St. Vincent de Paul School

Greetings and Happy January!

Happy New Year! Those resounding words that give everyone hope as we start anew. Most would agree that each new year starts with promises to do things better. One of the ways in which to find this ‘new’ beginning is to make a resolution to change or start something. Often changes are made based on past experiences; some are tough experiences. The more challenging the experience, the more motivation to make a change. Our work on Growth Mindset tells us we believe we have the power to make change. It doesn’t come from throwing away our mistakes, but rather from tackling them head on until we get them right.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board just completed its first year in our Strategic Plan, the year of LOVE. We recently moved into our second year; the year of HOPE. Most of the goals in our Strategic Plan begin with, ‘To continue and expand”……meaning we can move into 2017 and celebrate what we are doing well, all the while prepare to face challenges of what lies ahead. We need to welcome in 2017 with hope and optimism.

We have a very exciting line up of opportunities for families and kids. Coming Feb 1st is our Mental Wellness Fair. This event begins at 6:00 p.m. at Monsignor Doyle Secondary School. There will be a variety of presenters, a concert with Errol Lee, refreshements, babysitting, and a fantastic door prize! Look for the flyer coming out soon!

They say with each New Year we get a fresh, clean page to start on. Here’s hoping that life writes a beautiful new chapter for you. Happy 2017!

Cheers!

Mrs. Sawyer

New Year Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have

reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day.

As we begin 2017, we pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you will guide our deci-

sions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. We ask that you will open doors needing to be opened

and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that you would help us release our grip on the things to which

you’ve said “no,” “not yet,” or “wait.” We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you’ve put

within our hearts.

We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us

strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts

flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you.

To you be glory and honor, in this New Year, and forever.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

2 5 C H A L M E R S S T S

C A M B R I D G E , O N

N 1 R 5 B 3

5 1 9 - 7 4 0 - 0 6 7 8 H T T P : /

S T V I N C E N T D E P A U L . W C D S B

. C A /

Safe Ar r iva l

Program

A reminder to

please phone

in your child’s

absence or

lateness (519)

740-0678. Our

answering

service is

available 24

hours a day.

Please consider signing up for On Line Cash, AND, Newswire if you haven’t already. If you need assistance on how, please don’t hesitate to call the main office and ask for assistance.

Principal’s Message

January 2017

P A G E

2

Health Update!

It’s Flu Season!

The flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads

very easily from person to person. Even before you notice symptoms, you may

spread the virus to others. If you have the virus, you can spread it to others by:

sneezing, coughing and/or talking.

How you can decrease the chance of catching or spreading the flu: Wash your hands frequently.

Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, not into your hand.

Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes with your hands.

Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that a lot of people touch, such as:

doorknobs

phones

television remotes Eat healthy foods and do physical activities to keep your immune system

strong.

6. Get plenty of rest or sleep.

Get the flu shot. If you do get sick, stay home and avoid contact with other people until

your symptoms are gone. This will help prevent the spread of the virus.

S T V I N C E N T D E P A U L

NOTICE OF INTENT TO

BE ABSENT

If your child is going to be

away for five days or more

due to a vacation or other

reason, please complete a

“NOTICE OF INTENT TO

BE ABSENT” form. Just

make a note in your

child’s agenda and one

will be sent home.

SCHOOL HOURS

8:00: Office is open

9:00: Morning Bell

11:45-12:45: Lunch

3:30: Dismissal

4:00: Office is closed

Bus Cancellation and Bad Weather: If the busses are cancelled parents do not have to call

the school for their child if your child is a bus student. Any children that are walkers or

parents drive them to school if they stay home we need the parents to call to confirm their

absence.

Attendance at School is VERY IMPORTANT. Please make every effort to have your children

arrive at school every day and on time. Habitual lates and absences can lead to academic

issues in the future. Thanks for your help in the continued success of your children!

JK/SK REGISTRATION

Attention All Parents of New JK & SK Students!

Registration for junior kindergarten (children born in 2013) and new senior

kindergarten students (children who have NOT attended JK but were born in

2012) for September 2017 will take place:

The week of February 13, 2017 - Please call to make an appointment.

**Please be sure to bring: 1. Birth Certificate 2. Baptismal Certificate

3. Proof of Address (ie. Utility Bill or Driver’s License)

P A G E 3 J A N 2 0 1 7

School Council News

Mental Wellness Night– Featuring Guest Presenters and Errol Lee

When: Wednesday February 1, 2017

Where: Monsignor Doyle Catholic High School

Why: To promote and inform our community of the available services to help build Mental Wellness

in your family.

Chances to win door prizes, including a Getaway to Great Wolfe Lodge, and refreshments will be available.

Admission is FREE. If you wish to bring a donation, all proceeds will be forwarded to the Mental Health Association.

Schedule: Browse our many booths from 6:00—7:00 p.m.

Join Errol Lee in Concert from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Tiger Spirit Awards for the month of January are for RESPECT.

Christmas lunch! On Thursday, December 15th AND Friday, December 16th, we celebrated as a school community, a warm turkey lunch! It truly was a success and fun was had by all!! Many thanks to our parent council and the many, many wonderful parent volunteers (and Santa) who helped out that day and made it so enjoyable for the students and staff. St. Vincent de Paul students are so lucky to have such dedicated people in their lives to help run special events like this.

A big thank you to all the parents who brought their families out for the St. Francis and St. Vincent de

Paul Advent Mass on December 8th. It was so nice to gather together as a community and pray

together. The Advent Mass is one of the many planned activities designed to bring the two school

communities together so families, students and teachers can get to know each other. It is our hope

to make the transition smooth and stress free as both school coming together as one community.

School newsletters will only be available in paper form for those who request it. The newsletter will be available on the

school website.

Get your newsletter and any other updates sent straight to your email! To register for Newswire:

Go to St Vincent de Paul school homepage at http://stvincentdepaulwcdsb.ca/

1. Go to “Newswire-Join our Mailing list” on the home page

2. Enter your email address

3. Click register button. You will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration.

Communication Guidelines for Parents/Guardians The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has established communication guidelines for parents/

guardians and staff. Parents/guardians are requested to follow the steps noted below to ensure prompt

and efficient resolution to their questions or possible concerns. At St. Vincent de Paul School, we encour-

age a cooperative, constructive, and respectful approach in resolving concerns with students and adults.

Step One: Speak with the Teacher/Staff Member.

*If issue is not resolved, proceed to Step Two

Step Two: Speak with the Principal/Vice Principal:

* if you have not spoken to the Teacher/Staff Member directly, the Principal/Vice Principal will ask you to so.

Should you not wish to do so, the Principal/Vice Principal will involve the Teacher/Staff in a three-way discussion. The Princi-

pal/Vice Principal may request, at any time in the process, that you put your concerns in writing.

The Principal/Vice Principal may involve, at any time in the process, others whom may be helpful in resolving the issue of con-

cern: supports from the school board, employee group representatives, the local parish and/or community agencies.

* If issue is not resolved, speak to Supervisory Officer.

The Role of Trustee: You may contact the Trustee at any time. The will direct you to follow the process outlined above.

The Role of Catholic School Council: School Council meetings are not forums to discuss individual parent-teacher/staff mem-

ber-student issues.

Parents Keep Connected at School by NEWSWIRE

School Cash online…..we are hoping to be cash online after March Break for everything…..pizza, milk, school trips

etc….Please sign up! Please visit the Waterloo Catholic District School Board website https:www.wcdsb.ca: Any questions or concerns please contact the office 519 740 0678

If you have not already signed up for School Cash On-Line, please do! It is a fast, efficient

way to pay for your child’s field trips and other school activities. Pay using your credit

card, or an e-cheque for fast, easy payments. With our school growing as much as it is, we

really appreciate it when parents do the on line payments, cutting down on the amount of

cash coming in and out of the school and being handled by the staff.

In the future, we will also use this site for forms etc. so that paper copies do not

always have to be sent home. Sign up now so that you can be alerted when new

items are put on the site. We have 40% of our families signed up lets get 100%.

.

Great Things Happening Around the School

This month, our EcoClub is asking all students to work hard on recycling their garbage in the classrooms. We are also going to start our Trashless Tuesdays in February. Every Tuesday, from February on, we invite students to bring a trashless lunch. We will tally the lunches from each class, and these points will count towards our Eco-Certification at the end of the year. We look forward to your cooperation in helping us help the environment! - SVDP EcoClub.

ROCK BAND meets every Monday at noon. Musicians include singers, UKele players, and instrumentalists. We just show up and jam to our favourite tunes with Mrs. Downs and Mrs. Sawyer!

Math Club begins next week. Students are invited to meet at lunch hour in the library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to play math based board games. This club is intended to create a fun atmosphere where students can build their math knowledge and competence.

Dates at a Glance

Jan. 12—Senior Kindergarten and Grade 8 Graduation Photos

Jan. 20—Hat Day

Jan. 23— School Council Meeting @ 6:00

Jan. 27—P.D. Day

Feb. 1—Mental Wellness Fair with Errol Lee at Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School @ 6:00 p.m.

Feb. 13—15 Book Fair in the Library AND J.K./S.K. Registration

Feb. 14—Gum Day

Feb. 16—Term One Report Cards go home

Feb. 20— Family Day holiday

Feb. 22—Grade eights leave for Mount Mary trip

Feb. 23—First Reconciliation for grade 2 at St. Ambrose Church @ 6:30

Feb. 27—School Council Meeting @ 6:00