St. Maria Goretti Catholic Elementary School
121 Royal Orchard Drive Brampton, Ontario L6X 4K9
TEL (905) 454 - 4458
FAX (905) 454 – 0360
CHILDREN ARE OUR FOCUS. THEIR GOOD IS AT THE CENTRE OF ALL THAT WE DO
Principal
Superintendent
Trustee
Secretary
S. Mifsud
S. Steer
D. D’Souza
N. Eisan
Parish
Pastor
Associate Pastor
PARENT NEWSLETTER
St. Anne Church
Fr. J. Cherickal
Fr. F. Morrone
FEBRUARY 2016
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 Message Regarding Parking Lot
The six Family Day parking spaces located in the front of the Child Care Centre were opened.
These spaces are designated for Day Care families only.
Please note that these spaces will not be available throughout the Kiss and Ride
Program daily (8:15-8:30 a.m. and 3:00-3:15 p.m.). If you have any questions, please
feel free to contact the office.
Parents picking up students for lunch or dropping off lunches at the school are not
permitted to park in the bus lane at the front. It is not only a bus lane but also a fire lane.
Please remember to be respectful toward staff as they are working to keep your children safe.
Professional Activity Days and Reporting to Parents Update
Reports will be sent home on Tuesday, February 2nd with interviews taking place on the
evening of Thursday, February 4th and during the day of February 5th. 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 February 10th
Please join us on February 10th 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 Confessions February 19th
Father Francesco and three visiting priests will be conducting Reconciliation at the school for students in
grades 3 – 8 that have received the Sacrament of Baptism and First Communion.
School Lenten Mass March 9th
Our School Lenten Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. In the school Gym. Parents are welcome.
St. Maria Goretti School Council Sponsors
A Free Family Movie Night
Featuring: “The Good Dinosaur”
Thursday, February 11th - Maria Goretti Gymnasium
Details have been sent home with students
Catholic School Council
Next Meeting:
Monday, February 22nd @ 6:30 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. Please set a good example for your children by arriving
to school on time.
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.
SMG Goes Green!
The SMG Green Grizzly environmental club has been working hard planning and
preparing for several upcoming green events. This Thursday February 4th 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.
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 2:
Reports Go Home
February 4:
National Sweater Day: “Ugly Sweater” Fashion Show – 1:30 p.m.
February 4:
Interview evening – Reporting to Parents on Evaluation and Student Progress.
February 5:
P.A. Day - Reporting to Parents on Evaluation and Student Progress.
February 10:
Ash Wednesday Liturgy – 1:30 p.m. (parents welcome)
February 11:
St. Maria Goretti School Council hosts “Family Movie Night”
February 15:
Family Day - No School
February 19:
School Confessions for grades 3 - 8
February 24:
Dental Screening for grades JK, SK, 2, & 8
February 26:
Virtue Assembly 2:00 p.m. (parents welcome)
March 9:
Lenten Mass – 1:30 p.m. – in gym – (parents welcome)
March 14- 18:
March Break
March 25:
Good Friday – No School
March 28:
Easter Monday - No School
June 27:
Grade 8 Graduation