ST. FIDELIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL DIGNITY • EXCELLENCE • PRIDE
NOVEMBER 2016
From the principal’s desk Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s): “Peace I leave to you, my peace I give to you” John 14:27
9 Bannerman Street Toronto, Ontario M6L 2S5 Tel. (416) 393-5358 Fax. (416) 397-6315 Mackie Coluccio, Principal Raffaela Gallo, Vice Principal Angela Moscar, Head Secretary School Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Michael Caccamo Superintendent (416) 222-8282 ext. 2267 Sal Piccininni Trustee (416) 512-3403 Sandra Grilo Council Chair (416) 222-8282 Voice Mailbox #88358 St. Fidelis Parish Father Mose Gasparini 33 Connie Street North York M6L 2H8 (416) 247-8741
Our Catholic faith brings peace into perspective by reminding us that we are one human family regardless of our differences. We are brothers and sisters called to protect and care for one another. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers and to promote peace in a world that is increasingly filled with violence and conflict. How can we demonstrate peace in our daily lives and in our interactions with one another? On a daily basis, the students of St. Fidelis CS are reminded of their peacekeeping role; by learning to solve problems in socially acceptable ways and intervening on behalf of others. They are asked to take care of one another! Pope Francis reminds us that, “Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected. Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake.” Prayer of Saint Francis: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon: where there is doubt, faith ; where there is despair, hope where there is darkness, light where there is sadness, joy O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen. Have a great month! Mackie Coluccio
Virtue of the Month CONGRATULATIONS to the following students. They displayed the virtue of GRATITUDE for the month of October.
CLASS
GRADE
STUDENT
Ms. Moreira
JK/SK
Sophia F
Ms. Fabris
JK/SK
Melanie P
Ms. Leite
JK/SK
Nicolas P
Ms. Speranza
JK/SK
Liana S
Ms. Vomero
1/2
Antonio D
Ms. Genova
1
Marcus C
1
Tommy M
Ms. Burrows-Ricci Ms. Menegon
2/3
Samantha L
Ms. Bossio
2
Cristiano P
Ms. Caruso-Buttigieg
2
Elena S
Ms. Leonetti
3
Kevin P
Ms. Pignatari
3
Charli S
Ms. Primier
3
Perla G
Ms. Andino
3/4
Daria M
Ms. Pugliese
4
Ms. Muzzati
4/5
Ms. Marino
5
Ms. Querin
5/6
Ms. Dodaro
6
Gabriela N
Ms. Zeppieri
6/7
Michele T
Ms. Reis
7
Emma F
Ms. DeCarlo
7
Karla E
Ms. Ruggeri
8
Schanelle K
Ms. Burella
8
Maurizio P
Heritage Language
Virtue for the month of November is...
Peacemaking Peacemaking can be shown in many ways! Here are some examples: • By opening ourselves up to God, we feel peace within us.
Francesco O Megan F
• Every person can work for peace by carefully considering how their words and actions make others feel.
Dante-Anthony M Luca I
• Be guided by the words of Paul to the Colossians - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
Valentina C
TDCSB Faith & Character Development Monthly Themes MONTH
VIRTUE
MONTH
VIRTUE
September
Hospitality
February
Love
October
Gratitude
March
Forgiveness
November
Peacemaking
April
Justice
December
Charity
May
Compassion
January
Courage
June
Faithfulness
Student Life AFTER READING THE BOOK LEAF MAN, THE CHILDREN WERE VERY EXCITED TO CREATE THEIR OWN LEAF PERSON.
Student Life PICASOS’ AT WORK
Student Life MS. VOMERO’S GRADE 1-2 CLASS EXPLORE PATTERNS
Student Life HABITAT PROJECTS WITH MS. PUGLIESE’S GRADE 4 CLASS
Student Life MS. MERINO’S GRADE 5 CLASS PRIME MINISTER CAMPAIGN
Student Life GRADE 5 CLASSES VISIT QUEEN’S PARK
Student Life CELEBRATING THE VIRTUE OF HOSPITALITY Ms. Bossio & Ms. Caruso-Buttigieg’s students lead the Virtue Assembly. Children were recognized for demonstrating the virtue of hospitality. Congratulations to all the girls and boys!!
Student Life ST. FIDELIS STAFF AND STUDENTS WALK TO CHURCH!!
Thank you to Ms. Bossio & Ms. Caruso Buttigieg’s students for leading the celebration by readings and offerings!!
Student Life ST. FIDELIS STAFF CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING
We are thankful for one another and all the blessing we have. Thank you to our Social Committee for organizing a wonderful lunch!!
Student Life 12 DIVISION BIKE RODEO AT ST. FIDELIS SAFETY FIRST!!
Student Life SUPPORTING OUR BLUE JAYS & OUR CITY!!
Go Falcons Go! CITY FINALS & CROSS COUNTRY REGIONALS
Student Life SEMPREVERDE
The students of St. Fidelis attended the musical “SempreVerde.” They enjoyed the performance very much. It was informative, well done and easy to understand because of the dual languages used. We thank our parents for their continuous support and Centro Scuola e Cultura Italiana for giving us the opportunity.
Student Life HALLOWEEN DANCE-A-THON
Many, many thanks to Suzy Marotta, Stefania Sottile, and the team of CSPC Members and Parent Volunteers for an absolutely boooootastic and wonderful Halloween Dance-a-thon!!!!! The decorations, the costumes, the music, the snacks, the flash photography, made this an amazing event for students and staff, and for parents! This event will go a long, long way in supporting the multitude of initiatives and activities that take place at St. Fidelis School!
Student Life SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR COMING TO ST. FIDELIS - NOV. 14TH TO 18TH Dear Students, Parents/Guardians, The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to St. Fidelis on November 14th to November 18th. The theme for the Book Fair this year is Pirates! Your favourite Pirate characters will be featured in books, posters and school materials. The Book Fair also has a brand new selection of books and school materials. Students will have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair during school hours. Parents/Guardians are welcome to visit the Book Fair during Parent-Teacher Interviews on the evening of November 17th and the morning of November 18th. See you at the Scholastic Book Fair!
St. Fidelis Catholic School 9 Bannerman Street, Toronto, Ontario M6L 2S5 Tel.: 416-393-5358 / Fax: 416-397-6315
Dear Parents/Guardians: The St. Fidelis Kiss ‘N Ride Program provides a very safe and efficient means for many of our students to travel to and from school. This program is important because it promotes safety over convenience, increasing student safety while decreasing traffic/parking congestion and violations. With the full co-operation of all who use the Kiss ‘N Ride Program, we can better ensure that all students, and their families, are as safe as possible. In order to reduce the risk of any incidences occurring, we are asking that all drivers refrain from: • • • • • • • • •
talking or texting while driving, even if you are driving in the loop. parking along any side of Bannerman Street or creating congestion by blocking its intersections at Grovedale Avenue or Rustic Road double parking in the school driveway surpassing cars in the school driveway that are waiting to pick up students, unless directed by a volunteer making a left turn as you leave the school property speeding, both in the school driveway and the surrounding streets waiting too long in the Kiss ‘N Ride loop for a student who is late; please respect the flow of traffic having children unbuckle seat belts until the car has come to a complete stop; children should not exit their vehicle without Kiss ‘N Ride assistance and they should exit out of the right hand side of the vehicle only moving your vehicle while a child is still entering or exiting the vehicle; be sure to be at a full and complete stop and ensure that all children are safe and secure
Please remind your child to wait quietly and patiently at the front of the school by the flagpole at the end of the day and to be on time and attentive during pick up.
If you arrive at the loop and your child is not yet present for release to you, then to respect the flow of traffic and to relieve congestion, you will be asked to continue through the loop and make your way around again. We will be enforcing this “Airport Style” Kiss ‘N Ride flow from this point on. PLEASE DO NOT arrive early, as this causes unsafe congestion as well. Please note that students will only be released to parents/guardians (or designate, as indicated in the Safe Dismissal Form completed by parents/guardians at the beginning of the year).
HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP? 1.
If you live in close proximity of the school, we strongly encourage carpooling or even walking with your child in order to relieve the congestion during arrival and dismissal times.
2.
Ensure that your child arrives not just minutes before the bell time. Leave extra early when the weather is unfavourable in order to avoid long line-ups. In addition to this, we ask that anyone coming to pick up children to not arrive too early into the driveway only to have to wait for your child(ren), causing blockage to the flow of traffic through the loop. (See page 2 for dismissal times.)
3.
We also ask that you allow the school bus to pass on Bannerman when it is ready and signalling to leave. We continue to stress that you observe and obey the parking regulations.
4.
For the safety of all children, please park on either Grovedale or Rustic and walk to accompany your child(ren).
NOTE: Parking or stopping on Bannerman Street is UNSAFE and ILLEGAL. 5.
Using staff parking spaces will only delay staff in attending to their duties. Do not use the staff parking spaces.
6.
We kindly ask that all drivers do their best to be patient and to respect the flow of traffic during arrival and dismissal times. Do not block the intersections at either end of Bannerman or try to pass cars that are in queue.
7.
Please remind older children with siblings in kindergarten to pick them up as quickly as possible and to wait for parents at the flag pole.
8.
Kiss ‘N Ride Volunteers are NOT responsible for buckling seatbelts. This is a parent/caregiver responsibility. If a child cannot do this, then the parent/caregiver should do so prior to driving off once children are in the car.
EXERCISE PATIENCE, BE VIGILANT, FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES, AND MOST OF ALL, PLACE SAFETY OVER CONVENIENCE! Con’t. 2.
Please be advised that Kiss ‘N Ride users who demonstrate non-compliance and disregard for the safety of students and everyone in our community will forfeit their ability to make use of this privilege and will no longer be permitted to access the school through the Kiss ‘N Ride Program. Please also be reminded of the following:
SCHOOL HOURS
KISS ‘N RIDE HOURS OF OPERATION
Kindergarten/Main Yard and Bus Supervision General Entry (AM): Lunch: General Entry (PM): General Dismissal: Bus/Yard Supervision
8:15am – 8:30am 8:30am 11:15am – 12:15pm 12:15pm 3:30pm 3:30pm – 3:50pm
AM: PM:
8:15am – 8:30am** 3:20pm – 3:45pm
** Please note that the on-site daycare staff and parent community have been advised that there is no access to the school driveway/loop after 8:15am. They have also been advised that there is no parking for their program during school hours of operation.
PM DISMISSAL Due to the configuration of our school, exits, and front yard, please be reminded of the release plan for non-bus students, which serves to address the unsafe congestion that occurs at 3:30pm dismissal time. While we are not officially on “early dismissal”, please note these general guidelines when picking up students from the Kiss ‘N Ride; kindly endeavor to plan your arrival in the loop accordingly, as we make every effort to dismiss students in this order: i. ii. iii.
Kindergarten Classes can begin releasing students between 3:15pm and 3:30pm Grades 1-3 Classes can begin releasing students between 3:25pm and 3:30pm All other classes are to release students at 3:30pm
Please note that students will only be released to parents/guardians (or designate, as indicated in the SAFE DISMISSAL FORM completed by parents/guardians at the beginning of the year).
KISS ‘N RIDE PARKING Please note that the Kiss ‘N Ride parking area is meant to be used as TEMPORARY PARKING only for our Kiss ‘N Ride Volunteers, as this area needs to be kept clear as much as possible to allow for quick, easy and safe access by Emergency Response Vehicles. This has been a strong recommendation by members of the Toronto Police Services who have come to conduct parking, traffic and safety audits at our school and neighborhood. Please DO NOT park in the Kiss ‘N Ride Volunteer spaces; violators may be tagged or towed at the owner’s expense.
SCHOOL PARKING Please also be advised that all other parking spaces on school property are reserved for school staff only. Members of school staff (and Kiss ‘N Ride Volunteers) have been issued an official St. Fidelis School Parking Tag for display in their vehicles. Visitors (including parents/guardians) are asked to park on either Rustic Road or Grovedale Avenue when visiting the school. Please be mindful of all school and neighborhood parking and traffic signs; violators may be tagged or towed at the owner’s expense.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Among our greatest challenges is the need for more Parent Volunteers to support the program, especially after school. We currently have a core group of Parent Volunteers who are serving our school community on a daily basis, morning and afternoon. This is a tremendous commitment on their part and we are grateful for their volunteerism, dedication and service. That said, the Kiss ‘N Ride Program cannot be sustained with the number of volunteers that we currently have in place. If the program is to continue in its current capacity, then we simply need more Parent Volunteers to support this very important safety initiative which benefits our whole school community. Without the support of additional volunteers, the continuation of the Kiss ‘N Ride Program may be in jeopardy. We strongly encourage you to consider supporting this very important safety initiative by offering some of your time as a Kiss ‘N Ride Parent Volunteer. Your help will go a long way in ensuring the effective and safe running of the program. If you are available and interested, please contact the school. Education, care, patience and cooperation are the keys to making this program work. Our strong volunteer presence ensures that this program continues to encourage safety and co-operation from all members of our school community. We would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all of our Kiss and Ride Volunteers for their commitment to the safety of our students and for all of their hard work. Rain or shine, sweltering heat or bitter cold, snow, hail, wind they put the safety of our students first! Thank you, all!
With thanks for your continued co-operation, and in partnership for a safer school community, Ms. Coluccio PRINCIPAL
Ms. Gallo VICE PRINCIPAL
MATH ADVICE FOR PARENTS Math Advice for Parents
Professor Jo Boaler, Stanford University, retrieved and edited from h7ps://www.youcubed.org/handoutfor-parents/ Some children find mathemaCcs difficult but they really do have the potenCal to do well. You can help them become confident in their abiliCes. Jo Boaler suggests the six following strategies for parents to work with their children to create a love of math. Encourage children to play math puzzles and games. Award winning mathemaCcian, Sarah Flannery reported that her math achievement and enthusiasm came not from school but from the puzzles she was given to solve at home. Always be encouraging and never tell kids they are wrong when they are working on math problems. Instead find the logic in their thinking – there is always some logic to what they say. Never associate math with speed. It is not important to work quickly, and we now know that forcing kids to work quickly on math is the best way to start math anxiety for children, especially girls. Never share with your children the idea that you were bad at math at school or you dislike it – especially if you are a mother. Researchers found that as soon as mothers shared that idea with their daughters, their daughter’s achievement went down. Encourage number sense. What separates high and low achievers is number sense – having an idea of the size of numbers and being able to separate and combine numbers flexibility. Perhaps most important of all – encourage a “growth mindset” let students know that they have unlimited math potenCal and that being good at math is all about working hard. When children have a growth mindset, they do well with challenges and do be7er in school overall, not because they’re “smart” but because they persevere and learn.
What is the Best Way for Students to Learn Math? - THE FACTS ON EDUCATION Canadian EducaConal AssociaCon and the University of New Brunswick, retrieved from; h7p://www.ceaace.ca/sites/cea-ace.ca/files/cea_fone_mathlearning.pdf StarCng from early childhood, we make sense of the objects and space we experience. EffecCve teaching builds on students’ mathemaCcal experiences, which differ among individuals and across contexts. High expectaCons for performance, iniCaCve and independence support achievement. Even young children can reason mathemaCcally. People learn mathemaCcs when they wrestle with problems, connect them with their prior mathemaCcal knowledge, and develop coherent and relevant methods and explanaCons. Teachers can help students learn mathemaCcs by engaging them in this way. Students understand procedures be7er if they have the opportunity to manipulate concrete materials to represent mathemaCcal operaCons (e.g., using blocks to represent place value: a cube to represent one, a sCck made of 10 ones, a square made of 10 sCcks, etc.), and to talk about reasons for their procedures. Calculators and other technologies can be useful tools for exploraCon of pa7erns and relaConships, but children sCll need to be able to perform calculaCons and understand them without reliance on the technologies.
Regular and effecCve feedback from teachers and peers supports students’ mathemaCcal learning when it focuses on noCcing pa7erns, exploring predicCons, and explaining reasoning. Students’ errors are best viewed as opportuniCes to clarify incomplete understanding and can help teachers know what concepts need more exploraCon. MathemaCcs curriculum should build topics onto each other. The sequence of these topics is more important than matching age-related stages. An overloaded curriculum can be a barrier to learning. Teachers need to be comfortable with mathemaCcs and have conceptual understanding. Their teaching benefits from collaboraCve planning that focuses on the central ideas of mathemaCcs. Language skills are necessary for learning mathemaCcs. Teaching should recognize that a students’ first language may be one important resource in their mathemaCcs learning. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds can benefit with intervenCon in the early years to connect mathemaCcs to their experiences and thus increase their comfort with it. Conceptual understanding (knowing why something works), fluency with calculaCons (comfort with basic mathemaCcs facts and procedures), and problem solving work together in mathemaCcal learning. However, no high quality research supports any kind of ideal raCo between such focuses; they are all necessary.
ST. FIDELIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL I M P O R TA N T I N F O R M AT I O N • P O L I C I E S • P R O C E D U R E S
CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL (CSPC) for 2016/2017 We are confident the new council will continue to work in tandem with the school as well as working with the many committees to continue the annual traditions and events. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Licinia Antonio 10. Bernadette Tucci Alenna Emer, Secretary 11. Jeff Yorke If you have any questions or Sandra Grilo, Chair Linda Lisi, Treasurer concerns for a member of Suzy Marotta, Special Education Rep CSPC, please call: Lucy Pompilio-Schroeter Elena Seymour, Vice Chair (416) 222-8282 Jennifer Sgrignoli Voice Mailbox #88358 Melissa Haber-Tonks
PUNCTUALITY Punctuality is a characteristic and life skill we strongly encourage at St. Fidelis. It is important that a child develops this responsibility early in life for it will serve him/her well in years to come. For all aged children, it is the responsibility of the parent(s) to ensure they get to school on time. Students must arrive to school before the 8:30am bell, and be present, in-line with his/her class, when the school bell rings at 8:30am. A student is not permitted to use the main door to access his/her classroom unless they are late. All students entering the front door at 8:30am or later are considered late and will receive a late slip. Punctuality is one of the many duties of a pupil, as outlined in Regulation 298 of the Education Act. A pupil who is frequently late can be said to be in “habitual neglect of duty” and can be referred to the school principal and/or school social worker if the problem persists. Thank you for your support in addressing this matter with your child!
REPORTING OF CANCELLATIONS OR CLOSURES DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER Cancellation of school bus transportation or school closures due to inclement weather will be reported through the following vehicles: • News releases to all media outlets in Toronto (Note: although the news release is provided to the media outlets, there is no guarantee that all television and radio stations will broadcast the information in a timely fashion.) • Communications will endeavour to send an email to everyone on the TCDSB email exchange to advise them of any cancellations or closures. • Communications will also send out the information electronically to E-News subscribers (Note: If you do not already subscribe to E-News, but wish to do so, please visit our website at www.tcdsb.org and click on the E-News icon on the top right hand side of the homepage). • Updates will also be posted on the Board’s 24-hour information line, 416-222-8282, extension 2873. • The information will also be posted on the Board’s website at www.tcdsb.org • The Transportation Department will post this information on its website at: http://www.torontoschoolbus.org
ST. FIDELIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL I M P O R TA N T I N F O R M AT I O N • P O L I C I E S • P R O C E D U R E S
SCHOOL HOURS General Entry: 8:30am Morning Session 8:30am – 11:15am Morning Recess: 10:12am – 10:27am Lunch: 11:15am – 12:15pm Afternoon Session: 12:15pm – 3:30pm Afternoon Recess: 1:40pm – 1:55pm General Dismissal: 3:30pm
KISS n’ RIDE Parents who drive their children to school are encouraged to use our Kiss n’ Ride program. Volunteers tirelessly show up every morning and evening to ensure that our students are dropped off and placed safely into their parent’s vehicle. The continued success of this program also depends upon the cooperation of the whole St. Fidelis Community. Please follow the rules of the Kiss n’ Ride program and the directions of our volunteers in order to continue a safe arrival and departure for all our students. Also, please be reminded that the Kiss n’ Ride designated parking spaces are reserved for our volunteer parents only. Thank you to all!
PARKING A reminder to all that the school parking lot is for staff only. Please do not use it for parking, as we do not have enough spots for staff. There is absolutely NO PARKING in the handicap space at the front of the school. The fine is substantial and we need to have the space clear for the appropriate users that need it over the course of the day. Please observe and respect the “in” and “out” flow in the school’s Kiss N’ Ride loop. A reminder to all that THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING PERMITTED ON BANNERMAN STREET. Everyone is encouraged to either walk to school, carpool, use the Kiss N’ Ride in the school parking lot, or to park on Grovedale St. or Rustic Rd. and walk to school. Police and Parking Enforcement have assured us that Bannerman will be closely monitored for proper use. In the event of an evacuation at St. Fidelis CS. our students & staff will be escorted to one of the following locations: St. Francis Xavier CS 53 Gracefield Ave, Toronto, ON M6L 1L3 Phone:(416) 393-5271
Maple Leaf PS 301 Culford Rd, North York, ON M6L 2V4 Phone: (416) 395-2670
St. Fidelis Catholic Church 33 Connie St Toronto, ON M6L 2H8 Phone: (416) 247-8741
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM Student Illness or Absenteeism If your child is to be absent from school for any reason, please telephone the school to inform the secretary before 8:30am of the day of absence. (We also have a voicemail box for your convenience to call at any time to leave a message.) This will reassure the school that your child is safe. If a child is absent, then we will call home if we have not been notified. When a student returns to school after an absence, he or she must bring a signed and dated parental or medical note to explain the reason. If you are picking up your child early, please send a note to your child’s teacher. Please be sure to report to the office to sign them out. If you are returning before the end of the day, please sign your child back in at the office. If children are not feeling well, please give them an opportunity to recuperate at home. It is assumed that if children are well enough to be at school, they are also well enough to take part in recess. Children need time to get some fresh air and stretch their muscles. If they are dressed properly, they will be able to do this in comfort, even on our cold Canadian winter days. Also, please ensure we have a current emergency number where you can be contacted.
ST. FIDELIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL I M P O R TA N T I N F O R M AT I O N • P O L I C I E S • P R O C E D U R E S
ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT Allergen-Aware Environment Please take special note that we have children in our school who have a very serious, life-threatening allergy to tree nuts, peanuts, all nut/peanut products, all seafood products, called Anaphylaxis. We are notifying all parents that students should not bring any nuts, peanuts, peanut butter or any food containing nuts or peanut products such as peanut oil, sesame seeds, etc., as well as any seafood products to school.
LUNCHTIME RULES & LUNCH PROGRAM To further ensure student safety, students will not be permitted to leave school property to purchase a lunch at a neighborhood food establishment unless they are signed out and accompanied by the parent or guardian of the child, or an authorized adult. The responsible adult must have previous written consent from the parent, a record of which must be on file in the school office.
We ask that you DO NOT bring any personal baking or other treats to the school to share with the class. This is important to ensure the safety and welfare of these children.
Children are encouraged to eat lunch at home. Children going home for lunch should leave the school no later than 11:15am and return to the school yard no later than 12:15pm.
MEDICATION Principals, teachers and support staff of the TCDSB are not permitted to administer any type of prescription medication during the school day, unless we have written, authorization signed by you the parent, and the prescribing physician. The forms to dispense any medication must be updated on a regular basis and are available from the school principal. Please be advised that staff in TCDSB schools will not dispense non-prescription medications to students.
If your child eats lunch at school, please ensure that he/she brings a lunch to school every day. We ask that lunches not be brought to school for the students. For those odd times when students do forget their lunches, we ask that lunches brought in be clearly marked and left on the lunch table outside the main office by 11:15. Students can pick up their lunch during the lunch period. Parents Guardians will not be permitted to drop off lunches in the classrooms, nor will students be permitted to pick up their lunches during class time. This is to minimize disruption during important instructional time in the classroom.
Students who require an Epi-Pen must have 2 Epi-Pens at school. One to be kept in the office and one to be kept with the student at all times. Students that require “puffers” should have one at school and at home. All medications will be stored in the main office. Please notify the school if your child suffers from any type of allergy.
PIDICULOSIS Pediculosis, commonly known as LICE, is a common, but pesky problem in schools and among children. Children are reminded not to share caps or hats, combs and brushes, or other hair accessories. Parents are encouraged to check scalp regularly and to use preventative measures to ensure that their child(ren) do not contact lice.
THE ECO CORNER
We Reuse We Recycle We Give! Please donate EYE GLASSES and POP C A N TA B S t o t h e o f f i c e ! .
ST. FIDELIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL I M P O R TA N T I N F O R M AT I O N • P O L I C I E S • P R O C E D U R E S
SCHOOL BUSES Please note that if your child is registered to ride the school bus, he or she must ride the school bus and not take the liberty to walk home on any given day. All students on buses must ride the buses to and from school every day. INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOOL BUS DELAYS Traffic congestion and varying road conditions can impact on the flow of traffic in Toronto, and this is particularly true during the winter months when snow and ice can be a major factor. The Toronto Student Transportation Group is pleased to provide information about school bus delays digitally through their website at http://www.torontoschoolbus.org
SAFETY REMINDERS ONLY SOFT, “NERF-TYPE” BALLS ARE PERMITTED IN SCHOOL YARD AT RECESS. WALK HOME IN A GROUP or with an ADULT; AVOID WALK-ING HOME ALONE!! CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 9 SHOULD NEVER WALK HOME ALONE. There is always more safety in numbers!!
Click on the pink bar at the top of the homepage to get a listing of any bus routes that are being impacted.
INDOOR & OUTDOOR SHOES We remind all students from grades JK to grade 8 to have indoor and outdoor shoes ready each day!
INCLEMENT WEATHER On days when the weather is inclement the students may be permitted to enter the building at 8:15am. On such days, the recess periods may be indoor and those students who stay for lunch will be supervised in the building. Weather conditions must be particularly severe; cold weather alone does not warrant an early entry into the building or indoor recess periods. Those decisions will be made accordingly. It is important for children, particularly the younger children in the primary grades, to come to school dressed properly for the weather. A reminder to everyone that students who are well enough to be at school are well enough to go out for recess. We do not have personnel to supervise students who wish to stay in for recess due to illness. If they are too ill to go out for recess, then they should be home for the day. This will allow for quicker recovery and less teaching and learning time lost to illness.
DRESS CODE & STUDENT UNIFORM Students of St. Fidelis School are to dress in the school’s appropriate dress code or uniform, which consists of the following: a navy blue bottom (pant, kilt, skirt, or short); a plain white or navy blue shirt or top, with or without a school crest; and a white or navy blue sweater or pullover, also with or without the school crest. Examples of items not allowed are: jogging pants, spaghetti strap tops, jean material, white pants, black tights, and shortshorts. Suppliers that offer school uniform items are: Gino’s Fashions (www.ginofashion.com/uniforms) and RJ McCarthy’s (www.rjmccarthy.com). Uniforms do not need to be purchased through our suppliers, as the school’s crest on the clothing is optional. Parents may choose to purchase regular navy blue bottoms and a white or navy shirt at another location. Please write your child’s name on all uniform items, as many lost items are returned to the office. It is essential that all students be in dress code from the beginning as this sets the tone for the school year. We wish to send a consistent message to all students that the uniform will be strictly enforced. For older students, please remind them that it is their responsibility to ensure they come to school in dress code and you may refer them to the student agenda.
Monthly Update from the Board November 2016
The Year of the Parish: The Celebration Continues
We look forward to continuing the celebration of the Year of the Parish throughout the school year. It is a wonderful opportunity for our schools and parishes to connect, or re-connect, and plan activities and ongoing initiatives together that will support the important partnership between Family, Church and School. Parents, school administrators, parents, teachers, pastors and parish representatives were invited to sit down for some preliminary discussions earlier this year. To see the many ideas that came forward from those Year of the Parish Conversations, visit our website https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/ NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/YearoftheParish/Pages/Ideas-Conversation-Starters.aspx
More information about our pastoral plan here:
https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/YearoftheParish/Pages/default.aspx
November’s Virtue is Peacemaking
Find all the monthly resources associated with our virtues of the month online https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/ NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/VirtueoftheMonth/Pages/Default.aspx
Free English as a Second Language Courses for Adult Immigrants
The TCDSB Adult Education Program offers free language training courses for eligible adult immigrants at various locations across Toronto. After an assessment of language ability, eligible immigrants can enroll in our courses throughout the year. For more information and to locate courses using our online Course Finder, visit https://www.tcdsb.org/FORCOMMUNITY/AdultEducationESL/Pages/Default.aspx.
The 2016-2017 TCDSB Awards Season has begun!
Nominations are now open for the following awards which will be presented at Awards Night on May 1, 2017: DEADLINE: third Friday in January (January 20) 1. TCDSB Alumni Award: open to TCDSB alumni who are still active in the Catholic community and who have distinguished themselves in their career or accomplishments. 2. TCDSB Award of Merit: open to former staff, parents and trustees who have made outstanding contributions to the TCDSB and to Catholic education (can only be considered for award after a three-year period has passed since departure from the TCDSB) 3. **NEW** Friends of Catholic Education Award: open to members of the general public (individuals or organizations) who have accomplished extraordinary service to Catholic Education but who may not be Catholic. For nomination forms and information, click here:
https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/CatholicEducationWeek/Pages/AwardsNight.aspx
Prime Minister’s Awards
Do you know a terrific teacher or early childhood educator? Consider nominating them for a 2016-17 Prime Minister’s Award! This prestigious program honours innovative and outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers and early childhood educators who are helping prepare Canadian youth for the challenges of tomorrow. Looking for inspiration? Check out some of our previous teaching and early childhood education award recipients. 2016-17 nomination packages are now available at www.pma.gc.ca.
2016 OCSTA Short-Video Contest for Students
OCSTA is now accepting submissions for the fall 2016 short-video contest for grade 4-12 students in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools. The contest theme for 2016 is: "The Story Behind the Name of our Catholic School” This year’s theme is designed to encourage students to delve into the history of the person/saint for whom their school was named, and to be creative in telling that story. Deadline November 28, 2016 https://www.tcdsb.org/forstudents/opportunitiesforstudents/pages/2016-ocsta-short-video-contest-forstudents.aspx
Humanitarian Aid for Haiti As you are aware, Hurricane Matthew battered Haiti on October 4, 2016 causing widespread damage, flooding, and landslides. The storm destroyed both crops and food reserves, many homes and schools, even entire villages. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been impacted by this recent natural disaster. To learn more and find out how you can help, visit: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/ NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/Pages/Humanitarian%20Aid%20for%20Haiti.aspx
Get Your 40 Hours : Student Community Involvement
Community service for our TCDSB students is more than a diploma requirement. Our TCDSB community members are called to apply Catholic social teachings in all that we do; invited by our board vision to be people who “transform the world through witness, faith, innovation and action”. The experience gained through community involvement allows students to grow in knowledge and appreciation of themselves and their God-given gifts, and to find meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good. It is hoped that this experience early in their high school years will continue to motivate our students to stay involved and to answer the call to support Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and sacredness of human life in their community involvement experiences. All students who earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma must complete 40 hours of community service. Find resources, information, and volunteer opportunities here: https://www.tcdsb.org/ ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Communityservice40hours/Pages/ Default.aspx
November Events/Observances: •
November is Aboriginal Education Month
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November 1--All Saints Day
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November 1-7--Down Syndrome Awareness Week—“See the Ability”
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November 2 --All Souls Day
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November 2--Take Our Kids to Work Day
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November 6-12—Treaties Recognition Week
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November 8—A Catholic Call To Serve
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November 11--Remembrance Day
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November 14-19--Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week
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November 18—PA Day
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November 22--Memorial Mass to Celebrate the Lives of Staff and Students in the TCDSB Community at 7 p.m. at the Catholic Education Centre
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November 27—Advent Begins
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November 28—TCDSB Caucus/Inaugural Meeting—including election of Chair, Vice-Chair
For more information or resources connected to any or all of these events/initiatives, visit the Board’s website at www.tcdsb.org.
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Monthly Update from TCDSB November 2016 NOVEMBER MESSAGE FROM YOUR TRUSTEE
I am pleased to announce that on Thursday October 13, 2016 the Board of Trustees approved a $15 million budget to build a replacement school for St. Fidelis. Included in this budget is funding for a three room onsite childcare facility.
Additionally, the Board authorized staff to submit an offer to purchase the former Nelson A. Boylen Collegiate Institute property from the TDSB, with the idea that it would serve as a much larger site for a new St. Fidelis building. While we are still very early in the process, I will continue to provide updates as they come in. I would like to congratulate and welcome the newly elected members of our Catholic School Parent Councils and look forward to working with all of you in the months ahead. We appreciate your willingness to share your time and talents with your respective school communities. I would also extend a warm welcome to the Board’s newest Superintendent Shawna Campbell. Shawna will be working with schools in area 8 which comprises the southern half of Scarborough. Finally, I take this opportunity to wish all of you a peaceful month, and a blessed start to the Advent season, which begins on November 27th. Sincerely, Sal Piccininni TCDSB School Year Calendar 2016-2017 Number of school days: 194 Number of Professional Activity Days: 7 Labour Day: September 5, 2015 First Instructional Day: September 6, 2016 Thanksgiving Day: October 10, 2016 Christmas Break: December 26, 2016–January 6, 2017 Start of second semester for secondary schools: February 6, 2017 Family Day: February 20, 2017 Mid-Winter Break: March 13-17, 2017 Good Friday: April 14, 2017 Easter Monday: April 17, 2017 Victoria Day: May 22, 2017 Last day of classes for elementary students: June 29, 2017
Seven (7) Professional Activity (PA) Days for ELEMENTARY schools: October 7, 2016: Provincial Education Priorities November 18, 2016: Parent-Teacher Conferences December 2, 2016: Provincial Education Priorities January 20, 2017: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting February 17, 2017: Parent-Teacher Conferences June 9, 2017: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting June 30, 2017: Provincial Education Priorities More details including PA Days here: https://www. tcdsb.org/school/SchoolYearCalendar/Pages/ FutureSchoolYearCalendar.aspx
November, 2016
Student Mental Health and Well-Being
Newsletter Mental Health Services provided by TCDSB Psychology Social Work and Guidance
Taking time to Remember November is a time to remember and call to mind those who have served and are still serving in the Canadian Military. Many have paid the ultimate debt to their country, not only with their service, but also with their lives. This is a solemn time. A time for reflection and for honor. Making the time and space to offer remembrance is important. In our busy, fast paced lives, sometimes it can be difficult to slow down and create that time and space. The following is a breathing exercise suggested by Yoga Instructor, Edward Jones, from New York City. The suggestions may help you, your student, or your child to slow down and create a space and time to remember and honor those who have fallen in war or conflicts.
November is a month of remembrance. Let’s take time to celebrate the lives of our loved ones and remember the sacrifices made by those who bravely served our country. Next time you find yourself feeling annoyed by a noisy environment- voices, phones, traffic, lawn movers- try this one minute exercise to shift your experience. The idea is to tune in to sounds around you rather than attempt to shut them out. Sit up tall, close your eyes, and let your face relax. (You might feel a connection between your jaw releasing and your ears softening.) Breathe naturally and think of yourself as a sort of receiver, taking in all of the sounds around you. Try not to favor one sound over another. Whether is chatter or clanging, or honking, just hear it. Is it possible to experience this “noise” the same way you might experience the sound of a river flowing? Can you relax and accept what’s around you without wishing it were different? See how you feel after just one minute of sitting with this quality of openness.
; November, 2016
Healthy Habits for Happiness per minute. In addition a 2010 student cited in the same article indicated that over a ten year period, persons who rated themselves as happier on a 5 point scale demonstrated a drop in coronary heart disease.
Happiness is definitely in the eye of the “beholder”. For some of us small things can make us immensely happy. For other, we can at times, overt look the small triumphs of happiness and focus on the negative. If we think about people we know, we can often categorize them in to a “glass half full or glass half empty” dichotomy.
5 Habits for Happiness ( The Science of Happiness , Time Magazine, 2016)
SLEEP MORE People who have better sleep have a better chance at achieving emotional wellbeing, according to a 2014 analysis. The happiest people get and average of 8 hours a night; 42% of adults in the US get less than the recommended minimum of 7 hours
There is much exciting evidence to suggest that happiness contributes to physical health. According to an article in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Science (2014) entitled “ The How of Happiness”, the happiest people had an average heart rate of about 6 fewer beats
EXERCISE: Physical activity boosts the actions of endorphins, which may be natural mood enhancers. GET OUTSIDE: Studies have found that sunshine boosts the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and may combat depression. EAT MORE FISH: In a review of studies that tracked the consumption of fish and emotions, subject who ate more fish demonstrated a lower risk of depression. SMILE: A 2012 student found that people who smiled enjoyed a lower heart rate during stress recovery scenarios and a smaller drop in positive emotions during stressful tasks.
Mental Health Initiatives 2016-17
Support for schools in developing a mentally healthy classroom. See Supporting Minds on the Ministry’s website and edugains.ca.
Inclusion of mental health to school SLIPs
Building partnerships with community agencies, families, and parishes.
safeTALK suicide awareness workshops for staff available via PAL
Psych. And SW supporting Newcomer Mental Health
; November, 2016
Remembrance Day
On Remembrance Day we honour the men and women who served Canada. We reflect on the sacrifices of those who have died so that we may have freedom and peace. Encouraging discussions and participating in activities about Remembrance Day encourages students to become “socially minded” and fosters feelings of empathy. Students can say “thank you” in many way: • •
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Engaging in creative writing about Remembrance Day Using social media to spread the word about commemorative events at your school. Using the mobile app “Veterans Matter” Invite a Veteran or a Canadian Armed Forces member as a guest speaker As a class watch online interviews with Veterans in “Heroes Remember” (a searchable database) Read the poem “In Flanders Field” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae Write the troops and let your Canadian Armed Forces members know you appreciate them Wear a poppy Create a Remembrance Wall where students can write down thank you notes to Armed Forces or a special memory of someone they lost or miss in their lives.
Did you know….. • • •
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November 11th is the day that World War I ended. It is also known as Armistice Day An Armistice was signed at the end of World War I at 11:00am on November 11, 1918. The peace treaty that ended World War I is the Treaty of Versailles and it was signed in 1919 Poppies are a symbol of World War I because they grew in some of the places where battles were fought Poppies are sold by the Royal British Legion to raise money to support people in the armed forces
For further information and a teaching guide for Remembrance Day visit the Royal Canadian Legion website at: www.veterans.gc.ca www.legion.ca
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 24:4
; November, 2016
Suggested Readings and Websites: Fostering Connections with Parish: The TCDSB Pastoral Plan 2015-18 “ Together With one Voice: Harmonizing Our Faith Through Family , Parish, and School” 2016 focuses on the Parish As a family we can honour the memory of loved ones by: • • •
Sharing special memories Praying together Continuing family traditions
Books Resiliency: Strategies for Parents and Educators by Virginia Smith Harvey A Great Attitude by Sandi Hill When I Feel Good About Myself by Cornelia Maude Spelman Websites National Association of School Psychologists: www.nasponline.org www.raisingresilientkids.com www.parentbooks.ca
A Smile A Day…
Patricia Marra-Stapleton, Psychological Associate/Mental Health Lead
[email protected] Marci Buhagiar, Psychological Associate:
[email protected]
