OCTOBER
Catholic Virtues Into Action
As this school year begins, we challenge ourselves to show RESPECT for the earth, for
our classmates, for all people, young and old, of all races and abilities, and finally to
show respect for ourselves, by working hard and doing our best to build God’s kingdom
on earth.
Throughout the month of October, students will be participating in different activities that
highlight the importance of respect, especially as it relates to creation. October is the
month to be thankful and we show respect for all of the Creator’s creatures and
creation.
We are all valuable to God and we all deserve to be shown courtesy, consideration,
sensitivity and thoughtfulness, which are different ways of showing respect. But first, we
have to respect ourselves and then we will be able to respect others. Through prayer
and practice, we can get better at respecting ourselves as well as respecting those
around us.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms. V. Crupi, PALS Teacher, Mrs. K.
Boyd, Grade 2 teacher, Ms. H. Tennier, SSP and Mrs. L. Scharp our new custodian.
We also wish farewell Mrs. Rubenick who has retired after 37 years of service. Also, get
will wishes to Mr. Horne, our custodian as he recovers.
Please join me in welcoming our new Catholic School Council.
Parents: Ms. Alajoki, Mrs. Antenucci, Mrs. Beaucage, Mrs. Dulude, Mrs.
Foresta, Mrs. Kokanie, Mrs. Lenardon, Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. White, Mrs.
Witiluk
Chair: Mr. O’Neil Teacher Rep.: Mrs. Crupi, Mrs. Heino
Principal: Mr. Ianni
Our first meeting will be on October 12 at 6:30 in the school library.
FIRST COMMUNION
Parents of Grade Two students requesting the Sacrament of Holy Communion are kindly
reminded to deliver completed forms directly to the church you attend.
IMPORTANT DATES:
• OCTOBER 5th. WORLD TEACHER DAY
• OCTOBER 6th, Cross Country Run for selected participating students.
• PHOTO DAY: October 7th
• THANKSGIVING MASS will take place at the school on
October 13 at 9:30. Father Victor will celebrate with our
staff and students. Families are welcome
• RETAKES October 27th
•
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY: October 28th
• The Active U and Terry Fox Run have been postponed until a later date. A
Synervoice has been sent to inform parents and guardians.
Once again, the Boys & Girls Club is running a Breakfast Program at St Pius X School
from 8:45 to 9:05. Proudly, our Breakfast Program follows the new Ministry Food and
Beverage Policy. This is an INCLUSIVE Breakfast Program, all children are welcome.
We are offering items such as: Oatmeal with berries, fruit yogurt, scrambled eggs,
cheerios and breakfast wraps. If students wish to have breakfast, they enter the gym by
8:55 and are respectful. Then they can enjoy the delicious breakfast prepared by
Nonna Rosa.
Drop-Off gently used coats at St. Pius School from Monday,
October 17 to Friday, November 11, 2016. Coat distribution
dates and location are:
-Saturday, November 19 at Victoriaville Centre between 10:00
am - 2:00 pm.
-Monday, November 21 to Saturday, November 26 between
11:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Thank you for your support.
PPOD AT ST. PIUS
Lakehead University is very excited to have St. Pius X Elementary School acting as a
host site for the Professional Program On-Site Delivery component of its 2 year B. Ed.
program. Part of the program component is designed to offer our pre-service teacher
candidates the opportunity to solidify the theories and ideas they are exploring in classes
out in a school setting. While most of their time will be invested into learning theory in a
classroom setting, their presence in and elementary school enables them to work with
small groups and individual students. This opportunity will give them valuable insights to
use as a platform for further learning during their classes. The relationship between the
university and the school is symbiotic as both the teacher candidates and the students in
the schools benefit from these small group learning/teaching opportunities. LU is very
excited to partner with St. Pius’ teachers as we offer our first Math Focused PPOD. As a
way of saying “thanks”, each LU teacher candidate is responsible for working with
students an additional 25 hours as Numeracy Coaches.
THUNDER BAY LITERACY GROUP
We are excited to be working with Thunder Bay Public
Library and Communities Together for Children to
provide a FREE workshop for parents, caregivers or
service providers on family literacy. The program will
take place at Brodie Street Library for four weeks,
beginning Wednesday, September 21. We want to
offer adults the skills to raise confidently literate
children regardless of their own
abilities. Participants are welcomed and encouraged
to bring their children. Each session will begin with a light snack and activity. We will
then read a book together. In the second portion, children will enjoy craft and play time
while the adults discuss the weekly topic and figure ways to implement it using available
resources. Finally, we will join back together for a few closing songs and take home
treats.
FOREST SCHOOL
Forest School will provide an opportunity for the ELKP2 students to experience nature
and the outdoor environment in a safe, secure and hands on way in all seasons and in
all weather. Our “forest” is a small woodland area located just behind the St Pius X
schoolyard. There are old wood piles to attract insects and small mammals. Children
learn best from first-hand experiences.
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER: Connection Is The Key
Dr. Jean Clinton will be hosting a seminal on October 13 from 7:00 – 8:30. Her interests
lie in brain development and relationships and connectedness play. To learn more about
Dr. Clinton, please see: www.drjeanclinton.com. Please contact the school for free
tickets.
LIBRARY UPDATE WITH MRS. IRWIN
Part of the Teacher Librarian mandate is to collaborate with the split
classroom teachers in order to support the curriculum programs
happening in the classroom. I am team working with the Grades
4/5 and the 1/2 teachers.
I will team teach a literacy based religion/social studies unit. In
other classes, I try to complement their inquiry projects and support
the literacy/technology, depending on the classroom needs.
Other projects include Media Literacy, code, Good Samaritan and
interactive science. These are spread throughout the school year.
WASTE REDUCTION WEEK
School and home are the perfect places to practice waste reduction. Students who learn
about waste gain good lifetime habits and teach their families how to minimize waste.
Waste Reduction Week takes place right across Canada each year from October 17 to
23rd.
PAWS FOR STORIES
Students in grades 1 to 4 will participate in Paws 4 Stories. Student read
stories to a therapy dog on a one-to-one basis. The dogs are clean,
meticulously groomed, well-behaved and comfortable working with
children. Students take great comfort in this program.
BUS SAFETY, FIRE DRILL AND LOCK DOWN PROCEDURES
Staff and students will be participating in bus evacuation, fire and lock down safety drills.
We ensure that our students understand the need for these practices. Please contact the
school if you have NOT updated your emergency plan. (Gray forms sent home in
September). It is mandatory that we have all your contact information up to date in the
event of such an emergency.
COOKING WITH KIDS
Mr. Mastalerz and Mrs. Scharf’s classes will be involved in a cooking program where
they will learn basic cooking skills as well as cleanliness and safety. Students will be
making their tasty snack on October 25th for Mr. Mastalerz’s class and November 9 for
Mrs. Scharf’s class.
HALLOWEEN REMINDERS
With the excitement of Halloween nearing, please make note of 2 important reminders:
1) We are a peanut & nut safe school. We are requesting that all peanut/nut items not be
sent to school in lunches or snacks. We ask that Halloween treats, if being packed for
school, be peanut & nut free as well kept to a minimum. Please check the ingredients
listed on the packaging of any processed foods/treats and check for the phrase “may
contain traces of nuts”. As an extra precaution, we remind students not to share lunches
or snacks out of respect for their classmates’ health concerns. Although it is very
tempting, we are asking that students not share any candy treats either. Please note: 2)
Students are very excited about Halloween. Please refer to the letters being sent home
with information about class activities. At this time we will not be scheduling a Halloween
Dance-A-Thon.
TBCIA CROSS COUNTRY RUN
Thunder Bay Catholic Interschool Athletics’ first junior event of year is the Jr. Cross
Country Run. Congratulations to all our children who came out and made the St. Pius X
Cross Country Running Team. The TBCIA Cross Country Run will take place on October
6 at Kamview. Go Phoenix!
AT SCHOOL & AT HOME, Let’s Work Together to Help Our Children Understand these
Rules of Respect… School Bus Safety Throughout the school year, we will be reminding
our students of these simple rules of RESPECT. Our goal is to provide a well-organized,
safe and pleasant learning environment for all. Be at the school bus stop on time. Enter
the bus in single file, holding the handrail. Go to assigned seat, stay seated at all times
while the bus is in motion, face forward all the time. Listen to the bus driver. If children
must cross the street: Children must walk at least 10 big steps in front of the bus along
the side of the road and look at the driver before crossing. Children should look for a
signal from the driver before walking across the street. Look all ways before crossing the
roadway. Parents should meet children on the side of the street where the bus stops.
FIVE SIMPLE SCHOOL RULES
1. Keep hands off. This rule means . . . Play without pushing, shoving, grabbing, kicking,
tripping, etc. Solve problems without fighting or any other form of physical violence. Play
without play fighting.
2. Leave sticks, stones, sand and snow on the ground. This rule means . . . Play without
throwing sand, rocks, sticks or snowballs.
3. Use appropriate language. This rule means . . . Speak without the use of profanity.
Speak in a way that respects the dignity of others. Say things that you would not be
embarrassed to say in front of your mom, dad, teacher, priest, grandparents or Jesus.
4. Behave respectfully. This rule means . . . Treat yourself and your fellow students with
respect. Respond politely to all staff, including teachers, principal, support staff, lunch
supervisors, secretary and custodians. Eat politely and follow the lunch rules. Use
manners, such as please, thank you and excuse me. Greet people using their name, if
you know it. Keep our schoolyard litter-free. Ask before borrowing, treat belongings with
care and use supplies wisely. Pick up after yourself.
5. Play safely. This rule means . . . Play in an area that doesn’t interfere with the play of
others. Carry roller blades, skateboards and scooters when on school property. Ask a
teacher before retrieving a ball that bounces out of the yard. Avoid throwing balls or
other items onto the roof. Please support us in our efforts by knowing our Five Simple
School Rules and reviewing them with your child.