October 2010
PRINCIPAL:
K.J. Carey
VICE PRINCIPAL:
C. Klein
SECRETARY:
T. Crayden
SUPERINTENDENT:
C. Blanchard
905-890-1221
STS. MARTHA AND MARY
PARISH TEAM:
Fr. E. D’Souza
905-625-5670
TRUSTEE:
M. Pascucci
Mississauga Wards 1 & 3
(905) 302-3096
(905) 890-0708, x20161
mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org
INSIDE
School Council
Safety in our
School
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.
Loving God, we believe Your Spirit is at work
in our world.
Give us eyes of faith that we might see such
wonders in our midst and the courage to live in
hope.
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 of this school year will be celebrated in the
gymnasium on Wednesday October 27th at 10:00 a.m. Father
D’Souza will lead our school community in worship and faith.
The theme of our liturgy, ‘A Celebration of Thanksgiving’, will
provide a spiritual message that acknowledges 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.
A meeting for parents of the students in Grade 8 who will be
confirmed this year was held on September 28, 2010, followed by
a meeting on October 5 for parents of children in Grade 2.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Our Catholic School Council executive for the 2010-2011 school
year is as follows:
Chair: F. Costa
Secretary:
L. Arnett
Co-Secretary: T. Marano
Treasurer:
E. Folk
O.A.P.C.E.: T.B.D.
Teacher Rep: D. Boots, M. Maxymiw
Non-teaching Rep.: T.B.D.
Parish Rep: T.B.D.
Community Rep: J. Christopoulos
Members: C. Brenzavich, L. Butler, C. Gonsalves, R. Leahy, A.
Olynyk, L. Serrano, G. Varrecchia, C. Wyatt
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 26, 2010 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 29, 2010
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 29, 2010. 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 again this year. The 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 by their classroom teacher who will introduce this
wonderful homework support opportunity to their students. To
assist with registration, more specific information will 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 L. De Simone and her
team of volunteers, this is an event not to miss. All proceeds go
directly to the school library and will be used to
supplement our selection of fiction and nonfiction texts. The book fair will take place in
early December. More information will be
provided in the next newsletter.
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.
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 continue
to collect the tabs; when you have a bag bring it to the ERW
office and deposit your tabs to the official bucket.
RECYCLE USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES:
Staples accepts used printer ink and toner cartridges. Help the
environment by dropping off used cartridges at any Staples
location.
VOLLEYBALL
Mrs. Boots and Mrs. Maxymiw are our boys’ Intermediate
volleyball team coaches this year.
CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Congratulations to every member of
the Saints Martha & Mary Cross
Country Team for running through
wind, rain, mud…up hills and down
hills…and for crossing the finish line
on October 14th at our Family of
Schools
Meet.
EVERYONE
completed the challenging course!!!
Sincerest thanks go out to Mrs.
Schweiger for her enthusiasm and
dedication in preparing the team for
their big day. Thank you also to our
Parent Assistant Mrs. Wanuch and to
all our cheering fans. As well, thank
you to our dedicated cross-country
team coaches, J. Ford, K. Hammond.
Cross Country Team 2010:
Amy S.
Julia
Michaela
Callon
ClaudiaE.
Paula B.
Daniel F.
Daniel D.
Sebastian
Daniel Dr.
Domenico
Audrey
Josh
Bianca
Matthew L. Spencer
Anthony
Noah
Kristine
Erin
Jackie
Amanda
Alex
Adriana
Augustina
Gabriel
Nick
Austin
Pamela
Adrian
Michael
Bruno
Robert
Aiden
Jessica
Sara
Carolos
Ryan
Jordan
Special recognition goes out to the
following runners who will complete
at the Board Meet on October 28th.
Their placing at the Family meet is
noted beside their name.
Bianca F 1st
Paula B 5th
Daniel F. 7th
Ryan F. 2nd
Kristine G. 10th
Jessica M. 2nd
Sara V. 7th
Julia M. 1st
Erin C. 4th
Adrian F. 13th
Agustina 10th
Jordan H. 3rd
Aiden 14th
Audrey V. 5th
Finally, our Grade 6 Girls Team
(names are bolded above) placed first
in their race and will compete at the
Boards.
The members of the Boys Intermediate Volleyball Team are:
Michael B., Jason D., Marcello C., Tyler, Cole, Austin, Nicholas
S., Jacob B., Daniel F., Domenic, David A. and Audrey.
Ms. Addario, Ms. Prajza and Ms. Sim are coaching the Girls
Intermediate Volleyball Team this year.
The members of the Girls Intermediate Volleyball team are:
Abbie, Rebecca, Callan, Juliana, Claudia, Tate Marina, Paula,
Pamela, Samantha, Alexa, Julia.
Excellent team work and athletic skill have demonstrated true
Maverick spirit at recent games held at the school. Mississauga
East Family of Schools boys and girls volleyball tournament is
scheduled for Wednesday, October 27, 2010 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, Mrs. Hammond, Ms. Daly and Mrs.
Bellini-Kavals 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 in September 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 Thursday, September 30, 2010. For more information:
http://www.freethechildren.com/weday/
I know you join me in congratulating the 2010 / 2011 Student
Leaders:
Grade 7
Grade 8
Adrian B.
Bianca F.
Cole A.
Alexa B.
Alex. C.
Alyssa H.
Samantha C. Marina D.
Kaitlynn P. Meagan P.
Montana F. Monique G.
Juliana R.
Alex S.
Chantal M.
Noreen S.
Emily A.
Melanie C.
Amy S.
Michaela S.
Dana C.
Andrea D.
Stephanie B. Alyssa B.
Victoria S.
Shannon S.
B. Miethner J. Milosz
Amanda S.
Joshua W.
Abbie O.
Tate P.
Jordan R.
Samantha S.
SCHOOL COUNCIL CORNER
RESULTS OF 2010/2011 SCHOOL
COUNCIL ELECTIONS
The School Council executive for
2010/2011 has been elected as follows:
Chair: Filo Costa
Treasurer: Elizabeth Folk
Secretary: Laura Arnett
Co-Secretary: Tina Marano
Community Representative: Jim
Christopoulos
Parish Liaison: TBA
Non Teaching Representative: TBA
OAPCE Representative: TBA
Teaching Representatives: Mrs. Boots,
Mrs. Maxymiw
Council Members: Lisa Butler, Cheryl
Brenzavich, Cindy Gonsalves, Rubina
Leahy, Andrea Olynyk, Lucy Serrano,
Grace Varrecchia, and Carol Wyatt.
NEXT SCHOOL COUNCIL
MEETING:
All parents are welcome to join us at our
next School Council meeting scheduled
for Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 7pm
in the school library.
UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL
EVENT SPONSORED BY SCHOOL
COUNCIL:
As a result of our success with the ProGrant application last year, we welcome
parents to attend an educational session
with child discipline expert Ron
Morrish. This thought-provoking and
entertaining event will be held on
Wednesday October 20th at 7pm in the
school gymnasium, light refreshments
will be available starting at 6:30 p.m.
Please sign up on the form that was sent
home with your children on October 6th
and return to the school so that we can
anticipate attendance at this informative
session. Please note this presentation is
intended for adults.
DANCE-A-THON:
The Dance-a-thon is
just around the corner! This exciting event takes
place on October 29th. This is a major fundraiser for School Council
and a much anticipated event by the students. Pledge envelopes were
distributed on October 8th and prizes will be awarded on Oct 27th. This
year, we have some amazing prices and we always welcome more prize
donations from parents. Thank you to Yamaha Canada for their
generous donation on display in the showcase! Good luck to all
students in your fundraising efforts. Happy Halloween!
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,
foursquare, 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 four and five
students have volunteered to act as Peace Pals.
Our grade one teacher, Mrs. Yawney, has
provided training for the students. The Peace
Pals are available at morning recesses to lead
our primary students in co-operative games.
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-NRide lanes are assured that a safe drop
off for the children is provided when
they follow the direction of the KissN-Ride teachers on duty. Drivers
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.
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.
Volunteers: If you are interested in volunteering at Sts. Martha
& Mary School this year, please drop by and complete a volunteer
form and obtain Criminal Reference Check forms.
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.
Sts. Martha & Mary Catholic School
is accepting applications for the position of:
Elementary School - Student Monitor
Part-time: 1.2 hours per day
The rate of pay is $11.45 per hour plus 4% vacation pay
To be considered for the
Sts. Martha & Mary School
position please contact
at: (905) 624-9625
The successful applicant will be required to submit a current
criminal reference check.
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.
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.
Please help us out: Supervision
begins at 8:45 a.m. Please do not
bring your children to school earlier
than this time. Please make
alternative arrangements for the
care of your children prior to 8:45
a.m.
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 18, 19: Boys & Girls Volleyball
at Sts. Martha & Mary - gym
October 20: Bus Driver Appreciation Day
October 20: School Council parent presentation at 7 p.m. in
the library: Ron Morrish; All welcome to attend.
October 21: Picture re-take day
October 25: Municipal Elections at Sts. Martha & Mary
October 25: Kindergarten Field trip to Downey Farm
October 26: School Council Meeting @ 7 p.m.
October 27: Intermediate volleyball at Fr. Michael Goetz SS
October 28: Board Cross Country Meet
October 29: Hallowe’en Fundraiser Dance-a-Thon
October 29: Hallowe’en for Hunger Food Drive
November 2: Progress Reports go home.
November 11: Remembrance Day
November 23: School Council meeting 7 p.m.
November 26: P.A. Day. Provincial Priorities & Faith
Development. No Classes
November 28 Advent Begins
December 14: Sts. Martha & Mary School Council Meeting
An Historical Understanding of Key Issues Related to Catholic Education:
How long have Catholic separate schools been educating Catholic children and contributing to the
public good in Ontario?
For about 170 years. In the early 1800s there were separate schools in many cities, towns and
townships. In Peel, three separate schools opened before Confederation (1867): St. James in Malton in
the 1830s, St. John’s Agriculture College (1861) and St. Patrick’s (1861), both in Wildfied.
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.
Are your children ready to exit the
car???
When you are near the teachers on
duty, 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.
NOTE: There is no
Kiss & Ride for our
afternoon
Kindergarten class.
Parents are asked to
park their cars on the
street and walk their
child to class.
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.
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.