ST. SEBASTIAN CATHOLIC
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
“Soldiers of Faith, Endurance and Freedom”
www.dpcdsb.org/SEBAS
Follow us on Twitter @DPCDSBSchools
SEPTEMBER 2015
3460 Aquinas Avenue, Mississauga ON L5M 7L2
Phone (905) 607-0107
Fax (905) 607-2535
OFFICE STAFF
PRINCIPAL: D. Marchand
VICE-PRINCIPAL: S. Kearns
SECRETARY: Z. Kameka
SECRETARY: M. van Putten
SUPERINTENDENT OF
MISSISSAUGA NORTH
T. Cruz
905-890-1221
TRUSTEES
S. Hobin (Wards 2&8)
905-301-1210
E. O’Toole (Wards 9&10)
905-812 - 5163
Parish
Merciful Redeemer Catholic Church
2775 Erin Centre Boulevard
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 5W2
Tel: 905-812 - 0030
Fax: 905-812 - 0011
Pastor: Fr. Vid Vlasic
Associate Pastor: Fr. Scott Birchall
Email: office@mercifulredeemer.org
Website: www.mercifulredeemer.org
VIRTUE FOR SEPTEMBER: Faith
A Prayer
Begin
our and
Year
Faith is the great
virtue of to
believing
in God
trusting that God
is with us. A faithful person believes that we are created, guided
andtogracious
God,
by andGood
destined
be reunited
with God.
We invite
into that
our God’s
schoolplan
andfor
classrooms.
A faithful
personyou
believes
us includes the
to be
safe,
at school.
Bless ourright
minds
and
fillespecially
them with
knowledge and
A faithful person
prays regularly
and reverently,
wonder
about Your
world. learns from
Scripture stories, honours people’s God-given names, assumes
Bless our hands as they become your hands of care and
that there is good in everyone
thoughtfulness
and accepts the God-given
worthto
of others.
themselves and others.
Open our eyes to all our education offers us each day,
and help us learn Your ways.
DATES
TO words
REMEMBER
Fill our mouths
with kind
that show appreciation
for our school staff,
classmates and friends.
Forgive us when we forget that You are our guest.
Thank You for dwelling in our hearts, our classrooms,
and our school with Your spirit, grace and love.
May we serve you with our learning
and love what we do in Your name.
Amen.
Sept 8th
Sept 18th
Sept 24th
Sept 25th
Sept 28th
Sept 28th
Sept 29th
Sept 30th
Sept 30th
Sept 30th
Oct 5th
Oct 12th
DATES TO REMEMBER
School Council Nomination Forms (available in office)
PD and Reorganization Day (No School)
Curriculum Night 6:30pm to 7:30pm
School Council Nomination Forms due in Office
Photo Day
First Communion Parent Mtg. (7:00 p.m.) at Church
Chocolate Fundraiser Kickoff
School Council Final Meeting and Elections(6:30 pm)
Terry Fox Walk 9:15am
Confirmation Parent Meeting (gr.7&8) (7:00 p.m.) at Church
Confirmation Parent Meeting (gr.7&8) (7:00 p.m.) at Church
Happy Thanksgiving / No school
SCHOOL HOURS
9:00 a.m.
Opening
11:05 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
A.M. Recess
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Begins
2:25 p.m.-2:40 p.m.
P.M. Recess
3:30 p.m.
Dismissal
A WARM WELCOME TO ALL!
Welcome back everyone to St. Sebastian Catholic
Elementary School! On behalf of the staff, I would
like to extend a warm welcome to you and your
children as we begin the 2015-2016 school year. A
very special welcome to our new students and
staff, including our Junior Kindergarten students!
Each year brings us new experiences and new
opportunities to learn and grow as a Catholic
Community. We hope and pray that the journey
this year will be both a rewarding and fulfilling
academic and spiritual learning experience for
everyone. As a Catholic school community, we
will support each other in this journey together!
In the area of academics, we will be focusing on
Literacy and Numeracy to ensure that high yield
teaching strategies are implemented to improve
student achievement. Guided writing practice and
guided reading will be a school wide focus. In
numeracy, teachers will be concentrating on the
three part lesson plan to improve numeracy skills.
All that we do will be embedded in our Catholic
values and the virtues program. We hope to
educate and nourish your child both academically
and spiritually. 2015-2016 school year promises to
be filled with a variety of terrific learning
opportunities for our students. In the pursuit of
excellence, the partnership of home, school, church
and community is essential for the success of your
child and we encourage you to participate in your
child’s spiritual, physical and academic growth. I
encourage all parents to get involved in the School
Advisory Council. If you have any questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We
look forward to working with your children and
hope that they have a successful 2015-2016 school
year!
Sincerely,
D. Marchand, Principal
MERCIFUL REDEEMER CATHOLIC
CHURCH
2775 Erin Centre Boulevard
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 5W2
Phone: (905) 812 - 0030
Fax: (905) 812 - 0011
Email: office@mercifulredeemer.org
Website: www.mercifulredeemer.org
Pastoral Team Fr. Vid Vlassic (Pastor), Fr. Scott
Birchall (Associate Pastor), Rev. Mr. Peter L. T.
Rickards (Deacon), Rev. Mr. Brian du Quesnay
(Deacon), Marc Puigmarti (Youth Minister)
and Patricia Pereira (Office Manager).
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Sacraments are parish, not school events. The
Catholic Schools assist the parish by teaching the
relevant catechetical material. Only those children
registered by their parents will receive the
sacraments. Please note that this year,
Confirmation will be for Grade 7 & Grade 8
students. Registration for Sacraments takes place
at parent meetings at Merciful Redeemer Church.
Please set aside these dates: Wednesday,
September 30th, 2015 or Monday, October 5, 2015
for Confirmation Parent Meeting (7:00 p.m.), and
Monday, September 28th, 2015 for First Holy
Communion Parent Meeting (7:00 p.m.).
CURRICULUM NIGHT AND OPEN HOUSE
All parents are invited to attend the Open House
Curriculum Evening at the school on Thursday,
September 24th, 2015 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
On Friday, September 18th, teachers will be
involved in professional development activities.
There will be no school for students that day.
CLASS REORGANIZATION
The final reorganization day will be Friday,
September 18th, 2015, to accommodate new
enrollments and transfers. The current class
structure remains tentative until this time. Students
may experience changes should enrolment
projections and actual numbers differ. Should class
changes occur, parents will be notified in writing or
by phone by to September 18th, 2015. No class
changes will be made until this date.
STUDENT AGENDAS:
Agendas have been distributed to all students in
Grades FDK-8. Thank you to the Parent Council for
paying the cost of the Agendas.
PICTURE DAY
All students will have their photographs taken on
Monday, September 28th, 2015.
BEFORE SCHOOL HOURS SUPERVISION
For your child’s safety we request that he/she not
be on school property until supervision begins at
8:45 a.m.
STUDENT ILLNESS
Just a reminder to parents that if your child is ill
please keep your child home until they are fully
recovered from their illness. This would be very
helpful in ensuring that the illness is not spread to
other students in school. If your child is healthy
enough to be in school the expectation is that they
will go outside for recess. We do have several
children in school with a compromised immune
system and being exposed to other students who
are ill will increase their risk.
LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES
If your child is at risk for severe life - threatening
allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) , please ensure that
the office staff and classroom teacher are aware and
that the proper medication and emergency
procedure forms are in place and up to date.
MEDICATION
If your child requires medication prescribed by a
doctor, to be taken at school, you must contact the
office to obtain Board approved forms (GF 035). We
are required by Board Policy to keep on file forms
that must be signed by you and your doctor on an
annual basis.
MEDIC ALERT’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 obtain up-to-date medical
information quickly 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.
Medic Alert 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 front foyer for a
brochure or go to www.nochildwithout.ca. To
register your child you will need a No Child
Without brochure from the front foyer. 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 1-866-6793220 to update your child’s file.
PAPERLESS SNACKS/LUNCHES
Students and staff are encouraged to be
environmentally friendly, by reducing the amount
of paper and plastic waste from lunches and
snacks. Students are reminded that food wrappers
should be disposed of before going out onto the
yard and to use the classroom garbage cans for any
waste. Wasps and bees are a real problem every
year and the outdoor garbage bins tend to attract
them. As a result, the teachers will give the
students an opportunity to have their snack inside
either before or after recess. Snacks are not
allowed on the playground at any time. Juice, milk
or water may be purchased from the vending
machines at 12:00 p.m., for consumption within the
school, during lunchtime only.
LUNCHES BROUGHT TO THE OFFICE
If you are bringing a lunch for your child to pick
up from the office, please ensure that it is labeled
with your child’s name, teacher’s name and room
number. Please instruct your child to come to the
front lobby and pick it up at 12:00 p.m. and no
sooner. In order to avoid classroom interruption,
students will not be called from class before 12:00
p.m. Your cooperation is appreciated.
ALLERGY AWARENESS ALERT
A number of our students have a severe lifethreatening allergy to peanuts and/or all nuts as
well as other allergens. Please do not send any
peanut or nut products to school with your child.
Please also do not send any food items as gifts
intended for the entire class in celebration of
birthdays, etc. as they will not be distributed to
students. Non-edible items such as pencils or
erasers are appropriate substitutes.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS
Nominations will take place from Tuesday,
September 8th, 2015 until Friday, September 25th,
2015 between the hours of 8:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
No nominations will be accepted after Friday,
September 25th, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Nomination
forms are available in the office. Elections will be
held on Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 at 6:30
p.m. in the library.
BUS LOADING ZONE
Please be reminded that the front of the school is
designated as a “Bus Loading Zone”. Parents are
not permitted to pick up or drop off students in
this zone. The safety of the students is our priority.
Please drop off or pick up students in the
designated school parking lot or the “Kiss and
Ride” area.
TRANSPORTATION
Please ensure that your child rides the bus to which
he or she has been assigned. If you wish to change
your child’s bus, bus stop or have concerns about
the bus schedule you must contact the
Transportation department directly @ 905-8900614. The Peel Transportation Consortium has
ruled that the Courtesy Rider policy will only take
effect as of October. The school will be notified if
we are permitted to allow more riders. We are
starting the school year with our buses quite full
with eligible riders, reducing the possibility of
courtesy seats becoming available. Requests for
“empty seats” must be submitted in writing and
addressed to Mr. Kearns. Please pick up and fill
out a TFL004 should you wish to apply for a
courtesy seat. Please be sure to list your child’s
grade, address and phone number. Bus students
must have written permission from a parent,
handed in to Mr. Kearns, if they wish to walk home
or take a bus other than the one assigned. It is a
parental responsibility to ensure that Kindergarten
and Grade One students are met at the bus. If the
bus driver does not see a parent or sitter at the
scheduled bus stop, the established procedure is
that the child will be returned to school.
RECESS BREAKS
Recess breaks serve a special purpose in the daily
life of a school. Students, except in exceptional
circumstances, will not be excused from going
outside. If your child is sick, he or she should be at
home recuperating and not spreading illness
throughout the classroom. There is no indoor
supervision at recess, as staff is occupied
elsewhere, or on duty outside.
COMMUNICATION
In an effort to be more environmentally
responsible, St. Sebastian Catholic Elementary
School will provide information electronically to
parents/guardians through our school website
(http://www.dpcdsb.org/SEBAS) and through
direct email to students’ homes. By providing us
with an email address, you will be able to support
our efforts to protect our environment by reducing
the amount of paper and electricity we use in
preparing paper newsletters. We will be able to
send you our school newsletter, as well as any
important updates, efficiently and effectively if we
have your email address. Of course, should you
prefer not to give us your email address, we will
provide a paper copy of the newsletter to your
child to bring home. Thank you to the many
parents and guardians who chose to have our
newsletter emailed to them. Please be sure to
provide the school with email addresses while
updating your child’s verification information. It
is a vital concern that the school and home should
be in close communication. Throughout the school
year, we will be emailing newsletters as well as
posting various communiqués to our school
website. We ask that you please read these in order
to obtain information concerning school matters.
Please contact the school at anytime when you
have a concern. Newsletters will be available at our
school website at http://www.dpcdsb.org/SEBAS.
WELCOME…
We are pleased to welcome the following new staff
members to the St. Sebastian School.
Mrs. Grieco-DaSilva (Gr. 5)
Ms. Slaczka (Gr. 6)
Ms. Ohinski (Gr.6)
Ms. Lawson (Gr. 1)
Ms. McNamara (Gr. 3)
Mrs. Eves (Excel Class)
Mr. Thomas (CYW / Excel Class)
Mrs. Bernier (Social Worker)
Mrs. Sinclair (School Psychologist)
Mrs. Van-Putten (Part-time secretary)
KISS AND RIDE
“Kiss and Ride” is a drop off and pick up area for
students. Parents are not permitted to get out of
their vehicle when using the “Kiss and Ride”. Your
child will be responsible for opening and closing
the car door. Parents are not to get out of their
vehicle to open and close doors as this creates a
safety hazard. If you would like to escort your
child to the sidewalk, you must park in the parking
lot in a designated parking spot, and use the
sidewalk to walk your child into the Kindergarten
area, or to the rear of the school. This will ensure a
safe “Kiss and Ride” area for all. The drive-through
lane must remain clear at all times. There is no
stopping in this lane for any reason. Please note
that the “Kiss and Ride” area is designated as a fire
route. As such, cars stopped in the lane may be
ticketed by parking authority. Parent volunteers
are urgently needed to help supervise the Kiss &
Ride area. Please contact Mr. Kearns if you are
interested.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
PLASP Child Care Services operates Before and
After School Programs at this school. The Before
School Program operates from 7:30 a.m. until
school starts. A nutritious breakfast is served daily.
The After School Program runs from the end of the
school day until 6:00 p.m. Children participate in
recreational activities, are served a nutritious snack
daily and have time for homework. Registration is
currently taking place for September. Fee
assistance is available. 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.
SCHOOL ABSENTEE ROUTINE
On the days that your child will be absent, we ask
that you call the school. The number to call is (905)
607 - 0107. It is the parent’s responsibility to call the
school to report a student’s absence. The school is
responsible for attendance verification and not an
attendance check. This is a safety precaution.
Please provide the following information: child’s
name, grade, teacher, reason, date of absence and
return. We thank you for your support in following
this procedure.
BICYCLES
The school cannot assume responsibility for private
property. Please remind your children that if they
are going to ride their bikes to school, to please
ensure that they are properly locked. Students are
asked to walk bicycles on and off school property.
CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECK &
DECLARATION FORMS FOR VOLUNTEERS
In accordance with school board policies, all
volunteers having direct and regular contact with
students MUST provide a Criminal Reference
Check. There is no fee for volunteers wishing to
have a Criminal Reference Check. Peel Regional
Police require that volunteers bring an official letter
from the school verifying your volunteer role.
Without this letter signed by the principal or viceprincipal, you will be charged for your CRC. If
there are any community members wishing to
volunteer in the school, please visit the school
office to pick up a volunteer and Criminal
Reference Check form and letter. Please note:
Criminal Offence Declaration forms (available in
office) are required to be signed every year for
returning volunteers.
Commencing Tuesday September 8th, 2015,
Crossing Guards will be working at Tenth Line
(West side) at Eglington Avenue during the
following times:
 8:30-9:00
 12:00-12:15
 12:30-1:00
 3:30-4:00

Crossing Guards are responsible for crossing
students and anyone else of any age, including
parents, while they are on duty.
Students and parents must wait until the crossing
guard signals them to enter the crosswalk. Drivers
should wait until the crossing guard finishes
crossing the students and both the students and
crossing guard are safely on the sidewalk before
proceeding through the intersection.
Please listen to, and follow the direction of, the
crossing guard at all times.
VIRTUE FOR SEPTEMBER: Faith
Faith is the great virtue of believing in God
and trusting that God is with us. A faithful
person believes that we are created, guided
by and destined to be reunited with God.
A faithful person believes that God’s plan
for us includes the right to be safe, especially
at school.
A faithful person prays regularly and
reverently, learns from Scripture stories,
honours people’s God-given names, assumes
that there is good in everyone
and accepts the God-given worth of
themselves and others.
RAINY DAY REMINDERS
Thank you for your co-operation and patience during
rainy days. We remind parents and students that the
front of the school is where busses load and unload
the students. Please do not enter the bus lane or
stop in front of the school to unload students.
Please use the Kiss and Ride lane for uploading
and picking up students. In the event of inclement
weather, students may enter the doors at the back of
the school without delay.