Christmas Vacation
Just a reminder that the last day of school in December will
be Thursday, December 19th. The first day of school in the
New Year will be Monday, January 6, 2014. We would also
like to advise you that there is a PD Day scheduled for
Friday, December 20th.
Santa Fund Thanks
Thanks to all the families who have picked up
Christmas gift tags off the Giving Tree in the
front foyer. We are also conducting a drive for
much needed breakfast items. Suggestions
include, cereal, pancake mix, syrup or boxed milk. Your
efforts will be greatly appreciated by local families. Each
gift tag 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. If you
are providing a gift card, please drop it off at the office for
safe keeping.
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. It will be performed
on December 18 at 7:00 p.m. by Grade 1 to 3 students. 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. With due respect to all
performers, parents are asked to remain for the entire
concert.
Thanks to the Parent Group
We would like to thank the Parent Group
for spreading Christmas Cheer.
On
December 9, 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.
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 730 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.
Remembrance Day
Thank you to Mr. Pusztai’s and Mrs.
Doulgeris’ 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
Mr. Pusztai’s Grade 6 class hosted vetereans who served our
country during WW II. The veterans spoke with the grade
3, 4, 5 and 6 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.
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.
Full Day Kindergarten Registration for 2014-15
Registration for Full Day Kindergarten for the 2014-15
school year, will take place at Pope John Paul II School on
the following days:
Monday, January 27, 2014
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, January 31, 2014
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Snow Date:
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
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 monkey and banana at Kiss and Ride soon….
E-Cigarettes
It has come to our attention that vapour cigarettes (Ecigarettes) are being used in some elementary schools.
These are not real cigarettes, but are supposed to be used
by adults who are trying to quit smoking. Regardless,
students are not allowed to bring vapour cigarettes to
school. Please be aware that if vapour cigarettes or any
cigarettes are brought to school, severe consequesces
(including possible suspension) will occur.
Winter Conditions
Except under unusual conditions which
must be prearranged through the office,
students will 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 windchill 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.
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.
Welcome to Father David
Thanks goes out to Father Damian who has been the
Associate Pastor at Holy Family Church for the past few
years. He has taken a position of Pastor at St. Monica’s
Parish in Toronto. We wish him well, but he will be greatly
missed.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Father David
who will be joining the pastoral team at Holy Family Church.
We are looking forward to working with him in his new
capacity of Associate Pastor.
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.
Extended French
Any student who is eligible to attend a Dufferin-Peel
Catholic school and who is presently a Grade 4 student is
eligible to enrol in the Extended French program for Grade
5 in September 2014. Completed applications, containing all
required documentation must be submitted by 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014. A lottery will be held at a
pre-determined and advertised date if, and only if, the
number of applications received at the school exceeds the
places available. An information night will be held at Holy
Family School on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Boy’s Volleyball
Our Intermediate Boys Volleyball team competed at the
Bolton tournament here on Novmeber 20. The boys all played
well and showed good sportsmanship. Congratulations to
Jordan D., Michael M., Michael T., Alessandro C., James W.,
Joseph C., Marco M., Cameron T. and Michael H. Special
thanks to our coaches, Mr. MacNeil and Mr. Pusztai.
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!
This team has won the Bolton Tournament,
and the Family Tournament and they will
compete on December 5 in the Board
Tournament! Congratulations to all those who participated
including, Katrina B., Alana C., Kathleen W., Riley M., Erin H.,
Sydney B., Martina D., Hanna C. and Makana M. Special
thanks to Mr. Kenny and Mr. MacNeil were the coaches and
we are very grateful to them for their support. Well done,
team!!
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.
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.
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.
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. Do not
pull into this area. Children should not be picked up or
dropped off in this area.
Hour of Code
The School Council would like to invite families to set aside
one hour to learn how to code during December 9 to 15. This
is an introduction to computer science designed to demystify
code and show that anyone can learn the basics. An hour-long
tutorial featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Angry Birds,
and Plants vs. Zombies is available for your computer, tablet,
or
smartphone.
Please get started now at http://hourofcode.com We owe it
to today’s students to start with one hour.
Indoor Games Needed
Frequently, in the winter and wet fall
and spring days we must keep the
students inside for recess. At that
time, students are encouraged to
play card games and
board games.
If you
have
any games at home that are in good condition,
with all their pieces, please consider donating
them to the school. Games, in particular,
demand include, Sorry, Connect 4, Chess,
Checkers, Snakes and Ladders, Jr.
Monopoly, etc. We are very grateful for
anything that is no longer used at home, but might be put to
good use here.