St. Gabriel Catholic School December 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Virtue of the Month: Charity

This month we honour the Catholic Year of the Family in the spirit of Charity

and giving. During the season of Advent we prepare our hearts to celebrate the

birth of Jesus

This year we will celebrate the Holy family, the model of all Christian families

with an Advent Family Mass at St. Gabriel Parish on Thursday, December

10th at 7 pm. We invite all families in the community to join us! We also ask

that you please bring along a plate of traditional Christmas cookies or sweets

and drop it off in the vestibule of the Church when you arrive. We will all

gather following the Mass for a reception to enjoy all the goodies!

Many of the students will be involved in this very special celebration and a

special token to commemorate the Year of the Family will be distributed to each

family. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Wishing you and your family a holy and Blessed Christmas!

J. Onody

Principal

Follow us on Twitter: @StGabprinTCDSB3

St. Gabriel Catholic School

396 Spring Garden Ave. Toronto, Ontario

M2N 3H5 416-393-5256

FAX: 416 393-5199

Principal J. Onody

Secretary P. Monaco

Head Caretaker

S. Coulter

Superintendent: J. Shain

416-222-8282

Trustee: M. Rizzo

416-512-3405

CSAC Chair: M. Sparkman 416-397-6800

Mailbox #88256 csac.stgabriel@tcdsb.org

Parish:

St. Gabriel Catholic Church 670 Sheppard Ave. E.

416-221-8866 stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca

Pastor: Fr. Brando Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ON ∙ Website: www.tcdsb.org

PARENTS ASK: How can I help my child with Problem Solving in Math?

Help your child to:

Break it down into smaller parts Go back and re-read the problem to see what information has been given that will be helpful in answering the

main question. Draw an appropriate figure or diagram that might be helpful. Find word clues that will help determine what operations are needed. Perform the operations. Check the answer to see if it makes sense. Be especially aware of the given units of measure and be sure the answer is expressed in the correct units.

Below are six additional and proven word problem solving strategies that will be helpful in solving

story problems. Word Problem Solving Strategies Tip #1- Draw a Figure or Diagram Often, we are visual learners. If we draw it, we can sometimes see what the problem is aking us to do.

Word Problem Solving Strategies Tip #2- Put Data in a Table Making a chart of the information you have from the problem can help you see a pattern. Word Problem Solving Strategies Tip # 3- Guess and Check

Try a guess. Plug it into the problem and see if it works. Does the number of your guess have to be bigger or smaller?

Word Problem Solving Strategies Tip # 4- Solve a Simpler Problem

Change the numbers to smaller numbers and see if you can solve it Word Problem Solving Strategies Tip # 5- Work Backward Solving problems by working backward is exactly what we do when solving linear equations.

Adapted from: www.tutorfi.com/Math/wordproblemsolvingstrategies

TCDSB Monthly Update

December 2015

Kindergarten Registration Starts January 13, 2016 The Toronto Catholic District School Board invites families with children born in 2012 to register for Junior Kindergarten

beginning Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 10 a.m. EST.

Registration options:

Online: Parents will be able to complete their application online beginning at 10 a.m. EST on January 13, 2016, at

SOAR.tcdsb.org, and follow up with a visit to the school to present the required documents. The online application is available at:

https://soar.tcdsb.org/Login.aspx

Registration documents:

• Child’s Birth Certificate or Passport/Immigration documents if child was not born in Canada

• Child's Catholic baptismal certificate (or proof of Catholicity of parent)

• Proof of residency in Toronto (some examples: a lease agreement, utility bill)

• Immunization Record

Information is available by telephone at 416-222-8282 ext. 5314, or by visiting

https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/EarlyYears/KindergartenRegistration/Pages/default.aspx

French Immersion and Extended French New for September 2016, French Immersion begins in Junior Kindergarten

The Extended French Program is offered to students beginning in grade 5 at several TCDSB sites. Interested parents are encouraged to attend an information evening to learn more about the program. Please note dates, times and locations for sessions planned for December through to February: https://www.tcdsb.org/News/othernews/2015/Pages/French-Immersion-and-Extended-French.aspx

Resources for Students Heading to High School Helping students prepare for high school

https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Transition%20to%20High%20School/Document

s/AFTER%208%20TRANSITION%20GUIDE%202015.pdf

Transition Guide for Parents is available in several languages

https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Transition%20to%20High%20School/Pages/defa

ult.aspx

For High School Students Preparing for Graduation Check out this website http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/graduate.pdf if you are unsure of all the requirements for

graduation.

Application Deadlines for Post-Secondary Studies January 16, 2016--Deadline to submit your completed University application to the OUAC.

http://www.ouac.on.ca/deadlines/

February 1, 2016—Application deadline for community colleges http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/apply

Celebrating The Year of the Family Visit the website for resources https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/Year-of-Family/Pages/default.aspx.

Toronto Catholic Family Film Festival Coming April 21st Top 10 Films will be screened at the festival to be held at Cineplex Cinemas, Yonge and Dundas. Check out the

trailer for the festival: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UTLQ61tntVM&feature=youtu.be

And all the other information and resources: https://www.tcdsb.org/tcff

Film submissions accepted until February 19th.

Play it Forward The pilot project involves schools who are engaging in a charitable initiative focusing on helping a family, locally or abroad, and

sharing their experiences via Skype with one of their partner schools. The initiative blends the Year of the Family with our

ongoing focus on living our Catholic values by putting faith into action.

On December 7th, St. Sebastian, Fr. Serra and St. Anselm will engage in their first online chat discussing what they have done,

and will be doing for the Year of the Family.

https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/Pages/Play-it-Forward.aspx

Archdiocese of Toronto’s Project Hope A reminder to all that the Archdiocese of Toronto has passed the midway point of its 100-day “Project Hope” $3 Million

Emergency Refugee Resettlement Campaign. The goal is supporting the settlement of 100 refugee families within the Greater

Toronto Area as soon as possible. Schools are encouraged to partner with their local parish to raise funds for this worthwhile

effort. Get more information online: https://www.tcdsb.org/pages/project-hope.aspx

Upcoming Events Advent Begins November 29th

Resources online here: https://www.tcdsb.org/pages/season-of-advent.aspx

International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd

https://www.tcdsb.org/news/othernews/2014/pages/international-day-of-persons-with-

disabilities.aspx

International Human Rights Day, December 10th

https://www.tcdsb.org/News/othernews/2014/Pages/International-Day-of-Persons-with-

Disabilities.aspx

Christmas Break: December 21-January 1 inclusive (Classes resume Monday, January 4th

Eastern Rite Christmas January 7th

St. Gabriel Student Nutrition Program: Kindergarten to Grade 8

As outlined in our November Newsletter, we need your support. We are asking for donations of $20.00 per child for

each term. Since we are only beginning this month, the first donation will support the running of the program until

February. We will ask for a second donation to cover February to June. Tax receipts will be provided for donations of

$25.00 or more (by request). Families with more than one child in the school are asked to donate $15.00 per child. If

you wish to donate once for the whole year, we are more than happy to accept your donation of $40.00.

All children in the school will have this snack available to them and all allergies will be taken into account based

on the information you have provided to the school. It will no longer be necessary to pack a morning snack for

your child on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please complete the form on the next page immediately and send with

your donation to your child’s teacher.

Should you have any questions or would like more information, please call:

Ms. Celis or Mrs. Onody at the school at (416) 393-5256.

Thank you and we are looking forward to bringing nutritious snacks to all of our children!

Thank you to our Nutrition Volunteers!

Cay Celis Sylvia Kemmesies

Nizi Rocha Jenny Aguila

Grace Cha Sunyoung Lee

Haejin Yang Sera Lee

Thelma Reyes

Student Nutrition Program

While we have received Government grants for the start-up of this program, we need your help to

sustain and expand the program.

Please choose below the method and choice for your first donation for your child/children.

Complete the form below (if you have not already done so) and return it with your payment to

your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

*****************************************************************************

St. Gabriel Student Nutrition Program

Parent Donation Form

I have enclosed a $20.00 donation for my child

I have enclosed $15.00 for each of my children (if more than one)

I have enclosed a $40.00 donation for the year for my child

I wish to donate more generously and have enclosed $__________ to help

support and expand this program. Your generosity is most appreciated!

Child’s Name: ________________________________________________ (Please PRINT)

Teacher’s Name: ________________________________________ Room Number: ______

* Please list other children and teacher below:

Teacher’s Name: ________________________________________ Room Number: ______

Teacher’s Name: ________________________________________ Room Number: ______

Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ON ∙ Website: www.tcdsb.org

Congratulations !

Students of the Month for

November: Virtue of Peace

Rachel M.

Domenico P.

Richard A.

Rohan T.

Arda C.

Simona C.

Mattia L.

Matthew C.

Rayne G.

Jordyn M.

Andy K.

Syllaanne C.

Crysteen C.

Jeray S. L.

Gregory A.

Justine A.

Peter P.

Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ON ∙ Website: www.tcdsb.org

CATHOLIC SCHOOL

PARENT COUNCIL

MEETING

Wednesday, January 13th

7 pm

Room 211

Come out to our next meeting and join in the plans for

our next event!

From the entire CSPC we wish you and

your family a Merry Christmas and

wonderful New Year.

Looking Ahead to January: Please Help Us to Help

Honduran Children

The Eco Team and the Me to We Committee are joining forces

with Help for Honduran Children to collect gently used clothing

and other items.

In February, a friend of the St.Gabriel community will bring

these items directly to Honduras and distribute them among

families in need.

At the beginning of January we will gratefully accept donations

of gently used:

clean SUMMER clothing

running shoes and sandals

sunglasses, eyeglasses

hats

We look forward to helping with this worthy cause for the third

time at St.Gabriel. Donations can be placed in the front foyer

beginning January 4th.

Dear Parents/Guardians;

Kindergarten Registration will begin for all Elementary Schools on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 10:00 am EST.

Parents/guardians with children born in 2012 or earlier and who will be enrolling in Kindergarten, have the opportunity

to apply on-line using the “Student On-line Admission and Registration” platform known as S.O.A.R. and found at the

following link: http://soar.tcdsb.org

Parents will be able to complete an application for registration from the convenience of their own home, the office, a

public library, or anywhere there is internet access, 24 hours a day. The on-line application also offers access to

translations in different languages with built-in help functions and features.

As part of the registration process, school staff will meet with parents. These meetings may be scheduled on the

electronic application or by contacting the school. During the meeting, school staff will verify the original

documentation required for registration. This consists of a Baptismal Certificate, Birth Certificate and/or Passport,

Immunization record, proof of residence and Application for Direction of School Support.

Applications to register children in grades other than Kindergarten can also be completed on the online S.O.A.R.

application. Please share this information with any parents/guardians with school aged children in the community.

For further information, please contact the school office at 416-393-5256. For general inquiries or further information

you may contact 416-222-8282 extension 5314 or visit our website at www.tcdsb.org

_____________________________________________________________________________________

REMINDER

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FAIR TUESDAY, December 8, 2015

We kindly request that each family donate at least two gifts (one male and one female). We are requesting

new or gently used items (no toys or books please), to be delivered to the school no later than Friday

December 4th.

Popular items are picture frames, candles, soaps, costume jewelry, golf balls and accessories, ties, gardening

stuff, tools, car accessories, technology accessories, and belts to name a few. The Dollar Store carries a

variety of very inexpensive items such as manicure sets, shoe cleaning kits, coffee mugs, day-timers, etc.

Also, if you have any Christmas bags or wrapping, gift tags, ribbon or tape that you are able to donate, it

would be greatly appreciated.

Volunteers for this Shopping Extravaganza are welcome and are asked to come to the gym between 11am

and 3:30 on Tuesday, December 8th.

Thank you for your support!

For more information please contact:

CSAC Christmas Fair Committee

Debbie Smith

Debbiesmith223@rogers.com