2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

2019 - 2020 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: we BELONG, we BELIEVE, we BECOME

ST. JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL

230 Humbercrest Blvd. Toronto, ON M6S 4L3

Telephone: 416-393-5275 Fax: 416-393-5046

Joanne Saragosa

PRINCIPAL

John Wujek 416-222-8282 Ext 5371

SUPERINTENDENT

Teresa Lubinski 416-512-3410

TRUSTEE

St. James Catholic Church 416-767-6451

721 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6S 2E2

PARISH

Lourdes Sousa - Chair, Sandra Quintal - Vice-Chair, Jennifer Pico - Treasurer

Jennifer Pico - Treasurer Sandra Quintal - Vice Chair

CSPC CHAIR AND COMMITTEE

www.tcdsb.org/cpic

CPIC (PARENT ENGAGEMENT - TCDSB)

www.tcdsb.org/oapce-toronto

OAPCE TORONTO (PROVINCIAL VOICE FOR PARENTS)

189 9:00-3:30 pm 11:45-12:45

ENROLLMENT HOURS OF OPERATION LUNCH HOUR

DECEMBER 2019

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

2019 - 2020 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: we BELONG, we BELIEVE, we BECOME

GUIDANCE CORNER

After 8 Transition Guides for Students and Parents Students will soon be bringing home the AFTER 8 Transition Guide, if they have not received them already. Both the student and parent guides contain valuable information about the different aspects of high school such as: The Credit-System, Course Types, Timetables, Special Programs, etc. The more information students have before-going-to-high-school, the easier the-transition becomes. Talk to your Gr. 8 child about

fears and anxieties that they are having about going to high school and help them gather as much information as possible. The transition guides are a great start. Individual Pathways Plans Intermediate students have been working on their Individual Pathways Plans on www.myblueprint.ca/tcdsb. Ask your child to show you’re their survey results and portfolios. They should use their TCDSB logins and passwords to access the site. Virtue of Charity During the season of Advent, encourage your child to be charitable towards others. Forgiving past hurts, extending the hand of friendship and including those who are marginalized, are all wonderful way to put our December virtue of Charity and our faith into action. http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/donate-to-charity/9-ways-to-teach-your-child-about-charity-/ http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childare/selfRegulate.html;

Developing Self-Regulation Skills Following the progress report, there may be some Learning Skills and Work Habits that your child is working toward developing Self Regulation, managing emotions and using appropriate behaviours at school, can be challenging for some students. A few excellent websites to help your child develop self-regulation skills are: http://www.gonoodle.com http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/selfRegulate.html;

Season’s Greetings Mr. Amato, the TCDSB Elementary Guidance Counsellors, and the Student Success team would like to wish the school community a Blessed Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

WE REMEMBER

Just in time, before an early snowfall, the Grade 8 class with Mme. Bodnar, Mr. Lijoi and Mr. Barber set up a replica of Flanders Fields on the front lawn of the school this Remembrance Day. Students from the different classes painted and decorated small crosses with virtues and messages of peace. The students worked together to set up and measure a grid while the snow began to fall, making for a picturesque opportunity.

FLANDERS FIELDS… FLANDERS FIELDS…. FLANDERS FIELDS…. FLANDERS FIELDS….

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

2019 - 2020 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: we BELONG, we BELIEVE, we BECOME

St. James’ Important Upcoming Dates:

Sunday, December 1, 2019 - First Weekend of Advent Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Grade 2 and 3 boys: St. Michael Choir Tryouts

Thursday, December 5, 2019 Grade 7/8 Gifted Class Gifted Class Excursion Grade 7 and 8 Classes Excursion CSPC @ 6:00 pm

Friday, December 6, 2019 PA Day: Provincial Education Priorities

Sunday, December 8, 2019 - Second Weekend of Advent Tuesday, December 10, 2019 C. Giuliani: H. James and M. Mazza Excursion Fr. Gustavo school confessions

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Fr. Gustavo school confessions Thursday, December 12, 2019 Fr. Gustavo school confessions Christmas Concert @ 6:30 pm

Friday, December 13, 2019 CSPC Pizza Day Advent School mass in gym – all Parents Welcome

Sunday, December 15, 2019 - Third Weekend of Advent Monday, December 16, 2019 Photo with Santa @ St. James Thursday, December 19, 2019 CSPC School Christmas Lunch

Sunday, December 22, 2019 - Fourth Weekend of Advent

December 23, 2019 – January 5, 2020 - Christmas Break

Monday, January 6, 2020 School Begins

Kindergarten Registration Registration begins Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 10 a.m. Space is limited! If you have an older child at St. James, register as soon as possible. Apply online/make an appointment with the school office for registration at www.soar.tcdsb.org.

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

2019 - 2020 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: we BELONG, we BELIEVE, we BECOME

SUITCASE THEATRE

Stronger Together: Opening Doors to Mental Health was developed in partnership with mental health professionals at the George Hull Centre for Children and Families. Everyone’s path is unique. By understanding how someone else is feeling, students will learn to unlock the door to their own happiness and greater connections to others. The key? Togetherness!

FANTASTIC GRADE 7 ASIAN BRUSH PAINTING ART WORKSHOP

BINGO FAMILY NIGHT

On behalf of the CSPC, we would like to thank all parents and students whom attended our first of many BINGO nights at St. James school. It was fantastic to see everyone having fun. A special thank you to TD Canada Trust on Dundas St whom donated the TD water bottles and money banks included in the prizes. With your participation and support, we successfully raised $424.67 in support of school initiatives for the students.

HIP HIP HORRAY The girls' intermediate volleyball team played at the South Regional tournament at St. Patrick high school. The girls demonstrated a positive attitude both during and after the game. They worked together making the right decisions for the team. They believed in the strength of the team and played with enthusiasm, dedication, sportsmanship and great teamwork. The girls finished the round robin with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss and made it as far as the semi-finals only losing to the eventual winners. The girls represented St. James proudly. We’d like to congratulate the following athletes for their effort and dedication over the past couple months. Congratulations to the following athletes: Alena, Kayla, Senniyah, Naima, Thalia, Maria, Larissa, Golden, Kaitlyn and Leonela. Thank you to our coach Mr. Dos Santos for training them.

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

2019 - 2020 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: we BELONG, we BELIEVE, we BECOME

LITERACY LANEWAY INSTALMENT

St. James Catholic School was named one of the recipients of a Literacy Lane Installation thanks to a generous donation by Desjardins. Literacy Lane is designed to promote literacy, language, math and executive function skills through movement in a reinforcing fun environment. For more information, please visit: https://www.tcdsb.org/schools/stjames/Pages/default.aspx

Monthly Update from the Board

December 2019

Latest Updates on Weather Related Cancellations or Closures Traffic congestion and varying road conditions can impact on the flow of traffic in Toronto, and this is particularly true during the winter months when snow and ice can be a major factor. The Toronto Student Transportation Group is pleased to provide information about school bus delays digitally through their website. Parents are encouraged to subscribe to the transportation portal to get real time information about any transportation issues throughout the school year:https://busplannerweb.torontoschoolbus.org/Subscriptions/Login.aspx Follow @TCDSB on Twitter to get the latest weather related updates.

We Believe For the second year of our pastoral plan, “Rooted in Christ: we Belong, we Believe, we Become”, students are invited to consider who inspires you, who nurtures your faith, who acts as a mentor and role model of Catholic living. Is it your school chaplain? A parent or other family member? Your pastor or other member of your parish? A teacher or other staff at your school? A colleague or friend? Why not sit down to have a chat with them, and interview them about their experiences of living their faith. Share your experience through a STEAM project, written work (poem, story, article), a short video, art, music or technology. Celebrate those who have guided you on your own journey of faith. Share your ideas and initiatives on social media (@TCDSB #TCDSBelieves). Send your submissions to ncc.team@tcdsb.org. Your submissions will be showcased on the TCDSB website and shared via social media (twitter/Instagram).

The Merit Award Bursary Program – Application is Open! The Merit Award Bursary Program provides bursaries to senior high school students as an incentive to say in school, recognizing those who demonstrate and commitment to their schoolwork, extra-curricular activities and communities”. The bursaries are granted to student who attend one of the participating schools. Before starting an application, please check to ensure your school is on the list. https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/OpportunitiesForStudents/Pages/MeritAward.aspx

CHRISTMAS DRAWING CONTEST 2019! Wanted: Christmas artists

The Catholic Register’s popular children’s drawing contest is back! Submission due December 13, 2019 https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/OpportunitiesForStudents/Pages/ChristmasDrawingContest.aspx

Scholarships/Bursaries/Awards Check out our website for the latest information https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/AwardsScholarshipsBursariesContests/Pages/default.aspx

2018 - 2019 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: WE BELONG, WE BELIEVE, WE BECOME

2019 - 2020 ∙ ROOTED IN CHRIST: we BELONG, we BELIEVE, we BECOME

Nominations are invited for the 2020 TCDSB Awards. Awards Night is our traditional celebration to launch Catholic Education Week and an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our alumni, students, staff and friends of Catholic education. Nominations are invited for the following awards:

• Download the TCDSB Alumni Award Nomination Form here.

• Download the TCDSB Award of Merit Nomination Form here.

• Download the TCDSB Friends of Catholic Education Award Nomination Form here. The deadline for all nominations is January 31.

December’s Virtue is Charity Find all the resources related to the monthly virtue, as well as other resources to support faith development and Religion and Family Life on our website here: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/Pages/Default.aspx

TCDSB Celebrates Advent and Christmas—Advent Begins November 30/December 1 Visit the board’s website for the latest news and information from TCDSB schools including food and clothing drives, Christmas baskets for needy families, Christmas concerts and other special events. https://www.tcdsb.org/news/othernews/2018/pages/Advent-and-Christmas.aspx

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR ST. JAMES FAMILIES