Stella Maris Catholic School Newsletter Principal’s Message It is amazing how quickly a month flies. The teachers and students are well into their routines, working hard and actively participating in school life. I am looking forward to seeing you and your families on Curriculum Night, October 3rd at 7 p.m. STELLA MARIS Please join me in welcoming Ms. E. Aloe who is one of our new Physical CATHOLIC SCHOOL Education/Health teachers. OCTOBER 2018 In this month of Thanksgiving, let us encourage our children to appreciate 31 Ascot Avenue all the wonderful gifts that God has given them and ask them how they can give back to those around them to show their gratitude. From a simple Toronto, Ontario M6E 1E6 positive morning greeting to working with the poor in our city, there are Phone Number: (416) 393-5371 thousands of ways for even our youngest learners to show appreciation of Fax Number: (416) 393-5841 God’s many blessings. Principal: Elisa Arciero There are many exciting events and activities going on in the school from Secretary: Cross Country to Junior Soccer. Our Grade 8s start the process to choose Angie Minnella their high school next year and begin to focus on the pathway that will lead Clerk Typist: Ida Ferrinho to future success. Our roofing project is ongoing. Superintendent: We had our CSPC AGM and elections on September 25th and the new John Wujek executive was elected. A detailed list is included in this newsletter. We (416) 222-8282 Ext. 2592 also started the Morning Meal Program on September 17th. The menu has been revised and will be included in my monthly newsletters. Please Trustee: contact the office if you have any questions. This initiative contributes to Frank D’Amico a healthier learning environment for all our children. (416) 222-8282 Ext. 3406 On behalf of the staff and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to Parish: wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends. St. Clare Roman Catholic Church Pastor: Father Francesco Marrone Sincerely, 1118 St. Clair Ave. W. (416) 654-7087 Ms. E. Arciero School Hours: Principal 8:30 a.m. Entry 10:12 a.m. Recess 11:15 a.m. Lunch Hour 12:15 p.m. Entry 1:40 p.m. Recess 3:00 p.m. Dismissal NEW REGISTRANTS WELCOME: Call 416-393-5371 or the TCDSB Admissions Department at 416-222-8282, ext. 2383. For general information about the Toronto Catholic District School Board, CPIC (Parent Engagement--TCDSB) please visit the website at www.tcdsb.org. www.tcdsb.org/cpic Stay in touch with the latest news throughout the school year: Follow OAPCE Toronto (Provincial Voice for Parents) www.tcdsb.org/oapce-toronto @TCDSB on Twitter. _____________________________ ___ Food Drive Organized by Our Intermediates for Lunch at School WE Lunch at school is a privilege for children who live far away from the The Intermediates are busy planning our food drive for school and/or for children who do not have anyone at home to supervise the month of October. This community initiative is them. Children who stay for lunch are reminded to: called, "WE Scare Hunger", a food drive for St. Francis · Stay in their assigned seats/classroom; Table. Please bring in 2-3 canned food or non-perishable · Use indoor voices; · Seek permission/assistance from the teacher or lunchtime food items during the month of October to help those in supervisor; and need. St. Francis is in need of canned soups, beans, - Not engage in hitting, pushing or fighting. tomato paste, sauce, diced, whole; mushrooms, mixed Please remember not to take your child off premises without vegetables and cleaning supplies such as floor cleaner, informing an adult and then signing him/her out at the office first. hand soap, laundry detergent, multi-purpose cleaner, For safety reasons, only students in Gr. 7 and 8 whose parents have steel wool, and window cleaner. St. Francis’ Table made arrangements to go out for lunch must, by 9:30 a.m., provide their offers lunch and dinner each day to the needy. The teacher a note from home which: donations will be picked up at the end of OCTOBER. A. Is dated; and Thank you in advance for your thoughtful contribution. B. Signed by a parent. Students going out for lunch should always make arrangements to go out Together, let's make a difference in someone’s life! in pairs (restricted to students in grades 7 and 8 only). The school discourages the practice of students going out for lunch. Students will Catholic School Parent Council (CSPC) have to sign out at the office at 11:15 a.m. and then sign back in no CSPC elections took place on September 25. Here are the earlier than 11:55 a.m. and no later than 12:15 p.m. Food is NOT to be newly elected members of our Catholic School brought back to school. In the interest of student safety, microwave Parent Council Executive for the 2018-2019 school year: ovens are not available to students. · Ms. Cilena Costa (Chair and Secretary); · Ms. Helen Veloso (Vice Chair); and Student Safety · Ms. Jessica Teixeira (Treasurer). Parents/Caregivers are asked to ensure that we have your current The Committee/Voting members are: Ms. Gisella telephone numbers: home, cell, emergency. Please call the Linares and Ms. Lily Vasile. school before 8:15 a.m. if your child will be late or absent. We would like to acknowledge our teacher representative will be Ms. M. Toste. The non-teaching representative is Parents are reminded that all doors to the school are locked. All Ms. M. Radovini. parents and visitors are required to buzz the doorbell to speak to The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 our secretary and then enter the school. We ask for your patience at 7 p.m. in the library. Please join us! and understanding as we continue to implement this important safety initiative. Parents, caregivers, older siblings are asked to CSPC Pizza Lunches and Ice Cream Days wait for their children or siblings in the schoolyard after school The pizza lunch for October will be held on Friday, unless a meeting with the teacher has been scheduled. All October 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2 students should enter and exit the school building by their Thanks to our CSPC, students may also place orders to designated doors. The school’s front doors are not to be used as a enjoy an ice cream treat on Wednesday, October 10, 17, shortcut to the school yard. 24, and Nov. 1. Stella Maris is an Allergen Aware School. Some children in our National Custodians’ Day – October 2nd school have a severe life threatening food allergy to peanuts and We are so grateful to our custodial staff for their nuts (anaphylaxis). This is a medical condition that causes a dedication in maintaining our building throughout the severe reaction to specific foods and can result in death within school year, but also for their hard work during the minutes. In order to ensure that our school is a safe environment summer months to ensure that our school, classrooms and for all students, we ask that you only send foods with your playgrounds are ready for September. Keep up the great children that are free from peanuts and other nut products. work, Mr. Isabella, Mr. Baptista and Mr. Guerin!! Also, kindly avoid sending food for special occasions (i.e. birthday, Christmas, etc). There is no other way of controlling World Teacher’s Day – October 5th food which comes from home other than the specific and diligent We take great pride in celebrating the valuable awareness and action by parents. Please help in ensuring the contribution of all our teachers and support staff at Stella safety of our children by helping to keep Stella Maris Maris. Teachers have an awesome responsibility. They Catholic School a peanut and nut free zone. influence our young people who represent the future; they foster their career development and influence their DECE Appreciation Day – October 16th occupational choices. They are charged with the task of We are very grateful for the dedication and collaborative team leading them on their faith journey and helping them to work that our Early Childhood Educators bring to our Early build character. We thank all our educators for their Learning Program (Kindergarten classes). They work together commitment to Catholic education and for the support with their teacher partners by introducing children to learn and leadership that they provide so that we can fulfill our through play, developing a sense of self-worth, and helping the mission as a Catholic education community. children have fun at school! Ms. A. Brumant and Ms. M. Radovini, thank you for all you do for the Stella Maris community! Personal Belongings Secondary School Open Houses We have an acceptable user policy when it comes to All Toronto Catholic District School Board secondary schools electronics. For obvious safety and educational purposes, welcome grade 8 students and their families to open houses each we ask that no cell phones, cameras, i-pods, expensive fall. This is an opportunity to meet some of the staff, check out jewellery, hand-held games or any electronic gadgets be school facilities and learn more about the various programs, brought to school. Teachers may ask students to use their services and activities as you prepare for Catholic secondary cell phones or other devices for instructional purposes. school education. Most open houses begin at 7:00 p.m. For a Cell phones, if brought to school for emergency complete list of dates and locations, visit: purposes, are to be turned off and left in their http://www.tcdsb.org/school/OpenHouses/Pages/default.aspx.