Dufferin-Peel CDSB
ST. GERTRUDE SCHOOL
Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence
NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER
2013
December 2014
St. Gertrude
School
815 Ceremonial Dr.
Mississauga, ON
L5R 3S2
Tel:
Fax:
905 568 7660
905 568 8194
A Christmas Prayer
O God, Whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem
those days long ago,
lead us to the same poor place,
where Mary laid her tiny Child.
And as we look on in wonder and praise,
make us welcome Him in all new life,
Principal
T. De Vellis Carino
Vice-Principal
M. Diab
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
Council Chair
S. Dutra
Follow us on
Twitter
@DPCDSBSchools
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
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
PAGE 2
G U I D E D B Y FA I T H, C O M MI T T E D T O E X C E LLE NC E
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, Friday, December 5 at 1:00 pm
Parents/guardians are welcome to join us in the school gym.
SCHOOL WIDE ADVENT RETREAT, Monday, December 15, 2014
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 12h.
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
Hat & Mitten Drive
Toy Drive
Please donate new hats & mittens to add to our Hat
& Mitten Tree.
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.
G U I D E D B Y FA I T H, C O M MI T T E D T O E X C E LLE NC E
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 to present themselves as candidates for the sacrament. This provides 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
Thursday, January 29, 2015 7:00 p.m.
Confirmation Prep Mass
St. Francis Xavier Church
Thursday, May 7, 2015 7:00 p.m.
Sacrament of Confirmation
St. Francis Xavier Church
Reconciliation - Grade Two
January 15, 2015 9:30 a.m.
St. Francis Xavier Church
First Holy Communion - Grade Two
Sunday, January 25, 2015 1:30 p.m.
First Holy Communion Prep Mass
St. Francis Xavier Church
Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Saturday, May 9, 2015 10:00 a.m.
PARENTS WELCOME...PLEASE JOIN US
Dec. 2
Dec. 5
Dec. 5
Dec. 15
Dec. 19
Council Meeting
6:30 pm
Virtue Assembly
12:30 pm
Advent Mass
1:00 pm
School-wide Assembly
8:30 am
Presentation of Nativity Story
School-wide Advent Retreat
Christmas Music/Sing-Along 9:00 am
St. Francis Xavier Church
PAGE 4
G U I D E D B Y FA I T H, C O M MI T T E D T O E X C E LLE NC E
Extended French
JUNIOR AND SENIOR
KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2015-2016
school year will be held at all Dufferin-Peel
Catholic
Elementary Schools on the following dates:
Monday, January 26, 2015*
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
January 28, 29 & 30, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Information
Grade 4 parents, who wish to enroll their child in a Grade
5 Extended French program for September 2015, are invited to attend an information meeting at
San Lorenzo Ruiz School, on
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
*snow date: Tues., Jan. 27, 2015, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
_____________________________________________
“PLANNING FOR CHILDREN ENTERING
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN”
SEPT 2015
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:
Thursday, January 8, 2015
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
40 Matheson Blvd., West, Mississauga
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.
TRANSPORTATION CANCELLATIONS
/SCHOOL CLOSURES
St. Gertrude is Going Green!
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.
PARENTS / GUARDIANS COMMUNICATION
We are continuing our effort to move forward in an
effort to enhance communication and ensure
delivery of important school information.
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.
If you have not already done so, we are asking you
at this time, please complete the CASL form and
provide 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.
Want to check bus cancellations and late
routes?
Visit: www. stopr.ca or
www.dpcdsb.org
We have 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.
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
A very special thank you to the School Council Thanks to your generosity in supporting our many fund raising events.




Grades 1-8 students received Agendas, an essential home-school communication tool
Christmas Baskets for needy families were provided
Grades K-8 Transportation costs covered for School Trips (one bus/class throughout the year).
Grades 7-8 students continue to be engaged in the creative process through a Stained Glass Project which will be unveiled in the Spring, 2015
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.
Thank you also to Council for sponsoring the ONE Movement presentation for Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.
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
hearts. May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
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.
AMEN.
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.
G U I D E D B Y FA I T H, C O M MI T T E D T O E X C E LLE NC E
PAGE 6
Gators in Action!
Staff co- learning….
….and
co-planning!
To get ready for the big Game on Nov. 19
2014,the grades 4-8 GATORS treated the
Mississauga Steelheads to a Pep Rally in our
school gym.
Staff at St. Gertrude school are life-long learners and educators who are open to learning and
committed to continuous improvement in their practice, in student well being and achievement.
St. Gertrude Bus Evacuation Drill
On Thursday, November 6th, St. Gertrude students
participated in a Bus Evacuation Drill. This safety
measure ensures students are trained and aware
of procedures in case of emergency while traveling on a school bus.
Remembrance Day
The Grade 5 students from Mrs. Lackey’s class and the
Grade 7 students from Mr. Midgal’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.
POPCRN Fridays continues!
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, we successfully collected food for many families in
need.
Q. When does popcorn help our
garden grow?
A. When the ECO team sells it and uses the
proceeds towards our greening initiatives!
So buy popcorn and help St. Gertrude go greener!
COOKIES & MILK Tuesdays ….
Enjoy some milk and cookies and help
support our sports teams. Proceeds will go
towards the purchase of team uniforms.
An Evening with Santa
Thanks for joining us!
Merry Christmas!
PAGE 8
G U I D E D B Y FA I T H, C O M MI T T E D T O E X C E LLE NC E
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 19, 2014 to Sunday, January 4, 2015. School
resumes on Monday, January 5, 2015. The last day of classes is Friday, December 19, 2014.