THE DIVINE

INFANT CATHOLIC

SCHOOL

30 Ingleton Blvd., Toronto, ON M1V 3H7

TEL: (416) 393-5414

NEWSLETTER

Virtue of the Month

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son.”

- John 3:16

"When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace." - The Dalai Lama

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love” - Mother Teresa

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Dear Divine Infant Community, Jesus was asked, "Teacher, which is the

great commandment in the law?” Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord

your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your

mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it,

You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mother Teresa said, “Not all of

us can do great things. But, we can do small things with great love.” As we

celebrate the gift of love here at the Divine Infant School, we would like to

thank all the parents and staff and students for their commitment and

support of our beautiful and Christ –centered school. We have many

wonderful winter activities planned such as skiing, not to mention our

celebration of Carnival. We look forward to engaging parents in all that we

do.

Principal: Mr. Novis

Admin. Assistant:

M. Forrester

Head Custodian:

Mr. Constantinou

Superintendent:

Kevin Malcolm

416-222-8282

Trustee:

Garry Tanuan

416-512-3407

Parish:

Mr. Novis

APPROPRIATE

DRESS CODE

Parents, a reminder that

your child must be in

uniform when inside the

school. Once all outer

wear is removed,

students are expected to

follow the dress code,

navy blue and white, no

logos, no letters, no

patterns, no pictures.

Thank you for your

cooperation.

REGISTRATION The TCDSB continues to utilize the Student Online Application Registration Form. Parents are able to complete an application from the comfort of home or anywhere there is internet access! The online application offers access to translations in different languages with built-in help functions and features. Upon completion of the online application form, parents are informed of the original documentation that they will be required to bring to the school to complete the final steps of the process. If you have children or know of a friend with children who are eligible for JK/SK beginning September 2019, please visit the following site and complete the application for registration online: http://soar.tcdsb.org For general information on SOAR, please contact 416-222-8282 extension 5314 or visit our website at www.tcdsb.org

Before the conference with the teacher:

Make a list of any general or specific questions that you want to ask your child’s teacher(s). Ask your child what he/she would like you to ask or tell his/her teacher. Think about any specific information you will need to let the teacher know—for example any home or family changes that the teacher needs to be sensitive to, any health issues that affect your child, any recent family deaths or dramatic changes that have had an impact on your child Consider what special things you would like the teacher to know about your child.

After the interview

When you get home from the conference:

Speak honestly with your child about the discussion you had with his/her teacher. Tell your child about the positive feedback and any problem areas that were discussed, as well as plans that you and the teacher made to help your child make improvements.

How to prepare for the

interview

Coming

Home on

Tuesday

February

12th

The Term 1 Reports will be sent home on

Tuesday, February 12th. Parent-teacher interviews

are a wonderful opportunity for you to discuss

your child’s progress during this new school year.

As a courtesy, we ask that if for whatever reason

someone cannot make a scheduled Interview

appointment, please call the school to notify us. You

can always make arrangements with your child’s

teacher to re-schedule another date and/or time. It is

vitally important that the school-home

communication is always open, clear, and that your

child is acutely aware that we talk and we keep in

touch.

Friday Feb. 15th is a

P.A. Day. There

will be no classes for

students

Reporting School Cancellations or School

Closures due to Inclement Weather With the approach of winter, please note that should it become necessary to cancel school bus

transportation or close schools due to inclement weather, the Communications Department and

Toronto Student Transportation Group will endeavour to provide updates through the

following:

News releases to radio stations (AM 640, 680 News) and television outlets (CP24, CTV) 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). Updates available on the

TCDSB 24-hour information line: 416-222-8282, Ext. 2873 The information will also be on the homepage of the Board’s website at www.tcdsb.org.

Information about inclement weather protocol and related health and safety issues can be found

on the board’s website at http://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/HealthandSafety/

Pages/Weather-Related-Safety-Concerns.aspx

Lately we’ve been seeing a few students coming to school later and later and missing out on important instructional time. Parents, please remember that school starts at 9:00AM and outdoor supervision begins at 8:45AM. We ask that parents do the best they can to ensure their children come to school on time so as to not miss anything.

Our next parent council meeting will take place on Wednesday February 27th at 6:30pm. The parent council is working on many fundraising events leading into the SPRING!!! Please contact Elaine Bravo our CSAC President for more information. Tel no: 416-222-8282 x 88414

TAKE THE QUIZ

How did Lewis Latimer improve the light bulb? Invented high wattage Invented longer lasting filaments Invented tinted light bulbs Invented the dimmer switch

Who invented the rolling pin? a. R. Baker b. D. Dryer c. C. Wallace d. W. Reed

Which product did Mark Dean help develop in the world of modern technology? a. Telephone b. Internet c. Computer d. Calculator

In what African culture/country was coffee and beer produced? a. Ghana / Mali b. Ethiopia / Egypt c. South Africa / Kenya d. Zimbabwe / Sudan

Who invented a type of elevator in 1867? a. Tom Bailey b. Sam Brown c. Trevor Mackenzie d. Alexander Miles

What did Granville T. Woods invent to make our life more comfortable and convenient? a. Fireplace / Space Heater b. Microwave over / Convention oven c. Washing Machine / Dryer d. Telephone Apparatus / Steam Boiler Furnace

What invention did John L. Love create that is used every day in schools? a. Napsack b. Ruler c. Hole Punch d. Pencil Sharpener

What is the name of the popular wa- ter toy invented by Lonnie G. John- son? a. Water Gun b. Slip & Slide c. Water Slide d. Super Soaker

What is the name of the popular water toy invented by Lonnie G. Johnson? Water Gun Slip & Slide Water Slide Super Soaker

What popular children’s game was created into a card game by Luanga Nuwame? e. Snakes and Ladder’s f. Dodge ball g. Hop Scotch h. Rock Paper Scissors

Who led the team at Proctor and In what year did Lyda D. Newman

Gamble in the formulation of invent the hairbrush?

Cascade dish detergent? a. 1705

a. Mr. Michael Fraser b. 1816

b. Mr. Frank Dawson c. 1960

c. Mr. Donald Carter d. 1898

d. Mr. Dennis Weatherby

What popular board game, in- volving strategy, has its roots in ancient Africa? e. Battleship f. Chess g. Oware h. Dungeons and Dragons

Who was the first Canadian-born Black Doctor? e. Dr. Oscar Brewton f. Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott g. Dr. Sophia Jones h. Dr. Alexander Augusta

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word 'Shriven' meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you've done. Lent always starts on a Wednesday, so people went to confessions on the day before. This became known as Shriven Tuesday and then Shrove Tues- day.

The other name for this day, Pancake Day, comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients in the house before Lent, so that people were ready to fast during Lent. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses in those days were eggs and milk. A very simple recipe to use up these ingredients was to combine them with some flour and make pancakes!

The custom of making pancakes still continues today, and in many U.K. towns and villages pancake races (where people race with a frying pan while tossing a pancake in it!) and pancake tossing competitions are held on Shrove Tuesday.

In other countries Shrove Tuesday is known as 'Mardi Gras'. This means 'Fat Tuesday' in French and also comes from the idea of using up food before Lent. Many countries around the world have Mardi Gras celebrations and carnivals. Some of the most famous are in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and New Orleans in the U.S.A.

Here at The Divine Infant, we will celebrate this tradition by preparing pancakes for

students to enjoy on Tuesday March 5th. Thank you to the staff for organizing this

yummy treat.

Mr. Touassom and his team of coeur de bois will be bringing the spirit and joy of the Quebec Carnival back to The Divine Infant for 2019. Students will be involved in special event days and activities and we look forward to the activities especially which will take place on Thursday February 21st. Vive le Carnaval de l’enfant divin!

Chinese New Year has various symbols and traditions. Flowers are an important part of New Year decorations. Tangerines and oranges are also displayed in many homes and stores as a sign of luck and wealth.

Envelopes with money (Hong Bao, Ang Pao, or Lai See) often come in the color red, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, success and good fortune. These envelopes are mainly given as presents to children. Each Chinese New Year is associated with an animal name for one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac—this year, it’s the Pig.

For more information or to see what’s your Chinese Zodiac sign, go to: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/sheep.htm

As part of a Principal’s responsibilities, the health, welfare, well-being, and safety of the school community members (students and staff) is very important. Therefore, as part of our continuing effort

for the betterment of our school and to adhere to TCDSB Safe School protocols, all school doors will continue to be locked. As

such, parents, guests, and all visitors are asked to come in ONLY via the front doors - use the buzzer.

Parents coming to pick-up students at the end of the day are asked to wait outside. Under extreme conditions, like we’ve been experiencing lately, parents are most welcome to wait inside the school (near the Office).

I am sure that we can all agree that the safety and well-being of our students - your children - is of the utmost importance. The measures we will continue to implement for the well-being of all our students, are firm and supersede any minor inconvenience someone may feel they’ve experienced. Thank you.

3

In February, we will be selling Valentine Sprinkle Oatmeal Cookies and students can pick up during recess or lunch … like always, the price stays the same at $1.00 per cookie. Cookies will be available during the week of Monday Feb 12th, at school and in the evenings for Interviews.

Bullying is a problem in our schools, workplaces, homes, and especially over the Internet. Throughout the year, we will be helping raise awareness on these issues, engage in activities and provide some of the tools needed to be an up-stander and not a bystander. We’re going to emphasize what it is we need to continue to do that makes our school a safe and healthy environment for everyone. On February 26th, 2019, all students will be encouraged to wear Pink (shirt, pants, socks, etc.) to symbolize that we as a school and the future adults of this country will not tolerate bullying in our house!

Two incredible Nova Scotia high school students started this a few years ago … to remind us that WE ALL BELONG.

Guidance Corner

Happy New Year Everyone. My name is Mrs. Shaloufe Sanchez and I am the new Elementary

Guidance Counsellor/Teacher at your child's school. I make regular biweekly visits to the school for

classroom programming and individual support. I am looking forward to getting to know all the staff

and students this school year. I hope you and your families have had a peaceful Christmas season!

The virtue of Courage is a focus for this month, and students are encouraged to step outside of their

comfort zones to try something new or to develop their physical and moral courage.

January is also a good time for students to reflect on goal-setting; looking at what they have

already done well, and planning for what they would still like to accomplish by the end of the school

year. In anticipation of the Term 1 report card, a focus on the Learning Skills continues to be

encouraged for students of all grades.

EVENTS AT THE DIVINE INFANT

Congratulations to Ms. Maguire’s class for celebrating and organizing our Virtue Assembly for the month of January. Together, Ms. Maguire and Ms. Grant took us through a celebration of faith on the virtue of courage. February is the virtue of LOVE.

OUR TRIP TO CASA LOMA

OUR CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL

FEBRUARY

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

AFRICAN

DRUMMING

PRESENATION

2

GROUNDHOG

DAY

3 4

MENTAL

WELLNESS

DAY

5

6

PIZZA DAY

7

CHINESE

NEW YEAR

8

MASS @ D.I

10:45am

9

10

11

12

REPORT

CARDS SENT

HOME

Boys Divisional

Basketball

13

VALENTINE

DAY DANCE

Parent-

Teacher

Interviews PM

Girls Division

Basketball

14

Parent-

Teacher

Interviews

PM

HOT DOG DAY

15

P.A DAY

16

17

18

19

20

JR. W5H

21

CARNAVAL

BEGINS!!!

22

DIVINE

INFANT GOES

SKIING

AT DAGMAR

23

24 25

GIFTED

TESTING

GR.4

26

ANTI BULLY

DAY

27

VIRTUE

ASSEMBLY

PIZZA DAY

CSAC MEETING

28