Email: st.ursulainfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: www.dpcdsb.org/URSUL
Location: 11 Dwellers Road, Brampton, ON, Canada
Phone: (905) 454-5213
Twitter: @StUrsulaDPCDSB

The mission of St. Ursula school community is to ensure that

home, Church, and school are collaborative partners in the

building of an environment that reflects the Catholic faith and

values by celebrating each person as a member of the Body of

Christ, and by challenging all to achieve excellence spiritually,

socially and academically.

Head Secretary: A. Vitorino

Superintendant of Education, Brampton West: V. Varano

Trustee: Darryl D'Souza, Brampton Ward 5

St. Anne Parish Pastor: Rev. Fr. Suresh Xavier

Associate Pastor: Rev. Fr. Jobin Thomas

God our Father, your Son Jesus gave up His life to free us from the power of sin and death. He showed us that the greatest love is in giving up one’s life for others. On November 11th, we remember those who fought and died for our freedom. We ask you to bless and console them to-gether with their families. Help us to understand the sacrifices they made in leaving their loved ones to face the horrors of war. May we never forget their generosity. May your Holy Spirit give us the courage to resist evil in all its forms and show us how to be peacemakers through pray-er and action, lest we forget those who fought, suffered and died that we might have the freedom and peace we enjoy today.

Amen

As we look ahead to the month of November, we see many opportunities for quiet reflection and growth. The reverence that comes with Veteran's Week and Remembrance Day brings us a sense of deep gratitude for the service and sacrifice of those who fought for and continue to stand up for freedom and peace. We are reminded how blessed we are to live in a country where freedom is a way of life.

Following the month of November, we turn to a poignant time in our liturgical calendar as we enter the season of Advent. Advent is a time of self-reflection and hope as we anticipate welcoming Christ into our hearts. We see Advent as an opportunity to deepen our faith and to live out the scripture in our daily lives.

A special thank you to the school community for your continuous acts of kindness in assisting with our “outreach” initiatives such as our Thanksgiving Food Drive. At times it can be overwhelming as so much happens during the first few months of school. Please know that through all our events, we teach the children to care for others and to support those that are in true need of our ‘wealth’ not only the materialistic items, but our spiritual wealth which lies deep within all of us! Prayers and blessings to you and your family.

J. Daly

Principal

Nov 1 Pizza Day

Nov 3 Catholic School Council Meeting 6:00pm (Virtual)

Nov 5 Picture Retake Day

Nov 5 Co-Ed Flag Football Tournament @ St. Jean Marie Vianney

Nov 5 Harvey's (LunchBox)

Nov 6 Grade 8 FI visit Cardinal Leger C.S.S

Nov 7 Mr. Greek (Lunch Box)

Nov 8 Pizza Day

Nov 11-15 St. Ursula Schoolastic Book Fair

Nov 11 Remembrance Day (Assembly 10am)

Nov 12 Progress Reports sent home

Nov 12 Harvey's (LunchBox)

Nov 14 Mr. Greek (LunchBox)

Nov 14 Parent Teacher Interviews (4-8pm)

Nov 14 Family Book Fair Night (3:30pm - 7pm)

Nov 15 Pizza Day (LunchBox)

Nov 19 Harvey's (LunchBox)

Nov 21 Mr. Greek (LunchBox) *Orders can be cancelled due to Pizza Day on same date

Nov 21 Pizza Day

Nov 22 PA Day

Nov 26 Harvey's (LunchBox)

Nov 28 Mr. Greek (LunchBox)

Nov 29 Pizza Day

During the month of November, we will be focusing on the virtue of conscience. God has given us the ability to know the right and decent way to act and then to act that way. We trust that the com-mon Spirit we share inspires us and guides us to make good deci-sions if we allow our conscience to be well formed. A person of conscience allows prayer and scripture to influence him/her.

People of conscience:

• Feel right and wrong and pay attention

• Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit inside

• Choose to do what Jesus would do

• Know that followers of Jesus will have to make difficult choices

• Keep promises even when tempted to give up

• Can see how his/her actions may help or hurt others

• Admit their sins and feel badly about poor choices

• Say sorry and try to make up for hurtful actions

Catholic education views human life as an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in thisvision, Catholic education fosters the search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual andacademic quest. The expectations of Catholic graduates, therefore, are described not only interms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions. The OntarioCatholic School Graduate is expected to be:

1. A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs andsacred mystery of God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, refl ection andmoral living.

2. An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively,responding critically in light of gospel values

3. A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsibledecisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.

4. A self- directed,responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God -given potential.

5. A collaborative contributor who fi nds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respectsthe rights of all and contributes to the common good.

6. A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community

7. A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.

All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1st, reminds our community of those men and women (both known and unknown) who have lived faithful lives in the Church. On this day we remember our saints in our prayers and ask for their prayers and intercessions. The historical roots of this celebration have to do with those martyrs who died in the early Church. Later, Pope Gregory VII declared this day to be the date we remember all who lived and died for their faith.

All Souls Day, November 2nd, is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed away. The day purposely follows All Saints Day in order to shift the focus from those in heaven to those in purgatory. It is celebrated with masses and festivities in honor of the dead. While the Feast of All Saints is a day to remember the glories of Heaven and those there, the Feast of All Souls reminds us of our obligations to live holy lives and that there will be purification of the souls of those destined for Heaven.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

-John McCrae

The first C.S.A.C. was held on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024. This year’s 2024-2025 Catholic School Council members are:

Chair: Alana McIntosh-Jacobs

Treasurer: Christina Calabrese

Secretary: Anya Bruney-Francis

Parish Rep: Dawn Cook

OAPCE Rep: Regina Ukwuoma

Parent Reps: Renee Enwerem / Don Ouellette / Sameiro Reis / Angela Sherman / Neeta Thomas

Teacher Rep: Ms. Fairclough

Non-Teaching Rep: Ms. Vitorino

2024/25 Meetings:

Monday, November 4, 2024 @ 6:00PM (Virtual)

Monday, December 9, 2024 @ 6:00pm (Library)

Monday, February 3, 2025 @ 6:00PM (Virtual)

Monday, April 7, 2025 @ 6:00PM (Virtual)

Monday, June 2, 2025 @ 6:00PM (Library)

The next Catholic School Council Meeting will take place virtually on Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 6:00 (Virtually). As always, all parents are welcomed to attend this open meeting.

Use the following link to join: --> CSC Meeting Nov. 3/24

Please see the attached document regarding the Ministry Fair for St. Anne Parish.

Get ready for our fall Scholastic Book Fair! Running Tuesday, November 11th until Monday, November 15th. A portion from every purchase goes towards Scholastic dollars that we use to keep our library and classrooms stocked with a good collection of updated books. Students will have a chance to preview the books on Monday and Tuesday. Purchasing days will be Wednesday through Friday morning. Check our St. Ursula Book Fair site for flyers and more.

Stop by to shop during Family Event, Thursday, November 14th from 3:30 to 7:00pm and be sure to fill out a ballot (one per student) for a chance to win $25 worth of books for your family and your student’s classroom!

Check out our teacher Wish Lists to see what your child’s teacher would love to be added to their classroom. All purchases made for the Wish Lists will be labeled with a dedication sticker.

During the first few weeks of October, our Youth Faith Ambassadors promoted and ran our Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. As a school, we were able to donate more than 20 cartons of food. We are so grateful for your generosity and kindness.

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is the third week of November. Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment. During Bullying Prevention and Awareness week, St. Ursula School has organized many initiatives and activites.

Mon, Nov 18: Kick-off Assembly

Tues, Nov. 19: Class Poster Challenge

Wed, Nov 20: Act of Kindness Wednesday (Promoting Positive School Climate)

Thurs, Nov. 21: Pink Shirt Day

Fri, Nov. 22: PJ Day putting bullying to bed

Students will also participate and have the opportunity to sign our Ursula Anti-Bullying Pledge Banner, listen to daily announcements focusing on bullying, and participate in daily lesson plans facilitated by their classroom teacher(s).

Friday, November 22, 2024 is the next PA DAY (Provincial Priorities in a Catholic Context). There will be no school for students.

As per Ministry of Education guidelines, students in Grades FDK-8 will receive Progress Reports on November 12th, 2024. Interviews for students requiring them as needed will take place on the evening of Thursday, November 14th, 2024. More information regarding the format of interview will be communicated.

For the month of November, Primary and Junior students will have the opportunity to participate in Christmas Craft Club. Every Tuesday students will have create a new craft and bring it home. Permission forms to participate were sent home. Thank you to Ms. Baptista, Ms. Sirizzotti and Ms. Faria for running this initiative for our students!

the Grade 8 students will be distributing popcorn as part of their fundraising efforts for their graduation and graduation trip. Popcorn can be ordered online via School CashOnline and will be distributed to those who ordered every Tuesday and Thursday. See the below link for ordering. The Grade 8 students thank you for your support.

St. Ursula School is offering students the opportunity to cool down at the end of the week with ‘ICE DAWG’ FRIDAYS! Our Grade 8 students will be selling Terra Cotta Cookie Co.’s ‘ICE DAWGS’ every Friday during last recess (peanut/nut free ice cream sandwiches). Proceeds will be directed to our Grade 8 Graduation Fund. ‘ICE DAWGS’ Chocolate Chip flavour will cost $2.50 each! JOIN US AND COOL DOWN WITH ST. URSULA SCHOOL’S ‘ICE DAWG’ FRIDAYS FUN!

Pizza days are back. We will be partnering with Domino's Pizza and the costis $2.75/slice. Money raised will be used to pay for Guest speakers, andschool/classroom presentations to supplement classroom programming. Missed the online order deadline? Not to worry, there will be limited quantities available to purchase every Friday for the same price of $2.75/slice.

St. Ursula is happy to partner with LunchBox for their lunch programs. As of October 15th, students now now have the added option to purchase lunch from either Harvey's (on Tuesdays) or Mr. Greek (on Thursdays) through the LunchBox option on SchoolCashOnline. Please see the office should you have any questions.

Missed Picture Day, or don't like your photos? Not to worry. Picture Re-Take Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Forms were emailed for retakes. Students who were absent on October 3rd picture day will be called down. Only students who bring the signed retake forms back will be called down. Bring your smiles!!

We are happy to announce that parens / guardians are now able to come and watch sporting events being held inside schools. Recognizing that a system protocol is not in place yet, please be mindful of the following:

1. All visitors must sign into the office and receive some kind of signage ie. sticker to ensure they are recognizable as a visitor
2. CRC/VSS is not required
3. Siblings in the school are in class and should not be attending sporting events – particularly when space is a concern
4. Whole school announcements that there will be visitors in the building
5. A dedicated area, to the best of your ability, for visiting spectators

We are happy to bring SUISH (St. Ursula In School Happiness) back to St. Ursula and we are proud to have our new Grade 8 Leaders join us this year! Each month, our SUISH leaders will continue to roll out our monthly initiatives to motivate and inspire their peer group. We love seeing our students and staff the first Friday of each month for our dance party and monthly initiative roll out!

Grade 4 parents/guardians who wish to learn more about Extended French or wish to enroll their child in a Grade 5 Extended French program for September 2025, are invited to attend an information meeting at one of the following virtual parent evening sessions:

Cardinal Leger Secondary School will be holding their Open House for students who will be attending grade 9 on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Forms have been sent home to students to be returned to the classroom teacher.

Also, please see the attached flyer for the evening Grade 8 Open House, which is being held on Wednesday, Novemebr 13, 2024 from 6:00-8:00pm.

Please see the attached flyer for the Grade 8 Open House being held at St. Martin C.S.S. for students interested in registering for the 'Regional Sports Program'.

Holy Name of Mary CSS – All Girls Regional High School will be hosting an Open House for incoming Grade 9 Students for the 2025-2026 on Nov 7, 2024, between 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

In line with last year’s school expectations and as reinforced by the Ministry of Education’s PPM128, which updates the Provincial Code of Conduct to include restrictions on cell phones and other mobile devices as well as other safe school measures, our school practices will continue to foster positive engagement in the classroom and promote positive work habits by ensuring students are not distracted by personal electronic devices. Students who bring a device will be required to have it powered off and stored in their personal backpacks.

For students in grade 6 and below, personal mobile devices are stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode through out the full instructional day, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the educator under the circumstances outlined below:

• for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
• for health and medical purposes
• to support special education needs

*Please Note: In case of an emergency, students should use the main office phone to contact their parents. Similarly, parents should contact the main office if they need to communicate with their child during the the school day.

The board’s recent communication pertaining to PPM128 can be reviewed here: August 29 Communication

Dufferin- Peel Catholic District School Board policies and procedures support the use of personal electronic devices for educational purposes. This agreement will be signed when your child registers to attend St Ursula. In compliance with the Catholic Code of Conduct and other board policies and procedures, any student opting to use a PED while on school premises for educational purposes must adhere to the policies in the agreement. Please check your inbox for a copy of the document.

Three highlighted policies are:

• Follow board and school policies and procedures regarding appropriate use of technology.
• Be a responsible digital citizen by adhering to guidelines regarding content, security, safety and ethical use through appropriate use of technology.
• Use PED during instructional time and instructional space only with the permission of the classroom teacher and/or staff and only in a manner that supports the teaching learning process.

Compliance with the agreement is mandatory.

All students who have been formally diagnosed with asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, or epilepsy must have a plan of care completed. This only needs to be completed once and it will be kept in your child's OSR file.

• If your child has a new diagnosis or is new to St. Ursula, please email the school and we will send you the forms that need to be completed.
• Each year a GF35-Storage and Administration of Medication must be completed and returned to school. You would have received a GF 35 form recently, if not, please contact the office if one is needed.
• Epipens and puffers should be carried by your child and a second one can be stored in the main office.
• Nut free/ Scent Free School : We have a number of children in our school who have severe life threatening allergic reactions to nuts therefore please do not send any food items to school that may contain nuts or nut products. If there are other allergies specific to your child's class you will be notified. We need your cooperation in ensuring that no snacks or lunches be brought into the school that can put children at risk.

While respecting fashion as an expression of individuality, students are expected to be responsible in their attire when arriving at school. As with last year, the dress code includes ensuring that clothing does not contain:

• Vulgar language, gestures, or profanity of any kind.
• Any suggestive graphics or text that promotes racism or discrimination of any kind
• Footwear: Crocs or similar type footwear are not permitted for participation in Physical Education

Further details regarding the Dress Code will be shared with students.

St. Ursula is in need of Student Monitors during the lunch hour (12:00-1:00pm). Student Monitor is a paid position of 1.2 hours a day. Responsibilities include supervising students eating lunch and supervision students on the school yard during the lunch recess. If you are interested in becoming a Student Monitor please contact the school office for further details.

The instructional day at St. Ursula begins at 9:00am and ends at 3:30pm. Supervision for students is only available from 8:45am-9:00am, and 3:30pm-3:45pm. However, there are several students habitually arriving at school earlier than 8:45am and many are being picked up after the 3:30pm dismissal bell.

We would like to remind parent(s)/guardian(s) that there is no adult supervision for students before 8:45am and after 3:30pm. Please plan to have your children dropped off and picked up at the appropriate times to ensure that they are safe and supervised while on school property. If you are unable to do so, please contact PLASP for information about their before and after school programs. The safety of our students is of paramount importance.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

St. Ursula School staff would appreciate the co-operation of the entire school community in NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain peanuts, nuts or any other life threatening allergens, which could potentially harm a child. We would like to keep all classrooms allergen-aware. In an effort to do so, any child that brings a lunch into the classroom that contains any life threatening allergens will eat their lunch in another location in the school designated for that specific purpose. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of this request. We understand that students enjoy celebrating special occasions with others in the classroom; however, to ensure everyone’s safety, the policy at St. Ursula School is that non-edible treats only will be permitted to be shared. There are many alternatives to bringing in food for birthdays and special occasions. Some suggestions are: stickers, gift certificates, erasers, dollar store Some suggestions are: stickers, gift certificates, erasers, pensils etc. If you would like to discuss any other ideas, please talk to your child’s teacher or the school administration. We look forward to your understanding and co-operation in making our school safe for all students.

The main office will not accept the delivery of online food orders, including services like Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. Delivery personnel for such services will not be permitted in the school and will be turned away.

As always, parents are welcome to drop off lunch for their child(ren) and leave it on the designated table in the main foyer. Please ensure the lunch is labeled with the child’s name and teacher. Students will be called down at the start of lunch to retrieve their parent-delivered lunch.

Daily attendance and puncutality are important. If your child will be absent, please the School Messenger application (School Messneger) or visit the website at go.schoolmessenger.ca or call the attendance line at 1-844-435-3440 to report your child's absence.

Regular Morning, Lunch and Afternoon recess will be outdoorswith supervision.

*If you wish for your child to wear sunscreen, please apply at home before school as teachers are not permitted to apply sunscreen on students. In addition,as we draw closer to the season of fall and the temperature outside begins to drop, we askthat your child comes to school in appropriate clothing/ outerwear.

Students are encouraged to bring their own reusable waterbottle to school for water consumption. Although waterfountains are open, the water fi lling stations are also open andstudents will be able to refi ll their water bottles throughout theday. Please clearly label your child's water bottle.

We have a limited stock of reusable St. Ursula water bottlesfor sale. Please use the link below to get yours today.

Throughout the year school personnel review safety procedures with the students on a number of topics. Emergency evacuation/fire drills are conducted to ensure that everyone is aware of the procedures to follow in order to exit the building safely. Our School Board has also established Hold and Secure and Lockdown procedures should a high-risk incident involving weapons occur on school property, that could endanger the lives and/or the safety of students and/or staff. During the month of October, St. Ursula will practice 3 Fire Evacuation drills and 1 Emergency Lockdown drill. We will also continue to review and practice Emergency Evacuation and Fire Evacuation Procedures throughout the school year.

Please feel free to click on the Translate button on the bottom ofthe newsletter to choose your language of preference! (Arabic,Spanish, Hausa, Portuguese, Taglog, Polish, Italian, Malayalam,Hindi etc.)