ST. JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Principal: Nick Biagini Trustee: Sal Piccininni Vice Principal: Caroline D’Souza Superintendent: Loretta Notten

Phone : 416-393-5279 Fax: 416 –393-5122

Special points of interest: Briefly highlight your poi nt of interes t here.

Br iefly highlight your poi nt of interes t here.

Br iefly highlight your poi nt of interes t here.

Br iefly highlight your poi nt of interes t here.

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December 7,2012

PARISH NEWS

Please join us as we cele-

brate…..

*Children's Advent Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 11th—9:30, at St. Jude Church.

All are welcome.

O, Come O, Come Emmanuel

.Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power

of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord

who enlists me in God's own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the

world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I

seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right

to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the

God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited

resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail.

Amen.

May Christ find an eager welcome.!

St. Jude’s

Parish 3265 Weston Road, Toronto Ontario, M9M 2T9

Tel: 416-742-9072 Fax: 416-742-9327

Email: stjudes_weston@rogers.com (parish office)

Fr. Efrén Alvarez-Pelayo, Pastor

(fr.efren@rogers.com)

OFFICE HOURS

Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm

(Office closes between 1pm-2pm for lunch Mon-Fri)

Mon-Wed-Fri: 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Tuesday, Thursday: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm

Sunday: 8:00am to 2:00pm

Weekday Mass Schedule: Tue-Thu-Fri: 8:00am Wed. 8:00am & 7:00 pm

Weekend Mass Schedule: Saturday: 5:00pm English Sunday: 8:00am Italian 9:30am English 11:00am English 12:30pm Spanish

Christmas Play Children and Youth interested in participating in the dramatization of the First

Christmas at the 4:00pm Christmas Vigil Mass on December 24th, are invited to

sign up by attending one of the following meetings in the Parish Hall on

Wednesday, December 5th; Thursday, December 6th; and Friday, Decem-

ber 7th at 5:00pm. We welcome children ages 5 and up. Younger will accepted

on individual cases. The main roles of the play will be given upon auditioning.

Children/Youth who miss the sign up meeting may still take part of the group

roles (i.e. Shepherds, Angels, Sheep, etc) A schedule of rehearsals will be provid-

ed next weekend after mass (December 8-9). This dramatization will take place

at the 4pm Mass in English on December 24th ONLY.

Christmas Outreach Program Once again, it is time to think of people in the community who are in need and

require our assistance to make their Christmas a little brighter. Your help is es-

sential as our parish now takes on the responsibility of reaching out to those in

need. How can you participate? This year we are asking parishioners to

consider one of the following:

A) Sponsoring a family—forms are at the back of the Church; B) Making a

monetary donation or C) Donating Gift cards. Your donations would be greatly

appreciated no later than Friday December 16th, 2011. If you require further

assistance please contact the Parish Office 416-742-9072.

First Communion and Confirmation Program We remind parents who have children in our Sacramental programs that

participation in Sunday Eucharist is mandatory as per God’s command-

ments to keep the Day of the Lord Holy. This commitment is a requirement

and failure to fulfill this expectation may result in delaying the sacrament

for your child until a time when a commitment can be made. If you are at-

tending Mass at a different Parish you will be asked to transfer your child

to receive the sacraments there as it is a Norm of the Archdiocese and now

at St. Jude’s to celebrate sacraments in the parish where the family attends

mass.

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve 4:00pm Children’s Mass (English) Please note that the mass will begin at 4:15pm. At 4pm the children will begin the dramatization of the

Christmas Story with ―The AChristmas Day

8:00am (Italian) 9:30am (Englishnnunciation‖, ―The Visitation‖, ―Joseph’s

Dream‖, ―The Shepherds and the Sheep‖, and ―Angels from on high‖.

10:00pm (English)

) 11:00am (English) 12:30pm (Spanish)

New Year’s Eve 5:00pm (English)

New Year’s Day 9:00am (Italian) 11:00am

(English) 12:30pm (Spanish)

Confessions Confessions will be heard on December 18, 19, 20, 21 after the 8:00am Mass. As well as after the 7:00pm Mass on Wednesday December 19.

Holiday Office Hours Monday, December 24th 8:30am –

12Noon

December 25th & 26th— Office Closed

LATENESS We would like parents’ support in ensuring that their child arrives at school before the bell rings at 8:25 AM. Repeated lateness disrupts your child’s education. Punctuality is an excellent practice we hope to instill in our students. Please help us help your children build a very productive and disciplined society. If late parents and students should abide by the following practices:

Students must enter school through front doors

Late arrivals will be recorded

First and second time lates will receive a verbal reminder.

A 3rd late arrival will warrant a phone call home from the Vice Principal.

.

Chronic lateness will necessitate School Board intervention initiated by the School Social Worker.

SEASONAL DRESS Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. Children are required to go outside for three recesses per day. If your child is not well

enough to go out for recess they should stay at home until there is complete recovery. This will help to minimize the spread of coughs and colds.

DRESS CODE POLICY Students must wear the appropri-ate colours on a daily basis ex-cept on dress-down days. We understand that from time to time, unavoidable circumstances may necessitate a student’ non-compliance. Please send a note to the teacher on these occasions. We ask for your ongoing support in ensuring that our community’s decided dress code policy is successfully implemented.

Page 4

LET’S BEAT THE FLU:

Important Reminders:

The flu is spread by coughing and sneezing and from touching contaminated surfaces like toys, door-knobs and computer keyboards after someone with the flu has touched them. Children should be re-minded to wash their hands frequently during the day and to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. To reduce your children’s risk of getting the flu, have them vaccinated this season. It will protect them and you from getting the flu.

Media contact: Susan Sperling, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-7974, ssperli@toronto.ca

See the information letter attached to this Newsletter.

The season of Advent is here. It is a time when we prepare for a new coming of Jesus our Savior. Advent is a period of simple living and extra prayer. Jesus is the reason for our being and it is because of this that we prepare ourselves during Advent for the com-ing of our Lord. During this month we celebrate the virtue of Charity and once again you have been so gener-ous this year with your contributions to our Terry Fox run and during our Food Drive. Charity does not manifest itself sole-ly in the form of giving material goods. Every time the boys and girls go out of their way to help a class-mate when he or she is struggling

with an assignment or when they help others to resolve a conflict, this too is expressing the kind of Charity God wants us to exercise. Talk to your children about the importance of accepting others for who they are and to bring more love and peace in the world because this is what God expects of us. At St.Jude’s we do it through our celebration of the Virtues of the month and through the promo-tion of our Hands Off Policy. Our annual Advent mass will be taking place on Tuesday, December 11th at 9:30am at St.Jude’s Church. Join us as we celebrate Christmas from a child’s viewpoint.

We would like to thank you for supporting our Annual Book Fair

which took place during our Parent/Teacher conferences. Your generosi-ty will assist us in replenishing our book supply for the students. We encourage you to always spend time reading to your children or simply to ask them about what they learned at school. Your continued involvement and interest in their school work will certainly promote the importance of always striving for excellence in all that your children, our students, do daily.

From all of us at St.Jude’s, we wish you a Blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year...

Nick Biagini

Principal

Pa

From the Principal’s Desk

JESUS IS THE

REASON FOR

THE SEASON

ST. JUDE CSAC FUNDRAISER: PICTURE WITH SANTA CLAUS ON Friday,Dec16 . THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CSAC CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER—PICTURE WITH SANTA. ALL FUNDS RAISED GO TOWARDS ACTIVITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

DATES TO REMEMBER: December 11 Advent Mass-9:30 A.M December 6 Primary Christmas Concert: Grade 1 to 3 classes only— 1pm and 6:30pm. December 7- P A Day-No school for the students December 23 Christmas Dismissal December 24 January 4 Christmas Holidays January 7(2013) School Re-opens

Warm wishes for a wonderful Christmas Season….I wish you and your families many blessings at Christmas and Joy, Happiness and Health in the New Year ahead. SAL PICCININNI—SCHOOL TRUSTEE

STUDENT OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER’S THEME

Please join us For

Our Annual Primary Christmas Concert.

\Gr.1 to 3 only Thursday, December 6th,

2012 1:00 PM and 6:30pm School Gymnasium

Two tickets will be provided per

Performer due to fire regulations

(no exceptions).

Peace Francis Libo-On

Anika Ang

Angel Kusi-Appiah

Martin Samuel

Evin George

Michaela Martin

Kyanna Alarcon

Naomi Bermudez-Marquez

Keeanna Miller

Jahnae Oppong

Brandon Bandoo

Roberto Gonzalez-Acosta

Mikayla Salas

Joshua Satnoo

Isaiah Colindres

Mariz An

Carlos Cerna Calderon

Victoria DiMambro

Samantha Flynn

Jenitaa Jeyathas

Christian Linares

Alan Thomas

Edmond Gyamera

Julien Amergo

Juan Pablo Tupac

Ashley Rooney

Stephan Prince

Iedin Yonaten

Science/Social Studies Justin Pipim

Josias Carrasco-Ayala

Tristan Wilson

Elijah Acierto

Oheneba Gyekye

Kamayah McQueen

Andres Esquivel

Aaron Osma

Eric George

Olamide Badejoh

Paul Osborne

Joshua Hazarie

Justice Small

Gabriel Ceron

David Giansante

Alexander Ylaya

Krystasia Carter

Ayomide Badejoh

Patrick Defeo

Monica Duarte

Joshua Obakoya

Rachel Satnoo

Christian Altobelli

Loc Nguyen

Chris Tran

Ashik Thomas

Stephanie Guillen

Nicholas Rodrigues

Joshua Bowen

GO HAWKS GO!!!!!!!

On Tuesday December 4th the SR Boy’s Volleyball Team participated in the TCSAA City

Championships held at Seneca College-North Camus.

The Hawks were schedule to play at 9:15. the early birds started off their day with a strong vic-

tory against St. Conrad’s. The next match was to be their toughest with a healthy lead in both

games and some touch luck they just missed defeating St. Bede. Their athleticism alone was

amazing…

The Hawks were there with their powerful serves and spikes. We almost did it!! Top 5 in the

City was not bad at all. Congratulations to all!!!

School Learning Improvement Plan

As we continue towards standard implementation of our SMART goals I hope you had an opportunity to dis-

cuss our initiatives with your child’s teacher at the Parent-Teacher conferences. Our goals remain firm: to es-

tablish clear and student friendly learning goals for our students that mirror curricular expectations; the co –

creation of a success criteria for student assignments and finally provide meaningful, relevant descriptive feed-

back so students have a clear idea if they are working towards completing Levels 3 and 4 work. This initiative

is in keeping with our 21st Century initiative of assisting our students and teachers to define the learning task;

plan the learning task, doing the task and then reviewing in order to consolidate student learning in order to

promote student achievement.

In order to address this assessment goal for the year the teachers will continue to focus on critical thinking

tasks that fall under the curricular areas of literacy and numeracy. More specifically teachers will be asked to

align many of their language activities with the virtue being promoted that month, for November it will be:

Peacemaking. They will then build many classroom language and cross curricular activities with this Big Idea.

Within the curricular area of mathematics (numeracy) teachers will continue to deliver their program using the

Three part Math lesson approach of eliciting prior knowledge, creating student centered activities that address

the math strand and concept being taught and then reviewing various solutions after the students have present-

ed their findings. The primary difference with this approach is that it empowers the students to work collabo-

ratively with group mates to arrive at not one solution but many solutions to a problem. It also time for

student communication during the activity and after once they are done presenting.

Our school wide goal will focus on ensuring that our students will become stronger critical thinkers by

promoting multiple solutions that they will be able to articulate orally and in written form. All teachers in

the school will have this primary goal as the focus and will align this goal with our assessment for and as

learning initiative.

This year the school will continue to purchase more school laptops for our students so that teachers can inte-

grate computer technology into the curriculum. We are also very excited about the teacher blogs that will start

to crop up so that students can find a forum to address curricular issues.

If you have any questions in regards to our school learning and improvement plan or any other school initia-

tive, do not hesitate to contact the school to make an appointment with me to discuss.

Hands Off Policy

This is always a great time of the year to reiterate how our Hands Off policy continues to really help our stu-

dents to think twice before emotions get the better of them. They really are using their hands and feet for only

doing good things in and around the school. Please continue to assist us in maintaining the strength of this poli-

cy by speaking to your children about the importance of exercising self-control and to use their words to stop

any unwanted actions that take place in the school yard or in the classroom. Our teachers are dedicated to

maintaining high standards of safety so trust them to keep your child safe at school.

Appointment with Teachers or school personnel

In an effort to maximize the instructional time that our teachers devote to your children, we encourage you to

telephone the school and schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher if you need to discuss a school relat-

ed issue. Select, in discussion with the teacher, a time that does not interfere with instructional time but is mutu-

ally convenient. Thank you for supporting our efforts to raise student achievement.

hands off policy for St.Jude Catholic School

1. What is the "Hands Off" Policy?

The "Hands Off" Policy is a philosophy adopted by the students and staff of St. Jude Catholic School. The "Hands Off" Policy

states that physical contact and verbal abuse are prohibited at all times. We practice inclusion so work to GET ALONG.

2. What does "Hands Off" mean?

"Hands Off" means that you keep your hands to yourself at all times. Hitting, fighting, roughing, pushing, tripping, kicking,

shoving in line, play fighting, wrestling, pinching, spitting, biting, pulling hair, scratching, throwing objects (rocks, sand gravel,

snowballs, ice balls, handfuls of snow, etc...), are all examples of physical or hurtful contact. Disrespectful and abusive language,

name calling, racial remarks, swearing, and inappropriate gestures of any kind, etc... are all examples of verbal abuse.

Participating in any of the above activities is considered an offence at St. Jude Catholic School.

3. Why do we have a "Hands Off" Policy?

We have a "Hands Off" Policy to make a safer environment for everyone involved and to prevent anyone from getting hurt

physically or emotionally.

4. Who is responsible for the "Hands Off" Policy?

Students, teachers, the principal, and parents are all responsible for the "Hands Off" Policy. Students are responsible for mak-

ing and obeying the rules. Teachers and the principal are responsible for making the rules and for seeing that the rules are

obeyed. Parents are responsible for reminding their children of the rules and for backing up the rules of the school. It’s all about

the safety of our students, your children.

5. What are the consequences for breaking the rules of the "Hands Off" Policy?

Discipline Process: There will be a progressive set of consequences for students who use inappropriate or disrespectful behavior

beginning at the school bus, on the bus, during the school day, including the afternoon bus stop, and while participating in extra-

curricular activities. Please refer to Code of Conduct-Consequences section in the Student Agenda

6. Where do the rules of the "Hands Off" Policy apply?

The rules of the "Hands Off" Policy apply anywhere in and around the school, before, during, and after school hours. The rules

apply while visiting other schools, during school activities, on field trips, and/or on the school bus.

Lost and Found

Our Lost and Found continues to accumulate so we have decided to implement a new procedure. Once an item is found anywhere around the school or in the schoolyard, the item will be brought in a box that will be kept in our mailroom beside my office. After a two week period al items that have not been claimed will be bagged and sent off to the St.Vincent DePaul.

Students leaving the school

Parents a reminder that students are not permitted to leave school grounds unless

they are accompanied by a custodial parent or guardian. We have had this policy in

effect for many years at St.Jude’s and it exists in order tio keep our students safe.

When they are with us at school, they are in good hands.

Feathers Against Bullying On Monday, Nov.26 our school embarked on the Feathers Against Bullying initiative which every

student in our Board will be embarking on. The feathers are to be designed with a message about

the role of the upstander, that student who stands up against someone being bullied. The 60,000

feathers assembled across the Board will then be assembled into a dove that will become the largest

art installation ever created and will go into the Guinness Book of World Records. This is a fantas-

tic initiative as it is a direct attack on bullying and what better way than to promote the role of

those individuals who stand up against it.

GoHawks Go...

Sr. Boys’ Volleyball:

Congratulations to the Sr. Boys’ Volleyball Team for having had an amazing sea-

son. When the boys first began practicing in September not even their coaches

ever imagined that they would have become one of the powerhouses in the West

however, they managed to accomplish this feat through hard work and true dedica-

tion to the team. On Tuesday November 20th, the Boys participated in the West

Divisional Tournament and won the Championship Pennant. They advanced to

the West Region Tournament of Champions on Tuesday, November 27th where

they ended in first place in their pool against St. Roch’s. Wow what a division to

be in! In the play-off round St. Jude and St. Roch’s after both being victorious,

advanced to the finals. Having secured a spot in the City Championship round,

the tired Hawks faced defeat. Congratulations in bringing St. Jude a West Finalist

Pennant which will be proudly displayed in our Gym and we wish the team

success in the City Championship Tournament at Seneca College on Tuesday,

December 4th. Congratulations Boys you are already champs because in the entire

City of Toronto you are 1 of 8 teams that have advanced. Coaches Pietras and

Bellissimo wish to thank the numerous parent-volunteers who drove the team to

their tournaments. We would like to congratulate and thank the students and staff

of St. Jude for their continued support. A job well done!!!!!!!!! The Team wishes

to extend a sincere thanks to all that were involved in the success of the

team! Team members: Mark, Tomasz, Nicholas, Benjamin, Kwame, Kayontae,

Jon Alec, Ivin, Bayardo, Kevin, Alex, Javier, Bryan and Jose.

Grade 8’s Drumming Workshop Begins!!

This month Mrs. Orsini’s Grade 8 class began the journey of African Djembe Drum Making. The program started off with a trip to Rouge Valley and students experienced and learned how nature provides them with the materials to make these beautiful drums. Next, students created designs inspired by nature and and copied these designs onto the drum shells. The students are currently carving out these designs and making them come to life. The process of making the Djembe Drums, thus far, has been very exciting for the students and a very unique learning experience. The students are anticipating the completion of this process and ultimately learning how to play music on this unique, cultural instrument. Updates will be provided.

Me to We Committee and ECO Club

The St. Jude Me to We Committee and ECO Club would like to thank you for your support so far this year. All our initiatives are

well on their way and doing well due to your generosity. Here is an update on our efforts.

During our Thanksgiving/We Scare Hunger Food Drive we collected over 400 non-perishable food items which students deliv-

ered to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. They will distribute the food to needy families in our community.

With your help we have filled 17 penny bags ($25 each) so far. These will provide 17 people in Africa with clean water for the rest

of their lives. Please continue to send in your pennies and help us “Collect Change to Create Change!”

In November, we packed and shipped out 15,000 Kool-Aid pouches to Terracycle. This means we earned $230, which will be do-

nated to Free the Children.

We also collected and delivered about 500 milk bags since the beginning of the school year. These will be turned into mats and sent

to Haiti.

We are grateful for your efforts and generosity so far and encourage you to continue to send in these items in the future.

In keeping with the virtue of the month for December “CHARITY”, we ask that you bring some non-perishable food items and/or

an unwrapped toy on the night of the Christmas Concert for the needy in our community. Pennies and milk bags can also be

dropped off in the boxes positioned at the entrance of our school at this time.

Finally, the St. Jude ECO Club would like to thank KRAVETZ Paper Products for donating several boxes of wrapping paper

which students will be using to make Christmas cards and other paper crafts throughout the year!

Remember, “We may not be able to do great things, but we can do little actions with great love.” Mother Teresa

On behalf of the Me to We Committee and ECO Club we wish the whole St. Jude School Community a BLESSED and PEACE-

FUL CHRISTMAS And a PROSPEROUS 2013!

ME to WE Committee and ECO Club

Teen Fine Forgiveness Program at Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library is offering teens a chance to have their library fines forgiven up to

$20. If you work with, or know of teens who might benefit from this program, please let

them know they can download and print a fine forgiveness coupon at

www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/teens<http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/teens>

Or they can just drop into any branch of Toronto Public Library and ask staff to give them a

coupon. The campaign runs to December 31, 2012.

We are hoping that teens who have stayed away from the library because of unpaid fines will

return to the fold!

If you have questions about the program, please feel free to get in touch with Ken Sparling,

ksparling@torontopubliclibrary.ca 416-397-5970.

No-vember, 2012 Dear Parents and Students: The Toronto Catholic District School Board is promoting the elimination of the sale and distribution of bottled water in all of its schools, offices and at off-site events, when tap water is available. This is the result of a student-lead initiative brought to the Board of Trustees last year and passed at its meeting on April 20, 2011. Our student leaders are engaged in Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the dignity of all human persons in a caring community. Student leaders have investigated the bottled water industry and have identified serious, life-threatening issues re-garding the access to clean drinking water in the Global South. As Pope John Paul II said, “water is a gift of God and right of all”. It is a God-given resource that should be available to all individuals around the Globe. It is not a com-modity to be bought and sold, at the detriment of others. The Toronto Catholic District School Board facilities provide free access to safe tap water. As you know, the TCDSB Occupational Health and Safety Department regularly tests our tap water to ensure it complies with the rigid stand-ards set by the Ministry of the Environment. Where and when it is feasible and safe to do so, we are asking our school communities and office staff to use tap wa-ter as much and as often as possible. We encourage you to utilize canteens, pitchers and reusable water bottles and to review their safe use with your children. The Toronto Catholic District School Board community has an opportunity to embrace God’s gift of water as the shared resource it is. It is our responsibility to ensure that it is cared for and shared equitably with the whole of our human family. Join us in working together to make our schools and offices bottled water-free. Enclosed is an information pamphlet which outlines how we can apply our Catholic social teachings and live our values by eliminating our use of bottled water. Students, parents and staff who wish to bring bottled water into schools, offices or to Board-sponsored events, are entitled to do so. Water is one of God’s most precious gifts the basis of all life. This gift of water is given to us by God--it is for everyone.

“Let everyone who is thirsty come, Let anyone who wishes, take the water of life as a gift.”

Revelation 22:17

Sincerely, Mr. N. Biagini Principal

S.E.P.T.

Settlement and Education

Partnerships in Toronto

Dear Parents,

Once again I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for allowing me to walk with you

throughout 2012.

I would also like to wish each and every one of you a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY

AND BLESSED NEW YEAR. You are assured of my prayers for you and your families as we

celebrate the Birthday of the Christ Child.

Since I will be on vacation from November 30 to January 2nd 2013, I want you to know that the

SEPT Worker to contact in case of need is Irma Hercules.

Cell: 416- 271 - 8833. E-mail: ihercules@cicswis.ca

Isaura Agudelo

School Settlement Worker

Queridos Padres de Familia,

Permítanme tomar esta oportunidad para agradecerles por haberme permitido caminar con

ustedes durante este año 2012.

Quiero desearles a todos y a cada uno(a) una Feliz Navidad y un Prospero y Venturoso Año

Nuevo. Estén seguros de mis oraciones tanto por ustedes como por sus seres queridos durante

este Aniversario del nacimiento del Niño Jesús.

Quiero informarles que estaré en vacaciones desde el 30 de Noviembre hasta Enero 2 del

2013. En caso de necesidad pueden contactar a la señora Irma Hercules al teléfono # 416-

271-8833. E-mail: ihercules@cicswis.ca

Isaura Agudelo

Trabajadora de Asentamiento en las Escuelas