Principal:

H. Toni Mayer

mayert@tcdsb.org

Vice-Principal:

Padraig Morgan

morganp@tcdsb.org

Secretary:

Mrs. Elsa Macapagal

3530 Sheppard Ave East

Toronto Ont, M1T 3K7

Phone—416-393-5282

Fax — 416-393-5572

Superintendent:

Mr. T. Petitti

Phone 416-222-8282 ext 2263

Parish Priest:

Father Thomas Moore

416-293-7974

As part of the Provincial Literacy

Day celebrations on January 27th,

the Holy Spirit PFLC invited author

Evelisa Ricci to read to the parents

and children. Mrs. Ricci read from

her book, ’The Day Mother Earth

Got Sick’ This book ties in with the

Eco-School program as well as the

focus on Aboriginal studies that are

part of the board’s focus. Mrs. Ric-

ci is a retired teacher and author of

’The Day Mother Earth Got Sick’ as

well as the Anti-Bullying video, “Stand-

Up”.

Mr. Morgan was also asked to be a

guest reader for this event. He read

to the parents and students of the

PFLC.

The PFLC Literacy Day is an annual

event held in late January to highlight

the need for parents to take the time

to read with their children in order to

foster a love of reading.

Parenting and Family Literacy Centres Celebrate

Literacy Day January 27

TCDSB

February, 2012 Volume 4, Issue 6

Home and School

Connection

Literacy Day 1

ILITE Conference 1

InSchool Wear 2

Public Health 3

Virtue of the Month 3

Eco Edge 4

Awards 4

CPIC News 5

Literacy Day II 5

African Heritage Month 6

Psychology Month 7

SeeHear Screening 8

Up-Coming Events 8

The Toronto Catholic District

School Board is offering leadership

training to its Grade 6, 7 and 8 stu-

dents in an innovative “Intermediate

Leaders In Training Event” (i-LITE)

on January 31st, February 1st, 2nd

and 3rd at locations throughout the

City. The conference aims to em-

power students and teach them the

skills to help ease the transition in-

to high school. Over 500 elementary

student leaders will attend each

conference site.

Entitled “A Chance to Shine”, the

featured speaker is Stu Saunders,

founder of Youth Leadership Camps

Canada. The sessions offer these young

leaders-in-training an opportunity to be

encouraged by motivational speakers,

inspiring workshops, skill development,

and networking opportunities.

Students are usually identified by

teachers and coaches as potential lead-

ers or have demonstrated leadership

skills through their work as monitors or

volunteers. Holy Spirit students will be

participating at the Blessed Mother Te-

resa site on February

3rd. Mrs. Goodridge

will be chaperoning

the students to this

event.

i-LITE Conference “A Chance to Shine”

Page 2

Home and School Connection

Page 3

Volume 4, Issue 6

Risk Watch

Toronto Public Health and Toronto Fire Ser-

vices are working together with school commu-

nities to prevent unintentional childhood inju-

ries which are mainly predictable and preventa-

ble.

Risk Watch is a comprehensive injury preven-

tion program that teaches Pre-Kindergarten to

Grade 8 children to “Look First, Think Twice

and Choose Smart”.

The following topics are presented in the Risk

Watch program:

motor vehicle safety

fire and burn prevention

choking and suffocation prevention

poisoning prevention

fall and playground injury prevention

bike and pedestrian safety

water and ice safety

There are Risk Watch curriculum activities,

information and letters for children to take

home. As parents and caregivers play a very

important role in injury prevention, they can

learn to stay a step ahead and prevent injuries.

For more information, call 311 or visit

www.toronto.ca/fire/riskwatch.

Virtues: LOVE

Faith and Character Development

Quote of the month: Love is like the air we breathe. It may not always be seen, but it is always felt, used and needed.

Chocolates, flowers, valentines, and red hearts,

what would the month of February be without the

celebration of Valentine’s Day? While the rest

of the world may choose to celebrate the ideal of

romantic love on February 14, TCDSB schools will

be focusing on the virtue of LOVE as expressed

in the gospels. “For God so loved the world, He gave His only son.” John 3:16 As we focus on the

virtue of love at Holy Spirit this month, let us

remember that love not only inspires the practice

of all other virtues, it is the form and completion

of all the other virtues.

We will not limit our celebration of the virtue of

love to February 14th, but demonstrate this

virtue through our dealings with one another

throughout the entire month.

Consider the following points:

1. Let your actions be guided by the idea

that God says we should love one

another as He has loved us.

2. Jesus said we should love our enemy.

3. The Bible says that

Love is always patient

and kind.

4. Live your life in a way

that makes others

know you are a follower

of Christ.

Page 4

Home and School Connection

THE ECO EDGE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU

Do not wear cotton or polyester/cotton fabrics next

to your skin. Cotton absorbs moisture and therefore

will get cold lying against your skin. This will lead to

rapid loss of heat which could cause hypothermia in

very cold weather. A good investment is a fleece vest

as it will keep the heart and body warm which results

in warmer blood being sent out to the body’s extrem-

ities. Fleece is very good as it “wicks” moisture away

from your skin quickly. Down jackets are great insula-

tors if they do not get wet. But . . . WOOL is the

best by far! It traps warm, dry air next to your skin,

keeping air from moving across your body.

Always dress in layers. Several thin layers are warm-

er than one heavy layer. You can always remove or

add on layers as you need and, therefore, you can

better regulate your core body temperature.

You can lose a lot of body heat through your head so

it is important to wear a hat and one that can cover

your ears if needed.

Wearing a scarf will also warm the air before you

breathe it in.

Wearing mittens (instead of gloves) and long thick

wool or polypropylene socks will protect your hands

and feet from the cold. Hands and feet are the hard-

est places to keep warm blood flowing to.

Keep hydrated and make sure you eat a healthy diet

so your body temperature stays at a normal level.

Dehydration affects your body’s ability to regulate

body heat and increases risk of frostbite. Water is

just as important in the winter as it is in the summer.

If you get wet, remove clothes immediately and

warm the core body temperature with a blanket and

warm fluids (soup or hot apple cider). Do not drink

caffeine or alcohol as they are diuretics and increas-

es heat loss. For more information on The ECO Edge check out our website

@ www.theecoedge.com or visit our Facebook page.

In keeping with the Holy Spirit success in Writing,

Katrina M. of Mrs. Unger’s class won second (2nd)

place in the Junior Essay writing competition for

the Human Rights and Race Relations Centre.

Her essay was on the topic, “Five Ways My Cul-

ture Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle”.

For her writing efforts Katrina will receive a cash

prize and will be invited to a special presentation

on March 29th.

Congratulations!!!! Well Done!!!

Holy Spirit Writers

Premier’s Award For

Teaching Excellence

It is with great pleasure that I am able to an-

nounce that Mrs. Quinn has been nominated for

the Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

The Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence

recognize educators and staff who are helping On-

tario students and young children realize their full

potential.

Mrs. Quinn was nominated by a group of parents

for her dedicated work with Learning Disabled

students specifically and her work with all stu-

dents in general.

The nomination is not a surprise, as Mrs. Quinn

sits on the board’s Special Education Advisory

Committee and has a long history of supporting

students with Learning Disabilities.

If the nomination is successful, Mrs. Quinn will be

informed in early May and would be recognized at

a formal celebration during Education week.

Congratulations Mrs. Quinn!!!

Page 5

Volume 4, Issue 6

McGuinty Government

Encourages Families To

Learn, Read Together

Ontario is marking Family Literacy Day by en-

couraging parents and children to make reading a

part of everyday life.

Family Literacy Day is a great time for families

to explore new ways of learning, and reading to-

gether. For example:

Read and talk about your child's favourite

books. Tell family stories about yourself,

your child's grandparents and other friends

or relatives.

Try a new recipe for dinner. Ask your child to

read the directions and help measure ingredi-

ents.

Play a board game as a family. Find one that

involves reading instructions on cards and count-

ing.

Invite your child to plot a trip on a map or

learn about the history of a destination.

Pull out your arts and crafts supplies and cre-

ate a collage of words and images from maga-

zines and newspapers.

Giving children a strong start in school is part of

the McGuinty government's plan to support stu-

dent success while securing a brighter future

for all Ontarians.

CPIC is continuously working to increase parent

involvement in all TCDSB schools. Student aca-

demic achievement and well-being is directly

linked to parent involvement. Parent involvement

can occur at school by attending a CSAC meeting

or volunteering with a snack program, as well as by

reading together with your child/ren or helping

with homework. You can also become involved by

joining CPIC as a ward representative.

CPIC currently has one representative vacancy in

each of the following Wards: Ward 2, Ward 4,

Ward 9 and Ward 12. If you are interested in

becoming one of these CPIC Ward representa-

tives, please email the Nominations Committee

Chair, Daniel Barrett, at cpiccom.rep4@tcdsb.org

for more information.

The next CPIC meeting is from 7pm to 10pm,

Thursday March 8th, 2012 at the TCDSB offices

(CEC).

The CPIC Committee wishes you a safe Family Day.

This is an ideal opportunity to spend the day in-

volved with your child/ren.

Want to learn more about Toronto CPIC? Consider

attending a meeting. All meetings are open to the

public and listed at http://www.tcdsb.org/

parents/cpic.htm

If you have any questions, comments, concerns,

please contact your Ward Representative at

http://www.tcdsb.org/parents/cpicmembers.htm

CPIC News February

Page 6

Home and School Connection

CARNAVAL IS COMING TO HOLY SPIRIT!

Our annual winter festival known as Carnaval

will be held on Friday, February 24. Stu-

dents will participate in various fun-filled

outdoor activities to celebrate the winter

season. This festival is an annual tradition at

Holy Spirit which is in keeping with the Que-

bec Winter Carnaval. The King of Carnaval,

Bonhomme, will also be present to share in

this special event. Students will also have

the opportunity to participate in other meaningful activities which promote the French lan-

guage and culture. These include:

Bonhomme visits Holy Spirit – Thurs .Feb. 16 Sale of Bonhomme Guessing Contest Tickets –

Thurs. Feb. 16 & Tues. to Thurs. Feb. 21 -23 (2 tickets for 25¢ or 5 tickets for 50¢)

Bingo Games en français– Thurs. Feb. 23 (am and pm) Unveiling of Bonhomme – Friday, Feb. 24 Bonhomme Guessing Contest Draw - Friday, Feb. 24 Carnaval Spirit Days:

Favourite Sport’s Team Day- Thursday, Feb. 23 (jersey, t-shirt, cap, scarf etc.) Hat/Tuque & Scarf/Sash Day- Friday, Feb. 24

During the two Carnaval Spirit Days students are not required to be in uniform. Those wishing

to participate are asked to bring in $1 (this covers both days). Monies raised will help to de-

fray costs for prizes and treats etc.

Let’s celebrate together the wonderful winter

season! Joyeux Carnaval!

A reminder letter will be sent home closer to the

date.

Page 7

Volume 4, Issue 6

ARE YOU READY FOR

KINDERGARTEN?

COME AND REGISTER NOW!!!

To register you must provide the following original documents for

the Secretary to photocopy:

1. Baptismal Certificate

2. Birth Certificate

3. Immunization Record

4. Health Card

5. Proof of Residence (i.e.: hydro or phone bill)

6. Immigration Paper (if required)

In your registration package you will find:

Letter from the Principal

Welcome, Hello Kindergarten Brochure

A Healthy Start to School Pamphlet and

other relevant information

Registration Forms

Municipal Assessment Form

Health Form

Please fill out the forms, sign and return to the office.

Page 8

Home and School Connection

African Canadian Heritage Month

In the

Toronto Catholic District School Board

WHEREAS Black History Month has its origins in the 1915 work of Dr. Carter G. Woodson that re-

sulted in the development of a week in 1926;

WHEREAS the Canadian contribution has its genesis as a weekly celebration as organized by the Ca-

nadian Negro Women’s Association during the 1950’s that evolved as a monthly event in 1979 in the

form of a proclamation by the City of Toronto;

WHEREAS in 1993, the Province of Ontario recognized the significance of the Month, as did the

Federal Government in 1995, based on the efforts of our former TCDSB Principal and Member of

Parliament, Dr. Jean Augustine, that has become part of our national consciousness;

WHEREAS African Canadian Heritage Month is a time to honour and celebrate the achievements of

people of African heritage and acknowledge their contributions to the social, political economic and

cultural life of our community, since it provides an opportunity to learn about the experiences of

Black Canadians and the vital role they played throughout our shared history;

WHEREAS the history of Canadians of African descent and the struggle against slavery, racism and

inequality have been central to the history of Toronto when, in 1793, Governor John Graves Simcoe

passed the Abolition Act to prohibit the importation of slaves;

WHEREAS with the passing of this law, Upper Canada became the first colony in the British Empire

to move towards the abolition of slavery and established Toronto’s importance as a hub in the

“underground railroad”

WHEREAS in the Toronto Catholic District School Board, African Canadian Heritage Month reminds

us to continue to address the causes and effects of racism and discrimination against people of Af-

rican descent and take steps to continue to build and strengthen inclusive communities within our

schools;

WHEREAS the TCDSB recognizes that our strengths arise from a diverse population with a common

set of Christian beliefs and Gospel values in keeping with our system priorities. The TCDSB envisions

students who are educated to their full potential by integrating these Catholic and Christian beliefs

into the total learning experience;

WHEREAS the TCDSB envisions students who apply these values to life’s opportunities, challenges

and choices and who display positive self-esteem and self-respect while demonstrating compassion

and caring for others;

AND WHEREAS the TCDSB, through the commitment of our staff, empowers our students to con-

tinue to take a leadership role aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination and marginalization.

NOW THEREFORE, The Toronto Catholic District School Board, hereby proclaims February 2012 as

“African Canadian Heritage Month”.

Bruce Rodrigues Ann Andrachuk

Director of Education Chair of the Board

Page 9

Volume 4, Issue 6

February 2 Cyber-Bullying Presentation

February 7 Gr. 6 to Play at St. Mike's

February 8 Basketball Divisional

Gr. 6/7 & 7 to St. Mike’s

February 10 Dose 2 of HPV and HepB

School Mass 9:30

February 14 Aboriginal Presentation

February 15 Northern Spirit Games

February 16 Progress Report Interviews 5-8

Cyber-bullying Presentation

February 17 Progress Report Interviews 9-12

NO SCHOOL

February 20 Family Day (NO School)

February 22 ASH Wednesday

February 23 CSAC Meeting 7:00

Carnaval Bingo

February 24 Carnaval

February 27 Gr. 6 to ROM

March 2 Chess competition

March 5-9 Grade 8 Trip to Mansfield

March 12-16 March Break (No School)

March 19 Grade 6 to Downsview

March 22 CSAC Meeting 7:00

Science Discovery Day

March 23 School Mass 9:30

March 26 Grade 6 Brain Day

April 6 Good Friday

April 8 Easter

April 9 Easter Monday

April 13 W5H

April 16 Cross Country

April 18-19 Hearing/Vision Screening

April 19 School Mass 9:30

April 20 Intermediate W5H

April 26 CSAC Meeting 7:00

Up-coming Events

SeeHear screening now running clinics

in the TCDSB

TCDSB

We are happy to announce that SeeHear will be run-

ning a hearing and vision screening clinic at Holy

Spirit Catholic School on April 18th and 19th.

This is an excellent opportunity for your child to

have his/her hearing and vision tested in a conven-

ient and cost effective manner.

Some points to remember

Your child’s hearing and vision should be

screened every year.

Growing children are very susceptible to middle

ear problems and one of the best ways to prevent

hearing loss is early detection of middle ear func-

tion issues.

A visit to an audiologist in a private clinic costs

upwards of $35.00 and is not covered by O.H.I.P. If

your child is referred to a hospital clinic by your

family doctor, the cost is covered by O.H.I.P.

Your child’s hearing is not being monitored unless

they are seeing an audiologist or an E.N.T.

The permission forms will come home approximately

two weeks before the clinic. Please fill them out and

return to the school with the $15.00 screening fee

prior to the clinic date.

This screening is not intended to replace a

regular visit to an audiologist or optometrist.

Good grades start with good

hearing and

good vision!