H
St. Hilary Catholic
Elementary School
January 2016—Issue 5
5070 Fairwind
Mississauga, ON
L5R 2N4
Office: 905-568-0056
Fax: 905-568-8236
www.dpcdsb.org/hilry
Principal
T. Loftus
~
Secretary
C. DeRoia
~
Superintendent
L. Papaloni
~
Trustee
Thomas Thomas
~
Parish Priest:
Msgr. E. Pan
Associate Pastors:
Fr. S. Savarimuthu
Fr. D. Twaddle
A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR
O Lord, as the years change,
may we find rest in your eternal changelessness.
Help us to meet this new year bravely, in the faith that,
while life changes all around us, you are always the same,
guiding us with your wisdom and protecting us with your love,
through our Savior Jesus Christ.”
Amen
P.A. DAY
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
MONDAY, JANUARY 18th
We hope that you have
enjoyed a very restful and
peaceful Christmas break
with family and friends. As
we enter into the next part
of this school year, we
look forward to our
continued partnership with
you in the spiritual,
academic and social
development of your
children. On behalf of our
staff, we wish to thank
you for your ongoing
support with the various
activities here at
St. Hilary School.
~
Stay Connected
Join the Dufferin-Peel ECommunity
www.dpcdsb.org
Follow DPCDSB on Twitter: @DPCDSBSchools
For the latest board news
and information.
NO CLASSES
FOR STUDENTS
Virtue of the Month: Self Control
God has given us the ability to choose. We are
able to control how we react to what happens
ar ound us. Thr ough pr ayer and
concentration, we can get better at controlling
our reactions. We can get better at showing
self-control. Self-control helps us to resist the
temptation to do something that we will regret.
Page 2
St. Hilary Catholic Elementary School
St. Hilary Feast Day Mass
The St. Hilary Feast Day Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 13th
at 9:15 a.m. in the school gymnasium. All are welcome!
Sacramental Preparation Events and Key Dates
Understanding Key
Issues in Catholic
Education
Why did Catholics find the
non-denominational
religious education of the
common school
unsatisfactory?
Catholics wanted
separate schools where all
the beliefs of the Catholic
Church would be taught,
where the pupils would
live their faith in a
sacramental and
community manner in
proximity to the parish
church and priest, and
where religion would
permeate the reading,
literature and history
curriculum.
Furthermore, as modern
times arrived, the
multiculturalism of the
public school’s student
body necessitated the
eradication of the
teaching of
Christianity.
First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation:
Jan. 17 and Jan. 31 at Noon.: Preparation Masses
Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m.: First Reconciliation
April 9 at 10:00 a.m.: First Holy Communion Mass
Confirmation:
Jan. 28 at 7:00 p.m.: Preparation Mass
Feb. 18: Confirmation Retreat at Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre
April 7 at 7:00 p.m.: Confirmation Mass
Toys for Tots Advent Fundraiser
We wish to thank the community of St. Hilary for your support during the Advent
season. We had many opportunities to give to those less fortunate and, once again,
our school community was extremely generous. The Gr. 6 classes organized a fundraiser to raise money for “Toys for Tots”. They raised $700.00 after two weeks of
selling candy canes! The proceeds were used to purchases toys which were donated
to needy children. Special thanks to First Student Bus Company for donating the
bus for this trip. Many thanks to Mrs. Dias and Mrs. Paniconi for your time and
work with the students.
St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Program
St. Hilary School organized a social justice initiative inviting families to
contribute cash donations toward the purchase of gift cards for The St. Vincent
de Paul Society for distribution to families in need within the St. Francis Xavier
Parish community. $1000.00 was raised! We thank all of our families for your
generous support and for sharing in the true meaning of Christmas with our
brothers and sisters.
St. Hilary Catholic Elementary School
Page 3
Catholic School Council
The Catholic School Council is hosting Family Night at the Hershey Centre on Friday, February 12th at
7:15 p.m. Attendees will enjoy watching Mississauga Steelheads vs Erie Otters. Tickets are $6.00 per person.
Details to follow.
The Catholic School Council’s email address: sthilaryparentcouncil@gmail.com
Please join us at our next meeting on Monday, January 11th at 6:30 p.m.
Dress for the Weather
Now that colder weather is upon us, please ensure that your children come to school dressed warmly
to participate in recess activities. When weather conditions are severe, we may reduce the outdoor playtime,
or have indoor recess entirely. Fresh air and exercise are vital components for successful learning, so we will
endeavour to have children play outside whenever possible. Help your children come to school appropriately
dressed with scarves, hats and mittens on those really chilly days! For health reasons and to help keep the
school clean, we ask all students to have indoor shoes. Younger children should also have a spare change of
clothing at school or in their backpacks.
TRANSPORTATION CANCELATION AND SCHOOL CLOSURES
During the winter months inclement weather may cause disruption of bus transportation and regular school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation
and/or to close schools is usually made by 6:00 a.m. and will be announced on the
following radio and television stations:
VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9
CHUM AM1050
CFTR AM680
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
CJCL AM590
CHFI FM98.1
CFRB AM1010
EZ ROCK FM97.3
CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Z103.5
FM93.1
FM Q107
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540
CBC99.1
CITYPULSE
GLOBAL NEWS
CTV
CANADA AM
EXTENDED FRENCH INFORMATION MEETING
Grade 4 parents/guardians who wish to enroll their child in a Grade 5 Extended French class for September,
2016 are invited to attend an information meeting at:
School: San Lorenzo Ruiz
Address: 100 Barondale Drive, Mississauga—L4Z 3R1 (905-501-0400)
Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Page 4
St. Hilary Catholic Elementary School
PEDICULOSIS
Although not a communicable
disease, pediculosis (head lice) is a
concern to parents and teachers.
Each year it is common for outbreaks of pediculosis to occur.
Unfortunately, in recent years, head
lice have become increasingly
common throughout North
America. They are parasites, which
have been common among human
beings for centuries. They are not
connected in any way to dirt or
neglect. Anyone can be infested
with them. When a case of lice is
found at school, we inform parents
of the infected classes by way of a
special letter. In order to control
these pests, we shall follow the
procedures outlined below. We
request your full co-operation.
If a case is found in the school, we
will inform all parents of the
students in that class. We then
request that you check your own
child’s head. If you find them to
also be infested, we would ask that
you contact us so that we may
advise you of the proper treatment
for them. This information can also
be obtained from a pharmacist or
Peel Health Department.
Even if cases are not reported from
the school, it is a wise precaution to
check your child’s head
periodically. Encourage your
children not to put on other
people’s hats or scarves. Inform
them not to use other people’s
combs or hairbrushes.
If your child does become
infested with head lice, we
will ask you to keep them
out of school until after they have
been treated with the correct
shampoo and their hair is entirely
clear of both lice and nits (eggs).
When a child returns to school,
he /she must report directly to the
office and be checked by the
principal or designate before
proceeding to the classroom or the
yard.
No one is to be re-admitted to class
without being checked. If we all
follow these procedures, we may
not entirely escape outbreaks, but,
we may prevent some cases, and,
bring others under control quickly.
DROPPING AND PICKING UP STUDENTS IN FRONT DRIVEWAY
Parents are reminded not to leave their cars parked in the lanes in the front driveway or in the lanes that lead to
the north, rear parking lot. These lanes are fire routes and parking there is illegal. Please also refrain from
blocking the bus lane so that the school buses are able to enter and exit the driveway safely and on schedule.
Please also be reminded that the rear parking lot is for staff only. If you need to park and get out of your car when
dropping off or picking up your child, please park in the parking spots at the front of the school, or, on the street
as permitted. Parking enforcement is often on-site issuing tickets to illegally parked vehicles. It is imperative that
parents and guardians who drive their children to school adhere to the traffic circulation plan and comply with
the traffic and parking signage on the site. Thank you for your co-operation.
Indoor and Outdoor Shoes
We ask that students bring a pair of indoor shoe that can be worn inside of the school and left in the
classrooms. Removing outdoor shoes upon entering the building helps keep our school environment
healthy, clean and safe.
Hands-off Policy
In order to ensure the comfort and safety of all, we expect students to adhere to the “Hands-off Policy” at the
school. “Play fighting” is also not permitted. Every student has been made aware of the importance of these rules.
Please assist us by reviewing these expectations with your child. This will help to make our school environment a
safe, healthy and positive place for all of our students.
Page 5
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Full Day Kindergarten Registration Evening
Monday, January 25, 2016
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
SNOW DATE: Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Additional Full Day Kindergarten Registration Dates:
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thursday, January 28, 2016
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday, January 29, 2016
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Parent Evening to Support the Transition of Children
with Differing Abilities into Kindergarten
There will be an information session for parent(s)/guardian(s) of children with differing abilities
including vision, speech, hearing, autism, physical/medical and/or developmental delays who are
transitioning to Kindergarten in September 2016. The information session will be held at the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board -- Catholic Education Centre, Room 301 on
Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Snow date Wednesday, January 13,
2016, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Reminders and Resources: Cold and Flu Season
As cold and flu season approaches, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board continues to be vigilant
in ensuring that our schools are clean and that our school communities are educated regarding good hand
hygiene and cough etiquette. These practices are promoted on an ongoing basis, but as the prevalence of colds
and flu increases, our board increases the cleaning of contact surfaces, as well as reminds schools to review
cold and flu prevention with students and staff. Many resources are utilized from our regional health units. A
reminder, as well, that communicable diseases can be contracted in public places throughout the year. For
example, cold-related viruses, such as Enterovirus, are transferred from person to person through hand
contact. Cold and flu viruses typically peak from December through February, but can start as early as
October. Please assist us by reviewing good hand washing procedures, as well as other preventative
measures, as outlined in the various Peel Health and Wellington Dufferin Guelph (WDG) resources available
to you through their websites. As always, children who are unwell, should be kept at home. Also available
on the Peel Health and WDG websites, are the schedules of local Flu Clinics. For more information, visit the
health unit websites: Peel Health website: http://www.peelregion.ca/health
Links to the above information can be found in the Parent Section of the DPCDSB website at
www.dpcdsb.org
Page 6
IMPORTANT DATES
January 11
Catholic School Council Meeting: 6:30 p.m.
January 13
St. Hilary Feast Day Mass: 9:15 a.m.
January 15
Rosary Apostolate
January 17
First Holy Communion Preparation Mass: Noon at St. Francis
Xavier Church
January 18
P.A. Day. No school for students.
January 22
First Reconciliation: 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church
January 25
Kindergarten Registration: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
(January 26 Snow Date)
January 25 and 26
Peel Region Police Youth Education Officer Presentations:
Grades 3 to 8
January 28
Confirmation Preparation Mass: 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier
Church
January 31
First Holy Communion Preparation Mass: Noon at St. Francis
Xavier Church
February 1
Round 2 Intermediate Immunizations: Details to follow
February 2
Report Cards Sent Home
February 4
Parent/Teacher Interviews: In the evening
February 5
P.A. Day. No school for students.
Parent/Teacher Interviews: During the day.
February 10
Ash Wednesday Liturgy: 9:15 a.m.
February 12
Family Night: Hershey Centre at 7:15 p.m.
Mississauga Steelheads vs. Erie Otters
February 15
Family Day. Schools are closed.
Page 7
Reading to Young Children: A Head-Start in Life
The research sets out to explore the connections between parents reading to their young
children and their child’s later reading and other cognitive skills.
Key Findings: The frequency of reading to children at a young age has a direct causal effect
on their schooling outcomes regardless of their family background and home environment.
* Reading to children at age 4-5 every day has a significant positive effect on their reading skills and cognitive
skills (i.e., language and literacy, numeracy and cognition) later in life.
*Reading to children 3-5 days per week (compared to 2 or less) has the same effect on the child’s reading skills
at age 4-5 as being six months older.
*Reading to them 6-7 days per week has the same effect as being almost 12 months older.
*Children read to more frequently at age 4-5 achieve higher scores on the National Assessment Program –
Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests for both Reading and Numeracy in Year 3 (age 8 to 9).
*These differences in reading and cognitive skills are not related to the child’s family background or home
environment but are the direct result of how frequently they have been read to prior to starting school.
This research is a result of a partnership arrangement between the Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development and the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
SAVE THE DATE!!!
FOR AN EVENT THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
REBOOT! LIVE!
With internationally renowned speaker and author, CHRIS STEFANICK and special musical guest,
JON NIVEN. Reboot! Live! is the fun, inspiring and practical experience of applying
the beauty and genius of the heart of the Gospel to every aspect of your life.
From prayer and spirituality, to work, dating, marriage, parenting, health and more!
There is no part of your life that will be left untouched!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH 2016, 7:00 – 9:30PM
St. Francis Xavier Church, Mississauga
To register, go online to www.RealLifeCatholic.com – or –
Contact DAVID PATTERSON, at 905-890-5290 ext. 235
-or – email at ym@stfrancisxavierchurch.ca
Tickets are $24.00 each