SEPTEMBER 2015
Monsignor leo cleary
3820 Courtice Rd. N.
Courtice, ON, L1E 2L5
Tel: (905)433-0331 - Fax: (905)433-9933
Dear Parents/Guardians...
Principal
Elizabeth Palmer
Secretary
David McOuat
Parish Priests
Fr. Anthony
Ezeonwueme
Fr. Theodore
Nnoram
Catholic School
Council Chair
Dave Irwin
First meeting &
Elections are
September 21 @
6:30 p.m.
Superintendent
Rosemary Leclair
Trustees
Ruth Ciraulo
Linda Ainsworth
Welcome back to another new school year at Monsignor Leo Cleary Catholic
Elementary School. We hope that you had a wonderful summer break and
share our enthusiasm as we embark on our journey towards a rewarding and
successful year of learning. The teachers have been hard at work making each
classroom a welcoming, inviting environment for learning. Your children are part of
a safe, supportive and inclusive educational environment. I am very excited to be
part of such a vibrant, faith filled school community. I believe it is truly the team of
people in a community ~ students, staff, parish, parents, and volunteers ~ that make
it come to life. It is the many relationships between the parents, parish and
community that the strength that will fuel our success.
Children in elementary school are at a developmental stage where all adults in their
lives need to work together to provide the guidance they will need as they figure out
how to make good decisions. Connecting with their parents, parish, teachers and
administrators provides the communication necessary to produce self-assured,
compassionate, young people. Never underestimate the power of parental
involvement!
I hope to meet all of you in the days and weeks to come and look forward to
working with you and your children.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR WELCOME BACK BBQ
SEPTEMBER 17TH 5:30 P.M.
This is going to be an amazing school year!
God Bless,
Mrs. Palmer
“Follow us” on Twitter
“Lighting
Spirits,
Building
Unity”
@MLCBlazers
Visit the board website:
ww.pvnccdsb.on.ca
Visit the school website:
http://schools.pvnccdsb.on.ca/monsi27
PAGE 2
MONSIGNOR LEO CLEARY
FOND FAREWELLS … AND WARM WELCOMES
We wish to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Holmes for having our school
in tip top shape for our return! There are many new faces here at MLC
and we are all excited to meet the returning families and welcome new
families to our school community.
Below is the list of returning staff and new staff as well as their
placements for this upcoming year.
MONSIGNOR LEO CLEARY STAFF FOR 2015- 2016
Principal:
Mrs. Palmer
Secretary:
Mr. McOuat
Librarian:
Mrs. Stephenson-Britton
Custodian: Ms. Holmes
Ms. Sawdon
ELP
Mrs. Furlani
Gr. 3/4
Mr. Westlake
ELP
Mrs. Davis
Gr. 4/5
Ms. Gooley
Gr. 1
Mrs. MacDonald
Gr. 6/7
Mrs. O’Brien
Gr. 2/3
Mrs. Rodriguez
Gr. 7/8
Mr. Manarin
Resource: Mr. Cappuccitti
French/
Integrated Arts:
Ms. Lesperance
Program / Literacy Support: Ms. Ryan
EAs: Mrs. Kraemer & Ms. Gabourie
OUR SCHOOL DAY … DROP OFF AND PICK UP
8:55
Supervision begins on the yard
9:08
Warning Bell
9:10
10:32 - 10:47
12:09 - 1:09
2:31 - 2:46
3:40
Please
remember the
School begins
school yard is
Morning Recess
not supervised until 8:55
a.m. Students should NOT
Lunch
be dropped off before that
Afternoon Recess
time and must be picked
Dismissal (busses leave at 3:45) up promptly at 3:40 p.m.
Page 3
MONSIGNOR LEO CLEARY
OFFICE = 905-433-0331
24 hours x 7 days a week!
We have a Safe Arrival Program in place in order to provide prompt assistance to any child in
need during that crucial time after they leave home and before they enter their classroom. This
is the time they are most at risk. If a student is not in the classroom when attendance is taken,
and we have not been informed of their absence, the secretary calls home, then Mom at
work, Dad at work and all Emergency numbers to ascertain the absent student is SAFE.
It is imperative that parents inform the school if their child is going to be absent or late. The
answering machine is on 24 hrs 7 days / week so please call (905) 433-0331. Children should
not come to school if they have a temperature above normal or have been physically ill within 24
hours. If the student is ill they are to be picked up and taken home.
For safety reasons, we require that students bring a note to the classroom teacher (or parent
writes a note in the agenda) for any absence, for being picked up during the school day, for any
alternative arrangements (i.e. not taking the bus, daycare arrangements, leaving early for sports,
etc.) or for being late (i.e. medical, dental appt).
NO STUDENT IS TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL GROUNDS FOR ANY REASON WITHOUT
PARENTAL CONSENT.
When students arrive late or need to leave school early, they
are asked to use the sign in/out procedures at the office.
VISTORS & CLASSROOM VISITATION
When parents come into the school to volunteer they must report
to the office and sign in. If parents are dropping off items for their
son/daughter, please bring the belongings to the office and the
child will be called down during a scheduled break (ie. recess/
lunch). This procedure supports safety in our hallways and less
disruption to our classrooms. If you need to speak to a classroom
teacher, please arrange for an appointment.
STUDENT AGENDAS
Student agenda use is essential in developing healthy organizational and
communication skills. Parents can use the agenda as a form of communication
with the classroom teacher. Parents are encouraged to use the agenda to record
appointments and communicate lates/absences. Please familiarize yourself with
the introductory pages and the agenda format. Please have your son/daughter
bring in $5.00 to cover the cost of the agenda. Please submit monies to the classroom teacher in an envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name/grade, and the
amount enclosed. You may use one cheque for all of your children. How-
ever, please write their names on the front of the cheque.
PAGE 4
MONSIGNOR LEO CLEARY
NUT SAFE SCHOOL
Sabrina’s Law is in effect for all of
us to follow and respect. We
continue to be a nut safe school as
we have children attending school
who are allergic to peanuts/nuts. We rely on the
cooperation of parents, students and staff to make
sure that no nuts or nut products are brought to
school at any time. Parents are encouraged NOT
to send nut or nut products to school. Please help
us keep our students safe.
Thank-you for your continued cooperation!
Please join us for our Welcome Back to
School BBQ on September 17th
at 5:30 p.m.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
You are invited to join the Parent School Council for the 2015 - 2016 school year. We are looking for parents who:





Have a couple of hours a month
Volunteer today!
Want to share ideas and suggestions
Simply complete the nomination
Want to help us with fundraising
form that is being sent home in this
Want to support the hot lunch program
newsletter and return it to the school
Want to build a strong community through teamwork
or bring that night.
Please join us and help us form our new Parent Council for this year:
Monday, September 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the Library! (See nomination form attached )
Milk Orders
will begin
Monday,
September
21st
Welcome back to another school year. Nomination forms are now available for Catholic School Council
Positions. Elections will take place Monday September 21st. As we say goodbye to several long term
council members and hot lunch volunteers, we are looking for any parents who wish to volunteer their
time to making our hot lunch programs a continued success. Our welcome back BBQ will be Thursday
Sept 17th at 5:30PM and sign up sheets will be available for hot lunch volunteers. (All that is required is
a valid police check and 1-2 lunch hours per month commitment).
BEE STINGS, INSECT BITES OR OTHER ALLERGIC OR MEDICAL ALERT INFORMATION
If your child is allergic or highly sensitive to insect stings or has other serious allergies or medical
conditions, please let the classroom teacher know immediately. Your child should have an
emergency kit prescribed for them by your physician in case of an emergency. You will also need
a school medical alert form completed by your physician which gives information regarding
medication and procedures to follow in emergency situations. Forms can be obtained through our
Resource Teacher. All medications, including puffers, must be reported to the classroom teacher.
POLICE CHECKS
Please note that we are mandated by legislation regarding
Child Protection, to require ALL VOLUNTEERS (including
chaperones on school trips and sporting events) to obtain a
full Police Records Check. If you have provided one in the
past to our office, you will simply be required to complete a
declaration this year. The Declaration is contained at the
end of this newsletter. Please bring to the office when
complete. If you need a Police Records Check, please
contact the office to get the letter required by the police
station.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Your child will be bringing home an
optional
Insurance Application
Brochure. This provides accidental
dental, medical, or disability insurance
on behalf of the students participating
in any activities. Please read the
information in the brochure. If you
choose to enroll, please mail the form
and money directly to the insurance
company, not the school.
Monsignor Leo Cleary Catholic School Parent School Council
Candidate Nomination Form for 2015 - 2016
Dear Parents:
What is a School Council? A School Council is a group of persons that are interested in working
together to enhance the development of our children and their education.
What does the School Council do? School Councils are advisory bodies who assist in making
positive contributions to our school community. School Councils provides advice to the Principal, where
appropriate, to the school board on any matters identified as priorities such as curriculum, safe schools,
policies, extra-curricular activities, Family Literacy Day, sacraments, celebrations, school functions, etc.
The election for the 2015 - 2016 Catholic School Council Parent Representatives will be held on
Monday, September 21st, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. Please consider taking one of
the following roles and be a voting member on School Council:
Chair:
Duties include: chairs monthly meetings, collaboratively plans the monthly agenda, attend
board events and related activities to school council.
Vice Chair:
Assists the Chair.
Secretary:
Records the Minutes of our meeting.
Treasurer:
Collaborates with school secretary to prepare financial reports for monthly meetings.
Parish Representative: Liaison between council, school and parish.
Parent Representative: Liaison between council, school and parent community.
Other members on council who can vote consist of 1 Teacher, Student Council Representative, 1 non
teaching staff member and community representative. The Principal is a non voting member on Council.
Elections for School Council will be conducted by secret ballot if there is more than one candidate for a
given position. For these positions, candidates will be asked to deliver a brief presentation (introducing
yourself, your interest in catholic education/ school council, etc.).
If you wish to join or nominate an individual (who has given you their consent), please complete the following form and submit it to the office prior to September 21st noon. I look forward to your participation and to another wonderful new school year!
Msgr. Leo Cleary Catholic School Council Nomination form for 2015-2016
I would like to nominate: ☐ MYSELF, ☐ OTHER INDIVIDUAL for the following position:
☐ Chair
☐ Vice Chair
☐ Treasurer
☐Secretary
☐Parish Rep
☐Parent Representative
I understand that to hold this position I must be a parent at Msgr. Leo Cleary Catholic School AND will
require a police check.
Candidate’s Name: ________________________________ Phone No. ___________________
Your name if you are nominating this candidate: ____________________ Phone No: ________
Signature: ___________________________________
MONSIGNOR LEO CLEARY
P AGE 6
Achieving Excellence in Catholic Education through Learning, Leadership and Service:
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are found in section 1832 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as inspired by the fifth chapter of Paul's letter
to the Galatians.
CCC #1832 "The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the
Church lists twelve of them: "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control,
chastity."
CCC #1832 "Les fruits de l’Esprit sont des perfections que forme en nous le Saint-Esprit comme des prémices de la gloire éternelle. La
tradition de l’Église en énumère douze : " charité, joie, paix, patience, longanimité, bonté, bénignité, mansuétude, fidélité, modestie,
continence, chasteté."
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are gifts we have been given and each month we will recognize and name one of the Fruits of the Spirit alive and
working in our Catholic Community. The Spirit is alive and working in each of us, and grants us gifts that enable us to collaborate for the
good of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit for PVNC are:
January – Generosity - bénignité
February - Kindness - longanimité
March - Self Control - continence
April - Joy - joie
May - Gentleness - mansuétude
June - Modesty - modestie
July - Chastity - chasteté
August - Goodness - bonté
September - Faithfulness - fidélité
October - Charity - charité
November - Peace - paix
December - Patience – patience
Mental Health Moment
Welcome back for another exciting school year! This year PVNCCDSB will continue to promote a focus
on self-regulation as a core priority of our Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy. These efforts will be
supported by the revised Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum which features excellent
learning and skills development in the area of Mental Health. Students will learn about things such as:
the role of physical activity in maintaining good mental health
the factors involved in emotional well-being
how to recognize signs of stress
adaptive skills for coping with stress and emotional challenges
communication and social skills
how and where to reach out for help when it is needed
Older students will learn more about the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. Increasingly
complex topics such as substance use, cyberbullying, and suicide prevention will also be covered. For
more information, visit the Mental Health section under the “Our Board” tab at www.pvnccdsb.on.ca
MONSIGNOR LEO CLEARY
P AGE 7
P AGE 7
S EPTEMBER 2015
Sun
6
13
Mon
Tue
Wed
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
LABOUR DAY
FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL
14
15
16
17
18
19
24
25
26
Cross Country
Meet at Hydro
Fields
P.A. DAY
School Mass
20
Thu
21
Welcome Back
BBQ 5:30 p.m.
22
23
Picture Day
Catholic School
Council Mtg. &
Elections 6:30
NO SCHOOL
Milk Orders Begin
27
28
29
30
FAITHFULNESS. . .
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them
that strength lies.”
Mother Teresa
P AGE 8
MONSIGNOR LEO CLEARY
Reminder…
Please no dogs allowed on the school
property during the hours of
8 am to 4 pm.
Thank you