Our Lady of Victory School News
“It is in giving that we receive the most precious gift of all”.As Catholics, we are privileged to celebrate this holy Christmas season and welcome the presence of God into our lives. For this and so much more, we are forever grateful of being afforded the opportunity to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with students, parents, colleagues and ultimately our friends and family. We should never lose sight that God is always near us and lives in us through joyous occasions and through the challenges that are sent in our directions from time to time. Each of the Christmas stories proclaim to us that God is always near us. As a Catholic community, we celebrate one of the most significant liturgical events of the year— the birth of Jesus Christ. On behalf of the staff at Our Lady of Victory School, we would like to wish you all a blessed and joyful Christmas with family and friends, and a new year filled with happiness and good health.
L. Mazza F. Formariz
Virtue of the Month: Charity
As we enter the season of Advent and prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, it is suitable that this month’s virtue is Charity. Many of us are already engaged in a mad rush to purchase gifts to put under the tree. Let us be mindful of the fact that charity is not always about giving material things. St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that, “Charity is friendship first with God and secondly with all who belong to God.” How can we practice charity and generosity in our community without necessarily giving material things? This month at Our Lady of Victory there will be multiple opportunities to participate in acts of charity that benefit both our school community and those surrounding us.Advent Prayer
Dear God, bless those who use the wreath. May this wreath’s light remind us of your creative presence within our lives. Let its’ greenery bring your eternal faithfulness to mind. May its circle be a sign to us of your constant love for us.
Amen
Christmas Holidays
The last day of school before the Christmas Holidays will be Friday, December 23rd. Friday is a regular school day. School end time will be 3:00 p.m. School will resume on Monday, January 9, 2017
Ward 6 Christmas Celebration
Parents and students of Our lady of Victory School are invited by Trustee D’Amico to attend a Christmas celebration. Starting at 6 pm, on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, join Trustee D’Amico and other Ward 6 community members for the celebration of Mass at St. Clare Church on 1118 St. Clair Ave. West. Refreshments, children’s gift bags and a visit with Santa follow mass.
Advent Mass
Please join us for Our Lady of Victory School Advent Mass celebration on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 9:15 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory church. The Primary Advent Litury will be on Thursday, December 15 at 10:30 a.m. in the school gym.
Santa Pictures
On Thursday November 30, 2016, Santa visited Our Lady of Victory boys and girls. We would like to thank OLV’s Parent Council for organizing and running this event along with Lifetouch Photography and all of Santa’s helpers for making this day a success.
The CSPC chair and committee wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and every best wish for the 2017 New Year.
Pita Pit Lunch
The next Pita Pit lunch will take place on Thursday, December 15. Please note the following changes in the order form. A pita pit salad can be ordered for $6.00, a pita pit wrap can be ordered for $5.00. Order forms will be going home on Wednesday, December 7. Orders will not be accepted after Tuesday, December 14.
Kindergarten Registration Starts January 18, 2017The Toronto Catholic District School Board invites families with children born in 2013 to register for Junior Kindergarten beginning Wednesday, January 18, 2017at 10 a.m.
Registration options:
Online: Parents will be able to complete their application online beginning at 10 a.m. on January 18, 2017, at SOAR.tcdsb.org, and follow up with a visit to the school to present the required documents. The online application is available at: https://soar.tcdsb.org/Login.aspx
In Person: Parents can register at their local school with the required documents beginning January 18, 2017 at 10 a.m.
Registration documents required:
· Child’s Birth Certificate or Passport/Immigration documents if child was not born in Canada
· Child's Catholic baptismal certificate (or proof of Catholicity of parent)
· Proof of residency in Toronto (some examples: a lease agreement, utility bill)
· Immunization Record
PediculosisPrevention
· To stop the spread of lice, we ask that you monitor and check your child’s head periodically.
· A tip to prevent lice from spreading on girl’s hair is for girls to wear their hair up in a bun, a ponytail or a braid. Hair spray on the braid or ponytail is a common tip.
· Rinsing with vinegar after washing your child’s hair is another common tip.
Treatment
· To check your child’s head, part the hair in sections and look for small grey or brown insects, slightly larger than a pin-head. Lice lay tiny silvery white eggs called nits. Nits can be found over the entire head but are most common behind the ears and in the nape of the neck. They stick to the hair shaft.
· If your child has head lice, please make sure that the office is aware so that a notice can be sent home to the other classmates to have their parents check their hair. Rest assured, the student name will always remain anonymous.
· Treat your child with a special medicated shampoo or rinse that is made just for lice. It is available at most drug stores.
· Once treated, remove the nits using the special comb that is included in the kit daily over several weeks. The child should be treated and free of head lice before returning to school.
Dressing for the Cold WeatherAs the colder weather approaches it is important that students are dressed appropriately for the outdoors. Mittens or gloves, a hat, a winter coat, boots and scarf are needed. Unless there is an extreme wind chill factor, children will be outdoors for all recesses. Once the snow arrives, snow pants are also require to keep children dry outside. A second pair of running shoes is needed for gym and indoor use as students are not permitted to wear their outside winter boots/shoes in the classroom. Please take some time to ensure all your children’s possessions are labelled with their name. This will make locating lost items easier.
Charitable Events led by the Me to We CrewSocks4Souls
Thanks to your generous donations, the Me to We team collected and bagged over pairs of socks
These will be distributed to Out of the Cold and other Toronto organizations that support the homeless.
On December 5th, the Me to We crew will begin collecting non-perishable food items for Daily Bread Food Bank. Formula and baby food is always in high demand as well as food that has a high concentration of protein like canned beans, tuna and peanut butter. Please be generous.
Christmas Raffle
Students are invited to buy raffle tickets for an opportunity to win jars full of exciting things for the holidays. All monies will be used to support our pillar country, Ecuador.
Keep up with OLV events by following us on twitter @OLVSchoolNews or visit our website at
https://www.tcdsb.org/schools/OURLADYOFVICTORY/Pages/default.aspx
Monthly Update from the Board, December 2016
French Immersion and Extended French
The Toronto Catholic District School Board offers French Immersion and Extended French programs at several TCDSB sites. The French Immersion program is offered to students beginning in Junior Kindergarten. The Extended French Program is offered to students beginning in grade 5.
Interested parents are encouraged to attend an information evening to learn more about the program. Please note dates, times and locations for sessions planned for December through to February available on the French Immersion and Extended French sites. Information: (416) 222-8282 ext. 2540 or https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/EarlyYears/KindergartenRegistration/Pages/French-Immersion.aspx.
Toronto Police Service Seeks Crossing Guards
Interested individuals should drop in to their local police division to inquire about application.
Get Ready for High School
Everything you need to know can be found in the Transition Guides for parents and students:
https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Transition%20to%20High%20School/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/GuidanceCoopEd/Transition%20to%20High%20School/TransitionGuidesOct282016/TCDSB_STUDENT_GUIDE.pdf
Preparing for Post-Secondary Education?
University application deadline: January 11, 2017 https://www.ouac.on.ca/deadlines/
College application deadline: February 1, 2017 http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/apply/important-dates
OSAP information for students--Find more information about the Ontario Student Assistance Program:
· New! Free tuition for eligible students
· OSAP Presentation
Dates/Events to Note:
• System-wide PA Day December 2nd
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd
• International Human Rights Day, December 10th
TRUSTEES 2016 – 2017
Wards
1. Joseph Martino 5. Maria Rizzo 9. Jo-Ann Davis2. Ann Andrachuk 6. Frank D’Amico, Vice-Chair 10. Barbara Poplawski
3. Sal Piccininni 7. Michael Del Grande 11. Angela Kennedy, Chair
4. Patrizia Bottoni 8. Garry Tanuan 12. Nancy Crawford
Rhea Carlisle, Student Trustee Karina Dubrovskaya, Student Trustee
Angela Gauthier, Director of Education 80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, ONT. Website: www.tcdsb.org
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