December 2016

Catholic School News Principal’s Message…

Dear Parents / Guardians, In the season of Advent, we prepare for the birth of Jesus. It is important to keep in mind those that are less fortunate than us. This includes the poor in spirit and the poor in wealth, those that are ill and the lonely. We can remember throughout Advent that

charity starts from the home and moves forward in all that we do. What we give can be different for each of us. We can give prayers, our time or even a smile. During this season of hope and waiting, we are called to give of ourselves to those in need. This helps us to grow in our faith. Jesus taught us to give. He gave us the greatest gift of all. He asks only that we love God first, with all our hearts, and then love our neighbours. We can show love for God in our prayers and in the way we live our lives, following God’s word. We can show our love for our neighbours, by freely sharing our gifts, let us give to others. Let the Christmas season create charity in your actions throughout the 2017 year. Blessings to you and your loved ones, Susan Scott Principal Matthew 25: 35-40 - I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me… Whenever you showed compassion by doing these things for any other person, you did it for me.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board invites families with children born in 2013 to register for Kindergarten beginning:

Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 10 a.m. EST. Registration options: • Online: Parents will be able to complete their application online

at: https://soar.tcdsb.org/Login.aspx. A follow up visit to the school, to present the required documents will be scheduled following the online application.

• In Person: Parents can register at the school with the required documents.

Information: 416-222-8282 ext. 5320 or 5314, www.tcdsb.org/kindergartenregistration

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

Catholic School 75 Alexmuir Blvd.

Scarborough, Ontario M1V 1H6

Telephone: 416-393-5381 Fax: 416-393-5606

Principal: Ms. Susan Scott Superintendent: Mr. Kevin Malcolm Trustee: Mr. Garry Tanuan Parish: Prince of Peace 265 Alton Towers Circle Scarborough, Ontario M1V 4E7 CSPC Co-Chairs: Chrissie John-Powell Sharon Gonsalves Secretary: Lisa Delima Co-Treasurers: Aprille Policarpio Eva Liang CPIC (Parent Engagement--TCDSB) www.tcdsb.org/cpic OAPCE Toronto (Provincial Voice for Parents) www.tcdsb.org/oapce-toronto Enrollment: 95 Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Lunch Hour: 11:45 – 12:45 p.m. ________________________________

SCHOOL PORTAL

Please visit our school portal page. There are plenty of pictures of our students enjoying our school’s

activities.

http://www.tcdsb.org/schools/stmargueritebourgeoys/Pages/de

fault.aspx

During the winter months we will be selling hot chocolate at the lunch hour to those students who are looking to enjoy a warm treat.

The hot chocolate will be made with milk so we are excited for the healthy options to continue. We were saddened to hear that our milkshake supplier has closed his business. We are looking into other options.

By: Terrence – Grade 1

By: Khryss – Grade 3

Bar Graph This graph shows our favourite books in the grade 3 class. Most students like comics and chapter books. Not that many students like magazines and picture books. No one likes newspapers.

On November 11th, 2016, we had a Remembrance Day ceremony. The whole school was part of it. In the

beginning, Jacky and I marched in our Scouts uniform and Jordan was holding the flag because we marched around half of the gym. Jordan put the flag on the stand and we sang “O Canada.” Jacky and I saluted to the flag. When “O Canada” finished we went back to our seats. Then the whole school participated in prayer, the gospel reading, the Beatitudes and the petitions. Next, a student from each class put a peace symbol on the cross. Our class made a soldier. Later each class performed an act. Our class performed a song called, “I Wish For You, I Wish For Me.” As soon as all the classes performed a reservist came to talk to us. He explained about his adventure he had in the army. He had even been to the Artic before. When he finished, our Trustee, Mr. Tanuan and Superintendent, Mr. Malcolm, addressed us on Remembrance Day and complimented us on how well we did. At the end we all received a bookmark.

We are excited to be introducing a Student Nutrition program at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys starting in January 2017. This program involves parent volunteers within the school community preparing a “morning meal” for the student population. The “morning meal” will include three out of the four food groups (i.e. milk & alternatives, grain products and fruits & vegetables). The food will be distributed to the students before the morning recess. A permission form to participate in the program will be sent home in January with more details. Please contact the office if you are interested in becoming part of the volunteer team that will be implementing this program. Healthy choices for healthy children!

Monthly Update from the Board ‐ December 2016 

Kindergarten Registration for September 2017 The Toronto Catholic District School Board invites families with children born in 2013 to register for Kindergarten beginning Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 10 a.m. EST. Registration options:

• Online: Parents will be able to complete their application online at: https://soar.tcdsb.org/Login.aspx. A follow up with visit to the school to present the required documents will be scheduled by the school following the online application.

• In Person: Parents can register at their local school with the required documents. Information: 416-222-8282 ext. 5320 or 5314, www.tcdsb.org/kindergartenregistration

French Immersion and Extended French The Toronto Catholic District School Board offers French Immersion and Extended French programs at several TCDSB sites. The French Immersion program is offered to students beginning in Junior Kindergarten. The Extended French Program is offered to students beginning in grade 5. Interested parents are encouraged to attend an information evening to learn more about the program. Please note dates, times and locations for sessions planned for December through to February available on the French Immersion and Extended French sites. Information: (416) 222-8282 ext. 2540 or https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/EarlyYears/KindergartenRegistration/Pages/French-Immersion.aspx.

LTAP and LTPP - The Toronto Catholic District School Board has launched a consultation on its proposed Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) and Long Term Program Plan (LTPP).  All parents, staff, students and Catholic school stakeholders are invited to participate and provide input into the proposed actions outlined in the draft Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) and Long Term Program Plan (LTPP).  Two separate consultation surveys (one for each plan) have been prepared to facilitate this consultation process.  The links to the online surveys can be accessed by clicking on the links above.  The deadline for responding to the surveys is Monday, January 9, 2017 at Noon. Feedback gathered through the consultation process will help inform the decisions of Trustees regarding final recommendations for the LTAP and LTPP at the Board meeting in February 2017. We thank you for your involvement in these important discussions. For more information regarding the LTPP and the LTAP, please visit https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/PlanningandFacilities/ConsultationsLTAPLTPP/Pages/Default.aspx

Year of Parish—Promote Your Parish Project - As we continue to celebrate our Year of the Parish we want to know what makes your pastor and/or your parish unique. Students are invited to create a short video, or piece of original artwork, write a short story, poem or letter, or express themselves in any way artistically to highlight the relationship that the students have with the local parish and/or the priest/pastor at their church. “Promote Your Parish” and let’s celebrate the many ways that our parishes and our parish priests contribute to our schools and communities. Submit the completed projects via email to parish.project@tcdsb.org. We will be sharing the submissions via the board’s website as well as Twitter. In addition, plans are underway for a showcase of student submissions—videos, art and written pieces—during Catholic Education Week. Watch for more details about that event soon. Deadline for submissions: April 7, 2017 - Visit the website for criteria and other details. https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/YearoftheParish/Pages/Parish-Family-Day-Celebration.aspx

Toronto Police Service Seeks Crossing Guards - Interested individuals should drop in to their local police division to inquire about application.

Advent Has Begun - For prayers, liturgies & other resources: https://www.tcdsb.org/Pages/Season-of-Advent.aspx

Get Ready for High School Everything you need to know can be found in the Transition Guides for parents and students: https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Transition%20to%20High%20School/Pages/default.aspx https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Transition%20to%20High%20School/TransitionGuidesOct282016/TCDSB_STUDENT_GUIDE.pdf

Preparing for Post-Secondary Education? University application deadline: January 11, 2017 https://www.ouac.on.ca/deadlines/ College application deadline: February 1, 2017 http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/apply/important-dates OSAP information for students--Find more information about the Ontario Student Assistance Program:

New! Free tuition for eligible students OSAP Presentation

Dates/Events to Note: • Staff Arts Christmas Concert, December 2nd https://www.tcdsb.org/pages/staff-arts-christmas-concert-and-

wine-and-cheese-social.aspx • System-wide PA Day December 2nd • International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd • International Human Rights Day, December 10th

 

Christmas Break - A reminder that schools are open through to December 23, 2016. Christmas holidays begin Saturday, December 24th and continue through to Sunday, January 8th. Classes resume, Monday, January 9th. Our Eastern rite families will celebrate Christmas on January 7th. We wish everyone a safe, happy and blessed Christmas. 

means. Then have students sit comfortably and explain the technique:

Take a slow deep breath in through your nose (for about 4 seconds)

Hold your breath for 1 or 2 seconds

Exhale slowly through your mouth (for about 4 seconds)

Wait 2-3 seconds before taking another breath

Repeat for at least 5 to 10 breaths

It’s important to instruct students that their belly should inflate when inhaling and their belly should deflate when exhaling. Only their belly should be moving (not their chest). They can pretend that they are blowing up a balloon in their belly.

As with any new tool, practice is important to be able to use deep breathing effectively. (Information obtained from www.anxietybc.com; www.stressfreekids.com; www.health.harvard.edu, Time Magazine:Mindfulness edition)

Student Mental Health and Well-Being

Newsletter

During this busy time of year you may want to consider taking the time to “breath”. This sounds obvious but by “learning how to slow your breath, you can dial down your whole stress response” (M.Oaklander). Deep breathing is also known as diaphragmatic breathing, belly breathing, or abdominal breathing. There are many benefits of teaching students how to “deep breath”. Deep breathing will help to clean your blood by removing carbon dioxide and increases oxygen. Studies have shown that when you engage in deep breathing it can result in a happier mood because it activates areas in the brain that impact on antidepressive activities. It also helps you sleep better, and improve concentration. Research also suggests that deep breathing helps lower anxiety. By engaging in deep breathing it can help students to feel calm and gain a sense of control when faced with challenging situations. It’s also a portable tool that students can use anytime and anywhere.

You can begin teaching students how to deep breath by first explaining what it

December, 2016

Take Time to “Breathe”

TCDSB Mental Health Services provided by Psychology, Social Work, and Guidance personnel

The spirit of God made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life ~ Job 33:4

March

December, 2016

Fostering The Family:

The TCDSB Pastoral Plan 2015-18 “ Together With one Voice:

Harmonizing Our Faith Through Family, Parish, and School” 2016

focuses on the PARISH

As the Christmas season approaches let us take the time to focus our attention on the birth of Christ within our parish family

Pray together as a family Attend mass as a family and

consider participating i.e., offer to take up the gifts

Participate in parish activities

A Prayer for Christmas Morning The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will. Help us

rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song

of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the doors of hate

and open the doors of love over the world. Let kindness come with every

gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings and teach

us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us

happy to be thy children and the Christmas evening bring us to our

bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’sake. Amen

From: A Treasure of Christmas Stories by Henry Van Dyke

A Laugh A Day…

Wishing you a Very Merry “Mindful” Christmas

Christmas is often a very busy time of year with much planning and activities. While it’s enjoyable, we may find ourselves rushing from one event to another without taking the time to enjoy each moment. We encourage you to consider the following tips so that you will enjoy a “mindful” Christmas.

Play Christmas songs each day Eat mindfully – when eating your

favorite holiday treat enjoy each bite by paying attention to the flavor and texture

When waiting in a shopping line be mindful of all that you are grateful for. This may help you feel calm and help to put things into perspective

Go for a walk in nature and pay special attention to the sights, sounds, and smells

When decorating your Christmas tree take the time to enjoy the beauty of the moment

Most of all take a deep breath and enjoy the magic of Christmas!

(Information obtained from www.pocketmindfulness.com)

NFPA Public Education Division • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169Your Source for SAFETY Information

www.nfpa.org/education ©NFPA 2016

WinterHoliday

Safety

HOLIDAY DECORATINGKKK Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose

decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

KKK Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.

KKK Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.

KKK Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.

KKK Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

KKK Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

HOLIDAY ENTERTAININGKKK Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your

home fire escape plan.

KKK Keep children and pets away from lit candles.

KKK Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.

KKK Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.

KKK Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.

KKK Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.

FACTS

• Two of every five home decoration fires are

started by candles. • Nearly half of decoration fires happen

because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Before Heading Out or to Bed

!

!

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Pizza Day

2

P.A. Day

(no school)

3

4 I was glad when they

said unto me,

“Let us go into the house of the LORD”. Psalm 122:1

5

SMB T-Shirt Design

Kickoff Assembly

6

7

Hot Chocolate

CSPC 7:00 p.m.

8 Pizza Day

Santa Photos

9 School Mass

10:00 a.m.

10

11 12

Candy Cane Gram

Sold (Dec 12—16)

13

14

Hot Chocolate

All Library books are

due back to library

15

Pizza Day

16 Hot Lunch for

Students

Red/Green/White

Dress Day

17

18 19

Ski Trip

Grades 4– 8

20

Popcorn Day

T-Shirt Designs

Due to Office

21 Hot Chocolate

Rosary Apostolates

Christmas Concert

6:00 p.m.

22

Pizza Day

School Wide

Christmas Activities

23

Christmas Colours

Dress Day

Last day of school

Departure at 3:30 p.m.

24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

2016

Virtue of the Month Charity

Quote of the month Ubi Caritas et amor, Deus ibi est – Where there is charity and love, God is there

ST. MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL