St. Sebastian Catholic
Elementary School
“Soldiers of Faith, Endurance and Freedom”
www.dpcdsb.org/SEBAS
Follow us on Twitter @DPCDSBSchools
NOVEMBER 2015
3460 Aquinas Avenue, Mississauga ON L5M 7L2
Phone (905) 607-0107
Fax (905) 607 – 2535
PRINCIPAL: D. Marchand
VICE-PRINCIPAL: S. Kearns
SECRETARY: Z. Kameka
ASST. SECRETARY: M. van Putten
T. Cruz
905-890-1221
S. Hobin (Wards 2&8)
905-301-1210
E. O’Toole (Wards 9&10)
905-812 - 5163
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. -John McCrae
Virtue of the Month for November: CONSCIENCE
Conscience is the sense of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s own
actions, intentions, or character. It is combined with a strong feeling of obligation to do
right or be good. God gave us a conscience that includes the standards of how God
desires us to live. We know right from wrong. Our conscience guides us in all we do.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Merciful Redeemer Catholic Church
2775 Erin Centre Boulevard
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 5W2
Tel: 905-812 - 0030
Fax: 905-812 - 0011
Pastor: Father Vid Vlasic
Assoc. Pastor: Father Scott Birchall
Email: office@mercifulredeemer.org
Website: www.mercifulredeemer.org
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November 2nd
All Souls Day
November 4th
Virtues Assemblies Grades 1-8 10:00 a.m. / FDK 11:20 a.m. / Dan McGann
presentation for parents in gym 7:00pm
November 10th
Gr. 8 Immunizations HPV / Gr. 7 Immunizations Hep B & Mengititis
November 11th
Remembrance Day Assembly 10:30 a.m.
November 12th
C.S.A.C. Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. in library
November 16th-24th Scholastic Book Fair
November 17th
Progress Reports go home
November 18th
Junior and Intermediate Speech Competitions 9:45 a.m.
November 19th
Progress Reports Interview Evening 4-9 p.m. (teacher requested)
November 23rd -25th EQAO Parent Evening 6:00-7:30 p.m.
.
GRADE 2 – FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST
COMMUNION PARENT MEETINGS
Please note that the parish is your first source for obtaining
information for sacramental preparation. Please be sure to
obtain a bulletin at weekend Masses. Presentation of
names for First Holy Communion will be at any Mass
on Sunday, November, 8th, 2015, at Merciful Redeemer
Church. If you were unable to attend the previous
parent evenings, there will be a make-up meeting for
parents of First Holy Communion students on
Monday, November 30th, at 7:00 p.m. at Merciful
Redeemer Church. First Reconciliation for St.
Sebastian School students will be on Wednesday,
February 17th, 2016. @ 9:30 a.m. at Merciful Redeemer
Church. First Communion will be on Sunday, April
24th, 2016 @ 3:00 p.m. at Merciful Redeemer Church.
GRADE 7 & 8 CONFIRMATION
Please note that the parish is your first source for obtaining
information for sacramental preparation. Please be sure to
obtain a bulletin at weekend Masses. The Letter of
Request for Confirmation is to be presented on
Saturday, November 7th, 2015 at the 7:00 p.m. mass at
the Merciful Redeemer Church. If you were unable to
attend the previous parent evenings, there will be a
make-up meeting for parents of Confirmation
students on Monday, November 30th, at 7:00 p.m. at
Merciful Redeemer Church. Presentation of Cards for
Confirmation takes place on Saturday, December 5th,
2015 at the 7:00 p.m. Mass at Merciful Redeemer
Church. Presentation of Crosses will take place
Saturday, January 30th, 2016 @ the 7:00 p.m. Mass at
Merciful Redeemer Church. The presentation of
Lenten Promises takes place Saturday, February 27th,
2016 @ at the 7:00 Mass at Merciful Redeemer Church.
Grade 7 & 8 Reconciliations take place on Tuesday,
March 1st, 2016, 9:00 a.m. at St. Sebastian School.
Grade 7 Confirmation will take place on Saturday,
April 2nd, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Merciful Redeemer
Church. Grade 8 Confirmation will take place on
Saturday, April 2nd, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Merciful
Redeemer Church.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Ceremonies will be held in the
gymnasium on Monday, November 11th
at @ 10:30 a.m.
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PROGRESS REPORTS
As per Ministry of Education
guidelines, students in Grades
1-8 will
receive progress reports on Tuesday, November 17th,
2015. Interviews for students requiring them, will take
place Thursday, November 19th, 2015.
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
If there are any parents that would
like to volunteer in the school,
please see the front office for the appropriate forms. All
volunteers must have an updated police Criminal
Reference Check, or updated Criminal Offence
Declaration Form, before they can volunteer.
LOVABLE LABELS FUNDRAISER
As you pull out all the winter gear,
don’t forget to label everything. You
don’t want to spend this year digging
through the lost and found. Why not support St.
Sebastian Catholic Elementary School by ordering labels
through Lovable Labels? 20% of every order comes
back to the school. Personalized labels also make great
gifts. The parents of our school who have already
bought these labels LOVE them! 1-866-327-5683 x412 OR
fundraiser@lovablelabels.ca.
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.
LITTERLESS 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. 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.
EDEN FOOD BANK
Congratulations and thank you to
the St. Sebastian C.E.S. community
who donated generously during our
Thanksgiving Food Drive to Eden Food Bank. We gave
over 1200 pounds of food to help those in need. Your
generosity and compassion towards those in need is a
blessed example of following Jesus’ teaching to love one
another.
ALL STAR READING PROGRAM
The All-Star Reading Program is in need of volunteers.
All Star Reading is a remedial program aimed at
supporting struggling readers in Grades 1 and 2.
Volunteers must commit to 1.5 hours weekly. The
requirements to volunteer include providing a copy of
your valid Criminal Reference Check, an interest in
working with young children and proficiency in reading
and writing in English. A training session will be
provided for new volunteers. If you meet the above
requirements and are able to volunteer, please contact
Mrs. L. Rodrigues our ESL teacher or Mrs. DaSilva,
grade 5 teacher, by November 15th, through the school
office.
GRADE 4: EXTENDED FRENCH
Grade 4 parent(s)/guardian(s), who wish to enroll their
child in a Grade 5 EXTENDED FRENCH class for
September 2016 are invited to attend an information
meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m. for St.
Rose of Lima, located at 4590 The Gallops, Mississauga,
L5M 3A9 (905-828-4076) or Thursday, January 14, 2016 @
7:00 p.m. for St. Therese of the Child Jesus located at
6930 Forest Park Drive, Mississauga, L5N 6X7 (905-7850066). At the present time, the above mentioned schools
are the designated centres for our area. Applications
will be accepted at the centres until 3:00 p.m. Tuesday,
February 16, 2016.
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INDOOR / OUTDOOR SHOES
The students should have a pair of
indoor shoes to wear at school in class
and for gym. Outdoor shoes/ boots
will be kept for outdoor use only and
out of the classrooms in order to
reduce the amount of dirt and mud brought indoors.
This will assist our custodial staff in keeping the school
clean. Thank you for your co-operation.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
This begins at 8:45 a.m. Parents
should not drop off their children
prior to 8:45 a.m. For your child’s
safety, we request that he/she not
be on school property until scheduled supervised times.
Tired of Making Lunches?
It’s not too late to order!
Kidssentials is very different from other companies.
With an emphasis on nutrition and kid-pleasing options,
this full service catering company serves the lunches
fresh onsite to avoid soggy or mushy meals. Lunches are
mixed and prepared just minutes before they are served
to the children, using only the highest quality
ingredients and freshest produce.
Take a break from packing lunch and sign up today.
Meals offered in November and December are still
available for ordering. Menus for the January - March
term may be viewed and ordered online towards the
end of November.
To place an order, view the menu and available dates
visit: www.kidssentials.com/parents and create your
family account.
For more information about Kidssentials meals and any
allergy related inquiries, visit the website at
www.kidssentials.com. Kidssentials can also be reached
by phone at 905-855-1914 or by e-mail at
mail@kidssentials.com
The St. Sebastian Scholastic Book Fair will run from
Monday November 16th to Monday, November
23rd, 2015. Students, parents, grandparents and
family members are invited to visit the Book Fair to
build their personal library collections and/or to
donate a book to their child’s classroom.
Book fair timings:
Monday, Nov. 16th 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17th 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. – Please
use the side Library Door.
Wed., Nov. 18th 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19th 9:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.
(Interview Night)
Friday, Nov. 20th 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23rd 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
The Book Fair is closed during Lunch and Lunch
Recess i.e. 12:00 - 1:00 daily.
PLEASE HOLD THE DATE:
THE ADVENT MASS FOR
FAMILIES
Our school community Mass is
scheduled for Tuesday, December 9th
@ 9:30 a.m. at St. Sebastian C.E.S..
KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION
Monday, January 25, 2016 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
SNOW DATE ONLY:
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thursday, January 28, 2016, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday, January 29, 2016, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
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During the month of October,
our Earth Angels who are
Classroom Presenters visited
all
classrooms
from
Kindergarten to Grade 8 to
explain how we need to create
less waste in our school,
homes, and community. Our Earth Angels who are
Waste and Energy Auditors examined the amount of
waste left behind by our students through packaged
goods and non-recyclable materials. We would like
to thank all of our teachers and students for
participating in our classroom presentations and for
doing their part to bring less waste into our school
and community. We would also like to encourage
all of our parents/guardians and students
to prepare waste-free lunches and snacks
throughout the year. Later this month, our Earth
Angels will be leading our school in our Eco Kick-off
Presentation on November 30th, where we will be
sharing our "green" school initiatives for the
year. Our Eco-Team would like to thank all students,
teachers, and parents for their continued support in
making our school community a greener and
brighter place to learn.
NO DOGS ALLOWED
ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
From 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., dogs
are not allowed on school property.
This includes small dogs being
carried. Please be respectful of the
fact that some of our students have a fear of
dogs.
Rainy Days
Happen!
In the event that it is
raining, please note
that all students should
use the front entrance
only when entering the school during rainy
mornings. Bus students will be entering the school
through the front doors on rainy days.
No Stopping at Front
of School
Youth Faith Ambassadors
In October, our Youth Faith Ambassador program
commenced. On October 29th, Youth Faith
Ambassador presenters visited classrooms to
explain how Christianity and Halloween are
interconnected. On October 30th, Youth Faith
Ambassador liturgists led classes in liturgies
celebrating our faith. Throughout the month of
November, Youth Faith Ambassador presenters will
be visiting classrooms to teach their peers about
the Ten Commandments and how they relate to
our Christian virtue of conscience. Youth Faith
Ambassador liturgists will be celebrating this new
learning through a classroom liturgy. Youth Faith
Ambassador announcers will also be teaching our
school community about a variety of saints
throughout the month. Furthermore, Youth Faith
Ambassador artists will be creating posters of our
blessed saints to adorn the walls of our school
throughout this month. Meanwhile, our teacher
facilitators have prepared packages of liturgies,
meditations and reflections, for teachers to
implement in their classrooms with our students, in
keeping with our liturgical calendar.
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We have been diligent in
asking that no students are
dropped off at the front of the
school, as this represents a
safety risk to students. We thank all those parents
who have been very co-operative and supportive in
our efforts to make St. Sebastian a safe place for
every child. We continue to encourage the few
parents who are choosing not to adhere to our
expectations of putting safety ahead of perceived
convenience.
BUS INFORMATION
Please check the Region of Peel’s
Transportation Department’s
websites (www.stopr.ca and
https://businfo.stopr.ca/) to check for
delays and cancellations. All concerns
and complaints regarding bus
transportation are to be made directly
to the S.T.O.P.R. at 905-890-0614.
SCHOOL WEBSITE
Please visit our website at
www.dpcdsb.org/SEBAS for the latest
school information.
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Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
40 Matheson Boulevard West, Mississauga, Ontario, L5R 1C5 • Tel: (905) 890-1221 • Fax: (905) 890-7610
October 20, 2015
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s):
As a parent/guardian of a child in a Dufferin‐Peel Year 2 Kindergarten classroom, you may wish to consider
the French Immersion program as a possibility for Grade 1 in September 2016. French Immersion is a
program in which 90% of the Grade 1 instruction is delivered in French. Instruction in
English is added in later years.
The Dufferin‐Peel Catholic District School Board presently offers the French Immersion program at St.
Margaret of Scotland, St. Gertrude, Divine Mercy, St Elizabeth Seton and St Pio of Pietrelcina in
Mississauga, and St. Joachim, Our Lady of Providence and St Angela Merici in Brampton. Transportation
is NOT provided for students. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to transport their children to
and from the French Immersion centre.
This program offers an excellent opportunity for becoming functionally bilingual in later years andhas
been found to be very successful. Over 300,000 students are enrolled in Extended French or
French Immersion annually across Canada.
Students in the Dufferin‐Peel French Immersion program attain a high level of proficiency in French at no
cost to the student’s English proficiency or achievement in other academic subjects, such as science and
mathematics. Students in the French Immersion program receive at least 4510 hours of instruction in
French by the end of Grade 8 and can:



communicate effectively in French, by selecting the correct words and nuances, and adapting
language in order to be understood;
understand radio, television, newspapers and books, with the occasional help of a dictionary;
demonstrate knowledge of the culture, society, customs, economy, government and institutions
of a French‐speaking community; function well in a French‐speaking community.
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FRENCH IMMERSION INFORMATION MEETING
Year 2 Kindergarten parent(s)/guardian(s), who wish to enroll their child in a Grade 1 French Immersion
class for September, 2016 are invited to attend an information meeting at:
French Immersion centres
Session location
Date and time
St Pio of Pietrelcina
Tuesday, November 10th, 2015
St Gertrude
St Pio of Pietrelcina
7:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Providence
St Angela Merici
St Angela Merici
Wednesday November 11th,
2015
7:00 p.m.
St Joachim
Divine Mercy
St Elizabeth Seton
St Margaret of Scotland
St Margaret of Scotland
Thursday November 12th, 2015
7:00 p.m.
Submitting an Application
The date to submit an application using the French Immersion on‐line application website as well as the
deadline for the submission of applications will be announced at the French Immersion Parent/Guardian
information sessions.
Lottery Process
Should the number of applications exceed the number of spaces available a centralized, computer‐
generated lottery will be held following the application deadline.
We trust that this letter provides you with sufficient information. However, if more details are required,
please review the Board website for up‐to‐date information. You may also contact your child's present
school, the principal of the French Immersion School in your area, or the board's French as a Second
Language Consultant, Micheline Goguen (905‐890‐0708 ext. 24307). It is recommended that
parents/guardians attend the information meeting at the applicable French Immersion School for more
details.
Regards,
Max Vecchiarino
Superintendent of Program
Dufferin‐Peel Catholic District School Board
MV:mg
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