On the first day of school, everything is new,

It’s your first day with me, and my first day with you.

I’ve been waiting for today. Have you been waiting too?

You look just like yourself, so I feel at home with you.

There’s a cubby for your coat, there’s a tag with your name,

There’s a chair and place for you, I’m so glad you came!

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! I hope that the summer filled you with memorable memories and renewed energy to begin another exciting school year, filled with opportunities.

It is a privilege to return and serve as principal of St. Clare. It is my continued hope, that in partnership with students, staff, CSPC, families, church and community, we will continue to build on the successes of previous years.

We look forward to a successful and collaborative partnership. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas that will continuously allow us to be an active, professional, learning community, whose main mission is to ensure that all students receive an excellent, well rounded Catholic education.

Manuela Sequeira Principal

NEW REGISTRANTS WELCOME

For general information about the Toronto Catholic District School Board, please visit the website at www.tcdsb.org and follow TCDSB on Twitter

St. Clare’s Web Page https://www.tcdsb.org/schools/stclare/Pages/default.aspx

SEPTEMBER 2016

St. Clare Catholic School

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!

For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

St. Clare Catholic School

St. Clare Catholic School 124 Northcliffe Blvd.

Toronto, ON Tel: 416-393-5214

Principal

Manuela Sequeira

Superintendent

John Wujek 416-222-8282 Ext. 5371

Trustee

Frank D’Amico 416-512-3406

Parish

Fr. Francesco Marrone

Pastor

St. Clare Catholic Church

416-654-7087

Co-CSPC Chair

Lisa Lofft Beth Pritchard

416-222-8282 x 88214

School Hours

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Lunch Hour

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

STUDENT HANDBOOK AND CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Student agendas will have the Student Handbook and Code of Behaviour for students in JK to grade eight Please take some time to read it with your child so that we could work together with knowledge, respect and understanding. If changes to the content are necessary throughout the year, they will be communicated in writing via the school news-letter, the school portal page, as well as via the CSPC email mail out. If you are interested in receiving emails, please send your email to stclareparentcouncil@gmail.com

SCHOOL/HOME COMMUNICATION

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

All students in JK to Gr. 8 are expected to wear a uniform on a

daily basis. By January 2017, we are moving to a uniform that

consists of a white long or short sleeve polo shirt and navy blue

bottoms with NO logos. Pieces with the school logo are optional.

Jean bottoms and hoodies, sweaters that are not navy blue or white

are not permitted in the building . You can purchase uniform pieces

from any other store. Please ensure, that for younger students, the

student’s name is written on the inside of sweaters/jackets/vests.

MEDICATION

Principals, teachers and support staff of the TCDSB staff are not permitted to administer any type of prescription medication during the school day, unless we have written permission from the parent/guardian and by the prescribing physician. These forms must be updated regularly and are available from the principal. Staff in TCDSB schools will not dispense non-prescription medication. Please complete the Student Health Form, included in this newsletter, so that we could better monitor the safety and health of your child.

STUDENT ILLNESS

Children who come to school are expected to

participate in all aspects of the school program.

This includes taking part in regular recess breaks

with their peers. We are not able to provide

adequate supervision for children who are ill

and sent to school with the expectation that they

will remain indoors during recess. Exceptional

situations must be discussed with the principal.

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

There is a formal opportunity for you to discuss your child’s progress. However, you are strongly encouraged to

contact your child’s teacher whenever you feel it is necessary to discuss your child’s progress. Please contact

your child’s teacher requesting an interview at any time throughout the year.

SCHOOL INSURANCE

Included with this newsletter is an insurance form, with an accompanying letter explaining the insurance. The school or the Board have no benefits or responsibilities pertaining to this. Should you wish to purchase insurance, please return the insurance form to the Insurers.

LUNCH AT SCHOOL

We are asking students who have parents and grandparents at home to please go home for lunch. Students in grade 8 who are within walking distance are encouraged to go home for lunch.

Staying for lunch is a privilege students who need to stay for lunch must adhere to the expectations set out by the school and Board. If they are not followed, parents will have to make other arrangements. We are now fully into participation of a “Waste Free Lunch Program”, and this implies that all students who stay for lunch must adhere to the following:

Bring lunch/snacks in a re-usable container.

We will be participating in the “Green Lunch Bin Program”. More information will be sent as per the start date and details.

Parents are asked not to drop off lunches in the office, as students who stay for lunch need to bring their lunch in the morning with them. If you would like for your child to eat a hot lunch, please pick up your child and take him/her home for lunch.

PIZZA DAYS & SNACK PROGRAM We will be have two “Pizza Days” per month. More information will follow once classes have been finalized.

SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM

Please notify the school, prior to 8:15 a.m., if your child will be absent. Kindly leave a message on the school’s answering machine should you call before 8:00 a.m.. Students are expected to arrive on time every day. It is very disruptive to the student’s and their peer’s learning when a student arrives late.

ENTRANCE AND DISMISSAL All students are to line up in the school yard to enter the building with their class and teacher at 8:30 a.m. and

12:15 p.m. Students who enter via the office at these times, will be marked late. At dismissal time, please wait for your child/children outside the school in the school yard, away from

exit doors so that ALL CHILDREN CAN BE DISMISSED SAFELY. For the safety of all children, Junior and Senior Kindergarten students will escorted by their teachers to the yard

at the end of the day . Parents are not to come into the building while students are being dismissed. Parents/guardians picking up children during the school day are asked to notify the office ahead of time. We

will ensure that your child will be ready at the front office when you arrive. If anyone other than the parent/guardian or the established caregiver is to pick up any student, especially JK/SK

children, please notify the office in writing. All visitors, including parents/guardians, must sign in and out at the office. When you have an appoint-

ment , please use the front entrance to enter and leave the school at all times. Parents/guardians who wish to volunteer during the school day, are asked to make an appointment with the

principal in order to complete the required paperwork.

MASTER PERMISSION FORM

Included in this newsletter is the form that gives your child permission to stay for lunch, to go on walking excursions

to the immediate vicinity, as well as permission for release of information to be used to promote TCDSB and/or our school’s

programs and/or events. We are also inserting the student accident insurance form, should you wish to purchase it. To

ensure your child’s wellbeing, safety and participation in the school’s program, please complete and return it to your

child’s teacher by September 9th, 2016

SAFE SCHOOL

UPDATING SCHOOL RECORDS

We appreciate parent cooperation in keeping us up-to-date

regarding such changes as: address; telephone numbers;

emergency contacts; work numbers; caregivers; and

family doctor. Anytime that there is a change, please

contact the school.

SURF-RIGHT: ON-LINE RULES AND ETIQUETTE

Staff will explain the rules for the use of the Internet and e-mail. Students are expected to follow the established rules

set by school staff and by the TCDSB’s “Acceptable Use Policy”, if they are to use the computer for these purposes. Please

visit www.tcdsb.org for Board policy.

The fundamental expectation of students in our Catholic Schools will follow the ethic of our Catholic faith, where empathy, care for others, and respect for life are present. If you are aware that a student or group of students is in a dangerous situation, then you should tell a caring adult in the school community immediately.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSURE

In case of an emergency where the students and staff are required to leave the building, all school staff and students will be

evacuated to Loretto College Catholic Secondary School. We will then contact you so that you may pick up your child. In

cases where no adequate supervision can be ensured, the children will remain in the care of the staff until the end of the

scheduled school day.

As our students continue to learn and adapt to the rapid advances in technology, the Toronto Catholic District

School Board is committed to providing all of our students and their families with equal access to the latest

technology. We recognize the importance of promoting the 21st Century Competencies by supporting digital

literacy, creativity, innovation, collaboration, and the overall needs and aspirations of all students. To that end,

the TCDSB continues to be on the leading edge by providing technical upgrades and assistance to you through

a very special opportunity.

We are pleased to announce that we are able to provide our TCDSB students access to the following Microsoft

products, through a partnership with Microsoft and Kivuto (a digital distribution company).

FREE: Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus: includes latest versions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint,

Publisher, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive and OneNote. The license can be used for up to 5 computer and up to 5 mobile devices (any platform);

FREE: Microsoft Windows 10 EDU;

10% discount on computers and devices at the online Microsoft Education Store.

All TCDSB students have been issued an email address to facilitate communication and collaboration within

the school. They have also been provided with a TCDSB computer login username and password to access

TCDSB learning resources. In order to access the online offers, noted above, the student will need to know

his/her TCDSB computer login username and password. If your child does not know his/her login infor-

mation, please contact your child’s teacher to ask how your child can obtain this information.

Please note this subscription software is active while your child is a student of TCDSB. Upon leaving the

Board (e.g. graduation, transfer out, etc.) your child’s TCDSB account will be disabled and he/she will lose

access to the Office 365 Pro Plus subscription.

To take advantage of the software offers you must have internet access for the download. To find out more and how you can take advantage of this offer, visit our TCDSB Digital Store now at: www.tcdsb.org/

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Students are welcome to bring their own device (laptop/ipad/smartphone) to school. However, students must

adhere to TCDSB and school policies and procedures. The school and the staff do not take responsibility for

damaged and lost devices. Students must take full responsibility for the use and security of all devises, as well

as using the devices exclusively for learning under the supervision of staff.

Manuela Sequeira Principal Teresa Fortino Secretary Franca Mari Clerk Typist

Ms. Plotnik ELP/1 Ms. Sistilli ELP/2 Ms. Scott ELP/3 Ms. Goff 1 Ms. Santelli 1 Ms. Femia 2 Ms. Lio 2 TBA 2/3 Ms. Giorgi 3 Ms. Rego 3/4 Ms. Bevilacqua 4 Ms. Gaspar 5/6 Mr. Brandolini FI/5 & FI/6 Ms. Borromeo EF05 (English) Ms. Retter EF06 (English) Ms. Zinga-Marticorena 6/7 Ms. Macan FI/7 & FI/8 Mr. Pittelli 7/8 Ms. Losiggio EF/7 & EF/8 Ms. Pimento ISP-LD Ms. Borromeo Empower Ms. Medaric Sp.Education

Ms. Santaguida Core French TBA French Specialty

Ms. Ferrari Core French Ms. Federici Music Ms. Garofalo IL Ms. Corra IL Ms. Kondra ECE Ms. Micael ECE Ms. Laura ECE Ms. Nardi EA Ms. Natalino EA Ms. Lavigna EA Ms. De Ciantis Guidance Ms. Horgan Lunch Supervisor/Snack Coordinator Ms. Dong Lunch Supervisor/Snack Program

Ms. Lopez Lunch Supervisor

Mr. Marcelino Head Custodian Mr. Arokiam Custodian Mr. Pasquale Custodian Mr. Rigatti Custodian

STAFF

2016-2017

SCHOOL YEAR 2016-2017

ORGANIZATION OF CLASSES

It is important to understand that due to a possible increase or decrease in enrolment, changes may need to be made to

the existing staffing model. If changes are required, it is our responsibility to ensure that the var ious abilities and

needs of all children are taken into consideration and that each class includes students with a variety of experiences, strengths

and needs. All classes are tentative until September 30th, 2016. For this reason, changes can be made to your child’s

placement. If this should be the case, you will be notified in writing.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Newsletters will be sent home at the beginning of each school month. Newsletters will focus on information. Please

visit our webpage to see updated information and photos of activities and events at our school. This edition provides

you with information regarding school operations, policies and procedures. Please read it with your child and keep

it for future reference.

SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

School Year Calendar 2016-2017

Number of school days 194

Number of Professional 7

Activity Days

Labour Day September 5, 2016

First Instructional Day September 6, 2016

Thanksgiving Day October 10, 2016

Christmas Break December 26, 2016–

January 6, 2017

Family Day February 20, 2017

Mid-Winter Break March 13–17, 2017

Good Friday April 14, 2017

Easter Monday April 17, 2017

Victoria Day May 22, 2017

Last day of classes for

Elementary students June 29, 2017

Seven (7) Professional Activity (PA) Days for

ELEMENTARY schools:

October 7, 2016 Provincial Education Priorities

November 18, 2016 Parent-Teacher Conferences

December 2, 2016 Provincial Education Priorities/Faith

Development

January 20, 2017 Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting

February 17, 2017 Parent-Teacher Conferences

June 9, 2017 Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting

Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ON ∙ Website: www.tcdsb.org

September 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 5

Labour Day

6

First Day of

School

7 8 9

10

11 12 13 14 15 16

All Student Forms Due Agenda $

Due

17

18 19 20 21 CSPC Mtg. 7:00 p.m.

22 23 24

25 26 27 28

Curriculum Night

29 30

Immunization Clinic

Gr. 7/8 a.m.

In an effort to go “paperless”, we encourage you to provide your

email address to the CSPC @ stclareparentcouncil@gmail.com .

CSPC sends out electronic news, as well as reminders.

All parents/guardians are invited to the first CSPC meeting and

elections. If you wish to run for council or nominate a parent of the

school, please email Lisa and Beth at stclareparentcoun-

cil@gmail.com