October 2009
PRINCIPAL:
K.J. Carey
VICE PRINCIPAL:
C. Klein
SECRETARY:
T. Crayden
SUPERINTENDENT:
E. McGuire
STS. MARTHA AND MARY
PARISH TEAM:
Fr. E. D’Souza
905-625-5670
TRUSTEE:
M. Pascucci
INSIDE
STS. MARTHA & MARY
Catholic School
1760 Bough Beeches Blvd., Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2B9
905-624-9625
We live graciously,
filled with wonder, for the marvel of creation
that surrounds us.
We marvel at the way the Spirit came to
expression in this planet,
especially in human life form,
a life-form giving the Spirit unique ways to
express intelligence, love, choice, care and
concern.
School Council
Loving God, we believe Your Spirit is at work
Safety in our
School
in our world.
Give us eyes of faith that we might see such
wonders in our midst and the courage to live in
hope.
H1N1
Amen
OCTOBER’S 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.
An empathetic person believes that
we all share one Spirit; that we are
many parts of one body because we
are all created in the image and
likeness of God. We know that God
has given us the virtue of empathy so
that we can learn to appreciate, accept
and care for one another.
An empathetic person…
• Listens attentively
• Watches people’s body
language
• Notices and responds when
someone is upset
• Can name her/his feelings
• Can see a situation from
another person’s point of view
• Knows that different people
may feel differently about the
same thing
Gracious and merciful God,
You desire us to live together in
peaceful communities.
We are nothing without relationships.
You have given us the virtue of
empathy to ensure that we are able to
identify with and feel other people’s
concerns.
We come to you now asking for the
grace and strength to follow your plan
and to form a caring community here
at Sts. Martha and Mary.
May your gift of empathy lead us to
know and feel your presence among
us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
your Son, who lived to show us your
way.
Amen.
FAITH LIFE
Our first mass was celebrated on October 7. Father D’Souza led
our school community in worship and faith. The theme of our
liturgy, ‘A Celebration of Thanksgiving’, provided a spiritual
message that acknowledged the many gifts of our lives.
Students in grade two and eight have begun the process of
preparing for their sacramental year by registering at the church.
Meeting for parents of the students in Grade 8 who will be
confirmed this year was held on October 6, 2009.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Our Catholic School Council executive for the 2008-2009 school
year is as follows:
Chair: T. Messersmith
Secretary:
L. Arnett
Co-Secretary: T. McKeon
Treasurer:
M. Saravo
O.A.P.C.E.: T.B.D.
Teacher Rep: J. Ford, M. Maxymiw, L. De Simone
Non-teaching Rep.: T.B.D.
Parish Rep: C. Cochraine
Community Rep: J. Christopoulos
Members: L. Butler, A. DaSilva, C. Gonsalves, S. Jones-Clark,
L. Serrano, L. Wrobel
We very much appreciate our active, dedicated and supportive
Catholic School Council. We are grateful for your insights and
child-centred approach to all cooperative decision-making.
The next meeting of our Catholic School Council will be on
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. All are warmly invited
to attend.
HALLOWE’EN
FOR HUNGER
FOOD DRIVE
Grade 7 and 8 Student Leaders will
be collecting non-perishable food
items for a local food bank at the
entrance to the Spook-a-thon
dance on October 30, 2009
SCHOOL AGENDAS
As is our tradition, the students in
Grades 1 - 8 will be using school
agendas
to
help
develop
organizational skills. Please take
some time to look over the agenda
with your child(ren). It is particularly
important to emphasize that the
agenda is to be used daily to assist
your child in organizing his/her time
and to keep parents informed on what
is happening in class and in the
school. Agendas are purchased with
monies raised through the School
Council’s fundraisers.
PLASP operates Before, Lunch and
After School Programs for children
up to 12 years of age, at Sts. Martha
and Mary.
Registration is now taking place.
Want to know more? See the PLASP
staff at this school, or call the PLASP
head office 905-890-1711, or visit our
website at www.plasp.com
LOST ARTICLES
Due to the sheer volume of misplaced
articles, we do not regularly make
announcements regarding lost items.
We highly recommend that you not
allow your child to bring valuable
items to school. Toys and special
mementos often interfere with the
teaching environment, especially
when staff have to solve disputes over
their disappearance or appearance
during classroom learning times.
CASUAL FRIDAYS
You may have noticed that the staff
dress in a casual manner on Fridays.
Through donations made on these
Fridays, we are supporting the many
charities affiliated with the United
Way of Peel (Christian charities) and
Share Life.
TERRY FOX WALK
This year, the students and staff had a very successful Terry Fox
Walk on Friday, September 25, 2009. The weather co-operated
and all students and staff supported this very worthy cause.
Congratulations to S. Monid for organizing this very successful
event. Once again, the school community responded generously,
as we collected $6,208.61. Over the last 13 years, the total
amount raised has be $89,777.90. Thank you to all who supported
this event, especially the parent volunteers who assisted.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the year, our staff will engage in many Mississauga
East Family of Schools and Board-sponsored opportunities for
professional growth in the form of after school and daytime
inservices. Our staff remains committed to the education of your
children and regularly meet as a staff, by division and by grade to
learn from each other and discuss best practices. As reflective
practitioners, we can always learn from our peers. Although not
an exhaustive list by any means, we have attempted to summarize
some of their learning experiences for you. This list, although
extensive, is not complete as new professional learning
opportunities develop at various times throughout the school year.
Acting as lead teachers in:
• Teaching Learning Cycle in Mississauga East
• EQAO data analysis
Refining and refreshing teaching practice through learning
opportunities in:
• Religious Education
• Classroom management
• Safe-Schools training
• Applied Behavioural Analysis
• Computers in the classroom
• Website development
• Differentiated Instruction
• Special Education I.E.P. Development
• Grade specific instructional strategies
• Holistic Math Instruction
• Co-operative learning
• Crisis Prevention Intervention Training
• First Aid Training
• Balanced Literacy
• Nelson Math Implementation Strategies
• Assessment and Evaluation
• PRIME math assessment
• Assistive Computer Technologies
PETS AT SCHOOL
Many parents take the
opportunity to bring
their pets with them to
school when dropping
off or picking up
students. As more and
more pets are now
joining us in the schoolyard, safety
concerns have begun to arise. For
safety reasons, if you have brought a
pet with you when meeting or
dropping off your child, we ask that
you please wait on the sidewalk east
or west of the school, on Bough
Beeches Blvd., and not on the school
grounds.
FUNDRAISER
UPDATE:
Our students will participate in our
Halloween Dance-a-Thon on Friday,
October 30, 2009. Parents and
community members can support this
event by acting as a volunteer, a
sponsor or by donating a prize. Any
products, especially gift certificates,
that can be used for prizes may be
forwarded to the Fundraising
Committee through the main office.
The funds raised through this event
will be used this year to support
school based learning initiatives.
Parents and guardians of DufferinPeel students can stay up-to-date with
the latest board news and information
by joining the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board E-Community.
Members will receive the latest news
and information by email, including
media releases, school activities and
events, board highlights, school and
transportation cancellations, plus
useful tips for parents.
Sign up online today!
INTRODUCING HOMEWORK HELP
The Ministry of Education and the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board are committed to increasing
student success in mathematics and as
a result the board has been invited to participate in a Homework
Help Pilot Expansion Project this year. The new Homework Help
Initiative for Grade 7-10 math students officially launched on
Sunday, September 20, 2009. Every student in Grades 7 to 10 in
the board is eligible to register and use the free online tutoring
service. Students across the board will be given information on
how to login either by their classroom teacher or through
presentations from the board’s e-Learning Contact, Kevin
Williams. Mr. Williams will be at the school on October 20, 2009
visiting the Grade 7 and 8 classes to introduce this wonderful
homework support opportunity and to assist with registration;
more specific information to be forwarded to respective parents by
the classroom teachers.
SCHOOL BOOK FAIR
Just in time for Christmas….please join us at the Scholastic Book
Fair. Organized by our teacher librarian J. Duncan and her team
of volunteers, this is an event not to miss The book fair will run
from November 16-20 and is the first place to stop for those avid
readers who are on your Christmas shopping list. Come and select
from a large variety of fiction, non-fiction and
picture books. A unique selection of posters, book
marks and other stocking stuffers are always hot
items. All proceeds go directly to the school
library and will be used to supplement our
selection of fiction and non-fiction texts.
POP TABS FOR WHEELCHAIRS by S. Monid E.R.W.:
Many students and parents were inquiring if we were still
collecting the pop tabs for wheelchairs and my answer to them is
YES! The students have been very good in remembering to pull
the pop tab off the can, collecting them, and then bringing a bag of
them to the ERW office to be put into the official tab bucket.
Well guess what, my bucket is now overflowing. Don't let that
stop you though, because I dump them from the bucket into a
large box. When I get enough boxes to fill the back of my car, I
take the boxes to the scrap metal company and they reimburse us
in a monetary way which is then forwarded to the Legion who is
responsible for allocating the funds. When I started collecting
tabs with the schools I worked in, in 1992, approximately 9
wheelchairs could be purchased for people who could not afford
to buy one themselves. As of October 3, 2009, 1090 walkers,
wheelchairs and motorized scooters have been supplied to
hundreds of people who were in need of these items.
Did you know that it takes
approximately 1000 tabs to make a
pound, and it takes approximately 2
tons of tabs, depending on the type of
chair,
to cover the cost of a
wheelchair.
Please be proud of
yourselves for contributing to
someone who has received a mode of
transportation. So, please continue to
collect the tabs, when you have a bag
bring it to the ERW office and
deposit your tabs to the official
bucket.
CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Thank you to our dedicated crosscountry team coaches,
J. Ford and L. De Simone and our
enthusiastic parent volunteers I.
Schweiger and J. Wanuch.
The team members have been
practicing and training long and hard
for our Family of Schools event on
October 22nd at Erindale Park. We
have seen a very commendable group
of young athletes who are dedicated
to their training and who are
committed to attend their practices.
Congratulations on your spirit and
enthusiasm. Good luck on the 22nd !
VOLLEYBALL
With the combined coaching efforts
of Mrs. Boots and Mrs. Maxymiw,
the school is able to offer both girls’
and boys’ Intermediate volleyball.
Excellent team work and athletic skill
have demonstrated true Maverick
spirit at recent games held at the
school. Mississuaga East Family of
Schools tournament is scheduled for
Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Fr.
Michael Goetz Secondary School.
ACTIVE STUDENTS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Student leaders are a small team of people that meet and inspire
each other in an effort to make school a fun place to be. These
individuals will work to build community, raise the voice of
students, and celebrate life, learning and each other. We are
thankful to Ms. De Simone, Ms. Duncan, and Mrs. Hammond for
their effort to provide direction and support. Student leaders will
contribute in the following ways:
 Promoting faith and the 10 virtues
 Serving others
 Initiating school spirit
 Embrace responsibility through outreach programs
and correspondence
Our candidates applied for these key positions last June and are
prepared to take on the challenge of being a Catholic Leader. Our
student leadership team was invited, along with other young
student leaders, to a motivational rally called The Me to We Day
on Monday, October 5, 2009. For more information:
http://www.freethechildren.com/weday/
I know you join me in congratulating the 2009 / 2010 Student
Leaders
Group A: Frank C., Julia P., Nicole W., Sonja S. Alexa B.,
Alyssa B., Cole A., Marina D., Nick W., Sam S., Group B:
Chelsea C., Natalia W., Abbie O., Amy S., Chantal M., Marcello
C., Michaela S., Monique G., Stephanie B. and Tate P.
RECESS
All students are expected to
dress appropriately for weather
conditions and go outdoors for
recess. Please ensure that your
child has a pair of boots for the
winter months. For many
children, a spare pair of socks,
gloves or clothing may save a
parent a trip to the school. In the event of inclement weather,
students will be kept indoors. In the event of wet, muddy or icy
conditions the students will remain on paved areas.
During recess, supervision is restricted to the playground areas. If
your child is not well enough to participate in outdoor recess,
please consider keeping him/her at home.
Personnel on yard duty are easily recognizable to students as they
carry recess bags, megaphones and/or wear brightly coloured
vests.
SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVES
At Sts. Martha and Mary School we
have developed a series of measures
that help to ensure the safety of your
children. With the support of our
students, teachers, administrators and
parents, a commitment has been made
to make the school a safe place for
all. We are certain that our combined
efforts will make a safer environment
for everyone. Some of the many
measures we have taken are…
Line –Painting: There are a variety
of games painted on
the tarmac of our
schoolyard.
These
include hopscotch,
four-square, pump
rings, hand ball
squares and circles. Basketball nets
are also available to our junior and
intermediate students. Staff have
begun to review the instructions to
these games so that our children can
enjoy active, safe and fun recesses.
Parent Areas: We have initiated an
area where our parents can wait for
their children without interrupting
play or being mistaken as a school
supervisor. This area is recognized
by the large oval line that has been
painted around the perimeter of the
playground.
We
ask
that
parents/guardians remain off the
playground areas designated for
student use in order to assist the
supervising staff to recognize
strangers on the yard.
Peace Pals: Many of our grade five
and six students have volunteered to
act as Peace Pals. Our Region of Peel
Health Nurse and our grade one
teacher L. Yawney, have provided
training for the students. The Peace
Pals are available at morning and
afternoon recess to lead our primary
students in co-operative games.
Yard Schedules: The school has
established a schedule for the soccer
and basketball nets. We hope that all
grade 3 – 8 students will have
better access to the school facilities.
Restricted Access to the School: All entrances are locked during
the school day.
Visitors to the School: All parents and visitors entering the
school are expected to stop at the office, sign in and receive an
identification tag. A secure entry system at the front doors signals
the arrival of visitors to the school. We respectfully ask that you
do not accompany your child or go unannounced to the door of
his/her class. If you have to pick up your child, speak to the
teacher, or drop something off, we will be glad to assist you in the
office. All doorways are clearly marked with signs indicating that
all visitors must report to the office. Staff and students are
expected to report any visitors without identification tags to the
office immediately.
Washrooms: Washrooms are checked for intruders before the
start of the school day. Students are informed and trained that only
children have access to their assigned washrooms. All adults use
the washrooms specified as adult. Children travel in pairs when
using the washroom during class hours.
Kiss–N-Ride and Buses: Safe arrival is important at our school.
Parents/guardians using the Kiss-N-Ride lanes are assured that a
safe drop off for the children is provided when they follow the
direction of the Kiss-N-Ride volunteers and teachers on duty.
Having the children prepared to exit the vehicle, when the vehicle
has stopped, will assist with smooth transition. Car doors may be
opened by the children when the supervising adult has indicated
safe to do so. Bus students are trained in school bus safety.
Teacher supervisors are assigned to safely load and off-load the
buses.
Emergency Evacuation:
Teachers and students regularly
practice emergency evacuation procedures. These include safe
exit from the building in the event of fire, precautions in the event
of bomb threat and safety actions to be taken in the event of an
intruder alert. In the unforeseen event that we must evacuate the
school for emergency purposes, our students will evacuate to Sts.
Martha and Mary Parish located on Burnhamthorpe Road.
Attendance: Our attendance phone line is our connection with the
safe arrival of your child, which operates 24 hours a day. All
children that have not been reported as absent are confirmed
absent by our safe arrival protocol.
Criminal Reference Checks: Parents are reminded of the
Ministry and Board Policy that requires all volunteers to provide
the school with a Criminal Reference Check before they begin
working with students. For the upcoming year we request that all
parents volunteering for field trips also provide a criminal
reference check.
Parents who have previously volunteered at Sts. Martha and Mary
School are required to complete an Offence Declaration form
before beginning their duties at the school.
For more
information or forms, please contact the school.
SOME SCHOOL YEAR AND
SAFE ALL-SEASONAL TIPS and
NOTES
Tell your children to always tell you
where they are going and with whom.
Tell your children never to go
anywhere with a stranger.
Tell them never to talk to strangers or
take anything from them.
Teach your children what a “safe”
stranger is, in the event they need
help...i.e.:....a police officer...a fire
fighter...a teacher....and the like.
Develop a “what if” game to get
children thinking about how they
would respond if they felt threatened
or afraid.
Teach your children to TALK to you
immediately when someone does
anything that makes them feel
uncomfortable.
Encourage your children to use a
buddy system as an alternative to
walking alone.
Avoid having your child’s name
clearly visible on any piece of
clothing or accessory. A stranger
may read their name and call it out to
your child, fooling your child into
believing this person knows them.
KISS & RIDE
Our Kiss & Ride program is off to a
very successful start. Please note that
at 3:30 p.m. there is “No Parking”
allowed directly in front of the school
on Bough Beeches Blvd.
A Helpful Hint: Parents who arrive
no earlier than 3:33 p.m.have found
that their children are generally ready
and waiting for them at this pick up
area.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY
Please remind your children of safety guidelines for
Halloween:
 Not to wear a face mask, so your child will be able to see
clearly.
 Wear light coloured clothing, so drivers can see them.
 Carry a flashlight, so your child will be able to see on dark
streets.
 Go out with an adult, or an older brother or sister, if under 10
years of age.
 Stay away from cars, and friendly strangers in cars.
 Watch for cars, and look both ways when crossing the street.
 Wear their costumes above their shoes, so they will not trip.
 Not to eat any treats until they are home, and their parents
have checked them.
 Not to damage anyone else's property.
 Start trick or treating early, and be home by 8:30 p.m.
DATES TO REMEMBER….
October 20: Homework Help registration for Grades 7 and 8
October 21: Peace Pals Lunch session
October 21: School Council 7 p.m.
October 22: Cross Country Meet at Erindale Park
October 27: Photo retake
October 27: School Council meeting; 7:00 p.m.
October 28: Board Cross Country Meet
October 29: Grade 4 trip to Silvercreek, Morison
October 29: Intermediate volleyball at Fr. Michael Goetz SS
October 30: Halloween Fundraiser Dance-a-Thon
October 30: Hallowe’en for Hunger Food Drive
November 5: Community Helper OPP visitor JK to Gr. 1
November 11: Remembrance Day
November 16: P.A. Day, report card writing. No classes
November 16-20 Book Fair
November 24: School Council meeting 7 p.m.
November 26: Ms. Ciccolini/Mrs. Morison at Silvercreek
November 29 Advent Begins
November 30:Mrs. Ford’s class excursion to Silvercreek
December 1: Report Cards sent home
December 3: Evening parent, student and teacher conferences
December 4: P.A. Day, report card interviews
9:00 a.m. – 3:30p.m.
Please help us out: Supervision begins at 8:45 a.m. Please do not bring your children to school
earlier than this time. We know that this may inconvenience many parents due to work schedules.
Given today’s safety concerns, it is never a good idea to leave your child unattended. Please make
alternative arrangements for the care of your children prior to 8:45 a.m.
Frustrated with the wait…. Make
a point to only turn right when
exiting the school parking lot. If
you need to travel west bound,
turn right out of the parking lot and
then left on Chalkdene Crescent;
this will bring you back to Bough
Beeches, just west of the
entrance to the school.
Gotta Love our
Volunteers…
But they did sign up
just for 15 minutes,
please try not to arrive
after 9:00 am
Good for you, good for the
environment…
If you live within 4 blocks of the
school, please consider walking…
even on cold days. Not only will
this help us manage the busy Kiss
& Ride, it’s also good for your
child.
Are your children ready to exit the
car???
When you are near the volunteers,
unbuckle seatbelts and ensure that
backpacks are ready to go and on
your child’s lap. If your child
requires assistance to unbuckle,
please consider parking along
Bough Beeches rather than backing
up the drive through lanes.
Please give our
volunteers a
smile and a big
thank you.
Better yet, come
out and lend a
hand.
Still frustrated with the wait… the
busiest time of the morning drop off
is between 8:55 and 9:00. Come
right at 8:45; but please remember,
if the Kiss& Ride sign isn’t out or
there are no volunteers, you may
have arrived too early. Supervision
only begins at 8:45. Children should
not be left unattended prior to 8:45.