St. Sofia
Byzantine CatholIc School
Sharing, Caring and Preparing
ШКОЛА СВЯТОЇ СОФІЇ
Virtue of the Month
St. Sofia School
3540 Havenwood Drive
Mississauga, ON L4X 2M9
Tel: 905-625-0823
Fax: 905-625-3124
Website:
www.dpcdsb.org/SOFIA
Secretaries:
N. Vereshchak
P. Trussler
Superintendent
T. Lariviere
905-890-1221
Parish Priests
St. Mary’s Church
905-279-9387
Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Dr.
Roman Pankiw, Dean, Pastor
Rev. Roman Trynoga, Assistant
St. Elias Church
905-459-8888
Mitrophoric Archpriest Roman
Galadza, Pastor
Caledon:
F. Di Cosola
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Vice-Principal
I. Sauvé
A. da Silva
D. D’Souza
S. Xaviour
People of Empathy
Thanksgiving Prayer
Principal
J. Dmytrasz
Trustees:
Brampton:
EMPATHY
416-706-5679
416-528-8515
416-528-9622
905-951-8898
Mississauga:
M. Pascucci
905-302-3096
mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org
S. Hobin
905-301-1210
A. Abbruscato
416-459-0126
T. Thomas
416-845-8225
L. delRosario
416-528-6447
B. Iannicca
905-270-0536
E. O’Toole
905-812-5163
Fall 2015
We thank you, O Lord,
for the many gifts that you have given us,
and especially for all the people
who enrich our lives each day,
for those who are willing to listen,
for friends who accept us as we are,
for people who bring out the best in us, for
critics who challenge us,
for parents, teachers
and pastors who guide us,
for those who set an example for us,
for all those who love us and care for us,
May God continue to bless them
for their goodness and love.
Amen.
On November 2nd, our school
will honour and pray for
Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytskyj.
His great leadership and determination
helped to renew
the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
He was a true pastor to his people.
God grant him eternal rest and may his memory be eternal.
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can understand and name
their feelings
care about other’s feelings
listen for clues in tone of
voice
watch expressions and
body gestures for messages
notice when someone is
upset
can see and respect how
others look at things
know that others may
feel differently about
things than they do
respond generously to
help others
In this issue:
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School Operations
School Staff
Virtue of Empathy
Safe Schools & OCSGE
Bullying Awareness and
Prevention
Homework Policy
Catholic School Council
Green Team Initiatives
Library News
Terry Fox Walk
...and more!
St. Sofia Staff 2015—2016
Full-Day Kindergarten-A
Full-Day Kindergarten-B
Full-Day Kindergarten-C
Full-Day Kindergarten-D
Grade 1
Grade 1
Grade 1/2
Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 3
Grade 3/4
Grade 4
Grade 4/5
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 7/8
Grade 8
Special Education Resource Class
S.E.R.T. Primary
S.E.R.T. Junior/Intermediate
E.S.L. Primary
E.S.L. Junior/Intermediate
Teacher-Librarian
French
French
Planning Time Teachers
International Languages
Educational Resource Worker
Child & Youth Worker
Social Worker
Psychologist
Speech & Language Pathologist
Settlement Worker
Head Custodian
Custodian
Cleaner
Head Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Vice-Principal
Principal
S. Ladna & I. Semczuk
L. Snihura & O. Konopada
C. Battiston LTO/K. Tolomiczenko & M. Czoli
Y. Kopylets LTO/L. Michalak & A. Martino
O. Holyk
H. Chaplia
C. Waschuk
C. Solowy
T. Kraw
M. E. Grabowski LTO/K. Horbaczuk
M. Moskalyk
L. Mazur
S. Chwartacky
L. Ljahovic
G. Melech
D. Desimone
H. Palaszczuk
A. M. Violo LTO/O. Solovka
Y. Tetrault
M. Baran
N. Babicky
M. Maxymiw
T. Dowhal
M. Czury lowicz
T. Dowhal
A. Ostapiuk, D. Neave
D. Neave
S. Constantino-Dinis
M. Rivera
D. Kopach, M. Rivera, D. Neave
O. Iakovleva, D. Bilyj, B. Roszczenko, L. Valorna
J. Hongens
Welcome!
A. Passarelli
C. McLean
We are pleased to welcome the following staff to St. Sofia:
V. Shaughnessy
Carla Battiston—LTO for K. Tolomiczenko
L. Buckle
Mary-Elizabeth Grabowski—LTO for K. Horbaczuk
S. Abdelmessih
Anna Marie Violo—LTO for O. Solovka
A. Muniz
Yuliya Kopylets– LTO for L. Michalak
J. Beltran
Angela Martino– Designated Early Childhood Educator
D. Giove
Lesya Valorna—International Languages
N. Vereshchak
Christina McLean—Social Worker
P. Trussler
Antonio Muniz—Head Custodian
I. Sauvé
Pamela Trussler—Assistant Secretary
J. Dmytrasz
SCHOOL OPERATIONS
The safety and security of our students is of utmost importance.
ATTENDANCE
For safety reasons it is very important to notify the school if your child is going
to be absent or late. Please call (905) 625-0823 press 1, if your child is going
to be absent or late. This communication is vital to ensure the safety of your
child. If we do not hear from you, our school office will be calling to verify your child’s absence.
ENTRY 9:00—9:15 a.m.
DISMISSAL 4:00 p.m.
BUS Students will be dropped off at the northwest bus loop,
and proceed directly to their classrooms. FDK students will
be brought to the FDK gate by their Bus Monitors, where
they will be met by FDK staff. Gr. 1-8 students are to
proceed directly into the building from the northwest
entrance doors. They will be directed by staff on duty.
Please be advised that your child needs to present a note
from parent/guardian to the teacher if there are to be any
changes in dismissal routine.
Bus Students: are dismissed by their classroom teachers and
proceed directly to their bus lines or board called buses.
Parents Picking Up Students Early: Parents are asked to park
in the school parking lot on Williamsport Dr. or on the street.
Parking in the handicapped parking without a valid permit
is subject to towing and ticket from Parking Control.
Buses begin to arrive at St. Sofia as early as 3:45pm,
therefore if you must pick up your child(ren), please plan to
arrive and leave the school property before buses arrive for
dismissal.
As always, parents should give written notice to the school
indicating an early pick-up. This note should be given to the
classroom teacher. Students will be sent to the office at their
scheduled pick-up time.
If you arrive at the school to pick-up your child without a
note, we thank you for your patience as it will take a little
longer for the office to locate your child’s class, notify the
classroom teacher, your child to pack up, and then make their
way to the office.
Parents Driving Students to School: Parents should be
dropping off students at Kiss n’ Ride located on the south
side of the school building. Driveway entrance is off
Williamsport Drive. Parents are asked to kindly follow the
direction of staff on duty.
Students should only disembark from vehicles in the Kiss n’
Ride lane (NOT in the Through Lane). There is no parking in
the driveway. Gr. 1-8 students exiting vehicles will be
directed and led by staff on duty to the northwest entrance
doors. FDK students will be led by staff on duty to the FDK
gate where they will be met by FDK staff.
Walkers: should be walking to the back of the school to the
northwest entrance.
For safety and security reasons, all parents are kindly asked
NOT to enter our school playground. All goodbyes should
be said at Kiss n’ Ride . Thank you for your support.
Students arriving after 9:15 a.m. must enter from the Front
Doors, report to the office, and get a Late Slip before
proceeding to class.
Walkers & Pickup at 4:00 p.m. For safety reasons, a teacher
on duty will escort walkers and pickup students to the Kiss n’
Ride area. They will exit from the southwest doors.
Parents are asked to wait at Kiss n’ Ride area for students to
arrive with the teacher on duty.
FDK Pickup at 4:00 p.m. FDK students for 4:00 pm pickup will
be dismissed at the FDK gate by FDK staff.
SCHOOL HOURS
Student Entry Time
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
School Begins—Bell Rings
9:15 a.m.
Midday Recess & LUNCH
12:09-12:49 & 12:49-1:09 p.m.
Afternoon Recess
2:20 to 2:35 p.m.
Dismissal Bell
4:00 p.m.
October’s Virtue: EMPATHY
God has given us the ability to form connections with each other — to live together.
Empathy helps us to connect and live together in safe, caring, inclusive communities.
An EMPATHETIC person…
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Listens attentively
Watches people’s body language
Notices and responds when someone is upset
Can name his/her feelings
Can see a situation from another person’s point of view
Knows that different people may feel differently about the same thing
Prayer for EMPATHY
Gracious and merciful God of all creation,
You made us to live together in communities.
We are nothing without relationships.
You have given us the virtue of empathy to ensure
that we are able to identify with and feel other people’s concerns.
We come to you now asking for the grace and strength to follow your plan and
to form a safe, caring, inclusive community here at St. Sofia.
May your gift of empathy lead us to know and feel your presence among us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, who lived to show us your way. Amen.
On reflection… How will I know that someone needs me to show
empathy today?
Books about EMPATHY
Parents are encouraged to read with their children and to their children about this
month’s virtue.
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
SAFE SCHOOLS: DUFFERIN-PEEL- PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE AND SCHOOL SAFETY (BILL 212)
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board’s initiative to create safe, caring,
inclusive and healthy school
communities is rooted in our Catholic
identity, in particular, our shared belief
in the dignity of all persons created in
God’s image; Jesus’ model of
discipleship, as the supreme exemplar of how to live faithfully in community; the
importance of cultivating a culture of respect; the Catholic values of Christian service
and concern for the common good; or obligation to the weak, the marginalized, the
hurt and the lost; our call to be the “face of Christ,” especially to the most
challenging and disengaged learner; the importance of offering students
opportunities to change, to make amends, restore relationships and be welcomed
back with love, forgiveness and support; a philosophy of discipline that focuses on
the spirit of Jesus’ law of love, rather than the letter of the law. Safe School Policies
include the Interim Omnibus Policy; Bullying Prevention Policy and Progressive
Discipline Policy.
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
I AM A BELIEVER!
Because I am a believer, I will live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE A VOICE!
Because I have voice, I will use it lovingly, and I will live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE IDEAS!
Because I have ideas, I have a purpose, and I will live my life like Jesus.
I AM A LEARNER FOR LIFE!
Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my dreams, by living my life like Jesus.
I AM A TEAM PLAYER!
Because I am a team player, I know that “Together is Better”, and we will live our lives
like Jesus.
I CARE!
Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I will live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES!
Because I accept my responsibilities, I can make a difference, and will live my life like
Jesus.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN
We are soon scheduled to have our first Fire Drill and
our first Lockdown Practice. Teachers and students
are learning to practice a safe exit 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
in the school and playground. In the unforeseen
event that we should have an emergency which
requires evacuation from our school, our alternate
site is:
St. Alfred School
3341 Havenwood Drive
Mississauga
Safety regulations and Board Policy require us to have
this contingency plan in place. In such an
event, your child will remain at St. Alfred
School until we contact you.
We are an ALLERGEN
AWARE & NUT-FREE
SCHOOL
School can be a very frightening environment for a
child with a severe allergy to peanuts or nut
products. In an effort to further promote a safe and
secure environment for all our children we ask your
support in sending nut free snacks and lunches. We
must take into consideration that these children are
not isolated to any particular grade level and, like all
students, utilize the computer lab, washrooms,
library and physical education equipment. We do not
allow snacks outside at recess to minimize allergen
exposure. We ask that you place careful
consideration to school lunches and snacks and
refrain from sending in items that are made of, or
contain nuts or peanuts. We offer our heartfelt
thanks for your support.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Students who are ill, have the flu, severe coughs
and/or colds should be kept home from school.
Not only is it very difficult for a sick child to attend
to the demands of the school day, it is important to
have consideration for one’s classmates to not be
unnecessarily exposed to cold and flu germs.
In the event that your child becomes ill or injured
at school it is imperative that we contact you or a
person designated by you.
Please ensure that your contact person can be
easily accessed throughout the day.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board
is now on TWITTER!
For the latest Board news and
information
FOLLOW US ON Twitter
PEDICULOSIS
We would like to bring to your attention a problem
that occurs from time to time each year in most
schools. The problem is infestation by head lice
(pediculosis).
If cases are found in the school, we shall inform the
parents. If your children do become infested by head
lice, we will ask you to keep them out of school until
after they have been treated with the correct
shampoo and their hair is entirely clear of both lice
and nits (eggs).
Your cooperation is appreciated as we quickly try to
control outbreaks. If you have any concerns, please
contact our school office.
CASUAL
FRIDAYS
for St. Sofia Staff
You may have noticed that the staff at St. Sofia School are
dressed casually on Fridays.
Through their generous donations made on these
Fridays, we are supporting ShareLife and the many
charities affiliated with the United Way of Peel
SCHOOL AGENDAS
HOMEWORK POLICY
Thank you to our St. Sofia Catholic School Council for so
generously funding our school agendas, which have
been provided for the children in Grades 1 to 8. As you
know organizational skills are imperative in the success
of a child in school. Your child is responsible to record
their homework, upcoming projects/assignments,
important dates, and teacher notices in their agenda.
We are asking that you, as a parent, check your child’s
agenda on a daily basis and initial it. The teachers will
be reviewing the importance of the agenda with their
students and we ask that
parents take the time to go
over it with your child(ren).
Following consultation with system stakeholders, a
Dufferin-Peel homework policy document (Kindergarten
to Grade 12) was adopted to foster consistency across
the board in this area.
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 and your costs down
by encouraging your child to take proper care of them.
There will be a replacement cost to the student if the
textbook is damaged, lost or not returned at the end of
the school year.
CURRICULUM EVENING
The policy addresses the following:
 definition of homework
 characteristics of effective homework
 types of commonly assigned homework
 general and specific procedures
 reporting of homework
 roles and responsibilities of administrators, teachers,
students, and families
The homework policy may be viewed in full at:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/homework
A summary of the key features of the document is
available in the student agenda. Below are some helpful
Be’s to support families in the homework process:
Be
positive
Be
consistent
Be
available
Be
attentive
Be a
role model
Thursday, September 24th was our school’s
Curriculum Night. It was a wonderful opportunity for
students and their families to meet the staff of St. Sofia
School. We appreciate your time in establishing the
important home-school relationship.
Special thanks to our families for attending, meeting
with teachers and having a tour of our newly renovated
building!
We would also like to thank the Catholic School Council
for their support of our students and families!
Best wishes to all for a wonderful school year!
Be a
cheerleader
Be
observant
Be
involved
Communicate a positive attitude towards
homework
Develop a homework routine that includes a set
time and a regular space for completing
homework, free from distractions.
Encourage independent work on the part of
your child, but be available for assistance.
Provide guidance, not answers.
Take a few minutes every day to chat about the
school day. Listen attentively to your child.
Let your child see you reading, writing, and
using math during homework time.
Praise your child for the effort displayed in
completing homework.
Note any signs of frustration that your child may
display while completing homework. If it
appears difficult or confusing or if there are
errors, encourage your child to ask the teacher
for help at school the next day.
Participate in school functions that offer you the
opportunity to stay connected to your child’s
learning.
ST. SOFIA GREEN TEAM
The GREEN TEAM is comprised of students from grades 4- 8 who want to help "green" St. Sofia by participating
in various activities that reduce the ecological footprint of our school. We have registered St. Sofia with Ontario
EcoSchools and hope to be certified as an "EcoSchool" by the end of June. For further information regarding
Ontario EcoSchools visit: http://www.ontarioecoschools.org
Here are some ways you can help the GREEN TEAM:
1. Plan a waste-free meal: Reuse containers and reduce waste. There are a lot of ways you can cut back on
lunch waste (and save money).
2. When you go to the grocery store: buy chips, cookies, crackers, applesauce, carrots, yogurt, cheese, soup,
and other food in bulk, not single-serving packages; buy juice in large bottles, not small boxes or pouches;
and try not to buy plastic sandwich bags, plastic water bottles, disposable utensils, paper napkins, or paper
lunch bags. (And don't forget to bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store.)
3. When you pack your lunch: put sandwiches, small fruit, snacks, and other food in reusable containers,
preferably glass; put juice or water in a reusable bottle; and put metal utensils, a cloth napkin, and your
food and drink in a long-lasting reusable lunch bag or box.
UPCOMING EVENTS —> WASTE FREE LUNCH CHALLENGE October 19—23/15
*Boomerang Lunch
Everything that comes to school goes back home to be recycled or composted.
*Trash-free Tuesdays
Parents are asked to assist students in bringing a litterless lunch to school on Tuesdays.
The GREEN TEAM would like to thank all members of our school community for their continued efforts to
reduce the amount of waste we use, and help our world be a cleaner, brighter, and greener place!
WITS—Walk away, Ignore, talk it out, seek adult help
In dealing with daily interactions with their peers, it is helpful for students to develop strategies to deal with
situations of conflict or anxiety. At St. Sofia, teachers will encourage students to use their WITS.
This strategy teaches the children how to deal effectively with minor situations, thereby empowering them to
solve minor situations that may arise with their peers.
Emphasis is also placed on insisting that they seek adult assistance whenever a situation is physically or
emotionally hurtful. Please take time to discuss with your child what they may have learned through using this
method.
Parental input, encouragement and knowledge are always key in a child’s development of new skill sets. Thank
you for your continued support of this strategy.
YMCA Before & After School Program
The St. Sofia YMCA Before and After School program is a quality licensed program meeting the needs of all
children and families. Hours of operation are 7:30—9:15 a.m. and 4:00—6:00 p.m. The YMCA strives to have the
healthiest children in the community. They offer 45 minutes of physical activity each day and activities that
support the children’s development and growth. They are catered for morning/afternoon snack by Real Food
for Real Kids. For further information about this program, please contact Director, Tano Sala at 905-567-6693 or
email him at tano.sala@ymcagta.org. Thank you!
Bullying Awareness and Prevention at St. Sofia
The key message for October is…
“Bullying is Not Acceptable”
Through various activities the students will understand the vast array of behaviours that can be
bullying (physical, verbal, social) and explore the emotional impact of those behaviours on
others. Students develop the ability to understand and apply the definition of bullying through
constant exposure, repeated use and consistency. Using the same definition of bullying throughout the school and at home allows both students and adults to more effectively prevent and
deal with bullying situations.
Bullying is: Being mean to others, on purpose, to hurt them or their feelings
Bullying Behaviour: is intended to hurt, is repeated and involves unequal power and control
Tips for Parents/Guardians:
 review the definition of bullying with your children
 talk with younger children about inside and outside hurts
 talk with older children about intimidation, gossip, rumors and cyber bullying
 encourage children to share their feelings about bullying behaviors that they have experienced, witnessed or engaged in
Bullying Strategies
Parents can also be helpful in addressing bullying
behaviour with their children. Helping children
understand how to treat one another and to value
and make friends is an important, positive step to
eliminating bullying behaviour.
St. Sofia’s Anti-Bullying Oath
I will not bully others.
I will not stand by while others are bullied.
I will report bullying whenever I see it...because I have the power of one.
TERRY FOX WALK
St. Sofia students took part in the Terry Fox Walk on September 25th.
Staff and students had a great time.
The school raised a lot of money to support
Terry Fox’s dream to cure cancer.
Thank you to all for your enthusiastic support of this event.
A special “thank you” to Pani Joan, Pani Moskalyk, Mrs. Violo and
Ms. Grabowski for organizing this event!
LIBRARY NEWS from Pani Neave
 On behalf of each and every student at St. Sofia
School, I would like to extend a very heartfelt
thank you to our St. Sofia Catholic School Council
(Bat’kivskij Komitet) for providing new shelving for
our Library. It will be a notable facelift! When it is
completed the students will find a very user
friendly Library!
STORAGE & ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medication and forms are
updated annually for any student who requires medication to be
administered at school. If your child requires medication please speak to
our school office and have the necessary forms completed and return
them, along with any medication, to the office as soon as possible.
VISITORS & SCHOOL SAFETY
Our desire is to extend a hospitable welcome to all of our visitors and to
maintain a safe learning environment. In the interest of safety, we must
have the same expectation of everyone who visits the school.
A reminder that all visitors and volunteers, INCLUDING PARENTS must
come to the office, sign in and pick up a visitor sticker. Anyone not
wearing a visitor sticker will be asked to return to the office to sign in
and pick one up.
We thank you for your cooperation in supporting
a safe environment at St. Sofia.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Interested in volunteering at St. Sofia School for 2015-2016? During the school year, volunteers support programs
and activities at the school. We appreciate and rely on parents who can devote a small portion of their time to help.
People who volunteer in school are now required to have completed Criminal Reference Checks, which can be picked
up from our school office. Once the form is completed, your volunteer service can begin. If you are interested in
participating in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact our school office. We look forward to working with you
for the betterment of all students at St. Sofia 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 carrier
“Insuremykids Protection Plan.” Forms were distributed to students the first week of school.
It is imperative that parents/guardians return the completed “Student Accident Insurance
Acknowledgement 2015/2016 School Year” form to the respective classroom teacher.
Effective September 2012, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board requires parents/guardians written
acknowledgement that they have received information regarding Student Insurance, especially for those students
participating in out-of-school excursions and/or extra-curricular sports activities. Although enrolment is voluntary, the
board encourages parents to take advantage of the excursions/field trips, or, if parents do not have dental insurance
coverage.
Two options are offered 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.
Please note that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School 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.
ALL HALLOW’S EVENING/ALL SAINTS/ALL SOULS DAY
Halloween was originally a Christian Holy Day. Halloween is a shortened form of
All Hallow’s Evening. It is the evening before the Feast of All Saints on the
Roman Calendar. For Byzantine Catholics this is the Feast of ВСІХ СВЯТИХ— the
Sunday after Pentecost. On All Saints Day and All Souls Day we remember the
reposed who need our prayers. It is also a time to learn about the Saints who
have loved God and us. Decorations and costumes reflect the colours of the fall
season- orange and black. The harvest of pumpkins, colourful gourds and
bountiful fruit—given to us by God– remind us of the goodness in our world .
Archpriest Roman Galadza
Lost & Found: Please remember to Label your items!
Students at St. Sofia School wear a uniform. In order for students to identify their clothing we encourage you to
label each article. As well, school and lunch bags should be labeled. In the event that your child loses a personal
item you may sign in at the office and then go and check the “Lost and Found” box located outside our school
gymnasium .
ST. SOFIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL 2015-2016
Congratulations to our new Catholic School Council for the upcoming school year!
Orest Holyk
Chair
Oksana Voloshyn
Treasurer
Natalka Jewusiak
Secretary
Nataliya Shved
Parish Representative
Nataliya Vynnyk
OAPCE Representative
Andrea Pinchak
OAPCE Rep. Alternate
Evhen Ladna
Community Representative
Ivanka Iwanuria
Community Rep. Alternate
Denise Neave
Teacher Representative
Daria Stasyszyn
Non-Teaching Representative
John Dmytrasz
Principal
Isabel Sauvé
Vice-Principal
Please note that if you are interested in being a member of the Catholic School Council, recent legislation
makes it mandatory that everyone submit a Criminal Reference Check.
Criminal Reference Check Application forms can be picked up at the school but must be dropped off at
Peel Police Headquarters at 7750 Hurontario Street, Brampton.
However, if you have a Criminal Reference Check on file at the school,
then you do not need a new one but will need to sign a Criminal Offence Declaration.
We thank the Catholic School Council for their interest and support on behalf of our school community.
All parents are invited to our next Catholic School Council meeting which will be held on...
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 6:30 pm in Room 113.
Celebrating World Teacher’s Day—October 5, 2015
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared World
Teacher’s Day to celebrate and recognize the good work of teachers and those who support them,
in upholding and promoting our tradition of excellence in Catholic education by supporting students
and their families, that we are widely considered to be a leading school board in Ontario.
We take this opportunity to say congratulations and thank you to all those individuals who have
made and continue to make a difference in the lives of our students. Please take a moment to reflect
on a teacher or teachers who have had a positive impact on your life.
May God continue to bless our teachers and all that they do!
BUSING and TRANSPORTATION
STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region) deals with ALL busing issues on behalf of Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as bus companies and STOPR work to finalize routes and drivers.
Riding the bus is a privilege. Please remind your children of the importance of following the safety rules that are
outlined at the beginning of the year. Parents, please be reminded that you should NOT be boarding buses for any
reason. If you have concerns, call STOPR at 905-890-6000 OR 1-800-668-1140.
Website: www.stopr.ca
This website provides up-to-date delay and inclement weather cancellation information in addition
to policy, procedures and frequently asked questions.
Website: Businfo.stopr.ca
This website allows parents to access specific information such as whether their child is eligible for
transportation. This site also provides parents information about pick-up and drop-off times for
specific bus stop locations.
Contact STOPR
Telephone: Transportation EAST 905-890-6000 Option #1
Please have your child’s OEN (Ontario Education Number) ready when calling. STOPR will not be
able to give out student information without it. You can find the OEN number on the report card
or by contacting the school.
Special Education Transportation: 905-890-6362
BUS SAFETY
Students who travel to school by bus must adhere to the rules for their own safety.
Students shall:

Remain seated at all times when the bus is in motion.

Keep all parts of their body inside the bus.

Obey the instructions of the bus driver.

Avoid excess noise and rowdiness, which may distract the driver and thus endanger all students on
the bus.

Refrain from throwing objects out the bus window.

Be prepared to pay for any deliberate damage to the bus and/or its equipment and furnishings.

All students who receive a Bus Discipline Form (pink slip) from the school bus driver will have a
meeting with the Principal or Vice-Principal (and phone call home depending on infraction).

Second “Bus Discipline Form” results in a phone call home to parents.

A third “Bus Discipline Form” will result in a suspension of bus privileges.

Students may be suspended from the bus immediately for serious offences.
BUSING—COURTESY SEAT POLICY
Those wishing to access “Courtesy Seating” are asked to pick-up an application form in our school office and
return the completed form for consideration. Please note requests will not be processed until the beginning
of October. You will be notified if a Courtesy Seat is granted. Students with Courtesy Seats are reminded
that if they present disciplinary concerns and/or are issued pink slips will lose Courtesy Seating privileges.
Pupil Accommodation Review Policy Public Consultation
The Ministry of Education released the new Pupil Accommodation Review
Guideline (PARG) in March 2015. This guideline sets expectations for all school
boards on managing and reviewing underutilized school space, including potential
school closures, and for the greater coordination and sharing of planning related
information between school boards and other community partners.
The guideline requires all school boards in the province to develop or revise Pupil
Accommodation Review Policies and to invite public input into the policy before it is finalized.
A survey to collect feedback on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s draft amended Policy 6.51 Pupil
Accommodation Review will be available for review and comment on the Board’s website at www.dpcdsb.org until
4:30 pm on Friday, October 16, 2015. Supporting documents will also be available for reference and review. Please
consider reviewing and providing input on this policy.
Minimizing Disruptions to Classes
We appreciate continued parental help and support in minimizing disruptions to
classes, whenever possible. By trying our best not to disturb classes, except in
very important situations, we are reducing disruptions to quality teaching and
learning time.
Your cooperation with the following is a great help:
(a) sending a note in advance to your child’s teacher when your child needs to be picked up early, then
meeting him/her in the office and signing them out;
(b) when picking your child up early, doing so closer to recess or lunch time
(c) when delivering lunch to school, writing your child’s and the teacher’s names on lunch bags and leaving
them on the table in the office and
(d) informing relatives and caregivers of school procedures, who may be dropping off or picking up your
child.
We understand that there will be times when disruptions will be necessary and unavoidable.
REPORTING HEAD INJURIES
Even when it may appear to be insignificant, we inform parents of all head injuries
that occur at school which are reported to us. We do this in recognition of the
potential danger of any injury involving the head area.
We are not intending to alarm you, rather to keep you informed. Please remind
your child to let a staff member know if they bump/injure their head at school.
All parents should have already received a We Want to Give You a Heads Up,
Concussions are Serious (GF082) pamphlet regarding head injuries. If you require
one, please contact our school office.
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 staff and classroom teachers are aware
of any custodial arrangements that may affect your child during school hours.
Hepatitis B, Meningitis and HPV Inoculations
Peel Health will continue to offer free immunization against Hepatitis B for students
in Grade 7, and the HPV vaccination for Grade 8 girls. It is given as a series of two
injections over a period of six months. If you have any questions please call the Peel
Health Department at (905)799-7700.
The first inoculation date is November 13, 2015.
Some UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES to Note...
October 5—9, 2015
October 19—23, 2015
October 20, 2015
October 20 & 22, 2015
October 21—23, 2015
October 29, 2015
November 12, 2015
November 13, 2015
November 13, 2015
November 17, 2015
November 19, 2015
November 20, 2015
November 24, 2015
November 27, 2015
November 30, 2015
December 11, 2015
December 16, 2015
December 17, 2015
December 18, 2015
Dec. 21/15 to Jan 1/16
January 4, 2016
January 6, 2016
January 8, 2016
January 18, 2016
January 26, 2016
January 27, 2016
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May 15, 2016
June 28, 2016
Thanksgiving Food Drive. All items will be donated to Eden Food Bank.
Waste Free Lunch Challenge - organized by the Green Team.
Term 1 IEPs sent home with students.
Picture Day: Full uniform required for Gr. 1-8
CCAT for Gr. 4 students
Virtues Assembly for Empathy. Gr. 1-4 at 11:20 am & Gr. 5-8 at 1:20 pm.
Pahn Chwartacky’s class to Silvercreek
Pani Ljahovic’s class to Silvercreek
Gr. 7 & 8 Vaccinations
Progress Reports sent home with Gr. 1-8 students.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
ESL trip to Riverwood Conservancy
Picture Retake Day
Holodomor Service at 10:30am.
Virtues Assembly for Conscience. Gr. 1-4 at 11:20am & Gr. 5-8 at 1:20pm.
School-wide Confessions in gym beginning at 9:30am.
Virtues Assembly for Hope. Gr. 1-4 at 11:20am & Gr. 5-8 at 1:20pm.
St. Nicholas Concert at St. Mary’s Church, 6:30pm. Details to follow.
Last day of classes before Christmas Break.
Christmas Break. School closed.
Classes resume.
Lighting of the Candles at 11:30am.
Christmas Moleben at St. Mary’s at 10:30am.
PA Day - No school for students.
Grade 8 Graduation Photos
Virtues Assembly for Self-Control. Gr. 1-4 at 11:20am & Gr. 5-8 at 1:20pm.
Note that Parent Information date for Communion to be announced...
First Solemn Holy Communion at St. Mary’s Church at 11:00am.
Gr. 8 - Moleben and Graduation Ceremony at St. Mary’s Church, 6:00 pm.