St. Philip School
345 Fairview Road West
Mississauga, Ontario L5B 3W5
(905) 306-8420
www.dpcdsb.org/PHILP
March 2016
Principal
G. Hilton
Head Secretary
J. Corvari
School Council Chair
R. Da Ponte-Matos
Superintendent
T. Lariviere
Mississauga East
Trustee
B. Iannicca
bruno.iannicca@dpcdsb.org
905-270-0536
Parish
Cristo Rei Church
3495 Confederation Pkwy
905-270-1133
www.cristoreiparish.com
Pastor
Fr. Carlos Macatangga
School Website
www.dpcdsb.org/PHILP
Principal’s Message
Holy Week is a special time of year when we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice,
and prepare for the joy of the resurrection at Easter. On Holy Thursday,
March 24th, our students will participate in faith-filled and fun-filled activities
during our Lenten Retreat Day at the school. The day will start with
pretzels delivered to those students who ordered them, and the day will
conclude with the Stations of the Cross beginning at 2:05PM. Parents and
family members are welcome to join us in the gym at 2:05PM on Holy
Thursday for the Stations of the Cross.
Please be reminded that there is no school on Good Friday, March 25th
and Easter Monday, March 28th.
I wish everyone a joyous and holy Easter Weekend with their families!
With Kind Regards,
Mr. G. Hilton
Principal
EASTER PRAYER
Easter is the gift….
Easter is the gift of HOPE
Easter is the gift of PEACE
Easter is the gift of LOVE
Let us rejoice in Him,
who gives them all.
May God bless you at Easter,
and keep you all year through.
May God give you all the faith it takes,
To make your dreams come true.
May God’s love and wisdom always help,
FAITH
FOCUS
to guide you
on your way.
May God’s light shine down upon you now,
to bless your Easter Day.
Amen
FAITH FOCUS
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Sacramental preparations are well underway. Parents of
students receiving the holy sacraments have attended
information meetings at Cristo Rei Church, and are
involved in preparation classes. Please note the following
dates:
First Holy Communion for Grade 2 Students
Saturday, May 14 @ 5:30PM @ Cristo Rei Church
Confirmation for Grade 8 Students
Sunday, May 29 @ 2:30PM @ Cristo Rei Church
Sacraments are celebrations of special moments of
encounter between God and human beings. Thank you for
all your work as parents helping to prepare your child for
these very special and holy occasions.
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH: KINDNESS
During the month of March we focus on the virtue of
kindness.
God has given us the gifts of friends and companions to
keep us company and to help us out along the way.
Every person in our lives carries the Spirit of God – and so
every person is our brother or sister through Jesus Christ.
As brothers and sisters who share one Holy Spirit, we are
all valuable to God. We all deserve to be shown concern
for our welfare and our feelings. We have all been given
the fruit of the Spirit called kindness.
Kindness can only be seen through actions. It’s not
enough to say I will be kind or I am kind, we must show
that we are kind by our words and our actions.
Through prayer and concentration, we can get better at
showing kindness to everyone we meet.
A kind person …
• says nice things about others so they feel good about
themselves
• sticks up for people who are picked on or need help
• refuses to join others who are insulting, intimidating,
mean or hurtful
• watches and looks for ways to help those in need
Let us pray this month, for the grace and courage to be
people of kindness –so that everyone we meet will feel like
we are looking out for their good.
Our next assembly is scheduled for Friday, April 8 @
1:15PM in the school gym. If you are able to attend,
please join us!
MONTHLY STUDENT AWARDS
Congratulations to the students chosen to receive the
following awards. These awards go to students who did
an exceptional job demonstrating the virtues in their
school-work and in their interactions with peers.
January
Team Player Award:
Nathaniel C.
Ms. Roy
Darren M.
Ms. Giannini
Hayley M.
Ms. Pilotti
Student of the Month Award:
Sarah C.
Ms. Pipe
Brianna P.
Ms. Iannucci
Vanessa D.
Ms. da Silva
Principal’s Award:
Tye C.
Ms. Hrovat
Alexandra S.
Ms. Hrovat
Kristen B.
Ms. Sasso
February
Team Player Award:
Elizabeth N.
Ms. Hrovat
Julia N.
Ms. Iannucci
Stefanie E.
Ms. Sasso
Student of the Month Award:
Chiara C.
Ms. Pipe
Giancarlo G.
Ms. Moher
Hugo M..
Ms. Pilotti
Principal’s Award:
Lola S.
Ms. Roy
Maximilian S. Ms. Parisotto
Patrick D.
Ms. da Silva
OUR PARISH TEAM AND PARISH
INFORMATION
Cristo Rei Parish
3495 Confederation Parkway
Mississauga, ON L5B 3G5
Telephone (905) 270-1133
Fax (905) 270-0904
Email: cristoreiparish@gmail.com
Pastor: Rev. Carlos Macatangga
Associate Pastor: Rev. Michael Do
Priest in Residence: Rev. Chacko Parekat
Deacon: Mr. Inacio Rodrigues
Secretary: Maria Fatima Ferreira
Primary
Junior
Interm.
Primary
Junior
Interm.
Primary
Junior
Interm.
Primary
Junior
Interm.
Primary
Junior
Interm.
Primary
Junior
Interm
ACADEMIC FOCUS
GRADE 3 and GRADE 6 EQAO
COMMUNITY / EXTRACURRICULAR FOCUS
SCHOOL COUNCIL CORNER – A Message From
Your School Council
Grade 3 and Grade 6 students in Ontario will again be
participating in the Education Quality and Accountability
Office (EQAO) Provincial Assessments.
Gr. 3 students at St. Philip School are scheduled to write
the EQAO assessment on May 25, May 26, & May 27.
Gr. 6 students at St. Philip School are scheduled to write
the EQAO assessment on June 1, June 2, & June 3.
We ask that parents work family vacations, appointments,
and other interruptions around these scheduled dates to
maximize their child’s potential during the assessment.
CATHOLIC EDUC. WEEK: INQUIRY FAIR
Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a
week-long celebration of the unique identity and
distinctive contributions of Catholic Education. This year’s
week takes place from May 1 to 6, and the theme is
“Opening Doors of Mercy.” Please join us at the school
on Thursday, May 5 from 6:30-7:30PM for a
celebration of the joy of learning. Parents and family
members are invited to come to the school that evening
and listen to their children tell them about their learning
from an Inquiry project. Inquiry-Based Learning is a
focus for St. Philip School, and we look forward to parents
being able to attend this event to learn more about this
type of learning.
The School Council is pleased to announce that we are
adding Sub Day Wednesdays to Pizza Day
Thursdays!
Every Wednesday students will have the opportunity to
order a 6“ Ham & Cheese (with lettuce) Sub or a 6” Veggie
(lettuce, tomato, cucumber, cheese, with an oil & vinegar
sub sauce) Sub from Subway. As with Pizza Days, families
will have the chance to place their order for a five or six
week block. The latest Sub Day Wednesday block extends
through April 13. Please keep your eye out for the next
Sub Days order form which will be sent home in the
middle of April. The latest Pizza Day Thursdays form
extends through March 31. The next Pizza Days form will
be sent home after Easter. Thank you for your support,
and please know that by supporting our Sub Days you are
supporting the many initiatives and activities for students
sponsored by the St. Philip School Council!
The St. Philip School Council is comprised of parents,
teachers, a community representative, and our school
Principal, who volunteer their time and efforts to work for
the benefit of our entire school community. All parents of
St. Philip students are welcome to attend any meeting.
Please consider joining us at any of our upcoming meetings.
All meetings take place on Tuesday evenings beginning at
6:30PM at the school:
Apr. 19 & June 14.
Next School Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 @ 6:30 PM
RAZ-KIDS READING PROGRAM
The Raz-Kids™ Online Reading Program is being aimed at
our primary students as a means of supplementing our
school Literacy Program, with enriching reading activities
that can be done at home.
All primary students have received their instruction
packages, including their password, so that they can
participate in the reading program at home. We encourage
parents/guardians to spend some time with their child and
the Raz-Kids™ reading program. If you have any questions
please contact your child’s teacher.
All St. Philip School Parents are invited to join us.
*Also, please see the brochure attached to this newsletter
detailing the Central Committee of Catholic School
Councils (CCCSC) upcoming conference and
marketplace on April 9 at St. Joseph Secondary School.
CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECKS
The school community has been blessed by the kindness
and generosity of many volunteers. If you are working
directly with children, you must complete a volunteer
criminal reference check. Forms are available at the office,
and may take about 6 – 8 weeks to process at the Peel
Police Department. If you already have completed the CRC
(criminal reference check) and have it on file at our school
office, you must sign an annual declaration form each
year, which you can obtain from Ms. Corvari at the office.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND
EXCURSIONS
Students will have the opportunity to take field trips and
participate in a number of extra-curricular activities.
Permission forms will be sent home to be filled out, signed
and promptly returned to school.
NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE ON A
TRIP OR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY WITHOUT
WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THEIR PARENT
/GUARDIAN. VERBAL CONSENT OVER THE
TELEPHONE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Teachers give ample notice for trip consent forms. We
encourage parents to support these educational
opportunities by volunteering to assist and supervise these
excursions. For the safety of your child, excursions
lacking appropriate adult supervision will be
cancelled.
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION
FOCUS
ATTENDANCE
Our attendance line is: 905-306-8420. Please call to
register an absence. You can call 24hrs a day
including weekends if you know your child will be
absent from school. An answering machine is available
to take information.
Please provide the following information:
• Name(s) of student(s)
• Name of student’s teacher(s)
• Grade of student(s)
• Reason for absence
If an absence is not reported, our policy is to call home to
verify student absenteeism. A parent or guardian must
sign out students at the office who leave early.
All students are expected to attend school regularly and
punctually. All students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. or
12:30 p.m. must obtain a late slip from the office. This
measure is to ensure the safety of your child. We thank
you for your continued support in following this procedure.
ALLERGIES
We would like to remind you that St. Philip School is an
allergen aware school. We have a number of students in our
school who have severe allergic life threatening
reactions to peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils and any
peanut/nut by-products. As in the past, in order to not put
any child at risk, we are requesting that PEANUTS,
PEANUT BUTTER, PEANUT OILS AND ANY
PEANUT/NUT BY-PRODUCTS (e.g. Nutella) NOT BE
BROUGHT INTO THE SCHOOL. Also, please also do not
send any products that look like peanut butter (e.g. Wow
Butter) as it is difficult to distinguish these products.
NON-EDIBLE TREATS
We are asking that all parents please refrain from bringing
in food items as treats for other students in celebration of
special occasions such as birthdays or holidays. Several
students in our school suffer from severe food allergies, and
we also try to help students make healthy food choices. As
much as possible, we strive to create an environment where
students are only eating food approved by their parent.
Please consider non-edible treats such as stickers,
pencils or erasers if you would like your child to
share a special occasion with other students in the
class. Thank you for being considerate of our students with
food allergies.
PARKING LOT and KISS’N’RIDE REMINDERS
Thank you very much to the many parents who safely use
the parking lot and the Kiss’n’Ride drop-off and pick-up
area! We know that winter results in a more crowded
school parking lot, and we really appreciate the added
patience and courtesy of drivers. This patience and
courtesy goes a long way in maintaining a safe environment
for all!
A few reminders to help ensure a safe parking lot:
-Parents wishing to drop off children at school are asked to
please enter from the east driveway only and exit
from the west driveway only.
-If you wish to use the Kiss'n'Ride lane (the lane next to the
sidewalk), we ask that you please stay in your vehicle and
let your child(ren) exit the car on their own, and from the
sidewalk side only.
-If you believe your child needs assistance in exiting
the vehicle, then we ask that you use the parking
spots at the front of the school, or available parking
on the street. You can then exit the vehicle with your child
and safely walk with them to the school, and this can all be
done without causing a delay for those who are using the
Kiss'n'Ride in the manner for which it was designed.
-We also ask that you please pull up as far as possible
in the Kiss'n'Ride area (ideally to the stop sign),
before letting your child(ren) out. We realize this may result
in a slightly longer walk for your child(ren), but it really
helps the Kiss'n'Ride to avoid being backed up.
-Please have children leave or enter your car only
when you are in the curb lane in Kiss’n’Ride. Please
do not block the drive-thru lane.
-Please also remember that the bus lanes at the front of the
school are always reserved for busses. This is not an area
for parents to park and drop off their children.
-Please consider dropping your child off a few minutes
earlier in the morning, or picking them up a few minutes
later at the end of the day. Even on the busiest of days in
Kiss’n’Ride, there’s usually very little traffic between 8:15
and 8:20 in the morning, and after 3:05 in the afternoon.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. We know
that everyone is in a hurry, especially in the morning dropoff time, but our number one concern is always the safety
of all members of our community at St. Philip School. Thank
you for taking the time to be considerate of others by
following these important safety reminders!
BULLYING PREVENTION INITIATIVES
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
A
decision
to
cancel
school
transportation and/or close schools, due
to inclement weather is usually made by 6:00 AM. Only the
Director of Education has the authority to cancel
transportation and/or close schools. Please know that
when buses are cancelled in the morning it means
there will be NO bus service for the entire day. If
your child is staying home on a day when buses are
cancelled, we ask that you please inform the school
by calling our attendance line at 905 306-8420.
A bus cancellation and/or school closure message
will be available by following the board on Twitter at
@DPCDSBSchools, online at www.dpcdsb.org , or by
calling the board office at 905-890-1221.
FOLLOW ST. PHILIP SCHOOL ON TWITTER
Please consider following St. Philip School on Twitter at
St. Philip School @StPhilipDPCDSB.
We hope to send out at least few tweets every week to help
keep you informed about school events.
FOLLOW DPCDSB ON TWITTER
At St. Philip School we have a variety of Bullying
Prevention Initiatives, including our Virtues Program,
student leadership opportunities in PALS, our Social Justice
Club & Youth Faith Ambassadors, and other classroom
programs and activities.
Please consider following the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board on Twitter at DPCDSB @DPCDSBSchools.
Education to help our students recognize and respond
properly to any instances of bullying is a central focus for
our school. Every month our virtue assemblies highlight
a specific virtue, and these assemblies often focus on
different aspects of our anti-bullying initiatives.
*Please remember that we have Sub Day Wednesdays and Pizza
Day Thursdays every week until the end of the year
-Thurs Mar 24 … Lenten Retreat Day
-Fri Mar 25 … Good Friday (no school)
-Mon Mar 28 … Easter Monday (no school)
-Mon Apr. 11 … PA Day
-Tues Apr. 19 … School Council Mtg 6:30PM
-Thurs May 5 … Inquiry Fair 6:30-7:30PM
-Fri May 13 … PA Day
-Sat. May 14 … First Communion 5:30PM
-Mon May 23 … Victoria Day (no school)
-Sun May 29 … Confirmation 2:30PM
-Mon. June 13 … PA Day
-Tues June 28 … Grad ceremony @ Goetz 6;30PM
-Wed June 29 … Grad Lunch & Dance
-Thurs June 30 … Year End Mass 9:15AM
In addition, students have taken part in anti-bullying talks
Peel Police Education Officer Lisa Rumley.
Some of the topics covered in our anti-bullying messages
are: the definition of bullying, the different types of
bullying (physical, verbal, social/emotional, and cyber),
and the proper response of the target and the bystander.
To help reinforce these messages at school, please review
the Catholic Code of Conduct with your child(ren), which
can be found in the school agenda.
Upcoming Important Dates