FEBRUARY 2017

For God so loved the world, He gave it His only Son…”John 3:16 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Not only is the month of February the midpoint of the school year, it is also one of the busiest for St. Cecilia’s School. Planned activities include our French Book Fair as well as Parent-Teacher Conferences that will be held on Feb.16 (5:30 to 8:30) and Feb. 17 (8:30am to 11:15am). Our basketball teams will also be participating in the Divisional tournaments in February. Our musical crew is also preparing for the Spring musical. This is certainly going to be a very busy month at St. Cecilia. Our Daily physical activity program continues to thrive. Thank you to all classroom teachers for getting involved and for assisting our amazing student Daily Physical Activity leaders. This initiative is certainly assisting with our continued goal of helping your children to stay healthy and active as we work to become certified as a Healthy School. We will also be bringing in a few more Spark bikes as the bikes have contributed immensely with this mission to keep our students healthier and assist with self-regulation.

We continue to remind parents and guardians that in order to ensure the safety of our students that you always check in at the office if you are visiting your child or his/her teacher. Please make every effort to book an appointment with the classroom teacher if you would like to discuss a concern you may have. We continue to regard our Parent Volunteers as valued members of our school community and encourage more parents to get involved. After all, it does, ‘take the whole village to raise the child.

N.P.Biagini Principal  

School Masses & Celebrations

Saint Cecilia Catholic

School News

Saint Cecilia Catholic School355 Annette Street Toronto, Ontario, M6P 1R3 Phone# (416) 393-5218 Fax # (416) 397-6045

Principal: Nick Biagini Vice-Principal: Heather Hickey

Superintendent: John Wujek(416) 222-8282 x5371

Trustee: Barb Poplowski (416) 512-3410

Parish: St. Cecilia C.S. 161 Annette St. (416) 769-8163

CSPC Chairs: Marisa Cicero, Olga Geryluk

CPIC (Parent Engagement-TCDSB) www.tcdsb.org/cpic  

OAPCE Toronto (Provincial Voice for

February 9 – School Mass 10AM – Theme: LoveMarch 1 – Ash Wednesday/School Mass 1PM – Theme: Forgiveness/LentMarch 30 – School Confession (all day)April 20 – School Mass 10 AM – Theme: JusticeApril 28 – First Reconciliation 6 PM – St. Cecilia ChurchApril 29 – First Communion Mass 2:00 PMMay 25 – School Mass 1:00 PM Theme: CompassionJune 22 – School Mass 10 AM Theme: Faithfulness

Student of the MonthCongratulations to the following students who were awarded student of the month certificates for displaying and embodying the virtue of courage.Nicolas Abuchaibe Maria Lauren Zachary Xerri Gabriel EspinosaSophie Akantisz Arianna Moeser Callum Grant Maeghan KleinAndrew Aprelkin Matheus Rego Gerardo Gomez SosaLois Daniel Sadie Simone Eileen SuhayMichael Demetriadis Griffin Toth Odry FonsecaOliver Foot Emma Varela Ryan O’ReillyCarlos Francisco Jane Videvik Christian Raposo

February’s Virtue: LOVE

Monthly Update from the Board February 2017

Toronto Catholic District School Board has declared Friday, May 5, 2017 as Parish Family Day. A special Parish Family Day Celebration will be held at the Catholic Education Centre on Friday, May 5th, 2017 to showcase student work focusing on the many ways that our parishes and our parish priests contribute to our schools and communities.Students are invited to create a short video, original song 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. Completed projects should be submitted via email to parish.project@tcdsb.org.Deadline for submissions Friday, April 7, 2017.Let’s continue to celebrate our parishes!

We Want to Hear Your ViewsWatch for community consultations coming soon for:

Parent and Student Bill of Rights 2017-2018 Budget Consultation

Details coming soon. Visit www.tcdsb.org in February for details.

February is Psychology MonthThe Psychology Department of TCDSB invites the community to explore and discover the many different ways psychology can help improve our everyday life and overall well-being, and balance the many roles and responsibilities we have.  Psychology is for everyone! HELP YOUR CHILD FLOURISH: HOW TO ACHIEVE MENTAL HEALTHA presentation for parents and educators on February 22, 2017, 4:30-6:30 p.m.Catholic Education Centre, 3rd Floor, 80 Sheppard Avenue EastLearn more about the programs and services provided by the Psychology Department, TCDSB https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SpecialEducation/psychology/Pages/default.aspx

February is National Inclusive Education MonthLearn more about the TCDSB’s Catholic Equity and Inclusive Education Policy: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/Policies/Pages/hm24.aspx

Junior Boys & Girls Soccer Teams

Congratulations to our junior boys and girls soccer teams who competed in tournaments the last week in January. The boys lost the championship game in a shootout but were polite and composed and represented our school with grace and class. The girls won their tournament and played like true champions throughout the entire tournament. We are so proud of all of you. Special thanks to the coaches Mr. Thirlwall, Mr. Caverhill, Ms. Nash and Ms. Pasquale.Go Tigers!!

As the weather begins to improve track and field will begin. We will also be having a Road Runner & Fitness Club for primary students – stay tuned for more information in future newsletters.

Upcoming Dates & EventsFebruary 8 – On Line System for P/T Interviews to be opened

February 14 - Report Cards to be sent homeFebruary – 16 – P/T Interviews – 5:30 – 8:30 PMFebruary 17 - P/T Interviews – 9 AM – 12 PM (no classes)February 23 – Ski Trip - Mount St. Louis Moonstone (grades 5-8 only)Monday, February 20 - Family Day (no school)

Guidance CornerMr. F. AmatoHigh School Applications – What’s Next?During the week of February 6th, 2016, TCDSB Secondary Schools will begin to forward acceptance packages to the elementary schools. They will not all arrive on the same date, so it is important not to panic if your child does not come home with package on February 6th. Once you receive your acceptance package, please read the instructions very carefully and take note of any important dates and forms that need to be submitted. Most secondary schools require that the classroom teacher or principal sign the course selection sheets. Try to remember that grade 8 teachers are extremely busy and may require time to complete forms for your child. Please be respectful of this and submit your requests early, thereby giving the teachers enough notice. What if my child did not get into their first choice?Students who were redirected to an alternate school because they’re choice(s) were oversubscribed, can do one of three things:

1. Accept the redirection, thereby securing themselves a spot in a secondary school in September.

2. Accept the redirection but ask to be placed on a Priority 2 waiting list at their original school of choice. This student will have a spot in the redirected school in September and if a spot becomes available in his/her first choice, s/he may be offered that position.

3. Turn down the redirection and be placed on a Priority 1 waiting list at their original school of choice. If this option is chosen, then your child will not have a spot in any school for the time being. If spots do not become available in their first choice school by the start of the year, then the student will have to register at a school where spots may still be available.

Change Your Mind?If you no longer want your child to attend the ‘first choice’ school, you may request a change of school using the Change Form. This form becomes available in the beginning of March. Please ask your child’s teacher for a form at that time. Please keep in mind that any requests can only be accepted based on the availability of space in the school.

Cutting Hair for Cancer

Congratulations to Chloe Sturino (Mme Czulo’s class) who cut her hair in support of cancer. Chloe loved her long hair but was happy to help a child/adult going through cancer treatment. Thanks for being such a great role model Chloe!!

February is “Psychology Month”

PSYCHOLOGY IS FOR EVERYONE!

The Psychology Department of TCDSB would like to invite every member of our community to explore and discover the many different ways psychology can help improve our everyday life and overall well-

being, and balance the many roles and responsibilities we have.  Psychology is for everyone! 

A presentation for parents and educators

HELP YOUR CHILD FLOURISH: HOW TO ACHIEVE MENTAL HEALTHFebruary 22, 2017, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Catholic Education Centre, 3rd Floor, 80 Sheppard Avenue EastFor more information see

https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SpecialEducation/psychology/psychologyMonth/Pages/Psychology-Month.aspx

Reminders for Parents

Uniforms - All parents are reminded that St. Cecilia has a dress code policy in effect and in accordance with the TCDSB. All students are to wear navy bottoms and white or navy tops. Dresses and jumpers are permitted as long as they are navy and white.Bussing – All students are to be met at their bus stop by a parent or guardian. Parents should not be waiting in buildings but need to be right at the bus stop. We are getting complaints from the bus company. Please comply with the expectation.Cell Phones – Students are not to be using cell phones in the school unless involved in an activity approved by their teacher. Sadly we are finding students hanging out in washrooms and stairwells, playing on their phones during the day. We ask for support from parents as we continue to enforce appropriate cell phone use.Lunch Supervision – Thank you to all parents who have come forward and offered to help with lunch supervision. We are still in need of more parents for our supply roster. If you can spare a day or two, or more during the week, please contact the school. This is a paid position.

The Math Club is Back!

The St. Cecilia Math club would like to thank all of the students from grades one to grade eight who participated in the Times Table Challenge! Students were asked to reach into the Bag o' Fun, take their chances and pull out a tile. Depending on the tile's color, students had to recite an entire multiplication table from 2 to 9. The students who demonstrated their magnificent multiplication mastery and recited the entire table in under a minute, recorded their results on our Times Table Wall of Fame! Fun (and maybe a little bit of learning) was had by all! Wait! This was only the first activity in our math club multiplication mania. Students please listen to the announcements for the exclusive opportunity to paint the times tables!

Is Your Child Feeling Overwhelmed? Here’s How You Can Help Children can often feel overwhelmed with their academic workload, social pressures, and extracurricular activities. Helping children to develop ways to cope with stress and feeling overwhelmed can help them throughout their lives. Children may not initiate conversation about how they’re feeling or may not even know how to identify what’s bothering them and may need a caring adult to reach out to. There are few things that you can do to give support:Let your child know that you notice something is bothering them. By “noticing out loud” you give the message that you are interested and concerned about how they are feeling. Saying things such as “It seems like you’re feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work you have tonight”, or “you seem mad about what happened at school today”. Ask your child what’s wrong and listen with the intention of understanding and without judgement. Show your child that you are open to what they have to say by giving them time to tell you what’s on their mind. By doing this you let them know that they have your support and they are more likely to speak openly about what’s bothering them. This is especially important when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. For some children you may need to help them “name their feelings”. For younger children they may simply not have the words for their feelings. For teenagers they may be feeling a rush of different emotions and may need you to help them sort out what they are feeling. Assist your child to identify what is causing them the most stress in their life and help to reduce the pressure they are feeling. Encourage your child to engage in conversation and discuss what is causing the most stress. This may involve a re-evaluation of their schedule and a need to limit certain activities.

Discuss expectations that are imposed by themselves, parents, and/or teachers. Are these expectations realistic and/or attainable? Are they putting unnecessary pressure and stress on your child?Children often look to and model after the adults in their lives. Ask yourself how well you’re managing stress in your life? It’s never too late to learn how to better manage your stress and model good coping skills. Teach your child relaxation, such as deep breathing, playing a favourite activity, going for a walk, yoga. Engaging in these activities together may have many positive effects.At times it may be helpful to communicate with a teacher, parent or coach to get further clarification about what’s going on. It’s important to let your child/student know that you’re doing this. Sometimes your child may be having a bad day and may not feel like talking. It’s important to let them know that at times that’s okay. Just being there for them by offering to do something together can be just what is needed.