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May 2017 Virtue for the month - Compassion

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St. Jude Catholic School News

“Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8), acknowledges the important role of justice and solidarity with our Indigenous peoples, our environment, the poor and marginalized, and all those who work to protect our common global future.

Dear Parents/Guardians, We are celebrating Catholic Education April 30 – May 5, 2017. This year’s theme is “Walking Forward Together” which resonates with the 2016 response of the Canadian Catholic Bishops to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission that we need to heal past injustices by “Walking Forward Together.” The second is the 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home by Pope Francis, that emphasizes the cultural roots of our ecological problems and advocates an urgent world collaboration for the care of our common global home. The third document, Amoris Laetitia: The Joy of Love is a 2016 Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, which applauds our dedication and concern shown to children, families, migrants, the poor, the elderly, and to persons with special needs, as a sign of the Spirit. These supportive relationships are a test of our commitment to show mercy in welcoming others and to help the vulnerable, to be fully a part of our communities. Let’s put our words in action every day.

You are invited to visit our school this week. We have special events planned on May 3, Marian Celebrations- Rosary 9:00 AM. Thursday, May 4 – Wellness gallery 6:00pm, followed by a presentation by guest speaker Patricia Marra-Stapelton on ‘Nurturing, Body, Mind and Soul’. In Ontario Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is the first week of May. Our student Stop the Stigma team is active in promoting and organizing events (contd.page3).

May is the month we celebrate Mother Mary with our Marian celebrations. Also wishing Happy Mothers’ Day to all Mothers. God Bless all women who love, care and nurture children. Thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you on Thursday, May 4 at 6:00PM, make the time, come out, you will be happy you came. Sincerely, C. D’Souza T. Pucci, Principal Vice Principal

Dates To remember: April 30-May 5—Catholic Education Week: Walking Forward Together

May 2 - Easter Mass @9:30 am in the church May 3 - Marian Celebrations – Rosary in the gym @ 9:00am May 4 - Wellness gallery/ Patrizia Marra-Stapelton guest speaker for Parents on Mental Wellness. All are Welcome – Child Minding available. May 5 – Parish Family Day; Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast May 11 - CSPC(Parent Council) Meeting @ 6:30pm All are welcome May 13-14 First Communion @ St Jude Church May 15-20—Respect for Life Week May 16 - Spoken Arts Festival – Primary and Junior; May 17 – Intermediates May 24 - Welcome to Kindergarten @ 6:30pm in the Gym May 22 - Victoria Day - NO SCHOOL May 23 - June 6 CAT 4 Grade 2, 5, 7 & EQAO Grades 3 & 6 June 15 - Year End Mass @9:30am June 26 - Report Cards Go Home June 26 - Grade 8 Graduation June 29 – Last day of school for students

Catholic Education Week 2017 April 30-May 5, 2017

https://www.tcdsb.org/board/nurturingourcatholiccommunity/catholiceducationweek/pa

ges/default.aspx

St. Jude

Elementary

School

3251 Weston Road, Toronto, Ontario,

M9M 2T9 Tel # 416 393 5279

Fax # 416 393 5122

Principal: Mrs. C. D’Souza

Vice Principal: Mrs. T. Pucci Superintendent: Mr. A. Della Mora

Tel # 416 222 8282 X 2732 Trustee: Mr. S. Piccininni Tel # 416 393 8282 X 2660

Parish: St. Jude Church

Pastor: Fr. Josue Vargas Lara 3265 Weston Road, Toronto,

Ontario, M9M 2T9 Telephone: 416-742-9072

Fax: 416-742-9327l stjudes_weston@rogers.com

School Hours of Operation: 8:27 a.m. Assembly/Line Up

10:12-10:27a.m. Morning Recess

11:15 a.m. Lunch Recess

11:55 a.m. Lunch

12:15 p.m. Assembly/Line Up

1:40-1:55 p.m. Recess

3:30 p. m. Dismissal

_______________________________

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Virtue of the Month: Compassion Academic Excellence: Literacy For the month of May we will be focusing on the virtue of COMPASSION. Our quote is from John’s Gospel ”Jesus saw her weeping...his heart was touched, and he was deeply moved.” John 11:33 True compassion is not always easy to practice as in the words of Jean Vanier “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.”

Who wants to go there when spring has finally arrived and the sun is shining on us. This is all the more reason to show our compassion for those who cannot share in the light. For this month, St. Jude will be showing compassion by being mindful of sharing our light with all who we meet, by practicing our ‘Hands off Policy’ and showing we care by our words and actions.

Catholic Education Week 2017 April 30-May 5, 2017

https://www.tcdsb.org/board/nurturingourcatholiccommunity/catholiceducationweek/pages/default.aspx

May Message from your Trustee

Spring always brings with it a sense of renewal and promise.

This spring the TCDSB is undergoing a similar process. Earlier

this year, our Director of Education, Angela Gauthier, announced

her intention to retire at the end of the current school year. Her

leadership has been instrumental in guiding the Board through

some challenging times over the last several years. While it is

with great sadness that she is leaving us, my colleagues and I on

the Board of Trustees are looking forward to developing the

same strong working relationships as the next Director of

Education assumes his or her role in June.

Spring is also an incredibly important time for many of the students in our Board. I would like to send my sincere

congratulations and prayers to our grade two and grade seven students as they receive the sacraments of First Holy

Communion and Confirmation. These moments form the foundation of our faith journey as we strive to follow the

example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a fantastic May!

Sincerely, Sal Piccininni Trustee – Ward 3

Celebrating Our Successes: Stop the Stigma – Student Leadership – Thank you Ms. Notte The St. Jude Stop the Stigma leadership team (Grades 6, 7 and 8 students) attended the Elementary School Stop the Stigma Symposium on February 9, 2017 and participated in weekly lunch time leadership sessions facilitated by our Toronto Public Health nurses (Felicia and Madalene). (contd. page 3)

JR. Girls Basketball: On Wednesday, April 26 the Junior Girls participated in the St. Wilfred Invitational Basketball

Tournament. Though the girls faced challenges, they worked hard and tried their absolute best to overcome them. Although they did not place first or second the coaches, Ms. Davila and Ms. Stirpe, are very proud of their team effort, dynamic and are very excited for next year. We would like to congratulate our junior girls on a job well done: Kyanna, Kyerra, Desiree, Kelly, Tonia, Onoseremen, Sofia, Ebhanehi, Yana, Caroline, Daisy and Idalia. Go Hawks Go! Thank you coach Stirpe and Davila.

JR. Boys Basketball: The St. Jude Junior Boys Basketball team faced an uphill battle as they entered the dragons den at St.

Francis De Sales. In game one versus the ever so tough team from St. Roch, the Hawks came out firing on all cylinders, but could not make the best of their opportunities and falling short to the better team from St. Roch. In the second game vs St. Bernardino, the Hawks played a little better defense lead by the strong willed Stan the Man and his younger brother Godwin. The siblings worked together to also sinks 9 points among them. Unfortunately, the Hawks had their wings clipped by the mighty Bears from St. Bernard. The future looks bright with young players such as Ike, Victor, Oheneba and Allister to lead the way next year. Great effort and most all, you boys demonstrated a tremendous amount of class throughout the season. Thanks Coach DeCaria & Conforzi. Online component of our May 2016 (pages 1-5) newsletter also includes: http://stjude.tcdsb.org/

Celebrating our Successes: Stop the Stigma, Numeracy – SLIP, School Calendar 2017-2018, IMPORTANT REMINDERS-Safety, Student of the Month, TCDSB Monthly Updates

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Celebrating Our Successes Stop the Stigma – Student Leadership – Thank you Ms. Notte Children's Mental Health Awareness Week 2017 is being marked across the province during the first full week of May. It also coincides with Catholic Education Week, May 1 - 5. Children's Mental Health Awareness Week is about increasing awareness of the signs of child and youth mental health problems, decreasing stigma, and understanding that help is available and it works! The St. Jude Stop the Stigma leadership team (Grades 6, 7 and 8 students) attended the Elementary School Stop the Stigma Symposium on February 9, 2017 and participated in weekly lunch time leadership sessions facilitated by our Toronto Public Health nurses (Felicia and Madalene). As a result, the Stop the Stigma team has planned a variety of activities for our students each day during Children's Mental Health Awareness Week beginning with 'Wear two different shoes to school day' on Monday, May 1st to a Community Walk around the block day on Thursday, May 4th. We will conclude on Friday, May 5th by inviting and encouraging teachers and students to participate in a Meditation Minute to help reflect on the importance of mental health for everyone! For more information, please visit the following websites: www.kidsmentalhealth.ca Www. classroommentalhealth.org www.camh.ca Www.mentalhealthweek.ca

Numeracy - School Learning Improvement Plan At this point of the year it’s great to see our students being able to define their LEARNING GOALS and to become proficient at co constructing SUCCESS CRITERIA in order to help them achieve to the best of their abilities. Students are developing a stronger math vocabulary while simultaneously working collaboratively with a partner or two to solve more word problems (Collaborative Structures). Our Professional development days focused on aligning curriculum, Cross curricular lessons, sharing best practices and promoting Number Talks. Our families have been involved through google classrooms, Remind and Classroom Connect apps. Our Intermediate staff have been in collaboration in their SSLN team’s co teaching and co learning with our High School and elementary partners. The beneficiaries of this initiative will be your children and we do thank all staff for taking so much extra time out of their day to become better mathematicians. To our parents thank you for supporting learning at home. Reading with your child is the most important aspect in your child’s development as a learner. Please continue to dialogue with your child asking specific questions on Number Talk, GAFE, Learning Goals, Success Criteria, peer to peer conversations, Stope the Stigma, Volleyball game, Track team training, Field training and listen to their conversations. School Year Calendar 2017-2018 Approved https://www.tcdsb.org/school/SchoolYearCalendar/Pages/Default.aspx

TCDSB SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR 2017-2018 Number of school days 194 Number of Professional Activity Days 7 Labour Day September 4, 2017 First Instructional Day September 5, 2017 Thanksgiving Day October 9, 2017 Christmas Break December 25, 2017–January 5, 2018 Start of second semester for secondary schools February 5, 2018 Family Day February 19, 2018 Mid-Winter Break March 12–16, 2018 Good Friday March 30, 2018 Easter Monday April 2, 2018 Victoria Day May 21, 2018 Last day of classes for elementary students June 28, 2018

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Important Reminders: Safety in the schoolyard A gentle reminder to all parents that if you wish to meet with your child’s teacher that you first call the school and make an appointment that is convenient for you and the teacher. Once at the school, please check into the office, sign in and place a Visitor’s Pass where it is visible. If you are dropping off your child in the schoolyard, please do so and then exit the school yard. Please be supportive of our safety initiatives as we put them into effect because of the obvious safety concerns associated with having TOO many adults in the schoolyard. We want your children to easily distinguish between a familiar staff member and a stranger who should not be in the schoolyard.

No Pets in the Schoolyard: No Pets are allowed on school grounds for safety reasons. Some of our students and staff have allergies to pets. So please do not bring pets on school property. Thank you parents for your continued support of our safety initiatives at St. Jude’s.

Dress Code for Warmer Weather: With the warmer weather approaching, we are requesting parents’ support and cooperation in ensuring that students are neat, clean and appropriately dressed for school. Students should dress in a manner consistent with our behaviour code and with the creation of a healthy educational atmosphere within the school. Clothing worn at school must be modest. Skirts and walking shorts should be approximately knee length and midriffs must be covered. Spandex, tights, cutoffs, bicycle shorts, halter tops, crop tops, tank tops and muscle shirts must not be worn at school. Please also note that suggestive violent and or inappropriate language or symbols are not permitted on clothing, or on any other part of exposed skin or personal belongings. Students are encouraged to wear hats and

sunscreen outside. We ask for your continued support in ensuring that we maintain a dress code which reflects a

Catholic school as a place of serious work with high standards of sensitivity, politeness and decorum.

Student Hygiene Practices Parents are a part of maintaining good health and hygiene. Sending your children to school well groomed and clean is important. Please ensure to follow strict protocol with pediculosis. In the best interest of other students we strongly urge you to be considerate inform school if your child has head lice and complete the treatment before your child gets back to school. Secondly we keep our washrooms sanitized daily. This means that our custodial staff will regularly disinfect our urinals and toilets. Recently it has been discovered that some students have been urinating on the floor. It is very difficult for us to rectify this problem on our own, this is why I am imploring you to discuss proper washroom etiquette with your children. We want all children at St. Jude’s to feel that they can go to the washroom in a safe , clean, hygienic washroom. Having this discussion with your child will ensure that they will all view the school as if it were their second home and for most this is exactly what it is. I thank you for assisting us with this situation. Healthy Habits According to the Ontario Medical Association, children today are 40% less active than they were 30 years ago. T.V, computers and video games have contributed to this decline. Inactivity is a serious public health concern. 2/3 of Canadian children are not physically active enough for optimum growth and development. Regular physical activity improves self-esteem, decreases stress, improves muscle and bone strength, increases energy, promotes sleep, improves concentration and other academic skills and helps kids feel AMAZING! As well, it lowers risk factors for certain diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis Keep your kids active...have them join one of the leagues operating out of St. Jude’s or the many program offered by the city. For more information on the “Go Outside the Box” campaign, visit Toronto Public Health’s web page.

www.toronto.ca/health/pa_gooutsidethebox.htm

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Students of the Month – April

GR April – Virtue - Justice Academic Excellence -Music

KG Mikayla Blake Gracelyn Alipio

KG Alejandro Urbina Jarquin Isabella Pravato

KG David Vincent Leonel Pacheco

KG Raul Alcivar

KG Robert Alcivar Prince Nusiowu

1 Carmen Galves Nathan Simmons

1/2 Alessandro Alyas Joshua

1 Amarachi Osanebi Aiden Dowds

1 Samuel Perez Michelle Martine

2 Desarri Gilbert Christly Moyare

2 Sarembu Ireri Moses Lemus

2 Diego Soto-Miceli Kendry Andjar

2/3 John Binosh Madeline Bui

3 Tristan Cube Daniela Montejo-Dos Santos

3 Havannah Aquino Eghosasere Ehioghiren

3 Dumain Hall Jayed Ann Gregorio

3/4 Josh Cruzat Uthman Adnal Oladejobi

4 Jennifer Gorgees Joygold Goodluck

4 Naakwaley Titus-Glover Naakwaley Titus-Glover

4/5 Alister Johnson-Christie Idalia Montejo Dos Santos

5 Anthony Vu Iedin Yonaten

5 Emma Rubia Jaheil Kellyman

6 Dani Hanna Yana Go

6 Richard Bustillos-Escobar Sofia Dela Rocca

6/7 Winzel Montiz Lucas Calcano

7 Sophia Altobelli Sophia Altobelli

7/8 Chimdiya Ugochukwu David Giansante

8 Elisa Acerbi Toochi Onwuzulu

8 Christian Angelo Umipig Kate Pelayo

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Monthly Update from the Board

May 2017

School Year Calendar 2017-2018 Approved https://www.tcdsb.org/school/SchoolYearCalendar/Pages/Default.aspx

May 5th is Parish Family Day We thank the many schools who shared their initiatives, artwork, videos and written work celebrating the bonds between our

parishes and our schools, and the relationships that are continually nurtured by our staff, pastors, students and families. All

submissions are on the Board’s website her:

https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/YearoftheParish/PFDShowcaseSubmissions/Pages/default.aspx

The archived video from the central Parish Family Day Celebration on May 5th will be added to the board’s website the following

week.

Our focus now shifts to the local Parish Family Day Celebrations that are being planned by our schools, in partnership with their

own parishes. Families are encouraged to contact their local school for details.

Let’s continue to celebrate the parish-school relationship!

Exploring the Critical Role of Catholic Education in Contemporary Society The Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) wants to hear from everyone in the TCDSB community about Catholic education in

Ontario! "Renewing the Promise" is a dialogue .

Your input about Catholic education in Ontario - the way it fulfills its mandate as well as the challenges and opportunities of the

present moment - will help to guide the work of ICE for the future. A special face to face consultation on “Renewing the Promise”

is being scheduled at the TCDSB’s Catholic Education Centre in May. More information will be sent home to parents once details

have been finalized or check www.tcdsb.org for the latest news.

You are also invited to offer your ideas TODAY and input on-line through Thought Exchange. Log in to participate:

http://signup.thotex.com/iceont/Pyv

Thoughtexchange will provide background information and three open-ended questions that you answer anonymously. When the

survey closes, responses will be sorted into themes. You will then be invited to look at emerging themes and prioritize them,

locally and provincially.

Your ideas will provide important input for a gathering of the Catholic community later in the year on the theme of Renewing the

Promise. When the process is completed, results and analysis will be available on a designated public website. Catholic Education

Week 2018 will be the occasion to celebrate all that we learned . Join the dialogue today!

Community Consultation for Proposed Changes to Secondary School Admissions Policy The Ministry of Education has directed the TCDSB to adopt fixed attendance boundaries for all secondary schools in order to be

consistent with most Ontario school Boards. Complying with the Ministry’s request for fixed attendance boundaries for all TCDSB

secondary schools will have a significant impact on the Board’s current Admissions & Placement of Secondary Pupils policy

which may affect your child’s choice of high schools.

Community consultation on the proposed changes to TCDSB’s Secondary School admissions policy begins on May 1 with an

online survey (www.tcdsb.org). A special Secondary School Admissions Consultation Night will be held on Monday, May 8,

2017 from 7 pm to 10 pm at the TCDSB’s Catholic Education Centre at 80 Sheppard Avenue East (next to the Sheppard Subway

station). Free parking and child care will be available.

May is Speech, Language and Hearing Awareness Month Did you know that speech and language delays are the most frequently reported problem in children?

Early speech and language development has a major impact on future academic success. For example, research shows that a

child’s vocabulary when starting school is a prime predictor of school success or failure. We also know that early language

skills are directly related to later reading skills, and that children with poor language development have difficulty using

language to learn math and science.

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If you have a concern about your child’s speech or language, your school Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can help!

Speak to your child’s teacher or school principal to find out more, or contact the Speech and Language Department at 416-

222-8282, extension 2261.

More information here: https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SpecialEducation/Speech/Pages/Welcome.aspx

Get Ready to Get Rolling! Bike to School week is May 29 – June 2, 2017 Join students and teachers across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to celebrate Bike to School Week, May 29 to June 2,

2017. The goal of the week is to inspire initiatives among local schools, school boards and community partners to encourage

students to “walk and roll” to school. If the students do not have access to a bicycle, try scooting, skateboarding and rollerblading

to school. Roller blades are required to be removed prior to entering the school. Register your school for the 2017 TCDSB Bike to

School Week at biketoschoolweek.ca and complete the school reporting survey by June 12, 2017. All schools that complete the

school reporting survey will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Coming Soon: Elementary Track and Field Divisional meets starting as early as May 3rd, Regionals May 17-19 and City Meet May 24th. Details on our website

www.tcdsb.org

Canada 150 Celebrating the 150th anniversary of our nation and our province, and recognizing TCDSB’s place in the history of Canada dating

back to before Confederation. Check out all the resources, opportunities, contests and related information here:

https://www.tcdsb.org/affiliates/Canada150/Pages/default.aspx

Work Connections Job Fair May 11th at the Ontario Science Centre

https://www.tcdsb.org/forstudents/opportunitiesforstudents/pages/work-connection-job-fair.aspx

Registration for Summer School Information coming in late May. Check back for details:

https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/ContinuingEducation/SecondaryCreditCourses/SummerSchool/Pages/Default.aspx

Other Events to Note: May is Asian Canadian Heritage Month

o May 10—Asian Heritage Month Mass and Cultural Expose at Brebeuf College

April 30-May 5—Catholic Education Week o May 1-5—Festival of the Arts at Woodbine Centre

o May 1—Awards Night

o May 2—Province Wide Prayer for Catholic Education

o May 2—Student Mass

o May 3—Parent Event hosted by OAPCE—Walking Forward Together in Catholic Education

Celebrate Catholic Education and learn more about the programs and services that the TCDSB has to

offer

o May 5—Parish Family Day

May 1-5—Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

May 15-20—Respect for Life Week

May 28—Ascension Sunday

May 31—Mini Special Olympics

June 4—Pentecost

June 5-9—Indigenous Education Week

Stay Connected

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