April 2017

Catholic School News Principal’s Message…

Dear Parents / Guardians,  

During the month of April, we celebrate the virtue of Justice by acknowledging one of the central tenants of Catholic social teaching: Dignity of the human being created in the image of God, and therein resting in our identity. We live out Justice as members of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys school community by encouraging the students: to play fair in the classroom and in our schoolyard games

to treat others as we want to be treated

to respect people from other nations and faiths

to seek peace in our school life and in our community

As a Catholic community we also have the privilege to celebrate Easter during the month of April this year. We can reflect on how much God loves each of us, individually and as a whole. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) May you and your loved ones enjoy a blessed Easter season! Susan Scott Principal

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

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: 96 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.

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

fault.aspx

Nutrition Program During the month of March, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys’ students have been enjoying a nutritious and healthy morning meal. Food items that have been served include: grilled cheese, grapes, apples, rice cakes, and many other yummy items. The Nutrition Program coordinator takes into consideration the allergies of our students. In partnership with you, we would like to remind you that food items that are brought into the school should be peanut/nut free, this includes all fast food products. In accordance with the TCDSB Anaphylaxis policy (S.M. 15) and the Anaphylaxis Protocol and Guidelines, it is the policy of the TCDSB to create allergen-aware environments in our schools and workplaces. The implementation of the policy includes strategies that reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents in classrooms and common school areas.

By: Nathan - Grade 4 During March, I learned and did a lot of things. First, I learned how to do subjects like math, writing and art. For math, I learned how to multiply and divide. For writing, I learned how to extend sentences to make them longer, and for art, I learned how to make stained glass art using exacta knives. Next, I learned how to make a power point presentation for language. I made a PowerPoint presentation for my social studies project and one for my March Break. One thing that I did was play Minecraft server (playing with up to 4 players). This March has been a very educational (means you learned a lot) month because I have gained a lot of new knowledge to help me in the future.

ShareLife Week is celebrated each year during the Lenten Season in the week prior to Holy Week. ShareLife supports the many local Catholic charities that help families, single parents, the elderly, individuals with special needs, immigrants and refugees, the homeless and the needy, as well as the education of clergy within our own City of Toronto. Learn more about these organizations here: http://www.sharelife.org/Public/ShareLife-List-of-Agencies This year, ShareLife Week will be celebrated the week of April 3rd – 7th, and we are participating in a Board-wide Civvies Day to raise funds for the ShareLife campaign!

Our Civvies Day will be held on Friday April 7th

Please consider donating a toonie-$2.00 All money collected will be directed towards the ShareLife campaign. Celebrating the Virtue of Justice during the month of April, this civvies day will be another fitting opportunity to build awareness of ShareLife’s new mission “to live the Gospel by providing for those in need”, and its new vision: “The Catholic community and its partners responding generously with justice and love”. It is also a chance for staff and students to review the Wonderworkers ShareLife Curriculum: www.sharelife.org/OCSGE “Wonderworkers” recounts the powerful true stories of people being raised up and supported in justice and love by agencies funded through the ShareLife campaign. Each section of the curriculum takes a thoughtful approach in connecting the work of a ShareLife funded agency as seen through the lens of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. We thank everyone in the TCDSB community for all that they do throughout the year to help others—giving of their time and their resources to make a difference. We applaud those efforts, and take great pride in the commitment to living our Catholic values and putting faith into action.

The Girls’ Soccer Tournament By: Jennifer - Grade 3 On Thursday, March 9th, the girls had a soccer tournament. Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Policarpio, and Mrs. Sun drove us to Our Lady of Grace Catholic School. It was a two-minute drive. We were all nervous and excited at the same time. We were versing Our Lady of Grace (the Grizzly Bears), St. Sylvester (the Sharks), and St. Rene Goupil (the Raiders). One of the coaches said that sports are about having fun and we said a sportsmanship prayer. Then we started the game. We scored goals and everybody high-fived at the end and got ribbons. By: Khryss - Grade 3 On Thursday, March the 9th, we had a soccer tournament at Our Lady of Grace. When we went into their gym, the convenor talked about the gym and the rules of the soccer tournament. I saw my friends Mila and Miley. They used to be at our school. It was cool that we saw them. When the soccer game was finished, we took pictures and we got our ribbons. That’s all about our soccer tournament.

Monthly Update from the Board        April 2017  TCDSB Budget Consultation - All parents, students, staff and Catholic school supporters are invited and encouraged to participate in the budget consultation process. Your input can be provided during a virtual town hall to be held in April, through an online survey which will be posted on the board’s website in April, or through a delegation at an upcoming board or committee meeting. Details will be available here: www.tcdsb.org

TCDSB Anonymous Alerts - Toronto Catholic District School Board is pleased to introduce a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts. The Anonymous Alerts reporting system helps to promote safe, positive and accepting School climates by empowering students to anonymously report inappropriate behaviours to school staff. The system allows for 1-way or 2-way anonymous encrypted communications between submitters (students, parents or community members) and administrators and/or school staff. Users of the system have the option to remain anonymous or to reveal their identity when submitting a report. Reminder about PRO grants, $1000 per CSPC. https://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/safeschools/pages/anonymousalerts.aspx

Reminder for CSPCs: PRO Grant Application Deadline is May 25th https://www.tcdsb.org/forparents/pages/pro-grant-application%20information.aspx

Student Trustee Elections - The candidates’ election meeting will be held Tuesday, April 25th 2017 between 4:30 and 6:00 pm in the Board Room of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (80 Sheppard Ave E). Details: https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/NewsAndEvents/2016-2017/Pages/Student-Trustee-Elections.aspx

Lenten Projects: ShareLife Week April 2-8, 2017 - Learn more about how ShareLife works wonders in our community, and how you can help through the annual fundraising campaign. ShareLife Civvies Day April 7, 2017—All students and staff are encouraged to donate a toonie to support ShareLife https://www.tcdsb.org/news/othernews/2017/pages/sharelife-civvies-day-2017.aspx Hope for Haiti—consider donating just one item of non-perishable food, school supplies or toiletries and make a difference in a community that has been devastated by natural disasters in recent years. Donation boxes located at the Catholic Education Centre. Many schools are also participating in the collection.

Awards, Scholarships, Bursaries, Contests - A variety of trust fund awards and scholarships, as well as contests, are available to eligible Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) students, staff and trustees. Find all the details online here https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/AwardsScholarshipsBursariesContests/Pages/default.aspx

Catholic Education Week April 30-May 5, 2017 - “Walking Forward Together” May 1—Awards Night, May 2—Student Mass and Peace Walk, May 3—Parent Mass and Information Evening May 5—Parish Family Day, Staff Arts Canada 150 Concert - www.tcdsb.org for details

Celebrating the Parish and School Relationship - 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. Submissions of videos, songs, artwork, stories and poems from students and schools will be accepted through until Friday, April 7th. Email to parish.project@tcdsb.org or find additional information online: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/YearoftheParish/Pages/Parish-Family-Day-Celebration.aspx Schools are Also Encouraged to Plan Celebrations All TCDSB schools are encouraged to consider a local Parish Family Day Celebration as a culminating event for our Year of the Parish. These Celebrations could take place either on Friday May 5th, or during the weekend of May 6-7, 2017.

Canada150 - TCDSB is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Canada and Ontario, and our own place in the history of our nation with a variety of special events. Check out our website for all the details: https://www.tcdsb.org/affiliates/Canada150/Pages/default.aspx

Holy Week Begins April 9th with Palm Sunday - Good Friday April 14th - Easter Monday April 17th

Other Events to Note: Music Festival - Elementary Festival continues until April 13th - Secondary Festival runs April 18th to 28th National Volunteer Appreciation Week April 23-29, 2017 - TCDSB thanks the many volunteers who support

students and school activities, and to the many students, staff and families who volunteer their time to helping out in their communities and around the world.

Administrative Assistants’ Day April 26, 2017 - Also known as Administrative Professionals’ Day Toronto Community Clean Up Days April 21-23, 2017 Earth Day April 22, 2017 Autism Awareness

April 3, 2017 TCDSB Celebrates Autism Awareness Day April 5, 2017 Autism Awareness Evening, 6:30 p.m. at the Catholic Education Centre

April Mental Health Newsletter - Focuses on self-regulation https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SpecialEducation/mhs/newsletters/April%20MH%20newsletter%202017%20-.pdf Stay Connected - Never miss out on important news and information from and about the TCDSB. Subscribe to Enews https://web1.tcdsb.org/InterestSubscription/subscription.aspx or follow the Board on Twitter @TCDSB

Student Mental Health and Well-Being Newsletter

Self regulation “refers to how efficiently and effectively a child deals with a stressor and then recovers” (Porges; Lillas & Turnbull; McEwen). Dr. Shanker explains that in order to “deal with a stressor, the brain triggers a sort of gas pedal, the sympathetic nervous system, to produce the energy needed; and then applies a sort of brake, the parasympathetic nervous system, in order to recover.” Self regulation must not be confused with self-control. While self control can be seen as “having the internal strength to resist an impulse”, “self regulation represents a very different way of understanding why a child might be having problems with self-control and how we can help the child.” It is important to keep in mind that what is a small stress for some children may be quite overwhelming for others. When children feel calm and alert they are better able to pay attention, modulate their emotions, and understand how others feel, ignore distractions, be less impulsive, considers the consequences of their behavior, and empathize with others.

April, 2017

Self-Regulation

TCDSB Mental Health Services provided by

Psychology, Social Work, and Guidance personnel

TCDSB Special Education Conference

April 1, 2017

Please Join Us for a day focused on Mind-Body-

and Soul! Workshops! No Registration required.

https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SpecialEduc

ation/NewsEvents/Pages/Special-Education-

Conference-.aspx

March

April, 2017

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

Friday May 5th is Parish Family Day. There will be a special celebration at the Catholic Education Centre to showcase student work focusing on the ways that our parishes and our parish priests contribute to our schools and communities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are several ways that you can help a child to self-regulate:

Reduce the child’s stress level. You can help children reduce stress by making sure they get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and exercise. You can also ask yourself, “what can I change in the environment that may reduce a child’s stress”. You may limit the amount of time a child spends playing video games (if this agitates them). If a child is sensitive to noise, turn off background music or the T.V. Allow the child to bring a soothing toy to school to help calm themselves if they find school stressful.

Reduce decorations and visual distractions in classroom. Rather than overloading a classroom or room at home with a lot of decoration and stimulation, you may consider a calming classroom with quiet work areas, dim lighting etc.

Help the child become self-aware. This can be achieved by helping a child to “become aware of what it feels like to be calmly focused and alert and what it feels like to be hypo- or hyper-aroused.” You can have a discussion with children about how their body feels when they are calm and how their body feels when they are hypo/hyper alert.

Teach children what they need to do to return to a feeling of calm and alert. Brainstorm about what children can do to feel calm e.g. read a book, take a nap, get a drink of water, colour, talk to a friend etc. This may require some reminders e.g. “remember we had a conversation about the kinds of things you can do to help yourself calm down. Can you think of any of those things now?” You can also discuss what situations children may need to avoid or limit in order to reduce their level of stress.

Develop a positive relationship with your child or student. “Parents and Teachers have a powerful role to play in helping to regulate the arousal and recovery of students. It’s important that teachers remain calm, keep a warm sense of humor, and stay connected with each student.”

Teach strategies to self-regulate. Teaching and practicing self regulation strategies during the day would be very helpful. Introduce and practice mindfulness, deep breathing and prayer on a regular basis.

Information obtained from the following sources: Dr. Stuart Shanker, “Calm, Alert and Happy”; Dr. D. Tranter & Dr. D. Kerr, “Understanding Self-Regulation: Why Stressed Students Struggle to

A Laugh A Day…

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

I was glad when they

said unto me,

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

3

4 Police

Presentation (a.m.)

5

Library Visitor

Grade 4’s

6

Pizza Day—$2

M.E. Bowling

7 ShareLife

Fundraising

Civvies Day—$2

Stations of the Cross

11:00 a.m.

8

9 10

11 12 Prince of Peace

Confirmation Practice

10:30 a.m.

Recycling

Presentation (p.m.)

13

Pizza Day—$2

M.E. Bowling

14

(no school)

15

16

17

Easter Monday

(no school)

18

Prince of Peace

Confirmation

7:00 p.m.

19

Rosary

Visitors

20

Pizza Day—$2

M.E. Bowling

21

Neighbourhood

Clean-up

Hot Dog Lunch

22

23

30

24

25

26

Welcome to

Kindergarten Session

1:30—3:00 p.m.

27

Pizza Day—$2

M.E. Bowling

28 29

2017

Virtue of the Month

Justice

Quote of the month Let Justice flow like a

stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes

dry. Amos 5:24

ST. MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL