February, 2017

Our Lady of Victory School News

Principal’s Message,

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

With the arrival of February comes the hope for an early end to winter. Although the weather has been mild so far, the promise of Spring always brings with it a sense of joy and a

lightness of spirit. Since returning from the break, Our Lady of Victory School has been a hive of activity. Once again this January, we hosted both the girls and boys junior soccer tournaments reminding us how lucky we are to have such a great facility. We are almost at the end of new kindergarten registration and Toronto Public Health has also been in to do a dental screening on every student.

In February, we highlight the virtue of Love and as we begin to prepare for the liturgical season of Lent, we are challenging ourselves to practice acts of kindness. Kindness is contagious, creating a ripple effect both at school, at home and throughout the community. When we are kind to others we feel more connected to the people around us. Being kind and helping others increases happiness and feelings of optimism for those who engage in the act of kindness and those who witness it. Let’s work on increasing everyone’s feelings of happiness and hope by being kinder to each other. It takes very little effort and the smallest act can have great impact.

There will be an extended Family Day weekend as Friday, February 17 is a P.A. day dedicated to parent teacher interviews. Please do make a point of booking an appointment with your child’s teacher. Research has shown that children whose parents engage in regular communication with the school, are more successful. We are looking forward to seeing you all here on Thursday, February 16, and Friday, February 17, 2017.

Have a wonderful month and Family Day. Let’s hope the groundhog predicts an early Spring.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

L. Mazza F. Formariz

Catholic School Parent CouncilOur Lady of Victory School has an active and very committed parent council. Please come and learn more about who they are and what they do on Monday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the school atrium. There is always a standing invitation for parents to attend CSPC meetings and join in the conversation. All are welcome as many hands are needed for the various

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Our Lady of Victory Catholic School

70 Guestville Ave. Toronto, Ontario M6N 4N3Telephone: 416-393-5247

Fax: 416-397-6310

Principal:L. Mazza

Vice-Principal:F. Formariz

Superintendent:Doug Yack

Trustee:Frank D’Amico

School Hours8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Lunch:11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Parish:Father John Papagno

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church

117 Guestville Ave.Toronto, Ontario

Phone: 416-769-1171

Year of the Parish

projects that are being planned.

Kindergarten Registration continuesKindergarten registration continues until February 10, 2017. Please share this information with any relatives or neighbours who have a child born in 2013 and may be interested in registering at OLV. There are very few open junior kindergarten spots left in our school. Once these spots are filled, new registrants will be re-directed to another school. Registration Options:Registrations are completed on-line using the “Student On-line Application for Registration” platform known as S.O.A.R. at http://soar.tcdsb.org . There, parents will also be able to schedule a meeting with the school to provide the following documentation:

baptismal certificate and/or Passport/Immigration Document (if the child was not born in Canada)

your child’s birth certificate, immunization records, proof of residence (which may include utility bills, lease agreements, proof

of purchase) Application for Direction of School Support (ADSS) form

Address/Phone Number ChangeTo ensure that the school is able to contact parents in case of emergency please inform the school of any changes of personal information as soon as they occur.

•change of address/telephone number•change of employer/telephone number •change of “emergency” contact person/phone •change in medical information

Visitors to the SchoolFor security reasons and the safety of all students, visitors (this includes parents) are only allowed access through the front doors of the school. At these doors, there is a monitoring system in place that ensures the safety of all students and staff. Please

ring the bell to gain access to the school and then sign in at the school office. Parents are not to walk their children to their classroom. We ask that all parents observe this. Goodbyes are to be said in the schoolyard. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please call the school office.

Friday, February 17, 2017 is a P.A. dedicated to student teacher interviews.Monday, February 20, 2017 is a Family Day, a

provincial holiday. Enjoy Your Long weekend!

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March BreakTo better support OLV families in planning ahead, please note this year’s March Break begins March 13, 2017 and ends on March 17, 2017.

Looking Back at January Boys and Girls Soccer

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The boys’ and girls’ junior soccer teams played in their tournaments on January 26 and January 27. They both represented the school with O.L.V team spirit and played with heart. The students cheered each other on and demonstrated sportsmanship and friendship. Thank you to all the coaches and students that

dedicated their time to practice every day. Go O.L.V.!!

Dance and PlayThe 18th and 19th of January proved to be busy and productive days for the grade 6 students at OLV! They participated in an extremely fun and active dance workshop which focused on hip-hop and jazz. Students developed an

understanding of how dances are pieced together and learned the steps to numerous pieces. They also had the opportunity to choreograph their own original dances which were very impressive! The determination and collaboration the students portrayed over the course of the workshop is something they should all be proud of! Well done grade 6!

My Best SelfThe grade 6 students are participating in a program called “My Best Self”. This three session program focuses on teaching students to embrace and appreciate the body God gave them. The presentation highlighted the need to respect not only their bodies but also the people who help to make them who we are.  An important message of this program is that if a person is healthy and feeling well, then they should be happy with themselves

because they are perfect. They should focus on accepting and loving their real image. The various activities were engaging and students were respectful, creating a safe and accepting space for everyone to share their thoughts. To ensure this a respectful agreement was signed by all.

Daily Nutrition Program Offered at O.L.V.Our Nutrition program Coordinator would like to thank everyone who has donated to the program and continues to do so. Without your generosity our program would have trouble continuing on throughout the year. We would like to say a big THANK YOU to Breakfast for Learning and President’s Choice Children’s Charity for their generous donation to our Nutrition Program. We would like to invite parents/guardians to visit our information centre set up on the ground floor during Parent-Teacher Interviews on February 16th and 17th. Please feel free to stop by and sample some of our snacks.

Reporting and EvaluationReport Cards Report Cards for Term 1 will be sent home on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. Please complete and sign the Parent/Guardian’s Comments section found at the bottom of page 4 of the report card. This section is to be detached and returned to the school.

Parent Teacher Interviews

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The scheduled dates for parent-teacher interviews are Thursday, February 16, 2017 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Friday, February 17, 2017 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Sign up sheets will be going home soon.

Parents, there will be a table set up in the atrium during parent teacher interviews. Items currently in the lost and found bin will be displayed there. If your child is missing a piece of clothing, please drop in and have a look.

February Events

Dental HealthInformation received from the Toronto Public Health dental screening shows that 20% of all students at Our Lady of Victory School had cavities. There has been an increase of 9% this year, which is quite significant. Toronto Public Health has many dental clinics that provide a wide range of free services for children. The clinic servicing our school community is located at 1641 Keele St. Please call the clinic at 416 338-1224 if you have any questions around child dental care. Please visit the website Your Oral Health http://youroralhealth.ca/, for important information on the connection between healthy snacks and healthy teeth as well as appropriate dental hygiene practices.

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After School Tutoring; Literacy & NumeracyWe have been fortunate to have secured funding for after school literacy and numeracy tutoring classes. These sessions will begin the week of February 21, 2017 and end the week of April 28, 2017. Students have already been selected. These sessions begin right after school, for an hour and a half, two times a week. We have four groups scheduled: Literacy grades 3 and 4 and Numeracy grades 3 and 6. Parents of students participating are reminded that attendance at all sessions is mandatory and that students need to be picked up at the school promptly at 4:30 p.m. as transportation is not provided.

Pizza School LunchA reminder that the pizza lunch is on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Pizza orders will be accepted until February 8, 2017. Thank you for your support.

Candy GramsValentine’s Day is just around the corner and the Grade 8's would like to give students a way of expressing their friendship to their friends.Beginning Monday, February 6, members of the Student Council will be selling Valentine candy grams for .50 cents each. Students are asked to bring their money to the atrium during the lunch hour and tell us who they want to send their candy gram to. Your child must know their friend’s first and last name and their teacher’s name. Candy grams will be on sale until Monday, February 13th and will then be delivered on Tuesday, February 14th. All money raised will go towards the Gr.8 Graduation luncheon.

Pita Pit WrapsPita Pit lunches continues to be popular with students. It provides a nutritious alternative lunch and helps to support some of the school initiatives. The next Pita Pit lunch will take place on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Look for the order form in your child’s knapsack on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Pita orders will only be accepted until February 28, 2017. Please do not be late.

Monthly Update from the Board, February 2017

Toronto Catholic District School Board has declared Friday, May 5, 2017 as Parish Family Day.  A special Parish Family Day Celebration will be held at the Catholic Education Centre on Friday, May 5th, 2017 to showcase student work focusing on the many ways that our parishes and our parish priests contribute to our schools and communities.

We Want to Hear Your Views, Watch for community consultations coming soon for: Parent and Student Bill of Rights 2017-2018 Budget Consultation

February is Psychology MonthHELP YOUR CHILD FLOURISH: HOW TO ACHIEVE MENTAL HEALTH A presentation for parents and educators on February 22, 2017, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Catholic Education Centre, 3rd Floor, 80 Sheppard Avenue East

Learn more about the programs and services provided by the Psychology Department, TCDSB https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SpecialEducation/psychology/Pages/default.aspx February is National Inclusive Education MonthLearn more about the TCDSB’s Catholic Equity and Inclusive Education Policy: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/Policies/Pages/hm24.aspx

February is African Canadian Heritage MonthCelebrating the rich history, tradition and contribution to Canadian culture, literature, science, medicine, technology and the arts. February 10—Mass and Cultural Expose at St. Mother Teresa Catholic Academy, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.https://www.tcdsb.org/FORCOMMUNITY/HeritageCelebration/AfricanCanadianHeritage/Pages/default.aspx

Director’s Annual Report 2015-2016Check out the latest edition of the Director’s Annual Report and review some of the many highlights from the past school year: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/BoardAdministration/DirectorofEducation/Pages/Director%E2%80%99s-Annual-Report-2015-2016.aspx

Student Voice—Minister’s Student Advisory Council Seeks ApplicantsStudents in grades 7 to 12 are eligible for consideration. Deadline is February 9th. http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/students/speakup/msac.html

Other Opportunities for Students Kayak Kids Illustrated History Challenge—deadline June 1

https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/OpportunitiesForStudents/Pages/Kayak-Kids-Illustrated-History-Challenge-.aspx

Weston Youth Innovation Award encourages & recognizes young Canadian innovatorshttp://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/innovationaward

Autism Ontario offers three exciting scholarshipshttp://www.autismontario.com/client/aso/ao.nsf/web/Education+Scholarships

Overseas Credit Courses: https://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/continuingeducation/secondarycreditcourses/overseas/Pages/default.aspx

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Summer Job Opportunity with Toronto Police ServiceTPS is accepting applications for the 2017 Summer YIPI (Youth in Policing) Program! Successful applicants can earn $11.40/hr, 35hrs/week! Apply now: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/yipi/

Summer Jobs with City of Toronto—Deadline for applications February 14th. http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=7ac14aced070a410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

TCDSB Awards Night May 1, 2017 Nominate a member of the TCDSB family for our annual awards Sister Mary Hamilton Award for Exceptional Students Deadline last Friday in February. Ashif Jaffer Award for Excellence in Special Education Support Deadline third Friday in February.

Ready to Pick Your High School Courses?The 2017-2018 Course Calendar is available online: https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Documents/TCDSB-ProgramAndCourseCalendar-2017-2018.pdf

Cold Alerts and Weather-Related Cancellations/ClosuresGet all the information here: https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/HealthandSafety/Pages/Cold-Weather-Alerts.aspx and here https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/HealthandSafety/Pages/Weather-Related-Safety-Concerns.aspxCheck the Toronto Student Transportation Group website for any school bus delays throughout the year. http://www.torontoschoolbus.org/

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TRUSTEES 2016 – 2017Wards

1. Joseph Martino 5. Maria Rizzo 9. Jo-Ann Davis 2. Ann Andrachuk 6. Frank D’Amico, Vice-Chair 10. Barbara Poplawski3. Sal Piccininni 7. Michael Del Grande 11. Angela Kennedy, Chair4. Patrizia Bottoni 8. Garry Tanuan 12. Nancy Crawford Rhea Carlisle, Student Trustee Karina Dubrovskaya, Student Trustee

Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ONT. Website: www.tcdsb.org

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