ST. DAVID OF WALES
September 2011
Principal
B. Gillis
Secretary
D. Gibson
Trustee
Peter Ferreira
(416) 805-7110
Peter Ferreira@dpcdsb.org
Superintendent
C. Saytar
905.890.1221
PARISH
St. Martin of Tours
1290 McBride Lane
Mississauga, ON
L5C 1M8
905.279-5742
SCHOOL HOURS
Grades 1-8
8:45 -11:45
12:45-3:15
Grades JK-SK
8:45-11:15 or
12:45-3:15
St. David of Wales
4200 Beacon Lane
Mississauga, ON
L5M 2N6
905.848-4200
A Blessing for the New School Year
Loving God, extend your blessing over our families
this new school year.
May our homes be filled with love, joy and hope.
Let trespasses be forgiven, wounds be healed and
conflict melt into harmony.
May our children grow in knowledge, understanding
and wisdom;
May they be strong in mind, body and spirit;
May they have the courage to follow your ways.
Dear God, may home, parish and school work
together to create a world where our children can
help build a civilization of love.
Amen.
Principal’s Message
Welcome back to a new school year! I hope that everyone had a wonderful summer. I look forward to the upcoming school year and working with dedicated staff and enthusiastic students and
parents. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all new families in our school community.
Thank you to the St. David of Wales staff for all your work in preparing to receive our students on
the first day of school. We regard ourselves as partners with parents in the education of your children. Your support and input by contacting your child’s teacher, volunteering in the school, or serving on our School Council is valued and necessary to ensure the success of our students. Your involvement has been shown by research to have a major impact on student learning and success. I
look forward to seeing you at our Open House on Thursday, September 22. As part of St. Martin of
Tours Parish we work closely with the Church community to live the gospel values and provide for
the faith development of your child. Together with you, we assist the parish in preparing students
for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation.
Together we will have a very enjoyable and successful school year!
B. Gillis, Principal
HOME AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Your participation in your child’s school life is fundamental to his or her educational success. Effective and on-going
communication between home and school takes a variety of forms and operates on a variety of levels. Please consider
the following avenues for becoming informed and knowledgeable about your child’s progress and education.
Parent –Teacher Conferences
Interviews are scheduled by the school for all parents at the end of the first term and these provide an opportunity to
dialogue about your child’s progress. It is important to realize that additional conferences may be held at any other time
as deemed necessary or appropriate by either the parent or the teacher. Please keep in mind that an appointment is necessary as the classroom teacher’s first priority during regular school hours is, of course, teaching the class.
Parent-Principal Conferences
The doors of St. David of Wales School are always open to interested and concerned parents. Calling ahead for an appointment although not necessary, is usually a good idea.
Student Planner
All students from the grade 1 to 8 have received an agenda. The agenda is a wonderful tool for time management, organizational skills and home-school communication. All children benefit from using this agenda on a daily basis.
Many thanks to our School Council for providing funds to pay for these agendas.
STAFFING
The beginning of each school year is always marked by
unexpected changes which require all of us to be understanding, accommodating and flexible. The September
school organization is based on projected enrolment
prepared by the Board’s Planning Department. Such
enrolment projections determine the number of teachers
assigned to the school and consequently the grade and
class configurations. In the event that student enrolment
falls below or above projections, an adjustment to the
number of teachers assigned to the school follows, which
in essence may affect the placement of your child.
Therefore, as we start the year, staffing is still tentative
and until actual numbers are realized and assessed,
reorganization of classes is a strong possibility.
NEW STAFF
A warm St. David of Wales welcome is extended to:
Ms. N. Da Rosa
Mrs. K. McCallum
Mrs. A. Greenshields
We look forward to the new experiences and talents that
they bring to our school.
The tentative school organization for September 2011 is as
follows:
Grade
Teacher
Room
JK/SKAM & PM
Mrs. K. McCallum
100
1
Ms. C. Sinclair
114
1/2
Ms. I. Cicak
112
2/3
Mrs. C. Comella
113
3/4
Ms. S. Smutnicki
209
4/5
Ms. K. Barry
207
5/6
Mr. B. Lagac
211
6/7
Ms. C. Abitrante
203
7/8
Mr. A. Howard
202
8
Ms. D. Vivilecchia
201
Sp.Nds. Moderate
Mrs.P. Danko
105
Sp. Nds. Severe
Mrs. P. Gallant
103
SERC/Librarian
Mrs. C. Zoffranieri
SERT/ELL
Mrs. M. Mete
SERT
Mrs. A. Greenshields
Planning Time
Mrs. S. Borges
Planning Time
Ms. N. Da Rosa
FSL
Mr. P. Ladouceur
ERW
Mrs. A. Camara
ERW
Ms. D. Da Silva
ERW
Ms. P. Galea
ERW
Mrs. S. Metlin
ERW
Mrs. N. Strazzeri
ERW
Mrs. N. Wassef
Secretary
Mrs. D. Gibson
Custodian
Mr. B. Diolanda
Custodian
Mr. J. DiFilippo
(Evenings)
Custodian
Mr. F. Pascali
(Evenings)
Principal
Mrs. B. Gillis
Medication
We cannot dispense medication of any kind without written authorization by the parent or guardian or physician.
Medication must be stored in a properly labeled container and will be kept in the office. Forms must be
completed prior to the administration of any medication by school personnel. Also, if your child has a medical condition, or a life threatening allergy etc. Please contact the office as soon as possible if your have not previously
done so.
STUDENT ACCIDENT 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 via student courier. Although
enrolment is voluntary, the board encourages parents to take advantage of the inexpensive insurance coverage, especially if their child/children participate in sports,
excursions/field trips, or, if parents do not have dental insurance coverage.
Enrolment is required in writing – there are two options for enrolment:
1. Complete the traditional form and mail it in
2. Photocopy the form and fax it to Reliable Life at 1-905-522-7211 or 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).
Parents alone have the right to insure their children.
Important Items
St. David of Wales
promotes
responsibility,
respect, civility
and academic
excellence in a
safe learning and
teaching
environment.
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, Sept. 16—P.A. Day
Thursday Sept. 22—Open House/
Pizza Night (more info to follow)
Tuesday, Sept. 27 - Picture Day
Thursday, Oct. 6—
10:00 a.m. Beginning of year Mass
@ St. Martin of Tours
October 13—Hep B Gr. 7 & Gr. 8
Vaccine (girls only)
LUNCH TIME AND END OF
DAY
DISMISSAL
Walkers will be dismissed through
the doors that they use to enter the
school in the morning. Those students who are being picked up by
car will be dismissed through the
doors that they use to enter the
school in the morning and then walk
to the front of the school to use the
Kiss N’ Ride.
LUNCH POLICY
Students who stay at school for
lunch are not permitted to leave
the school property. If ever there
is a need to do so, a written request
signed and dated, from a parent is
required for each occurrence.
Approval for students to go to
neighborhood plazas at lunchtime
will not be given unless the student
is accompanied by a parent or other
adult. Do take the time to inform
your child’s teacher of the lunch
routine that your child is to follow.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
All visitors, including parents and
former students must check in at the
main office before proceeding to any
other area of the school. If you bring
a lunch or school item to the school,
we request that you leave it at the
school office with your child’s name
on it. If you are picking up your child
at school, we ask that you report to
the office if the pick up is during the
school day. If it is a regular dismissal, please wait outside the appropriate exit doors of the building to
avoid disruption of classroom routines. Cooperation in following
these routines helps ensure our students’ safety.
CELL PHONES, PERSONAL
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
It is the policy of the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board to
provide a safe and productive workplace and learning environment by
regulating the use of Personal Electronic Devices (PED) on school
premises. The policy for use of
Personal Electronic Devices on
school premises shall be in accordance with the Education Act and
the Safe Schools Act 2000. It is the
policy of the Board that PED’s be
kept out of sight, turned off and not
used on school premises or during
school-sanctioned events. The
school Principal, in conjunction with
the support of his/her school staff, is
responsible to ensure the
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
implementation and management of
DAY
Friday, September 16, 2011 has
this policy at school level.
been designated as a Professional
In consideration for the privacy of
Activity Day for School Reorganiza- others, cameras and other electronic
tion and Faith Development.
recording devices are not to be used
on school premises without prior
There will be no school for students office approval. If you need to contact your child during the school day
on this day.
please do so by contacting the office
and we will make sure the message
is passed along.
TRAFFIC SAFETY/KISS N’ RIDE
The Kiss n’ Ride program which has been
utilized yearly here at St. David of Wales
will continue again this year. It has been
established in order to provide the convenience and
safety for our students and parents driving to our
school. Please take a moment to review the following procedures to ensure safety for all students and
parents using the Kiss N’ Ride.
Please follow these procedures when driving into the
school parking lot:
1. The entry, exit and bus zone, on school
property, must never be blocked by cars.
2. Please drop your children off at the front of the
school when you stop at Kiss N’ Ride Cone. DO
NOT leave your vehicle yourself, and for safety
reasons, have the children exit the car from the
school /passenger side of the vehicle only.
3.DO NOT drop your child(ren) off in the bus loading zone or in the bus lane.
4.Dropping off students should NOT occur in the
outer Drive-Thru Lane. Cars are regularly using this
lane
5. All grade 1-8 students being driven to school
may be dropped off at the front of the school and
then they can walk along the sidewalk by the driveway to the school yard.
Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns to
Mrs. Gillis.
PICK-UP AND DROP OFF POLICY
Student safety is of utmost importance. Therefore, we ask
that parents wait outside of the designated exit for their
children. Teachers will escort students to and from their
appropriate doors. We also ask parents and visitors to refrain from entering the schoolyard, as there are teachers
supervising the students fifteen minutes prior to the beginning of the school day and during all recesses. Parents
who need to pick their children uop early from school for
an appointment are asked to report to the office and sign
their child out. These procedures help to ensure the
safety of all the students.
STUDENT SAFETY
Students can not be dropped off at school before 8:30
a.m. At this time Staff will be outside to supervise.
EMPTY SEAT POLICY
Bussing for St. David of Wales will be provided in
accordance to the guidelines set forth by the Dufferin
-Peel Catholic District School Board. In keeping
with the Board’s policy. Younger students will be
given priority. Parents are asked to apply in writing
and indicate the reason for the request and the bus
stop, which will be used. Please direct the letter to
Mrs. Gillis. A letter granting permission will be sent
home in October with your son/daughter if he/she
receives permission to ride the bus, along with safety
rules that need to be adhered to.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY
It is important for students to be at school on time
and ready to work. When students are late they
miss important information and routines. We realize that throughout the year there will be times
when a child is sick and will have to miss school.
In the event that your child is late or absent, please
call the school at (905) 848-4200 press ―1‖ for the
attendance line and leave a message. When leaving a message, please state your child’s name,
teacher’s name, grade and the reason for absence
or lateness. Students who arrive late to school
must proceed to the office to get a late slip.
DIVISION ASSEMBLIES
Every child has a right to come to school and feel
safe. Students need to be made aware of, and to have
a clear understanding of our school rules and expectations so that they treat each other, along with staff
and visitors to our school with respect. To assist
students with this and to help them have a positive
school year they will be coming together as a division; Primary, grades JK-3, Junior, grades 4-6 and
Intermediate, grades 7, 8 during the first week of
school where these expectations will be discussed.
PHONE SYSTEM
You have 3 options when calling the school (905)
848-4200
Press # 1
If you are calling to
report your
child’s absence or if
your child
will be arriving late
Press #
to leave a message for a specific
teacher
Press #0
to reach the main office
St. DAVID OF WALES
September 2011
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
In an effort to be environmentally conscientious, St. David of Wales School does not send
home a hard copy of the school newsletter or school council newsletter. Beginning in October school newsletters will be posted on the St. David of Wales website:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/DOW
If you do not have access to the internet or computer, please complete the bottom portion if
you would like a hard copy of the school newsletter/school council newsletter sent home.
We will continue to send home reminders of special occasions.
Newsletters will be posted on our school website at the beginning of each month.
——————————————————————————————————

I prefer to have a hard copy of the monthly newsletter sent home.
Student Name:
___________________________
Teacher Name:
____________________________
body systems.
We, at St. David of Wales, would appreciate the co―As your Trustee, it gives me much pleasure to welcome
operation of the entire school community by NOT sendback all students, staff and parents to another year at St.
ing any lunches or snacks that contain nuts or nut
David of Wales School. A special welcome to those who are products, which could potentially harm a pupil. Please
new to our school community, may it be all that you expect make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are
from a Catholic school. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic School aware of the food restrictions. Please avoid sending
Board is a vibrant part of this community and of our parfood for birthday or special occasions. There are
ishes, and the preferred choice for parents and supporters of many alternatives such as stickers and pencils.
Catholic education in our region.
If you have any questions please talk to your child’s
teacher or the school staff.
We continue to be a Board that our community can be proud
of, as our successes mount and our leadership in provincial
We look forward to your co-operation in making this a
initiatives continues to be well-recognized and emulated.
safe year for all our pupils.
Each of us contributes to the betterment of our system and
consequently, to the improvement and quality of experience OPEN HOUSE / PIZZA NIGHT
for our students‖.
Peter Ferreira
This year our Open House/Pizza Night will be held on
Thursday, September 22. This will give you an opportunity to meet and greet your child's teacher as well
ST. DAVID OF WALES WEBSITE
as look around our beautiful school. Food will be availSt. David of Wales has a website that is accessible to the
able between 5:00-6:30 p.m. Teachers will be involved
parent community and public. This website is an on-going
in Curriculum presentations from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in
project which will be maintained and updated throughout the their classrooms.
year. Our website is aimed at providing pertinent board and
school information such as school events, general informaBOOK FAIR Open House
tion, newsletters, school council and parish information. It is
our way of connecting to our community. You can view our St. David of Wales Open House Book Fair will be held
website through the following process: www.dpcdsb.org.
on Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
Click on: Elementary Schools (locate our school name)
Click the ―go‖ button.
Students will be able to purchase books at specified
times during the school day on Tuesday, September
The school newsletter will be posted under the ―newsletter‖ 21. The Book Fair will also open for book buying on
heading on a monthly basis.
Tuesday, September 21, at 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Books
will also be available for sale the evening of our Open
House. More information to follow.
VISITORS TO ST. DAVID OF WALES
MESSAGE FROM OUR TRUSTEE
Parents and visitors are welcome and are required to report
VOLUNTEERS
to the front office and sign a Visitor’s Log. You will be
asked to wear a visitor’s badge prior to accessing other areas Volunteers help make the difference in our school comof the school. If you wish to speak to a teacher please armunity.
range for an appointment.
The All Star Reading Program is a program for priANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
mary students who need some extra help to develop
good reading skills. No prior experience is needed and
As we begin a new school year we would like to inform training will be provided. Each week the focus is on a
you that St. David of Wales is an allergen aware specific skill, which you and the classroom teacher will
school. There are pupils in attendance who suffer from be reinforcing with your student. If you can give 30 minsevere and life threatening allergies to certain foods, utes to a student three times a week, at any time dursuch as peanut and nut products. Exposure to the ing the school day convenient for both you and the
smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening classroom teacher, we would love to have you join us!
reactions.
Please see Mrs. Mete in the front foyer at our Open
House for more information or to place your name on
Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic our list of 2011/2012 volunteer Reading Coaches.
reaction. The most common allergen triggers are food, All volunteers new to the school must have a
insect stings, medications, exercise and latex. An ana- Criminal Reference Check. You may pick up an apphylactic reaction involves symptoms from two or more plication at the office.
SCHOOL COUNCIL INFORMATION
Please consider serving on the School Council for the 2011/12 school year. Self-nomination forms will be available for pick up at the school office from September 12—19 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Deadline for submitting nomination forms :
Tuesday, September 20 at 4:00 p.m.
Election (if required)
Thursday, September 22 @ 7:00 p.m.
In the school Library
Publication of new Council members’ names:
Wednesday, September 21 (if all nominees
Acclaimed); or Friday, September 23 (if election is required)
COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 27 @ 6:30 p,.m.
(In the School Library) All parents are welcome.