February
St. Veronica CES
"In an instant, I saw five brilliant rays of light shine
forth from his most holy wounds, and all came to
my face."
FROM THE PRI NCI PAL
A Lenten Prayer
Almighty and Everlasting God. You have given the human race
Jesus Christ our saviour as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your
will by becoming man and giving His life on the cross. Help us to
bear witness to You by following His example of suffering and
make us worthy to share in His resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your son. Amen.
sva.ycdsb.ca
@StVeronicaCES
York Catholic Communities of
Faith
Character Trait: Initiative
Catholic Virtue: Wisdom
I Will:
 Use my gift of Wisdom in everything I do;
We are approaching the Lenten season, which begins with Ash Wednesday,
 Do things without having to be
February 18th. We will be celebrating Ash Wednesday with a Liturgy of
asked.
the Word at 2:15 p.m in the gym. All are welcomed to attend. Let us all take
time this Lenten season to reflect the three traditional acts we are called to
practice during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving/charity. This Lenten
season, let’s not forgot those who have so little as we prepare for Easter.
Trustee: Maria Marchese
Full-Time Kindergarten registration is now underway. If you have a Director: Patricia Preston
child that was born in 2011 (JK) or 2010 (SK), please visit the school office Superintendent: Donna Hackett
to pick up a registration package. In order to register for school, you will School Council Chair: Rocchina Di Tommaso
require the following original documents: Birth Certificate, Roman
Principal: Sandra Tuzi-De Caro
Catholic Baptismal Certificate (Parent or child), Proof of Address, Vice Principals: Travis MacDonald, Franco
proof of school support, and proof of legal status in Canada (if not a Di Marco
Canadian Citizen).
Secretaries: Mrs. Gallo, Mrs. Lancia, Mrs.
Robinson
As well, planning and preparation for the next school year (2015-2016) is Pastor: Fr. John Borean, Fr. Peter Turrone
already underway. For this reason, it is imperative that we have an idea of
the number of students that will be attending St. Veronica CES in 2015Dates to Remember
2016. IF YOU ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL OR
WILL BE LEAVING THE SCHOOL FOR SOME OTHER REASON,
Feb. 2— PA Day
Feb. 3— Reports go home
(i.e. P.A.C.E., I.S.A., French Immersion, etc.), PLEASE INFORM THE
Feb. 3 - 6— Carnaval Week
OFFICE IN WRITING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. By the same token, if
Feb. 4— First Reconciliation @ 9:30 am
you are aware of families that will be moving into the area, please ask them
Feb. 9— CSC Meeting @ 7 pm
Feb. 11— Confirmation Retreat
to register at the school as soon as possible. This will help us to have a
Feb. 14— Valentine’s Day
better understanding of the numbers for next year, thus allowing us to plan
Feb. 16— Family Day– No School
Feb. 17— Shrove Tuesday
appropriately. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Report Cards will be going home on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd. There are no
formal interviews scheduled but they can be set up at parent or teacher
request. We look forward to the many fun events of Carnaval Week (Feb.
2 - 6). All parents are welcome to attend our CSC Mtg at 7 pm on Feb. 9
and Feb. 27 will be Civvies Day (students may dress in non SDC clothing
and donate $2 to ShareLife).
Feb. 18— Ash Wednesday
Feb. 19— SK/Grade 8 Grad Photos
Feb. 25— Grade 8 Confirmation @ 7 pm
Feb. 27— Civvies Day
March 13— PA Day
March 16 - 20— March Break
171 Maria Antonia Rd., Woodbridge, Ontario, L4H 2S8 905-653-5920
PAGE 2
ST. VERONICA NEWS
York Catholic District School Board Shared Vision
We are a Catholic Learning community of collaborative partners, called to serve one
another by being committed to and accountable for quality learning by all, with
Jesus as our inspiration.
Allergy Alert
Anaphylaxis (anna - fill -axis) is a serious allergic reaction. It can be life-threatening. Food is the most common cause
of anaphylaxis, but insect stings, medicine, latex, or exercise can also cause a reaction. The most common food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, eggs and milk products. The Ontario Allergy Society tells us that “it is impractical
to achieve complete avoidance of all allergenic foods as there can be hidden or accidentally introduced sources.” However, “it is definitely possible to reduce children’s exposure to allergenic foods within the school setting.” Please be
vigilant and do your part to reduce the risk. Help keep our school safe for all!
21ST CENTURY LEARNING AT SVA
The term “21st Century Learning” refers to learning that extends
students’ thinking to meet all of the expectations of the subject areas of the Ontario Curriculum and to develop additional attitudes and
skills that they will need in the future. These 21st century learning
skills are clustered within six key headings, namely Critical
Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Citizenship and Catholic Character. Four staff members at St.
Veronica were provided with iPads as
well as extensive training in this area over
the 2013 – 2014 school year. The team
has been expanded by two more members this school year and they
will continue to be provided with training and will share their expertise at the school with the rest of the staff and students.
Over the 2013 – 2014 school year, we were able to purchase 60
iPads and three Learning Labs to house the iPads. Each Learning
Lab has an Apple TV and a MacBook Pro to support the iPads. Students in all divisions will be able to use the iPads this year to support their learning. Our goal this year is to purchase an additional
10 iPads as well as 20 – 40 new desktop computers to support student achievement.
CIVVIES DAYS AT SVA
On Civvies days, students do not have to wear
their Standardized Dress Code clothing. This
month, Civvies Day will take place on Friday,
February 27th. On these days, students may
dress in non-Standardized Dress Code clothing for
a $2.00 donation to ShareLife. A reminder that
clothing worn on Civvies Days must still be appropriate to the
school dress code (neat, no inappropriate slogans, fully covered,
etc.)
OUTDOOR CLOTHING
Now that we are into the winter months the weather is
getting colder. We continue to remind parents that the
children must come appropriately dressed for outdoor
recess periods. Only during inclement weather (i.e.
rain or cold temps) will children remain indoors. Fresh air is a
necessary ingredient for a responsive child, as is exercise between
periods of class work. If your child is too sick to go out for recess, then they are too sick to come to school. All students who
come to school are expected to go out for recess.
FIRST RECONCILIATION and
CONFIRMATION
February marks two important celebrations in the faith development of our students. Students in Grade 2 will be celebrating their
First Reconciliation on February 4th at 9:30 a.m. in the school
gym, while our Grade 8 students will be celebrating their Confirmation on February 25th at 7 p.m. at St. Clare Parish. Our Grade 8
students will be participating in a Confirmation Retreat on February 11th lead by Father Peter.
We’d like to thank our Grade 2 and 8 teachers for all their hard
work preparing our students for these important celebrations as
well as Father John and Father Peter from St. Clare Parish.
BELL TIMES
9:00 a.m.— Morning Entry
10:25 a.m. —10:40 a.m.— Morning Recess
12:00 p.m.—12:20 p.m.— Lunch
12:20 p.m.—1:00 p.m.—Lunch Recess
2:20 p.m.—2:35 p.m.—Afternoon Recess
3:30 p.m.—Dismissal
PAGE 3
ST. VERONICA NEWS
Community Noticeboard
SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
EARLY ARRIVAL
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM
Parents must plan early arrival for their children. Supervision in the school yard begins at 8:45 a.m. Students may
be safely dropped off at that time. Early arrival enables
students to line up with classmates when the bell rings at
9:00 a.m. JK & SK students have DIRECT ENTRY starting at
8:45 a.m. Those children entering the school through the front door
and not with their class are late and must get a late slip from the
office.
ABSENCES—WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE. It is
the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the
school if their child will not be present at school. As the parent you
are required to report your child’s absence by logging onto the
Safe Arrival Parent Portal at yorkcdsb.schoolconnects.com OR
by calling the Toll Free Safe Arrival Phone Number at 1-855-856
-7862 . If we cannot reach anyone, it is our duty, under the Safe
Arrival Program, to call the police. Let’s work together to make
sure that our children are safe.
PARENTS IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING
CELL PHONES / ELECTRONICS / TOYS
All parents/guardians, volunteers and visitors are welcome to our
school. In the interest of safety, and to prevent interruptions to classes, all parents/guardians and visitors MUST
first report to the school office when entering the school.
Please sign in and wear the visitor identification provided.
For the safety of all occupants in the building, it is important that
the students and staff know that you are an approved visitor (Policy
611). On behalf of your children’s safety, we thank you for
adhering to this procedure.
PARKING / DROP-OFF & PICK-UP
Our drop off/parking situation at St. Veronica has undergone a
transformation. The Kiss ‘n Ride lane is running smoothly as a drop
-off only (no parking). You may use the Kiss ‘n Ride lane to drop
off your child(ren) but you must remain in your vehicle and move
along as soon as they are dropped off so the flow of traffic can continue. No vehicles should be stopped or parked in the Kiss ’n
Ride lane at any time. Also, PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK ANY
DRIVEWAYS OF THE HOMES ACROSS FROM THE
SCHOOL. Please do not double-park or block anyone in. Think
safety for all children, staff and community.
As well, we would please ask parents/guardians to refrain from
parking in parking spaces in the staff parking lot during morning
drop-off. If using the staff parking lot, please park in a single row
on either side of the middle row of parking spaces. This will ensure
all staff are able to get a parking space will giving parents/guardians
a place to park as well.
STANDARDIZED DRESS CODE
It is wonderful to see the students of St. Veronica dressed in their
standardized dress code. Remember, navy blue bottoms and white,
grey, or navy blue tops are permitted. No jeans are permitted according to the new policy. This year students who do not comply
to the SDC will be subject to Progressive Discipline. Thank you for
supporting this initiative and encouraging your children to wear the
school colours. It definitely promotes and illustrates our great
school spirit!
The use of cell phones is strictly prohibited in the school. Students
will be allowed to use the school phone in emergency cases. All electronics—MP3, IPOD, video-players, tablets,
etc., must be safely left at home. If a cell phone is brought
to school, it must be OUT OF SIGHT AND TURNED
OFF. If it is seen, it will be taken away. As well, all expensive jewellery, clothing items, or toys should also be left at home.
The school is not responsible for lost / stolen items.
MEDICATION
If your child requires medication during the school day,
please call the office to get a medication form. The
form and the medication must be brought to the office.
Medication cannot be stored in the classroom or with the student.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
When it is raining in the morning before school begins, or if the
temperature is –20 or below (with the wind chill), then inclement
weather procedures will be in place. In this situation, at 8:45 a.m.
—9:00 a.m., students will begin their day indoors. All outer doors
will be locked, except for the front doors and the kindergarten
exit doors. All students, except for Kindergarten students, are
asked to enter from the front doors during inclement weather in
the morning. Kindergarten students are asked to enter through
their play area to their exterior classroom doors. Staff members
will be there to greet your child and direct them to their classrooms.
During the school day, inclement weather procedures will be followed for all recesses when there is inclement weather.
The inclement weather policy for our school is as follows:
-16 degrees or above (with the wind chill), students are outdoors.
Between –17 and –19 degrees (with the wind
chill), we will monitor the conditions and use
our discretion whether to go out, stay in or
shorten the outdoor period. When it is –20
degree or below (with the wind chill) we will
be indoors.
PAGE 4
ST. VERONICA NEWS
School News at St. Veronica CES
STUDENT SIGN IN / OUT BOOK
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Again this year, if you pick-up your child early from school for an
appointment or your child arrives at school after 9:00 a.m. or 1:00
p.m., it is requested that you sign your child in / out at the office. It is
imperative to know the whereabouts of all students. In the event that
another family member / friend must pick-up your child, you must
inform your child’s teacher via a letter and they must follow the procedures. It is best that arrangements are made in the morning so a
letter can be sent rather than calling the school as this cuts down on
class disruptions.
Thank you to all who came out to our meeting in
January. It is wonderful to see such a large and
enthusiastic group come out for each CSC meeting. Our
next meeting will take place on Monday, February 9th,
2015 at 7 pm in the Staffroom. See you there.
MORNING ROUTINES & SAFETY
Please remember that only students and staff members on supervision duty are allowed to be on the playground. Parents or Caregivers who bring children to school in the morning must
walk their children to the yard and then leave them in
the care of the teachers on duty. For the safety of all,
the only adults in the yard should be the teachers
and staff members wearing their safety vests. If
you are dropping off your kindergarten child, please
bring them into their gate and then return to waiting
behind the parking lot fence. No one should be
standing outside the kindergarten fence, since
that is in the Primary playground area.
On behalf of your children’s safety, I thank you for
respecting this.
CARIBOU MATH
Congratulations to the Grade 6 to 8 students who participated in the
Caribou Math Contest on January 14. The Caribou Mathematics Competition is a world-wide online contest, with six contests throughout
the year. The goals of the Caribou Math contest is to provide challenging math activities for students, to show that mathematical puzzles can be fun and that competing in math contests can be exciting.
For the Grade 6 students, special congratulations go to: Eric, who
scored 1st in our school and 1st in our school board; Angela, who
scored second in our school and second in our school board; Lucas,
who scored third in our school and third in our school board.
For the Grade 7 and 8 students, congratulations go out to: Julia, who
scored 1st in our school and 1st in the school board; Rebecca, who
scored 2nd in our school and 2nd in our school board; Stefan, who
scored third in our school and 3rd in our school board.
The next contest will be February 11, 2015. Good luck!
ST. VERONICA WEBSITE & TWITTER
Please visit our website regularly at
sva.ycdsb.ca for lots of up-to-date information.
As well, follow us on Twitter
@StVeronicaCES for updates on daily
events. Twitter is the fastest and most efficient
way to remain current with all that is happening at SVA!!
Please follow us!
JUNIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
On January 27th, St. Veronica's Junior Girls Volleyball team
attended their tournament
at St. Raphael the Archangel School. Students
demonstrated great skill
and sportsmanship. We
are very proud of their
efforts. The team members consisted of Christina
D, Martina P, Mara D,
Chiara D, Rachel G, Katherine V, Nicole B, Angela
D, Ariana D, Rachel V, Victoria D, Gianna G, Liana C.
Thank you to Alessia B and Giuliana G in grade 8 for all of
their help with the team.
ST. VERONICA CES HAS A HOCKEY
TEAM!
The SVA Ice Hockey Team continues to evolve as a team
and have exemplified January’s Character Trait of Unity.
They have also shown spirit, dedication and teamwork. The
Hockey Team is currently in fifth place out of thirteen teams.
Regardless of the outcome, we are all extremely proud of our
players!
February 2015
S
1
8
M
U N
T
O N
2
9 CSC Mtg—7
pm
U E
3 Reports go
home
W
E D
T
F
H U
S
R I
5 Carnaval– Toque/ 6 Carnaval– Jersey
Scarf/ Wacky Hair Day
Day
Carnaval–
International
Day
4 First
Reconciliation–
9:30 am
Carnaval– Pyjama
Day
Popcorn Sales
10
11 Popcorn Sales
12 SVA Hockey
A T
7
Skills Canada
Presentation– Gr.
7—8
13
14
Valentine’s
Day
Confirmation
Retreat at SVA
15
16 Family Day
17 Shrove
Tuesday
18 Ash
19 SK/Grade 8
Wednesday–
Grad Photos
Liturgy at 2:15 pm
SVA Hockey
20
21
22
23
24
25 Confirmation
at 7 pm
27 Civvies Day—
$2 for ShareLife
28
26 SVA Hockey