St. Joachim
435 Rutherford Rd North Brampton, ON L6V 3V9
Telephone: 905.453.4472
Fax: 905-453-8615
Principal:
A. Alonzi-Peever
Vice-Principal:
M. Di Nunzio
Head Secretary:
J. Sequeira
Secretary:
Y. McCutcheon
Superintendent:
M. Vecchiarino
Trustee:
Anna Podesta-da Silva
Pastor:
Fr. James Cherickal
Associate Pastor:
Fr. Paul Magyar
Follow us on
Twitter
@DPCDSBSchools - for
the latest news and information about the board,
schools, programs and
services.
June Final 2013
Summer Vacation Blessing Lord God, This school community has shared many things this year. We were linked by common tasks and time together. Those ties are broken now as we say good‐bye and end our year. Lord, bless each of my classmates and friends. Especially those I will not see again. Keep each of us in your care during the summer and throughout our lives. Guide our steps and strengthen our hearts Until we gather once again in your kingdom. We ask this through Christ Our Lord, Amen. Inside this issue:
-STOPR:
Student Transportation
Information
2
-Thank You
-Have a Safe Summer
3
-Letter from Your Catholic
School Trustee
4
-Important Notice: Elementary School Front Door
Locked-September 2013
-Medications
-Summer Office hours
6
Fond Farewells
We say good bye to the following staff who will be moving to another school or role in
Dufferin Peel C.D.S.B. in September: Mlle Mitchell, Mlle Moir, Mrs. Nascimento, Mrs. O’Neill,
Mrs. Palczewska, Ms. Philips, Mlle Rado and Mrs. Stuart. We also say good bye to Mrs. Albanese, Mr. Guadagnolo, Ms. Macchiarulo, Mrs. Pardal, Mrs. Spizzirri and Mr. Vitale who
filled a LTO position at St. Joachim this year.
Finally we wish Mrs. Geraghty and Mrs. Harmer well as they retire at the end of this school
year.
We appreciate the many contributions that all these individuals have made to our school. We
wish them God’s blessings, much happiness and continued success in their assignments or
pursuits.
www.dpcdsb.org/JOACH
“Through A
Celebration Of Our
Faith All Who
Enter Our School
May Grow Together As A
Christian
Community”
Opening Day Procedures
September 3, 2013
As has been the pattern in past years, we have continued to register students during the last
week of August and into September. Therefore, class lists will not be finalized at this time
and students will be told who their teacher is on the first day of school. Please go the school
yard to the signs that will direct you to the gathering areas (and posted at entrances to the
school the last week of August).
Junior Kindergarten students will have a staggered entry to school. Letters will be sent
home indicating the date and time to meet with their child’s teacher in September and the
day their child will start (the next day). Please let the teacher know if there is a conflict with
your date and time.
Page 2
Volume 2, Issue 12
INFORMATION FOR DPCDSB PARENTS REGARDING
SCHOOL START UP TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES
If your home address will be changing during the summer, please notify the office staff at your child’s school
prior to June 30. STOPR will also accept address change information after June 30 until July 12. Address
changes received after July 12 will not be reflected in the planned bus routes to commence in September and
may result in transportation services not being available for your child during the first weeks of school. Parents
will be responsible for their children getting to and from school until appropriate transportation service is arranged.
The distance criteria for transportation eligibility is:
1.0 kilometer Kindergarten and Grade 1
1.6 kilometers for Grades 2 – 4
2.0 kilometers for Grades 5 – 8
4.8 kilometers for Grades 9 – 12
If your child is moving to grade 1, grade 5, grade 7 or grade9 in the 2013-2014 school year, their eligibility
status for transportation may be changing. Eligibility information can be accessed at the website noted below.
All transported kindergarten and grade 1 students are required to be met by a parent/caregiver when disembarking from their bus on their return trip from school.
Courtesy transportation, which is assignment of ineligible students to available, empty seats on buses, will not
be initiated prior to October 3. No exceptions.
Please be aware that during September and early October, STOPR priorities are eligible students requiring
transportation service, bus overloads, and route timing adjustments.
Requests for additional or adjusted bus stop locations, route adjustments, and challenges to eligibility status
will not be addressed until late October.
Please be patient. STOPR provides transportation services for approximately 62,000 students to 350 schools
on 1,300 buses. This is accomplished with an operations staff of 15. Every effort is made to complete required
adjustments as quickly as possible, but there are limitations to the volume of changes which can be appropriately communicated and implemented each week.
All transportation operations issues are the responsibility of STOPR and not either Board or individual Trustees.
Contacting STOPR
Internet:
www.stopr.ca. This website provides up to date delay and inclement weather cancellation in
formation in addition to policy, procedures and frequently asked questions
Businfo.stopr.ca. This website allows parents to access information specific to “what school do
I attend” and “am I eligible for transportation”. This site also provides parents access to
specific bus stop location and pick up and drop off times for their children if eligible for
transportation
Telephone:
STOPR:
STOPR Administration:
Phone:
Toll free:
Phone:
905 890-6000
1-800 668-1140
905 890-0708 ext. 23220
Bus lists will be posted on the front doors the last week of August. Those students who rode the bus
this year using the Courtesy bus policy will need to reapply in writing in September. Our enrolment is
increasing so please do not count on courtesy seating for your child(ren).
June Final 2013
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Page 3
To the St. Joachim School Council: Mrs. Wills, Mrs. Auckbaraullee, Mrs. DiMarca, Mrs.
Brandolisio, Ms. Swaby-Palmer and Mrs. Box-Hodgins who provided many hours of hard
work and dedication to our school community.
To all the volunteers, who tirelessly give all year to benefit our students and who are always
available at the last minute to help!
To Mr. Astorga and the custodial staff for all their hard work.
To all of our teachers who have worked hard to help your children develop their faith as
well as their academic and social skills.
To all of our graduates, congratulations and best wishes as you journey on to high school.
To Mrs. Rhodd, Mrs. Kurien, Mrs. Francois and Mrs. Cutruzzola who come out in all types
of weather conditions to fulfill their student monitor roles.
To Mrs. Sequeira and Mrs. McCutcheon, our secretaries, for their dedication and caring
towards the students and visitors to the school.
To Father James and Father Paul for their spiritual leadership this year and Mrs. Letts for
facilitating the catechism program.
To you, the parents, who have worked with your children and the school to build strong relationships.
As the school year draws to a close, we would like to also thank all of our staff, students and
volunteers for all their wonderful efforts in making St. Joachim School such a vital and inviting
space for our students. These are just some of the activities that have been offered this year:
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The Chess Club
Youth Ambassadors
One World/One Life (Environmental
Club)
Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Cross
Country Softball and Track and Field
Teams
Primary Choir
Scientists in the School
Zumba
After School Tutors (EQAO)
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Virtues Assemblies
Liturgical Celebrations
Office Helpers
Milk Program
Pizza Lunches
Dance Team
How Full is Your Bucket
Lunch Moms
Play Day
Food Drives
Carneval
Presentations/Concerts
HAVE A SAFE AND RELAXING SUMMER!
To all our graduates and students moving, God bless and best of
luck in the future! We look forward to seeing everyone else on
September 3, 2013.
Page 4
Volume 2, Issue 12
Forming our Catholic Vision for Learning in the 21st Century An overview for parents, guardians and students June 2013 Dear Parents and Guardian This has been a very eventful year at Dufferin Peel. Many things have been accom‐
plished. One of the most important things that have been completed this year is the development of the education for the 21st Century. Our vision of education in Dufferin‐Peel Catholic schools is rooted in the gospel val‐
ues of faith, hope and love. Guided by this vision, which is deliberately infused into all aspects of our strategic planning and operations, Dufferin‐Peel schools strive to embrace the new realities of our rapidly changing world, while upholding our Catholic faith traditions. Within these complex new 21st century realities, with variables such as globalization, the economy, environ‐
mental challenges, technological advances and increasing cultural diversity, we face the challenge of preparing our students to live, to lead, to prosper, and to fulfill their potential as Catholic school graduates, who are re‐
sponsible and thriving global and digital citizens. These are exciting times in which to both teach and to learn! We recognize and understand that students have different skills, knowledge and experiences and quite simply, they learn in different ways. Over the past year, senior Dufferin‐Peel staff had the opportunity to explore, more deeply, the concept of learning in the 21st century. This included a detailed discussion on the ‘Why’, the ‘What’, and the ‘How’ of learning in the 21st century in the context of our Catholic faith. Based on these discus‐
sions a number of common concepts were identified as key learning skills, competencies and dispositions: that will be part Based on the feedback from our consultations with of our Catholic context and connection to the Ontario Catholic various stakeholder groups, several broad themes School Graduate Expectations. and understandings have been identified. These will guide our planning and practice going forward: Faith nurturing and development From our analysis and discussion we must now strive to ensure Global/local issues and stewardship within a that our Dufferin‐Peel Catholic education system focuses on Catholic view student achievement and well being for all through what we  Infusion of faith in our learning spaces  Sacred spaces that promote active reflection and believe in and how we demonstrate our beliefs. prayer  Student‐led learning , higher order thinking and Although we have already explored some possibilities for what collaborative inquiry we need our schools to do, the possibilities really are endless,  Relevant real world contexts and/or experiential both from teaching and learning perspectives. Our 21st cen‐
learning  Varied evidence‐based strategies for instruction tury learning and teaching journey is a dynamic and ever‐
expanding process. It is a process that will unfold in many and assessments phases and in many forms over the coming months and years.  Creative design of flexible learning spaces re‐
sponsive to student needs We will be exploring multiple technologies, including digital,  Student voice and engagement internet, use of tablets and other devices, as well as the wire‐
 Collaborative professional learning and instruc‐ less technology (Wi‐Fi) necessary to facilitate the use of these tional leadership devices. Technology not only allows us to link to the global  Technological and digital literacy community, but also provides greater accessibility and use for  Community, parish and parent engagement students for whom these tools are essential for learning.  Evidence‐informed decision making 
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June Final 2013
Page 5
Caritas in Veritate: Charity in Truth – Love, discerning believers and caring community members. Citizenship: Called to action in solidarity and stewardship. Communication: Listening and responding critically and compassionately within gospel values. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Creating, inquiring, and responsible decision making. Collaboration: Building relationships in communion with all human beings. Creativity and Innovation: Demonstrating resiliency, flexibility and adaptability in finding the path to voca‐
tion and lifelong learning. In fact, one of the next phases on our 21st century journey will be related to technology; specifically, the intro‐
duction of wireless learning technology into our schools. Wireless technology is already literally all around us. It is prevalent in our homes, automobiles, workplaces, where we shop, where we get our coffee.... you name it and chances are that wireless technology is there. Initially, one of the areas we will focus on will be the use of wireless technology as one of the teaching support tools we can use to benefit student learning. Earlier this year, we initiated a pilot project utilizing wireless technology in four schools (two elementary and two secondary) and the board’s Catholic Education Centre. As part of the pilot, we engaged an environmental consultant to test radiowave frequencies in the pilot sites. Tests were conducted both with WiFi turned on and again, with WiFi turned off. In fact, the highest measured location was only 3% of the Health Canada Code 6 standard (in other words, 97% better than the Code 6 standard). The results with the WiFi turned off were only marginally lower than when it was turned off. We are looking to have wireless technology installed in all our schools by the fall. We are aware of, and respect the fact that some parents and guardians in other school districts have expressed reservations about health and safety in relation to the introduction of wireless technology in schools. The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount to us. As we do with all health‐related matters, we take direction from our local and national health authorities; in our case, Peel Health, Wellington‐Dufferin‐
Guelph Health Unit and Health Canada. Each of these health authorities take the position that the available scientific evidence indicates that exposure to Wi‐Fi in schools is not harmful to the health of students and staff. Please be assured that we are approaching this in a focused, planned and measured manner, in compliance with Health Canada standards and in conjunction with other components of 21st century learning. This is an exciting time for our students and staff, and we hope for you as parents/guardians as well. The con‐
cept of learning is grounded in knowledge; how we construct and acquire it, interact with it and how we share and create communities of practice with it. We need to collaborate, not just with peers, but with people all over the world. In doing so, we advance knowledge, share our talents and gifts and make changes that serve the greater common good. For more information on Dufferin‐Peel’s vision for 21st Century Learning, visit our website at www.dpcdsb.org and read the recent report to the board called Forming our Catholic Vision for Learning in the 21st Century. I wish you all a safe and happy summer. Sincerely, Anna da Silva DPCDSB Trustee Brampton wards 1,3&4 Page 6
Volume 2, Issue 12
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FRONT DOORS LOCKED – SEPTEMBER, 2013
June 2013
Dear Parents and Guardians:
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.
You may be aware that, through the province’s Safe School Welcome Program, our school received a grant that provides for the installation of a front door speaker/buzzer/video monitoring system. The installation of this system allows us to proactively enhance the safety and security of students and staff by locking the front doors after classes
begin. This change in access to our school requires a new access protocol that will apply to all visitors, including parents and guardians. The new system will be installed and activated by the start of the 2013-14 school year this fall.
Under the new system, visitors may gain entrance by pressing a buzzer mounted on the wall outside the building, beside the front door. The buzzer activates a two-way speaker and camera system. The Office will then be able to determine who is at the door, by observing on a video monitor. This will enable better regulation of visitor access to
the school.
The following are also part of our new 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.
 Access during lunch time may be delayed depending on the availability of staff who are required to monitor the
new system.
The co-operation and understanding of parents/guardians will be an important factor in the success of our new 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.
Thank you for your understanding and co-operation as we implement the new access protocol in September. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
A. Alonzi-Peever
Principal
Medication
Students who currently have medications stored at the office (Epi‐Pens, inhalers, etc.) will have these items
sent home with them on Friday, June 28th, 2013. Please ensure that you check your child’s medications over
the summer to ensure they have not expired. Also, please ensure that they are returned to this school (or the
school your child will be attending in September). All medication that will be stored for the 2013/2014
school year must have current medical forms completed and signed by a doctor (enclosed with medication). If your child’s medical condition changes over the summer, please inform us in September.
School Summer Office Hours
Please be advised that the school office will be open on Monday August 26th to Friday, August 30th, 2013.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.