Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Schoo’ Board
40 Matheson Boulevard West, Mississauga, ON, L5R 1C5, Tel: (905) 890-1221
September 4, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Re: Elementary School Organization Plans for 2012-2013
As you know, the provincial government has imposed a cap on the maximum number of students
that may be enrolled in primary classes (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3). Primary classes are
capped at 20 students. For many schools, this will mean smaller primary class sizes. In rare
instances a small number of classes may have a maximum of 23 students. The exception to this
cap, of course, is the Full Day Early Learning Program. The Board average in such classes is 26
students. These classes are staffed by one teacher and one Designated Early Childhood Educator.
The provincial government also requires that the size of Grades 4 to 8 classes not exceed a boardwide average of 24.5 students. Because this is an average, not a cap, some classes in these grades
will have more than 25 students, and others will have less.
Parents / Guardians should know that grade / class reorganization for September will be
necessary in order to meet these government-mandated requirements. While lowering class size
is positive, this initiative can lead to a number of combined grade classes in many schools.
Teachers will be provided with the resources needed to ensure appropriate curriculum delivery
for all students assigned to their classes.
All school organization plans are subject to review in early September, based on actual enrolment.
Where a need to adjust class plans is identified due to unanticipated enrolment fluctuations,
reorganization will be implemented effective September 14, 2012.
The effect of school
reorganization
result in your child moving from one class to another. Where such is the case,
your principal will keep you duly informed.
The Ministry of Education publication, “An Introduction to Combined Grades”, provides
information for parents/guardians regarding combined grade classes and is attached for your
additional information arid reference.
Kindly be assured that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board will continue, as always,
to provide quality education for all students entrusted in its care.
Yours sincerely,
Ralph Borrelli
Associate Di rector, Instructional Services
—
Make learning fun
Learning is not limited to the classroom.
Simple activities can build your child’s skills
and confidence. Talk about prices on a trip to
the grocery store to help older kids with
math. Make reading fun for younger ones by
pointing out the words all around you
on
street signs, posters, even cereal boxes!
Stay connected with the school
Talk to your child’s teacher. Ask questions. This
can be as simple as sending a note to school
with your child. Or check with the school to
see if you can volunteer to help.
—
Get involved in your child’s school life
Ask about their day school work, friends,
the:r teacher. Let them tell you about the best
par: of their day, and about what was not so
gocd. This will help you share their successes
and uncover any problems.
HOVV CAN I HELP
CHILD SUCCEED?
lI\
help your child succeed
in school.
Ontario
website at http://www.edu ,gov.on .ca
This publication is available on the Ministry of Education’s
Cette publication est disponible en francais.
© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2007
ISBN 978-1-4249-3390-7 (PDF)
06-377
ISBN 978-1-4249-3388-4 (Print)
® Printed on recycled paper
how you can
discover
parents.
Visit www.edu.gov.on.ca and
to help both teachers and
The Ministry of Education has many tools
AN INTRODUCTION TO
Ontario
-
aS5OTS whether single-grade or combneo,
cs suoents performing at a range of achieve
-e e.ors n every case, schools strive to create
a c ascrsm e:crronment that will support :he
cc a: ci shcerts.
And many other factors
A.aoem needs
Sos a skills
Lear nrc styles
Prrncpas ona staff consider a variety of factors
sshen grouping children into classes, including
HOW ARE STUDENTS
CHOSEN FOR COMBINED
CLASS ES?
A classrooms mclude students with a range of
ski Is and abi ities, Combined classes are neither
better nor worse than single-grade classes. They
arr s mph one of the many ways schools meet
St dents academic and social development needs.
ooobnec classes group children from two or
re consecutive grades in one classroom. Schools
como:ne classes for a variety of reasons. Thrs
caes organizing casses to meet stucent learning
needs one combining grades to balance class size.
WHAT IS A COMBINED
CLASSROOM?
.
rs
-
real world. The diverse ideas and opinions of
classmates help expand students’ perspectives.
El Learn in an environment that reflects the
*s’ Develop decision-making skills, and become
more self-motivated and responsible
F Build leadership abilities as they work
together and help each other
dd Learn how to work on their own and as part
of a team
and social growth. The rich social environment
helps students:
classes have more opportunities for emotional
Canadian studies show that children in combined
ç
Several studies have found that students in
combined classes ao just as well as stuoents
in single-grade classes. In fact, some students
actually do better in language and reading.
1::...
HOW WILL A COMBINED
CLASS AFFECT MY CHILD?
The Ministry of Education has developed strategies
that help teachers reach a range of learners. For
example, teams from every school in Ontario have
been trained in differentiating instruction, this is a
strategy that looks at the individual learning needs
and progress of each student. The teacher can
then identify the range of needs in the classroom
and plan a program that meets the needs of all
the students.
Bring students together for activities like
health, physical education, and the arts.
Break students into groups to study different
problems and report back o the class. These
groups can be flexible, inclading students with
varied interests and skills.
Introduce a common topic then give each
grade a different task or problem.
Teachers use many different strategies to teach
students in combined grades. They may:
HOW CAN THE TEACHER
TEACH MORE THAN ONE
GRADE AT A TIME?
Younger children can ask students from the higher
grade for help. Older students learn by explaining
problems to their younger peers. In fact, peer
tutoring can help higher achiev ng and older
students reinforce their knowledge and positive
soc al behaviours.
Every day, in both single-grade classes and
combined grades, teachers work with large
groups, small groups, and indivdual students.
But students in combined classrooms also benefit
from a broader support structure.
WILL MY CHILD GET
ENOUGH INDIVIDUAL
ATTENTION?
Fiom Your CoThok Schoo’ rwt
Cathotk Dtstrkt
5dioo oard
Catholic School
Board
NeWS
site at www.dpcdsb.oru. As well, look to
our web site for interesting articles about
education in Dufferin-Peel.
I am proud to be your Catholic School
Trustee. If you have any questions please
never hesitate to contact me. We have many
issues on our plates as trustees and please
know that our number one priority is quality
Catholic education for your children.
September, 2012
From Anna da Silva
Trustee Brampton, Wards 1, 3, 4
-
Dear Parents and Guardians.
Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had
a wonderful summer. Welcome to all new
families to Dufferin-Peel. I know you will
be very happy with the education your
children will receive.
Your children’s teachers have been working
very hard to get ready for this new year and
soon you will have an opportunity to visit
the school to see the classrooms and meet
the teachers. I encourage you to get involved
in your children’s education by attending or
joining your Catholic school council.
helping with homework and reading with
your children. Studies show that when
parents are engaged in their childrens
education children do better in school.
Dufferin-Peel is very proud of the
relationship we have fostered between
home. school and parish. For nearly 170
years Catholic education has been the
foundation for millions of students to
develop their full spiritual, academic,
physical and social potential.
In order to keep you informed of what is
happening at the board and at the ministry, I
have set up a couple of social media sites.
You can follow me on Twitter ampodesta
and you can join on my facebook group @
Brampton Catholic School Parents Wards
1,3 & 4. I look forward to connecting with
you all in the next year through these
mediums as well as in person.
I wish you a safe. happy and rewarding
school year and may the good Lord always
hold you in the palm of His hand
Sincerely.
Please feel free to speak to your childrens
teachers, vice principal or principal about
concerns or questions you may have. And as
you know transportation issues are dealt
with by our Transportation Department
STOPR. You ma lind more information in
the school new sletter and on our board web
—
Anna Da Silva
I3rampton Trustee, Wards 1 .3 &4
Anna.dasi lva. a hlogspot.com
Twitter : ampodesta
Facebook Brampton catholic school
parents for wardN I 3&4
A Tradition of Excellence in Catholic Education
%IU
e,1zy 94d
56 Oaklea Boulevard, Brampton, Ontario L6Y 4W7 (905) 455-1001
Re: Catholic School Council Election Information
September 10, 2012
Dear Parents,
A nomination form is attached for parent/guardian representatives who wish to serve
on the Catholic School Council for the 2012-2013 academic year. Additional forms may
be obtained from the school office. Completed nomination forms must be received
th,
in the school office by 4:00 pm. on September 26
2012.
If needed, the election for parent/guardian representatives to the Catholic School
Council will take place at Pauline Vanier School (library) during the fall organizational
st
meeting to be held on Monday, October 1
at 6:30 p.m. The election will be conducted
by secret ballot. Eligible voters (parents/guardians of students attending this school in
the current year) must vote in person. Proxy voting is not permitted.
An appointed steering committee will assist with the implementation of election
procedures should an election be necessary. However, if there are just enough
nominations to fill available positions, those individuals who have been nominated will
volunteer or be appointed to the roster of available positions on the slate of officers.
I encourage your participation in this vibrant group and look forward to seeing you at the
st,
Catholic School organizational meeting on October 1
2012.
Sincerely,
Wendy Bodswoth
Principal
__________________________
__________________________
___________________________
_________________
________
_______
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56 Oaklea Boulevard, Brampton, Ontario L6Y 4W7 (905) 455-1001
Catholic School Council Elections 2012-2013
Nomination Form for Election of Parent Members
Name of School:
Pauline Vanier
tl•
Please complete the following and return to the school office by Wednesday, September 28
Name
Address
Telephone
Child’s Name
1.
1 am a Catholic School elector or spouse.
Yes
No
(Note: To be eligible, a candidate must be a separate school elector or spouse)
2.
I am an emplovee** of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and I work
at this school.
Yes
No
3.
1 am an ernployee** of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board but I work
elsewhere in the Board (i.e. not at this school).
Yes
No
**Note: “Employee” includes parents/guardians who work as CAP site hosts, Lunchroom
Supervisors, and/or Emergency Supply Instructors.
This is a self-nomination:
Name:
It is not necessary to receive a nomination from another parent.
This is a nomination
made
by another parent:
I nominate
to he a parent representative on our Catholic
School Council.
Signature of Nominee:
Name(print)
Signature of Nominator:
Name(print)
Signature of School Official
Please add a brief hiograph
I)ate
—
(OflC
or
t\\(i
paragraphs on the back.
______________
______________
4ss
COURTESY RIDER APPLICATION FORM
In late September, after all eligible riders have been assigned to a bus, the school principal
determines if there are any empty seats on the bus. These seats can be assigned to “Courtesy
Riders” based on needs assessment criteria (age, grade, siblings, location of sitter, distance
from school, busy roads, health, etc.>. The “Courtesy Seat” must be applied for each year and
may be taken away at any time if new students, eligible for the bus, register at the school. If
you would like your children to be considered for a “courtesy seat” on the bus please complete
the form below, and return it to the school no later than 4:00 p.m. September 24, 2012. Please
submit only ONE form for each family. Notification of available seats will be in early October.
Please list the names, grades and teachers for each child requesting an empty seat.
HOME ADDRESS:
1. NAME:
(First name>_________________________________ (Last Name)
Grade:_____________ TEACHER NAME:________________________
2. NAME:
(First name)_________________________________ (Last Name)
Grade:_____________ TEACHER NAME:_______________________
3. NAME:
(First name)_________________________________ (Last Name)
Grade:______________ TEACHER NAME:_________________________
4. NAME:
(First name)__________________________________ (Last Name)
Grade:_____________ TEACHER NAME:______________________
RATIONALE: I want my child/ren to be on Bus Number________
Pick up stop:
Drop-off stop:
Please circle one or more reasons that you want your child/ren on the bus:
1. Convenient for babysitting/sitter arrangements
2. Sibling on the bus
3. Too far to walk and/or dangerous crossing
4. Safety —only ONE child. No one to accompany child to school.
5, Other: