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October
2015
Newsletter
Principal: L. DeWitte
Vice Principal T. Podobnik
St. Alfred Catholic School
3341 Havenwood Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario
L4X 2M2
905.625.0584
905.625.4490 (Fax)
“Every Child, A Promise.”
Secretary: D. Suchocki
September
School Council
Chair: R. Didiano
2011
Superintendent
of ME Schools:
Newsletter
T. Lariviere
DPCDSB Trustee of Wards 1 & 3:
M. Pascucci
St. Martha & Mary Parish
1840 Burnhamthorpe Rd. East
(905) 625-5670
Rev. Fr. D. Corkum
http://stsmarthaandmary.org/
ST. ALFRED SCHOOL HOURS
School Begins 8:45 a.m.
Recess (a.m.)
10:45 - 11:00a.m.
Lunch
11:45- 12:45p.m.
Recess (p.m.)
2:15—2:30p.m.
Dismissal
3:15 p.m.
ST. ALFRED WEBSITE
http://www.dpcdsb.org/ALFRD
DPCDSB WEBSITE
http://www.dpcdsb.org/cec
TWITTER
Thanksgiving Prayer
Father all powerful, Your gifts of love are countless
and your goodness infinite.
For Thanksgiving, we come before You with gratitude for Your kindness.
Open our hearts to concern for our children, men
and women, so that we may share your gifts in
loving service.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus, Your SON,
Who lives and reigns in the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever.
Amen!
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave ye drink. I
"
was a stranger and you welcomed me..."- Matthew 25:35
@StAlfred_dpcdsb
@DPCDSBSchool
ADMINISTRATORS MESSAGE
It is hard to believe that the first month of school has already passed. The leaves are
starting to change, and families are making preparations for Thanksgiving. We would
like to thank all the parents and our Trustee, Mr. M. Pascucci, for joining us at our
Open House. We would also like to thank all of the parents for helping us celebrate
our Annual School Terry Fox Walk / Day. Please note that the school is closed on
Monday, October 12, 2015 in recognition of Thanksgiving. School will resume on
Tuesday, October 13, 2015.
The Staff of St. Alfred wish all of our community a most Happy Thanksgiving!
Our Virtue of the Month
During the month of October we will focus on the virtue of 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.
We understand empathy to mean the ability to identify with and feel other
people’s concerns. We believe that in a faith community we are nothing without relationships. An empathetic person believes that we all share one Spirit;
that we are many parts of one body because we are all created in the image
and likeness of God.
An empathetic person…
• listens attentively
• watches people’s body language
• notices and responds when someone is upset
• can name her/his feelings
• can see a situation from another person’s point of view
• knows that different people may feel differently about the same thing
Let us pray this month, for the grace and strength to be people of empathy –
people who can identify with and feel the concerns of those around us.
We want to thank you for supporting our efforts at home in reinforcing with
our children the 10 virtues which can be found in your child’s agenda.
Sts. Martha and Mary Parish
Weekend Masses: Satur day Mass at 4:30pm, Sunday Masses at 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am
Weekday Masses: Monday to Satur day and Holidays at 9:00am, Fir st Fr iday at 7:00pm, and Wednesdays at 7:00pm
Confessions: Satur days at 3:30pm to 4:15pm
Sacraments
First Reconciliation and Holy Communion at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish:
Parent Meeting and Enrollment: October 6 at 7pm
Reconciliation Liturgy: February 18 at 7pm
Tour of the Church: TBD (possibly February 9, 11, 16) at 10:15am
First Communion: April 3 at 2:00pm
Confirmation at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish:
Parent Meeting and Enrollment: October 15 at 7:00pm (no students, only parents at this meeting and forms should be
dropped off to schools)
Confessions: TBD
Confirmation Mass: April 7 at 7:00pm
ATTENDANCE
Our attendance line is: 905-625-0584 (Press #1). Please call to r egister an absence. You can call 24hrs a day including
weekends if you know your child will be absent from school. An answer ing machine is available to take infor mation.
Please provide the following information:
• Name(s) of student(s)
• Name of student’s teacher(s)
• Grade of student(s)
• Reason for absence
If an absence is not reported, our policy is to call home to verify student absenteeism. A parent or guardian must sign out
students at the office who leave early.
All students are expected to attend school regularly and punctually. All students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
must obtain a late slip from the office. This measure is to ensure the safety of your child. We thank you for your continued
support in following this procedure.
PEDS
Personal Electronic Devices (PEDS) on Board Premises and/or Board Sanctioned Events for Educational Purposes:
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board acknowledges the value of the use of technology for learning. Students
are permitted to register and use personal electronic devices (PEDs) on board premises and/or board sanctioned events for
educational purposes, under the direction of staff and only with parent/guardian permission (GF 066, Network User Application and Agreement). Students may register their PED for the purpose of connecting to the board wireless network. Students are required to adhere to the student “Personal Electronic Device Used with WI-FI Network Student Agreement” and
the “Network User Application and Agreement.” Please be advised that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
will not be responsible for any cost incurred through the use of personal data plans.
PEDs are to be used responsibly and should not interfere with learning; their use must comply with the Catholic Code of
Conduct, board policies and procedures. Any personal communications (i.e., phone calls, text messages, etc.) will continue
to be directed through the main office. Failur e to comply with these guidelines may r esult in a loss of PED pr ivileges
and/or any other consequences deemed necessary by school administration.
The school principal may authorize limited acceptable uses of personal electronic devices during school-sanctioned activities for a specific designated purpose outside of instructional spaces and/or in common areas.
Students are responsible for the safety and security of PEDs at all times and the Board assumes no responsibility for
lost, damaged or stolen devices.
BUSSING and COURTESY SEAT POLICY
STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region)
Stopr is providing bus transportation services for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. The STOPR website
address is www.stopr.ca. This website provides access to up to date information regarding delayed buses and bus cancellations due to inclement weather. To check for eligibility for transportation, please access the following website:
businfo.stopr.ca.
STOPR Telephone Contact Information:
905-890-6000
Thank you to all parents who completed and followed the school board process for the Courtesy Seat Bus Request. We are
in the process of trying to accommodate as many students as possible for this year. Please remember that this process must
be conducted annually for students not normally eligible to ride the bus.
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 and classroom teachers are aware of custodial arrangements between parents that may affect
your child during school hours. Please ensure that a copy of the Court Order is on file at the school office.
STORAGE/ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medication and forms are updated annually. If your child requires medication,
please have all pertinent forms completed and returned with the medication to the office as soon as possible.
NO CHILD WITHOUT MEDIC ALERT PROGRAM
The No Child Without program offers a free MedicAlert membership to students who attend our school and are between the
ages of 4 to 14. If your child has a medical condition, allergy, or is required to take medication on a regular basis, then you
should consider a MedicAlert membership through this program. For further information pick up a brochure at the school
office, or visit www.nochildwithout.ca. If your child is already part of the program but his/her medical condition or contact
information has changed, call 1-877-282-5378.
Catholic School Council 2015 – 2016
On September 30, 2015 the first Catholic School Council meeting of the school year was held. At this meeting, the 2014 –
2015 Catholic School Council concluded its term and our new Catholic School Council was elected. We extend our appreciation and thanks to all members of last year’s School Council for their hard work and dedication to our school community.
Members of this year’s School Council are:
Chair – Rosemary Didiano
Co Chair— Margaret Pakula
Secretary – Hajdi Bountas
Treasurer – Rocio Smolen
Parish Rep.: Vy Obedencio
OAPCE – Margaret Pakula, Tanya Escoffey, Mario
Stojanac
Student Advisory Council
Upcoming School Council meetings are:
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Wednesday, January 20, 2015
Wednesday, March 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 27, 2015
Wednesday, June 15, 2015
All St. Alfred School Parents
are invited to join us.
EQAO
EQAO results have been published. Individual results will be distributed to students wrote the test last year. Our school
results will be posted to our school website in the near future. We will be using the data from EQAO to assist us in planning
professional development for our staff this year.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL TRUSTEE
The Separate School Board Trustee for our school is Mr. Mario Pascucci. If you have a concern regarding School Board
Policy or how it affects you as a Separate School Supporter, you may reach him by calling at 905-890-0708 Ext. 20161.
AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP ROUTINE
Young children may make unsafe choices when they are faced with the discomfort of not knowing who is picking them up
or when their pick up person is late.
Please ensure to review the following guidelines with your child:
Designate a regular meeting place and time.
Communicate any changes in plans to your child and with a note to the teacher.
If your child feels uncomfortable waiting outside, he/she should report to the office.
Your child should not change the plans without parent permission.
If you are sending someone to pick up your child(ren) make sure to send a note indicating who will be picking him/her
up and the time.
Please note: Students need to be picked at by 3:15 p.m. dismissal time.
DO NOT change your child’s routine at the last minute of the school day as we may not be able to get a message to your
child.
THE ONTARIO CATHOLIC SCHOOL GRADUATE EXPECTATIONS
Catholic education views human life as an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in this vision, Catholic education
fosters the search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest. The expectations of Catholic graduates, therefore, are described not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions.
Vision of the Learner
The Graduate is expected to be:
1. A discerning believer formed in the Catholic F aith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God’s
presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.
2. An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of
gospel values
3. A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed
moral conscience for the common good.
4. A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.
5. A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and
contributes to the common good.
6. A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community
7. A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of
human life.
TERRY FOX DAY
On Wednesday, September 30, 2015, the St. Alfred School community participated in the Terry Fox National Run Day. We
were met with sunshine and excitement. We began our day with a liturgy followed by the entire school gathering in the
schoolyard to participate in a warm-up, led by Mrs. Newland and Miss DeFrancesco. The students then walked, jogged and
ran for Terry, our Canadian hero, and other loved ones who have been affected by this disease. In the afternoon the students
presented their amazing songs and cheers that they had created for our “Cheer Celebration”. We would like to thank the St.
Alfred Community for their continued support for this worthy cause. We are hoping that in our next newsletter we can
proudly announce that we have met our school goal of raising $3000.
THE ECO EAGLES
The Eco Eagles are excited to start this school year with a focus on Waste Reduction. They have been monitoring recycle
bins since the first week of school and have noticed we have some work to do! Classes will be involved in Waste Reduction
Workshops presented by Eco Source on October 6, 8, 9 and 16 th. This means we will be ready for our first initiative which
is the Waste Free Lunch Challenge. It takes place during the week of October 19-23rd. This is just the beginning, St. Alfred
School loves a challenge and works towards reducing waste not just for a week, but every day!
JR BOYS AND GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Congratulations to all the students who are on the Jr Boys and Girls Volleyball teams. Your hard work, enthusiasm and cooperation are what makes a team come together. A special thank you to Mr. Da Costa (boys coach) and Miss. Costa with
Mrs. Moses (girls coaches) for providing this extra curricular activity to our students. We look forward in hearing of all your
successes during the season!
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.
FIRE DRILLS AND LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES
We are required to conduct three fire drills in the fall and three in the spring. We are also required to practice two lock down
drills during the year. Lock down drills involves students moving away from the classroom door to a location within the
classroom away from windows. Lights are turned off and the doors are locked. These practices are to ensure that students
and staff are prepared in case we should need to go into lock down. Lock down would be initiated by police and Board security personnel.
CATHOLIC CODE OF CONDUCT
The Catholic Code of Conduct sets standards of behaviour that promote, encourage and foster a shared commitment to gospel values in daily life, respect for the dignity of persons created in God’s image, responsible participation in the civic life of
the school community, peaceful conflict resolution, respect for diversity, and a commitment to exemplary conduct, conscientious work, and service to others. At St. Alfred we continue to work together to provide a safe, caring, inclusive and
healthy Catholic school community for all.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS - Annual Criminal Declaration / Criminal Reference Check
A valid Criminal Background Check must be provided by all new volunteers. Once a CBC is provided to the school, an Annual Offence Declaration can be completed in subsequent years. The volunteer CBC/AODs must be housed in a secure location in the school. Forms are available from the main office.
SCHOOL WEB SITE
We have updated our school website. This site will be continually updated and has infor mation for par ents r egar ding school calendar information, newsletters and school updates. Visit www.dpcdsb.org and link onto the Elementary site at
St. Alfred Elementary School @ www.dpcdsb.org/ALFRD.
SIGN UP TODAY!
Parents and guardians of Dufferin-Peel Catholic students can stay up-to-date with the latest board news and information by
joining the Dufferin-Peel eCommunity. Members will receive the latest news and information by email, including news
releases, school activities and events, board meeting highlights, school and bus cancellations, plus useful tips for parents and
students. Sign up online at www.dpcdsb.org.
DPCDSB is on Twitter! For the latest board news and information, follow us @DPCDSBSchools.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
Beginning in November, the school Newsletter will be sent out via email to parents/guardians and will also be posted on our
website. Paper copies will also be distributed to students and a limited number of copies will be available in the office for
pick-up. If you have not provided the office with your email address and would like to receive a variety of school information via email, please contact the main office to be added to the distribution list after completing a CASL (Canada’s Anti
Spam Legislation) consent form.
HEALTHY EATING AND ECOSCHOOLS
At St. Alfred School, we will be promoting Healthy Eating throughout the school year by encouraging our students to bring
in healthy snacks and lunches. Students will be able to participate in activities in their classrooms and projects that encourage healthy eating.
We are also encouraging our students to pack a “Litterless Lunch” and to try to use refillable water bottles.
HEPATITIS/ MENINGITIS/HPV CLINIC
Peel Health will continue to offer free immunization against Hepatitis B/Meningititis for students in Grade 7 and for Grade
8 students that missed the Grade 7 vaccination. It is given as a series of two injections over a period of six months. Also
available is the non-compulsory immunization of HPV for Grade 8 female students. This is a series of three injections given
throughout the year. The first date was scheduled for October 1, 2015. If you have any questions please call the Peel
Health Department at (905) 799-7700. Health Departments, by law, must keep a current record of your child’s immunizations. It is the responsibility of parents to keep their child’s records up-to-date.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
Students will have the opportunity to take field trips and participate in a number of extra-curricular activities. Permission
forms will be sent home to be filled out, signed and promptly returned to school.
NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE ON A TRIP OR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THEIR PARENT /GUARDIAN. VERBAL CONSENT OVER THE TELEPHONE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
No exceptions will be allowed. Teachers give ample notice for trip consent forms. We encourage parents to support these
educational opportunities by volunteering to assist and supervise these excursions. For the safety of your child, excursions
lacking appropriate adult supervision will be cancelled.
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL HERITAGE
Catholic Schools have been educating the whole student in mind, body and spirit in Ontario for nearly 170 years. They have
provided educational excellence, in a school culture imbued with the Gospel values of Jesus Christ. Catholic education has
been the foundation for millions of students to develop their full potential spiritually, academically, physically, and socially.
It has been a history of success.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
October 12 Thanksgiving (no school)
October 19
Mississauga East Family Cross Country Meet at Centennial
October 26
Thanksgiving Mass at Sts. Martha and Mary Church at 10:30am
ATTACHED:
Parent Letter
GF 337
Personal Electronic Device Used With Wi-fi Networks Student Agreement (please complete one per
child, agreement will only need to be completed once and will remain on file).