THE FATIMA FLYER Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School 3176 St. Clair Avenue E.

Scarborough, ON M1L 1V6 Phone # (416) 393-5252

Fax # (416)393-5559 www.tcdsb.org/ourladyoffatima

DECEMBER 2013

Rev. Fr. Victor Mallia

Our Lady of Fatima ShrinePastoral Team:

Rev. Fr. Victor MalliaRev. Deacon Patrick Matthews

3170 St. Clair Avenue East(416) 757-2806

Email: olfatima@rogers.coim

CONTACTS:

Principal: Susan MillerVice Principal: Sofie SommerSecretary: T. PenneyClerk Typist: B. HughesSuperintendent: Geoffrey Grant

(416)222-8282 (x2263)Ward 12 Trustee: Nancy Crawford

(416)512-3412CSAC Chair: Susan Nero

susan.nero@rogers.com

BELL TIMES: 8:30 ARRIVAL10:15 A.M. RECESS11:35 LUNCH HOUR BEGINS12:35 LUNCH HOUR ENDS 1:40 P.M. RECESS 3:00 DISMISSAL

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

Pastoral Team:Rev. Fr. Victor Mallia

Rev. Fr. Domenic Borg3170 St. Clair Avenue East

(416) 757-2806Email: olfatima@rogers.com

From the Principal and Vice Principal:We were delighted to see so many of you during Parent/Teacher Conferences. Thank you for engaging in this opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and develop a plan to support their learning. We know that parent engagement is a key factor in a child’s success at school.

As we enter cold and flu season, we ask that you and your family review the flu prevention strategies listed within this newsletter. Some members of our school community are living with conditions or illnesses that compromise their immune system; as such, even a minor cold or a touch of fever could be life-threatening for them. Please consider this when deciding whether or not your child is well enough to attend school without spreading illness.

We are now entering the season of Advent, from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming", which is a time of expectant waiting and preparation. As part of our preparations and in keeping with this month’s theme of Charity, we invite you to join us as each class ‘adopts a family’ for Christmas. Classroom teachers will provide specific details and the St. Vincent de Paul Society will help us to deliver our gifts anonymously.

We would like to wish all members of our community a safe, happy and holy season of Advent. May God bless you and your family as you prepare for Christmas.

Winter Weather and Appropriate Attire:As winter arrives, we are bound to encounter some very frigid temperatures. Of course,

living in Canada, we expect to endure some cold days

and recognize that, when dressed appropriately, we can enjoy fun-filled, outdoor

activities.

Students are expected to come to school with all that they need to participate in outdoor recesses.

Appropriate winter clothing includes: winter boots, a winter coat, snow pants, a hat, a scarf and warm mittens or gloves. All students are expected to have a pair of indoor shoes that may be left at school for the duration of the snowy/wet season. It is highly recommended that each student have an extra pair of dry socks in their backpack.

Please be assured that on exceptionally frigid days, outdoor recess will be shortened or cancelled. However, it is our intention to ensure that the students receive opportunities for fresh air and exercise on a regular basis throughout the winter season.

Safety in the Yard:

Please help us to keep our students safe by honouring our request that parents

dropping children off in the primary yard wait in front of the portables. When those who belong in the yard follow this protocol, it is easy for us to identify those who do not belong.

Bus Procedures:Please do not make after-school plans which include using the school bus to facilitate play dates among the children. Students are only permitted to use the bus to which they are assigned and non-bus students are not permitted to use the school bus.

Bus Cancellation/ School Closure:Inclement weather occasionally makes it necessary to cancel school bus

services and/or close the school. These decisions are made at the school board level

and are published as early as possible. Cancellation of school bus transportation or school closures due to inclement weather will be reported through the following vehicles: News release to all

media outlets in Toronto

(Listen for the Toronto Catholic District School Board)

Transportation Department website:http://

www.schoolbus.to/c_home.asp

Please note that on some occasions transportation is cancelled but the school remains open. If this is the case, we do take attendance to ensure that those students who are coming have arrived safely. If you decide to keep your child home on one of these days, please call the school and report the absence. Please note also that, if transportation is cancelled this is in effect for the whole day; there will be no school bus transportation home for those who come to school via another means.

Head Lice:Head lice can affect anyone, but most often it affects younger school-age children.

TORONTO CATHOLICDISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

TRUSTEES 2013-2014Wards 1. Peter Jakovcic 416-512-3401 2. Ann Andrachuk 416-512-3402 3. Sal Piccininni 416-512-3403 4. Patrizia Bottoni 416-512-3404 5. Maria Rizzo 416-512-3405 6. Franck D’Amico 416-512-3406 7. John Del Grande 416-512-3407

8. Garry Tanuan 416-512-34089. Jo-Ann Davis, Chair 416-512-340910. Barbara Poplawski 416-512-341011. Angela Kennedy 416-512-341112. Nancy Crawford 416-512-3412

Vice-ChairWilliam LawrenceStudent Trustee 416-512-3413Enrique OlivoStudent Trustee 416-512-3417

Head lice are parasites. They are considered by health officials to be a nuisance when they are difficult to eliminate. They are not a health hazard and are not connected in any way with long hair, dirt, neglect, or not being clean. Head lice can spread quickly from head to head when a group of children have close contact (e.g. school, camp, day-care, etc.). They can be spread by sharing hats, brushes, combs, bedding, etc.

Prevention of head lice is everyone’s responsibility. Cooperation and prompt action on the part of parents, school staff and the public health department will help to reduce the inconvenience to children.

We encourage parents to look at their children’s hair on a regular basis. When checking for nits (eggs), the hair should be dry. A convenient time for a visual check may be just before washing your child’s hair. If you find any head lice or nits (eggs), obtain and use a medicated head lice shampoo or medicated cream rinse from your pharmacist and contact the school to inform them that your child has been treated. The school needs to be informed so that other parents and school officials can be advised to check the heads of others. Finding and treating head lice early will stop your child from getting a severe case and stop the spread of head lice to other children. Further information and reference about head lice can be obtained from the school or local office of the Toronto Public Health Department: Tel: 416-338-7600. Thank you for your cooperation. Safe Drop Off/Pick Up:

Please be mindful of safety considerations when dropping off and/or picking up your child. Parents are asked to use any of these options:~ use the drop-off loop at the front of the school for quick drop-offs only (note: this is a no parking zone)~ park in the church parking lot and walk in/out with your child~ park on the north side of Stamford Square ~ park on Lindal Avenue.

Flu Prevention:Please continue to follow and review with your child the Public Health recommendations to prevent the spread of the flu: Wash hands frequently. Cough or sneeze into a

tissue or sleeve. Don’t share things that go

in your mouth (i.e. cups, straws, water bottles, utensils, etc.)

Keep children home if they are sick. Watch for symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and possibly vomiting or diarrhoea.

Please do not send students back to school until they are feeling well and they have had no fever for at least 24 hours.

Adopt-a-Family Project:You are invited to help us, in support of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, to help a family in need. Each class is assigned a family and the students are invited to make donations for that family. (Teachers will communicate specifics as to how many people, ages, sizes, etc.) All donations should be submitted by Tuesday, Dec. 10 th . Thank you, in advance, for your generous support of this worthy endeavour.Skating:

Students in grades 1 – 8 will be participating in skating excursions at Victoria Village Skating Arena. Please be reminded that CSA-Approved (not bicycle) helmets are required for all new skaters and for those in grade four or under. Helmets are strongly recommended for all participants.

Donations of used skates and/or helmets would be very much appreciated.

SKATING SCHEDULEDec 10, Jan 9, Feb 6

Dec 13,Jan 16, Feb. 13

AM DavisIlunga GauciRicciDiFonzoCabanatan MacDonald

AntaoMascarenhasPhelanStewartBennettNovakProhaskaVespi

PM Deuel MorealSnowPasiaSuiBirett

TarnowskiSparrowHawkins McLellandPyke Carvalho

AND4), 2010–2011LE SALON DU LIVRE (FRENCH BOOK FAIR) is coming to Toronto!!! On Friday, December 6th (until 9pm), and Saturday, December 7th (from 9am-6pm), the 21st French Book Fair of Toronto will be taking place at the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street) in the large showroom (Bram & Bluma Appel Salon). Entrance is FREE for children who attend with their families, $5.00 for students, and $6.00 for adults. This is a great opportunity for students to purchase a variety of books in French to enhance their knowledge and interest in the French language. HAPPY READING EN FRANÇAIS!

After-School Christmas Movie:The Health Action Team will be hosting an after-school movie! The event will take place on Wednesday December 11, 2013 from 3:00-5:00 and can accommodate the first 200 children who return the bottom portion of the form that was sent home. The movie is free for all students however; they have the option to purchase popcorn and a drink for $2.00.

Intermediate Band Concert:The Intermediate Band will perform on Thursday, December 12th and 7:00 pm in the Atrium. Details will be provided to the intermediate students.

JK/SK Christmas Concert Cafe:The parents of children in JK and SK are invited to a concert in the gym on Friday, December 13th during the school day. The children will perform some Christmas songs and, afterward, parents are invited to join the children for cookies and hot beverages.

AM Cafe:  9:00-10:00Jones/Kralj, Shore/D'souza PM Cafe:   1:00-2:00Hadden/Justo, Cheng/Curcio

Primary (Gr. 1 – 3) Christmas Concert:We will be having an evening Christmas Concert featuring students in Grades 1 – 3 on Wednesday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m.

Due to the large number of students and the limited space available in the gymnasium, each student will be allotted 3 tickets for the concert. Those unable to attend, as well as those who would like to be considered for additional tickets, (should they become available), are asked to inform the classroom teacher.

Please note that a dress-rehearsal will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 17th at 12:45 p.m. A limited amount of seating will be available on that day for those who are unable to attend the evening performance. (Hint: This is a great time for grandparents to enjoy the show and avoid the large crowd.)Also Note: Due to fire safety regulations, strollers will not be permitted inside the gym; they may be left in the main foyer and picked up after the concert. We do not accept responsibility for any valuables; please keep all valuables with you.

Admission to the Concert:The cost of admission to the concert will be a donation (‘pay-what-you-can’) to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We thank you, in advance, for your generosity.

Dress-Down Day:On Thursday, December 19th, students are invited to dress in Christmas colours. Participating students are asked to bring a $1.00 donation in support of ShareLife.

What is E-CSLIT?E-CSLIT stands for the Elementary Catholic Student Leadership Impact Team. The children who participate in these monthly sessions, either face-to-face or online, are student leaders in grades 6, 7 and 8. These students are provided with the opportunity to learn about topics that impact other elementary students and interact with other elementary schools across the TCDSB.

Charity:The virtue for the month of December is ‘Charity’. Our next assembly is on Thursday, December 19th at 8:45 a.m. All are welcome.

Extended French Parent Information Night:For the parents of Grade 4 students interested in the Extended French Grade Five Program, there will be an information night in the Atrium on Thursday, January 16th at 7:00 p.m. This program gives children an opportunity to become functionally fluent in French while maintaining proficiency in English. The school day is equally divided between subjects taught in French and English. This meeting is extremely important in helping you decide if this program is suitable for your child.

Kindergarten Registration:January 8th, 2014 marks the beginning of registration for students entering junior kindergarten in September 2014.

NEW FOR 2014: ON‐LINE APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION:Parents will be able to apply for registration via theBoard’s new Online Registration Website: http://soar.tcdsb.orgOnce the application is received, the school will contact you to arrange an appointment.

JK Registration Documents:The following documents are required to register your child for kindergarten:- Birth Certificate- Immigration Papers (if

born outside of Canada)- Roman Catholic Baptismal

Certificate of child or custodial parent

- Health Card- Immunization Record- Proof of Residency

(current utility bill showing name and address, lease or offer to purchase)

CSAC Meeting:Our next CSAC meeting will take place on Monday, January 27th at 7:00 p.m. All parents are welcome!

PA Day: December 20 th : Please note that Friday, December 20th will be a Professional Activity Day. There will be no school for students.

Christmas Holidays:Dec 23, 2013 – Jan 3, 2014

Classes Resume:Monday, January 6, 2014