St. Malachy Catholic School June 2007 Newsletter

St. Malachy Catholic School

80 Bennett Rd.Scarborough, Ontario

M1E 3Y3Tel: 416-393-5336Fax: 416-393-5585

Principal:Mrs. K KatsurasSuperintendent:Mr. G. Poole

Trustee: Ward 8Mr. Oliver Carroll

Tel: 416-512-3408

Parish:St. Martin de Porres

Catholic Church4179 Lawrence Ave. E.Toronto, Ont.M1E 2S3Phone: 416-284-9192Pastor: Fr. Peter Power

Hours of Operation:8:55 a.m. -3:30 p.m.

Lunch Hour:12:00 – 1:00 p.m

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Kindergarten Registration - Continues

Junior Kindergarten registration for the next school year (2007-2008) continues. Please call the office to make an appointment. The following documents must be submitted for each child registered:

Baptismal Certificate indicating the date and place of baptism

Birth Certificate or passport for proof of age

Landed immigrant papers if the child is an immigrant

Record of immunization required by the Health Department

An Ontario Health Card number

Proof of residency in Toronto (drivers license or household bill or lease)

PLEASE NOTE

Children born in 2003 may be admitted to Junior Kindergarten in September 2007.

Once again we ask you to advise neighbours and/or friends who do not have children attending St. Malachy of the details.

CONFIRMATION at St. Martin de PorresMay 13, 2007 – Bishop Greco

Congratulations to the following “new” Confirmandi! May the spirit continue to guide you as you move into secondary school.

Charmaine Ramirez Jose Santiago Melanie TranConnor Pellerin Josef Crisolo Michael SinghDaniel Velasco Kaitlin Lehwald Michelle OwusuDaniela Herrera Katie Barnes Olivia NikolaidisDouglas Boulton Keith Vincent Cabrera Robert GoliaszDynale Tran Kylie Dias Tanesha LeBlancHazel Medina Lanz De Guia Zachary GeorgiadisJack Crone Leona De SouzaJordan van Hezewyk Marisa Aguanno

UNIFORM COMPLIANCE – THANK YOU!

Thank you parents for supporting St. Malachy’s uniform policy. There has been a marked improvement in our students’ dress this spring. Let’s all work together to keep the uniform alive and well!

First Communion Celebration –June 15 at 2:00 p.m.

Our new First Communicants will be treated to cake and juice, courtesy of our Catholic School Advisory Council. Special thank you to Mrs. Angie Morra!

Classroom Structure for the 2007-2008 School Year

Kindergarten Mrs. BurkeMrs. Remedios

Primary Grades Miss LeoneMrs. JohnstonMrs. HirschMr. McGeeMrs. Baines

Junior Grades Miss KeelingMr. O’ConnorMrs. JoyceMr. MorrisMr. Pierog

Intermediate Grades Mr. PierogMrs. SmithMr. Dunn

Special Class Programs Mrs. Magennis-HillMrs. MorraMrs. RemediosMrs. D’Souza

French Mr. AnthonyMme Trozzo

Music Ms MatucciMr. Taylor

Please note that this September organization is tentative. It is important to understand that due to a possible increase or decrease in enrolment, changes may need to be made in grade organization, teacher assignments and the placement of the children, during the month of September/early October 2007.

We will be contacting our kindergarten parents very soon as to a morning or afternoon class. This should facilitate daycare/babysitting arrangements for next fall.

Library Books/Text Books

As we enter the last few weeks of the school year, we wish to draw your attention to our request for the prompt return of all library books and text books by June 18th. You can be of great help to us by checking at home for these items and by encouraging your children to return all school books.

We must avoid, as much as possible, the loss of library and text books, as the average replacement cost of these books (hard-cover) is in excess of $25.00 each. To put this in perspective, it is worth noting that if each of the 345 studentsattending St. Malachy School were to lose or misplace just one hard covered book, we would have to spend close to $9,000 to replace the missing items. It would take quite a few years to accumulate sufficient reserve funds to replace these missing items. Consequently, we appeal to you to make sure that all school property (textbooks/library books etc.) is returned to the school by June 18th.

Mr. Gagne, our library technician, is offering a “cool treat” for the class that returns the most books. All school books/texts are gladly accepted. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

Grade 8 Graduation ActivitiesThursday, June 21st @ 10:30 a.m.Graduation Mass with St. Martin de Porres and St. Ursula Schools at St. Martin de Porres Church.

Tuesday, June 26th @ 7:00 p.m.Graduation Ceremony at St. Martin de Porres Church.Graduation Dinner/Dance immediately following graduation ceremonyat Q-ssis Banquet Hall.

Play Day – Monday, June 18 – a.m.Tuesday, June 19 – p.m. (Raindate)

Please note the dates for play day a favourite end-of-year activity. Our Grade 8 students will be the “Station Managers” and our Grade 7 students will be the “Team Captains”. Running shoes (not sandals) are the recommended footwear.

The students will be involved in various games and play-type activities, organized by their teachers. All activities will be conducted on the school grounds.

All afternoon kindergarten bus children will come to school on the large bus in the morning. Our 11:30 a.m. bus will drop students home. A.M. students will be dropped off at their normal time. P.M. students will be dropped off at their normal pick up time. Please ensure arrangements are made for someone to pick up your kindergarten child at the bus stop.

Talent Show – June 14 (a.m. and p.m. shows)

The talent scouts Ms. Leone and Mrs. Smith are still auditioning but the show date is set. Show times are 9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Are You Moving?

We continue to ask for your assistance in informing us if you plan to move from the St. Malachy School Community over the summer months.

We need an accurate count as to the number of students we expect for the next school year, so that we may prepare our class lists and determine the composition of our classes within the school.

Please continue to contact our school secretary, Mrs. Fernandes (416-393-5336) if you plan to move prior to September 2007.

Communicable Diseases/Infections

From time to time, your children will be infected with diseases that are deemed communicable. This is a cause for concern, particularly in a school setting, as disease can easily be spread among school staff and children through close contact.

This school year students have been infected with chicken pox, head lice, pink eye and colds. Children with such diseases/infections, unusual rashes and colds should be taken to the family doctor to be checked.

We also request that you contact the school if your children have been infected with any of the above communicable diseases so that we may take the necessary precautions at school.

Sun Safety

In the past few years there have been increasing concerns about health risks (eye damage, premature skin aging, skin cancer etc.) from too much exposure to sunlight. Most of this damage to the eyes and skin starts in childhood. Even one sunburn during childhood can double a child’s chance of skin cancer later in life. All skin colors are at risk. The good news is that these health risks are very preventable with a few simple steps.

To help protect your child from too much sun, we are recommending that you follow these sun safety guidelines during outdoor summer activity.

Dress your child in:

A long-sleeved shirt and long pants (or knee-length shorts) made from fabrics that are tightly woven.

A hat with a wide brim or with a flap to cover the back of the neck. The hats should also be made of a tightly woven fabric.

Use SUNSCREEN with SPF15 or higher that gives protection from both UVA and UVB rays. If your child is going to be outside in the sun for longer that two hours an SPF 20 or 30 would be a better choice.

Make sun protection a habit and set a good example. Teach children about sun protection so that they become aware of the dangers and can start taking precautions that will become lifelong healthy habits.

Track and Field at Pope John Paul II

The Divisional Track and Field Meet took place on May 30 and over 65 students represented St. Malachy. Congratulations to the following students who qualified to go onto the Regional Meet this Thursday, June 7. Special thanks to our coaches who gave so freely of their time during this busy time of year.

Event Girls Boys

1500 m 11 & under Celine Amenta

200 meter 13 + year Khadijha Dennis Gimar Wilson

100 meter 8 year Jordan Ronaldi

100 meter 13 + year Natasha Roye Gimar Wilson

100 meter 8 year Jonathon Hifawi

800 meter 12 & over Lisa Morra

800 meter 11 & under Duchess Quetulio4 x 100m Relay 13 year Natasha Roye

Khadijha Dennis

Kaitlyn Keon

Carolina Walesiak

High Jump 13+ year Gimar Wilson

High Jump 12 year Ashley Tieber

High Jump 11 year Aaliyah Valerio Sean Chew

High Jump 10 year Jason Ronaldi

Long Jump 11 year Sean Chew

Shot Put 12 year Samantha Nicdao

Shot Put 11 year David Keon

Shot Put 10 year Amanda Aguanno Justin Birco

School C losing

The last day of school for students is Wednesday June 27, 2007. Please note that dismissal time is the regular time – 3:30 p.m.

Student Report Cards

The final report will be sent home with each student on Monday, June 25.

End of Year Mass

The End of Year Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the School front lawn. Everyone is welcome to join us for this celebration!

Ministry of Education Launches New Parent Resource Website

The Ministry of Education has launched a new website called abc123.

abc123 features simple and valuable ideas on fun, everyday ways to engage children in reading, writing and mathematics. Parents are more time-stressed than ever and need new ideas to support school lessons within the time they have available. abc123 provides information as tip lists that are easy to read and print off.

The site also has information that will help parents partner with their child’s teacher, deal with homework, identify the need for extra help, and understand school readiness.

Parents can also find out what the government is doing to reach every student in a section called “How We’re Helping”.

This is just the beginning. abc123 will be refreshed regularly with new and relevant information, including useful links to other government programs and external sites.

The site can be accessed through the Ministry of Education homepage at www.edu.gov.on.ca or directly at www.ontario.ca/abc123.

TCDSB School Year Calendar 2007-2008First instructional day September 4, 2007Professional Development Day September 28, 2007Thanksgiving Day October 8, 2007Professional Development Day October 26, 2007Reporting Day (Parent Teacher Interviews) November 29, 2007 (p.m.)Professional Development Day November 30, 2007Christmas Break December 24, 2007 to January 4, 2008Professional Development Day February 15, 2008Reporting Day (Parent Teacher Interviews) March 6, 2008 (p.m.)Professional Development Day March 7, 2008Mid-Winter Break March 10-14, 2008Good Friday March 21, 2008Easter Monday March 24, 2008Victoria Day May 19, 2008Last day of classes for elementary students June 25, 2008

Number of school days 194Number of Professional Activity Days 6

Please keep this sheet for reference!TORONTO CATHOLIC

DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDTRUSTEES 2006-2007

Wards

1 Joseph Martino 416-512-3401 7 John Del Grande 416-512-34072 Ann Andrachuk 416-512-3402 8 Oliver Carroll, Chair 416-512-34083 Sal Piccininni 416-512-3403 9 Catherine LeBlanc-Miller 416-512-34094 Mary Cicogna 416-512-3404 10 Barbara Poplawski 416-512-3410

Vice-Chair 11 Angela Kennedy 416-512-34115 Maria Rizzo 416-512-3405 Honorary Treasurer6 Christine Nunziata 416-512-3406 12 Paul John Crawford 416-512-3412

Ihor Korbabicz,Student Trustee 416-512-3413