St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
665 Willowbank Trail,
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 3L6
Telephone: (905) 848- 5397
Fax: (905) 848-0738
Principal:
Head Secretary:
Superintendent:
Pastor:
D. Brkic
S. Ferenc
C. Blanchard 905 890-1221
Fr. John Facey 905 270-2301
November 2014
A Prayer for Peace
Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to
be forgiving; the patience to be understanding; and the
endurance to accept the consequences of holding to
what we believe to be right.
May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome
evil and the power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a
world emancipated from violence, a new world where
fear shall no longer lead people to commit injustice, nor
selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace, praying always for the
inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which
we were created.
Principal’s Message
It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the
Principal of St. Vincent de Paul School. I am impressed
with the students, school staff and parents of St. Vincent
de Paul school community who have made me feel
welcome and who have been instrumental in acquainting
me with the way things run here. I am grateful for their
patience and their kindness.
I am looking forward to working with all parents,
students and staff in the coming year. As we move
forward, I welcome your input and involvement in the
learning of your children. If you have any questions, feel
free to contact your child(ren)’s teacher(s) or the office.
God bless,
D. Brkic
Principal
Trustee: Mr. M. Pascucci (905) 302-3096
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Fax: 905 890-0888 Tel: (905) 890-0708
mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org
THE VIRTUE OF
CONSCIENCE
In the month of
November, we celebrate
the virtue of Conscience.
People of Conscience
recognize and
acknowledge the voice of
God within. When we
follow our conscience we
make decisions that
encourage and support
truly loving relationships.
Sometimes these
decisions are not easy to
make. We accept
accountability for our
own actions and make
decision according to
gospel values when we
use our conscience and
choose to be good.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Nov. 3 6:30 p.m. Camp Muskoka Information Night
Nov. 11 Remembrance Day
10:30 a.m. Remembrance Day Celebration
Nov. 11 Grade 8 class at Strachan Military Cemetery
Nov. 11 Progress Reports go Home
Nov. 13 Interviews
Nov. 13 Photo Retakes
Nov. 14 PD Day
Nov. 18 CSC Meeting
Nov. 19 Santa Photos
Nov. 25 Gr. 7 and 8 Shots
Nov. 30 Advent Begins
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive was very
successful. All food collected was donated to St. Mary’s
Food Bank on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul School
Community. Thank you for your generosity and for
thinking of those less fortunate.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Annually on November 11th, we as proud
Canadian citizens, are asked to take time to
remember those who gave their lives for our
freedom. Please take time as a family to
honour the brave men and women who have fought in
times of war and peace for the betterment of our world.
St. Vincent de Paul’s Remembrance Day observance
will occur on Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 @ 10:30
a.m. All are welcome to attend!
HALLOWEEN DANCE-A-THON FUNDRAISER
On Friday, October 31st, the St. Vincent de Paul School
Community came together to celebrate the Dance-a-thon! It
was great to see the school spirit enjoyed by all as the
students danced. During the weeks leading up to the dance-athon, the students showed their tremendous school spirit by
collecting pledges from EXTREMELY generous supporters.
In total, $4,314.00 was collected!
This success was only possible because of the efforts of
many people. The St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
Council is grateful to the following for their contribution to
this year's fundraiser:
THANK YOU to the SVdP students who collected
pledges throughout October.
THANK YOU to the parents, relatives and friends
who generously donated to our fundraiser.
THANK YOU to the local businesses, organizations
and families who donated prizes or sponsored our
fundraiser.
THANK YOU to the staff for collecting the pledge
envelopes daily.
THANK YOU to the Parent Volunteers who began
planning this year's event back in the spring and then
worked tirelessly to solicit prizes from local business,
prepare pledge envelopes, count pledge money and
assist throughout the dance-athon.
Congratulations
to
Ms. Khoury’s FDK
class for raising the
most money. Enjoy
your pizza lunch!!!
GRADE 4 – 8 STUDENT VOTE INITIATIVE
On Friday, October 24, 2014, the Grades 4-8 students
participated in our 2nd SVDP Student Vote initiative, and
had a chance to vote for the next Mayor of Mississauga,
their local Councillor, and School Board Trustee, before
the official Municipal Voting Day, on Monday, October
27, 2014. The ballots were counted and the results were
sent to Student Vote headquarters on Friday, but the
results were not released until after the polls closed on
Monday at 8 p.m. Our students did a great job predicting
the election results! Thank you Ms. Ricardo, Ms.
Heinisch, Ms. Anderson and Ms. Murphy for preparing
our students to become responsible citizens.
CROSS COUNTRY
Congratulations to all members of the Cross Country
team who participated in the Mississauga East Family
Meet. Two of our students advanced to the Board Meet.
Well done!!
Thank you to our coaches Ms. Murphy and Ms. Dutka
JUNIOR GIRLS AND BOYS VOLLEYBALL
TOURNAMENT
In October our junior boys and girls competed in their
volleyball tournaments. Both teams demonstrated great
sportsmanship. Congratulations! Thank you Ms. Khoury
and Ms. Grabowski for coaching the teams.
SANTA IS COMING TO ST. VINCENT de PAUL
SCHOOL
Annual Santa Claus photos will be taken on Wednesday
November 19th. More information will be available by
the end of this week.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
ST. VINCENT de PAUL CHOIR
Our choir, directed by Mme. Ciminelli, will be
performing a medley of Christmas carols once again at
Sunrise Retirement Home on Wednesday, December 3rd
at 10:30 a.m. Our songs of glory and praise will certainly
warm many hearts and minds with songs of inspiration,
hope, faithfulness, and celebration for our seniors in the
greater community. What a wonderful gift for this special
Christmas season!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR LIBRARIAN
Gently used book donations are accepted throughout the
year. The library is also looking for gently used sofas.
DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on
November 14th. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991
by the International Diabetes Federation and the World
Health Organization to raise awareness and in response
to growing concerns about the health threat that
diabetes poses.
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
2015-16
Registration for Full-Day Kindergarten for the 2015-16
school year will be coming shortly.
EXTENDED FRENCH INFORMATION MEETING
Parent(s)/guardians, who wish to enroll their child in
a Grade 5 Extended French class for September 2015
are invited to attend an information meeting at:
St. Thomas More Catholic School
3270 Tomken Road,
Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 7 p.m.
At the present time, the above mentioned school is the
designated centre for our area. Applications will be
accepted at that centre until 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February
17, 2015.
FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board will
hold a series of public information meetings in
Mississauga and Brampton for parents and guardians
interested in enrolling their children in the board’s French
Immersion Program for the 2015-2016 school year. The
information sessions are intended to provide parents and
guardians with an overview of our French Immersion
Program, the criteria for admittance, and changes that can
be expected from the regular program.
French
Immersion
Schools
Session
Location
Date and Time
Our Lady of
Providence
St. Angela
Merici
St. Joachim
Our Lady of
Providence
35 Black Oak
Drive
Brampton
Tuesday,
November 25,
2014
7:00 p.m.
St. Gertrude
St. Pio of
Pietrelcina
St. Gertrude
815 Ceremonial
Drive
Mississauga
Wednesday,
November 26,
2014
7:00 p.m.
Divine Mercy
St. Elizabeth
Seton
St. Margaret of
Scotland
St. Margaret of
Scotland
2266 Council
Ring Road
Mississauga
Thursday,
November 27,
2014
7:00 p.m.
Online registration will begin following the French
Immersion Parent Information sessions with the deadline
for submissions to be announced. Should the number of
applications exceed the number of spaces available, a
centralized, computer-generated lottery will be held
following the deadline.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board offers
the French Immersion Program starting in Grade 1 at
eight school sites. Students registered in this program will
spend 90% of their day learning in the French language.
All subjects and activities in the French Immersion
classroom, except for Religion and Family Life, will be
delivered in French. In Grades 2 and 3, 70% of the
instruction will be in French, with the proportion of
English increasing to 50% in later years.
For more information about the French Immersion
program visit www.dpcdsb.org or call 905-890-0708 ext.
24307.
COLD AND FLU SEASON
As cold and flu season approaches, the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board continues to be vigilant in
ensuring that our schools are clean and that our school
communities are educated regarding good hand hygiene
and cough etiquette. These practices are promoted on an
ongoing basis, but as the prevalence of colds and flu
increases, our board increases the cleaning of contact
surfaces, as well as reminds schools to review cold and
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
flu prevention with students and staff. Many resources are
utilized from our regional health units.
A reminder, as well, that communicable diseases can be
contracted in public places throughout the year. For
example, cold-related viruses, such as Enterovirus, are
transferred from person to person through hand contact.
Cold and flu viruses typically peak from December
through February, but can start as early as October.
Please assist us by reviewing good hand washing
procedures, as well as other preventative measures, as
outlined in the various Peel resources available to you
through their website. As always, children who are
unwell, should be kept at home. For more information,
visit the health unit website:
http://www.peelregion.ca/health
Direct links to the above information can be found in the
Parent Section of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board website at www.dpcdsb.org
BULLYING PREVENTION WEEK
Bullying Prevention week is Nov 16-22nd. It is about
working at preventing bullying through education and
awareness. There will be various daily themes that will be
shared over the announcements by our Diversity Club.
LUNCH HOUR ROUTINES
A reminder that students who regularly stay for lunch are
NOT permitted to leave school property without a
signed and dated note from parents each time they
leave school grounds. Students either go home for lunch
or stay in school for lunch. Thank you for supporting this
important safety routine.
PARENTS IN THE SCHOOL YARD
Thank you for your cooperation of parents and
caregivers from not entering the schoolyard when
dropping off their children.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
Supervision begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.
Please do not bring/send your children to school earlier
than this time. Given safety concerns, it is not a good idea
to leave your children outside unattended as student
supervision in the yard begins at 8:45 a.m. and not before.
Please make other arrangements for the care of your
children prior to 8:45 a.m. Please meet your child at the
school at 3:30 p.m. when students are dismissed.
DRIVEWAY - KISS AND RIDE SAFETY
Many thanks to parents / guardians who have been using
the correct and safe procedure for dropping their children
off in the morning in our Kiss and Ride program. Our
driveway is made safer when everyone cooperates. Please
ensure you have pulled up to the front of the drop line to
let children in or out of your car. The driveway gets very
congested as 9:00 a.m. approaches, and many students are
arriving after the bell rings. Please be aware that it is our
expectation that children arrive at school on time and
prepared to work.
ELEMENTARY PROGRESS REPORTS
Elementary Progress reports (Gr. 1-8) will be sent home
on Tuesday November 11th. It is designed to show a
student’s development of learning skills and work habits
during the fall of this school year, as well as a student’s
general progress in working towards the achievement of
curriculum expectations in all subjects. The Progress
Report is not a formal report card. Students will not be
receiving letter grades indicating achievement of overall
expectations. As a result, an interview with parents is not
mandatory during the Progress Report period, however on
Thursday, November 13th, evening times are provided for
those who wish to discuss the progress report.
SABRINA’S LAW-ANAPHYLAXIS
If your child has a severe reaction to peanuts, peanut
by-products, bee/wasp stings or any other allergies or
medical conditions, please let the school know as soon
as possible. It is essential that the information you
provide to us is accurate and up-to-date.
There are various forms which need to be completed by
you and your family doctor if it is necessary to store an
epipen/medication at school. We continue to have
students with severe, life threatening allergies to nuts
and peanuts. Although this may or may not affect your
child’s class directly, we require your continue
cooperation in sending foods to school that are free of
peanuts, nuts, or their by-products. We cannot
guarantee that any classroom is nut free, but we are
attempting to minimize the exposure and keep
everyone as safe and healthy as possible.
IMMUNIZATION
Ontario Law (Immunization of School Pupils Act,
1990) requires all school age children to be immunized
against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps
and Rubella. The law requires Peel Health to keep upto-date records of your child’s immunization. In the
past we have had a number of students receive letters
of suspension from school due to records not being
updated at the Health Department. It is your
responsibility to forward the information to Peel
Health. Whenever you have your child immunized,
inform the Health Department. Your child, before
turning age 7, must have the Age 4-6 Booster for
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio. All necessary immunization
records for your children must be sent to Peel Health.
You may fax your up-to-date information to PeelHealth
at 840-7144 or call 791- 7800 ext. 7661. Thank you.
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”
for your child at www.insuremykids.com or by calling
toll free at 1-800-463-KIDS (5437). Please direct your
questions to a Reliable Life Insurance Representative.
Student Accident Insurance Brochures are sent home with
students at the beginning of each year. Please contact the
office if you are still interested in Student Accident
Insurance.
HOLY NAME OF MARY INFORMATION AND
REGISTRATION EVENING
On November 20th, beginning at 7:00 p.m., Holy Name
of Mary C.S.S. will be holding a Grade 9 Information &
Registration Night for current Grade 8 students and their
parents, in the school’s gymnasium. As a regional all
girls school, we would like to invite all eligible Region of
Peel girls to apply to Holy Name of Mary C.S.S.
Location: Holy Name of Mary C.S.S., 115 Glenvale
Blvd., Brampton, Ontario.
For further information please call 905-458-5541
X64104. or visit the website below:
www.dpcdsb.org/hnmry/guidance.
Transportation not provided by DPCDSB.*
INCLEMENT WEATHER/BUS CANCELLATIONS
During the winter months inclement weather may cause
disruption of bus transportation and regular school
operations. A decision to cancel school transportation
and/or to close schools is usually made by 6:00 a.m. and
will be announced on the following radio stations:
CKFM
CFNY
CHIN
CFRB
CHUM
CJCL
CHAY
Q107
DC103FM
CHFI
CJMR
CHWO
680News
AM640 CISS FM
CHEZ
CBC
CIAO
CJBC(Fr.)
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
St. Vincent de Paul School is required to conduct three
fire drills in the fall and three in the spring. We will also
be conducting two lockdown drills throughout the year.
These drills are standard practice across the Board and
ensure that in the event of a real emergency our students
and staff can respond quickly and appropriately. If you
have any questions or concerns regarding these drills
please speak to your child’s teacher or the main office.
In rare circumstances, our students and staff may need to
evacuate the building as a result of an emergency in the
building or in the nearby community. Our evacuation
site is John Cabot Secondary School. Board regulations
and safety precautions require this contingency plan.
Should an evacuation be necessary, you will be notified
as soon as possible and your child will be held at John
Cabot School until we make direct contact with a
parent/guardian.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
On rare occasions, we are faced with difficult situations
in which non-custodial parents arrive at our school asking
to visit with their child or take their child home after
school. We are best able to serve and protect the child
when we are made aware of legal custody arrangements,
visitation rights and special instructions. If legal custody
matters affect your family, please ensure that our office
and classroom teachers are aware of custodial agreements
between parents. We require that a copy of all legal
documentation be kept in your child’s school records.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
With all the activities that take place at school in the
playground, the gym and in sports, accidents happen.
Dental injuries can occur when 2 children accidentally
bump heads or fall. The school board does not carry
accident insurance for students. Fall outdoor activities,
extra-curricular and excursions are an additional reason
you may wish to buy student accident insurance. An
insurance package was sent home with your child(ren).
This is optional for families. You may purchase coverage
“A Love of Christ and a Love of Learning”