display
M. McElwain & T. Boni:
Students will create a bulletin board display to the theme: “We may all be different fish, but in this school we all swim together”. Students will also read a variety of books, (‘Children Just Like Me’) and discuss the importance of each child being unique…
Gr. 2s:
S. Christensen, N. Lowther:
Cultural Posters displayed on bulletin board
Each student will create a Poster that will display their own history (traditions, celebrations & interesting facts)
Gr. 2/3s -
M. McCann:
Many Nations – One God
Students will create a World Map with details of their own country of origin. It will depict ‘Many Nations but One God’
Gr. 3s: - First Nations Bulletin Board
P. Lee, J. Spagnuolo, V. De Bellis:
Students have learned about aboriginals and early settlers in Upper Canada. Tribes and their clothing, food and habitats. Display will be in French and English.
Gr. 5’s-
G. Carnovale, T. Pichur;
We are God’s Hands
Students will be connecting with their own family’s history to develop a black board display entitled: ‘We are God’s
Hands’.
Gr. 5/6 & 6s - Cultural Artifact Display
M. Calaminici, D. Corsino, S. Lippa:
Students will be bringing in artifacts that represent the diverse cultures within the classroom.

OUR LADY OF PROVIDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SCHOOLWIDE PLANS FOR
DIVERSITY MONTH
February, 2016
Gr. 6 - Cultural Arts
M. Perjgoni:
Students will depict their own culture with drama, dance, visual arts and music.
Gr. 7 – Spoken Words from Diverse Leaders
R. Macri, A. Mitchell:
Students will be analyzing famous quotes from previous leaders.
Gr. 7/8 & 8 –
A. Melo, T. Hidden:
Appreciation of Diverse Musical Influences
Diversity will be experienced through Music and students will learn about the social, political and economic factors that affect the creation of Music. Students will also come to appreciate their own backgrounds which has influenced their tastes for Music. Students will delve into various Artists and the music they create.
Special Education Teachers - School-wide Diversity Day
O. Sosanya, G. De Maria, T. Noce:
Students will rotate through various school wide activities organized throughout the day (making quilts, dance, song etc.)
ESL – Performance
M. Varano:
Students will create Drama Performances to present to the younger students.
Planning Time Teachers: Visual Arts Display
S. Burchill, D. D’Iorio & A. Baldasarra :
Students will create a visual arts display with the theme: ‘All the World’s a Stage – Mardi Gras Masks’.
S. Burchill, E. Farhat:
Students will participate in games from around the world in their Physical Education classes.
Librarian: Creating a ‘Diversity Display’ with Books from Library
M. Thimio:
A Bulletin Board display will be created by various students depicting various cultures. Books of Diverse Authors and Stories will be on display in the Library.
February 16, 2016:
Underground Railroad Performance by ‘Sugar and Gold’ performers at 10:00 am
February 17, 2016:
Kristine Saidat, dynamic Black speaker, to bring messages of leadership making a difference in the world, through song and dance! Schedule to be provided to include all day.
February 26, 2016:
School-Wide Diversity Day:
Students will rotate through various school-wide activities that will be organized throughout the school: making quilts, dance, song, drama, presentations, etc.