Catholic Education: Building a Caring Community
December 2015
PRINCIPAL:
VICE PRINCIPAL:
HEAD SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
December 2015
A. D’Agostino
V. Viola
M. Villella
A. Burt
M. Cafagna
120 Harvest Moon Drive, Bolton, Ontario L7E 2W1 Phone: (905) 857-7582
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS:
TRUSTEE:
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH
PASTOR:
ASSOCIATE PASTOR:
L. Storey
F. Di Cosola
1-800-387-9501
905-951-8898
Fr. L. Leger
905 857-1938
Fr. D. Gikonyo, IMC
Fax: (905) 857-9353
ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Co-CHAIRS: K. Foschia and L D’ Orazio
SCECRETARY: M. Pacek
Treasurer: L. Girimonte
Community rep- N. D’Emilio Parish Rep: J. Christie
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM: Please remember to phone in your child’s absence: (905) 857-7582.
The answering machine is available 24 hours - Messages are picked up regularly.
For more information about school events, go to our school website: http://www.dpcdsb.org/NICHO
Twitter @st_nicholas15
CELEBRATING ADVENT
The season of Advent begins with the fourth Sunday
before Christmas. “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
through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Advent is
a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness, as
symbolized best by the Advent Wreath. At St. Nicholas School we
emphasize the implications of the birth of our Savior through our
Christian actions. We ensure that Advent is a time where we embrace
reflection, charity and social justice. It is a time to prepare the way, to
make God real each and every day through prayer, charity and good
deeds. A number of outreach activities listed in this newsletter provide
a small window into how the staff, students, families and Parish at St.
Nicholas School are the arms, legs, hands and heart of God.
FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS MASS
Mass will be celebrated with Father Larry on Tuesday December 8,
2015 on the day before the Feast Day of St. Nicholas in the school
gym at 9:30 am and again at 11:00 am. Parents are welcome to attend.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
To help you plan your holidays, the Christmas vacation is
from December 21, 2015 to January 3rd, 2016. The last
day of school in December will be Friday, December 19 th,
2015. The first day of school in the New Year will be
Monday January 4th, 2016.
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE HOLY FAMILY PARISH
The schedule for Masses at Holy Family Church for Christmas
are as follows:
Christmas Eve 4:00 pm, 6:00pm, 10:00 pm and Midnight
Christmas Day 10:00 am and 12:00 noon
O, Lord,
as we prepare for your coming,
let us reflect your love in all we
say and do.
Encourage us to be people of
peace and let your peace reign
in our hearts and minds this
Advent Season.
Amen
YEAR OF MERCY
DECEMBER 8,
2015 TO NOV 20,
2016
The Year of Mercy is
an invitation—an
invitation to love,
kindness, and
unbounded
generosity. Pope
Francis is offering all
of us the opportunity
to encounter the incredible mercy of God
during this Year of Mercy Dec 8, 2015 to
Nov 20 2016.
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Catholic Education: Building a Caring Community
EXTENDED FRENCH INFO MEETING
Grade 4 parents/guardians who wish to enroll their child in a Grade
5 Extended French class for September, 2016 are invited to attend
an information meeting at:
January 14, 2016 Holy Family
905-905-1300 Thursday 61 Allan Drive
7:00 p.m. Bolton –
At the present time, Holy Family School is the designated center for our
area. Applications will be accepted at that center until 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 2015-2016
2016-17 Kindergarten Registration
Registration for Kindergarten for the 2016-17 school year, will take
place on:
Monday, January 25, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Friday, January 29, 2016
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.*
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
* Snow Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
For more information about registration and the Kindergarten program,
call [St. Nicholas at 905 857-7582] or visit www.dpcdsb.org.
PARENT EVENING TO SUPPORT THE TRANSITION OF
CHILDREN WITH DIFFERING ABILITIES INTO
KINDERGARTEN 2016
There
will
be
an
information
session
for
parent(s)/guardian(s) of children with differing abilities
including vision, hearing, autism, and physical/medical
and/or developmental delays who are transitioning to
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 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Snow date, Wednesday, January 13, 2016, from 7:00 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are also reminded to
register their child at their school. Official registration
dates are Monday, January 25th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Snow Date for the evening registration is Tuesday,
January 26th, 2016, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Additional
registration dates are January 27th, 28th and 29th, 2016
“A
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
BUS CANCELLATIONS
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 RADIOFM99.9CHUM AM1050 CFTR AM680
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
CJCL AM590
CHFI FM98.1
CFRB AM1010 EZ
ROCK
FM97. CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Z103.5 CFM93.1FM Q107
CHIN
FM100.7/AM1540
CBC99.1 CITYPULSE
GLOBAL NEWS CTV 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).
1. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL
CATHOLIC
DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSES
SERVING
“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.
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
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Catholic Education: Building a Caring Community
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.
SNOW STAYS ON THE GROUND
As the winter weather begins, students are reminded
that “Snow stays on the Ground”. Every child in
the school will be made aware of the importance of
this rule in preventing injury to others. Students who
throw snowballs/ice balls will receive a Snowball
Letter to be sent home for parent signature and
returned to school. Repeat offences will lead to
consequences. Please assist us by reviewing with your child the dangers
of throwing snowballs and the importance of preventing injury to other
children.
SNOW FORT CODE OF ETHICS
At St. Nicholas, we enjoy building snow forts. We
will abide by the following agreements:
 We do not destroy snow forts. This agreement
is in effect during and after school hours.
 Everyone who builds a fort has to agree to
changing it or breaking it down.
 We need an invitation to go into a snow fort.
 We do not take snow blocks from other group’s structures
unless we have their permission.
 We do not take over other group’s snow forts.
.
DRESSING FOR WINTER
Please encourage your children to dress appropriately for
the cold winter weather. The Dufferin‐Peel Catholic
District School policy states that consideration should
be given for keeping students indoors during recesses
when the wind chill reaches –20C. At –25C students
will be kept indoors. 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. The Lost and Found bins are
located on the first floor.
STUDENT ILLNESS - STAYING IN FOR
RECESS
Students who are ill should be kept home where they
are most comfortable and can get better, sooner. A
child who is too ill to go out for recess is too ill to be
at school. Your co‐operation to keep your child home when he/she is ill is
appreciated.
ECO SCHOOLS
Congratulations to St. Nicholas for
achieving gold status with the Eco school
Program. Our Tree Huggers’ initiatives,
GOOS bins, Lights Out programs,
Reusable Water Bottle campaign have
been a great success with our students,
reducing waste and energy as well as
educating our community. To continue our
environmental stewardship at St. Nicholas,
we will be continuing Waste Free
Wednesdays. We are encouraging students
to continue using Reusable Containers and
Water Bottles, as well as continuing to
bring food scraps home to be composted.
Thank you to our Tree Huggers Teacher
Advisors; Mrs. Barichello, and Mrs. Felice
for all their support.
RAINBOW LOOM CLUB
This year over 90 grade 3, 4 and 5 students
have joined the Rainbow Loom Club. The
students have been busy since November
designing and creating items and gadgets.
Thank you Mrs. Marbella, and Mrs. Macellaio
for overseeing this great crafting club!
PALS
A number of our junior
students have volunteered
to act as PALS to our
younger students. PALS
are Playground Activity
Leaders in the School. They
foster safe, fun, co-operative and active
play in designated areas during lunch
recesses. Our teacher leaders, Mrs.
DeBartolo and Mrs. Porco, and Mrs.
Bontius have worked closely with our
students to provide training to these young
individuals. Thank you to our PALS for
being such virtuous role models!
PRIMARY ADVENT
RETREAT
On Wednesday December 17th,
2015 in the morning, all primary
students will be participating in a morning
of prayer, crafts and story time. Students
will rotate amongst their grade level
classes and participate in a number of
Advent activities. Our focus is HOPE as
we wait for the coming of our Savior Jesus
Christ on Christmas.
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Catholic Education: Building a Caring Community
NEWS FROM PARLIAMENT HILL
This year’s Student Parliament
Prime Minister- James, Deputy Minister- Sofia
Members of Parliament – Yasmina, Brennah, Matthew, Kayla, Alessia,
Anthony, Olivia, Emma, Emma, Vito, Jack, Lara,
Rio, Lauren, Kate, Kate, Adele, Jacob, Christian, Samantha and Jessica.
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEEK DECEMBER 14-18
Monday 14- Winter Wonderland, social games, caroling,
Christmas books
Tuesday 15- Christmas Attire, wear any type of Christmas attire
Wednesday 16- Pajama Day, wear your pj’s today!
Thursday 17- Class Theme Day, wear your class’s theme!
Friday 18-Coulor Wars, wear your divisions colours!
FDK: Orange, Primary: Red, Junior: Green, Int.: Blue, Staff: Yellow
YFA TOY DRIVE
Please give generously this
Christmas season to support a child
with a Christmas gift. This year we
are collecting new unwrapped toys,
games, sports equipment for Caledon
Community Services. Our campaign will run from December
1 to December 10. Thank you St. Nicholas Community for
your generosity and support with the collection of the
Halloween Candy for Dr. Simone. Your kindness and support
for those less privileged is greatly appreciated. God Bless, the
Youth Faith Ambassadors and Teacher Advisors.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL FAMILY
CRAFT NIGHT
Thank you to all families who participated in
our Catholic School Council Craft night. The
evening was a huge success. Families
participated together in making Christmas
crafts. Thank you to our Catholic School
Council for hosting another successful event!
BULLYING PREVENTION
November 16-20 marked Anti-Bullying week. St.
Nicholas staff and students came together to “Hang
Bullying Out to Dry’. Collectively, we hung paper
t-shirts sharing our positive messages.
St. Nicholas staff and students continue to demonstrate God’s
Love in all that we do, through acts of kindness. Parents are
invited to look at our clothesline as well as St. Nicholas
Kindness Christmas Tree in the front foyer. As we learn and
grow together in faith during this Advent season.
WE ARE A PEOPLE OF HOPE
In December we celebrate the virtue of
hope. God comes to us as a small fragile
baby who shows us that even the smallest
and poorest can make a profound
difference in the world. People of Hope…
• Keep up a positive attitude
• Be kind to one another
VIRTUE AWARDS
Congratulations to our November Virtue
Catch the Spirit Award Recipients!
Kindergarten – Nicholas G.
Primary - Sofia D.
Junior - Matteo V.
Intermediate - Kayla F.
These students received a Virtue T Shirt
for demonstrating and living the virtues at St.
Nicholas school.
DATES AHEAD
DECEMBER
4
St. Mike’s Band to perform for Intermediate
Students 9:30 am
4
Mrs. Armstrong/Miss DeCastro FDK Advent
Celebration 2:45pm – 3:45pm
8
Feast of St. Nicholas mass
9:30am and 11:00am
8 Ms. Dalton/ Mrs. De Melis and Mrs.
Armstrong/Miss Di Castro Advent
Celebration 2:45pm – 3:45pm
10 Catholic School Council Meeting
6:30 pm
11 Grade 3 classes to Pioneer
Village
14-18 Christmas Spirit Week
15 The Rosary Apostolate Visits
15 Grade 4 classes to the Kotright
Centre
15 Ms. Mills/Ms. DiNatale FDK
Advent Celebration 2:45-3:45
16 Miss Henderson/ Miss Raposo FDK
Advent Celebration 3:00-3:40
17 Primary Advent Retreat am
18 Last day before Christmas break
21 Christmas Break begins
25 Christmas Day
JANUARY 2016
4 First Day Back at School
12 Parent information evening to support children
with differing abilities (FDK 2016) 7:00pm @ CEC
14 Extended French Meeting Holy Family
25 Full Day Kindergarten Registration 7pm –9pm
26 “Snow Date” for Kindergarten Registration 7pm
27-29 Full Day Kindergarten registration 9am-3pm
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Catholic Education: Building a Caring Community
PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD