FEBRUARY 2015 St. Helen Catholic School News

Virtue of the Month – LOVE

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

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful

or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing,

but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. -1 Corinthians 13:4-7

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

Please join us for…. Me to We Clothing Drive- February 2nd – February 13th.

Report Cards – Tuesday, February 10th being sent home.

Red & Pink Day – Thursday, February 12th. Students are encouraged to wear red,

pink or white for our Valentine’s Day festivities.

Cookie Sale – Thursday, February 12th & Friday, February 27th. Cookies will be sold

for $1.00.

Valentine’s Day Dance – Thursday, February 12th. FREE

Parent Teacher Interviews– Thurs., Feb. 12th and Fri., Feb. 13th.

Pizza Lunch – CSAC pizza lunch is on Thursday, February 12th.

** P.A. Day – Friday, February 13th – No school for students**

Family Day – Monday, February 16th. No school for students.

Pancake Tuesday – Tuesday, February 17th.

Ash Wednesday Mass – Please join us at St. Helen Church for Mass

on Wednesday, February 18th at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Family Math Night – February 19th from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Chocolate Fundraiser Prize Assembly – Friday, February 20th

Popcorn Sale – Friday, February 20th. Popcorn will be sold for $1.00.

Jump Rope for Heart Kick-Off Assembly – Wed., February 25th at 2:00 p.m.

Grade 8 Ottawa Trip Information Night – Thurs., February 26th 6:00 p.m.

St. Helen Catholic School 1196 College Street,

Toronto Ontario, M6H 1B8 Telephone: 416-393-5208 Fax: 416-397-6142

Principal:

Alise Sanborn

Vice-Principal: Ida Mandarino

Superintendent: Dr. Jim Saraco

Trustee:

Barbara Poplawski

Parish: Father John Cabral

St. Helen Roman Catholic Church 1680 Dundas Street

Toronto, Ontario M6H 3M8

Phone 416-531-8188

Hours of Operation: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Lunch Hour: 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Celebrating through Faith,

Hope and Charity

Year of CHARITY

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH We encourage our students to demonstrate the monthly virtues. Students will be recognized with certificates on the wall in the office and with a certificate to take home. The virtue of LOVE for February will be posted next month. Congratulations to the students of the month for the Virtue of Courage in January.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH JANUARY Justine A. Matilde A. Justin A. Chantel A. Lucas C. Michael C. Qi Fei C. Adam C. Emma F. Julian I. Emily L. Victoria M. Demian N. Inês R. Marissa T. Bianca V. Joshua P. Francisco D. Qi Rong C

STUDENT LEADERS SHOW LOVE - PAYING IT FORWARD MONTH This month St. Helen student leaders are taking part in a "paying it forward initiative". Our school community will be putting their faith into action by showing others kindness and compassion. Our goal is to create an environment where our actions show our community about God's love and forgiveness. Student leaders will create a "paying it forward tree" located on the main floor. This tree will show student examples of the many ways we have all performed random acts of kindness for either a friend, a teacher, a custodian - all those who make up our St. Helen family. Together we can show that God’s love lives in each and everyone of us.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW ST. HELEN SCHOOL WEBSITE

We are happy to announce that the St. Helen School website has been redesigned and updated to reflect the current 2014-2015 school news. Be sure to check out the website for links to the monthly calendars and newsletters.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 Families with children born in

2011 are invited to apply online for Kindergarten. Parents can complete their application via the Board’s new Online Registration Website: http://soar.tcdsb.org. The following documents are required for applying online and the originals are needed for the application appointment:

1. Child's Birth Certificate (Certificate of Citizenship or Landed Immigrant Status) 2. Child's Catholic Baptismal Certificate (or other proof of Catholicity) 3. Child's Immunization Record 4. Proof of residency in Toronto (e.g., landline phone bill, Tenant/Landlord Agreement, utility bill)

General information is available by telephone at 416-222-8282, ext. 5314 or via the board’s website at www.tcdsb.org

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY - February 2nd

What is Groundhog Day? The groundhog is said to come out of

its hole at the end of hibernation. If the animal sees its shadow— it is said to predict six more weeks of winter weather!!

ME TO WE CLOTHING DONATION DRIVE St. Helen’s Me to We Committee is

hosting a clothing drive to help raise funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association. 100% of the net proceeds will go towards scientific research. The drive will take place from February 2nd – February 13th. Thank you for your continued support. Together we can make a difference.

GRADE 8 OTTAWA TRIP INFORMATION NIGHT – CHANGE OF DATE Parents/Guardians of Grade 8 students are invited to an information night on Thursday, February 26th at 6:00 p.m. to learn more about the Ottawa Overnight Trip. More details to be sent home soon.

QUANTUM KIDZ MATH WORKSHOPS Our Students have been participating in the Quantum Kidz Math Workshops. A big thank you is extended to Quantum Kidz for putting together a fun interactive workshop for our students.

RED AND PINK DAY & VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE - Thursday, February 12th.

Students are encouraged to wear red, pink or white for our Valentine’s Day Dance.

COOKIE SALE – February 12th Help support our Me to We Committee by purchasing a cookie for $1.00 on Thursday, February 12th. with proceeds going towards the purchase of goats for people in the developing world.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES Will take place on the evening

of Thursday, February 12th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, February 13th from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Forms were sent home the last week of January.

HAPPY FAMILY DAY – Monday, February 16th We hope that everyone enjoys this holiday spending quality time with their families!

PANCAKE TUESDAY - Tuesday, February 17th, 2015. Pancakes for Everyone!!

FAMILY MATH NIGHT – February 19th, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Join us in exploring tools and strategies to work with your child

at home to increase their achievement in Math. You will participate with your child in friendly Mental Math Challenges, Math Games and Problem Solving Activities. Registration flyers are available in the office. Deadline to register

February 9th.

SCHOOL COUNCIL (C.S.A.C.) We invite all parents and guardians to attend the next CSAC meeting which will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER Thank you to all the families who have supported the CSAC chocolate fundraiser. Our School Assembly to announce our winners will take place on Friday, February 20th. Winners will be posted in the March newsletter. Please continue to hand in any outstanding chocolate monies.

POPCORN – Friday, Feb. 20th

COOKIE SALE – Friday, Feb. 27th

Help support our Grade 8 Fundraising Initiatives for their Overnight Ottawa Trip by purchasing a bag of popcorn or a cookie for $1.00.

INTRAMURAL SOCCER Congratulations to all the students who are participating in our extra- curricular intramural soccer. Great team spirit is being shown by all!!

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT – Good luck

to our Boys and Girls Basketball teams as they represent our school at the Basketball Tournament on Feb. 10th & 11th. Good Luck Everyone!!

TORONTO FOOTBALL CLUB –

St. Helen School extends a BIG THANK YOU to the Toronto Football Club for

coming on Wednesday mornings to host the “Learn to Kick” program to participating gym classes.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART KICK OFF ASSEMBLY – Wednesday,

February 25th at 2:00 p.m. Supporting kids' health for more than 30 years, Heart and Stroke Jump Rope for Heart encourages kids to get active by skipping rope while they collect pledges for heart disease and stroke research. The program gives children the chance to jump and play alongside 750,000 other kids in more than 4,000 schools across Canada.

VALENTINE’S FOR VETERANS Roses are Red, Violets are Blue…. Valentine’s Day is a great time, for

Veterans to hear from you! St. Helen’s students are bringing a little extra warmth to some very deserving people on Valentine’s Day. This year, with the help of our student leaders, our school sent out handmade valentines for Veterans who live in long-term care facilities. Reaching out with a heartfelt message of thanks is a wonderful way for youth to remember the brave men and women who have served in uniform over the years. Together, we can make great things happen.

PARENTS/VISITORS In the interest of school safety we ask that ALL parents/guardians and visitors to the school (including babysitters) report to the office to sign in. Access to classrooms and students must only take place after the office is informed and permission is received.

WINTER WEATHER Students are sent outside for recess unless it is extremely cold. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately. Please ensure that they have winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, scarves and indoor shoes. A suggestion for younger children – please send an extra pair of socks, gym clothes, etc. in the event that your child requires a change of clothes. Due to unforeseen ice conditions in our school yard, we will occasionally have indoor recess. A staggered approach to recess has been implemented in order for students to get some fresh air and exercise while minimizing accidents.

INCLEMENT WEATHER Reporting of cancellations or closures due to inclement weather. Winter weather arrived early this year. Please note that any cancellations or closures due to inclement weather will be reported before 7 a.m. Best place to get the info quickly is through Twitter @TCDSB (please follow us), the board’s website www.tcdsb.org and the 24-hour telephone information line 416-222-8282 ext. 2873.

CLASSROOM ACCESS A reminder that students are not allowed to have access to classrooms

once supervision is over at 3:45 p.m. Classroom doors are locked at 3:45 p.m. and students are not to wander the halls without school staff supervision. Students are to pack bags and bring all necessary items to go home with them.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS ACCESS A reminder that Parents are to enter through the front doors to pick up their children from Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club and to exit with their children through the front doors. Parents and children with Immaculata Day Care are to enter and exit through the Brock doors. Students are not allowed to have access to classrooms to get forgotten items at any time after 3:45 p.m.

STUDENT NURSES BLOG ANXIETY AWARENESS Hi! Victoria Wilson here, your Ryerson Nursing Student placed at St. Helen’s this term. I’m here to give you some information on anxiety. Anxiety is a natural reaction which involves both the mind and body. It is an alarm system which is triggered when a person perceives a danger or threat. It is important to know that everyone experiences feelings of anxiety, especially with major upcoming tests or exams. Anxiety is classified as an “Anxiety Disorder” when an individual has excessive fear, nervousness, worry, or dread (Lynness, 2014). Approximately 6% of children and youth have anxiety disorders which require treatments (Childrens Mental Health Ontario, 2014). Keep your eye out for the March newsletter where I will discuss the different types of anxiety. Thanks for reading!

Victoria Wilson, RSN3

IN MARCH

March Break – March 16-20, 2015

GUIDANCE CORNER – Mr. Amato

Please find attached information from our Guidance Councillor Mr. Amato pertaining to next steps for our Grade 8 students moving onto high school. Acceptance letters will start to be distributed during the week of February 2nd.

NEWS FROM THE BOARD

Interactive Parent Fair—For Parents of Kindergarten Students Help your child improve his/her: Listening and

understanding skills, speaking skills and literacy skills

Hosted by the Toronto Catholic School Board (TCDSB)

Speech and Language Department

Two 2-part sessions at two locations:

St. Jane Frances, 2745 Jane Street, Downsview

on Tuesday, January 20th and

Tuesday, February 24th 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

St. Maria Goretti, 21 Kenmark Boulevard,

Scarborough on Thursday, January 22nd and

Thursday, February 26th 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

http://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/specialeducation/

speech/pages/interactive-parent-fair.aspx

SAVE THE DATE! The Catholic Parent Involvement

Committee (CPIC) is pleased to announce the second

evening in its Speakers’ Series— “An Evening with His

Eminence Cardinal Collins: Strengthening our Home,

School and Parish Partnership”. This evening is a

wonderful OPPORTUNITY to come together as a

Catholic community to celebrate the liturgy with His

Eminence Cardinal Collins. The Liturgy will be

followed by a keynote address by His Eminence Cardinal

Collins on how we can strengthen the Catholic home,

school and parish bond.

Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts

, 36 Greenfield Ave. (Sheppard and Yonge)

FREE PARKING!

Registration Details to follow.

Upcoming Interactive Family Math Event for

families with children in Grades 3 – 6.

Learn creative ways to engage you children in math

everyday and bring learning “back to the kitchen

table”!

Keynote speakers will be the Honorable Liz Sandals,

Minister of Education and Angela Gauthier, TCDSB

Director of Education.

Date: February 10, 2015

Time 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School

3200 Kennedy Rd., Scarborough (corner

of Kennedy and McNicoll).

Link: https://ww.surveymonkey.com/s/mathevent

Director’s Annual Report

The Annual Report for the 2013-2014 academic

year has been uploaded to the board’s website.

You can view the interactive presentation, or

simply download a pdf of the highlights. https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/BoardAdministration/Dir

ectorofEducation/Pages/Annual-Report-2013-

2014.aspx Remember to follow @TCDSB on Twitter for all the latest news and important information throughout the year.

Please contact the school if you would like to advertise in this publication.