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St. Valent
September 2011
Inside this issue:
Staffing Information
Food Information/Snacks
Student Safety
Walking in the Light of Christ
Lord, Jesus Christ
You are the light that has come into our world.
Student Insurance—Trustee Message
Kiss N’ Ride—School Hours
Absences—Are You Ticked?
Student Information/Medication
Lunch Hour Routines
Guide us in Your light as we begin this new
school year.
In Your light, Lord, we see light.
Help us to bring this light to each other.
May Your blessings shine upon us as we journey
with You in love and learning.
Amen
The staff at St. Valentine Catholic School extend a very warm welcome to all the new families and to
those returning to St. Valentine this year. We trust that over the summer you had the opportunity to
rest, relax and to enjoy peaceful times with family and friends.
Once again we extend a special welcome to our Junior Kindergarten students who begin school for
the first time and to all the new families joining our Catholic community. We also welcome Mrs. Fernandes in JK/SK, Ms. Mercieca in grade 8, Ms. Love in grade 3/4, Mr. Sturino in grade 2, M.
Koka in FSL and Ms. Dubek in planning time.
This week we begin a new academic year full of ambition and hope. As we begin our new year, let us
be reminded that God gives us each day as a gift…and He encourages us to untie the ribbons.
Learning
Loving
St. Valentine Catholic School
5610 Heatherleigh Avenue
Mississauga, Ontario
L5V 2V7
Brenda LeClair,
Principal
Adrian Scigliano,
Vice-Principal
Franca Dodgson,
Secretary
Welcome Back!
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Transportation
Jewelline Sequeira,
Assistant Secretary
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 4, Issue 1
Page 2
Very Important Classroom Information
Below is our current school organization for opening day, September 6, 2011. This organization is based on projected enrolment established through the School Board. This year, through provincial funding, the government is capping primary classes
(JK—3) at 20 students per class and junior (4 –6 ) classes at an average of 25. Schools must be accountable to this guideline.
It is understood that this Ministry initiative will result in more combined grade classes, with a reduced student-teacher ratio.
Based on enrolments within our boundaries during the first and second weeks of September, we may need to reorganize the
classes as you see them below. Therefore, please note that your child’s class is not final until after reorganization occurs. If
reorganization is necessary, it will take place during the Professional Activity Day scheduled for September 16, 2011. If your
child’s placement or teacher changes, you will be notified as soon as the information is available.
JK/SK —S. Diana, L. Lang, C. Fernandes;
Grade 1—3: C. Karim, A. Mancuso, T. Sturino, N. Ryan, S. DiBiase
Grade 3/4:S. Love
Grade 4-6: E. Kogut, A. Duffy, K. Boone, J. Dutra, C. Marino
Grade 7-8: C. Mercer, D. Fendley, A. Mercieca, M. Dorscht
FSL: L. Rundsztuk, A. Koka
Resource Teachers: K. Morris, A. Tavares, J. Webster
ESL:K. Morris, L. Rundsztuk
Planning Time: S. Brown, D. Chiola-Nakai, K. Morris, M. Dubek
Library: D. Chiola-Nakai
ERW—R. Beadle, G. Glsuszczyk, K. Hudec, S. Lutes
DECE—V. Celeste, V. Correia, M. Lipo
Secretary: F. Dodgson; Assistant Secretary—J. Sequeira
Custodians: A. Quinsay (Head), T. Quinsay, H. Buenafe (Night); Cleaner: O. Ismael
Principal: B. LeClair Vice-Principal: A. Scigliano
The outstanding members at St. Valentine Catholic School look forward to working in partnership with parents and the St.
Francis Xavier Parish Team to provide an excellent Catholic education for all of our children.
Anaphylactic Shock—Classroom Snacks
We felt that all parents would like to be
aware that there are several students in
day, if you would like to send something,
Law”, we are no
is a medical condition that can result in
longer permitted to
death within minutes of exposure. Al-
with your child’s lunch that are free from
tion. To acknowledge your child’s birth-
part of “Sabrina’s
food allergy to peanuts and nuts. This
child’s class directly, please send foods
they can bring for their own consump-
Further to this, as
our school with a severe life-threatening
though this may or may not affect your
teachers will advise students what foods
nuts /nut products.
allow treats for
cial occasions (Halloween, Christmas)
Loving
treasures” that are not edible would be
appropriate. Thank you for your con-
sharing with other students. On spe-
Learning
items such as pencils or “dollar store
sideration and co-operation in making
our classrooms safer for students.
Praying
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 3
School Safety—Reminder
Parents are welcomed to the school
student programming. Since the hall-
throughout the year, however, for the
ways are busy during pick up times,
safety of all children, parents and visi-
siblings and parents are asked to ar-
tors must use only the front door for
range with your child, a meeting place
entry and must sign in at the office
outside of the school. Messages and
and receive a visitor’s sticker each and
deliveries (keys, lunches, etc.) are han-
every time you visit the building. Visi-
dled through the office. Please re-
tors are not entitled to go to the
member: to most students in the
classrooms as this is a disruption to
school, you are a stranger.
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Student Insurance Coverage
As required by the Education Act
children participate in sports, excur-
and the Ministry of Education, the
sions/field trips, or, if the parents do
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
not have dental insurance coverage.
School Board annually provides par-
Enrolment is required in writing—there
ents with information about cost-
are two options for enrolment:
effective student accident insurance
coverage via student courier. Al-
to insure their children
1) Complete the traditional form sent
home by school and mail it in;
though enrolment is voluntary, the
board encourages parents to take ad-
Parents alone have the right
2) Photocopy the form and fax it to
vantage of the inexpensive insurance
Reliable Life at 1-905-522-7211
coverage, especially if their child/
or 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).
Message from Peter Ferreira, Trustee—Ward 6
As your Trustee, it gives me much pleasure to welcome
supporters of Catholic education in our region.
back all students, staff and parents to another year at St.
We continue to be a Board that our community can be
Valentine School. A special welcome to those who are
proud of, as our successes mount and our leadership in
new to our school community, may it be all that you expect
provincial initiatives continues to be well-recognized and
from a Catholic school. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic
emulated. Each of us contributes to the betterment of
School Board is a vibrant part of this community and of
our system and, consequently, to the improvement and
our parishes, and the preferred choice for parents and
quality of experience for our students.
Learning
Loving
Praying
Page 4
September 2011
Sun
Mon
4
Tue
Wed
Thu
7
Fri
8
Sat
5
6
9
10
Labour Day
First day of
Grandparents’
school
Day
WELCOME
BACK!
11
12
13
14
15
16
5:00—Open
PA Day
17
House
18
19
Breakfast Program begins
20
21
22
Pizza Day begins
Lunch Lady
Pizza Day
23
begins
11:00—QSP
Assembly
25
26
27
28
29
Pizza Day
Lunch Lady
Pizza Day
30
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
Learning
Loving
Praying
24
Page 5
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From S
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
It is our pleasure to invite all parents to consider being a member of our Catholic School Council. Please note that our Catholic
School Council will be comprised of parents, school faculty members (teaching and non-teaching) and an appointed parish community representative. The aim of the Catholic School Council is to support school activities and students through involvement
and fundraising. If you are interested in being a member, please visit the office to pick up a nomination form after September
14th. Forms and a brief biography must be submitted to the office no later than Friday September 23rd. If an election is necessary, it will be held on Wednesday September 28th
The first Catholic School Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 5th (tentative) at 7:00 p.m. in the school library.
The Catholic School Council will have a display set up in the front hall the evening of the Open House outlining their role in our
school, the events they are proposing for the school year, along with sign up lists for volunteers for these events. All parents and
guardians are invited to join them in the Catholic School Council General Meetings.
REMINDER:
If you are renewing magazines previously purchased through QSP (school fundraising) or that are on the QSP list, you can do
so online and still support St. Valentine! Simply go to www.qsp.ca and enter the school code: "18412".
THANK YOU!!
The hard working and successful members of last year’s council were:
Mrs. Borges (Chair); Mrs. Antunes-Cardosa; Mrs. Tome; Mrs. Sottile; Mrs. Allegretti-Costa; Mrs. Francone;
Mrs. Pagas-Ferreira; Mr. Mathias; Mrs. Fredricks; Ms. Morris and Mrs. Dodgson.
We thank the council members for their contributions to the St. Valentine School community this past year!
Learning
Loving
Praying
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 6
Kiss N’ Ride
The success of this program is de-
and into the school yard. Drop off
Parents should NOT be using the
pendent upon parents, guardians,
time begins at 8:15 a.m. as yard su-
front of the school to drop off stu-
members of our community, staff
pervision begins at this time.
dents—this area is for school bus
and students becoming knowledge-
use only.
able about the program and commit-
As in previous years, we rely on vol-
ted to following the basic principles.
unteers for the success of our Kiss
Please drive to the end of the
N’ Ride program. If you are able to
Kiss’n Ride and drop off your child.
volunteer your time before the
They will then walk on the sidewalk
school day begins, please contact
and walk across the school building
the office.
School Hours
Student Absences
Our school hours have been altered slightly to allow for consistent
literacy and numeracy blocks. The change is during the lunch hour
Student safe arrival at school is paramount. If
when lunch will begin 5 minutes earlier at 11:25.
your child is absent, please call the school atten-
Please note the following:
dance line at 905 890 0909 and Press 1. This
8:00 School Office Opens
procedure helps to ensure the safe arrival of all
8:15 Supervision Begins
students. If your child is late for school, they must
8:23 Morning Bell
10:30 Recess
check into to office before
11:25 Lunch
proceeding to class.
12:23 Afternoon Bell
2:05 Recess
Children must be signed out at
3:00 Dismissal
the office by an adult.
4:00 School Office Closes
Are You Ticked?
Direction of school support has long been an issue for Catholic school boards in Ontario. The
fact is that, unless the municipality is notified, the
ernment perception of support for Catholic education.
We want to bring a greater awareness around
school support designation, for assessment pur-
this matter and in past years, have created the
address.
If you would like more information on school sup-
poses, automatically defaults to public school sup- Are You Ticked? campaign as the communication vehicle for this awareness.
port when an individual or family moves to a new
This may have an impact on students’ eligibility to port designation or would like us to help you
attend Catholic elementary schools, trustee repre- check or change your school support designasentation on school boards, and on gov-
Learning
tion to the Catholic system, please call us at
(905) 890-0708, ext. 24512
Loving
Praying
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 7
Updating Student Information — Medication
Student information forms will be
numbers. Please return the Student
the school to store and distribute your
sent home with your child during the
Information Forms promptly to the
child’s medication during the school day.
first week of school. It is very impor-
classroom teacher.
These must be completed by the parent
tant that this information be up-to-
Please contact the
date. In the event of illness or injury
office to obtain the
of your child at school, we must have
appropriate medical
current contact names and phone
forms if you require
and doctor. If your child has a sever e
medical condition or allergy, pleae meet
with school administration to provide up
to date information.
Lunch Hour Routines
If you plan to drop off your child’s lunch, please assist us in efficient distribution by reminding
your child to come to the office at lunch time. Please label the lunch bag with the child’s name
and teacher/grade. There will be a spot inside the office where you can drop the lunch.
A reminder that students who regularly stay for lunch are NOT permitted to leave school
property unless indicated by a signed and dated note from parents each time they leave
school grounds. We encourage consistency. Students either go home for lunch or stay in
school for lunch. Thank you for supporting this important safety routine. A form regarding
lunch routines will be sent home this week. Please return it to your child’s teacher promptly.
Bus Transportation
Distances:

JK – Grade 1
1.0 km

Grades 2 – 4
1.6 km

Grades 5 - 8
2.0 km
Permission to ride under this policy is provided under the following conditions:

thest away are considered first.
Safe and considerate behaviour while
travelling to and from school is an expecta-

tion. Repeated misbehaviour on the bus
Bus transportation is provided by the
Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic Separate
may result in the loss of riding privileges.
School Board only to those students who
If empty spaces on the buses permit room
live more than the distances outlined be-
for riders in addition to the designated bus
low, or more, from the school.
Bus stops are posted each year on the
front doors of the school about one week
before school starts.
tion under the Empty Seat Policy in October each year.
Learning
Loving
Empty seat riders must use an existing
stop—NO NEW stops will be added.

Empty seat requests are only valid for
the current school year and are dependent on availability and may be
students, parents may apply for permission
for their children to receive bus transporta-
The youngest students who live far-
withdrawn at any time.

Applications will be available in the
school office beginning September 20,
2010.
Praying
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 8
The Last Word
The Distinctiveness of Catholic Schools
In November, 2006, the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) re-launched the Our Catholic Schools provincial dialogue initiative to involve the community in an examination of the priorities and issues in Catholic education today.
The top five responses to the question: “What did the groups say about the distinctiveness of Catholic schools?” were:

a place where we can exercise our freedom to practice the Catholic faith tradition,

reinforces the teaching of our Catholic values,

a place where students learn about social justice and service to the community,

promotes respect for and the dignity of all people,

promotes the strong home-school-parish relationship.
(a) A Place Where We Can Exercise Our Freedom to Practice the Catholic Faith Tradition
The majority of school boards noted that Catholic schools are distinctive because they represent religious freedom, in particular
the freedom the community enjoys to engage in faith traditions and to share these traditions and faith celebrations with each other
and the wider community. There is a real sense of community and sense of belonging within the schools. This is especially felt
when the community gathers to express their faith through liturgies, prayers, and sacraments celebrated during the liturgical year.
Students find comfort in gathering in prayer and Eucharist, especially in times of crisis. There is daily prayer, retreat time and
time to honour God. Time to balance work and play with worship and service to God is important. Schools allow for space, time
and reverence for the sacred.
(b) Reinforces the Teaching of Our Catholic Values
The majority of school boards also pointed to the teaching of Gospel values as being a very distinctive, fundamental component
of Catholic schools. Gospel values are lived out in the school’s approach to discipline and organization and are infused throughout all aspects of the school curriculum.
(c) A Place Where Students Learn about Social Justice and Service to the Community
Many school boards reported the teaching of Catholic social justice values and service to others is a very distinctive component
of Catholic education. The work that students in the pursuit of social justice and to promote the kingdom of God on earth is what
truly sets Catholic schools apart from the secular education system. Community service is a Catholic tradition. There is a real
commitment to serving others, especially those less fortunate.
(d) Promotes Respect For and the Dignity of All People
Respondents indicated that Catholic schools were distinctive for advocating for the respect and dignity of all people. Students
work for a better, more caring world based on the teachings of Christ. Catholic schools are inclusive. Catholic schools teach students to recognize Christ in every person and to accept people as they are.
(e) Promotes the Strong Home-School-Parish Relationship
Many boards also noted that Catholic schools promote a strong link between the home, school and parish. This partnership is
valued and cultivated. Catholic schools are the rallying point for parents to stay involved in and nurtured by their Catholic faith.
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Learning
Loving
Praying