Father Francis McSpiritt February Newsletter 2015
PRAYER FOR LENT
Principal:
G. Sideroff
Lord Jesus Christ
You gather Your people during this Season of Lent,
Vice Principal:
S. Salameh
And You call us to repent.
Secretary:
K. Walsh
J. Gouvis
As we turn back to You again,
Open our hearts so that we might be transformed in Your image,
Superintendent:
M. Vecchiarino
Brampton North -East
(905) 890-1221
Remove any barriers, that keep us from You,
So that we might live fully the life we received at Baptism
And carry our cross each day.
Trustee:
S. Xavier
By your Grace, may we turn to You in our Need.
Amen
Parish:
St. Patrick’s Church
(905) 794-0486
Pastor:
Fr. V. Marziliano
Our Virtue for February…… RESPECT
This month, we celebrate the virtue of Respect. We will learn that:
A respectful person….
Father Francis McSpiritt
Catholic School
55 Lexington Road
Brampton, Ontario
L6P 2B1
Telephone: (905) 794-5031
Fax- (905) 794-9542
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Treats himself/herself and everyone else with courtesy
Uses a positive tone of voice and body language
Avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and inappropriate gestures
Says “Excuse Me, Please, Pardon Me”
Avoids gossip
“As brothers and sisters who share one Holy Spirit, we are all valuable to
God. We all deserve to be shown courtesy, consideration, sensitivity and
thoughtfulness, which are different ways of saying respect.”
Father Francis McSpiritt February Newsletter 2015
Dear parents, students, staff and administrators, support staff and friends of our parish schools:
Blessings and Peace to everyone.
I wish to thank the parents and students of our schools who have made a commitment to journey through
these final weeks and months of preparation for the celebration of the Sacraments of First Confession, First
Communion and Confirmation. Families who are still considering these moments of grace for their children
and their family, and especially anyone who may have questions or concerns on these or other issues relating
to our faith and practice, please do not hesitate to call or come by the rectory or the church. To make sure I
am present when you come, it is always best to make an appointment. Please feel free to call; if I am not
available when you phone, please leave a message and your call will be returned (905/794-0486).
On Saturday, February 14, at 3 p.m. I am inviting parents and children who are able to attend a meeting in St.
Patrick’s Church, to talk about Lent and the meaning behind these 40 holy days. It will be an hour of learning
and fun, followed by refreshments in the church hall. I hope many of you will be able to join us.
In the meantime, we once again prepare for LENT, beginning on Wednesday, February 18, through the
celebration of the ASHES. I will prepare the ashes and bless them as I bring them to each of the schools
ahead of time for celebrations on the 18. At St. Patrick’s Church, Ash Wednesday celebrations will be held at
8:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
As we approach this holy season, I invite each family to consider possibilities of how, in our own individual
ways, we can mark this time. How can we as a family, as a community, as members of our various schools, as
a parish, grow closer to the love of God and neighbour. Can the journey of Lent enable us to reach Easter
renewed in our desire to do our part in creating an environment of peace and solidarity, understanding and
acceptance, unity and respect in every aspect of life.
May the Lord bless the journey of each individual, family and community, during this sacred time of renewal
and new beginnings.
With friendship,
Fr. Vito Marziliano.
Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
First term report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015. Along with the report
card, you will receive a confirmation time for your scheduled conference. This conference will
include the student, the teacher and the parents/guardians. During this first conference, the teachers
would like to see and speak with all parents and students in order to discuss the first term, and also
to make plans and set goals for the second term. Conferences for first term reports will be held on
February 5th from 3:15 to 8:00 PM and all day Friday, February 6.
Father Francis McSpiritt February Newsletter 2015
ECO / Social Justice Initiatives
Father Francis McSpiritt School is proud to be active “Stewards of Creation” and participate in a boardwide social
justice effort to assist those living in Sierra Leone affected by the Ebola outbreak. This social justice project also
helps us keep non-biodegradeable plastic milk bags out of our landfill and recycled into sleeping mats for those in
need. Beginning February 1st, 2015, we will be collecting milk bags (the outer bag only), which will be sent to Dr.
Simone’s warehouse and then forwarded to Africa. Simply collect the clean, outer milk bag and send with your child
to school. Just another simple way to demonstrate how just a small act can do such great things.
On Thursday, February 5th, the City of Brampton will be coming to the school to present workshops on
“Recycling”. All classes from Kindergarten to Grade 8 will be attending workshops throughout the day.
Also, Earth Rangers will be coming to McSpiritt on February 13, in the PM for students from Grades 1 to 5. They
will speak to students about the environment and species at risk.
“McSpiritt Spirit”
Thanks to our School Council, our gym is looking pretty good! In addition to our McSpiritt Mustangs Logo, a
mustang has been painted on the back wall of the gym and our school crest next to the stage door.
“Go Mustangs Go”!
WHEN BUSSES ARE CANCELLED
A reminder to parents and guardians that when busses are cancelled due to poor weather or
driving conditions, they are cancelled for the whole day. If you choose to drive your child to
school on that day, please be aware that you will need to pick them up at 3:15 p.m. Please prearrange a meeting spot in the school yard, as the front of the school is not safe due to an
increased volume of traffic.
Bus information re: cancellation is usually available by 6:10 AM @ www.dpcdsb.org
Our school busses are cancelled only when “all busses are cancelled”.
ALSO NOTE: WHEN BUSSES ARE CANCELLED, PIZZA DAY IS ALSO CANCELLED
Father Francis McSpiritt February Newsletter 2015
On December 16th, our Youth Faith Ambassadors visited Leisureworld Senior’s Home. Students
sang Christmas carols and performed the “Nativity Play” for the residents. This outreach is a
reflection of the caring, inclusive environment within our Catholic Schools where the light of
Jesus, highlighted within the Advent season, calls us to share this light within our community.
Sports Corner
Our Junior boys and girls have been practicing for upcoming basketball tournaments. The mini basketball
tournament for our pool of schools will take place during the week of Feb.19. A win for our team will
mean that our students will move on to the family tournament. More information will follow. Best of luck
to our teams and thank you to the coaches.
School Council
The next School Council meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on February 4th in the library. We
look forward to seeing you.
BOOK FAIR
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school once again this year.
Book Fair Dates: Mon. to Wed., February 2 - 4
Thursday, Feb. 5
Friday, Feb. 6
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Please Note: Book Fair will be closed during lunch hour – 11:45 to 12:45 p.m.
Father Francis McSpiritt February Newsletter 2015
Peel Regional Police Youth Education Department - offers
many informative programs in collaboration with the DufferinPeel Catholic District School Board to positively engage and
influence youth from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Crime Prevention and
Victim Avoidance forms the foundation of our programming as
well as fostering connectivity between youth and community
partners such as the Police. Our overall mission is to assist youth in developing the
character traits, skills and abilities to empower them in creating safe and healthy
environments for themselves where they can live, grow and flourish.
Peel Regional Police were here for 2 days on January 14 and 28 to present sessions to
our students.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT, MAX VECCHIARINO
Dear Parents/Guardians/Students,
I write to inform you of my transfer from the Brampton North-East Family of Schools to DufferinPeel’s Program Department. I have very much enjoyed and treasured my time as
Superintendent of the Family of Schools and have cherished learning alongside students, their
families, our parish teams and staff. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to each and all who
have made a difference in Brampton North-East. It is true, as I daily witness first hand, that
“extraordinary lives start with a great Catholic education.”
I also take this opportunity to welcome Denise Oude-Reimerink to the position of Superintendent
of Schools for Brampton North-East. Ms. Oude-Reimerink is an experienced Supervisory Officer,
who has previously held the position of Superintendent of Schools, as well as Central Office
portfolios.
My very best wishes for all of you in the future, and for all of God’s many blessings.
Sincerely,
Max Vecchiarino
Superintendent – Brampton North-East Family of Schools
On behalf of the staff, students and our McSpiritt Community, I would like to thank Mr.
Vecchiarino for all his contributions and support. We wish him all the best in his new role.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Superintendent, Denise OudeReimerink to the family. We look forward to serving the community alongside her.
Father Francis McSpiritt February Newsletter 2015
Dates to Remember
February 3
February 4
February 5
February 6
February 14
February 16
February 17
February 18
February 26
March 6
March 16 – March 20
Mar. 30 to April 3
Report Cards go home
School Council Meeting – 6:30 PM
Reporting to Parents – 3:15 to 8:00 PM
NO SCHOOL – Reporting to Parents
Valentine’s Day
Family Day – Schools Closed
Shrove Tuesday – Pancakes for Sharelife
Ash Wednesday
Grade 2 Reconciliation in School Gym 7:00 PM
Immunization Grades 7 & 8
March Break
Holy Week
LOST AND FOUND ……Please be sure to check the Lost & Found on Interview Evening / Day for any
items that may belong to your children. Unclaimed items will be donated.
THE 2015 “GREAT BIG CRUNCH” ACROSS CANADA
In the month of March, Father Francis McSpiritt School will be accepting donations towards its
snack program. Many students take advantage of the fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis
due to a number of reasons….they may have forgotten their snacks, did not get enough snacks
from home, forgotten their lunch or just feeling hungry.
On Thursday, March 12, 2015, our students will be participating in the annual ”Great Big
Crunch”. In order to promote healthy eating, all students will be taking a bite from an apple at
2:30 PM.
To complement our generous donations from the “Breakfast for Learning” program, we would
like for all students to bring in a $1.00 donation on March 12th. This loonie will be used towards
providing locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for our students throughout the year.
Thank you to Mrs. Harris for coordinating this event and we look forward to your support.