PRINCIPAL:
VICE PRINCIPAL:
HEAD SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
E. Fischer
T. Maiolo
C. Fay
A. Burt
L. Giancola
JANUARY 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
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Dear God,
Help us to pursue moments of contemplation. Help us to see in a
deeper way, and to become more aware of what speaks to us of
beauty and truth. All of our ordinary moments are means of
entering into a more significant relationship with you, God. In the
midst of those very common happenings, you are ready to speak
your word of love to us, help us to recognize your presence.
Teach us how to enjoy being. Encourage us to be present to the
gifts that are ours.
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE ***
TERM 1
Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress
Monday, January 21, 2013
No School for Students
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH: SELF CONTROL
God wants us to do what we know and feel is right.
A person with self-control …
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•
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•
Is patient
Knows how to wait his/her turn
Can calm him/herself down and think before reacting to
situations
Knows how to avoid physical aggression
Can think things through
Self-Control helps us to resist the temptation to do something
that we will regret. It also helps us to resist the temptation to do
something that will harm ourselves or others. Each time we
exercise self-control we grow stronger in the Lord and invite peace
to settle in our lives.
Prayer for the New Year
Give us the
kindness to hear with
compassion, to offer support,
loving comfort and care.
Give us the courage to do what is
needed, the wisdom to choose
what is right and most fair.
Give us the vision to see what is
possible.
Give us the faith that we will
pave the way for a present that’s
hopeful, a future that’s peaceful.
Give us the hearing to bring joy to
each day.
Amen
INSIDE:
Term 1 Reporting
Cold Weather
Staying Healthy
Dates Ahead
2
2
3
4
Student Faith Formation And Engagement: The Heart Of All We Do
Building Faith Community Together
ADVENT OF CHRIST
Special thanks to members of our school community, staff and
students who joined us for the variety of Advent celebrations that
took place during the month of December. Our Advent Choir,
with over 140 Grade 1, 2 and 3 students contributed prayerfully
to our celebration of the Eucharist. Our School Council hosted a
social after the Mass. Our Tree Lighting Choir, made up of junior
students, invited the school community to an evening sing-a-long.
Our drama club also contributed to the evening with a wonderful
Christmas play, followed by hot chocolate and coffee organized by
our school council, and donated by Tim Hortons. As well,
hundreds of parents were treated to a wonderful Advent
Celebration/Concert involving our JK and SK students. In the
final days of school leading up to Christmas, we embraced a
school wide sing-a-long and virtue assembly.
Our Student
Parliament engaged in a number of activities, including, ‘Santa
Hops’, theme dress days, candy grams and a movie day for our
students. Thank you to our School Council for purchasing the
popcorn for this activity.
OUTREACH
Community outreach continues to underline our various Advent
activities. Special thank you is extended to all members of the
community who contributed in a variety of ways to support
individuals and families in our school community, Bolton
community, and the broader community. Thank you as well to
Zehrs who donated Christmas Hampers.
AUTHOR VISIT
Michael Wade Presentation: “Paulo, Gordon and I were sitting at
school, hoping that something exciting would turn up, and then it
happened…” These three boys find themselves in adventure after
adventure in the series “And Then It Happened,” by Canada’s
most prolific speaker, author Michael Wade. St. Nicholas School
students were fortunate to have Mr. Wade come to visit on Dec. 7.
Speaking to our grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes, Mr. Wade explained
that the most important part of being a successful author is
learned in school. Thank you to Ms. Sirianni for organizing this
presentation
for
our
students.
Find
out
more
at
http://www.boysbookshelf.com.
TERM 1 REPORT CARDS
Please be reminded that a Term 1 Report Card will be sent home
on Tuesday, February 5th. Parent / student / teacher interviews
will be scheduled
for the evening of
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE ***
Thursday, February
REPORTING – TERM 1
7th and during the
Reports Home – February 5th
day on Friday,
Interview Evening – February 7th
February 8th.
Daytime Interviews – February 8th
Parents will receive
interview scheduling forms this week requesting interview times.
Please be aware, there will not be report cards for junior and
senior kindergarten students, however interviews will be available
for the parents of kindergarten students
P.A.L.S. CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE
Our “Playground Activity Leaders in
Schools” (PALS) continue to be active.
This program encourages all children
to participate in organized activities
during the outdoor lunch recess
period. This program is available to
children in grades 1- 3, with the help
of junior student leaders.
COLD WEATHER
As our cold winter weather continues,
we
ask
that
students
dress
appropriately; i.e. coats, gloves, mitts,
boots etc. If students are dressed
warmly, they are better prepared to
participate in outdoor activities during
recess and noon hour.
Please be
advised that students are kept indoors
at recess during the winter only when
the weather conditions are extremely
cold. (When the wind chill equivalent
temperature is minus 25 degrees
celsius or lower, as per school Board
policy).
SNOWBALLS
With the snow come and gone and
likely to arrive again, it is of
importance to remind students that,
for the safety of all, the throwing of
snowballs is not permitted. An
unsuspecting snowball, often in the
form of ice, can cause serious injury.
Students have been made aware of
this school expectation.
STUDENT ILLNESS - STAYING IN
FOR RECESS
Students who are ill should be kept
home
where
they
are
most
comfortable and can recover. A child
who is too ill to go out for recess, is
too ill to be at school. Your
co‐operation in keeping your child at
home
when
he/she
is
ill
is
appreciated, as we do not have the
facilities to supervise children who are
not well.
RECENT BOARD MEETING
At
the
recent
Board
meeting,
December 11, 2012, it was announced
that Mr. Fischer will be appointed as
principal of a new school, St. Andre
Bessesstte School, effective September
2013.
Dress For The Cold Weather
Parents Invited To Complete A School Climate Survey
SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY
Beginning in mid-January 2013, and in support of the Board’s
Safe, Caring, Inclusive and Healthy School Communities’
initiative, Dufferin-Peel will be administering its Catholic
Community Culture and Caring School Climate Survey to
students, as appropriate, in Grades 3 to 12. The data from this
survey will allow our school to understand the school climate
from the students’ perspectives.
The survey will be confidential and anonymous in nature, and will
take approximately 20 minutes. The survey contains questions
about students’ general information (i.e., school name, grade,
gender, years at the school), general safety and inclusion (i.e.,
feeling safe, concerns, feeling welcome and included, etc.), general
school climate (i.e., friendly, accessible, inclusive, etc.) and will
provide opportunities to identify bullying concerns and/or proactive supports in bullying prevention.
In addition to the student survey, parents/guardians are also
invited to participate in an on-line survey. The parent/guardian
survey is intended to allow parents/guardians to share their
child’s/children’s school climate experience at school. There are
two versions of the survey: one for parents/ guardians of students
in elementary school (Kindergarten to Grade 8) and one for
parents/guardians of students in secondary school (Grades 9-12).
The parent/guardian surveys will be posted on the Board’s
website at www.dpcdsb.org between January 22 and February 28,
2013. The survey links is:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CCCCSurveyK8
The surveys may provide opportunities for conversation with your
son(s)/daughter(s) regarding inclusivity and well-being at school.
Please contact the school if you have any additional questions,
concerns, or comments.
STAYING HEALTHY
The best ways to reduce the risk of becoming ill or spreading flu
viruses include:
•
•
•
•
Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands often
with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer,
especially after you cough or sneeze.
Practise good hygiene: Cover your nose and mouth with
a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in
the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough
or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Avoid touching your
eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way.
Stay Healthy: Eat healthy foods, stay physically active
and get adequate rest to keep your immune system
strong. [Also, no sharing food].
Monitor your health: If you develop flu-like symptoms
(fever, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath),
stay home from school or work and limit your contact with
others while you are sick. Parents may want to consider
contacting their doctor or call Telehealth at 1-866-7970000 if your symptoms get worse.
ANAPHYLAXIS – IMPORTANT
REMINDER
As we transition into 2013, we would like to
remind you that St. Nicholas School is an
‘allergen aware school’. There are pupils in
attendance who suffer from severe and life
threatening allergies to certain foods, such as
peanut and nut products and/or milk products.
Exposure to the smallest quantities can cause
severe life threatening reactions.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening
allergic reaction. The most common allergen
triggers are food, insect stings, medications,
exercise and latex. An anaphylactic reaction
involves symptoms from two or more body
systems.
We at St. Nicholas School would appreciate
the cooperation of the entire school
community by NOT sending any lunches or
snacks that could potentially harm a pupil.
Please make sure that all of your children’s
caregivers are aware of the food restrictions.
Please avoid sending food for birthday or
special occasions. There are many
alternatives such as stickers and pencils. If
you have any questions, please talk to your
child’s teacher or call the office. We look
forward to your cooperation in making this a
safe year for all our pupils.
NO FOOD FOR BIRTHDAYS – SCHOOL
POLICY
We are asking parents/guardians to ensure that
their children eat only the food they bring
from home (and not share food), and that they
do not send or bring food to school for other
children to celebrate birthdays and other
festivities. When food is sent to school, it can
be disruptive to learning and may be shared
without the knowledge and/or consent of other
parents, which is problematic in that it may not
always be nutritious and because classmates
may have potentially life-threatening
allergies.
Nevertheless, the school also recognizes that
food is socially important, and an integral
aspect of our Faith. With this in mind, a
number of school-sponsored events which
include food will continue, (such as Pizza
Days, Shrove Tuesday pancakes, etc.) however
the School / School Council will ensure the
highest possible standards of preparation and
safety. In the event that food is permitted in
school, it will be controlled by the school /
School Council. We are requesting that
parents no longer make celebratory loot bags
with food to celebrate these occasions.
Creating a Catholic Culture of Care, Ensuring Learning For All
Dates Ahead
SAFETY PROCEDURES IN PLACE
Parents of Grade 1-8 students should ONLY enter the school
through the front door. All other doors in the school are locked
during the school day other than at recess.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Parents are not allowed to go to their child’s classroom or
be in the school during the school day.
If you wish to speak with your child’s teacher, please call
the school office to make an appointment.
If you are volunteering at our school you must first
identify yourself to the secretary. Please sign in at the
office and obtain and wear a visitor’s badge so our
students and staff can identify you as an authorized
visitor.
Students are only to be picked up from the school by an
authorized adult. If we do not know who you are you will
be asked to produce identification and the custodial
parent will need to be contacted to verify the request.
If your regular routine of picking up your child has
changed, you must indicate this in a note to your
son/daughter’s 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 behavioral 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.
****IMPORTANT FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN - 2013-14****
“Registration for our Full Day Kindergarten Program for 4 and 5
year olds opens Monday, January 28, 2013 and closes Friday,
February 1st at 3:00 pm. In the event that the number of
registrations exceeds the number of available spaces, only
those applications received by 3:00 pm on February 1st, 2013
will be considered. At this time, we are only accepting
applications from families who reside within our school
boundaries.
Applications from families who reside within the school
boundaries submitted after 3:00 pm on February 1st, 2013
will be placed on a waitlist.
Letters of interest from families residing outside our school
boundaries (flex boundary requests) will be accepted beginning
after February 1st, 2013.
SOCKS,
BOOTS
AND
EXTRA
CLOTHES
We are asking that all students have
an extra pair of socks and track pants
at school at all times, just in case they
get wet during recess. Waterproof
boots are also a necessity. Students
need to have indoor shoes. Students
must wear shoes at all times. The
halls get wet and it becomes a safety
issue when children have their
outdoor boots on inside. We do not
have the capacity to call home every
time for students who get wet as a
result of outdoor play.
Dates Ahead:
JANUARY
14 Immunization, Grades 7 & 8
16 – 18 Grade 7 & 8 to Muskoka Woods
21 P.A. Day
22 TERM 2 Begins
25 Reports Submitted to Office
28 Dr. Simone Presentation – Grade 7 & 8.
28 Kindergarten Registration – evening,
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
30 Grade 8 Grad Pictures
31 Virtue Assembly
31 School Council Meeting
FEBRUARY
5 Reports sent home
7 Reporting Evening with parents
8 Daytime reporting with parents
– no school for students
8 Net Retreat – Grade 7 Students
12 Shrove Tuesday
13 CWL Speech Competition,
Holy Family Church, 2:00 p.m.
13 Ash Wednesday, 1:30 and 2:30
15 Grade 3 to Crawford Lake
18 Family Day – no school for students
18 SNOW FEST, Caledon
21 Silver Creek, Grade 5
22 Virtue Assembly
27 Lenten Mass
28 School Council Meeting
MARCH
9 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