St. Faustina School
April 2016
3420 McDowell Drive Mississauga, ON L5M 6R7
Tel. 905-821-2607
Website: www.dpcdsb.org/FAUST
Administrator’s Message
The month of April is upon us and St. Faustina, as always, continues to be a
faith-filled community. In the month of March, we celebrated the virtue of Kindness, and in April, we focus on the virtue of Love, as we continue to foster a
safe, caring, healthy and inclusive school community.
APRIL
Newsletter
DUFFERIN-PEEL C.D.S.B.
On Wednesday March 23rd and Tuesday March 29th, the grade 8 students
performed an excellent presentation of the Stations of the Cross. Our grade 8
students painted, wrote and presented the 14 stations to every class, it was a
remarkable accomplishment and we like to thank the Grade 8 students and
teachers: Mrs. Jones, Mr. Roma, Mr. Daly and Mme. Deguarra for all their great
efforts.
This month we welcome Ms. Fenech who is our new Needs Moderate Needs
Severe teacher and Ms. Kozak who is our afternoon FDK teacher in Mrs. Cannell’s class.
The community at St. Faustina would like to congratulate Fr. Mark who celebrates his 25th anniversary as a priest this year. We will honor Father Mark at
our Easter Mass on Tuesday April the 12th at 1:15 pm. We extend an open
invitation to all those who will like to celebrate mass and Father Mark’s grand
achievement.
As we come together as a community, we not only help others but also
strengthen our bond and caring for one another. Finally, on behalf the staff of
St. Faustina, we wish everyone a happy and joyous Easter Season.
Yours in Catholic Education,
A. Milanetti & E. Oliveira
A EASTER PRAYER
Inside this Issue:
- Catholic Education
- D.P.W.Z.
- Sports
- Falcons’ S.P.R.I.T.
Events
Lord,
the resurrection of Your Son
has given us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people
in pursuit of the Christian ideal.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do,
the will to want to do it,
the courage to undertake it,
the perseverance to continue to do it,
and the strength to complete it.
Amen.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
For the Catholic Church, education is not just about the transmission of knowledge
and the acquiring of skills and tools for success in life. While Catholic education does
include formal religious education classes, it is so much more. It includes the open
expression and celebration of faith and opportunities for a relationship with God
through the entire syllabus of the school.
SACRAMENTS
First Communion
Congratulations to our Grade 2 students who celebrated their Sacrament of Reconciliation on February 25, 2016.
Sixth Gathering is on April 17th at 10 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Secondary School
First Communion is on May 22nd at 3 p.m. at the parish of Merciful Redeemer
Confirmation
Grade 8 Confirmation is on April 29th, 2016 at the parish of Merciful Redeemer
Grade 7 Confirmation is on May 27, 2016 at the parish of Merciful
Redeemer
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
As you may know, Catholic Education Week will occur on May 1-6, 2016. This years
theme is “Opening Doors of Mercy”. Our students will be involved in a variety of activities highlighting Catholic Education. Look for our Catholic Education Week Brochure in
the upcoming weeks with more information.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAY—Monday
April 11, 2016
Terms of the recent contract settlement between the teacher federations and
the Ministry of Education included the provision of an additional Professional
Activity Day for the 2015-2016 school year for both elementary and secondary schools. Recently, boards were directed to schedule this additional Professional Development Day on or before April 15, 2016.
ONTARIO CATHOLIC SCHOOL
GRADUATE EXPECTATIONS
In the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, the designated addi- I CARE!
tional Professional Activity Day has been scheduled for Monday, April 11,  I love God, myself and my family
2016.
 I care about and respect my ‘family’ at
school, an Church, in the community, and
Therefore, there will be no classes for either elethe world
mentary or secondary students on Monday, April
 I care about and respect God’s creation
11, 2016.
and everything in it
Thank you for your attention to this addition to the
2015-16 School Year Calendar.
A P R I L 20 1 6
Because I care, I pray for all my families,
and I will live my life like Jesus.
Page 2
ECOSCHOOL REPORT
The Great Gulp.
On Wednesday March 21st, 2016 all students at St. Faustina participated in The Great Gulp, which is a synchronized drink of tap
water by all students and staff. The event created a memorable learning experience where students had the opportunity to learn
about tap water in the Region of Peel.
Eco Days!
Monday and Friday: Car-Free/Walk to School and Makeover Mondays, Recycling Day
All students are encouraged to walk, ride a bike, or skateboard to school. During the spring months, why not walk to school; get
some exercise, fresh air and interact with your neighbours! On Mondayafternoons, eco-reps check, record, and empty classroom
recycling bins along with exciting music played over the PA system!
Tuesday and Thursday: Litterless Lunch
All students are encouraged to pack a lunch with 3 or more reusable containers, including a water bottle (litterless!!). All hallway
drinking fountains have water-bottle filler attachments, so students can refill their water bottle easily! Please remind your child that
if they don’t finish their lunch, they can re-pack it in their reusable container and take it home to eat it later---avoid uneaten
lunches in the garbage and be mindful of those who less fortunate.
Thursday: Litterless Lunch
Friday: Car-Free/Walk to School
EARTH DAY - Friday April 22, 2016
People all over the world will take part to show their appreciation for the planet and work together towards enacting change. Earth Day is an opportunity to show how important the environment is to you. Earth Day is also about uniting voices across the globe to collectively support a healthy
planet.
As individuals we have the power to change the world we live in. Making small changes to our everyday routines can make an enormous positive
difference to our environment.
Here are some basic ways you can help improve the planet:
- taking shorter showers
- stop buying bottled water and use a reusable container instead
- replacing regular light bulbs with fluorescent ones
- turning off computers at night
- using rechargeable batteries
- hanging clothes to dry
- using re-useable bags instead of plastic bag
- recycling newspapers/flyers
- composting kitchen waste
- paying bills online (cancelling paper statements)
- buying local foods
- buy foods in bulk instead of individual packages (ie. cookies)
- pack your child’s lunch using re-useable containers only - walking/cycling or carpooling to work/school
- plant native species in your garden
It is easy to forget or even ignore the environmental problems facing our planet. All the while, pollution is running rampant; the air we
breathe and our rivers and lakes are becoming increasingly polluted. Earth Day brings awareness to the issues surrounding our
planet, and enlightens us to ways we can help reverse damages done to our environment.
It is time for us to be responsible individuals and stop misusing and overusing our natural resources. Let's do our part to ensure our
children grow up in an environment that is cleaner and safer then the one we live in.
A P R I L 20 1 6
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BRINGING YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL—D.P.W.Z.
Designated Parent
Waiting Zone
It is wonderful that so many parents and guardians accompany their children to school. The Designated Parent Waiting Zone
(D.P.W.Z.) is located in the gravel area just south of the portables and on the path south of the soccer field. We ask that parents and
guardians drop off their children in the school yard area. If parents and guardians would like to wait until the bell rings, please wait in
the D.P.W.Z. Your help and support in keeping the children safe is appreciated.
SCHOOL LATE POLICY
It is very important that students arrive to school on time and ready to work, as late arrivals disrupt instructional activities and classroom routines. We respectfully request that whether students walk or are driven to school, that they are at school before the bell rings
at 9 am. Once the bell has rung, students who come in through the front doors must get a late slip form the front office. Students
should not arrive before 8:45 a.m. since there is no Yard Supervision until that time. We thank you for your continued support.
REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES
Daily attendance and punctuality are very important. Thank you to all parents who have been calling the school when your child has
been absent due to an illness or an appointment. Please continue to report a student absence, to the school at 905-821-2607 and
press 1 for attendance. If you are leaving a message, please Speak Clearly, indicate the date, SPELL your child’s name and
indicate your child’s teacher, grade and reason for absence.
INDOOR/OUTDOOR SHOES
In order to keep our students warm and comfortable and to help keep their workplace clean, please ensure that your child has a pair
of “indoor shoes.” This will reduce the amount of dirt and mud brought indoors. It will also assist our custodial staff in keeping our
school clean.
W.I.T.S.
St. Faustina School has continued to use the WITS program. This is a program aimed at helping students learn
strategies to deal with problem situations appropriately and independently.
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KISS ‘N’ RIDE PROGRAM
The Dos:

Children are to be dropped off or picked up, using the drop off lane between the hours of 8:45 and 9:00 am and 3:30-3:45 pm.

Full day Kindergarten children will be able to be picked up at 3:15 pm to alleviate volume and traffic flow at the end of
the day. As cars enter the school driveway, please turn right and proceed in a slow and cautious manner, around the perimeter of our parking lot. The drop off and pick up lane is directly in front of the kindergarten yard. Students are no longer
dropped off or picked up in front of the school. This lane is reserved for buses only.

Children are to exit the car in a safe and careful manner, with their backpacks ready to avoid a long wait time in the drop off lanethe children will be assisted by a teacher if assistance is required. Children are to exit the vehicle on the right side of the car,
onto the landing, for safety purposes.

Cars are to exit the driveway in a slow and cautious manner and are encouraged turn right in order to ease the flow of
traffic.
The Don’ts:

Cars are not to enter the Kiss and Ride drop-off lane with any speed-they must proceed in a very slow and cautious manner

Cars are not to stop at the entrance of the driveway and let children out-this is a very dangerous and unsafe practice
Please do not attempt to move into the drop-off lane from the drive thru lane, unless directed by a teacher.

Under no circumstances are cars to access the bus lane or park in the bus lane; if you need to enter the school, please use the
parking lot

Do not in park in front of the school in the bus lane. Students are to be dropped off at the Kiss n’ Ride
‘n’
STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region)
STOPR is providing bus transportation services for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. The STOPR website address
is www.stopr.ca. This website provides access to up to date information regarding delayed buses and bus cancellations due to
inclement weather. To check for eligibility for transportation, please access the following website: businfo.stopr.ca.
STOPR Telephone Contact Information:
Transportation West: 905 890-0614
ST. FAUSTINA IS AN ALLERGEN AWARE SCHOOL
Please be mindful that many students in our school have severe life threatening allergic reactions to peanuts, peanut butter, peanut
oils, tree nuts, legumes, eggs, fish and other foods and substances – we ask that you are careful when providing lunches and snacks
for your child(ren) and their classes. As in the past, a written communication is sent home to parents of children notifying them of the
nature of a life-threatening allergy when it is specific to their child’s classroom.
Board policy also dictates that all food taken to school must be consumed indoors (this includes snacks, lunches, etc.). Time will be
provided for children to consume their snacks and lunches within their classrooms. Your continued cooperation in support of our efforts to create a safe and healthy learning environment for all is greatly appreciated.
A P R I L 20 1 6
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Dental Health
On the 18th and 19th of April a Peel Public Health registered dental hygienist and certified dental assistant will be visiting St. Faustina to provide a free dental screening for
our FDK, grade 2 and grade 8 students. An information package has already been sent
home, if parents do not want your child to receive a dental screening please fill out and return the dental package to your child’s teacher.
INTERMEDIATE BASKETBALL
The Intermediate Boys and Girls Basketball teams will kick off their seasons on April 14th versus St. Bernard. They have been practicing their skills and are eager to begin their quest for a championship. The coaches are very impressed with
their dedication and team work. We wish them the best of luck in upcoming games. Go Falcons!!. Please refer to the school calendar for the teams scheduled games.
Thank you to the coaches Mr. Roma, Mr. Daly and Mr. Boles.
EQAO PRIMARY AND JUNIOR ASSESSMENTS
The Gr. 3 and 6 students will be writing the primary and junior EQAO assessments in the month of May. The specific dates of the
assessments are: May 25 - June 8. We kindly request that parents avoid scheduling appointments or other absences, for students,
involved in the assessments, during this period of time.
Thank you to parents of students in Grades 3 and 6 who joined us for an EQAO Information Session school on Wednesday, April 6
at 6:45 p.m. We appreciate the support of the community coming out on a rainy evening to assist our learners on the journey of
learning.
Eye See … Eye Learn!
Your child may have a vision problem.
And with 80% of their learning being done through their eyes, vision issues can have a severe
impact on your child’s ability to learn.
Parents will not often be able to detect a problem. Signs and symptoms can be subtle. Children rarely know that they have a vision problem, and they can’t always tell you what they
see. Make sure they can see to the best of their ability by getting them a comprehensive eye
exam by an optometrist.
Eye exams and follow-ups are covered under OHIP for children under 19 years-old, so there are no out-of-pocket costs.
Just show your Ontario Health card.
For this year’s Year One Kindergarten students, the Eye See…Eye Learn® program offers one complementary pair of
glasses with their OHIP-covered eye exam, if prescribed by a participating optometrist.
Learn more at www.EyeSeeEyeLearn.ca.
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CROSSING GUARD AND STREET SAFETY REMINDERS
Please be mindful of the following rules when crossing and parking on the street:
1. Please obey the traffic rules
2. Park where you are supposed to park your car, do not park it illegally.
3. Cross where you are supposed to cross the street, following Sam’s (our crossing guard) directions
.
These basic rules will help ensure the safety of our students and all in the community.
NEW RULES AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSOVERS AND SCHOOL CROSSINGS
Starting January 1st, 2016, drivers (including cyclists) must stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers and at school crossings where
there is a crossing guard displaying a school crossing stop sign. These rules apply at pedestrian crossovers identified with specific signs, road markings
and lights – the new rules do not apply to pedestrian crosswalks at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, unless a school crossing guard is
present. Drivers and cyclists must wait until children, school crossing guards and all pedestrians have completely crossed the road!
Family Activity Night
Attention all families with students in grades kindergarten to Grade 4.
St. Faustina will be holding its first-ever Family Activity Night on Thursday, May 5, 2016. Families are invited to join together at the
school for an evening of fun and learning.
There will be three areas of activity: healthy eating, physical activity and quiet time for families to spend together to create a takehome item.
Letters and response forms will be coming home soon. Watch for them!!
CLASS PLACEMENTS-SEPTEMBER 2016
The staff of St. Faustina will meet during the month of May to begin discussing an appropriate placement for each student for September, 2016. If you have any concerns about your child’s class placement for September, please document your concerns formally, in writing, addressed Mrs. Milanetti and/or Mr. Oliveira. Please refrain from making a request for a specific teacher as
staffing is always tentative and changes can and often do take place between the time of tentative class placement and September. Therefore requests for specific teachers will not be considered. In your letter, you may wish to describe the learning style of
your child (i.e. visual, auditory, hands-on) and the programming he/she may require to best meet his/her needs. Our decisions are
made after careful consideration of all relevant information and are based on the individual strengths and needs of each child.
Please forward any letters of this nature to the office by Friday May 27th, 2016.
FACLONS’ S.P.I.R.I.T.
Mark your calendars for some few more Falcons’ S.P.I.R.I.T. (Students Participating In Recreational Interests Together) events.
The purpose of all S.P.I.R.I.T. events is to bring students, families, and the school community together through various extracurricular
events. All S.P.I.R.I.T. events will be family oriented and will require any student participating in them to be accompanied by their parent or guardian.
The next Falcons’ S.P.I.R.I.T. event will take place in May 28 at the Rogers Centre to watch the Toronto Blue Jays game. We are
also planning for a Falcons’ S.P.I.R.I.T. Event for BMO Field to watch the Toronto FC in June. More details about both events will
be released in the near future.
A P R I L 20 1 6
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St. Faustina School
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Principal
The St. Faustina Catholic School Council is comprised of parents, school faculty members (teaching and non-teaching) and an appointed parish community representative.
Vice Principal
All our invited to our next Catholic School Council (CSC) meeting on Wednesday,
April 201h at 7:00 p.m. in the school library.
A. Milanetti
E. Oliveira
Head Secretary
C. Walters
Assistant Secretary
P. DeSousa
ARE YOU MOVING?
Head Custodian
S. Rochon
School Council Chair
J. Van der Zee-Poelking
Dufferin-Peel CDSB
Personnel
Director of Education
M. Mazzorato 905-890-1221
Associate Director
John Hrajnik 905-890-1221
Associate Director
At this time, next year’s school population has been projected
at 483 students. As planning has begun with respect to formulating classes and general school organization for the
2016-2017 school year, please inform the office as soon as
possible if you are planning to move between now and September 2016. Also, if you have already moved and not informed the office of your new address, please do so immediately as our school records must be accurate at all times.
ST. FAUSTINA IS ON TWITTER
Follow us @StFaustDPCDSB
For the latest board news and information, follow
DPCDSB @DPCDSBSchools
S. McWatters 905-890-1221
Superintendent
T. Cruz 905-890-1221
Trustee
HATS OFF !
A THANK YOU…

To those parents who remember to telephone in their child’s absence to (905)
821-2607

To those parents who remember to send a note with their child if they are going to
be dismissed early

To those parents who remember not to send medication of any type with their
child to school unless proper forms are completed

To those parents who refrain from sending nut products or snacks that may contain nuts to school

To those parents who follow our Kiss and Ride Protocol and help us maintain a
safe procedure for children

To all the parents who have supported the various charity initiatives we have had

To all the parents who help to make sure their children arrive at school on time
and prepared for a successful day of learning

To all the parents who are supporting us in keeping our school yard safe for all
students in the morning by dropping off your chilld(ren) and refraining from staying
in the school yard

To all the parents who support their children with the completion of homework, in
an effort to reinforce the learning that is happening within the classroom
E. O’Toole 905-812-5163
Parish
St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
Temporarily located at St. Joan of
Arc Secondary School
3801 Thomas St.
Parish Office: 289-997-2105
Pastoral Team
Fr. Mark Villanueva