April 2016 - London District Catholic School Board

JEAN VANIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL
April 2016
Follow us on Twitter @JVLondon
Catholic Education Week May 1-6, 2016
OPENING DOORS OF MERCY
News from our
parish families...
St. John the Divine:
6th Annual Latin Night—
April 16th. Cathletics Kids
Summer Camp July 4-8.
Contact Melissa Hofstede
for further information
519-471-7022. Visit the
parish website to view the
weekly bulletin and
upcoming events.
1019 Viscount Rd.
London, ON N6K
(519) 660-2771
https://www.ldcsb.on.ca/
schools/VAN/Pages/
“A Christian community should
do as Jesus did: propose and
not impose. Its attraction must
lie in the radiance cast by the
love of brothers.”
― Jean Vanier
Planning for the Next School Year
With the end of the school year approaching, we are beginning to plan for 2016-2017. One of the early
signs of this is our junior kindergarten registration process. We look forward to welcoming new students
and families to our Catholic school community.
Parents and students currently in our community are also anticipating the transitions ahead, which
includes new classroom placements. Already students have approached me in the hallways asking,
“What class will I be in next year?” Indeed, an important component of school year planning is following
a consistent and predetermined set of guidelines for the next class placement of students. These
guidelines contain factors for consideration by the current teachers who have the most thorough
understanding of their students’ learning and support needs as well as any other additional factors that
need to be taken into consideration.
Our ultimate goal is to provide the most successful learning environment for all students. The current
teacher at each grade level will meet with special education teachers, ESL teachers and the principal.
We will work as a team taking into consideration specific guidelines to make informed decisions.
St. George:
Preparation weekends for
First Communion in April.
New! Two week summer
kids camps. Visit the
parish website for further
details about upcoming
events.
If parents would like to share any pertinent information that they feel we are currently unaware of, and
would assist me with final placement decisions, please advise me in writing. Letters are to be submitted
by April 29, 2016. This will be followed by a parent meeting to discuss any request. Final decision
regarding student placements remain the responsibility of the school principal.
Mrs. Cathy Hird, Principal
Parent Volunteers
All it takes is
Family Fun Fair—
June 17th
Thank you to those who have
responded to our call for volunteers for this final
fundraising event organized by our School
Council. Please consider volunteering for this
end of the year event. Further information regarding donations to follow.
Additional volunteer forms
School Attendance
Make Everyday Count
Regular attendance is critical for learning. Regardless of the reason for absences, they all represent
lost time in the classroom and lost opportunities to
learn.
Student Parliament: SPIRIT DAYS
Friday, April 8th ………………………….Pajama Day
Keep cozy today and wear your pajamas to school.
Friday, April 22nd…………………………...Earth Day
Wear blue and green to celebrate Earth Day. Students are encouraged to
pack a litter-less lunch.
Wednesday, May 4th……………………..May the “Fourth” Be with You
Dress in your Star Wars gear.
Friday, May 20th………………………………...What’s Your Number Day
Write a Math equation on your shirt and have us guess your number.
Thursday, June 9th…………………………………………………..Hat Day
Wear your favourite hat to school day.
Wednesday, June 22nd…………………………………………..Fancy Day
Wear your Sunday best for our special recognition ceremony.
Wednesday, June 29th………………………………Red and White Day
Help to celebrate Canada Day by proudly wearing our Canadian colours.
Our Mission: To serve our students through excellence in Catholic education
Our Vision: Inspired by Christ. Learning Together. Serving Together.
Math Mindset
Students share their efforts in solving math challenges.
It’s all about the thinking and the connections they make
during the collaborative process. Parents are natural
supporters of learning. Join us in the fall of 2016 as we
explore how parents can inspire their children to learn
and love math. Check out the video included in the
resources developed by the Council of Ontario Directors
of Education (CODE).
http://www.ontariodirectors.ca/parent_engagement-math/
en/
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
PARENTS MATTER
Next School Council Meeting:
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 6:30 p.m.
Join Us!
2016-2017 Parents Reaching Out
(PRO) Grants for School Councils
Project submissions from School Councils must focus on
informing or engaging parents in support of improved student
achievement and well-being. Come join us on April 26th at 7:30
p.m. to decide on the focus for our submission for the
upcoming school year.
Primary Production
Wednesday May 4th
MIGHTY MINDS
A Musical that Makes
Learning Fun!
The students are in a panic! It’s
time for testing! The teacher
needs help fast, and there’s only
one thing to do. “Hello, Mighty
Minds? Come quick!” In a whirlwind of action, the capeclad Mighty Minds race to the rescue with clever rhyming
dialog and songs that help the students get fired up about
learning.
Rehearsals are well underway for this upcoming primary production during
Catholic Education Week.
Date:
April 13th
Time:
6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
Location: Jean Vanier Gym
Thank you to all the students who auditioned for
this upcoming event. Staff and students are
busy with rehearsals and preparations….
Admission
$5 per person or $20 per family
Light refreshments will be available
Come join us for a night of entertainment, fun and laughter. Students will
be sharing their gifts and talents of
song, dance, comedy, poetry and much
more...
Jesus, You are our strength and light.
We thank You for the gift of Jean Vanier - for showing us that no matter what our differences or whatever our abilities,
we are all Your children, Lord.
Safe and Healthy Schools
Why your Smile Frowns at Pop
Most children and adults know that pop can lead to tooth
decay. Pop has lots of sugar and it is also very acidic. The diet
pops often have more acid than the non-diet ones. Acidic foods and drinks soften the surface of your teeth. Soft teeth
wear down quickly and get cavities more easily. They also turn yellow and become sensitive to hot and cold foods and
drinks. So, for a healthier smile, choose fluoridated tap water, milk or unsweetened soy beverage most often as drinks.
PLEASE NOTE: The Oral Health Team from the MLHU will be coming to Jean Vanier on Thursday April
28th & Friday April 29th, 2016 to complete the annual dental screening. Screening is critical in identifying children who
have dental problems, and monitoring the oral health status of the community. A registered dental hygienist will
conduct a brief visual screening of the child’s teeth. Children found to have urgent dental needs or require preventive
care may be eligible for financial assistance through Government programs. Parents of eligible children will receive
informational materials via our Dental Report Cards and follow-up correspondence. If a parent does not wish their
child to participate, please inform the school by a written note.
Westmount Public
Library
For more information visit
www.healthunit.
com/iparent
To register, call
the MiddlesexLondon Health
Unit 519-6635317 Ext. 2378.
The Power of Positive Parenting
Young children & school age
(2-5)
April 6, 2016
Raising, Confident, Competent Children
Young children & school age
(2-5)
April 13, 2016
Raising Resilient Children
Young children & school age
(2-5)
April 20, 2016
Young children & school age
(2-5)
April 27, 2016
Dealing with Disobedience
6:30-8:30 PM
6:30-8:30 PM
6:30-8:30 PM
6:30-8:30 PM
Is your child getting 60 Minutes of Physical Activity every day?
Children and youth need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day to be healthy. Activities can be spread out
over the day, rather than happening all at once.
During the day, does your child:
Walk to school?
Participate in physical activity/play outside after
school?
Have Phys. Ed. at school?
Add up all the minutes; if it equals at least 60
minutes… good job!
If not, think of ways to increase your child’s physical
activity. Find out what your child likes to do. Remember, physical activity doesn’t just mean playing sports.
Set a good example by being an active role model yourself. Active parents usually
have active children.
Get moving and have fun!
From the Public Health Nurse
Principal’s Fundraiser
World Autism Awareness Day
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects 1% of the population; therefore, in Ontario over 138,000
people are living with autism. Jean Vanier’s commitment to inclusion has been embraced by our entire
school community. As our school prayer conveys:
 we always celebrate our differences
 we are called to change one heart at a time.
During the first week of April, students are invited to donate a loonie or toonie for autism to support the programs and
services provided by Autism London to students and families in London and area.
...May we always celebrate our differences and accept each other as Jesus would accept us.
We are called to change one heart at a time. We lift this prayer to you, O Lord.
New Award at Jean Vanier
Friend of Jean Vanier Award
Awarded to a member or
group of the Jean Vanier
Catholic school community
whose service has been a
source of inspiration in
promoting
acceptance,
caring, and belonging for
everyone.
The
recipient
gives unconditionally and
humbly to others and truly lives out the values reflected in
the Jean Vanier School Prayer:
Jesus, you are our strength and light.
You guide us by your example of peace, forgiveness and
love.
You call us to be your children in a caring school
community.
We thank you God, for this day we share together.
We thank you for the gift of Jean Vanier— for showing us
that no matter what our differences or whatever our
abilities, we are all your children, Lord.
We bring to you today all our hopes and dreams, our
worries and our fears and all the intentions in our hearts.
May we always celebrate our differences and accept each
other as Jesus would accept us.
We are called to change one heart at a time.
We lift this prayer to you, O Lord. Amen.
The recipient of this award may be any member or members of
our Catholic school community: student, parent, family, staff
member or community member at large.
Nomination Process:
Nominations for the Friend of Jean Vanier Award can be made
by any member of the Jean Vanier Catholic school community.
Nominations must be made in writing and include a description
of how the nominee exemplifies the criteria for the award
through service in and for Jean Vanier Catholic school. Letters
of support for the nomination can be included.
Nominations are submitted to the Principal by the end of April
each school year.
Selection Process:
Nominations will be reviewed and a selection made by the
administrative team at Jean Vanier Catholic School.
Recognition Process:
The Award will be presented during the Recognition Assembly
in June.
London Life
Youth United Grant
Recipients
Congratulations to all the
students in Mr. Clarke’s
grade 7/8 for their hard effort in planning communitybased projects that meet
United Way’s priority areas.
Upcoming Events:
Junior basketball league (refer to game schedules)
Pizza Lunches:
Fridays in April : 1, 8, 22, 29
Thursdays in April: 14
Fridays in May: 6, 13, 20, 27
Mondays—Spirit Singers
Thursdays—Guitar Club
Mondays & Wednesdays—Yoga during lunch recess
During the months of April and May, grades 4-6
students will participate in weekly Let’s Get
Cookin’ sessions. Special thanks to our parent volunteers, Ms. Usher and Ms. Calder, for
their participation. Without them, this MLHU
program would not be possible.
April 4-8 Raising the Flag: Autism Awareness Fundraiser : Loonie/Toonie for Autism Day
April 5—Healthy Schools Committee mtg.
Please Note: the Technology Days for grades 6 & 7 girls
have been rescheduled to late June. Further details will
be sent home with students.
April 8 Spirit Day: Pajama Day!
April 8 at 3:10 p.m. Assembly Fundraiser on
GREETING CARDS (JV gym)
April 10 First Communion at St. John the
Divine grade 2 students
April 13 1:15 p.m.— 2:30 p.m.
Rehearsal: School Cabaret Performance
April 13 6:30 p.m. JV gym
Evening Cabaret Performance
April 15 PA DAY
April 18 IEPs for Term 3 will be sent home with students
April 22 Spirit Day—Celebrating Earth Day
April 22 9:30 a.m. Earth Day Liturgy (gym)
April 25-28 IPRC Reviews for those parents who would
like to meet
April 26 9:10 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
MLHU Immunization Clinic
April 26 6:30 p.m.
School Council meeting—All Welcome!
April 28 9:10 a.m.—10:35 a.m. Living Rosary
April 28-29 9:10 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Annual dental screening
Catholic Education Week May 1-6, 2016
May 2 9:10 a.m. Dance Fest
Grades 1-3 (Carling Heights)
May 2 9:30 a.m. Track & Field Tryouts
for grades 4-8
May 3 1:00 p.m. Dance Fest
Grades 4-8 (Carling Heights)
May 5 9:30 a.m. Catholic Education
Week Mass at St. John the Divine Church
Lord, the resurrection of Your Son has given us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people in pursuit of the Christian ideal.