February - Dante School

DANTE NEWS
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Principal’s Newsletter
February 2016 ----# 6
Dear Parents,
February is the month when we gather our loved ones and express our sincere appreciation for having them with us.
Teachers have three loves; love of learning, love of learners and the love of bringing the first two together.-Scott Hayden
Teachers who love teaching.....teach students to love learning.
On January 22nd, we had a special Literacy day at Dante. Our school was congratulated for its success with balanced
literacy. Among the special guests were;
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Angela Mancini, Chairman of the English Montréal Schéol Bocard
Angelo Marino, Députa Directory General of the EMSB
Patricia Lattanzio, Commissioner for St Leonard and City Councillor for Montreal in St Leonard
Ann Marie Matheson, Director General of the EMSB
Angela Price, the wife of Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price
Alysson Flynn, the wife of Montreal Canadiens forward Brian Flynn
Larissa Gilbert, the wife of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Tom Gilbert
Paola Miniaci, Deputy Director General of the EMSB
Danny Machocha, a graduate of Dante Elementary School, former Grey Cup winning coach in the CFL and present-day
coach of the Université de Montréal Caribins
Michel Bissonnette, Mayor of the Borough of St. Leonard
Cameron Porter, a forward from the Montreal Impact soccer team.
Joseph Lalla, EMSB Commissioner for NDG/Montreal West and a former principal of Dante School.
Karen MacDonald, News and Station Manager for Global TV Montreal
Laura Casella, a reporter for City’s Breakfast TV and a graduate of Dante Elementary School
Lucinda Chodan, editor-in-chief of The Montreal Gazette
Dave Kaufman, host of The Exchange on CJAD Radio
Angelike Falbo, EMSB grad and a runnerup on TVA`s highly rated Program La Voix
Caroline Calve, a member of the Canadian Olympic snowboarding team
Claudia Marques, broadcaster for 925 The Beat FM
Montreal Alouettes Martin Bedard and Marc-André Brouillette
Alouettes cheerleaders Nadine Morel and Monica Halat
Paul Karwatsky, co-anchor of CTV Montreal News, a graduate of our own Nesbitt Elementary School and Vincent
Massey Collegiate.
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Some grade 6 students acted as our ambassadors and they did a marvelous job of welcoming and showing our invited guests
around the school. Students, staff and guests enjoyed a Literacy presentation led by the Director of Human Resources. The
EMSB Pedagogical Consultants and Chairman of the Commissioners spoke about the importance of Literacy. During the
presentation, some of the guests were also asked personal questions about their favorite books, how often they read and
type of books they prefer. Madame Elaine was interviewed and she explained how she brings literacy into her classroom.
Students from the choir presented a lively and well-rehearsed medley of songs under the direction of Madame Noémie.
Once the presentation was over, invited guests visited students in Pre-K, Kindergarten and grade 1. Our guests read
storybooks to the students.
An immense thank you to Madame Franca for her extraordinary work, she is a true artist! We were blown away with her
talent in decorating the gymnasium. An enormous thank you to the P.P.O parents, students, daycare staff, and teaching staff
that assisted with the decorating.
This truly was a special day, enjoyed by so many!
Feel free to consult our website for newspaper articles, media coverage and pictures taken that day.
Ski Week
The grade 6 students, Mr. Ryan and Madame Chantal had the opportunity to take part in Ski Week at Mont Tremblant, from
January 24 -28. The students had a fantastic time and have become ski experts.
The grade 6 students who did not take part in ski week, had special activities organized by grade 6 teachers that remained.
Science Fair – March 22nd
Our Annual Science Fair will take place on March 22nd and will be open to all students from grades1 to 6. Students that are
interested in participating are to complete a participation form and prepare their projects at home. Students can present
alone or with another student in the same cycle. The participation form will be distributed in the next few days.
During the day on March 22nd, the judges and classes will visit the fair. In the evening, parents, family, and friends are invited
to visit our aspiring scientists between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing the innovative and exciting
projects.
Dress Down Day- Feb 12th
On Friday, February 12th, we will have a Valentine’s dress down day. In keeping with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the children
are asked to bring a loonie or toonie for our Dante Fundraiser. The money collected will be kept at the school for future
activities or purchases, approved by Governing Board.
In order to make this a safe day for everyone, parents are to refrain from sending in any treat bags. If we receive any treat
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bags or treats, they will be returned since there are students with allergies.
TERM 2- Report Cards and Parent Interviews
The Term II Report Cards will be sent home on February 24th. The second parent-teacher interviews will be held on
Thursday, February 25th. Please note that the Term II interviews are upon Teachers’ request and a letter will be sent home
in this regard.
If you do not receive a request to attend the meeting and would like to speak to your child’s teacher(s), please return the
form requesting an appointment. If you did not have the opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers in the first term, you
are encouraged to take this opportunity to meet with the teachers.
TERM 3-The term begins on Monday, February 15th
This term will be a very important term as it takes into account everything the students have learned throughout the school
year. Term III counts for 60% of the total mark for the school year.
During the months of April, May and June, it is vital that students be present in school to prepare for and take part in the
Ministry & School Board wide exams. Therefore, while it is understandable that students may be absent if they are sick, we
strongly urge parents to avoid all other absences from school. This is definitely not the time to take vacations.
Winter Carnival ---- February 22nd
We are having the winter carnival on Monday, February 22nd. Snow or not, Ms. Joseph, Mr. Ryan and Ms. Sabrina (student
teacher) will find appropriate games. If the weather does not permit, this day will be rescheduled to Wednesday, February
24th. Students are reminded to come to school wearing warm clothing since they will be visiting different stations outdoors.
Students will have an opportunity to stop at the chocolate milk station and enjoy their warm treat.
In the last few weeks, new led lights were installed throughout the entire building. Energy-efficient lighting not only can
make significant savings in any school costs, but can also improve the learning environment leading to improved student
performance. The quality of light affects people on many different ways, and a better lighting can improve concentration and
calm pupils.
Daycare Tax Receipts
Tax receipts for 2015 will be sent home to parents this month. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Angie in the
daycare at 514-788-0022.
After-school Extra-curricular
Our extra-curricular activities will be starting once again. In the next week or so, you will be receiving the information. The
after-school activities will begin right after spring break and last about 10 weeks. We will continue with Ms. Dale (dance),
Impact (Soccer) and new courses offered by Enfant & Compagnie.
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Storytelling - Thursday, Feb. 25th
On Thursday, February 25th, Dante will hold its annual Storytelling Festival for the cycle 3 students. The grade 5 & 6 teachers
have asked the students to retell a story in either English or French. Good luck to all our cycle 3 students!
On March 23rd, the Region 1 Storytelling Festival will take place at East Hill School located in RDP. The two winning students
(an English and French winner from our school) will be given an opportunity to retell their story in front of School Board
members, principals, teachers and students from other schools in our region.
I would like to thank the cycle 3 teachers for preparing the students for this event.
Registration for 2016-2017 School Year
Registration for the 2016-2017 school year is well underway. If you have a child or have friends/family who are searching to
register their child for kindergarten or would like to change school, please inform them that we are opened for registration.
If you require a school tour, it would be our pleasure to book one. We can be contacted for an appointment at (514) 2545941.
IMPORTANT DATES:
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Staff Appreciation week from February 8th to 12th.
Valentine’s Dress Down Day Friday, February 12 th. Students are reminded to bring in a loonie or toonie.
Pedagogical day on Monday, February 15. The daycare is open.
TCBY distribution on Tuesday, February 16.
PPO meeting on Thursday, February 18th at 6:15 p.m.
Governing Board meeting on Thursday, February 18th at 7:15 p.m.
Winter Carnival on Monday, February 22nd or Wednesday, February 24th (alternate date)
Report cards will be sent home on Wednesday, February 24th
Storytelling for Thursday, February 25th
Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Thursday, February 25th
Pedagogical Day on Monday, February 15th. The daycare will be open and services are available. The students
will be visiting Circus School.
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March Break from February 29th to March 4th
Students will return to school on Monday, March 7th
Everyone have a wonderful March break.
D. Lattanzio
Principal