January Newsletter - St. Vincent de Paul

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL
January 2016
SCHOOL INFO:
30 Faial Road
Cambridge, ON N1R 7C3
Phone: 519-740-0678
Fax:
519-740-8918
Website:
http://stvincentdepaul.wcdsb.ca
Principal:
Mrs. S. Sawyer
Principal Message January 2016
Greetings!
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your families were able to
connect, celebrate the birth of Jesus, and find time to rest and relax.
The importance of family time should never be underestimated!
Administrative Assistant:
Mrs. L. Bartlett
SCHOOL HOURS:
8:00am - Office is open
8:45am - Yard supervision begins
9:00am - Morning entrance bell
10:10-10:25am - Morning recess
11:45am - 12:45pm – Lunch
2:05-2:20pm – Afternoon recess
3:30pm – Dismissal
4:00pm – Office is closed
This is the year of “MERCY”, as chosen by our Catholic Church! This
month’s Newsletter is very brief, written with the intention to give
parents some important dates along with a little food for thought. As
always, we encourage families to communicate on a regular basis with
their children’s teachers This gets dialogue and pertinent details going
to the right person
We are hoping to have more than 90 % families signed up for our
web=based newsletter by March Break!! If you have ANY questions,
please contact us at school.
REPORTING DATES
Progress Reports – November 3rd
Term 1 Report Cards - February 18
We wish you a renewed year with blessings for good health, prosperity
and success in achieving your goals.
Cheers,
Mrs. Sawyer
Term 2 Report Card – June 27
Winter Weather & Inclement Weather
With the unpredictability of our weather, it is strongly recommended that students come prepared with extra clothes. An extra pair
of dry socks and mittens are always a good thing to have tucked into the backpack. A warm coat, snow pants, hat and mitts are
necessary for outdoor recess times.
Inclement Weather:
With the colder weather coming, the snowflakes are not too far away. Please note how school closures are announced to the
public. If buses are cancelled or delayed in the morning due to icy roads or snowy weather, the following radio and television
stations will be notified:
Toronto: CBC FM 99.1, CHFI FM 98.1, CFTR AM 680
Guelph: CJOY AM 1460, MAGIC FM 106.1
Kitchener: CKGL AM 570, CHYM FM 96.7
Please listen for WATERLOO REGION bus information and school closures. Board policy is indoor recess if temp is -20 with windchill!
Severe Weather!
Please go to our board website to review our ‘Severe Weather Policy.’ As per our AP Memo on Extreme Cold
Days, we will follow the protocol that states any temperatures below -15 up to -19 F degrees we will allow
students to be outside for no more than a 20 minute period of time. From -20 F and colder, students will be
kept indoors. Winters in our area bring a variety of temperatures and conditions: please ensure your children
have proper clothing for cold weather to prevent a prolonged exposure for their skin to be in direct contact with
the cold air and varied conditions. Fresh air is good for children and we will continue to encourage time spent
outdoors as much as possible during our colder months.
. Sign up for our Electronic Newsletter!!!
We have been sending out our Newsletters electronically. Our goal is to improve communication,
share information, and be responsible to the environment (less paper required). Register at our
school website today! If you haven’t already your way of keeping informed…..
http://stvincentdepaul.wcdsb.ca
The registration process is easy - just enter your email address in the space indicated and click on
subscribe”. Note - If you wish to change your mind - it is very easy to unsubscribe. Your e-mail address is strictly
confidential- even the school can’t tell who has signed up. How it works: you subscribe, and anytime the school wants to
send out information, such as monthly newsletters, information regarding school events, etc. we post it on NEWSWIRE
and it automatically comes to your home! Visit our website soon to sign up. Thanks for helping the environment and for
participating in your child’s education. NOTE - a paper copy will continue to be available for those that request it. Please
contact your child’s teacher if you require a paper copy.
School Cash Online
.
School Security
For the safety of our students and staff at St. Vincent de Paul School, our doors are locked at all times.
Access for anyone may be granted by pressing the buzzer at the front door. If you can be identified, you will
be let inside and expected to REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE MAIN OFFICE. If you wish to speak directly
to your child during the day we can call your child to the office. If you wish to drop off an item for your child,
we will gladly deliver it for you. To protect the learning time of all of our children, we do not permit
visitors/parents to go to the classrooms/portables during the school day. If you wish to speak to your child’s teacher, you
will need to set up an appointment. We would be more than happy to leave a message with your child’s teacher.
When you buzz the door, we may be away from our desk assisting others at that time- please be patient, we will be able
to answer your call as soon as we return to our desk.
We hope and trust that you view our School Security Protocol as a protection for your child(ren) from preventing just
anyone from walking into the school and disrupting your child’s learning and possibly interfering with their well-being
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN BORN IN 2012 AND KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN BORN IN 2011 WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN!
Registration for September 2016 will be held at St Vincent de Paul School on Tuesday February 2, 2016 and Wednesday
Feb 3, 2016; evening appointments are available. Registration will be by appointment on these two days. Please call
Mrs. Bartlett at 519 740-0678. The parent or legal guardian of the child being registered is asked to attend and bring the
following documents with you; a birth certificate or other legal proof of your child’s age, a Catholic Baptismal Certificate of
either parent or the child, your child’s immunization record, and proof of your address for example driver’s license, rental
or purchase agreement.
. This month, Speaker’s Corners replaces Bully Free Zone…..
On Tuesday Dec 29th, an article was placed in the Record entitled, “6 Family Resolutions” which I
thought most interesting and applicable for our community. The premise of this article supports
this: “The value of any learning experience depends on the support, guidance, and involvement of
parents.” Here is the article in its entirety….. We hope you find it useful!
Hamilton Spectator
By Caroline Knorr
If last year you agonized over screen time, 2016 should bring some relief. New research on how media affects
kids — including everything from watching Peg + Cat reading eBooks to FaceTiming with relatives —
indicates that quality screen time can improve learning, social skills, and even emotional growth. This year, the
American Academy of Pediatrics will offer new guidelines for families on how to use smartphones, tablets, TV,
and games constructively (rather than simply offering time limits). But, in all the research and all the
recommendations, the common denominator is you. The value of any learning experience depends on the
support, guidance and involvement of parents. With that in mind, here are some New Year's resolutions for
families to play an active role in kids' media lives.
Treat tech as a "tool," not a "treat." Kids who use tablets or smartphones only to play games see only the
entertainment side of technology. Demonstrate the utility of devices, such as how you send email, use a map,
and look up facts. Your kids will still want to play on your phone, but they'll learn that it's much more than a
toy.
See setbacks as an opportunity. The lessons that kids learn from overcoming obstacles build the character
traits that lead to success. Media can be a powerful ally in reinforcing the message that effort is more important
than achievement.
Focus on content quality, not screen-time quantity. Instead of tallying up your kid's screen-time minutes
every day, aim for a balance of activities throughout the week: reading, playing, exploring, and so on. In
addition to choosing quality content, use media as a means of furthering and cementing your relationship with
your kids. FaceTiming with Grandma and sharing your phone's camera roll, for example, can be wonderful
bonding experiences.
Be a family of media critics. Media-literacy skills help kids think critically about what they watch, play, and
interact with. They are essential for kids growing up in a world where content and consumerism are increasingly
entwined. Encourage young kids to think more deeply about their shows, books, and games. Ask "Who made
this?"; "Whom is it for?"; and "What is it telling you?"
Make something. This year, embark on a creative endeavour with your kids. Start an online scrapbook, make a
collection of favourite things on Pinterest, design a Minecraft world, or make a silly video on your phone. Your
kids will not only learn a new skill, they'll begin to understand the responsibility that comes along with digital
creation.
Model the digital habits you want your kids to pick up. Lead by example by putting your own devices away
during family time. Parent role-modeling shows kids the behaviour and values you want in your home.
Common Sense Media
Thank You!
I want you to thank everyone for their generous support in donating to our many initiatives this past Fall, in
particular during the busy month of December. The coat/hat/mitten drive, toy drive, support for our Syrian
Refugees were most welcomed and appreciated. There are many kids and families that benefitted this
Christmas because of your kindness!
Movie Night……
School Council is hoping to host a ‘Movie Night’ for families. Details at this time are not yet finalized, but
members are working together to secure a movie and date to show a family movie in our gym! You will be
informed when details are complete! Stay tuned
Driveway Safety
Please remember that our driveways and parking lot are for busses and
staff only to use at the beginning and end of the day. We ask that you
respect that the pylons that are situated across the entrances of our
driveways are a reminder to not enter. Pylons are at the first entrance
for the entire day, so please use the second entrance if entering the
school premises between arrival and dismissal time. Thank you.
Dates at a Glance
2015-2016
Jan 14
Jan 29
Feb 2
Feb 3
Feb 10
Feb 15
Feb 16
Feb 17-19
Feb 18
Feb 25
Mar 25
Mar 28
April 10
April 12
April 21
April 22
April 24
May 30
June 3
June 22
June 27
June 28
June 30
Grade 8 grad photos and SK grad photos
PD day
JK registration am please call for appt
JK registration pm and evening please call for appt
Ash Wednesday Liturgy at school
Family Day
Grade 8 HPV
Grade 8’s at Mount Mary
Term 1 report cards go home
First Reconciliation Grade 2
Good Friday (NO SCHOOL)
Easter Monday (NO SCHOOL)
First Holy Communion Grade 2
Easter Mass at Church
Spring Photos
PD day
Confirmation for Grade 7
Grade 7 Hep B and Grade 8 HPV
PD day
End of the year Mass at school
Term 2 report cards go home
Graduation
Last Day of School
STUDENTS FOR CHANGE
CHRISTMAS DONATIONS
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to everyone who donated toys, outdoor clothing and food items to our
Christmas Angel Tree, Food Drive and Tree of Warmth. The Cambridge Firefighters were so
impressed with the generosity at SVDP and were happy to be able to distribute the items to families
within the community. We’re very pleased that we were able to help make a difference during the
holiday season.
BATTERIES, MILK BAGS AND POP TABS
You can continue to send in any used batteries, dried and flattened 4L milk bags as well as pop tabs
to the school to help us recycle them appropriately.
Skills Competition
St. Vincent de Paul will be participating in our Regional Skills Canada competition on February 17th and February 18th.
We will be sending teams for Lego Robotics, Construction, and Video editing. Students in grade 4 to 8 will be invited to
fill out an application to be submitted to Mr. Windsor on January 11th. Parent volunteers are welcome to help with
preparing teams and as volunteer drivers. Please contact Mr. Windsor or Mr. Donelson for more information.
Boys Basketball
The Boys basketball team has been selected and our season is set to begin with our first game at St. Augustine on
January 16th. Parent and high school volunteers are welcome at practices; please contact Mr. Windsor for more
information. High school students can earn volunteer hours! Go Tigers
Christmas Concert and Christmas Luncheon!
Some pictures from our Christmas Luncheon and our Christmas Concert which were both great days!