Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School
62 Heatherdale Dr., Brampton, Ontario L7A 2H4
Tel.: 905-595-0909 Fax.: 905-846-6932
Newsletter #6
February
Principal: T. Waters
Vice Principal: A. Metivier
Secretary: B. Waud
Asst. Secretary: C. Egan
School Website: http://w3.dpcdsb.org/GANGL
Virtues
2011
Parish: Guardian Angels (905) 970-9175
Pastor: Father J. Gogolewski
Trustee: Linda Zanella Brampton Wards 2,5,6 (905) 579-0126
School Council Chair: D. Robinson
Superintendent: G. Prajza
Superintendent: A. Tucciarone (905) 890-1221
During the month of February we will focus on the virtue of Respect……
A respectful person:
-uses a positive tone of voice and
body language
-avoids swearing, name-calling,
put-downs and inappropriate
gestures
-says “excuse me” and “Please.”
-avoids gossip
February is “Black History Month”. As part of our focus this month on the Catholic virtue of
RESPECT, we recognize, highlight, and celebrate the gifts that our rich cultural and racial
diversity enable us to experience and enjoy.
BLACK HISTORY THROUGH MUSIC, DANCE AND DRAMA
February 28th at Guardian Angels
Hands-on and interactive workshops for students in grades 1 to 6.
ACTIVITIES AND LESSONS
Music
 Students will participate in an African drum circle and learn proper technique for playing a
djembe
 West African rhythms are taught and polyrhythms are introduced
 Students will compose their own rhythms based on African drumming technique
To Light, To Guard, To Rule and Guide – Guardian Angels
 The construction and design of djembes are explored by students and origins are discussed.
 African string instruments (koras) are passed around and examined by students.
 Students will sing and drum in an activity that demonstrates the evolution of music from
Africa in the 1500s to modern Hip Hop and music.
Dance
 Students will identify the elements of dance (relationship, body, energy, space and time) as
they learn simple dance movements from traditional African dance to hip hop.
Drama
 Students will use the elements of drama (role/character, relationship, time and place,
tension, focus and emphasis) as they participate in a skit that tells the story of Harriet
Tubman and the underground railroad.
Literacy
 African Canadian books will be highlighted and students will receive a list of recommended
books by African Canadian authors.
“The Holy Alphabet”
Although
things
are
not
perfect
On
earth
can
yield
the
power
Because
of
trial
or
pain
Praise
can
do
alone
Continue
in
thanksgiving
Quit
looking
at
the
future
Do
not
begin
to
blame
Redeem
the
time
at
hand
Even
when
the
times
are
hard
Start
every
day
with
worship
Fierce
winds
are
bound
to
blow
To
“thank”
is
a
command
God
is
forever
able
Until
we
see
Him
coming
Hold
on
to
what
you
know
Victorious
in
the
sky
Imagine
life
without
His
love
We’ll
run
the
race
with
gratitude
Joy
would
cease
to
be
Xalting
God
most
high
Keep
thanking
Him
for
all
the
things
Yes,
there’ll
be
good
times
and
yes
some
will
Love
imparts
to
thee
be
bad,
but….
Move
out
of
“Camp
Complaining”
Zion
waits
in
glory…where
none
are
ever
No
weapon
that
is
known
sad!
Moving?
Please inform the office as soon as possible if you are planning to move between now and
September 2011. Current Flex Boundary admissions are not guaranteed. If you move out of
the school catchment area it is in the best interest of your child that he/she attend their local
school. Flex boundary admissions must be requested in writing to the school Principal each year.
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IT’S W IN TER TIM E...DRESS W ARM LY!
The cold weather has arrived and will be here to stay for a while! Please ensure that your
children are dressed appropriately and warmly for this weather. Hats, winter coats, mittens and
boots are the very minimum children should have for days like these. Layered clothing also helps
keep the body warm. We will be attentive to cold weather warnings and wind chill factors. Our
students will go outdoors, along with our teacher supervisors, for brief periods of time even on
cold days. A modified outdoor time may occur depending on the temperature and/or wind chill.
(e.g. -18°c to-20°c students go outside for 20 minutes and -20°c and colder students do not go
out). Proper dress and physical activity will ensure that our students are warm for that period of
time. Fresh air is important for everyone’s health. During the school day, children require
outdoor time to exercise, to socialize, and to be rejuvenated and ready to learn! Let’s focus upon
dressing properly and enjoying our wonderful Canadian winter.
Bullying
Bullying does come in various forms one of which is cyber bullying. We encourage all parents/
guardians to be vigilant and aware of how the computer is being used in the home. If there are
incidents where your child does experience any such bullying, feel free to make a copy of the email or to contact police regarding this incident.
All schools are assigned officers that will occasionally drop by the school to visit and speak to the
students. At Guardian Angels, we have been assigned two neighborhood officers. During the
first term the Youth Education Programs provided presentations to many of our students.
Presentations varied from community helpers to youth gangs depending on the age group. Our
goal is to help build good, positive relationships with our officers and to ensure every opportunity
of keeping our students safe and happy.
Chess Club
P. Buzdon
Every Wednesday students from grades 4-8 are invited to be part of the chess club that meets in
Mr. Buzdon’s room during the lunch hour. Presently there is approximately 40 students who are
participating.
Idle Cars in the Parking Lot
An important note to parents; vehicles should not be left running in the school parking lot. Idling
wastes fuel, damages vehicle engines and sends harmful gases into the air. Children are
particularly susceptible to the effects of air pollution because they breathe more per pound of
body weight than adults do. School pickup and drop-off zones are one of the top places where
children stand amidst exhaust fumes. We caution parents not to leave running vehicles
unattended due to the potential risks this poses for students.
Safety Concerns and Kiss and Ride
Thank you to those parents who have been cooperative in following the proper
safety rules of kiss and ride. Below, please note several points of clarification.
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1. Please do not park or stop in the front of the school unless you are using a
parking spot. The front of the school is not a kiss and ride area. This area is
to be used by bus drivers or for emergency response vehicles.
2. Please do not park your car in the drive through lane at any time. Often this
causes a back up and many people get frustrated.
3. At no time should your car be left unattended in the kiss and ride lane or the
drive through lane.
4. Please use the proper exit (drive by the front entrance of the school.) Obey
all “Do not Enter Signs”
5. When using the Kiss and Ride, have your child exit on the passenger side of
your vehicle to avoid contact with on-coming traffic.
Personal Electronic Devices at School
Existing and emerging mobile and smart technologies continue to present new challenges for
Catholic educators in providing all members of our school communities with a safe Christ
centered learning and working environments. PEDs are wireless and/or portable electronic
handheld equipment (i.e. cell phones, blackberries, palm pilots, MP3 Players, iPods). To
promote respect for the dignity of all members of our school community and to enhance student
achievement and safety, the use of a PED is strictly prohibited in the school or during school
related activities. It is the policy of the DPCDSB that PEDs are to be kept out-of-sight, turned off
and not used within the school premises or during school sanctioned events.
Picking Up Missed Work For Students Who Are Absent
We receive many requests for work when students are absent due to illness or other reasons. If
your child’s absence is only for a period of one day we recommend that they collect the missed
work the day they return. If your child’s absence is for two or three days please call well in
advance i.e. in the morning, to alert the school you would like to pick up missed work. Your
child’s teacher will prepare a package of work and this will be ready at 3:30 p.m. for pick up.
Instant requests for work cannot be accommodated. If you choose to withdraw your child from
school for an extended period of time i.e. vacation, we are unable to provide missed instruction,
class work and assignments/tests. It is the child’s responsibility to catch up on missed work and
make alternate arrangements for test and assignment completion when they return.
Parents in the School
Teaching your child in a safe and happy environment is our goal. With this in mind there is a
Visitor Identification Program in place at Guardian Angels. All non-staff must report to the main
office for identification and to state their business. During school hours, no one is permitted to
visit classrooms or loiter in the hall. All parents/guardians are reminded that they should enter
the school through the main front door and proceed to the office to sign in.
We attempt to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum so that students can get on with the
business of learning. Please note that all students are dismissed from their regular doors and
should meet their parents/guardians at these doors.
As always, your continued cooperation is much appreciated and allows us to provide the safest
and best learning environment for the children.
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Birthdays are Special
Many parents like to bring treats to school to celebrate their child’s birthday. Often this includes
a cake, forks, drink boxes, loot bags, etc. While we understand birthdays are a special time, we
have had to refuse entry of these special birthday treats due to allergies in a specific class, lack
of awareness of food contents or absence of advance notice. Without advance notice and
conversation with your child’s teacher, distribution of food can not always be accommodated as
the class may be engaged in a specific learning exercise, test or activity that cannot be
rearranged. We ask that you use the following guidelines when planning to bring treats to school
to celebrate a birthday:
o Consult with your child’s teacher at least a day prior to bringing special occasion treats to
school;
o Consider bringing non-edible treats. There are many alternatives to bringing in food for
birthdays and special occasions. Some suggestions are: stickers, gift certificates,
pencils, stuffed toys, etc.
o If bringing edible treats do not bring an item, like a cake, that requires plates, forks,
cutting and serving. Bring individual items such as cupcakes or cookies.
o If bringing food, it must be accompanied by a list of all ingredients for the classroom
teacher to ensure that the food is free of allergens.
o Students with anaphylactic reactions will not share in the food without advance parental
consent even if the ingredients are free of potential allergens.
o Students with an anaphylactic allergy are encouraged to bring in their own treats for
special occasions.
FROM The Library…
Forest of Reading
The Forest of Reading Program is well under way. All students in Grades 1, 2 & 3 are involved in
the Blue Spruce program during library classes and will be voting for their favourite book in
April. The students who have signed up for Silver Birch Express (grades 3 & 4), Silver Birch
(grades 5 & 6) and Red Maple (grades 7 & 8) programs are busy reading at least 5 of the 10
books on the nominated lists in order to be eligible to vote in April. The students in the Silver
Birch and Red Maple reading clubs are posting their responses to the books they have read on a
wiki that has been created for this sole purpose. What a wonderful way to share thoughts about
books with each other. For more information about this program visit the Reading page at
www.accessola.com.
Reading At Home
As a parent you are a powerful influence on your child’s success in reading. Reading with your
child coveys a critical message that reading is both important and enjoyable. It is essential to
plan reading times when there will be minimal distractions and interruptions. Your child can learn
that reading together at home is a priority. Reading with your child can open the door to a
lifelong interest in stories and books.
Book Fair
On behalf of Guardian Angels Catholic School thank you to everyone who supported the
Scholastic Book Fair. The money raised will be used to purchase new materials for our school
library. We extend a special thank you to the parent and student volunteers who helped make
this year’s event a success.
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GRADE
2
SACRAMENTAL
PREPERATION
UPDATE
The
Grade
2
students
have
been
very
busy
preparing
for
the
Sacrament
of
First
Communion
and
Reconciliation.
On
February
15th,
students
will
participate
in
their
First
Reconciliation
here
in
our
school
gym.
We
look
forward
to
celebrating
the
Sacrament
of
First
Communion
with
you
and
your
family
on
May
1st,
2011
at
3:00pm
at
Our
Lady
of
Fatima
Church.
GRADE
EIGHT
STUDENTS
CONFIRMED
IN
THEIR
FAITH:
The
Grade
Eight
students
are
working
diligently
preparing
to
receive
the
Sacrament
of
Confirmation.
Our
students
will
participate
in
their
Confirmation
Retreat
at
Mount
Alverno
On
April
15,
2011.
Confession
will
be
heard
for
all
participating
in
the
sacrament
on
May
25th,
2011.
Our
students
will
be
confirmed
at
St.
Leonard’s
Church
on
Monday
May
30th,
2011
at
7:00PM.
Cookie Sales
We
are
happy
to
report
a
donation
of
$500
to
Sharelife
from
our
Terra
Cotta
Cookie
Sales.
We
will
continue
to
sell
cookies
during
the
recess
breaks
each
day
in
the
office.
Thank
you
for
your
continued
support.
HEALTHY
SCHOOL
UPDATE:
Good food, daily physical activity and a healthy environment that supports learning and
growth are vital to helping students reach their full potential. The government continues to
work in partnership with students, teachers, principals, parents and others to help Ontario's
students do their best in school. Together, we are working towards challenging ourselves to
make our schools a healthier place for students to learn and grow.
Research indicates that parents have the primary responsibility for shaping their child/ren's
attitudes and behaviours about physical activity and healthy living. You can model and
encourage healthy behaviours at home by being role models and leading an active and
healthy lifestyle.
Tips for parents:
•
•
•
Talk about healthy schools activities with your child/ren
Support and be actively involved with the healthy schools activities at your child/ren's
school
Participate in healthy activities at home as a family.
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In our continued quest to be a healthy school and meet our goal of teaching our students
how to live a healthy lifestyle, we appreciate your continued parental support as we move
forward to model healthy eating at Guardian Angels. In light of that, we firmly believe that
we have to work together to instill responsibility decision making when it comes to our daily
diet. As such, we are asking parents to pack only healthy, nutritious snacks and lunches
for their child/ren. Kindly avoid dropping off fast food at the school – instead, please take
the time to pack healthy lunches or take your child out for lunch as a treat on those special
occasions.
SPORTS at Guardian Angels…
Grade 6,7,8 Intramural Floor Hockey
T. Waters
Students in grades 6, 7, 8 will have the opportunity to play intramural floor hockey in the
school gymnasium during the lunch hours. Permission forms are going home this week. If
you would like your child to participate, please return forms asap.
Guardian Angels Hockey Team
T. Waters
We have entered a grade 6, 7, 8 hockey team into a tournament at Cassie Campbell on
March 3rd and 4th. Players must be presently involved in organized ice hockey and have all
the necessary protective equipment to play. Mr. Waters and Mr. Bell are the coaches.
GAME ON!
Intermediate Basketball Teams
We wish both the boys and girls teams all the best as they prepare for the upcoming
Brampton West Family Tournaments. Thank you to Mr. Labuda, Ms. Wajzer and Mrs.
Stoker for coaching. Parents please come out and cheer on our teams.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Intermediate Girls Basketball Team for winning the Notre
Dame High School invitational basketball tournament! The girls won their pool with a
perfect 3 and 0 record and went off to the semi-finals to play St. Anthony’s. A hard fought
win against St. Anthony’s earned the girls a spot in the finals against a very competitive St.
Jean Brebuef squad. The girls showed their competitiveness and heart defeating St. Jean
Brebuef to win the tournament. Tournament MVP honours went to Modupe and the
referee nominated MVP was Audrey. The team played through injuries and truly showed
their Guardian Angels pride. Congratulations girls! Team players: Modupe, Kayla P.C.,
Kayla S., Audrey, Samantha, Whittney, Isabella, Daniela, Tia, Michelle and Alexis.
G rade 3 & 6 EQAO
Assessm ents
Grade 3 and 6 students will work on EQAO
Assessments in reading, writing and
Mathematics from May 30 – June 10th,
2011.
When scheduling appointments, please
keep these dates in mind.
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Ash Wednesday
March 9th, 2011
Feb 10
St. Roch Parent Information Evening
Feb 14
Valentine’s Day
Feb 15
Grade 2 Reconciliation
Feb 15
Intermediate Boys Basketball Tournament
Feb 17
Peel Health Survey
Feb 17
See Hear Screening
Feb 18
Harmony Assembly
Feb 18
Intermediate Girls Basketball Tournament
Feb 21
Family Day – No School
Feb 25
GA Public Speaking Finals
Feb 28
Black History Through Music, Dance and Drama
March 3
Intermediate Hockey Tournament at CC
March 7
Mrs. MacDonald’s Class Trip to Silvercreek
March 9
Ash Wednesday
March 10
Mr. Merino’s Class Trip to Silvercreek
March 11
Lenten Mass 9:15 a.m.
March 14
March Break
March 24
Grade 8 Graduation Photographs
March Break 2011
Monday, March 14th - March 18th, 2011
Parent Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 5th 2011
7:00 p.m.
School Library
Guardian Angels Parish Presents:
2011 St. Valentine’s Day Gala
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
February 12th, 2011
Cocktails 6:30 p.m.
Dinner 7:30 p.m.
$65 per ticket - Cash Bar
$35. 00 for Children 3 - 12
Tickets sold at all Parish Masses
Contact Alba Stewart 647 524 4647
All proceeds go to GAP Building
Fund
Important Immunization Message from Peel Public Health
Peel Public Health will be reviewing immunization records of all students at our school from
February 1, 2011.
Peel Public Health must have proof that your child has been fully vaccinated (immunized)
according to the Ontario immunization schedule.
If you receive a letter, please ensure that your child has received the required vaccine(s), then give
the date(s) your child received these vaccine dose(s) to Peel Public Health immediately to update
your child’s record.
For more information, please call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700, or visit
www.ImmunizePeel.ca. Translation services are available.
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