Contact Information

200 Old Sheppard Toronto, Ontario,

416.393.5319

Anna Garibotti Principal

Rosalinda DeMiglio

Secretary

Marlene Smith-Anthony Chester Sisouw CSAC Chairs

Peter Aguiar

416.222.8282 x2267 Superintendent

Angela Kennedy

416.222.8282 x3411 Trustee

Hours of Operation

9:00 Entrance 10:42-10:57 Recess 11:45-12:45 Lunch 2:10-2:25 Recess

3:30 Dismissal

ENROLLMENT: 286

Holy Spirit Parish

3526 Sheppard Ave. E. 416.293.7974

Rev. Slawomir Glowacz Pastor

Debbie Scott

Lay Pastoral Minister

Saturday Mass 4:30 p.m.

Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m.

St. Gerald Catholic School Faith in Action

Principal’s Message

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son.” John 3:16

During the Month of February, we recognize and celebrate the virtue of love and we remember that love not only inspires the practice of all other virtues, but it is also the form and completion of all the other virtues. No other virtue can be genuinely manifested without love. Great memories are being created at St. Gerald each day and we are excited to celebrate this month’s Virtue of Love, for where there is Love, there is God! Student success continues to be a priority for staff. As we move into the second half of the school year, it is a great time for students to look back at all they have accomplished thus far. First Term Report Cards will be sent home on February 13th and parent teacher interviews will take place on February 13th and 15th. As a Catholic school we are also looking forward to beginning our journey through the Season of Lent starting on Ash Wednesday (February 14). We are reminded that this special season provides all of us with a time to prepare for the essence of our faith – the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As in previous years, the students will embark upon the Liturgical Season of Lent with the distribution of ashes and will continue with sacred acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. On behalf of the staff at St. Gerald School, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a sweet Valentine’s Day, and a very safe and enjoyable Family Day weekend. Anna Garibotti

STG Newsletter February 2018

Starting in December, the monthly Newsletter will be sent electronically

and can be accessed from the school website:

https://www.tcdsb.org/schools/stgerald/Pages/default.aspx

Please follow me on Twitter and find out the latest St. Gerald news:

@GaribottiAM

Catholic School Parent Council (CSPC) Meetings 2017-2018

6:30 p.m., Staffroom February 5, 2018 • March 5, 2018 • April 9, 2018 • May 7, 2018

CSPC Parent Engagement Evening Speaker: Luciana Bellafonte -

“Stand Up, Speak Up and Shine” Parents please note this event originally

scheduled for February 12 has been cancelled. A new date will be forthcoming.

CSPC Volunteers Needed Parent volunteers are needed by our Catholic School Parent Council (CSPC). All families are encouraged to join us for our Catholic School Parent Council meetings and volunteer a few hours of your time and assist in the organization of various events. If you require more information, please contact the office.

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STG Newsletter February 2018

Attendance/ Student Illness If your child is unable to attend school due to illness, please call the office before 9:00 a.m. We will call home for you to pick up your child should s/he become ill during the day.

Late Arrival Please make sure that all students who arrive late sign in at the office.

Lunch Routines Students staying for lunch at school are expected to follow all school rules. They must stay in their seats until the lunchtime supervisor gives them permission to leave. This will help maintain safety for all. Students who leave the school at lunch must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Parents must sign out their child and sign them back in at the end of lunch. Students are not permitted to leave the school on their own.

Dismissal Parents must pick up children outside the school by the designated doors. Parents will not be permitted entry into the school. Hallways and foyers must be clear of adults.

Volunteers Volunteers are welcome. A Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record check and a pastoral letter are required to be able to volunteer.

Student Safety To keep students safe, we try to minimize traffic into the school and monitor each person entering the premises. All school doors will be locked throughout the day. If you require entry into the school, please use the intercom at the front entrance doors. When you are identified visually, you will be admitted. Please wait by the office counter, where our secretary, Ms. DeMiglio, will assist you. Any non staff adult in the building must be admitted by the principal/delegate and must sign in. Students must be signed in or out by parents if arriving late, or leaving early for any reason. Please inform us of appointments prior to pick up.

School Yard Supervision Supervision begins at 8:45 a.m. Please make sure that your child does not arrive at school before this time unless there is a scheduled team practice or meeting. Also, there is no supervision after 3:30 p.m. Please pick up your child promptly at 3:30pm.

Bus Safety Students are expected to stay seated for the bus ride to and from school. Noise levels must be kept to a minimum. Students may not eat on the bus. Windows must be opened and closed by the bus driver. Students may not place arms, hands or head out of the windows. Cooperation with the bus driver is expected. If students miss the bus, they must phone home from the office. If a parent has made alternate transportation arrangements for the student on any day, please inform the office.

Visitors to School Parents and guardians are always welcome at St. Gerald Catholic School, but for the safety of our students, all visitors must begin their visit at the office. The Principal or designate will give permission for entry. Visitors will be asked to sign in and wear a visitor’s badge so that students can clearly distinguish between visitors and strangers to our school.

Administration of Medication Principals, teachers and support staff of the TCDSB are not permitted to administer any type of prescription medication unless we have written signed authorization signed by the parent and the prescribing physician. Forms are available from the secretary. Staff in TCDSB schools will not dispense non-prescription medications.

Allergy Alert We have students with life threatening food allergies in our school. Food items containing peanuts or other nut products are not to be brought to school as well as seafood products. We would ask that you do not send in any food treats to the school for birthdays or in general.

Devices at School All devices must remain powered off and out of use, unless otherwise specified by the classroom teacher. Board policy does allow the use of personal ipads, notebooks, laptops under direction of the teacher. Schools are not insured for loss of personal items, so please make sure that your child keeps such items secure.

Internet Access In order for students to use board approved internet sites at the school, all students must sign the Surfright forms that are sent home in the September Student Information Pamphlet.

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STG Newsletter February 2018

Dress Code All students are required to wear basic school colours when attending school and school sponsored activities including gym. The basic dress code consists of solid navy pants, shorts or skort, white/navy golf shirt or blouse, pullover or sweat top. No other colours will be allowed to be worn indoors during the school day. All dress code items must be solid in nature. No stripes, dots, patterns, etc. Please ensure student clothing is labelled with name or initials.

Updating Information If you have moved, the school requires all updated address information as well as an updated Application for the Direction of School Support form. Please provide any new telephone numbers. In an emergency, it is of utmost importance that we are able to contact you quickly with the correct telephone numbers.

Inclement Weather If the weather is deemed inclement, recesses may be shortened and/or held inside. We will follow Environment Canada’s Cold Weather Guidelines. The Medical Officer of Health City of Toronto issues an Extreme Cold Weather Alert when Environment Canada forecasts temperatures of -15 degrees celsius and colder or wind chill of -20 and colder.

Cold Weather & Dressing

Appropriately It is important for students to come prepared to participate in all activities, including outdoor recess. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the forthcoming colder weather, including having hats, boots, and mittens/gloves.

Indoor Shoes Please ensure that your child has a pair of “indoor shoes”. It will reduce the amount of dirt and mud brought indoors. Students may not go with just socks or sandals inside the school. Closed shoes must be worn for safety.

FEBRUARY

TCDSB

Virtue of the

Month

Love ”Love is an act of Endless forgiveness.” (Jean Vanier)

Parent Math Information

Wrong Answers, Great Learning

Thomas Edison said that he did not fail at making the light bulb one thousand times, but rather that "the light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps." "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot... and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. That is why I succeed." (Michael Jordan) Making mistakes is a natural part of all learning. Those who we consider to be "great" are clear that mistakes lead to learning. The latest research on mathematics shows that mistakes are a very important part of learning math! When a person makes an error in math and they have the opportunity to learn from it, they actually develop a much stronger understanding. In fact, the research states that students learn more from making mistakes than from getting all the right answers. When your child makes an error, it offers insight into what understanding your child has about a mathematical idea. It allows parents and teachers to talk to the child about what they know, and ask questions to stretch their thinking around where they are currently developing their understanding. Parents can ask "How do you know that? What was your thinking here? Is there another way you could solve that? How did you think about X (an element they may be missing or have misunderstood)?" This conversation helps to develop the crucial skills of reasoning and communication and is therefore more helpful than simply showing a child how the math is done. When you support an attitude that values learning from mistakes, you are telling your child that mistakes are a valuable and natural ingredient in learning and lead to deeper understanding. Research shows that this attitude supports stronger achievement!

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Parent Surveys for Before and After School Programs As of January 18, 2018, parents, of currently-enrolled Year 1/Junior Kindergarten students, will be provided with a survey to indicate interest for a Before and After School Licensed Child Care Program to potentially open. A minimum of 20 positive surveys and then 20 registrations will be needed in order to consider a program. During that same week, parents of currently-enrolled children from the ages of 6 -12 will be able to access a Before and After School survey online through the following link:

https://soartest.tcdsb.org/soarsurvey2/schoolagesurvey.aspx

A minimum of 25 positive surveys and then 25 registrations will be needed in order to consider a school-age program for 6 – 12 year olds. Before and After/After School Programs generally operate on a cost-recovery basis therefore minimum numbers are required in order to be financially-viable. Completed surveys (whether online or paper copies) are due by Friday, February 16, 2018. For school sites that have an existing Before and After School and or just After School Program (authorized recreation), parents are still welcome to complete the surveys to show interest in a program that may not currently be available in the school. Note that every effort will be made to open programs where there is sufficient interest. This is contingent upon identifying a qualified third party agency that accepts the opportunity to open a program within a school site.

STG Newsletter February 2018

TCDSB SPECIAL SERVICES - PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES 13th Annual Psychology Month Symposium

HELP YOUR CHILD (AND YOURSELF) FLOURISH: HOW

TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY AND ACHIEVE MENTAL HEALTH

February 22, 2018, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Catholic Education Centre, 3rd Floor, 80 Sheppard Avenue East

Registration is free –Spaces are limited -Please register at

https://web1.tcdsb.org/Conference/Logon.aspx This practical workshop addresses strategies supporting the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual components

of well-being. It will include positive psychology and cognitive behaviour techniques, as well as mindfulness and relaxation

techniques that help manage stress, build resiliency and support good mental health. Participants will walk away with

strategies that can be used both at home and in the classroom.

Presenters: Rita Alekian, Dr. Marie-Josee Gendron, Grace Labao-Martins (TCDSB Psychology Department)

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STG Newsletter February 2018

Kindness is Everywhere at St. Gerald Our Kindness Campaign was a success! Many students identified acts of kindness and shared them on our bulletin board. One student stated, “We like spreading kindness like confetti at St. Gerald, but I also think kindness is contagious!”

WANTED AT ST. GERALD We would greatly appreciate any donation of new or slightly used uniform clothing.

Thank you.

Junior Boys and Girls Volleyball Congratulations to both the Girls and Boys Volleyball Teams for their perseverance and dedication. This week both teams attended tournaments at Blessed Trinity. The boys placed third and the girls placed second overall. Boys Junior Volleyball Team:

Kevork B., Austin B., Tristan F., Hapet J., Sebastian B., Serop C., Adrien P., Pierre M., Steven P., Nathaniel S., Ari A., Shaunt S. Girls Junior Volleyball Team:

Jessica J., Pardy K., Lina B., Isabella M., Zila D., Mari A., Elen A., Jennifer E., Mycaela B., Corina N. Thank you to the coaches! Mr. Spatafora and Ms. D’Costa for coaching the boy’s team, and Ms. Vigliatore and Mr. Brownson for coaching the girl’s team.

Toronto Catholic District School Board

Trustees 2017 – 2018

Wards

1. Joseph Martino 5. Maria Rizzo, Vice-Chair 9. Jo-Ann Davis 2. Ann Andrachuk 6. Frank D’Amico 10. Barbara Poplawski, Chair 3. Sal Piccininni 7. Michael Del Grande 11. Angela Kennedy 4. Patrizia Bottoni 8. Garry Tanuan 12. Nancy Crawford Rhea Carlisle, Student Trustee

Joel Ndongmi, Student Trustee

Rory McGuckin, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ON · Website: www.tcdsb.org

2017 - 2018 is THE YEAR OF THE SCHOOL

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Monthly Update from the Board

February 2018

Registration for Kindergarten, French Immersion, Extended French and Night School as well as eClass continues during February. Visit the Board’s website for information www.tcdsb.org

Director’s Annual Report 2016-2017 Check out some of the highlights of the past school year in the newly published edition of the Director’s Annual Report. https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/BoardAdministration/DirectorofEducation/Pages/directors-annual-report-2016-2017.aspx

Audited Financial Statements 2016-2017 The audited financial statements for the past school year are available online: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/BudgetandFinance/Documents/Toronto%20Catholic%20DSB%20-%20Audited%20Stmt%2016-17.pdf

February is… African Canadian Heritage Month

https://www.tcdsb.org/FORCOMMUNITY/HeritageCelebration/AfricanCanadianHeritage/Pages/default.aspx Psychology Month https://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/specialeducation/psychology/psychologymonth/

Pages/Psychology-Month.aspx National Inclusive Education Month

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

TCDSB Energy Conservation Month: 4 Days - 4 Themes - One Month: Join the TCDSB each Friday in February to save on energy: https://www.tcdsb.org/board/environment/

energymonth/Pages/default.aspx National Sweater Day - February 2, 2018 Flip the Switch Friday – February 9, 2018 Phantom Friday - February 16, 2018 Energy Education Day - Friday, February 23, 2018

Winter Walk Day 2018 Winter Walk Day will be taking place this year on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Winter Walk Day is an opportunity for all of us—students, staff, families—to focus on improved health and well-being, active lifestyles and building safer communities for everyone. Click here to register or for more information.

Province Announces Funding for New Childcare Spaces In December 2017, the Province of Ontario announced funding for the expansion of childcare programs with the addition of more than 400 childcare rooms in approximately 200 schools across the province. TCDSB will see an additional 14 childcare centres in its schools across the city including: Father Serra, Blessed Pope Paul VI, Pope Francis, Santa Maria, St. Andre, St. Barnabas, St. Bernard, St. Dominic Savio, St. Edmund Campion, St. Gerald, St. Jean de Brebeuf, St. Jude, St. Kevin and St. Nicholas of Bari.

Angel Foundation For Learning Some of our dearest friendships are rooted in our childhood years from discovering the world and new experiences together. Through our School Allocations Program the The Angel Foundation for Learning attempts to make sure that ALL students are able to participate in school trips to build friendships, spark their imaginations, and create memories. Support us in this work by participating in our Cents Off, coming out to play at our events or donating directly.

Opportunities/Information for Students Toronto Star and Toronto Public Library Annual Short Story Contest

The 2018 Short Story Contest is open to anyone 16 years of age or older who lives in Ontario. The annual contest is co-sponsored by the Toronto Public Library and the Humber School for Writers. Entrants can write on any topic they want. Stories must be original, previously unpublished and no longer than 2,500 words.

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Entries are limited to one per person. There is no fee to enter the contest. All submissions must be received by 5 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Details: https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/OpportunitiesForStudents/Pages/ShortStoryContest.aspx

18th Chinese Arts and Literary Contest for Youth (CALCY) Open to all Ontario students from junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Recital, Choral Speaking, Parent-Child recital, Solo Singing, Story Telling, Calligraphy, General Knowledge Quiz Download a registration form from the 18th Chinese Arts and Literary Contest for Youth website and mail to: CALCY, Box 107, A14-4261 Hwy 7 East, Unionville, Ontario L3R 9W6 Inquiry and Downloads www.calcy.ca Registration Deadline February 23, 2018 https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/OpportunitiesForStudents/Pages/Chinese-Arts-and-Literary-Contest.aspx

Information about Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/AwardsScholarshipsBursariesContests/Pages/default.aspx

Ontario Making OSAP Application Process Easier for Students Ontario is making it easier for students receiving OSAP to plan, budget and pay for their college or university education. For the first time, students applying to college or university who have applied for OSAP can now go online to see the estimated tuition costs for each of the programs they have applied to and the estimated amount that will be covered by OSAP. For other opportunities for students including community service hours, employment, training and contests, see https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/OpportunitiesForStudents/Pages/default.aspx

TCDSB Awards Night is May 7, 2018 Nominate a student or staff member for our annual awards. Deadline for each award: Third Friday in February. Sister Mary Hamilton Award for Exceptional Students Ashif Jaffer Award for Excellence in Special Education Support

The Father Andrew Cuschieri Award

February’s Virtue is Love Please visit our website for the monthly resources connected to the virtue of the month. https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/VirtueoftheMonth/Pages/Default.aspx

Other Event Notices: ShareLife Week March 18-24, 2018

Board Wide ShareLife Civvies Day is Friday, March 23, 2018 The money raised through the annual ShareLife campaign supports Catholic charities in Toronto, across Canada and overseas. Many of these charities are very familiar to TCDSB students, staff and families, including Covenant House, Rosalie Hall, Providence Healthcare, the Office of Refugees and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. More information about ShareLife and the agencies it support can be found here: http://www.sharelife.org/Public/ShareLife-List-of-Agencies

Lift Jesus Higher Rally March 3, 2018 https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/News/2017-2018/Pages/lift-jesus-higher.aspx

February 2: World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life February 13: Shrove Tuesday February 14: St. Valentine’s Day https://www.archtoronto.org/Blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=95 February 14: Ash Wednesday; Lent Begins https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/

Pages/Lent-and-Easter-Resources.aspx February 16: Lunar New Year February 16: Board-wide PA Day February 19: Family Day

Winter Weather Has Arrived Don’t miss out on information relating to cancellations or delays in school bus service. Sign up to receive alerts through the TSTG parent portal https://www.torontoschoolbus.org or follow @TCDSB on Twitter for the latest updates.

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