Principal: C. Athaide
St. Dominic School
Secretary: C. Ross
Superintendent:
Phone: 905.278.9821
Tim Lariviere
905-890-1221
Chair/Trustee:
M. Pascucci
905 302 3096
905 890 0708 ext 20161
mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org
www.TrusteePascucci.ca
Pastor: Fr. Philip Jones
The mission of the St.
Dominic School
Community is to promote
and foster Catholic
attitudes, values, and beliefs
in a supportive and caring
learning environment.
Together with dignity and
respect, we strive to inspire
life-long learning and
encourage students to
attain their full potential as
Christians.
Attachments :
-2016 School Year
Calendar
Forms attached and to be
returned:
School Permission Formslunch arrangements, media,
walking excursion
Physical Education Safety
Guidelines
Network User Application
& Agreement
Nomination Form for
School Council
V O L U M E
1 ,
I S S U E
1
Fax: 905.278.1153
S E P T E M B E R
2 0 1 5
Principal’s message
Dear God…
as a new school year begins,
fill the hearts of our
students with an eagerness to
learn about the world, about
themselves
and most of all about You.
S E Pbegins,
T E MI Bwould
E R like
2 0 to
1 extend
5
As this school year
a
very warm welcome to all the new and returning families of
St. Dominic School. A special greeting is also extended to our
Junior Kindergarten children who are starting school for the
first time and I hope that they will experience many happy
moments as they begin their school career. In the next few
days I hope to be meeting many of you when you drop off
your children, visit the school or at our 60th Anniversary on
Bless our teachers and school October 7. I look forward to working with this supportive and
staff with the gifts of wisdom dedicated community in the coming months and I hope that
many of you join our vibrant School Council.
and
I welcome back and thank the staff for organizing
patience that they may help
each student to find the truth their classrooms prior to the opening day of school. I also welcome Mrs. Morgado and Mr. Messenger who will be joining
and to
St. Dominic School for part of the year until Mrs. Ross and
develop to their full potential.
Mrs. Cosentino return.
I sincerely thank the custodian Mr. Lacampuenga
May our school’s parents,
and Mr.Toma for working hard to make our school look beauguardians and other caretifully clean and to Mrs. Ross for her efficiency and organizagivers be blessed
tion during our September start-up.
with generous hearts to
As we anticipate the successes of the year ahead, I
encourage their children to
encourage you to remember that each success will be the result
of the mutual support and respect we as parents and educators
always do
their best and to reflect God’s show one another. Our goal is to promote a safe, caring,
healthy and inclusive learning experience for all our students.
love in all they do.
It is very important that the positive relationships of
the
past
continue
throughout the upcoming year. As our stuHelp us all to work together to
continue to foster a Catholic dents mature, we are reminded that their beliefs, ideals and
sense of responsibility, friendship and family are constantly
community that reaches out to
challenged and the common language and support we share as
its members and to the world.
role models in their lives will impact greatly on their values as
Amen
they grow into Catholic leaders of the future.
Our school community is strengthened through our
partnerships, none being more important than our parish team
and our active School Council. Our students respond respectfully and eagerly to each faith and school initiative; this can
only be attributed to the values modeled by their parents. The
staff of St. Dominic School is committed to working with its
partners to continue to support each child in their quest for
knowledge, happiness and, above all, spiritual development.
All my best for a wonderful school year! God Bless!
Mrs. Athaide
Professional Development Day
Friday September 18th is a Professional
Development Day for teachers. There
will be no classes held on this day.
Please make sure you mark this date in
your calendars and make appropriate
arrangements.
St. Dominic
Dominic was born 1221 in
Calaruega, Spain. His feast day
is August 8.
St. Dominic was the founder of
the Dominican Order of
Preaching Friars.
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2
Virtue of the Month– Faith
A Catholic Faith Community is rooted in a set of common beliefs which are inspired by the life mission and teaching of Jesus. As a Catholic community we are called to learn, to grow and to become
more like Jesus in the way we see and treat others. Our Catholic faith plays an important role in
helping us shape schools that are safe, caring and inclusive. Catholic School education provides us
the opportunity to integrate virtue formation into all areas of our school life within the context of our
faith. St. Dominic will be continuing the “Virtues Program” this year. This program is designed to
help us nurture virtue and character development in the lives of our students. Each month, the entire
school will focus on a different virtue. Classroom activities, school wide activities and assemblies
will all focus on the nurturing of a specific virtue. We would appreciate your support in discussing
these virtues with your child and encouraging behaviours that would demonstrate these virtues.
Here is a list of the virtues we will be nurturing this school year: September—Faith, October–
Empathy, November-Conscience, December-Hope, January-Self Control, February-Respect, MarchKindness, April-Love, May-Acceptance & June-Fairness.
Reverse Lunch Hour
We are implementing a reverse lunch hour. The lunch hour will continue to be from
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; however, the students will be going out for lunch recess at
11:30 a.m. and coming in at 12:10 p.m. to eat their lunch.
The reverse lunch hour has been implemented in a number of schools with great success.
The idea is simple; children play first, burn off some accumulated energy, and then come indoors
for lunch. Our school’s focus continues to be on nutrition and well-being, and too often the urge
for the students is to get outside and play which takes precedence over the child’s need to eat well.
The result can be hastily eaten or half-eaten lunches.
As well, we are sharing the back field with Janet I. McDougall Public School. There would be an
overlap during lunch hour which would result in both schools on the field at the same time. With
the reverse lunch hour we have avoided all overlap of time. I know it will take some adjustment but
I know it will be a positive change for St. Dominic.
STUDENT ABSENCES
SCHOOL HOURS
St. Dominic School hours remain the same for
the 2014-2015 school year.
Grades Early Learning Kindergarten Program (ELKP) - Grade 8
School Begins 8:30 a.m.
Recess (a.m.) 10:35 - 10:50 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Recess (p.m.) 2:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Dismissal 3:00 p.m.
As in the past, we ask
that you call the school
(905-278-9821) on the
days that your child will be absent. This
is a safety precaution that can save precious moments should there ever be an
emergency situation. We thank you for
your continued support in following this
pro-cedure. Upon reaching the school
answering service please leave the following information:
Date of absence
Student's full name
Grade level and teacher
Reason for absence
Date of return
School Council Elections
We would like to invite all parents to consider being a member of our school council. The aim of the council
is to support school activities and students through involvement and fundraising. Nomination forms for the
2015-2016 School Council are included in this newsletter or if you need additional forms you may pick them
up at the office. Nominations are due by September 22nd in the office. If necessary, elections of the new
school council will take place on September 28th in the library at 6:30p.m. the school. It is important that we
all work together to make our school a better place to grow and learn.
ST.
DOMINIC
VOLUME
1,
ISSUE
1
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3
Student Information Forms
A package of student Information forms has been sent home with your child. It is very
important that all forms be completed. Please return the forms promptly to your child’s
classroom teacher. A package of forms needs to be completed for each child. Enclosed in the student information forms is a student verification form. Please ensure the
school has up to date contact information.
Electronic Distribution of School Communications
As part of our Catholic School mission to be good stewards of the earth, we would like to offer
parents/guardians the opportunity to view the school’s newsletter online. Urgent, highly sensitive, or other important information will continue to be sent to you by way of a hard copy
through your child. If you wish to read the newsletter online instead of receiving a paper copy
please sign the letter on the reverse side of the verification form and return it to the school.
School Agendas
Students in Grades 1—8 will be using school agendas to help develop their organizational skills. Please take some
time to look over your child’s agenda. The agenda contains important information outlined in the front section. The
agenda is used daily to help assist your child with organization. It is also an effective vehicle we use to keep parents
informed on what is happening in class and in the school. However the agenda can also be used by parents e.g. informing the teacher about early dismissals due to medical appointments.
Open House and 60th Anniversary
This year we will be celebrating Open House and our 60th Anniversary on October 7, 2015 at
6:00 p.m. We will begin with a liturgy in the gym and parents will be invited to visit their child’s
teacher in their assigned classroom.
Sabrina’s Law—Anaphylaxis Reaction
As we begin the new school year, we would
like to inform you that St. Dominic School is an
allergen aware school. There are pupils in attendance at our school who suffer from severe and life
threatening allergies to peanut and nut products. Exposure to the smallest quantities can cause severe and
life threatening allergic reaction. The most common
allergen triggers are food, insect stings, medications,
exercise and latex. An anaphylactic reaction involves
symptoms from two or more body systems. We would
appreciate the cooperation of the entire school community by NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain peanuts and nut products. We want St. Dominic to
be a safe environment for all students. Thank you for
your assistance with this initiative.
Snack and
Treats for Students
We are asking that all parents
please refrain from bringing in eatable snacks and treats to the classrooms. Several students in our
school suffer from a severe food
allergy to all nuts, peanuts and all nut products. There is
also a Ministry PPM where the purpose of this memorandum is to set out nutrition standards for food and beverages in publicly funded elementary schools in Ontario. For
more information about the new PPM please visit, http://
www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/150.html. If you
would still like to do something special for the classroom,
a small non-eatable gift for each student or perhaps a
classroom gift, i.e. board game for inclement recess, may
be a great alternative. Again, we thank you for your cooperation.
Reading Coaches Needed
All Star Reading is a reading intervention program which targets young, developing readers. Parents
are trained as coaches to work one on one with selected students, helping them to learn and apply successful reading strategies. If you are interested in becoming a coach, you will need a criminal reference check. You
would only be required to coach one day a week between 8:45 and 9:45 a.m.. Please contact the Main Office with
your name and number if you would like to become an All Star Reading Coach.
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Kiss And Ride Safety & Guidelines
Kiss N’ Ride Begins @ 8:15 a.m. and is super vised until 8:30 a.m. daily.
Crosswalks- Please use all crosswalks, especially the one at the front of the school that is supervised by a teacher.
Please do not walk through the traffic in the front driveway or any Kiss N Ride lanes.
Dropping Off- Please only have your child exit the passenger side doors of your vehicle- it is very unsafe for him or her to exit
from the Driver’s side onto incoming traffic.
Speed-please consider our children when driving in front of the school or through the Kiss N Ride area.
Pick-Up at end of Day: When using Kiss N Ride, please do not block the dr iveway access for the bus at the end of the day.
Unattended Vehicles-Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the Kiss N Ride Lane or Drive Through Lane.
Parking- Parking is available at the front of the school or on the street. If you choose to park your car you must wait until after the
bell to leave the parking lot. This will ensure the safety of the students and reduce the congestion in the parking lot.
Bus Lane-Please do not park in the bus lane, this is very unsafe for our children.
Teacher Supervision – starts at 8:15a.m. Please do not drop off or have students arrive in the school yard before 8:15a.m. It is
very important to listen to the teacher supervisor as this will promote the safety of all the students.
Bus Transportation
In planning for your child’s transportation needs in September, please keep in mind the board guidelines regarding eligibility.
JK/SK -Grade 1
1.0 km
Grades 2-4
1.6 km
Grades 5-8
2.0 km
Parents are responsible for making arrangements for their children’s transportation unless they are eligible for bus transportation.
In October, when it has been established that there is space on the bus, students who do not meet eligibility requirements may apply for a seat in
accordance with the “Courtesy Seat Bus Policy”. If you wish to be considered for a courtesy seat, please indicate this in writing by September 15 to
Mrs. Athaide, stating the name of your child, grade and address . Seats will be awarded by considering first come, siblings and grade level (e.g.
younger students will receive preference).
STUDENT BUSSING
STOPR (Student Tr anspor tation of Peel Region) deals with all bussing issues on behalf of the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.
Questions or
Concerns?
905-890-6000
or
1-800-668-1140
Important
Please have your child's
OEN (Ontario Education
Number) ready when calling.
STOPR will not be able to
give out student information
without it. You can find the
OEN number on the report
card or by contacting the
school.
Parents of JK, SK and Grade 1
students must ensure:
1. that they or a designated
caregiver are at the bus stop
to meet their child when the
bus arrives
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
WEBSITE:
businfo.stopr.ca
AND
2. that their child is wearing the
required identification.
Transportation is
determined as follows:
JK -Grade 1 more than 1.0 km …
Grades 2 -4 more than 1.6 km…
Grades 5-8 more than 2.0 km …
Fall Programming at Lakeview Library
Drop-in Family Storytime
Join us for a fulfilled weekly storytime session filled with songs, rhymes,
fingerplays and, of course, books. Each week features a different theme for the season.
Storytimes are free and all ages are welcome!
Location
Start
Time
Day
Lakeview
Sept. 22
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Tuesdays
Lakeview
Sept. 25
10:15 am – 10:45 am
Fridays
Stay & Play
Drop into Lakeview Library for a Family Stay and Play session. Check out our new toys, games, books and more. Program runs EVERY Wednesday & Friday.
Location
Start
Time
Days
Special Events
Lakeview
Sept. 23
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesdays
Lakeview
Sept. 25
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Fridays
Halloween Haunted House
Join us on Halloween night for a spook-tacular
Family Movie Afternoons
haunted
Join us every Saturday for family friendly films. We provide the pophouse walk through.
corn!
Ages: All Ages
FREE
Location
Start
Time
Day
Location
Start
Time
Lakeview
Sept. 26
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturdays
Lakeview
Oct. 31
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Registered Programs
Reading Buddies
Location
Start
Lakeview
Sept. 24
Sept. 25
Time
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Bouncing Baby
AGES: Birth – 2Y FEE: $15 CLASSES: 8
Location
Start
Time
Lakeview
Sept. 23
10:15 am – 11:00 am
Day
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Day
Wednesdays
Toddler Storytime
AGES: 18 months – 3Y
FEE: $15
CLASSES: 8
Location
Start
Time
Lakeview Sept. 26 10:15 am – 11:00 am
Day
Sat.
Personal Electronic Devices on Board Premises and/or Board Sanctioned Events for Educational Purposes:
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board acknowledges the value of the use of technology for learning. Students are permitted to register and use personal electronic devices (PEDs) on board premises and/or board
sanctioned events for educational purposes, under the direction of staff and only with parent/guardian permission (GF 066- Network User Application and Agreement, completed at initial registration). Students may register their PED for the purpose of
connecting to the board wireless network. Students are required to adhere to the student “Personal Electronic Device Used with
WI-FI Network Student Agreement” and the “Network User Application and Agreement.” The student agreement GF 337 will
need to be signed before students can use the WiFi network. The forms will be sent home shortly.
Please be advised that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board will not be responsible for any cost incurred
through the use of personal data plans.
PEDs are to be used responsibly and should not interfere with learning; their use must comply with the Catholic Code of Conduct, board policies and procedures. Any personal communications (i.e., phone calls, text messages, etc.) will continue to be
directed through the main office. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in a loss of PED privileges and/or any
other consequences deemed necessary by school administration.
The school principal may authorize limited acceptable uses of personal electronic devices during school-sanctioned activities for
a specific designated purpose outside of instructional spaces and/or in common areas.
Students are responsible for the safety and security of PEDs at all times and the Board assumes no responsibility for lost,
damaged or stolen devices.
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Attendance
Parents, please make sure you call the office
and let us know if your child is absent. Please
call us at 905 278 9821
Dress Down Day
St. Dominic School Faculty participates in Dress Down
Fridays. The staff will donate money to the United
Way/ Share Life charities each Friday that they wear
their casual clothes to school.
Picture Day
Student pictures will be taken on September 23
by Life Touch Photographers. Remember students to come to school looking your best on
this day. Flyers will be sent home. soon. Picture
re-takes will be on November 4.
Criminal Reference Check
Anyone working in our school as a new employee or volunteer must have a Criminal Reference
Check completed by Peel Police. CRC are free
of charge for volunteers. Forms are available
Terry Fox Run
On September 25th in the afternoon, St
Dominic School will participate in the Terry
Fox Run. On this day students will participate in a school walk/run to commemorate
Terry Fox’s efforts on Cancer Research.
Pledge forms and detailed information will
be sent home in the near future.
Drills
Throughout the year, various drills (fire drills and lockdown procedures) are initiated to ensure that in case of
emergencies our students are aware of the various procedures for their safety. They are actively involved in
the practice of these drills with the view that if there is
an emergency, their rehearsals will allow for prompt
and safe actions which will enhance their safety. We ask
that you spend some time discussing the necessity for
these drills with your child and address any fears they
may have.
Opening Mass/Thanksgiving Mass
In October St. Dominic will have its Opening
school mass with Queen of Heaven. Further
details will be posted in the October newsletter. Parents are invited to attend. Students will
walk to St. Dominic Church.
DPCDSB is now on Twitter! For the latest board
news and information, follow us
@DPCDSBSchools.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sept. 18
P.A. Day
Sept. 22
Council Nomination Forms Due
Sept. 23
Picture Day
Sept 25
Terry Fox Run in p.m.
Sept. 28
Council Meeting and Elections
Sept. 29
Immunization for Grade 7 and 8
Oct. 7
60th Anniversary and Open House
Oct 12
Thanksgiving Day
Oct. 14
Camp Muskoka Info night for Gr 7 & 8 at
6:30 p.m.
Nov. 4
Picture Re-take Day
Student Accident 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 courier. Although enrolment is voluntary, the board encourages parents to take advantage
of the inexpensive insurance coverage, especially if
their child/children participate in sports or if parents
do not have dental insurance coverage. Enrolment is
required in writing. Please read the registration form
in the envelope sent home with your child on the first
day.
Medication at School
Please contact the office to obtain the appropriate
medical forms if you require the school to store and
distribute your child’s medication during the school
day. These must be completed by the parent and doctor. If your child has a severe medical condition or
allergy, please meet with school administration to
provide up to date information.
Visitors in the School
In order to ensure the safety of students and staff,
the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
requires ALL visitors (including parents, guardians, volunteers) to use the front door and come to
the office to sign in and pick up a visitor’s sticker.
6