MAY2016 Newsletter (2) / May 2016 Newsletter

MAY 2016
451 NAPA VALLEY AVE.
WOODBRIDGE, ONTARIO, L4H 1Y8
PHONE: 905 893 7557
FAX: 905 893 2302


Integration of our catholic faith
Continuous improvement of student achievement

Effective use of our resources

Trustee
Mr. D. Giuliani
905- 893- 3300
[email protected]
Pastor
Monsignor Gregory Ace
905-893-7879
Superintendent of Schools
Ms. D. Hackett
416 - 221- 5050
Principal
Ms. A. Barone
Vice Principal
Ms. C. Luongo
Administrative Assistants
Ms. S. Persi
Ms. M. Cerullo
CSC Co-Chairs
Ms. T. Ceko-Drinovac
Ms. K. Falletta
Looking Ahead
May 25 - June 6 EQAO
June 2 Community BBQ
June 3 PA Day
June 6 Track & Field
June 7-10 Gr. 8 Ottawa
June 10 Last Day Library
Book Exchange
June 17 10:15 am Year
End/Grad Mass at Church
June 22 Play Day
June 24 Last Pizza /
Civies Day
June 27 Gr. 8 Grad at
DaVinci
June 29 Last Day /
Report Cards
June 30 PA Day
Engaging our communities
From The Principals’ Desk
Dear Parents/Guardians,
There are many celebrations during the month of May. This month begins with Catholic
Education Week, whose theme this year is Opening Doors of Mercy. A pamphlet will be
available, highlighting some of the events that will be taking place at St. Stephen during
Catholic Education Week. Parents, please join us for one or all of these activities.
During May, we also celebrate Mary, the mother of Jesus and Mother’s Day. We would like to
wish all the Mothers in our St. Stephen community a “Happy Mother’s Day” on Sunday, May
8th. Thank you to all for your generous contributions towards our very exciting ShareLife
ShareFair campaign. Much fun was had by all! Thank you to the CSC for all their support
and contributions. Please join us on Monday, May 2nd for our much anticipated Music Alive
Festival .
Yours in Catholic Education,
Ms. A. Barone Ms. C. Luongo
Principal
Vice Principal
Thanks for Your Mother’s Care
Jesus, thank you for entrusting me to the spiritual maternity of your mother,
Mary.
Through faith I stand at the cross and hear you ask Mary to look out for me.
Read the Scripture and see what kind of a woman she was
~a person of deep faith always in prayer.
Your mother prays that I have faith and a love of prayer.
I hunger for this gift and open my heart to it.
Amen
In the month of October we celebrate the virtue of Compassion.
I will seek to understand others by listening.
I will be willing to forgive others.
I will give of my resources to help those in need.
May Newsletter 2016
INTEGRATION OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH EFFECTIVE USE OF OUR RESOURCES
SACRAMENT NEWS
Student School Transportation Eligibility
Did you know that students’ busing eligibility changes throughout
their school career? Your son/daughter’s eligibility to ride the school
bus may change according to their grade and distance from home to
school. York Catholic District School Board’s (YCDSB) Transportation Policy #203 outlines the student transportation eligibility requirements:
•All YCDSB students in Grades JK-3 who live within 1.2 km of
their school are not eligible for transportation
•All YCDSB students in Grades 4-8 who live within 1.6 km of
SHARELIFE / SHAREFAIR
their school are not eligible for transportation
For the past four years, St. Stephen C.E.S. has participated
•All YCDSB students in Grades 9-12 who live within 4.8 km of
ShareFair for ShareLife with astounding support. Students
their school or 3.2 km in a non- transit served area are not eligiparticipated in wonderful cooperative activities while, at
ble for transportation. To view the full policy, go to the board
the same time, raising money for a good cause by creating
website at www.ycdsb.ca. Check under Board of Trustees and
class-themed baskets for our annual ShareLife
click on Board Policies. Don’t wait until September to find out
Raffle. Our next scheduled Civies Day for
if this may affect your child’s school transportation eligibility.
ShareLife is Friday, May27th .
Find out now. For more information about student transportation
and to determine your son/daughter’s eligibility, please visit
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
The theme of this year’s Catholic Education Week, May 1st- www.schoolbuscity.com.
6th, is Opening Doors of Mercy –Blessed are the Merciful
PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)
(Matthew 5:7). Various activities will take place at St. Stephen during Catholic Education Week. For further details, The York Catholic District School Board recognizes concerns related
please review the brochure that will be emailed via syner- to pediculosis (head lice) at the school and community level. Pediculosis (head lice) are not a public hazard, as they do not cause illness,
voice or view it on the school’s website.
but they are a nuisance. To prevent pediculosis (head lice) from becoming a problem at our school we all need to work together. Please
CATHOLIC VIRTUE
check your child’s head on a regular basis for lice or nits. If you do
In May, we celebrate the virtue of Responsibility.
find lice or nits, you must contact the office so that we can notify othI will honour my commitment even when it becomes difficult. I will be reliable so people can depend on me. I will be er parents in your child’s class to keep a special watch for any signs of
head lice.
accountable for the things I say and do.
A student’s readmission to school is contingent upon the Parent/
Guardian submitting a completed and signed “Pediculosis Treatment
LUKE 4:18
Form” communicating to the Principal that treatment for pediculosis
The Luke 4:18 committee is happy to announce that we will be
(head lice) has been administered.
selling Mother’s Day cards the week of May 2 to May5. These
cards have been created by the committee members themselves
More information on the identification, treatment and prevention of
and will be available for purchase for $2 a card. The contributions pediculosis (head lice) from the Canadian Pediatric Society (http;//
from these purchases will be put towards our year end contribuwww.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/headlice) and Toronto Public
tion to Free the Children and ShareLife. The students have worked Health (Toronto.ca/health) is available on the school’s website. A
hard on these products and are excited to share them with our St.
hard copy of the information posted on the school’s website will be
Stephen community. Thank you for your ongoing support or our
provided by the Principal if requested by the Parent/Guardian.
initiatives.
and/or school announcements.
The Luke 4:18 committee.
“Feel the Spirit, Get Involved, Make a Difference!”
Congratulations to our Grade 2 students on
receiving First Holy Communion on Sunday,
April 24. Thank you to Monsignor Greg and
our teachers for the spiritual guidance and preparation.
 Confirmations:
Grade 7 - Monday, May 9 @ 7 p.m.
Grade 8 - Monday, May 16 @ 7 p.m.
ALLERGY REMINDERS
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION TEA
We wish to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who have assisted in the school this year. Please join us
for our Volunteer Appreciation Tea on Tuesday, May 3rd at
2:00 pm, in our library. Kindly respond by calling the
school to confirm your attendance. Thank You! !
Please continue to reinforce with your child(ren) that food and drinks
are not to be shared for any reason during the school day, and are not
permitted outdoors nor in hallways at recess breaks and lunch
time. Thank you to all parents, students and staff for your continued
support in helping to keep our allergic students and staff safe. Please
visit the school website at http://ssn.ycdsb.ca to access our Allergy
Safe School Plan in full.
May Newsletter 2016
EFFECTIVE USE OF OUR RESOURCES
WELCOME TO KINDGERGARTEN
This year St. Stephen will be offering a
workshop for our September 2016
Jr. Kindergarten parents and their children on Tuesday, May
17th at 5:00 pm. The program is called “Welcome to Kindergarten.” The Welcome to Kindergarten Program is a parent/child
orientation workshop offering Kindergarten parents a variety
of family activities that will help their child get ready for
school in September. The First Impressions Interview with the
Kindergarten teachers will take place during the day on
Wednesday May 18th. We look forward to meeting you and
your child.
NEWS FROM THE ST. STEPHEN RESOURCE CENTER
This month, the library has been bursting at the seams during
morning and afternoon recesses, when students from all divisions have been coming in to find a comfortable and quiet spot
to read their favourite book. If your child has not yet experienced our “Recess Reading Club”, I encourage them to find that
perfect book in either the fiction or Dewey section and join
us! Soft music, comfy furniture and special lighting help to encourage the students to escape the everyday world and experience the sights and sounds that their novel depicts . . . just another way to experience the awesomeness of reading!
Battle of the Books, our annual region wide reading competition, is fast approaching! On May 11, two teams representing
our school will travel to Herbert H. Carnegie Public School in
Maple to compete to answer questions based on the plot, character, or author of 23 specially selected books. Stay tuned to
find out how we rank in this very challenging race for the title
of Battle Champion!
FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE
We would like to congratulate the junior and
intermediate dance teams for the fantastic Level 4 + performances on April 14th at For the Love of Dance Competition
held at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School. The coaches are
very proud of the team’s positive and encouraging attitude
throughout their practices and especially on the day of the
competition. The Junior dance team members portrayed the
Catholic Virtue of Perseverance while the Intermediate dance
team portrayed Unity. Big thanks go out to Mrs. Giurleo, Mrs.
Parisi, Mrs. LoBianco, Ms. Carino, Ms. Burgio, Ms. Cecco and Ms.
Raspa for all their time and dedication.
MUSIC ALIVE MONDAY
We are excited to announce that St. Stephen will again be participating in this year’s Music Alive Festival. Students from
grade 4 to grade 8 will be performing various ensembles in our
5th Annual Music Alive Festival which will take place in the
gym from 12:45 - 2:30 pm on Monday, May 2nd. All parents
are welcome! Thank you to Ms. Sisti for her musical leadership!
EFFECTIVE USE OF OUR RESOURCES
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
One in five Ontario children and youth has a mental health problem that's about 500,000 kids. Because of the strong link between mental
health and student achievement some of these students will not achieve
their full academic potential. In addition, 80 per cent of students will not
receive appropriate treatment because of various barriers, including
stigma.
The York Catholic District School Board recognizes the importance of
increasing awareness of the early signs of child and youth mental health
problems; decreasing stigma; and understanding that help is available.
We are strongly committed to promoting Mental Well-Being in all our
students.
As part of Ontario's Open Mind, Healthy Mind comprehensive mental
health and addiction strategy, the York Catholic District School Board
is currently working actively with the tri-ministerial initiative, School
Mental Health ASSIST, devoted to supporting schools in addressing
mental health and addiction issues in children and youth.
The overall objective is to achieve better mental health and academic
outcomes for all of our students. The goals of the initiative are:
 Building resiliency and social emotional learning skills
 Reducing stigma of mental health and addiction
 Early identification and intervention
 Building pathways to care
 Closing critical service gaps
 Providing fast access to high quality services for
our students
During the 2013 -2014 academic school year, we
began the implementation of our comprehensive Mental Health and
Addiction Strategy and with our focus on: 1) building optimal organizational conditions to support mental health and well being; and 2) building staff capacity in the understanding and awareness of mental health
and addiction issues. In building capacity with all our staff, we will be
using two guides that have been recently released:
Supporting Minds: An Educator's Guide to Promoting Students' Mental
Health and Well-being, developed by the Ministry
Leading Mentally Healthy Schools: A Vision for Mental Health and
Well-being in Ontario Schools, developed by the School Mental Health
Assist Group (This guide is a companion to the Educator's Guide and is
intended to support Administrators in their roles)
If you have general concerns about your child, the York Catholic District School Board Mental Health Workers are available for assistance.
Please contact your child’s school principal.
FRENCH IMMERSION
Parents of SK students interested in French Immersion at either
Our Lady of Fatima or Immaculate Conception may apply online, through the Board website.
21st CENTURY LEARNINGSt. Stephen’s is Tweeting! The site is
up and running and parents are encouraged to follow along for
reminders The Twitter Account is @StStephenCES. Please look
for our monthly calendar posted/updated
regularly on our school website.
May Newsletter 2016
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT
EQAO PROVINCIAL TESTING
Our grade 3 and 6 students will be writing the EQAO Provincial testing from May 25 - June 6th .We ask that you
please refrain from scheduling medical/dental appointments
during this period. The students have been busy preparing for
the testing and we wish them well!
MATH OLYMPICS
On Tuesday April 19th, 2016 four intermediate students represented St Stephen at the Math Olympics where they competed
against various other elementary schools, both public and private, testing their knowledge and analytic minds. Although
they did not place in the top five, our intermediates demonstrated fortitude, knowledge, wisdom, and great cooperation skills
during the entire night! A big thank you to Luke A, Julia, Sofia
F., and Sebastian for successfully representing our school.
Go Sharks Go!
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS/SPEECHES
ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITIES
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in our library. Our next meeting
date and AGM is: Monday, June 6th . Please join us on Wednesday, May 25 for our ProGrant Family Wellness Night and Thursday, June 2nd for our Annual Community BBQ!!
CANADA’S ANTI-SPAM LEGISLATION
Commercial Electronic Messages from the York Catholic
District School Board and its schools
The York Catholic District School Board requires the permission of
its parents / guardians in order to receive any electronic messages,
which contain a commercial element.
Examples of Commercial Electronic Messages include:
School newsletters
All fundraising information (hot lunch, pizza days,
civvies days, school BBQ)
Field Trips
Year Books
Spirit Wear
Student Photos, etc.
If you have not consented, please visit http://www.ycdsb.ca/casl and
enter the same email address which was provided on the School
Emergency Form.
Grade 4 to 8 students were involved in preparing, writing and
delivering speeches in their classrooms. Two winners from each
class advanced to the school level competition on April 19th.
Congratulations to the following students: Emily F. "Why Reading Is Important" our Junior Division winner and Juliana T.
"Where There's A Will There's A Way: Chris Hatfield", our Intermediate winner. Both students delivered brilliant speeches at
the Area finals, held at St. Mary of the Angels . Well done!! We
are very proud to have you represent St. Stephen!
POLICY UPDATE and REVIEW
CLASS ORGANIZATION - 2016-2017
Classroom doors are locked at the end of the day for safety reasons. Custodians will NOT be responsible for unlocking doors to
retrieve forgotten items. Please help us encourage students taking responsibility for their learning by bringing all needed items
including agendas, home at the end of the day and bringing
what is needed for learning to school each day.
We will be soon determining class organizations for September
2016. Our goal is to establish balanced classes which will provide effective working groups to benefit all children in each
class. The following criteria is used in the process:
 Learning styles
 Academic abilities
 Social groupings
 Educational needs
 Balance of males and females
 Previous placement in combined grades
Creating effective class groupings is a task which requires much
thought and careful planning. The teachers who have been
working with your children all year know them well, and will
make a determination of placement in the best interest of each
child. Parents, we do value your input. If you feel that there are
extenuating circumstances or additional information needed for
the decision making process, please let us know in writing and
we will do our best to accommodate your request. Specific
teacher requests will not be accepted. All input and requests
are to be made in writing to Ms. Barone by Friday, May 13th.
Policy 108
Policy 210
Policy 409
Policy 425
Policy 427
Policy 604
Policy 705
School Archives (NEW)
Pediculosis (Head Lice)
Occupational Health and Safety
Respectful Workplace
Workplace Violence
Child Care: Early Years, Extended Day, B&A
Use of Video Surveillance Equipment (Draft)
CLASSROOM DOORS
MOVING IN OR OUT
If you know of any families moving into our area whose children
will be attending St. Stephen in September, please encourage
them to register as early as possible. Additionally, if you are
moving to another school in September, it is important to have
this information as soon as possible as we are currently planning
for September.
LOST AND FOUND
Our Lost and Found bin is located in the hallway
facing the office windows. Students are encouraged to look for
items that belong to them. With a change of seasons, it’s time to
put our winter clothing away.
ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITIES
Celebrating Another Great Year!
Date: Thursday, June 2nd (rain or shine)
Time: 6 pm to 9 pm
Place: St Stephen’s School Yard.
BOUNCE ENTERTAINMENT
Live Music and DJ!
Alex the Magician and Balloon Maker!
Games and fun for the whole family to enjoy!
Come enjoy an evening with family and friends.
As always, please come with an appetite and ready to have lots of fun.
All food items will be sold on site the day of the event. Menu to follow.
Bring your neighbor and classmates and enjoy a fun filled community evening.
POPE FRANCIS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Kleinburg
Registration is Open for New Kleinburg Catholic Elementary School
The York Catholic District School Board is proud to announce that its newest elementary school in Kleinburg is scheduled to open September 2016. This school will be named Pope Francis Catholic Elementary
School and is located at 15 Secord Avenue, in Kleinburg.
Families who live in the school’s attendance boundary can register for Pope Francis CES as of May 4,
2016. Registrations are taking place at Guardian Angels CES located at 200 Lawford Road, Woodbridge, ON, L4H 0Z5.
Please call Guardian Angels at 905-303-5441 before visiting the school to register. For more details
regarding registration or admission, please visit: http://www.ycdsb.ca/admissions/default.htm
OSTA-AECO 2016 ONTARIO STUDENT, PARENT AND EDUCATOR SURVEY
The Ontario Student Trustees’ Association has launched their 2016 Ontario Student, Parent and Educator Survey.
The survey is open to all Grade 7 to 12 students from across Ontario’s English Catholic, English Public, French
Catholic and French Public schools as well as to parents and educators from all regions of the province. Through
this short survey, everyone who has a stake in Ontario’s education system will be given an opportunity to provide input on a variety of education topics. The survey can be accessed by visiting the website
www.StudentSurvey.ca. The survey will close May 26, 2016. Make your voice count and take the survey today.
Learning Advantage
This spring, our school will once again participate in the Learning Advantage program. These books are a great resource to prepare your child for the next grade level! Please order the grade level that your child is advancing to and they will get a head
start
on the new school year ! There is one 192-page fully-coloured activity book per grade level from Junior Kindergarten to Grade
7. Also please note, for grade 8 students the grade 9 EQAO Math Prep Test is offered. For students advancing into grade 10, the
OSSLT EQAO Prep Test Booklet is available.
English and French Immersion activity books are available.
English: Grades JK – Grade 7
The Language Toolkit – Preparing students entering grade 8 and 9.
EQAO Prep Books – For grades 3, 6, 9 and 10.
French Immersion: K – 7,
For Kindergarten, English translation is provided throughout the book.
The Companion Book provides English translation for French Immersion books, grades 1-3.
The books can be viewed on the website. Please visit www.learningadvantage.ca for further information and a tour of
the books. All books are aligned with the Ontario curriculum expectations for each grade, and provide units on mathematics, science, health and English that are fully Canadian (with regard to money, measurement, social studies, spelling
etc.).
By ordering through the school you will receive special pricing which is a savings of approximately $5-$6 per book. Please submit your orders to the school with your payment (cash or cheque). Cheques must be made payable to Learning Advantage. Orders must be received by JUNE 6TH . Any orders submitted after our delivery in the 3rd week of June will not be accepted. You
will have to order online after this point.
We suggest you visit their web site www.learningadvantage.ca for further information, and a tour of the books. ORDERS DUE
DATE … JUNE 6TH “Please look for an order form in your child’s backpack in the coming weeks.”