2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE

Fittingly, the virtue for the month of May is compassion. We understand compassion not only as the ability to empathize with another person but also to act on behalf of that other person. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy for us to be compassionate so we need to ask for help to develop this virtue. Throughout the month of May, we remember Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus. She was a life giving caregiver for our Savior, and she remains so for us today. She serves as an example for all of us to say ‘yes’ in practical ways to God’s Spirit of goodness. Let us turn to Mary for inspiration and strength to affirm our commitment to grow in compassion.

Happy Mother’s Day

CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL

Firstly we would like to congratulate our Grade 2 students who will be receiving their First Communion this month. May the spirit of the Lord always be with them as they continue on in their journey of their faith and walk in the path that Jesus has shown them. A big thank you goes out to the all the parent volunteers and teachers for making First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation an extra special memory for all the children that received their Sacraments this year.

We would also like to send best wishes to all the students who will be be participating in the 2019 Swim Team and thanks to those you have participated in the 2019 Chess Club. With your support of our fundraising efforts throughout the year, CSPC is proud to be able to sponsor these two events. Well over 100 students participated in these teams this year and represented Father Serra in the best way; by showing that hard work, dedication, working as a team and supporting each other, is always a great example of living in the light of Christ. We want to especially thank Ms. Achong, Ms. Pesesgi, Mr. Gargano (Swim Coaches) and Mrs. Pimento, Ms. Oddi and Ms. Guarino (Chess Club) as well as Mrs. Pavan, Ms. Munro and all the parent volunteers that dedicated their time allowing our students to make some amazing Father Serra memories!

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Safety first! Please continue to respect the traffic flow and take extra care when driving by the school during drop-off/pickup times. The children’s safety is ALL of our responsibility. Drive with care and please respect the posted speed and parking zones.

CSPC has always worked closely with the school administration to supplement the many initiatives and tools that can help improve our students' academic, artistic, musical and athletic experiences at Father Serra. As we come to the end of the 2018/2019 academic year, we will look forward to next year and will be reviewing our plans. Please take a few moments to complete (only once) our annual, end of year CSPC survey that has been emailed out and link supplied below.

The completed surveys received, help us to budget for the upcoming year and continue to assist in providing the exciting initiatives offered at our school.

Father Serra CSPC 2018/2019 Parent Survey

Father Serra CATHOLIC SCHOOL

111 Sun Row Drive

Telephone: 416-393-5391 Fax: 416-397-6095

May 2019

Beverly Pavan

PRINCIPAL

Flora Cifelli flora.cifelli@tcdsb.org SUPERINTENDENT

Markus deDomenico

markus.dedomenico@tcdsb.org

TRUSTEE

All Saints Roman Catholic Church

1415 Royal York Road

PARISH

Roberto Berton

CSPC CHAIR

www.tcdsb.org/cpic

CPIC (PARENT ENGAGEMENT - TCDSB)

www.tcdsb.org/oapce-toronto

OAPCE TORONTO (PROVINCIAL VOICE FOR PARENTS)

541 9:00-3:30 11:45-12:45

ENROLLMENTHOURS OF OPERATION LUNCH HOUR

NEW REGISTRANTS WELCOME

Apply online: soar.tcdsb.org

Call 416-393-Phone# or the TCDSB Admissions Department at 416-222-8282, ext. 2383.

For general information about the Toronto Catholic District School Board, please visit the website at www.tcdsb.org

Stay in touch with the latest news throughout the school year: Follow @TCDSB on Twitter.

2018-2019 ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

The theme for Catholic Education Week 2019 “Living as Joyful Disciples,” reminds us that publicly funded Catholic education is a call to service. Regardless of our position or our responsibilities within Catholic education, our role is a call, birthed in our Baptism, to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ into the lives of those students and their families whom it is our privilege to serve. Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education during Catholic Education Week. This year’s celebration is entitled, “Catholic Education: Living as Joyful Disciples” and will be celebrated during the week of May 5 – May 10. The theme for CEW 2019 was inspired was inspired by three sources, Renewing the Promise, The Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education from the Bishops of Ontario; Gaudete et exsultate, the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis on the Call to Holiness: and Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, the October 2018 Synod of Bishops. Mindful of the Synod on Youth, the theme and sub-themes are very much directed to the young people in our schools, especially in their growth in holiness and their formation as disciples of Christ through the discernment of their vocational pathways, In the section of Renewing the Promise entitled, “A Community that Forms Joyful Disciples,” we read, “Our Catholic schools help to form joyful disciples as hearts and minds are opened to the transforming love of God and to the flame of faith in action. On a daily basis. Catholic schools demonstrate the joy of believing and witness the Good News to the communities that they serve.”

DENTAL SCREENING

Toronto Public Health (T.P.H.) provides dental programs to children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 To identify children with oral health problems, a screening program is offered to students in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Health requirements for mandatory health programs. The screening is an assessment by an oral health staff member using sterilized instruments. The oral health staff member will assess the need for topical fluoride, scaling, sealant and any other obvious dental needs. As a follow up to the screening, only parents whose children were screened will be notified and a note to that effect will be sent home with their child/ren for your information and action. You may also receive a phone call from T.P.H. dental staff to assist you in accessing care. Please be advised that this screening assessment does not replace the dental examination done by a dentist. If you do not wish your child/ren to be screened, please inform the school.

For additional information, please contact us at the phone number listed above or visit us at http:www.toronto.ca/halth/dental/children_youth.htm

AUTISM AWARENESS

In the spirit of Lent and alms-giving Mrs. Falcitell’s class raised money for Autism Awareness. We collected money to support The Geneva Center for Autism. The Geneva Center for Autism specializes in helping children who need therapies, especially in Toronto. Each student was asked to bring in $5 or more to donate to this cause. We did this over the course of Lent. We are very pleased to announce that our class raised $263.25. We are very thankful to donate this large sum to the organization. We would like to thank everyone for supporting this wonderful cause. You might not realize it, but you are really making a difference! It’s important to support these therapies because some of the funding for them may be cut in

the near future. Thank you!!!! Mrs. Falcitelli’s Grade 7 Class

WEST END STRING ENSEMBLE

On Thursday, April 4, our intermediate students in the West End String Ensemble performed at the Ontario Strings Association music festival at York University and placed GOLD! The students are going to be officially recognized at the TCDSB Annual Awards Night on May 6 at 7:00. We are very proud of these young musicians. Many thanks go to Ms. O’Kane, our instrumental music teacher.

ANGEL BRIGADE WEEK

For 32 years now, the Angel Foundation for Learning has been brightening the lives of students within the Toronto Catholic District School Board. The Angel Foundation for Learning is an official charity of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Like all good angels, the Angel Foundation for Learning’s goal is to be present in people’s lives. Students across the Toronto Catholic District School Board face assorted challenges that affect their ability to achieve their best! Through the support of donors, sponsors and volunteers, The Angel Foundation for Learning is able to support, inspire, and nurture TCDSB students through the Four Wings of Support. This week, April 29th to May 3rd, has been Angel Brigade Week. Each day, students have learned about the Four Wings of Support. The Four Wings of Support are Student Nutrition Programs, School Allocations, Guardian Angel Funds, and Bursaries & Awards. Father Serra will participate in the Board-wide Star Wars civvies day this Friday. By doing so, we are sprouting some wings of our own!

2018-2019 ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

Thank you for generosity. On behalf of all the TCDSB students, the Angel Foundation and Father Serra’s Student Leadership Team, we thank you for being an Angel!

HOPE BLOOMS AT FATHER SERRA

On Wednesday, May 15, Father Serra will be holding a raffle in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. With the help of our generous school community, the Leadership Team is hoping to raise funds for cancer research. In addition, some of the money raised will be used to plant a daffodil garden in memory of our teacher Maria Palermo- Saraco whom we lost to cancer. Ticket sales will begin on May 8 and continue through to May 14. Prizes include official Raptors and Blue Jay jerseys, Toronto FC and Blue Jay tickets, a mini trampoline as well as donations from Mastermind and Duke’s Source for Sports. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Cancer impacts all of us but together we can give hope to many. Father Serra Leadership Team

MENTAL HEALTH WEEK IS

MAY 6-12!

The Ministry of Ontario’s model for well-being highlights the need to support our chidren and youth’s development in each of the four domains. PHYSICAL: Encourage good sleep patterns, physical activity, and healthy eating. COGNITIVE: Teach and model problem solving skills and critical thinking. EMOTIONAL: Support children/youth in recognizing different emotions; model good coping skills. SOCIAL: Encourage positive relationships and model good communication skills

If you are concerned your child may be struggling, look at whether there are changes in how the child is thinking, feeling or acting. Also pay attention to how the child is functioning at home, at school and with friends (cps.ca). There are professionals and other caring adults you can

consult with to determine next steps and identify supports for your child. Consider the following:

Talk to the child/adolescent to find out what’s going on

and how he/she is feeling

Talk to the classroom teacher(s) to see if they also

notice the changes/concerns

Discuss your observations with the family doctor

Inquire with the school principal about mental health

supports available at school, such as the guidance

counselor, social worker, psychologist, or Child and

Youth Worker

In case of emergency proceed to your local hospital or

call 911

“A good sense of humor is a tool that kids can rely on throughout life…” It helps children to “see beyond the surface of things” and “not take themselves too seriously” (www.kidshealth.org).

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all of the students who participated in the Easter Egg decorating, Pysanky. All money raised, $195.00 , from the Easter Egg decorating, will be donated to St. Francis Table. Thank you to Ms. Achong for spearheading this initiative!

EASTER PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Thank you to all of the volunteers who came out, for a second time (you will recall, we had to cancel our Shrove Tuesday pancakes at the last minute) to ensure that our students did not miss out this year and received their pancakes. All students were served by first recess by a brigade of smiling parent volunteers. A special thank you to Ms. Pacienza, Ms. Bruno and Ms. Ahluwalia for all of their organization and efforts.

BIKE TO SCHOOL WEEK

MAY 27 - 31

Active transportation is a healthy lifestyle choice that helps students arrive to school energized and ready to learn. It reduces congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While using an active mode of transportation to and from school is not always feasible for every student, studies show that school travel planning programs and promotional campaigns like Bike to School Week can make a difference in getting more students outside and enjoying their trip. So let’s get rolling!

2018-2019 ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

“Please look for an order form in your child’s backpack in the

coming weeks.”

‘Keep your head in the game’ this summer with LEARNING ADVANTAGE Workbooks!

This spring, our school will be making available the summer activity workbooks from Learning Advantage in the month of May. These books are a great resource to prepare your child for the next grade level! Please order the grade level that your child is advancing to and they will get a head start on the new school year ! In addition to the summer months, the books can be used all year long from September to the following June. For grade 8 students, the grade 9 EQAO Math Prep Test is offered. For students advancing into grade 10, the OSSLT EQAO Prep Test Booklet is available. English and French Immersion activity books are available ! Parents find these to be an excellent resource !

English:

Grades JK – Grade 7.

The Language Toolkit – Preparing students entering grade 8 and 9.

EQAO Prep Books – For grades 3, 6, 9 and 10. French Immersion:

Grades K – 7.

OQRE (eqao) Practice Tests, grades 3 and 6.

For Kindergarten, English translation is provided throughout the book.

The Companion Book provides English translation for French Immersion books, grades 1-3.

The books can be viewed on the website. Please visit

www.learningadvantage.ca for further information and a

tour of the books. The cost is $19.06 plus HST ($20

total). EQAO/OQRE Prep Tests $15. By ordering

through the school you will receive special pricing

which is a savings of approximately $5-$7 per book.

Please submit your orders to the school with your

payment (cash or cheque) and are due by May 30th.

Cheques must be made payable to Learning Advantage.

Any orders submitted after our delivery in the 3rd week of June

will not be accepted. You will have to order through the Learning Advantage website and pay the increased cost plus shipping. All books will be delivered before the last week of school. Please direct questions to Holly Cook, our Learning Advantage Representative email: summeradvantage.cr@gmail.com, 905-252-9208

NEWS FROM THE BOARD

Budget Consultation Ends May 10th All parents, staff, students and stakeholders are reminded that the deadline for submitting completed surveys is May 10th. To learn more about the budget, to complete the online survey, or download a pdf copy of the survey, please visit: https://www.tcdsb.org/Budget-2019-2020

Reminder to Sign Up for School Messenger New reporting system for student absences, as well as critical news and information including bus cancellations, school closures, safety concerns etc. Sign up here https://go.schoolmessenger.com).

Sign Up for School Cash Online This new cashless system offers parents the convenience of paying for school related fees online. Register for School Cash Online by visiting tcdsb.schoolcashonline.com and selecting “Register”. Once registered, you will receive an email notification when items become available for purchase online. For more information about School Cash Online visit www.tcdsb.org/FORPARENTS/schoolcashonline/

International Languages Elementary (ILE)

After-Hours Program Online registration begins May 21, 2019

S H A R E Y O U R V O I C E. G R O W T O G E T H E R. Visit tcdsb.org/ILRegistration to enrol For more information, please email IL.elem@tcdsb.org or call 416 222 8282 ext. 2495

WARD 2 TOWN HALLS HOSTED BY

TRUSTEE

MARKUS DE DOMENICO

May 23, 7-9 pm All Saints Catholic School, 1435 Royal York Road, Etobicoke May 30th, 7-9 PM St. Clement Catholic School, 4319 Bloor Street West, Etobicoke

2018-2019 ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

2018-2019 ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME