Holy Child C.S. Newsletter

850 Humberwood Blvd., Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 7A6

Telephone: 416-393-5433 Fax: 416-397-6305 Follow us on Twitter @holychildtcdsb

Principal: Ana Pires

Admin Assistant: Angie Dalimonte

Clerk Typist: Lucy Kuchta

Flora Cifelli

Superintendent-Area 1

Joseph Martino

Trustee-Ward 1

St. Benedict Parish

Pastor

CSPC Chair: Eunice Rodrigues

Vice Chair: Henry Egharevba

Secretary: Hilda Cupeta

DECEMBER 2017 & JANUARY 2018

Dear Parents and

Guardians: The Season of

Advent began this

past Sunday, December 3rd.

During Advent, we prepare our

homes and hearts to welcome the

newborn King. It is a time to

reflect on Christ’s presence in our

everyday life. At Holy Child, the

month of December will be

devoted to creating an atmosphere

of preparation and Charity. We

want our students to understand,

experience and celebrate the

reverence of this special time.

You are always welcome to join us

to celebrate monthly masses. Our

ADVENT MASS will be

Thursday, December 8th at

9:00am in the Great Hall. Our

Christmas Concert will take place

on the morning of Friday,

December 15th in the school gym.

Thank you to all our teachers and

staff for preparing our students for

these celebrations.

Please note that since we break for

Christmas holidays, this is both

December and January’s

Newsletter.

On behalf of the entire staff, we

extend our best wishes and

blessings to your families during

this Christmas Season and the New

Year.

Ana Pires Principal

ADVENT SEASON The lights of the candles on the Advent Wreath break through the darkness, reminding us of the Light of Christ that we anticipate during this Holy season.

First Week – Candle of HOPE - Purple

All-powerful God, increase our strength of will

for doing good that Christ may find an eager

welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven,

where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever

and ever. AMEN.

Second Week - Candle of PEACE - Purple

God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things

that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his

wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. AMEN.

Third Week - Candle of JOY - Pink

Father, all-powerful God, Your eternal Word took flesh on our earth

when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our

minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and

open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We

ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Fourth Week - Candle of LOVE – Purple

Lord God, may we, Your people, who look forward to the birthday of

Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love

and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

CHRISTMAS DAY – We light the WHITE candle – Pray to our newborn

King!

We encourage all families to mark your journey through Advent with an

Advent wreath at home with these prayers.

As we enter the season of Advent to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, it is rather suitable that this month’s virtue is CHARITY. Many of us are already engaging in the mad rush to purchase gifts to place under the tree on the 25th, but let us be mindful of the fact that Charity is not always about giving material things. Our quote for the month is “Where charity and love are, God is there”. How can we practice charity and generosity in our community without necessarily giving material things? Giving thought to others with less than ourselves is an extension of Charity. Let’s make this the challenge that we all strive to achieve for the month of December!

CHRISTMAS BASKETS One of our Catholic social teachings is to ‘turn concern into action’. For the seventh year, Holy Child will be making Christmas Baskets to donate to families in need this Christmas through the St. Vincent DePaul Society. The baskets will be picked-up on Monday, December 11th. Each child was sent home information about the ‘family’ to support for the Christmas Basket. Please send items for the baskets such as non-perishable food, toiletries, school supplies, clothing (socks, scarves, mittens, hats, etc.), age-appropriate toys, board games, gift certificates, etc. We request that the items are NEW (we will NOT be including gently-used items this year). We also encourage home-made items such as Christmas cards, beaded jewelry, drawn or painted pictures, etc. We thank you so much for your support and generosity!

Santa Is coming to HOLY CHILD on Thursday, December 7th for pictures. Forms have been sent home. Proceeds will help support programming for our MEDD classes.

The Angel Foundation is TCDSB’s Charity. It supports programs such as our Nutrition Program and provides products to all TCDSB students, such as financial support for excursions and eyeglasses. Inquire at the office for more details.

Scientists in School workshops are a wonderful extension to the grade specific curriculum for our students. We are grateful that once again workshops are fully funded by Toronto Pearson International Airport’s Propeller Project. Follow @TorontoPearson #PropellerProject on Twitter.

Beginning January 1,

2018, all Ontario children and youth 24 years of age or younger will be able

to get their prescription medications

for free by simply showing their Ontario health card number and a

prescription. Coverage will be automatic, with no upfront costs.

Brrr…

It is that time of year

when students need to

be reminded to dress

properly for the

weather (mittens, hats,

scarves, boots, etc.).

Labeling items would be helpful, as

many items make their way to the Lost

and Found and are often not claimed.

We ask that each child have indoor

footwear (e.g. running shoes) to wear in

the school and boots to wear outside

when the weather becomes rainy or

snowy. Please listen to the weather

reports before deciding what they should

wear to school each day.

Except under inclement weather

conditions, students will be outside

during recesses. Research indicates that

time outdoors in the fresh air allows

students to refocus on their studies.

We will monitor the weather conditions

daily and make decisions based upon our

local conditions.

Please bear in mind that children who

are too ill to go outside should stay at

home resting and should not be at

school.

In anticipation of the

arrival of our first significant snowfall, we ask that you reinforce with your child that

‘snow stays on the ground’. Students are reminded that there is to be no snowball throwing, pushing, kicking of snow, taking hats, etc. Please take this opportunity to discuss these behaviours with your children in the interest of student safety.

Orders for Holy Child WILDCATS hoodies (School Spirit Wear) in burgundy are still being accepted up until Friday, December 8th. Please send in forms with size and payment by this date. Hoodies will arrive in January 2018.

TRANSPORTATION Cancellation of school bus

transportation or school closures due

to inclement weather will be reported

through the following:

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 also endeavour to

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, ext.

2873.

The information will also be posted on

the Board’s website at www.tcdsb.org

or www.tcdsb.org/weather.htm

The Transportation Department will

post this information on its website

or call 416-394-4BUS,

www.torontoschoolbus.org

The school will be closed Mon.,

Dec. 25th to Fri., Jan. 5th

inclusive. School will re-open

Monday, January 8th, 2018!

Happy Holidays!

Kindergarten Registration for all children born in 2014 opens on Wednesday, January 17th,

2018 at 10 a.m. Registration is online at soar.tcdsb.org. Please refer to the enclosed attachment for specifics.

January’s CSPC meeting is on Thursday, January 11th at 6:30 p.m.. ALL parents are invited to attend.

Recently, Holy Child held elections for student leadership. Student Concil members have the responsibility of organizing and engaging in school activities that build school spirit. They lead initiatives and represent the interests of all students. Please join us in congratulating Holy Child’s 2017-18 STUDENT COUNCIL Prime Minister- Julia R. Deputy Prme Minister- Onneli D. Secretary- Belinda O. & Morgan E. Treasurer- Rhea A. Publicity Reps- Valeria G & Marsha A. Spirit Boosters- Christopher Z. & Jason N.

This year at Holy Child we are aiming to build and reward our students’ Learning Skills & Work Habits. Since these are important life-long skills to future student success, we will be awarding student achievement. Responsibility and Organization was recognized on Nov. 30th for students who receive an ‘ E’ for Excellent achievement in their

Progress Reports. In February, focus will be on Initiative and Collaboration and in June it will be Self-Regulation and Independent Work. Grade 7 & 8 students will continue to be awarded Honour Roll medals when they achieve (80% or more). Students also received ribbons for the Monthly Virtues, Healthy Active Living and Willing to Try. Congratulations to all students below -- we are all very proud of your achievement!

FOLLOWER OF JESUS September: Hospitality

Megan Edache Jaxen Campana-Labayen Chloe Tumanan Franklin Nwookorie Roberta Mensah Amunique Martin Mia Gil-Gonzalez Sofia Rodrigues Nathan Mooshy Ohemaa Darkowaa Alessia Hamilton Valeria Gonzalez-Sukhai Daniel Cupeta Daniel Owusu Declan Amponsah-Fordjour Stephan Moshi

October: Gratitude Samantha Milan Jodelle Marfo Timi Enifeni Eva Navarro Sofia Guilmette Nathaniel Salsiri Allen Fatihallah Platinum McCarthy Lester Acol Amanda Harris Ola Enifeni Sabrina Milan Michael Gomes Hadassah Obeng Deborah Kubulan Jojo Ojofeitmi Tyniah Blake

November: Peace Christopher Howard Treasure Ebhohon Aria Profenna Annabelle Downes Emilia Hanna Ki-anah Navarro Ryder Lewis Reiya Diaz Jhezeel Palencia Maleek Clarke Tyniah Blake Dwight Acol Onneli Dahanaggamaarachchi

Chelsea Pradenas Nicholas Abubaker Lucy Sarpong Pamela Chavez Vargas

Chijioke Nwokorie Ryan Keelson Matthew Louka Brielle James Aliya Gabriel Tracy Estocapio Eva Navarro Kingson Egharevba Aeron Balbuena Jahlayah Cave Sofia Guilmette Emilia Hanna Nicole Bassey Taylor Clarker Mia Avalos Arjun Companion Jeremiah Kissi Amunique Martin Kerby Ombuki Joell Galeano Allen Fatihallah Bryan Tekon-Tabod Larissa Mayers Sofia Rodrigues Reiya Diaz Victor Vu Gabriel Owusu-Boateng Rebekah Kupeta Lester Acol Shikiyah Simpson Alexander Jagdeo Chioma Okeke Nicole Santamaria Victoria Cichoszewski Fola Adeleke Sahara Atienza Vivian Cichoszewski Naomi Domingo Angel Gabriel Sean Geonanga Alessia Hamilton Ranuga Kankanige-Perera

Vidya Mootilal Micaela Ritchie Moya Leoniza Santiago Emmanuel Ore-Sosanya Dwight Acol Nana Adjeiwaah Valeria Gonzalez-Sukhai Matheus Gorgees Sabrina Milan Sammar Santokie Priscilla Rivas Julia Rodrigues Shaniah Santiago Sneha Varghese Tianna Williams Morgan Pep Rhea Alvares Onome Okoloko Andrus Andrawus Onneli Dahanaggamaarachchi Daniel Cupeta Marsha Abratigue Pamela Chavez Vargas Jaida Cross Isabella Cupeta Joshua Dinshaw Psalm Domingo Hadassah Obeng Belinda Owusu-Boateng Ferimi Olaitan Rejim Palencia David Umeh James Gasgas Branella Dankha Lordson Egharevba William Dontoh-7 Declan Amponsah-Fordjour Dwight Acol Isabella Cupeta Kurt Mella Munoz Vivian Cichoszewski

Chloe Ube-Iturra Miley Enrique Matthew Louka Brielle James Aliya Gabriel Tracy Estocapio Kimberly Vasques Destinee Earle Eva Navarro Branella Dankha Kingson Egharevba Michelle Uchechuku Taylor Clarke Sofia Guilmette Emilia Hanna Roberta Mensah Mia Avalos Arjun Companion Jeremiah Kissi Amunique Martin Kerby Ombuki Marcus Schneider Ryder Lewis Allen Fatihallah Kayla Dingle Joell Galeano Grace Acheampong Larissa Mayers Sofia Rodrigues Joshua Thantri Victor Vu Anaya Onagbeboma Gabriel Owusu-Boateng Lester Acol Shikiyah Simpson Alexander Jagdeo Chioma Okeke Nicole Santamaria Victoria Cichoszewski Fola Adeleke Sahara Atienza Vivian Cichoszewski Naomi Domingo Angel Gabriel

Ranuga Kankanige-Perera Vidya Mootilal Leoniza Santiago Emmanuel Ore-Sosanya Dwight Acol Nana Adjeiwaah Valeria Gonzalez-Sukhai Matheus Gorgees Sabrina Milan Sammar Santokie Lois Johnson Abigail Mensah Priscilla Rivas Julia Rodrigues Shaniah Santiago Sneha Varghese Tianna Williams Morgan Pep Rhea Alvares Onome Okoloko Andrus Andrawus Onneli Dahanaggamaarachchi Daniel Cupeta Kurt De Leon Adanna Agburu Jordan Owusu Marsha Abratigue Pamela Chavez Vargas Jaida Cross Isabella Cupeta Joshua Dinshaw Psalm Domingo Hadassah Obeng Belinda Owusu-Boateng Marie Arias Rodriguez Valeria Gonzalez-Sukhai Branella Dankha Lordson Egharevba Deborah Kubulan Onneli Dahanaggamaarachchi Fermi Olaitan Jessenya Michell-Galeano Robel Samson

WILLING TO TRY: Rooney Oshodin, Ezekiel Danhka, Romello Wilson,

Michelle Uchechukwu, Taylor Clarke, Marcus Schneider, Mirlinda Owusu, Rylan Lewis, Mikyla Davis, Anaya Onagbebama, Tolani Akinfolarin, Sahara Atienza, Joy Akinola, Woohyeok Kim, Ciara Howard, Nicholas Abubaker, Emmanual Arthur, Ianthe Capati, Robel Samson, Jojo Ojofeitimi, Lovely Manu, Raggya Thaninayagam, Miyaraie Mella Munoz, Mattias Hanna, Platinum McCarthy

HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING: Joshawa Trotman, Ataya Lewis, Jairyn Jayakumar, Justin Capers, Cassius McLaughlin, Janel Obeng, Joelle Barrife-Galeano, Janiaya Earle, Ian Capati, Jojo Adeleke, Rebeka Cupeta, Prince Korankye, Kier DeLeon, Jaedyn Parris-Alleyne, Marsha Abratigue, Esteban Solorzano-Gonzalez, Owen Ewanisha, Yuwa Osayuwamen

Ontario’s Growing Success document defines INITIATIVE as a student who: -Looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities for learning -Demonstrates the capacity for innovation and a willingness to take risks -Demonstrates curiosity and interest in learning -Approaches new tasks with a positive attitude -Recognizes and advocates appropriately for the rights of self and others

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD AT HOME: -Promote risk-taking learning activities -Encourage curiosity -Encourage your child to start asking questions -Turn everyday activities into homework such as searching newspapers, reading recipes, creating shopping lists, plotting out routes on a map, reading directions on how to set up a game console

Ontario’s Growing Success document defines COLLABORATION as a student who: -Accepts various roles and an equitable share of work in a group -Responds positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and traditions of others -Builds healthy peer-to-peer relationships -Works with others to resolve conflicts and build consensus to achieve group goals -Shares information, resources, and expertise and promotes critical thinking to solve problems and make decisions

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD AT HOME: -Establish a balance between homework and other activities -Provide your child with extra-curricular activities to help your child build healthy peer-to-peer relationships by visiting the public library, attending summer camp, etc. -Encourage your child to work with others in group settings such as clubs, organizations and teams

WILDCATS’

NEWS

Holy Child students are always

highly committed to their athletic

participation in various sports.

Recently, both Intermediate Girls and Boys Volleyball

teams played in a variety of tournaments. They

played well and made Holy Child proud. The Girls’

Intermediate Volleyball Team received the Gold

medal in the Holy Child Invitational Tournament and

placed first in their divisional tournament. Great job

girls! The Boys’ Intermediate Volleyball team

received the silver medal in the Catholic Cup, first

place in their divisional tournament, first place in the

West Region Championships, and came FIRST at the

City Championships! We are very proud of their hard

work and dedication. We thank Mr. Cianfrini and Mr.

Pagniello. Great job boys on your city championship

and season!

On Wednesday, December 6th, 2017, from 7:30-8:30am Holy Child together with the Humberwood Centre will be hosting our 21st

Annual Community Holiday Breakfast. The Humberwood Centre is a unique facility as it is made up of five separate stakeholders: Holy Child Catholic School, Humberwood Downs Academy, Macaulay Child Development Centre, Toronto Public Library and Toronto Parks and Recreation Centre. This breakfast gives the community an opportunity to share in the Holiday Spirit together. Breakfast will include delicious food and drink. You are welcome to donate a non-perishable item which will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul Society. Come and enjoy our Holy Child Band perform and professional carollers sing Christmas songs. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BREAKFAST.

David Strickland is a local music producer and activist who visited Holy Child and presented to our gr. 7 & 8 students on Dec. 4th. Since the emergence of Hip Hop culture in the early ‘80s, David has immersed himself in music production and he has left his mark on Canadian music, winning a Juno award and nominated for a Grammy for RnB Album of the year. In 2012, David won his first Grammy for his work on Drake’s album “Take Care”. David Strickland has roots to Mi’kmaq and Northern Cree Ancestors. David’s Aboriginal roots are the cornerstone to his music and art.

Strickland plans to debut a producer album that will integrate First Nations with mainstream Hip Hop and RnB artists. Aside from music and visual arts, he is an active participant in First Nation ceremonies, including smudging, sweat lodging, and talking circles. In addition, he has dedicated his life to raising funds and awareness on important social issues in Aboriginal communities.

We will have

Pizza Days

Dec.14th AND Dec. 21st. Please

pre-order as orders received

on the day will be $3/slice. Wed. Dec. 20th students are invited to wear comfy PJs and donate $1 to participate.

Fri., Dec. 22nd students are invited to wear Christmas Colours (Red & Green) and donate $1 to participate.

TRUSTEES 2017 – 2018 Wards

1. Joseph Martino 5. Maria Rizzo 9. Jo-Ann Davis 2. Ann Andrachuk 6. Frank D’Amico, Vice-Chair 10. Barbara Poplawski 3. Sal Piccininni 7. Michael Del Grande 11. Angela Kennedy, Chair 4. Patrizia Bottoni 8. Garry Tanuan 12. Nancy Crawford Rhea Carlisle, Student Trustee

Joel Ndongmi, Student Trustee Rory McGuckin, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ON · Website: www.tcdsb.org