121 Royal Orchard Drive Brampton, Ontario L6X 4K9
(905) 454 - 4458
FAX (905) 454 – 0360
CHILDREN ARE OUR FOCUS. THEIR GOOD IS AT THE CENTRE OF ALL THAT WE DO
Principal
Vice Principal
Superint endent
Trust ee
S. Mifsud
S. Steer
L. Zanella
Head Secret ary
Parish
Past or
Associat e Past or
PAREN T N EWSLETTER
N . Eisan
St. Anne Church
Fr. J. Cherickal
Fr. P. Magyar
FEBRUARY 2014
Virtue of the Month: Respect
We all deserve to be treated respectfully by others. However, in order to be
respected we also have to respect ourselves. Everyone has a right to go to
school/work free of gossip, name-calling, and put-downs. We should expect to
be treated with respect by everyone we meet – our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Prayer for Respect
All mighty God, giver of all that is good.
We thank you for the precious gift of human life.
Guide us to respect all life.
Like St. Francis, help us to see the beauty and goodness in all living things
Help us to imitate your respect for life
For the life of children, making us glad with their enthusiasm
For the life of young people, hoping for a better world
For the life of the sick and disabled, teaching us humility
For the life of the elderly, witnessing patience and wisdom.
We thank you Lord.
Like Blessed Mary, may we always say yes to your gift of life.
May we have respect for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Black History Month
February is Black History Month. Dufferin Peel Schools have a long history of celebrating Black History Month
with special events and activities held throughout the month of February. Throughout the month, St. Maria
Goretti School will have displays of famous Black Canadians, announcements highlighting Black History and
students will be engaged in various activities in their classrooms.
Important Immunization Message From Peel Public Health
Peel Public Health will be reviewing immunization records of all students at our school from
February 1, 2013.
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.
Professional Activity Days and Reporting to Parents Update
Reports will be sent home on Tuesday, February 4th with interviews taking place on the evening of Thursday,
February 6th. If you have a scheduled interview with your child’s teacher and are unable to make the interview, please
contact the school.
Staying In For Recess
Throughout the school year, with cold temperatures, and so many students recovering from, or away from school
because of colds, flu, etc., we receive numerous requests for children to remain indoors during the nutrition breaks.
Please note that we cannot comply, as we have neither the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students. If your
child is too ill to go outside for the nutrition breaks, then he/she is too ill to be at school. On extremely cold days, we
limit the amount of time that students spend outside. We use the weather information provided by Environment
Canada and adhere to School Board Weather Guidelines.
Dressing For Winter Weather
Winter is here! Please encourage your child to dress appropriately for the cold weather. Outdoor play is a healthy
and invigorating activity when students are wearing suitable clothing and warm mittens. Please write your child’s
name on boots, mitts, hats, jackets and snow pants. Children must change into their indoor shoes for warmth,
comfort and cleanliness in their classrooms. Please keep an extra pair of mittens, socks and even track pants in your
child’s school bag in case they need a dry change of clothes.
Ash Wednesday March 5th
Please join us on March 5th at 1:30 p.m. as we mark the Season of Lent by observing Ash Wednesday through a Liturgy. This will
mark the beginning of a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Ashes will be distributed during the liturgy. Parents are
welcome.
School Lenten Mass April 2nd
Our School Lenten Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. In the school Gym. Parents are welcome.
Drop Off And Pick Up
We understand that the weather is colder this time of year, however we must still keep to the drop off and
pick up routine to ensure the safety of our students. Do not Park at the front of the school as it is a fire route
and bus lane. A number of our parents have been ticketed by Brampton Parking Control. The school bus has
had difficulty pulling up to the front as well. Please park your vehicle and walk your child to the door. Safety
must be first!
Catholic School Council
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, February 5th @ 3:10 p.m.
All are welcome.
Lates
Our day begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Students who arrive late for class often miss
vital instructional time, interrupt classroom routines and disrupt the learning of
others. Attendance and punctuality are essential components of the elementary school
program. The Education Act dictates that “ a pupil shall attend classes punctually
and regularly.” The Ministry of Education indicates that poor attendance and
frequent lates are often one indication that a pupil is a ‘Student at Risk’ for successful
completion of a Secondary School diploma.
Throwing Snowballs
Playing in the snow can be a lot of fun; however the school has a rule forbidding the throwing of
snowballs and the kicking of snow onto others. Students are constantly reminded of the dangers
of throwing/kicking snow and ice chunks. Students are reminded that this rule is in place to
prevent the injuries of others. We encourage students to constructively use the snow to build
snowmen or sculptures. Students getting caught throwing snowballs or ice chunks will receive
consequences. Please review these rules with your children. Thank you for helping us make the
playground a safe place.
BUS CANCELLATIONS/SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO BAD WEATHER
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,
CFTR 680
CFNY 102.1,
EZ ROCK 97.3
CJCL 590,
CHFI 98.1,
CFRB 101
CHIN 100.7
FM/1540 AM,
CJBC,
Z103.5,
93.1 FM,
CITYPULSE,
GLOBAL NEWS,
CBC
You will hear one of four standard messages:
1. “DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES SERVING ST. ANDREW,
ST. BENEDICT AND ST. PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND R.F. HALL SECONDARY
SCHOOL ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.” This message does not affect St. Maria Goretti
School.
2. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND THE PEEL
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON AND THE COUNTY OF
DUFFERIN ARE CANCELLED”. This message does not affect St. Maria Goretti School
3. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSES ARE CANCELLED.” ALL Transportation services provided by the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board have been cancelled for the entire day.
4. “THE SCHOOLS AND OFFICES OF BOTH THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ARE CLOSED.” ALL schools are
closed to students and staff.
Primary and Junior Word Study
FEBRUARY
Did You Know?
Of all the languages in the world, English has the largest vocabulary: about 800,000 words!
School/Community Connection:
Primary:
Valentine’s Day- Use index cards to write 8 to 10 words about love and friendship. Make two cards for each
word. Scramble them and lay them on a flat surface face down. Take turns flipping one card over and trying to
find the match.
Family Day- Grow a family: Cut out a tree trunk from any scrap paper. Cut out some leaf shapes. Label each
with a family word- brother, sister, mom, etc. Repeat the activity with different themed words.
Junior:
Tired Word Triangles
Some words in the English language are over used e.g., nice, said, walked, sad. With your child draw a triangle
and place the over used word in the middle. Have your child think of 3 synonyms (words that mean the same),
around the triangle. Use a thesaurus to add to your triangle.
MARCH
Did You Know?
A palindrome is a word, phrase, number or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either
direction. According to the Guinness Book of World Records the Finnish word: saippuakivikauppias, a soap
seller, is the longest known palindrome in any language!
School/Community Connection:
Primary:
Play the magic square activity with your child. Fold a piece of 8.5 by 11 blank paper accordion style to make a
fan. Brainstorm family rhyming words (e.g., at, bat, cat; book, look, cook) and write one word on each section
of the fan. Work together, to create a poem using the rhyming words.
Junior:
Together with your child, investigate the origin of your town, city or street name. Research, using the internet,
or your local library.
SMG Goes Green!
The SMG Green Grizzly environmental club has been working hard planning and preparing for
several upcoming green events. This Thursday February 6th we will be celebrating National Sweater
Day at SMG. To conserve energy, our school’s temperature will be reduced by two degrees and we
are encouraging all students to wear their most outrageous sweater as their show of support. In the
afternoon we will be holding a sweater day fashion show, where students will be able to strut their
outrageous styles on stage.
In addition, on Friday February 21st the Green Grizzlies are very excited to be hosting the Earth
Rangers as they present their “Bring Back the Wild” program for the students in grades 1 through 6
at SMG. Additional details about our planned coin drive fundraising campaign in support of the
Earth Rangers will be coming soon.
The Green Grizzlies are looking forward to continuing our efforts to make SMG green with many
more eco-friendly activities and events planned before June – so stay tuned!
Important Dates to Remember
February 5:
Catholic School Council Meeting @ 3:10 pm.
February 6:
Interview evening – Reporting to Parents on Evaluation and Student Progress.
February 17:
Family Day - No School
February 19:
Grade 7 & 8 Immunization Clinic
February 27:
Virtues Assembly at 9:30 a.m., (parents welcome)
March 5:
Ash Wednesday Liturgy- 1:30pm (parents welcome)
March 6:
Family Movie Night (details to follow)
March 7:
P.A, Day- No Classes for students
March 10- 14:
March Break
March 28:
Senior Kindergarten and Grade 8 Grad photos
April 2:
School Lenten Mass @ 11:00 a.m. in gym,(parents welcome)
April 18:
Good Friday – No Classes
April 21:
Easter Monday – No Classes
April 23:
Welcome To Kindergarten Evening, hosted in our gym @ 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.