October 2014
ST. JOACHIM CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
435 Rutherford Road North, Brampton, ON, L6V 3V9
905-453-4472
Find us on twitter @StJoachimDPCDSB or on our website at www.dpcdsb.org/JOACH
Principal
M. Di Nunzio
Vice Principal
I. Judd
Office Staff
L. Quiambao
Y. McCutcheon
Superintendent
M. Vecchiarino
Family of Schools
Brampton North
East
Trustee
A. Da Silva
Parish
St. Anne
Parish Priest
Father J. Cherickal
Associate Pastor
Father F. Marrone
Parish Telephone
905 453-1303
“Through A
Celebration Of Our
Faith All Who Enter
Our School May
Grow Together As A
Christian
Community”
Loving God,
We turn our hearts to you during this season for giving thanks, mindful of your many gifts.
For each one, we are grateful.
For each one, we are blessed.
For each one, we are opened to the abundance of your love.
May this season of Thanksgiving offer a reminder to be generous with others, as you are with
us.
We praise you.
We rejoice in you.
We give you thanks.
Amen
In October –we celebrate the virtue of empathy. God wants us to understand and care
about others.
An empathetic person…
Amen.
 listens when people speak
 notices when someone is upset and tries to help
 can name her/his feelings
 can see a situation from another person’s point of view
 accepts that others have different perspectives
“Life's most urgent question is:
what are you doing for others?”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION
We have had a busy start to the school year. A change in enrolment resulted in combined
classes being formed. The professional commitment of staff ensured that students
transitioning were welcomed into their new classrooms. Thank you to our staff for
providing the students with a smooth transition and our families for their understanding
and support.
We had a great turnout for our Open House on September 24 th, many families, our Trustee
Anna D’Silva and our community partners: Brampton Parks & Rec, Ontario Early Years, Peel
Children’s Centre, Brampton Library, PLASP and St. Anne’s Church were able to attend.
We would like to thank Mrs. Ellsworth who has been hired as a permanent teacher in our
Board, as well as Ms. Francescutto who has a long term occasional job at another
school. Congratulations to Mrs. Russo who will now be at St. Joachim as a permanent
teacher. Thank you to parents for your understanding in these transition times between
teachers as we are following Ontario Regulation 274/12 Hiring Practices (for more info:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_120274_e.htm).
In October, we pause and take time from our busy lives to celebrate Thanksgiving, a day
where we humbly count our blessings and give thanks for the bounty we enjoy. For us, as a
faith community, giving thanks to God takes centre stage as we realize the blessings we
enjoy in being able to make faith come alive in our school. On behalf of the Staff of St.
Joachim, we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving.
M. DiNunzio & I. Judd
14SEPTEMBER 201
1
October 2014
MEET THE TEACHER
The initial connection you make with your child’s
teacher at the beginning of the school year establishes a
line of communication which is key to the home and
school partnership. Thank you to all of the families who
attended our Meet the Teacher night. It was a huge
success with a beautiful evening for a BBQ. If you were
unable to attend or missed the presentation made by
teachers on “Learning Through Inquiry”, please look for
it on our website soon. www.dpcdsb.org/JOACH. Find
out if you are a ‘digital immigrant’ or a ‘digital native’!
CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The first meeting was held on Wednesday, October 1st
at 7 p.m. in the school library. At this time, our School
Advisory Council was elected. At this meeting, the 20132014 council formally concluded their term and our new
Council was selected. Sincere thanks are extended to all
members of last year’s council for their hard work and
dedication towards the betterment of our school
community.
We welcome our new council for the 2014-2015 school
year.
Co-chairs – Ms. Lomangino & Ms. Neuwirth-Mills
Treasurer – Ms. Griffith
Secretary – Ms. Auckbaraullee
OPACE Representative – Ms. Noel
Parish Representative – Ms. Palombo
Member at large – Ms. Otoo
Teacher Representative: Mme. Pollard
Administration – M. DiNunzio and I. Judd
Thank you to everyone who attended our meeting. Our
next meeting will be on Monday November 3rd at 7:00
p.m. All are welcome to attend.
LITTLE CAESAR’S PIZZA FUNDRAISER
Little Caesar Pizza Kits fundraiser is back! It offers a
quality meal at a great value! Every family member can
make their own masterpiece with their own favourite
toppings! What a perfect solution to quick and easy
dinners during the hustle and bustle of our everyday
lives! Have them on hand for practice nights, birthday
parties or entertaining guests! They’re fun to make and
delicious to eat!
Order forms with payment are due on Friday, October
10th. Pizza kits will be available for pick up on Tuesday,
October 21st between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Funds raised
will be used towards extracurricular school activities for
students (e.g. School clubs) and to support school
community events for students and families. Did you
know that if each student ordered just one pizza kit, we
will meet our goal and raise close to $3000 for our
school! Just one kit per student!
TERRY FOX RUN UPDATE
Thank you to all students, staff and parents for your
generous donations in raising money for cancer
research. This year we raised over $1100 to help find a
cure for cancer! It wasn’t quite enough to get the
teachers to have a pie in the face but it was the best we
have ever done! Way to go St. Joachim School!!! Thank
you to all students, staff and parents for your generous
donations in raising money for cancer research. This
year we raised over $1159 to help find a cure for
cancer! The following classes raised the most money
Mrs. Leon’s Grade 2 class $80 and Mrs. Zullo’s Grade 7
class $75.
ATTENDANCE
It is important for all students that we start the year off
right. Missing school can create gaps in learning that are
challenging to fill by sending work home. Since much of
the work is interactive and involves collaboration and
discussion, every effort should be made to have your child
attend school each day.
 Establish regular and consistent routines for getting
ready for school in the morning, for mealtimes,
homework, chores and bedtime. Children who are
organized and can follow rules are more successful in
school.
 Make sure that your child has plenty of sleep with a
bedtime appropriate for your child’s age. Experts
suggest that 4-6 year olds require 11 hours of sleep
in every 24 hour period. Older children require 9 to
10 hours per night. Memory and concentration are
known to deteriorate when children (and even
adults!) are tired.
 Establish routines while your children are young. If
at all possible, place the phone, television and
computer in a room other than your child’s bedroom.
LATE STUDENTS
LATES
As we start out the year, we have been experiencing a
large number of students arriving late for school each
day. Our goal is to significantly reduce the number of
2
October 2014
students arriving late. Students who are late, miss out on
class instruction. Please make every effort to have your
child arrive at school on time. Remember that they may
be dropped off at 8:45 in the schoolyard. Habitual lates
will be tracked and reported to parents through letters
and phone calls. Parents of chronically late students will
be contacted by our school social worker to discuss ways
to support getting to school on time.
RECESS
Recess breaks serve a special purpose in the daily life of
the school. Students are expected to go outside for fresh
air and exercise. If your child is sick and not well enough
to go outside, please keep him/her at home until they are
well. We do not have supervision available to keep them
in for recesses. This also prevents the risk of your child
spreading their illness throughout the classroom.
USING YOUR WITS
Conflict is a part of life. How we deal with it is a choice.
At St. Joachim, students are reminded daily to “use their
WITS”
W – Walk away
I – Ignore
T – Talk it out
S – Seek help
We are all working together to make St. Joachim a place
that is safe and happy for all students.
PEDICULOSIS (LICE)
This early in the school year, we would like to bring to
your attention a problem which occurs at some time in
most schools at least once a year. This problem is head
lice.
Head lice are parasites, which have been common among
human beings for centuries. They are not connected in
any way with dirt or neglect. Anyone can be infested with
them. Unfortunately, in recent years, they have become
quite common throughout North America. In order to
control these pests please contact your drug store for
information on how to properly treat them. Students are
not allowed back at school until all nits are gone.
Whenever a case is found in the school, a generic note is
sent to the affected classrooms to ask parents to check
their own child.
Even if cases are not reported from the school, it is a wise
precaution to check your children periodically.
Pediculosis is spread only by direct contact with a ‘case’
often through the sharing of combs and brushes and
exchanging of hats. It is hoped that parents and teachers
will be on the alert for excessive scratching and will
instruct the children regarding prevention.
COURTESY SEATING
The transportation department has only allocated one
bus for the population at St. Joachim. Many parents
have requested consideration for the empty seat policy.
At this time, we are in the process of allocating empty
seats to courtesy riders. As always, safety is our first
priority when allocating numbers on the bus. Students
are not allowed on the bus until STOPR gives
permission for them to start. You will be notified by the
school and students must have been issued a bus pass
in order to ride. French Immersion students who are
not in the St. Joachim boundary are not eligible for
busing or courtesy seats.
EMERGENCY PREPARATION
We have a detailed fire/emergency evacuation and lockdown policy. We will be practicing many times over the
course of the school year. You need to know that in case
we have to evacuate the school, our evacuation site is
Arnott Charlton Public School.
Just a reminder that all students must wear shoes in the
school building at all times. If the fire alarm goes off,
students will not be permitted to stop to put on shoes,
coats, hats etc. Their safety is our first priority. Please
ensure that your child has an extra pair of shoes at
school during the winter months.
NO WOWBUTTER PLEASE
Many parents have been asking about sending in Wow
Butter; a peanut free but peanut butter ‘look alike’
substance.
If a child with a life-threatening peanut allergy sees it,
they may experience anxiety and/or physical panic
reaction as a result of visually seeing the WOWBUTTER,
or at minimum, the child and his or her family members
may have safety concerns about the product being in
school. It can create significant challenges for teachers,
and especially students, to identify real peanut butter
from the substitute. If one student sees another with
WOWBUTTER, they may believe it is peanut butter, and
may take the message home that it is acceptable to bring
peanut butter, and may bring their own peanut butter to
school as a result. The presence of this look-alike can
create potential circumstances of bullying / threats
toward students with life-threatening peanut allergies.
3
October 2014
For the safety of all students, we thank you for not
sending WOWBUTTER to school.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
LUNCH MOMS
This year we will be continuing our lunch program called
Lunch Moms – on Wednesdays. Order forms have be sent
out. Students will have lots of choices and can pick either
a hot or cold lunch. If parents have any concerns about
the lunches or their order they should contact lunch
moms directly at (905) 461-KIDS (5437). If your child is
absent on one of these days please call the above
number before 8:00 a.m. that day.
MILK PROGRAM
We are continuing the milk program once again this year.
Students can order either chocolate or white milk in a
250mL carton. Orders are placed on a monthly basis. If
your child is away – we will hold onto the milk for one day.
PIZZA DAYS
Pizza day starts on Tuesday, October 7th and will be every
other Tuesday. We will be collecting money only once
for all these dates so please ensure money is handed in
on time.
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
In order for the school to store and/or administer
medications to students, your doctor must complete a
form provided by the school – ask at office for the
form(s). Students are not allowed to have medication of
any kind at school, unless it is stored in the office.
HEP B/HPV IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
Grade 7 students in Ontario will have the opportunity to
receive free Hepatitis B and Meningococcal Meningitis
Vaccine through school based immunization clinics. The
Grade 8 girls will receive the HPV vaccine at this same
time. The vaccine will be given to adolescents (11-15) as
a series of two injections. The clinic will be held on Friday,
October 10th, 2014.
Once again this year, we will be holding a school wide
Thanksgiving Food Drive with donations going to the
Knight’s Table. Please help us support our local
community by sending in nonperishable food items (no
peanut butter please).












Cereal
Cans of soup
Chicken broth
Rice
tuna
Pasta
Pasta Sauce
granola bars
fruit cups
pretzels
rice snacks
Condensed milk or Almond Milk
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks to God for his many
gifts to us. When we are called upon to help the less
fortunate in our community. As we reflect and give
thanks to God for all our gifts, by showing our love for God
by helping those in need. Thank you in advance for your
generosity and caring. *Note Thanksgiving food drive will
accept donations until October 16th, in the a.m.
CELEBRATING OUR FAITH
Please join us on Wednesday, October 15th at 1:15 at St.
Joachim as we celebrate the Mass with Father James. All
are welcome to attend.
We would also like to thank the Rosary Apostolate, a nonprofit association of volunteers in the community that
freely give of their time and talents to lead our students
in praying the rosary. “It is the wish of the Apostolate to
inspire children and youth to love God with the love of
Mary's heart by giving them the opportunity to
experience God's presence in prayer and establishing a
relationship with God and Mary.”
(taken from www.rosaryapostolate.com)
We are fortunate enough to have them in our school once
a month.
BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Breakfast club is back! Starting October 6th, students can
arrive through the Kiss and Ride doors to attend the
4
October 2014
Breakfast program. The program will run on all school
days and begin at 8:30. Students must have returned a
breakfast club registration form prior to attending. It will
run slightly differently than last year offering healthy
“grab and go” items such as bagels, muffins, cereal or
breakfast bars, yogurt, fruit, cream cheese, and juice.
Most items will be ‘grab and go’. Our program is
supported through the Breakfast for Kids organization
and donations. Please look for a note coming home about
the changes.
CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
It has been noted that many students are bringing cell
phones to school. Students are advised, if possible, to
leave their cell phones at home to eliminate distractions
in the classroom and reduce the opportunity for it to be
misplaced and/or stolen. If a cell phone rings at school
during the school day, it will be confiscated by the
teacher. If cell phones go missing, the school cannot be
responsible for them. If cellphones are brought to school
they should be off and out of sight during school hours.
Parents/guardians, please help by reviewing this with
your child.
KISS AND RIDE
If you are driving your child to and from school, 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 your car in the Kiss and
Ride Lanes as you can be fined by the City of Brampton
Parking Authority as this is also a designated fire route.
Please consider parking on a side street or walking to
school.
If you are not using Kiss and Ride, we ask that you
arrange to meet your child in another area of the yard
(perhaps near the doors where they exit) at dismissal
time. This will help to eliminate some of the congestion
in the Kiss and Ride area and allow students waiting to be
picked up by car to see when their ‘ride’ has arrived.
STUDENT ABSENCE
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) follow the prompts.
Leave the following information in your message:
1) Your Child’s name
2) Your Child’s teacher’s name
3) Date and time of absence
4) Reason and duration of absence
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM (IB) –
INFORMATION NIGHT THURSDAY OCTOBER 23RD
On October 23rd, there will be an information night for
parents interested in enrolling their children into the
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (for
Grade 8 students applying to Grade 9 Pre-IB). Time: 6:30
p.m. Location: Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School, 2
Notre Dame Avenue, Brampton (near Kennedy Road and
Bovaird Drive). Please visit the school’s website for
more details regarding the information night and the
program:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/NDAME/Guidance+Courses/IB+
Program/.
INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES PROGRAM
Elementary International Language Classes are available
to students in grades JK to 8.
Please register at the IL sites (listed below) on Saturdays.
Day schools do not accept registrations. Call 905-8919263.
There is continuous enrolment so it is not too late to
register. For more information please visit
www.dpcdsb.org/programs &
services/languages/international languages
BRAMPTON LOCATIONS INCLUDE: St. Kevin, Pauline
Vanier, St. Francis Xavier and St. Isaac Jogues.
DATES TO REMEMBER
October 6 – Breakfast Club and Milk Program Begin
October 10th – Junior Volleyball Mint Tournament @
Pearson
October 10 – Immunization Clinic Grades 7 & 8
October 13 – Thanksgiving Day – no school
October 15 – Thanksgiving Mass at St. Joachim
October 23 – Picture Re-take Day
October 31 – Happy Halloween
November 11 – Remembrance Day
Progress Reports Go Home
November 13 – Progress Report Interviews
November 15 - Dental Screening JK, SK, 2, 4, 6, 8
November 24 - School Screening Association (previously
called “SEE HEAR”
5
A Message from the Board
40 Matheson Boulevard West, Mississauga ON, L5R 1C5
(905) 890-1221 www.dpcdsb.org
September 30, 2014 Striving for the extraordinary! A message to Parents and Guardians on our continued EQAO success The recent release of EQAO results for Grades 3 and 6 reading, writing and mathematics, Grade 9 mathematics, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), show that Dufferin‐Peel has, once again, matched or exceeded the provincial averages in each assessment area. This marks the sixth consecutive year in which the percentage of our elementary students achieving or exceeding the provincial standard has equalled or exceeded the provincial averages. The Grade 9 test results and the OSSLT results represent the fifth straight year in which our secondary students exceeded the provincial performance. In fact, the Dufferin‐Peel secondary results were between 4% and 13% higher than the provincial averages. These results speak highly of our students and of you, their parents and guardians, who support their education. They are also a clear reflection of the high degree of professionalism and dedication of our teaching and support staff, the commitment of our administrators and of the board of trustees towards supporting all students and ensuring their well‐being and continuous achievement. In addition, they speak to the high level of collaboration, which to us, is reflective of a caring and committed Catholic school system. EQAO assessments and the OSSLT are just two forms of measurement. In the context of the goals of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, no single assessment provides a complete picture of student well‐being and/or achievement. However, as EQAO is used throughout the province to indicate student success, we take great satisfaction in our collective efforts to honour results that demonstrate that extraordinary lives are indeed growing with a great Catholic Education here in Dufferin‐Peel. And, while we reflect with pride on our success, we continue to be collectively committed to our moral purpose of supporting each and every student, from early years to vocation, through the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan, System Strategic Direction, Catholic Board Learning Plan and Catholic Board Corporate Plan. Congratulations to all on these very positive results and to the ongoing well‐being and success of our students. Thank you to all parents and guardians for choosing a Dufferin‐Peel Catholic education and for your contribution and support as we work towards the continued success and well‐being of all students. Mario Pascucci John B. Kostoff Chair of the Board Director of Education Extraordinary lives start with a great Catholic Education