ST. BRIGID CATHOLIC SCHOOL
“Live
January
2015
Newsletter
L.Papaloni…........Superintendent
905-890-1221
Love
Learn
Light”
A Prayer for the New Year
Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright
light.
And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of
A. DaSilva…. ………..…Trustee
416 -709 -5679
darkest shadows.
V. Pugliese ……………Principal
Oh Lord, you have made your nation stronger.
C. Bianchi ……….........Secretary
Because of you, its people are glad and celebrate.
L. Clark ... School Council Chair
A child has been born for us.
PARISH
St. Jerome
8530 Chinguacousy Road
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 5G4
Tel: 905-455-4260
Fax: 905-450-6326
We have been given a son who will be our ruler.
Pastor
Fr. J. Kolodynski
His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty
God,
Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.
His power will never end; peace will last forever.
Amen
(Isaiah 9:2 – 3:6-7)
School Hours
Start:
Recess:
Lunch:
Recess :
Dismissal:
8:50
11:00 – 11:15
11:55 – 12:55
2:20 – 2:35
3:20
Professional Activity Day
Please note that Monday January 19th, 2015 is a Professional Activity Day. There
will be no school for the students on that day. The day is designated for report card
writing. Friday February 6th, 2015 is also a Professional Activity Day, with no
school for students. That day is designated for Parent/Student/Teacher conferences.
Message from the Principal
On behalf of the entire St. Brigid staff I bring
greetings to parents/guardians and students and a
sincere welcome back to all from what I hope was
a restful and enjoyable Christmas holiday with family and
friends. We wish you and your family a very happy and
prosperous New Year in 2015.
With the coming of another new year, we tend to forget that
Christmas does not end on December 25th. Once all the presents
have been opened and the dinner has been eaten, Christmas is
often quickly put behind us. The tree quickly taken down,
decorations are packed away and we begin to prepare for New
Year’s Eve celebrations. Christmas Day is just the beginning of
the Christmas season, that continues through to the Baptism of
our Lord, which will be celebrated on January 11th. Christmas is
a commemoration of God’s coming into the world. He came for
all of us – believers and non-believers alike. His birth should
bring us hope and triumph which will dispel the sadness from
our lives. As such, Christmas is a celebration that all Catholics
need to embrace for more than just a day, but rather for a whole
season.
Jesus is born but have we found Him yet? He has come into the
world and is very much in our midst but unfortunately we often
refuse to recognize Him, therefore fail to welcome Him. As we
make our New Year’s resolutions, let us promise to take the time
to look around us, to recognize that Jesus, who was born into the
world over two thousand years ago, is among us in every person
and in every trial and tribulation we encounter in our lives. Let
us take a moment to recognize Him in those who do not have joy
and peace in their lives. And let us continue to spread the spirit
that filled us during the Advent season throughout the entire
year. If we are unable to recognize Jesus, then His birth into this
world will be just another day to celebrate, eat, drink
and make merry. It will never become the day when
hope shall sing of triumph and sadness flees away.
V. Pugliese
A New Year’s Resolutions for 2015
Take time to think; it is the source of power.
Take time to study; it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to play; it is the secret of keeping young.
Take time to be quiet; it is the opportunity to seek God.
Take time to love and be loved; it is God’s greatest gift.
Take time to laugh; it is the singing of the soul.
Take time to dream; it is where the hope for the future
begins.
Take time to pray; it is the greatest power on earth.
Report Cards for Term 1
On Tuesday February 3rd Report Cards will be sent home for all
students from Grades 1 to 8.
Student/Parent/Teacher
Conferences will take place on the evening of February 5 th and
during the school day on Friday February 6 th. Specific time
request forms will be sent home later in the month. Parents will
be notified with the report card of their conference time.
Graduation Photos
Life Touch photographers will be at St. Brigid on Thursday
January 22nd to take graduation photos for our Grade 8 students.
If you have a child in grade 8, please ensure that he/she is
at school on the 22nd. A letter will be sent out prior
to this date with more information.
Feast of St. Brigid
The Feast of St. Brigid on Sunday, February 1 st. At St. Brigid
School we will be celebrating this feast on Monday February 2nd,
at 1:15 in the school gym. Please be sure to mark this date on
your calendar, so you may join us for this celebration.
The Feast of St. Brigid
Brigid was born in approximately the year
453 in Faughart Ireland. Her father was an
Irish chieftain and her mother a slave at his
court. Shortly after her birth, Brigid was
put into fosterage. Brigid grew into beauty
and her love for all of God's creatures knew
no bounds. When she grew older and was
of an age to be useful, Brigid returned to
her father's house, taking her mother's
place as house slave - minding the
livestock, cleaning, serving at meals, etc.
As a young lady, Brigid and her
companions devoted their lives to the
service of a Druid goddess. With her
Christian mother as a guiding influence,
Brigid converted to Christianity and
formed Ireland's first Christian religious
community of women. Legend tells that
upon her acceptance of her vows, fire
appeared above her head.
Brigid's generosity and wisdom became
legendary. Little girls came to be taught,
the sick came to her and asked her to care
for them and she often sold everything she
had and gave the money to the poor.
Brigid travelled all over Ireland building
convents schools and hospitals. By the end
of her life she had brought about 13,000
women to a new life, living in monasteries
and dedicating their lives to Christ. Her
monastery at Kildare became one of the
greatest centers of learning in Europe. She
continued her holy and charitable work
until her death in 526 AD, when she was
laid to rest in a jewelled casket at Kil Dara.
St. Brigid is the patron saint for babies;
blacksmiths; boatmen; children whose
parents are not married; dairymaids;
fugitives; mariners; midwives; milk maids;
sailors; travellers; creativity, scholars,
poets and Ireland. The feast of St. Brigid
is celebrated on February 1st.
Family Day
Please note that Monday February 16th is Family Day.
There will be no classes for students that day as the
school will be closed. Family Day is a provincially
mandated holiday.
Twitter
DPCDSB is now on Twitter! For the latest board news and
information, follow us @DPCDSBSchools.
Full-Day Kindergarten Registration for 2015-16
Registration for Full-Day Kindergarten for the 2015-16 school
year, will take place at St. Brigid on the following days:
Monday, January 26, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.*
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and
from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday, January 30, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and
from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
* Snow Date:
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
For more information about registration and the Full-Day
Kindergarten program, call St. Brigid School or visit
www.dpcdsb.org.
Dufferin-Peel hosts Parent Evening to Support the
Transition of Students with Differing Abilities into
Kindergarten
There will be an information session for parent(s)/guardian(s) of
children with differing abilities including vision, speech,
hearing, autism, physical/medical and/or developmental delays
who are transitioning to Kindergarten in September 2015. The
information session will be held at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board -- Catholic Education Centre (40
Matheson Boulevard West, Mississauga), Room 301 on
Thursday, January 8, 2015, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Snow
date Tuesday, January 13, 2015, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are also reminded to register their child at
our school office. Official registration dates are Monday,
January 26th, 2015, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Snow Date
for evening registration is Tuesday, January 27th, 2015, from
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Additional registration dates are January
28th, 29th and 30th, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Winter Clothing
With winter now upon us, parents and students are
reminded that students need to be dressed
appropriately for the winter weather. We want our
students to feel comfortable outdoors and not get
chilled because of inappropriate winter dress. Students
should be wearing winter coats, boots, hats, gloves and
scarves. Younger students are also encouraged to wear
snow pants. Please listen to weather reports and
ensure that children are dressed appropriately for
the weather.
Please ensure that your child has an extra change of
clothing (socks and pants) stored in their back pack.
This will help prevent phone calls home when your
child comes to the office with wet clothing. Also, please label
your child’s winter garments, so that each student can more
easily locate his/her own clothing from the class coat rack area.
Labelled items can be returned more easily and mixed up items
sorted out more readily. If your child brings home any clothing
item by mistake, please return it to the school so that this mix up
may be corrected.
Except under unusual conditions, students will go outside during
recess and lunch hour. The outdoor break allows for fresh air
and exercise. Health officials indicate that the fresh air is good
for children...not harmful, as long as students are dressed
properly.
Indoor Footwear
Students are expected to wear shoes in the school building at all
times. Please note that in the event of an emergency evacuation,
students will not have the opportunity to put on shoes, boots,
clothing articles, etc. Please ensure that your child has an extra
pair of shoes at school, to keep their feet dry and
warm during wet and/or snowy weather.
Snow and Ice
Please remind your children that their safety is of the utmost
importance to us. Snow is always to stay on the ground.
Snowball throwing or kicking snow or ice at anyone is not
permitted here at St. Brigid School.
Also, students are
encouraged to work together to build with the snow. Students
are reminded that at St. Brigid we build together, we
don’t destroy. This especially applies to snow forts
that are built during the recess periods. We encourage
all students to play together and not to exclude anyone.
ATTENTION DOWNHILL SKIERS!!
St. Brigid is pleased to provide grade 6 to 8 students with an
opportunity to participate in learn to ski program at Blue
Mountain Resort in Collingwood. This program aims to provide
students with the opportunity to increase their physical fitness
through the exciting and fun sport of skiing. This is an excellent
opportunity for students to learn a new skill and work at their
own levels to achieve success. Skiing is set for the following
dates:
 Friday January 16th
 Friday February 20th
 Friday March 6th
Please note that if school busses are cancelled
on a ski date, then we will not be going to Blue Mountain and a
new ski date will be scheduled.
Weather Cancellations
There may be days during the upcoming winter months when
inclement weather presents a potential safety hazard. It is
essential that parents discuss with their children the procedures
they wish them to take to get home safely. This discussion
should include: where should the child go, if parents are not
home.
Please be advised that during the winter months, inclement
weather may cause disruption of bus transportation and regular
school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation
and/or to close schools is usually made by 6:00 am. If buses are
cancelled in the morning, they will not operate in the afternoon.
Therefore students transported to school by parents require the
same transportation home. Parents/guardians are asked to
monitor the following radio/television to receive bus
cancellation/school closure information:
CHUM AM1050
CFRB AM1010
CFTR AM680
CBC FM99.1
VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
CTV
FM93.1
FM Z103.5
FM97.3
EZ ROCK
AM860
CJBC (FR)
CJCL AM590
CHFI FM98.1
CANADA AM
GLOBAL NEWS
CITYPULSE
If school buses are cancelled in the morning, due to severe
weather conditions, they will not operate for the take home
run, even if weather conditions permit. In the past, children
have been dropped off at the school in the morning by wellmeaning parents and friends on a day when the buses have been
cancelled, without regard as to how the children would be
transported home. In the event of bus cancellations, please
refrain from picking up students at bus stops and delivering them
to school. There are no buses to return them home from school
and often no one is available to pick them up at school.
You
may
go
to
www.stopr.ca for daily
bus
cancellations or
delays.
Extended French Information Meeting
Grade 4 parent(s)/guardian(s), who wish to enroll
their child in a Grade 5 Extended French class for
September, 2015 are invited to attend an information
meeting at:
School: St. Monica School
Address: 60 Sterritt Dr.
Brampton, L6Y 5B6
Date:
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Time:
7:00 pm.
Applications will be accepted at that centre until 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 17th, 2015.
4. A SELF-DIRECTED, RESPONSIBLE,
LIFE LONG LEARNER WHO:
 Demonstrates a confident and positive
sense of self and respect for the dignity
and welfare of others.
 Demonstrates flexibility and
adaptability.
 Takes initiative and demonstrates
Christian leadership.
 Responds to, manages and
constructively influences change in a
discerning manner.
 Sets appropriate goals and priorities in
school, work and personal life.
 Applies effective communication,
decision-making, problem-solving, time
and resource management skills.
 Examines and reflects on one's personal
values, abilities and aspirations
influencing life's choices and
opportunities.
 Participates in leisure and fitness
activities for a balanced and healthy
lifestyle.
ATTENDANCE
VERIFICATION
905-454-0316 PRESS 1
Catholic School Council
Happy New Year to All. Our Catholic School Council shares
your ideas and suggestions with the school and supports ways to
enhance the educational experience of our students. The Council
also contributes to the fundraising efforts in the school and helps
to organize volunteers for various events and activities. Here are
some of the exciting things School Council is working on for the
New Year:
 We are having our Annual Family Skate Night with a twist,
this year we are outdoors at Gage Park (Main St. S. and
Wellington St. W)! The event will take place Tuesday
February 3, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Hot Chocolate and treats
will be served at the Brampton City Hall cafeteria. Skate
rental is available. For safety reasons, students should wear
helmets and gloves while one the ice. Please note that
students should be accompanied by an adult. This will be the
first event in a series of four “Fun Fit Family Nights”. The
rest of the series will include a cooking night, as well as two
interactive fitness nights for children and their parents. More
details to follow.
 Our next pizza day will be January 30, 2015. Forms will be
going home this week. Thank you for your continued
support!
 DRAPCE will be holding a Special Presentation for parents
and guardians, about resources to help your children in grades
JK-8 with age appropriate financial concepts. The meeting
will take place on Wednesday January 28th, from 7:00 pm to
8:30 pm at St. Valentine’s School, 5610 Heartherleigh
Avenue, Mississauga ON L5V2V7. All are welcome, please
email to register at drapce@hotmail.com. DRAPCE is the
regional council for the Ontario Association of Parents in
Catholic Education representing the voice of parents and
guardians of children enrolled in Catholic education in
Dufferin-Peel.
Don’t forget to join us for our next Catholic School Council
Meeting on Wednesday January 21, at 7:00 pm. Everyone is
welcome.
Pizza Days
The Catholic School Council Pizza Committee will again be
offering pizza during the months of January, February and
March. Pizza will be available on the following dates:
Friday January 30th
Friday February 13th
Friday February 27th
Friday March 27th
Please note that the hearing and vision clinic that was originally
scheduled for December 11th has been rescheduled for Thrusday
January 22nd.
Tuesday February 3rd is our first Mr. Sub Day of the second
semester. Individually packaged 6” sub, drink and snack will be
delivered for students that ordered Mr. Sub sandwiches. All subs
are compliant with the new Ministry of Education Food
Guidelines and will be prepared and delivered fresh to the
schools. The following will also be Sub days:
 Tuesday February 3rd & 17
 Tuesday March 3rd & 24th
 Tuesday April 7th & 21st
Diversity Team
The students of the St. Brigid Diversity Team have been busy
little elves! This year our Coat Drive collected dozens of coats,
hats, mittens, scarves and socks which were then donated to the
Ste. Louise Outreach Center in Brampton. On behalf of the
Diversity Team, we would like to extend a very warm thank you
to all the families who donated items. Thanks to your generosity,
many people will be able to stay warm this year. The true spirit
of Christmas is alive and well at St. Brigid!
St. Brigid Choir Spread Christmas Cheer
On Monday December 15th, the St. Brigid School Choir spread
some Christmas cheer with the residents at Extendicare Nursing
Home in Brampton. They sang a variety of Christmas songs, both
traditional and contemporary, and were delighted to have the
residents clapping and singing along. The experience proved to
be a special one for the students as they had the opportunity to
meet the elderly of our community and bring the gift of song to
God's family.
First Reconciliation
Please remember in your prayers our Grade 2
students who will be receiving the sacrament of
Reconciliation on Saturday, February 28 th at 10:00
am at St. Jerome Church. Please ensure that your child is
registered and that you are attending mass on a regular basis.
Confirmation
Please be aware that Grade 8 Confirmation enrolment will take
place on the weekend of January 10th and January 11th at St.
Jerome Church during all regular masses (January 10 th at 5 pm,
and January 11th at 9 am, 10:30 am and 12 noon).
On Friday February 13th, St. Brigid School will be hosting our
annual Valentine’s Day, ShareLife Dance-a-Thon. Each class
will be in the gym for approximately half an hour, dancing and
moving to music. This year’s theme will be love, in honour of
St. Valentine. Students are asked to wear red, white or pink on
that day. Please encourage your children to participate in this
worthy event. As always, parents are more than welcome to join
with their children and participate in the Dance-a-Thon.
Emergency Information
It is most important that we are able to contact you
during school hours. We should have on record:
telephone numbers for home, work, cell and an
emergency contact person and number. In order to keep our
records up-to-date, please inform the office of any changes that
may be relevant.
St. Brigid’s Green Team
Scholastic Book Fair
Enter the Kingdom of Books!!! Come to the Scholastic Book
Fair in the St. Brigid School Library from Tuesday February 3 to
Thursday February 5, 2015. Our Special Family Event Evening
will be held on Parent-Teacher Interview Night, Thursday
February 5th from 3:30-5:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. What a
great way to start of the New Year. Last year the money raised
from the fair allowed us to purchase new books for the library
and the children were super excited. In the past, your support and
enthusiasm for this school fundraiser has been wonderful and we
hope you can once again join us and participate in the Scholastic
Book Fair and discover new books.
Late Arrivals
With the colder weather we have had a number of
students arriving at school after the bell has rung. School
begins promptly at 8:50 am. Parents are encouraged to have their
children at school at least five minutes before the bell. Children
who are late must report to the office and sign in. Students who
arrive late for school are missing valuable learning time. Your
cooperation is appreciated.
Lights Out Lunch Hour
Recycling Club
Litterless Lunches
Thank you to everyone for their hard work and support
with our green initiatives this year. St. Brigid is now a
certified GOLD Ontario EcoSchool!
End of the Day Parking
Dismissal time is a very busy time of day and the safety of our
students must be our number one priority. As such, please be
aware that at the end of the school day pylons are placed at the
entrance of the school driveway. This is done to prevent vehicles
from driving on school grounds while students are exiting the
school grounds. The gates at the parking lot are also closed at
this time, and will not be opened until our students and busses
have left school grounds. If you are parked in the parking lot,
we ask that you respect our policy and wait until our gates are
opened by a staff supervisor. Also, please be aware that our drive
way is one way, with the entrance at the east end of the school.
Please do not enter the school grounds through the exit drive at
the west end. We thank you for your cooperation.
Parking Enforcement
City of Brampton Parking Enforcement officers
have been vigilant in enforcing city parking by-laws in the area
around the school. Please be aware of where you park your
vehicle. There are fire hydrants and other No Parking / No
Stopping areas that need to be observed.
Please note that vehicles in the Kiss ‘N’ Ride lane should not be
left unattended, as they could be ticketed. Please do not park in
the Kiss ‘N’ Ride Lanes and walk your child to their entry point.
If you wish to walk your child, we request that you park on the
street and escort your child. Cars parked in the Kiss ‘N’ Ride
create a very dangerous situation and also impede the flow of
traffic.
Also, please be aware that only vehicles that have a handicap
sign displayed in their vehicle are allowed to park in the handicap
parking spots in the school parking lot. Under no conditions
should vehicles without a handicap sign park in these designated
areas.
Kiss ‘N Ride
Please note that it is extremely important that parents drive
slowly and cautiously while on school grounds. The lane closest
to the curb is for BUSSES ONLY. The Kiss ‘N Ride lane is the
middle lane. Please follow the procedures outlined below when
using the Kiss ‘N Ride lane:
Drive your vehicle in this lane and proceed to the furthest
point closest to the front doors of the school.
STOP
Child(ren) must exit your vehicle by the right hand side
door(s) only
Drive to the end of the Kiss ‘N Ride lane and cautiously
proceed into the Drive-Thru lane once all children have
left your vehicle
SCHOOL WEBSITE
Check out our school web
site. Access the site
through the School
Board’s website at
http://www.dpcdsb.org/ce
c
At no time should parents park in the Kiss ‘N Ride lane. If you
need to enter the school, please park your vehicle in the school
parking lot or on the street.
Dates to Remember
Jan. 1
Jan. 5
Jan. 6
Jan. 7
New Year’s Day
First Day of Classes
Mr. Sub Lunch
Lunch Moms
Dental Screening – JK, SK, Gr. 2 & 8
Jan. 8
Rosary Apostolates
Youth Faith Ambassadors @ St. Francis Xavier
Church
Jan. 9
Slivercreek – Gr. 4’s
Jan. 14
Lunch Moms
Jan. 15
Milk Bags Assembly
Jan. 16
Skiing
Jan. 19
P.A. Day
Jan. 20
Mr. Sub Lunch
Jan. 21
Lunch Moms
Hansel & Gretel Presentation – 9:30
Catholic School Council Mtg. – 7:00 pm
Jan. 22
Grad Photos
Hearing and Vision Screening
Jan. 26
Kindergarten Registration – 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Jan. 27
Kindergarten Registration Snow Date – 7:00 to
9:00 pm.
Mr. Sub Lunch
Jan. 28
Kindergarten Registration – 9:00 to 3:00
Lunch Moms
Jan. 29
Kindergarten Registration – 9:00 to 3:00
Jan. 30
Kindergarten Registration – 9:00 to 3:00
Pizza Day
Feb. 1
Feast of St. Brigid
Feb. 2
Feast of St. Brigid Celebration – 1:15
Feb. 3 - 5 Book Fair
Feb. 3
Report Cards Sent Home
Family Skate Night – 6:00 pm @ Gage Park
Feb. 4
Lunch Moms
Feb. 5
Rosary Apostolates
Interview Evening
Feb. 6
P.A. Day – Interviews
Feb. 7 & 8 Confirmation Enrolment @ St. Jerome Church
Feb. 10
B.N.W. Hockey Tournament
CCCSC Mtg. @ St. Josephine Bakhita
Feb. 11
Lunch Moms
Feb. 13
ShareLife Dance-a-Thon
Pizza Day
Feb. 16
Family Day
Feb. 18
Ash Wednesday
Feb. 20
Skiing
Feb. 23
Intermediate Speech Competition
Catholic School Council Mtg. – 7:00 pm.
Feb. 24
Junior Speech Competition
Feb. 25
Lunch Moms
Feb. 27
Science Olympics
Pizza Day
Feb. 28
Reconciliation – 10:00 am @ St. Jerome
Church