Sept. 2014 Edition
Principal
Mr. M. Cassar
Great Expectations For a New
School Year !!
Vice Principal
Mrs. M. Thompson
A virtue is a habit or established capability to perform
good actions according to a moral standard. In other
words, a virtue is a habit that shows people and God
that we are good people. This month we celebrate the
virtue of Faith. Let us pray for the grace and strength
to be people of faith, people who can that believe that
God’s plan for us includes the right to be safe at school
Head Secretary
Ms. S. McGee
Assistant Secretary
Mrs. M. Kelly
School Council Chair
Mrs. J. Estevao
GuardianAngelsCSC@Gmail.com
Superintendent
Mrs. S. Steer
Ward 6 Trustee
Mrs. L. Zanella
905-890-1211
Parish Team
Father Jan Gogolewski
Guardian Angels Parish
(905) 970 - 9175
We at Guardian Angels
School, dedicate ourselves to
creating and fostering a
spiritually
rich
learning
environment that empowers
the individual to take
responsibility for their
personal and interpersonal
growth and development.
.
We are a people of Faith
As we begin this new school year, we
gather once again as your community of
believers.
We thank you for the energy and spirit
that you renewed in us throughout the
summer months.
We thank you for the time to enjoy our
family and friends and to reflect on what
is most important in our lives.
Let this year be marked by a new
enthusiasm and positive outlook so that
with the inspiration of your Spirit, Lord,
we may continue to help all your
children.
We ask for your guidance as we look for
new ways of seeing, understanding and
communicating.
Make us worthy of your call as teachers
and parents so that we may reach out to
support and foster trust with each other
and look for the spark of the Spirit in
every child’s eye.
Help us to fulfill your wishes with every
honest intention and work of faith. Let
us be gentle with ourselves and each
other and bring laughter, joy and
achievement to all.
AMEN
September 12th is a P.A. Day.
No School for students.
There is a possibility that some classes may have to reorganize. Parents of affected students will be informed
as soon as possible. Reorganized classes take effect
Monday September 15, 2014.
OPEN HOUSE/BBQ
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd
Meet your child’s teacher
Tour the school
Have your child’s face painted
Visit the ice cream truck
Enjoy a tasty BBQ
Meet Trustee Linda Zanella and
Meet our parent community
Meet old friends… make new ones!!!
Order forms went home last week!
First School Council Meeting
Wednesday September 17 @ 6:30 PM - Held
in the library. Please join us! All are
welcome.
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All staff graciously offer to provide excellent co-curricular
activities in the school to provide students with a balanced
school day of learning, fun and exercise. Chess, sports and
Student Council are all examples of how our students excel!
SCHOOL HOURS
Grades 1 - 8
9:00 AM – MORNING BEGINS
10:28 AM – RECESS BREAK
12:00 PM – 12:20 PM – Kindergarten Lunch
12:06 PM – 12:46 PM – Grades 1-8 RECESS
12:46 PM – 1:06 PM – Grades 1-8 LUNCH
1:06 PM – AFTERNOON BEGINS
2:29 PM– RECESS BREAK
3:30 PM – SCHOOL ENDS
Please note that supervision in the playground begins at 8:45
AM. Please do not leave your children unattended in the
school grounds before the staff supervision begins.
PRINCIPALS’ MESSAGE
Hello Guardian Angels! We are so
excited and honoured to once again
join this school community for what
will be, a fantastic year. We are so
impressed by the welcoming and
friendly nature of all staff, parents and
students.
Our vision will continue to focus on student achievement and
the development of our Catholic Virtues in action. As a Catholic
School, it is imperative now, more than ever, that we
demonstrate by our actions what it means to be Catholic.
Our students will act as our Faith Ambassadors to continue to
highlight virtues in action. Our motto “To Light, To Guard, To
Rule and Guide” highlights our responsibility that we firmly
establish ourselves as followers of Christ and that we are asked
to be servant leaders. This initiative gives the opportunity for
students to experience the joy and personal pride of doing acts
of kindness without financial reward. In the words of Mother
Teresa, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small
things with great love.”
Last year, we focused on mathematics and our results were
impressive! This year, we will continue to focus on
mathematics and re-energize our efforts on reading
comprehension. We will continue our major focus on the
Three Part Math Lesson, which will be the priority in all classes,
from grades 1 to 8. Complimenting that will be a continued
focus on Guided instruction in Literacy. All classes, grades K to
8, will focus on Guided Reading and Guided Writing.
Our Eco-School and Healthy School initiatives this year will be
in full force as we continue to promote stewardship of the
earth and our health.
We are thrilled to announce new members to our staff. We
welcome:
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Carolyn Risavy, Full Day Kindergarten
Julia Entezza, Grade 7
Sefania Calautti, Grades 4/5
Nancy Rogers, French
Sabrina Commisso, Primary Science
Amanda Dove-Collins, Educational Resource Worker
Pauline Gagnon, Child Youth Worker
Parent Handbooks will be distributed this month to all families.
It outlines all of the expectations and procedures related to
school discipline and management. Please review it with your
child(ren).
Of course, we challenge each parent to become more involved
in their child’s education by working with the staff, attending
Council meetings and attending parent engagement events at
the school. The payoff for you, your child and the school is
immeasurable! As always, if we can be of any service to you,
please contact us at your convenience. Have a wonderful year!
Mr. Mark Cassar, Principal
Mrs. Michelle Thompson, Vice Principal
FROM OUR NEW VICE PRINCIPAL
Dear Guardian Angels Community,
I am so blessed to be part of such a great team. You have all
been so welcoming and I thank you for your kindness.
It is clear to see that Guardian Angels is a great place to learn,
to teach, and to grow in faith. I am excited to co-lead with Mr.
Cassar and our wonderful staff of educators at this great
school. Let’s have an awesome year!
Mrs. Thompson
SCHOOL COUNCIL
GuardianAngelsCSC@gmail.com
Welcome back and warm wishes
to new families joining us for the
first time! With a fresh start come
new opportunities. What can we do this year to help support
our children’s learning and spiritual environment at school and
at home? What can we do to help staff help our children?
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From helping with homework, to participating in Council or
school events and trips, many opportunities allow us as
parents, guardians, and grandparents to be involved. Studies
show that student achievement improves when parents play
an active role in their children's education, and that good
schools become even better schools when parents are
involved.
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/involvement/index.
html).
Remember, if you would like to volunteer in the school or on a
class trip, a valid Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is
MANDATORY and the original must be presented to the
school. In order to get your VSC, drop by the school's Main
Office and pick up a signed form to complete. The VSC is FREE
with this form.
Regulation surrounding VSCs have been revised - you DO NOT
require a new VSC for the 2014/2015 School Year if:
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You had a VSC completed in 2014 (it is still valid for the
remainder of the calendar year) - please check that the
school has a copy on hand. If you plan to volunteer in
2015, you will have to sign a declaration.
A key aspect of the Boa
rd’s strategic direction i
s the continued develo
pment of safe, caring, i
nclusive Catholic school
community. As a Cathol
ic Community, we are c
alled to learn, grow and
become more like Jesus
. Catholic education pro
vides us the opportuni
ty to integrate the virtu
es into our students’ da
ily activity. The virtues
will be covered every m
onth during morning
announcements,
in
class during discussions
, and at our school
Living Our Faith Award
assemblies.
Our first Living Our
Faith Awards will take
place on:
You had a VSC completed last year and was an active
volunteer with the school this year - please see Ms
McGee to sign a declaration

Monday, October 27th - Grades K-4 @ 9:30 AM

Tuesday, October 28th - Grades 5-8 @ 9:30 AM
You have a current Police Check (within the last 6
months) - submit a copy to the office
Jesus spent a major part of his time on earth showing us abou
t the preferential option for the poor and weak. He spent an e
xtraordinary amount of time showing how to follow God’s rul
es, the rules of the kingdom. We must learn to follow His exa
mple.
You do not require a VSC to attend school liturgies, masses,
Council Meetings, or assemblies at the school.
In addition to school trips, if you have spare time and would
like to help out:
1.
2.
In the school - leave your contact information at the
office for Ms. Valentini
In the office - leave your contact information with Ms.
McGee or Ms. Kelly
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September: Faith
November: Conscience
January: Self-control
March: Kindness
May: Acceptance
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October: Empathy
December: Hope
February: Respect
April: Love
June: Fairness
September’s focus is FAITH. Faith is a virtue of believing in
God and trusting that God is with us.
Let’s make this a great year!
Jen Estevao -Chairperson
LIVING OUR FAITH & CATHOLIC VIRTUES
SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
We will be kicking off our fall
fundraising on September 18th It will
run for four weeks. We will be offering
chocolate bars provided by World’s
Finest Chocolate. Chocolates
These fundraising events generate funds that support
initiatives within the school.
Monies raised through
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fundraising helped provide new
gym
equipment,
math
resources for the classroom,
guest artists and subsidized the
costs of trips. Please show your
support by selling a box of
chocolates. We have fabulous
prizes this year including an
Apple IPad!
We have placed a renewed effort to bring curriculum up to
speed and focus on student achievement. Our goal in this
regard is to bring Guardian Angels’ EQAO scores up and to
promote students as learners in a global community. We have
fundraised to support technology in the classrooms and to
support extracurricular activities.
Look at the mind maps in the last few pages of this newsletter
for a summary of what we have accomplished as a Catholic
Community. We will move to stage two of our fundraising drive
with our chocolate sales drive.
Please support the chocolate fundraising campaign so that we
can continue to move Guardian Angels into the 21st Century.
See the last three pages of this newsletter for a review of what
fundraising helps support.
SCHOOL LITURGY
Our School Opening Mass will be on Friday, October 17, 2014
@ 9:30 AM. Father Jan Gogolewski will lead students and staff
in our first liturgical celebration of the school year. Mrs.
Petrusa and Mrs. Stoker will prepare the celebration. Mrs.
Lyons and Ms. Schmalz will be organizing the choir and music.
Parents are welcome to join us.
EXCURSIONS AND FIELD TRIPS
Educational trips that extend learning opportunities are
encouraged. Teachers must follow appropriate Board
procedures and by law, the school must have on file
permission forms, which must be signed by parents. VERBAL
PERMISSION cannot be accepted.
BUSSING FOR 2014—2015
The board has a system to
determine eligibility using a GPS
software system. We request that
you
visit
the
website,
http://businfo.stopr.ca. Once on
the site, you will have to change
the school year to 2014- 2015 and
then enter your address, grade
level of your child and School Board, and it will inform you if
your child is eligible for bussing for 2014-2015. Your child may
be eligible for transportation to and from school if you live
beyond the following distances:
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JK /SK/Gr. 1
Grades 2 - 4
Grades 5 - 8
1.0 km
1.6 km
2.0 km
For eligible students, bus pick up and drop off times are
available using your OEN number (this is on your child’s report
card every year). Should you have any questions please do not
hesitate to contact the Transportation Department directly.
(1-800-668-1140 or 905-890-6000)
As per board policy, any courtesy seats will be granted mid
October 2014. During the month of September, only those
students who live in the bussing area are eligible to ride the
school bus. Parents are asked to write a letter to the
Principal/Vice Principal to request an empty seat. Letters will
be accepted until the end of September. After that date, you
will receive notice of any empty seats available. Preferences
will be given to students from Grades 1 – 4.
OUR PARISH TEAM
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Father Jan
Gogolewski and the Parish Team of Guardian Angels Parish to
our school. We truly appreciate all of their hard work and their
dedication to the entire Guardian Angels Community. We look
forward to their spiritual guidance with our staff and students!
OPEN HOUSE BBQ – MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT
The annual BBQ and “Meet the
Teacher” evening will occur
Tuesday, September 23rd. The BBQ
will be held from 5:00 PM to 6:30
PM. The staff will be introduced at
6:30 PM in the gym and teachers
will be available to meet you in their
classrooms from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Order forms for BBQ
food were sent home last week. Only preorders will be
accepted. No food will be sold that evening.
There will be clowns, face painting and balloons for the kids.
We will also have an ice cream truck offering slushies and ice
cream. We look forward to socializing with you and having fun
coming together as a Catholic School Community.
SCHOOL SECURITY PROTOCOL
We have taken proactive measures to
secure the safety of staff and students
by locking the front door. Visitors may
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gain entrance by pressing a buzzer mounted on the wall,
beside the door. The buzzer activates a 2-way speaker and
camera system. The Office will then be able to tell who is at
the door through a TV monitor and thus, regulate visitor access
to the school.
MASSES
Celebration
Date and Time
Location
New School Year/
Thanksgiving Mass
Friday, October 17
@ 9:15 AM
School
Remembrance Day
Liturgy
Monday, November 11
@ 9:15 AM
School
Advent Confessions
Wednesday, December 4
@ 9:15 AM
School
Advent Mass
Wednesday, December 18
@ 9:15 AM
School
Virtue Mass
Wednesday, February 5
@ 9:15 AM
School
Ash Wednesday
Liturgy
Wednesday, March 5
In Class
Lenten Mass
Thursday, April 3
@ 9:15 AM
School
Resurrection/Easter
Mass
Wednesday, April 23
@ 9:15 AM
School
Year End Mass/
Guardian Angels
Feast Day
Wednesday, June 18
@ 9:15 AM
School
Special Masses
Date and Time
Location
First Reconciliation
Grade 2 and Grade 8
Friday, May 15
@ 9:30AM
School
Confessions for
Grade 2 and 8
Students
First Communion
Thursday, December 11
@ 9:30 AM
School
Sunday, June 14
@ 3:00 PM
Our Lady of
Fatima Parish
Confirmation
Saturday, May 30
@ 5:00 PM
Our Lady of
Fatima Parish
GUARDIAN ANGELS WEBSITE
Every few days, Mrs. Gallant updates the
website with letters, information and other
pertinent items. Looking for a document or
information? Need to contact our School
Council Chair? …check out our website:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GANGL Thanks
to Mrs. Gallant for up keeping the website.
SAFE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Guardian Angels is a Catholic
community that respects and
promotes the uniqueness of all its
members. By following the teachings
of Jesus, we pledge to provide
everyone with a safe, caring and peaceful environment, which
ensures the respect and acceptance of all. Because of these
beliefs, bullying will not be tolerated. Your child deserves a
safe environment to work,
learn and play in. If you have
any concerns, please contact us. Thank you for supporting us
as we support your child.
STUDENT AGENDAS
Students in grades 1 to 8 will
be using student agendas to
organize their work and as a
tool to communicate with
parents.
Students
are
required to use their
agendas daily, and parents
should be checking the
agendas
nightly
for
homework,
upcoming
assignments and notes from
the teacher. The cost of the
agenda is $5.00 and are
available to students to purchase. Funds from the sale of
agendas will cover its cost with any residual funds going
towards supporting student activities in the school.
PIZZA DAYS
Pizza orders are for one month at a
time. Partial and late orders are not
accepted. Envelopes will come home
monthly for you to place your order
by the due date. Thanks to Ms. McGee and all the student
runners as well as all of our volunteers for supporting this.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers play an important role in
the life of our school community.
They help to enhance the learning
opportunities available to students
and make a difference in the academic life of our students. If
you can spare some time to read with students, help teachers
in the classroom (other than your own child’s) assist in the
literacy room, photocopy, count money for special events etc.,
we need you!
5
If you are interested in volunteering within the school, please
contact Mrs. Valentini, our volunteer coordinator. Please note
that anyone working or volunteering in our school must have
a Vulnerable Sector Check completed by the local police
service before volunteering can begin.
parents/guardians reinforce the School Bus Rules with their
child(ren). All Students Should:
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PICTURE DAY
Our Picture Day is on Tuesday, September 30.
All FDK to Grade 8 students will have their
pictures taken, along with a class picture.
Parents can order online or through a hardcopy package. Information packages will be
sent home soon.
VALUABLES
A reminder that AS PER BOARD POLICY, students are not
allowed to bring PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES like cell
phones, pagers, iPods, MP3 players, cameras, etc. to school.
These items, especially cell phones, will be confiscated and
parents will be required to pick them up from the office.
Please keep your child’s valuables at home. Staff cannot be
responsible for any valuables that your child brings to school.
Money, jewelry, Pokemon cards, electronics, toys, etc., should
be kept at home. “Wheelie shoes” and “Bay Blades” are not
allowed at school.
SCENT FREE POLICY
Children are discouraged from
wearing perfume and cologne to
school. Some of our students and
staff have asthma and allergies. The
smell of perfume can trigger allergic
reactions and breathing difficulties for them.
CHILD ILLNESSES
Please keep your child at home if he/she is
sick. We discourage children who have a
fever, are coughing, vomiting, or have a
runny nose, from coming to school. They
will recover from their illness much quicker
if they are resting at home.
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Be at the bus stop 5 minutes
prior to their stop time.
Never play close to the road.
Be ready to board the bus by
waiting in an orderly line.
Board the bus in single file,
use the handrail and sit down
in their seat as quickly as possible.
Listen to the bus driver.
Always remain seated while the bus is moving.
Do not throw anything out of the window.
Keep the aisles clear of objects (backpacks, lunches, etc.).
Do not shout or cause any other unnecessary noises.
Never put any part of your body out an open window.
Be sure to look all ways before crossing the road.
Do not damage the bus in any way.
Do not throw garbage on the floor.
Do not consume any food or drink on the bus.
Bus privileges will be revoked if need be. Thank you for your
support in ensuring that our students journey safely to and
from school.
ATTENDANCE
Please call to register an absence (905)
595-0909, press 1 for the attendance.
You can call 24hrs. An answering
machine is available to take
information. Please provide your
child’s name, grade and teacher’s
name. If an absence is not reported,
our policy is to call home to verify student absenteeism. A
parent or guardian must sign out students who leave early. A
reminder to parents and students that an expectation set out
from the beginning of the year clearly indicated that all
students must arrive to school on time.
Being consistently and continuously late interrupts the
classroom during lessons, creates delays in the office and sets
a poor example for those who do arrive on time. Please note
that issues with lates and absenteeism will be dealt with
strictly, and may involve the school’s Administration, Child
Youth Worker and Social Worker. Please help us teach your
children the value of promptness.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY RULES
DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The conduct of individual students on the bus directly affects
the safety of all the students on the bus. The driver’s attention
needs to be on the road. We are requesting that all
As a school, we have implemented the government mandated
20 minutes of daily physical activity. Ask your child’s teacher
about the program or visit the Ministry’s Website at:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/dpa_boards.pdf
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ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
We will be sending home REACT
forms for parents to fill out in the
event that your child has a medical
concern.
The
form
requires
information on the medical issue, and
a picture of the child. Parents are
responsible for ensuring that all
medication and forms are updated annually.
If your child requires medication, please have all pertinent
forms completed and returned with the medication to the
office as soon as possible.
A reminder that children are not allowed to keep ANY
medication on their persons, in their desk, backpack or
anywhere in their classroom, unless ordered by their doctor.
In such case, documentation is necessary. All dispensing and
storage of ANY medication must occur from the Office.
TEXTBOOKS
School textbooks are school property
and are loaned to the students
annually. The expectation is that
textbooks will be returned at the end
of the school year. Students are
responsible for these textbooks and
will be asked to pay if these books go
missing or have been vandalized. The
cost of an average textbook is about
$50.00 each. Please encourage your
child to take care of textbooks!
FREE DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
The Region of Peel Health Services is promoting Healthy Smiles
Ontario, a free dental program to students who meet the
program’s eligibility requirements. Healthy Smiles Ontario is a
new program for children 17 and under who do not have
access to any form of dental
coverage. If eligible, children
will be able to visit a licensed
dental provider such as a dentist
or dental hygienist for basic
dental services including fillings,
x-rays and scaling at no cost to
the family. Children are eligible if they:
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live in Peel
have a valid Ontario Health card
are under 18 years of age
are members of a household with an Adjusted
Family Net Income of $20,000 per year or less AND
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do not have access to any form of dental coverage
(including government funded programs like Ontario
Works)
Please contact Peel Public Health at (905) 799-7700 for more
information regarding Healthy Smiles Ontario Program and to
book an appointment for a free dental screening.
STUDENT INSURANCE
As required by the Education Act
and the Ministry of Education,
the
Dufferin-Peel
Catholic
District School Board annually
provides
parents
with
information about cost-effective
student accident insurance
coverage.
Although
enrolment
is
voluntary, the board and school
recommends parents take
advantage of this inexpensive
insurance coverage, especially if
your child participates in sports
or field trips, or if parents do not
have dental insurance coverage.
A Chipped tooth or broken glasses can happen unexpectedly.
Please complete the forms the school provides and mail it or
you can apply on line at www.insuremykids.com
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
On occasion, we are faced with difficult situations in where
non-custodial parents arrive at school asking to visit or remove
their child. We are best able to serve and protect students
when we are made aware of legal custody arrangements,
visitation rights and other special instructions. If legal custody
matters affect your family, please ensure that our office and
classroom teachers are aware of any custodial arrangements
that may affect your child during school hours.
HEAD INJURY POLICY
When a student receives an
injury/bump to the head (however
minor), it is a Board Policy that we
inform parents. A phone message
will be left at one of your contact
numbers. This is precautionary only and we ask that you check
your child when they get home for any signs of a concussion or
illness.
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STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
When a student has a birthday,
we give them a birthday card
and a WHAT WOULD JESUS DO
BRACELET.
Students with
birthdays have their names called during the morning
announcements as well.
DROPPING OFF LUNCHES
Lunches should be dropped off between 12:00 PM and 12:30
PM. Parents can simply place their child’s lunch in the
appropriate class basket. Class runner will deliver the lunches
to the classrooms. Parents will label the lunch with the student
and teacher’s name. Student helpers can earn volunteer hours
delivering the lunches.
Note that priority will be given to dealing with office and
student needs not answering the new front doorbell, so if you
choose to drop lunches and other materials off late, you will
need to exercise patience. Thank you in advance.
NUT ALLERGY AWARENESS POLICY
Please be reminded that no nut products
are allowed in school. We have a
number of staff and students who have
potentially
fatal
anaphylactic
sensitivities to nut products. Please do
not send peanuts, other nuts, Nutella or
any other nut products. Thank you.
HEALTHY SNACKS
Since we started a healthy snacks
campaign last year, we noticed a
reduction in the number of students
coming to school with soda pop and
“energy drinks” like Red Bull. Red Bull
is banned in several countries because
of its adverse health effects. One can
contains 80 mg of caffeine and 8 oz. of sugar and will increase
hyperactivity. One can of pop contains enough sugar to
negatively affect the pancreas and increase weight and
energy levels.
Guardian Angels is working hard to promote healthy eating.
These drinks defeat the purpose. Please provide water, juice,
or milk in your child’s snacks and lunches!
KISS AND RIDE DROP OFF AND PICK UP
PROCEDURES
It is important when you are
dropping off your child in the
morning that you enter the Kiss and
Ride lane and proceed to end of the
lane before allowing your child to
get out of the car. Students must
exit from the right hand side of the
car (closest to the school) and
parents should remain in the car.
Parents may then enter the “drive
thru” lane to exit the parking lot. At
the end of the day or at lunch, if you
are pulling into the Kiss and Ride
lane, please do NOT leave your car.
Drivers have received tickets from the Municipality for this. If
you need to come into the school, you must park on one of the
local side streets, or in the spots at the front of the school, do
NOT park in the side lot as moving traffic is dangerous to
children at this location. These rules are enforced and you
could be fined if not abiding by Brampton’s By-Laws.
If walking your child to school in the morning or picking them
up at the end of the day, parents are asked to remain either
behind the black fence by the parking lot, on the path closest
to the school, or on the perimeter of the school pavement.
This is for your child’s safety, as teachers on duty cannot
distinguish parents from “strangers” in the yard with such a
large school. NOTE: parents are responsible for arranging to
pick up their child on time at the end of the day. Students from
grade 2 to 8 are released at their exit door.
*** NEW AS OF MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH ***
Kindergarten and Gr 1 students ONLY are released from the
Kindergarten fenced yard. Those parents must pull up to the
Kiss and Ride curb and their child will come to them. A
teacher will be on duty to assist.
Only bus students exit at the end of the day through the front
doors. Students walking with siblings are asked to have a
meeting spot at the back of the school. Please meet your child
at the back or wait in the Kiss and Ride.
Thank you for your cooperation for student safety.
KISS AND RIDE:
ONCE IT SNOWS
Once it snows, several difficulties arise:
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Narrowing streets and fewer spots to park
Fewer parking spots for staff
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More cars and a busier Kiss and Ride
While it is easy to understand the frustration experienced by
drivers, the Bylaws remain the same. As we instituted changes
last year, Kiss and Ride enter and exit times averaged 15-20
minutes. It slowly improved over the winter to about 8
minutes; quite efficient.
who describe giving the
class a task and almost all
students disappearing out
of the room to solve it;
teachers are happy that
pupils take this initiative.

Enabling pupils to
have their own device
means that teachers
no longer need to be concerned about booking
computer lab but can integrate the tablet lab into
their own classroom.

Having variety in how pupils’ access and present
information was found to especially benefit those
pupils who had previously struggled with their
schoolwork. It gave them more choice and flexibility
in how they solve a task, as well as making it easier for
them to organize their work as the Tablet has
‘everything in one place’

There also appears to be a great advantage in tablet
use for special needs children. Teachers often note
how special needs pupils were able to improve their
level of communication and involvement in
schoolwork through using a tablet.
What can WE do to help make things better once
the snow starts?
1.
2.
Encourage your kids to walk when possible.
Encourage your kids to ride their bike, skateboards or
rollerblades to school.
3. Park on adjacent streets. Avoid Heatherdale if possible.
4. Consider not enter the Kiss and Ride…drop your kids off
by the sidewalk and they can walk the remaining few feet,
allowing you to drive away.
5. Car pool…fewer cars saves gas, is faster and helps the
environment.
6. If your address qualifies, have your children take the
school bus.
7. If you must drive, arrive at before 9 AM and avoid the
rush.
8. Do not get out of your car. That will just make things much
slower and frustrate the drivers behind you, and staff just
directing you to stay put.
9. Wait your turn to get to the Kiss and Ride curb and your
child will come to you.
10. Finally – be patient, please.
THANK YOU!
TECHNOLOGY & CURRICULUM
Read our newsletter!
Answer the question below and you can
help your child win a free pizza lunch,
courtesy of Mr. Cassar and Mrs. Thompson .
Our move to enhance classroom teaching and learning has
included an infusion of Smartboard and tablets. Here are some
findings of tablet uses in the classroom:
Benefits to Pupils


Tablets are used across all subject areas and in a variety of
creative ways by pupils: to make presentations or films,
take notes, do mind-maps, play math games or use a
calculator, record themselves ‘jamming’ in music, reading
e-books or PDFs or simply doing research on a topic or
looking something up immediately. The device has
become for many of the pupils an organic part of their
schoolwork.
Interactivity is key to pupil learning. Because of its
portable nature, it is possible for pupils to use the Tablet
outside the classroom, and it is often used to film, audio
record and take pictures. Pupils describe this as a valuable
break from the classroom. This is supported by teachers
Answer:___________________________
Child’s name:_______________________
Teacher:___________________________
Date: ______________________________
Please return to Ms. McGee ASAP.
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TENTATIVE UPCOMING DATES
“Those children who really struggle with writing…where one
sentence would be a whole hour’s work for them, they’re able
to access so much more.”
Source: http://www.tabletsforschools.org.uk/research/
BRING YOUR OWN DEVICES TO SCHOOL – SOON
21st century learning
broadens the walls of our
classrooms.
With
advances
in
communication
and
information technologies,
teachers, students and
parents are increasingly using a variety of electronic devices
for learning and communicating. Students are reminded that
all forms of communication while at school are to be respectful
and in accordance with the Catholic code of conduct.
While electronic devices can be powerful educational tools, we
will continue to expect that communication during school time
will not involve taking pictures, texting or phone calling. If you
need to speak to your child during school hours please do not
hesitate to call the school. Similarly, if your child needs to
speak to you at any time during the school day, the school will
make every effort to contact you.
Parents are welcome to join us for any of the events below. Please
contact the school ahead of time to confirm times and dates.
Wed., Sept 17
Thurs. Sept. 18
Tues. Sept. 23
Thurs. Sept. 25
Tues. Sept. 30
Wed. Oct. 1
Mon. Oct. 6
Mon. Oct 13
Wed, Oct. 15
Thurs. Oct 16
Fri. Oct. 17
Tues. Oct. 21
Mon, Oct. 27
Tues. Oct 28
Wed. Oct 29
Fri. Oct 31
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School Council Meeting @ 6:30 PM
Chocolate fundraiser starts
Grade 7 and 8 students @ Freedom Day
Open House BBQ @ 5 PM
Lock Down Drill
Picture Day
Intermediate Girls Soccer tournament
Intermediate Boys Soccer tournament
Brampton A’s Basketball Ball assembly
No school (Thanksgiving Weekend)
Cross Country meet
Caricature drawing for grades 2-6 students
School Mass (Thanksgiving, New School
Year, Guardian Angels Feast Day) @ 9:30 in
the gym
Fire Drill
Living Our Faith Awards @ 9:30 AM Grs K-4
Living Our Faith Awards @ 9:30 AM Grs 5-8
School Council @ 6:30 PM
Individual student picture retake day
Halloween Dance
Students will be allowed to bring devices to school, for the
purposes of aiding their learning however, it will be utilized at
the discretion of their teacher during appropriate times of the
day. We anticipate this coming into effect next year
sometime. We will let you know when we are given approval
to move forward with it.
TRAFFIC CALMING BUMPS
In an effort to help make our Kiss and Ride
safer, three traffic-calming speed bumps
were installed. One was placed at the
entrance of the driveway; one at the stop
sign and one in the bus drive through. The
lines directing traffic were repainted as
well to clearly define traffic flow.
The harsh winter made Kiss and Ride a challenge. While we
cannot do anything about the narrow streets, we can keep
traffic flowing if everyone follows the staffs’ direction and uses
Kiss and Ride as a drop off lane, and not a parking lane.
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FUNDRAISING MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE
Living Our
Faith Awards
DJs for
dances
French
Cafe,
Carnivale
and Me to
We.
FUNDRAISING HELPED SUPPORT MANY STUDENT
ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Smart
Boards and
Computers
Buses and
taxis for
teams and
clubs
Soccer &
baseball
teams
Birthday
Bracelets/
New
Student
Welcome
Hockey &
Volleyall
teams
Music/
Drama/Art
initiatives
Basketball
& Dance
teams
Fundraising
Subsidizes:
Craft Club,
Chess Club
and Track
& Field
Guest
Speakers &
Workshops
Play Day,
The Choir,
Black History
Events
Sports
Uniforms &
Tournament
Fees
21st Century
Classroom
Environment
The
Library:
Books &
Equipment
The
Sacraments
and
Graduation
Student
Council /
The
Guitar
Club
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