ST. BONAVENTURE
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009
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
The Trinity Snowman
When you see a snowman
Three snowballs round,
He is reminding you
That God Three in One are found.
The button reminds us of God the Father,
Our strong rock and foundation
The Creator of all living things,
People, Tribes and nations.
The middle shows us God the Son
With His arms spread open wide.
Who died on the cross for each of us
Our sins Jesus’ blood did hide.
The head reminds us of God the Holy Spirit
Who is counselor and friend,
He speaks to our hearts and minds
Transforming us in the likeness of Him.
So when you see a snowman
In the midst of all the wintertime fun,
Listen carefully and he’ll tell you,
“Remember God is Three in One”
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE RECEPTION
OF THE SACRAMENTS:
First Reconciliation Friday March 6, 2009 at 9:30
a.m. in the school Gym.
Holy Eucharist Sunday May 31, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
at St. Leonard Parish.
Confirmation Tuesday May 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at
St. Leonard Parish
WELCOME
In January we welcomed both Ms. N. Goursky and
Ms. K. LaRocca to our staff as Mrs. Sparkes and
Mrs. Eby began their maternity leaves.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Mrs. Sparkes and her husband on
the birth of their daughter Thea on January 31st 2009.
LUNCHROOM SUPERVISOR
We are looking to hire an additional Lunch Room
Supervisor.
Please call the school office if you are interested or
if you know of someone who is interested.
JK/SK REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2009-2010 school year will be
held at all Dufferin-Peel Catholic Elementary
schools on the following dates:
Monday Feb. 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Feb. 25, 26, and
27 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
For more information please see the attached flyer.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
ATTENDANCE
If your child is going to be absent or late, please
notify the school at 905-970-9069 ext. 2. Our
answering machine is available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Your thoughtfulness will save
Mrs. Whitten, our secretary many hours of phone
calls.
PARKING
Our thanks go to the parents/guardians who
consistently follow all the safety procedures put into
place for dropping off and picking up students.
Please do not leave your car unattended in the Kiss’n
Ride lanes or in the front driveway. As adults we
need to model for our children appropriate
behaviour, language, respect for rules and other
parents.
PUNCTUALITY
It is important that your child be on time every day.
Arriving late has a direct impact on learning in
school and also disrupts the classroom lesson. Please
encourage and assist your child to recognize that
punctuality is a responsibility, which all children
should be developing.
DRESSING FOR WINTER WEATHER
Winter is here! Please encourage your child to dress
appropriately for the cold weather. Outdoor play is
healthy and invigorating when students are wearing
suitable clothing. Please write your child’s name on
boots, hats, mitts and snow suits. It is a good idea to
keep an extra pair of mittens, socks, even track pants
in your child’s school bag in case they need a dry
change.
Children must change into indoor shoes for warmth,
comfort and cleanliness.
STUDENT HEALTH
Health is important. Students who come to school
are expected to be healthy enough to participate in
the daily activities including gym and outdoor recess.
Should your child not feel well enough to participate,
please keep them at home the extra day so they can
recuperate fully. There is no venue to maintain sick
kids at the school.
PEDICULOSIS
Head lice have become increasingly common
throughout North America. They are not connected
in any way with dirt, or neglect and anyone can
become infested with them.
It is wise to check your child’s head periodically. If
your child does become infested with them, we ask
that you inform the school immediately. Secondly,
keep the child(ren) out of school until they have been
treated with the correct shampoo and their hair is
entirely clear of lice and nits(eggs). For additional
information, guidance and any questions please
contact Peel Public Health Department at
(905) 791- 7800.
SAFE AND FAIR PLAY
Your child’s safety is a priority. Although it is
normal for children to have disagreements, most
situations can be resolved outside during recess play.
Physical contact, interfering and rough play
continues to be a concern. We are working with all
children to heighten their awareness of what safe
play means. Students are encouraged to seek out an
adult for assistance. Please encourage your child to
walk away and seek the support of an adult if
necessary.
SNOWBALLS
At school we remind our students that “the snow
stays on the ground”. In a busy crowded school yard,
a snowball may become a dangerous object if
thrown. Please help us by reinforcing this rule at
home.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Next meeting : Wednesday March 11 2009
7:00 in the Library
The February meeting is cancelled so that the
members can attend a special presentation on
Internet Safety by the Peel Police at Guardian Angels
on Wednesday February 18 2009. All parents in our
community are welcome to attend this presentation.
Please see the attached flyer for additional
information.
SMOKE-FREE CAR LEGISLATION
As of January 21st 2009, smoking in vehicles with
children less than 16 years of age will be against the
law. This amendment to the Smoke-free Ontario Act
protects children who are especially vulnerable to the
health effects of second-hand smoke.
Why is Smoke – Free Car legislation important?
• Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful
effects of second-hand smoke.
• Children exposed to second –hand smoke are
more likely to get ear infections, bronchitis,
pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections. It
can also trigger or worsen asthma.
• Second-hand smoke can reach very high levels
inside small spaces like vehicles.
There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand
smoke for children or adults.
Visit www.smokefreepeelregion.ca for more
information.
FREE THROW COMPETITION
Throughout the month of January over seventy
students from ages 10 - 13 participated in the
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition.
Eight students became school champions and went
on to St. Angela Merici to represent St. Bonaventure
in the District Tournament. Jahvon Henry-Blair,
Henrietta Danso, Anthony Thompson, Ashana
Burgher, Jermaine Perera, Crystal Carey, Joey
Basilio and Jaida White. A special congratulations to
Jahvon and Ashana who became Brampton District
Champions for their specific age group and will be
moving on to the Regional Competition to be held at
St. Rita on February 14, 2009.
ST. BONAVENTURE PARTICIPATES IN GUINNESS
WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT!
In celebration of Family Literacy Day, ABC Canada
Literacy Foundation and Oxford Learning
encouraged all Canadians to participate in the
national attempt to break the Guinness World Record
for “Most Children Reading With an Adult,
Multiple Locations”. The current record is 78 791,
set by the U.S. in 2005.
The students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 at St. Bonaventure
rose to the challenge and on Friday, January 23,
along with students from all over Canada, they
listened attentively to an adult read for 30 minutes.
All participants were required to listen to the same
five stories by Canadian author Robert Munsch.
Since this was an official Guinness World Record
Attempt, it will take time for official verification to
take place, so we still do not know if Canada was
successful in this attempt. In any case, it was a great
literacy experience enjoyed by our primary students.
M. van Schie
Teacher Librarian
VALENTINE DANCE
The St. Bonaventure Student Council will be holding
a Valentine Dance on Friday, February 13! We
have chosen a “Summer Luau” theme so pull out
those sun hats and Hawaiian shirts and let’s pretend
summer is here! Students are asked to contribute
$1.00 to cover the cost of the Deejay. Primary and
Junior classes will be dancing in the morning and the
Intermediate classes will dance in the afternoon.
Popcorn and water will be available for $1.00 each.
WE NEED YOUR RECIPES!!!
St. Bonaventure Parent Council is very excited to
be organizing St. Bonaventure’s very own cookbook
and we need your recipes!
You will find attached a recipe form. Please fill
out with one of your favourite family recipes. Your
name will be placed in the cookbook with your
recipe. Please remember to have your name and
phone number listed on this form and please print
only. Please feel free to send more than one recipe,
however, all recipes must be on the recipe form sent.
DATES TO REMEMBER
FEBRUARY
3
Winners from the Halloween
Dance-a- thon to the Mandarin
9
AM P.AL.S. Training
PM Junior Speech Contest
10
Ball Hockey Challenge
11
P.M. JiggaJump Snack Attack JK-3
13
Valentine’s Dance JK to 8
16
Family Day (No classes)
18
Internet Safety Presentation @
Guardian Angels
19
World of Music Presentation JK to 8
20
World of Music continues
23
Kindergarten Registration
25, 26 & 27 Kindergarten Registration continues
25
ASH WEDNESDAY
26
Talisman Skiing Trip Gr. 6-8
27
PA Day (No Classes)
MARCH
6
11
12
On Wednesday January 28th our staff participated
in a Professional Development In service on
Differentiated Learning. As well we reviewed our
School Improvement Plan.
16 – 20
18
FUNDRAISER - MAGAZINE ORDERS
On March 11 we will start our magazine fundraiser
please wait to order new subscriptions or renew old
ones and help our school raise money. See attached
flyer.
22
24
26
30
Skiing & Snowboarding at
Chinguacousy Gr.4
Gr. 8 Grad Photos
7:00 p.m. School Council Mtg.
Gr.8 Confirmation Retreat
@ Mt. Alverno
MARCH BREAK
7:00 p.m. Raising Emotionally Healthy
Children speaker Michael Reist @ Our
Lady of Peace (adults only tickets required)
First Day of Classes
Reports Go Home
Interview Evening
Early Release Day
(No Classes in the PM)
Save Our Subscriptions!
Please help us by saving your magazine orders
for our QSP Magazine Reading Program.
WE ALL BENEFIT!
• YOU benefit - You get great magazines at
great prices. QSP will honour any price
coupons. You can save up to 80% off of
newsstand prices!
• OUR SCHOOL benefits – Our school
earns a profit while you save.
• OUR CHILDREN benefit - Any reading
material, including magazines,
encourages children to read or model your
reading behaviour can help to improve
your child’s literacy skills.
If you can’t wait until our schools’ spring program runs, you can start early
and still support us today by shopping on-line!
It’s easy…just visit www.qsp.ca.
Plan Ahead and Help Even More……… Consider giving magazine subscriptions as gifts this year! Let friends and family know about our fundraiser and ask them to save their orders for our program!