NEWSLETTER FEB. 2016
Principal
D. Della Rossa
5820 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5J9
Telephone: (905) 814-9216
Fax: (905) 814-9217
Happy Valentine’s Day
Principal’s Message
Remember to show love towards
others as we are all children of God
As the above average weather continues, we
enjoy our Canadian winters knowing that
spring is around the corner. As we come to
the end of our first term, we celebrate the
progress of our students and our continuous
goal setting to improve student well-being
and achievement.
Secretary
S. Droy
Superintendent
Mississauga North
T. Cruz
Parish
Merciful Redeemer Parish
Phone: 905-812-0030
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
Associate Pastor
Fr. Scott Birchall
School Council Co-Chair
Cristina Gouveia
School Council Co-Chair
Michelle Martinovic
Trustee
Esther O’Toole
Ward 9
Phone: 905-812-5163
Attendance Verification
Phone: 905-814-9216
Web Site
www.dpcdsb.org/OLMCY
DPCDSB is now on
Twitter!
Follow us
@DPCDSBSchools.
Reflections on the Child
As in Nature—
No two trees or flowers, although
seeded at the same time, grow and
bloom at the same rate, at the same
height, or to the same degree of
colour - so also in
Children.
Although the same age, each child is
like an individual flower requiring
different amounts of light, water,
air and nurturing to grow to fullest
potential.
Given basic necessities, children will
survive, but it is important to determine what each needs to truly flourish. We are the true gardeners in
the greenhouse of learning.
February is also the month we traditionally
celebrate Black History, yet we will also use
this month to celebrate our wonderful spirit
of multiculturalism and appreciation for the
unique gifts of one another. Together, we
stand as one. On February 3rd, we will be
having a guest speaker from Passages Canada
who will be sharing her journey about her
pathway to success to our students from
Grades 1 to 8. Also, on Thursday, February
25th we invite everyone to wear pink to show
we stand up against bullying. We will gather
for an aerial photo of the entire school and
share in a special presentation in the afternoon.
On February 10th, we begin our Lenten journey of reflection and renewal. Lent is a time
to follow Jesus more closely. It brings with it
the call for penance and prayer. As we approach the season of Lent may we use the
forty days to pray for peace and harmony in
our world.
Warnest Regards, D. Della Rossa
CSAC Meeting
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
6:30 P.M. All are welcome.
Family Day
Monday, February 15th
School Closed.
School Operations
Kindergarten September 2016
Parents/Guardians should bring the following documents when registering their child:
1. Registration Form
2. Application for Direction of School Support
Please return to Admissions.
3. Proof of Age of Child
Birth certificate or passport.
4. Original Roman Baptismal Certificate
For child and/or parent/guardian.
5. Updated Immunization Records
6. Proof of Canadian Citizenship
Birth certificate, passport or permanent resident status.
7. Proof of Home Address – REVISED
Two of the following: property tax bill, eal estate document, e.g., Purchase Agreement/*Rental Agreement,
current utility bill and/or Government of Canadaissued forms, e.g., passport, Service Canada documents
For more information about registration and the Kindergarten program, call 905-814-9216 or visit
www.dpcdsb.org.
Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School
welcomes French Immersion!
The French Immersion Program at Divine Mercy Elementary School was established as a Grades 1 to 4 program with Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School as the
sister site that would continue the program for students
in Grades 5 to 8. We are excited to be welcoming our
new Grade 5 French Immersion students and their families.
Our Friendship Day will be held Friday, February 12th to
welcome the Grade 4s from Divine Mercy that will be
transitioning to Grade 5 in September 2016.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is African American History
month. Since 1926, people have taken
some time during this month to remember
the contributions that many African descendants have made to this and other countries. This
time of the year was chosen because it is the month of the
birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas.
Take time to look up these individuals to see what impact
they had on our society. All students are encouraged to
do some extra reading and learn how these individuals
have impacted the world.
Board News
2015-16 School Year Calendar
Additional Professional Activity Day:
Monday, April 11, 2016
Terms of the recent contract settlement between the teacher federations and the Ministry of Education included the provision of an
additional Professional Activity Day for the 2015-2016 school year
for both elementary and secondary schools. Recently, boards were
directed to schedule this additional Professional Development Day
on or before April 15, 2016.
In the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, the designated
additional Professional Activity Day has been scheduled for Monday,
April 11, 2016.
Therefore, there will be no classes for either elementary or secondary students on Monday, April 11, 2016.
Thank you for your attention to this addition to the 2015-16 School
Year Calendar.
Eco– School News
Our Lady of Mercy - an ECO-SCHOOL!
The staff and students at Our Lady of Mercy will continue to work
towards promoting our silver- certified Eco-School community.
NATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2016
On Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Our Lady of Mercy staff and Peel Police will meet
and greet our students and their
families at Bell Harbour Park at
8:30 a.m. Together we will walk
to school along Bell Harbour
Drive, right on Castlebridge Drive crossing Glen
Erin Drive to the school.
NATIONAL SWEATER DAY
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Wear a sweater, save energy.
ELEMENTARY LIBRARY e-RESOURCES
The Internet is a
wonderful research tool and it is important that our students have access
to sites that provide authoritative information. Our Board provides many
Elementary subscription based e-Resources for students to use. You may
access these resources by visiting the Dufferin-Peel home page
(http://www.dpcdsb.org/cec). From there, click on Students, then Library e-Resources, then choose Elementary Library e-Resources.
Alternately, visit this link directly:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/CEC/Students/Library+Information/Elementary+
Library+e-Resources.htm.
Note: some sites will require passwords. Please ask the office for further
details.
Virtue of the Month
Communication Updates
Inclement Weather and School Closure
Affirmation:
I am respectful.
I treat others and myself with respect.
I show courtesy to everyone.
I learn from the wisdom of my elders.
What is Respect?
Respect is an attitude of honouring people and caring about their
rights. Being respectful is reflected in the courtesy with which we
treat one another, the way we speak, and the way we treat other
people’s belongings. Speaking and acting respectfully gives people the dignity they deserve. Respect includes honouring the rules
of your family and your school, behaving in a way which makes
life more peaceful and orderly. Being respectful includes selfrespect. Every woman, man and child was created by God and
we all deserve respect.
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 and
television stations
VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9
CJBC (FR) AM860
FM97.3
FM Z103.5 FM93.1CFNY
CHINFM100.7/AM1540
GLOBAL NEWS
CHUM AM1050
CHFI FM98.1
CFTR AM680
FM102.1/AM640
CTV
CANADA AM
CJCL AM590
EZ ROCK
CFRB AM1010
CBC FM99.1
CITYPULSE
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
and television stations:
How do you practice Respect?
(Please note that the highlighted text only will be communicated by
the radio stations). These messages are relevant to our school.
A good way to practice respect is to think about how you would
like to be treated and then treat others that way. How would you
like others to respect you?
You are practicing the Virtue of RESPECT when you…
1. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL
BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA ARE CANCELLED FOR
TODAY.”

Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated

Treat the property of others with special care
This means that ALL buses which operate into, out of, and within the
City of Mississauga are cancelled for the entire day.

Honour other people’s need for time and space to themselves

Speak courteously to everyone

Are receptive to the wisdom of elders

Honour the rules of your family and nation

Expect respect for your body and your right
Ontario Catholic School
Graduate Expectations
A Holistic Thinker
I HAVE IDEAS!




I have thoughts and opinions that matter 
I know we are all equal & special I make good choices I have hope for the future I solve problems with knowledge,
understanding & prayer Because I have ideas, I have a
purpose, and I will live my life like
Jesus.
2. “ALL DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL
BOARD AND PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES
ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”
This means that ALL transportation services provided by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Peel District School
Board, including buses, vans and taxis have been cancelled for the
entire day.
3. “ALL BUSES ARE CANCELLED AND THE SCHOOLS
AND OFFICES OF BOTH THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD ARE CLOSED”.
This means that ALL Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
and Peel District School board schools and offices are closed to all
students and staff.
Cold Weather Guidelines
“It’s getting a little cold outside!” It is
important that students dress appropriately for the weather! Hats, mitts,
scarves, and snowpants are necessary
on most winter days. Having an additional pair of mitts
and/or socks is also appreciated as children play in the
snow and articles become wet. At times we reduce outdoor play time according to wind chill temperatures:
- 25 or colder: students are kept indoors.
- 20 reduce amount of outdoor time
Fresh air and exercise are essential for health and learning. Come prepared to go outside for recess.
Anaphylaxis
Dates to Remember February
—-
1 to 5 Book Fair
2
First Tem Report Cards Go Home
Our Lady of Mercy is an allergen aware school. There
are pupils in attendance who suffer from severe and
life threatening allergies to certain foods. Exposure to
the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. The most common allergen
triggers are food, insect stings, medications, exercise,
and latex. An anaphylactic reaction involves symptoms from two or more body systems. Safety of all
our students is paramount.
2
Hockey Tournament @ Iceland Day 2
3
8:30AM Walk to School Wednesday from
We at Our Lady of Mercy, would appreciate the cooperation of the entire school community by NOT
sending any lunches or snacks that contain any ingredients identified as food allergens for students in your
child’s class.
Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers
are aware of the food restrictions. We also ask that
you review the letters that were sent home at the beginning of the school year that spoke to specific allergens in your child’s classroom.
For celebrations, we are once again asking that food
NOT be brought into the school since we cannot
control the ingredients in many baked items.
If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s
teacher or to school staff. Your co-operation in helping to keep all our pupils safe is greatly appreciated.
Bell Harbour Park
3
Passage Canada Guest Speaker (PM) Gr. 1 to 8
3
School Advisory Council Meeting 6:30 p.m.
4
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - evening
5
Reporting PA Day
10
Ash Wednesday
12
Grade 4 French Immersion Friendship Day
13
Confirmation—Lenten Promises 7 p.m.
14
Valentine’s Day
15
24
Family Day - No school
Rosary Apostolate Visits
25
Pink Shirt Day—School Aerial Photo
25
Black History Presentation Gr. 1 –8
25
Hot Dog Day
26
Confirmation Confessions 9:30 a.m. at the school
March Break is from March 14th to 18th
Our Catholic School Heritage
6. What sacrifices did Catholics have to make to send their children
to separate schools?
Because the United Legislature of Canada East and Canada West
roughly had consisted of members advocating non-denominational common schools and half were in favour of them, separate school legislation,
for about fifteen years, contained three obstacles to their existence:
 Catholics
SCHOLASTIC
BOOK FAIR
Our annual Scholastic Book Fair will
run from Monday
February 1st to Friday, February 5
(morning only).
could establish and support a separate school, but had to
continue paying common school taxes. Thus, they paid tuition for their
children in the separate school;
 The
separate school had no permanence of existence. If the local
common school board hired a Catholic as one of its teachers, then the
separate school ceased to exist. Separate schools kept opening and
closing in the early years;
 In the cities the separate school board required the permission of the
common school board to open a new or an additional separate school.
Sometimes the permission was not forthcoming.
 The legislation required twelve Catholic heads of family resident within
a city, town or township common school section. The townships’ common school sections were so small that often there were not twelve
resident Catholic families.