St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School
Our School & Principal's Welcome
Welcome to our Saint Gabriel Catholic Elementary School website! I encourage you to visit our website regularly to keep up-to-date with our school and student-led activities.
Our dedicated and caring staff at Saint Gabriel works with our students in providing a safe and positive learning environment where our students are nurtured academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. In addition to our robust academic program, we offer a wide range of extracurricular activities to our students.
Our school is also thankful for the wonderful support our school parish plays within our school community. Thank you to the wonderful support staff at St. Mary of the Visitation Roman Catholic Church and our Pastor – Father Ed Henhoeffer.
We are proud of the many accomplishments of students and their families at Saint Gabriel and will continue to strive and excel with our present school community. A special thanks to our parent volunteers who contribute their precious time in the life and vigour of our school.
It is an honour and privilege to be the Principal at Saint Gabriel Catholic Elementary School. Please feel free to contact me at school if you have any questions or inquiries.
May God bless you and your family!
Sincerely,
Mr. Philip Bruni
Getting Ready for Kindergarten 2025-2026
Welcome to our school community! We are so excited that you are starting school here at St. Gabriel Catholic School!
We believe that all families are composed of individuals who are competent and capable, curious, and rich in experience. We know our families love their children and want the best for them. Families are experts on their children. They are the first and most powerful influence on children’s learning, development, health, and well-being. Families bring diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. Families should feel that they belong, are valuable contributors to their children’s learning, and deserve to be engaged in a meaningful way.
Welcome to Kindergarten Event You will be invited to our school this year in the spring, where we can gather in community and get to know each other! There will be an opportunity for you and your child to participate in activities together and ask questions. Let’s get ready to Talk, Create, Read and Play!
Welcome message from Mr. Philip Bruni (Principal)
“Welcome to our School where Young Minds Grow.”
I am thrilled to welcome you to Saint Gabriel Catholic School and to be your first elementary school principal. Kindergarten is a wonderful time of new beginnings, making many new friends, and exploring and learning new things. With the support of our dedicated staff, your time at St. Gabriel will be filled with exciting experiences and learning opportunities. I am eager to get to know each of you and watch you grow.
I can’t wait for your educational journey to begin at our school. We are so happy to have you join our school family, “The Home of the Wings.” Welcome to Saint Gabriel!
Welcome message from Ms. Jennifer Ertel (Vice Principal)
There is something so beautiful about a new year and all the new little faces, new routines and new adventures. St. Gabriel is a wonderful inclusive community for your child to thrive. It is within these walls that your child will grow and reach their full potential. It is here that they will learn to extend their faith, foster positive relationships and build their confidence. It is here that they will create lasting memories and become the best versions of themselves.
Welcome to Kindergarten at St. Gabriel! I cannot wait to meet you!!
Introducing Our Early Years Team
Meet Ms. Alexis Knoop (Teacher)
Hello everyone! I am so excited to enter my third year at St. Gabriel’s. We look forward to welcoming all the new students in September! I have been very blessed to have been a part of the WCDSB community since I first entered school in Kindergarten! Kindergarten is a year of growth, discovery and wonder. I hope you enjoy your summer and I look forward to all the amazing learning experiences in September!
Meet Mrs. Laura Amaral (DECE, Extended Day Program)
Hi everyone! I’m excited to start my eighth year at St. Gabriel and continue to be a part of an amazing Early Years Team! I look forward to meeting all the children who are starting their Kindergarten journey in the fall. I’m glad that I get to be a part of that journey and to be able to meet all the families. It’s going to be a great year full of fun and learning! Have a great summer, see you all in September.
Meet Ms. Chantelle Restoule (DECE, Extended Day Program)
Hi everyone ! I am so excited to share that this will be my fourth year at St. Gabriel’s working with the Early Years Team. I am looking forward to all the fun and adventure we will have while learning this year. I cannot wait to meet all of our kindergarten students and families. I hope everyone has a fun-filled summer – See you in September!
Meet Ms. Camille San Jose (Teacher)
Welcome families! My name is Ms. San Jose and I am very excited to meet all our new friends coming this September. I have worked in Kindergarten for a few years as an ECE and transitioned as a teacher for about 5 years now. I love learning with the kids, and seeing their growth academically and personally. St. Gabriel’s Kindergarten team is a welcoming team and we cannot wait to meet you all!
Meet Mrs. Maria Pereira (DECE, Extended Day Program)
Welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Mrs. Pereira! I am very excited to meet all of our friends in September. I am working in Kindergarten and also working with the after school program. I can’t wait to meet you all in the Fall! Take care!
Meet Mrs. Brenda Craig (Teacher)
Welcome families! I am incredibly proud to say that I have been a student, parent, and teacher with the WCDSB. I have been a part of the St. Gabriel Catholic School Early Years Team since it first opened its doors in 2014. I am very excited to be welcoming your child to this remarkable school community in September 2025! I look forward to getting to know your family as we begin to create some wonderful new memories this year. We will play, learn, and grow together in Kindergarten!
Meet Ms. Vanessa Camara (DECE, Extended Day Program)
Hi there! Welcome to Kindie land! I am so grateful to be back for my tenth year here at St. Gabriel school, and with such an amazing Early Years Team! The WCDSB community has been such a big part of my life, having been a student from Kindergarten to grade 12, and an educator since 2012. I love teaching, but most of all, I LOVE learning new things with my students every day. I am looking forward to meeting all of our new friends, and cannot wait to embark on all the adventure that awaits us this school year! Have a fun and safe summer! We will see you all in the fall!
Meet Mrs. Cristina Castro (Teacher)
Hello families! Welcome to St. Gabriel School. I am so excited to meet all of you. This fall will be my 14th year with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board as an Educator. Before becoming a classroom teacher, I was a Registered Early Childhood Educator in Full-Day Kindergarten. I am excited about teaching and can’t wait to explore and learn new things with you. I hope you love Kindergarten as much as I do!
Meet Mrs. Meagan Yake (DECE, Extended Day Program)
Welcome families! I am blessed to say that I have been a student, parent, and educator with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. I am excited to start my third year St. Gabriel Catholic School Early Years Team this fall. I cannot wait to meet all of you. I look forward to learning and creating memories with you! See you in September!
Introducing Our School Community and Learning Spaces
Each Kindergarten classroom at St. Gabriel is equipped with a wide variety of learning spaces to foster play-based learning (ex: dramatic play centre, craft table, literacy, and math centres). As part of the St. Gabriel community, students will learn about the Catholic faith and will be provided with opportunities to practice our faith together at our class prayer centre, during Christian Meditation, and at school masses. We will also participate in celebrations throughout the liturgical year to celebrate events such as Advent and Lent. Students also engage in learning outside the classroom– in the gymnasium, library/computer lab, and outside on the schoolyard. Every day students will have the opportunity to learn and grow together as part of our Wings community!
Our Early Years Team works to provide a collaborative and complementary partnership to support children and families. We work together to create learning opportunities that foster the interests of the students, whether it be dinosaurs, space, bugs, rainbows, etc.
Information
Safe Arrival and Dismissal
The school hours are 9:10 am to 3:40 pm. In the morning, there is Kindergarten supervision beginning at 8:55 am in the fenced-in area. Please drop your child off there and feel free to leave once supervision arrives. Your child’s teacher will come and get them when the bell rings at 9:10.
St. Gabriel School has a “Safe Arrival Program.” It is very important that if your child will be late or absent from school, that you communicate to the school through the SchoolMessenger – SafeArrival system. You will be able to report absences using a toll-free number, website or mobile application.
At the end of the day, children can be picked up at the same rear door. In order to ensure that each child goes home with their designated person all supervisors/guardians must be on the safe dismissal “pick-up” list that you fill out. Bus students will be safely escorted to their bus.
Personal Hygiene in the Classroom
Each Kindergarten classroom has an individual washroom and classroom sink. We encourage students to frequently use the washroom throughout the day and to wash hands as often as necessary (ex: before snack/lunch, after coughing/sneezing). Unfortunately, we do not have a water fountain close to the classroom for a quick drink, so it is important that students bring a water bottle every day.
Medical Information
- Please help us make our school safe for your child: If your child has any health concerns (ex: asthma, allergies, etc.), please inform the school Principal and our Early Years Team as soon as possible.
- Please note: Our school board has a nut-free policy. Please do not send nuts or nut products with your child. This also includes nut substitutes. Thank you for your understanding.
Library
A Message from Ms. Barbosa (Librarian):
Hello parents, guardians and future St. Gabriel C.E.S. students!
I am Ms. Barbosa, the school librarian at St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School. I began working at St. Gabriel this past September, and I have greatly enjoyed working in our incredible library learning commons space. There are so many things I love about being a school librarian. Some of the things that I enjoy the most are reading to students during our weekly read-aloud time and getting to sign out books for students to borrow from the fantastic library collection we have here.
A Little Bit About Me
Before becoming a school library technician, I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and have an Information and Library Technician diploma from Mohawk College. Before working at St. Gabriel, I worked at the Idea Exchange Libraries where I learned a lot about libraries and became familiar with quality picture books, fiction books, graphic novels, and non-fiction resources for children, as well as great library collections.
What does the St. Gabriel Library Learning Commons offer our Kindergarten classes and students?
At St. Gabriel our Library Learning Commons is an inviting, inclusive, collaborative space, and a learning environment for everyone including our Junior and Senior Kindergarten students. As the school librarian, I always strive to make sure our library is an engaging and exciting environment that provides students with a sense of curiosity and excitement, to inspire all love of books and interest in learning new things. During each weekly read-aloud, my goal is that during our time together getting to read great stories, students will gain valuable learning opportunities for developing essential literacy skills and new perspectives that will help them to become diverse and critical thinkers.
In addition, for a Kindergarten class read aloud I always ensure to select books that discuss important themes such as kindness/compassion, friendship, family, self-love, helping others, and discovery/imagination. From reading books with important themes and lessons, my goal is that students gain another educational experience that teaches them fundamental social and emotional learning skills. During a Kindergarten class read-aloud, students get to listen to a new story and when we finish, I provide a chance to discuss the book and have them share something they enjoyed about the story. My hope for each class read aloud is that students develop a growing curiosity and interest in reading for learning and enjoyment outside of the library and school setting. Our library learning commons has an amazing selection of picture books that are purchased to offer opportunities to learn new concepts and themes from the great messages and lessons within each story.
My goal for all our library collections, which includes pictures books/easy readers, fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels, is to have a vast variety of high-quality and diverse resources that will enrich student’s education, and to contribute in their development of their literacy, social and emotional learning, as well as critical and creative thinking skills. It brings me joy getting to sign out books for our Kindergartners to take home and enjoy reading together with their family. I always enjoy having our Kindergarten classes visit the library every week as I get to foster and motivate young readers to increase their interest and appreciation for books. Here at St. Gabriel C.E.S. our library learning commons will always be a welcoming space for students to participate in engaging, educational experiences that will positively impact their journeys to becoming lifelong readers and learners.
I am excited to meet our future St. Gabriel wings and to have more opportunities to provide positive learning experiences for students and to continue making a difference in helping foster a new curiosity and growing love of books and reading.
Kindly,
Ms. Barbosa
Health & Safety Protocols
“We Will Establish a Balance Between Physical Health and Safety & Social Emotional Health and Well-Being”
HAND WASHING: Hand washing will be reinforced as the key strategy to utilize to maintain good hygiene. Health Canada recommends hand washing using soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Try encouraging your child to count to 20 or to sing “Happy Birthday” two times in their heads. Hand sanitizer will also be available in the classroom and throughout the school.
Videos from Public Health:
Cash Online & Newswire
“SchoolCash Online” is a system we use to collect money (for school lunch days, field trips, etc.) and to sign permission forms. Families will be required to sign up for SchoolCash Online in September. Here is the link for Cash Online if your family is not already signed up: https://wcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/
To sign up for the school board Newswire (WCDSB), check out the WCDSB website at https://www.wcdsb.ca/ .
Suggested School Supplies
- Big school bag
- Lunch box with snacks and lunch (reusable containers ☺)
- Reusable water bottle
- Indoor shoes (Velcro/Slip-Ons, no laces please!)
- Change of clothes
- Label EVERYTHING
Getting Ready for School
Readiness for school refers to the child’s ability to meet the demands of school:
- to interact and work cooperatively with others
- to be able to listen and follow directions
- to be able to share
- to see, hear, speak clearly (hearing and vision check-ups are recommended before September)
- to be independent regarding washroom routines
Talk about school and what it might be like! Get excited! This will be a great experience!
Here are some suggested book links that are suitable for talking with your child about starting school:
Tumblebooks:
- Visit: https://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/
- Login with the following (all lower case):
Username: wcdsb
Password: books - Once you’ve logged in, click the following links to read the books:
If you have not registered your child for school yet, please visit the Entering Kindergarten webpage to start the online registration process.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us! We are here to help!
Getting Ready for Kindergarten
Welcome to our school community! We are so excited that you are starting school here at St. Gabriel Catholic School!
We believe that all families are composed of individuals who are competent and capable, curious, and rich in experience. We know our families love their children and want the best for them. Families are experts on their children. They are the first and most powerful influence on children’s learning, development, health, and well-being. Families bring diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. Families should feel that they belong, are valuable contributors to their children’s learning, and deserve to be engaged in a meaningful way.
Welcome to Kindergarten Event You will be invited to our school this year in the spring, where we can gather in community and get to know each other! There will be an opportunity for you and your child to participate in activities together and ask questions. Let’s get ready to Talk, Create, Read and Play!
If you have not registered your child for school yet, please visit the Entering Kindergarten webpage to start the online registration process.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us! We are here to help!
Catholic School Advisory Council
Welcome to our Catholic School Advisory Council!
The education of our children is a partnership, working together to build a strong school community. Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.
What is the Role of the Catholic School Advisory Council?
A school council is an advisory body that functions within the parameters of Ministry of Education and Board policy. School councils provide an opportunity and the means to advise the principal and the Board on any matter on the improvement of pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents/guardians. The ultimate responsibility for the administration and management of the day-to-day operation of the school rests with the principal.
A school council is an important venue for the various stakeholders in education to work in partnership. Its role, in collaboration with the principal, staff, and the community, is to help set the priorities of the school and to enhance learning opportunities, through various activities, for the benefit of our children/students.
What a Catholic School Advisory Council is not
A school council is not a place to pursue your own agenda or advocate for your own child. Individual issues should be pursued through the classroom teacher and/or principal.
Updates
Parent Outreach Plans
Contact Us
15 Baldwin Drive,
Cambridge, Ontario,
N3C 0B4
Phone: 519-658-2008
Extended Day Phone: 519-503-0115
Principal: Philip Bruni
Vice-Principal: Jennifer Ertel
School Hours
8:30 — Office Opens
9:10 — Entrance Bell
10:20 – 10:35 — Morning Recess
11:55 – 12:55 — Lunch
2:15 – 2:30 — Afternoon Recess
3:40 — Dismissal
4:30 — Office Closes
Good News Stories
Good News Stories Coming Soon!
Calendar Highlights
Nothing from May 21, 2025 to May 21, 2027.
St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Calendar
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Please use the following link to access our calendar from other applications.
Parish
Our Catholic Faith is taught, reinforced and celebrated in our school, homes and parish. We are so fortunate to have an excellent relationship with our local parish.
