Principal’s Corner

As we prepare to enter into the wondrous, miraculous Advent journey, we

are reminded that we are all called to patience, perseverance and prayer at

many times in our lives. This is a time when we find ourselves turning to the

comfort and security of familiar routines, places and people. For many, this

is a time of personal, spiritual renewal for we understand that the Christmas

message is truly about God’s great love for us.

At our school, we welcome Advent in prayer and in song. We teach our

students about our faith traditions; we share our familiar Christmas story of

new life, of a most special child born in a most ordinary manner … the Child

of God, born a refugee, who was extraordinarily both God and human … the

Word made flesh. We invite you to join us in becoming Advent people …

embrace this time in our faith as an invitation to reconnect with your

Christmas story.

May this time of anticipation and waiting nourish our hearts, minds and

souls. May God’s grace and goodness brought to us through the birth of the

Christ child bless you and your family with renewed hope, peace and love

now and in the New Year!

St. Clement Catholic School

4319 Bloor Street

Toronto, Ontario

M9C 2A2

416 393-5307 __________________________________

December, 2015

Principal P. Waters-Cotter Secretary M. Borg Cl. Typist E. Simone Parish St. Clement Pastor Msgr. Zimmer Superintendent D. Yack

Trustee A. Andrachuk

To report an absence, please call 416 393-5307 (5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.)

Rosary Apostolate Each month our school is very blessed to have the Rosary Apostolate team pray the rosary with us. We pray a decade of the rosary, learn about Mary and sing beautiful songs. We are very thankful to have these visits and to have the team.

St. Clement Catholic School

Toronto Catholic District School Board

Trustees 2015-2016

Wards 1. Peter Jakovcic 416-512-3401 2. Ann Andrachuk, 416-512-3402 3. Sal Piccininni 416-512-3403

Vice Chair 4. Patrizia Bottoni 416-512-3404 5. Maria Rizzo 416-512-3405 6. Frank D’Amico 416-512-3406 7. John Del Grande 416-512-3407 8. Gary Tanuan 416-512-3408

9. Jo-Ann Davis 416-512-3409

10. Barbara Poplawski 416-512-3410

11. Angela Kennedy 416-512-3411

12. Nancy Crawford 416-512-3412

Christopher Mac Donald 416 512 3417 Hannah McGroarty 416 512 3413

Virtue of the Month: Charity

As we enter the season of Advent to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, it is rather suitable that

this month’s virtue is Charity. Many of us are already engaging in the mad rush to purchase gifts to put

under the tree on the 25th, but let us be mindful of the fact that charity is not always about giving

material things. Our quote for the month is, “Where charity and love are, God is there.” As St. Thomas

Aquinas described it, “Charity is friendship first with God and secondly with all who belong to God.”

How can we practice charity and generosity in our community without necessarily giving material

things? This month at St. Clement there will be multiple opportunities to participate in acts of charity

that benefit our own community of learners

Virtue of the Month: September: Hospitality Awards

Marriott

Lilah

Dulong

Lauren

Pasquariello

Daniela

Trchala

Annina

Causi

Olivia

Kilchenmann

Kevin

Harlow

Silvia

Dionne

Lauren

Tatangelo

Angelina

Papasodaro

Avelyn Cairo/Spinelli

Ava

Cashley

Elliot K

Di Tomaso

Vanessa

Sgro

Elena

Ferreira

Matthew Horbaczyk

Jenna

Arduini

Monica

Virtue of the Month: October: Gratitude Awards

Marriott

Elise

Dulong

Nate

Pasquariello

Zavier

Trchala

Ethan

Causi

Owen Kilchenmann

Olivia

Harlow

Sophia

Dionne

Gabriela

Tatangelo

Nigel

Papasodaro

Madelyn Cairo/Spinelli

Stephen

Cashley

Kristina

Di Tomaso

Michael

Sgro

August

Ferreira

Martina Horbaczyk

Billy

Arduini

Remy

School Board Province [

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Pediculosis

Please read the following information for facts and tips regarding Pediculosis. The most obvious sign of head lice is scratching. PREVENTION

To stop the spread of lice, we ask that you monitor and check your child’s head periodically.

A tip to prevent lice from spreading on girl’s hair is for girls to wear their hair up in a bun, a ponytail or a braid. Hair spray on the braid or ponytail is a common tip.

Rinsing with vinegar after washing your child’s hair is another common tip. TREATMENT

To check your child’s head, part the hair in sections and look for small grey or brown insects, slightly larger than a pin-head. Lice lay tiny silvery white eggs called nits. Nits can be found over the entire head but are most common behind the ears and in the nape of the neck. They stick to the hair shaft.

If your child has head lice, please make sure that the office is aware so that a notice can be sent home to the other classmates to have their parents check their hair. Rest assured, the student name will always remain anonymous.

Treat your child with a special medicated shampoo or rinse that is made just for lice. It is available at most drug stores.

Once treated, remove the nits using the special comb that is included in the kit daily over several weeks. The child should be treated and free of head lice before returning to school.

Grade 3

PERCENTAGE OF ALL STUDENTS AT OR ABOVE

THE PROVINCIAL STANDARD (LEVELS 3 AND 4), 2014–2015

Grade 6

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2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015

Board Province

Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, 2014–2015

RESULTS FOR ALL STUDENTS AT OR ABOVE THE PROVINCIAL STANDARD (LEVEL 3 AND 4)

OVER TIME

PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS: Grade 3

Reading Writing Mathematics

PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS: Grade 6

Reading Writing Mathematics

DECEMBER 1- DECEMBER 18: STOCKINGS FOR SOULS: *Bring in BRAND New Pairs of Socks to help the homeless (more

information in the school’s newsletter)

FRIDAY, DEC. 4: PYJAMA/CRAZY SOCKS SPIRIT DAY *No money collected…but remember to show school spirit or wear

the dress code, as this is Not a Dress Down Day.

FRIDAY, DEC. 18: “THANK YOU FOR YOUR CHARITY”

FREE DRESS DOWN

THANK YOU!

*602 items raised for We Scare Cavities benefitting

Covenant House

*Over $317 in Poppy money raised for the Royal

Canadian Legion

*104 Rafiki Bracelets Sold…Giving 104 children from a

“Free the Children” community access to education for an

entire year.

(Pre-Ordered Bracelets delivered between Nov. 30-Dec. 4)

ST. CLEMENT

WE STUDENT COUNCIL

DECEMBER EVENTS

STOCKINGS FOR SOULS

The grade eight Me to We ambassadors have started a new initiative called Stockings for Souls.

Our fundraiser involves the collection of NEW socks, which will be distributed to the homeless people in Toronto, in partnership with Socks 4 Souls and a local homeless shelter.

Why socks? There are around 5000 homeless people in Toronto, and 1000 of them suffer from foot-

related diseases such as infections and frostbite. Without healthy feet, these people cannot access shelters, food, or clothing, and cannot be independently mobile.

The socks can also be used as mittens to protect their hands from the chill, leaving the possibility of

these socks endless. These socks do much more than keep their feet warm and safe, they give them a sense of dignity and ownership, something much more than a two dollar pair of socks.

We will be accepting clean, fresh, new socks from December 1st to 18th. Within the school, we will

be collecting socks through a friendly competition between the classes and staff; a box will be set in each classroom where students throughout the week can fill it with donations of socks. Our total goal is a thousand pairs of socks for the entire school, or 60 pairs of socks for each class. Keep any eye out for the goal board which will be set in front of the office, to track and see each classroom’s progress. The class which collects the most socks, receives a surprise prize. Socks will also be collected at this year’s Christmas Concert at Michael Power Catholic High school. We want to reach out to our world, and there is no better way than starting with our community.

+ =

THE WE STUDENT COUNCIL

WISHES OUR ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

On April 2nd and 3rd St. Clement is the proud host school of the 2016 Toronto Catholic District School

Swim Invitational. Please be on the lookout in your child’s backpack for a package regarding the Swim

Meet. The information is applicable to the entire School Community - not just families with kids on the

Swim Team! Kindly read the entire package thoroughly to see how all students and families will benefit

from the fundraising efforts of this event and submit your filled out package back to the school by Friday,

December 11, 2015.

Christmas is a Nutty Time of Year

No, we’re not referring to family gatherings Rather, we’re talking about the increase in the appearance of nuts and nut products in cooking and baking, and at social events over the holiday season. This is a friendly reminder to please ensure that only nut-free foods – both peanut and tree-nut free – are sent to school with your child for snacks, treats and lunches. We unfortunately noticed some non-nut-free products coming to school in the

post-Hallowe’en period… please remember that we have children with severe life-threatening allergies to these products and we need your help to keep them safe. Don’t hesitate to contact the office if you have a question about whether something is safe to

bring into the school.

Wishing you a happy and safe

Christmas season!

Sincerely, St. Clement’s Anaphylaxis Support Network

Food for Thought

December 2015

By: Megan Vrancart

Decreasing kids sugar intake is like taking candy from a baby. Once kids are used to eating sugar in their daily snacks and

meals, it’s so difficult to change habits and reduce their sugar consumption.

After learning about the negative effects of sugar like weakened immunity, increase in allergies, diabetes, stomach aches,

hyperactivity, heart and liver disease, I started thinking about how I could wean my kids off sugar. It’s been a battle at

times, but these are the “sugar rules” that I’ve come up with and they seem to be helping with both allergies and mood

swings in our house:

Try Not to Offer Sweets as Rewards: Consider rewarding achievements with non-food items like kind words, acknowledgement, a big hug, increased privileges, stickers, or small toys to make them feel special.

Treats for Special Occasions Only: Decrease the amount of sweets and candy every day. They are most enjoyed when given once in a while.

Think about your Drink: Provide water, fat-free milk or diluted juice when thirsty.

Offer Fruits for Dessert: Replace high-calorie desserts with fruit salads or baked apples or pears.

Make Food Fun: Cook healthy snacks together and try to be creative. Make a smiley face with bananas and raisins. Cut food into fun shapes using a cookie cutter.

Invent New and Original Snacks: Make your own snack cookbook.

Use the 5-5-5 Rule with Cereals: Try to keep cereal within 5 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fibre. If you’ve ever tried, it’s really hard to do.

Don’t Bring them to Gramma’s House.

As we head into the Christmas season, I’m going to try really hard to stick to my sugar rules. I’m sure my kids will really

dislike me at times, but whatever, it’s good for them. Now the trick will be trying to stick to the sugar rules for myself so

as not to bust out my “fat pants” this month.

Megan Vrancart is a mother of two children at St. Clement. She has a degree in Physical and Health Education,

wrote a Master’s thesis related to food and school policy, and is an Elementary teacher with the Peel District School

Board.

St. Clement Parish News for December 2015

Pastor Rev. Msgr. Paul Zimmer

Telephone Number - 416-621-4060

E-Mail Address - saintclement@hotmail.com

Website – www.stclementparish.com

Daily Mass Schedule

Monday to Friday 8:15 am

Saturday Morning 9:00 am

Sunday Masses

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:45 pm

Sunday Masses 9:30 am 11:30 am

Upcoming Events in December Family Witness Mass – Sunday December 6th – 9:30 am Mass

The Grade 5 students and their families are hosting this Advent Mass.

First Reconciliation – Monday Dec. 14 – 7:00 pm

Our Gr. 2 students will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on this evening.

Advent Reconciliation – December 14, 15 & 17 – 1:15 pm

The Grade 6 to 8 students will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Reception Following First Reconciliation

We are looking for a parent volunteer team from the Gr. 1 classes. It is the tradition of Gr. 1 Parents at St. Clement School to

provide refreshments at the reception following the First Reconciliation. In the next Grade 2 school year, when their children are

preparing and celebrating the Sacrament, the current Gr. 1 class will co-ordinate this reception. Please contact Mrs. Ciufo at the

Parish Office if you are able to assist.

Tuesday, December 15 – Women of the parish are invited to our monthly Reflection evening beginning at 7:00 pm with meditations

by a priest of Opus Dei.

Wednesday, December 16 – 9:30 am – Parish Hall

Calling All Mothers! Do you want to be refreshed? Inspired? Meet other Catholic moms?

Then come out and join us for our upcoming monthly gatherings!

They will be held the third Wednesday of the month.

For more information email Dorothy at - dorothypilarski@yahoo.ca

Friday, December 18 – 9:30 am Advent Mass

The Grade 5 class will be hosting the School Mass

Christmas Masses – (Holy Day of Obligation)

Thursday Dec. 24 - 7:00 pm and Midnight

Friday Dec. 25 - 9:30 am and 11:30 am

Feast of Mary – Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation)

Thursday Dec. 31 - 4:45 p.m.

Friday Jan. 1 - 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

CSPCtivities

(December 2015)

Carols are being sung, trees are being decorated and... our kids are excited about a fun Christmas

season at St. Clement’s! It’s hard to believe that December and the Christmas season are already

upon us! November was an exciting month for the students as it brought our ever-popular QSP

campaign! We’d like to thank the many families who supported the campaign! Our school was able to

surpass our goal, which means that even more money will go towards our kids! As you can imagine,

our QSP fundraiser is an enormous undertaking for our QSP Co-ordinators, Jenn Casuccio and Gail

Appiah-St. John – with rewards and prizes being tallied and given out each day during the campaign.

Jenn and Gail would like to give a special thanks to the dedicated parents who volunteered their time

as “cool cats” during the campaign – Katie Piccininni, Melissa Martini, Lina Evans, Sonia Patullo,

Veronica Tahirovic and Sara Schlatter. Information about Pick-a-Prize will be coming home shortly.

In celebration of the Christmas season, CSPC will be putting on a Gingerbread House Raffle! Elves

(a.k.a. Ms. Julien, ECE in Mr. Marriott’s classroom and owner of Kiss My Goodies bake shop ) are

busy decorating a beautiful (nut-free) gingerbread house... and you could win it! Your child will be

coming home with raffle tickets during this coming week. Submit them to your child’s teacher for your

chance to win!

Within the next little while, you will be receiving some information from the CSPC parent who has

been selected as your Class Rep for this school year. The program will provide you with important

information and reminders about CSPC, school activities and your child’s classroom activities in

particular! We’d like to thank all of the Class Rep parents for volunteering their time.

For those who are participating, don’t forget that this month’s Pizza Lunches are being held on Friday,

December 4th and Friday, December 18th. This month’s Subway Lunch will take place on Thursday,

December 17th.

Finally, our December CSPC meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 15th with lots of interesting

issues to discuss! We know that it’s a busy time of year and so we promise to make it a short one.

Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

Your CSPC Executive would like to wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas!

Sincerely……………Your CSPC Team

Jenn Casuccio & Katie Piccininni, Co-Chairs

Lisa Lippa, Treasurer

Natalie Young, Secretary

December 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Charity is the virtue of the month

1 Craft Club 11:45-12:45 Library

2 3 4 Pyjama/Crazy socks Spirit day Pizza Day

5

6 Grade 5 – Family Witness Mass

7 8 Santa Photos JK- Gr. 3 Craft Club 11:45-12:45 Library

9 Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m. – Michael Power St. Joseph

10 Gr. 7 & 8 Classes to the Movie theatre

11 Dance Workshop – Cashley/DiTomaso 1pm – 3pm

12

13

14 Gr.2 Reconciliation 7 p.m. at church Gr. 3-6 Classes to the Movie theatre Confessions Gr. 6-8 at 1:15

15 Skating – Cashley/Di Tomaso Gr. 6 Gifted to Terragon Theatre Kindergarten Christmas Concert @ 2:30 p.m. Craft Club 11:45-12:45 Library Confessions Gr. 6-8 at 1:15 CSPC Meeting 7pm

16 17 Subway Lunch Confessions Gr. 6-8 at 1:15

18 School Mass at 9 a.m. Dress Down Day “Thank you for charity” Pizza Day

19

20

21 22 23 24 25 26

27

28 29 30 31 Happy New Year!

December 1-18: Stockings For Souls: Bring in BRAND new pairs of socks to help the homeless

Christmas Holidays December 21 – January 4th, 2015

The Staff at St. Clement School wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season!