St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
2350 Hurontario Street South Mississauga ON, L5B 1N1 P: 905.277.2448 F: 905.277.5910 www.dpcdsb.org/siena School Newsletter
February 2014
Principal
G. Pedroso
Love
Vice-Principal
R. Scicluna
Love is patient and kind,
Head Secretary
S. Waugh
It doesn't envy or boast and it's never proud,
Love is not rude or selfish,
Assistant Secretary
S. Jones
It doesn't get angry easily or keep track of wrongs.
Love doesn't delight in bad things
Superintendent
D. Amaral
905–890–1221
But it rejoices in the truth.
Love always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.
Love never fails.
Trustee
B. Iannicca
905–890-1221
~ St. Paul to the Corinthians
Parish
St. Catherine of Siena
2340 Hurontario St.
Mississauga, Ontario
L5B 1N1
905-272-1454
Pastors
Fr. Camillo Lando,
C.S. Pastor
Fr. Santo Cigolini,
C.S. in Residence
Fr. Mario Lorenzana,
C.S. Associate
Pastor
School Council
Chair
Ms. N. Thomas-Davis
Administrator’s Message…
We are in our last term of 2013-2014 school year, and time is quickly passing by. Term two
promises to be an exciting and fulfilling time with many events taking place at the school,
including: Black History Month events, Valentine’s Day, Parents’ Conversation Circles, field
trips, athletics, our Talent Show, Catholic Education Week and our monthly assemblies to
name a few. So as we continue to be challenged with those resolutions we made in the New
Year, we move forward to what will most certainly be a successful and positive term for the
students, staff and families of St. Catherine of Siena School.
Congratulations to Mrs. Cargioli and her family on the birth of their beautiful baby girl. On that
note, we welcome Mr. Evans who is now in Mrs. Cargioli’s grade six class.
As always, your support of all of our school endeavours is much appreciated and a special
thank you to all those who volunteer their time in so many different ways to help make our
school a special place for everyone.
God Bless,
G. Pedroso and R. Scicluna
Many Hands, Many Lands, One Heart, One God
1
Virtue of the Month: Respect
God wants us to treat all people
with the respect they deserve.
We all deserve to be treated respectfully by others.
However, in order to be respected we also have to
respect ourselves. Everyone has a right to go to
school/work free of gossip, name-calling, and putdowns. We should expect to be treated with respect
by everyone we meet – our brothers and sisters in
Jesus.
Our Daily Prayer for February:
Let us pray...for the virtue of respect so that
everyone we meet will feel like we are their brother
or sister in Christ.
AMEN
A respectful person…
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uses a positive tone of voice and body
language
avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs,
and inappropriate gestures
says ‘Excuse me’, ‘Please’, ‘Pardon me’
avoids gossip
Interview Night
Interviews will take place on the evening of Thursday,
February 6, 2014. Forms have been sent
home to schedule an interview time.
Confirmation of the interview time will be
sent home with your child’s report card. It
is our hope to see all parents during this
interview cycle.
Family Day
A reminder to all parents that
Monday, February 17,
2014 is family day, and there will be
no school on this day.
Black History Month
Black History Month
is an opportunity to
share the historical
and present
contributions of
African Canadians.
Black History Month has been celebrated in Canada
since the 1950’s. Black History Month is an opportunity
for Canadians to recognize the significant contributions
individuals of African heritage have made, and continue
to make, in areas such as education, medicine, art,
culture, public service, economic development, politics
and human rights.
Respect is love in plain clothes. -- Frankie Byrne
Speech Contests
We show respect for the Creator by our stewardship
of creation. -- US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Our School Speech Contests will be held
Wednesday, February 12. Class
representative from intermediate grade
will present in the morning, while those
from grades 5 and 6 will present in the
afternoon. The Mississauga South speech contest will
be held Feb. 26.
Please note: All Virtue information is included in the
front pages of your child’s agenda.
Dates:
School Reconciliation – December 9
School’s Advent Mass – December 12
Parents Conversation Circle
Parish Information:
St. Catherine of Siena
2340 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON L5B 1N1
T: 905-272-1454
E: office@stcatherine.ca
Dates:
March 5
March 24
April 8
April 29
May 5
May 10
May 28
June 10
Ash Wednesday Mass
First Reconciliation
School Reconciliation
Feast of St. Catherine Mass
Crowning of Mary Mass
Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Sacrament of Confirmation
Year End/Graduation Mass
On January 27, we had our first Parent Conversation
Circle, providing parents a chance to meet, share, and
learn from other families, agencies, and service
providers about programs and opportunities. Our next
meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 19 at
9:15 a.m. focusing on parenting issues.
March Break
A reminder the school will be closed March 10 – 15 for
our mid-winter break. School will begin again on
Monday, March 18. We would like to wish everyone a
relaxing and enjoyable holiday.
** Note: Friday, March 7, 2014 is a PA Day, and
students DO NOT come to school.**
Many Hands, Many Lands, One Heart, One God
2
French Immersion Online Applications
Book Fair
Important notice for
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of
students in SK/Year 2
Kindergarten:
Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the
Siena Library!!! Students will be visiting
the Book Fair throughout the week.
Families are welcome to visit the Book
Fair in the library during the hours
listed below. Our Family Event Night will take place
during interview night on Thursday, February 6.
The French Immersion Online Application System is now
open for submissions. To apply, go to www.dpcdsb.org.
Applications will be accepted until February 28,
2014.
Reminder:

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All eligible submissions are accepted and, in the
event that the number of applications is greater than
the number of spaces available at a French
Immersion school, a centralized, computergenerated lottery will be held at a date yet to be
determined.
Some French Immersion schools offer Grades 1 to 8
and others offer Grades 1 to 4, with Grade 5 to 8
offered at a nearby school. Please refer to the Board
website for more information.
Parents and guardians of students registered in the
program are responsible for providing transportation
for their child(ren) to and from their registered
French Immersion school. *****Please note that for
students living inside the regular school boundaries
of a French Immersion school, eligibility for student
transportation is based on the policies established
by the school board.*****
A successful placement in the French Immersion
School does not guarantee placement of younger
siblings in future years.
If more details are required, please review the board
website for up-to-date information. You may also contact
your child's present school, the principal of the French
Immersion school in your area, or the board's French as
a Second Language Consultant at (905) 890-0708
extension 24307.
Huron Park - Helping Young People Excel
Helping Young People Excel (HYPE) is a group that
meets every Monday from 5:30 -6:30 p.m. to plan and
share ideas for events, programs and drop-ins for youth
in the Huron Park Community!
HYPE2 will be hosting an Information Night on Monday,
February 3rd at 5:30 pm. Meet current members, ask
questions and find out how you can make a difference.
Come out, have fun and tell your friends! Great
opportunity to get high school volunteer hours and meet
new people.
A Book Fair flyer, along with a letter including additional
information regarding a raffle to win Scholastic prizes,
was sent home with every student. Thank you in
advance for supporting the Scholastic Book Fair
fundraiser, and for believing in books and the importance
reading has on your child.
Scholastic Book Fair Dates:
M–W, February 3, 4, 5 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, February 6
9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday, February 7:
9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, February 10: 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Closed during lunch hours)
School Council
Next Meeting: Wednesday,
March 19, 2014
at 7:00 pm
Communication between home and school is greatly
enhanced by parental involvement with the Catholic
School Council. All parents/guardians are
encouraged to come out to meetings and participate.
Siena Awards
Award Winners!
When teachers notice a
student(s) living out the
virtues, here at school,
they will give out a SIENA
Award Slip to the student(s).
> K-3: Maria A. (Arango) and Ferdinand C. (Mintz)
> 4-6: Jason G. (Bagin-Kotyk) & Fadia M. (Sherriff)
> 7-8: Ian M. (DeVito) & Martins O. (De Vito)
These students have been acknowledged school wide
through a PA announcement and have their picture
posted on our SIENA Award / Virtue board.
Teachers focused on, although not limited to, the virtue
of the month.
Many Hands, Many Lands, One Heart, One God
3
Kiss ‘n’ Ride @ St. Catherine of Siena
Be Smart, Get a Head Start
The driveway at the front of the school is set up as our
Kiss ’n’ Ride, allowing parents the opportunity to drop off
and pick up their children in a safe and effective manner.
To this end, the success of this requires the mutual
understanding and support
of all our parents to assure
as smooth a transition as
possible to the start and
end of each day.
Head lice is always present in the
community. By checking your child’s
head once a week for head lice, you
will catch it early and treat it before it
has a chance to spread. Should you
suspect that your child(ren) have head
lice, please notify the school.
Guidelines:

Follow the arrows on the driveway to the dropoff/pick-up area (in front on the Kindergarten yard).
Please do not use the Bus Loading zone (right next
to the sidewalk) as this area is meant for buses or
emergency vehicles.

Pull up as far as you can, it allows more cars to use
the Kiss’n’Ride.

Do Not Park or Get out of Your Vehicle in this
area, even if only for a few seconds. Parents who
wish to get out of the car are asked to park in the
designated visitor parking in the front and at the side
of the school.

Students are to exit the vehicle on the passenger
side (right side)

Once your child has left the car, please exit right
away at the south end of the school, driveway closet
to the Fire Department.

Please drive slowly and carefully in these lanes at all
times.

Please do not walk your children through the Kiss’N
Ride lanes, this can be unsafe.
Remember, an infestation of lice is not a reflection on
the cleanliness of your child. In fact, students with
appropriate hygiene habits are as susceptible to lice as
any other group. A reminder to all to refrain from sharing
hats at any time, but especially during the winter months.
Any infected student will need to be checked before reentry to class. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Peel Health (www.peelregion.ca/health/) is available to
provide advice to parents, school staff and students
about treatment and prevention. They can be contacted
at (905) 791- 7800.
Flu Season
We are heading into the flu season. Being parents
ourselves, we are only too aware of the work pressure
you experience when providing care at home for a child
who is ill. Nevertheless, aside from being the best
course of action for your child, keeping your sick child at
home may also serve to limit the spread of influenza in
the community of school children and staff. Below, you
will find just such advice coming from the Health
Department
•
Stay home! Don’t drag yourself into work or school.
You’ll only infect your colleagues or classmates
•
Stay away from people who are elderly, chronically
ill, or have respiratory problems
Inclement Recess
The winter season is upon us. Please
ensure that your child is properly
dressed for outdoor play in a
Canadian winter. It is a school
expectation that all students go
outside for recess for exercise and
fresh air. Consideration will be given to
reducing the amount of time outdoors for children (grade
8 and under) when the temperature is -20o Celsius or
colder. When the temperature or equivalent wind chill
temperature is -25 Celsius children must be kept
indoors.
Many Hands, Many Lands, One Heart, One God
4
Outdoor Play
Medical Concerns
We would appreciate your
support in reinforcing the school
rule that all snow stays on the
ground. For everyone’s safety we
do not allow snowballs, kicking
snow, or any other snow\ice
activity that could lead to potential
harm or injury.
If your son / daughter has any medical concerns, please
ensure that you inform the school. Information may be
shared directly with the classroom teacher / office. If
medication is required, forms will be sent for completion
by parents and the family doctor. All information is held
in confidence.
Attendance and Punctuality
All students are expected to attend school regularly and
punctually. In the event that your child will be late or
absent, please call the school and follow the prompts to
leave a message. This can be done 24 hours a day.
For students who are absent and for whom a call is not
received, we will attempt to contact you.
PLEASE CALL: 905-277-2448 Press # 1
Please leave the following information:
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Breakfast Club for Kids
We would love some parent
volunteers to help with the
breakfast club. If you’re interested
please come and see us. A
criminal reference check will be
required, that is if you’ve not done
one already.
The Breakfast Club provides meals/snacks for any
students every morning beginning at 8 a.m. in the
school’s Breakfast Room. All students are welcome.
Are You Moving
Date of the absence
Student’s full name
Grade level and teacher
Reason for absence
Before School Hours Supervision
For your child’s safety, we request that children not be
on school property until supervision begins at 8:45 a.m.
Important Immunization Message from
Peel Health
Peel Public Health will be reviewing immunization
records of all students at our school from January 2014.
Peel Public Health must have proof that your child has
been fully vaccinated (immunized) according to the
Ontario Immunization Schedule.
If you receive a letter, please ensure that your child has
received the required vaccine(s), then give the date(s)
your child received the vaccine dose(s) to Peel Health
immediately to update your child’s records.
For more information, please call Peel Public Health at
905-799-7700 or visit www.ImmunizaPeel.ca.
Translation services available.
If the bell has rung, all students (Gr. 1‐8) who may be late, are to go to the back of the school and join a line. If there are no students, and the doors are closed you are to come to the front of the school and obtain a Late Slip. If you are planning a move, or
have already moved, please let us
know. You are required to
complete new assessment forms
even if you move within our
school boundaries. If you are
moving to a new school we will give you a Transfer Form
to take with you to the new school. If you are moving but
would like your child to remain at St. Catherine of Siena,
please submit your request in writing. We will be
preparing classes for September 2014 and this
information will be helpful in determining class sizes. In
the past we have had to reorganize our classes in
September due to unexpected transfers.
If you currently live outside the school boundary and are
attending St. Catherine of Siena on a flex boundary
request, you will need to request flex boundary for next
year. The “Flexible Boundary” procedure is
reviewed annually. Please note that flex boundaries
will be looked at on a case by case basis and are not
guaranteed from year to year. If you are requesting flex
boundary, please note that transportation is your
responsibility. The Board will not provide either
transportation or additional supervision for students
admitted under this procedure. Note, the students
admitted under this procedure do not automatically
become eligible for the Secondary School serving the
school. A separate request must be made to the
Secondary School Principal. If you would like to be
considered for flex boundary for the 2014-2015 school
year, please submit your request in writing by March 8,
2014. Please include the reasons for your request.
Many Hands, Many Lands, One Heart, One God
5
MONTH of FEBRUARY
Sunday
Monday
3
Tuesday
Wednesday
4
5
Reports Home
Virtue Assemblies
(Conn./Vench./Mintz)
9
10
Saturday
8
13
14
15
20
21
22
27
28
March 1
March 5
March 6
March 7
Ash Wednesday Mass
Virtue Assemblies
Gr. 3 Swimming
(Zenga)
Book Fair
Friday
7
(Evans-Sheriff/Bialecka)
Gr. 3 Swimming
Thursday
6
Gr. 6 Golf in
Schools
Family Literacy Night
11
12
Interview Night
Gr. 6 Trip
Aquarium
> Gr. 3 Swimming
Gr. 6-8 Tubman
Presentation
16
17
Family Day
School Closed
(Zenga)
Gr. 3 Swimming
> Speech Contests
> EcoSource
Workshops
(Conn./Vench./Mintz)
> Family Literacy Night
18
19
CSC Board Event
7:15 @ Gonzaga
“Healthy Minds’
> EcoSource
Workshops
> Magic Theatre (K-5)
> Parent
Conversation Circle
at 9:15 a.m.
25
26
> Family Literacy Night
23
24
M.S. Speech Contest
@ St. Margaret of
Scotland
Family Literacy Night
March 2
March 3
March 4
March 10-15
PD DAY
School Closed
Mid-Winter
Break
School
Closed
Web Resources:
Primary:
Math and Logic Puzzles
www.mathisfun.com
Junior:
Number
Sense and Numbers
www.mathfrog.ca
Intermediate:
Integers
RemembertheOntarioEducational
ResourceBank?TryELO1411070,ELO
www.wiredmath.ca
Volume 5
Operations: Understanding Numbers
Numbers are used to describe quantities, to
count, and to add, subtract, multiply, and
divide. Understanding numbers and knowing
how to combine them to solve problems helps
us in all areas of math.
Family Math Activities K-2
 Ask your child to help you solve everyday number problems. "We need six tomatoes to make our
sauce for dinner, and we have only two. How many more do we need to buy?" "You have two pillows in your
room and your sister has two pillows in her room. How many pillowcases do I need to wash?" "Two guests
are coming to eat dinner with us. How many plates will we need?"
 Practice "skip counting". Together, count by 2's and 5's. Ask your child how far he or she can count by
10's. Roll two dice, one to determine a starting number and the other to determine the counting interval
(e.g., counting by 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, etc…). Ask your child to try counting backwards from 10, 20, or even 100.
 Make up games using dice and playing cards. Try rolling dice and adding the numbers that come up.
Add up the totals until you reach a target number, like
50. Play the game backwards to practice subtraction.
NelsonMathhasanathomeconnectfor
Grades3‐8!http://www.mathk8.nelson.com/companion.html
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Registertodayathttps://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/.AllyouneedtoregisterisyourstudentOEN
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classroomteacher.
Elementary Program Team 2012 FEBRUARY
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
The Canticle of Simeon
Valentine Dance
(Luke 2:29-32)
Saturday February 15
"Now thou dost dismiss
thy servant, O Lord,
according to thy word in
peace; because my eyes have
seen thy salvation, which
thou hast prepared before the
face of all peoples:
a light to the revelation of the
Gentiles, and the glory of thy
people Israel."
In the Church Hall, hosted by Azione
Cattolica. Dinner & Dancing.
For tickets call 905-270-6672
Forty days ago we celebrated the joyful feast of the birth of
our Lord Jesus Christ. On February 2nd we recall the holy
day on which he was presented in the temple, fulfilling the
law of Moses. Ancient Jewish law required that, following
the birth of a firstborn male child, the mother must come to
the temple after 40 days for purification and for presentation
of the child to the Lord.
The presentation of Mary's child, however, was different
from most. This was the Christ Child, Jesus, the Savior, the
Messiah who had been promised. And he was recognized as
such by the old prophet Simeon, who knew that this child
was "a light for revelation to all nations." Thus the image of
light carries an important part in this day’s liturgy and links
itself with the Christmas season and its lights of the Advent
wreath, the decorative tree lights, and the many candles of
the Nativity celebration.
The liturgy for this day is called Candlemas (the Candle
Mass) in which candles to be used during the year are
blessed. Sometimes the congregation receives candles also.
The candle received on Candlemas Day ought be a reminder
of our baptismal candle and the graces we received with the
sacrament…of Christ in us.
MARRIAGE SUNDAY
February 9th at 4pm at
St. Paul’s Basilica (83 Power St.)
presided by Cardinal Collins
All couples celebrating a significant
milestone anniversary in 2014 (25th, 40th,
50th or 60th) along with their family and
friends are invited to attend this special
mass and reception with our Cardinal.
Conference for High School Youth
“Behold, God is my salvation…”
at Maple Leaf Gardens July 4-6, 2014
Come listen to dynamic speakers, praise
and worship, meet other Catholic youth!
Registration began Monday January 13th
Legion of Mary
Tuesdays at 7:30pm for Adults
Fridays at 6:00pm for Youth
Youth GroupAges 12-18
Tuesdays 6 to 7:30pm
in Fr. Daniel Zanon Hall
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Thursdays 7:30 Fr. Daniel Zanon Hall
Led by the Spirit, Simeon and Anna came to the temple,
recognized Christ as their Lord, and proclaimed him with
joy. Let us pray the Canticle of Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis.
Feast of St. Anne, Mass at 6pm Saturday March
1st followed by fellowship in the Scalabrini Hall.
ENGLISH PRAYER GROUP
Saturdays 2:30pm Scalabrini Hall
ITALIAN PRAYER GROUP
Wednesdays 1:30pm Fr. Daniel Zanon Hall
Please check the church website for
further details at www.stcatherine.ca
Dufferin‐Peel Catholic Institute for International Education International Student Program Now Accepting Applications The Dufferin‐Peel Catholic District School Board is now accepting applications from international students who wish to study in our outstanding elementary and secondary schools. Education means the world to us. The Dufferin‐Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is Ontario’s second largest Catholic school board operating 149 school facilities (including 123 elementary and 26 secondary schools) throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. Schools are connected to and supported by Catholic parishes and our faith. Internationally recognized for excellence in education. One of the truly defining characteristics of a Dufferin‐Peel education is the diversity that comes with having a student body from over 150 countries. We celebrate both our internationalism and the uniqueness of each member of our community ‐ students, staff, parents, and parish. As a school community we are greatly enriched by this diversity. Opening minds to a better world. Located just west of the City of Toronto, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and less than a 90 minute drive to Niagara Falls and the U.S. border, Dufferin‐Peel is home to the Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest airport with non‐stop service to 180 destinations in 60 countries around the world. Plus, the region boasts an extensive network of local and regional train and bus services with direct connections to 16 universities and colleges within a 60 kilometre radius. Students wishing to apply to our International Education programs are encouraged to visit our website at www.dpcdsb.org/CEC/Programs/International+Students/ or to contact: Rita Borg, Principal of the International Student Program rita.borg@dpcdsb.org (905) 412‐3341 Ext. 31460