ST. BONAVENTURE
OCTOBER 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
School Council Chair: Mrs. N. Carasco
Parish Priest: Father Jan Gogolewski
WHEN WE PRAY THE VOICE OF THE HEART MUST BE HEARD.”
St. Bonaventure
There is no trust more sacred than
the one the world holds with children.
There is no duty more important than
ensuring that their rights are respected,
that their welfare is protected,
that their lives are free from fear and
want and that they grow up in peace.
Kofi A. Annan
SCHOOL MASS
On Thursday, October 9, 2008, the students and staff
gathered in the school gym for our first school mass. It
was celebrated by Father Jan. At this mass the grade 8
students, who will be receiving the sacrament of
Confirmation in May, received a wooden cross from
Father Jan as a sign of their commitment. Father
recognized the grade 2 students who will be making their
First Holy Communion in May.
A special thank you to the parents and guardians who
were able to join us.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
There will be a meeting for parents of students in grade 2
who will be making their First Communion on November
23, 2008 after the 12 o’clock Mass at St. Edmund
Campion Secondary School.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAY
On Friday, November 14, the teaching staff will be
involved in report card preparation.
October 31st
Halloween Dance-a-thon
•
DJ
•
Wear
long costumes that drag
on the ground creating a
safety
FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE
March 4, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
May 31, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
May 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
CONFIRMATION
There will be a meeting for parents of students in grade
eight who will be receiving the Sacrament of
Confirmation on November 30, 2008 after the 12
o’clock Mass at St. Edmund Campion Secondary
School.
appropriate
Costume (weapons and
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Thanksgiving is a time for giving.
Thank you for your generosity. The
many items collected were donated to
The Knights’ Table.
IMPORTANT DATES
SACRAMENTS:
First Reconciliation
Holy Eucharist
Confirmation
an
issue
are
not
allowed )
•
Buy Kernels Popcorn for
$2.00 a bag
•
Water for $1.00 a bottle
REPORTING ABSENCES
In the interest of student safety, a call or a note to the
school reporting student absences is required. Please let
us know if you know that your child is going to be late or
absent. Attendance calls can be made after school hours,
seven days a week for your convenience.
Our attendance number is (905) 970-9069 ext. 2.
STUDENT ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL - ON TIME
Parents are asked to ensure that their child will be at
school before the beginning of classes in the morning and
afternoon. Students arriving after the entrance bell, lose
valuable organizational time at the beginning of each
session.
Student Supervision Times
Please note that teachers are on supervision duty 15
minutes before the start of the school day and 15 minutes
at the end of the day. For safety reasons we ask that you
not drop your child off at the school prior to 8:30 a.m. and
pick them up at 3:15 p.m.
School Safety for Our Students
Our Kiss and Ride programme is set up to assist in the
safe arrival of students to our school. Parents are
reminded that they are not to leave their car parked in this
area.
Our driveway is a fire route and it is illegal to park there.
Therefore, we are requesting that you please do not park
in the driveway. This is especially a problem in the
morning, during the kindergarten dismissal time and at
3:15 p.m. If you need to park your car when dropping off
or picking up your child please park in the parking lot.
BUS SAFETY
Ensuring student safety is a very important goal to all
those working with students. You are asked to carefully
review the following rules with your child while riding
the school bus.
Students are required to:
• be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the pick up
time
• listen to the driver when getting on or off the bus,
especially when a road must be crossed
• go directly to their seat and stay seated until they are
let off the bus
• follow all instructions from the bus driver
• do not eat or drink on the bus
• do not open or close windows unless the driver
permits it
• keep all belongings inside the bus
• keep arms, hands, heads, etc. inside the bus
• do not damage the seats on the bus (students will be
held responsible)
•
•
respect private property while waiting for the bus
do not talk to the bus driver while the bus is in
operation unless it is necessary
Safety
The Brampton Safety Council has put in place a school
crossing guard at the McCrimmon and Leagate
intersection. We strongly encourage both our students
and parents to cross at this intersection under the
supervision of our crossing guard, Mrs. Smith. There are
still a number of students and parents who cross at
McCrimmon and Hedgeline.
This is a dangerous
practice. One of our grade 8 students came in contact
with a bus at this spot. It resulted in a serious injury. We
do not want any of our students to be injured. Please
cross at this intersection.
The crossing guard is on duty from 8:15 to 8:45 in the
morning and in the afternoon from 3:15 to 3:45.
LUNCHROOM SUPERVISOR
We are pleased to announce that we have a lunchroom
supervisor. Her name is Mrs. L. Ross. In her role she
supervises the grade ones while they are eating lunch.
You will also see Mrs. Ross on the yard and in the kindergarten yard. Please welcome her.
PEDICULOSIS
Although not a communicable disease, pediculosis (head
lice) is a concern to parents and teachers. Each year it is
common for outbreaks of pediculosis to occur.
Unfortunately, in recent years, head lice have become
increasingly common throughout North America. They
are parasites, which have been common among human
beings for centuries. They are not connected in any way
to dirt or neglect. Anyone can be infested with them.
When a case of lice is found at school, we inform parents
of the infected classes by way of a special letter.
In order to control these pests we shall follow the
procedures outlined below.
We request your full
co-operation.
If a case is found in the school, we will inform all parents.
We then request that you check your own child’s head. If
you find them to also be infested, please contact us so that
we may advise you on the proper treatment for them.
This information can also be obtained from a pharmacist
or the regional Health Department.
Even if cases are not reported from the school, it is a wise
precaution to check your child’s head periodically.
Encourage your children not to put on other people’s hats
or scarves, even when playing. Inform them not to use
other people’s combs or hairbrushes.
If your child does become infested with 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
clear of both lice and nits (eggs).
Your cooperation is an important part of the efforts being
made to control the spread of pediculosis in our school.
SNACKS AT SCHOOL
As part of our school effort and board policy to reduce the risk of life threatening
allergies for our students and our commitment to keeping our schoolyard as clean
as possible, we allow students to eat their snacks indoors.
Students are given time to eat their snacks just prior to or
just following each recess.
In order to
facilitate the timely co-ordination of snack time, we ask
that students and parents remember to include snacks that
can be eaten relatively tidy in a 10 minute or less time
frame. We also strongly encourage healthy snacks and
beverages to help promote healthy eating habits.
Suggestions for healthy snacks:
crackers and cheese
granola bars
cut up fruits or vegetables
juice
water
yogurt
Thank you for your support and co-operation.
TERRY FOX
On Thursday, September 26, 2008, we had our Terry Fox
Walk/Run. St. Bonaventure, along with many other
schools in Dufferin-Peel has helped to keep Terry’s
dream alive. A special thanks to the students and staff for
their enthusiasm.
SPORTS AT ST. BONAVENTURE
Congratulations to the Boys’ & Girls’ soccer teams who attended a tournament.
They demonstrated great enthusiasm and
team work on a cold rainy day. The
members of the boy’s team are: Denis A.,
Daniel P-S., Travon R-W., Adam B.,
Denzel E., Royce M., Parker O., Michael
N., Ishu K., Gashi K., Michael S., Martin
O., Michael G., Joseph P. and Daniel R.
Thank you to Mr. Mowat for coaching the team. The
members of the girl’s team are: Ashana B., Emily A.,
Kayla C., Monica T., Victoria V., Hayley C., Julia M.,
Naomi A., Abigail N., Sabrina D., Jhoanna B., Sarah K.,
Kerryelle A. and Rachel D. Thank you to Mrs. Sparkes
and Mrs. Eby for coaching the girl’s team.
The Intermediate Boys’ volleyball team
placed second in their tournament. The
boys showed skill and sportsmanship.
Their coaches L. Gallant, M. Lyons and
N. Arena were proud of their achievement.
Congratulations to the members:
Jermaine P., Daniel P., Jason C., Neil O., Travon R-W.,
Joey S., Stefan M., Peter P., Gashi K., Nyasha K., Michael N. and Martin O.
The Intermediate Girls’ Volleyball team also
demonstrated sportsmanship and skill at the Girls’
tournament. Their coaches L. Gallant, M. Lyons and N.
Arena were proud of their efforts. The members of the
team are: Abigail N., Monika M., Lynette D., Jaida W.,
Victoria M., Yaa F., Marly H., Sara C., Catherine R.,
Hayley C., Ewalina J. and Justyna K.
Cross Country Running: We are White! We are Blue!
We are St. Bonaventure Too!! Congratulations to all our
Cross Country Runners!
The Board venue was held at Erindale Park. Our runners
did an amazing job braving the cold October weather. A
sparkling congratulations to Savanna H. who placed 1st in
the grade 4/5 girls 2.1 km race. Special mention to Jahvon H-B., Nicole T., Peter P., and Parker O. in grade 7
who made the Board finals. The coaches would like to
thank all our runners this year. Ms. Humenyk, Ms.
Poerba, Mrs Trueman and Mrs. Tuzi are extremely proud
of all our runners. Thank you for your hard work; your
dedication and your team sportsmanship!
STUDENT COUNCIL
Just before Thanksgiving Student Council elections were
held. The students from grades 6 to 8 cast their votes
after listening to the candidates’ speeches.
Congratulations to all the students who participated.
The following students were elected to the “Executive”:
◊ Prime Minister
Jason C. (Gr.8)
◊ Deputy Prime Minister Travon R-W. (Gr.7)
◊ Minister of Comm.
Rachel D. (Gr.7)
◊ Minister of Comm.
Victoria M. (Gr.8)
◊ Secretary
Monika M. (Gr.8)
◊ Minister of Finance
Hayley C. (Gr.8)
Each class from grades 1 to 8 will have two
representatives on the Council.
ME TO WE CONFERENCE
On October 17, 2008 a group of grade 7&8 students
attended the “Me To We” Conference in Toronto. The
motivational speakers shared stories from their
experiences in local communities as well as in some of
the most impoverished regions of the world. This
conference was a kick-off event to educate, empower and
equip students to become global citizens for a better
world. They were exposed to top speakers such as the
hosts Brian Mulroney and Tanya Kim, Craig and Marc
Keilburger, Actress and Social Activist, Mia Farrow,
Justin Trudeau, Premier Dalton McGuinty, Singer/
Songwriter Sarah McLachlan.
GO GLOBAL
On Thursday, October 23, 2008 grades 5 to 8 participated
in an hour-long multimedia presentation called Go
Global. The goal of this presentation is to motivate our
youth to become active citizens in our community.
Twenty of our students were involved in two interactive/
leadership workshops. The workshop leaders strive to
equip these students with the skills needed to affect
positive change in the world.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
The first School Council meeting was held in the library
on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The new
School Council for 2008-2009 was nominated and
elected.
Chair - N. Carasco
Treasurer - J. Ferreira
Secretary - D. Kicul
Parish Representative - A. DeVera
Community Representative - C. Charles
Teacher Representative - M. Lyons & C. Darrah-Brioux
Non-Teaching Representative - C. Adams
The School Council will be meeting in the library at 7:00
p.m. on the following Wednesdays:
October 15, 2008
November 11, 2008 (changed to Tues.)
January 14, 2008
February 18, 2008
March 11, 2008
April 15, 2008
May 27, 2008
Please mark these dates on your calendar and join us!
DATES TO REMEMBER
NOVEMBER
10th Dental Screening
(JK, SK, 2, 4, 6 & 8)
th
11
Remembrance Day Liturgy
(time to be announced)
th
School-wide confessions (gr. 3-8)
12
Scientist in the School (gr. 4, 5 & 6)
th
14
PA Day (no classes)
17th Dental Screening
(JK, SK, 2, 4, 6 & 8)
st
Movie Night (Sponsored by School
21
Council and Me to We)
23rd Parent Meeting for First Holy
Communion
th
25
Special Parent Presentation on Gangs
by Peel Police at St. Edmund
Campion at 7:00 p.m.
30th 1st Sunday of Advent
Parent Meeting for Confirmation
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Mrs. Shakes and her husband on the
birth of their first child, Mya Alexis on Wednesday,
October 22. Both mother and Mya are doing well.
DECEMBER
2nd
4th
5th
BRAMPTON NORTHWEST CONNECTS
Brampton Northwest Connects is presenting an awareness
night on gangs for parents at St. Edmund Campion. This
presentation is being presented by the Peel Regional
Police Gang Unit on Tuesday, November 25th from 7:00
p.m. to 8:30 p.m. See the attached flyer for details.
Reports go home
Reporting evening
PA Day - Reporting to parents
St. Bonaventure
this FALL!