T. CIARAVELLA, TRUSTEE M. BATTISTA SUPERINTENDENT A. IAFRATE PRINCIPAL 301 Barrhill Road, Maple D. CARBONE VICE PRINCIPAL G. JARICOT HEAD SECRETARY Dear Our Lady of Peace Families, L. MALFATTI SECRETARY We are in the Season of Advent. S. MANASSERI HEAD CUSTODIAN PARISH ST. DAVID, FATHER ERNIE DE CICCIO VIRTUE OF THE MONTH: HOPE School Website: www.olp.ycdsb.ca Attendance Reporting 1-855-856-7862 or visit yorkcdsb.schoolconnects.com (905) 832-7080 God of hope, faith, joy and love We praise You and thank You for the gifts that You have given our children. Light the Advent candles within our hearts Grant us a sense of peace and calm amongst the whirl of preparations, May we see your coming with eyes of simplicity and truth. May we model for our children Commitment rather than distraction, Compassion rather than selfishness, Charity over egoism, Calm amongst frenzy. May our homes be open to your presence, May our lives be quiet enough to hear you when you knock at our door, May our despair and resentment be turned to hope and joy this Christmas. On behalf of the Staff of Our Lady of Peace Catholic School, we would like to wish all our students and their families a blessed Christmas filled with the love of family and friends. Yours in Catholic Education, A. Iafrate D. Carbone Page 2 Hope The Catholic Virtue for the month of December is HOPE. Students are encouraged to reflect on the following I Will statements: • I will look to the future with trust in God. • I will keep a positive attitude. • I will prepare for Christmas by waiting with hope, faith, joy and love. Wreath & Votive Fundraiser for Sick Kids Hospital Thank you to all of the families and staff members that ordered wreaths and votives. Our school had $2209.00 in sales and of that; $550.00 will be donated to Sick Kids Hospital. Congratulations to all who contributed to the Hospital for Sick Kids, the hospital of miracles. FRENCH NEWS We are growing! In addition to continuing Our Lady of Peace’s excellent English program, we are also expanding our Early French Immersion program. Warmly welcoming new registrations for both our English and French programs, Our Lady of Peace continues to be a wonderful hub of activity and learning! An information meeting for all Senior Kindergarten parents within our French Immersion boundary wishing to become more aware of Our Lady of Peace’s French Immersion program, will be held on: Wednesday, December 3 at 7 pm. PARKING LOT SAFETY Please remember that the driveway directly in front of the school is where students walk to the school yard and where the school buses park so that students can be safely dropped off in the morning, and safely board the bus and leave at the end of the day. There is to be no vehicular movement in this area from 8:30-9:00 and from 3:00-4:00. Please share this information with other caregivers as well. Also, there is absolutely no parking in the Fire Route area. Bylaw officers will patrol the school on a regular basis and cars will be ticketed. Kindly respect these rules and the safety of everyone!! REMEMBRANCE DAY Tuesday, November 11th, was truly a day to remember. Our gymnasium was turned into an honourable memorial, paying tribute to fallen and currently serving soldiers. We were very pleased to welcome Lieutenant (Lt) Luk with the 48th Highlanders Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps to share her experiences and the commitment to the armed forces. Thank you to parents who were able to join our day of remembrance and thanks to the Junior Division for such a moving commemoration. Christmas Holidays are: December 22 – January 2, 2015 First day back is Monday, January 5, 2015 Page 3 ADVENT MASS On Thursday, December 4 at 1:30 p. m. we will celebrate our Advent Mass with Father Ernie in our school gym. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. All our family members are invited to join us in our celebration and preparation for Jesus’ coming in fellowship with one another. WINTER WEATHER REMINDER WEAR multiple layers of light, loose-fitting clothes. Outer wear should be waterproof. WEAR cold weather clothing that is appropriate for the activity. WEAR mittens instead of gloves; mittens are warmer. WEAR a warm hat with ear protection to prevent heat loss. WEAR woolen socks to protect your ankles and feet. WEAR slip-resistant, insulated footwear. WEAR a scarf or face mask while playing in cold wind. Only in severe cold weather conditions of –15º C or coldINCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES er will children remain indoors. Fresh air is a necessary ingredient for a responsive mind, as is exercise between periods of class work. Each year many parents send When the wintry weather arrives and we are notes stating that their children need to remain indoors for recess. Please keep the following information in faced with extreme weather conditions, we mind. Any ill child should rest at home and return to ask that you pay attention to the following school when he or she is feeling better. Outside recess procedures when deciding whether to send breaks are essential for children. Children who must reyour children to school on a day when buses main indoors for recess for more than one day should are cancelled. Schools are rarely closed, even bring a note from their family doctor. Many of our stuthough buses are cancelled. Please do not dents are often getting their pants and socks wet during call the school to inquire if the school is recesses and need a change of clothes. Please ensure open. Radio and television stations will prothat your child has an extra pair of pants, a top, and vide the necessary information beginning at socks at school in case of a wet or muddy emergency. 6:00 a.m. Parents are asked to exercise good judgment in deciding whether to send a child to school when buses have been cancelled. If you decide to drive your children to school, please consider that over the course of the day weather conditions could worsen, and reCongratulations to the Intrieving your child at the end of the day may termediate Boys and Girls Volleyball teams. Both be particularly hazardous. teams placed first in the Area Tournaments. They will be playing at St. Robert CHS at the Board Finals on Wednesday December 3rd. They have displayed great team * Please see attached Bus Cancellation spirit and enthusiasm. Coaches Ms. Morrison, Ms. Information Insert Martino and Mr. Crivaro couldn't be more proud! Way to go PANTHERS!!! Sharing Christmas For the month of December the Luke 4:18 Committee has chosen to support the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. David’s Church. We will be collecting hats, mittens, scarves and socks to help support families within the Maple community during the cold winter months ahead. We would like to thank you in advance for supporting this cause led by our students! We are very proud that our students are taking initiative in supporting causes that are important to them and becoming such thoughtful stewards of creation. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 CHRISTMAS WISHES FROM YOUR LOCAL TRUSTEE TERESA CIARAVELLA Halloween Dance-a-thon The October 31st Dance-athon was a great success! We were able to gross $9,300 with the net proceeds going towards the purchase of additional school resources. Many thanks for your support!!! RECESS RULES We encourage all students to experience their recess outdoor breaks in an enjoyable and safe manner. We would like to remind students that there are four very important rules to follow in the school yard NO CONTACT RULE: Students are not allowed to play any games or be involved in any activities that involve physical contact. AVOID WET AREAS: Please remind your children to stay away from the puddles and wet areas on the pavement and field. This is for their health and safety. As we enter the Christmas Season, and look ahead to the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution and commitment to Catholic Education. This Advent season, students and staff in our schools have demonstrated their benevolent spirit through many charitable activities and through various acts of kindness and compassion. I encourage you to stand up for Catholic education by ensuring that you and your extended family are registered as Catholic school supporters on the municipal tax roll. By increasing our Catholic tax base, we send a powerful message to the Provincial government that Catholics in Ontario stand behind an education system that allows us to educate our children from a uniquely Catholic perspective. May the Peace and Joy of the Christ Child be with you this Christmas and throughout the New Year. May God keep you safe and may the joy of Christmas last all year round. As always, you may reach me at [email protected] or by phone at 905-832-4562. Please check out my website for updates at www.trustee.ycdsb.ca/ciaravella A Christmas Prayer Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth, may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen NO SNOWBALL THROWING: For student and staff safety. STAY OFF SNOW BANKS AND ICY Our Choir will be perSURFACES: For student and staff safeforming at the school ty. Injuries can occur if students play in board on the afternoon of these areas. Tuesday December 9. Our next Catholic School Council meeting has been scheduled for Monay, December, 1 at 7:00 p.m.