S
St. Pio of Pietrelcina Elementary School
4765 Huron Heights Dr., Mississauga, On. L4Z 4G9 Phone: 905 361 1327 Fax: 905 361 0165
Principal:
J. Lavalle
Vice Principal: R. Patterson
Secretary:
B. Petricca
Superintendent: T. Lariviere 905 890 1221
Pastor: Father Sol Paranas
Parish: Sts. Peter and Paul
Trustee: A. Abbruscato 416 459 0126
Anna.Abbruscato@dpcdsb.org
Newsletter
September 2015
Principal’s Message
Welcome back to all of you who were part of the St. Pio of
Pietrelcina community last year. Also, a warm welcome is extended
to the families who are new to this school community. I hope that
you and your family had a restful and enjoyable summer holiday.
Each new school year is an exciting beginning. Over the past few
weeks, teachers have been very busy preparing and organizing
classrooms in order to create a warm and friendly learning
environment for the children. My heartfelt appreciation is extended
to our custodial staff, for the amazing job they have done in
preparing the school for another year of academic challenges.
The staff and I look forward to working with you and your children
to provide a rewarding year, both spiritually and academically. Our
goal is to make St. Pio of Pietrelcina Elementary School a place
where Catholic values are lived daily, where children are excited
about learning, where excellence thrives, where students and staff
work safely and where we all take pride in our accomplishments.
You are encouraged to participate in your child’s education by
becoming involved in our school activities. Together, we will
continue to create a Catholic community, through prayer, following
Jesus’ message of love and learning with each other.
I look forward to seeing all parents and students on Wednesday,
September 23rd, at our Open House/BBQ. (Details to follow.) All
my best for a wonderful school year.
God Bless,
J. Lavalle
A New School Year
Good and Gracious God, as a
new school year begins
Fill the hearts of our students
with an eagerness to learn
About the world you have
created, about themselves, and
most of all, about YOU.
Bless our teachers with the gifts
of wisdom and patience
That they may help students find
the truth.
Give our parents generous hearts
to encourage and support their
children.
Help us all to work together to
form a community of learning
that teaches not only skills for
success but also all that we need
to live our faith fully in the world.
Amen
P.A. DAY - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th, 2015
Students do not attend school on this day. The day has been
set aside to reorganize classes if necessary.
The Virtue for the month of
September is:
ST. PIO IS NOW ON TWITTER!
For the latest school news and information, follow us:
St. Pio School @ StPioDPCDSB.
Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer. St. Pio of Pietrelcina
CLASS LISTS/PLACEMENTS
Due to any significant unforeseen increase and/or decrease of
student population, all class lists are tentative until September
18th, Reorganization Day. We will be reviewing our numbers
throughout the next few days and we may need to reorganize
some classes within the school. Should this be necessary, all
students involved will receive a letter explaining to the parents
the mandated reorganization and the process involved.
WELCOME TO ST. PIO….
We welcome the following staff members to St. Pio:
G. Tshiama (Gr. 1 French Immersion Teacher)
A. Gombos (Gr.4 Teacher – temporarily replacing
Mrs. Fernandes on maternity leave)
M. Rizvi (Planning Time Teacher)
P. Sothiratnam (Educational Resource Worker)
J. Cugliari
M. Szeto
I. Stypka
K. Campbell
C. Federico
P. Botelho
C. Badali
A. Siddall
N. Eagles
L. Ferreira
A. Paccione
M. Rizvi
J. McGuire
N. Correia
P. Sothiratnam
S. Boem
A. Miskiv
D. Yuskoski
F. Antunes
B. Petricca
R. Patterson
J. Lavalle
5/6
106
6/7
109
7
110
8
108
SERT
SERC/SERT
ESL/PT
ESL/PT
FSL
LIB./PT/SERT
PT
PT
ERW
ERW
ERW
DECE
DECE
CYW
Head Custodian
Head Secretary
Vice Principal
Principal
SCHOOL HOURS
ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS
8:00 – School office opens
8:30 – Supervision in the yard
8:45 – Morning bell
10:08– 10:23 - Morning recess
11:46 – 12:46 – Lunch
2:10 – 2:25- Afternoon recess
3:15 – Dismissal
4:00 – School office closed
ST. PIO STAFF 2015-2016 (Tentative)
Teacher
D. Bozzo
A. Livermore
M. Lawrence
L. McGilchrist
D. McMenemy
G. Tshiama
P. Casale
E. Batista
R. Naccarato
T. Graffi
J. Moir
C. Gonano
L. Jang
A. Gombos (LTO)
M. Sroczynska
Grade
Room#
FDK
FDK
FDK
1
1/2
1 FI
1 FI
2 FI
2 FI
2
3 FI
3
3/4
4
4 FI
L01
L02
L03
L05
L06
L07
L09
L12
L10
L08
L11
102
103
104
105
At St. Pio we consistently strive to be
environmentally friendly and reduce
our carbon footprint. Please help us in
our endeavours by signing up to
receive our school newsletter as well
as school notifications electronically
each month. Simply complete the
CASL (Canada’s Anti-Spam
Legislation) Consent Form which was
sent home with the Student
Verification Forms.
LUNCH CONTRACTS
This week your child(ren) will bring
home a Lunch Contract. This must be
filled in and returned to your child’s
teacher by Friday, September 11th,
2015. This will ensure that the school
is aware of where you prefer your
child(ren) to be over the lunch hour.
Any changes to the contract
throughout the year must be submitted
in writing to the teacher and/or office.
Thank you for your cooperation in this
matter. Once children have arrived at school they must remain on
school property. They are not permitted to leave school property
without written permission, and must be accompanied by an
adult. This includes appointments.
Lunch (Delivered)
We have many parents who drop off lunches for their child(ren)
at school. Classes are not to be interrupted for students to pick up
lunches. Please advise your child(ren) in the morning
to expect a lunch to be dropped off prior to the
lunch time. There is a table inside the main
doors where lunches can be left. The students
will be allowed to come down and pick up their
lunch prior to lunch time.
FRONT DOOR ACCESS
A monitored entry system is active at the front door to our school.
Similar to an apartment building entry, parents and visitors may
enter the school only once accepted for entry at the front office. As
a consequence our school doors will remain locked at all times.
We ask for your patience and understanding if there is a wait at the
doors. Often our school secretary is away from her desk for
photocopying and the like. Upon entry to the school building please
report immediately to the main office. Only approved visitors will
be granted permission to access other areas of the school. Parent(s)
wishing to meet with staff are asked to remain at the office until
they can be met by the respective staff member. Thank you for your
vigilance to assist us to provide a safe environment for both the
students and staff.
STUDENT ABSENCES
All parents/guardians are required to call and inform the school if
their child(ren) will be absent. You may also leave a message on
the school voice mail anytime in the evening and up to 9:30 a.m.
This is a safety precaution that can save precious moments
should there ever be an emergency situation. Upon reaching the
answering service, please leave the following information:
Date of Absence
Student’s full name
Grade level and teacher
Reason for absence
Phone Number: 905 361 1327
Please continue to call each day that your child is absent.
When your child returns to school, please provide the teacher
with a note regarding the specific reason for the absence.
PICTURE DAY
Tuesday,
29th, 2015
Day for all
St. Pio of
School.
September
is Picture
students at
Pietrelcina
OPEN HOUSE
Please reserve Wednesday,
September 23rd, 2015 for our Open
House. In addition to reconnecting
with friends and meeting new families,
you have the opportunity to visit the
classroom, meet your child’s teacher
and receive important curriculum
information. Parents will also have the
opportunity to visit the Book Fair in
the Library. More information will
follow. We hope that you will be able
to join us.
SAFE SCHOOL
INITIATIVES:
BEFORE SCHOOL HOURS
SUPERVISION
For your child’s safety, we request that
he/she not be on school property until
supervision begins at 8:30 a.m. Thank
you!
SECURITY REMINDER: PARENTS,
PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE
YARD…
What We Are Asking...
When you arrive at the schoolyard
during the supervised times, we ask that
you leave the supervision to those who
are assigned that task. We are asking
that you kindly remain just off the paved
area so that the assigned supervisor can
effectively monitor the children’s safety
in the yard. Please wait on the paved
sidewalk, and refrain from wandering
into the yard. For the Kindergarten
parents, you are most welcome to stay,
all we ask is that you remain on the
outside of the fenced area.
If you must walk through the yard, we ask that you do so quickly
without interaction with students.
VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS
A reminder that all visitors, INCLUDING PARENTS, are
required to sign in at the office when entering the school. You
will be asked to sign out when you leave. Identification badges
are required to be worn when visitors are in the school. Please
enter the school through the main doors only. We ask that
you do not go unannounced to the
door of your child’s classroom! We
will be happy to assist you at the office.
This will ensure student safety at all
times. We thank you for your
cooperation in supporting a safe
environment at St. Pio of Pietrelcina.
STUDENT AGENDAS
The St. Pio Agenda has been ordered
for students in Grades 1 – 8. Many
thanks once again to our School
Council for providing this valuable
communication tool for each of our
students free of charge. This agenda
serves as a teaching tool for homework
planning and organization. Please read
your child’s agenda on a regular basis.
VIRTUES INITIATIVE
A key aspect of the Board’s strategic
direction for 2015-2016 is the further
development of Safe, Caring, Inclusive
Catholic School communities. The
Virtue Project will continue to be a
central aspect of the plan.
KISS AND RIDE
The Kiss and Ride lane is a convenience provided to parents with
the intention that parents remain in their cars. Parents who need
to get out of their car to let their child out, should park either on
the street or at Huron Heights Park parking lot and escort their
child/ren safely onto school property.
Rules to remember:
Never park in the Kiss and Ride lane and get out of your car.
Always pull up to the front of the line and let your child out
at the sidewalk where the supervising teacher will be
standing. Do not let your child out anywhere else! Thank you
for your assistance in making our school the safest it can possibly
be for our students!
END OF DAY PICK-UP
To ensure the safety of all students, the parking lot
and Kiss and Ride lanes will be blocked off at 3:00
p.m. each day. If you are picking up your child, we ask
that you park on the street or at the Huron Heights
Park parking lot at the back of the school. We ask for
your patience and co-operation to
keep every child safe. We know that
the evening pick up can run as
smoothly as the morning drop–off if
we all work together.
The Virtues…
In response to the Ministry of
Education’s focus on Bullying
Prevention and Character Education,
the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board initiated the Virtues
Program. The Virtues Program is
intended to raise awareness, promote
conversation and enliven the faith of
both adults and children. Together
with our Religion and Family Life
Programs, and the infusion of Gospel
values across the curriculum, the
Virtues Program comprises a
comprehensive strategy that supports
the goals of Bill 212 in creating and
sustaining safe, caring, inclusive and
healthy school communities.
A virtue is a habit or established
capacity to perform good actions
according to a moral standard.
Each month, our school will focus on a
different virtue. Classroom activities,
assemblies, and school wide activities
will focus on the nurturing of a
specific virtue. We would appreciate
your support in discussing these
virtues with your child and
encouraging behaviours that would demonstrate these virtues.
CATHOLIC CODE OF CONDUCT
The Catholic Code of Conduct can be found in the front of
every child’s agenda. Please review with your child(ren).
Behavior and school expectations will be reviewed with students
at our September assemblies.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework will be assigned according to the Dufferin Peel
Catholic District School Board’s Homework Policy and
Procedures. This can be found in the front of your child’s
student agenda.
VALUABLES
Students are requested not to bring valuables, items of
importance or money to school. This includes CDs/Players,
video games, ipods, expensive sports equipment etc. The school
cannot accept responsibility for valuables brought to school.
Personal items should be marked with the child’s name.
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The DPCDSB has updated and modified their PED Policy.
Details are forthcoming. In the interim we will be following the
original policy. Personal Electronic Devices (cell phones, ipods
etc.) are not to be used on school board property. Students who
carry cell phones for safety reasons must have these turned off
and stored away out of sight. Any infraction of this rule will
include confiscation and return at the end of the day. Repeat
offenses will necessitate parents coming to the office to pick up
the confiscated cell phone, ipod etc.
ALLERGEN AWARENESS ALERT
In addition to our Board Policy, the passing of Sabrina’s law
serves as a reminder of the seriousness of anaphylactic reactions.
It compels a continued call for action and ongoing monitoring of
existing practices to support the safety, health and welfare of all
students at St. Pio of Pietrelcina School. As there are a number
of students in our school who have a severe life threatening
allergy to nuts, we ask our families to refrain from sending to
school any food, etc. that contains nut products (i.e. peanut
butter sandwiches, snacks with nuts, etc.). While we cannot
guarantee a “Nut Free” or “Allergen Free” environment, you can
help to reduce the risk to our students by not sending in peanuts,
nuts of any kind, products containing nuts, nut oil, or nut byproducts, foods that MAY have come in contact with nuts or nut
products and fast food or commercial
snacks where the content or exposure
to nuts of commercial foods or snacks
is unclear (i.e. Timbits). In addition,
edible birthday treats will not be
shared with students at school.
Please do not send cakes, cookies etc.
for
distribution.
Alternate
suggestions are stickers, pencils,
erasers, etc.
A written communication will be sent
to the parents of children notifying
them of the nature of a life threatening
allergy when it is specific to their
child’s classroom. Your continued
cooperation in support of our efforts to
create a safe and healthy learning
environment for all is greatly
appreciated!
STORAGE/ADMINISTRATION
OF MEDICATION
Parents are responsible for ensuring
that all medication and forms are
updated annually. If your child
requires medication, please have all
pertinent forms completed and
returned with the medication to the
office as soon as possible. Parents are
reminded that children are NOT
allowed to keep ANY medication in
their desk, backpack or classroom
(with the exception of an epi-pen if
allergies are severe). All dispensing of
medication requires medical
permission and must be stored in the
office.
MedicAlert’s No Child
Without Program is at Our
School
The No Child
Without program
offers a free
MedicAlert
membership to
students who attend
our school and are between the ages of 4 up to their 14th birthday.
If your child has a medical condition, allergy or is required to
take medication on a regular basis, then you should consider a
MedicAlert membership through this program. MedicAlert is
your child’s voice in an emergency.
MedicAlert membership;
 Gives emergency first responders immediate access to
your child’s medical information on their MedicAlert
bracelet or necklet
 Enables first responders to quickly obtain up to date
medical information by means of the child’s Electronic
Health Record through the 24 Hour Emergency Hotline.
 Communicates with the parent or emergency contact
upon activation of the Hotline
 Allows free updates of the child’s medical record as
needed
MedicAlert identification can alert school staff, friends, coaches
and others about your child’s medical condition should an
emergency occur.
For further information come to the office for a brochure or go to
www.nochildout.ca.
To register your child you will need a No Child Without
brochure from the office. If your child is already part of the No
Child Without program and there have been changes to their
medical condition, medications or emergency contact
information, call MedicAlert at 1-866-679-3220 Ext 1 to update
your child’s file.
our pleasure to invite all parents to
consider becoming a member of the
School Advisory Council. Please note
that our Council will be comprised of
parents, school staff as well as
community and parish representatives.
The aim of the School Advisory
Council is to support school activities
and students through involvement and
fund raising. The School Council also
provides a forum for parents to meet
and share information and ideas
concerning the school community.
If you are interested in becoming a
member of our school council, visit the
school office in order to obtain a
nomination form.
Our first meeting will be held on
Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00 p.m. in
the Staffroom.
On behalf of the school community, a
special thank you is extended to last
year’s School Advisory Council
members for their outstanding work
during the course of the year. I know
that our students will continue to
benefit from their dedication and
commitment!
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
PIZZA DAYS/LUNCH MOMS
Pizza Days will once again be organized for our grade 1 to 8
students on Tuesdays. Our first Pizza Day will be on October
6th.
Hot lunches will be provided through Lunch Moms on
Thursdays for our grade 1 to 8 students. Our first Lunch Moms
Day will be on October 8th. All brochures with prices will be
available soon and distributed to the students. The envelopes
with money and orders are collected and given to Lunch Moms.
All issues with the lunches are dealt with by Lunch Moms.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Communication between home and school is greatly enhanced
by parental involvement with the School Advisory Council. It is
On September 30th, 2015 all parent
nomination forms (found at school
office) must be received at the St. Pio
of Pietrelcina office prior to 3:30 pm.
TERRY
FOX
DAY
Elections
will be
held on Tuesday,
October 6th,September
2015 at 7:00
unless
th, has
Wednesday
30p.m.
been
Council
is
acclaimed
due
to
the
number
designated as Terry Fox Day. Every
of nomination forms being less than
class at St. Pio will be participating in
required
a fulltoCouncil
as
a those
walk/run
in for
order
fundraise,
indicated
by
our
constitution.
Parents
support and celebrate the anniversary
wishing
to beAll
members
the be
of Terry
Fox.
funds ofwill
St.
Pio
of
Pietrelcina
School
Council
donated to the Terry Fox Cancer
2015-2016More
must be
present at the
Foundation.
information
will
meeting.
follow with the details. Parents are
The inaugural
welcome
to joinSchool
us! Council meeting
will follow the elections.
TEXTBOOK POLICY
Textbooks are the property of the school and are
loaned out to students with the expectation that
they will be returned at the end of the school
year in good condition. The teachers keep a
record of each textbook that students are given.
Please help to keep our costs down by encouraging your child to
take proper care of them. There will be a replacement cost if the
textbook is lost or not returned at the end of the school year.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers play an important part in the life of any school
community. At the school level, they help to enhance the
learning opportunities available to students. Volunteers can make
a difference in the academic life of a student. They assist
students with reading, writing, academic drills and
reinforcement, educational games and in other activities that help
to improve a specific needs area.
If you are interested in participating in such a vital program,
please do not hesitate to contact the school.
A reminder that any person working with children must submit
to the school a completed Criminal Reference Check obtained
through Peel Regional Police (application may be obtained at the
school). If you have already submitted one to the school, a
Criminal Offence Declaration must be completed yearly prior
to commencing any volunteer work at St. Pio of Pietrelcina. This
may also be obtained at the school.
*A reminder that anyone who wishes to volunteer to go on
class trips must have a Criminal Reference Check.*
EMERGENCY EVACUATION
Teachers and students regularly practice emergency evacuation
procedures. These include safe exit from the building in the
event of a fire, precautions in the event of a bomb threat and
safety actions / lock downs to be taken in the event of an intruder
alert. In the unforeseen event that we must evacuate the school
for emergency purposes, our students will evacuate to St. Jude
School.
STUDENT INSURANCE
"As required by the Education Act and the Ministry of
Education, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
annually provides parents with information about cost-effective
student accident insurance coverage via student courier.
Although enrolment is voluntary, the board encourages parents to
take advantage of the inexpensive insurance coverage, especially
if their child/children participate in
sports, excursions/field trips, or, if
parents do not have dental insurance
coverage. Forms were distributed to
students on the first day of school.
Enrolment is required in writing so
there are two options for enrolment:
1) Complete the traditional form and
mail it in
2) Photocopy the form and fax it to
Reliable Life at 1-905-522-7211 or 1800-463-KIDS (5437). Parents alone
have the right to insure their children."
CONCUSSION POLICY,
GUIDELINES
AND PROTOCOL
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board has developed a Concussion
Policy and Guidelines for students who
have been diagnosed with a concussion
by either a medical doctor or nurse
practitioner. School staff cannot
diagnose a concussion. Anytime a
student reports to the office with a
head injury, the parent/guardian will
be contacted and the incident will be
entered into the school’s
“Documentation of Head Injuries” log.
Your child will be given an
information pamphlet entitled “We
want to give you a heads
up…Concussions are serious.” This
pamphlet outlines the signs and
symptoms of concussions. It also
includes information about what to do
if you suspect your child has a
concussion and how a concussion is
treated. Guidelines have been
developed by Dufferin-Peel CDSB to
support a 10-phase “Return to
Activity” process following a
diagnosed concussion. These
guidelines include 5 phases for
“Return to Learn” followed by 5
phases for “Return to Play”. With
parental consent, school administration
will work collaboratively with school
psychology staff to monitor your
child’s progress through the 10 phases.
For more information, please contact your child’s school.
ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA SCHOOL WEBSITE
Parents and students are encouraged to check out the St. Pio of
Pietrelcina School website. You will find valuable information
including school news, School Council items, updates and
upcoming events. The site’s address is www.dpcdsb.org/PIOPI.
2015- 2016 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
The list of school holidays and Professional Activity Days is
attached and is also located on our school website.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
PLASP Child Care Services operates Before and After School
Programs at this school. The Before School Program operates
from 7:30 am and continues until school begins. A nutritious
breakfast is served daily. The After School Program begins once
school is dismissed and goes until 6:00 pm. Children participate
in recreational activities, are served a nutritious snack daily and
have time for homework.
PLASP will also be operating Before and After School Programs
for 4 and 5 year old children attending Full Day Kindergarten at
this school. Breakfast, snacks and age appropriate activities will
be provided daily.
Fee assistance is available.
Registration is currently taking place.
To register your child, visit the PLASP Program Director, before
or after School. For further information, call 905 890 1711 or
visit the website at www.plasp.com.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
On rare occasions, we are faced with difficult situations in which
non-custodial parents arrive at school asking to visit their child
or to take their child home after school.
We are best able to serve and protect students when we are made
aware of legal custody arrangements, visitation rights and other
special instructions. If legal custody matters affect your family,
please ensure that our office and classroom teachers are aware of
any custodial arrangements that may affect your child during
school hours.
I LOVE MY CATHOLIC MOMS
GROUP
CALLING ALL MOMS!
You are invited to attend a monthly
gathering to pray, learn and inspire
Catholic moms at Sts. Peter & Paul
Parish. We will meet in the
Boardroom (next to the parish office).
Tuesday, September 17 @ 7:30p.m.
Tuesday, October 20 @ 7:30p.m.
Tuesday, November 17 @ 7:30p.m.
If you have any questions, please
contact Catherine Lindo at
905-279-7702 or email
catherinelindo@gmail.com.
TERRY FOX DAY
Friday, October 2nd, has been
designated as Terry Fox Day at St. Pio.
Every class will be participating in a
walk/run in order to fundraise, support
and celebrate the anniversary of Terry
Fox. All funds will be donated to the
Terry Fox Cancer Foundation. More
information will follow with details.
Parents are welcome to join us!