A Message from Administration
St. John XXIII Catholic School is an established learning community where all children are supported in developing to their fullest potentials in a safe and nurturing environment. It is a Catholic learning community built on the fundamental partnership among home, school and parish. As parents/guardians you have chosen to provide your child(ren) with a Catholic education where we view human life as the integrated parts of body, mind and spirit.
Our school community is committed to maintaining high academic standards throughout each grade, supporting all learners and promoting responsible and respectful behavior among all. We encourage students to get involved in all aspects of their school community including service and extra and co-curricular activities. This helps to build self-confidence and a sense of value and purpose while promoting positive relationships among students, staff, parents and the larger community.
We manage student discipline in a Progressive and Restorative approach, giving the students the tools they need to make amends for mistakes, while at the same time serving appropriate consequences for their actions. We believe in honesty, responsibility and accountability for our actions.
Our school agenda provides our students and parents with important information about our school community. It has been developed to help parents and educators work together to fully support the education and faith development of Catholic students. Consistent and daily use of the agenda will assist students in developing their organizational skills as well as support learning success. The agenda is an excellent communication tool between home and school – please support your children in their daily use of it. We also encourage families to check the school website on a regular basis for updated monthly calendars, messages from the office and updates on what is happening in your child’s classroom.
Best wishes for a very successful school year!
Mrs. K. Remiz, Principal
Mrs. J. Van Hezewyk, Vice-Principal
Follow us on:
Twitter at: @StJohnXXIII_CS
Facebook at: SaintJohn Twentythird
Instagram at: stj23cs
| About our Patron, St. John XXIII |
| Saint John XXIII was head of the Catholic Church from 1958 until his death in 1963.
Angelo Roncalli was the fourth child of thirteen. He was born to sharecroppers in 1881 in an Italian village. He was ordained a priest in 1904 and served in various posts, including appointment as Papal Nuncio in a number of countries. During the Second World War, he did much to help Jews, who were being persecuted. Pope Pius XII made Roncalli a Cardinal in 1953. St. John was elected on October 28, 1958, at the age of 77. Despite the fact that many expected him to be a "caretaker Pope," he called the historic Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) to "open the windows" of the Church to the world. St. John XXIII died in 1963, but the Council continued and resulted in many important Church teachings. St. John was loved by many for his warmth and kindness. He was beatified on September 3, 2000. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014.
As a Catholic School community, we are blessed to have St. John XXIII as our patron saint and acknowledge him daily through prayer. |
| School Prayer |
| God our Father,
Watch over us at St. John XXIII Catholic School. |
| Daily School Schedule |
| Yard Supervision begins with the arrival of the first bus at 8:50 a.m. Students who walk to school or are dropped off should not arrive before 8:50 a.m.
9:05 a.m. – Entry Bell 10:30-10:45 a.m. – Morning Recess 11:50-12:50 p.m. - Lunch 2:15 – 2:30 p.m. – Afternoon Recess 3:35 p.m. – Dismissal for all students |
| School and Parish Community |
| The staff at St. John XXIII Catholic School works closely with St. Gregory Catholic Church and Parish as well as the general community to develop the faith life of our students. Daily prayer, religious lessons and liturgical celebrations and presentations are part of school life. The staff at St. Gregory Catholic Church assists with special religious instruction such as sacramental preparation and supports faith-based activities at our school. We are also very fortunate to have the Rosary Apostolate be an active part of our school. Celebrations rooted in our faith are held throughout the school year. Family and community members are always invited and encouraged to attend. Over the course of the school year we participate in a variety of social justice projects in order to support our parish and community. Through these outreach initiatives we hope that our students will develop the ability to become collaborative contributors who find meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in work that contributes to the common good. |
| Parish Information – St. Gregory Catholic Church |
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Pastor: Reverend Marijan Sisko Office Secretary: Jacqui Martin Mass Schedule: Saturday - 5:00 pm Sunday – 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 12:00 pm |
| St. John XXIII Catholic School Council |
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The St. John XXIII Catholic School Council is active in developing the partnership between school and home. All parents/guardians are invited to attend council meetings and are encouraged to get involved. Your participation is valued and supports many activities and information sessions that enhance student learning. The Catholic School Council endeavors to:
Elections for positions on the Catholic School Council are held annually in September. Regular meetings are held throughout the year. All parents/guardians and guests are welcome to attend. Please check the monthly newsletter or school website for meeting dates and times. |
| Volunteers |
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Volunteers are always welcome at St. John XXIII Catholic School. They provide assistance in a variety of ways. Our school community is very appreciative of the support and assistance we receive from our parents and community members. Due to COVID safety protocols we will have limited opportunities throughout the year. As per the DCDSB’s Safe Schools Policy, all volunteers must have a police check with vulnerable sector on file at the school that is current within 12 months (letters from the office are available when needed for the reduced fee) and we will require proof of double vaccinations for you to enter the school. |
| Safety over Convenience |
Keeping your children safe while at school depends on the cooperation between home and school. To support our staff and students we ask that you understand and comply with the following:
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| Anaphylaxis – Reactions to Allergies |
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An anaphylactic reaction is a severe, sudden, possible life-threatening allergy to such items as peanuts, nuts, bee stings, shellfish, latex, etc. When a student or adult is diagnosed with anaphylaxis, it is important for the school to take extra precautions to ensure the person’s well-being. It may become necessary to designate certain classrooms as “safe”, so that there is very little chance that the student will come into contact with the dangerous substance. |
| Administration of Medication |
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The responsibility for the administration of medication for students is primarily the parents and/or guardians. There may be special cases and circumstances where a student must have medication during regular school hours. The office staff is authorized, if requested in writing on the appropriate Board form by the student’s parent or guardian, to administer medication. The medication should be kept in its original container and will be securely stored in the office. No student is EVER to keep medication in his/her possession while at school. |
| Dress Code |
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We encourage all parents/guardians to monitor how their children dress for school each day. The Dress Code for St. John XXIII Catholic School reflects the understanding that school is a student’s place of work. Students are expected to be dressed and groomed appropriately. Attire is to be consistent with the expectations of an environment reflecting a Catholic School community. The standards of dress for students at St. John XXIII Catholic School are reviewed with the Catholic School Council as outlined by Board policy. The guideline outlined applies to all in-school situations, on the school grounds and while attending all school-related activities and events. This dress code is based on the values of good health and hygiene, safety, modesty, and consideration for others.
The following are the acceptable standards of dress for students:
All Dress Code concerns will be addressed with discretion and respect and parents may be notified if the concern persists. The final decision regarding the dress code will be at the discretion of the principal or designate. |
| 2022–2023 School Year P.A Day/Holiday Calendar |
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P.A. Days: September 1, 2022 September 23, 2022 January 20, 2023 February 17, 2023 June 9, 2023 June 30, 2023 Holidays: Thanksgiving – Monday, October 10, 2022 Christmas Break – Monday, December 26, 2022 – Friday, January 6, 2023. Family Day – Monday, February 20, 2023 March Break – Friday, March 10 to Friday, March 17, 2023 Good Friday – Friday, April 7, 2023 Easter Monday – Monday, April 10, 2023 Victoria Day – Monday, May 23, 2022 |
| Monthly Celebrates Assemblies: The Catholic Graduate Expectations |
Our goal is to help students become proficient in the Catholic Graduate Expectations:
The Durham Catholic District School Board recognizes that a school should be a place that promotes responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to work together to create a positive learning environment where all members feel supported. |
| Access to Premises |
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Parents/guardians are welcome to visit the school to discuss an issue with teachers or administrators. In keeping with the Board’s Access to School Premises Policy, all doors will remained locked during school hours. Our Safe Welcome Program provides an intercom and camera at the main door of the school for all visitors to communicate with the office prior to entering the school. This enhances the safety of students and staff. Please remember that anyone coming into the school must first sign in at the office and obtain a Visitor’s badge. (Parents/guardians are not allowed access to the school yard before school or during recesses and noon hour.) At recess time, the school yard is well supervised and staff will question anyone whose presence is not expected. Each member of staff is wearing photo ID and is identified on duty with a safety vest. If a parent/guardian needs to pick up his/her son/daughter during the school day, this must be facilitated at the office. Members of the office staff will call the student down to the office to be signed out. If parents send a friend/relative/designate to pick up their child, please advise the school in advance and ask the designate to provide photo identification at the office. If the student returns to school before dismissal, he/she must sign back in at the office so that his/her attendance can be monitored. |
| Make Every Day Count – Attendance Matters |
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Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Now is the time to start building this habit so your child learns right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college or university and in the world of work. Did You Know? Absences can add up quickly. A child is considered chronically absent if he/she misses just two days every month!! Research shows:
School success goes hand in hand with good attendance! What You Can Do:
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| Safe Arrival – Automated Attendance |
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In June 2018, The Durham Catholic District School Board adopted a new automated attendance system, called Safe Arrival, for reporting student absences. Safe Arrival reduces the time it takes to verify student attendance making it easier for you to report your child’s absence and easier for staff to respond to unexplained student absences. Parents are able to report their child’s absence quickly and conveniently using three different methods: 1. Parents can log into a website: go.schoolmessenger.ca to report student absences. 2. Parents can call into the automated interactive telephone system using the toll free number 1-844-288-7628 through which absences can be reported. 3. Parents can download the SafeArrival app for iOS and Android smartphones. Search for the keyword school messenger in the Google Play store or the Apple App store. Select Canada, select sign up, enter your email address that is on file with the school, enter a password. All three methods are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Future absences, like doctor’s appointments can be reported ahead of time. For more information, please visit the school website. |
| Restorative Schools |
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We believe that safety begins with positive connections between the students, staff and parents. To foster these relationships, staff in the Durham Catholic District School Board use restorative practices, including classroom circles and small group conferences to build community within the classroom and the school. Restorative Practice is rooted in the same philosophical approach as Canada’s Native Aboriginal communities. It rests on the belief that it is best to do things with people, rather than to them. When conflict arises, using restorative practice engages students in a fair process that responds to behavior in ways that strengthen and repair the relationship. It is collaborative rather than adversarial in nature. The aim of restorative practice is to hold individuals accountable for their actions while restoring and repairing any relationships amongst each other and within the community that may have been harmed. Catholic Restorative Schools will:
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| School Code of Conduct |
| Please click here to read the Code of Conduct |
