San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School
100 Barondale Dr
Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 3R1
(905) 501-0400
Fax (905) 501-9275
http://www.dpcdsb.org/LRUIZ
Prayer for the Beginning of the New School Year
Volume 3,Issue 1
Dear Lord, as we begin this new school year,
we gather once again as your community of faithful believers.
SEPTEMBER 2013
We thank you for the energy and the spirit that you renewed in us during the summer months.
We thank you for the time to enjoy our families and friends and for the time to reflect on what is important in our lives.
Principal
L. Scardicchio
Vice-Principal
D. Brkic
Let us be marked by enthusiasm and devotion so that, with the inspiration of your spirit, we may continue to grow in faith and love.
Let us always be gentle with ourselves and strive to bring laughter, joy and love into the lives of others.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Secretaries
Amen
G. Brazeau
Principal’s & Vice-Principal’s Message
N. Hajdinjak
Parish
St. Francis Xavier Parish
Pastor
Msgr. Edgardo Pan
(905) 890-5290
Trustee
It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome both new and returning students,
staff, and families to the 2013-2014 school year. The staff has been hard at work planning, preparing curriculum materials, and creating faith-filled and welcoming learning environments for
all our students. A sincere ‘thank-you’ is extended to our custodial staff, Mr. Pizzorusso, Mrs.
Lenhardt and Mr. So, for their many hours of work over the summer - the school looks wonderful! Mrs. Brazeau and Mrs. Hajdinjak have also worked countless hours to ensure that this
school year will be a great success. The commitment and dedication of all of our staff is both a
gift and blessing to our San Lorenzo Ruiz community.
T. Thomas
(905) 890-1221
Superintendent
L. Papaloni
School Council Chair
Silvia Rinaldi
Attendance
Verification Line
(905) 501-0400
We welcome new and returning staff to San Lorenzo Ruiz School: who rejoin us this year. It is
with open hearts that we welcome each of these staff members to our school community. Our
student population is declining slightly; we have approximately 490 students at the school.
Therefore, all staff assignments and student placements will remain tentative until the end of
the first two weeks of school. In the event that the school has to be reorganized due to unpredictable enrolment trends, this will take place on Friday, September 13, 2013.
We are both very much looking forward to working with all parents, students and staff in the
coming year, as, together, we embrace the task of guiding students on the path of learning and
achievement. As we move forward in the coming days and weeks, we welcome your input and
involvement in the learning of your children. If you have any questions, feel free to contact
your child(ren)’s teacher(s) or the office.
Press #1
Mrs. L. Scardicchio
Principal
Mrs. D. Brkic
Vice-Principal
PA DAY SEP 13
2013-14 LITURGICAL DATES
We encourage and welcome parents and family members to celebrate our school’s faith life on the
following dates.
There is no school
for students on
this date.
Masses:
Sept. 26—School Mass—9am at school
Dec. 9—Advent Mass—9am at school
Jan. 30 - Conf. Prep Mass—7pm at church
March 5—Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Feb. 9, March 2-FHC Prep Mass—12nn at
church
March 27-Lenten Mass-10am at church
June 19—Year End Mass—9am at school
LUNCH
TIME
If you are taking
your child out for
lunch, please be
aware that you or
your designate must
come in to the front
foyer to meet the
child.
Children cannot wait
outside for pickup.
Students must be
signed out and into
school via the binder
in the main office if
entry or exit times
are different from
regular school hours.
Sacraments:
Jan. 23—First Reconciliation—9am-Church
May 3– First Communion—10am-Church
May 15-Confirmation-7pm-Church
Important Parish Dates:
Sept. 26– 7pm at Church
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Parents’ meeting
Oct. 20 at Church
FHC Inscription at all masses
PARISH OFFICE
HOURS
Monday Evening
5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Tues-Fri.
9:00 a.m.– 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 3:30— 6 p.m.
Sun. Before/After
Masses
SCHOOL
COUNCIL
The date of the first
Catholic School
Advisory Council
meeting is
October 2nd, 2013
at 6:45 p.m.
THE VIRTUE OF FAITH
In the month of September, we celebrate
the virtue of Faith. We recognize that God
made us to live together as a family community. People of faith look for ways to
involve God in their lives and turn to God
in both good times and difficult times. As
we build our school community this year,
may our faith help us to be generous, compassionate and forgiving as we work together to build the kingdom of God each
day!
Page 2
Jan. 7 – 7pm at Church
Confirmation Parents’ meeting with Bishop
Boissonneau
Jan. 25 at Church
Confirmation Inscription at all masses
CATHOLIC SCHOOL TRUSTEE
The Catholic School Board Trustee for our
school is Mr. Thomas Thomas. If you have a
concern regarding school board policy or
how it affects you as a Catholic School Supporter, you may reach him by calling the
number which is found on the front cover of
this Newsletter.
San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
EARLY ARRIVAL
An active and enthusiastic School Council is essential to
the success of any school. Sincere appreciation is extended to all those parents who participated in the
School Council last year. Your efforts have contributed
to the education and development of all of our students
here at San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School. Elections
and/or the selection of executive positions for the
2013-2014 School Council will be conducted at the first
council meeting of this year on Wed. October 2nd at
6:45 p.m. in the Conference Room. Forms will be available in the office during the period of September 9th—
September 20th for anyone interested in being part of
the School Council executive for the school year 20132014. The deadline for submission of these forms is
3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20th.
Please mark these dates down in your calendars and
plan to come out and participate!
Students must remain outside of the school building
until 8:15 a.m. Please note, student supervision does
not begin until 8:00a.m. In case of inclement
weather, the bell will ring at 8:00 a.m. and students
are to enter the building and proceed to their classroom.
SAN LORENZO RUIZ SCHOOL IS AN ONTARIO ECOSCHOOL!
LANE 1: is closest to the school building and is the
Bus Lane. This lane should be used by the school
buses only either dropping off or picking up students. No cars in this lane please.
Last year, San Lorenzo’s GreenTeam, worked on a
number of initiatives to make our school a greener
place to work. We are certified as an Ontario EcoSchool—Bronze school! Thank you to Mrs. DeBono and
Mrs. Milek for all of their work in supporting this initiative last year.
OPEN HOUSE
This is the time when parents can meet with their
child(ren)’s new teacher. Students can express their
goals for this year, how they learn best, what motivates
them to study, etc. Parents can share their knowledge
of their son/daughter with the teacher. Teachers can
describe how they teach to all students in their class,
how they assess and evaluate student work, etc. We
hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to
meet the teacher in this informal way and that you and
your son/daughter will be able to tell the teacher what
he/she needs to know about how best to teach your
child. Our annual school Getting to Know One Another
Conferences will be held on Thursday, September 19,
2013 from 5—7:00 p.m.
Volume 3,Issue 1
KISS & RIDE
We need volunteers to help with the Kiss and Ride
program from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. daily. If you
can help on one or two days per week or even 5
days per week, we would like to hear from you.
Please call Mrs. Brkic or Mrs. Diab at (905) 5010400.
REMINDER OF THE KISS & RIDE PROCESS
There are 3 lanes each with a designated purpose.
LANE 2: is the middle lane and is the lane parents or
guardians use to drive in to drop off or pick up their
child. Drivers are asked to stop beside the parent
volunteer at the east end of the parking lot. Students should exit from the passenger side of the vehicle only. The vehicle door will be opened from the
outside by a parent volunteer.
LANE 3: is closest to the street and is a drive
through lane. Students should not be exiting from
their vehicles from this lane as other drivers are not
anticipating this unsafe behaviour. Please continue
to use the Kiss and Ride Lane to drop off and pick up
your children. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation. Please do not drop off your child in the
staff parking lot. NOTE: The parking lot will be
closed to traffic at 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily.
Help us to keep our children safe.
Page 3
Terry Fox
Run/Walk
The Terry Fox
Run/Walk is on
ce again being
organized to
raise funds for
cancer research
on :
Friday,
September 27th,
2013.
More
information will
follow regarding
the event.
LEAVING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Parents are asked to send a note to the
teacher stating the time your child is to meet
you in the office area. Please be aware that
no child is allowed to leave the school unattended, without a signed and dated note
from the parent.
EMERGENCY INCIDENT POLICY
We have a detailed fire/emergency evacuation and lock-down 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 Barondale Public School.
A REMINDER: 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.
Open House
September 19th,
2013
EXCURSIONS AND FIELD TRIPS
Educational trips which extend learning opportunities in curriculum areas do take
place. Teachers need to follow appropriate
Board procedures. A limited number of trips
may be planned by teachers.
Picture Day
September 20th,
2013
BY LAW the school must have on file permission forms which must be signed by the parents/guardians. If on the day of the excursion your child did not return his/her form,
and the parents/guardians cannot come into
the school to sign the permission forms, the
student will remain at the school. VERBAL
TELEPHONE PERMISSION IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE.
Pizza Days
September 23rd,
30th, 2013
Page 4
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL AND SIGN-IN
PROCEDURES
FOR SAFETY REASONS WE ARE REMINDING THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
THAT ALL VISITORS MUST REPORT TO
THE OFFICE AND SIGN IN. THE SIGN-IN
BOOK IS LOCATED IN THE OFFICE.
PLEASE DO NOT GO INTO THE SCHOOL
YARD OR TO YOUR CHILD’S CLASSROOM WITHOUT SIGNING IN FIRST
AND RECEIVING APPROVAL.
REMEMBER, TO YOUR CHILD YOU ARE
THE PARENT....TO THE OTHER STUDENTS YOU ARE A STRANGER. SO
ONCE AGAIN...PLEASE REPORT TO THE
OFFICE FIRST AND SIGN IN.
STUDENTS MUST SIGN IN OR OUT
WHEN: THEY ARE LATE ARRIVING TO
SCHOOL IN THE MORNING OR AFTERNOON THEY HAVE A NOTE FROM PARENTS ASKING THE SCHOOL TO DISMISS
THEM EARLY FOR APPOINTMENTS ETC.
NO STUDENT IS TO BE DISMISSED DIRECTLY FROM THE CLASSROOM BY
TEACHERS OR PICKED UP AT THE
CLASSROOM BY PARENTS/GUARDIANS
ETC.. ALL MUST COME TO THE OFFICE
AND SIGN IN OR OUT.
DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICATION
Please be advised that for safety reason,
no child should bring any form of medication to school without prior approval from
the office. The school will store necessary
medication if a Request Form has been
filled out and signed by the parent/guardian. Forms are available in the
office.
San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School
PEDICULOSIS (Head Lice)
Pediculosis is a problem which occurs from time to
time each year in schools. If cases are found we
inform all parents of the class involved by letter. If a
child is infected, we request that she/he be kept out
of school until she/he has been treated with the correct medicated shampoo. Please keep us informed if
this happens to your child.
BUS SAFETY
Ensuring student safety is a very important goal to
all working with students. You are asked to review
carefully the following rules for students while riding
the school bus.
Students are required to:
-be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the
pickup time.
-listen to the driver when getting on or off the bus,
especially when a road must be
crossed.
-go directly to their seat and stay seated until they
are let off the bus.
-follow all instructions from the bus driver,
especially where they put their belongings
-not eat or drink, fight, swear or engage in
other types of poor behaviour
-not open or close windows unless the driver permits
-keep all belongings inside the bus
-keep arms, hands, heads etc. inside the bus
-not damage the bus seats (students will be held responsible)
-respect private property
Every effort must be made to maintain a high standard of discipline and safety in the operation of the
school busses.
When improper conduct is reported:
On the FIRST occasion, the Principal/Vice-Principal
will speak to the student.
On the SECOND occasion, a letter or phone call will
be made to the parents.
Please note, bus privileges may be suspended or
restricted for inappropriate conduct.
Volume 3,Issue 1
ANAPHYLACTIC INFORMATION
As we begin a new school year we would like to
inform you that San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School,
is an allergen aware school. There are pupils in
attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to certain foods, such as peanut and
nut products. Exposure to the smallest quantities
can cause severe life threatening reactions.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic
reaction. The most common allergen triggers are
food, insect stings, medications, exercise and latex.
An anaphylactic reaction involves symptoms from
two or more body systems.
We would appreciate the cooperation of the entire
school community by NOT sending any lunches or
snacks that contain nuts, nut oils or derivatives
(e.g. peanut butter, peanuts, or peanut oil ) which
could potentially harm a pupil. Please see newsletter page 6 for a more detailed list of foods that
could cause an anaphylactic reaction and make
sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware
of the food restrictions.
Please avoid sending food for birthday or special
occasions. There are many alternatives such as
stickers and pencils. If you have any questions
please talk to your child’s teacher. We look forward to our co-operation in making this a safe year
for all our pupils.
Dufferin-Peel is now on Twitter!
Follow us:
@DPCDSBSchools
Page 5
FOODS THAT MAY CAUSE AN ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION
Any food can cause a reaction to someone. Anyone can be or become anaphylactic to ANY food at anytime throughout
their lifetime. The ten most common food allergens are: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, seeds, fish, shellfish, soybean, and sulphite. The following lists are some alternative names that may be found on labels.
PEANUT
cold-pressed peanut oil
ground nuts
nut meats
mandelonas
arachis oil
goober nuts
nu-nuts
TREE NUT
walnut
almonds
brazil nuts
cashews
chestnuts
pecans
hazelnuts
pine nuts
shea nuts
macadamia nuts
pistachios
hickory nuts
Pinion
WHEAT
couscous
gluten
farina
durum wheat
wheat bran
wheat germ
graham flour
bulgar
semolina
spelt
kamut
EGG
ovalbumin
globulin
lecithin (from egg)
albumin
conalbumin
lysozayme
ovomucin
vitellin
ovovitelin
vomucoid
Livetin
MILK
whey
curds
casein
caseinates
milk ingredients
milk solids
modified milk ingredients
lactbumin
lacto globin
- lactos is a milk sugar not a milk protein
SOYBEAN
soya
hydrolyzed soy protein
soy protein
tofu
soja
SHELLFISH
crab
crayfish
shrimps
prawns
lobster
snails
oysters
octopus
scallops
squid
abalone cockle
conch mussels
clams
FISH
tuna
bass
bluefish
carp
anchovy
catfish
cod
eel
flounder
haddock
halibut
herring
macherel
marlin
perch/pickerel
SEEDS
sesame/tahini/tachini
cottonseed
caraway
mustard
flaxseed
poppy seed
psllium
psyllium
pike
salmon
sardine
sole
snapper
smelt
swordfish
trout
whitefish
SULPHITE
(is a preservative added to many foods
which causes
chemical reaction)
sodium dithionite
sodium metabisulplite
sodium sulphite
potassium bisulphite
potassium metabisulphite
sodium bisulphite
sulphur dioxide
sulphurous acid
NOTE: These lists may change and are in no way complete.
Volume 3,Issue 1
Page 6
DRESS CODE
It is not our intention to assume your responsibility
for determining appropriate grooming and dress for
your children. At the same time, there is an expectation that all students be clean, neat and appropriately dressed.
Students should dress in a manner conducive to
good behaviour and to the creation of a good educational atmosphere in the school.
We ask for your continued support for a dress code
which reflects the school as a place for serious
work, accompanied by standards of sensitivity, politeness and decorum.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
It is important that we are able to contact you during school hours. We have on record telephone
numbers for home, work and an emergency contact
person. In order to keep our records up-to-date,
please update the Student Verification Sheet at the
“Getting To Know You Conferences”.
PLASP Child Care Services
Before and After School Program
PLASP Child Care Services operates Before and After School Programs at San Lorenzo Ruiz School.
The Before School Program begins at 7:30 a.m.
until school start. The After School Program runs
from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m.
Children participate in recreational activities, are
served a nutritious snack
daily and have time for
homework.
Register Today!
Fee assistance is available
for those who qualify.
To register your child, visit
the PLASP Program Director, Mrs. DaCosta, after
school. For further information, call 905.890.1711
or visit the website at www.plasp.com
PICTURE DAY
Picture Day is Friday, September 20th, 2013.
Please check your children’s backpacks for your reminder.
Picture Re-take day is scheduled for Friday, October 25th, 2013.
HEPATITIS B./HPV INOCULATIONS
Peel Health will continue to offer free immunization
against Hepatitis B for students in Grade 7 and HPV
for girls in Gr. 8. They are given as a series of two
injections over a period of six months. If you have
any questions please call the Peel Health Department at
905-799-7700.
Peel Health staff will be at the school on Friday November 8 for the first set of injections.
Volume 3,Issue 1
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Old Republic Insurance Group was awarded the
student accident insurance contract this year. The
school has distributed brochures to all students.
As required by the Education Act and the Ministry
of Education, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board annually provides parents with information about cost-effective student accident insurance coverage via student courier. Although enrolment is voluntary, the board encourages parents to take advantage of the inexpensive insurance coverage, especially if their child/children
participate in sports, excursions/field trips or if parents do not have dental insurance coverage.
Page 7
September 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
PD Day—no school
for students
14
15
16
17
18
19
5:00—7:00
Open House
20
Picture Day
21
22
23
Pizza Bi-Monthly
24
Sub Day
25
26 9:00 am School
Year Opening Mass
First Communion Parent
Meeting 7:00 pm at
Church
27
Terry Fox Walk
28
29
30
Pizza Monthly
October 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
6:45 School Council
Meeting
3
4
5
6
7
Pizza Bi-Monthly
8
9
10
11
PA Day
12
13
14
Thanksgiving
No school
15
16
17
18
19
20
12:00 First Holy Communion Inscription
Mass
21
Pizza Monthly
22
23
24
25
Picture Re-take Day
26
27
28
Sub Day
29
30
31
2013-14 School Year Calendar
First day of classes elementary and secondary schools
First Day of classes Semester 2 Secondary
School Year ends Elementary and Secondary Schools
Number of school days for the 2013 – 2014 school year
Number of Instructional Days in Elementary Schools
Number of Instructional Days in Secondary Schools
Number of Professional Activity Days in Elementary Schools
Number of Professional Activity Days in Secondary Schools

School Holidays for the 2013-2014 School Year
Every Saturday and Sunday
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Break (inclusive)
Family Day
Mid-Winter Break
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Friday, January 31, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
194
188
188
6
6
Monday, September 2, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013 to Friday, January 3, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014 to Friday, March 14, 2014 (inclusive)
Friday, April 18, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Elementary Schools – Professional Activity Days
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Monday, January 20, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Principal’s Day: Re-organization/Faith Development/Prov. Priorities
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Term 1 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Term 2 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress
St. Sofia Only
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Principal’s Day: Curriculum/Faith Development
Term 1 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Term 2 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress
 Secondary Schools – Professional Activity Days
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Ministry of Education Designated Day
Principal’s Day: Semester Turnaround
Ministry of Education Designated Day
*Principal’s Day: Year End Reporting and Activities
*Principal’s Day: Year End Reporting and Activities
*Semester and year end evaluations and school wide promotion meetings; contact parents with summer school
recommendations, OSR and report card preparation; inventory management of books, equipment, learning materials;
curriculum development for new course outlines; goal setting for the upcoming school year.
 Secondary Schools – Examination Days
Semester 1: January 22 - 28, 2014
Semester 2: June 18 – 24, 2014
HOW CAN I HELP MY
CHILD SUCCEED?
1
2
3
Get involved in your child’s school life
Ask about their day – school work, friends,
their teacher. Let them tell you about the best
part of their day, and about what was not so
good. This will help you share their successes
and uncover any problems.
Stay connected with the school
Talk to your child’s teacher. Ask questions. This
can be as simple as sending a note to school
with your child. Or check with the school to
see if you can volunteer to help.
Make learning fun
Learning is not limited to the classroom.
Simple activities can build your child’s skills
and confidence. Talk about prices on a trip to
the grocery store to help older kids with
math. Make reading fun for younger ones by
pointing out the words all around you – on
street signs, posters, even cereal boxes!
The Ministry of Education has many tools
to help both teachers and parents.
Visit www.edu.gov.on.ca and discover
how you can help your child succeed in school.
Printed on recycled paper
06-377
ISBN 978-1-4249-3388-4 (Print)
ISBN 978-1-4249-3390-7 (PDF)
© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2007
Cette publication est disponible en français.
This publication is available on the Ministry of Education’s
website at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca
AN INTRODUCTION TO
COMBINED
GRADES
WHAT IS A COMBINED
CLASSROOM?
Combined classes group children from two or
more consecutive grades in one classroom. Schools
combine classes for a variety of reasons. This
includes organizing classes to meet student learning
needs and combining grades to balance class size.
All classrooms include students with a range of
skills and abilities. Combined classes are neither
better nor worse than single-grade classes. They
are simply one of the many ways schools meet
students’ academic and social development needs.
HOW ARE STUDENTS
CHOSEN FOR COMBINED
CLASSES?
Principals and staff consider a variety of factors
when grouping children into classes, including:
> Learning styles
> Social skills
> Academic needs
> And many other factors
All classrooms, whether single-grade or combined,
include students performing at a range of achievement levels. In every case, schools strive to create
a classroom environment that will support the
needs of all students.
HOW WILL A COMBINED
CLASS AFFECT MY CHILD?
WILL MY CHILD GET
ENOUGH INDIVIDUAL
ATTENTION?
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Several studies have found that students in
combined classes do just as well as students
in single-grade classes. In fact, some students
actually do better in language and reading.
IMPROVED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Canadian studies show that children in combined
classes have more opportunities for emotional
and social growth. The rich social environment
helps students:
> Learn how to work on their own and as part
of a team
> Build leadership abilities as they work
together and help each other
> Develop decision-making skills, and become
more self-motivated and responsible
> Learn in an environment that reflects the
real world. The diverse ideas and opinions of
classmates help expand students’ perspectives.
Every day, in both single-grade classes and
combined grades, teachers work with large
groups, small groups, and individual students.
But students in combined classrooms also benefit
from a broader support structure.
Younger children can ask students from the higher
grade for help. Older students learn by explaining
problems to their younger peers. In fact, peer
tutoring can help higher achieving and older
students reinforce their knowledge and positive
social behaviours.
HOW CAN THE TEACHER
TEACH MORE THAN ONE
GRADE AT A TIME?
Teachers use many different strategies to teach
students in combined grades. They may:
> Introduce a common topic then give each
grade a different task or problem.
> Break students into groups to study different
problems and report back to the class. These
groups can be flexible, including students with
varied interests and skills.
> Bring students together for activities like
health, physical education, and the arts.
The Ministry of Education has developed strategies
that help teachers reach a range of learners. For
example, teams from every school in Ontario have
been trained in differentiating instruction. This is a
strategy that looks at the individual learning needs
and progress of each student. The teacher can
then identify the range of needs in the classroom
and plan a program that meets the needs of all
the students.