February 2015 - Holy Family Elementary School

125 ASPEN SPRINGS DRIVE , BOWMANVILLE
T EL : (905)623-6255 - F AX : (905)623-6131
Principal
Barb Smith
Vice Principal
Frank Consoli
Secretaries
Laurette Woods
Laura Curtain
Parish Priests
Fr. Paul Massel
Fr. Stan Witczak
Catholic School
Council Chair
FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT = KINDNESS
During the month of February, we are focussing on the Gift of the
Holy Spirit of Kindness. According to Mother Teresa, “Three things
in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to
be kind. The third is to be kind.” Martin Luther King Jr. also says,
“Life's most urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”.
Kindness in action looks like: helping a friend, holding the door for
someone, smiling at a stranger, complimenting someone, picking
up someone else’s pencil, sharing a special treat with someone
who has forgotten, helping someone without being asked.
Kindness in action sounds like: giving someone a compliment, using your manners,
offering to help, laughter, saying thank you, asking others to join in, and happy voices.
Kindness in action feels like: inclusive, right and just, comfort, goodness.
Jesus also teaches about kindness, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who ill-treat you.
If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat,
let him have your shirt as well. Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when
someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back. Do for others just what you want them
to do for you. (Luke, 6.27-31).
Lisa Marinis
Kindness also comes alive in the Catholic Graduate Expectation
of Caring and Family member:
Superintendent
I love God, myself and my family
I care about and respect my 'family' at school, at Church, in the community, and the
world
I care about and respect God's creation and everything in it
Deirdre Thomas
Trustees
Ruth Ciraulo
Linda Ainsworth
Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I will live my life like Jesus.
The more we talk, teach and learn about kindness, the closer our
students come to dedicating themselves to
Fruit of the Holy Spirit of Kindness.
Feb 2nd to Feb 6th— Full Day Kindergarten Registration
“Preparing
the Way”
Mon. Feb 16th - Family Day - no school for students
Tues. Feb 17th - Report Cards sent home
Thurs. Feb. 19th - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Mrs. B. Smith
Visit the Board Website:
www.pvnccdsb.on.ca
Visit the school website:
http://holyfamily.pvnccdsb.on.ca/en/
Just Dance Club
Our newest club at Holy
Family gives all grade 2
and 3 students an
opportunity to gather in the
gym and DANCE! Dance
Club takes place
every Thursday
at first recess.
Students and teachers are
loving it!
SUPPORT YOUR CHILD IN MATH
The Ontario Association of Mathematics Educators (OAME) has
recently produced an updated Parent Guide in Mathematics. This
family resource is intended to help parents support their teenager
with learning mathematics in grades 7 to 12. It is guided by the belief
that all students can be successful in mathematics and all parents
can be successful in supporting their teens in learning mathematics.
Highlights from the document include conversations to promote
critical thinking skills and helping to develop learning skills and work
habits. The document also provides a list of ministry produced or
licensed supports to aid teenagers in learning mathematics.
To view this document go to the following hyperlink:
http://oame.on.ca/mathies/files/Partnering%20with%20your%
20teen.pdf
SCHOOL DAYS - WHEN BUSES ARE
CANCELLED DUE TO WINTER WEATHER
Parents and students are reminded during the winter
months that on the very rare occasion, bus
transportation to schools is cancelled. This decision
is not made lightly, The cancellation of buses takes
into account the condition of both main roads and
side roads which are access points to student
homes along with the reasonable and informed
assurance of safety for school buses on the
road. That said, the schools are open. Students
who walk to school attend school when the school
buses are cancelled. Parents of students who take
buses or walk to school are welcome to drive their
child(ren) to school if that is possible. Students who
take the school bus and do not have a way to get to
school can continue their studies with school
learning materials they have taken home for
homework and they can access learning
on-line. The computer opens up many avenues for
learning which parents can support and
encourage. Again, on school days when
transportation is cancelled, the schools are open
and learning continues.
In the event that buses are cancelled due to
inclement weather, listen to CKDO 1350 AM.
or KX 96 FM.
SHOES SHOES SHOES
This is a reminder to all families that
students are required to have a pair
of indoor shoes at school at all
times. These shoes can serve
several purposes, which can
include being used for gym
periods. Outdoor shoes are
required to be removed once
students enter the school so that dirt
is not tracked around the building the same reason we take off shoes
when we enter someone’s house.
During the day, the students move
around the school on a regular basis
and for their own safety they are
required to wear shoes when
moving around the hallways. It is
not safe for students to walk around
or take part in gym activities
wearing socks only.
If there is a fire alarm, students do
not have time to put on boots or
outdoor shoes, so again, for
their own benefit and safety,
they must be wearing indoor
shoes at all times.
Integrated Literacy News – for all FDK to Grade 3 students
Last year the Primary students were all treated to a visit by Canadian
author Stephanie McLellan (The Chicken Cat, Leon’s Song, Tweezle into
Everything, Hoogie in the Middle,) thanks to the generosity of our Catholic
School Council. Stephanie read to the children from her books and told
them how she began writing when she was also in grade school. Her
family had saved a few of the stories she had written and she was able to show them to the students.
She also showed us pictures of her own three children and explained how they were inspirations for the
3 monsters in her stories. The students were enthralled by Stephanie and many were able to purchase
personally autographed copies of her books.
Recently, Stephanie contacted the Integrated Literacy Teachers and offered us an exciting opportunity.
Beginning in either January or February, depending on the grade, the students will listen to Stephanie
read online over a period of 8 weeks her brand new book entitled THE CHRISTMAS WIND. Although
Stephanie has finished writing the book, the illustrator Brooke Kerrigan, has only just begun to draw the
pictures at her home in Paris, France. Stephanie has chosen several
different schools across Canada to secretly release her new story to
and WE WERE ONE OF THEM! She has asked our students to draw
pictures to go with her story and mail them to her so she can compare
them with the real illustrations once they are completed. As a thank
you for participating in this fun activity our library will receive an
autographed copy of the final book when it is released in the Fall of
2015.
This past month we’ve enjoyed the beautiful nativity scenes, on display in the library, made by Ms Hayman’s grade eight class. Our book clubs are going strong,
with the students enjoying all of the many and varied fiction and non-fiction
books. As well, the ipads are booked everyday!
Most popular book for the month of January: Pete’s Big Lunch, by James Dean,
about our favourite cat, Pete.
Check It Out!
Your Voice Matters! - Baseline Survey on Vision and Strategic Priorities
Implementation
Whether you are a student, teacher, support staff, administrator, parent, guardian,
grandparent, clergy, or community member, your input is important to us.
Your voice matters!
The PVNCCDSB Strategic Vision and Priorities for 2014-2017 were approved by the
Board of Trustees on May 27, 2014. At this time, we are seeking input from PVNC
staff, students, parents, and the broader community, to assist with our ongoing
implementation. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.
It can be accessed by clicking here: http://goo.gl/forms/HClhml1Du1
(or by pasting this link in your browser).
The survey will be open until February 14, 2015.
Mental Health Moment
Do you have a Growth Mindset or a Fixed Mindset? Research is showing that
mindset in the classroom matters! People who have a Growth Mindset believe
that they can help their brain develop through practice, perseverance, and hard
work. They look for opportunities to take risks and challenge themselves in their
learning. Mistakes are seen not as failure, but as opportunities to learn and
improve. A Growth Mindset not only helps students to excel in academic subjects
like math, but it is what psychologists call a positive cognitive style. It is a way of
thinking that promotes resilience and well-being in all areas of our lives. So the
next time your child says, “I can’t do this”, help them to say, “I can’t do this ...
yet”. Or when you hear your child say something like, “I’ll never get this”, help
them to understand that through practice and sticking with it, they are actually
helping to grow the power of their brain to learn new things!
Check out http://www.mindsetworks.com/ to learn more!
Good News from the PVNCCDSB Office of Faith Development
In the month of February, the Liturgical Season of the Church moves from Ordinary Time to the season of
Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, 40 days prior to Easter. The Liturgical Colour changes from green to
purple. Every school in the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School
Board will be learning, praying and talking about the Fruit of the Holy Spirit called Kindness. When we act
for the benefit of someone else and expect nothing in return, the fruit of kindness is revealed. In our homes,
school and parishes, let us teach the Gospel stories of Jesus’ kindness so that students will become more aware
of their own call to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to act kindly toward others.
February Feast Days, Solemnities, Memorials for whom our schools are named
February 18
Ash Wednesday
February 22
The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
In accordance with the practice of the Roman Catholic Church, the school will abstain from meat on the
Fridays of the Season of Lent. (February 18 to April 4, 2015)
2015 YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE
The Year of Consecrated Life is being celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church community from
the vigil of the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2014, until the World Day for Consecrated
Life, February 2, 2016. Pope Francis had announced in November 2013 this special initiative which
will focus on the consecrated life. Extending throughout all of 2015, the year is an opportunity for the
Church to reflect on and celebrate the unique role and importance that consecrated life has in the
Church.
CCCB WEBSITE:
http://www.cccb.ca/site/eng/media-room/year-of-consecrated-life
Equity and Inclusive Education Dates
White Cane Week is in the first week of February.
Heritage Day was established in 1973 by the Heritage Canada Foundation, and iscelebrated
the 3rd Monday of February.
Pink Shirt Day is the last Wednesday of February.
February 21 is International Mother Language Day
February is Black History Month.
2015 Summer School!
REGISTRATION BEGINS MONDAY APRIL 13, 2015
INTERMEDIATE SUMMER SCHOOL COURSES
Grade 7 and 8 students can attend Literacy and/or Numeracy Summer School at each of
the Summer School sites listed below. Dates: Monday July 6 to Friday July 17, 2015
Intermediate Summer School will run from 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. daily. Students attending
Intermediate Summer School will improve literacy and/or numeracy skills with reading, writing, and
math remediation programs.
Registration deadline is Friday June 19, 2015
Host schools for Intermediate Summer School 2015
Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, Peterborough
St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School, Bowmanville
SECONDARY SUMMER SCHOOL COURSES
Grades 9-12
Co-op - Full Credit - E-Learning - Credit Remediation and Recovery - Upgrading
Registration deadline for Co-op is Friday May 22, 2015 (students will attend Pre-Placement classes in
June)
Registration deadline for all full-credit courses (including Civics, Careers, and all e-learning courses) Friday June 19, 2015
Registration deadline for Credit remediation, recovery, and upgrading – Friday June 26, 2015
Session #1 - Monday July 6 to Friday July 17, 2015
Session #2 - Monday July 20 to Friday July 31, 2015
For Full credits, Secondary students must attend Sessions #1 and #2.
Time: 8:15-2:15
Host Schools Secondary Summer School 2015
Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, Peterborough
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, Cobourg
St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School, Bowmanville
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, Lindsay
Registration for Summer School is online at:
https://apps.pvnccdsb.on.ca/SummerSchoolRegistration/
beginning Monday April 13, 2015
Sun
1
Mon
2
Tue
3
Wed
4
Talent Show
Tryouts
Thu
5
Fri
Sat
6
7
Talent Show
Tryouts
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
CSC Meeting at
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
17
18
19
20
21
On-Line
Payments start
100th Day of
School
15
16
Family Day
Grad Photos
NO SCHOOL
AM—FDK
Lenten Liturgy
Report Cards
22
23
24
11:00—Service
4:00 to 8:00 pm
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26
Mass @ 1:30
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