Christmas Wishes
On behalf of our teaching staff and administration we
would like to extend a heartfelt thanks for all the
wonderful wishes at Christmas time.
We would like to extend a special thanks to those
families who provided support for others within the
community either by contributing toys under the trees
at the front or through their individual donations.
This truly is a community which looks out for one
another. Thank you for sharing the warmth of the
Christmas spirit.
Awareness of Fragrances
Fragrances and scents are found in a wide range of
products including perfume, aftershave, deodorant,
soap air fresheners, fabric softeners, laundry
detergents, facial
tissues and candles.
Exposure
to
fragrances
and
other
scented
products may trigger adverse health reactions (e.g.,
asthma attack, anaphylactic reaction and shortness of
breath) in individuals with asthma, allergies,
migraines or chemical sensitivities. Other less serious
but equally debilitating symptoms include headache,
sore throat, runny nose, sinus congestion, wheezing,
dizziness, anxiety, anger, nausea, fatigue, mental
confusion and an inability to concentrate. In order to
support those individuals with sensitivities to
fragrances and scents, and to possibly prevent others
from developing such sensitivities, we are asking for
your cooperation in avoiding the use of spray
perfumes and fragrances in the school. In particular,
students should use roll-on deodorants after gym
classes. Often spray deodorants are misused in the
change rooms and hallways.
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.
Immunization Records
Please be advised that there may be times when Peel
Public Health conducts a review of student
immunization records. In that regard, please note that
under Section 266 (2.1) of the Education Act, the
Medical Officer of Health is entitled to disclosure by
the school principal, upon request, of the following:
a) The pupil's name, address and telephone number
b) The pupil's birth date
c) The name, address and telephone number of the
pupil's parent or guardian
Thank you for your support in ensuring that all
immunization records are up to date with Peel Health.
Student Lateness
There has been a gradual increase in the
number of students arriving just as the
bell rings. Please note that classes begin at
8:30 sharp and students should arrive at
school prior to that time in order to ensure that they
are prepared to begin work on time. Please review the
need to be punctual with your children. Once the last
of the student lines have entered the building at the
back, the doors are closed and locked. A child who is
coming in late must report to the office for a late slip
as part of the safe arrival program. Lateness is a
disruption to the class and other students. Please try
to impress upon your child the need to be on time.
Rough Play
While outside during recess students sometimes find
themselves engaging in inappropriate activities that
involve rough play. Pushing, shoving, tackling, play
fighting and wrestling are all unacceptable activities
that compromise student safety. Please reinforce with
your children the inherent dangers of rough play even
when the intent is fun.
Snow Stays on the Ground
Every year about this time we need to remind students
that
throwing snowballs
and/or kicking snow is
prohibited on school property
- before, during or after school
hours. If students are caught
throwing snow in any fashion,
their behavior will be
addressed by the staff on duty
and by the office. Thanks to all
for your cooperation.
Snowbank Safety
In the event of a substantial snowfall, Student
Transportation is concerned that students may be
playing in the snowbanks and possibly creating an
unsafe pick up and /or drop off for students. When the
snowbanks are high, the appropriate location to wait
for the bus would be where the area has been shoveled
and a pathway exists. Parents are asked to discuss this
safety rule. As well, bus drivers have been instructed
to be cautious about where students are dropped off.
Primary Christmas Concert
Congratulations to all our primary student angels who
performed in the Christmas concert. The students
reminded us all of the true joy of the season. Special
thanks to all of the staff for their efforts in preparing
the students. It was a wonderful experience for all
who were involved.
Parent Volunteers
We are very fortunate to have many beautiful
decorations for the Christmas season. Such a display
would not be possible without the help of our parent
volunteer crew who put up the Christmas decorations.
In addition, many volunteers from the Parent Group
worked with the student Spirit Group in our Christmas
Café. The contribution of your time during such a busy
season is greatly appreciated.
Grandfriends
Our Grade 7 and 8 Youth Faith Ambassadors visit the
residents at the King Nursing Home. Before Christmas,
the choir joined them to sing Christmas carols to the
senior residents. Once again in January, students will
engage with the residents by playing cards and Bingo,
making crafts and conversing in small groups.
Youth Faith Ambassadors
We would like to recognize the leadership of our
students who are involved in events which actively
demonstrates their faith in action. These Grade 7 & 8
students prepared for Christmas by distributing
Advent Wreaths to the classrooms and providing a
blessing for each. They meet regularly under the
guidance of Mrs. D’Amico and Mme. Attard. Currently,
they are organizing the Soap and Table Salt donations
for Dr. Simone’s warehouse.
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 enroll in the Extended French program
for Grade 5 in September 2016. An information night
will be held at Holy Family School on Thursday,
January 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Planning for children with special needs
On Tuesday, January 12, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board’s Special Education and Support
Services Department will host a Kindergarten entry
planning information session. This meeting is for
parents and guardians of children with special needs
which affect their learning, such as vision, hearing,
physical, developmental or autism, who are entering
Full-Day Kindergarten in September 2016. The
meeting will be held at the Catholic Education Centre
from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. For more information about
this session, call 905-890-0708.
Kindergarten Registration
Full Day Kindergarten
registration for the
2016-17 school year,
for children not already
registered, will be held
at all Dufferin-Peel
Catholic
elementary
schools on January 25 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and
January 27 - 29 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00
p..m.
For more information, parents/guardians should
contact their local Catholic school, visit the board
website at www.dpcdsb.org, or call the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board at 905-890-1221.
Term One Report Cards
Term 1 report cards will be sent home on Tuesday,
February 2nd. Parent/student/teacher interviews will
be scheduled for the evening of Thursday, February
4th. Parents will receive interview scheduling forms.
There will not be report cards for Kindergarten
students at this time of year. However, interviews will
be available for the parents of our Kindergarten
students.
Student Illness
Students who are ill should be
kept home where they are most
comfortable and can get better
sooner. A child who is too ill to
go out for recess is too ill to be at
school. Your cooperation to keep
your child home when he/she is ill is
appreciated. We do not have the facilities to care for
sick children at school and we are concerned for the
health of others who may unnecessarily be exposed to
the spread of viruses and other illnesses.
Bar Soap and Rice Donations
Again this year, the grade 8’s will be travelling to Dr.
Simone’s warehouse at the end of January to pack
containers that will be sent to several developing
countries in the world. We are collecting bar soap and
rice to send with the grade 8’s. Please support our
Soap and Rice campaign for Hope. All items should be
sent to the school no later than, January 21. Thank
you.
Fifth Disease-Please Inform the School
Fifth disease has the potential to put staff, volunteers
and other parents, who may be pregnant, at risk. As a
school we are asking, if your child shows symptoms of
fifth disease please bring him/her to your family
physician to obtain an actual diagnosis. Symptoms
may include: mild usually non febrile infection, a
“slapped cheeks” rash on the face followed by a fine
lace like rash on the trunk and extremities, rash may
be more pronounced during exercise, stress or
environmental changes (e.g. temperature and
exposure to sunlight). In exceptional cases, the rash
can take up to 5 weeks to disappear entirely. In the
event that your child is diagnosed with fifth
disease, please inform the school.
Spectators at Tournaments and Games
Please note that our teams represent our school at a
number of games and tournaments and those team
members are supervised by the coaching staff. Only
those players participating at these events should be
in attendance. Students are not excused from their
responsibility to attend school for the purpose of
supporting friends at these events.
Junior Girl’s Basketball Team
Congratulations to all the girls who tried out for the
team! Those representing the school at the Bolton
Tournament on February 19 will be Maya C., Julia A.,
Grace M., Emma R., Milena B., Olivia D., Charlise H.,
Cheyenne B., Maggie K., Louisa F., Jenna B., and Emilia
V. Thank you to the dedicated coaches, Mrs. Kennett,
Mme Filippo and Mrs. DeAngelis.
Junior Boy’s Basketball Team
The boy’s team has now been selected
and they are preparing for the Bolton
Basketball tournament to be held on
Thursday, February 19. Congratulations
to the following students who will
represent the school, Tomas M., Alessio Q.,
Matthew M., Adamo Z., Pietro M., Anthony S.,
Devon S., Tomas S. and Gabriel C. Special thanks to the
coach, Mr. Pusztai.
Library
Book Fair: Thank you once again to the school
community for the wonderful support given to the
book fair. We thank the parent volunteers who offered
their time to help out and the students for their
support through purchases made. All proceeds will go
towards purchasing new resources for our library.
Forest of Reading: The library will be running the
Forest of Reading Programs again this
year. Mrs. Condotta will be reading 10
newly published picture books to grades
1, 2 and 3 as part of the Blue Spruce
Program.
Silver Birch Express and
Silver Birch Reading Programs will be
offered to grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 students. Red Maple will
be available for our intermediates. Students are
encouraged to sign up with Mrs. Condotta and start
reading. Feel free to check out nominated titles at
www.accessola.org. The Forest of Reading Program
provides students with a wonderful opportunity to
become involved in reading good quality Canadian
literature.
Tumble Book Library: - Online database of picture
books, read-along chapter books and so much more
available at home or school.
Login: pjp2
Password: login
Pebble Go Database for Students - K to 4
https://www.pebblego.com
User Name: saintjohn
Password: library
Remote Mission Operation Centre
We are continuing to work with St. Thomas More
School in tracking the STMSAT (cube satellite). It is
currently at the International Space Station and it will
be launched from there shortly. We have a team of 26
Junior students who are enthusiastically planning
activities for the rest of the school. We will keep you
posted as we have more information to share.
All-Star Reading
We are in the midst of organizing All-Star Reading for
this year. This program supports young students who
are developing their reading skills by partnering them
with a volunteer with whom they can read. If you have
some time to offer, we would appreciate having more
volunteers. Please let us know at the office, if you are
able to help.
Dropping off Children
Please remember that you may be considered a
stranger to any child other than your own. Therefore,
while at school, parents should never be speaking with
or approaching other children.