September 2015
ST. CHARLES GARNIER SCHOOL
4233 Central Parkway East, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1M7
(905) 275-0509
Mississauga East
Family of Schools
Principal:
M.J. Vowles
Secretary:
D. Giansante
Catholic School
Council Co-Chairs:
R. Gomes
E. Scuccimarri
Custodians:
G. Predko
C. DaSilva
Superintendent:
T. Lariviere
Trustee/
Past Chairman:
A. Abbruscato
905-890-0708
Ext. 24239
416-459-0126
Sts. Peter and Paul
Parish
4070 Central Parkway E.,
Miss., ON L4Z 1T6
(905) 273-6630
Parish Pastor:
Fr. Sol Paranas
Associate Pastor:
Fr. Charles Ogugbuaja
Secretary:
M. Morta
Blessing for the New School Year
Father, we give you thanks for all you have given us. We bless you for creating us
and filling us with good things, for giving us your Son Jesus to show us the way to
you. Bless all students, teachers, support staff and parents and guardians as we
begin this new school year. Help us in all we do, to appreciate the goodness in
ourselves and to look for the good in those around us. Help us live our faith, and
love for you by loving those around us. Help us to see your presence always. May
we turn to you in good times and in bad and know you are our strength. As we
grow on the outside, may we grow on the inside too, in knowledge and love for you
and others! Let your Holy Spirit give us the gifts of wisdom, understanding and
knowledge to help us learn the things you need us to know. We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
The Virtue for the
Month of September is…
FAITH
People of Faith…
Know that we are all part of God’s family
Want to be good like Jesus
Pray regularly and from the heart
Know there is good in everyone
See good in the world
Use and respect other people’s right
names
Are confident that God loves us all
Believe that God loves us no matter what
Learn from Bible stories
Learn from the family of the Catholic
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
We invite you to our Open House
On Monday, September 21, 2015
from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to meet
your child/ren’s teacher.
OPENING MASS
Please join us at St. Peter & Paul
Parish for our Opening Mass on
September 15, 2015 at 9:15a.m.
The School Photographer is Edge
Imaging. Photographs of students
and classes will be taken on
Wednesday, September 23, 2015.
Visit our School Website:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/CGARN
Parent Information Envelope (Start of School Package):
Verification Sheets – Please return as soon as possible
Each child has received a Student Information Verification Sheet. Please complete the information on
the sheet and return it to school as soon as possible. This information is vital when trying to contact
parents in the event of an emergency or as part of our attendance verification procedure.
In addition, please complete a “Walking & Lunch” form which is to grant permission for walking
excursions for the whole year. Also included is a permission form to participate in Physical Education
and to note any injuries your child may have received over the summer. Note that if your child does
have an injury throughout the year, please let the office and teacher know in writing as soon as possible
so we can monitor their activity and safety.
Gym form - In order for your child to participate in any school activity, you must acknowledge that you
have received information regarding student accident insurance. This section must be signed on all
excursion & extra-curricular activity forms.
Staffing
The beginning of each school year is always marked
by unexpected changes which require all of us to be
understanding, accommodating and flexible. The
September school organization is based on projected
enrolment prepared by the Board’s Planning
Department. Such enrolment projections determine
the number of teachers assigned to the school and
consequently the grade and class configurations. In
the event that student enrolment falls below or above
projections, an adjustment to the number of teachers
assigned to the school follows, which in essence may
affect the placement of your child. Our school
organization is as follows; please remember
reorganization has not been completed.
Custodian
Custodian
Secretary
Principal
Mr. G. Predko
Ms. C. DaSilva (Evenings)
Ms. D. Giansante
Ms. M.J. Vowles
Grade
FDK
FDK
1
1/2
2/3
3
4
5/6
6/7
7/8
SERC/Planning
SERT/Library
FSL/Planning
ESL
Planning
ERW
ERW
ERW
DECE
CYW
Teacher
Ms. V. Corapi
Ms. M. Kicinski
Ms. A. Giansante
Ms. D. Mammoliti
Ms. H. Ricketts
Ms. R. Valentine
Ms. D. Kraljevic
Ms. C. Mullin
Mr. S. Marchant
Ms. B. Sappong
Ms. P. Eneh
Mr. N. Vukosa
Mme. T. Wizinski
Ms. D. Sawh
Ms. S. Demosani
Ms. C. Baca
Ms. C. Godin
Ms. J. Manning
Ms. A. Janik
Mr. M. Middleton
Safety at School: Please Help Make Our Parking Area Safer for Everyone:
Please DO NOT speed when picking up your child, or when leaving the parking lot.
Please DO NOT park in the EXIT LANE beside the parking spots in front of the school.
Between 8:30–8:45 please use the Kiss’N Ride drop off at the side of the school.
It is illegal park in the Kiss’N Ride or where there is a Fire Route sign (24 hours a day).
Please obey the signs posted in the parking area. Please DO NOT make U-Turns in our parking area.
Please DO NOT drop off your child before 8:30am because there is no supervision
prior to this time. If your child arrives at school after 8:45am or 12:45pm, please have them enter
through the main doors. They will need to sign in and receive a late slip.
Visitors to the school:
Parents, guardians and visitors are required to use the main entrance of the school, and to report to the office.
Visitors will be given “Visitor Tags” to wear if they need to sign in.
Children should arrive at school with their lunch in the morning, however we recognize that at times you
may find it necessary to deliver a lunch to school. Please drop it off on the table outside the main office.
Medication:
If a child is required to bring medication to school, procedures relative to the administration of medication
shall only be adopted: 1) when requested by the parents/guardians, 2) when authorized by a physician, and
3) when medication must be provided during school hours. If medication must be administered by a
designated staff member, signed request/authorization forms from the parents/guardians and the supervising
physician must be obtained whenever medication is initiated or changed. These forms are available through
the school office. The required authorization forms and the medication shall be delivered to the principal or
designated person by the parents/guardians or other responsible persons. All medication will be housed in
the office, and some in a safe location in the classroom (Epi-pens). Medication must not be kept on the
child’s possession (i.e. pocket, pack back, etc.). Thank you for your support with this serious matter.
NEEDED: Student Lunch Monitor
Do you have some time each day? We need Student Monitors to supervise over the lunch hour. We also require emergency
Student Monitors to cover occasionally when the regular Student Monitors are ill. You will require a Criminal Reference Check.
If interested, please contact the office.
Part-time position: 1.2 hours per day
The rate of pay is $13.45 per hour plus 4% vacation pay
Position Summary
Duties of the Student Monitor
Under the supervision of the Principal or designate, the Student Monitor will:
 Carry out supervision duties assigned by the Principal
 Ensure that all reasonable safety procedures are carried out in activities for which the Student Monitor is responsible
 Co-operate with the Principal and teachers to maintain consistent disciplinary practices in the school
Responsibilities of the Student Monitor
Be aware of the school rules;
 Be prompt in reporting for supervision assignments
 Become informed of specific medical/behavioural situations pertaining to students supervised
 Be aware of the school emergency plans
 Notify the teacher on duty when a problem arises
To be considered for these positions, please contact the school Principal at the school location that you wish work at for more
information. ALL new employees will be required to submit a current original Criminal Background Check (CBC) including a
"Vulnerable Sector Screening" (VSS) issued within 6 months prior to commencing employment with the Board.
School Front Doors Locked
We strive to make sure that our school is a safe, caring, healthy and inclusive place in which to learn and to work. Fire drills,
visitors’ badges/sign in and other safety and security protocols and practices are important components of our commitment to
maintaining a safe and secure school environment.
Through the province’s Safe School Welcome Program, our school received a grant that provided for the installation of a front
door speaker/buzzer/video monitoring system. Visitors may gain entrance by pressing a buzzer mounted on the wall outside the
building, beside the front door. The Office will then be able to determine who is at the door before allowing visitor access.
The following are also part of our safe protocol:




All outside doors are locked and entry can be gained only through the front door.
All visitors, including parents/guardians must sign into the office and wear a Visitor’s badge before going anywhere in the
school or on the school grounds.
Access during lunch time may be delayed depending on the availability of staff who are required to monitor the system.
Out of respect for God & our country, the buzzer will not be opened during O Canada and morning prayers.
The co-operation and understanding of parents/guardians is to be an important factor in the success of this protocol. In this
regard, parents/guardians are encouraged to:
 Arrive at school on time to allow children to enter with their classmates to avoid front entry lates
 Send lunch with your child in the morning to limit traffic in through the front door at lunch time
 We respectfully request that you limit your visits to the school during the daytime as much as possible in order to protect
the instructional time and reduce interruptions
For safety of all, parents are not allowed to walk down the halls, loiter in the front hall. Teachers are instructed to send
parents to the office if they are not wearing a Visitor Sticker.
Attendance Procedures:
In the interest of your child’s safety, it is very important to inform us if your child will be late or absent from
school.
We have a 24 hour answering machine so you may call at your convenience.
To record your child’s absence, please call the school at (905) 275-0509 and provide the following
information: 1) Your child’s name 2) Your child’s grade 3) Date and time of absence and
4) Reason and duration of absence.
Please remember to speak clearly and slowly, it helps us retrieve the information more accurately.
Play Safe Be Safe:
Students are reminded regularly of the importance of safe play in the school yard. Students are encouraged to
play gently. There are no games involving Body Contact: kicking, hitting, wrestling, hair pulling etc. Feet
must stay on the ground.
Students should speak respectfully to supervisors and fellow students. Remember what starts as fun can end up
in a fight when someone gets hurt.
Home and School Communication:
Your participation in your child’s school life is fundamental to his or her educational success. Communication
between home and school can take a variety of forms and keeps you informed about your child’s progress.
Parent –Teacher Conferences
Interviews are scheduled by the school for all parents at the end of the first term and these provide an
opportunity to dialogue about your child’s progress. It is important to realize that additional conferences may
be held at any other time as deemed necessary or appropriate by either the parent or the teacher. If you have
questions or concerns about your child’s program and/or progress, a conference is your first avenue of action.
Please keep in mind that an appointment is necessary.
Parent-Principal Conferences
The doors of St. Charles Garnier School are always open to interested and concerned parents. Please remember
to call ahead for appointments.
Student Planner
All students from grade 1 to 8 will have the opportunity to purchase an agenda. The agenda is a wonderful tool
for time management and organizational skills. It is key to ongoing home-school communication and students
all benefit from using it on a daily basis. Please be sure to sign your child’s agenda each day.
Please send a $5.00 donation to your child’s teacher offset the cost of the agendas.
Cell Phones, Personal Electronic Devices:
It is the policy of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to provide a safe and productive workplace
and learning environment by regulating the use of Personal Electronic Devices (PED) on school premises. It is
the policy of the Board that PED’s be kept out of sight, turned off and not used on school premises or during
school-sanctioned events. The school Principal, along with the support of her school staff, is responsible to
ensure the implementation and management of this policy at school level. In consideration for the privacy of
others, cameras and other electronic recording devices are not to be used on school premises without prior
office approval.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please do so by contacting the office and we will make
sure the message is passed along.
School Transportation:
Eligibility for Transportation is based on distance criteria established by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board Policy. Students residing within their school’s attendance boundary and living in excess of the
following distance criteria from their school are eligible for transportation.
Kindergarten to Grade 1: 1.okm
Grades 2 to 4:
1.6km
Grades 5 to 8:
2.0km
Grades 9 to 12:
3.8km
Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) is responsible for administering, planning and implementing
the transportation policy for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Students eligible for
transportation must reside within school boundaries.
Pizza Days:
Our weekly pizza day will resume in a few weeks. More information to follow.
Open House/Curriculum Night/Book Fair:
Our Open House will take place on Monday, September 21 from 6:30-7:30p.m. This is an excellent opportunity
to meet your child’s teacher in an informal setting and look at the classroom.
In addition, please visit the library for our Book Fair. The Book Fair will run from September 16 - 21.
School Parent Council:
Please consider joining our school council for the 2015-2016 school year. Self-nomination forms are available in
the office and must be returned by Wednesday, September 30 at 3:15 p.m. Our first meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. with elections if necessary.
Circles of Rosary:
The Circles of Rosary program is looking for parent volunteers. This program will commence in
October. Volunteers will visit the school once a month from 8:45-11:45 to pray the Rosary with the
class. The Circles of Rosary team serves as faith liason/discipleship between the schools, family/
homes and Sts. Peter and Paul Church.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call Cora Bryce at (905) 896-2958.
Calling All Moms!
You are invited to attend a monthly gathering to pray, learn and inspire Catholic moms at Sts. Peter &
Paul Parish. We will meet in the Boardroom (next to the parish office).
Tuesdays, September 17, October 20 and November 17 at 7:30-8:30p.m.
STUDENT INSURANCE:
As required by the Education Act and the Ministry of Education, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board annually provides parents with information about cost-effective student accident insurance coverage
via student carrier. “insuremykids Protection Plan” forms were distributed to students the first day of school.
Although enrolment is voluntary, the board encourages parents to take advantage of the inexpensive
insurance coverage, especially if their child/children participate in sports, excursions/field trips, or, if
parents do not have dental insurance coverage.
Two options are offered for enrolment:
1) Complete the traditional form and mail it in or
2) Photocopy the form and fax it to Reliable Life at 1-905-522-7211 or 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).
Parents alone have the right to insure their children.
Lunch Hour Routines and Snacks:
If you plan to drop off your child’s lunch, please assist us in efficient distribution by reminding your
child to come to the office at lunch time. Please label the lunch bag with child’s name and teacher/grade.
There will be a table just outside the office where you can drop off the lunch. A reminder that students
who regularly stay for lunch are NOT permitted to leave school property. We encourage consistency.
Students either go home for lunch or stay in school for lunch. Thank you for supporting this important
safety routine. A form regarding lunch routines has been sent home this week. Please return it to your
child’s teacher promptly. Parents are responsible for students who go home from 11:45-12:45. Please do
not send notes requesting your child to go to the local store or plaza. School staff can only oversee student
safety when students are on school property.
Sabrina’s Law:
It has become quite common in recent years for children to develop allergies, some more severe than others. There are
several students attending St. Charles Garnier who suffer from a severe food allergy to nuts and/or nut products. In
many cases, contact with even the slightest residue from nuts or nut product can trigger a potentially life threatening
situation. For this reason we ask that no snacks or lunches be sent to school that contain nuts and/or nut oils or nut
products. Please remind your child not to share their lunch.
With keeping safety in mind we ask that students refrain from brings cakes, treats etc. to share with the class. If you
wish to send a “treat” to recognize a special occasion a suggestion is a pencil or something non-edible.
Thank you in advance for your help in respecting the health concern for our students.
Pediculosis:
Although it may seem early in the school year, we would like to bring to your attention a problem which
occurs from time to time in each school. The problem is infestation by head lice (Pediculosis). 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. In order to control these pests, we shall follow these procedures and request your full co-operation. If cases are found in the classroom, we shall inform parents. We would request
that you check your own children and if you find them to be infested, we would ask that you inform the
school and contact the Peel Public Health Department for treatment information. If your children do become
infested by head lice, we will ask you to keep them out of the school until after they have been treated with
the correct shampoo and their hair is entirely clear of both lice and nits (eggs). If we all co-operate in these
procedures, we may not entirely escape outbreaks, but we will be able to bring them under control quickly.
For additional info, please contact Peel Public Health Department at 905.799.7700 or www.headlice.org.
Criminal Reference Checks:
A Criminal Reference Check is required if you wish to volunteer your services in the school, transport
students and/or volunteer on trips. Criminal Reference Check forms are available at the office. The search
results will be mailed to you approximately 4 weeks later. This is for residents of Peel only. Please note that
all volunteer s r equir e a Cr iminal Refer ence check, even for day tr ips.
Important Info regarding Field Trips:
Please be advised that for the 2015/16 school year, there will be an additional 10% added to the cost of all
trips in order to help subsidize students. Thank you for assisting all of our children in allowing them to
participate in all school events.
Homework Policy:
Homework, which plays an important role in the relationship between the school and the family, is typically
defined as a “learning experience assigned by a teacher, for completion outside of class time, that supports
and enriches the learning and development of each student.” There is no requirement that homework be
assigned daily, but when it is assigned, homework must be directly related to what the student is learning in
class and has the following characteristics:
· Is meaningful and relevant
· Is purposefully planning to avoid student overload
· Is clearly articulated by the teacher and understood by the students
· Is differentiated, as appropriate, to meet student learning
· Is reviewed in a timely manner
Homework may also include tasks such as practicing, observing, rehearsing, interviewing, researching and
studying. It is important, therefore, that time spent on homework be balanced with the importance of personal
and family wellness and the wide range of family obligations experienced in our society today.
Police Presence:
During the upcoming year you may notice police cruisers more often in the parking lot. Peel Police Youth
Education will now be driving fully marked cruisers, where in the past they were in unmarked
vehicles. These marked cruisers will be parked at the schools when officers are delivering their
presentations. We welcome the wonderful work done by our Youth Education Officers.
Handicap Parking:
We have a handicapped parking area at the front of the school. Parents are asked not to park in that area
unless they have a handicap parking permit. Cars parked in the handicap parking, without a permit can be
ticketed.
Valuables, Footwear and Label, Label, Label:
Students are requested not to bring valuables, money or items of importance/sentimental value to school. The school cannot assume
responsibility for these items.
Students should wear footwear that is safe for playing. Running shoes are recommended as they protect children’s toes. Flip flops
are extremely unsafe in the school yard. Be sure your child has two pairs of shoes. One pair is to be left at school and worn inside
only. Be sure shoes and all other articles are labelled with your child’s name.
Please ensure all your child’s belongings are labelled. This ensures they do not get mixed with another child’s belongings. Label
jackets, sweaters, shoes, playground toys, lunch pails, knapsacks etc. This will assist with ensuring items are returned to their
rightful owners.
Principal’s Message
Welcome back to another wonderful school year. It is truly an honour to have been appointed Principal of
St. Charles Garnier School. I thank you for the warm welcome and look forward to getting to know you over
the school year. I hear wonderful things about the community here and am excited to work with you all.
2015-2016 promises to be a very exciting school year. Teachers have spent the Summer taking courses,
planning activities that are aligned to the curriculum and getting classrooms ready to ensure your child
receives the best possible learning opportunities. Teachers have already volunteered to coordinate many extracurricular events to offer your child further opportunities in which to grow.
As well as education, safety is of utmost importance for the students. As you know our front door is locked.
We apologize, in advance if we are unable to get to the door as soon as you ring. Out of respect for God and
our country we will not be answering during O Canada and prayers. Ms. Giansante may be busy tending to
an injured or ill student and will answer when she is back at her desk. If you have a special reason to be at
the door, please call in advance and we will make every effort to be there upon your arrival.
We thank you for remembering to send lunches for your children if they are staying at school for lunch. If
you have authorized your children to go home for lunch remember they are your responsibility until they
return at 12:45. It is not safe for your child to be unsupervised in the neighbourhood and on this busy street,
so please do not send notes saying they can go to a local eating establishment.
The Catholic School Council is an excellent way for you to find out more and get involved in your child’s
education. The first meeting is October 6 at 6:30 here at the school. Please consider becoming involved either
as a council member(completing the self-nomination form by September 30th, 2015) or as an eager volunteer.
Remember always we are working together with God’s greatest gifts, the children. May Peace and Love be
with you throughout this school year.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, Sept 14
Meeting at Sts. Peter & Paul Church:
First Communion Grade 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Confirmation Candidates Grade 7 at 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept 15
Opening Mass at Sts. Peter & Paul Church 9:15a.m.
Thursday, Sept 17
Meeting at Sts. Peter & Paul Church:
Confirmation Candidates Grade 8 at 7:00 p.m
Friday, Sept 18
P.A. Day - Re-organization Day/Faith Development
Monday, Sept. 21
Open House/Book Fair 6:30-7:30p.m.
Wednesday, Sept 23
School Picture Day
Friday, Sept 25
Terry Fox Walk - Information to follow
Tuesday, Sept 29
The Ned Show/Anti-Bullying 2p.m.
Wednesday, Sept 30
Self-Nomination forms for School Council due to office
Monday, Sept 28Tuesday, Oct 6
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Tuesday, Oct 6
School Council Meeting 6:30p.m