NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2009
5820 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5J9
Telephone: (905) 814-9216
Fax: (905) 814-9217
In Flanders Fields
Principal
T. Cruz
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Vice Principal
M. MacDonald
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
Secretaries
D. Nolan
J. Harvey
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
Superintendent
Mississauga North
D. Oude-Reimerink
Parish
Merciful Redeemer Parish
Phone: 905-812-0030
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
Associate Pastor
Fr. Peter Jae Choi
School Council Chair
Gail Bellissimo
School Council Co-Chair
Megan Scott
Trustee
Esther O’Toole - Ward 9
Phone: 905-812-5163
Attendance Verification
Phone: 905-814-9216
Web Site
www.dpcdsb.org/OLMCY
We are the Dead. Short days ago
Principal’s Message
As we begin the month of November we
are encouraged to take the time to think of
those people in our lives that we are
thankful for. There is a great deal to appreciate and, in these times, we must
keep our families and friends uppermost
in our thoughts.
We are also approaching November 11
and we do so taking the time to pause,
thank and reflect on the many men and
women who have died for the freedoms
that we enjoy. We attempt to keep their
memories alive by wearing a poppy and
through liturgies that commemorate the
bravery of these veterans. Our school will
also be celebrating this day with various
classroom activities that focus on saying
thank you.
During the month of November, we will
also begin preparing for the next season in
our liturgical calendar, Advent. We look
forward with great anticipation to all that
the season of Advent brings with it. God
bless.
T. Cruz
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.
Lt. John McCrae
P.A Day - Assessment and
Evaluation of Pupil Progress
Monday, November 16th, 2009
(No School for Students)
School Operations
Communication Updates
ARRIVING ON TIME FOR SCHOOL
INDOOR/OUTDOOR SHOES
Please ensure that your child arrives at school between
8:30 and 8:45 am so they are able to line up with their
class to enter the school in the morning.
LATES – Late for School –
Please, Report to the Office
To ensure safe arrival, late students
need to report to the office rather
than proceed to the back of the
school where students may find
themselves locked out! School
Hours begin at 8:45am.
In order to keep our students warm
and comfortable and to help keep
their workplace clean, please ensure
that your child has a pair of “indoor
shoes”. It will reduce the amount of
dirt and mud brought indoors. It will
also assist our custodial staff in keeping our school clean.
VALUABLES
Students are reminded not to bring valuables such as
electronic games, toys, or personal items of importance.
The school does not accept responsibility for the above.
DRESSING FOR COLD WEATHER
Inclement Weather and School Closure
Soon we will be experiencing cold weather and with winter on its way, we need to prepare. It is important for
students to come prepared to participate in all activities,
including outdoor recess. Please ensure that your child is
dressed appropriately for the forthcoming colder weather,
including having hats, boots and mittens/gloves as winter
approaches.
During the winter months inclement weather may
cause disruption of bus transportation and regular
school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation and/or to close schools is usually made by
6:00 a.m. and will be announced on the following
radio stations:
COLD AND FLU SEASON
In colder weather, we receive requests to
allow children to remain indoors when
students have a cold or the flu. Please
note that we cannot comply, as we have
neither the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students. Please use discretion
in keeping your child at home to recover if they are ill. A
child who is coughing, wheezing, etc. is not in a state to
learn and will only infect others. If your child is well
enough to attend school, he/she should be well enough to
go outside at recess.
CKFM 99.9
CHUM 1050
CFTR 680
CFNY 102.1
CFTO
CBC
CJCL 590
CHFI 98.1
CFRB 1010
CHEZ EZ Rock
CJBC (FR) 860
Z1-3.5
CHIN 100.7
FM/1540 CJEZ
CJMR/CHWO 1250
FOXY 88.5
The Weather Network
City Pulse
The message usually takes the following form:
“All buses for the Peel District School Board and the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board have
been canceled.”
Or to indicate school closures:
“The schools and offices for the Peel District School
Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board have been closed.”
Sign up TODAY!
Parents and guardians of Dufferin-Peel Catholic students
can stay up-to-date with the latest board news and information by joining the Dufferin-Peel eCommunity. Members will receive the latest news and information by email,
including news releases, school activities and events,
board meeting highlights, school and bus cancellations,
plus useful tips for parents and students. Sign up online
at www.dpcdsb.org.
If either of the above makes reference to the County
of Dufferin only, then there will be no closures or cancellations for Our Lady of Mery School.
FAMILY ADVENT MASS
Everyone is invited to attend the Family
Advent Mass on Monday, December 7th at
9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy School.
Come and join in our Advent celebration!
Virtue of
of the Month
Virtue
Toonie Tuesday
Toonie Tuesday - November 17, 2009
Affirmation:
I listen to my conscience.
It guides me through the path of virtue and Godliness.
I do what I know is right.
What is Conscience?
Conscience is the sense of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of
one’s own actions, intentions, or character. It is combined with a
strong feeling of obligation to do right or be good. God gave us a conscience that includes the standards of how God desires for us to live.
We know right from wrong. Our conscience guides us in all we do.
Why practice being Conscientious?
A conscientious person is happy and cheerful. When you have a good
conscience you are more at ease, you have serenity, joy and happiness
in life. It prevents calamities, troubles, afflictions and miseries. There
is satisfaction of conscience when a good action is done, when virtue
is practiced and you lead a virtuous life.
How do you practice the virtue of Conscience?
You practice the virtue of Conscience by adhering to truth, righteousness and virtue. Conscience is the inner voice which says “yes” or
“no” when you are involved in a moral struggle. It is the call within to
do an act or avoid it. By listening to this inner voice and acknowledging our own acts and feelings as right or wrong, we are being conscientious.
You are practicing the Virtue of CONSCIENCE when
you…
Eden Community Food Bank 3051 Battleford Road,
Mississauga, ON L5N 4Z9 Phone: 905-785-3651
Eden Community Food Bank has
been helping families in the L5N,
L5M postal codes for over 20 years
and has welcomed families from
the L5L postal code area. This larger service area as well as the recession has made them busier than ever. The number of
families serviced has increased by 47% over the prior year.
Eden Community Food Bank has seen the registration of
“New Families” increase by 116% over 2008. These are
families who never dreamed of needing a food bank to get
by. 45% of their clients are students that attend our schools.
As an independent non-profit organization,
we receive no Government Funding. We
rely heavily on the community we operate in
for monetary donations to cover our operational expenses. Once again, both school
boards have agreed to join forces to help
raise funds and support this local endeavor.
The 5th annual “Toonie Tuesday” campaign to raise funds
for the Eden Community Food Bank (ECFB) will be held
Tuesday, November 17, 2009. Your support is needed
more than ever, so please give a Toonie on Toonie Tuesday. This simple donation will make a huge difference in
the lives of those served by ECFB. We thank you for your
support and look forward to a successful campaign.
- Donna Behmer (Manager)
 Do not steal, cheat, or lie because you know it’s wrong
 Obey your parents even when they are not watching
 Are not swayed by others to do wrong
 Can be trusted to do what you are told
 Admit when you are wrong
 Obey the rules because it’s the right thing to do
You need more practice when you…
Steal, cheat or lie
Disobey your parents and teachers
Are easily swayed by peers to do wrong
Constantly break the rules
Do not admit to being at fault
The Power of An Hour! Be an In‐School Mentor! Make a difference in the life of a child in as little as one hour a week by volunteering to be an In‐School Mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel in partnership with the Dufferin‐Peel Catho‐
lic District School Board matches elementary girls and boys with a caring adult mentor. Matches meet for one hour each week from September – June during school hours and on school property to share in fun activities such as playing board games, baking or playing sports. The result – increased self esteem, better grades and improved relationships with family and peers. Children are in need of mentors in our schools and we need your help. You can make a significant difference by volunteer‐
ing or encouraging your friends and family to mentor a child in a school in their neighborhood. The In‐School Mentoring Program is currently offered in 25 DPCDSB schools across Peel. Call 905‐457‐7288 or visit www.bbbspeel.com for more information.
School Council
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend our
School Council Meetings! It is a good place to hear
about some of the initiatives that are happening at Our
Lady of Mercy as well as an opportunity to connect and
meet with other parents in the community. Input is welcome so come and join us. General meetings begin at
6:30 p.m. The following are members of this year’s
school council:
Gail Bellissimo
Megan Scott
Felicia LoRusso
Jennifer Rodrigo
Penny Valentini
Terence Noronha
Jennifer Rodrigo
Penny Valentini
Kathy Kossak
Felicia LoRusso
Barbara Rizzo
Darlene Cocciardi
Lori DeAngelis
Lori Sell
Angela Vukelic
Monika Jasniak-Bechard
Caryn Robinson
Tilia Cruz
Mike MacDonald
Kathy Read
Chair
Co-Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Fundraising Coordinator
Parish Representative
Volunteer Coordinator
OAPCE Representative
Events Coordinator
Events Coordinator
Parent Rep
Parent Rep
Parent Rep
Parent Rep
Parent Rep
Parent Rep
Parent Rep
Principal
Vice Principal
Teacher Rep
Dates to Remember
November
2
Fr. Peter visits Grade 6 - 8 classes
7
Letter of Requests for Confirmation - 7p.m. Mass
10
Primary Students to Sharon and Bram Concert
11
Remembrance Day
16
P.A. Day - No school for students - Evaluation
of Pupil Progress & Report Card Preparation
17
Toonie Tuesday - Eden Food Bank
17
School Council Meeting - 6:30 p.m.
18
Picture Retake Day
18
Fr. Peter visits Grade 6 - 8 classes
19
Grade 3’s Pioneer Village Trip
20
Grade 8 Retreat to Merciful Redeemer Parish
26
Book Fair arrives
29
Advent Begins
30
Fr. Peter visits Grade 6 - 8 classes
December
1
Reports go home
3
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
– after school and evening
The Next School Council Meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, November 17th at 6:30 p.m.
4
We are currently looking for volunteers in the following
areas of need:
 In-school Reading support
 Literacy Room
 Communication
There are opportunities for Grade 8’s to complete some
volunteer hours for Confirmation in activities such as:
7
Advent Mass - 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy
7
School Council Meeting/Social - 7:00 p.m.
10
Grade 4’s have Artist in the School “Fanzia”
18
Last day of school before Christmas Break



Stamping Books
Reading Time
G.I.F.T.S Newsletter distribution
If you can volunteer some of your time in one of these
areas, please contact the school and a member of the
School Council will contact you directly. For more information on Volunteering, please refer to the G.I.F.T.S.
Volunteer News that is sent home on green paper every
month.
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
– P.D. Day (No school for students)
Order Magazines Online
Go online at www.QSP.ca to order your new or renewal magazine subscriptions. Use our school’s
name and a portion of your subscription goes to
support our school. If you buy a magazine online,
you will also be entered in a contest for a chance
to win a Dell Laptop!