February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
February 2014
PRINCIPAL:
VICE PRINCIPAL:
HEAD SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
A. D’Agostino
V. Viola
M. Villella
A. Burt
A. Mijandrusic
February 2014
120 Harvest Moon Drive, Bolton, Ontario L7E 2W1 Phone: (905) 857-7582
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS:
TRUSTEE:
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH
PASTOR:
ASSOCIATE PASTOR:
L. Storey
F. Di Cosola
1-800-387-9501
905-951-8898
Fr. L. Leger
905 857-1938
Fr. D. Gikonyo, IMC
Fax: (905) 857-9353
ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
CO-CHAIRs: K. Foschia and M. DeAmicis
TREASURER L. Girimonte
SECRETARY A. Capobianco
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM: Please remember to phone in your child’s absence: (905) 857-7582.
The answering machine is available 24 hours - Messages are picked up regularly.
For more information about school events, go to our school website: http://www.dpcdsb.org/NICHO
Student Faith Formation and Engagement: The Heart of All We Do
SAINT VALENTINE
In the month of February we celebrate Saint
Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine was a
bishop who bravely died for his faith. The
name Valentine means “Valiant” or
“Strong”. This day is connected with love
because of the legend that birds pick their mates on February 14th. Secret
notes of love and friendship sent on this day are called Saint Valentine’s
notes or valentines.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
During the month of February we
will celebrate Black History
Month, by recognizing the
historical achievement and present
day contributions by people of
African heritage. This will be
accomplished by highlighting this
theme in various units of the
curriculum, with displays of
books, posters, resources and announcements.
FEBRUARY 17 FAMILY DAY
SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED
Prayer During Black History Month
Father of creation
Whose Son Jesus incarnated in time
and whose Spirit enlivens our lives
today,
May we honor the height of your
creation, the Human Family
In every hue that you chose to give
each person of our Human Family
Jesus, brother of us all
Your prayer to the Father “that they all
may be one” Through the Holy Spirit
May we witness this Unity of One
Spirit of God in the month of
appreciating the gift of your children of
African descent May we be inspired to
see your kingdom mystery
In one facet of the jewel of our Human
Family’s descent
Amen
ASH WEDNESDAY CELEBRATION
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
1:15 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
All Parents Welcome to Attend
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community
February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
FRENCH IMMERSION
SAFETY PROCEDURES IN PLACE
Important notice for Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of students in SK/Year 2
Kindergarten:
The French Immersion Online Application System is now open for
submissions. To apply, go to www.dpcdsb.org. Applications will be
accepted until February 28, 2014.
Reminder:
•
All eligible submissions are accepted and, in the event that the
number of applications is greater than the number of spaces available at a
French Immersion school, a centralized, computer-generated lottery will
be held at a date yet to be determined.
•
Some French Immersion schools offer Grades 1 to 8 and others
offer Grades 1 to 4, with Grade 5 to 8 offered at a nearby school. Please
refer to the Board website for more information.
•
Parents and guardians of students registered in the program are
responsible for providing transportation for their child(ren) to and from
their registered French Immersion school. *****Please note that for
students living inside the regular school boundaries of a French
Immersion school, eligibility for student transportation is based on the
policies established by the school board.*****
•
A successful placement in the French Immersion School does
not guarantee placement of younger siblings in future years.
Creating a caring school
environment in which staff
and students respect and
trust each other and where
all students feel connected,
understand expectations, and
receive behavioral and mental health support is
essential. The work we do through our virtues
program to build empathy within our students
is a proactive step we engage in daily to help
them develop strong Catholic values. We
appreciate your on-going assistance with
following our rules in the interest and safety of
our students.
If more details are required, please review the board website for up-todate information. You may also contact your child's present school, the
principal of the French Immersion school in your area, or the board's
French as a Second Language Consultant at (905) 890-0708 extension
24307.
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board International Education
Program. This communication contains the link to the Dufferin-Peel
International Education Student website as well as the contact information
for students/families interested in attending our schools from overseas.
Please see the insert in this newsletter for more information.
Important Immunization Message from
Peel Public Health
Peel Public Health will be reviewing immunization
records of all students at our school. 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.
SECURITY
A reminder that all visitors INCLUDING
PARENTS must come into the office,
sign in and pick up a visitor’s badge when
on a prearranged visit. Anyone not
wearing an identification badge will be
asked to return to the office immediately.
This procedure will help students and staff
recognize visitors to our school. For the
safety and security of your children
ONLY staff and assigned supervisors are
allowed in the school yard during all
recesses. Parents are kindly asked to NOT
go into the students’ play yard at the back
of school. If you need to speak to your
child during a recess, arrangements can be
made in the front office. We thank you for
your cooperation in supporting the safe
environment of our school.
SCHOOL ACCESS
Parents/guardians and visitors please
remember to come to the office first if you
have a message/school materials for your
child. If you are dropping off a lunch
please use the lunch drop off table, located
just inside the front door. The table is
supplied with paper and writing tools so
you can easily mark his/her name on the
lunch. Lunch begins at 12:00 pm and we
recommend dropping the lunch off prior to
that time.
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community
February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
STUDENT INFORMATION
It is very important that we have up to date records of your address,
phone numbers and emergency contacts in the event that the school must
contact you regarding your child. If there are any changes, please ensure
that we have updated information. If your child’s medical condition also
changes please let us know as soon as possible.
It has Been Spied at Kiss “N” Ride
We would like to thank those who have
been using St. Nicholas “Kiss and Ride
Program”. However, we have had many
parents/ guardians and staff express their
concerns about the following infractions:
1. Never leave your car unattended in the
“Kiss And Ride” lane. It is against the
law and you may be ticketed.
2. If you need to walk your child into the
schoolyard or you need to stop at the
office, please park in the parking lot. DO
NOT PARK in the “Kiss And Ride” lane.
3. DO NOT DROP students off near the back fence.
4. At dismissal time please do not park in the “Kiss and Ride”. Please
park in the parking lot or on the street if you arrive before the bell. We
appreciate your co‐operation in following these procedures. Your
child(ren)’s safety is our main concern.
LATE STUDENTS
A number of students continue to arrive late daily. Any
student arriving after 9:15 a.m. is considered late and
should be accompanied by an adult. Please make every
effort to have your child/ren at school on time. When a
child is late he/she misses valuable teaching time. Late
arrivals cause disruption to the other students and also to
the teacher who has already started the lessons for the
day. Developing good work habits and time management skills can
maximize a child’s learning potential. Let’s work together to develop
these skills.
LITERACY DAY
Great work St. Nicholas! On January 27, 2014 St.
Nicholas school celebrated Literacy Day. All students
celebrated the joy of reading. Watch our reading webs
and thermometers grow to showcase all the reading that
is going on at St. Nicholas!
NEW 2014 INCENTIVES FOR OUR
TREEHUGGERS!
1. Turn off the Tap
Tuesdays! St.
Nicholas students
tested water samples
from the tap and
bottled water and our school population
said that TAP water is BEST!
2. Waste Free Wednesdays. Reusable
containers went out to each family in our
school to kick off our waste free lunch
Wednesdays!
3. Lights off Thursdays! Every Thursday
we are encouraging energy conservation.
Tree Huggers Support Winter Walk Day!
Its winter! Don’t hibernate- walk to school
and celebrate!
INTERMEDIATE SPEECH
COMPETITION
Intermediate Speech
competition was held
on January 30 and 2
students represented St.
Nicholas at the Catholic Women’s League
Speech Competition at Holy Family
Parish on Sunday February 2, 2014.
Congratulations to Cristina G. and
Alexandria S. both from Mrs. CampeauDeamer’s class for representing St.
Nicholas school, and a special
congratulations to Cristina G. for being
placed as runner up at the Speech
Competition. Way to go St. Nicholas!
PARLIAMENT PLACE
Student Parliament sold
Terra Cotta Heart shaped
cookies in January. The
cookies will be delivered
to classes on February
14, 2014, Valentine’s Day. On February
14 in the afternoon, all intermediate
students will be participating in a
Valentine’s Day social. Students will be
rotating from room to room.
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community
February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time
VIRTUE OF
RESPECT
PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
Thank you to the Youth Faith Ambassadors that
lead St. Nicholas in a Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity. We continue to pray that we are
in harmony with people around the world, which
brings its own graces.
YFA will run a SOAP FOR HOPE Campaign to
collect bars of soap for Dr. Simone's Canadian Food
for Children organization. CFFC is a non-profit
organization that ships food and other needed items to
people living in developing countries. Soap is an item many of us take
for granted. For our brothers and sisters in the Global South, soap
represents hope, respect and dignity. YFA will collect bars of soup in the
front foyer of St. Nicholas from Monday February10 to Friday
February 21, 2014.
VIRTUE AWARDS
Congratulations to our January
Virtue Catch the Spirit Award
Recipients!
Kindergarten – Lola T.
Primary –. Sabrina N.
Junior - Eli D.
Intermediate – Shelby W.
These students received a
Virtue T - Shirt for demonstrating and
living the virtues at
St. Nicholas school.
CARNIVAL WINTER FUN!
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Our Catholic School Council will be putting on a MOVIE
NIGHT on Friday February 21, 2014. More
information to follow.
BULLYING PREVENTION
There is a difference between tattling and telling.
In dealing with bullying situations, students are
encouraged to use the strategy, ‘telling an adult’.
The goal of telling an adult is to keep children
safe. Tattling/ratting is defined as telling in order
to get someone into trouble, or telling when there is no one being hurt and no
rule has been broken that could result in a dangerous situation.
MONTH:
During the month of February, we
celebrate the virtue of “Respect”. God
has given us the virtues of
friends and companions
to keep us company and
to help us to get along.
A person with Respect:
* Is patient
* Knows how to wait his/her turn
YOUTH FAITH AMBASSADORS
It's Winter Carnival Time! St. Nicholas
will be celebrating Winter Carnival on
February 11, 2014. (snow date:
February 28, 2014). It will be a half day
of outdoor winter activities with an
Olympic theme. Please ensure students
come dressed appropriately to partake in
outdoor activities on this day. All
students will be involved. Kindergarten
students will be assisted by the Grade 7
and 8s in the morning. Grades 1
through 6 will partake in the afternoon. Looking forward to an
exciting event!
THE
DATES AHEAD
FEBRUARY
10
Cyber Bullying Presentation for
grade 6 classes
10-21 YFA Soap for Hope Drive
11
Winter Carnival at St. Nicholas
12
Junior Basketball Tournament at
Pope John Paul Catholic School
13
Catholic School Council 7:00pm
14
Blades of Glory Gr. 4 presentation
17
Family Day NO SCHOOL
17
Snow Fest Caledon Fairgrounds
20
St. Cornelius Hockey Tournament
21
Catholic School Council Movie
Night
26
Boys indoor soccer at the Brampton
Soccer Centre
27
Girls indoor soccer at the Brampton
Soccer Centre
28
Snow Date for Winter Carnival
MARCH
5 Ash Wednesday Liturgy pm
7 PA Day No school for students
(unpaid day for teachers)
Catholic Education Building a Caring Community