Christmas Vacation
Just a reminder that the last day of school in
December will be Friday, December 21rd. The first
day of school in the New Year will be Monday, January
7, 2013. We would also like to advise you that there is
a PD Day scheduled for Monday, January 21st.
Santa Fund Thanks
Thanks to all the families who have
picked up a Christmas bear off the
Santa Bear Tree in the front foyer.
All items will be picked up for
delivery on December 12. This year
we have partnered with another
school in the Board where there are
very specific and significant needs.
Your efforts will be greatly appreciated by these
families. Each bear represents a child of a particular
age who is in need of our support. If you are planning
to make a contribution of a gift, please be sure to pick
up one of the tags soon.
Primary Christmas Concert
Our primary classes have been working hard to
prepare for a Christmas Concert. We are looking
forward to the presentations for families and friends.
Please note that there was a change in the original
date for the evening performance.
It will be
performed on December 12 at 7:00 p.m. There will
also
be
daytime
performances
where
the
kindergartens will be included at 9:00 a.m. (for the
morning Kindergarten classes) and at 1:00 p.m. (for
the afternoon Kindergarten classes). All other classes
will perform in all three concerts so we ask parents to
consider which one is best for their schedule. Please
keep in mind that these events are usually most
crowded in the evening.
Remembrance Day
Thank you to Mr. Pusztai’s Grade 6
students who prepared a Remembrance
Day Liturgy for students and staff. The
students were well prepared and all in
attendance were called upon to reflect on the
contributions made by others.
Veterans Visit
As you may be aware
from the article in the
local
paper,
Mr.
Pusztai’s Grade 6 class
hosted seven service
men who served our
country in overseas
conflicts. The veterans
spoke with the grade 6, 7 and 8 students. Their
stories and experiences were compelling for all in
attendance.
The students had a chance to ask
questions and they greeted the veterans individually
following the presentation. Special thanks to Leslie
Stephens and Mr. Pusztai for organizing this event.
Dismissal and Planning Ahead
As we move along in the school year, there have been a
great number of calls to the school for students about
last minute instructions from home. Please try to plan
ahead, and/or have a backup plan with your children to
avoid last minute calls and confusion. This may lead to
placing students in unsafe situations. Please help us
keep school lines open for emergencies and usage for
the daily activities of the school. Please remember
that with over 750 students in the school, last minute
changes are not always easy to facilitate. If there is a
change in the dismissal procedure for your child,
please send a note in with your child.
Holy Family Church on-line
Holy Family Parish have many activities posted on-line.
Please be sure to take some time to visit their
website: www.holyfamilybolton.ca You may want to see
Father Larry’s blog with reflections on the happenings
in the parish. The Advent and Christmas schedule for
the parish is included there.
Junior and Senior Kindergarten Registration for
2013-14
Registration for Junior and Senior Kindergarten for
the 2013-14 school year, will take place at Pope John
Paul II School on the following days:
Monday, January 28, 2013
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2013
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Snow Date:
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
To register your child, you will need:
1. Proof of age
2. Original Catholic Baptismal Certificate of the
Roman, Greek, or Ukrainian Rite, for parent (one) and
child (if the child has not been baptized, a letter of
counseling with the parish priest, to complete the
process will be accepted)
3. Updated immunization records
4. Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant
status
5. Proof of address (utility bill, bank or credit card
statement)
6. For schools in Caledon and Dufferin County:
emergency rural address numbers for identifying your
property
For more information, call Pope John Paul II School or
visit www.dpcdsb.org.
QSP Orders
Thank you to everyone for their support of the
magazine subscription campaign. Your participation
has helped to support activities sponsored by the
School Council. We may see a big penguin in the school
soon….
Winter Conditions
Except
under
unusual
conditions,
students
are
expected to go outside for
recess
and
lunch
times.
Research indicates that fresh air
helps students to refocus on their
studies. Please keep your child home if he or she is not
well enough to be outdoors. The Board, with advice
from the Peel Public Health Department, has
established the policy that states all children will be
kept indoors when the temperature outside reaches
-25 degrees Celsius (including the wind-chill factor).
We will monitor weather conditions daily and make
decisions based upon our local conditions.
Cold and Flu Season
We would like to remind parents of the need to have a
network of support to care for children especially in
case of midday illness. As we go through this difficult
time when everyone is anxious about the spread of
germs please note that Peel Health repeatedly
recommends that the best practice to prevent the
spread of viruses is:

Wash hands with soap and water thoroughly
and often

To cough or sneeze into a sleeve or tissue

Stay home if you are sick
When children become sick during the course of the
school day, a plan needs to be in place to care for
him/her. As with all medical issues, we continue to
take direction from Peel Health on how to best
respond to community illness.
Supervision
Once again we remind you that supervision is provided
only fifteen minutes before the 8:30 a.m. bell.
Students should not be arriving at school before
supervisors get to the yard. For the safety of your
children, please ensure that they are not left at the
school prior to 8:15 a.m. supervision.
On the other hand, we remind you of the importance
of students arriving on time. There has been a
significant reduction in the number of students
arriving late and we are grateful for everyone’s
efforts to reinforce this important skill of preparing
in advance and managing time effectively to ensure
punctual arrival.
Parking Lot
We would like to remind everyone who uses the side
parking lot and Kiss and Ride that we need to rely on
everyone to use extreme caution and courtesy as
students are dropped off and picked up. Please be
aware that as you turn into the driveway, one cannot
be in a rush and you will likely require much patience
as the many vehicles make their way through. In
addition, we would ask that cars not be left double
parked blocking the way of others trying to get
through. In particular, we are anxious about young
people who are asked to run through the lot to or
from parked vehicles. We ask you to always consider
the safety of students as the first priority.
Boy’s Volleyball
Our Junior Boys Volleyball team competed at the
Bolton tournament here on Novmeber 21. The boys all
played well and showed good sportsmanship.
Congratulations to Ryan B., Joseph C., Daniel D.,
Santino D., Marco M., Dante M., Alan S., Andrew S.,
Jorge T. and Michael T. Special thanks to our coaches,
Mrs. Doulgeris and Mrs. Mandolfo.
Girl’s Volleyball
Our Junior Girls team played very well and showed
great team spirit. They were very supportive of one
another on the team! Congratulations to all those who
participated including, Hannah C., Alana C., Martina D.,
Noelle D., Gabrielle G., Erin H., Victoria L., Anastasia
M., Martina P. and Samantha T. Mr. Pusztai, Mrs.
Mandolfo and Mrs. Doulgeris were the coaches and we
are very grateful to them for their support. Well
done, team!!
Thanks to the Parent Group
We would like to thank the Parent Group for spreading
Christmas Cheer. On December 17, they will be
hosting a special guest to visit students from
Kindergarten to Grade 4 and they will serve hot
chocolate. The following day students from Grade 5
to 8 will also be served hot chocolate. If there is any
student who cannot have hot chocolate and
marshmallows, please let us know at the office.
Gifts at Christmas
Christmas is a wonderful time of gift giving. As a
staff we are grateful that many families take this
opportunity to express appreciation in the form of
giving a gift to the teacher. The gesture is very kind.
Given how fortunate we are, and how there are so
many needs around us, we respectfully suggest that
rather than directing your generosity to the staff,
you may consider giving to a charity or to those less
fortunate on our behalf. This is a wonderful season of
kindness and peace. It is a privilege to share it with
those around us.
Kiss and Ride
Once again parents are reminded to use the Kiss and
Ride at all times when dropping off and picking up
children. At no time should students be dropped off
at the front of the school as this is a fire route where
cars will be ticketed. If using the Kiss and Ride, cars
should not be left unattended. In case there is a need
to leave your car, please park in the parking lot.
Yearbook Preparations
We are looking forward to once again preparing a
yearbook. In order to plan, we accumulate photos of
students at special events throughout the year. If
you have a concern about your son/daughter’s photo
being included in the yearbook, please advise us at
the office.
French Immersion Information Meeting
Senior Kindergarten parents/guardians, who wish to
enroll their child in a Grade 1 French Immersion class
for September, 2013 are invited to attend an
information meeting at:
French
Immersion
Centres
Session
location
Date and time
Our Lady of
Providence
St. Angela
Merici
St. Joachim
St. Joachim
435
Rutherford Rd
North,
Brampton
905-453-4472
Wednesday
January 16th,
2013
7:00 p.m.
With Thanks
Last year, there were a number of families in our
community affected by loss due to fire. We have
been asked to extend thanks to those within our
school who gave so generously to support them. Your
generosity is greatly appreciated.
School Webpage
Please be sure to visit the school website at
www.dpcdsb.org/ppjp2.
Mrs. Condotta has been
working to ensure that it is up to date. There is
information related to the school as well as
curriculum ideas, a connection to the parish and the
Board. We encourage you to visit the webpage often
in order to see any updates.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found box continues to be full. Please
ensure that you label all clothing and that your child
checks the box periodically.
Students will have the opportunity to peruse the Lost
and Found and reclaim any lost items the week before
Christmas Holidays.
Kingsview Drive Safety
There is a gate to the back yard coming in from
Kingsview Drive. This is for emergency use only.
Caledon Parking Control has been contacted to ticket
cars stopping in this area. Students who are walking
along the sidewalk may be put at risk because of the
proximity of the sidewalk. Plans are in place to have
this gate moved closer to the sidewalk in line with the
fence running along the property line.
Bus Cancellations
During the winter months inclement weather may
cause disruption of bus transportation. A decision to
cancel school transportation is usually made at the
school board level by 6:30 a.m. and will be announced
on local radio and television stations. The Board
communicates standard messages to broadcasters.
The announcements and their effect on bus
transportation are as follows:
1. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSSES IN THE COUNTY OF
DUFFERIN ARE CANCELLED. This means busses to
Robert F. Hall Secondary will be cancelled. However,
busses to Pope John Paul II will still continue their
routes.
2. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSSES IN THE TOWN OF
CALEDON AND THE COUNTY OF DUFFERIN ARE
CANCELLED. This means busses to Robert F. Hall
Secondary, St. Michaels Secondary and Pope John
Paul II will be cancelled.
Please note: If busses are cancelled, they are
cancelled for the day and parents/guardians who bring
their children to school will be responsible for picking
them up at the end of the day.
If your child usually walks and is not coming to school
on a bus cancellation day, we kindly ask that you call in
their absence to the school as usual. We will follow up
on all students who walk to verify their absence and
your support will save us a great deal of time in this
regard.
Furthermore, students are encouraged to attend
school when busses are cancelled. Teachers will
attempt to provide the most appropriate programming
for students on these days, dependent, of course,
upon attendance.