Dufferin-Peel CDSB
ST. GERTRUDE SCHOOL
Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence
NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2013
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
M. Diab
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
Secretaries
M. Sgambelluri
M. Cherubino
Superintendent
Mississauga
Brampton Central
L. Papaloni
Trustee
T. Thomas
Parish
St. Francis Xavier
905 890 5290
Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Edgardo
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
M. Diab
Vice Principal
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Guided b y Faith, Committed to Excellence
Celebrating Advent
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.
ADVENT MASS
Our next Advent mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 12th at 9:00 am
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.
CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
Your opportunity to brighten somebody’s life this holiday season
In lieu of staff gifts, please consider making donations to any or all of the following:
We will continue to collect until December 13th.
In keeping with tradition, and in an effort to teach our children that this is a season of giving, we will be
participating in some outreach programs. It is through giving that children gain a sense of responsibility
towards others. 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 community of St. Gertrude School to help support these
events and make them a success. Thank you for your donations.
Monetary Donations
St. Vincent de Paul Society Please make cheques payable to St. Vincent de Paul Society
Philippines Relief Fund—Canadian Government will match all donations received before Dec. 9th
Please make cheques payable to St. Gertrude School, with memo: Philippines relief
Toiletry Drive
Toy Drive
You are invited to donate items such as soap,
shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant,
mouthwash, shaving cream, hand cream, facial
tissues, combs, brushes or disposable diapers.
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.
Guided b y Faith, Committed to Excellence
Page 3
SACRAMENTS
Confirmation
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
As a part of Confirmation preparations, all
grade eight confirmandi will be required
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.
Sacrament of Confirmation - Grade 8
January 7, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Parents and Candidates Meeting
St. Francis Xavier Church
January 30, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Confirmation Prep Mass
St. Francis Xavier Church
May 1, 2014 , 7:00 p.m.
Sacrament of Confirmation
St. Francis Xavier Church
Reconciliation - Grade Two
January 15, 2014, 9:30 a.m.
St. Francis Xavier Church
Please join us…
Dec. 2 2013 at 12:20 pm ,Hope Virtue Assembly
Dec 12 2013 at 9:00 am, Advent Mass
Dec. 19 2013 at 9:00 am, Christmas Music
& Sing-a-long
First Holy Communion - Grade Two
February 9, 2014 / March 2, 2014
1:30 p.m.
First Holy Communion Prep Mass
St. Francis Xavier Church
Sacrament of First Holy Communion
May 10, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
St. Francis Xavier Church
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Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence
Extended French
Information
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 27, 2014*
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
January 29, 30, and 31, 2014
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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 14, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
*snow date: Tues., Jan. 28, 2013, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
_____________________________________________
“PLANNING FOR CHILDREN ENTERING
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN”
SEPT 2014
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 cognitive and/or motor areas on:
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014
TRANSPORTATION CANCELLATIONS /
SCHOOL CLOSURES
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.
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.
Want to check bus cancellations and late
routes?
Visit: www. stopr.ca or
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.
St. Gertrude is Going Green!
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.
If you have not already done so, 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”.
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
A very special thank you to the School Council Thanks to your generosity in supporting our many fund raising events.
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Grades 1-8 students received Agendas, an essential home-school communication tool
Christmas Baskets for needy families were provided
Grades K-8 students will participate in various Artist in the School Events
Grades 7-8 student will be engaged in the creative process through a Stained Glass Project which will be unveiled in
the Spring, 2014
Supplementary classroom supplies
Thank you to our team of volunteer parents who have transformed our Library into a Christmas Wonderland.
Thank you to our “Food Crew” Parent and student volunteers helping to bring hot lunches to our students.
If you are interested in helping us on Council or would like to volunteer in any capacity, please contact the school office.
We wish you all a Blessed, Holy Christmas and a happy & prosperous New Year!
Blessing of the Christmas Tree
Reading 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.
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
Blessing of the Nativity Scene
Reading from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-8 from the Family
Bible.
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.
Prayer Before Christmas Dinner
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.
Guided b y Faith, Committed to Excellence
Page 6
Gators in Action!
NEW Spirit Wear with our new Logo is available for sale through the office.
For delivery before Christmas—order by Dec. 6 2013!
VOLLEYBALL News!
Staff vs Cops Volleyball game in support of Share
Life & Philippine Relief Fund.
Mr. Todoschuk, Mr. Migdal, Mrs. Lackey, Mme Silva and Mrs. Curran would like to thank the
intermediate volleyball team for their commitment and teamwork. Congratulations to both the
girls and the boys on their great sportsmanship at the pod tournaments
Cross Country News
Congratulations to Josephine S., Crystal L,, Riche
D., Isabel C., Sara P., Ariane I., Daniela K., and
Alexia A. for advancing to the Board Cross Country Meet which was held on November 5th at
Centennial Park. Mrs. Gentili, Mrs. DeLuca, and
Mrs. Marques would like to thank all of the members of this year’s Cross Country team for their
efforts and sportsmanship.
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.”
Remembrance Day
The Grade 5/6 students from
Mrs. Lackey’s class and the
Grade 5 students from Mr.
Lonardi’s class led the school
in commemorating Remembrance Day on Monday, November 11th. They helped the
school to understand why we
must always remember, and to
realize the effects of war on all
of us. The Grade 5/6 class
performed a silhouette to the
song,
“Before You Go,” a song written to say thank you to all
those who served for the protection of freedom.
An Evening with Santa
Thanks for joining us!
Merry Christmas!
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Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence
May your Christmas be of great joy
And may the miracle of Christmas continue to shine within your heart all year.
From the Staff of St. Gertrude Catholic School
CHRISTMAS VACATION
Christmas vacation runs from Friday, December 20, 2013 to Sunday, January 5, 2014. School
resumes on Monday, January 6h, 2014. The last day of classes is Thursday, December 19th.