September 2010 Newsletter

Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year!  We hope that you had a wonderful, relaxing summer, filled with happy family memories that you will have for years to come.  It's hard to believe that the time has come to begin another year of challenge and growth together as a community.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you return to St. Joseph*s refreshed and ready for another busy, productive year.
This year's theme in the Catholic schools is Be the Good News.  We will spend time as a community sharing the Good News of Christ with one another through our words and actions.  We will focus on a different Bible story each month.  In September, we will read the story of Saul's journey to Damascus (Acts 9:1-18).  We hope that you will take some time this month as a family to read this story of Saul's conversion and to continue to share the Good News of Christ in your families throughout the school year. 

 "Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word." (Acts 8:4)

Welcome!
We are pleased to announce the arrival of two tiny new members of the St. Joseph's community.  During the summer, Mrs. Grossert and her husband welcomed their daughter, Lauren Marie Grossert, and Mrs. Pizzolato and her husband welcomed their fourth child, and first daughter, Marta Bruna Pizzolato.  Congratulations! 

It is with sadness that we must say good-bye to Mrs. Lapenna.   Due to a change in her husband's career, Mrs. Lapenna has moved away from Vancouver and therefore will not be returning to teach at St. Joseph's.  Our new grade one teacher for this year is Ms. O'Connell.  We wish Mrs. Lapenna well as she begins a new phase in her life, and we welcome Ms. O'Connell to the St. Joseph's community.

September 7: - School opens at 8:40am.  Students will meet at the school and go to their classrooms.  Classes will walk to the church for Mass at 9:00am.  Dismissal from the school will be at 11:00am.
September 8: - Regular Wednesday schedule:  8:40am - 2:30pm. 
          7:00pm: Parent meeting in the school gym,
          followed by meetings in the individual classrooms.

September 9: - Regular schedule: 8:40am - 2:45pm.

First Friday Mass - 9am
We celebrate First Friday Mass every month at 9:00am, and invite parents to join us whenever your schedules permit.

Wednesday, September 8th - 7pm
Annual Meet the Teacher Night
Please note that our annual Meet the Teacher night will take place early this year, on Wednesday, September 8 at 7:00pm in the school gym.  The general information meeting will take place first, and then parents will go to the classrooms, where the teachers will present an overview of the school year.  It is expected that at least one parent from each family will attend this meeting. 

Note to parents of students in grades 6 and 7:  the information session for Outdoor Education will take place on that evening.  At least one parent per family must be in attendance. 

With 'back-to-school' time upon us, it is important to review a few reminders:

Uniform reminder! Please make sure that your children are dressed in full uniform every day.  The school uniform must be purchased at Neat Uniforms; non-uniform items, such as shirts and pants, must be replaced. Our uniform policy is described in the school application forms and family handbook. Students are most welcome to wear the summer uniform until Thanksgiving, but all students must be in uniform at all times.  If you need further clarification, please speak with your child's teacher or call the school office. Thank you for helping us to instil school pride in our students.

Please label all uniform items with your child's name.  It really helps if we are able to 'identify' clothing that is 'lost & found'.

Lunches: If you are dropping lunches off for your children, please bring them to the office and they will be given to your child.  This helps eliminate classroom disruptions.  Please remember that we do not permit 'fast food' type lunches (McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, etc.) or junk food (pop, chips, etc.) at St.  Joseph's   at any time. We encourage parents to make healthy choices for snacks and lunches, and hope that you will make the same choices on weekends as well. Please check product packaging for information regarding the nutritional value of food.  If you would like to take your child out for lunch please send a note and they will be dismissed during the lunch recess. Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, fried chicken and other fast foods will not be allowed for birthday celebrations.  These items will be packed up and returned home if they arrive at the school.  Thank you!

School Supplies: All students must have their school supplies by Wednesday, September 8th so that they can organize themselves properly for learning.  Stores have a great supply of the necessary items in stock at this time.

Please remember to call the school office if your child is going to be late or absent from school.  In addition, we need notes for all absences.

Homework club:
This year at St. Joseph's, there will be a homework club held after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  More information will follow later in September.

Field Trips:  Please be reminded that all children nine years of age and younger must be in a booster seat when travelling in a car.  Therefore, on all field trips for students from kindergarten through grade four in which students are transported by parents, the children must bring in their own car seat in order to participate in the trip.  Please label the car seats with your name and phone number in order to avoid confusion. 

In addition, we will be asking for your driver's license and car insurance information before driving students on field trips or for sports events.  We will keep this information in a secure file for the entire school year and it will be destroyed at the end of June.  Parents who have not submitted this information to the office will not be allowed to drive students. More information regarding this requirement will follow in the near future.

Daily Physical Activity:

According to a directive from the Ministry of Education, the students will continue to take part in 30 minutes of physical activity every day, sometimes during PE classes and sometimes directed by the classroom teachers.  Please ensure that your child has running shoes and an appropriate jacket each day at school in order to take part in these mandatory activities.

Professional Development :
As part of our preparation for the school year, the staff will attend the Faith Development Day presented by the CISVA on September 2.   We will spend the day listening to Monsignor Jim Lisante, from New York, speak about growing in our own faith as we continue to educate others in a Catholic school.
The professional development days that occur in the first term of this year will focus on Mathematics and on writing.  As a staff, we have noticed a need to strengthen the writing skills of the students and on helping them to understand the language of Math. The achievement of these goals will extend beyond the duration of this year, and we are looking forward to working with you and your children to develop these skills. 

Traffic Safety:
Please observe our traffic safety routines when dropping off and picking up children. Remember that there is no parking in front of the school on Fleming Street, or at the side entrance on 15th Avenue. It is only possible to DROP OFF at these locations, on the correct side of the street.  Please do NOT drop off our children on the opposite side of Fleming Street, it is very difficult for drivers to see them as they cross such a crowded, narrow street, Please remember that the maximum speed in school zones is 30kph. You are most welcome to drive more slowly!

We always need more traffic patrollers in the mornings and afternoons. If you are able to help us in this area, please contact the school office.

Morning Routines:

In order to give the children more time to be active, they will stay outside to play in the mornings before school.  When the bell rings, the students will line up in their designated spots and the teachers will bring them to the classrooms. If it is raining hard in the mornings, the students may wait in the front hall until it's time to go to the classrooms.

And our double reminder: please label all your child's clothing including their coats/jackets and shoes!