2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

VIRTUE FOR MARCH: FORGIVENESS

Principal’s Message The virtue for the month of March is Forgiveness. During this season of Lent, we need to all strive to learn to forgive each other. Forgiveness should be part of our daily routine. It is always better to forgive and move forward. In doing so, it makes for a better, healthier, and happier life. Let us try to forgive our fellow brothers and sisters for any wrongdoings and do as Jesus did. A. Cianchetti Principal

STUDENT SAFETY AND REMINDERS

To ensure the safety of everyone concerned, please be reminded that adults may not be in the school building without reporting to and signing in at the office. This includes, but is not limited to parents/caregivers, guests, board employees, contractors. We know that you share our concern for student safety and well-being at all times.

During inclement weather, students are brought into the building by school staff. They will wait in the music room, where they will be supervised until pick up from their respective classroom teachers. Parents are asked to leave children in the atrium with the teacher on duty. Congestion outside of the music room and in the main foyer pose safety concerns.

There are still a number of students who are consistently late for school. The expectation is that students will be in the schoolyard between 8:15 and 8:30 am to reconnect with their friends and enter the building as a class with their teacher. Students who are consistently late miss out on morning routines, instructional time and disrupt programming. It can also cause some students difficulty in keeping up with their school work.

Cold Weather: please ensure that students come to school prepared for the weather. All students should be dressed appropriately, so that they may participate in all aspects of the school program. Warm jackets, snow pants, hats, gloves, scarves and warm boots are absolutely necessary in the winter months. In addition, please keep an extra pair of socks in the backpacks. We recommend that you label all items. Please keep a labeled pair of indoor shoes in your child’s classroom, so that we can keep our classrooms dry.

Students who are well enough to attend school will go out for recess. In cases of extreme cold or weather conditions, recess will be held indoors.

ST. FRANCIS OFASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

80 Clinton Street Toronto, ON M6G 2Y3

Telephone: 416 393-5206 Fax: 416 393-5782

A. Cianchetti

PRINCIPAL

John Shanahan 416 222-8282 X5371 SUPERINTENDENT

Norm Di Pasquale 416 512-3409

TRUSTEE

St. Francis of Assisi Parish

72 Mansfield Ave. 416-536-8195

PARISH

Penny Farinha

CSPC CHAIR

www.tcdsb.org/cpic

CPIC (PARENT ENGAGEMENT - TCDSB)

www.tcdsb.org/oapce-toronto

OAPCE TORONTO (PROVINCIAL VOICE FOR PARENTS)

160 8:30 – 3:00 11:15 - 12:15

ENROLLMENTHOURS OF OPERATION LUNCH HOUR

NEW REGISTRANTS WELCOME

Apply online: soar.tcdsb.org

Call 416-393Your sch number here or the TCDSB Admissions Department at 416-222-8282, ext. 5320.

For general information about the Toronto Catholic District School Board, visit www.tcdsb.org

Stay in touch with the latest news throughout the school year: Follow @TCDSB on Twitter or Toronto Catholic DSB on Instagram

March 2019

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

Monthly Update from the Board

March 2019

TCDSB SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR 2019-2020 Number of school days 194 Number of Professional Activity Days 7 Labour Day September 2, 2019 First Instructional Day September 3, 2019 Thanksgiving Day October 14, 2019 Christmas Break December 23, 2019–January 3, 2020 Family Day February 17, 2020 Mid-Winter Break March 16-20, 2020 Good Friday April 10, 2020 Easter Monday April 13, 2020 Victoria Day May 18, 2020 Last day of classes for all students June 26, 2020

Seven (7) Professional Activity (PA) Days for ELEMENTARY schools: October 11, 2019 Provincial Education Priorities/Faith Development November 15, 2019 Parent-Teacher Conferences December 6, 2019 Provincial Education Priorities January 17, 2020 Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting February 14, 2020 Parent-Teacher Conferences June 5, 2020 Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting June 26, 2020 Provincial Education Priorities

Three PA days devoted to Provincial Education Priorities and supporting Article 19 of the Collective Agreement. One PA day devoted to Faith Development. One PA day devoted to numeracy across the curriculum. The remaining two PA days will be devoted to system priorities, annual learning plans and local goals articulated in the School Learning Improvement Plans.

Clocks Spring Forward Remember that the clocks go forward one hour on March 10th.

Let’s Help Catholic Charities by Supporting ShareLife ShareLife’s mission is to “Live the Gospel by providing for those in need” This is done through their support of many diverse Catholic social service agencies here in the GTA and beyond. This year, ShareLife Week for Schools will be celebrated the week of April 8-12. All students and staff are invited have a Board-wide Civvies Day on Friday, April 12, 2019 to raise funds for the ShareLife campaign. Your donation of a toonie will go a long way to supporting youth, the elderly, the marginalized and the vulnerable. We thank everyone in the TCDSB community for all that they do throughout the year to help others—giving of their time and their resources to make a difference. We applaud those efforts, and take great pride in the commitment to living our Catholic values and putting faith into action.

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF PRAYER During Lent we are encouraged to engage in almsgiving, fasting and prayer. Our focus this month is on prayer and its many benefits. God is a source of comfort, strength and love for us. Through prayer we enter into a deeper relationship with God and gain a sense of attachment to Him. Many studies have shown that individuals who pray to a loving and protective God with whom they have a meaningful relationship are less likely to experience anxiety and stress. Prayer offers emotional comfort and reduces stress by:

Offering a sense of comfort and hope. When you’re faced with life challenges, prayer offers a sense of comfort. Knowing that God listens to your prayers and that you don’t have to bear your burden alone offers a sense of hope. When you feel hopeful you gain strength and are encouraged to carry on.

Creating a positive frame of mind. By giving thanks and expressing gratitude when praying it creates a positive frame of mind. When you purposefully engage in “thankful prayer” it reminds you of the many blessings you have, and as a result helps to decrease feelings of sadness.

Stress Relief. Researchers have found that when focusing on other people through prayer it contributes to a “stress-buffering effect”. Reflecting on the welfare of others can reduce your own stress - it is in giving to others that we receive.

Increases feelings of unity and trust. Praying together with a friend, your class, or as a community is an experience that brings people closer together. Prayer can help build relationships and feelings of social connectedness.

Engaging in daily prayer with students gives them the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and their community. It also offers a sense of emotional comfort that everyone can benefit from. Prayer is joy Prayer is love Prayer is peace. You cannot explain it you must experience it. It is not impossible. God gives it for the asking. “Ask and you shall receive.” The father knows what to give his children---how much more our heavenly father knows. Mother Teresa

Information obtained from the following sources: www.spiritualityhealth.com; www.psychcentral.com www.psychologytoday.com; Catholic Book of Prayer – compiled by Ruth M. Hannon

SFA – PARISH NEWS Lent: The penitential character of Lent is maintained; on these days, penance is an important requirement of Christian life. Fulfillment of this duty involves prayer, works of piety and charity, and self-denial by fulfilling one’s obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the prescribed fast and abstinence. In the Roman Rite, including in Canada, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and of abstinence from meat. Pastors should invite and encourage their people to do special penance on these two days. The law of “abstinence from meat” binds those who are 14 and older; the law of “fasting” binds those from 18 to 59 years of age. Parents and educators are reminded of their duty to introduce children gradually to the understanding and practice of penance. Adult example will be the greatest influence in this matter.

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

STUDENT OF THE MONTH Congratulations to the following students who are the March ambassadors of the virtue of Forgiveness:

Miss Mazzuca/Ms. Raposo Arianna S. Ms. Mannella (Jennings) Evangeline M. Mr. Sorrentino Madeleine D.S. Ms. Nina Peter Z. Mr. Pietramala Brian C. Miss Silva Nina Z. Ms. Rodrigues Alessio T.F. Ms. Calautti Emanuel G. Ms. Krisciunas (Prsa) Elizabeth A. Ms. Pimentel (Keane) Paolo C.

BASKETBALL Boys On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, the Intermediate Boys' team participated in the Divisional Basketball Tournament at SFA. In round robin games, the boys worked together to play defensively and managed to score many points. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to beat the other competitive teams, but they did display great teamwork and sportsmanship. The passionate players were Liam C, Liam D, Christian D, Lucas F, Jamie F, Kai M, Darin P, Roberto R, Michael V, Kevin V and Eman Z. A special thank you to the scorekeepers, Matthew C, Harrison J and Stefano C; the convenor, Ms. Pol-Bodetto; the parents who cheered on the team; and the coaches, Ms. Pimentel and Miss Silva. Girls After a postponed tournament due to weather, and an extra two days of practice, the Intermediate girls' team was very excited to compete in the Basketball tournament on Friday, February 8, 2019. What an exciting tournament it was! With exciting plays, a few overtime games, and while facing strong opponents and a slew of injuries, the girls displayed great team spirit and intensity to take a win and put up really close matches. Although it wasn't enough to advance to the regional tournament, the girls placed third overall. Congratulations to Emma B, Daniela B, Sofia G, Sofia I, Emily K, Dana MV, Brianna P, Rita M, and Nicole P. A big thank you to the coaches and conveners, Ms. Pimentel and Miss Silva; to the scorekeepers, Ardian, Ariana, Nina and Siena; and to all of the parents who came out to support the team.

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

GIFTED CLASS DEBATE COMPETITION On Friday February 1st, the debate team from the congregated gifted class attended the Debate Competition. Our team included Matthew C, Kai M, William C and Spencer B. We enjoyed being spectators during this challenge. It was interesting to hear the many points raised during the debates and rebuttals witnessed. The doughnuts were delicious! Thank you to Ms. Krisciunas who helped to prepare us for the event.

JUNIOR W5H

On February 20, 2019 the St. Francis of Assisi Junior W5H team attended a preliminary tournament at St. Thomas Aquinas. The team comprised of Sofia S (grade 4), Maia R (grade 5), David D (grade 6), Audrey J (grade 6) and Sophia L (grade 6). Our team started by playing and winning two super close and intense games against Stella Maris and St. Thomas Aquinas. Their final game was against St. Bruno/St. Raymond where our team took an early lead and continued to add to the gap as the game continued. The SFA Junior W5H team won all three of their games and represented SFA proudly once more at the regional tournament on February 27th. We want to thank our coach, Mrs. Rodrigues for helping us do our best

PRIME MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Congratulations to Daniela B, a grade eight student who completed her mentorship program on February 14th. During the 10 week program, Daniela worked closely with her mentor Chloe D. With Chloe's mentorship, Daniela researched and prepared a presentation on Mariana's Trench, the deepest point on Earth. During her presentation, Daniela shared her shock at the fact that if we continue to pollute the oceans with our plastic, by 2050, the ocean will have more plastic than fish. Daniela encourages everyone to do their part by reducing their use of plastics and to use reusable items instead. Congratulations Daniela B, and thank you for sharing your knowledge.

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

VALENTINE ACTIVITIES

Valentine Baking with the Congregated Gifted class with Mrs. Krisciunas:

Valentine Dance at SFA. The kids had a great time!

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

Valentine colours at SFA!

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME