December 2013 Newsletter
hope that many will be able to join us to
celebrate our faith, pray as a community,
and have an opportunity to wish each other
a blessed and joyful Christmas.
Operation Christmas Child
Pauline Vanier
Catholic School
56 Oaklea Blvd,
Brampton, Ontario,
L6Y 4W7
Phone:
905-455-1001
Fax: 905-455-3406
Website:
http://www.dpcdsb.org//
pvani
Principal:
I. Maas
Superintendent
L. Papaloni
Trustee
A. daSilva
905-890-0708
Head Secretary:
T. Winckler
St. Jerome’s Parish
8530 Chinguacousy
Rd. Brampton
Phone:905-455-4260
Fax: 905-450-6326
Website: http//
www.stjeromeparish.ca
Pastor: Fr. Jan Kolodynski
School Council Chair
K. LaNave
Prayer for Advent
Thank you to all our families who participated in our Operation Christmas Child
To share our humanity and transform our lives outreach project. The 117 shoeboxes that
you came upon us, Lord Jesus.
were collected will be sent to Haiti, Central
Enlighten our minds, to the fullness of your
America or the Philippines. Thank you to
Spirit and open our hearts to the fullness of your S. Grasman’s class and the Youth Faith Amlove that we may spend these weeks of
bassadors for assisting with this project and
preparation thinking about what your coming the projects listed below.
among us truly means and the mystery of your
love for us.
Food and Hard Candy Drive
Xaverian Prayers
The November Food and Hard Candy
Advent
Drives were a success. Many boxes have
been filled and we are appreciative of your
Advent is a time of waiting for the birth of
family’s generosity to this worthwhile
Jesus. During Advent we prepare our
cause.
homes and ourselves to welcome the new
born king. Advent traditions such as the
Philippines Relief Fund
Advent wreath serve as visual reminders of
this time of waiting and preparing.
On November 19, 2013 Pauline Vanier stuThe Advent wreath is a popular custom that dent body was awash with the Philippines
originated in Germany hundreds of years
Flag colours of red, yellow, white and blue.
ago. It is a wreath of evergreen branches
Donations were collected from students and
holding four candles, one for each week of
families during the day. We are happy to
Advent. The wreath is circular to remind us report that we collected $1000.00 for relief
of the unending love God has for us. The
efforts in the Philippines.
evergreen branches also remind us of this
gift. The wreath was an ancient symbol of
Christmas Mass Schedule for
victory and symbolizes the glory of Christ’s
St. Jerome’s Parish
birth. The candles remind us that we were
waiting in the darkness until Jesus, the
The schedule for Masses at St. Jerome’s ParLight of the World, was born.
ish for Christmas are as follows:
School Advent Mass
You are all cordially invited to attend our
school’s Advent Mass on Friday, December
13, 2013 at 9:30 am in our school gym. We
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve
5:00 pm, 7:30 pm, 9:30 pm and 12:00 midnight
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
10:30am and 12:00 noon
Learning and Growing Together with God
School Yard Safety
The school boards will be communicating one of four
standard announcements to the radio stations. The four
We continue to remind our students regularly that they are announcements and their effect on the transportation systo choose activities that do not involve “body contact of
tem are as follows. (Please note that the bolded text only
any sort.” We are finding that most of our students are
will be communicated by the radio station).
becoming more aware of the meaning of this and we en1. “DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT
courage that you discuss this rule with your child(ren) at
SCHOOL BOARD BUSES SERVING
home as well.
ST. ANDREW, ST. BENEDICT AND ST.
PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND
R.F. HALL SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE
CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”
Snow
As the winter weather begins, students are reminded that
“Snow is not to be thrown or kicked.”. Every child in the
school was made aware of the importance of this rule in
preventing injury to others. Please assist us by reviewing
with your child the dangers of throwing snowballs and the
importance of preventing injury to other children.
2.
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND THE
PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES
IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON AND THE
COUNTY OF DUFFERIN ARE CANCELLED”. This means that all runs listed under announcement #l PLUS the following are
cancelled.
All schools in the Town of Caledon and all
school runs that begin in the Town of
Caledon.
Individual schools will be notified if this cancellation affects their school.
3.
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES ARE
CANCELLED.” Th is m e ans that:
ALL Transportation services provided by the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
and The Peel District School Board, including
buses, vans and taxis have been cancelled for
the entire day.
4.
“THE SCHOOLS AND OFFICES OF BOTH
THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ARE
CLOSED.” Th is m e ans that:
ALL Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board and Peel District School Board schools
and offices are closed to all students and staff.
Dressing For Winter
Please assist us in encouraging the children to dress adequately for this weather. Except when the weather is extremely cold or wet, the students will be going outside during the recess and lunch periods.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School policy states that
consideration should be given for keeping students indoors during recesses when the wind chill reaches –20C.
At –25C students will be kept indoors. Playing outdoors
is a pleasant and healthy activity when students are wearing suitable clothing. For the younger students, it would
be helpful if parents were to label items of clothing with
their child’s name, so that each person can more easily locate his/her own clothing. The Lost and Found bin is located on the first floor between the gym and library. Please
encourage your child to check these bins if they are missing
something.
Bus and School Cancellations
During the winter months inclement weather may cause
disruption of bus transportation and regular school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation and/or to
close schools is usually made by 6:00 a.m. and will be announced on the following media outlets:
VIRGIN RADIO 99.9
CFTR AM680 CFNY 102.1
EZ ROCK FM97.3
CJCL AM590 AM 640
CHUM AM1050
CFRB 1010
CTV
FMZ103.5
FM93.1 FM
FM Q107
CJBC (FR) 860AM
CITYPULSE
CBC 99.1
GLOBAL NEWS
CHFI FM98.1
CHIN 100.7 FM 1/AM 1540
During the winter months, inclement weather and/or poor
road conditions may cause the disruption of bus transportation and regular school operations. When any bus is cancelled it is cancelled for the entire day. Therefore students
transported to school by parents require the same transportation home.
If you have access to the internet you may check the Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) website for
cancellation and/or to see if your child(ren)’s bus is delayed and by how long it is delayed.
The STOPR website is www.stopr.ca
Student Illness—Staying in During Recess
Extended French Information Meeting
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
co-operation to keep your child home when he/she is ill is
appreciated.
St. Monica will be hosting an Extended French Program
Information meeting for parents/guardians of Grade Four
students who wish to register for the program. The extended French Program starts in Grade Five with students receiving 50% of curriculum instruction in the French Language. Parents are encouraged to speak to your child’s
P.A Day
classroom teacher and French teacher to discuss the suitability of this opportunity for your child.
Friday, December 20th is a professional activity day. There Interested parents and students are invited to this presentawill be no classes for students as a number of staff will be tion on Wednesday, January 15th, 2014 at 7 pm at St. Moninvolved in professional development activities.
ica School. (60 Sterritt Drive, Brampton L6Y 5B6) Applications will be accepted at St. Monica until 3:00 pm on
Wednesday, February 12th, 2014
Full-Day Kindergarten Registration for 2014-15
Minimizing Disruptions to Classes
Registration for the 2014-15 school year will be held at Paulin Vanier on the following dates.
We appreciate continued parental help and support in minMonday, January 27, 2014- 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.*
imizing disruptions to classes, whenever possible. By try*Snow Date: Tuesday, January, 28, 2014- 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ing our best not to disturb classes, except in very important
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, January 29th, 30th and situations, we are reducing disruptions to quality teaching
31st , 2014
and learning time. To this end, we ask the following:
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
 If you wish to discuss something with your child’s
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
teacher, we ask that you set up an appointment with
the teacher. Approaching the teacher, before, during
For more information, call Pauline Vanier at 905-455-1001
and/or after school makes it difficult for the teacher to
focus on her/his students. This also becomes a safety
Junior Kindergarten-Children must be 4 years old by December 31,2014
issue. Please leave a message with the office and the
Senior Kindergarten-Children must be 5 years old by December 31, 2014
teacher will call you back.
 If your child is late please have him/her report to the
Parents/Guardians should bring the following documents
office. PLEASE DO NOT ESCORT YOUR CHILD TO
when registering their child:
CLASS.

Send a note in advance, to your child’s teacher when
 proof of age of the child (birth certificate or passyour child needs to be picked up early, then meet them
port)
in the office and sign them out.
 original Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate (for

If delivering lunches to your child at school, write your
parent/guardian and/or child) or Baptismal Certifichild’s and teacher’s names on lunch bags and leave
cate of other rites in communion with the Holy See
them on the lunch table in the front foyer. This would
of Rome
be greatly appreciated.
 updated immunization records




proof of Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant -status
proof of home address (utility bill, bank or credit
card statement)
for schools in Caledon and Dufferin County: emergency rural address numbers for identifying your
property
proof of English Separate School Support (may be
Please Don’t Be Late!
Recently we have noticed an increase in the number of students arriving late for school and classes. All students
from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, should start school
on time. This prevents interruption of classes and loss of
information for the students. Please encourage and assist
done at the time of registration by completing an Appli- your child(ren) to recognize that punctuality is a responsibility, which all students should be developing. A remindcation For the Direction of School Support and/or a Separate
School Lease Agreement available at the school)
er that school begins at 8:40 am in the morning and
12:40p.m. in the afternoon.
Bullying Prevention Corner– We All Want to
Feel Included
In December the focus during morning announcements is
on including and accepting others. The message “w e all
want to feel included” underscores the idea that all of us desire
the same thing and we all have some responsibility in creating an atmosphere that is inclusive. Students will hopefully learn the meaning of empathy and explore feelings
associated with being excluded. Research shows that bullying behaviours demonstrate a lack of empathy toward others. Through ongoing efforts at the school students will
also look at how to help someone feel included and examine ways of strengthening their friendship building skills.
Tips for parents:
-talk with your child(ren) about ways to build friendships
with others
-reinforce the message that even if we aren’t good friends
with someone we can still be friendly, considerate and welcoming
-use teachable moments (family situations, media, and
movies) to explore empathy with your child(ren) and help
them relate to and understand how others are feeling.
December Virtue of the Month is HOPE
People of Hope:
 Keep a positive attitude
 Can bounce back from a tough situation
 Set and stick to their goals
 See the good in others even when they make mistakes
 Work to include others
 Let others know that they are good people
Think Papers/ Conduct Reports
At Pauline Vanier we use a variety of techniques to deal
with misbehavior. One technique that some staff use is a
Think Paper. The think paper is a tool that requires your
child(ren) to reflect on what they have done and what they
should/would do the next time a similar situation were to
occur. The think paper is then brought home to parents to
share and be returned the next day signed. It is our hope
that you would discuss the situation with your child. If a
child receives three or more think papers a staff member
would then complete a Conduct Report. If your child receives a conduct report they have a conversation with the
principal of the school. They will then be given an appropriate consequence and you would be notified. Teachers
can also complete a conduct report if the behaviour is very
serious and needs parental involvement and attention
right away.
Lost and Found
There are a great number of items in our Lost and Found
box. These items will be on display from Dec. 9th to the
19th, 2013. Parents are encouraged to come and check the
Lost and Found. If you are coming during the school day
please check into the office before proceeding to the Lost
and Found boxes or display. All unclaimed items will be
donated to charity after December 19th, 2013.
Healthy Eating Tip
Your children are always watching you, even when you
think they’re not paying attention. Instead of telling them
The daily prayer of HOPE for December is:
to eat more fruit, why not turn your words into actions and
Let us now pray...for the grace and courage to be people of see what happens?
Hope. People who can see, participate in and contribute to Keep a bowl of fresh and washed fruits out on the table.
God’s goodness emerging around us.
(apples, grapes, berries etc…)
Amen
Keep it low key. Don’t comment on whether the kids partake or not. Just keep a steady supply on the table and
make sure the kids see you eating the fruit.
P.A.L.S.
Pauline Vanier School is pleased to announce the return of
P.A.L.S. leaders (Playground Activity Leaders at School)
These leaders have been leading the primary students in a
variety of games during recesses on Monday, Tuesday and
Friday. The motto for P.A.L.S. leaders is “There is always
room for one more”. Please encourage your child(ren) in
the primary grades to join in the many fun, safe and social
skill building activities. Thank you to all P.A.L.S. leaders
and the staff for assisting with this initiative.
Christmas Carousel
You and your family members are invited to join us for a
fun filled evening of Christmas activities on Wednesday,
December 11, 2013 between 6:30-8:00 pm at Pauline Vanier
School.
Some events include a Nativity Play, a visit from Santa
Claus, a Silent Auction, crafts, carol singing and letter writing to Santa. Refreshments will be provided by our Catholic School Council.
Please bring your own camera if you would like a photo
with Santa Claus.
Council Update
Thank you for your donations to our upcoming
“Christmas Market for Kids”. The marketplace is an opportunity for students to shop for their loved ones at a
price point they can afford! We will continue to accept donations until December 10. If you have a large number of
items that may be too heavy or bulky for your child to
bring to school ,we can accept those items the evening of
the Christmas Carousel (Wed, Dec. 11/13).
Exciting News: A Silent Auction will be held on the
evening of Christmas Carousel, December 11th. We have
some very special items up for auction including a COACH
wristlet, designer beaded clutch, Rose Theatre tickets, bath
and body gift baskets, cupcake carrier and more!
Improving Student Achievement: We have successfully
committed over $5,000 in funds so far this year towards
enhancing students’ education through programs, activities
and resources. This was made possible by your fundraising
support of Vesey Bulb orders, QSP magazine subscriptions
and Pizza Lunch orders. Thank you for your support.
Merry Christmas and blessings to you all from your
Catholic School Council
Dates to Remember
Sunday, Dec. 8
Monday, Dec. 9
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Friday, Dec. 13
Sunday, Dec. 15
Monday, Dec. 16
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Thursday, Dec. 19
Friday, Dec. 20
Sunday, Dec. 22
Monday, Jan. 6
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Monday, Jan. 20
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Monday, Jan. 27
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Thursday, Jan. 30
Catholic School Council
The next Catholic School Council Meeting will be held on
Monday, February 3, 2014 at 6:45 p.m. in the library. As
always all parents are welcome to attend all Catholic
School Council Meetings.
Christmas Break
Christmas break will commence on Monday, December 23,
2013. The last day of school will be on Thursday, December 19, 2013. School will commence in the New Year on
Monday, January 6, 2014.
Friday, Jan. 31
Monday, Feb. 3
-Second Sunday of Advent
-Lost and Found on display
-Pizza Lunch
-Christmas Carousel from 6:30–8 pm
-Grade 7 and 8 (females)
Immunization Clinic
-Advent Mass at 9:30 am in the gym
-Third Sunday of Advent
-Mrs. J. De Souza’s , Grade 6 class trip
to Silvercreek
-Pizza Lunch
-Christmas Marketplace for Kids
-Final day for Lost and Found items
-Pajamas and Movie Day for JK-6
(Do not send food or refreshments to share for the event.)
-Grade 7 and 8 Dance in the afternoon
(Do not send food or refreshments to share for the dance.)
-Last Day of Classes
- PA Day (no school for students)
-Fourth Sunday of Advent
-First Day of Classes
-Pizza Lunch
-Rosary Apostolate Visit
-Pizza Lunch
-Extended French Information Session
at St. Monica School at 7 pm
-Assessment and Evaluation of
Student Progress Day (no school)
-Term 2 begins
-Pizza Lunch
-Kindergarten Registration 7-9 pm
(snow day Tuesday January 28th)
-Pizza Lunch
-Kindergarten Registration 9-11am
and 1-3pm
-Kindergarten Registration 9-11am
and 1-3pm
-Kindergarten Registration 9-11am
and 1-3pm
-CSC meeting at 6:45 in the Library
Inserts
December Math @ Home
Advent Message from Father Jan