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St. Valentin
Volume 1 Issue 3
November 2011
Inside this/issue:
Youth Ambassadors
Valuable Items
Secondary School Information
History of Catholic Education
In Flanders Fields
Medic Alert / All Star Reading
Cold Weather/ Family Literacy Nights
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Cross Country / Intermediate Volleyball
Between the crosses row on row,
Virtues Program—Conscience
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Homework Help
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
St. Valentine is Going Green
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
St. Valentine Catholic School
5610 Heatherleigh Avenue
Mississauga, Ontario
L5V 2V7
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
Brenda LeClair,
Principal
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Adrian Scigliano,
Vice-Principal
Remembrance Day
Franca Dodgson,
Secretary
On November 11th, Canadians all across the country stop and remember the men, women and children who were killed in wars. There are parades and memorial services. Everybody stands in silence
as they remember the more than 100 000 brave Canadians who were killed. World War One Armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. That is why November 11th is
called Remembrance Day.
Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and
women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.
We honour those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Korean War
(1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 1 500 000 Canadians have
served our country in this way, and more than 100 000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace.
Learning
Loving
Cathy Saytar,
Superintendent of Schools
905 890 0708
Peter Ferreira,
Trustee - Ward 6
416 805 7110
Judy Borges,
School Council Chair
Fr. Robert O’Brien,
Pastor
St. Francis Xavier Church
905 890 5290
Praying
Volume 1 Issue 3
Page 2
Youth Faith Ambassador Rally
On October 13th, the St. Valentine Youth Faith Ambassadors travelled to John Paul II Polish Centre for a rally themed,
"Together We Build God's Kingdom ‐ I am the Living Water". They were entertained by dancers and drummers from Haiti
who told their stories of survival after the devastation of the earth‐quake. The students then participated in an activity called
'I Am The Living Water' that included decorating a puzzle piece and then putting the pieces together to how our connection
with each other around the world. Our Ambassadors were then commissioned by the priest-
in-residence for Dufferin-Peel, Fr. Jim Roth. We thank our Youth Ambassadors for representing St. Valentine School and for answering their call at baptism to live out their faith
publicly and to lead their peers. For 2011—2012, our Youth Ambassadors are: Darrious
A, Ryvin A, Jessica C, Jennifer C, David D, Lauren F, Maegan F, Olivia F, Dominic M,
Miguel O, Aaron P, Caitlyn R-S, Aleks S, Tiffany T and Sabatinie X. The remaining
students on our team include: Samantha R, Keisha S, Leah G, Joshua X, Courtney R,
Julia C, Jessica M, Abbrielle N, Jennifer B, Yasiel JJ, Leonard M, Nengi K, Melanie L, Karolina C, Sierra W, Stephanie D, Ife N, Lauren C, Hannah H, Wynona F, Cassandra G, Benita P, Ashton M, David P, Taylor K, Aniza A and
Lydia I. Thank you to Mrs. Fendley and Ms. Morris for their guidance of our youth in this initiative.
Valuable Items at School
Students are
school will not be responsible.
(i.e., cell phones), they must remain out
discouraged from
A reminder that cell phones, head-
of sight (ex. in a school bag and turned
bringing valuable
phones, i-pods, cameras, MP3 players
off).
items to school. If
and other electronic equipment are not
Students who violate this Board policy
they break or go
allowed at school. If they are used as a
will have the item confiscated until a par-
missing, the
measure of safety to and from school
ent is able to pick up the item.
Secondary School Parent Information Nights
St. Joseph Catholic Secondary
Iona Catholic Secondary School
Holy Name of Mary Catholic Secon-
School Grade 9 Registration Informa-
Arts and Culture Pathway information
dary School Grade 9 Registration In-
tion Nights will take place on Thursday
night will take place on Wednesday
formation Night will take place on
December 1 at 7:00 pm for parents in-
November 16 at 7:00 pm in the Cafe-
Thursday November 24 at 7:00 pm in
terested in registering their children at
teria for parents interested in enrolling
the school gym for parents interested in
St. Joseph Catholic Secondary
their children in the Iona Arts and Cul-
enrolling their daughters for September
School for 2011-2012. For more in-
ture Pathway. For more information,
2011. For more information, contact
formation please contact St. Joseph at
contact Iona Catholic Secondary
Holy Name of Mary at 905 458 5541
School at 905 823 0136.
ext 64104.
905 812 1376.
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Volume 1 Issue 3
Page 3
An Historical Understanding of Key Issues
Related to Catholic Education
1. How long have Catholic separate schools been educating Catholic children and contributing to the public good in Ontario?
For about 170 years. In the early 1800s there were separate schools in many cities, towns and townships. In Peel, three separate schools opened before
Confederation (1867): St. James in Malton in the 1830s, St. John’s Agricultural College (1861) and St. Patrick’s (1861), both in Wildfield.
2. Has the Ontario government always supported separate schools?
Yes, as did its predecessor, the United Legislature of Canada East (now Quebec) and Canada West (now Ontario) during its total life from 1841 to
1867. One of the first pieces of legislation it passed in 1841 was the Common School Act, with a separate school clause.
3. Why did the United Legislature of Canada East and Canada West keep improving separate school legislation?
It responded to Catholic parents, trustees, bishops and priests, editors of the four Catholic newspapers, members of the business and professional world,
all of whom argued for legal and financial rights for separate schools.
4. Was there opposition to separate schools before Confederation?
Yes, as now, there were advocates of one school system. Protestant spokepersons believed in the adequacy of the common (now public) school’s basic non
-denominational Christianity, which constituted an important element of the common school’s religion lessons and their readers. They held that beliefs
specific to certain religions should be taught in the churches and homes.
5. Why did Catholics find the non-denominational religious education of the common school unsatisfactory?
Catholics wanted separate schools where all the beliefs of the Catholic Church would be taught, where the pupils would live their faith in a sacramental
and community manner in proximity to the parish church and priest, and where religion would permeate the reading, literature and history curriculum. Furthermore, as modern times arrived, the multiculturalism of the public school’s student body necessitated the eradication of the teaching of Christianity.
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Medic Alert—No Child Without
medical information on their Medic Alert
The No Child Without Program offers a
bracelet or necklace.
free Medical Alert membership to students who attend our school from Kindergarten up to their 14th birthday. If your

means of the child‟s Electronic Health
needs then you may want to consider a
Record through the 24 Hour Emer-
Medic Alert membership. Your child‟s
membership in this manner.


Child Without Program and there have
been changes to their medical condition,
medications, emergency contact information, call Medic Alert at 1-877-2825378 to update your child‟s file.
gency Hotline.
needs in an emergency will be communicated efficiently through the medic Alert
If your child is already part of the No
Enables first responders to quickly obtain up-to-date medical information by
child has a medical condition or special
www.nochildwithout.ca
Communicates with the parent or emergency contact upon activation of the
hotline.
Gives emergency first responders
immediate access to your child‟s
For further information, visit
All Star Reading Program
All Star Reading has begun at St. Valentine
Coaches will receive training and materials necessary
School! The reading support program pro-
to help students struggling with literacy acquisition.
vides students in the early primary grades with
If you are able to help by sharing an hour of your time
an opportunity to read with an adult and to
each week, we would love to have you join our team!
practice essential skills needed to read inde-
Please contact Ms. Webster at the school
pendently.
for details.
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Praying
November 2011
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
Thu
2
Page 4
Fri
3
Gr 8 to St. Joseph
Sat
4
5
Photo Retakes
Big Kid Productions—Rapunzel
6
7
8
9
10
See Hear Screening See Hear Screening
11
12
Remembrance Day
Communion In-
(10:45—Liturgy)
scription Mass at
Church
13
14
15
16
Communion In-
6:30 pm—School
scription Mass at
Council
17
18
19
PA Day
Church
20
21
22
23
24
25
Eco School As-
Swim to Survive
sembly
Program (Gr 3) begins
27
28
ADVENT
7:00—Confirmation
begins
Parent meeting with
29
30
Bishop
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela
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From S
2011—2012 St. Valentine Catholic School Council
On Wednesday October 6th, the 2011- 2012 St. Valentine Catholic School Advisory Council met for the first time
this year. Part of the agenda included creation of the Executive body.
Congratulations to the following members who graciously accepted positions on the Executive:
Mrs. Borges - Chair
Mrs. Tome - Treasurer
Mrs. Sottile - Secretary Mrs. Fredrick - Parish Representative
Mrs. Pegas-Ferreira and Mrs. Allegretti-Costa - OAPCE Representatives
The following parents comprise the remainder of Council:
Mrs. Balestra, Mrs. Kwan and Mrs. Canlas.
Our teaching representatives are Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Tavares. Our non-teaching representative is Mrs. Dodgson.
Our next meeting is Wednesday November 16 at 6:30 pm in the school library.
QSP Magazine Fundraiser
Our 2011-2012 QSP Magazine Fundraiser continues to be a great success! Thank you to everyone who supported St. Valentine School through this event! In the next few months, the monies received from QSP will be
allocated to various endeavours aimed at supporting your child’s experience at St. Valentine!
Just as a reminder—magazines can be purchased or renewed throughout the year on the QSP website—
www.qsp.ca
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(school id—18412)
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Volume 1 Issue 3
Page 6
Cold Weather
During the winter season the school
With the arrival of colder weather,
wear all clothing that they came to
as to how we determine when children
propriately (hats, mitts, etc.) and to
that students have indoor shoes that
receives calls from concerned parents
students are reminded to dress ap-
school in. For health reasons, we ask
will or will not be allowed outside for
are kept at school.
recess.
Another reason for indoor shoes is
It is generally accepted that when the
that in the event of an emergency
wind chill factor drops below –28 C,
evacuation, students will not have the
students should not go outside for
opportunity to put boots on.
recess. Dufferin-Peel CDSB pol-
Please make sure clothing is labeled—
icy uses a wind chill factor of –25 C
this will help in the return of lost items.
as the determining temperature.
Christmas Concert
Family Literacy Nights
Christmas may still be a long way off, but it’s never too
early to mark your calendars for St. Valentine’s annual
K—4 Christmas Concert! This year’s show will be held
on December 14 at 7:00 in the gym. Our classes in
grades JK/SK to grade 4 are al-
Coming soon! Parents and students in grades K-3 and 4—6 will be invited
for a series of three evenings to work with teachers to learn about balanced
literacy and how to support their children with reading and writing at home.
In early January, information and a registration form will be sent home outlining the dates and topics for the sessions. Attendance at all sessions will be
mandatory as it is a Ministry funded initiative.
Evenings will be divided into two sessions—the first,
ready working hard to prepare to ring
parents will work with staff to receive information
in the holiday season in song. We ho-
while students are supervised in another room and
ho-hope you can join us for this won-
the second, students and parents will work together
derful musical celebration which
to practice the skills covered in the first par of the
promises to put everyone in the
session.
Christmas spirit!
We look forward to working with you!
Cross Country
St. Valentine fielded a very successful team
Team members include the following students:
on October 14th at Centennial Park. All
Ryvin A, Chrising B, Olivia F, Jason K,
runners finished in top form.
Justin K, Melanie L, Angelo M, Anna N,
Cleavon N, Ife N, Oge N, Aaron P,
Congratulations to all the students who participated and thank you to Mrs. Diana for her
Shamar P, Raymond Q, Samantha R, Kei-
coaching talents and to Mrs. Lang who vol-
sha S, Maegan S, Aleks S, Joshua T-M,
unteered to help on the day of the event with
Akshaya T, Ryan T, Sierra W and Nicole
marshalling..
W.
Learning
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Volume 1 Issue 3
Page 7
Boys and Girls Intermediate Volleyball
Congratulations
successful seasons and represented St.
H, Keisha S, Abbrielle N, Vivian T,
to the girls and
Valentine at the Family of Schools Tour-
Melanie L, Sabatinie X, Shauna M and
boys intermedi-
nament.
Caitlyn R-S.
ate volleyball
Representing the boys were: Gareth B,
On behalf of the athletes, we would like to
teams for their
Anthony B, David D, Carlo D, Moses
thank M. Koka, Mrs. Dorscht and Mr.
excellent repre-
G, Clythus G, Salwan M, Quinton M,
Ramos for their time and dedication to coach-
sentation of St. Valentine School. They
Lukas N, Oge N, Nigel P and Justin T.
ing these two fine teams. Also, we would like
exhibited great team skills and develop-
Representing the girls were: Nicole M,
to thank the many parent volunteers who
Claudia P, Maegan F, Lauren F, Caroline
drove the boys and girls to their away games.
ment in their abilities. Both teams had
Virtue for November—Conscience
This month we will focus on the virtue of conscience. God has given us the ability to know the right and decent
way to act and then to act that way. We trust that the common Spirit we share inspires us and guides us to make
good decisions if we allow our conscience to be well-formed.
A person of conscience allows prayer and scripture to influence him/her.
REFLECTION…
What trials or troubles would I be willing to put up with in order to follow my conscience?
OUR DAILY PRAYER FOR NOVEMBER—
Let us now pray… for the grace and strength to be people of conscience – people who know the good and de-
cent way to act and then choose to act that way. AMEN
Free Online Math Tutoring Available
Have a child in Grade 7 who doesn’t quite un-
derstand how to add fractions? Or maybe your
teenager is struggling with a geometry assign-
help setting up an account from their teacher at
school.
ment? Extra help is now available.
Other math resources on the website include
Check out Homework Help, where certified
top 20 most commonly asked math problems,
Ontario teachers are online 20 hours a week to
provide free math tutoring for the Grade 7 to
10 math students in the [add local school board
name].
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
videos of teachers leading students through the
school year in the expansion of a pilot project
funded by the Ministry of Education. Studies
show that students who like math and have solid
math skills are more likely to succeed in school and
later in life.
interactive math tutorials and highlights of best
“Many students continue to struggle with math.
sessions. And all students have a virtual locker,
By expanding Homework Help, we are giving more
where their work is saved in video format for
students the extra help they need to succeed and
viewing anytime.
graduate,” explains Kathleen Wynne, Minister of
Dufferin-Peel is one of 15 English-language
school boards offering Homework Help this
Homework Help began in 2007-08 at schools in
the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District
each grade where they can view to the current
School Board and Hamilton-Wentworth District
lesson, watch tutors draw on the whiteboard —
School Board. Across Ontario, about 150,000
and then type their own question for on-the-
students will now have access to the online site.
spot help.
This website is another addition to the online
To access http://HomeworkHelp.ilc.org, your
resources available for Ontario’s teen-
child will receive a Board access code, as well as
Learning
Education.
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Volume 1 Issue 3
Page 8
The Last Word
St. Valentine is Going Green!
This year, St. Valentine will be undertaking various initiative to “go green” and reduce our carbon footprint. Students will be guided by teacher
leaders to examine their habits and take measures to reduce, reuse and recycle. This program is part of the Ontario EcoSchools initiative. Information is included here to provide some background. Stay tuned for what St. Valentine plans as we gather staff and students to promote environmental responsibility.
Mission
Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education and certification program for grades K-12 that helps school communities develop both ecological literacy and environmental practices to become environmentally responsible citizens and reduce the ecological footprint of schools.
How Ontario EcoSchools started
The program was created in 2002 by a consortium of education stakeholders to address environmental issues in the formal education system. Seven school boards, York University, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority collaborated to adapt and expand on the work
of the Toronto District School Board, developing an environmental education program that can be used province-wide. This consortium became
the Ontario EcoSchools Steering Committee and meets regularly to provide oversight and overall direction for the program.
Program
Ontario EcoSchools' resources offer an environmental perspective to the choices we make in operating our schools and in planning classroom
programs based on the Ontario curriculum. It consists of four components:
ECOLOGICAL
LITERACY
WASTE
ENERGY
MINIMIZATION
SCHOOL GROUND
CONSERVATION
GREENING
The leaf within each figure symbolizes thinking and acting with the environment in mind. It also visually connects the four areas, a reminder that – as
ecology teaches us – everything is connected to everything else.
Vision
Every School an EcoSchool: All students and staff in Ontario schools will be engaged in environmental education and environmentally responsible actions, in order to develop the knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices they need to be active, environmentally responsible citizens.
Guiding Principles
Student Centred
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Supports student-centred learning and action within the student’s sphere of influence
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Provides engaging resources to develop ecological literacy
Innovative
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Ongoing development of resources and support that progressively improve environmental learning and school operations
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Annual revision of certification program
Accountable

Committed to transparency and integrity through the certification program

Sharing best practices, lessons learned and data gathered to inform environmental education
Builds Capacity

Provide resources and support for school boards and schools to develop capacity to deliver, support and implement sustainable environmental
education initiatives
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
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