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Good Shepherd’s Good News
www.dpcdsb.org/gshep
Ja n u ary 2 0 1 5
Good Shepherd Elementary School
28 Red River Drive
Brampton ON, L6R 2H9
Phone: 905.791.1039
Fax: 905.791.9856
Prayer for the New Year
Give us the kindness to hear with compassion,
to offer support, loving comfort and care.
Give us the courage to do what is needed, the wisdom to
choose what is right and most fair.
Give us the vision to see what is possible.
Give us the faith that we will pave the way for a present
that’s hopeful, a future that’s peaceful.
Give us the hearing to bring joy to each day.
Amen
Principal
A. Brunette
Vice Principal
S. Chambers
Office Staff
N. Jacques
D. Canal
Superintendent of Schools
L. Storey
(905) 890-0708 ext. 24240
Trustee
S. Xaviour
On behalf of the Good Shepherd staff, Happy New Year and welcome back!
We hope everyone had a safe and restful Christmas break. Once again, the
Helping Hands baskets, delivered to needy families in our parish, were overflowing with goodies and gifts, a testimony to our generous community. We
raised approximately $710.00 that was used to provide gifts and food to four
families in our parish.
January is the time that we settle into the winter term and look forward to the
many exciting things that the remainder of the school year brings. Our grade
2 and grade 8 students are continuing preparations to receive the
sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation—please keep them in
your prayers.
We wish everyone health and happiness for 2015! May we continue to strive
to make every day in our lives as beautiful and meaningful as Christmas
Day!
Parish
St. Marguerite d’Youville
(905) 792-7497
Pastor
Fr. Robert Mignella
January Virtue of the Month – Self-Control
God wants us to do what we know and feel is
right.
A person with self-control …
• Is patient
• Knows how to wait his/her turn
• Can calm him/herself down and think
before reacting to situations
• Knows how to avoid physical aggression
• Can think things through
Self-Control helps us to resist the temptation to
do something that we will regret. It also helps us
to resist the temptation to do something that will
harm ourselves or others. Each time we exercise
self-control we grow stronger in the Lord and
invite peace to settle in our lives.
IMPORTANT DATES
 Jan 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th – Pizza Days
 Jan. 9th – Virtue Buddies Day
 Jan. 12th , 20th, 26th - Sub Days
 Jan 14th – Smart Start Program-Gr.6’s
 Jan. 15th- School Council Meeting 7:00p.m.
 Jan. 19th – P. A. Day - No School for students
 Jan. 13th Quantum Kidz Lunch Time Lego
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Program begins
Jan 22nd – Grad Photos
Jan. 26th – Kindergarten registration night
Jan. 27th – Family Literacy Day
Feb. 2nd, 9th, 17th, 23rd – Sub Days
Feb. 3rd – Report Cards sent home
Feb. 4th, 11th – Pizza Days
Feb. 5th – Term 1 Interview Evening
Feb. 6th – P.A. Day – No School for students
Feb.12th – School Council Meeting 7:00 pm
Feb. 18th – Ash Wednesday
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Good Shepherd’s Good News
www.dpcdsb.org/gshep
Full-Day Kindergarten Registration for 2015-16
Winter Dress
Registration for Full-Day Kindergarten for the 2015-16
school year, will take place at Good Shepherd on:
Monday, January 26, 2015
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.*
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, January 30, 2015
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
* Snow Date:
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
For more information about registration and the Full-Day
Kindergarten program, call 905-791-1039 or visit
www.dpcdsb.org.
All children should have hats, scarves, gloves, warm
coats and boots, labeled with their name (and send
extras too!). This will enable them to enjoy a fresh
breath of air at recess time! Students who wish to
play in the snow MUST have snow pants.
Extended French Information Meeting
Grade 4 parents/guardians who wish to enroll their child in
a Grade 5 Extended French class for September 2015, are
invited to attend an information meeting at:
St. Jean Brebeuf
63 Glenforest Rd. Brampton
Wednesday, January 14th, 2015 @ 7:00 p.m.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday, February 17th,
2015 @ 3:00 p.m.
Bus Cancellations and/or School Closures
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 a.m. and will be
announced on the following radio stations:
VIRGIN RADIO 99.9
CHUM 1050
CFTR 680
CFNY 102.1
CJCL 590
CHFI 98.1
CFRB 1010
EZ ROCK 97.3
CJBC (FR) 860
Z103.5
93.1 FM
CFTO
CITYPULSE
GLOBAL NEWS
CBC
CHIN100.7
FM/1540 AM
Let it Snow!!
Snow is always an attraction on the yard. We expect
that students will build and play in the snow and
enjoy our Canadian weather. Students are reminded
of our school rules surrounding snow. Throwing of
snow is not allowed for any reason. Snow is to
remain on the ground at all times.
School Driveway/Kiss & Ride Lanes/Crosswalk
We respectfully ask that drivers refrain from stopping
or parking in the drive – thru or Kiss & Ride lanes at
the side of the school. This area is a FIRE ROUTE and
fines for a violation are high. Stopped or parked cars
also create a safety hazard for your children.
Please note students should never be dropped off in
the bus lane and at no time should cars be left in the
bus zone at the front of the school. Cars can be
ticketed here as it is a fire lane.
Furthermore, for safety purposes, please use the
crosswalk when escorting your children to and from
the parking lot.
All students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. or 12:30
p.m. must obtain a Late Slip from the office.
Information is also available on the board website.
If an announcement is made that buses are cancelled in
“Dufferin County” only – this does not include our school
and buses will run as scheduled.
Please continue to check www.stopr.ca for cancellations
and delays as needed.
Smart Start Program
Commencing Jan. 14th for six consecutive weeks, our Grade
six students will be participating in Brampton’s Safe City
Association Smart Start Program. Program instructors
teach students how to make safe choices when faced with
risk through this fun and interactive safety program.
Safety workshops include:
 Drugs and Alcohol
 Cyber-Safety
 Bullying
 Appreciating Diversity
 Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
 Youth Gambling.
Family Literacy Day – January 27th
Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative
created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and held
annually on January 27 to raise awareness of the
importance of reading and engaging in other literacyrelated activities as a family.
Taking time every day to read or do a learning
activity with children is crucial to a child’s
development. Even just 15 minutes a day can improve
a child’s literacy skills dramatically, and can help a
parent improve their skills as well. Please visit
http://abclifeliteracy.ca/fld/family-literacy-day for
more information.
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Good Shepherd’s Good News
Term 1 Report Cards
Please be reminded that a Term 1 Report Card will be
sent home on Tuesday, February3rd. Parent / student /
teacher interviews will be scheduled for the evening of
Thursday, February 5th.
Parents will receive interview scheduling forms to
request interview times. Please be aware, there will not
be report cards for junior and senior kindergarten
students, however interviews will be available for the
parents of kindergarten students.
www.dpcdsb.org/gshep
Living Nativity
No Food For Any Occasions – School Policy
We are asking parents/guardians to ensure that their
children eat only the food they bring from home (and
not share food), and that they do not send or bring
food to school for other children to celebrate birthdays
and other festivities. When food is sent to school, it can
be disruptive to learning and may be shared without the
knowledge and/or consent of other parents, which is
problematic in that it may not always be nutritious and
because classmates may have potentially lifethreatening allergies.
Nevertheless, the school also recognizes that food is
socially important, and an integral aspect of our Faith.
With this in mind, a number of school-sponsored events
which include food will continue, (such as Pizza Days,
sub days, milk and cookies etc.) however the school /
School Council will ensure the highest possible standards
of preparation and safety.
School Council News
Next council meeting is January 15th at 7:00 pm. All are
welcome.
Green Team Update
On December 15, the community of Good Shepherd School
came together to present a Living Nativity. The students
performed beautiful dramatic tableaus of the nativity
while the choir sang angelically. Just as it was in
Bethlehem on that silent night two thousand years ago,
we all came together in the name of our faith and all
were welcomed. The living nativity was a perfect
reminder of what Christmas is all about.
Before the holidays, the green team challenged Good
Shepherd classes to create an Eco Friendly Wreath for
their classroom door. Using only materials from the
recycling bins was a challenge, but students and
teachers came through and created very festive and
beautiful wreaths. Way to go!
On February 5th, Good Shepherd will participate in
National Sweater Day! Turning down the heat by just 2
degrees for one day will help save energy and do our
part in assisting with climate change! Go Green and
Bundle Up!
To the following for their donations of goods, time and
skills:
Sam at Tim Hortons- for donating all the Hot Chocolate,
Corinne Moore, Kids In Dance – Material for Costumes,
Scott McMullen, teacher at d’Youville SS for building our
stable, Mr. Rappallo, Mr. Marchand & Mr. Ercoli for
erecting and taking down the stable, everyone who
donated baked goods, Fr. Robert, Shawn Xaviour,
Trustee, and our amazing parent council, staff and
students for all of their commitment to this wonderful
evening.
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Good Shepherd’s Good News
The Wellness Committee
STAYING HEALTHY
The best ways to reduce the risk
of becoming ill or spreading flu
viruses include:
• Wash your hands frequently:
Wash your hands often with soap
and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially
after you cough or sneeze.
• Practise good hygiene: Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a
tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Avoid
touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread
this way.
• Stay Healthy: Eat healthy foods, stay physically active
and get adequate rest to keep your immune system
strong. [Also, no sharing food].
• Monitor your health: If you develop flu-like symptoms
(fever, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of
breath), stay home from school or work and limit your
contact with others while you are sick. Parents may
want to consider contacting their doctor or call
Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 if your symptoms get
worse.
Scholastic Book Fair
Mr. Vogt is happy to offer the opportunity to purchase
books from the Scholastic Book Fair from January 29 –
February 11th. Classes will have the opportunity to
browse and to purchase throughout this time. The Book
Fair will also be open on the evening of February 5 th
during parent interviews.
www.dpcdsb.org/gshep
Math Corner
Mathies.ca, hosted by the Ontario Association for
Mathematics Education (OAME), is designed for Ontario K –
12 students and parents. This website includes games,
learning tools, activities, and additional supports for
students to explore, build and enhance their
mathematical thinking. A parent ‘Frequently Asked
Questions’ section includes: “How can I help with the
learning of mathematics?”, “What mathematics activities
can we do together?”, “What digital supports are
available?” and “What additional support is available?”
Partnering with Your Teen in Mathematics Grades 7 to 12
is a resource for parents, guardians, caregivers and other
family members to support the development of their
teen’s mathematical abilities. The document addresses
key aspects of understanding of the adolescent learner,
different ways of learning, engaging in conversations with
your teen, and supporting mathematical thinking, learning
and work habits. For the document, go to
http://www.edugains.ca/resources/HomeSupport/Partner
ingWithYourTeen.pdf
Coming Soon!
Ballroom Dancing Lessons
Safe Arrival
For safety reasons, it is very important to notify the
school if your child is going to be absent or late. Please
call 905-791-1039 and press 1 to leave a message if
your child is going to be absent or late.
Late Arrivals
We have noticed a dramatic increase in students
arriving late. With the colder weather and the increase
in traffic in the Kiss and Ride lanes please prepare to
leave a little earlier to get to school for the 8:45 start.
Late students should be checking into the office to
obtain a late slip. We will continue to monitor late
arrivals and send communication home regarding this
should your child demonstrate frequent late arrival to
school.
Beginning in March, every class in our school will receive
five lessons of ballroom dancing from Future Steps. The
cost for this program will be covered by the money we
have raised from our pizza sales. Parents will be invited
to our Ballroom Dancing Showcase on May 7 th , during
Catholic Education Week, where all classes will showcase
the dances they have learned. Save the date!
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