St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
665 Willowbank Trail,
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 3L6
Telephone: (905) 848- 5397
Fax: (905) 848-0738
Principal:
Head Secretary:
Superintendent:
Pastor:
D. Brkic
S. Ferenc
T. Lariviere
905 890-1221
Fr. John Facey 905 270-2301
February 2016
A Prayer for Families
God made us a family.
We need one another.
We respect one another.
We love one another.
We forgive one another.
We work together.
We play together.
We worship together.
Together we use God's word.
Together we grow in Christ.
Together we love all people.
Together we serve our God.
Together we hope for heaven.
These are our hopes and ideals.
Help us to attain them,
O God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Trustee: M. Pascucci (905) 302-3096
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Fax: 905 890-0888 Tel: (905) 890-0708
mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org
In February
we celebrate the
Virtue of Respect
Virtues Assembly
February 24th, 2016
at 11:30 a.m.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Feb. 2 Report Cards go home
Feb. 4 Interview Night
Feb. 5 PA Day – Interviews
Feb. 9 Shrove Tuesday
Feb. 10 9:30 Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Feb. 12 Valentine’s Dance/Cookies distributed
Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day
Feb. 15 National Flag Day
Feb. 15 Family Day
Feb. 18 6:00 p.m. Social Media Safety Presentation
Feb. 23 9:30 Lenten Mass
Feb. 24 11:30 Virtues Assembly
Feb. 29 Drumfit
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
VIRTUE OF RESPECT
God has given us the virtues 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
courtesy, consideration, sensitivity and thoughtfulness,
which are different ways of saying respect.
That respect should come first and foremost from
ourselves. We have to respect ourselves and then we
will be able to respect others. We should also be able to
expect to be treated with respect by everyone we meet
– our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Through prayer and concentration, we can get better at
respecting ourselves as well as respecting those around
us.
A Person of Respect…
 Treats himself/herself and everyone else with equal
consideration and courtesy
 Uses a positive tone of voice and body language
 Avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and
inappropriate gestures
 Says ‘Excuse me’, ‘Please’, ‘Pardon me’
 Avoids gossip
CONFIRMATION
Congratulations to our Grade 8 students who received the
Sacrament of Confirmation in January. They have
confessed their faith, embracing Jesus’ message and way
of love.
NATIONAL FLAG DAY
February 15, 2016, will mark the 51st anniversary of the
National Flag of Canada. This special Flag Day is the perfect
opportunity to learn more about how our flag was created
and what it means to us.
February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in
1996. It marks the day in 1965 when our red and white
maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in
Ottawa and hundreds of communities across Canada. Red
and white were designated as Canada's official colours in
1921 by His Majesty King George V.
Well before the coming of the first European settlers,
Canada's Aboriginal peoples had discovered the edible
properties of maple sap, which they gathered every spring.
According to many historians, the maple leaf began to
serve as a Canadian symbol as early as 1700.
LENTEN FAITH
ACTIVITIES
The liturgical
season of Lent
begins with Ash
Wednesday,
celebrated this
year February
10, 2016.
During Lent, we are all asked to make small sacrifices
which bring us to a fuller understanding of Jesus’
sacrifice. This is a time for personal reflection, prayer
and almsgiving.
Please join us on Wednesday February 10 at 9:30 for a
liturgy and again on February 23, 2016 at 9:30 for a
Lenten Mass.
FOREST OF READING
The Forest of Reading book club has started at
St.Vincent de Paul school, thanks to Mrs. Pileggi!
Children from kindergarten to grade 6 will have the
opportunity to read recently published Canadian books
and decide which ones are their favourite! In the spring,
we will submit our choices and a winner will be awarded
based on the results submitted by all participating
schools. The program helps to develop recognition for
Canadian authors and Canadian books, contribute to the
financial stability of the Canadian publishing industry,
provide teachers, teacher-librarians, librarians, library
staff and parents with a meaningful tool for improving
literacy in schools and libraries and respond to
community interest and needs. This will be an exciting
journey for your son or daughter. Have them share their
favourite stories with you!
ST. VINCENT de PAUL ECO CLUB
Thanks to Ms.
Raposo and
Mr. Antoniw,
our Eco Team
resumed
their
activities last
month in an
effort
to
engage
students in
small
environmental initiatives that can have a big impact. Our
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
first initiative was the Waste-Free Lunch Challenge. Thank
you to everyone for participating! Please help us maintain
our Ontario EcoSchools certification.
We will be having Waste Free Wednesdays. Staff and
students are asked to bring a waste free, litter-less lunch
every Wednesday. Snacks and lunches can be packed in
re-useable containers that can be taken home, washed and
reused. Our water fountains offer free, cold water.
Students should bring re-useable water bottles, which can
be filled throughout the day.
Keep reading for updates about future initiatives or data we are
collecting to find out how much waste our school produces and
energy we use.
REQUESTING CLEAN,
USED MILK BAGS!
Beginning this week, the
Gr. 8 students will be
leading an important
initiative in our school
community. As part of
their
transition
to
secondary school, they
will be working with
John Cabot high school
to collect used, clean
milk bags, that will then be weaved into mats and sent to
developing countries to be used as sleeping mats. We are
asking for your help.
Please save and send in all outer used, clean milk bags with
your child. The Gr. 8 students will collect these regularly
from your child’s class. This project will continue for the
remainder of the year, so please keep the milk bags
coming in!
Please read the enclosed article “A Common Thread That
Unites Us,” written by one of the John Cabot teachers
involved with this project, for more information on this
very worthy cause.
JUNIOR BASKETBALL
Our Junior Basketball Teams have been working hard in an
effort to make it to the Family Tournament on. They have
shown a great effort so far. Thank you Ms. Khoury, Ms.
Grabowski, Ms. Franchino and Mr. Spadafina for coaching
the teams.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is Black History Month. St. Vincent de Paul
students will be celebrating this tradition during February
in a variety of lessons. Many literary sources are being
used to learn about the events.
We thank you in advance for your support of this campaign
and of our Gr. 8 Faith transitions to high school!
Ms. Ricardo and the Gr. 8 Students
ACTS OF KINDNESS
In honour of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday on January
15 and his dream, Ms. Raposo’s students are trying to
catch one another in acts of kindness and record 100 of
them by Valentine's day!
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAYS
Friday February 5th, 2016 is a Professional Activity Day,
with no school for students. That day is designated for
Parent/Student/Teacher conferences.
April 11, 2016 is also designated as a Professional Activity
day, with no school for students.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
Dufferin-Peel is offering the Full-Day Kindergarten program
in all 123 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga,
Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville. Registration
materials are available for pick-up at the schools.
Parents/guardians are to register their child in person at
their designated Catholic school. To find out which Catholic
school is in your area, please contact our Planning
Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.
Parents/Guardians should bring the following documents
when registering their child:
· Proof of age of the child (birth certificate or passport)
· Original Catholic Baptismal Certificate of the Roman,
Greek or Ukrainian Rite, for parent (one) and child (if
the child has not been baptized, a letter of counseling
with the parish priest, to complete the process will be
accepted.
· Updated immunization records
· Proof of home address (2 pieces: utility bill, bank or credit
card statement, rental agreement)
· Proof of English Separate School support (may be done at
the time of registration by completing an Application
For the Direction of School Support and/or Separate
School Lease Agreement available at the school.
EXTENDED FRENCH PROGRAM
Parent(s)/guardians, who wish to enroll their child in a
Grade 5 Extended French class for September 2016 need
to submit their applications at St. Thomas More Catholic
School (3270 Tomken Road), which is the designated
centre for our area. Applications will be accepted at that
centre until 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM
Online registration for French Immersion Program is
currently open. Should the number of applications exceed
the number of spaces available, a centralized, computergenerated lottery will be held following the deadline.
French Immersion in Dufferin-Peel is open to any child
eligible to attend a DPCDSB school. Parents can enrol their
child at any French Immersion school, but transportation
will only be provided to those students who live within the
school’s boundary area and meet the criteria for busing.
Parents and guardians of students registered in the
program are responsible for ensuring that their children
arrive and depart safely each day to and from their
registered French Immersion site.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board offers the
French Immersion Program starting in Grade 1 at eight
school sites. Students registered in this program will spend
90% of their day learning in the French language. All
subjects and activities in the French Immersion classroom,
except for Religion and Family Life, will be delivered in
French. In Grades 2 and 3, 70% of the instruction will be in
French, with the proportion of English increasing to 50% in
later years.
For more information about the French Immersion
program visit www.dpcdsb.org or call 905-890-0708 ext.
24307.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
On Thursday February 18, Social Networking Safety
speaker, Paul Davis, will speak with St. Vincent de Paul
students in grades 4 – 8 during the day, following up with a
session in the evening for all parents. He will provide a
Common Sense Approach to dealing with the technology
our
kids/young
teens
have
including,
Twitter/Instagram/Facebook, Cyber-Bullying, Hand Held
Devices, Texting, and Legal Matters as well as
demonstrating how easily your account can be
compromised.
Cyber-bullying has become a serious concern in our
children’s world. We seem to be hearing more and more in
the media about children attacking children via social
media, leading to low self-esteem, depression and
sometimes suicide. Paul understands what they do, and
how they do it – online.
Thank you to the School Council for supporting this event.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
Catholic School Council will also be organizing a
Valentine’s Cookie Sale. All proceeds will be used to
support student programs and initiatives at the school.
Valentine’s Cookie Sale
Send your family, friends and/or teachers a Valentine
Heart Shaped Cookie!
Cookies - $2 each or 3 for $5
Cookie orders must be returned to the school by
Friday, February 5th, 2016
Cookies will be distributed on Friday, February 12 th, 2016
CSC will once again be sponsoring the Valentine’s Day
dance on February 12th, 2016. There will be water stations
available to refill students’ reusable water bottles, thanks
to a donation made by AquaTerra.
Our next meeting is scheduled for April 5th, 2016 at 7pm in
the school library.
DRUMDAY AT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL
CSC is excited to bring DrumFIT® to our school! DrumFIT®
is a fun, fast-paced fitness program that combines
drumming, music, dance, rhythm and learning. On
Monday, February 29th all students will have an
opportunity to participate in a DrumFIT® session with their
class. Parents are encouraged to attend their child’s
session and take part in this fun activity. Class schedules
will be distributed in the coming weeks!
MINIMIZING DISRUPTIONS
We appreciate continued parental help and support in
minimizing disruptions to classes, whenever possible.
If you wish to discuss something with your child’s teacher,
we ask that you set up an appointment with the teacher.
Approaching the teacher, before, during and/or after
school makes it difficult for the teacher to focus on her/his
students. This also becomes a safety issue. Please leave a
message with the office and the teacher will call you back.
If your child is late, please have him/her report to the
office. PLEASE DO NOT ESCORT YOUR CHILD TO CLASS.
Please send a note in advance, to your child’s teacher
when your child needs to be picked up early, then meet
them in the office and sign them out.
If delivering lunches to your child at school, please write
your child’s and teacher’s names on lunch bags and leave
them on the lunch table in the front foyer. This would be
greatly appreciated.
COLD AND FLU SEASON
With cold and flu season upon us, the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board continues to be vigilant in
ensuring that our schools are clean and that our school
communities are educated regarding good hand hygiene
and cough etiquette. These practices are promoted on an
ongoing basis, but as the prevalence of colds and flu
increases, our board increases the cleaning of contact
surfaces, as well as reminds schools to review cold and flu
prevention with students and staff. Many resources are
utilized from our regional health units.
A reminder, as well, that
communicable diseases can be
contracted in public places
throughout the year. For
example, cold-related viruses,
such as Enterovirus, are
transferred from person to
person through hand contact.
Cold and flu viruses typically
peak from December through
February, but can start as early
as October.
Please assist us by reviewing
good hand washing procedures,
as well as other preventative measures, as outlined in the
various Peel resources available to you through their
website.
In addition, we remind parents to please use discretion in
keeping your children home to recover. A child who is
coughing and sneezing, is not capable of learning—and is
in the position of infecting other children.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
For more information, visit the health unit website:
http://www.peelregion.ca/health
Direct links to the above information can be found in the
Parent Section of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board website at www.dpcdsb.org
COLD WEATHER
Except when the weather is extremely cold, all students
will be expected to go outside during all recesses. Students
who cannot play outside due to illness should remain at
home until they are feeling better.
It is imperative that students come dressed appropriately
to go outdoors. We recommend that children carry an
extra pair of socks and mittens/gloves in their backpacks.
We also ask our students to have a pair of indoor shoes at
school to help keep the classroom floors dry and clean and
to ensure their comfort and safety. While at school,
students must wear shoes at all times since they would not
have time to put them on in case we have to evacuate the
building.
SNOW
SAFETY
We will keep
reminding all
students of
our
policy
that
snow
must stay on
the ground.
For the safety
of all, there
are to be no snowballs, kicking of snow or any other
activity involving snow or ice that could be harmful.
Although it may seem like a fun activity, our experience
has shown that serious accidents can and do occur. Sliding
on any hills created by snow ploughs, and sliding on ice are
also prohibited.
Please discuss these safety procedures and reinforce them
with your children – it is imperative that everyone adhere
to these rules.
PEDICULOSIS (Head Lice)
Pediculosis is a problem which occurs from time to time
each year in schools. If cases are found we inform all
parents of the class involved by letter. If a child is infected,
we request that she/he be kept out of school until she/he
has been treated with the correct medicated shampoo.
Please keep us informed if this happens to your child.
PARENTS IN THE SCHOOL YARD
Thank you for your cooperation of parents and caregivers
from not entering the schoolyard when dropping off their
children.
DRIVEWAY/ KISS AND RIDE SAFETY
Many thanks to parents / guardians who have been using
the correct and safe procedure for dropping their children
off in the morning in our Kiss and Ride program. Our
driveway is made safer when everyone cooperates. Please
ensure you have pulled up to the front of the drop line to
let children in or out of your car. The driveway gets very
congested as 9:00 a.m. approaches, and many students are
arriving after the bell rings. Please be aware that it is our
expectation that children arrive at school on time and
prepared to work.
LUNCH HOUR ROUTINES
A reminder that students who regularly stay for lunch are
NOT permitted to leave school property without a signed
and dated note from parents each time they leave school
grounds. Students either go home for lunch or stay in
school for lunch. Thank you for supporting this important
safety routine.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
Supervision begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.
Please do not bring/send your children to school earlier
than this time. Given safety concerns, it is not a good idea
to leave your children outside unattended. Please make
other arrangements for the care of your children prior to
8:45 a.m. Please meet your child at the school at 3:30 p.m.
when students are dismissed.
LATE ARRIVALS
All students from FDK to Grade 8, should start school on
time. This prevents interruption of classes and loss of
information for the students. A student is considered late if
the school bell has rung and they are not in line and
entering the school with their classmates. Being
consistently and continuously late interrupts the classroom
during lessons, creates delays in the office and sets a poor
example for those who do arrive on time. Please
encourage and assist your child(ren) to recognize that
punctuality is a responsibility, which all students should be
developing.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
SABRINA’S LAW-ANAPHYLAXIS
If your child has a severe reaction to peanuts, peanut byproducts, bee/wasp stings or any other allergies or medical
conditions, please let the school know as soon as possible.
It is essential that the information you provide to us is
accurate and up-to-date.
There are various forms which need to be completed by
you and your family doctor if it is necessary to store an
epipen/medication at school. We continue to have
students with severe, life threatening allergies to nuts and
peanuts. Although this may or may not affect your child’s
class directly, we require your continue cooperation in
sending foods to school that are free of peanuts, nuts, or
their by-products. We cannot guarantee that any
classroom is nut free, but we are attempting to minimize
the exposure and keep everyone as safe and healthy as
possible.
IMMUNIZATION
Ontario Law (Immunization of School Pupils Act, 1990)
requires all school age children to be immunized against
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
The law requires Peel Health to keep up-to-date records of
your child’s immunization. In the past we have had a
number of students receive letters of suspension from
school due to records not being updated at the Health
Department. It is your responsibility to forward the
information to Peel Health. Whenever you have your child
immunized, inform the Health Department. Your child,
before turning age 7, must have the Age 4-6 Booster for
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio. All necessary immunization
records for your children must be sent to Peel Health. You
may fax your up-to-date information to PeelHealth at 8407144 or call 791- 7800 ext. 7661.
INCLEMENT WEATHER/BUS CANCELLATIONS/SCHOOL
CLOSURES
During the winter months inclement weather may cause
disruption of bus transportation and regular school
operations. A decision to cancel school transportation
and/or to close schools is usually made by 6:00 a.m. and
will be announced on the following radio stations:
CKFM
CFNY
CHIN
CFRB
CHUM
CJCL
CHAY
Q107
DC103FM
CHFI
CJMR
CHWO
680News
AM640
CISS FM
CHEZ
CBC
CIAO
CJBC(Fr.)
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
With all the activities that take place at school in the
playground, the gym and in sports, accidents happen.
Dental injuries can occur when 2 children accidentally
bump heads or fall. The school board does not carry
accident insurance for students. Fall outdoor activities,
extra-curricular and excursions are an additional reason
you may wish to buy student accident insurance. An
insurance package was sent home with your child(ren).
This is optional for families. You may purchase coverage for
your child at www.insuremykids.com or by calling toll free
at 1-800-463-KIDS (5437). Please direct your questions to a
Reliable Life Insurance Representative.
Student Accident Insurance Brochures are sent home with
students at the beginning of each year. Please contact the
office if you are still interested in Student Accident
Insurance.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
St. Vincent de Paul School is required to conduct three fire
drills in the fall and three in the spring. We will also be
conducting two lockdown drills throughout the year.
These drills are standard practice across the Board and
ensure that in the event of a real emergency our students
and staff can respond quickly and appropriately. If you
have any questions or concerns regarding these drills
please speak to your child’s teacher or the main office.
In rare circumstances, our students and staff may need to
evacuate the building as a result of an emergency in the
building or in the nearby community. Our evacuation site
is John Cabot Secondary School. Board regulations and
safety precautions require this contingency plan. Should
an evacuation be necessary, you will be notified as soon as
possible and your child will be held at John Cabot School
until we make direct contact with a parent/guardian.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
On rare occasions, we are faced with difficult situations in
which non-custodial parents arrive at our school asking to
visit with their child or take their child home after school.
We are best able to serve and protect the child when we
are made aware of legal custody arrangements, visitation
rights and special instructions. If legal custody matters
affect your family, please ensure that our office and
classroom teachers are aware of custodial agreements
between parents. We require that a copy of all legal
documentation be kept in your child’s school records.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROGRAM
PLASP currently has spaces available at St. Vincent de Paul
School. Children are involved in fun-filled recreational
activities and are provided nutritious snacks in a warm and
caring environment.
For information, please contact Ms. Tracy regarding
kindergarten or Mrs. White for school Age children.
You may also access www.plasp.com for more information.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
A Common Thread that Unites Us
“In the tapestry of life, we’re all connected. Each one of us is a gift to those
around us, helping each other be who we are, weaving a perfect picture
together.” – Anita Moorjani
Staff and students of John Cabot have combined their talents to give life to a new project that is
sure to become a longstanding Cabot tradition: weaving sleep mats from discarded milk bags that
are then given to Canadian Food for Children to send worldwide.
This has been a true community project.
First suggested by teachers Ms. Mann (CYW)
and Ms. Mascarenhas (Canadian World
Studies), Ms. Mittica (ARD) ran with the idea,
approaching Mr. Marcantonio (Business) who
constructed one large and several smaller
looms to begin our work. Countless bags
were then donated by students and staff
schoolwide. After watching an online tutorial,
students in the Planning for Independence
class flattened and folded milk bags donated
from an ongoing school collection. Then
students like Britney Debique (pictured left)
prepared weaving strips both at school and home that she shared with her Grade 10 GLE
classmates and students in ESL classes like Scarlett Nguyen (pictured below) who began to work
on the looms.
When asked about the hours she’s invested in this new endeavour,
Britney Debique said, “In Grade 3 I realized how little things can
make a big difference when I collected pop can tabs to aid in
wheelchair construction. Again, I see that small things like milk bags
can add up to a lot to the people who get our mats.”
Scarlett Nguyen spoke of how proud she was of her work and how
therapeutic working on the loom can be. “I was excited when I looked
on the Internet and found out how many things can be made with the
milk bags that people usually throw away. I want to learn how to
make the milk bag teddy bear next!”
It takes approximately fifteen hours to fashion one large mat, hours
that members of our community have given enthusiastically and
proudly. Please continue to send your empty milk bags to John Cabot
to leave in our drop box by the main office, and many thanks for what
you have already donated.
By Rhonda Fox, ESL instructor, John Cabot CSS