Introduction of Staff

Principal: Mr. T. CeelenSecretary: Mrs. Pirruccio

Vice Principal: Ms. L. MacLennanOffice Assistant: Ms. Dunn

September 2015

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Welcome back to St. John Paul II Catholic School for the 2015-16 school year. A very special welcome to the new students and families who are joining us this year. Your gifts and talents and life experiences will further enhance the vibrant culture of our school.

There are several new staff at our school this year who are keen to be part of our school community. I look forward to working with them and all of the returning staff to provide the best in Catholic Education to you and your child. Our commitment to social justice and charitable works, the celebrating of the sacraments and school masses, excellent academic results, sports teams, special clubs and events are indicators of our efforts to educate the “whole child” spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically.

Our collective goal must always be to create and nurture a school culture and environment where ALL students feel safe, valued and treated with dignity. One child feeling unsafe or not included or valued is one child too many! I am so thankful that the staff, students and parents share this core belief and are committed to it each and every day.

Working closely with St. Matthew Parish and the parents, the most important goal is the faith development of our students. Helping them to grow in their knowledge and love for God and performing good deeds for others must be role modeled and reinforced every minute of every day at school. We are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful country and province that believes in a publicly funded Catholic Education system.

I am very thankful to be the principal of a school with such a supportive and dedicated parent community. Your involvement in your child’s education and various events at the school has been amazing. Everyday I come knowing that I am arriving to a workplace filled with positive energy, kindness and the presence of God! This gives me the unwavering motivation and determination to serve such a caring Catholic community!

Kindest regards.

Mr. Ceelen

CURRICULUM NIGHT

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Please join us for our annual Curriculum Night. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the staff of St. John Paul II Catholic School and to learn about the grade-specific curriculum for your child’s class. We are offering 2 separate presentation times to allow parents with more than one child to attend another session. This year, we will begin the evening at 7 pm in the gymnasium with guest speakers Stacey and Kerry from Socially Safe Social Media who are going to be delivering an informative and entertaining presentation. I guarantee that you will walk away with some really good ideas and strategies,

7:00 p.m.Guest Speakers Stacey and Kerry

7:40 - 8:05 p.m.Classroom Presentation

8:05 - 8:30 p.m.Classroom Presentation

We look forward to seeing everyone on this very informative evening.

2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

The Halton Catholic District School Board has approved a School Year Calendar for 2015-2016consisting of 188 instructional days and 6professional activity (P.A.) days. The 2015-2016School Year Calendar has been approved bythe Ministryof Education. For additional information and a complete list of important dates to remember for the 2015-2016 school yearplease visit our Board’s website at and click on the Calendar tab, followed by 2014-2015School Year Calendar.

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SCHOOL DAY TIMETABLE

8:40 a.m.Entry Bell

8:50 am Instructional Day Begins

(FDK-Gr.8)

9:50 a.m. . Recess (Grade 7 & 8)

10:10 a.m.Recess (Grade 1-6)

11:45 a.m.Lunch Dismissal for FDK-Gr8

11:45-12:15p.m.Gr.1, 2,3,7,8 - Outside

12:15-12:45p.m.Gr. 1, 2,3,7,8 - Eat Lunch

11:45-12:15p.m.FDK, Gr.4, 5, 6 - Eat Lunch

11:45-12:15p.m.FDK, Gr.4, 5, 6 - Outside

12:45 p.m.Instructional Day Resumes

(FDK-Gr.8)

1:45 p.m.Recess – Gr 8

2:05 p.m.Recess – Gr.1-7

3:15 p.m.Instructional Day Ends

Pupils are dismissed

School supervision of the yard begins at 8:25 a.m. For their safety, children should not be in the yard prior to this time.

ST. MATTHEW PARISH

NEWS AND INFORMATION

The parish community welcomes all staff & students back for another wonderful school year. We look forward to seeing families at parish and school community events in the months ahead.

St. Matthew Parish

1150 Monk’s Passage

Oakville, ON L6M 1J4

905 – 825-0219

WELCOME STAFF OF

POPE JOHN PAUL II

2015-2016

Full Day KindergartenEarly Childhood Educators

Mrs. LubanszkyMrs. Ruffalo

Mrs. HozjanMs. Venancio

Ms. Oliver (LTO)Miss. Mucci

Mrs. VavroMiss. Dobson

Mrs. Otterman Mrs. Zasiewski

Miss. Pellicciotta

Grade 1Grade 2

Ms. St Jean Mrs. Jarvis

Mrs. WilliamsMrs. Main

Mrs. Medeiros Mrs. Torres

Mrs. MorrisonMrs. Mendiola

Grade 3Grade 4

Mrs. DohertyMr. Grano

Mrs. IarossiMrs. Hustler

Mrs. HolmesMr. Pacitto

Mrs. Fletcher Miss. Fiorillo

Mrs. Steer-Thackray

Grade 5Grade 6

Mrs. MacDonaldMrs. Perrault

Mr. Molder Mrs. Sorrenti Thomas

Mrs. Macecevic Mrs. Kayemba

Grade 7Grade 8

Mr. Fisher Mr. Kay

Mrs. LourencoMrs. Spurrell

Mr. D’Souza (LTO)

PTMFrench

Mrs. MartinMme. Pereira

Mrs. HooverMme. DeFazio

Mrs. Percy (a.m.)Mme. Proc (LTO)

Mrs. Goncz

S.E.R.T. Teacher of the Arts

Mrs. Pepall Mrs. Kamler

Mrs. Tronetti

Library ESL

Mrs. Julien-Sullivan Mr. Grande

Educational Assistants CYC

Mrs. Renee Sanders Ms. Rumstedler Ms. Barden

Ms. Filso

Mrs.VanRyn

Ms. Kubacki

PrincipalVice Principal

Mr. CeelenMs. MacLennan

SecretaryOffice Assistant

Mrs. PirruccioMiss. Dunn

**BOLD names denotes new staff to PJPII**

STUDENT AGENDAS

In an ongoing effort to assist our students in becoming more independent and responsible for planning and organizing their assignments and homework responsibilities, the teachers in grades 1 to 8 have reviewed a variety of teaching/learning strategies. One of the strategies we will continue to employ is effective use of the student agenda. Successful use of this tool requires a commitment from teachers, students and parents.

It is our hope that by working together, students will develop time management and organizational skills and learn to accept responsibility for classroom assignments. In addition, the agendas are an excellent vehicle for school-home communication. We request your support in taking the time to “walk” through the agenda with your child and encourage him/her to use it on a daily basis.

Each classroom teacher will establish a specific classroom procedure for agenda use and communicate this procedure to you. The agenda will be available for purchase online for $8.00.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

From St John Paul II School Council

Welcome back to all families and staff of St John Paul II Elementary. We hope you had a safe and enjoyable summer. School Council is an important part of the school community and is a forum for parents and staff to contribute to a positive environment for our students.Throughout the year there are several events in which council are involved. The Giving Tree, Valentine's Day Cake Raffle, Pizza Days, First Communion Tea, Grade 8 Graduation lunch, are just a few examples. The first event this year is the Welcome BBQ on September 16th from 5-8pm. A fun evening with food trucks, games, and music that allows you to meet new families and reconnect with familiar ones. This year there are plans for a Christmas Bazaar and continuing adult co-ed recreational volleyball on Wednesday's. Look for more information as the year goes on. Volunteering is a rewarding experience and a great way to participate in the school community. School Council is only one option for volunteering and many opportunities exist throughout the year. Whether you can give 1 hour or more we encourage you to visit the School Council table at the BBQ on the 16th and speak to parents that have previously volunteered.

St John Paul II School Council

Parents interested in being part of our Catholic School Council are asked to pick up a self-nomination form from the main office. These forms will be available for pick up from September 8th –24th and must be returned to Mr. Ceelen’s attention no later than September 25th.

The Catholic School Council is an integral part of our school and is the primary tool for parent involvement and input on school-related issues. Parents who put themselves forth to serve as a member of our School Council must have a criminal reference check completed and on file at our main office.

Our first Catholic School Council Meeting of the year will be held on Monday, October 5th at 6:30 p.m. in our school library.

BUSSING -COURTESY SEAT POLICY

GEOQUERY is a portal site on With your child’s OEN number, which can be found on your child’s report card, you can check your child’s bus schedules as well as delays and cancellations.

You may also check eligibility for bussing, where routes have been established and there is available space on a bus, students who are not eligible for transportation based on distance, may apply for permission to ride the bus. This will be applied uniformly in all schools throughout the jurisdiction of HSTS.Parents should complete, sign and return the Courtesy Seat Request Form (TFO17) available online at to the School office. Permission may be withdrawn at any time and should not be considered to constitute a precedent or establish a right.

Applications will be processed after October 1st by the HCDSB Transportation Officer, who is responsible for assigning courtesy seats. Halton Student Transportation Services will contact parent/guardian regarding courtesy seat approval.

Please contact Halton Bus directly for more information.

Jean Boudreau-Transportation Officer- Burlington

1-888-803-8660 ext.255 or email Jean at

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteering in the school helps us to provide a variety of activities for students and families. We urge you to participate actively as much as you can. Any skill or talent you share with us will enrich our school community.

If you are interested in volunteering for our Hot Lunches – Pizza Days, please inform the office. We would appreciate your help in making this a successful program for our students.

ALL VOLUNTEERS

Any parent wishing to volunteer in any capacity must provide the school with a copy of their criminal reference check and vulnerable sector screening before volunteering at the school.

If you have any questions about volunteering please see your child’s teacher or contact the office.

As well there will be a mandatory Volunteer Orientation meeting to take place sometime in the next few weeks. The purpose of this meeting is to review various roles and responsibilities and it is a great opportunity to meet other parents.

VISITOR IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSROOM VISITATION

We will continue to strictly enforce visitor identification procedures both in the school and on the school site. Anyone other than school staff and students is considered a “Visitor”.

All visitors are expected to sign in at the main office and obtain a visitor’s badge and to sign-out when returning the badge. Along with this measure, we will lock all doors of the school during the school day. Students and staff are encouraged to inform the office if they encounter anyone without a visitor’s badge. Please wear yours prominently while on the school site.

Parents are reminded to wait for their children on the sidewalk area.Given that we are a large school, supervising staff will not know all of the parents of all of the students. Student safety is always our number one priority.

ECO SCHOOL INITIATIVES

Our school will continue to place a great deal of importance on being “Stewards of the Earth” respecting and protecting God’s creations. In future communications, we will share the ways in which all of us can be more environmentally friendly.

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE

The Halton Catholic District School Board does notprovide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or during school activities. Accidents can and do happen. Some injuries incur medical, dental or other expenses that are not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans. As a parent or guardian, you become responsible for these expenses.

We do make available an Accident and Life Insurance Programme for students. Participation in such a programme is voluntary and the costs are to be paid by the parent or guardian. This program offers a variety of plans and benefits at affordable prices. Benefits included are:

• dental expenses (resulting from an accident)
• total and permanent disability
• paralysis/loss of use
• special disability benefits
• death benefits.

The insurance agreement is between you and Reliable Life Insurance Company. If you wish to subscribe you can apply directly on-line at:

questions should be directed to Reliable Life Insurance Company toll free at 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).

GRADE 7 HEPATITIS B/MENACTRA & GRADE 8 HPV IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

2015-2016

Halton Health provides a 2-dose Hepatitis B and a single dose Menactravaccine for all Grade 7 students. As well as a 2- dose HPV vaccine for all grade 8 females only.The schedule for the school’s immunization clinics are:

Monday, September 28th 2015Hep B Gr. 7

HPV Gr. 8

Monday November 30thMenactra Gr. 7

Monday April 11thHep B Gr. 7

MPV Gr. 8

Permission forms were sent home at the end of last year. Please return all signed forms to the office as soon as possible.

SCHOOL CASH ONLINE

Once your child begins school please register to make on-line payments for items such as field trips, pizza, milk, school agendas, fundraising and more! You will receive notification when items become available for purchase.

Step 1: go to 2: Register by selecting “Get Started Today”

Step 3: After you receive the confirmation e-mail, please select the “click here” option, login and add the name of your child who attends St. John Paul II Catholic School.

Please note that you will not be able to add your child until the day they start school.

MEDICAL ALERT

Epi Pens, Food Allergies/Inhalers, Allergens

The safety of all children is a primary concern to all educators and parents. When safety revolves around severe life-threatening food allergies the concern sometimes becomes an issue because not all individuals are allergic to specific foods. We are requesting the co-operation of parents to assist in making Saint John Paul II School an allergen-safe environment. We have a number of students who will go into an anaphylactic shock if they come in contact with peanuts, nut products or latex no matter how minor. This reaction can progress rapidly and result in death within minutes if the individual is not treated. We, at Saint John Paul II, have put into place procedures to minimize the chance of students coming into contact with allergens.

As parents you can help, by not sending peanut or nut-containing foods with your child to school. We also ask that latex balloons not be sent to the school. We are asking for your assistance and understanding with this very sensitive and life-threatening problem.

Concussion Protocol

Recent research shows that a concussion can have very serious implications on a child`s cognitive and physical abilities. Parents and guardians are reminded that a comprehensive protocol, based on current research and best practices, has been developed to help parents, students, and staff prevent, recognize, and respond to a concussion. More information, including a Parent Fact Sheet and a Student Fact Sheet can be found on the Board`s website at: SAFETY

Parents are reminded of the Halton Catholic District School Board’s Bicycle Safety Policy. Your child’s bicycle must be “road worthy” and should conform to the local municipal by-laws, with respect to licensing, operation and equipment prior to allowing your child to ride it to school. Children must be made aware of the rules of the road. Students know that they must walk their bicycles on school property and they must lock their bicycles in the bike rack during the day. Any equipment that cannot be secured must be removed. Bike racks are located at the rear of the building. Bicycle helmets are mandatory by law. We strongly recommend all students wear a helmet while riding a bicycle.

SAFETY IN OUR PARKING LOT

We appreciate parents avoiding the front parking lot during our pick-up and drop-off times. In promoting a healthy active lifestyle, we encourage parents to park on the adjacent side streets and walk over to the school to pick your children. We need your co-operation to ensure the safety of our students at Saint John PaulII School. We ask that you please observe these procedures in the school parking lot and driveways:

• Park only in designated parking spaces.
• Arrive early and back into parking spaces, so you have a full view of the area around your car when exiting your parking space.
• Do not park in the handicap space or along the drop off or bus lanes.
• Use the “kiss & ride” lane for dropping off students. This is a designated drop zone. Cars must not be left unattended in this area.
• Drive through the parking lot with EXTREME CAUTION as excited and carefree students must cross the parking lot to get to waiting vehicles.
• Only buses are permitted at the front of the school.
• Arrows designate flow of traffic, please follow them.
• STOP signs are painted at crossing areas for student crossing.

These procedures must be followed at all times - even on RAINY DAYS. Please be patient and respect our efforts to ensure the safety of all students.