Lord Jesus,

You remind us that whenever we gather in your name, You are in our midst.

Unite and strengthen us in the important work we share.

Help us to listen—to our students, to their parents, to each other,

And to the whispers of your Spirit in our hearts.

Teach us to value every member of our community.

And to build relationships on genuine respect and affection.

We make this prayer, confident in your promise

That you remain always with us.

Amen.

Our Prayer For A New School Year

Newsletter Date: September 3, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 1

St. Pius X Newsletter

September 2013

St. Pius X Catholic School 71 Jane Street

Toronto, ON, M6S 3V3 Phone: 416-393-5237

Fax: 416-397-6084

Principal: L. Sposato

Vice-Principal: A.. Iwasykiw

Secretary: S. Pereira

Clerk Typist: S. Cipretti (supply)

Superintendent: Dr. Jim Saraco, 416-222-8282

Trustee: Barbara Poplawski,

416-512-3410

Parish: St. Pius X Catholic Church

2305 Bloor St. W. 416-767-1859 Fr. MK Park

Masses: Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 9:00 am

11:00 am

Entrance and Dismissal: 9:00 am Entry

10:45 am Recess 12:05 pm Lunch Hour

1:05 pm Entry 2:10 pm Recess

3:30 pm Dismissal

REGISTRATION is underway. For more information, call 416-393-5237 or the TCDSB Admissions

Department at 416-222-8282, ext. 5320.

For general information about the Toronto Catholic District School

Board, please visit the website at www.tcdsb.org.

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

A warm welcome to both parents and students as we begin another exciting school year at St. Pius X. A special welcome to all new students and their families joining us this year. We hope your sum-mer was a happy and enjoya-

ble experience!

As we begin a new school year, we look forward to work-ing with all of you, and with your children. I wish to per-sonally and sincerely thank Ms. Arciero who has served the community as VP, this last year, with great dedication and commitment. As she assumes her new responsibility as Prin-cipal of St. Rita, we wish her

God’s abundant blessings.

Thank-you, Ms. Arciero !

As we start a new school year at St. Pius X, we renew our expectations and strive to pro-vide our students with a year filled with interesting, and edu-cational experiences and activ-ities to challenge and stimulate them. Your encouragement and interest in your child’s learning is also essential to

inspire and stimulate them to do their very best. Together, we can ensure that your child successfully continues on his/her learning journey. We strongly encourage you to keep in contact with your child’s teacher as we strive to serve his/her needs to the best of our ability. Feel free to con-tact the school should you have any questions or con-

cerns.

To make back-to-school a positive experience for all, we would ask that you review the school routines, practices, and requirements noted in this newsletter. This is somewhat of a hefty package, but a lot of important information is includ-ed. Please do take the time to familiarize yourself with what is new and what has remained the same. Also, keep this information for your future reference. Please do return all signed documents to your child’s teacher at your earliest

convenience.

We are happy to welcome back Ms. Deguara-Miaco from her maternity leave. We wish Mr. Dos Santos, Ms. Kinal, Mr.

Manz, Ms. Romita-Teixeira, and Mrs. Zamrij (clerk typist) many blessings and continued success, while extending a warm welcome to our Vice Principal, Ms. Anna Iwasykiw. I know that all of our new staff are very much looking forward to becoming acquainted with

you and your children.

New to St. Pius this year are: Ms. Agres to Physical Educa-tion, Ms. Frustagli, our supply Early Childhood Educator, and Ms. Cipretti, our supply clerk typist. I know that you will join me in welcoming them to our

school community.

Finally, please know that this year TCDSB has re-organized some superintendencies to streamline and facilitate our TCDSB operations. With this re-organization, we welcome Dr. Jim Saraco as our Area 5 Superintendent and Ms. Ange-la Gauthier as our Director of

Education.

I look forward to the start of a great year ahead with hope, excitement and

expectation.

Entrance and Dismissal: 9:00 am Entry 10:45 am Recess 12:05 pm Lunch Hour 1:05 pm Entry 2:10 pm Recess 3:30 pm Dismissal

Please be advised that school yard supervision will

start at 8:45 a.m. Parents are invited to share “goodbye” hugs and kisses prior to entry in both the morn-ing and afternoon. Please do not enter the school or school yard with your child.

Important Information

September enrolment often fluctuates. As a result, it may yet become necessary to ad-just staffing and/or classes. We thank all families who may be impacted in advance for their understanding and con-

sideration.

School Holidays

Attached to this newsletter is a list of Professional Activity Days and Holidays for 2013-2014. Please keep this in a prominent place at home.

Our staff need to have unob-structed supervision of your children in the school yard and when they are collecting their classes from their entry doors. We look to ensure the safety and orderly entry for all our

students.

Inclement Weather

On days when the weather is inclement, students are asked to arrive at school just before the bell. Those stu-dents present at school will be permitted to enter the building

From the Office

“ Only those

who have opened their

hearts to Christ

can offer a

hospitality that

is never

formal or

superficial but

identified by

gentleness and

reverence”

Pope John Paul II

Page 2 St. Pius X Newsletter

at 8:45 am. On such days, the recess periods will be held indoors and those students who stay for lunch will be su-pervised in the building. Un-less the weather conditions are particularly bad, cold weather alone does not war-rant an early entry to the build-ing or indoor recess. Appropri-ate dress is a requirement on

such days.

TTC Identification Cards

Children under the age of thirteen years pay children’s fare on the T.T.C. When a student turns thirteen years of

age, they become eligible for student rates. In order to use student tickets, however, it is necessary for the student to show the T.T.C. operator a T.T.C. identification card, with the student photograph, name and signature, the name of the school, and a serial number. Without the I.D. card, the stu-dent will have to pay the full

adult fare.

Our students will have their photographs taken on Monday September 16th, 2013, at James Culnan at 1:25 pm. The cost will be $5.25 per

student.

Curriculum Night

Our “Meet the Teacher/Curriculum Night” will be held in the gymnasium on Wednes-day September 25th, 2013, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Following introductions and a general overview in the gym, you are invited to your child’s class-room, JK to Grade 3 (6:55-7:25 pm) and Grades 4-8 (7:30 - 8:00 pm) to hear about the curriculum from you child’s teacher. Our Parent Council will also address the communi-ty with regard to upcoming school events with Parent

Council information.

Safety

The safety of our children must always be of the utmost concern. Every effort is made to make our school safe, com-fortable, secure and free from violence, racism and harass-ment. BUS, BICYCLE, CLASS-ROOM, FIRE, PERSONAL, PLAY, ROAD/RAIL and TRIP SAFETY are part of the curricu-lum in the school. Officials from the community visit the school, and present and reinforce this important information to our students. We value and strong-

Safe Arrival Program

At St. Pius X, this is a program in which a parent is telephoned if a student is absent without previous notification. If your child is going to be absent, please phone the school be-tween 8:30 am-9:00 am and 1:00 pm-1:30 pm. When stu-dents have to leave school early for doctor or dental appointments, please have the adult accompanying the child sign out your child at the office.

ly encourage your support in this area, and ask that you regularly review all aspects of

safety with your child.

Student Information

It is essential that we have up-to-date information on each child. Changes in address, telephone numbers (business, home and cell, etc.) should be given to the office as soon as possible. In the event of an accident or emergency involv-ing your child, it is vital that we

have an updated emergency

Help in the school library by cataloguing material, assist-ing children to find materials, book binding, word pro-

cessing, etc.

Assist on field excursions

Please be realistic in deter-mining how much time you can afford to give as the program will suffer if volunteers are unable to meet their commit-ments. If an emergency does arise, please call the school so that teachers and students can

be informed.

If any parent is interested in helping out, or being part of our Parent Council, please contact our school office at (416) 393-5237. As per Board policy, there are forms (including a police check) that need to be com-pleted.

Parent Volunteers

The contributions of parent volunteers enrich the life of our

school and its students.

Volunteers may:

Work with small groups of children while the teacher

works with another group

Read stories to the children

Prepare teaching materials, e.g., selecting and laminating pictures, creating visual and

auditory aids, etc.

“The

contributions of

Parent

Volunteers

enrich the life

of our school

and students.”

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

number which will enable us to reach you or your relative im-mediately. Under no circum-stances will a sick child be sent home unattended. We ask that you make arrangements to have your child picked up in an

emergency.

Student Illness

For children who become ill while at school, we can provide only short-term rest facilities until a parent is called. In cas-es where illness or injury ap-pears to be serious, every effort will be made to contact a par-ent. If we are unable to make contact, and it is determined

that medical assistance is re-quired, the Principal or desig-nate may take the student to the hospital. Where appropri-ate, an ambulance will be called. Up-to-date emergency information is essential if the school is to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. If your child has ongoing health concerns, and is under medical attention, please call the Princi-pal or teacher to discuss the situation. In these circumstanc-es, the school will provide medi-cal forms that need to be com-pleted by the doctor and

brought back to the school.

Emergency Situations

In the event that a disaster situation is declared by the Chief of Police which affects St. Pius X school, we would all relocate to St. Pius X Church Hall (416-767-1859). Your children will remain under the supervision of the school au-thorities until the disaster situa-tion has ended or until you, the parent/guardian, personally pick up your children from the evac-

uation centre.

smallest quantities of these products can be life threaten-ing. The most common aller-gen triggers are food, insect stings, medications, exercise and latex. An anaphylaxis reaction involves symptoms from two or more body sys-tems. We at St. Pius would appreci-ate the co-operation of the entire school community in NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain peanuts or nuts, which could potential-ly harm a child. Other re-

Anaphylaxis

As we begin a new school year, we would like to inform you that St. Pius is an aller-gen aware school. There are children in attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to cer-tain foods, such as peanut and nut products (among other food and/or non-food products). Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic reac-tion, and exposure to the

strictions may apply on a class by class basis. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of the food restrictions. Please avoid sending food for birthdays or special occasions. There are many alternatives such as stickers and pencils. If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s teacher or the school staff. We look forward to your co-operation in making this a safe year for all our students.

The forms to dispense any med-ication must be updated on a regular basis and are available from the school Principal. The-se forms, once completed, are kept on file at the school. Also, be advised that staff in TCDSB schools will not dis-pense non-prescription medica-tions to students. Should you require additional information or have any questions about this protocol, please contact the school Principal or the Special Services Department at 416-222-8282 ext. 2486. Your co-operation in this matter is greatly

appreciated. In winter, parents should equip their children with a change of footwear to be worn in the classroom area. The wearing of boots in class is unhealthy and therefore, prohib-ited. Children should come to school properly dressed for the weather (hats, coats, gloves/mittens, boots in winter, broad brimmed hats, sunglasses, sun-screen in summer). Students are expected to be outdoors for recess. Generally speaking, a child who is too sick to be out at recess is too sick to attend

school and profit educationally.

Child Welfare

By Ontario law we are obliged to report any disclosure or suspicion of alleged abuse. We have no discretion in this

matter.

Health Care

Principals, teachers and support staff of the TCDSB are not permitted to administer any type of prescription medication during the school day, unless we have written signed authori-zation from you, the parent, AND the prescribing physician.

“Let’s keep

St. Pius X an

Allergen Aware

School. Please

avoid sending

food for

birthdays or

special

occasions.”

Page 4 St. Pius X Newsletter

Excursions

Excursions which comple-ment and enrich the classroom portion of your children’s edu-cational program are encour-aged at St. Pius X school. They are carefully planned excursions that provide an opportunity to expand students’ programs beyond the class-room. Teachers must follow specific procedures and guide-lines when planning field trips and excursions. Your child is expected to participate in all of these

ventures.

Homework

All homework expectations will be outlined for you on Curriculum Night.

Lunch at School

It is the policy of the school to allow students to stay for lunch for the following rea-sons:

When no one is at home to provide lunch;

When distance is consid-ered too great to cover dur-ing the lunch hour;

When rehearsals or extra-

curricular school activities shorten the lunch hour.

If behaviour becomes a consistent problem with any child, we will ask the parents to make other arrangements

for lunch time.

Please do not sign to have your child go home for lunch every day if you are not home. Also, do not sign for your child to go home for lunch just to frequent the fast food places in our community. This is not a healthy habit to adopt, not to

mention very unsafe!

that you advise the Principal of the problem in order that various classes can be checked to prevent further spreading. Outbreaks of pediculosis are common among school children and are not considered a health problem. Any person, how-ever clean, may become infested by exposure to oth-er infected persons or their belongings, particularly clothing (hats, coats, combs, hair brushes, etc.). Parents

Health Services

A public Health Nurse is available in the school spo-radically. All students are required by law to be im-munized. Failure to provide proof of immunization could result in suspension of a student by the Medical Of-

ficer of Health.

Pediculosis - Head Lice

If you should discover that your child has been infected with head lice, we would ask

are advised to look for pedic-ulosis when their children are observed scratching their heads excessively. Lice develop through a three week cycle and the eggs (nits) are attached near the base of the individual’s hair, usually along the hairline at the back of the head. Sug-gested Treatment: When infestations occur, effective treatments can be obtained without a doctor’s prescrip-

tion from most pharmacies.

significant reduction in waste going to landfills. We are ask-ing parents to fully participate with your child as we continue this program at our school throughout the year. Be part of helping us become leaders in this environmental friendly waste reduction program. It involves the following three

steps:

1. Lunches and snacks should be packed in re-usable con-tainers, not in disposable

bags.

2. In order to avoid spills, we ask you to use containers that

are re-sealable.

3. Leftover food which can be disposed of in the green bin program available at your home will be brought back home in their containers by

your child.

Our hope is that this practice at school and at home will teach all children to carry this aware-ness and behaviour with them as they grow into young adults. Thank you for your ongoing

environmental support !

Waste Free Lunches

The Toronto Catholic District School Board remains commit-ted to the environment and continues to look for innovative ways to promote conservation through energy and waste re-duction initiatives. The Board approved of a “Waste Free Lunch Program” at all elemen-tary schools. This program is an integral part of the TCDSB’s commitment to promote and teach our students the im-portance of being stewards of the earth, and has resulted in a

The “Waste Free

Lunch Program”

promotes and

teaches our

students the

importance of

being stewards

of the earth.

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1

Physical Education

Ministry of Education and TCDSB guidelines require that all students participate in Physi-cal Education, unless otherwise excused by a medical certifi-cate. Please notify us of any limitations or physical disabili-ties that would restrict your child from physical activity. This should be accompanied by a medical report from a physi-cian stating the limitation to be placed on the student. Please note that students must wear running shoes and other proper attire during physical education activities. “Daily Physical Activ-ity” (as mandated by the Minis-

try) across all divisions will

continue to be implemented.

Pupil Clothing

If possible, label your chil-dren’s clothing (boots, mittens and scarves). Each year, a considerable amount of un-claimed clothing gathers in the school. A “Lost and Found” box is provided for this purpose. All unclaimed items will be sent to charitable organizations at the

end of each term.

Appropriate Dress Code

The Toronto Catholic District School Board implemented an Appropriate Dress Code in all

of its elementary schools in September 2011. The Appro-priate Dress Code consists of any combination of white and navy blue garments (e.g., plain white top, navy blue bottom or, navy blue top and bottom; no denim). There is a great deal of choice and flexibility available to parents and students with this type of dress code. You will be able to purchase a varie-ty of clothing styles at retailers of your choice. Some dress code options may be decided by our school community. Please remember that white T-shirts with inappropriate com-

ments or graphics and/or any

minute or two to follow the sidewalk around to our front play area and kindergarten doors.

Bus Transportation and Conduct

PMLC 416-695-1867

Laidlaw (Metro) 905-764-6662

Laidlaw (JK/SK) 905-764-6662

Bussing is a service provid-ed by the School Board. As with any service, there are spe-cific expectations which are conditional to use. In the event

Parking Restrictions

Parking in the school bus loading zone during school hours (8:30 am - 5:00 pm) is

prohibited by law.

Please realize that parking on Weatherell in the bus-loading zone at entry and dismissal times causes a potential danger for students. Visibility to on-coming cars is limited. For safety reasons, children should not be in the parking lot at any time. We would ask that you please take the extra

that the following guidelines are not adhered to, bus riding privi-leges may be withdrawn. Please review the following guidelines regularly with your children to ensure that they are

aware of the expectations:

Students who take the bus must take the bus at all times. It is not a student’s decision to walk some days and take

the bus on other days.

Students should enter and leave the bus in an orderly

fashion.

be left at home. Significant distress is caused when these are lost or misplaced. If these items are brought to school, however, students are remind-ed that they must be stored in backpacks upon arrival for the duration of the school day. Cell phone use/texting is not allowed during the school day. Our students are also reminded to dismount from bikes, skate-boards, scooters upon arriving to school. Please be reminded that roller shoes/blades are not

allowed at school.

School Insurance

Student Accident Insurance forms will be sent home to you. The cost of the various plans is minimal and you may be saved a great deal of money in the long term. If you decide to take out one of these policy plans, simply complete the application form, and send it, along with your cheque for the appropriate amount in the pre-addressed envelope directly to the insur-ance company. Please do not

send them back to school.

type of tank or halter tops are not allowed. Dresses/skirts/shorts need to be “Bermuda” or arm’s length. Make-up is not allowed for ANY student, and for safety reasons, hoop ear-ings are not to be worn. For more information, please contact the Principal or the

Chair of CSAC.

Appropriate use of Electronics

We do recommend that MP3 players, iPods, cell phones, and other such electronic devices

Remember,

the School

Bus Loading

Zone during

school hours...

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Page 6 St. Pius X Newsletter

Students must be seated, facing the front, before the bus driver can start the bus and during the operation of

the vehicle.

Students must maintain a reasonable noise level while the bus is operating to allow the bus driver to drive the bus

safely.

Students are responsible to the bus driver while they are

on the bus

Students are expected to be polite and courteous to the bus driver while they are on

the bus.

Food is not to be consumed on

the bus.

Children are expected to board and depart from the bus at their

assigned stop.

Students who wish to continue using the bus service must co-operate with these guidelines or risk having their bus privileges sus-pended. In such an event, you will be required to provide alternate transportation. Three written warn-ings by the driver and/or the Princi-pal will be given before privileges are suspended. Please call First Student directly for any delays:

@ 905-629-8200.

A Memo to all Parents

As parents and guardians, you are important members of our school family. Consistency between home and school is a significant part of successful development of positive behav-

ioural attitudes and compliance.

Your support of the school and its’ policies is imperative. In the home, parents should reinforce the expectations of school previously discussed, and project a positive personal role model to their children. It is important that each parent reads and understands the

beliefs and practices discussed

5. Avoid crossing mid-block. 6. Use pedestrian crossovers

properly. Motorists 1. Slow down and

be patient in school zones.

2. Be prepared to stop.

3. Look for pedestrians before making a turn.

4. Do not obstruct school bus load-ing zones.

5. Obey all traffic and parking regu-lations.

6. Parking in no-parking/no-stopping zones and near corners and crosswalks obstructs every-one’s visibility.

Traffic Safety

It is vitally important that parents/caregivers lead by example when it comes to road safety. Here are some traffic tips to help promote the safe arrival and departure of

children at our schools.

Pedestrians 1. Plan your route and take your

time. 2. Remain alert to your surround-

ings - predictable and visible. 3. Walk your child to school - park a

block away and walk to avoid congestion.

4. Cross at controlled locations when possible.

Roofing Renovations Renovations to the exterior of our school will continue through the month of September. To ensure the safety of everyone concerned, we ask you not to access the park-ing lot area, and to use caution in and around the school where the contractors have closed off certain areas with materials and/or equip-ment. Rest assured that the con-tractors will not work during entry, recesses, lunch and dismissal times when our students are in the school yards. The school is work-ing to minimize disruption to regu-larly scheduled programming for our students. We appreciate your

understanding and support.

relationships.

Please be aware that a revised PARENT HANDBOOK clearly outlining our CODE OF CON-DUCT will be available to all families of the St. Pius X Com-

munity at our Curriculum Night.

Disclaimer

From time to time, the school will send home infor-mation from non-profit and for-profit organizations. We remind parents and guardi-ans to exercise caution any

time they participate in or enroll their child in an out-side organization’s event after school hours. The school and the TCDSB are not liable for the quality of service these organizations provide or for the safety of the participants. We forward this information to keep our parent community informed of the wide variety of oppor-tunities available within our

local community.

under the IMPORTANT INFOR-MATION AND EXPECTA-TIONS section of this newslet-ter to ensure that parents and the school are in harmony when

responding to various issues.

Good communication is critical to this process. Parents and the school must work closely to-gether if short term and long term success is to be achieved. We hope this outline provides a base of shared support upon which teachers and parents may build effective mutual un-derstandings and constructive

“Consistency

between home

and school is a

significant part

of successful

development of

positive

behavioural

attitudes and

compliance.”

Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1

of a free space where the stranger can enter and be-come a friend instead of an

enemy.”

In our school community and in our homes, we can discuss the concept of the least of our people or the stranger who needs our hos-pitality, be it the newly ar-rived to Canada or the new student at our school. To-day hospitality is more im-portant than ever and it is only through a deep moral obligation to hospitality that we can transform our com-

munities.

Welcome Back to all our St. Pius X

school community !

As we welcome our students back to school in Septem-ber, it seems fitting that this month’s virtue is HOSPITAL-ITY. Our teachers have been busy preparing their classrooms, gathering to-gether resources, supplies and putting up bulletin boards that will invite the students back into a wel-coming environment. Our quote for the month is from Matthew 25: 40, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me”. Accord-ing to Henri Nouwen, “the German word for hospitality is Gastfreundschaft which means friendship for the guest...It means the creation

Virtue of the Month - Hospitality

St. Pius X Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1: September 3, 2013

We’re on the web!

www.tcdsb.org

Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E.,

Toronto, ON ∙ Website: www.tcdsb.org

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES

2013-2014

Wards 1. Peter Jakovcic, 416-512-3401 2. Ann Andrachuk, 416-512-3402

Chair 3. Sal Piccininni, 416-512-3403

Vice-Chair 4. Patrizia Bottoni, 416-512-3404 5. Maria Rizzo, 416-512-3405 6. Frank D’Amico, 416-512-3406 7. John Del Grande, 416-512-3407 8. Garry Tanuan, 416-512-3408 9. Jo-Ann Davis, 416-512-3409 10. Barbara Poplawski, 416-512-3410 11. Angela Kennedy, 416-512-3411 12. Nancy Crawford, 416-512-3412 William Lawrence, Enrique Olivo, Student Trustee, 416-512-3413

St. Pius X Catholic School 71 Jane Street

Toronto, ON, M6S 3V3 Phone: 416-393-5237

Fax: 416-397-6084

Upcoming Events Pizza Day

September 11, 2013

First Holy Communion Parent

Meeting at St. Pius X Church September 12, 2013 @ 7:00 pm

Welcome Back to School Mass

at St. Pius X Church September 13, 2013 @ 9:30 am

Grade 8 TTC Photos

September 16, 2013 @ 1:25

James Culnan Catholic School

Lunch Lady

September 18, 2013

Sacrament of Confirmation

Meeting at St. Pius X Church September 17, 2013 @ 7:00 pm

CSAC - AGM General Meeting

September 18 , 2013 @ 7:00 pm

We Day @ Air Canada Centre

September 20, 2013

See/Hear Clinic

Sept. 24-25, 2013

Looking Forward Curriculum Night

September 25, 2013 @ 6:30 pm

Terry Fox National School Run

Sept. 26, 2013

Spirit Day

September 27, 2013

CSAC Website

Please visit the website

www.spxcsac.com for CSAC news and events, committee updates, news-letters, volunteer opportu-nities and helpful resources for parents and students. Remember to visit the CSAC eStore to order SPX logo'd navy & white Appar-el! You can also get school news direct to your phone by following us on Twitter @SPXCSAC!

Stay in Touch To receive regular updates on news and events from the Board, including urgent infor-mation about school bus cancellations and school closures, subscribe to E-

News: https://web1.tcdsb.org/InterestSubscription/

subscription.aspx or follow us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/#!/TCDSB Visit our website frequently for news and information at

www.tcdsb.org. Tune in for live webcasts of monthly board and committee meetings at http://www.tcdsb.org/LiveAtTCDSB/Pages/Default.aspx