ST. BONAVENTURE
SEPTEMBER 2010
NEWSLETTER
Principal: Mrs. S. Wolfe
Vice-Principal: Mrs. T. Loftus
Head Secretary: Mrs. L. Pietrantuono
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
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
2010/2011 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.
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
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL HERITAGE
How long have Catholic separate schools been educating
Catholic children and contributing to the public good in
Ontario?
For about 170 years. In the early 1800’s there were separate schools in many cities, town and township., In Peel,
three separate schools opened before Confederation
(1867); St. James in Malton in the 1830’s, St. John’s Agricultural College (1861) and St. Patrick’s (1861), both in
Wildfield.
Has the Ontario government always supported separate
schools?
Yes, as did its predecessor, the United Legislature of Canada East (now Quebec) and Canada West (now Ontario)
during its total life from 1841 to 1867. One of the first
pieces of legislation it passed in 1841 was the Common
School Act, with a separate school clause.
POSSIBLE CLASS REORGANIZATION
St. Bonaventure staffing for 2010/2011 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.
SCHOOL HOURS
LEAVING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
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.
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.
GRADES ONE TO EIGHT
8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
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 school’s attendance line at (905) 9709069 ext. 2.
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.
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.
DELIVERING LUNCHES
KISS AND RIDE TRAFFIC SAFETY
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 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.
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.
FOOD DAYS
Kindly assist us in reminding children to cross with the
Crossing Guard at Leagate when coming to and going
home from school. The Crossing Guard is on duty at
8:15 - 8:45 a.m and 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.. Thank you for your
co-operation in looking out for the safety of all our students.
First Wednesday of each month is Mr. Sub beginning Wednesday, October 6.
Pizza is every Wednesday starting September 15
(except the 1st Wednesday of each month) $2.00 a
slice.
Kernels popcorn is sold every Friday starting
September 24th for $2.00 a bag.
CROSSING GUARD
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.
COURTESY RIDERS POLICY
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 “Courtesy 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 in 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.
OPEN HOUSE
Our Open House is scheduled to be held on Wednesday,
October 6. More details to follow.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Picture day for all our students will be held on Friday,
October 15th. Retake day will be held on Wednesday,
November 10, 2010.
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 will receive 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.
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 contribute $3.00 towards the cost of their agenda.
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 St. Bonaventure School Council
will be available at the school office from September 11
during school hours. Completed nomination forms
must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on September 20.
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.
FAREWELL
Congratulations to Mr. O’Neill on his appointment as
Principal of St. Dunstan School. We thank him for his
dedication to the community of St. Bonaventure School
and wish him much success in his new role.
Mrs. Burns (French Teacher) has returned to school to
continue her studies, Mrs. Ashley (Assistant Secretary)
has been transferred to Fr. Michael McGivney School and
Mrs. Adams (ERW) has been transferred to St. Roch
Secondary School. We wish them all well.
WELCOME
We extend a very warm welcome to Ms. Loftus (Vice
Principal), Mrs. Cadamurro (FSL), Ms. Ramirez
(Planning Time Teacher) and Mrs. Longlade-Kossel
(ERW). We also welcome back Mrs. Menzella who is
returning from maternity leave.
DATES TO REMEMBER
SEPTEMBER
17
PA Day - No Classes for students
13-20
28
30
OCTOBER
5
6
15
25
25
School Council nomination
forms due - (available at the office)
Early Release Day
(No classes in the afternoon)
Terry Fox National School Run Day
Thanksgiving Mass
Open House – Meet the Teacher
Picture Day
Hepatitis B Clinic (All Grade 7 students)
HPV Clinic – for Grade 8 girls only
NOVEMBER
10
26
Picture Retake Day
PA Day - No Classes for students