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St. Valent
September 2013
Inside this issue:
Staffing Information
Food Information/Snacks
Student Safety—Student Insurance
A Prayer for Our School
Trustee Message-Kiss N- Ride
School Hours—Absences
We pray for all students that they may learn and study
Are You Ticked?
With Christ’s wisdom and understanding
Student Information/Medication
And use all knowledge to make this world a better place
Criminal Reference Checks
to live.
Lunch Routines—Transportation
We pray for all parents and teachers that they may bring
The Wheel of Well-Being
to the children the love of God first
Then love for God next.
St. Valentine Catholic School
5610 Heatherleigh Avenue
Mississauga, Ontario
L5V 2V7
With Christ as the anchor of learning
We shall prevail and achieve that which Christ
Has planned for each child He brings to this world.
Brenda LeClair,
Principal
Amen!
Franca Dodgson,
Secretary
Welcome Back!
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 welcome back Mrs.
Mancuso. We also welcome Mrs. Dronyk and Mrs. Sanguigni (for Mrs. Kulik-Oliveira who welcomed a baby girl) and welcome back Mrs. Love who will take over for Ms.
DiBiase who has taken a new position in the school board.
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.
David Amaral,
Superintendent of Schools
905 890 0708
Peter Ferreira,
Trustee - Ward 6
416 805 7110
Karen Canlas,
School Council Chair
Msgr. Edgardo Pan
Pastor
St. Francis Xavier Church
905 890 5290
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Learning
Loving
Praying
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 2
Very Important Classroom Information
Below is our current school organization for opening day, September 3, 2013. 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 24.5. 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 13, 2013. If your
child’s placement or teacher changes, you will be notified as soon as the information is available.
JK/SK —S. Diana, T. Markovic, A. Mancuso;
Grade 1—3: C. Karim, L. Almeida-Mejia, R. Ali, S. Love, A. Sanguigni, N. Ryan-Sampson;
Grade 4-6: A. Duffy, K. Morris, J. Dutra, C. Marino
Grade 7-8: D. Fendley, C. Mercer, M. Dorscht, J. Huh
FSL: L. Rundsztuk, S. Choy
Resource Teachers: J. Ruske, K. Boone
ESL: D. Chiola-Nakai, L. Rundsztuk
Planning Time: C. Fernandes, E. Kogut
Library: D. Chiola-Nakai
ERW—R. Beadle, G. Glsuszczyk, S. Lutes
DECE—C. MacIntosh, V. Correia, L. Dronyk
Secretary: F. Dodgson;
Custodians: A. Quinsay (Head), T. Quinsay, H. Buenafe (Night); Cleaner: E. Buenafe
Principal: B. LeClair
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
nuts /nut products.
We felt that all parents would like to be
aware that there are several students in
child’s class directly, please send foods
with your child’s lunch that are free from
would like to send something, items such
Law”, we are no
is a medical condition that can result in
though this may or may not affect your
acknowledge your child’s birthday, if you
part of “Sabrina’s
food allergy to peanuts and nuts. This
death within minutes of exposure. Al-
bring for their own consumption. To
Further to this, as
our school with a severe life-threatening
longer permitted to
allow treats for sharing with other students. On special occasions
(Halloween, Christmas) teachers will
advise students what foods they can
as pencils or “dollar store treasures”
that are not edible would be appropriate. Thank you for your consideration
and co-operation in making our classrooms safer for students.
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Learning
Loving
Praying
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 3
School Safety—Reminder
Parents are welcomed to the school through-
system. Please be patient as there will be times when Mrs. Dodgson
out the year, however, for the safety of all
will need to be away from her desk and may not be able to admit you as
children, parents and visitors must use only
soon as you ring the buzzer.
the front door for entry and must sign in at
Visitors are not entitled to go to the classrooms as this is a disruption
the office and receive a visitor’s sticker each
to student programming. Since the hallways are busy during pick up
and every time you visit the building.
times, siblings and parents are asked to arrange with your child, a meet-
As a reminder, we are now required tokeep all outside doors
ing place outside of the school. Messages and deliveries (keys,
locked, including the front doors. The only access point will be
lunches, etc.) are handled through the office. Please remember: to
via the front doors and visitors will require entry through a buzzer
most students in the school, you are a stranger.
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Student Insurance Coverage
As required by the Education Act and the Ministry of ance coverage. Enrolment is required in writEducation, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
ing—there are two options for enrolment:
School Board annually provides parents with informa-
1)
tion about cost-effective student accident insurance
by school and mail it in;
coverage via student courier. Although enrolment is
2)
Complete the traditional form sent home
Photocopy the form and fax it to Reliable
voluntary, the board encourages parents to take advan- Life at 1-905-522-7211 or 1-800-463tage of the inexpensive insurance coverage, especially if KIDS (5437).
their child/children participate in sports, excursions/
Parents alone have the right to insure their
field trips, or, if the parents do not have dental insur-
children.
Message from Peter Ferreira, Trustee—Ward 6
As your School Board Trustee, it gives me much pleasure to wel-
contributes to the betterment of our system and, consequently, to
come back all students, staff and parents to St. Valentine School. I
the improvement and quality of experience for our students.
trust that all had an enjoyable and safe summer.
As we anticipate another successful school year, we are reminded
A special welcome to those who are new to our school community,
that each success will be the result of the mutual support and re-
may it be all that you expect from a
spect we as parents and educators show one another. It is very
Catholic school. The Dufferin-Peel
important that the positive relationships of the past continue
Catholic School Board is a vibrant
throughout the upcoming year.
part of this community and of our parishes, and the preferred choice for parents and supporters of Catholic education in our region.
and sense of responsibility, friendship and family are constantly
challenged. The common language and support we share as role
models in their lives will influence their values.
We continue to be a Board that our
community can be proud of, as our successes mount and our leadership in provincial initiatives continues to be wellrecognized and emulated. Each of us
Learning
As our students mature, we are reminded that their beliefs, ideals
Peter Ferreira, Trustee / Past Chair
Wards 6&11, Mississauga
DPCDSB
Loving
Praying
Page 4
September 2013
Sun
Mon
1
Tue
2
Wed
3
Thu
Fri
Sat
4
5
6
7
11
12
13
14
First day of
school
8
9
10
PA Day
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
24
25
26
27
28
9:30—School
7:00 pm– Parent
5:15—Barbeque
Communion @
HepB/HPV
Clinic
22
23
Mass
& Open House
29
Meeting: First
Church
30
Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.
Mother Teresa
Learning
Loving
Praying
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
12th. Forms and a brief biography must be submitted to the office no later than Friday September 20th. If an election is necessary, it will be held on Wednesday September 25th
The first Catholic School Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 2nd at 6:30 p.m. in the school library.
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". Our Fall
campaign will begin October 3rd, 2013.
THANK YOU!!
The hard working and successful members of last year’s council were:
Mrs. Canlas (Chair), Mrs. Sottile, Mrs. Balestra, Mrs. Kwan, Mrs. Pegas-Ferreira, Mrs. Giove, Mrs. Fredrick,
Ms. Morris, Mrs. Fendley 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
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Kiss N’ Ride
The success of this program is de-
pendent upon parents, guardians, mem-
bers of our community, staff and students becoming knowledgeable about
the program and committed to following
across the school building and into the
Parents should NOT be using the
school yard. Drop off time begins at
front of the school to drop off stu-
8:15 a.m. as yard supervision begins at
dents—this area is for school bus use
this time.
only.
As in previous years, we rely on volun-
the basic principles.
teers for the success of our Kiss N’
Please drive to the end of the Kiss’n
Ride program. If you are able to volun-
Ride and drop off your child. They will
teer your time before the school day
then walk on the sidewalk and walk
begins, please contact the office.
School Hours
Student Absences
Our school hours remain unchanged from last year.
Student safe arrival at school is paramount. If your child is
absent, please call the school attendance line at 905 890
Please note the following:
0909 and Press 1. This procedure helps to ensure the
8:00 School Office Opens
safe arrival of all students. If your child is late for school,
8:15 Supervision Begins
they must check into to office before proceeding to class.
8:23 Morning Bell
We encourage ALL students to arrive on
10:30 Recess
time as the new secure entry protocol
11:25 Lunch
changes the procedure for admitting tardy
12:25 Afternoon Bell
students.
2:05 Recess
Children must be signed out at the office by
3:00 Dismissal
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
Criminal Reference Checks
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
A reminder to ALL
parents who would like
us in efficient distribution by reminding your child to
school this year—
bag with the child’s name and teacher/grade. There
come to the office at lunch time. Please label the lunch
to volunteer at the
will be a spot inside the office where you can drop the
including those parents who would like to accompany classes on field trips or teams to ath-
lunch.
is now required.
ted to leave school property unless indicated by a signed and dated note
letic events—a current criminal reference check
A reminder that students who regularly stay for lunch are NOT permit-
During busy times, it can take 6-8 weeks for
from parents each time they leave school grounds. We encourage con-
plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Thank you for supporting this important safety routine. A form regard-
the police to complete the check so please
sistency. Students either go home for lunch or stay in school for lunch.
The required forms are available in the office.
ing lunch routines will be sent home this week. Please return it to your
child’s teacher promptly.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation is provided by the Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic Separate
School Board only to those students who
live more than the distances outlined below,
or more, from the school.
tion under the Empty Seat Policy in Octo-
front doors of the school about one week
ber each year.
before school starts.
Permission to ride under this policy is pro-
Safe and considerate behaviour while
vided under the following conditions:
travelling to and from school is an expecta-

tion. Repeated misbehaviour on the bus
may result in the loss of riding privileges.

Due to the revised eligibility of ridership
that occurred last spring, many previous
JK – Grade 1
1.0 km
riders are no longer eligible (letters were
Grades 2 – 4
1.6 km
Grades 5 - 8
2.0 km
students, parents may apply for permission
for their children to receive bus transporta-
thest away are considered first.
Empty seat riders must use an existing
Empty seat requests are only valid for
the current school year and are dependent on availability and may be
If empty spaces on the buses permit room
for riders in addition to the designated bus
The youngest students who live far-
stop—NO NEW stops will be added.

sent home last year).
Distances:



Bus stops are posted each year on the
withdrawn at any time.

Applications will be available in the
school office beginning September 20,
2013.
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Learning
Loving
Praying
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 8
The Last Word
We are on the web: http://www.dpcdsb.org/VALEN
Learning
Loving
Praying