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Principal Ms. L. Graham
Vice-Principal Ms. R. Bottero
Superintendent
Mr. A. Della Mora
Trustee Mr. F. D’Amico, CD
416-512-3406
Parish Fr. Maderak
St. John the Evangelist 49 George St., Weston.
416-241-0133
Secretary
Ms. S. Lazar Clerk Typist
Ms. R. Cerasani
CSAC Chair Mr. D. Bennett
St. John the Evangelist
Catholic School
55 Pelham Ave.
Tel - 416-393-5244
Fax - 416-5032
School Hours 9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
School website:
http://www.tcdsb.org/schools/
stjohntheevangelist/Pages/default.aspx
School Blog: http://sjeschoolblog.blogspot.ca/ Twitter: SJECES
St. John the Evangelist Courage Excellence Compassion
To report an absence, please call 416 393-5244 (4:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
May 2015
As St. John the Evangelist is hoping to be an eco-certified
school, beginning January our newsletter will only available
by email ([email protected]) OR online at www.tcdsb.org/schools/stjohntheevangelist under What’s New.
EDUCATION WEEK—MAY 3—9TH
The Virtue for the month of May is COMPASSION.
For the month of May we will be focussing on the virtue of COMPASSION. Our
quote is from John’s Gospel, ”Jesus saw her weeping...his heart was touched, and he was deeply moved.” John 11:33 True compassion is not always easy to practice
as in the words of Jean Vanier “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.” Who
wants to go there when spring has finally arrived and the sun is shining down us.
This is all the more reason to show our compassion for those who cannot share in
the light. For this month, St, John the Evangelist students will be showing compas-
sion by taking the time to listen to our friends and classmates.
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST DRESS CODE
Looking forward to the end of the year, and more importantly next year, the
dress code needs to be highlighted and adhered to. Our dress code consists of
the following: white or navy top without logos, navy dress pants, skirt or jumper
(appropriate length), navy sweater. No stretch pants or leggings are to be worn.
During the warmer months, modesty dictates that tank tops and tops with spa-
ghetti straps are not to be worn. This is in keeping with the mandatory TCDSB
dress code found at www.tcdsb.org/FORPARENTS/Dresscode/Pages/default.aspx
Mark Your Calendars and Prepare to Celebrate
Catholic Education Week May 3-8, 2015 https://www.tcdsb.org/board/nurturingourcatholiccommunity/catholiceducationweek/
pages/default.aspx Please attend our Student-Led Learning Walk from Tuesday,
May5th—Friday, May 8th. Our students from K—6 will be focusing on the Ontario
Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGE); our intermediate students will cre-
ate work around the theme of the Key Principals of Catholic Social Teaching (CST).
Revised Ontario Health and Physical Education
Curriculum
Many Catholic institutions, teachers, parents and students have been involved in
revising our Fully Alive program which was implemented between 2008 and 2015.
To quote a representative from the Archdiocese of Toronto: "Working with Min-
istry of Education guidelines, Catholic schools use the Gospel of Jesus and the
tradition of the Catholic Church as the starting point in our educational approach
to all content. The vast majority of the content required by the revised curriculum
is already covered within the Fully Alive program." Please see the responses from
two Catholic Institutions to many parents’ concerns about the new curriculum. It is
attached to this newsletter.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Chair - Mr. Bennett
Vice-Chair – Ms. Cesario
Treasurer – Mr. Banados
Secretary – Ms. Buttigieg
Our next CSAC meeting is Wednesday, May 20th
at 6:15 p.m. Please join us in the staff room.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION TEA We held our volunteer appreciation tea on April
29th. The staff and students displayed their grat-
itude to those volunteers who have supported our
community. St. John the Evangelist School is dedi-
cated to Courage, Excellence and Compassion. Our
volunteers demonstrate all of these attributes.
CLASSROOM UPDATES We continue our regular reports on what we’re
doing in our classrooms.
Grade 3
In Grade 3, we continue to be excited about all
the new things we have learned and will be learn-
ing. In Math, our focus was on 3-D shapes. This
learning was paired by our wonderful trip to the
Ontario Science Centre. We learned how to have
fun with Geometry by discovering the wonder of
mathematics through puzzles and hands-on explo-
ration. We played with mirrors and marveled at
how 2D shapes transformed into 3D figures. In
Writing, we will be diving into the world of story
writing. We will be creating a new world within the
classroom full of adventure and excitement.
While in Reading, we are continuing to learn about
the Reading Traits with the focus on “prior
knowledge” which will in turn help us have a better
understanding of the texts we read and the sto-
ries we will write. Within our Language and Math
programs, the teachers are preparing the stu-
dents with the skills necessary for writing EQAO.
We will also be using previous sample tests to help
further prepare the students. In Fully Alive, we
are completing Theme Two – Living in Relation-
ships. We explored what it means to be human
and reinforced the importance of working togeth-
er and understanding our place within our families.
We will begin Theme Three – Created Sexual:
Male and Female. This theme will build on the pre-
vious themes and continues to explore the ques-
tion of what it means to be human. This curricu-
lum has been created by the TCDSB with input
from the Ontario College of Catholic Bishops,
teachers and parents. There is still more to come
during our home stretch, can’t wait!
Grades 4 and 5
Mr. Veleno’s and Mr. Perri's classes are currently
working on the Probability Unit in Math whereby stu-
dents determine, and communicate the likelihood of
occurrences expressed in words, fractions, and/or
percent. Students have also worked with spinners,
dice, playing cards and tree diagrams for the unit. In
Reading, non-fictional texts continue to be our shared
reading focus; students produce reading responses
based on implicit and explicit proofs as a vehicle for
extending their own understanding. In Writing, proce-
dural forms have been studied, specifically the imper-
ative structure of sentences found in how-to guides,
instructional manuals, cookbooks, etc. In Science,
Gears and Pulleys is our current unit of study. Stu-
dents have discovered everyday simple machines
around their homes and school, and can communicate
their efficiencies in providing a mechanical advantage
and the transference of force, or human effort. A
trip to Medieval Times will cap off an excellent month
of enrichment for your child!
Grades 5 and 6
The last two months have presented opportunities for
the students to develop in various areas. Work com-
pletion earned the students the opportunity to view
the film Ben Hur. The theme of forgiveness was ex-
plored and then applied in subsequent writing assign-
ments in which the students were required to provide
proof from the film to support their views. The same
support has been required as we begin to explore the
novel ‘Underground to Canada’ and students attempt
to account for the actions of the characters involved.
The focus in learning has shifted to the students as
they are expected to display the initiative and strat-
egies necessary in problem solving. ‘Banshos’, an activ-
ity in which students work together to solve particu-
lar math problems have been a staple of our math
program. This activity too requires that students be
able to account for their solutions. In Science, our
new I-pads have been employed to research various
means of generating electrical power. With EQAO
approaching, particular types of questions will be re-
viewed. In order to prepare for the test, students
are expected to begin to determine any areas they
themselves find challenging and to approach the
teacher for extra assistance.
FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION Our students in grade 2, and those who had not yet
received the sacrament of the First Eucharist did so
at an 11:00 a.m. Mass on Saturday, May 2nd.
Our grade 8 Confirmandi will receive their sacrament
of Confirmation on either Tuesday or Wednesday
evening, May 12th or May 13th. Congratulations to all!
CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH WEEK MAY 3rd —9th 1 in 5 Ontario children and youth has a mental
health problem - That's about 500,000 kids. Dis-
orders range from anxiety, depression and con-
duct disorder to attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and bi-
polar disorder. Left untreated, mental health dis-
orders can lead to school failure, family conflicts,
drug abuse, violence, and even suicide. The good
news is that help is available and treatment
works! Please see attached bulletin for more
information.
E-CURRICULUM CORNER In keeping with our 21C theme of exploring en-
gaging numeracy and literacy websites, this
month’s site is www.fun4thebrain.com which de-
livers fun and safe experiences for even the
youngest children. The website is suitable for K—
12 students, and has been recommended by our
Math department.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES Please do not allow your children to bring elec-
tronic devices to school unless they have been
requested for educational use. We have no way
of ensuring that they will not be stolen, damaged
or lost. The school cannot be responsible for stu-
dent’s electronic equipment.
Students may have a telephone at school for
safety reasons. As part of that same safety is-
sue, students are not permitted to use the tele-
phones during school hours, unless instructed by
the teacher for educational purposes. If you
need to contact your child, please call the office
and we will ensure that they receive any messages
you may need to forward. If students are using
their telephones during school hours, they will
be removed from them.
FOOD ALLERGIES As in the past, please note that we have a grow-
ing number of students in our school that have
severe, life threatening, allergies to peanuts
and nuts. This is a medical condition that causes
a severe anaphylactic reaction to specific foods
that can be fatal. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY
PRODUCTS THAT MAY CONTAIN PEANUT OR
NUT PRODUCTS TO SCHOOL.
WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN NIGHT Those students who are registered for JK in the fall
will attend the welcome night with their parents. Wel-
come to Kindergarten Night will be held on Wednes-
day, May 13th at 6:30 p.m. We hope all new junior kin-
dergarten registrants will come to find out what
school will be like for them in September.
Registration for next year’s kindergarten students
has begun. Visit the TCDSB website for details:
http://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/earlyyears/
kindergartenregistration/pages/default.aspx
PAY IT FORWARD Our final Pay it Forward assembly was April 30th. Stu-
dents have been working on random acts of kindness
which makes our school so welcoming.
ECO-CERTIFICATION
Our Eco-Schools’ audit will be on May 7th. Many of our
students participated in the 20 minute clean-up
around our school yard on Earth Day. We also kept the
lights low, in the interest of energy conservation.
MAY IS SPEECH, LANGUAGE & HEARING AWARENESS MONTH Did you know that speech and language delays are the
most frequently reported problem in children? Early
speech and language development has a major impact on
future academic success. For example, research shows
that a child’s vocabulary when starting school is a
prime predictor of school success or failure. We also
know that early language skills are directly related to
later reading skills, and that children with poor lan-
guage development have difficulty using language to learn
math and science. If you have a concern about your
child’s speech or language, your school Speech-
Language Pathologist (SLP) can help! Speak to your
child’s teacher or school principal to find out more, or
contact the Speech and Language Department at 416-
222-8282, extension 2261.
COMBINED GRADE CLASSES Attached is a parent information pamphlet about com-
bined grade classes. The following are the considera-
tions: student academic needs, age, behaviour, devel-
opment, gender, learning style, physical maturity, so-
cial-emotional and special education need; the continu-
ity of the curriculum in regards to overall expecta-
tions; students will not be subject to combined grade
placement after two consecutive years; number of
students in each grade of the combined class.
St. John the Evangelist School Staff
2014—2015
Principal - Ms. L. Graham
Vice-Principal - Ms. R. Bottero
Secretary - Ms. S. Lazar
Clerk Typist –Ms. R. Cerasani
Ms. Dell’Angelo-Green (ELP1) Rm. 110
Ms. T. Trous (AM) &
Ms. M. Porretta (PM) ELP2 Rm. 111D
M. Eirica Perruzza (ELP3) Rm. 111E
Ms. G. Carbone-Silva—Gr. 1 Rm. 213
Ms. T. Buccitti—Gr. 1 Rm. 206
Ms. L. Waslenko—Gr. 1/2 Rm. 107
Ms. A. Del Zotto—Gr. 2/3 Rm. 204
Ms. J. Tanga—Gr. 3 Rm. 203
Mr. A. Veleno—Gr. 3/4 Port. 4
Mr. D. Perri—Gr. 4/5 Port. 9
Mr. P. Scully—Gr. 5/6 Rm. 212
Ms. A. Manuel—Gr. 6 Rm. 207
Ms. D. Del Zotto—Gr. 7/8 Rm. 212
Ms. L. Amaral-Nunes—Gr. 7/8 Rm. 208
Ms. C. Pasquali—Gr. 8 Rm. 210
Ms. Porretta – Special Education (Jr. AM) Rm. 209
Ms. Bottero – Special Education (Int. PM) Rm. 209
Ms. T. Pecile—5th Block (AM) Rm. 213
Ms. V. Giovenco—Jr. Literacy (AM) Rm. 219
Ms. S. Pol-Bodetto—French Rm. 211
Ms. C. Wolk—French (AM) Rm. 211
Ms. N. Da Silva—French & Library Rm. 205
Mr. D. Ricci—Vocal Music Port. 5
Ms. M. Fortades—Instrumental Music Rm. 112
Mr. J. Ludlow– Health & Phys. Ed. Rm. 120
Ms. Battaglino—E. A.
Ms. Merta— E. A.
Ms. Mudie—E.A.
Ms. Rizzardo – E.A.
Ms. Wachulka—E.A.
Ms. Machado—E.C.E.
Ms. Manimtim—E.C.E.
Ms. Neal—E.C.E.
Ms. Silva—CYW
Ms. Martins—Lunchtime Supervisor
Ms. Torre—Lunchtime Supervisor
Ms. Venturo—Nutrition Program
SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR 2014—2015 School Year Begins Tuesday, September 2,
2014
Thanksgiving Day October 13, 2014
Christmas Break Dec. 22, 2014 – Jan. 2,
2015
Family Day Feb. 16, 2015
Mid-Winter Break March 16-20, 2015
Good Friday April 3, 2015
Easter Monday April 6, 2015
Victoria Day May 18, 2015
Last Day of School June 25, 2015
Professional Activity Days 2014—2015 June 5, 2015 Assessment & Evaluation
June 26, 2015 Provincial Education Priori-
ties
TRUSTEES 2014 - 2015
Wards
1. Joseph Martino 5. Maria Rizzo 9. Jo-Ann Davis 2. Ann Andrachuk 6. Frank D‘Amico 10. Barbara Poplawski 3. Sal Piccininni 7. Michael Del Grande, Chair 11. Angela Kennedy 4. Patrizia Bottoni 8. Garry Tanuan 12. Nancy Crawford, Vice-Chair Christopher MacDonald & Hannah McGroarty, Student Trustees
Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E, Toronto, On. Website: www.tcdsb.org
BUSSING & STUDENT DROP OFF From time to time the bus may be late arriving at
your stop in the morning. If this occurs, we ask
that you contact the bus company directly to in-
quire about the bus, as they will have information
on all their routes. Our service provider is First
Student (905) 629-8200. If your child is not com-
ing by bus, he/she must be dropped off at the
main office after 8:45. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE
YOUR CHILD UNATTENDED AT THE BUS
STOP, PRIOR TO BUS ARRIVAL, OR IN THE
SCHOOL YARD. NO ONE WILL BE ON DUTY
AND WE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
THEIR SAFETY.
SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR FOR 2015-2016 The school year calendar for 2015-2016 has been
approved. This includes the professional activity
days for elementary. The PA days for secondary
school should be approved soon. Check here for
information
https://www.tcdsb.org/school/SchoolYearCalend
ar/Pages/FutureSchoolYearCalendar.aspx
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Show Compassion by thinking about how your words make people feel.
May is Asian
Heritage Month
1 Civvies Day
$1
2 First Communion
3 4 5 6 7 Pizza Day Scientists Gr. 4/5 Perri
Eco-Audit
8 Gr.7 & 8’s
@ High Park
9
10 11 12 Gr. 8 Confirmation (Group 1) @ 7pm
13
6:30—7:30 pm Gr. 8 Confirmation (Group 2) @ 7pm
14 Pizza Day
Scientists—Gr. 2/3
15 16
17 18
Victoria Day NO SCHOOL
19 20 Track & Field
(Varsity) CSAC meet’g @ 6:15pm in library
21 Pizza Day Scientists Gr. 2/3 & 3
22 23
24 Show Compassion by thinking about how your actions make people feel.
25
Lunch
26
City Finals & Special Olympics Track &
Field @ Varsity
27 Track & Field
City Finals
& Special Olympics
(Varsity)
28 LAST Pizza Day Scientists — Intermediates
29 Our Marian Mass @ 11am (Gym)
30
31 1 2 Intermediate Boys Soccer Tournament
3 4 5
PA DAY No School
6
LEADERSHIP @ CAMP OLYMPIA
Mental Health Week ———————-
Book Fair May 4—8
Catholic Education
Week May 4—8
Student-Led Learning Walk
Cat Testing for Grades 2, 5 & 7 - May 4—11
St. John the Evangelist School Year of Charity
MAY 2015: COMPASSION OCSGE: A Collaborative Contributor: Because I am a team player, I know that “Together is Better” and we will live our lives like Jesus. CST: Option for the Poor & Vulnerable: Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. We must put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
EQAO Testing
May 28 to June 4
Revised Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum (2015) Responses from:
1) THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO
"While we have a responsibility to teach the curriculum set out by the Ministry of Education in education policy, we have always done so in a manner that conveys, respects and models Catholic principles to our students."
"Working with Ministry of Education guidelines, Catholic schools use the Gospel of Jesus and the tradition of the Catholic Church as the starting point in our educational approach to all content. The vast majority of the content required by the revised curriculum is already covered within the Fully Alive program."
"Although some of the content from the existing curriculum has been reassigned, with the expectation that it be delivered in earlier grades, we are confident the revised curriculum will be delivered within the context of our family Life program, in a way that is consistent with church teachings and our faith tradition."
2) THE INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION (ICE)
"The Ministry of Education has been in conversation with the Institute for Catholic Education, and the political staff within the Ministry's office have similarly been in communication with the Catholic partner Associations (OCSTA, OECTA, OCSOA, CPCO, ACBO) at intervals throughout this process."
"The Ministry has committed to provide funding to support the development of specific resources and materials that will be appropriate for use in Catholic schools, and will support teachers as they implement the revised curriculum." “Teams are currently being assembled to develop supplementary resources and initial materials will be available for the start of the school year in September 2015.” (March 5th, 2015)
Please go to Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario Go to Fully Alive tab and you will find the updated curriculum.
TCDSB Celebrates Children’s mental health Awareness Week.
May 3-9, 2015:
Did You Know: 1 in 5 children and youth suffer from a mental health concern?
Children and youth can experience mental health concerns that range from mild to serious. For instance, some students may have a little anxiety when they are facing a test, while others may be very anxious about the same test. When an issue lasts for more than a few weeks, and interferes with the student’s daily life, then it becomes a concern that requires further help. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health concerns for children and youth.
Click here for a Parent fact sheet on Child and Youth Mental Health& Mental Illness: http://www.cheo.on.ca/uploads/Mental%20Health/Mental%20Health%20and%20Illness%20Overview.pdf
http://www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/tips_for_parents_teens.html
5 tips to promote mental health in your child or youth
•Be positive role models. Children and youth need to see us express our feelings, talk over a problem with our partner, or see things from someone else’s point of view, Teach children how to reach out to others when they need help and support. •Promote a healthy lifestyle. Give healthy food, make sure children and youth get enough sleep and exercise. •Ask children and youth how their day went. Let them know when they’ve done something well (like trying hard, being patient or kind, or getting better at something). Focus on the effort, not always the result. If something is bothering or stressing them, ask if they need help to solve the problem. •Ask children and youth how they’re feeling about things. Some children and youth may not know how to express themselves. Help them with language to ‘name’ and express feelings (“OH, that must have been frustrating to have to wait so long…”) •Always take children’s and youth ‘s concerns and worries seriously. Children and youth may believe that their feelings don’t matter if we dismiss their feelings.
Classroom Activity for Children’s Mental Health Week:
Challenge your class to create a paper chain of “acts of kindness”! Encourage students to engage in acts of kindness with one another. Write / draw a picture of the act on a slip of paper, with a notation of how it felt on the opposite side. Gather slips into a paper chain and challenge a neighbouring class to create a longer chain by the end of the week.
Skype in the Classroom has launched the Just Say Hello Ambassador Project to help combat loneliness and isolation in schools. Participating classrooms have already made a real difference by creating opportunities to simply reach out and say hello in their
communities and around the world. You can get involved by sharing the Just Say Hello Ambassador Starter Kit.http://edu.skype.com/en-us/just-say-hello
Patricia Marra-Stapleton, Mental Health Leader, TCDSB [email protected]
TCDSB Policy S.24 Combined Grades: The Toronto Catholic District School Board promotes single grade classes where feasible. All combined (split) grade classes must meet Ministry and contractual guidelines in regards to total number of students assigned. When single grade classes cannot be achieved, the Board is committed to ensuring that classes are balanced and functional with consideration given to student academic needs, age, behaviour, development, gender, group dynamics, learning style, physical maturity, social-emotional and special education needs and the continuity of the curriculum in regards to the overall expectations. Wherever possible, students, will not be subject to combined (split) grade placement after two consecutive years. To read the policy and regulations in their entirety, please visit our website at: http://www.tcdsb.org/Board/Policies/Documents/S.%2024,%20Combined%20(Split)%20Grade%20Classes%20for%20Elementary%20Schools%20-%20October%202013.pdf
TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES
2013 - 2014
Wards 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. Frank D’Amico 416-512-3406 7. John Del Grande 416-512-3407 8. Garry Tanuan 416-512-3408 9. Jo-Ann Davis, Chair 416-512-3409 10. Barbara Poplawski 416-512-3410 11. Angela Kennedy 416-512-3411 12. Nancy Crawford, Vice-Chair 416-512-3412 William Lawrence, Student Trustee 416-512-3413 Enrique Olivo, Student Trustee 416-512-3417
Angela Gauthier
Director of Education
Jo-Ann Davis Chair of the Board
Toronto Catholic District School Board
80 Sheppard Avenue east Toronto ON M2N 6E8
P: 416 222-8282 Ext. 2490
Email: [email protected] www.tcdsb.org
Combined (Split) Grade Classes in
TCDSB Elementary Schools
Combined Grades in TCDSB
Elementary Schools—Our Philosophy:
Student achievement and well-being is the core pillar of the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Walk into any classroom, and you will find children at various stages of social, physical and intellectual development. No two children are exactly the same, even if they are the same age. Each child has unique learning needs—strengths and areas that need improvement. Learning styles and preferences are unique to each student. Teachers are trained to differentiate the instruction and adjust the learning program in the classroom to the needs of each student. In combined grade classes, teachers use evidence based strategies to teach the curriculum.
The Board understands that children learn continuously; their intellectual, social and personal development does not occur in compartmentalized, grade- specific segments. Our primary concern as advocates for children is to provide a stable, effective learning environment for all students in our care. Research has shown that achievement levels of combined grade class students are as good as and usually better than the achievement levels of students placed in single grade classes. Findings also show that children in classes where there is more than one age level learn to become more independent, responsible learners and develop a greater degree of social responsibility. Students in combined grade classes generally develop a greater sense of belonging, support and confidence.
“Research indicates that students in combined grades classrooms achieve the same level of academic results as
those in single grade classes. Some researchers believe that
this occurs as a result of student selection as well as
effective teaching.”
December 2007, What Works? Research into Practice Monograph #9,
Ontario Ministry of Education
The Benefits of Combined Grade Settings: Creates opportunities for students to
learn from one another Provides role models for younger
students Allows older students to get a clear
understanding of what they have already learned
Provides a curriculum suited to the needs of each student
Encourages students to work collaboratively
Fosters the development of confidence and independence
Teaches students to respect one another