Mary Fix October Newsletter
Learning & Living Through God
486 Paisley Blvd. West
Mississauga, Ontario
L5B 2M4
(905)270-3140 Fax:
(905)270-3475
www.dpcdsb.org/
MAFIX
A Thanksgiving Prayer
Principal: C. Duke
Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to
each other in the human family. Thank you for being with
us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our
sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you
for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our
lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May
we live this and every day conscious of all that has been
given to us.
Amen
Assistant: M. Kivell
Head Custodian:
V. Didio
Pastor: Fr. Lando
(905)272-1454
Trustee: B. Iannicca
(905)270-0536
Superintendent:
D. Amaral
(905)890-1221
-Msgr M. Buckley
October Virtue—Empathy
God has given us the ability to form connections with each other
– to live together. Empathy helps us to connect and live together in safe, caring, inclusive communities.
We understand empathy to mean the ability to identify with and
feel other people’s concerns. We believe that in a faith
community we are nothing without relationships—relationships
that grow in the spirit of communion and in understanding that
we share in an identity that we are created in the image and
likeness of God.
It was a pleasure to meet so many of you at our Open House.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome. We hope that you
were able to connect with your child’s teacher and encourage
you to stay connected with what is happening in our school
community and in your child(ren)’s classroom.
We wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.
God bless
C. Duke—Principal
New Staff Allocation for 2014-15
We would like to thank all of you for your
patience and co-operation with reorganization.
FDK
FDK
Grade 1
Grade 1/2
Grade 2/3
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 7/8
Grade 8
SERC Teacher
SERT/ESL/MUSIC
Librarian
FSL
Planning
ERW
CYW
D. Belisle & A. Leja
L. Nucci & J. Gaudencio
J. Burgess
M. Porco
L. Dinga
G. Senra
K. Cartwright
J. Telfeyan
T. Molella
P. Hanson
S. Chornous
K. Patten
T. Coombes
J. Buhajczyk
C. Murphy
M. Fera & S. Severin
R. Franzone-Cadete
V. Milicevic
E. Wiseman
PARENT INFORMATION
Student Information
We thank all families who completed and
returned the Student Verification Forms
promptly. These forms are very important as
they ensure that we always have up to date
information for your child. If you have not
already done so, please send this form back to
your child’s teacher. Please check phone
numbers, etc. carefully so we always have the
most up to date information should we need
to contact you. Don’t forget to include your
email address if you wish to receive this newsletter and other communications electronically.
Please make sure that you advise the office of
any additional changes to contact information,
Visitors to the School
All visitors to the school are welcome.
Front door entry is monitored. In addition, to ensure
the safety of all students and staff, visitors must
sign in and wear a visitor tag or relevant
identification. Please check in with the office upon
entry.
NO Dogs on School Property
Criminal Reference Check
If you wish to volunteer your services in the
school, transport students and/or assist on trips
you must submit a Criminal Reference Check (CRC). Applications
are available in the office and are of NO COST to you. All
parents with valid CRC’s must complete a Criminal Offence
Declaration (COD) every year. All originals are kept on file in
the office.
Parking &
Kiss N Ride
If you are parking on the street, please observe all signs, especially
close to the driveway entrance, exit and the crosswalk and stop sign
on Paisley Blvd. We want to ensure that students are safe as they
walk across the street at the crosswalk.
During inclement weather please continue to observe the Kiss & Ride
protocol. The Kiss & Ride lane is supervised - drive to the top of the
lane and your child will exit from the passenger side and be escorted
from your car. Please do not PARK and EXIT your car—this blocks the
lane for use by others. The Bus lane is never open to parents/
guardians dropping off their children as this creates a hazard for
students and volunteers. Please feel free to use the designated
parking lot located at the side of the school. Parent parking is not
permitted in the front of the school. That area is designated for
teacher parking also, reversing from those parking spots causes
traffic for our Kiss N Ride and pass through lane. Students and
parents are encouraged to utilize the side walks and to not walk
through the parking lot.
Attendance
When dropping off your students in the morning, there is a teacher
on duty in the FDK yard and at the back of the school. Parents often
enjoy waiting with their children until students have entered the
building. We are asking all parents, guardians or caregivers to please
wait off to the back area where the field meets the pavement. Not
all staff members or new students are familiar with the adults on
the property.
Please call the school if your child is going to
be absent. This is vital to ensure the safety of
your child. Automated Attendance Line:
Although you may be familiar with the school, there are quite a few
new members to the school and we want to encourage parents and
students to follow the safety protocol.
For the safety of our students, parents, guardians and
staff please do not bring dogs on school property when
you are picking up or dropping off students. Thank you
for helping keep the school environment safe.
(905) 270-3140, extension 1
Please provide your child’s name, grade,
teacher name and the reason for absence.
Traffic Safety
TIMES
Kiss & Ride: the safe way
THINK SAFET Y F IR ST
Taking your time means preventing accidents!
SLOW DOW N — BE PAT IEN T
W
hile walking remains the best option for students to get to
school, some parents will, for a variety of reasons, choose
to drive their children in their vehicle. In such cases, the safest
way to drop off children is to use the Kiss & Ride program on
school property.
Kiss & Ride operates
each weekday morning at
more than 100 schools across
Mississauga. It allows for the
delivery of the child to the
school door or playground
under the supervision of school
staff and/or parent volunteers.
The vehicle enters the school
driveway stopping at the designated drop area. The child exits the car safely on the sidewalk
side and the parent, without ever exiting the vehicle, then leaves
school property confident that their child has safely reached his/
her destination. At most school sites, school bus delivery occurs
simultaneously, using a separate designated bus lane. The use of
on-site pavement markings and signage assists in guiding parents
into the appropriate “Kiss & Ride” lane.
If you would like to volunteer with the Kiss & Ride at your
school, please contact your principal directly. Outstanding volunteers and staff who help
monitor the Kiss & Ride
KISS & RIDE REMINDERS:
Program on a regular
• Parents - never get out of your
basis at Mississauga
vehicle while using the Kiss & Ride.
schools are eligible to
• Students - always exit the vehicle on
receive the WildeWood
the curb side, away from traffic.
Volunteer Award at a
City Council meeting.
To initiate a Kiss & Ride program at your school, contact
Mississauga Traffic Safety Council. E-mail: traffic.safety@
mississauga.ca.
Mississauga Traffic Safety Council provides each school that
is starting up the program with a safety kit including a cone, stop
sign, safety vests and an information package with a Kiss & Ride
video. Members of TSC also offer ongoing assistance as needed
once the program has been implemented.
A child’s view of traffic
We often think that our children are equipped to handle traffic situations when they have learned and can repeat safety rules. However,
consider this:
• Children in Kindergarten to Grade 3 have difficulty imagining that
there is a need to assess traffic because in their minds the world is
their playground.
• Children perceive wider streets as dangerous and narrower streets
as safe.
• Children perceive that bigger cars travel faster than smaller cars.
• Telling children traffic rules does not lead to safer behaviour, but
walking and negotiating traffic with them may improve their traffic
skills when they are older.
• There are 26 judgment skills needed to cross a street safely. Until
children are about 8 years of age it is difficult for them to assess if a
car or bus is even moving.
• Because of their lower eye levels, a child’s field of vision is easily
obstructed by parked cars, utility poles, newspaper stands, real
estate signs, etc.
—From: Canadian Institute of Child Health – www.cich.ca
The Traffic Safety Times is a publication of the Traffic Safety Council (TSC), an advisory committee of the Council of the City
of Mississauga. TSC considers matters related to the safety of students and makes recommendations to Council designed and
intended to protect elementary and secondary students from the dangers of vehicular traffic and related hazards.
www.mississauga.ca/trafficsafetycouncil
PARENT INFORMATION
Celebrating Birthdays
Celebrating birthdays with friends is important to all. At
school we announce the birthdays of all students on a daily
basis and invite the birthday child to come to the office to
pick up a birthday bookmark to acknowledge their special
day.
Some families choose to have special celebrations and invite
friends to their homes, or out to a special location for parties.
We do have requests from some parents that birthday treats
be shared with classmates. We are happy to assist with the
sharing of NON FOOD treats ONLY.
Due to a significant number of students who suffer from life
threatening allergies, we are asking you to refrain from
sending food to be shared with classmates.
When we have special occasions to mark, such as Halloween,
Christmas and Valentine‘s day, teachers will communicate
with you about the events planned for your child‘s class. You
may be invited to send a special treat for your own child to
enjoy.
Open House
A special thanks to M & M Meats for hosting our
Open House and for School Council who
helped organize this welcoming event. We
hope that you were able to connect with your
child’s teacher and take a tour with your
child(ren) through Mary Fix. Thanks to all those
community members who contributed to our St.
Vincent De Paul food drive. During this season
of giving it is important to remember those who
are less fortunate and in need of food.
We will continue to take donations for the
Thanksgiving season. All non-perishable items
are welcome. There is a large bin in our front
foyer for drop off.
Fundraiser : Lamontagne Chocolates
Our chocolate fundraiser is well underway.
Students demonstrated their school spirit for
DPCDSB is on Twitter! For the latest board
news and information, follow us
@DPCDSBSchools.
School Website & E-Newsletter
Newsletters, Calendars and other relevant Information
will be posted on the Mary Fix website at:
www.dpcdsb.org/MAFIX
The school must receive permission (renewed
annually) to collect and use personal email addresses.
Email addresses will remain strictly confidential. Paper
copies of all communications will continue to be
available.
this initiative by wearing false mustaches on
Monday afternoon. We thank all those parents
and students who have been selling chocolates
to support our school. We will be wrapping up
by October 7th. Please be sure to send back
all unsold chocolates and money back to the
school by this date. Your continued support
is greatly appreciated,
Mary Fix School Council
October 2014
Mary Fix is proud to be a GOLD certified Eco School! This year,
the Eco-Team will continue to work very hard at maintaining
or exceeding this standard of excellence. Wednesday, October
8th is iwalk day, where students all over the world will be
walking or wheeling to school on their bikes or scooters. As
part of our School Travel Plan, the Eco-Team is officially
launching “Walking / Wheeling Wednesdays” on this day. We
encourage everyone to walk, or wheel to school every
Wednesday to keep our bodies healthy and the air we breathe
clean.
Did you know that School lunches are a major source of waste
in Ontario – the average student’s lunch generates a total of 30
kg of waste per school per year? Our waste auditors are
passionate about informing staff and students about our
recycling habits and reducing the amount of garbage we
generate at school. As part of our waste minimization plan this
year, we encourage all students to bring wasteless lunches to
school on a daily basis. To kick off this initiative, Mary Fix will
be participating in the province wide Waste-Free Lunch
Challenge of the Recycling Council of Ontario the week of
October 20th. Waste-free lunches consist of: a reusable lunch,
bag, refillable water bottle, reusable containers for food and
reusable cutlery. Thank you kindly for your support with this
initiatve.
Mrs. Nucci, Mrs. Gaudencio & the Mary Fix Eco Team
ANNOUNCEMEN TS
School Council News
We would like to thank all those who were able to
make our first council meeting Thursday,
September 18th. Congratulations to Council
members who were elected to the following positions:
Co-Chair: Rose Galluzzo
Co-Chair: Alyssa Orme
Secretary: Lucy Ieraci
Treasurer: Carla Henriques
OAPCE Rep: Renatta Quattrociocchi
Teaching Rep: Jennifer Telfeyan
Non-Teaching Rep: Meredith Kivell
Halloween
Students may choose to wear a
costume or wear orange and black
to school on October 31st. There
are some requirements that must
be followed by all:
SAFETY is the first consideration.
Students must be able to
participate in all regular school
activities, including recess while in
their costume.

Costumes can be worn to
school. Students will not have
an opportunity to change at
school

No masks are to be worn

No props should be brought to
school

Costume theme must be non
violent and non threatening

The school cannot assume any
responsibility for wear and tear
on costumes
Fundraising Rep: Barbra Turini
Parish Rep: Mariecel Schaeffner
Parent Reps; Nellie Brum
Elvira Speziale
Laura Blank
MariannaNavarra
Patty Borg
All members of our parent community are welcome
to attend School Council meetings and volunteers
are always welcome to help out for school events.
You can view the approved minutes of our council
meetings on the school website. Meeting minutes
are always approved at the next month’s meeting.
The following School Council meetings are set for:
November 5th, December 10th, February 4th, April
8th and June 3rd. All meetings are held in the
library and begin at 7pm. Please join us!
The School Council will be hosting
a DJ Halloween dance for all
students in the gym.
Please do not send treats for your
child to share.
UPDATES
EQAO RESULTS 2013-2014
Below are the school results on the Primary and Junior
EQAO Reading, Writing and Mathematics. The chart
shows the percentage of Mary Fix students in grades 3 and
6 the grade who scored at and above the provincial
standard. Parents of these students have received their
child‘s individual results. Should you have any questions
please feel free to call the school. You can access a
detailed report online at : www.eqao.com Individual
student reports were sent home with students at the end of
September.
Gr. 3 Reading
Gr. 3 Writing
Gr. 3 Math
83%
70%
57%
Gr. 6 Reading
Gr. 6 Writing
Gr. 6 Math
85%
65%
24%
Participation in the Consolidation Through Joint Work
Initiative and Program Support for Literacy focus last year
supported and assisted in increasing our scores in Reading
and Writing. Although Math scores declined throughout the
province Dufferin Peel continues to go beyond the
Provincial standard. This year our CSLP (Catholic School
Learning Plan) will support Numeracy.
High School Updates:
Mary Fix Grade 8 students will travel to St. Martin S.S. on Wednesday, November 8 for their first visit.
October 2014—Secondary School Information Sessions
St. Francis Xavier S.S.—International Baccalaureate Program
Oct. 15, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Loyola Catholic S.S.
Oct. 21, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
St. Joseph S.S.—Regional Advanced Placement Program
Oct. 21, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Cardinal Leger S.S.
Oct. 22, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Notre Dame Catholic S.S.—International Baccalaureate Program
Oct. 23, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
International Student Program
Oct. 23, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
St. Joan of Arc Catholic S.S.
Oct. 30, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
INTERNATIONAL
Student Programs
DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC INSTITUTE
FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
INFORMATION NIGHT
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
in collaboration with the
Canadian Education Exchange Foundation,
University of Toronto Mississauga
and Newcomer Centre of Peel
is pleased to invite students, parents, guardians, teachers and administrators
to an International Education information session on:
Thursday, October 23, 2014
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Learning Centre
3566 South Common Court, Mississauga
Information regarding the International Student Program, the new Summer ESL Credit
Program for International Students, our Student Exchange Program, and community
supports available to newcomers, will be shared. Full details of the various programs
and opportunities will be provided by several guest speakers and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Our current International Students and their families are
encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Rita Borg
at 905-412-3341 ext. 31460 or visit
www.dpcdsb.org
Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District
School Board
FAITH
TERRY FOX RUN
The students and parents at Mary Fix Catholic School demonstrate their commitment
to faith by supporting the Terry Fox Walk-A-Thon. At last year’s event the students
raised over $372 for the Walk for Terry. This year our grade three teacher, Mrs. Senra,
who organized this year’s event volunteered to have a large bucket of ice water to be
poured over her, as well as our grade seven teacher Mr. Hanson if the students raised
over $500. Mrs. Duke also volunteered to have a pie thrown in her face if the students
raised over $800. Money was collected throughout the week and the excitement was
rising as the students worked hard to see their teachers and principal meet their fate.
Each day prior to the event students gave information about Terry Fox’s accomplishments over the PA, they put posters throughout the school and made a large wall sized
map to show Terry Fox’s journey. On Friday, September 26th, the students at Mary
Fix walked the perimeter of the school in support for the Walk for Terry. Students
gathered in the gym for a presentation and were congratulated for their commitment
to the cause and their school spirit. The students were excited to receive the news that
they raised $907, an amazing effort, especially since the school community is currently
at 286 students. The students and staff gathered outside to see Mrs. Senra and Mr.
Hanson get ‘iced’. Both were great sports. Finally, Mrs. Duke took a pie to the face as
the students cheered. We are grateful for all the community support and for those who
were able to volunteer. With support like this, cancer will some day be beat!! Great job
Mary Fix!!!!
The students cheered as Mr. Hanson, Mrs. Senra and Mrs. Duke fulfilled their
promises! It was worth it!!!
FAITH
School Travel Planning
News—STP
Last Spring, Mary Fix received a wall
mount map of walking and biking
routes in our neighborhood courtesy
of the Region of Peel. STP student
representatives (Marco R., Erika B.,
Isabella I., and Paul H.) visited each
class and explained to students what
it was and how to use it. Many students were interested in finding their
street and realizing all the possible
routes to school and time needed to
get to school, depending on their
method of transportation. Some classes labeled their streets with their initials using the wipe board markers,
and looked on the map to see where
they lived in proximity to their friends.
Others traced their fingers on the
routes and paths, and kindergarten
students drove hot wheel cars along
the many paths. Teachers used it to
teach primary students street names
in the community and encouraged
them to learn their address. Overall,
the response from students was that
it was a “cool” map to have in our
school. The map hangs in the front
entrance of the school for all visitors
to see when they enter. Be sure to
check it out next time you are at
school! October 5th will be our kick
off for International Walk to School
Day. All students are encouraged to
walk to school and take in the fresh
air and exercise.
Virtue Winners of
FAITH
JK/SK-A
JK/SK-B
1-A
1/2-A
2/3-A
3-A
4-A
5-A
6-A
Justin C.
Nena I.
Esther L.
Sonia W.
Alana G.
Lucas C.
Maddox B.
Bryanna H.
Joshua C.
Layla M.
Marissa S.
Sebastian W.
Sydney R.
Norbert W.
Matthew P.
Rebecca Q.
Matthew D.
Aynsley G.
Meaghan M.
7-A
Korissa G.
Ewelina K.
7/8-A
Stephanie L.
8-A
Suely P.
Rochelle D.
Helky H.
Congratulations to our
September winners!
Volume 1
Web Resources:
Primary: En Garde Duel Game
www.mathisfun.com
Junior: Estimation Valley Golf
www.mathfrog.ca
+Intermediate: How High?
www.wiredmath.ca (gr. 7)
Family Math Activity
K-3
Estimation
Estimating develops a sense of number and is
consolidated through practice and reflection.
This also develops risk-taking, problem
solving, and the idea that there is a range of
possible answers.
With your child, fill a jar with an item you can find around the house (buttons,
macaroni, coins, jelly beans, etc.). Family members take turns estimating how many
items there are in the jar. Take out a hand full and count them, then ask if anyone
would like to change their estimate. Finally, count the items in the jar. Whose
estimate was the closest?
Grades 4-6
Estimate how many bags of milk your family will need for the week. At the end of the
week, count up the number of bags you actually used. Estimate the time needed for a
trip. If the trip is expected to take 25 minutes, when do you have to leave? Estimate the
distance of a trip or a walk. How close were you? Did you use the best measure (metres,
kilometres)?
Need extra help in Grade 7 or 8 math?
Visit the Homework Help website for free help from Ontario certified teachers. On this site, students have
access to live chat rooms between the hours of 5:30-9:30 from Sunday to Thursday and 24/7 resources such
as videotaped lessons and interactive tutorials. Homework Help is ideal for understanding homework,
reviewing lessons, studying for tests, and searching math topics.
Register today at https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/. All you need to register is your
student OEN number which is found on your report card.
If you have additional questions, please contact your classroom teacher.
“This is the best! Every time I get stuck the tutors are so patient that, well, it makes it easier to
understand. I am going to tell everyone I know to use this site, it works!!!
Grade 7 Student, April 2012
Elementary Program Team
2012
PEEL’S SCHOOL TRAVEL PLANNING PILOT PROGRAM
School Travel Planning (STP) brings together school administrators, teachers, parents, students
and members of the community (e.g. police officers, traffic engineers, planners, public health
nurses, and others) to address transportation-related issues and promote walking and cycling for
the trip to/from school.
What are the benefits?
• Increasing the number of physically active students
• Reducing traffic congestion around the school
• Improving air quality
• Creating safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists
• Increased school and community engagement
What is the process?
Source: Stepping It Up – Final Report, Metrolinx (June 2012)
Through this five step process, each school develops a School Travel Plan that includes an action
plan describing activities they plan to implement such as:
Providing education (e.g. resources for safe walking and cycling, anti-idling resources)
Community mobilization (e.g. walking school buses, walking buddies)
Raising awareness (e.g. encouraging physical activity, recognition for walking/biking)
Improving school infrastructure (e.g. bike racks)
Improving municipal infrastructure at or near school sites (e.g. pedestrian crossings, signage)
Are you an administrator, teacher, parent, or student interested in getting your school involved?
Contact your School Health Nurse or visit http://peelregion.ca/health/baew/index.htm
INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES
PROGRAM
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ARAMAIC
ARABIC
CANTONESE
CROATIAN
GERMAN
GREEK
HEBREW
HINDI
HUNGARIAN
IGBO
ITALIAN
KOREAN
MALAYALAM
MANDARIN
POLISH
PORTUGUESE
PUNJABI
RUSSIAN
SLOVAK
SPANISH
TAGALOG
TAMIL
THELUNGA
TURKISH
UKRAINIAN
URDU
VIETNAMESE
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.
There is continuous enrolment.
For more information please visit
www.dpcdsb.org/programs &
services/languages/international languages
BOLTON
St. John the Baptist
BRAMPTON
St. Kevin
Pauline Vanier
St. Francis Xavier
St. Isaac Jogues
MISSISSAUGA
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Divine Mercy
MISSISSAUGA
Father Daniel Zanon
Mary Fix
Metropolitan Andrei
St. Bernadette
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Clare
St. Herbert (Sunday classes)
St. Jude
Sts. Peter & Paul
St. Philip
Sts. Martha & Mary
OCTOBER 2014
Let us now pray for the grace and strength to be people of empathy—people
who can really identify with and feel the concerns of those around us. AMEN
Sun
5
Mon
Tue
29
30 Jnr. Volleyball v
s. St. Jerome
Cross Country Practice
Cross Country Practice
6
7 Lamontagne Fundraiser Ends
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Picture Day
2
3
4
8
9 Jnr. Volleyball vs.
St. Catherine of Siena
10
11
17
18
24
25
31 Halloween
Dance—All Grades
1
Immunization
Clinic #1
Cross Country Practice
Cross Country Practice
12
13 Thanksgiving
Monday—no school
today!
14
15
Cross Country Practice
19
20
16
Cross Country Practice
21 Cross Country
Meet @ Erindale Pk
22
28
29
23
Cross Country Practice
26
30