PRINCIPAL:
VICE PRINCIPAL:
HEAD SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
E. Fischer
V. Viola
C. Fay
A. Burt
L. Giancola
FEBRUARY 2013
120 Harvest Moon Drive, Bolton, Ontario L7E 2W1 Phone: (905) 857-7582
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: P. McMorrow
1-800-387-9501
TRUSTEE:
F. Di Cosola
905-951-8898
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH
PASTOR:
Fr. L. Leger
905 857-1938
ASSOCIATE PASTOR:
Fr. D. Young-Sam You
Fax: (905) 857-9353
ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
CHAIR:
M. De Amicis
VICE-CHAIR
J. Nielsen
TREASURER
J. Cugliari
SCECRETARY
M. Pacek
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM: Please remember to phone in your child’s absence: 905 857-7582.
The answering machine is available 24 hours - Messages are picked up regularly.
For more information about school events, go to our school website: http://www.dpcdsb.org/NICHO
Follow St. Nicholas School on twitter: @StNicholasinfo
Follow Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board on twitter: @DPCDSBSchools
JOURNEYING WITH JESUS IN THE DESERT
MOVING TOWARD LENT
Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013, will mark the
beginning of our Lenten Season. During Lent, we journey
with Jesus and we are called to open our hearts to the
Father so that we may live with God. We invite this
journey to be accompanied by prayer, penance and works
of charity. To begin the preparation, each class will receive ashes on Ash
Wednesday during a school service. Throughout Lent, students will be
involved in a series of prayers over the P.A. system as well as daily prayer in
their classrooms. These reflections are designed to enhance our
understanding of the Holy Season and our commitment to Easter.
ASH WEDNESDAY CELEBRATION
Prayer During
Black History Month
Father of creation
Whose Son Jesus incarnated in time
and whose Spirit
enlivens our lives today,
May we honor the height of your
creation, the Human Family
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
In every hue that you chose to give
each person of our Human Family
Jesus, brother of us all
All Parents Welcome to Attend
Your prayer to the Father “that they
all may be one” Through
the Holy Spirit
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is “Black History Month.” This is a time to
celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black
Canadians, who throughout history have done so much to
make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and
prosperous nation we know today. It is also an opportunity
for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences
of Black Canadians in our society and the vital role this community has
played throughout our shared history. Toward the end of the month we will
be entertained by drumming sensation HOZA, compliments of our School
Council (parent group). Hoza is an African word that we take to mean
STOP, START or CHANGE! The presentation is based on
Creative Mediation and introduces life- skills that can put a STOP to
our negative thinking and behaviours, and help us to START living
the CHANGEs that we envision for ourselves and our world …
HOZA!
May we witness this Unity of One
Spirit of God in the month of
appreciating the gift of your children
of African descent
May we be inspired to see your
kingdom mystery
In one facet of the jewel of our
Human Family’s descent
Amen
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
FEBRUARY VIRTUE: RESPECT
L
E
N
T
As we move toward the Lenten Season, did you know …
…… the ashes used to mark our foreheads are made by burning last
year’s palms carried so joyfully on Palm Sunday. Sackcloth and ashes
were outward signs of penitence in bygone days, however, we have
dispensed with the sackcloth.
I am respectful when …
….. that Shrove Tuesday is the day on which one should be “shriven” or
cleansed of our sins in preparation for keeping Lent. Mardi Gras,
literally “fat Tuesday” was a day to use up all fat and rich ingredients such
as butter, sugar, meat, etc. The colours of Mardi Gras are gold,
green and purple to correspond with the gifts of the Magi—gold,
frankincense and myrrh.
Why practice Respect?
Without respect people’s privacy would be
violated. Without respect people speak rudely
to one another and treat others as if they do not
matter. Being respectful helps people feel
valued. When you treat yourself with respect,
others respect you too. When we treat others
with respect we are being Christ-like.
…… the forty days of Lent match the forty days Jesus spent in the desert
and the forty days of the Great Flood, during which the ark was
adrift.
SHROVE TUESDAY VOLUNTEERS
The School Council will be hosting what has become an annual pancake treat
for the entire school community of students on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. A
letter has already been sent home requesting volunteers who would be willing to
donate their time to either flip some pancakes and/or assist in the gym. If you are
able to assist, please send in your name with the request form to your child’s
teacher. Students will be invited, by grade, to the gym to receive pancakes.
Please note, this is not intended to be breakfast for the students, simply an
opportunity to partake in Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, the
beginning of Lent. Special thanks to both Just Catering and Zehrs along with
our School Council who all contribute to the success of this wonderful event.
SAINT VALENTINE
In the month of February we celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine
was a bishop who bravely died for his faith. The name Valentine means
“Valiant” or “Strong”. This day is
SCHOOL COUNCIL TREAT
connected with love because of the
The School Council will be providing a
legend that birds pick their mates on
Valentine Cookie for each child. The
February 14th. Secret notes of love
cookie is individually wrapped and nut
and friendship sent on this day are
free. If you have any concerns, please
called Saint Valentine’s notes or
let your child’s teacher know.
valentines. While this day will be
acknowledged in a low key manner, we are asking that families / students do not
bring in gifts of baking or chocolates to be shared. We continue to honour and
enforce a strict “no sharing of food between students” policy.
TERM 1 – Interviews (by appointment)
Thursday, February 7, 1213 – evening
Friday, February 8, 2013 – daytime
No school for students on Friday, February 8th.
FEBRUARY VIRTUE - RESPECT
What is Respect? Respect is an attitude of honouring people and caring about
their rights. Being respectful is reflected in the courtesy with which we treat one
another, the way we speak, and the way we treat other people’s belongings.
Speaking and acting respectfully gives people the dignity they deserve. Respect
includes honouring the rules of your family and your school, behaving in a way
which makes life more peaceful and orderly. Being respectful includes selfrespect. Every woman, man and child was created by God and we all deserve
respect.
… I show courtesy to everyone.
… I learn from the wisdom of my elders.
… I treat others and myself with respect.
ACTIVITIES ABOUND
Rehearsals have begun for the production of
the Wizard of Oz. Our PALS leaders continue
to embrace the cold temperatures to provide
active opportunities in the playground areas.
Our recycling team continues to ensure weekly
collections. The ECO team is ramping up with
some winter projects. Student Parliament is
planning
some
surprise
activities.
Intermediate boys’ and girls’ basketball have
been actively practising for upcoming
tournaments. The drama club continues to be
active. Our junior and intermediate hockey
teams have been practising for upcoming
SPEECH COMPETITION WINNERS
Congratulations!
Auroara Leduc & Alexandria Scenna.
tournaments. Our junior and intermediate
dance teams have been equally busy
choreographing routines.
The Athletic
Council has been overseeing lunch hour
intramural activities for grades 1 – 6. Our
Rosary prayer group has been active. After
school floor hockey for intermediate students
continues to be popular. The Forest Reading
Program is being reintroduced for students.
The School Council (parents) continues to
ensure hot lunches are served up for students.
Rainbows and All Star Reading continue to be
in place to support students.
Knights of
Columbus Basketball Free Throw Competition
witnessed a number of our students moving
forward to the finals. Our Intermediate
students safely returned from an overnight
excursion to Muskoka Woods. Planning for
St. Nicholas School 10th Anniversary has
begun. We continue to embrace school-wide
virtue assemblies and an upcoming TERM 1
Academic Recognition Assembly.
TREE HUGGERS SUPPORT WINTER WALK DAY
TREE HUGGERS SUPPORT WINTER WALK DAY
GOODBYE AND WELCOME
This past month St. Nicholas School said goodbye to Mr. Maiolo. We thank Mr. Maiolo
for his many contributions to student learning, faith development and engagement. We
wish him well in his newly appointed position as Principal of Georges Vanier Catholic
School.
BASKETBALL FREE THROW
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Grade 4:
Boys: Quenton Race and Ethan Taurain-Baggio
Girls: Alessia Vurro.
We welcome Mrs. Viola, newly appointed Vice-Principal to St. Nicholas School. We
look forward to working with her, as collectively we continue to sustain and build a
vibrant school faith community.
Grade 5:
Boys: Nicholas Genchi
Girls: Madelyn White
As well, this past month, we said goodbye to a number of teachers. Special thank you to
Ms. Valeriano, Ms. Plourde and Ms. Bolognese for their numerous contributions to St.
Nicholas School over this past year. We wish them well in their teaching careers.
Grade 6:
Boys: Jordan Goodman
Girls: Samantha Del Core.
Welcome back to Ms. Edwards, Ms. Stellato-Theuma and Ms. Campeau-Deamer.
Grade 7:
Boys: Daine Wycoco
Girls: Alex Scenna Thea Nicolini
Congratulations to Ms. Plourde who recently gave birth to a baby boy.
TREE HUGGERS SUPPORT WINTER WALK DAY
It’s winter! Don’t hibernate – walk to school and celebrate!
Wednesday, February 6th, 2013 is Ontario's Winter Walk Day
for schools. Walk to school or at school for daily physical activity, a
healthier environment, safer streets, making friends and ... having
fun! Classes will be invited to go for a Winter Walk on this day
or later in the week, depending on the weather!
It's simple to be active in winter. Here are some tips for dressing for winter
walking:
 Woolen clothing helps to retain the heat
 Wear clothing or carry knapsacks with reflective material
 Keep hands and head covered to prevent heat loss
 On really cold days wear a scarf over your face and mouth
 Wear warm, waterproof boots
 Wear a warm coat that deflects the wind
 If possible, change wet clothes at school – tuck an extra pair of socks
and mitts into knapsacks
 Below -25C is considered too cold for walking so move your walk indoors or select another day for outdoor activities or walking to school
 Students should plan to go for a winter walk with their class on this
day.
The results of a lunchtime school food audit were as follows:
•
•
•
•
Total Garbage Collected (on day of the audit): 23.228kg
Percentage that was recyclables: 12%
Percentage that was compostable (food waste, organics):62%
Percentage that was garbage waste: 26%
Total weight of one day's garbage: 23.228kg x 194 school days = 4506.232kg of
garbage our school will produce this school year (2012-2013).
4506.232kg of garbage / 800 students in the school = 5.633 kg/student/school year
TREE HUGGERS ANTI-IDLING CAMPAIGN
Tree Huggers continue to discourage ‘idling’ of cars in the school parking lot.
The campaign is intended as an awareness campaign.
It is about:
 raising awareness
 empowering our youth
 helping to reduce our carbon footprint points towards being an eco
school
Grade 8: Boys: Fayez Issa
Girls: Tianna Christie
BALANCING SAFETY WITH ACCESS
TO THE SCHOOL: LUNCH TIME
In light of recent events south of the border, at
our last School Council Meeting there was
discussion specific to lunch hour and the
gathering of parents in the front foyer of the
school to drop off lunches to their children and
/or picking up their children. The foyer can
become a busy place with the flow of students,
the gathering of parents, and the servicing of
hot lunches. Balancing access to the school,
maintaining a welcoming environment, and
ensuring the safety and security of all students
and staff is a delicate balance. While no
decisions have been made with respect to
changing this practice at the present time, we
are requesting that under no circumstances
should parents go beyond the front foyer
when waiting for their child. Best solution:
Rather than drop off lunches on a regular
basis, parents are encouraged to have their
child be part of the process of making their
own lunches the night before (giving choice,
developing responsibility and independence).
Some solutions we are exploring:
• A monitoring process (utilizing parents)
during this period of time.
• Putting an end to the practice of parents
visiting at lunch, no waiting in the foyer
of the school. Drop off your child’s
lunch and leave.
• Locking of the front doors (we are
waiting for direction on this decision in
light of recent Ministry announcements).
If you have some thoughts on this matter,
please feel free to discuss directly with either
Mr. Fischer or Ms. Viola.
SAFETY AND ACCESS: A DELICATE BALANCE
DATES AHEAD
QUEBEC SPIRIT WEEK
SAFETY PROCEDURES IN PLACE
Parents of Grade 1-8 students should ONLY enter the school through the front door. All
other doors to the school are locked during the school day other than at recess.
•
February
Monday, 4th Fashion Faux-Pas
Students wear the most mismatched outfit they
can put together.
Kindergarten and grade 1 students are “hand to hand” delivered to
parents/guardians by school staff at the end of the day while grade 2-8
are dismissed at the door on their own. Parents need to be on time for
pick-up at the end of the day.
Tuesday, 5th A l’Envers
Students wear their clothes inside out or
backwards.
•
Parents are not allowed to go to their child’s classroom or be in the
school during the school day.
Wednesday, 6th La Cravate Folle
Students wear an outrageous tie.
•
If you are waiting to pick up your child, you are encouraged to wait by
their exit door. Please do not go down the hallway. If you wish to
speak to your child’s teacher, please call the school office to make an
appointment.
Thursday, 7th Tuque
Students wear their tuque.
•
If you are volunteering in our school you must first identify yourself to
our school secretary. Please sign in at the office and obtain and wear a
visitor’s badge so that staff and students can identify you as an
authorized visitor.
•
Students are only to be picked up from the school during the day by an
authorized adult. If we do not know who the adult is, they will be asked
to produce identification and the custodial parent will need to be
contacted to verify the request.
•
Put in place emergency backup procedures in the event that you are
unable to pick up your child. Please do not rely on the school to look
after your children because you are running late.
•
If your regular routine of picking up your child from school has
changed, you MUST indicate this in a note to your son’s/daughters
classroom teacher.
•
Our staff has been reminded to be observant and aware of their
surroundings at all times. If parents are aware of any safety concern,
please bring them to the attention of the school principal
•
Please be assured that we continue to review proper Lockdown and
Safety Procedures with our students. Please note that all safety policy
and procedures are reviewed regularly. The safety of students and staff
continues to be a priority.
Creating a caring school environment in which staff and students respect and
trust each other and where all students feel connected, understand expectations,
and receive behavioural and mental health support is essential. The work we do
through our virtues program to build empathy within our students is a proactive
step we engage in daily to help them develop strong Catholic values. We
appreciate your on-going assistance with following our rules in the interest and
safety of our students
MARCH BREAK
March 11 – 15, 2013
Each day during announcements we will be
playing Le Palais de Glace Bingo
FEBRUARY
4 Junior Hockey Tournament
5 Reports sent home
6 Winter Walk Day
7 Reporting Evening with parents
7 Net Retreat – Grade 7 Students
8 Daytime reporting with parents
– no school for students
12 Shrove Tuesday – School Council serving
up Pancakes for entire school
13 Ash Wednesday, 1:30 and 2:30
15 Grade 3 to Crawford Lake
15 Intermediate boys and girls basketball
18 Family Day NO SCHOOL
18 SNOW FEST, Caledon
21 Silver Creek, Grade 5
22 Intermediates hockey tournament
22 Virtue Assembly
27 Lenten Mass
28 HOZA Presentation
28 School Council Meeting
FAMILY DAY
February 18, 2013
MARCH
4-8 ShareLife Spirit Week
5-6 Intermediate Hockey Tournament
4/6 Junior Hockey Tournament
8 ShareLife Hockey Game (10:00 a.m.)
11-15 March Break
20 Staff Meeting, 4:00
24 Palm Sunday
25 – 29 Holy Week – GYM WILL BE
TRANSFORMED INTO A CHAPEL
28 Reading of the Passion
29 Good Friday
31 Easter
http://www.dpcdsb.org/NICHO