ST. CORNELIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
16066 Innis Lake Road, Caledon East, ON Tel. (905) 584-2245 Fax (905) 584-0924
Principal: G. Graci Vice Principal: A. Cavaliere Superintendent: L. Storey Pastor: Fr. B. Glynn
“Together in Faith and Excellence
A PRAYER FOR OUR
COMMUNITY
Dear Lord,
Use my eyes to see my new friends
Open my ears to hear my teacher
Open my mind to learn new things
Let my heart remember you are near
when I'm afraid
Help me to love others like you do
So I can shine your light so bright in my
school this year.
Amen
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
School Hours
Page 2
Open House- Please Join Us!
Page 2
Student Allergies
Page 3
Fire Prevention Week Assembly
Page 5
Transportation News
Page 6
Parish News
Page 8
Welcome to St. Cornelius!
On behalf of the entire school staff, we would like to welcome all
students and parents back to St. Cornelius. A special welcome to
the many new families and staff members who have joined the St.
Cornelius community this year. Over the course of the summer,
there were some staffing changes. Welcome back again to Ms.
Arbelo, who will be teaching Gr. 6 while Mrs. Ricitano is on leave.
Welcome to our new staff: Mrs. Dales, our new FDK teacher; Mrs.
Cancelliere, our new gr. 8 teacher; Ms. Loconte, our new Planning
Time teacher; Mrs. Spadafora, our new ERW; and Ms. DeVoy who
will be teaching Gr. 7 while Ms. Leardi is on leave. Mrs. Cavaliere,
our new Vice Principal, who is looking forward to joining our
wonderful St. Cornelius community. Thank you to all staff who
have been working hard to create a warm and welcoming
environment to our students.
At St. Cornelius School, we are dedicated to providing excellence
in Catholic education and to working closely with all the partners
to promote the spiritual, academic, social, emotional and physical
growth of our students. Parental commitment in working
collaboratively with the school staff serves the best interests of
our students. If parents have any questions or concerns about
your child’s education, you are encouraged to contact the teacher
to discuss them. Please take time to read the school monthly
newsletters and other correspondence from the school, as they
will contain important information for parents about: school
procedures, health and safety, liturgies, activities, curriculum,
upcoming events and other information of interest. Each child is a
precious gift from God and holds great promise for contributing to
making our world a better place. May we, the partners in Catholic
Education: school, home and parish, work closely together in the
best interests of our students. We look forward to many joyful,
memory-making school days of learning, self-discovery, working,
celebrating, praying and playing together at St. Cornelius School.
During the summer, St. Cornelius has undergone numerous
renovations including the addition of a new portable, updated
heating system including the gym, updated plumbing and fixtures
in the student bathrooms, new water fountains, installing new
sinks in our classrooms, as well as new flooring throughout the
school and library. Some renovations are still in progress and will
be completed after hours in order to avoid disruptions to student
learning. Thank you to Mr. Dighi and Mr. Smeriglio our custodial
staff, for working tirelessly over the summer to beautify our
school and make our school a clean and safe place for students,
staff and community.
We look forward to seeing you at our Open House and Curriculum
Night on Wednesday, September 23, 2015!
Sincerely,
Together in Faith and Excellence
G. Graci-Papayanakis
1
P.A. Day- Reorganization Day –
Sept. 18
Please note that there is a possibility that we will be
reorganizing, and current classes are tentative. On the
Sept. 18th P.A. Day, administration and staff will be
working to reorganize if necessary. Final class lists will be
in effect on Monday, Sept. 21st. We appreciate your
understanding and cooperation as we continue to meet
the needs of our growing school community.
Our School Mission Statement
This year, we will collectively continue to strive to
provide the best learning and faith environment for the
students at St. Cornelius School as described in our
school mission statement.
The staff of St. Cornelius School strives to provide a safe,
caring, inclusive environment which inspires academic
excellence, continued personal faith development and
respect for all living things. Each individual is challenged
to use his/her unique talents to contribute positively to
the school community. Parents, teachers, parish priest
and students work together to promote the Gospel values
and be living examples of God's message of
love. Through our shared efforts and commitment, we
encourage our children to develop spiritually,
intellectually, morally and socially in the image
of Christ.
School Hours
9:00 a.m. – Yard Supervision begins
9:15 a.m. – Morning Classes begin
11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. – Recess Break
12:05 p.m. – Lunch Break begins
1:05 p.m. – Afternoon Classes begin
2:50 p.m.-3:05 p.m. – Recess Break
3:45 p.m. – Dismissal
Attendance Verification
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. To record your child’s absence, please call the
school at (905) 584-2245. Messages can be left on the
school line at any time.
Please leave the following information:
1) Your child’s name
2) Your child’s teacher
3) Date and time of absence
4) Reason and duration of absence
Virtues Education
A Catholic Faith Community is rooted in a set of common
beliefs which are inspired by the life, mission and
teaching of Jesus Christ. 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.
Here at St. Cornelius School, we will continue to focus on
our Virtues program. This program is designed to help us
nurture virtue and character development. Each month
all classes will focus on various activities.
To begin the new school year, we will focus our
attention on the first of our virtues – FAITH
Open House / Curriculum
Night – September 23, 2015
Great news!! This year our Catholic School Council will be
hosting our Open House BBQ on Wednesday, September
23rd, 2015 at 5:30. All parents are invited to our BBQ
followed by an opportunity to visit your child(ren)’s class.
Please return the attached flyer for your order.
Faith is the great virtue of believing in God and trusting
that God is with us. A faithful person believes that we are
created, guided by and destined to be reunited with God.
A faithful person believes that God’s plan for us includes
the right to be safe, especially at school.
Together in faith and excellence
2
Student Agenda Planners
The use of the agenda plays a critical role in your child’s
learning. It has been proven that students who maintain
an up to date and accurate agenda are more organized
and ready to learn. We encourage you to check your
children’s agenda daily and also feel free to use the
agenda as a means of communication with your child’s
teacher.
Communication/ eNewsletters
In keeping with our commitment to maintain a safe and
secure school environment, we kindly ask that all visitors
avoid gathering in the front entrance. This will also help
to minimize the amount of office interruptions during
dismissal times. You are welcome to meet your child at
the designated pick up spots or outside the front doors.
All exterior doors are locked at all times. Visitors must
use the front entrance and buzz the main office for
school access. Thank you for your understanding and
cooperation.
Student Safety and Allergies
Open communication between home and
school is very important. Although we will
be reporting to you formally during the
school year, please do not hesitate to contact us
at any time if you have questions or concerns. A phone
call on the onset of a concern usually resolves itself
before it becomes a problem. On our part, if we have any
concerns about your child, we will also contact you at the
earliest opportunity.
Newsletters will be sent home once a month throughout
the school year. Newsletters are meant to serve as a
means of keeping strong communication links between
home, school and parish. They will inform you about
various school activities, programs, routines, reminders
and so forth. The newsletters will be supplemented by
letters regarding special events, trips, religious
celebrations, etc.
We have several students who have life
threatening allergies to food such as nuts,
sesame seeds and/or peanuts. We are asking
that you help us make St. Cornelius an allergy
aware school by refraining from sending your children
with peanut butter or other products containing nuts or
nut oils (i.e., Nutella). If these students come into contact
with anything containing peanuts, nuts, nut oils or
derivatives, it could be life threatening. Some students
have such a severe allergy that only the smell of the
allergen may cause a reaction.
Your child’s teacher will inform you of any class specific
allergy concerns. Should you wish to send in a treat for
the class in honour of a birthday or special occasion, we
ask that treats such as stickers, pencils, book/game
board donations be considered. Please note that food
related snacks are not accepted.
If you signed up to receive our e-newsletters last year,
you will continue to receive them and you will not have
to complete the CASL form again. Please let us know if
you would like your email address changed or removed.
If you would like to receive our e-newsletter, please let
your child’s teacher know and a form will be sent home.
Important- Visitors to the
School
Parents, guardians and visitors
are required to use the main
entrance of the school, and to
report to the office and sign-in
prior to visiting anywhere on school grounds or in the
building. Visitors and parents will be given a Visitor’s tag
to wear. This policy ensures student safety.
Together in faith and excellence
3
Students Leaving Early/
Students Being Picked Up
Early from School
organization. Thank you to our parent volunteers for the
countless hours organizing this initiative.
Cancer Awareness Day
If a student is to be released from school early for an
appointment, a note must be sent to the child’s teacher
with a parent/guardian signature. The note should
clearly state who will be picking up the child, if it is
someone other than the parent/guardian. Upon arrival
to the school, parents/guardians are required to report
to the office. Office staff will call for your child to come
to the office. Parents/guardians are asked to stay in the
office until students arrive from their classroom. No
student is to be dismissed directly from their
classroom by teachers or picked up at the classroom
by parents/guardians, etc. ALL MUST COME TO THE
OFFICE AND SIGN IN OR OUT. Please avoid phone calls
during the school day to release your child. If you are pi
cking up your child at regular dismissal time, please wait
outside at the appropriate exit area, to avoid disruption
of classroom routines.
Lunch Drop Off
Please let your child know before coming to school that
you will be bring their lunch to school. You may drop off
your child’s lunch at the lunch table just outside the main
office. Please write their name and teacher. We will not
be calling classrooms during instructional time to notify
students about lunches at the office.
Staying In During Recess
Under ordinary circumstances, if a child is not well
enough to go outside for recess he/she is not well
enough to be in school and should be kept at home. We
have no facilities or adequate supervision to keep
children indoors.
Milk Program, Subway, Pizza
and Hot Lunches
Please note that all of our lunch
programs will start soon after school
commences. Please keep watch for
order forms coming home with your child. Since we offer
a number of lunch choices from various providers on
different days, we ask that you keep track of which days
your child has ordered a hot lunch on your family
calendar. We take pride in offering healthy and hot lunch
options for our students; however it takes a great deal of
On Thursday, September 17th, students and staff will
have an opportunity to remember Terry Fox and his
courageous fight against cancer as well as recognize
October as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Students will be asked to contribute a toonie for both of
these great causes. Students will participate in a walk,
run or roller blade. This special event
will go a long way to not only raising
more money for the causes, but also
for building school spirit. More
information will follow shortly.
Medication at School
Students may take medication at school:
• when requested by the parents/guardian
• when authorized by a physician and
• when medication must be provided during
school hours
If medication must be administered at school, signed
request/authorization forms from the parents and the
supervising physician must be obtained whenever a
prescription is initiated or changed. Please do not send
medication with your child to school without the proper
authorization.
These forms are available in the office. The required
forms and the medication shall be delivered to the
principal or designated person by the parent/guardian.
All medication will be housed in a safe location in the
school office. Medication must not be kept in the child’s
possession (i.e., pocket, back pack etc.) or in the
classroom with the exception of epi-pens and inhalers. If
the child is keeping these items on them, they must be in
a fanny pack or a pouch on them at all times.
Together in faith and excellence
4
Student Use of School
Materials
The school will provide your child with materials such as
pens, pencils, workbooks and textbooks. Therefore, it is
not necessary that you purchase any such materials
unless you wish to do so. However, it is important that
children learn to make proper use of these materials and,
with this in mind, your child’s teacher will explain our
expectations. Students will be responsible for replacing
of lost/damaged texts or library books.
Parents have public access to all current Ministry of
Education documents at www.edu.gov.on.ca.
• Children cross at the crosswalk when given safe
clearance to do so by the supervisor on duty
• Children should only be dropped off in the Kiss ‘n Ride
lane in the interest of their safety. At no time should
parents drive through the bus loading lanes or drop off
children by the front entrance or kindergarten yard –
this includes dropping off and picking up students
during the day.
• At dismissal students will go directly to the Kiss ‘n Ride
area. Parents are asked to wait in their cars in the Kiss ‘n
Ride Lane. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
Our School is an Idle-Free Zone
School Picture Day
Individual student photos will be taken
on Friday, October 2nd. Class pictures and retakes are
scheduled for November 12th. Further information will
be forthcoming closer to Picture Day.
Head Injury Policy
Even when it appears to be insignificant, we will inform
parents of all reported head injuries at school. We do
this in recognition of the potential danger of any injury
involving the head area. Our intent is not to alarm you,
but to keep you informed. Please remind your child to
let a staff member know if they bump their head or if
they get hurt at school.
Personal Electronic Devices
The Board recognizes that the importance of the use of
PEDs by students at school can the benefits of their use
in the classroom. Students may now bring their own
devices (B.Y.O.D.) for learning purposes. Please see the
important attachment and return the signed form to
your child’s teacher. Please note, it is optional for
students to bring their devices to school.
Kiss ‘n Ride Update
We encourage all parents to use the bus transportation
in place for your children. However, if you choose to
drive your children to school, or pick them up at the end
of the school day, you are reminded to follow the Kiss ‘n
Ride procedures:
• Children remain in the car until the car reaches the end
of the Kiss ‘n Ride lane where a staff member is
A reminder that our school is an idle-free
zone and we ask that parents turn off
your engines if you are waiting for your
child ten seconds or longer.
Fire and Lockdown Drills
In accordance with Ministry regulations, three fire drills
will be conducted in the fall and three in the spring per
school year. While we hope that a real fire situation
never arises, this practice helps prepare students in
the event of a real fire. In addition, our School Board has
established lockdown procedures should a high risk
incident involving weapons occur in the school, or on
school property, that could endanger the lives and safety
of students and staff. We will practice the Emergency
Lockdown Procedure with students two times during the
school year and review it periodically.
Fire Prevention Week
–Oct. 5th-9th
On Monday, October 5th,
St. Cornelius School is
pleased to have been
selected to launch Fire
Prevention
Week
in
Caledon East. You are
invited to join us for an assembly for our grades K to 6
students in the school auditorium. Special guests will
include the Fire Chief, Mayor of Caledon, a
representative from the Marshall’s office, a registered or
local councillor, and the media. Further details regarding
the times for the assemblies will follow.
Together in faith and excellence
5
Student Accident Insurance
Bus Transportation News
As required by the Education Act and the Ministry of
Education, Dufferin-Peel annually provides parents with
information about cost-effective student accident
insurance coverage. Although enrolment is voluntary,
the board strategy encourages parents to take
advantage of the inexpensive insurance coverage,
especially if their child/children participate in sports,
field trips, or, if parents do not have dental insurance
coverage. Parents alone have the right to insure their
children. We will be sending home the Student Accident
Brochures as soon as we receive them. Please note that
you do not return envelopes to the school- all forms go
directly to the insurance company.
STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region) is the
organization
which
administers
transportation for both school boards in
the Region of Peel. Their website,
http://businfo.stopr.ca
provides
information to parents about their child’s
bus route, times, and stop location. Please
note when entering the website, click
student login, and enter your child’s OEN
number as it appears on their report card.
Combined Grades- Did You
Know?
A combined grade class is comprised of students from
two consecutive grades. Combined classes are a reality
in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, as
with all schools in Ontario and have been an educational
reality dating back to the ―one room school house.
Teachers of all classes, single or combined grade, strive
to meet the range of individual needs. This is achieved
through the implementation of varied teaching and
assessment strategies and working with students in a
variety of groupings. Teaching strategies and groupings
are chosen as appropriate to the learning styles of the
students in the class.
We thank you for your patience and support as bus
schedules become established. We have a total of 18
buses this year. Students should be waiting at bus stops
at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time.
It is a parental responsibility to ensure that Kindergarten
and Grade 1 children are met at the bus stop. Please
advise your children that if they do not see a parent or
babysitter waiting, they are to remain on the bus and will
be returned safely to school to be picked up. Just a
reminder to all parents and students that children are
assigned to a particular bus and are not allowed to travel
on another bus.
Safety is of the utmost importance to all of us. Attached
you will find St. Cornelius School Bus Safety Rules. We
will review these rules and expectations with all our
students, and would greatly appreciate if parents can
review these with their children as well.
Behaviour Code
Before/ After School Child Care
Program
For the safety and well-being of all students, it is
necessary to have a number of rules and expectations
regarding acceptable behaviour in our school. There are
expectations needed for the classroom, which will be
developed by the students and teacher in each class.
There are also school wide expectations set in the School
Behaviour Code.
Parents, as you are aware, the YMCA is offering the
Before/After School Child Care Program separately for
the Full Day Kindergarten Program students and the Gr.
1-6 students. Please contact the YMCA directly if you are
interested in this child care service. Please call Josephine
Lopez at 905-857-3531 for more information and/or to
register your child.
The School Behaviour Code is based on the new code
developed by the School Board in response to the
Ministry’s Safe School’s initiative. Students will be
reminded about our behaviour code during the month
of September. We ask that you take the time and read
through the Behaviour Code with your child which is
conveniently located in your child’s agenda.
Together in faith and excellence
6
Criminal Reference Checks &
Annual Volunteer Declarations
DPCDSB POLICY AFFECTING ALL
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
A reminder that all parent volunteers are required to
complete a Criminal Reference Check (CRC) to volunteer
for excursions such as field trips, helping to drive
students to sports events, and to volunteer within our
school (e.g., Catholic School Council, pizza, milk),
etc. We recommend that if you plan to volunteer during
the 2015-2016 school year, that you complete your CRC
as soon as possible.
Parents who have a valid CRC (completed within the last
two years) are to complete, sign and return the Annual
Declaration form (attached) to the school office before
September 30, 2015. Failure to do so may result in you
having to complete another Criminal Reference Check
and delay your ability to attend functions with your child
or volunteer within the school. Thank you for your
cooperation in following this school board policy.
Homework Policy
Following consultation with system stakeholders, a
Dufferin-Peel homework policy document (Kindergarten
to Grade 12) was recently adopted to foster consistency
across the board in this area.
The new policy document addresses the following:
 definition of homework
 characteristics of effective homework
 types of commonly assigned homework
 timing and quantity of homework
 general and specific procedures
 reporting of homework
 roles and responsibilities of administrators,
teachers, students, and families.
The homework policy may be viewed in full at
dpcdsb.org/homework
Karate Kids
Program
We are excited to announce that the
Karate Kids program will be coming to
St. Cornelius in October! This 40 minute class will run
during lunch recess and combines fun fitness activity,
character education lessons and non-contact basic
martial arts movements. The class is designed to build
confidence, self-discipline and fitness levels in a noncompetitive environment. Offered to students in grades
1 to 4, this 18 week program will run every Tuesday from
October 6th to February 16th. Enrollment flyers
containing full details will be distributed to the students
on September 28th. This is a popular program that is
currently running in over 95 schools across Ontario. You
are invited to visit their website for more detailed
information at www.karatekids.ca or call 416-482-8196.
Together in faith and excellence
7
Safe Schools
Prevention Corner
We will be continuing to focus on our
multi-year Safe School Initiative. Please
read over the Safe School Policy that is
located in the front pages of the Student
Organizer/Planner.
St. Cornelius is a Catholic community that respects and
promotes the uniqueness of all its members. By following
the teachings of Jesus, we pledge to provide everyone
with a safe, caring and peaceful environment, which
ensures the respect and acceptance of all. Because of
these beliefs, bullying will not be tolerated.
September - Everyone Has the Right to be
Safe at School.
The key message for September is "everyone has the
right to be safe at school". Each class will create a set of
behavioural guidelines in the form of a classroom
contract. This activity provides students with an
opportunity to identify and discuss their expectations of
how to appropriately interact with others. When
students feel ownership they tend to assume more
responsibility to follow the established guidelines and
manage their own behaviours. Students learn about
expressing opinions, consensus building and
accountability. A sense of safety is established in
knowing that all students have agreed to follow the
contract. By posting the contract in the classroom and
referring to it throughout the year, peer accountability
for behaviour management is encouraged.
Tips for parents:
• Talk with your children about the contract
• Ask them which statements they like the most
and which ones they think will be most difficult
•
Discuss behavioural expectations within your
own family and the values or beliefs upon which
these are based
Parish News
1. Job Posting- Part time Parish Secretary:
The parish is looking for a Part-Time Parish Secretary.
They are seeking someone aged 25-30. The hours are
flexible hours/week, for during the day receptionist &
general office work, computer skills essential. The
position starts Sept. 2015 at $16.00/hr.
Part Time Weekend staff needed for Sat from 12.306:30pm & Sun. 8:00am-2:30pm weekend staff young
person, receptionist & general church work, computer
skills essential start Sept. 2015. $12.00 hourly, 2 staff
rotating weekends. Interested applicants can contact Fr.
Bob
by
submitting
their
resume
to
stjohnalbion@bellnet.ca. Or call 905-880-0080.
2. Confirmation Parent Meeting at St. John’s Church
Tues. Oct. 20th -7:00pm Grade 7
Wed. Oct. 21st - 7:00pm Grade 8
3. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Parent Meeting at St. John’s Church:
Wed. Oct. 14th - 7:00 pm
Application forms are available at the back of the Church.
A photocopy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate must be
attached, along with the fee for educational materials
and returned to the Church.
4.
Back Sunday BBQ on September 12th and 13th :
After the Masses at St. John’s, Albion
As school begins again the Knights of Columbus wish to
welcome back the traveling families after their summer
holidays. We are glad to have you back, safe and sound.
We also extend a warm welcome to all those who have
just moved into the area or are new to our parish family.
We certainly hope that you will feel at home with us. And
of course, all our parishioners who attended faithfully
during the summer. I hope and pray that it has been a
restful and joyous summer.
A special thank you to: Kurt & Donni Geiser from
Foodland for helping us with the food.
Fr. Bob
Together in faith and excellence
8
Upcoming Dates
•
•
September 2015
•
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•
•
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Sept. 8: Welcome Back!
Sept. 14: Catholic School Council Nominations Begin
(nomination forms will be accepted for 2 weeks)
Sept. 16: Ms. Leitch’s class at Silvercreek Outdoor
Education Centre
Sept.17:Cancer Awareness/Terry Fox Day
Sept. 18: P.A. Day - no school for students
Sept. 23: Open House/Curriculum Night at 5:30 p.m.
(please feel free to pick up CSC nomination form)
Sept. 25: CSC Fundraising Kickoff
Sept. 28th: Karate Kids Enrollment forms dropped off
and presentations to students
October 2015

•
•
•
•
•
Oct. 1st -School Council Meeting
Oct. 2 –-Picture Day (Individual photos only)
Oct.5-9th Fire Prevention Week
Oct. 5: World Teachers’ Day
Oct.5h: Fire Prevention Week Assembly Gr. K to 6
Oct. 8: Thanksgiving Mass at 9:45 a.m. (Gr. 1-8), FDK
student blessing to follow- all are welcome!
•
Oct. 6: Karate Kids first class from 12:25- 1:05
Oct. 12: Thanksgiving Oct. 13: Karate Kids Class from
12:25- 1:05
Oct. 14: First Reconciliation Parent
Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s,
Albion
Oct. 20: Karate Kids Class from 12:25- 1:05
Oct. 27: Karate Kids First Class from 12:25- 1:05
Attachments
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2015-2016 School Year Calendar
Bus Transportation Information from STOPR
St. Cornelius Bus Safety Rules
Allergy Alert Letter
Physical Education Safety Guidelines Forms
Lunch Permission Form
Early Dismissal Consent Form
Annual Declaration Form
PEDs letter and Agreement
Catholic School Council Information Letter from
Principla
Catholic School Council Information Letter from CoChairs
Combined Grades Information
Student Insurance Information
School Reorganization Letter
Together in faith and excellence
9