S T. S T E P H E N E L E M E N TA R Y S C H O O L
“ W i t h
1 7
L o v e ,
C o l o n e l
R. Pazzelli
Principal
M. Vecchiarino Superintendent
Fr. A. Maderak Pastor, St. Leonard Parish
C o m p a s s i o n ,
B e r t r a m
R d . ,
840-3921
890-1221
846–5385
H o n e s t y
L 6 Z
4 N 8 ,
L. Zanella
M. Psaila
&
R e s p e c t ”
B r a m p t o n
Trustee
Head Secretary
School FAX
840-2707
840-3921
840-6454
December, 2012
Catholic Community Culture and Caring
Safe Schools Action Team!
Our Catholic Community Culture and Caring,
Safe School Action Team is continuing to build
awareness of the issue of bullying as it is
perceived to exist in the school. In doing so,
this Team is developing a sense of inclusivity
and acceptance for all of the St. Stephen
School Community.
During ‘Bullying Awareness and Prevention’
week, the CCCC Action Team, composed of
student reps from the Gr. 3 to 8 classes,
presented a power point and performed role
play skits to bring the message about how to
stop bullying and how to create a positive
school climate: S for ‘Stand Up; T for
‘Tolerance’; O for ‘Open Your Hearts’; P for
‘Peace’! To promote care for others and ‘open our hearts’, the St. Stephen community donated to
‘Operation Christmas Child’ shoeboxes! Over 100 boxes have been filled with personal care items,
school supplies and small toys! These will be sent overseas to children and families in need!
Prayer For Advent!
Loving God, we seek you in both the light and the darkness,
the silence and the sounds,
the fullness and the emptiness of this Advent season.
Fill our hearts with hope for your coming,
love for those who are in most need,
and faith in your promises.
May this time of preparation help us celebrate the birth of your Son
With deep gratitude and joy.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Light of the world.
AMEN.
THE SEASON OF ADVENT:
SNOWBALL THROWING:
On Sunday, December 2,
the Season of Advent began.
Advent is a period of simple
living and extra prayer.
It is a time to prepare for a
new coming of Jesus our Saviour.
Advent means ‘coming’.
The first coming of Jesus, at Bethlehem,
will not happen again.
At Christmas we will remember that
coming, but now we prepare for a new
coming. Every time Jesus comes, it
surprises us. It is never exactly the way
we expect it to be.
Some people want the Saviour to
come with great power to reward
them and wipe out their enemies.
But Jesus is a loving and peaceful
Saviour. He calls his followers to make
the whole world loving and peaceful.
During Advent, we prepare our homes
and our lives for Jesus, the King of Glory
and the Prince of Peace.
Advent is a time to re-evaluate our
priorities, to ‘wake up’ and to walk with
God. It is a time to thank God for saving
us in Jesus.
In a busy, crowded school yard,
a snowball may become a
dangerous object if thrown.
Please help us by reinforcing the
risks to students of snowball throwing
in the schoolyard!
ADVENT MASS & FOOD, MITTEN &
TOYS DRIVE:
Our Advent Mass, will take place
on Wednesday, December 5 at 9:15 am
at St. Stephen school in the gym. We are
also celebrating the Advent season with
three Advent Liturgies.
The liturgies will take place on December
10, 17and 20 at 9:00 am. An invitation
flyer was sent home recently to inform
and invite you to each of these liturgies
and the Mass. Please join us!
We will also be holding three charity
drives: the FOOD drive, TOYS for TOTS
drive and the MITTENS, SCARVES,
HATS, SOCKS and GLOVES drive.
Please help us to ensure that the
families in need are assisted during
this festive season. You can provide us
these items any day up to Dec. 14 with
much appreciation!
STUDENT / PARENT / TEACHER
INTERVIEWS:
This year’s student/ parent/
teacher interviews will take
place after Christmas, on Thursday,
February 7 in the evening and on Friday,
February 8 during the day.
As the Board has gone to a two term
reporting process, the first TERM ends
mid January!
EXTENDED FRENCH:
Parents of Grade 4 students who
wish to enroll their child in a
Grade 5 Extended French class for
September, 2013, are invited to attend an
information meeting at:
St. Anne School, 124 Vodden St.
Brampton, Ont. L6V 1M5
The meeting will take place on Tuesday,
January 15, 2013 at 7:00 pm.
Information has been sent home with
each Grade 4 student with their Progress
Report Card.
If you require additional information,
please contact Ms Sochnacka, the French
teacher, at the school.
FRENCH IMMERSION INFORMATION
MEETING:
Senior Kindergarten
parents/guardians, who wish
to enroll their child in a
Grade one French Immersion
class for September, 2013 are invited to
attend an information meeting at
St. Joachim School, on Wednesday,
January 16, 2013 at 7:00 pm!
STAY CONNECTED…:
Parents and guardians of Dufferin-Peel
students can stay up-to-date with the
latest Board news and information by
joining the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board ‘E-Community’.
Members will receive the latest news and
information by email, including media
releases, school activities and events,
Board highlights, school and bus
cancellation, plus useful tips for parents.
The Dufferin-Peel CDSB ‘E-Community’
helps parents and guardians stay
connected to their child’s school
community! Sign up today:
www.DPCDSB.ORG
FRONT DRIVE THROUGH AND
PARKING LOT SAFETY:
Thanks to the drivers who continue
to co-operate in making our school
safe by following the signs. We are
experiencing some problems when drivers
leave their vehicles in the fire route area
located at the front of the school.
Parking and leaving your vehicle is NOT
permitted in a designated fire route area,
even for a moment!
The same is true at the KISS & RIDE
LANE! Kiss and Ride is for dropping off
or picking up students only. Drivers are
NOT permitted to leave their vehicles!
We are requesting that parents assist in
the implementation plan for smooth flow
of traffic in the KISS & RIDE LANE and
in the use of crosswalks for access to the
parking lot.
DRESS WARMLY FOR THE WEATHER:
Students should come dressed
appropriately for the weather
(hats, mitts, boots, etc.) For health
reasons, and to help keep the school
clean, we would request that the
students have a pair of indoor shoes.
Please note that in the event of an
emergency evacuation, students will not
have the opportunity to put boots on. This
is another reason for students to have
indoor shoes.
SAFETY PROCEDURES
REMINDERS!:
Parents and Guardians are
reminded to make sure that
their children are dropped
off and met outside the appropriate
exit doors for the classroom(s).
No student is allowed to exit through
the front doors unless an adult has
signed them out at the Office!
Meeting your child outside will help
to reduce congestion in the hallways
at dismissal and entry times, as well
as to allow the classroom teachers the
opportunity to converse with
students at the end of the day!
Also, please be sure to report to the
office when coming into the school
during school hours. If you need to
see your child for some reason, we
would be pleased to assist by calling
your child to the office. If absolutely
necessary, you will receive a Visitor’s
Badge and the teacher will be
notified that you are on your way to
the classroom.
Parents and Guardians should not be
in the school yard at recesses during
the school day, because it is very
difficult for teachers on duty to know
who you are and why you are there.
Please go to the Office for a Visitor’s
Badge if there is some reason to meet
your child in the schoolyard. Office
staff may give you permission to be in
the schoolyard, based on the
particular reason you provide.
Teachers in the yard may ask to see
your Visitor’s Badge, for student
safety reasons.
At St. Stephen school safety is a
priority and therefore these
procedures are in place for the best
interest of all involved!
Please contact Mrs. Pazzelli at the
Office, if you have any questions about
this!
JUNIOR GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL:
The St. Stephen SHARKS rocked
the court! The Junior Girls’
Volleyball team had a very
successful season!
The girls demonstrated excellent
team spirit and sportsmanship
while representing St. Stephen at the
mini-tournament. The final round came
down to the third set against a
competent contender! It was very tense
and exciting as the coaches and parent
spectators watched. The girls stayed
focused, encouraging each other!
Our girls’ SHARKS team won the match
and placed first overall!
The girls’ SHARKS team went on to the
Family finals on Thursday, November
29th and placed second overall and are
now going on to the Board finals on
December 7th! We wish them all the best!
The SHARKS TEAM members are:
Gabriella Ardila, Jenna Auger, Zoe
Bakker, Millah Mills, Alexandria
Papandrea, Mackenzie Sunderland,
Maya Ventresca and Emilia Frias.
Mrs. Spottiswood and Mrs. McCallum, the
Coaches, would like to thank the team
members for all their hard work!
JUNIOR BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL:
The St. Stephen Junior Boys’
SHARKS Volleyball team
represented St. Stephen with
exceptional skill, during the
2012 season!
Coaches Mrs. Sousa and
Mrs. Spottiswood would like to
congratulate the Junior Boys’ Volleyball
Team for their exceptional performance
at the recent preliminary tournament.
The team played well and represented
St. Stephen School with pride!
The team members included:
Aiden Cowper, Mark Kanhai, Jake
Lanteigne, Noah Pacheco, Riley PachecoCompanion, Nicholas Smallwood, Gordon
Varcoe and Jack Skinkle!
EXHIBITION BASKETBALL GAME
BETWEEN ‘SHARKS’ & POLICE!
To raise enthusiasm for
students to donate new toys
for the ‘TOYS for TOTS’ Toy
Drive, we will be holding a
basketball exhibition game
between Intermediate students and Peel
Regional Police on Monday, December 10,
2012 at 12:45 pm!
Donations of new toys will be accepted
all of the month of December up to
December 14 !
All students will take part as spectators!
An invitational flyer will be sent home
soon! Please join us!
BUS CANCELLATIONS:
Please be advised that 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 am,
and will be announced on the following
radio and television stations:
VIRGIN RADIO FM 99.9
CHUM 1050
CFTR AM 680
CFNY FM 102.1
CFTO
CBC 99.1
FM Z103.5
AM 1540
FM Q 107
GLOBAL NEWS
CJCL AM 590
CHFI FM 98.1
CFRB AM 1010
EZ ROCK FM 97.3
CITY PULSE
CJBC (FR) AM860
FM 93.1
AM 640
CHIN FM 100.7
CTV
When the buses are cancelled in Caledon
and the County of Dufferin, it DOES NOT
affect St. Stephen School!
Please refer to the attached information
sheet for additional information.
Contact Mrs. Psaila or Mrs. Pazzelli if
you wish further clarification.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
There may be days during
the upcoming Winter months
when inclement weather presents a
potential safety hazard to our children.
It is essential that parents discuss with
their children the procedures they wish
them to take to get home safely. This
discussion should include
a) the appropriate / best route to
follow on the walk home
b) with whom the child should walk
c) where the child should go if
parents are not at home
d) how the child should seek help
if wind and snow are so strong
that he / she cannot see the way
Please be advised that we, at the school,
do not have authority to close the school
early. That decision as well as the
decision to change or cancel
transportation, is the prerogative of the
Director of Education.
BOOK FAIR:
The Scholastic Book Fair for
our school community, will be held
between December 17and 19, 2012.
Mrs. VandeCamp will soon send you an
information letter regarding how and
when you can purchase or order books
for your children.
There will also be a Family Event Draw.
You could win $50.00 worth of books for
your family and your child’s teacher.
This draw will take place in the
afternoon of December 19.
To qualify for this draw, a parent must
deposit a ballot in the Family Draw box.
Parents are encouraged to attend the
Book Fair during school hours. The Fair
will run from 8:45 am until 3:15 pm daily
(excluding lunch hour 11:45 – 12:45 pm).
It will also be open in the evening of
December 18 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm.
We look forward to seeing all of you!
STUDENTS ARRIVING LATE TO
SCHOOL:
We have had an increase
in the number of students
who arrive late to school in
the mornings and after lunch!
It is very important that students arrive
to school on time and ready to work, as
late arrivals disrupt instructional
activities and classroom routines.
Our school day begins at 8:45 in the
morning and at 12:45 in the afternoon.
Students should arrive at school in
plenty of time to line up with their
classes.
Please note that if students arrive after
the bell rings, they need to enter through
the front doors, sign in as ‘late’ and
receive a late slip to be admitted to their
class. In this case, students are recorded
as late.
RECESS RULES AND SCHOOL YARD
RULES:
To ensure that students play safely and
never endanger the safety of others
during recess time, there are important
rules for all children to follow in our
school yard:








no physical contact (keep hands
and feet to yourself)
no verbal insults (use appropriate
language)
respect all persons
respect all property (writing on
walls, fences, school building is
vandalism)
play non-contact games only
stay on school property
no food goes outside
rocks, stones and snow stay on the
ground
Please review these
rules with your
children!
HOMEWORK HELP:
Free real-time math
tutoring is now available!
Grade 7 to 10 math students at DufferinPeel now have access to 20 hours a week
of free, online math tutoring to help
them improve and succeed in math.
Check out Homework Help where
certified Ontario teachers are available
Sunday to Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30
p.m., for one-on-one confidential help.
All of our Gr. 7 and 8 students have
already registered online for this support
from the school.
We encourage you to remind your
child(ren) to access this support if
needed!
ONTARIO EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE
BANK!:
Students in Grades K to 12, can also
access excellent online learning
resources contributed by the Ministry of
Education and Ontario teachers from
across the province through the Ontario
Educational Resource Bank (OERB)!
The OERB provides students / parents
with access to thousands of resources
that range from interactive multimedia
pieces to lessons and activities!
Students in Gr. 7 & 8 have already been
registered.
CATHOLIC RATEPAYERS – CHECK
YOUR TAX BILL TO ENSURE PROPER
TAX SUPPORT:
If you are a Catholic ratepayer,
we urge you to check your
property tax bill to ensure that your
support is directed to your local Catholic
school Board, in our case, the DufferinPeel Catholic District School Board.
If you are a tenant, you can verify your
support by contacting our Admissions
Department at (905) 890-0708, ext. 24511,
24512, or 24519, or your local Municipal
Office.
By ensuring that you are accurately
recorded as a Catholic school supporter,
you can help deliver a powerful message
to the government about the level of
support for publically-funded Catholic
education in Ontario.
Also, in order to be eligible to vote for
your local Catholic school board Trustee,
you must be registered as a separate
school supporter.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT, 2012:
“RINGING IN CHRISTMAS”
Once again, St. Stephen School
is proud to present this year’s
Christmas Concert:
“Ringing in Christmas”.
Please join us for any of the following
performances:

Full Dress Rehearsal show on
Monday, December 17 in the
afternoon – 1:00 pm

Full Dress Rehearsal show on
Tuesday, December 18 in the
morning – 9:00 am

Evening Performance on
Tuesday, December 18 –
7:00 pm
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS:
Christmas break is from
Monday, December 24, 2012 to January 4,
2013.
The last day of school will be Friday,
December 21, 2012 with dismissal at
3:15 pm.
REMINDER:
The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
in the new year is on
Monday, January 7, 2013!
Since Kindergarten students do not take
part in the evening performance, parents
of Kindergarten students are asked to
attend one of the daytime Dress
Rehearsals.
Admission is $4.00 each with proceeds
going to The Covenant House. Tickets
will be available soon!
JUNIOR & SENIOR KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION:
Registration for the 2013 – 2014 school
year will be held on the following dates:
Mon. Jan. 28, 2013
7:00–9:00 pm
Tues. Jan. 29, 2013
7:00–9:00 pm (snow date)
Wed. Jan. 30, 2013
9:00-11:00 am
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Thurs. Jan. 31, 2013 9:00-11:00 am
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 1, 2013
9:00-11:00 am
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Parents/Guardians should bring the
following documents when registering
their child:

Proof of age of the child (birth
certificate or passport)

Original Roman Catholic Baptismal
Certificate (for parent/guardian and
child) or Baptismal Certificate of
other rites in communion with the
Holy See of Rome (if the child has not
been baptized, a letter of counseling
with the Parish Priest, to complete the
process will be accepted)

Updated immunization records

Proof of Canadian Citizenship or
Landed Immigrant status

Proof of home address

Proof of English Separate School
Support (may be done at the time of
registration by completing an
Application for the Direction of School
Support and/or a Separate School
Lease Agreement available at the
school)
For more information, contact the
School Office at 905 840-3921 and
speak to Mrs. Psaila, Head Secretary.
TOOTHY TIPS FOR PARENTS:
Current information on dental
health in Peel indicates that
more than 1 in 3 children have
been affected by cavities. Cavities can
lead to infections in the mouth, pain,
poor eating habits, speech problems and
expensive dental treatment. Here are
some tips for you and your children:
Have your children brush their teeth
two times a day for at least two minutes
each time. The most important time to
brush is before bed time.
 Supervise and help your child with
brushing and flossing until they are
able to tie their own shoelaces.
 Use ‘Eating Well with Canada’s Food
Guide’ (available at:
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide)
to choose healthy foods and snacks.
Healthy food choices can help to prevent
the start of cavities.
 Take your child to the dentist
regularly.

ENTRY PLANNING INFORMATION
SESSION FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
On Thursday, January 17, 2013, the
Dufferin-Peel CDSB’s Special Education
and Support Services Department will
host a Kindergarten entry planning
information session. This meeting is for
parents and guardians of children with
special needs which affect their learning,
such as vision, hearing, physical,
developmental or autism, who are
entering Kindergarten in September
2013.
Please refer to the attached flyer for
more information.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Kindergarten Registration
Information
2. Kindergarten Entry Planning
Information flyer
3. Bus Cancellations / School Closings
4. Math. Newsletter: “Math @ Home”
5. December Calendar of Events
6. Exhibition Basketball Game for our
TOY Drive!
7. St. Stephen Staff ‘Christmas Wish!’
December 2012
Come Prince of
Peace
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
Love lies waiting for a
place to be born
among us!
2
3
4
5
6
7*FESTIVE
8
*First
Sunday of
ADVENT!
*SCHOOL
COUNCIL
Meeting at 7:00
pm
*CCCC Safe
School Action
Mtg at 11:45 am
*ADVENT
MASS—9:15 am
*KIDSSENTIAL
Lunch day!
FRIDAY!
*Mr. Vecchiarino
to visit in am
*Gr. 8 teachers to
Notre Dame - am
*Feast of the
IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION!
9
10*ADVENT 11
12
13
14
15
*Second
Sunday of
ADVENT!
Liturgy #2 at
9:00 am!
* Police Basketball Game ( in
pm)
*KIDSSENTIAL
Lunch day!
*FESTIVE
FRIDAY!
16
17*ADVENT 18*Dress
19
20*FESTIVE 21
*Third
Sunday of
ADVENT!
Liturgy #3 at
9:00 am!
*BOOK FAIR
*Dress Rehearsal
for Xmas Concert
Rehearsal for
Xmas Concert
*CHRISTMAS
CONCERT 7:00
pm
*Notre Dame S.S.
Band to visit in
pm
THURSDAY!
*ADVENT
Liturgy #4 at
9:00 am!
*Last day of
school!
23
24
25
26
27
*Feast Day of St.
Stephen!
*BOXING DAY!
28
*Feast Day of
John the
Evangelist!
* Feast Day of the
HOLY
INNOCENTS
*Fourth
Sunday of
ADVENT!
*CHRISTMAS
EVE!
30
31
*Feast of the
HOLY
FAMILY!
*NEW YEAR’S
EVE!
Happy New
Year!
* PIZZA Day!
*CHRISTMAS
DAY! (Merry
Christmas)
22
29
Exhibition Basketball
Game!
St. Stephen Intermediate
‘SHARKS’
vs
Peel Regional Police
When:
Where:
Time:
Who:
Monday, December 10
St. Stephen School Gym
12:45 – 2:15 pm
Students and Parents/Guardians
are welcome to attend
Donations of New Toys accepted as
admission!
‘Almighty God,
We thank you for your only Son, Jesus
the only begotten of the Father
who took upon Himself our flesh,
becoming one of us.
Help us to live for you on earth,
and may every day be as joyous
as the day of Christmas!’
*********************
From the Staff of St. Stephen,
we wish you a joyous and Holy Christmas
and a Happy and prosperous New Year!
We look forward to receiving your children
back on Monday, January 7, 2013!