The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
56 Oaklea Blvd, Brampton, Ontario, L6Y 4W7
Phone: 905-455-1001
Principal: W. Bodsworth
Fax: 905-455-3406
Superintendent: L. Kazimowicz 905-890-1221
Trustee: A. Da Silva 905-890-0708
Secretary: A. Mijandrusic
Parish: St. Jerome Church
Pastor: Fr. Jan Kolodynski 905-455-4260
NEWSLETTER #1
SEPTEMBER 2012
Prayer for a New School Year
Gracious God,
We thank you for the opportunity
to begin this new school year,
and we ask that you bless
the students, staff, and families
that make our school a great place to learn and
grow and be of service.
We pray that you will guide us in our thoughts
and actions,
so that we will seek your will
in everything that we do.
We pray for the grace to exercise Christian
virtues in our daily lives,
As we walk together in the light of Christ.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and
Saviour.
Amen
SCHOOL HOURS
JK/SK
Grades 1 – 8
8:40 to 11:10 or 12:40 to 3:10
8:40 to 11:40 &
12:40 to 3:10
Recesses
10:43-10:58 &
2:03-2:18
Arriving on time is an important life skill!
It is often difficult for a student to ―catch up‖
when opening activities have been missed.
Entering a classroom late is embarrassing for a
child and interrupts the flow of the lesson.
Please help your children to be punctual.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
I am pleased to welcome back all Pauline Vanier
families and to offer a warm invitation to all of
our newcomers to get involved in the life of our
school. A very special welcome is extended to
children beginning kindergarten for the first time.
School start-up is an exciting adventure!
As the 2012-2013 school year begins, I offer my
appreciation to the many staff members who
worked with me throughout the summer to
prepare resources, upgrade programs and set
up classrooms. Thanks also to School Council
members who are already enthusiastically
involved in spear-heading projects for the
upcoming year—we are blessed by their efforts.
We are particularly delighted with the hard work
of our custodial team, who labored all summer to
be able to welcome us back to a sparkling clean
school plant.
Pauline Vanier School will continue to offer a
fulsome Catholic education where Faith, Safety
and Excellence are our goals. We strive to
foster a school culture where students
experience personal affirmation, a challenging
Catholic curriculum, and a strong sense of
belonging and friendship. We encourage open
communication between home and school and
welcome your suggestions, questions and
compliments!
I look forward to meeting many of you at our
Open House and Curriculum Evening on
Tuesday, September 18th.
May our school continue to be a place where
each one of us is provided with opportunities
and encouragement to grow in faith and in the
love and service of others.
Wendy Bodsworth
Tentative school
organization

2012-2013

JK /SK
JK/SK .5/SERT.5
Gr. 1
Gr. 1/2
Gr. 2/3
Gr. 2/3
Gr. 3
Gr. 4
Gr. 4/5
Gr.5/6
Gr.6
Gr. 7/8
Gr. 8
FSL
SERC/SERT
PT 0.6
ESL 0.5//PT 0.1
ESL 0.5
Library/Planning Time
ERW
ERW
ERW
ERW
Head Custodian
Evening Custodian
Evening Custodian
Secretary
Office Volunteer
Principal
M. DeSouza
S. Grasman
A. Prlic
A. Mayer
T. Passarelli
S. Venalainen
R. Cotic
M. Vigneault
A. Tac (T. Berry)
R. Bagley
J. DeSouza
P. Daniels
C. Connelly
K. Byrne
C. Thomas
C. Tersigni
C. D‘Souza
E. DeSouza
A. Henry
C. Sementilli
C. Hernandez
K. Piekarz-Mackisoc
A. Marchese
S. Voci
R. D‘Souza
F. Musoke
A. Mijandrusic
J. Gomes
W. Bodsworth
Psychologist
K. Page
Speech/Language Pathologist
A. Donovan
Social Worker
S. Bidin
Child Youth Worker
P. Brathwaite
Teacher/Hard-of-Hearing
B. Kist
Lunch Hour Supervisors T. Liem, C. Brohart,
J. Reyes
Please note that your child’s class placement
th
is tentative until Friday, September 14 ,
which is Reorganization Day. Changes in
enrollment numbers, and/or changes in staff
deployment
board-wide,
may
require
changes in school organization.
Please
prepare your child/ren for the possibility of a
change in teacher or class structure.
FAITH & PARISH
What is distinctive about Catholic
schools?

Catholic schools promote a particular
worldview of the person, the community,
Canada and the world that is centred on
the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.



Catholic schools challenge students to find,
through God, meaning and value in their
lives.
Catholic schools form an integral part of the
wider Church community in which all
generations live, worship and grow
together.
Catholic schools critique our culture,
challenging community values, as an
integral part of the Gospel mission.
Catholic schools aim to be welcoming and
reflective
communities
whose
most
distinctive sign is discerned in God‘s
presence and the spiritual lives of its
members.
Catholic schools espouse values which
unite us with people of goodwill everywhere
by promoting citizenship and a commitment
to social justice.
The Virtues Program
This year our school will continue to develop our
virtues education program. We believe that a
focus on the virtues reinforces the positive
character attributes that are the hallmark of an
authentic Catholic Christian lifestyle.
Each
month we will continue to highlight one virtue.
The virtues we celebrate are as follows:
Faith (September)
Conscience (November)
Self-Control (January)
Kindness (March)
Acceptance (May)
Empathy (October)
Hope (December)
Respect (February)
Love (April)
Fairness (June)
Classroom activities, school-wide assemblies
and announcements over the P.A. will focus on
the nurturing of the specific virtue of the month.
We would appreciate your support in discussing
these virtues, and encouraging behaviours at
home that demonstrate them. Your child‘s
planner includes more information about virtues.
As we grow in virtue together, we make the
presence of God visible in the world around us.
Our Virtue for September: FAITH
To begin the new school year, we‘ll focus our
attention on the first of our virtues—faith. Faith
is the great virtue of believing in God and
trusting that God is with us.
A faithful person believes that we are created,
guided by and destined to be reunited with God.
A faithful person believes that God‘s plan for us
includes the right to be safe, especially at
school.
A faithful person…





Prays regularly and fervently
Learns from Scripture stories
Honours people‘s God-given names
Assumes that there is good in everyone
Accepts the God-given worth of
themselves and others.
Sacramental Preparation
Sacraments are parish, not
school events. Initial preparation
for the sacraments is delivered by
the schools through the Religion
program. However, immediate
preparation is the responsibility of
the parents and the parish. Children do not
receive a sacrament just because they are in a
particular grade at school. Registration for
receipt of the sacraments takes place at a
meeting at St. Jerome‘s Church. It is the
parent‘s responsibility to attend mass and read
the parish bulletin to ensure that important
registration and deadline dates are not missed.
Catholic schools assist the parish in preparing
children to live a life of faith that is rich in
Catholic traditions and teachings.
St Jerome’s Parish
Tel: 905-455-4260
Fax: 905-450-6326
E-mail: office@stjeromeparish.ca
Homepage:
http//www.stjeromeparish.ca
Sunday Eucharist: Saturday 5:00 p.m.,
Sunday 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m.
Parish Update
Due to the devastating events in May at the
parish (and the subsequent smoke damage and
reparation work), parishioners are asked to
attend Sunday mass at St. Augustine Secondary
School. We continue to pray for Father Jan, the
parish and the community during this time of
recovery and restoration.
Please note that despite the reconstruction
activity that is taking place at the church, weekly
masses are being held at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel
at St. Jerome‘s parish.
We continue to look forward to our ongoing
friendship and collaboration with Father Jan
Kolodynski in the faith formation and catechesis
of our students. His presence is invaluable as a
teacher, inspirational homilist and celebrant. We
are blessed to have his leadership and faith
witness. The principal has already met with
Father Jan and other principals in the parish to
plan celebrations and school masses. Our
opening mass will be held Friday September
st
21 at 9:30 a.m. in the school gym. Please
join us!
STUDENT SAFETY
Safe Arrival Program
For safety reasons, please notify the school
if your child is going to be absent or late. If
you do not contact the school by 9:00 a.m. we
will attempt to contact you. The answering
service is available 24 hours a day so that you
can easily report an absence. The SAFE
ARRIVAL PHONE NUMBER IS 905-455-1001.
Leave a message with the following information:
• Your child’s first and last name, spelling of
the child’s last name
• Your child’s grade and teacher’s name
• Whether your child will be absent or late
 The reason for your child’s absence or
delay
Yard Supervision
The school property is supervised
from 8:25 a.m. until 3:25 p.m. on
school days. Please do not send
students to school prior to 8:25 a.m.
At 3:10 pm, ―bus students‖ are expected to line
up immediately in their Bus Designated Area
located in the gym. Students who walk to and
from school are expected to walk directly home
at 3:10 p.m. Parents who pick up their children
after school are urged to be on-time. The office
cannot be responsible for supervising children
late into the afternoon.
Student Accident Insurance
As required by the Education Act and Ministry of
Education, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School
Board
annually
provides
parents
with
information about cost-effective student accident
insurance coverage. Although enrolment is
voluntary, the Board encourages parents to take
advantage of the inexpensive insurance
coverage, especially if their child/children
participate in sports, excursions/field trips, or if
parents do not have dental insurance coverage.
Enrolment is required in writing. Forms were
sent home the first day of school with your child.
If you have not done so already please mail or
FAX the form to Reliable Life at 1-800-463-5437
or 1-905-522-7211. Further explanation of the
board‘s advisory regarding accident insurance
was sent home as part of the first day of school
package.
Visitors to the School
Please do NOT go directly to your child’s
classroom. ALL VISITORS are asked to use
the front doors located near the office, identify
themselves by signing in, and pick up a visitor‘s
sticker at the office upon entering the building.
Parents are advised NOT to walk onto the
school yard during recess to collect a child
for early dismissal. Please report to the
office and we will contact the teacher on duty
to send your child inside to meet you.
Our teachers are pleased to talk with you;
however, during entry and dismissal times, they
must give their full attention to their students.
The office will be happy to facilitate an
appointment, if you want to speak to a staff
member.
Messages and deliveries (house keys, lunches,
dry mitts, etc.) are handled by the office. There
is a table in the front foyer for lunches. Please
write your child‘s name on the lunch. If you are
delivering a lunch to your child, please park your
car on the street or in the parking lot. Do not
block the front entrance as this is for school
buses and emergency vehicles only.
Criminal Reference Check
All parents who volunteer in the school or who
plan to volunteer on class trips must complete a
Criminal Reference Check. If you have the time
or inclination to help out in the classroom, drive
for sports events, assist with fundraisers, serve
food at our Breakfast Club, or work with children
at our school in any other capacity, please
contact the office to get a Criminal Reference
Check Form. The Principal will provide you with
a letter verifying your role as a school volunteer.
With this letter in hand, you can take the form to
Peel Regional Police Headquarters at 7750
Hurontario Street for completion of the process.
The check is FREE for volunteers and will
ensure the safety of all students at Pauline
Vanier School. If you already have a criminal
reference check on file at the school, you will
simply have to complete the Criminal Offence
Declaration Form on an annual basis to renew
your involvement at the school.
Emergency Protocol
School emergency response
procedures, in the event of a
fire, bomb threat, serious
accident/injury or an intruder,
have been established and are
revised on an on-going basis. In accordance
with Ministry regulations, three evacuation drills
will be conducted in the fall and three in the
spring. This practice is to help prepare students
in case an evacuation from the school is ever
necessary. Should the school have to evacuate
the site, we will gather at either South Fletchers
Sportsplex & Community Centre at Ray Lawson
& McLaughlin Rd or Hickory Woods School. The
students will also have an opportunity to practice
Hold & Secure (danger in the neighbourhood)
and Lock–Down (danger within the school)
procedures.
Leaving School Property
In the interests of student safety, all students
must sign out when leaving the building and sign
in when they return; parents must report to the
office when picking up their children during
school hours and sign their child out; all bus
students will remain at school for lunch, unless a
parent or their designate, picks them up and
follows the above procedure; all other students
who normally stay for lunch may not leave the
school during the lunch hour unless a parent or
their designate picks them up and follows the
same sign-out procedure. Grade 7 and 8
students are not permitted to leave the school
grounds at lunch time unless they have a
signed/dated note from a parent/guardian.
Students who leave school property are not
permitted to carry food or beverages back onto
school property when they return.
Custody of Children
On rare occasions, we are faced with difficult
situations in which non-custodial parents arrive
at school asking to visit their child or to take their
child home after school. We are best able to
serve and protect students when we are made
aware of legal custody arrangements, visitation
rights, and other special instructions. If legal
custody matters affect your family, please
ensure that our office and classroom teachers
are aware of any custodial arrangements that
may affect the safety and well-being of your
child(ren) during school hours.
Parking Lot Safety
The bus lanes and parking lots at the school can
be very dangerous places unless we exercise
extreme caution.
Please use the Kiss & Ride Lane (the middle
lane) when dropping off your children.
Students are expected to exit the car only
when their car reaches the front of the line,
where staff members are standing on duty,
rain or shine. Students are to exit on the right
passenger side where staff is available to escort
children across the bus lane to the sidewalk
safely. Please do not allow your child to exit on
the left side of the vehicle, as it is the designated
Drive-through Lane.
Please do not allow your children to
disembark in front of the school’s main
entrance.
Bus drivers are not expecting
children to be exiting cars at that location. As
buses drive around the curve into the bus lane,
they expect car doors to open only where a
teacher is standing to escort the children.
At the end of the day, Kiss & Ride students
will be waiting near the Kindergarten fence
(next to the large white PLASP sign) and will
be escorted by staff to the car at the front of
the line.
Students are not permitted to run/walk
between the buses or other cars in the lanes
at the front of the school. Should you choose
to park your car, you can safely walk your child
from the designed Safe Wait Zone and cross at
the front of the Bus & Kiss & Ride Lane.
The small parking area in front of the
Kindergarten Yard is really the PLASP Day
Care’s Parking Area for children between the
ages of 2 ½ - 5 who are being dropped off at
the Day Care. If there is space, parents of
JK/SK students may park in the designated
parking areas. Cars may not idle or stop/park in
the round-about lane blocking traffic. Parents of
older students are reminded to use the Kiss &
Ride Lanes.
STUDENT
TRANSPORTATION
Eligibility Distances
A reminder that the eligibility distances for
student transportation are as follows:
JK and SK & Grade 1
Grades 2-4 inclusive
Grades 5-8 inclusive
1.0 km
1.6 km
2.0 km
Primary Bus Protocol
All students in Kindergarten and
Grade 1 who are eligible to ride
the bus will receive a RED
PRIMARY PROTOCOL bus
tag. Students wearing these red
tags must board and disembark
at a specified stop, and must be
MET BY AN ADULT. Please be aware that if
the child‘s parent, guardian or babysitter is not
present to meet the bus, the driver will return the
child to the school. All ―red tag‖ students will be
part of an attendance tracking system as they
board the bus in the evening. If you decide
that your child will not take the bus on any
given afternoon, please report this change of
plans to the office no later than 2:45 p.m., so
that your child is not reported missing from
the bus line.
Empty Seat/Fill up the Bus Policy
Students who do not meet the eligibility
requirements for the bus may apply for a
courtesy seat in accordance with the ―Empty
Seat Policy‖. Parents who are requesting
consideration for an empty seat must apply
in writing to the school by completing the
form enclosed in this newsletter. Requests
will be reviewed and the limited available seats
will be assigned in October on the basis of
youngest and furthest distance, as per Board
policy.
Behaviour on the bus
Please review the School
Bus Safety Rules with your
children. The conduct of
individual students on the bus
directly affects their safety
and those of their classmates.
Incidents of poor behaviour
on the bus are reported in writing by the bus
driver to the Principal.
Depending on the
seriousness of the incident, a warning may be
issued to the student, parents may be called,
bus privileges may be suspended, or other
disciplinary action may be taken. Parents will be
financially responsible for any damage to the
bus caused by their child. Rest assured that this
information will be held in the strictest
confidence and will only be disclosed to those
staff entrusted with the care of your child/ren.
Crossing Guards
Students are reminded to take advantage of the
crossing guards and obey all road safety rules.
Crossing Guards are at the following locations:
1)
2)
3)
Ray Lawson at Acadian Heights
(Uncontrolled Intersection)
8:10 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.
3:10 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Oakley Blvd. at Pauline Vanier
(Mid-block)
8:10 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
3:10 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Kingknoll at Walkway
(West of Creditview)
8:05 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.
11:35 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
12:05 p.m. to 12:35 p.m.
3:10 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Playground Safety
Skateboards, in-line skates, rollerblades, scooters, and baseball bats
are not permitted on school
property. There is no storage space
and these items can be dangerous in
crowds of children. Wheelies (running shoes
with a wheel on the heel) are not to be worn at
school. They are unsafe in school hallways that
are shared by others.
After School Security
Students must be diligent in gathering all
materials prior to the end of the school day.
Once dismissed, there is no supervision
provided to students. Students/parents must not
be returning to school after school hours to
retrieve books/belongings. In order to ensure
safety for all, students and/or parents are not
permitted to enter any classroom after school.
Internet Safety Take an active role in
protecting your child‘s privacy whenever they
are asked to submit personal information.
Monitor your child‘s on-line behaviour and
know the sites they visit frequently.
Be clear with your children on appropriate net
behaviour, that is, the amount of time it‘s
okay to be on the net, times when the
computer can be used, and what they are
allowed to do.
Set up clear rules with your children.
If other children visit your home and use your
computer, make sure that they follow your rules.
Monitor any chat rooms that your children
want to visit. Discourage them from providing
any personal information.
Teach your children to be ―net smart‖ just like
you would teach them to be ―street smart.‖
SCHOOL RULES &
ORGANIZATION
Verification Forms
In the near future, you will be receiving a
VERIFICATION FORM for each child attending
our school. Please read the form carefully to
ensure that the school has up-to-date
information regarding your home address and all
contact numbers for parents, sitters, and
emergency contacts.
On rare occasions, usually due to extreme
weather conditions, schools may be closed
early. Buses will take students home before the
regular dismissal time and students who do not
take the bus will wait at the school until they are
picked up. It is the responsibility of every
parent to have prior arrangements with a
neighbour or relative, in the case of an early
closure. Please include these arrangements
on the verification form.
Lunchtime Protocols
Whenever possible, students are encouraged to
go home for lunch. If this is not possible,
students are welcome to eat lunch at school.
Student monitors and teachers collaborate in
providing supervision of students while eating in
the classrooms and yard supervision during the
outdoor playtime. Students, who eat lunch at
school, are expected to remain on school
property within the school boundaries, for the
duration of the lunch break.
For safety and supervision reasons, if you are
giving your child permission to leave school
property at 11:40 a.m., a note signed by the
parents, must be sent to the school.
Attendance
For the benefit of all children, we expect
students to arrive at school on time. Students
who arrive after the 8:40 a.m. bell must go
directly to the office to pick up an admission slip.
If your child is going to be picked up early for a
dentist appointment, an athletic event or a trip
please forewarn the teacher with a dated and
signed note. We will not dismiss a student
without parental consent. Your child must be
signed out by an adult at the office if leaving
prior to the 3:10 p.m. dismissal.
If your child is absent from school please
write a note upon his/her return explaining
the reason for the absence.
School Agendas
Please note that students will not be permitted to
use the office phone to make impromptu afterschool plans with friends.
Valuables
Students are requested not to bring valuables,
sentimental items, personal sports equipment, or
money to school. The school cannot assume
responsibility for items brought to school.
Personal Electronic Devices (PEDS)
To promote respect for the dignity of all
members of our school community and to
enhance student achievement and safety, the
use of a PED is strictly prohibited in school,
on school property, or during school related
activities (e.g. retreats, field trips, sports
events, etc.)
School Agendas have been ordered for all
students from Grades 1 to 8. These will be used
to promote organization, time management and
goal setting. There is a plastic envelope at the
front of the agenda for carrying important notes,
School Newsletters, School Council information,
and notices highlighting important events.
All PEDS must be kept out-of-sight, turned
off and not used within school premises or
during school-sanctioned activities. We ask
that students leave all electronic devices and
games at home as the school cannot be
responsible for their safe-keeping.
Please take the time to review with your child
the Safety Reminders, the Code of Conduct and
the Virtues that are highlighted for each month.
Cell phones must be turned off, kept out of
sight, and not used in or on school property.
If a student needs to call home he/she is
encouraged to ask the teacher to go to the office
to use the phone.
Agendas will be sent home as soon as they
arrive. Our supplier apologizes for the
unfortunate delay this year. The agendas should
be here any day now. Please submit $5.00 for
agendas in Grades 1-8 and $1.00 for
kindergarten booklets.
Last Minute Calls
We strive to keep interruptions to the classroom
to a minimum and urge parents to reserve
phone calls to the rare emergencies that
occasionally arise.
The office receives numerous calls at the end of
the day telling us of last-minute changes to the
child‘s home time routine. While we make every
effort to notify students of the change, it is very
difficult to notify the teacher, bus patrollers and
bus drivers on a moment‘s notice.
If, on a particular day, your child is not going to
ride the bus, we urge you to notify the school
several hours in advance; ideally, in writing,
early in the day. Likewise, if there is a change in
pick-up time or babysitter location. Please give
us lots of notice, preferably in writing.
Failure to comply with this policy may result in
the confiscation of the PED and/or other
disciplinary action. As a general rule: On the
first offence, the PED will be held in the
Principal‘s office, to be picked up at the end of
the day by the student. On the second offence,
the PED will be held in the Principal‘s office until
such time as the parent or guardian is available
to pick up the device from the school. Additional
consequences may be administered at the
Principal‘s discretion. There is no cause for
students to be calling or texting parents
during school hours, and on school
property, as the office telephone is always
available to students in the event of an
emergency, or if the student is distressed
and needs to talk to a parent.
Use of School Books
Students also receive a number of textbooks for
their personal use and will be able to borrow
books from the library. Due to the cost of books,
we expect students to be responsible for these
books. Please encourage your child to handle
books with care. Students will be charged for
lost and/or damaged books.
Physical Education
Each child is expected to participate in the
Physical Education Curriculum. The Ministry of
Education requires all students to engage in a
daily regime of 20 minutes of Physical activity
(DPA).
An Elementary Physical Education and
Intramural Element of Risk form was sent
home September 4th. Please complete the
form and return it to your child’s teacher. No
child can participate in gym class until this
form is returned.
Proper clothing should be worn for gym
activities: (T-shirt, runners, shorts or jogging
pants). Students are reminded never to leave
jewelry, money or other valuables in change
rooms, washrooms or the classrooms. The
school cannot be responsible for loss or theft.
serious work, accompanied by standards of
sensitivity, politeness and decorum.
Students who wear unacceptable clothing to
school may be removed from class, asked to
turn the garment inside/out, and/or sent home to
change.
PROGRAM &
CURRICULUM
Professional Development Day
Friday, September 14th – no classes
th
There will be no classes on September 14 as
staff will be involved in Faith and Professional
Development Activities. As we review our
student numbers this week, it may become
necessary to reorganize classes. If changes
occur, parents will be notified of the revised
organization. It is hoped that any changes will
be completed within the week with a minimum of
disruption.
Network User Policy
Use of the computer and Internet is guided by
board guidelines and teacher/adult supervision.
All students and parents are required to sign a
Network User Policy before students will be
permitted to access the Internet. This one-time
form is completed at the initial registration of
your child to Pauline Vanier School.
Open House-Curriculum Night
Pauline Vanier‘s Open House & Curriculum
th
Night will be held on Tuesday, September 18 ,
2012.
The Mr. Sub dinner will take place from 5:306:30 p.m. Parents are invited to gather in the
gym immediately following dinner, where school
staff will be introduced and information of
general interest will be shared.
Dress Code
Board policy states that all students are
expected to dress in clean, neat and practical
clothing. School guidelines are:
1. The top of the pants must meet the bottom
of the shirt with no exposure of midriff or
undergarments at anytime.
2. Shorts and skirts must be (mid-thigh) and
neither too tight or tattered.
3. Halter tops, spaghetti strap tops, tank
tops, muscle shirts and mesh shirts may
not be worn. Shirts must cover the top of
the shoulder.
4. Clothing with offensive, suggestive and/or
inappropriate statements or pictures
(including advertisements for alcohol or
tobacco products,) are not permitted.
Thank you for your continued support and
cooperation for a dress code which reflects our
Catholic school environment as a place for
Parents will then have an opportunity from 7:007:45 p.m. to meet the teachers, view the child‘s
classroom and receive information about the
2012-2013 school year, curriculum, and
classroom expectations.
Volunteers Welcome
Volunteers are always needed in the
classrooms, Library and Breakfast Club. No
experience is needed,
just a willingness to
commit an hour or two a
week. Sharing your gifts
and talents will enrich the
learning experiences of our students.
As mentioned earlier, all volunteers working with
children in the school must have completed a
Criminal Reference Check. Forms are available
in the office.
Web-site
Please visit our web-site!
The site is
www.dpcdsb.org/pvani. All school information,
all forms, and parent information is updated
regularly. All previous and current newsletters
are on site. Every month you will find exciting
events and information posted. Our web-site is
another excellent tool to keep parents connected
to what is happening at school. Thanks to
teacher, C. Tersigni, for taking on the task of
being our school‘s web-master.
International Language Program
Elementary International classes are available to
students in grades JK to 8. International
Languages programs comply with the Ministry of
Education curriculum and are of interest to
students who wish to preserve their language
and cultural heritage and to those who wish to
study the language and heritage of another
culture. Pauline Vanier is one such site.
Registration is to be held Saturday September
th
8 , 2012.
STUDENT HEALTH
Medical Concerns
If your son/daughter has any medical concerns,
please inform the school. Information should be
shared with the classroom teacher and the
office.
All information is held in strictest
confidence.
Parents are responsible for
ensuring that all medication and forms are
updated annually.
Ill Health
Each year we receive requests for children to
remain indoors during recess. Please be aware
that there are teachers on supervision duty in
the yard during recesses but NOT in the
classrooms or hallways. Therefore, it is our
expectation that if a child is well enough to
attend school, he/she is well enough to go
outside for recess. Fresh air and exercise are
important for all children. If your child is not
sufficiently recovered from an illness to be
outside for recess, please keep him/her home
for a few more days until recovery is complete.
Nut Aware School
Due to stringent anaphylaxis policies
based on Sabrina‘s Law, students,
staff members and parents are
asked not to bring any foods
containing nuts to school. Some children are so
sensitive that even the smell of peanut butter or
nuts can cause problems and could be fatal.
School Board policy now prohibits any food
or beverages (water is permitted) from being
present and or consumed outside in the
school yard or on the bus. Students will be
permitted to eat their snacks in the
classroom prior to or after recess.
Strategies that parents, students and staff can
continue to use to help keep our school safer for
children with allergies:

Distribution/Storage of Medication
Due to safety issues and concerns, medication
must not be sent to school with students. We
ask that when possible, the medication be taken
at home during lunch hour, or a schedule is
arranged for medication to be taken just prior to
school and/or right after school. However, if
your child requires the administration of
medication during the school day, please obtain
the necessary forms from the school office and
return as soon as possible.
For the safety of all children, medication for
serious health issues and/or allergies MUST be
stored in the office. Students may not leave
medication in their desk or knapsack at any time.
For distribution of medication, medical forms are
available at the office. They must be completed
by the attending physician and signed by the
parents.




Avoid sending foods from home that may
contain nuts, or nut products such as:
peanut oil, peanut butter, peanut sauce,
peanut meal, mixed nuts, ground nuts and
macadamia nuts. Hydrolyzed vegetable
protein may also contain peanuts and is not
considered safe for people with nut allergies.
Read food labels carefully. Avoid products
that do not carry a list of ingredients.
Clean hands and face immediately after
eating peanut butter, or nut containing
products, before heading off to school.
Avoid sharing snacks and drinks
Choose non-food treats as favours to send
for birthdays, Christmas parties and other
special events.
Thank you for your support, cooperation, and
sensitivity in helping to make our school safe for
students with nut allergies.
Safe Snack Suggestions
Raisin boxes
Yogurt (Minigo, Danone, Tubes, etc.)
Cheese Strings
Teddy Grahams
Arrowroot Biscuits
Dunkaroos
Chips Ahoy
Animal crackers
Digestive Biscuits
Popcorn
Applesauce
Pudding Cups
Canned Fruit
Goldfish crackers
Soda Crackers
Pop Tarts
Potato Chips (Plain, Lays, Pringles)
Krispie Crème Donuts
Cheesies
Doritos
Fruit Roll-ups
check your own children regularly. If your child
is infested, please notify the office and seek
treatment immediately. If we all co-operate in
being vigilant about checking, reporting and
treating head lice, we will be able to keep
outbreaks of these nasty pests under control.
Safe Candy Snacks
Smarties
Kit Kat
Aero Bars
Coffee Crisp
Marage
Open House & Mr. Sub Dinner
Positive Hygiene Reminders
Monitor: If your child develops flu-like signs
and symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body
aches, headache, chills and fatigue) keep them
home and contact your health care provider if
symptoms are severe.
Practice good hygiene: Cover your nose and
mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into
your sleeve or elbow. Avoid touching your eyes,
nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap
and water, especially after a cough or sneeze.
SPECIAL EVENTS
This annual event will take place Tuesday,
th
September 18 , 2012 in the school gym, library
and classrooms from 5:30 p.m. onwards. Please
remember to return the Sub order forms to your
child‘s teacher.
Unsafe/May Contain Traces….
Bakery items
Tim Hortons donuts
Imported foods
Granola Products
Bulk Foods
Mini Oreo Cookies
Scholastic Book Fair is Back
This list is not an endorsement of a
particular product or manufacturer. It is
offered as a guideline to assist with the
preparation of packed lunches/snacks.
Terry Fox Walk/Run
Pediculosis
Head lice are parasites which have been
common among human beings for centuries.
They are not connected in any way with dirt or
neglect. If a case is found in our school, we
shall inform parents of the students in that
classroom. We will be checking friends and
other family members. We ask that you also
The Scholastic Book Fair will be in our School
Library for several days the week of September
th
17 , 2012.
Purchases may be made the
evening of the school‘s Open House and during
―shopping‖ opportunities provided to each class
during the week. (Visa, Mastercard, debit,
cheques, or cash).
Pauline Vanier Annual Terry
Fox Walk/Run will be held
th
on Friday, September 28 ,
2012. The purpose of this
event is to celebrate the
memory of Terry Fox, raise
money for the Terry Fox Foundation to help find
a cure for cancer, and to enhance our collective
identity as a caring Catholic Community. The
length of the route is dependent on the age of
the student. Parents are welcome to assist with
supervision at this worthwhile event.
Pizza Day-Every Tuesday
th
Pizza Day began on Tuesday September 11 ,
2012. The cost is $2.00 per slice. The Pizza
slices meet the Ministry regulations for Healthy
Eating.
An Apple-A-Day
Thanks to sponsorship from Boys
and Girls Club and Breakfast Club of
Canada, all students at Pauline
Vanier will be offered an apple-a-day
(delivered to the classroom) for a
mid-morning snack at various points throughout
the year. Research supports the health benefits
of an apple-a-day!
Parents: We Need You
Thanks to Mrs. Maria DeSouza for her
leadership in coordinating the Breakfast Club.
Both the Breakfast Club (Monday to Friday from
8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.) and Kiss ‗n Ride (8:25 8:40 a.m.) need parent volunteers in order to
sustain our level of commitment and service. If
you can help out one or two days a week,
please contact the office. The future of these
programs depends on you!
Pauline Vanier School Fundraiser
This year School Council‘s major fundraiser will
be a school-wide dance-a-thon!
School Council
Catholic School Advisory Council elections will
be held the first week in October at a regular
meeting of School Council. Please consider
being a member of our School Council this
year. It is a commitment that is both personally
rewarding and an invaluable service to our
entire school community. There is a SELF
NOMINATION FORM to nominate yourself and
a PARENT NOMINATION FORM to nominate
another parent from our school community.
These forms accompany this newsletter. The
form(s) is to be returned to the school no later
than Wednesday, September 26th, 2012. Our
first Council meeting will be Monday, October
st
1 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the School
Library. Please join us!
School-crested Sportswear for SALE
Once again this year, fleece and brushed
cotton school-crested sportswear is for sale in
black, grey and royal blue (gold trim). Order
forms are enclosed in the newsletter. Samples
of the shirts, pants, hoodies, toques and
baseball caps are on display in the front office.
Orders are due in the office on Monday,
th
September 17 .
A Rush Embroidery
representative will be at the school the
th
evening of the Open House, September 18
to take your child/ren’s measurements to
ensure the perfect fit.
LUNCH PROGRAMS
This year, once again, we will be trying a variety
of lunch programs to suit the preferences of our
School Community. The Nutri-Lunch Program
will resume later this month. Order forms will be
available shortly.
We will also continue to offer a variety of lunch
options throughout the year. Our goal is to offer
healthy alternatives to a home-packed lunch.
IMPORTANT DATES
SEPTEMBER
 Virtue of Faith Assembly







Monday September 10th 12:45 p.m.
Reorganization Day
Friday September 14th
Open House and Mr. Sub Night
Tuesday September 18th
School Photo Day
Wednesday September 19th
Opening Mass
Friday September 21st 9:30 a.m.
Terry Fox Run
Friday September 28th
Every Tuesday-Pizza Day
Every Wednesday-Cookie Day
(starting soon!)
NO SCHOOL FOR
STUDENTS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th
Re-organization and PA Day
COMBINED GRADES
Every year parents call the school and express
concern about the practicality and effectiveness
of combined grades. Please
rest assured that students in
combined grades are receiving
the same quality education as
their peers in straight grades. Combined grades
have been a reality for several decades now and
Pauline Vanier‘s teachers are well-versed in
meeting the challenges (and benefits!) of
managing combined grade classrooms.
Curriculum documents and resources have been
made available to teachers to assist with their
planning; and with the increased emphasis on
differentiated instruction, it is not uncommon for
teachers to deliver meaningful individualized
curriculum to many different groupings in even a
straight grade classroom. In a combined grade
class, these groupings may vary from subject to
subject and may be comprised of students from
both grade levels, depending on the objectives
of the lesson and the needs of the students.
I have frequently observed students at two
grade levels collaborating on a project that
successfully meets the curriculum objectives of
both grades while offering students the unique
opportunity of exploring diverse content from a
variety of perspectives.
A three-part math lesson taught to two grades
allows students to simultaneously explore a
math problem that is carefully constructed to
incorporate both basic and more complex
mathematical skills, allowing manageable entry
points for the younger student and challenges
for the more advanced learner.
As far as possible, students slated for combined
grades have been carefully selected, by
teachers and administration, based on a number
of important criteria. Students in combined
classes frequently express satisfaction and
delight in the innovative teaching strategies and
unique learning opportunities that exist in
combined grade classrooms.
In my own experience as a teacher, curriculum
consultant, and Principal, I am confident that
students in combined grades are benefitting
from the same high caliber Catholic education
enjoyed by students in straight grade
classrooms.
Wendy Bodsworth
Principal
I BELIEVE IN CHILDREN
I believe in children-little ones, big ones,
chubby and thin ones.
There is faith in their eyes, love in their
touch, hope in their attitude.
Run with them through tall grasses, bow
with them in worship and hold them
close in tragedy.
I believe in children-the fragile dream of
yesterday, life‘s radiant reality today and
the vibrant stuff of tomorrow.
Yes, I believe in children, for wherever I
go, to a mountain village, industrial
centre or open country, I find
yesterday‘s children, who were nurtured
in the things of Christ, at work in the
building of the Kingdom of God.
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