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ST. JEAN BRÉBEUF CATHOLIC SCHOOL

63 Glenforest Road Brampton, ON L6S 1L8 Phone (905) 791-8529 FAX (905) 791-6468

Newsletter # 5 www.dpcdsb.org/JBREB February 2017

Principal: M. Clarot St. Anthony Parish- Pastor: Father J. Pham Secretary: P. Giuliano Associate Pastor: Father M. Zacharias Superintendent: M. Vecchiarino Trustee: Shawn Xaviour

Black History Month

February is Black History Month.

During this month, St. Jean Brebeuf School is recognizing and celebrating the many contributions of Black Canadians and famous Black people from around the world. Some fascinating Canadian Black history facts will be shared throughout the month.

Did you know:

Ontario was the first province to respond to social change when it passed the Racial Discrimination Act of 1944, landmark legislation prohibiting the publi­cation and display of any symbol, sign, or notice that expressed ethnic, racial, or religious discrimination.

April 1946: Jackie Robinson plays his first game for the Montreal Royals: He became the first Black player in modern "organized" baseball.

In 1946, Viola Davis Desmond was forcibly removed from a movie theater and arrested when she attempted to sit in the “Whites Only” main floor section of the segregated theatre. She refused to sit in the balcony, which was designated for Blacks. Viola Desmond has often been referred to as Canada’s Rosa Parks .

The First Black Chief of Police in Canada, Devon Clunis joined

the Winnipeg Police Service in 1987, wanting to make a

difference. In November 2012, he Clunis was sworn in as Chief

of Police of the Winnipeg Police Service, becoming the first

lack Canadian to hold the position.

Jean Augustine is a trailblazing politician, social activist, and

educator. She was the first African-Canadian woman to be

elected to the House of Commons, the first African-Canadian

woman to be appointed to the federal Cabinet, and the first

Fairness Commissioner of the Government of Ontario

Michelle Jean, was the first Black person to serve as Canadian Governor General, in 2005.

M. Clarot

Prayer for Lent

Merciful God,

You called us forth from the dust of the

earth

You claimed us for Christ

In the waters of Baptism.

Look upon us as we enter these Forty

Days

Bearing the marks of ashes,

and bless our journey through

the desert of Lent to the font of re-

birth.

May our fasting be hunger for justice;

Our prayer, the chant of humble

and grateful hearts.

All that we do and pray is in the name

of Jesus

For in His cross You proclaim Your love

Now and forever.

Amen

March Break

March Break this year falls during the week of March 13

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17th. School resumes after the

break on Monday, March 20th.

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Parent/Teacher Interviews

First term reports go home on Tuesday, February 7th. Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on the

evening of Thursday, February 9th

and during the day on Friday, February 10

th. Confirmation of your

interview time will be sent home together with your child’s report card.

P. A. Day / Family Day

Just a reminder that Friday, February 10th is a

P. A. Day. This day is set aside for Parent/Teacher Interviews. There is no school for students on this day. Family Day is on Monday, February 20

th. The school will be closed on this

February is a busy month in the library. The Forest of Reading program is well under way with our Primary students from JK to grade 3 reading Blue Spruce selections with Mrs. Burns during their library literacy time. The nominated titles have been selected by a committee of Teacher Librarians as it introduces Ontario students to the newest in children’s Canadian literature. The program rewards them by making them judges in a province wide event. In late April, students will be participating with over 80,000 children across the province in voting for their favourite book.

As well, February is Black History month. Students will be invited to look at various books on display related to the experiences and achievements of black men and women. Please remind your child to try and keep their library books dry as they bring them back and forth to school on their library day. Wet books end up in the garbage and are costly to replace. Primary students should be carrying their books in their plastic zippered bag at all times. Thank you and happy reading!

Bus Delays Due To Weather

With winter weather fast approaching, it is possible that buses may be delayed at times. Please be flexible in understanding that runs may be delayed due to poor weather conditions. We suggest that you please check www.stopr.ca for up- to- the- minute bus delay information. You will require your child’s OEN number which you can find on their report card.

Extended French Program

Please note that the deadline for the Extended French application form is Tuesday, February 21st, 2017 and must be received in our school Main Office by 3:00 p.m. at the latest. We hope that you and your son/daughter will take the time to discuss the merits of this program and consider the benefits of receiving a bilingual education. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call Mrs. Clarot.

Are You Moving?

If you know your family is moving out of our boundary, we would like to know. Each year, a number of families move out of the area and it assists us in our planning purposes to know whether students will be attending our school next year. Please inform the office at your earliest convenience.

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Weather Cancellations

During the winter months inclement weather may cause disruption of bus transportation and regular school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation and/or to close schools is usually made by 6:00 a.m. and will be announced on the following radio and television stations:

VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9 CHUM AM1050 CFTR AM680 CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1 NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860 FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107 CBC99.1 CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CITYPULSE GLOBAL NEWS CANADA AM CTV

We will be communicating one of six standard messages to the radio stations. The six announcements and their effect on the transportation system are as follows: (Please note that the highlighted text only will be communicated by the radio stations).

1. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES SERVING ST. ANDREW, ST. BENEDICT AND ST. PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND R.F. HALL

SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”

2. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON ARE CANCELLED FOR

TODAY”.

This means that ALL buses which operate into, out of, and within the Town of Caledon (includes Holy Family School) are cancelled for the entire day.

3. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON AND THE COUNTY OF

DUFFERIN ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY”.

This means that all runs listed under announcements #l and #2 are cancelled.

Individual schools will be notified if this cancellation affects their school.

4. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA ARE CANCELLED FOR

TODAY.”

This means that ALL buses which operate into, out of, and within the City of Mississauga are cancelled for the entire day.

5. “ALL DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES ARE

CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”

This means that ALL transportation services provided by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Peel District School Board, including buses, vans and taxis have been cancelled for the entire day.

6. “ALL BUSES ARE CANCELLED AND THE SCHOOLS AND

OFFICES OF BOTH THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ARE CLOSED”.

This means that ALL Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and Peel District School board schools and offices are closed to all students and staff.

National Walk to School

Day

Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the environment invites us to be ‘Stewards of the Earth’. The National Walk to School Day was on Wednesday, February 1st, 2017, provides an opportunity to reduce gas emissions and answer our Catholic call to care for God’s Creation. Traffic congestion continues to be a concern in many of our schools; health and safety of our students are paramount concerns in these times. The benefits of walking and physical activity are positively linked to physical and mental health as well as academic performance.

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Winter Weather Reminders

Snow and Ice Throwing snowballs and sliding on ice is fun. However, as much fun as it is, snow and ice can be very dangerous when there are many people in our schoolyard. Most student injuries happen during the winter time. Snow is always to stay on the ground. The safety of your children is of the utmost

importance to us. Therefore, snowball throwing, kicking snow or ice, or throwing snow at anyone is not

tolerated here at Holy Family School.

Indoor Footwear Students are expected to wear shoes in the school building at all times. Once students are at their classrooms, they are expected to remove their winter boots and replace them with indoor shoes. Please ensure that your child has indoor footwear to be worn in the school. Wet floors and hallways can result in possible slippery conditions, which may result in injuries. Please note that in the event of an emergency evacuation, students will not have the opportunity to put on shoes, boots, clothing articles, etc. Please ensure that your child has a pair of shoes at school, to keep their feet dry and warm during wet and/or snowy weather.

Appropriate Dress Please listen to weather reports and ensure that children are dressed appropriately for the weather. Students should be wearing winter coats, boots, hats, gloves and scarves. Younger students are also encouraged to wear snow pants. If your child is prone to getting wet during recess or lunch hour, please send a change of clothes, especially socks and pants. We want our students to feel comfortable outdoors and not get chilled because of inappropriate winter dress.

Staying Healthy

The best ways to reduce the risk of becoming ill or spreading flu viruses include:

Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after you cough or sneeze.

Practise good hygiene: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way.

Stay Healthy: Eat healthy foods, stay physically active and get adequate rest to keep your immune system strong. [Also, no sharing food].

Monitor your health: If you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath) stay home from school and limit your contact with others while you are sick. Parents may want to consider contacting their doctor or call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 if symptoms get worse.

School Security

A reminder that all visitors, INCLUDING PARENTS, must come into the office, sign in. Parents are asked to NOT go directly to your child’s classroom without first checking in at the

office. In addition, for the safety and security of your children, ONLY staff and assigned supervisors are allowed in the school yard during recesses. Parents are kindly asked to NOT go into the school yard at the back of the school.

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E.Q.A.O. Testing Grades Three and Six

Each year, all Grade 3 and 6 students in Ontario are assessed in reading, writing and mathematics. Developed by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) after consulting with more than 1,000 teachers, as well as parents and the broader community across Ontario, these assessments go beyond traditional tests of the past. Their ultimate purpose is to improve student achievement. The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has developed the assessment that will be used in all schools in the province. This office is independent from the Ministry of Education and Training and the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board. It was established through legislation by the Government of Ontario in 1996. The mandate of EQAO is to design and oversee a fair assessment, based on the provincial criteria. Every student in Grade 3, 6 and 10 in the province will take this assessment. Provincial assessment in reading, writing and mathematics will take place during five days that occur between May 23rd and June 5

th for all students in grades 3 and 6. Kindly

avoid booking dental, doctor, etc. appointments during that time period. Visit DPCDSB on the web for Board and School profiles http://www.dpcdsb.org/EQAO

Bullying Prevention Corner Telling an Adult about Bullying is Not Tattling February’s in class lesson focuses on the difference between tattling and telling. In dealing with bullying situations, students are encouraged to use the strategy, ‘telling an adult’. Although this sounds simple and logical, there are many difficulties and roadblocks associated with this strategy. Younger children struggle to understand the difference between telling and tattling, while older children struggle with their desire to deal with situations independently. The goal of telling an adult is to keep people safe. Students will learn to identify the difference between telling and tattling (reporting and ratting), explore reasons students don’t report bullying and understand how to effectively and safely report to an adult.

Tattling/ratting is defined as telling in order to get someone into trouble, or telling when there is no one being hurt and no rule being broken that could result in a dangerous situation.

Telling is defined as reporting unsafe behaviours to an adult in order to get help for someone – to get someone out of trouble.

Tips for parents:

use incidences where one child is telling you about sibling behaviour to help children identify whether they are tattling or telling

practice with your child how to ‘tell an adult’ about bullying (what happened, how they feel, what help they desire)

develop awareness of the ‘reasons’ children state for not reporting bullying to adults

Virtue of the Month

--Respect

In February we celebrate the virtue of respect. God has given us the virtues of friends and companions to keep us company and to help us out along the way. Every person in our lives carries the Spirit of God – and so every person is our brother or sister through Jesus Christ. As brothers and sisters who share one Holy Spirit, we are all valuable to God. We all deserve to be shown courtesy, consideration, sensitivity and thoughtfulness, which are different ways of saying respect. That respect should come first and foremost from ourselves. We have to respect ourselves and then we will be able to respect others. We should also expect to be treated with respect by everyone we meet – our brothers and sisters in Jesus. Through prayer and concentration, we can get better at respecting ourselves, as well as respecting those around us.

A respectful person…

Treats himself/herself and everyone else with equal consideration and courtesy

Uses a positive tone of voice and body language

Avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and inappropriate gestures

Says “Excuse me”, “Please”, “Pardon me”

avoids gossip

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FEBRUARY 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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Report Cards home Parent Teacher

Interview night

Extended French

Applications DUE

Confessions Gr. 3-8

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MARCH 2017

Confirmation Mass

Practice @ 10:30am Mass

Rosary

Apostolate

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