Newsletter.SMCS.April 2015 - Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic

St. Michael Catholic School
École catholique St-Michel
April 2015
273 Church St., Belleville, ON. K8N 3C7 Phone: 613-968-5765 Fax: 613-391-0171
Ontario Catholic
School Graduate
Expectation 7
I am a Reflective,
Creative and Holistic
Thinker
• I have thoughts and
opinions that matter
• I make good choices
• I have hope for the
future
• I solve problems with
knowledge,
understanding and
prayer
• I know we are all equal
and special
Because I have ideas, I
have a purpose, and I
will live my life like
Beacon of Hope Award: Amanda Kelly
April
FocusAmanda
Virtue:
LOVE
Congratulations to grade
8 student,
Kelly,
who was honoured at the
st
ALCDSB
Belleville
area
schools
Beacons
of
Hope
breakfast
on Tuesday,
March 31
,
This month we will be focusing on the virtue of LOVE as expressed
in the gospels.
“For
2015. This award is presented to one student from each school in the Algonquin
God
loved theCatholic
world, He
gave His
onlyBoard
son.” John
3:16 As we focus
the virtue
of
andso
Lakeshore
District
School
who consistently
giveson
witness
to the
love
at St. Michael
this month,
let us
remember
not
only inspires
the practice
Catholic
virtues through
service
to their
schoolthat
andlove
wider
community,
characterized
integrity
gentle
spirit. Amanda
pictured
below with Mr. Tom
ofby
all dedication,
other virtues,
it is theand
form
and completion
of allisthe
other virtues.
Dall (trustee), Mrs. Demaiter (P), Mrs. Ackerman (VP), and Father Richard Whalen
of St. Michael the Archangel Parish.
Jesus.
http://schools.alcdsb.on.c
a/mich/default.aspx
Congratulations to M. Nader
Mickael on becoming a
Canadian citizen! We are
proud to be part of your
new Canadian family at St.
Michael Catholic School.
EQAO - Parents of students in grades 3 and 6 are advised that the annual
provincial assessments of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics are planned for
the week of May 25th to May 29th, 2015. We will break down these dates more
specifically for each grade in the coming days. We ask that you avoid booking
appointments during the course of the school day if possible during these days.
Kindergarten Registration –
Registration continues for our 20152016 Kindergarten program. Children
born in 2010 and 2011 are eligible for the Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten program. Please
bring your child’s baptismal and birth certificates, as well as their immunization record, when you
come to register.
Indoor Shoes - With the wet weather upon us, all students are expected to change
their footwear before entering their classroom. Wet shoes create slippery floors that
are a hazard to others and create extra work for our busy custodians. Students may
not walk around barefoot or in sock feet. Slippers do not provide enough traction
and are not considered appropriate school footwear. Health and safety guidelines
require all students to wear shoes in the school at all times.
ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
EVENTS
‘PIZZA and a MOVIE’ NIGHT: Several families within our St. Michael school community have
experienced, and are continuing to experience, difficult times owing to a variety of serious medical
situations this school year. In order to help support these families with
the many extra financial expenses incurred, and to show our care and
support of our students, our school community is hosting a fundraising
family movie night.
Save the Date
Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 -- Big Hero 6
Families may pre-order dinner of a large 6 slice cheese pizza and 4 juice boxes for $15.
Extra drinks are 50 cents each. Order forms will be coming home soon. You may also order that
night -- $3 a slice with one juice box.
Opportunities to win big prizes! Tickets to a
Toronto FC game.
Four prizes of a “Night at the Movies” for families.
Wear your PJs and bring your blanket and pillow.
Doors open at 5:00. Movie starts at 5:30.
St. Michael Catholic School Council presents
”BEHAVIOUR CONSULTANT”
Mr. Ron Morrish
The Secrets of Real Discipline
Tuesday, April 28th at 5:15 pm
Join us for a free pizza dinner and then hear guest speaker, Mr. Ron Morrish. Child care
for school aged children provided while parents attend the speaker session.
The Secrets of Real Discipline is a parent-friendly, practical, effective
and immediately applicable program. It presents the keys to
effective discipline in a clear and understandable format. Learn how
to raise and teach children without all the deal making, arguments
and confrontations. Learn how to set appropriate limits, teach
courtesy and respect, and deal effectively with defiance.
A response form was sent home at the beginning of April. For food
and child care planning purposes, please complete and return the
salmon coloured form by April 16th.
Appropriate Dress for St. Michael Catholic School
Students are expected to be dressed in a modest and respectful
manner that reflects our Catholic
values. We ask parents/guardians to help us maintain our academic
atmosphere by ensuring that your children follow our dress code
when preparing for school:

Chest, midriffs, and backs are to be covered.

Spaghetti strap or racer back tanks and dresses may not be
worn unless with a sweater or cover-up.

Leggings and spandex tights may be worn only with long
shirts and sweaters.

Shorts, skirts, and dresses are to be of an appropriate
fit and length (mid-thigh) for an academic setting. Length
should not be less than extended finger-tip length.

Undergarments, including bra straps, should not be exposed.

All clothing is free of violent, racist, and immoral pictures,
symbols, brands, and messages.

Unless it is a dedicated “Spirit Day”, pajama bottoms and
beachwear are not permitted.

Caps and hats are to be removed upon entering the building.

Indoor shoes and proper footwear are required for gym.

Running shoes are required if playing on the climbers.
Please note that the dress code applies to all students, from JK to grade 8.
Thank-you for your co-operation!
St. Michael is once again participating in the Pedal for Hope Cycling Tour on April 27th,
2015. This exciting annual event features students getting their hair cut for cancer,
contests, races, and a whole lot of police officers raising money to help combat cancer.
More information coming home soon!
ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
SPIRIT WEAR RETURNS
St. Michael Catholic School is proud to introduce spirit
wear this year. The shirts are 100% cotton. T-Shirts will
be dark green and have a yellow imprint of a knight
on a horse with the St. Michael crest on the shield.
Sweatshirts and hoodies will be sports grey and have
the symbol in green. Shirts of all sizes will be available
to try on in Mr. Wells’ room on Friday, April 17th and
Friday, April 24th. All order forms are due to Mr. Wells’ room by Tuesday, April 28th.
Cheques must be made payable to St. Michael Catholic School.
PIZZA – is for sale every Thursday at lunch for $3.00/slice; $1.50 / half slice
Mmmm…MILK
White and chocolate milk is available on a daily basis for $.75/250 ml. If you would like to pay for your child’s milk in
advance, milk cards may be purchased through the office for $10.00 and this will cover 15 milk ($. 67/250ml).
Cheques are payable to St. Michael Catholic School. Please send the cheque or cash in an envelope or plastic bag,
clearly indicating your child’s NAME, GRADE and TEACHER.
Electronics and Valuables …Please discourage your child(ren) from bringing valuable items and electronics
(DSs, Ipods, MP3s, cell phones, etc.) to school. Such devices are not permitted for use during the school
day. This includes recess, as students are encouraged to be active during these outdoor breaks. If you allow
your child to use these items while walking to and from school or while riding the bus, note that the school assumes no
responsibility for damage or loss. Due to privacy-related issues, cameras are also prohibited on the school yard
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
A reminder to parents/guardians that all volunteers who work with students in the schools must have a
criminal background check with vulnerable sector completed and on file in the school office. The criminal
background check can be completed at the Belleville Police Services station for residents of Belleville.
Prince Edward County residents must obtain their background checks from the Picton OPP station. Please
contact the school office to receive a volunteer letter so that your background check will be free of charge.
FAMILY MATH NIGHT AT ST. MICHAEL
Families came together on March 25th and students had the opportunity to show
their parents all of their great math learning. Kids love math at St. Michael!
Developing Proportional Thinking – Geometry and Spatial Sense
A child’s belief in their ability to do mathematics is crucial to his or her success. That’s
where you come in. When you engage your child in a supportive, relaxed atmosphere, your
child will enjoy taking risks while having fun with math!
Developing proportional thinking through geometry and spatial reasoning activities
enables students to understand that pictures and symbols on a map represent actual
objects in the world. Creating a concrete (three-dimensional) map helps them to develop
concepts about paper (two-dimensional) maps. Our goal is to have them move fluidly and
flexibly from one dimension to the other and to understand the proportional relationship
between them.
With your child, look for opportunities involving geometric relationships:
• Help your child make a map of a familiar setting (such as his or her bedroom or the park)
by using small objects to represent larger objects (e.g., a paperclip can represent a bed, or
a block can show the location of a tree).
• Talk with your child about where you live in relation to where a friend lives or in relation
to the nearest church or store. Use directional words, such as beside and to the right of.
Together draw a map of your neighbourhood, marking landmarks and familiar places.
• Identify all the symmetrical capital letters. Have your child sort the capital letters
according to whether they have one line or two lines of symmetry. For example, the letter C
has one horizontal line of symmetry; the letter H has two lines of symmetry, one vertical
and the other horizontal.
• Go on a symmetry hunt to find shapes, objects, patterns and designs around your home
that have lines of symmetry. Discuss whether they have horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines
of symmetry. Look at wallpaper, floor tiles, pictures and designs on packaging.
For more ideas to help support your child in mathematics go to www.edugains.ca. The
information in this newsletter has been adapted from:
Doing Mathematics with Your Child, Kindergarten to Grade 6 –A Parent Guide