September 2011
Volume 1, Issue 1
Principal:
A. Alonzi-Peever
Vice-Principal:
M. Di Nunzio
Head Secretary:
D. Brunetti
Secretary:
Y. McCutcheon
Superintendent:
A. Tucciarone
Trustee:
A. Da Silva
Pastor:
Fr. Damian Ali
Associate Pastor:
Fr. Kim D’Souza
“Through A
Celebration Of Our
Faith All Who Enter
Our School May
Grow Together As A
Christian
Community”
St. Joachim
435 Rutherford Rd North Brampton, ON L6V 3V9
Telephone: 905.453.4472
Fax: 905-453-8615
A Prayer for the Beginning of the New School Year
May we explore together the territory of knowledge;
May we learn together the mysteries of truth;
May we share together the joy of friendship;
May we release in each other the spark of creativity;
May we inspire others to follow Your call;
May we always remember that you,
the author of all knowledge, all goodness,
all truth and all beauty,
delight to share all experience with us.
Principal’s Message
We welcome back all our students and staff and extend a warm welcome to our
new students, especially our JK students, who begin their academic journey this
year. I hope that everyone had a wonderful summer break. We had a number of
projects completed at the school including the new pavement in the school yard
and new front doors. We would like to thank our custodial staff, Mr. DaPonte, Mr.
Parsons and Mrs. Medeiros, for their hard work over the summer preparing our
school for the new school year. Mrs. Brunetti, Mrs. McCutcheon and the rest of the
staff have spent a much time this summer, especially this past week preparing for
all the new students and classes as we begin the new school year and we thank
them for all their efforts.
The partnership of home, school, church and community is a key element in the
success of your child. We encourage you to participate in your child’s spiritual,
physical and academic growth. If you have any questions or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with your children and I
extend my best wishes to everyone for a successful school year; one filled with
new and exciting opportunities and one in which we can grow together in God’s
image.
Staffing Update
Welcome back to L.McCaffrey who is
returning from her maternity leave.
M. Di Nunzio
A. Mitchell
Please join me in welcoming the
following new staff members to
St. Joachim:
K. Trogrlic-Hodzic
E. Napoli
Vice Principal
Gr. 4 French
Immersion
Gr. 4 French
Immersion
Planning Time
(replacing Mrs. Box-Hodgins during her maternity leave)
C.Coreau
J. Moir
ERW
FSL/Planning Time
September 2011
Page 2 of 8
Virtue of the Month: Faith
Opening Mass
Please join us for our
opening school mass on
Thursday September 22nd,
2011
10:30
a.m.
at
St. Joachim School for
grades 1 to 8 students.
Parents are encouraged to
join us as we pray as a
school community.
‘Everytime you smile at
someone, it is an action
of love, a gift to that
person a beautiful thing”
~ Mother Teresa
Use of School Phones
Students will only be
permitted to use the
school phone in cases of
emergency. An illness
or injury is considered an
emergency.
Calling
home
because
of
forgotten
homework,
gym clothes, or to get
permission to go to a
friend’s house is NOT
considered
an
emergency.
In This Issue:
Virtues – page 2
Opening Mass – page 2
School Hours – page 2
Use of School Phones – page 2
Possible Staff Reorganization – page 3
If Your Child is Not Baptized – page 3
Bussing – page 3
Dress Code – page 3
Agendas – page 3
Professional Development Day – page 4
A virtue is a habit or established capability to perform good actions according
to a moral standard. In other words, a virtue is a habit that shows people and
God that we are good people.
This month we celebrate the virtue of Faith.
Let us pray for the grace and strength to be people of faith, people who can
truly believe that God’s plan for us includes the right to be safe at school.
School Hours
8:45 – 9:00
Supervision in the
yard to drop students
off
9:00
Start time for JK to 8
11:06 – 11:21 Morning recess
11:30
Kindergarten dismissal
12:01 – 12:41 Recess (Gr. 1 to 8)
12:41 – 1:01 Lunch
1:00
JK/SK in the PM start
1:01
Classes start in PM for
Gr. 1 to 8
2:24 – 2:39
Afternoon recess
3:30
Dismissal
Please keep in mind there is NO
supervision before 8:45 in the
morning and students should not be
dropped off before this time.
If you are bringing your child to
school, we encourage parents to
walk their children only to the public
pathway.
We have ample
supervision by teachers within the
school yard available. The safety
and security of our students is our
number one priority, and it is difficult
for our supervisors to monitor the
yard when there are many parents.
Remember, other parents are
strangers to your child.
When picking up students in grades
2 to 8 at the end of the day, we ask
that parents remain on the public
pathway away from the immediate
school doors and pavement. For
parents of grade 1 students we
have a “hand to hand” policy, so
those parents may meet their child at
the door.
Students will be told to
meet their parents/guardians at the
pathway.
If you are driving your child to and
from school, please be aware that
the parking lot and driveways are
very busy places at arrival and
dismissal times. Please park only in
designated areas. Do not park along
the front sidewalk, as this is a Fire
Route Only. Do not park your car in
the Kiss and Ride Lanes.
Open House – page 4
Catholic School Elections – page 4
Kiss & Ride – page 4
School Visitors – page 4
Allergies – page 4
Newsletters – page 6
Lunch Policy – page 6
Head Injury Policy – Page 6
Volunteers Needed – Page 6
Medication – page 5
Student Attendance Verification – page 5
Reverse Lunch – page 5
Milk Program & Lunch Moms – page 5
Lost Articles – page 5
PLASP– Page 7
Pediculosis – page 7
P.E.D. – page 7
Student Accident Insurance – page 7
Thanksgiving Food Drive – page 7
Dates to Remember – Page 7
Crossing Guards – page 6
School Phones – page 6
Elementary School Organization Plans for
2011-2012 – page 8
September 2011
Page 2 of 8
\
Possible Staff Reorganization
St. Joachim staffing for 2011/2012 is based on a “projected” student
enrollment that is calculated each spring. This projected student enrollment
number attempts to take into account any new students who are moving into
our school as well as any students who may be moving out of the area. There
is a possibility of some class reorganization occurring before the end of
September, due to a difference in our “actual” verses “projected” student
enrollment number. We will inform you in the event that any class
reorganization is required.
If Your Child is Not Baptized
As a Roman Catholic School, we are charged by the Catholic community and
the Church to create an atmosphere in which your child will be able to
experience and express our Catholic Faith. We also assist the parishes with
preparing students for sacraments. If your child is not baptized, he/she is
unable to receive any of the sacraments, which are celebrated as a school
community with the local parishes. The Catholic Church has a program for
school-aged children, which will assist you in baptizing your child. You are
encouraged to visit your parish Priest or contact the school for additional
information.
Bussing
Each student from grade 1
to 8 will receive a school
agenda to assist with the
development of time
organizational and
management skills. This is
an important tool to
facilitate communication
between home and school.
We ask that parents sign
the agenda every day and
return it to school. This is
important to keep parents
informed of homework and
important events, as well
as to keep your child
organized.
Dress Code
Please be advised that St. Joachim
School
is
only
eligible
for
Kindergarten and some grade one
bussing. Transportation is provided
only for students who reside more
that the following distances:
Kindergarten and Grades 1
Grades 2 – 4
Grades 5 & 6
Grades 7 & 8
Agendas
1 km
1.6 km
2 km
4.8 km
All students who rode the bus under
the “Courtesy seat” policy last year,
MUST REAPPLY for a Courtesy seat
(forms are available in the office) and
must be returned by October 7th,
2011. Younger students are given
priority. Decisions about empty seats
will not be made until late October as
school admissions/demissions are
not stable until this time. Parents are
required
to
make
alternate
arrangements for their child until
this time. Often parents find an
older “buddy’ for their child to walk
with, or collaborate with other parents
to drive a group of students to
school. Please keep in mind we
have only ONE bus available.
Students who are assigned a
courtesy seat will receive a
permission package to be signed and
returned before they can start riding
the bus.
A reminder that busing decisions are
no longer made at the school level.
Any questions or concerns in
regards to transportation should
be directed to the Student
Transportation of Peel Region
(STOPR) 905-890-6000.
Please
visit www.stopr.ca for policies and
procedures.
Please note that riding the bus is a
privilege and students who do not
abide by the rules of the bus and
bus driver will be removed from
the bus and parents notified.
As a Catholic School, we
believe that there must be
commitment
high
standards of modesty,
cleanliness and neatness.
The following clothing is
NOT suitable: tank or
halter tops, muscle shirts,
mesh, short shorts, baggy
pants, un-tucked shirts,
tight clothes, bare midriff,
any clothes with holes,
strapless
tops,
head
bands and bandanas,
clothing with inappropriate
saying, as deemed by the
office. Failure to comply
with this expectation will
result in parents being
called to provide alternate
clothing, as well as
possible
disciplinary
action.
September 2011
Professional
Development
Day
Friday September 16th
has been designated as
a professional activity
day
for
Faith
and
Reorganization.
There
will be NO school for
students on this day as
teachers will be involved
in meetings and possible
reorganization.
School Visitors
As a precaution against
trespassers and to ensure the
safety of all students and staff,
the Dufferin–Peel Catholic
District School Board requires
that all visitors must identify
themselves at the office when
entering the building. Parents
are asked to go directly to the
front office by the front door
only to register. No parents
are allowed to enter the
school at other entrances or to
go directly to a teacher’s
room. Remember, your child
knows you, but you are a
stranger to other children.
Thank
you
for
your
cooperation with this policy.
Page 4 of 8
Open House
The St. Joachim Open House will be held on Monday, September 26th, 2011. It
is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet your child’s teacher and learn about
your child’s program. This year we will have a BBQ between 5:30 pm and 6:30
p.m. Parents will be able to visit classes between 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Stay tuned
for more details. Please take the time to visit the council members who will be
set up in the school entrance for information on membership and becoming a
volunteer. We look forward to seeing everyone.
Catholic School Council Elections
The first meeting will be on
Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00
pm. At that time, elections for new
members of the council will take
place.
We encourage all parents to take an
active
role
in
this
process.
Nomination forms can be picked up
at the main office from September
8th – 19th, 2011. All nomination forms
must be submitted to the office by
3:00 p.m. on September 19th and a
list of parent nominees will be
presented for election that evening.
Your involvement and support in this
process is crucial in insuring that the
Council becomes your voice in our
partnership of home, school and
Church. We hope to see you at our
first meeting! If you need to bring
your children to the meeting, please
inform the office.
Kiss and Ride – Safety First!
Parents are reminded that there is no
parking in the staff parking lot.
We do not have the staff to monitor
the parking lot for safety. Parents
are asked to park on side streets or
in the few spots available at the front
of the school, or in the spots where
the Kiss and Ride is located. Parents
can walk their child to the fenced
area, where teachers are there to
supervise the students.
The quickest and safest way to drop
your child off at school is to use the
Kiss and Ride lanes.
Starting at 8:45 parents can drive up
the Kiss and Ride lane where
teachers will monitor your child
getting out of the car and direct them
safely into the school yard where
they are being supervised.
Please be advised the Kiss and
Ride lane is extremely busy in the
morning, but from 8:45 to 8:50 is
the best time to drop off your child
as it is the least busy period of time.
We appreciate everyone’s patience
and cooperation for the safety of all
students.
Allergies
Safety of all our children is our number one priority at St. Joachim. We have
many students and teachers who suffer from severe allergies to nuts and nut
products. Even if someone in the class doesn’t have the allergy, there are
many students who visit different classrooms and left over residue can cause
them to have a life threatening reaction. Therefore, it is the school
policy that food not be given out to the class for any special occasions
(e.g. birthday, class parties). We suggest bringing pencils or erasers,
or some other non-edible treat for the students instead of food.
September 2011
Page 5 of 8
Medication – Help keep us informed
If your child has any health problems,
allergies, etc, of which the office is not
aware, please notify us as soon as
possible. Note, we cannot administer
or store medication for your child
(such as antibiotics, aspirin etc.)
without board policy forms that have
to be filled out by a doctor. Should
your child get sick, please pick up
the appropriate forms at the office
before you go to the doctor, should
medication
need
to
be
administered/or stored at the office.
Every year, medical forms for
puffers,
epi-pens,
or
other
medication have to be filled out by
the doctor for renewal.
All
medication(s) and new forms were
given to students on the last day of
school in June last year. These
forms must be returned to the
office before medication can be
administered.
Also, if you have had a change of
address,
telephone
number,
babysitter or place of employment,
please call the office to update your
files.
Accurate and up to date
information is key to your child’s
safety.
Student 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. We have a 24 hour
answering machine for parents to
leave this information at any time. It
is the school’s safe arrival program
that necessitates that the school
will call your home or business if a
message is not left on the machine
explaining the absence.
To record your child’s absence:
Please call 905 453-4472 (24hrs) and
leave the following information on the
tape.
1) Your Child’s name
2) Your Child’s teachers name
3) Date and time of absence
4) Reason and duration of absence
Milk Program
Lunch Moms
&
The milk program will be
starting Oct 3rd and can be
ordered monthly. Order forms
will go home shortly. The
Lunch Mom program will begin
in October. More details to
follow.
Please direct any
questions or concerns to Mrs.
Brownlee at the school.
Lost Articles
Reverse Lunch
The reverse lunch means that
students will be going outside from
12:00 until 12:40 and then will come
in to eat their lunch at 12:41 to
1:01. If you are bringing a lunch for
your child, you do not need to bring it
to the lunch table outside the office
until 12:41. The reverse lunch has
been shown to be very successful at
other schools. Teachers and parents
have found that students eat more of
.
their lunch, as they are hungrier at
this time. It also allows the students
to be ready for learning, on time and
full, at 1:01. We suggest that parents
package their son/daughter’s lunch
into three equal amounts for 11:06
recess, 12:41 lunch and 2:24 recess,
for the best nutritional balance.
Thank you to everyone for all your
cooperation and support!
Each year a great number of
misplaced items are found.
We try to return these items to
their rightful owners, but it is
often difficult because they are
not labeled. We are asking
you then, to label articles of
clothing, lunch bags, boots etc.
which could be lost in the
school area. If this is done,
then we have a much greater
chance of returning the lost
items to their owners.
September 2011
Newsletters go
home with the
youngest and only
students. All
newsletters are
available on the
school website.
There are many
important dates and
information in the
newsletter so
please ensure your
child knows to
deliver it to you
monthly.
Crossing Guard
A crossing guard will be at the
following locations and times:
Winterfold Road at Walkway
7:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2:55 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
Rutherford at Williams Parkway
7:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
2:55 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Page 6 of 7
School Phones
Students will only be permitted to
use the school phone in cases of
emergency. An illness or injury is
considered an emergency. Calling
home
because
of
forgotten
homework, gym clothes, or to get
permission to go to a friend’s
house is NOT considered an
emergency.
Rutherford at Winterfold
7:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2:55 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/
JOACH
Head Injury Policy
When a student receives
an injury to the head, it is
the Board Policy that we
inform parents. We will try
to notify you, or leave a
message even when it is a
minor injury.
Lunch Policy
For safety reasons, no student who
stays at the school for lunch is
permitted to leave school grounds
during the lunch time unless
accompanied by a parent or guardian
who signs them out at the office.
Students are not allowed to leave
school property to go to Beckers.
If, on a special occasion, you are
dropping a lunch off for your child,
please advise your child in advance
that they will pick up their lunch that
day at the lunch table in the hallway
by the office. Please label the lunch
with their name and teacher’s name.
Students will not be permitted to pick
up their lunch until lunch begins at
12:40 in order to avoid disruptions to
class lessons. Your cooperation is
greatly appreciated.
Volunteers Needed!
If you can spare some of your time
to:
 read to children
 assist children with publishing
their work
 help teachers in the
classroom
 provide assistance in the
literacy room
 count money for special
events
Please leave a message for Mrs.
Heslop at 905 453-4472 (office
number)
All volunteers must complete a
criminal reference check before they
can work in the school. This
measure is to ensure the safety of
our students. Please see Mrs.
Brunetti in the office for more
information.
Page 7 of 8
September 2011
September 2011
PLASP Before and After School Program
The Before School Program runs from 7:30 a.m. until school begins. A
nutritious breakfast is served daily. The After School Program runs from the
end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. Children participate in recreational
activities, are served a nutritious snack daily and have time for homework.
Fee assistance is available. Please call 905 890-1711.
Pediculosis
Head lice have become increasingly common throughout North America. It is
wise to check your child’s head periodically and contact your doctor and
pharmacist. Please inform the school if you know your child has lice as
students will not be readmitted to class without having been checked at the
office to ensure there is no presence of nits.
P.E.D. (Personal Electronic Devices)
All PED’s (cell phones, cameras,
games )must be kept out of sight,
turned off and not used within
school premises (including portables)
or during school-sanctioned activities
such as retreats, field trips, sports
events, etc.
To prevent the loss or damage of
PED’s, we encourage students to
leave their PEDs at home or in the
bottom of their school bag turned off.
Failure to comply with this policy may
result in the confiscations of the PED
and disciplinary action as outlined in
the Catholic Code of Conduct.
We kindly ask that parents,
guardians and guests not use their
cell phones in the school, especially
in the presence of students.
Student Accident Insurance
Please note the attached student accident insurance form is voluntary, but
the board encourages parents to take advantage of the inexpensive coverage
especially if their children participate in sports, excursions, or field trips and if
you do not have dental coverage.
If you wish to purchase insurance coverage for your child, complete the form,
and mail it directly to the insurance company. Please do NOT return the
envelopes to the school
Dates to Remember……
September 8 – School Council Nomination Forms
available
September 16 - P.A. Day –No School for Students
September 19 – School Council Nomination forms
due @ 3:00 p.m.
September 21 – School Council Meeting/
Elections @ 7:00 p.m.
September 22 – School Mass @ 10:30 a.m.
September 26 – Open House
October 6 – Picture Day
October 10 – Thanksgiving (No School)
October 13-14 – SEE/HEAR Screening
October 14 – Peel Health Gr. 7 Meningitis &
Grade 8 HPV shots
October 25 – Progress Reports Sent Home
October 27 – Interview Evening (as needed)
November 18 - P.D. Day