ST. LUKE SCHOOL DECEMBER 2016 / JANUARY 2017 Principal: Mrs. E. Bakaic Secretary: Mrs. K. Rosati Parish: St. Andrew Church

Phone: (905) 829-1700 Website: http://schools.hcdsb.org/luke

SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM: A reminder to call in your child’s absence or late arrival to (905) 829-1700. Our answering machine is operational 24 hours a day. Messages will be retrieved between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Provincial protocols require that schools exhaust all emergency contacts prior to calling the police in the event of a child who is unaccounted for. Please ensure that yourFollow information us on twitter: is accurate.

PRIN CIPAL’S MESSAGE HOME SCHOOL Our GRO Club members wish all We Advent is the time before Christmas PARISH CONNECTION of our families “A Blessed and when we prepare our hearts for the St. Andrew Church We Peace filled Christmas”! coming of Jesus. We wait in joyful 47 Reynolds St. ‘THE GREATEST STORY EVER hope for Christmas. The staff and Phone: (905) 844-3303 students of St. Luke School will Mass Times: TOLD’ ADVENT CELEBRATION The Kindergarten through grade 8 enter into the spirit of the season by Saturday evenings: 5 p.m. classes invite you to join us in preparing to help those in the Sundays mornings: 9 a.m. 10:30 community who require our a.m. & 12 Noon celebrating our faith through an assistance. As a school community Please see the attached Christmas Advent Liturgy and Song on we have many special activities Schedule. Thursday, December 22nd. planned for the season of Advent. There will be two celebrations; one We know that small acts of WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE at 9:30 a.m. and one at 7:00 p.m. kindness can have a big impact and EMAIL FEEDBACK Due to seating/fire code limitations, can help to make a difference in the We have received a wonderful there is a limit of three tickets per lives of others. These special response from our parent family for the Thursday evening activities also help to remind us of community regarding the Week-at- performance. An invitation with the true meaning of Christmas. a-Glance updates that are being more information and your tickets emailed to families every Friday Holidays are a time to be with family will be sent home with your evening. We’re glad this and friends, a time to rejoice and youngest or only child next week. streamlined look at what’s give thanks for our many blessings. We look forward to an enjoyable On behalf of the staff of St. Luke happening at St. Luke has been useful to you. event to celebrate the season of Catholic School may your family Christmas. have a peaceful and joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year! PEACE AND JUSTICE NEWS CHRISTMAS BREAK This year we are continuing with our Christmas Break is from Yours in Catholic Education, Angel Tree of Hope. Families December 26 - January 6 have already chosen their angels inclusive. Please be aware that on Mrs. E. Bakaic from our tree and we ask that all December 23rd there will be early Principal gifts be returned to the school by dismissal at 1:30 pm. Friday, December 16th.Your HOW DO WE CELEBRATE generous gifts will be donated to FUNDRAISER UPDATE THE SEASON ON ADVENT? support families served by Acts of We at St. Luke want to thank you, We can all slow down. We can all Kindness Network, Halton our school community, for your breathe more deeply. We can all Children’s Aid, Safety Net Youth generosity once again in support of begin to trust that this will be a and Child Services and the St. our annual fundraiser. We would blessed time. Then, when we let Vincent DePaul Society. We hope also like to recognize and thank an ourselves be who we are, and hear that our Angel Tree will enable all of anonymous donor for his generous the Scriptures, we can begin to us in the St. Luke School $2,000 donation to our fundraising quietly pray, “Come into my life. I Community to share our good campaign. As a result, we have trust you don’t mind if it is still fortune with those less fortunate raised $5385.00! Way to go messy. Come and fill me with and make the Christmas season a Gators! Please note that while our peace and the love only you can little brighter for everyone. fundraising campaign ended on give.” As a family of St. Dominic November 30th, the donation Parish, let us pray that Jesus will Although we appreciate your button will remain on our school come into our parish family, into our generosity, it is not necessary to website throughout the year and struggles and give us joy again. contribute to all of the initiatives. We donations can be made at any are most thankful for any support time.

that you are able to offer!

SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE REMEMBRANCE DAY SEAC is made up of school We appreciate all of the support we On November 11, 2016 St. board trustees and have received from the parents of Luke observed representatives of local the St. Luke school community. Remembrance Day with a associations with a common Thank you also to our Fundraising liturgy and ceremony organized by goal of protecting the interests Committee volunteers for all of their Mrs. Chong, Mrs. Holowatsky and and well-being of exceptional hard work in assembling the Ms. DaSilva. Thank you to all children or adults. Christmas Baskets. They are students who prepared so diligently Associations currently represented beautiful and full of wonderful items to make this day special. Thank you on HCDSB SEAC are: to appeal to even the most as well to parents and guests who -Association for Bright Children discerning tastes! Tickets are $2.00 were able to join us to make this a (ABC) Ontario, Halton Chapter each or 3 for $5.00. Tickets will be memorable Remembrance Day. -Autism Ontario on sale through Thursday, -Easter Seals Ontario December 22nd. Parents and VOLLEYBALL - Halton Down Syndrome members of the School Community Congratulations to our boys’ and Association will be able to buy raffle tickets until girls’ volleyball teams on a fun and Learning Disabilities Association of this date. Students will have the successful season. Our boys’ Halton opportunity to purchase raffle volleyball team came in 2nd place at -VOICE for Hearing Impaired tickets each day at lunch recess. the Halton System Finals! Thank Children Baskets are on display in the school you Gators for being excellent hallway. The draw will be held on ambassadors of St. Luke School. Students with Special Needs Friday, December 23rd. and the Christmas Holidays

Christmas and winter break can be fun, busy, and exciting – and the excitement and change in routine can also be chaotic for many students, especially those with special needs.

As much as educators do their best to maintain structure for students, the excitement of the holidays, the many special events and activities, Thank you to our coaches — Ms. and the time off school can be Remember to check the school Kwiatkoski, Ms. Kellner and Mr. overwhelming. The change in website for School Council D’Elia. We really appreciate your routine can take a child out of their information and for council hard work and dedication to our comfort zone and be difficult to meetings and minutes. Our next school teams! cope with. Council meeting will be on January 25th, 2017. NOVEMBER SHINING STARS! Here are some tips to help parents, Shining Stars are caregivers and educators get ANAPHYLAXIS UPDATE awarded to students for through these challenging times. Christmas often brings a number exhibiting a good of treats into the building to attitude, good effort and good School Events celebrate the approaching holidays behaviour. The staff of St. Luke are  Prepare your child in advance and we must maintain the safest extremely proud of all of our for changes in the typical possible environment for all of our students who won Shining Star school schedule and special children. We appreciate your ballots this month. events. diligence in ensuring that nut Congratulations to the following  If possible, have pictures or and peanut products are not part raffle draw winners: social stories about what your of the treat selection. In order to Movie Pass – Maddie H. child can expect. minimize the risk for our Art Supplies – Logan H.  Practice and rehearse what is anaphylactic students and to Sports ball – Aaron P. going to happen, especially if promote our school as a Healthy Subway Gift Card – Alesandra I. your child will be part of a School, parents are asked not to Chapters Gift Card – Geraldine B. presentation. send their children with lunches  Talk to staff about how your from an outside provider (e.g. Tim WHAT IS SEAC? child is going to participate; Hortons). Lunches that are not Did you know that there is a confirm that supports are in guaranteed nut-free increase the committee in each school board or place to help them succeed. potential for a life-threatening school authority that provides  Plan for a quieter evening allergic reaction. Our students with important and relevant advice on after the event, so your child life threatening allergies appreciate Special Education? This committee has a chance to decompress. your assistance in this matter. is known as the Special Education Advisory Committee or SEAC. Social interactions  Use visuals to help your child Japan… Merii Kurisumasu WHEN A CHILD IS ILL understand what is going to With the approaching Polish… Wesolych Swait happen cold weather and flu  Count down the days before India Hindi… Krisamas Kee season, we remind you that a child school ends and then starts who is not feeling well is in no state Badhaee back up again. This makes to learn and participate fully in the your child aware that there Nigeria Yoruba… Ikini Odu school program. An ill child will feel will be a change in schedules. more comfortable at home. Also, it Keresimesi  A daily calendar can be very is likely he or she could infect other helpful during the break, Spanish… Feliz Navidad children. We strongly encourage especially to help your child parents to keep sick children at Tagalog… Maligayang Pasko anticipate parties or family home or make other care gatherings. We wish you and your families a arrangements. Thank you for your  Start adjusting back to you blessed and holy Christmas season understanding and cooperation. regular routine (bedtimes, and a Happy New Year. naptimes, and the overall INCLEMENT WEATHER schedule) a few days before KINDERGAREN REGISTRATION The Halton Catholic District School school starts back up in FOR SEPTEMBER 2017 Board provides procedures to January, to facilitate a Advance registration for students follow in the event of inclement smoother transition. new to Kindergarten will take place weather. For extreme cold and  Consider hosting friends and on Tuesday, January 24th and temperatures with or without a wind family rather than visiting in a Wednesday, January 25th. chill factor: place that is unfamiliar to the We encourage all parents of A) warmer than -15 C, students child. potential school age students to may remain outside for all regular register at this time to ensure the outside activities. Holidays can be a wonderful and best possible classroom B) between -15 C and -20 C, memorable time for children, and it organization for September. students may remain outside for is important that they feel included Please Note: If your child is no longer than 20 minute intervals and excited about the experiences presently attending JK at St. Luke at a time. during this time. Hopefully some of you do not need to register him/her C) colder than -20 C, students these ideas will provide ways to for Senior Kindergarten. must remain inside. create special memories for To register for Junior Kindergarten everyone. children must be 4 years of age on SCHOOL EMERGENCY or before December 31st, 2017. CLOSURES ESL NEWS FOR DECEMBER Please bring the following In the event of inclement weather, "Good news of great joy that will documentation with you when you Halton Student Transportation be for all the people" -- Luke 2:10 come to register your child for this Services (HSTS) determines program. whether to cancel school As we enter the Advent season, we transportation. When the decision prepare for the coming of our  Roman or Eastern Rite is made to cancel transportation, it Saviour Jesus Christ. We are Catholic Baptismal is cancelled for the entire day. In called to be the light for others by Certificate (Child’s or consultation, the Director of showing kindness and compassion Parent’s) Education of the Halton Catholic to everyone. In December, people District School Board offer a seasonal greeting of joy and  Birth Certificate – proof and the Director of Education of the peace with Merry Christmas. of age is required Halton District School Board determine whether to close  Immunization Record – Here's how to wish people "Merry schools. In most cases, these Before registration is Christmas" in different languages: decisions are communicated finalized, a child will have beginning at 6:30 a.m. The decision completed the prescribed to cancel buses and/or close English … Merry Christmas program of immunization schools is communicated in French... Joyeux Noel for diphtheria, tetanus, the following ways: Italian… Buon Natale poliomyelitis, measles, Primary Methods of chicken pox, mumps and Communication Portuguese…Feliz Natal rubella. Parent(s) must Arabic… Milad Mubarak provide evidence their  Board Website: Korean… Sung Tan Chuk Ha child’s Immunization www.hcdsb.org Record. Russian…Schastlivogo When school transportation is  Proof of address – to Rozhdestva cancelled and/or schools are verify that the child is being closed due to inclement weather Filipino… Maligayang Pasko registered at their home the Board's website is updated as school. soon as this information becomes available. These updates are very may be interrupted or intermittent if and nits, but it may take a few days visible at the top of each page of the travel becomes difficult and guards for the itching to stop. website. Every effort is made to cannot make it to their crossing A reminder to please call the update the website with this location. school office if you have found information by 6:30 a.m. • Environment Canada issues a your child to have lice or nits so Please note: If an update is not cold alert when the daily predicted that we can have the class posted on the Board's website, low is -15° C without wind chill checked. Children must be it signifies that school If there is an extreme cold rechecked by WeCare before transportation and school warning of -30° C or colder, returning to school. operations are running as usual. guards will not be on duty even if the schools remain open. More Information  Television Stations: • Environment Canada issues an Visit www.wecare.ca for more head CHTV (Morning Show), CITY TV Extreme Cold Warning for outdoor lice (pediculosis) information (Breakfast Television), CP 24 activity (when the temperature or wind chill is expected MedicAlert NO CHILD WITHOUT to reach -30° C for at least  FM Radio Stations: PROGRAM SAVES LIVES CHFI 98.1 FM, WAVE 94.7 FM two hours); or ,Y108/l07.9 FM, 95.3 FRESH FM, • Extreme weather conditions such One out of three Canadians have a CLASSICAL 96.3 FM, VIRGIN as blizzard or ice storm. condition that paramedics and RADIO 99.9 FM, 102.9 KLITE FM, emergency responders need to EASY ROCK 97.3 FM, CBC/CBLT TIS THE SEASON...FOR know about, including many 99.1 FM, CIMJ 106.1 FM ITCHING! children that live with a medical  AM Radio It's that time of year again. When condition, allergy or special need Stations:CFRB 1010 AM, head lice tend to make their way that must be communicated during CHAM 820 AM, JOY 1460 AM, into our school for a holiday visit. a medical emergency. Preventing Lice CHML 900 AM, CKOC 1150 MedicAlert is the most trusted, Having head lice is not a sign of AM, ZOOMER RADIO AM 740, most recommended medical ID uncleanliness or poor hygiene. AM 680NEWS service provider in Canada. For However, you can help to prevent more than 55 years, MedicAlert has kids from getting lice — or from  Telephone Recording at protected the lives of over one becoming Board's Main million Canadians by offering Re-infested with lice — by taking Switchboard: exclusive services to those that the following precautions: A telephone recording will be are in need. The No Child Without -Tell kids to try to avoid head-to- provided through our Board’s main charitable program, founded by head contact at school (in gym, on telephone number: 905-632-6300 MedicAlert in 2006, has protected the playground, or during sports) or at 1-800-741-8382. over 50,000 students in the last 10 and while playing at home with years and supported school other children. -Tell kids not to share combs, officials to address concerns about Supplementary Methods of brushes, hats, scarves, bandanas, students living with chronic medical conditions, Allergies Anaphylaxis, Communication ribbons, barrettes, hair ties or Asthma, Diabetes or special needs. Twitter: bands, towels, helmets, or other School closures and bus personal care items with anyone This program provides children cancellations will be tweeted out to else, whether they may have lice or and students, attending Halton Catholic District School not. participating schools, one free Board followers on the -Tell kids not to lie on bedding, MedicAlert medical ID and free Board`s Twitter account. pillows, and carpets that have MedicAlert service plan coverage recently been used by someone between the age of 4 and up until TOWN OF OAKVILLE with lice. their 14th birthday. To date, the CROSSING GUARDS NOTICE -Every 3 or 4 days, examine No Child Without program is The Town of Oakville has members of your household who available across over 200 school implemented a new inclement have had close contact with a boards, in over 6,000 schools. weather procedure for all Town of person who has lice. Then, treat Oakville school crossing guards. those who are found to have lice or St. Luke School is a participant in The procedures outlined below nits close to the scalp. the MedicAlert No Child Without define parameters for crossing Treatment program and we are happy to guard duties when there is a Your local pharmacist can introduce the program to more weather alert or an extreme recommend a medicated shampoo, students at our school! Thank you weather warning issued by the cream rinse, or lotion to kill the lice. MedicAlert for providing lifesaving Environment Canada. These may be over-the-counter service! (OTC) or prescription medications, Parents and guardians should Cold Alerts/Extreme Cold depending on what treatments consider this program if their Warnings have already been tried. Medicated child lives with: If there is a cold alert, crossing lice treatments usually kill the lice  A medical condition guards will be on duty, but service  Allergies and requires the use of an epinephrine injector  Asthma or uses an inhaler  Autism or ADHD  Medication they need to take For a more comprehensive list of conditions or simply learn more about the No Child Without program, visit nochildwithout.ca. ABOUT MEDICALERT MedicAlert Foundation Canada is a national registered charity, and it is the most trusted and most recommended medical identification service by healthcare professionals in Canada. MedicAlert has been protecting over one million Canadians for over 55 years, by offering exclusive benefits including:  Critical assistance in seconds – An exclusive 24/7 Emergency Hotline that is answered within an average of 5 seconds, in 140 languages  Family notification service – MedicAlert tells emergency responders what they need to know about the student and notify family members in the event of an emergency  Designed to rigorous medical standards – ensures all information on the MedicAlert identification adheres to globally accepted medical standards that are critically relied upon by emergency responders