ST. DAVID OF WALES SCHOOL
4200 Beacon Lane, Mississauga, Ontario L5C 3V9 TEL. 848-4200
B. Gillis
D. Gibson
Principal
Secretary
C. Saytar
L. del Rosario
St. Martin of Tours
1290 McBride Lane
Fr. Joyson Pottackal
Superintendent
Trustee
Parish
(905) 279-5742
Pastor
SEPTEMBER 2010
VIRTUE OF FAITH
Gracious and merciful God of all creation,
You have loved us since before we were born.
From our mothers’ wombs to our eternal place in heaven
you have given us the gifts to live and grow in safety.
We come to you now asking for the grace and strength
To follow your plan and to form a safe, caring, inclusive community
Here at St. David of Wales.
May our faith in you and your plan lead us to know and feel your presence among
us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, who lived to show us your way.
Amen
A Faithful Person…
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Prays regularly and reverently
Learns from Scripture Stories
Honours people’s God-given names
Assumes that there is good in everyone
Accepts the God-given worth of themselves and others
WELCOME BACK!
I am very pleased and honored to join the
community of St. David of Wales School. I
would like to begin by thanking the
teaching/resource staff, Head Secretary, Mrs.
Gibson, custodial staff, School Council
members, Father Joyson and Father Philip, our
Trustee,
Luz
del
Rosario
and
our
Superintendent, C. Saytar, who have all taken
time to share with me information about the
culture, strengths and needs of our school and
faith community. In particular, I wish to thank
Mrs. Nichols for her invaluable assistance during
this transition. I know I join all of you in wishing
Mrs. Nichols every success as she continues
her work in Dufferin-Peel as Principal of St. Julia
Elementary School.
I view our school community as a partnership –
students, parents and guardians, parish and
school members. Together, we enjoy a shared
purpose of helping the children in our care to be
the best they can be – spiritually, intellectually,
emotionally and socially. Central to my role as
principal is team building and development of
relationships that will allow all partners to
continue to co-operatively foster a safe learning
and living environment, in which children always
come first.
In a world in which change is the only constant,
communication assumes a very high priority.
Over the next few weeks, I look forward to
meeting and coming to know each member of
the St. David of Wales School community. I
wish to invite you to our Open House and BBQ
which will be held on Wednesday, September
22. Together we can build on the past and
continue to move into the future as a strong and
vibrant community.
As in the past, there will be many exciting things
occurring at St. David of Wales. I will keep
parents informed of these through the
newsletter, which will be prepared for the
beginning of each month. In an effort to be
environmentally conscientious, St. David of
Wales will not send home a hard copy of the
school newsletter. All school newsletter will
be posted on the St. David of Wales website.
You can view our website through the
following process: www.dpcdsb.org
Click on: Elementary Schools (St. David of
Wales) The school newsletter will be posted
under the “newsletter” heading on a monthly
basis.
If you prefer to have the newsletter e-mailed
to you, please complete the attached form and
return it to your child’s teacher.
Classroom teachers may also be sending home
calendars or updates. Please check your child's
backpack frequently.
B. Gillis
Principal
SCHOOL MASSES
CELEBRATIONS
AND
SACRAMENTAL
Thanksgiving Mass @ School
Thursday, October 5 @ 10:00 a.m.
Advent/Christmas Mass @ School
Friday, December 1 @ 1:00 p.m.
Easter Mass @ School
Thursday, April 6 @ 10:00 a.m.
First Reconciliation @ Church
Tuesday, November 18 @ 7:00 p.m.
Confessions
Before
Confirmation
Rehearsal @ Church
Tuesday, May 3 @ 11:00 a.m.
&
Confirmation @ Church
Monday, May 9 @ 7:00 p.m.
End of Year Mass @ School
Monday, June 2 @ 1:00 p.m. @ TBD
Graduation Mass - TBD
First Communion Parent Meetings @ Church
Tuesday, September 14 @ 7:00 p.m. or
Thursday, September 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
Right of Enrolment First Communion @
Church
Saturday, January 29, 2011 @ 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 30, 2011 @ 8:00 a.m., 10:00
a.m., 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 5, 2011 @ 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 6, 2011 @ 8:00 a.m., 10:00
a.m., 12:00 p.m.
Ms. P. Galea
Mrs. C. Gasparini
Mrs. S. Metlin
Ms. F. Russo
Mrs. N. Strazzeri
Mrs. N. Wassef
ERW
ERW
ERW
ERW
ERW
ERW
Mrs. B. Gillis
Principal
Mr. B. Diolanda
Mr. J. DiFilippo
Mr. F. Pascali
Mrs. D. Gibson
Custodian
Night Custodian
Night Custodian
Secretary
Ms. N. Sicinolfi
Mrs. M. Montini
Ms. J. Stewardson
Mrs. R. Vetere
CYW
SLP
Psychologist
Social Worker
First Communion Dates:
Saturday, May 7 @ 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, May8 @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 14 @ 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 15 @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 @ 10:30 a.m. (tentative
Confirmation Parent Meetings @ Church
Tuesday, September 21 @ 7:00 p.m. or
Thursday, Sepetember 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
Rite of Enrolment for Confirmation @ Church
Saturday, October 23 @ 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 24 @ 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.,
12:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 30 @ 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 31 @ 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.,
12:00 p.m.
SCHOOL HOURS
School hours at St. David of Wales for the 20102011 school year are as follows:
Grades 1 - 8
Morning
8:45
- 11:45 a.m.
Please join me in welcoming: Mrs.
Childerhose, who will be joining our teaching
staff.
a.m. recess
9:30
- 9:45 a.m.
Lunch
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
TENTATIVE STAFF LIST 2010/2011
p.m. recess
2:15 - 2:30 p.m.
Ms. L. Horbatiuk
JK/SK a.m. & p.m.
Dismissal
3:15 p.m.
Ms. C. Sinclair
Mrs. I. Cicak
Mrs. C. Comella
Ms. S. Smutnicki
Ms. K. Barry
Mr. J. MacRury
Mr. B. Lagac
Ms. C. Abitrante
Ms. D. Vivilecchia
Mr. A. Howard
Gr. 1/2
Gr. 1/2
Gr. 3
Gr. 3
Gr. 4/5
Gr. 5
Gr. 6
Gr. 7
Gr. 7/8
Gr. 8
JK/SK a.m.
JK/SK p.m.
8:45 - 11:15 a.m.
12:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Mrs. P. Gallant
Ms. P. Danko
Sp. Nds.
Sp. Nds.
Mr. P. Laudoceur
Mrs. S. Borges
Mrs. L. Childerhose
Mrs. C. Zoffranieri
Mrs. A. Brown
French
Planning Time
Planning Time
SERC/LIBRARY
SERT/ESL
Mrs. A. Camara
Ms. D. DaSilva
ERW
ERW
SCHOOL YEAR
Included in this newsletter is the School Year
Calendar, which indicates all holidays, and
Professional Development Days. There will be
no school for students on Friday, September
17, 2010 as staff will be participating in Faith
and Curriculum planning and reorganization.
EARLY RELEASE
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 will be an Early
Release Day. Students from Gr. 1 - 8 will be
dismissed at 11:45 a.m. Afternoon Junior/Senior
Kindergarten classes are cancelled.
Bus students will be picked up at the school at
11:45 a.m. During early release days, teachers
are involved in Professional Development in the
area of curriculum.
REORGANIZATION
Staffing and class placements are tentative and
based on school enrolment. In the event that
enrolment
fluctuates
from
projections,
adjustments may need to be made to staffing
and student placement. If reorganization is
necessary and your child is affected, you will be
notified prior to Friday, September 17, 2010.
PARKING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
Thank you for parking in the designated Visitor
Parking spots at the front of the school. Again
this year we will continue to monitor the parking
of cars for student safety, therefore the gate will
be closed @ 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. so that
cars do not enter the side parking lot as students
enter and leave school. We appreciate parent
and community support in not parking cars on
school property after school hours or on the
weekend. If you are aware of this occurring
please let the office know so that we can follow
up with the owner of the car.
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 will proceed
to the office to get a late slip.
PHONE SYSTEM
You have 3 options when calling the school (905)
848-4200:
Press #1
Press #2
Press #0
if you are calling to report your
child’s absence or if your child
will be arriving late
to leave a message for a specific
teacher
to reach the main office
ST. DAVID OF WALES WEBSITE
St. David of Wales has a website that is
accessible to the parent community and public.
This website is an on-going project which will
be maintained and updated throughout the year.
Our website is aimed at providing pertinent
board and school information such as school
events, general information, newsletters, school
council and parish information. It is our way of
connecting to our community. You can view
our website through the following process:
www.dpcdsb.org
Click on: Elementary Schools (locate our school
name)
Click the “go” button
The school newsletter will be posted under the
“newsletter” heading on a monthly basis.
*At present, our school website cannot be
updated. We are in the process of having
staff trained to update the website.
STUDENT AGENDAS
This year, the School Council has purchased
Agendas for students in grades one to eight.
Important school procedures, virtues information
and the Catholic Code of Conduct are found on
the first 16 pages of the agenda. The agenda is
a valuable tool in assisting students to organize
their time, homework and assignments. These
are assessed in the Learning Skills section of
the Provincial Report Card. Please spend some
time daily going through the agenda with your
child.
LUNCH POLICY
The lunch hour is from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
A "Lunch Permission" form has been sent home.
Students who stay at school for lunch are
expected to act in a polite and respectful
manner. Staff and a lunch supervisor provide
supervision. Please be aware that students
who remain at school for lunch are not
allowed to leave school property without a
signed
and
dated
note
from
a
parent/guardian. There will be no exceptions.
If you are dropping off a lunch for your
child/children, please leave it on the table
provided outside the main office. Make sure your
child‟s name and teacher‟s name are clearly
labeled on the lunch bag.
VISITORS TO ST. DAVID OF WALES
Parents and visitors are welcome and are
required to report 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 of
the school. If you wish to speak to a teacher
please arrange for an appointment as not to
interrupt class time.
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 up 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.
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
mid October with your son/daughter if he/she
receives permission to ride the bus, along with
safety rules that need to be adhered to.
KISS 'N RIDE & BUS
The Kiss „n Ride program provides a safe drop
off area for students. The safety of this program
depends on parents, staff and students adhering
to the lane markings. The lane closest to the
building is the bus lane, and at no time, are cars
to pass into this lane or block the entrance of the
bus-loading zone. The second lane is the Kiss
and Ride lane and it is used for parents to drop
off their children. Drivers are to remain in their
car and stop to let their children out of the car on
the right hand side and when approaching the
orange pylon. Exit the driveway when it is safe
to do so. Staff members are on duty to monitor
the traffic flow and the safe arrival of the
children. Children must be able to open/close
the car door on their own. The south/west
parking lot will be chained off at 8:30 so students
coming off the bus or using the Kiss „N Ride can
access the school yard safely. Students are
asked to use the pathways and not cut through
the kindergarten and Special Needs yards.
The school bus will enter the school driveway at
8:30 a.m. & 3:15 p.m.
A staff member
supervises students when they load and unload
the bus.
To ensure the safety of the students that walk to
school, we ask that parents instruct the students
to use the three entry points to the school, which
will avoid accessing the parking lot. These three
points are the walking paths leading to and from:
•Rathburn Road
•Sawgrass Crescent
•Beacon Lane
EMERGENCY DRILLS
In accordance with Ministry and Board
regulations,
3 fire drills and 2 Lockdown
Procedures are conducted at the school.
Practicing these drills is important for student
safety in case a real emergency occurs. We will
continue to prepare students in a judicious and
conscientious manner. For safety reasons, we
ask that students wear proper footwear at all
times.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
As we begin a new school year we would like to
inform you that St. David of Wales is an allergen
aware school. There are pupils in attendance
who suffer from severe and life threatening
allergies to certain foods, such as peanut and
nut products.
Exposure to the smallest
quantities can cause severe life threatening
reactions.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening
allergic reaction. The most common allergen
triggers are food, insect stings, medications,
exercise and latex. An anaphylactic reaction
involves symptoms from two or more body
systems.
We, at St. David of Wales, would appreciate the
co-operation of the entire school community by
NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain
nuts or nut products, which could potentially
harm a pupil. Please make sure that all of your
children‟s caregivers are aware of the food
restrictions. Please avoid sending food for
birthday or special occasions. There are
many alternatives such as stickers and
pencils.
If you have any questions please talk to your
child‟s teacher or the school staff.
We look forward to your co-operation in making
this a safe year for all our pupils.
OPEN HOUSE & BARBEQUE
This year our Open House and Family Barbeque
will be held on Wednesday, September 22.
This will give you an opportunity to meet and
greet your child's teacher as well as look around
our beautiful school. Food will be available
between 5:00-6:30 p.m. Teachers will be
involved in Curriculum presentations from 6:30 –
7:30 p.m. in their classrooms.
BOOK FAIR Open House
St. David of Wales Open House Book Fair will
be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
Students will be able to purchase books at
specified times during the school day on
Tuesday, September 21. The Book Fair will also
open for book buying on 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.
at our Open House for more information or to
place your name on our list of 2010/2011
volunteer Reading Coaches.
All volunteers new to the school must have a
Criminal Reference Check. You may pick up
an application at the office.
MILK & COOKIE PROGRAM
Students will have the opportunity to pre-order
milk, juice and cookies five times per week. The
cookies comply with government regulations.
Juice and cookies will be offered in three
varieties. White and chocolate milk are also
offered. Forms will be sent home the week of
September 20, 2010.
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 or
2) Apply On-line at www.insurmykids.com
SCHOOL COUNCIL INFORMATION
VOLUNTEERS
Please consider serving on the School Council
for the 2010-2011 school year. Self-nomination
forms will be available for pick up at the school
office.
Volunteers help make the difference in our
school community.
Monday, Sept. 13 - Monday, Sept. 20
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The All Star Reading Program is a program for
primary students who need some extra help to
develop good reading skills. No prior experience
is needed and training will be provided. Each
week the focus is on a specific skill, which you
and the classroom teacher will be reinforcing
with your student. If you can give 30 minutes to
a student three times a week, at any time during
the school day convenient for both you and the
classroom teacher, we would love to have you
join us! Please see Mrs. Brown in the front foyer
Deadline for submitting nomination forms:
Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Election (if required):
Thursday, September 23, 7:00 p.m.
p.m. (in the school library)
Publication of new Council members' names:
Wednesday, Sept. 22 (if all
nominees acclaimed); or Friday,
September 24 (if election required)
COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 28 @ 6:30 p.m.
(in the School Library) All parents are welcome.
Before and After School Care
PLASP Child Care Services operates
Before and After School Programs at
this school.
The Before School Program operates
from 7:30 am and continues until school
begins. A nutritious breakfast is served
daily.
The After School Program begins once
school is dismissed and goes until 6:00
pm. Children participate in recreational
activities, are served a nutritious snack
daily and have time for homework.
Fee assistance is available.
Registration currently taking place.
To register your child, visit the PLASP
Program Director, Before or After
School. For further information, call
905.890.1711 or visit the website at
www.plasp.com.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, September 14
7:00 p.m.
First
Communion
Meeting
@ the Church
Parent
Thursday, September 16
7:00 p.m.
First
Communion
Meeting
@ the Church
Friday, September 17
P.A. Day
students)
(no
Parent
school
for
Tuesday, September 21
7:00 p.m.
Confirmation Parent Meeting
@ the Church
Thursday, September 23
7:00 p.m.
Confirmation Parent Meeting
@ the Church
Monday, September 27
Picture Day
Tuesday, September 28
Early Release – students
dismissed at 11:45
Thursday, October 6
10:00 a.m.
Thanksgiving
school
Mass
Tuesday, October 12
Hepatitis B – Gr. 7
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September/2010
I would like to have the Newsletter e-mailed to me at the following:
Current e-mail address:______________________________________
Parent Name: _____________________________
Child’s Name:_____________________________
(ONE FORM PER FAMILY)
PLEASE PRINT AND WRITE LEGIBLY