ST. JEAN MARIE-VIANNEY
CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
75 Jordensen Drive
Brampton, Ont. L6X 0S1
Phone (905) 497 6888
September 2015
FAX (905) 497 8833
Newsletter #1
NEWSLETTER
Principal
Tim Waters
This will be the only hard copy of
the monthly newsletter going home.
Future information/newsletters will
be communicated by:
Vice Principal
Melissa Daddabbo
Email, Website or Twitter.
Hard copies will always be available
in the office.
To begin the new school year, we will
focus our attention on the first of our ten
virtues – faith.
Faith is the great virtue of believing in
God and trusting that God is with us.
Secretaries
Brenda Waud
Josie Harvey
~
A faithful person believes that we are
created, guided by and destined to be
reunited with God.
Superintendent
Sue Steer
A faithful person believes that God’s
plan for us includes the right to be safe,
especially at school.
Trustee
Darryl D’Souza
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
On behalf of the staff of St. Jean-Marie Vianney Catholic Elementary School
we’d like to welcome everyone to the 2015-2016 school year. We hope you
have had a restful and relaxing summer with your family and friends. A special
welcome to our Full Day Kindergarten children who are starting school for the
first time. Our school continues to expand with approximately 50 more students than this time last year. We expect this growth to continue over the next
few years as people continue to move into their new homes.
Parish Priest
Father Jan Kolodynski
Visit our School Website:
Thank you to our custodial staff and administrative secretaries who have done
a magnificent job at preparing the school for our staff and students.
T. Waters, Principal
CLASS REORGANIZATION—PA DAY, SEPTEMBER 18
The St. Jean-Marie Vianney staffing for 2015-2016 is based on a ‘projected’
student enrolment that is calculated each spring. This projected student enrolment number attempts to take into account any new students who are moving
into our school as well as any students who may be moving out of the area.
There is a strong possibility of some class reorganization occurring on our P.D.
Day, September 18th, due to a difference in our ‘actual’ versus the ‘projected’
student enrolment number. Your patience is appreciated as we follow Board
and Ministry guidelines in reorganizing classes next Friday.
Follow us on Twitter
@VianneyBW
Newsletter #1
Page 2
SCHOOL HOURS
School begins
A.M. Recess
Lunch Hour
P.M. begins
P.M. Recess
DISMISSAL
9:00 a.m.
10:23 a.m. to 10:38 a.m.
12:01 p.m. to 1:01 p.m.
1:01p.m.
2:24 p.m. to 2:39 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION
Daily attendance and punctuality are very important. If your child is going to be absent from
school, or late, please inform the office at 905 –
497-6888.
LUNCH HOUR
During the lunch hour, all students who stay for
lunch are expected to remain at school, and all students who go home for lunch are expected to go home every
day. If there is a change in the regular lunch hour procedure
for your child, parent/guardians are asked to provide the teacher with a note explaining the change. A letter will be going
home with your child in regard to your child’s lunchtime arrangements.
DELIVERING LUNCHES
When delivering your child’s lunch to school please advise
your child in advance you will be doing so, and write his/her
name and teacher’s name on the bag. Your child can come
down at 12:01 p.m. to pick it up from the office. It is helpful to
drop of lunches at 11:45 a.m., as this provides the students enough time to eat their lunch with their peers.
We would greatly appreciate your co-operation in this matter.
TRANSPORTATION FOR 2015-16
Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) has a
website that parents can use to see busing eligibility as
well as bus stops and times. This site was available to
parents since the third week of August. The website is
http://businfo.stopr.ca To access the site type in the
website address, click “student login” enter your child’s
OEN number, street/house number, school and grade
and then click “login”.Your child’s OEN number is on
their June report card.
STUDENT EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Next week, your child will receive a copy of the Early Dismissal
Consent and Student Verifications form which contains your
address, phone numbers, emergency contacts and health information as it currently exists in our computer. We ask that
you take a few minutes and look over this information to ensure that it is accurate. Please make any changes needed
directly onto the sheet and return it to your child’s teacher.
Please add area codes for all phone numbers. ALL SHEETS
NEED TO BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL as soon as possible even if there are no corrections needed. It is very important that we have accurate phone numbers and emergency
contacts.
EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS
Teachers and students regularly practice emergency evacuation procedures. These include: safe exits from the building
in the event of a fire, precautions in the event of a bomb
threat and safety actions in the event of an intruder. If an
evacuation of the school site occurs, our alternate location is
St. Roch Secondary School on Williams Parkway.
BEHAVIOUR CODE
For the safety and well being of all students, it is necessary to
have a number of rules and expectations regarding acceptable behaviour in the school. There are expectations needed
for the classroom, which will be developed by the students
and teacher in each class. There are also school wide expectations set in the school Behaviour Code.
The School Behaviour Code is based on the code developed
by the School Board in response to the Ministry’s Safe
School’s initiative. Students will be reminded about the code
during the month of September, in their agenda and at various assemblies.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
All visitors and parents are requested to enter the building
through the front door.
Please sign in and obtain a visitor pass if you plan to remain
in the building for any reason during school hours. You are
not allowed in the playground while the children are outside.
Please understand that during instructional time, teachers are
not available to meet with you or to take phone calls. Messages will receive a prompt response. All messages or deliveries for students will be handled through the front office.
Students are expected to enter and exit through their designated doors.
KINDERGARTEN YARD
All parents are asked to bring their kindergarten children to
the gate of the kindergarten yard before school and to allow
only the children to enter the yard with teacher supervisors.
With the large number of students in kindergarten, we believe
this will allow more space and a safer environment for the
children. Parents are welcome to remain by the fence outside of the kindergarten yard if they wish. We ask for your co
-operation in observing this procedure for the safety of the
children.
DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE OF MEDICATION AND
EPI-PENS
If a child is required to bring medication to school, procedures
related to the administration of medication shall only be
adopted when:

requested by the parents/guardians; and when authorized by a physician; and

medication must be administered during school hours
Newsletter #1
If a designated staff member must administer medication,
signed request/authorization forms from the parents/
guardians and the supervising physician is initiated and/or
changed at the beginning of every school year. These forms
are available through the school office. The required authorization forms and the medication shall be delivered to the principal or designated person by the parents/guardians or other
responsible person. All medication with the exception of epipens & puffers will be housed in a safe location. Medication
must not be kept in the child’s possession (i.e. pocket, backpack etc.) or in the classroom.
Page 3
SCHOOL MESSAGES
Our school secretary will be pleased to relay messages to
staff and students however please do not call between 3:00
and 3:30 p.m. for this is an extremely busy time in the office
and it is not always possible to get messages to students
before they leave for the day.
When possible, please make end of the day and after school
plans in the morning before children leave for school. With
over 570 students, it becomes a difficult task to relay messages at the end of the day. Thank you for your support in
keeping classroom interruptions to a minimum.
BUSSING
Students who
are eligible to take the
school
bus
should be waiting at
bus stops at
least ten minutes prior
to the scheduled bus arrival time. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that kindergarten and grade 1 children are met
at the bus stop. Children in those grades who do not see a
parent or babysitter will remain on the bus and will be returned to the school to be picked up there by the parent/
babysitter.
KISS AND
SAFETY
RIDE
TRAFFIC
Our school driveway is a matter
of great concern in regards to the safety of our students.
Therefore, we strongly urge you to use the Kiss and Ride
lane to drop off or pick up your child. Kindly assist us in reminding children to use the walkways to enter upon and exit
off of school property. There is NO Parking in the Kiss and
Ride, on the sidewalk or in the marked Accessible spot unless with an authorized sticker. Parents/guardians please
note the driveway is a designated fire route and therefore
cars cannot be parked or left unattended in the Kiss ‘n Ride
lanes at any time. This rule applies 24 hours a day. Parking
control has advised that they will be issuing tickets to those
who come prior to school dismissal and park in the driveway
while waiting for school dismissal.
EARLY ARRIVAL
Students must remain outside of the school building until 9:00
a.m. Students arriving prior to this time should go to the area
where their class assembles for entry. If you are using the
front door in the morning that means you are late for school.
Please go directly to the office for a late slip if this happens.
SECURE ENTRY SYSTEM
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 upon accepted for entry by
the front office. To ensure St. Jean Marie Vianney remains
safe, our school doors will remain locked at all times. We ask
for your patience and understanding if there is a wait a the
doors for various reasons.
SPECIAL FOOD DAYS
We will be beginning pizza and sub days at the end of September. Forms will be coming home shortly. This year we
will not be taking late orders due to the fact that often the
vendor has already picked up student orders and we are left
with the job of scrambling to try and get the late orders delivered. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Lunch Lady will also be offering hot lunches on Fridays beginning in October. This is an optional service.
Bullying Prevention Policy
In recognizing that “bullying* adversely affects the student’s
ability to learn, healthy relationships, school climate and the
school’s ability to educate its students,” DPCDSB prohibits
bullying in all forms, as a serious offence against the dignity
of persons created in God’s image, and as an affront to the
integrity of Catholic learning communities. Thus, the board
is committed to a comprehensive whole-school approach to
bullying prevention and response.
Progressive Discipline Policy
DPCDSB supports the comprehensive and consistent use of
a progressive discipline approach, and shall reflect the model
of Christian discipleship, in its implementation of the Catholic
Code of Conduct.
Students demonstrate respect for self, others
and mentor peers
• Participate in the liturgical life of the school community
• Demonstrate respect for Catholic faith and traditions
• Exercise self-discipline and act responsibly
• Demonstrate courtesy and respect for self/others
• Come to school prepared to learn
• Follow school rules, codes and established procedures
• Refrain from compromising safety of others
• Accept discipline as an opportunity to grow and learn
Page 4
Newsletter #1
SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
The 2015-2016 School Year Calendar, which lists school
holidays, and Professional Activity Days for this school year
can be found in your child’s agenda for your future reference.
We shall keep you informed regarding the purpose and plans
for each of the P.A. Days throughout the year. Newsletters
will be posted during the first two weeks of each month. Periodically check with your child/children to ensure they remember to show you bulletins, classroom newsletters and
other items of information.
There are two primary roles of the Catholic School Council:
STUDENT AGENDAS
We have provided every student from grade 1 to grade 8 with
an agenda for this school year.
Please ensure that you take note of your child’s student
agenda as it contains the school Code of Behaviour, expectations, serves as an invaluable tool to assist them with daily
homework planning, develops proper organizational skills and
good study habits. The agenda is also a daily means of communication between teachers and parents and a way to ensure that homework is being completed each night. Thank
you to our parent council who have paid for the student agendas.
CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECKS
Parents are reminded of the Ministry and
Board Policy that requires all volunteers to
provide the school with a valid (dated within
the last six months) Criminal Reference Check before they
can begin volunteering with students in the school. For more
information, please contact the school. If you have a criminal
reference check on file at the school, an annual declaration
can be made by coming to the office and speaking to Mrs.
Harvey.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Picture day for all our students will be held on
Monday, September 28th.
STUDENT ACCIDENT 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. Enrollment is required in writing so there
are two options for enrolment: 1) Complete the traditional
form and mail it in or 2) Photocopy the form and fax it to
Reliable Life at 1-905-522-7211 or 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).
Parents alone have the right to insure their children. "
It is important for parents and guardians to understand that
the Board does not provide insurance for students against
any accidental death, disability, dismemberment or medical
expenses that might occur as a result of accident during
school activities, including sports events and field trips.

to promote the vision, values, sacramental life and Catholic practices of the School Board and the Catholic community it serves

to be an advisory body to the Principal and the School
Board
As well, the School Council’s role is to establish and maintain
good communication flow within & among the school community, the parent community and the community at large. They
also play a role in the improvement of students learning by:



complimenting educational directives and programs
working to support and promote Catholicity, both in the
school and in the parish
building community through support of sports, school spirit
and community events
The School Councils are comprised of parents / guardians,
teaching and non-teaching representatives, a parish representative and administrators. Parents and guardians form the
majority on Council.







6-10 parents and/or guardians of students enrolled in the
school shall form a majority
the Principal
a student enrolled at the school at the discretion of the
principal in consultation with members of the school council (optional)
a member of the teaching staff
a member of the non teaching staff
a parish representative (designated by the local parish)
one person appointed by the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education
We welcome your participation and encourage you to consider
being a member of the School Council. If you are interested,
drop by the school to pick up a nomination form. Nomination
forms for St. Jean Marie-Vianney Catholic Elementary School
Council will be available in the school office from Sept. 14th—
25th, during school hours. Completed nomination forms and a
brief biography must be submitted by 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 25th,
Our first school council meeting will be held on Monday, October 5th at 6:30 p.m. Please join us! We look forward to seeing
you there.
OPENING SCHOOL MASS
Our first school mass is scheduled with Father Jan for
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015 at 9:30. As always,
throughout the school year, we welcome all parents/guardians to please join us in prayer and Eucharist
as we celebrate and give thanks for all of the wonderful
blessings we will receive this school year.
Newsletter #1
MEET THE TEACHER OPEN HOUSE!
Thursday, September 24th, 2015
from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Page 5
all parents informed regarding activities and events happening
at St. Jean-Marie Vianney Catholic Elementary School. If you
are in doubt or have a question which needs clarification
please call us. Let us work together to provide your children
with a rich, productive and rewarding school year. The Newsletter will be posted on the school website and sent home
electronically every month. Hard copies will be only available in the office. We are an Eco friendly school!
We look forward to seeing everyone there.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
Please note that due to an inability to differentiate between
WOW Butter and real Peanut Butter, parents/guardians are
requested to NOT send this product to school as a part
of your son/daughter’s lunch and/or daily snacks. We
thank you for your cooperation!
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.
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY
SACRAMENTAL PREPARTION
WOW Butter
When it is necessary for your child to leave
school early, please send a note to your
child’s teacher advising him/her of the time
that you will be picking your child up. Your
child will be asked to meet you in the office at
the indicated time. When dropping off or
picking up students during school hours, please go to the
office to sign your child in or out.
STUDENT USE OF SCHOOL MATERIALS
The school will provide your child with many
of the regular school materials such as pens,
pencils, workbooks and textbooks. It is important that children learn to make proper use
of these materials. Your child’s teacher will
explain our expectations in this matter.
Students are responsible for these textbooks and will be
asked to pay if these books go missing or have been
vandalized. The cost of an average textbook is about $80
each. Please encourage your child to take care of textbooks!
HOMEWORK POLICY
A few years ago the Dufferin-Peel CDSB homework policy
document (Kindergarten to Grade 12) was adopted to foster
consistency across the board in this area.
The homework policy may be viewed in full in your child’s
agenda or on the board’s website at www.dpcdsb.org/
homework.
THE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
The school newsletter is one method of communication between home and school. It is important for the school to keep
Sacraments are parish, not school events. Initial preparation
is done by the schools through the religion program. Immediate preparation is the responsibility of the parents and the parish. REGISTRATION FOR SACRAMENTS TAKES PLACE
AT MEETINGS AT THE CHURCH.
DOGS
DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON ANY BOARD PROPERTY.
Please remember that many children and adults are afraid of
dogs.
ATTENDANCE
St. Jean Marie Vianney Elementary School actively encourages and promotes regular attendance. Educational research
has consistently shown that a student’s progress and academic success are closely related to regular attendance and participation in the day to day activities of the school.
Frequent absences from school jeopardize a student’s successful completion of any grade level. Ultimately, responsibility for attendance lies with the student and parent.
Although trips and vacations may provide diverse learning
experiences, the school does not support travel or vacations
during class time. The content covered in each grade is important and requires attendance. While parents may choose
to travel during the school year, the time missed from class is
recorded as an absence and counted in the total absence record for the term and year. Also, assessment and evaluation
becomes problematic. Any assignments that are due while he/
she is away are to be completed and handed in prior to the
trip, at the discretion of the teacher.
Note: Homework will not be assigned if students are away on
a vacation. The majority of student work at the elementary
level is teacher directed and cannot be taught outside the
classroom or from a textbook.
Newsletter #1
Page 6
Upcoming Events:
VIANNEY STAFF 2015-2016 (tentative)
S. Quinn
FDK
D. Vella
FDK
V. Ip
FDK
Sept 18
PA Day Reorganization
E. Fraser
FDK
Sept 23
Opening Mass 9:30
S. Oleksyshyn
FDK
Sept 24
Open House
G. Pileci
Gr. 1
Sept 28
Picture Day
S. Coombes
Gr. 1
Sept 29
Chocolate Kick Off
K. Varone
Gr. 1
Oct 1
Grade 8 St. Roch Arts Presentation
T. Bell
Gr. 1/2
Oct 1
WE DAY
R. Balint
Gr. 2
Oct 2
Terry Fox Walk
K. Crockatt
Gr. 2
Oct 5
World Teachers Day
F. Zoretich
Gr. 2/3
L. Mendoza
Gr. 3
Oct 5
Parent Council Meeting at 6:30
S. Mezzatesta
Gr. 3
Oct 7
Silvercreek Trip - Mr. Ruggiero
G. Ranalli
Gr. 3/4
Oct 8
Silvercreek Trip - Mrs. Rhule
B. Stone
Gr. 4
Oct 9
Family CCCSC Meeting
D. Cecile
Gr. 4
Oct 12
Thanksgiving Day
D. Fendley
Gr. 4/5
Oct 20
Region of Peel Immunization
M. Rhule
Gr. 5
Grade 2, 1st Communion Parent
A. Ruggiero
Gr. 5
Information Night, 8:00 p.m. at Church
K. Duke
Gr. 6
M. Labuda
Gr. 6
J. Quintana
Gr. 7
G. Mac Eachern
Gr. 7/8
Oct 27
Nov 2
Parent Council 6:30 p.m.
Nov 3
Grade 7,8 Confirmation Parent
Information Night, 8:00 p.m. at Church
P. Simpson
Gr. 8.
Nov 6
Picture Retakes
M. Falcioni
S.E.R.T
Nov 11– 13
Camp Muskoka Trip
R. Favaro
S.E.R.C.
Dec 7
Parent Council
P. Glaze
S.E.R.T/ ESL
Dec 2,3
Primary Christmas Concert
A. Cornacchia
Teacher-Librarian / Planning Time
Dec 16
Advent Mass
P. Hilario
Planning Time
J. Bortolotto
Planning Time
B. Reda
Plannng Time
N. Ruszczak
F.S.L
S. Abou-Faysal
F.S.L
@vianneyBW
C. Doherty
DECE
Mrs. Mezzatesta (gr. 3)
@SusannaMezza
J. Romanet
DECE
Mrs. Vella/Mrs. Bellgrave
(FDK)
Mr. Quintana (gr. 7)
@viannFDKB
M. Belgrave
DECE
T. Rodrigues
DECE
@JQtipsJMV
F. Palmieri
ERW
Mrs. Simpson (gr. 8)
@simpsonvianney
B. Reidy
ERW
Mr. Bell (gr. ½)
@MrBellJMV
K. O’Brien
ERW
P. Cutajar
Head Custodian
Mrs. Fraser/Mrs. Rodrigues
(FDK)
Mr. Labuda (gr. 6)
@RaisetheRoof104
A. Lewandowski
Evening Custodian
@MrMLabuda
C. Ticconi
Evening Custodian
B. Waud
Head Secretary
J. Harvey
Assistant Secretary
TWITTER ACCOUNTS
St. Jean-Marie Vianney
Page 5
ALLERGIES
Dear Parents / Guardians
Life threatening allergies, including anaphylaxis, can pose a very significant risk to student safety,
and in June 2005, the Ontario government passed Sabrina’s Law, which addresses issues affecting
students with life threatening allergies.
St. Jean Marie Vianney Catholic Elementary School is an allergen aware school. There are children in attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to certain foods, such as
peanut and nut products. Exposure to the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening
reactions.
As part of our effort to reduce the risk for students with life threatening allergies, the staff
members of St. Jean Marie Vianney Catholic Elementary School have been in-serviced in recognizing the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction and are aware of emergency procedures in dealing with an anaphylactic reaction, which is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. The most common allergen triggers are food, insect stings, medications, exercise
and latex.
St. Jean Marie Vianney Catholic Elementary School is also asking for your cooperation! Please DO NOT send any lunches or snacks that contain peanuts or
nuts, which could potentially harm a child. We would like to keep the classrooms
allergen free. In an effort to do so, any child that brings a lunch into the classroom that might
contain a life threatening allergen will eat their lunch in another location in the school designated
for that specific purpose. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of
this request.
We would also encourage you to bring non-edible treats for special occasions to share
with others in the classroom. There are many alternatives to bringing in food for birthdays and
special occasions. Some suggestions are: stickers, gift certificates, erasers, dollar store toys or
items.
Substitute Products
As a result of concerns for students with life threatening allergies, we discourage parents /
guardians from sending peanut butter substitute products to school with their child(ren). Specifically, the rationale for this is:
1) If a child with a life-threatening peanut allergy sees it, they may experience anxiety and/or
physical panic reaction as a result of visually seeing the peanut butter substitute product, or at
minimum, the child and his/ her family members may have safety concerns about the product
being in school;
2) It can create significant challenges for teachers, and especially students, to identify real peanut
butter from the substitute;
3) If one student sees another with a peanut butter substitute product, they may believe it is
peanut butter, and may take the message home that it is acceptable to bring peanut butter, and
may bring their own peanut butter to school as a result
If you have any questions please talk to your child’s teacher or the school administration.