Dufferin-Peel CDSB
ST. GERTRUDE SCHOOL
Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence
NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2012
A Christmas Prayer
O God, Whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem
those days long ago,
St. Gertrude School
lead us to the same poor place,
815 Ceremonial Dr.,
Mississauga, ON
L5R 3S2
Tel:
905 568 7660
Fax:
905 568 8194
Principal
T. De Vellis Carino
Vice-Principal
P. Golin
Secretaries
D. Bachle
M. Cherubino
where Mary laid her tiny Child.
And as we look on in wonder and praise,
make us welcome Him in all new life,
see Him in the poor,
and care for His handiwork, the earth, the sky and the sea.
O God, bless us again in Your great love.
We pray for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Superintendent
Mississauga
Brampton Central
L. Kazimowicz
Trustee
T. Thomas
Parish
St. Francis Xavier
905 890 5290
Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Edgardo Elias
Salazar Pan
Principal’s Message
Advent is a time when we need to prepare ourselves spiritually in order
to fully understand and share in the joy of Christ’s arrival. Jesus came into the
world in a very simple and humble manner. We should strive to find God in
the simpler aspects of our lives. Advent is about the expectation of hope. We
need to be aware of the daily opportunities to focus on the deeper convictions
that will give us a renewed sense of joy and happiness. Let us be inspired to be
kind and compassionate. In sharing a smile, a caring word or some small act of
kindness, we will find peace at Christmas and throughout the year.
We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the staff and
ourselves, to wish each and everyone in our St . Gertrude community a very
Happy and Holy Christmas.
T. De Vellis Carino
Principal
P. Golin
Vice Principal
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Guided b y Faith, Committed to Excellence
CELEBRATING ADVENT
CHRISTMAS TOILETRY DRIVE
The season of Advent begins with
the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
“Advent” is a Latin word meaning
“the coming”. During the season of
Advent, Christians across the world
prepare for the celebration of the coming of the Lord
into the world through the birth of His Son, Jesus
Christ. Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst
of darkness, as symbolized best by the Advent
wreath. At St. Gertrude we emphasize the
implications of the birth of our Saviour through our
Christian actions. We ensure that Advent is a time
where we emphasize charity and social justice. It is
a time to prepare the way, to make God real each
and every day through prayer, charity and good
deeds. The following activities provide a small
window into how the staff and students at
St. Gertrude are the arms, legs and hands of God.
In keeping with tradition, and in an effort to teach our
children that this is a season of giving, we will once
again be collecting personal care and grooming items
to be distributed through „The Knights Table.‟ It is
through giving that children gain a sense of
responsibility towards others. We would encourage
students to bring in items such as soap, shampoo,
toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash,
shaving cream, hand cream, facial tissues, combs,
brushes or disposable diapers. We will continue to
collect until December 7th. Any donation will be
greatly appreciated.
ADVENT MASS
Our next Advent mass will be celebrated on Friday,
December 7th. Parents/guardians are welcome to
join us in the gym at 9 am.
STAFF LITURGIES
Each week the staff joins together in a quiet prayerful
way to prepare our hearts and minds for the season
of Advent. By renewing our spirit, we are better
prepared to renew the spirit of our students.
CONFIRMATION
As a part of Confirmation preparations, all
grade eight confirmandi were required to
present themselves as candidates for the
sacrament. This provided a wonderful
opportunity for the parish to support our candidates
as they pledge themselves and begin preparations to
enter further into their role as responsible Catholics.
First Eucharist, First Reconciliation,
Confirmation and Inscription Meeting dates:
These dates are the deadlines for Registration
Forms to be submitted to the Parish
Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First
Eucharist Make-Up Meeting
Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7 pm at
St. Francis Xavier Church
Sacrament of Confirmation Make-Up Meeting
Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7 pm at
St. Francis Xavier Church
Inscription Weekends
Saturday and Sunday, January 19 & 20, 2013
Sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and
Confirmation at St. Francis Xavier Church
CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
This year, as in the past, the staff and
students of St. Gertrude have organized a
Christmas Toy Drive. Students are asked to
donate an age and gender appropriate gift.
For example, a 6 year old boy would donate
a gift suitable for a 6 year old boy. The toy
drive will be accepting donations until December 20th
at 9 am. Charity is the primary response to our call to
live as Catholics and provides us an opportunity for
service to others. Once again, we call upon the students at St. Gertrude School to help support these
events and make them a success. Thank you for your
donations.
PRIMARY CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The students in the primary
division wish to invite their parents to a
special presentation on Wednesday,
December 19th, 2012 at 9:00 am and
12:30 pm in the school Gymnasium.
This celebration of song promises to be
the highlight of the Christmas season.
STAFF GIFTS
In lieu of staff gifts, please consider making donations to the toy and/or toiletry drives.
OUTREACH PROJECTS
Our school has committed to the Milk Bags for Haiti
project.
Next Virtue Assemblies are
Monday, December 3, at 12:30 pm
Thursday, January 10, at 9:50 am
Please join us for our celebration
Guided b y Faith, Committed to Excellence
A MONTH OF VIRTUES
In December we celebrate the virtue of hope. We
believe that God comes to us as a small fragile baby
who shows us that even the smallest and poorest can
make a profound difference in the world.
God has given us this Advent season year after year in
order to focus our minds and our hearts on the good all
around us. During this time of hope, we are
reminded that God chose to send His Son to us
because we are worth it. God knows how great we
can be when we all come together.
When we look at the world through the eyes of God we
know that the message of hope in Jesus‟ second
coming will be and is fulfilled, because Jesus‟ love
lives in us everyday.
People of Hope…
 Keep up a positive attitude
 Can bounce back from tough situations
 Set and stick to their goals
 See the good in others even when they
make mistakes
 Work to include others
 Let others know that they are good people
INTRODUCING OUR
VIRTUE TREE!
Coming soon…. each month, leaves
with student names will appear on our
Virtue Tree. These students will be
acknowledged by their teachers as
students who have done an exceptional job of following the monthly
Virtue. Special thank you to our in house artists;
custodians, M. Angel, T. Kulpinski and teachers,
K. Valiquette and M. Kapov.
OUTDOOR PLAY
Please ensure that your children are
dressed appropriately for outdoor play
during the colder winter weather. It is
the expectation that each child go
outside for exercise and fresh air.
Students who cannot play outside due to illness should
remain at home until they are feeling better. We
would also ask that your child have a pair of
indoor shoes for classroom use. Please ensure
that all shoes and boots are labeled with your
child’s name. Announcements will be made and
teachers will review our policy, that the snow must stay
on the ground, once we receive our first snowfall. For
the safety of our children, there is to be no snowballs,
kicking of snow, or any other activity with snow or ice
that could be harmful.
Please discuss this with your children.
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FRENCH PROGRAMS
French Immersion
Senior Kindergarten parents who wish to enroll their
child in a Grade 1 French Immersion program for
September 2013 are invited to attend an information
meeting at St. Gertrude on Monday, January 14, 2013
at 7:00 p.m.
The deadline for submission of applications will be
2:00 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.
Extended French Information
Grade 4 parents, who wish to enroll their child in a Grade
5 Extended French program for September 2013, are
invited to attend an information meeting at San Lorenzo
Ruiz School, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at
7:00 p.m. .
“PLANNING FOR CHILDREN ENTERING JK/SK
AND FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN” SEPT 2013
There will be an Information Night for Parent(s)/
Guardian(s) of Children with Special Needs such as
Vision, Hearing, Autism, Physical/Medical and/or
Development Delays in the congnitive and/or motor
areas on:
Thursday, January 17, 2013
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
at
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Office
40 Matheson Blvd., West, Mississauaga, Ontario
JUNIOR AND SENIOR KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2013-2014 school year will be
held at all Dufferin-Peel Catholic elementary
schools on the following dates:
Monday, January 28, 2013 *
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
*snow date: Tues., Jan. 29, 2013, 7 p.m. to 9
p.m.
January 30, 31 & Feb. 1, 2013
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
A very special thank you to the School Council
TRANSPORTATION CANCELLATIONS/
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Thanks to your generosity…
 Grades 1-8 students received Agendas, an essential
home-school communication tool
 Christmas Baskets for needy families were provided
 Grades 4-8 students will participate in Ballroom
Dancing lessons
 Grades 7-8 student will be engaged in the creative
process through a Stained Glass Project which will
be unveiled in the Spring, 2013
A decision to cancel school transportation and/or
close schools, due to inclement weather, is usually made
by 6:30a.m.. Only the Director of Education has the
authority to cancel transportation and/or close schools.
Please listen for DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD cancellations or
closures.
Thank you to our team of volunteer parents who have
transformed our Library into a Christmas Wonderland.
Please join us for our next meeting in January. Our
Council is currently functioning with a “rotating” chair.
Our Parish representative, Mrs. Chigbo has moved out of
province. We thank her for her many contributions in the
past few years.
If you are interested in helping us on Council. Please
contact the school office, especially if you are
considering the positions of Chair or Parish Rep.
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING!!!
All School Council meetings are held in the library and
are open to all parents attending St. Gertrude Catholic
School. Meetings are held once a month, beginning at
6:30 pm. Minutes of school council meetings are
available at the school office.
Our next meeting is scheduled for:
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
NHL VISITS ST. GERTRUDE
On Nov. 8, 2012, St. Gertrude had a special visit from
NHL hockey players, Brad Boyes, Carlo Colaiocovo and
John Mitchell. They were outstanding role models for the
Grade 3 student audience. The players stressed the
importance of determination and goal setting. During the
short visit, they continued to inspire the students with
discussions, questions and answers related to the
benefits of physical activity and healthy eating.
Want to check bus cancellations and late routes
Visit: www. stopr.ca
or
www.dpcdsb.org
Please note that Dufferin-Peel bus cancellations notices
for Dufferin County do not apply to St. Gertrude School
as we are located in the Region of Peel.
CROSS COUNTRY
Congratulations to the Cross Country Team members
that competed in the Board finals at Centennial Park.
The 12 students made their coaches proud by their great
efforts to do their best and showing great sportsmanship.
Way to go Shannon, Andrew, Richelle, Sara, Danielle,
Ariane, Isabel, Justus, Cole, Chirag and Justin.
A special congratulations to Dante for placing sixth.
PARENTS / GUARDIANS COMMUNICATION
We are continuing our effort to move forward in an effort
to enhance communication and ensure delivery of
important school information.
We would like to create an UNATTENDED EMAIL
MAILBOX for the electronic delivery of school
newsletters, school information and School Council
updates. Questions, concerns or comments will continue
to be welcomed at the school.
We are asking you at this time to consider providing the
school with your email address which can be added to
the list of UNDISCLOSED RECIPIENTS who will receive
school wide transmissions of information. Your email
address will NOT be available to any party outside of the
school office.
This initiative will ensure that you receive school
information without relying on the “backpack”.
Environmentally, we will save paper and energy.
Guided b y Faith, Committed to Excellence
THE SECOND CITY TRIP
BLESSING OF THE NATIVITY SCENE
On Wednesday, November 7th, B. Shelsen‟s class,
I. Cassano‟s class and B.Todoschuk‟s Grade 7‟s went on
a trip to The Second City, a comedy club in Toronto.
Read from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-8 from the Family
Bible.
The cast performed sketches about politics, culture,
family, movies, stars and big brand names and
introduced us to the funny side of our everyday lives.
The second part of the trip was dedicated to
improvisation (improv). They took suggestions from the
audience and acted them out.
After the show, students participated in Improv
workshops. They were taught how to express emotions
through words and actions and how to relax and forget
the outside world.
TRIP TO LIVING ARTS CENTRE
On November 29th, M. Koziol, D. Putzu, A. McGuire and
N. Sanderson‟s classes attended a half-day ceramics
workshop at the Living Arts Centre. The students had so
much fun learning about the fundamentals of clay
handling. They each had the opportunity to create a clay
“snowperson”. This unique art experience focused on
sculpting and helped students to develop their creativity.
JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL
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God of every nation and people, from the very beginning
of creation you have made known your love:
When our need for a Saviour was great you sent your
Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings
joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.
Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind
us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts
to him, who is God-with-us and Saviour of all, and who
lives and reigns forever and ever.
AMEN.
BLESSING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Read from the Letter of Paul to Titus 3:4-7 from the
Family Bible.
Lord our God,
We praise You for the light of creation: the sun, the
moon, and the stars of the night.
We praise You for the light of Israel:
the Law, and the prophets, and the wisdom of the
Scriptures.
We praise You for Jesus Christ, Your Son:
He is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace, who
fills us with the wonder of Your love. Amen.
M. Silva, N. Benevides, and R. McIntosh would like to
thank the junior volleyball team for their commitment and
teamwork. Congratulations to both the girls and the boys
on their great sportsmanship at the pod tournaments!
A special thank you goes out to the Grade 7 and 8
students who helped out during practices and at the
junior girl‟s pod tournament.
Lord God,
Let your blessing come upon us as we light this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that
fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge
and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. [light the tree]
The coaches would also like to thank B. Todoschuk for all
his help in organizing the junior girl‟s volleyball pod that
took place on Friday November 23rd at St. Gertrude.
PRAYER BEFORE CHRISTMAS DINNER
Girl’s Volleyball Team: Sabrina C., Crystal L., Olivia S.,
Cassandra C., Danielle A., Hanna K., Elisa G., Monica S.
Boy’s Volleyball Team: Justin D., Justus S., Patrick S.,
John-Tino S., Dante R., Vincent M., Julien K., Massimo
M., Justin J., Aaron S.
A MESSAGE FROM THE KNIGHTS TABLE
“We sincerely thank you for your continued support
during October when we celebrate Thanksgiving; an
annual holiday which celebrates the harvest and
other blessings of the year. This Thanksgiving, with
your generous donation of 141 lbs., we successfully
collected 98,674. pounds of
food.”
Lord Jesus,
In the peace of this season our spirits are joyful:
We thank You for all You have given us. The gift of life, of
family, and friends and food that strengthens and nourishes us.
You loved us so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to
become part of our lives, to forgive us and save us and
show us your care for us.
By Your coming may the hungry be filled with good
things, and may our table and home be blessed.
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts,
which we are about to receive from Thy bounty
through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence
From the Staff of St. Gertrude
Catholic School
May your Christmas be of great joy
And may the miracle of Christmas continue to shine within your heart all year.
T. De Vellis Carino,
P. Golin, D. Bachle, M. Cherubino,
D. Bagnarol, H. Bahsous, A. Beaton,
N. Benevides, T. Borisenko, C. Bryce, I. Cassano, S. Cobrin
J. Colacchio, K. Curran, K. De Faria, A. Amendola,
P. DeLuca, K. DeFaria, N. Gentili, M. Green, J. Turner, A. Holjevac,
R. Jardine, M. Kapov, M. Koziol, T. Kulpinski, A. Lonardi, K. Cinapri,
F. Marchand, D. Marques, A. Marsala, S. Martelli, A. McGuire, R. McIntosh,
L. O’Connor, A. Petrasek, D. Planche, D. Putzu, C. Peragine, N. Sanderson, B. Shelsen,
M. Silva, S. Smith, I. Talerico, K. Tessar, G. Tesolin, W. Todoschuk, K. Valiquette, A. Viti,
M. Wasilewski, R. Sapulete, R. Savoia, M. Angel
Have a Blessed Christmas
and
the most prosperous of New Years !
CHRISTMAS VACATION
Christmas vacation runs from Saturday, December 22, , 2012 to Sunday, January 6, 2013. School resumes
on Monday, January 7th, 2013. The last day of classes is Friday, December 21st, 2012