280 Kingsbridge Garden Circle, Mississauga, ON L5R 1L2
PRINCIPAL ………………
SECRETARY …………….
SUPERINTENDENT …….
WARD 4 TRUSTEE ……...
F. Bernard
N. Russo
L. Papaloni (905)890-1221
A. Abbruscato (905)890-1221
Tel: 905-890-6898
PARISH …………………..
PASTOR ………………….
COUNCIL CHAIR ……….
WEBSITE ………………...
Fax: 905-890-7611
Cristo Rei (905)270-1133
Fr. C. Macatangga
N. Rampersad
www.dpcdsb.org/MATHW
Be the Difference Live the Difference
PARENT NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2015
Have a wonderful & enjoyable summer!
O God of all beginnings and endings, we praise and thank you for the gift of this school year.
It has been a time filled with grace and blessings, with challenges and opportunities, joys and sorrows.
The days have passed quickly, O Lord. The weeks, the months, the seasons, the holidays and holy days,
The exams, vacations, breaks, and assemblies, all have come forth from your hand.
While we trust that your purposes have always been at work each day, sometimes it has seemed difficult
to understand and appreciate just what you have been up to in our school.
Give us the rest and refreshment we need this summer. Let our efforts of this past year bear fruit.
Bring all of our plans to a joyful conclusion, and bless us, according to your will,
With the fulfillment of our summer hopes and dreams. Watch over us in the weeks of rest ahead,
And guide each day as you have done this past year.
Help us return to school with a new spirit and a new energy.
May we continue to grow in age, wisdom, knowledge and grace all the days of our lives. Amen.
Principal’s Corner – Sharing Some Thoughts
We are almost at the end of another successful school year, and it is difficult to believe that we are coming to the end. I stop
to reflect that the days have traveled so quickly and it seems like only yesterday that September was here at St. Matthew School.
It has been a privilege to work in this vibrant community and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all the
members of the St. Matthew School community for working together to make our school the best it can be. I have truly enjoyed
getting to know you and your children better, the parish team, and the wonderful staff of St. Matthew.
Thank God for the gifts of Catholic Education and St. Matthew School. We look forward to continuing to cooperatively build a
positive learning environment here at St. Matthew School.
We wish everyone a peaceful, safe and enjoyable summer holiday with family and friends. God bless!
1
DU
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Virtue for June
During the month of June, we will celebrate the virtue of
FAIRNESS. With the students we will reinforce that a
FAIR person:
 Listens to all sides before forming opinions;
 Shows good sportsmanship at all times;
 Knows that the same rules apply to everyone;
 Refuses to twist rules to avoid consequences;
 Works to bring about peaceful solutions to
problems;
 Cheers on the successes of others;
 Can balance their own rights and responsibilities
with those of others.
Our daily prayer for June will be . . .
Let us pray for the virtue of fairness – the desire to live by
the rules of God’s kingdom everyday of our lives. Amen.
Special Thank You’s
Together We Can Be the Difference.
Together We Can Live the Difference.
This year we continued to strive for a safe, caring, and
inclusive environment. We have had so many successes that
we would like to acknowledge and thank the following for
their wonderful partnerships:
. . . all of our students who have come to school consistently,
prepared to learn and have produced their best work;
. . . all St. Matthew Staff for their hard work, dedication
and commitment to making a positive difference in providing
Catholic Education to the students;
. . . all Parents and Guardians who continually support all our
endeavours and various school initiatives on behalf of our
students;
. . . our Parish Priest, Fr. Carlos and the Parish Team who
work so diligently with the school to bring the Good News of
Jesus to our school community;
. . . our Superintendent, L. Papaloni, who works tirelessly for
the benefit of our students;
. . . our Trustee, A. Abbruscato, who works on behalf of all
the students and parents of the school;
. . . our Head Secretary, N. Russo, who works to assist all who
pass through our doors;
. . . our Custodial Team who maintains the building impeccably;
. . . all volunteers who have given their valuable time to
enhance the delivery of student programmes, trips,
sacramental preparation and special events;
. . . our Support Services Personnel who are always willing to
share their expertise;
. . . our Neighbourhood Police Unit who has visited us on a
regular basis to ensure the safety of our school; and
. . . our community partners who have assisted the school in
various ways.
Many thanks Everyone for the
many accomplishments of 2014-2015.
A Farewell From Mrs. Bernard
It saddens me to inform you that I will be leaving St.
Matthew School. It seems like only yesterday that I arrived
at St. Matthew School and now I must say farewell. The
years have travelled much too quickly . . . however, at a
recent Board meeting I have been transferred to another
school in Brampton. Although it is not easy to leave, this
community has provided me with so many wonderful
experiences, opportunities, and blessings to serve you and
your children to the best of my abilities. Thank you to all of
you for your assistance and support throughout the years
which have been invaluable - I take with me numerous happy
memories of my time here. I will miss you all tremendously.
On behalf of the St. Matthew community, I would like to
warmly welcome Ms. Emily Plastina as your new Principal
effective September 2015. We wish Ms. Plastina all the very
best in her new role. She is very fortunate to be entering a
wonderful community.
Blessed Mother Teresa stated: “In this life we cannot do
great things. We can only do small things with great love.” I
hope that I have served you well!
Take care my friends & may God bless and be always with
you! Arrivederci!
Catholic Education
The integration of religious truths and values with life is one
of the most significant elements that distinguish the
Catholic school from other schools. This is a matter of
crucial importance today in view of contemporary trends and
pressures to compartmentalize life and learning and to
isolate the religious dimension of existence from other areas
of human life. The courts have recognized over the years
that Catholic education is not a subject but rather a way to
view the world that speaks to the interrelationship between
faith, knowledge and action. The Catholic school is a unique
setting within which this ideal can be realized in the lives of
2
Catholic children and young people. In our Catholic schools
this reality can and is lived out.
Putting Our Faith Into Action
Our final mass of the year will be celebrated on
June 24th. It will be a time to look back and reflect on all the
blessings that have been granted to St. Matthew School, as
well as honour the graduating Grade 8 students.
We thank them for their fundraising initiatives - their
participation is highly valued and welcome. Information
regarding membership criteria, nominations and dates will be
published in the first newsletter of the new school year.
End of the year
Catholic School Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 16
at 6:30 pm in the school library
End of the Year Mass
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
PROGRAM & CURRICULUM
at 9:30 a.m.
in our school gym.
celebrate our faith
express our thanks
acknowledge our Grade 8 graduates
All parents are welcome to attend
and to pray with us on this special day.
Share Life Campaign – Great Generosity
This year our school raised money for Share Life through
our school-wide efforts and staff initiatives. Weekly staff
dress-down days also contributed to the Share Life Fund but
these donations were made separately to the Board. We
would like to thank our staff, parents and students for all
your financial contributions. We have already sent our
contributions to Share Life via Cristo Rei
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
Valuable Council Members
Many special THANKS to all the members of the Catholic
School Council and to those who participated in, helped,
and/or supported the St. Matthew Catholic School Council
initiatives and events this year. They have supported our
school by providing funds for . . .
sacramental gifts
the support of programme – technology based
assisting with graduation costs
support for Scientists in School program
events i.e. Pancake Day, Skate Night, Community
Night - speaker, Movie Nights, Hotdog Lunch
(upcoming) and more.
Summer Reading, Writing and
Mathematics
Parental involvement and support play an integral
part in students retaining their academic skills
over the summer break. You can support your
child’s learning by making reading, writing and
math a natural part of their summer. Encourage reading as
a bedtime activity, rainy day activity or even while in the car.
Have your child write notes and cards to friends and
relatives, keep a journal, write out shopping or ‘to do’ lists.
The work that you do with your child is invaluable
academically and personally. Sharing quality time with your
child is rewarding for everyone.
Report Cards
Final report cards go home on Wednesday, June 24th. We
wish to bring your attention once more to page 3, called the
Response Form, which provides you with the opportunity to
comment on your child’s achievement, goals, and home
support. Please complete and send this form back to your
child’s teacher by Friday, June 26th. If you wish to contact
your child’s teacher, please do so before June 23h, which is
the last day for students and staff before the summer
holiday begins.
Professional Development Day
June 8th
No School for Students
Teachers will be involved in
assessment, evaluation and report card writing.
Library News
Thank you to all parents for your continued support of our
library this year. Please return all library books by Friday,
3
June 5th. We encourage all students to continue to read all
summer long. The public library is a great place to visit
weekly. Please get a library card and make reading with your
children fun.
SAFETY/SECURITY COMES FIRST
Criminal Reference Checks
In order for parents to serve as volunteers in any capacity
at the school, they will be required to have a criminal
reference check with no exceptions. We will not be able to
have anyone volunteer in any capacity without this check
before hand. We will be obligated to cancel events if we do
not have the required number of volunteers to supervise.
Please pick up the forms from the office. You will then need
to bring the forms to the local police station. It is free of
charge for volunteers and takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks
to process. It will take less time during the summer rather
than waiting for the fall.
We look forward to having many volunteers next year in
order to work with and for students.
SCHOOL OPERATIONS
Class Placements & September
As in previous years, due to the Freedom of Information and
Privacy Act, class lists and teacher placements will not be
publicized before the first day of school. There is often
news from the Ministry or registrations shifts during the
end of June, over the summer, and in late August that may
have impact on class organization. When students arrive on
the first day they will meet with the teachers at designated
sections of the school and be directed to their classes from
there. Please look for further information regarding the
process on the doors of the school the week before school
begins.
EQAO Assessment
We commend our grade 3 and 6 students for working
diligently during this year’s EQAO testing. We will receive
the results in early September.
Graduation
Congratulations and farewell to our Grade 8 students who
will be celebrating their graduation on Wednesday, June 24
at 7:00 p.m..
The celebrations will begin with a liturgy, followed by an
awards ceremony, and reception. Dinner and dance for the
Grade 8 students will occur on Friday, June 26th. More
information has already gone home to parents/guardians.
We wish all the graduates all the very best
and may God continue to bless and guide
them in their secondary school education.
Lost and Found Items
HELP! Many items have accumulated in our lost and found
box. You may find a familiar item of clothing that your child
has misplaced. Students and parents are encouraged to
check the lost and found box for materials belonging to the
children. Other items such as eye glasses, jewelry, small
toys and keys may be claimed from the office. Any unclaimed
items will be donated to charity on the last day of school.
Happy Fathers’ Day – Sunday, June 21, 2015
The greatest gift I ever had came from God;
I call him Dad! Unknown
Happy Father’s Day to all the dedicated and loving dads of
our community.
Co-curricular Updates
Our participation in the many extracurricular endeavours has
resulted in great success for our school. Congratulations go to
all of our boys and girls who played hard and showed tremendous
school spirit.
We are very proud of our students’
accomplishments. In addition to sports, some of the activities
included Chess Club, Junior Science Olympics, Intermediate
Math Mania, Choir, Eco-Team, Youth Faith Ambassadors, Office
Helpers, Door Monitors, and so many more. A special thank you
goes to our staff coaches for their many hours of time and
effort provided for students.
Last Day of School - Cheers
The last day for students and staff will be
Friday, June 26th.
Students will be
dismissed at the regular time, 3:20 p.m., on
that day.
4
COME SEPTEMBER
Opening Day Comes Sooner than you think
The school office will be open for new registrations from
Monday, August 31st to Friday, September 4th . We will
welcome students back after Labour Day, on Tuesday,
September 8, 2014.
Our school hours will continue to be 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. –
these hours include Full Day Kindergarten.
. . . AND FINALLY
I Leave You With This Thought . . .
This is the last community newsletter you will receive until
September – I hope they have served you well. We’re one
step closer to summer vacation.
Mark Your Calendars
School Agendas Coming Back
School agendas are an excellent communication tool between
the school and parents. These will be available in September.
June 5
June 8
June 16
Bussing for September
Please note that every school year, school bus transportation
schedules change. Information about bus runs and pick up
and drop off times, will be posted on our front door windows
as soon as it is received from the board’s transportation
department. Distance requirements enable eligible students
to receive bussing within our catchment area.
June 17
The distance eligibility above does not allow
any students from Grade 2 through 8 to be
eligible for bussing to St. Matthew School.
Courtesy Rider Policy
Every year we get numerous calls from parents who do not
live within the transportation areas as established by the
Board requesting permission for their children to ride the
bus by accessing the Courtesy rider Policy. According to the
Board Policy, we will not be giving permission for students to
ride the bus until October. You can pick up a request form
in September from the school office.
Student Monitors
We are very grateful to our three student monitors. They
have consistently been here over our lunch and recesses. We
are very grateful for their dedication in serving our
community.
If you are interested in this position in our school, contact
the office for further information. It would benefit the
school if you prepared for this during the summer months.
KEEPING HEALTHY
June 24
June 25
June 26
All library books due back to school
P. D. Day – no school for students
Catholic School Council Meeting at 6:30pm
MBC Family Track & Field Meet
Hotdog Lunch sponsored by the Catholic
School Council
End of the Year/Grad Mass at 9:30 am
Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony at 7:00 p.m.
Report cards to go home
Virtue of fairness assembly
Grade 8 Lunch/Dance
Last day of school
Please check your child’s agenda nightly
for important dates & information
Attachments Included with this Newsletter
 2015=2016 School Year Calendar
 STOPR Info –Information for DPCDSB Parents
regarding school start up transportation procedures
for September 2015
 Information Regarding PLASP
For those moving away from our area,
all the very best in your new schools.
For those returning, see you on
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
St. Matthew’s Staff wish each family
a safe, enjoyable and relaxing summer holiday
Take care & may God bless
and be always with you during the summer months.
School Medication
We ask that all students who have
medications stored in the office pick them up
on the last day of the school year. We will
provide you with new forms since these must
be updated on a yearly basis.
5