ST. BRIGID CATHOLIC SCHOOL
“Live
April
2015
Newsletter
L.Papaloni…........Superintendent
905-890-1221
A. DaSilva…. ………..…Trustee
416 -709 -5679
V. Pugliese ……………Principal
Love
Learn
Light”
The Radiance of Easter
In the early morning hours, the day arises.
The first light glimmers.
There hasn’t been much time to sleep.
Yet already there is nothing to see in this tomb!
There is nothing to see in this tomb!
Like the earth in spring, it has broke open,
Given way to the first surges rising
Life has sprung forth, new, joyous, like a first-born!
C. Bianchi ……….........Secretary
L. Clark ... School Council Chair
PARISH
St. Jerome
8530 Chinguacousy Road
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 5G4
Tel: 905-455-4260
Fax: 905-450-6326
Pastor
Fr. J. Kolodynski
School Hours
Start:
Recess:
Lunch:
Recess :
Dismissal:
8:50
11:00 – 11:15
11:55 – 12:55
2:20 – 2:35
3:20
There is nothing to see in this tomb.
Nothing to touch.
The Living One cannot be contained!
No living one can be contained!
Finally free, this life is now restored.
Free, it calls to us;
Free, it lifts us up out of fear!
There is nothing to see in this tomb!
Let the Good News spread like wildfire
Across the world!
Message from the Principal
Later this week, Christians all over the world will
celebrate Easter. The contrast of the helplessness and
sadness of Good Friday with the joy and celebration
three days later is awe inspiring. Jesus is risen,
Alleluia!
As we enter into the liturgical season of Easter, we are reminded
that while Lent consists of 40 days, the Easter season is
comprised of 50 days. This is a season for rejoicing. Easter is
the most holy season for Catholics as it is the core of our faith;
Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning. This is the greatest
of days. It fills us with life and with love. Easter is not a story
of the past. Easter is a story for today. Easter is the story for our
reality! Catholics all over the world solemnly recall the events
that took place between Palm Sunday and Easter. We believe
that these are the most important events in the whole of human
history.
In His journey from being condemned to death outside the
Sanhedrin by Pontius Pilate, to His crucifixion on Calvary Hill,
Jesus suffered unbelievable pain and humiliation. We celebrate
the Way of the Cross with love, because Christ took these steps
out of obedience to his Father and of love for each one of us.
Paradoxically, we see in these awful events an amazing beauty.
Our Easter, our passage through death, is accomplished each
time we overcome the death of lies to reach the truth, each time
we overcome the death of bitterness to reach reconciliation and
each time we overcome the death of indifference to reach
compassion. Our Easter is accomplished each time we go on, no
matter what the cost, towards a life of Christ centeredness.
In our own quiet way we are called to experience the resurrected
Jesus and allow Him to enter into our hearts. The empty tomb is
a reminder to us that when it seems the most impossible, God
keeps His promises! And just as the stone covering His tomb
was pushed away, we too are called to roll away the stone, let
Jesus into our lives and see the glory of God.
On behalf of the staff at St. Brigid, I wish you a
peaceful and joyous Easter, filled with the love that
Jesus showed us on the Cross.
Sacraments
First Communion
First Communion for grade 2 students at St. Brigid School will
take place on Sunday, April 19th at 12:00 pm at St.
Jerome Church.
Confirmation
Confirmation for grade 8 students at St. Brigid School will take
place on Thursday May 21st, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Jerome Church.
Please note the date change from last month’s newsletter.
If you have any questions regarding your child’s sacraments,
please contact the church office at (905) 455-4260.
E.Q.A.O. Testing -- Grades Three and Six
A reminder that this year the EQAO assessment for Grade 3 and
Grade 6 students will run from May 25th to June 5th. We ask that
parents of students in these grades ensure that their children are
in attendance during these weeks. Visit DPCDSB
on the web for Board and School profiles
http://www.dpcdsb.org/EQAO.
EASTER MASS
Father Jan will be celebrating our Easter Mass on Thursday May
14thin the school gymnasium, at 9:30 a.m. As always, parents
and family members are most welcome to join us in this
Eucharistic Celebration.
Full-Day Kindergarten Registration for 2015-16
We are now accepting registrations for Full-Day Kindergarten
and Grades 1 to 8, for the 2015-16 school year. The following
documents are required for registration:
Proof of age of the child (birth certificate or passport)
Original Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate or
Baptismal Certificate from an Eastern Church in full
communion with the Holy See of Rome. If the child has
not been baptized, then the Baptismal Certificate of a
parent is required.
Updated immunization records
Proof of Canadian Citizenship (birth certificate, passport,
permanent resident status)
Proof of home address (any 2 of the following: Property
tax bill, current utility bill, real estate document or
Government of Canada issued forms)
Flexible Boundary Policy
Many students attend St. Brigid School under the “Flexible
Boundary policy”. This offers convenience for many parents
who access daycare in the area. Parents who have requested
flexible boundary admittance for their children must be aware
that the policy will be considered on a student-by-student, yearto-year basis taking into account the class size of the students
who are enrolling and the resources available at the school.
While we offer support to all of our students, please understand
that the availability of the flexible boundary policy should never
negatively impact on the class size and school resources. Parents
requesting flex boundaries are asked to do so in writing. Please
feel free to call the school if you have any questions regarding
this policy.
Please call the school at 905-454-0316 if you require any further
information
Each year the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a weeklong celebration of the unique identity and distinctive
contributions of Catholic education during Catholic Education
Week. Pope Francis continually reminds us in word and in
action that, in imitation of Jesus, we are called to service in our
work in Catholic education. This year’s celebration entitled
“Catholic Education: Exploring Paths of Joy” is scheduled for
the week of May 3 – May 8, 2015. The scriptural passage that
guides our theme is: “Were not our hearts burning within us
while He was talking to us on the road?” Luke 24:32
Class List Formation for 2015 - 2016
We will soon begin the process of making up the class lists for
next fall. This is a complex procedure which takes into
consideration not only the needs of the individual child, but
frames those needs in the context of the larger classroom group.
In each class we strive for a balance of learning styles, a balance
of gender, a balance of learning needs and a cross-section of
abilities.
Catholic Education Week begins on a Sunday to highlight the
partnership that remains the foundation of Catholic education
between our Catholic schools and local Catholic parishes.
Throughout Catholic Education Week, we ask you to reflect on
the significance of Catholic education’s presence and
contribution in our Church, and in our society. We invite all
members of our community, to participate in the celebrations and
activities that will mark the celebration of Catholic Education
Week 2015 in our schools.
The current teachers of a grade, support staff and administration
all take part in the process. If you wish to provide input into the
process, please take into consideration the following guidelines:
Input must be made in writing to the Principal no later than April
30th, 2015. Requests should be made in terms of educational
contexts, e.g. your child’s learning needs/strengths/style,
information not already known to the school, best learning
environment. Please do not make requests for specific teachers
as staffing is always tentative and changes can take place
between now and September.
Are You Moving?
As noted previously, we will soon begin the
process of planning classes and staffing for the
2015/2016 school year. If you are planning to
move anytime between now and September 2015, please inform
the school at your earliest possible convenience.
Twitter
DPCDSB is now on Twitter! For the latest board news and
information, follow us @DPCDSBSchools.
SCHOOL WEBSITE
Check out our school web
site. Access the site
through the School
Board’s website at
http://www.dpcdsb.org/ce
c
St. Brigid Catholic School Council News
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. Our next Catholic School
Council meeting has been scheduled for Monday April 20 th at
7:00 p.m. All parents are welcome to attend. Please come out
to help make St. Brigid School the very best it can be for all the
children.
Our Fun Fit Family Night with Chef Rob Mancini and Strano
Culinary Services was a great success. The students experienced
first-hand how to make: Tomato-Caprese salad, a non-bake
chocolate chip granola bar and a fresh pasta salad, while the
parents listened to the tips of healthy cooking. Everyone enjoyed
their take home meals! Many thanks goes out to our volunteers
that helped to make this a successful night!
Join us with “the Studio” and dance artist Julia, for our dance
Boot Camp on April 15th from 6:30 to 8pm. We have the
privilege of having Julia host this event once again for us… so
wear those comfortable clothes and shoes as this will be an
interactive night for both students and parents! Healthy snacks
and water will be provided. And stay tuned for another Fun Fit
Family night on May 26th - Karate is coming to the school.
As we go into the Virtue of Love in the month of April,
remembering that Love is the Virtue of the Heart, we would like
to take this time to wish you and your family a Blessed Easter
Holiday!
Pizza Days
The Catholic School Council Pizza Committee will be offering
pizza from Moga’s Pizza. The following will be pizza days for
the remainder of the school year:
 Friday April 17th (Pepperoni)
 Friday May 8th (Cheese)
 Friday May 29th (Pepperoni)
 Friday June 19th (Cheese)
Again, we will be offering Chocolate Milk and a chocolate chip
cookie with the pizza. Payment is due by Friday April 10th.
Please note that Friday April 3rd is
Good Friday and that Monday April 6th
is Easter Monday. All schools will be
closed on those days.
7. A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN WHO:
 Acts morally and legally as a person
formed in Catholic traditions.
 Accepts accountability for one's own
actions.
 Seeks and grants forgiveness.
 Promotes the sacredness of life.
 Witnesses Catholic social teaching by
promoting equality, democracy, and
solidarity for a just, peaceful and
compassionate society.
 Respects and affirms the diversity and
interdependence of the world's peoples
and cultures.
 Respects and understands the history,
cultural heritage and pluralism of today's
contemporary society.
 Exercises the rights and responsibilities
of Canadian citizenship.
 Respects the environment and uses
resources wisely.
 Contributes to the common good.
Autism Awareness Day: Light It Up Blue on
April 2nd
On Thursday April 2nd all students and staff at St.
Brigid will be wearing BLUE to show our support
and awareness for all children living with Autism.
Every year the month of April is designated as Autism
Awareness Month. Organizations around the world celebrate the
day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that impacts the
typical development of the brain in the areas of social interaction
and communication skills. The puzzle pattern is used to reflect
the mystery and complexity of autism. The different colours and
shapes represent the diversity of people and families living with
this disorder. The brightness of the pieces signals hope – hope
through research and increasing awareness through people like
you!!! So don’t forget to wear BLUE and join the World in
showing our support.
You
may
go
to
www.stopr.ca for daily
bus
cancellations or
delays.
Public Speaking:
Here at St. Brigid School we have a long tradition of
excellence in public speaking. This year, our
Intermediate contest will be held on Monday April
13th, followed by our Junior contest on Thursday April
16th. Please note the new date for the Junior competition. Both
presentations shall commence at 9:15 a.m. in the
gymnasium. Please join us for both competitions; you will
undoubtedly be both entertained and informed by our young
speakers!
Plastic Milk Bag Collection Reaches About 7600
As part of the Green Team initiatives, plastic milk
bag collections have been an ongoing activity for the
past 4 years. The milk bags are collected to be used in the
weaving of mats for the people of Haiti, who are still recovering
from the earthquake in 2010.
In previous years St. Brigid has collected bags for Milk
Bags.com, a family organization that was responsible for
weaving the mats and shipping them to Haiti. This year the
students of St. Brigid are also weaving mats. One mat requires
600 milk bags.
Since September our school has collected about 7600 plastic
milk bags. Classes compete in gathering the most bags during a
specific block of time. The winning class receives chocolate milk
for everyone. Honorable mention goes to Mrs. Murray’s Grade
3 class which has been a three-time winner with a total of 2150
bags since September.
Earth Week April 20-April 24
At St Brigid we are taking action on this Earth Day, April 22,
2015!
Reduce you impact on the environment by walking or riding your
bike, scooter or skateboard to school on Earth Day. You can
also show your support and sign the Earth Flag. In December
2015, 196 countries will meet in Paris to sign a new climate
agreement at the United Nations Climate Change
Conference. Earth Day Canada is collecting signatures from
Canadians on fabric swatches that will be sewn together into a
giant Earth Flag that will be flown in Paris to demonstrate to the
world that Canadians care about climate change. Our 2015 Earth
Flag honors a campaign that was originally launched in 1992,
when Canadians came together to sign their names, make a
pledge and show their support for the environment. We are
asking each student, staff member, parent and administrator who
signs the flag to donate $1 to Earth Day Canada for the flag
campaign.
During Earth week primary students will also be involved in
presentations, the school will participate in Spring Clean Up and
students will be encouraged to answer trivia questions and create
posters relating to facts about the Earth's Environment.
Chess Tournament
This year’s Mississauga Brampton Central Family of Schools
Chess Tournament will be held on Wednesday April 8th at St.
Gertrude School in Mississauga. St. Brigid is proudly sending 5
students from each division to this tournament. Good luck to all!
Math Mania
Congratulations to our intermediate Math Mania team who
participated in the Mississauga Brampton Central Family of
Math competition on Friday March 27th. The students displayed
their skill and determination in the various strands of math.
Thank you to their coach, Mr. Fitzpatrick.
Welcome to Kindergarten
All new junior kindergarten students that will be attending St.
Brigid School in September are invited to join us (along with
their parents) in our Welcome to Kindergarten evening, on
Thursday May 14th, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Welcome to
Kindergarten is an orientation program, where families
participate in activities that will help junior kindergarten students
prepare for school. Please note that activities are only for our
new Junior Kindergarten students.
The Wizard of Oz
We are in the home stretch in our preparations for our Musical,
“The Wizard of Oz.” The many students and teachers have been
working hard and are excited in anticipation of the performances.
The musical will be performed on Wednesday May 6th and
Thursday May 7th at 7:00 p.m. in our school gymnasium. These
shows are for the entire St. Brigid Community. Come out and
support our students and enjoy an evening of fun and music.
Tickets order forms will be sent home on April 13th. Please note
that tickets are not numbered and there are no reserved seats.
Tickets are only $5.00 each! Snacks will be sold prior to the
performance and during intermission.
St. Brigid Night at Swiss Chalet
We would like to thank the parents and students who attended
our fourth annual St. Brigid Night at Swiss Chalet. The evening
was a huge success. Our St. Brigid Staff were pleased to serve
our students and parents. It was an experience that we will never
forget. We would also like to thank Robin Uppal, the general
manager of the Swiss Chalet at 2 Country Court Blvd., and his
entire staff for their generosity and patience.
ATTENDANCE
VERIFICATION
905-454-0316 PRESS 1
Professional Activity Day
Please note that Monday May 11th, 2015 is a
Professional Activity Day. There will be no school for
the students on that day.
Safety Drills
Throughout the year, students and staff participate in fire and
lockdown practices. During these drills students are instructed
on specific procedures to follow. Fire and Lockdown practices
ensure that students are aware of procedures should an actual
emergency occur. These drills help to ensure the safety of all
students, staff, parents and community members that may be
visiting the school.
We have 2 remaining Mr. Sub Days in April: April 7 th and 21st.
We will continue to offer subs during May and June.
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 May 5th and 19th
Tuesday June 2nd, 16th and 23rd
School Day and School Yard Supervision
Please remember that school yard supervision does not begin
until 8:35 a.m. For safety reasons, please do not send your child
to school until then. Our supervisors wear orange vests when
they are in the school yard, so that they can be easily visible to a
child in need. For reasons of safety, students are expected to go
home at the end of the school day, unless supervised by a parent
or staff member for a scheduled school activity.
Safety Notice
Please note that children playing in and around
storm sewers and watercourses, entering storm
sewers through the outfalls, and entering storm
sewers through access covers is dangerous and
can lead to a fatality. Children should be made
aware that:



Water flows in storm sewers and
watercourses are unpredictable and
may change quickly
Tragic falls could take place
Access is restricted and therefore,
rescue attempts are dangerous.
Parents are asked to remind their children to
avoid all storm sewers and watercourses.
Dates to Remember
Apr. 2
Apr. 3
Apr. 4
Apr. 5
Apr. 6
Apr. 7
Apr. 8
Stations of the Cross
Good Friday
St. Brigid @ the ACC
Easter
Easter Monday
Mr. Sub Lunch
Lunch Moms
MBC Chess Tournament @ St. Gertrude
Apr. 9
Rosary Apostolates
Brampton Beast Hockey Tournament
Apr. 13 Intermediate Speech Competition – 9:15
First Communion Retreat – pm.
Tickets for Wizard of Oz go on sale
Apr. 15 Lunch Moms
Hep. B & HPV vaccines
Brampton Library Presentation – K to Gr. 4
Family Fun Night – Boot Camp for Kids – 6:30
to 8:30 pm.
Apr. 16 Junior Speech Competition – 9:15 – New Date
Apr. 17 Pizza Day
First Communion Practice @ St. Jerome
Apr. 19 First Communion - 12:00 @ St. Jerome
Apr. 20 Catholic School Council Mtg. – 7:00 pm.
Apr. 21 Mr. Sub Lunch
Earth Week Presentations
Apr. 22 Lunch Moms
Walk to School Day
Earth Week Presentations
Intermediate Boys Basketball Tournament @
Our Lady of Peace
Apr. 23 Intermediate Girls Basketball Tournament @
St. Monica
Spring Clean Up
Apr. 24 Spring Clean Up
Apr. 28 St. Augustine Performance – Gr. 7 & 8
Apr. 29 Spring Photos
Lunch Moms
May 1
Diversity Conference
May 3 - 9 Catholic Education Week
May 5
Mr. Sub Lunch
May 6
Lunch Moms
Wizard of Oz Performance – 7:00 pm.
May 7
Wizard of Oz Performance – 7:00 pm.
May 8
Confirmation Retreat
Pizza Day
May 10 Mother’s Day
May 11 Professional Activity Day
May 12 Peel Police – Get Ready Presentations
May 13 Peel Police – Get Ready Presentations
Lunch Moms
May 14 Easter Mass – 9:30
Welcome to Kindergarten Evening – 6:30
May 18 Victoria Day
May 19 Confirmation Practice @ St. Jerome
Mr. Sub Lunch
May 20 Lunch Moms
Operation Christmas Child Presentation
May 21 Crowning of Mary
Confirmation – 7:00 pm @ St. Jerome
May 22 Peel Children’s Water Festival – Gr. 2 & 3
May 25 Catholic School Council Mtg. – 7:00 pm.