World Teacher’s Day – “Teachers Matter” October 5th is celebrated as the day specifically designated to recognize the contribution of teachers throughout our education system. At Pope John Paul II School we are very fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals who work to provide for the education of the young people in our community. Thank you to all our committed teachers. Thanksgiving Food Drive As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded that there are many families in need. Your consideration in contributing to our Thanksgiving Food Drive is greatly appreciated. We will be collecting non‐perishable goods throughout October culminating on the night of interviews, October 27th. Intermediate Boy’s and Girl’s Volleyball Teams Our Volleyball teams are just finalizing their roster. The date has not yet been provided for the Bolton schools tournament. Thanks to the coaches: for the Intermediate Girl’s, Mr. Racco and Mr. Pusztai and for the Intermediate Boy’s, Mr. Kenny and Mr. MacNeil. Intermediate Softball Team Tryouts are still ongoing in choosing students to compete on our Intermediate Softball Team. Thanks to all for their enthusiasm. The team will be competing in a tournament on October 13. Thanks to Mrs. Bria for coaching this team. School Council Our first meeting was held on September 27th. Meetings are open to all members of the community. Thank you to all those who completed the self‐ nomination forms as a promise to serve on the School Council for 2011‐2012. Council Chair: This position remains undetermined. We have one parent willing to share the position as a Co‐Chair. If you would be willing to support her in the role, please contact us at the office. Treasurer: F. Biagi Secretary: O. Falvo Parent Group Co‐Chairs: M.J. Gulino, M. Pavia Parish Rep: R. Asta Lunch Coordinator: S. Chiarotto The next meeting will be on October 17th at 7:00 p.m. The Parent Group will be organizing activities for the upcoming Hallowe’en Dance‐a‐thon. Please watch for pledge forms coming home. In addition, parents will have an opportunity to renew magazine subscriptions through QSP this year. This will not be a major fundraiser as it was last year. The intention is simply to allow for renewals. Any new subscriptions are welcome at that time. It is anticipated that information will go out in November. Visitors to the School All visitors, including parents and former students must check in at the main office before proceeding to any other area of the school. If you are dropping off a lunch or book for your child, please leave it at the table by the entrance where there are pens and labels available for identification. If you are picking up your child early, you must report to the office and sign them out; he/she will then be sent to the office to meet you. If there is a discipline problem which requires further investigation, please report the details to the classroom teacher or the office. Under no circumstances may a parent approach a student other than their own child. During regular school hours, the staff are to devote their full attention to the students in their care. Calls can be returned and interviews set at times outside of instructional time. Cooperation in following these routines helps ensure our students’ safety. Student Absences & Lates If your child/children are going to be late or absent from school for any reason please call our Absence Verification Line 905– 857 ­ 4241 press 1 Please be reminded that school begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Arriving at school on time allows students to be properly prepared for the school day and to begin their day in a positive manner. All students being dropped off should make use of the Kiss and Ride. Students should not be dropped off in the bus lanes at the front doors of the school. We will continue to monitor students who habitually arrive late. Parents will be contacted by the Principal or Vice Principal as necessary. EQAO Results Grade 3 and 6 results have now been released. Individual student results have been sent home. School results are as follows: Percentage of all students at or above the Provincial Standards (Level 3 & 4). Reading Writing Math Grade 3 65% 67% 73% Grade 6 74% 63% 56% Safety of Students We remind families that we are concerned about young students visiting Mr. Sub at the Wellness Centre on their own. Once again we remind you that with the presence of another local secondary school, there are many more young adults present at that location. For the safety of our students, we recommend that if your son/daughter is planning to visit the Mr. Sub with their friends, there should be an adult or parent present with the group. Library News: October is Canadian Library Month. Theme: “Your Library: A Place Unbound.” Help celebrate the occasion by “falling” into a good book. Mark your calendars: the Scholastic Book Fair Safari will arrive at Pope John Paul II School Library on Tuesday, November 1st until Monday, November 7th. The Book Fair will be open during school hours. Textbook Policy Textbooks are the property of the school and are loaned out to students with the expectations that they will be returned at the end of the school year in good condition. The teachers keep record of each textbook that students are given. Cost will be incurred by students if books are lost or not returned in good condition. Hallowe’en Dance­a­thon We are all looking forward to our Hallowe’en Dance‐a‐ thon on October 31st. Just a reminder that this is the major fundraiser of our Parent Group for the school year, so your support is appreciated. All students will have an opportunity to dance‐dance‐dance and parents are invited to join us during their child’s dance time. Remember your costumes. Please remind children that their costumes should be appropriate for school (no weapons, gore) and they should be able to change in and out of them in order to protect them for evening use on Hallowe’en. Allergy Alert Students are reminded once again, not to share food items. This year we ask for no food treats to be sent to the school for birthdays or special occasions. There are many alternatives such as stickers and pencils. All food treats will be returned for home use. Cross Country Team The Pope John Paul II Cross Country team has a large number of participants this year from Grades 5 to 8. They will be competing in the Brampton East/Caledon/Dufferin/Malton Family of Schools Meet at Monora Park on October 19th. Thanks for the support of the coaches: Mrs. Attard, Mrs. Pennella, Mrs. DeFranco, Mrs. LaRosa, Mrs. Filippo, Ms. Rogers and Mrs. DeAngelis. Good Luck! Changes in Reporting times In the fall, is a “Progress Report” intended to describe work habits observed and provide teachers, parents and students an opportunity to plan for greater success. This Progress Report will go home on October 25th and interviews for students will be on October 27th. The first term Report Card will go home on January 31st with interviews to follow on February 2nd. Storage and Administration of Medication Once again we remind parents that there is a Board policy on the storage and administration of medication. If your child requires daily administration of medication, please contact the office as soon as possible. Bus Driver Appreciation The Dufferin‐Peel Catholic District School Board proclaims October 20th, 2010 to be bus driver appreciation day, whereby all schools are encouraged to celebrate and thank their bus drivers for a job well done! Pope John Paul II School honours and appreciates the wonderful efforts of our bus drivers who transport our students safely to and from school on a daily basis. Lunch Time Procedures We will continue to provide a table, writing instruments and notepaper for parents who are dropping their child’s lunch off at the school. Please ensure that your child is aware that his/her lunch is being dropped off at the school. In the event that your child is unaware, all students have been instructed to check the table at the front of the school if they do not have a lunch or snack. We kindly request your understanding that we will not interrupt classes to notify students that their lunch has arrived, as they are reminded time and again that if they do not have a lunch or snack, they are to check the lunch table. If there is no lunch for them, they will then come to the office and we will contact a parent/guardian. Student Monitors Thank you to those parents who have offered to support the school as lunchtime Student Monitors. The team now consists of Mrs. Sanii, Mrs. Giuliano, Ms. Dixon, and Mrs. Gugliemi. Supporting them on an occasional basis are Mrs. Chiarotto, Mrs. Lopez and Mrs. Cosentino Hot Lunch Orders Policy/Program Memorandum 150 regarding School Food and Beverage Policy took affect September of this year. The Ontario government is committed to making schools healthier places for students in order to establish the conditions needed to realize the potential of all students. The purpose of this memorandum is to set out nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario. This year lunch Pizza orders and those from Just Catering must meet these standards. We appreciate the cooperation of those providers. Hard Candy Donations We will once again be collecting Hallowe’en candy. Any candy can be brought to Pope John Paul II where we will gather it and send it to Dr. Simone’s Feed the Children organization.