St. Evan November Monthly Update

Dear God,

Thank You for this beautiful month of November. As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, We take time to remember those who served our country with courage and love.

On Remembrance Day, we wear our poppies with pride, Thinking of the brave men and women who gave so much, So that we can live in peace and freedom.

Help us to be kind and thankful, To care for others and stand up for what is right. May we learn from the past and build a future full of hope.

Bless our families, our teachers, and our friends. Keep us safe and help us grow in love and understanding.

Amen.

Conscience is the voice inside us that helps us choose what is right and good. In the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB), we believe that God gave us this gift to help us live like Jesus. When we listen to our conscience, we show love, kindness, and respect to others. It helps us make choices that bring peace and fairness to our families, schools, and communities. By following our conscience, we grow closer to God and become the best version of ourselves.

On October 8th, Father John from St. Leonard Parish visited our Grade 2 and Grade 7 students at St. Evan School to help prepare them for the Holy Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. During his visit, he spoke with warmth and wisdom about the significance of these sacred milestones in their faith journey, emphasizing the importance of spiritual readiness and heartfelt commitment. As a special part of his visit, Father John brought relics of Saint Carlo Acutis, inspiring students with the story of this modern-day saint who lived a life of deep devotion and love for the Eucharist. We are truly grateful that Father John continues to make time to support and guide our students, helping them grow in faith and understanding.

Representatives from the Rosary Apostolates recently visited St. Evan School and will continue to bless us with their presence once a month throughout the entire school year. Their commitment to praying the rosary with our students offers a beautiful opportunity for spiritual growth and reflection, helping to deepen our students’ understanding of prayer and devotion. We are truly grateful for these inspiring community leaders who bring such meaningful faith-filled experiences into our school, fostering a strong connection between our students and the traditions of the Catholic Church. Special thank you to Mrs. Brandolino and Ms. Faye for organizing this for our school.

St. Evan Catholic School Council is proud to be a vibrant part of our school community, working together to support student success and foster a welcoming environment for all. We are especially grateful for our dedicated parent representatives, whose time, insight, and care make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and staff. Our next meeting will be held on November 12th at 6:00 PM in the Library — everyone is welcome to attend and be part of the conversation!

We’re blessed to have a passionate and committed team leading our council:

• Co-Chairs: Alida Claudino and Daisy Idsinga

• Secretary: Vanessa Zuccaro

• Treasurer: Alessandra Carvalho

• OAPCE Representative: Tracy De Couto

• Parish Representative: Ola Musa

• Parent Members: Rose Adom, Cristina Trichilo, and Christina De Oliveira

• Non-Teaching Representative: Mrs. Ball

• Teaching Representatives: Mr. Iantorno, Mrs. Glaze, and Mrs. Peneda

Thank you to each member for your continued support and dedication!

Halloween Best Practices: Parent/Caregiver Communication

At the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB), we work collectively to fulfill our vocational call as Christians by ensuring that all are welcomed, included, and valued. As a system, we know that equity and inclusion are valuable contributors to overall student success and as a faith-filled community we are committed to ensuring that all students are engaged and feel welcomed and included in every aspect of school life. DPCDSB seeks to uphold the human dignity of all as we are all created in the image and likeness of God.

“…and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

Background

As Halloween approaches schools may be hosting a variety of Halloween events including dressing up in costumes on October 31. As we approach Halloween and the Feast Days of All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2, it is important to remember its Christian history. “All Hallows’ Eve” is where the name of Halloween comes from. A hallowed person is another name for a ‘saint’. October 31, All Hallows’ Eve then, is the eve of All Saints Day.

Best Practices When Choosing a Costume

Halloween can be a time for fun. Think critically and creatively when helping your child choose a costume ensuring that the Catholic Social Teaching of Human Dignity is upheld. Always centre impact. Cultivating learning spaces centered in inclusion requires that we critically consider the ways in which costumes can have a negative impact.

Protecting and upholding the dignities of all individuals is a shared responsibility and choosing a costume that is offensive, hurtful, or potentially harassing and/or discriminatory in nature goes against Catholic Social Teachings and values of respect here at DPCDSB.

If selecting a costume, please consider the following:

● Does this costume make fun of human traits, identities, cultures, or race?

● Does this costume reduce culture or identity to stereotypes?

● Who might be negatively impacted by my choice of costume?

● Is this costume depicting and perpetuating a stereotype or stigma associated with a particular race, culture, gender, differing ability, or religion?

● Does this costume include a replication of a garment or item that is a significant component of a particular religion or culture?

● Is this costume depicting a historical time-period where that look/costume is now considered offensive and discriminatory?

● Is this costume mindful of current/ongoing world events that can be traumatizing for families with connections to this region or event?

● Can I confidently say that this costume choice would not be considered offensive to a particular race, ethnic origin, differing ability, gender, or religion?

Accessibility Considerations

According to the Rick Hansen School Foundation (RHFSP), Halloween may not be accessible to 400,000 Canadian children with disabilities every year. In this regard, please consider the following accessibility considerations if you can.

1. Treat Accessibly Lawn Sign - Place an Accessible Trick or Treat lawn sign on your front lawn one week before Halloween.

2. Pumpkin Lantern - Make sure the path to your trick-or-treating area is well lit.

3. Clear the driveway and pathways.

4. Move cars out of the driveway to allow better accessibility for trick-or-treaters.

5. Create a trick-or-treating station at the end of your driveway, for accessibility, or out of your garage.

6. Refrain from the use of strobe lights and high-pitched, sudden loud noises. If you want to have these features, consider making them manual so that you can turn it on when you know you have an audience that will appreciate them.

7. Make sure that any pets are kept safely away from the front of the house.

*****Please remember NOT TO SEND ANY EDIBLE TREATS - pencils, stickers are fine to bring in on Halloween.

Thank you for your careful consideration of this important information.

Grade 7 students from St. Evan School had an enriching experience at Albion Hills, where they explored key aspects of Indigenous Studies. Through hands-on examination of artifacts and discussions about daily life, students gained deeper insight into Indigenous history and culture. They also engaged in traditional Indigenous games that challenged their coordination, strength, and speed, fostering both physical activity and cultural appreciation. Additionally, students learned about biodiversity and the vital role Indigenous worldviews play in promoting environmental sustainability, making this a meaningful and educational day for all.

St. Evan School was honored to welcome Tim McGregor for an inspiring Indigenous presentation titled Jiingtamok – A Celebration of Song and Dance. Tim shared heartfelt personal stories and showcased traditional Indigenous items used in various cultural celebrations, offering students a meaningful glimpse into Indigenous heritage and practices. The entire school had the opportunity to participate in this enriching experience. A special thank you to Mrs. Gabil for organizing such a powerful and educational event that deepened our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive at St. Evan School was a heartwarming success, led by our dedicated Youth Faith Ambassadors under the guidance of Mrs. Sadurski and Mrs. Travaglini. With the enthusiastic support of students across all grades, the initiative gathered an incredible 659 pounds of food for the Caledon Exchange, helping families in need during the holiday season. This generous effort reflects the spirit of compassion and community that defines St. Evan. A heartfelt thank you to our entire school community and to Fines Ford Lincoln for coming together to make a meaningful difference.

On October 23rd, members of our BACSA (Black and Caribbean Student Alliance) – along with the Wellness Team, took part in a refreshing Wellness Walk to embrace the vibrant beauty of the fall season and celebrate the importance of community and connection. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to reflect, recharge, and appreciate one another in a peaceful outdoor setting. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Glaze, Mrs. Gabil and Ms. Stewart for organizing this meaningful event that nurtured both wellness and unity.

We would like to welcome baby Nora to St. Evan as our Roots of empathy teacher this year in our grade 7 classroom. Baby Nora will visit this class once a month throughout the school year. The Roots of Empathy program is an evidence classroom program that builds empathy and reduces aggression in children. The program involves observing the baby's growth and development throughout the school year. This emotional bond helps our students to develop emotional literacy and perspective thinking, increase prosocial behaviours and decrease bullying. Special thanks to Ms. Stewart who organized this wonderful program for our students.

We would like to remind all families that food delivery services (such as Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, DoorDash, etc.) are not permitted at the school.

For safety and security reasons, as well as to minimize disruptions to the school day, deliveries from outside vendors will not be accepted for students. If a student forgets their lunch, parents or guardians may drop it off at the main office, clearly labeled with the student’s name and grade, and we will ensure it is delivered at an appropriate time.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to maintain a safe and orderly environment for all students.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr. Amodeo & Mrs. Holyk

DPCDSB has updated the process for obtaining parental consent for dental screening by our two jurisdictional public health units. We are returning to an opt-out model, which was used prior to the 2024–2025 school year.

This applies to schools located in Peel Region, which are under the jurisdiction of Peel Public Health/PPH as well as to the three Orangeville schools which are under the jurisdiction of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health/WDGPH.

For the Orangeville schools, WDGPH has already communicated with you directly, so this message is focused on our Peel Region-based schools.

Please note the following important changes that will affect your school community:

· Consent forms/letters will no longer be used.

· All students will be considered to have consented to dental screening unless their parent/guardian actively opts out.

· To opt out, parents must complete and submit the Peel Public Health opt-out form via http://www.peelregion.ca/dental/schoolscreening or they can call Peel Public Health directly at 905-799-7700.

DPCDSB to host 2026-2027 Extended French Program Virtual Information Sessions

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) will hold two online public information sessions on November 4 and November 6 for parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in the DPCDSB Extended French (EF) Program for the 2026-2027 school year. The information sessions will provide an overview of the Extended French Program and application process.

2026-2027 Extended French Virtual Information Sessions

MISSISSAUGA

San Lorenzo Ruiz C.E.S. (Miss. Central)

St. Christopher C.E.S. (Miss. South)

St. Philip C.E.S. (Miss. Southeast)

St. Rose of Lima C.E.S. (Miss North Central)

St. Therese of the Child Jesus C.E.S. (Miss. North)

St. Thomas More C.E.S. (Miss. East)

BRAMPTON, CALEDON & DUFFERIN

Holy Family C.E.S. (Caledon/Bolton)

St. Andrew C.E.S. (Orangeville)

St. Anne C.E.S. (Brampton West)

St. Jean Brebeuf C.E.S. (Brampton East)

St. Monica C.E.S. (Brampton Central)

Helpful Tips to Prepare for Milestone (Graduation) Photos

• Your photo session will take approximately 5-10 minutes.

• Get a good night sleep so you are rested.

• A white collared shirt with a tie makes a classic look, but wear whatever makes you feel great!

(Wearing a tie with a polo shirt does not produce the best results as the tie does not sit well on a polo shirt)

• If you shave your face, remember to shave the morning of.

• Keeping makeup light and simple. (Wearing very glossy lipstick reflects a lot of light and may result

with a white glob on your lips)

• Keep jewelry small and simple to avoid unnecessary distractions in your timeless portrait.

• Two of the portraits will show your hands. (Clean and trimmed nails will avoid any unnecessary

attention in your portrait. If you paint your nails have a look at them a couple days before to see if you need to do a fresh coat of nail polish.)

• Edge Imaging will bring a gown and sash for students to use during their session.

• A white dress shirt and tie will be available to borrow from the photographer but it is always a good

idea to bring your own.

• Approximately two weeks after photo day your photo proofs will arrive at school, select your favorite photos and order online.

And don’t forget to bring your smile!

We are happy that your child is part of the St. Evan community. As a new school year is underway, it’s a fresh start and a good opportunity to set up new routines and habits to support daily attendance and being on time for school.

We know that arriving on time for school and being ready to learn is a building block to learning success. When kids can start their day alongside their peers and participate in the morning procedures at school, it can help them to feel more connected to their classroom community and at school. We know that this is helpful for overall student wellbeing and mental health.

Ideas to boost on time attendance at school:

· Establish a consistent bedtime schedule on school nights.

· Remember that school age kids need approximately 8-9 hours of sleep each night.

· Get organized the night before including backpacks, completing any homework tasks/filling out forms and even getting lunch items ready.

· In the mornings, try to give yourself enough time (without being rushed) to go through your routine.

· Have conversations with your child(ren) about why arriving at school on time is important and if they have any ideas to help achieve that goal.

· Plan for vacations and holidays during scheduled school vacation times where possible.

Parents are important partners in joining with us to promote on time arrivals and everyday attendance at St. Evan. Thank you for your support.

If you are planning to sign your child out during the school day, please keep in mind the scheduled recess times listed below. To ensure a smooth and efficient departure, we kindly ask that you arrive approximately 10 minutes before recess begins. Signing out during recess can be more challenging, as students are outside and not easily accessible. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and organized environment for all. Thank you for your understanding and support.

School Hours

​Morning Bell​ 8:15am

Supervision begins at 8am. Please DO NOT DROP your child off before 8am because there is no supervision in the yard.