ST. RICHARD SCHOOL
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`Family Advent Mass
“Think Clearly. Feel deeply. Act wisely. Follow Him closely.”
We will be having a Family Advent Gathering on Wednesday December 19th
7270 Copenhagen Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2C3
at 7:30
p.m. at Our LadyFax:
of(905)
the 826-9564
Airways Parish. Many
students
will be
Phone: (905)
826-5572
Website:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/RICHA
involved in song, drama, liturgical dance and other aspects of the mass. We
encourage as many parents as possible to come so that we can celebrate as a
Help Me Thanksgiving Day Prayer
faith community. We are asking you to bring a canned food item or an
NEWSLETTER
Unwrap
O God, when I have food,
October
2014
M. Araman
Principal
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.
G. Falotico
Ape
Secretary
J. Torrao
Council Chair
A. Walker
Custodian
T. Cruz
Superintendent
of Schools
(905) 890-1221
E. O’Toole
Trustee
(905) 812-5163
St. John of the
Cross Church
Pastor
Fr.J. Kalluvila
Associate Pastors
Fr. A. Kulanjiyil
Fr. F. Antony
Fr. F. Antony
(905) 821-1331
Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-great-thanksgivingVirtues Program
prayers/#ixzz2gNwefehe. October Virtue: Empathy
Amen.
We understand empathy to mean the ability to identify with and feel other people’s concerns. We
believe that in a faith community we are nothing without relationships. Relationships that grow in a
spirit of communion- an understanding that we share an identity based on being created in the image
and likeness of God and being imbued with one Spirit. We are many parts of one body.
An empathetic person…
 Listens attentively
 Watches people’s body language
 Notices and responds when someone is upset
 Can name her/his feelings
 Can see a situation from another person’s point of view
 Knows that different people may feel differently about the same thing
Virtues – Student Award Recipients
This year we will be recognizing students who demonstrated the virtue of the month. Teachers
will award a few students each month with a Dufferin – Peel virtue pencil and a certificate. In
September, the school focused on the virtue of faith. I would like to personally congratulate the
following students for demonstrating this virtue.
Ugonna O., Ava P., Mateo P., Evan Y., Michael W., Meghan D., Trisha P.,
Jordan F., Jasmine S., Jakub S., Megan D., Kaylah G., Samantha G.,
Graci L., Jade A., Alejandro B., Ramsey C., Patrick G., Sophia P., Gabrielle C.,
Joanna W., Jacob S., Sophia S., Ciara L.B., Kate Chloe L., Mya A., Jessica C.,
James L., John P., Julia W., Maya B., Noah Y., David B., Sebastian J.K.,
Juliana P., Nicholas O., Nicholas M., Nicolas M.A., Jeaneille B., Hanna Rose C.,
Michael W., Carlos M., Kaylie S., Danica D., Mariana L., Daniella D., Alex T., Osa A., Reuben P.,
Rishon D., Justin B.,
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Staffing News
Halloween
St. Richard Staff at a glance:
Principal
Secretary
JK/SK
JK/SK
JK/SK
DECE
DECE
Gr. 1
Gr. 1/2
Gr. 2
Gr. 3
Gr. 3/4
Gr. 4/5
Gr. 5/6
Gr. 6
Gr. 7
Gr. 7/8
Gr. 8
Library
Resource
Resource
ERW
ERW
FSL
FSL/Planning
Youth Worker
Speech/Lang.
Psychology
Social Work
Custodians
Student Lunch
Monitors
M. Araman
G. Falotico
N. Ciuriak
J. Polom
S. Tannus
J. Agyemang
C. Voisin
J. McPhail Smith
S. Lesniewski
S. Tonkovic
J. Malison
L. Sochnacka
R. Di Biase
N. Foster
H. Christy
D. Shanks
J. Wu
K. Jordan
E. McHutchon
S. Pereira
K. Mountjoy
C. Masewich
K. Scherer
T. Ditaranto
N. Lysyuk
C. Wigglesworth
L. Mausser
M. Polcz
M. Roma
A. Walker, W. Amaral
T. Scalise-Papa
L. Doughty
V. Co
D. Wijesingha
M. Li
This year students and staff are welcome to dress up in costumes for
Halloween for our fundraising Dance-a-thon. This event is sponsored by the
School Council and proceeds will pay for the Artists and Performing Arts acts
that will be booked for the year. The Artists in the
school program broadens the educational experiences
of our students right here at St. Richard and is much
more cost effective than field trips. Please keep in mind
that toy weapons and masks are not permitted.
Make up should be tasteful. It is also important that
costumes do not brush the floor as this creates
a trip hazard. It is recommended that students
have a extra clothing in the event they wish to change
out of their costumes. The school is not responsible for any damage to
costumes as a result of outdoor play.
Details of the dance-a-thon will be sent home soon.
Dogs and Pets
Please observe that from 8:10 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., pets
but dogs in particular are not allowed on school
property. This includes those being carried. Please be
respectful of the fact that some of our students have a
fear of dogs and no matter what precautions are taken,
the risk of a student being bitten is real. Thank you for
your cooperation in this sensitive issue.
Terry Fox
Thanks to the St. Richard School
Community’s generous support,
a total of $2411.00 was raised for
the Terry Fox Foundation.
Teaching Your Child to be Responsible
If you are dropping off your children in the morning or
getting them ready for school, please try to have them at
school for 8:25. Let your children know that it is important
to be on time for school each day and let them be
responsible for making sure everyone is on time in the
morning. Late students begin the day behind, miss morning
prayers, announcements and lessons and disrupt their
classrooms when they walk in. We continue to experience
a high number of late students each day. Your cooperation
in addressing this matter is appreciated.
Picture Retake Day
If you missed picture day on
September 24th, we will have
a re-take day
on November 5, 2014
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Parents on School Property
Allergy Awareness Alert
Please remember that parents, grandparents, childcare givers
and babysitters should never be in the school yard during
school hours, once the morning bell rings. Your child knows
you, but to everyone else you’re a stranger. We ask that you
phone or visit the office and we will be happy to communicate
any messages to your children. If you are picking your child up
earlier than 3:00 pm, please come to the office and we will call
your child’s class to let them know you are here. Furthermore
please be reminded that parents are not to escort their
children into the school when the bell rings at 8:30.
We would like to keep all classrooms allergen-aware. In an
effort to do so, we have identified all students who suffer
from known anaphylactic allergies. St. Richard staff would
appreciate the co-operation of the entire school
community in NOT sending any lunches or snacks that
contain any ingredients which are known to potentially
cause an anaphylactic reaction to a student in your child’s
classroom with such allergies. Please make sure that all
of your children’s caregivers are aware of this request. We
understand and empathize with the difficulty of providing
nutritious lunches but must stress the importance of
keeping all our students safe.
Food Drive
St. Richard School is contributing non-perishable food items
in cans and boxes for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
The food drive is running from Wednesday October 1 to
Wednesday, October 8. We thank you for all your
generous contributions.
Do you have a child in Grade 7 who doesn’t quite understand
how to add fractions? Or maybe your teenager is struggling with
a geometry assignment? Extra help is now available. Check out
Homework Help, where certified Ontario teachers are online 20
hours a week to provide free math tutoring for the Grade 7 to 10
math students in Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board.
Students can log in Sunday to Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.,
for one-on-one confidential help. There are interactive discussion
rooms for each grade where they can view to the current lesson,
watch tutors draw on the whiteboard — and then type their own
question for on-the-spot help. To register, you will need your
child’s OEN number (any report card will have it). Please visit:
https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/index.php
and follow the registration instructions.
Birthday Celebrations in Class
We understand that students enjoy
celebrating special occasions with others in
the classroom. However, in keeping with
allergy awareness and to ensure everyone’s
safety, the policy at St. Richard School is that
non-edible treats only will be permitted to be
shared. There are many alternatives to
bringing in food for birthdays and special
occasions. Some suggestions are: stickers, gift
certificates, erasers, dollar store items,
pencils, etc. If you would like to discuss any
other ideas, please talk to your child’s teacher
or the school administration.
We look forward to your understanding and
co-operation in making our school safe for all
students.
All Star Reading
Volunteers are needed to be reading coaches in
the All Star Reading Program at St. Richard School.
If you are interested in being part of this valuable
initiative, please phone the school and leave your
name and a number where you can be contacted
in the daytime.
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Text Messaging – Did You Know?
Dates to Remember
Oct. 10
Oct. 10
Oct. 13
Oct. 16
Oct. 17
Oct. 24
Oct. 27
Oct. 31
Oct. 31
Nov. 4
Nov. 5
Nov. 7
Nov.11
School Mass @ 10:00
Sub Lunch Day
Thanksgiving Day – School Closed
St. Richard Open Book 6:30 – 8:00
Pizza Lunch Day
Hot Dog Lunch Day
Municipal Elections
Hallowe’en Dance-a-thon
Pizza Lunch Day
St. Richard Open Book 6:30 – 8:00
Picture Re-take Day
Rosary Apostolate
Remembrance Day
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That the majority of bullying issues are related to the inappropriate
use of social media
That many classroom disruptions result from addressing the
student’s inappropriate use of cell phones and ipods
That most parents respond to their child’s texts while the child is in
class
That at St. Richard and all elementary schools, it is against the school
code of conduct to use personal electronic devices during the school
day (including recess and lunch)
Texting is totally portable, private, and immediate. Kids can send
messages to anyone from anywhere at any time. But the instant
gratification factor of getting immediate responses from friends has to
have some affect. Any parent who has been at the dinner table or at an
activity with a child only to hear a pocket buzz with an incoming message
knows that texts take your kids out of the moment they are in and
connect them to friends. Not only can this be disruptive to learning, it
can also have adverse effects on social interactions. Please reinforce our
expectations with your child and do not reply to messages during school
hours. If you need to contact your child, please phone the school. If your
child is not feeling well, or if a serious matter arises, you will be contacted
promptly.
Bullying Prevention Corner
Our monthly newsletters will feature information based on the Region of Peel Bullying Prevention Program. Each month features
a focused theme for discussion and exploration. Please take a few moments to read and review the following key message with
your children.
October – Bullying is Not Acceptable
The theme for October focuses on the definition of bullying. The key message is “bullying is not acceptable”. Students should
understand the vast array of behaviours that can be bullying (physical, verbal, social) and explore the emotional impact of those
behaviours on others. Students develop the ability to understand and apply the definition of bullying through constant exposure,
repeated use and consistency. Using the same definition of bullying throughout the school and at home allows both students
and adults to more effectively prevent and deal with bullying situations.
Bullying is: Being mean to others, on purpose, to hurt them or their feelings. Bullying behaviour: is intended to hurt, is repeated
and involves unequal power and control
Tips for Parents:
 review the definition of bullying with your children (see the school policy document for more detail on the definition)
 talk with younger children about inside and outside hurts
 talk with older children about intimidation, gossip, rumours and cyber bullying
 encourage children to share their feelings about bullying behaviours that they have experienced, witnessed or engaged in
Happy Thanksgiving to all!