ST. BONAVENTURE
SEPTEMBER 2008
NEWSLETTER
Principal: Mrs. S. Wolfe
Vice-Principal: Mr. L. O’Neill
Head Secretary: Mrs. G. Whitten
Trustee: Mrs. L. Zanella
Superintendent of Brampton West Family of Schools: Mr. G. Prajza
Parish Priest: Father Jan Gogolewski
A SCHOOL PRAYER
Lord God, protector of our school,
I am thankful for this day.
Thank you for my life and my friends.
Help everyone love and care for each other.
Please keep us safe today and help us to do well in
school.
We thank you for what we do in every unique way.
I know that your greatness will always prevail and
You won’t let darkness overcome the light.
St. Bonaventure
loved, cared, helped and learned from others.
May we do that every day.
Amen
I am very excited about our upcoming school year and I
look forward to continuing to build our partnership with
the School Council, Church and community, where
together we can provide academic excellence within a
strong Catholic context.
Your involvement in your child’s learning is vital. Please
do not hesitate to contact the school whenever you have a
question or require further information. I look forward to
seeing you at our Open House, liturgies and masses, at
school activities throughout the year and during your
informal visits to the school.
S. Wolfe
P.A. DAY
Friday, September 12th, 2008
WELCOME
We extend a very warm welcome to all new families in
our school community. Thank you to staff for all your
work in preparing to receive our students on the first day
of school. We regard ourselves as partners with parents
in the education of your children. Your support and input
by contacting your child’s teacher, volunteering in the
school, or serving on our School Council is valued and
necessary to ensure the success of our students. Your
involvement has been shown by research to have a major
impact on student learning and success.
We are looking forward to a productive and rewarding
2008/2009 school year.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
As the new school year begins, I see the excitement in
your children’s eyes and their expectations for a
rewarding year filled with many rich school
experiences. I ask for your support and co-operation, as
we work, learn and grow together within our
Catholic faith.
This day will be dedicated to organizational meetings,
faith formation and curriculum planning for the new
school year. There will be NO CLASSES FOR
STUDENTS ON THIS DAY.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
SEPTEMBER
12
Professional Activity Day (no school for
students)
17
Open House
17-21 Nomination Forms for School Council
available at the office
24
World School Milk Day
26
Toonie for Terry
OCTOBER
1
Early Release Day (no classes in the afternoon)
13
Thanksgiving Day (no classes)
19
National Me to We Conference
22
School Pictures
23
Hepatitis B Clinic for Grade 7 students and
HPV for Grade 8 girls
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 by leaving a message on the schools attendance
line at (905) 970-9069 ext. 2.
SCHOOL HOURS
Junior and Senior Kindergarten
A.M. 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
P.M. 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Grades One to Eight
A.M.
8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
A.M. Recess 10:05 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
Lunch Hour
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
P.M.
12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
PM Recess
2:05 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Dismissal
3:15 p.m.
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 has
gone home with your child in regard to your child’s
lunchtime arrangements. Please indicate your child’s
regular lunchtime arrangements, sign the form and
return it to the school as soon as possible. There is also a
section for parents to sign authorizing lunchtime
arrangements in the student agenda. Parents are asked to
ensure that both the form and the section in the agenda
are signed and returned to school.
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 11:45 a.m. to pick it up from the
lunch table with minimal disruption to the class. The
lunch table is located in the hallway, in front of the
office. We would greatly appreciate your co-operation in
this matter.
LEAVING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
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.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
All visitors and parents are requested to enter the
building through the front door, and to go directly to the
office.
Please understand that during instructional time,
teachers are not available to meet with you or to take
phone calls.
Students are expected to enter and exit through their
designated doors.
These reminders are outlined for safety, security and
protection of staff and students in our school.
KINDERGARTEN YARD
We will be asking all parents 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.
KISS AND RIDE
TRAFFIC SAFETY
The safety of our students is a concern.
Therefore, we strongly encourage 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 exist off of school property.
CROSSING GUARD
Kindly assist us in reminding children to cross with the
Crossing Guard at Leagate when coming to and going
home from school. Thank you for your co-operation in
looking out for the safety of all our students.
BUSSING
Students who are eligible to take the
school bus should be waiting at their
bus stop at least ten minutes prior to the
scheduled bus arrival time.
It is the parent’s
responsibility to ensure that kindergarten children are met
at the bus stop shortly after 11:15. Children 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.
BUS EMPTY SEAT POLICY
Our Transportation Department provides bussing for
students in JK/SK A.M. classes who live on the
following streets: Baha Cres., Corvette Cres., Fallstar
Cres., Lonestar Cres., Sentimental Way, and Sweetwood
Circle.
Students who are not eligible for transportation may
request the use of empty seats through an application to
the school office. If you would like your child to be considered under the “Empty Seat/Fill up the Bus
Policy,” please make this request in writing to the school,
and include the following information:
Your child’s name, grade, the classroom teacher’s
name, the street names of the established stop you are
requesting, (no new stops will be added to the existing
runs), and the reason for your request.
If it is determined that a seat is available for your child,
you will be required to sign an acknowledgement form,
indicating your awareness that privileges can be
withdrawn at any time.
Upon receipt of the
acknowledgement form, your child will be assigned a seat
on the bus no later than October.
Kindly forward your application for consideration as soon
as possible in September. Should you have any questions
regarding this policy, please contact the school.
POSSIBLE CLASS REORGANIZATION
St. Bonaventure staffing for 2008-2009 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 possibility of some class reorganization
occurring before the end of September, due to a
difference in our “actual” versus the “projected” student
enrolment number. We will inform you in the event that
any class reorganization is required.
DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE OF
MEDICATION AND EPI-PENS
If a child is required to bring medication to school,
procedures relative to the administration of medication
shall only be adopted:
• when requested by the parents/guardians; and when
authorized by a physician; and
• when medication must be provided during school
hours
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 is to
be delivered to the principal or designated person by the
parents/guardians or other responsible person.
All
medication will be stored in a safe location in the Health
room. Medication must not be kept in the child’s
possession (i.e. pocket, backpack, etc.) or in the
classroom.
AN IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING
NUT
ALLERGIES
Did you know that peanuts are the leading
cause of severe allergic reactions followed by shellfish,
fish, tree nuts and eggs?
We have several students at St. Bonaventure who have
life threatening allergies to nuts, especially peanuts. We
are asking that you make St. Bonaventure a peanut safe
school by refraining from sending your children with
peanut butter or other products containing nuts or nut oils
(e.g., nutella). If these students come into
contact with anything containing nuts, nut oils or
derivatives, it could be life threatening for him/her.
It is only necessary that physical contact with these
substances be made, even on a second hand basis. For
example, a severe reaction may occur should the child
touch a desk, toy or book previously handled by
another student who has touched peanut butter, peanuts or
peanut oil.
Children with severe food allergies are advised to be very
much aware of his/her allergy and have been told by their
parents of the danger of sharing snacks. Students are
discouraged from sharing snacks. We have attached
for your consideration a list of Peanut-Free Snacks.
In our Catholic School Community we have an
obligation to be responsible for one another. Thanking
you in advance for your continued support,
co-operation and understanding regarding this matter.
STUDENT EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Your child has received a copy of the Student
Verification 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 check 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
this week. Please add area codes for all phone numbers.
ALL SHEETS NEED TO BE SIGNED AND
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.
OPENING SCHOOL LITURGY
Our Thanksgiving Mass will be held on
Thursday, October 9th at 9:30 a.m. in the
school gym. Parents are welcome and
encouraged to join us.
OPEN HOUSE
Our Open House is scheduled to be held on Wednesday,
September 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. More details
to follow.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Picture day for all our students will be held on
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
STUDENT AGENDAS
We ask that you make a special 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 assure that
homework is being completed each night. The cost of the
school agenda is being subsidized. Students are asked to
pay $2.00 towards the cost of their agenda.
TOONIE FOR TERRY FOX
This year's Terry Fox National School Run Day is Friday,
September 26, 2008. The students and teachers of
St. Bonaventure will walk, jog and/or run on this special
day, in memory of Terry Fox, as an effort to raise money
for cancer research. In hopes of helping Terry Fox fulfill
his dream of finding a cure for cancer, we are asking the
students of St. Bonaventure to collect or donate a "Toonie
for Terry". Please be generous and help support this
worthwhile cause.
GATEWAY
Dufferin-Peel C.D.S.B. provides a classroom program in
collaboration with Peel Children's Aid Society. While the
Children's Aid Society cares for a safe and nurturing
home environment, Dufferin-Peel aligns a learning
program to respond to the individual needs of
students. This blended classroom program located at
St. Bonaventure School enables students in care to
continue their learning in an alternative learning
environment while encouraging personal growth for
success.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
There are two primary roles of the Catholic School
Council:
• to promote the vision, values, sacramental life and
Catholic practices of the School Board and the
Catholic community it serves
• to being 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 and among the
school community, the parent community and the
community at large.
They also play a role in
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
• 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.
A
nomination form for the new St. Bonaventure School
Council will be available at the Open House on
September 17 and at in the school office from September
15th - 19th during school hours. Completed nomination
forms must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on September 19th.
LUNCHROOM SUPERVISOR
We are in need of a lunchroom supervisor. Anyone
that is interested may call the school office for an
appointment.
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 working with
students. These forms are available in the school office.
Staff For 2008 - 2009
Please find attached the staff list and assigned grades for
2008 – 2009. If there are changes, and you are
affected, you shall be notified. If there are no changes,
this will be the list for the year.
A special welcome to our staff:
Teacher
Mrs. M. Lyons
Mrs. C. Fernandes
Mrs. S. Cheng-Hayward
Mrs. N. Arena
Mrs. A. Eby
Mrs. D. Sparkes
Mrs. C. Lomasney
Mrs. J. Hayes
Mr. F. Torres
Mrs. M. Killman
Mrs. S. Tuzi
Mrs. L. Dearling
Ms. J. Humenyk
Ms. N. Poerba
Mrs. S. Shakes
Mrs. J. Trueman
Mrs. L. Gallant
Mr. W. Mowat
Mrs. C. Darrah-Brioux
Mrs. T. Burns
Mrs. C. D’ Souza
Mrs. T. Menzella
Mrs. M. Forbom
Mrs. M. Van Schie
Ms. P. Day
Mrs. T. Di Passio
Mrs. C. Adam
Mrs. A. Quatrale-Kless
Mrs. G. Longlade-Kossel
Mrs. A. Murray
Mr. S. Viveiros
Grade
S.K. a.m. and J.K/S.K p.m.
J.K. a.m. and S.K. p.m.
J.K. p.m. / Planning Time
Grade 1
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 2/3
Grade 3
Grade 3/4
Grade 4
Grade 4/5
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 7/8
Grade 8
FSL
FSL
ESL
SERC/SERT
SERT
Librarian/ESL/Planning Time
Planning Time
Planning Time
ERW
ERW
ERW
Head Custodian
Night Custodian