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St. Richard Catholic School
7270 Copenhagen Road
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 2C3
Tel: (905) 826-5572
Fax: (905) 826-9564
LOVE ∙ FAITH ∙ KINDNESS ∙ HOPE
www.dpcdsb.org/RICHA
Principal
D. Tucciarone
Head Secretary
G. Falotico
Parish
St. John of the Cross
(905) 821-1331
Pastors:
Rev. Fr. Joseph Kalluvila
Associate Pastor:
Rev. Fr. Felix Antony
Rev. Fr. Sebastian Joseph
E-mail:
stjohnofx@rogers.com
Superintendent,
Mississauga North:
T. Cruz
(905) 890-0708
Trustee
E. O’Toole
Wards Nine and Ten
(905) 812-5163
School Council Chair
A. Green
Board Chairperson
M. Pascucci
Director of Education
J. Kostoff
Director Designate of
Education & Secretary to
the Board
M. Mazzorato
School Website
www.dpbdsb.org/RICHA
December, 2015 Newsletter
A Christmas Prayer
Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift are from above.
They come down from you, dear Father of lights.
You give birth to us by your word,
that we might be born of a new creation.
Bless now these presents that we give and receive in joy at the birth of
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
On this holy day, bless us and bless the whole world with
thankfulness and affection, for you are the giver of all good gifts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The staff of St. Richard Catholic Elementary School wish the families of
our school community a very blessed and holy Christmas season. May
the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts with peace and joy. Merry
Christmas!
FAMILY ADVENT MASS
Tuesday, December 15th, 2016
St. John of the Cross Parish
7:00PM – ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
ST. RICHARD CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Thursday, December 17th, 2016
Two performance times to choose from:
9:00AM OR 1:00PM
St. Richard Gymnasium
ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Monday, December 21st, 2015 –
Friday, January 1st, 2016
CLASSES RESUME MONDAY, JANUARY 4th, 2016
A MONTH OF VIRTUES
In December we celebrate the virtue of hope. We
believe that God comes to us as a small fragile baby
who shows us that even the smallest and poorest can
make a profound difference in the world. God has given
us this Advent season year after year in order to focus
our minds and our hearts on the good all around us.
During this time of hope, we are reminded that God
chose to send his Son to us because we are worth it.
God knows how great we can be when we all come
together. When we look at the world through the eyes
of God we know that the message of hope in Jesus’
second coming will be and is fulfilled, because Jesus’ love
lives in us every day.
People of Hope…
 Keep up a positive attitude
 Can bounce back from tough
situations
 Set and stick to their goals
 See the good in others even
when they make mistakes
 Work to include others
 Let others know that they are
good people
YOUTH FAITH AMBASSADORS
This initiative is to encourage Catholic elementary
school students in Grades 6 – 8 to live out our
baptismal call to become Fully Alive in the Lord Jesus
Christ through care for themselves and others. The role
of the Youth Faith Ambassador is to become an active
Christian through the knowledge of God’s word,
deepening their own faith development and bettering
their communities through service. Students in the
Youth Faith Ambassador Program are encouraged to be
role models of faith and of the virtues. Throughout the
school year, Youth Faith Ambassadors share their
experiences, lead our monthly virtues liturgies and
create opportunities for becoming active witnesses in
our school and community. At St. Richard School, our
Youth Faith Ambassadors work closely with Mrs.
Pereira, Mrs. Tannus and Mrs, Lysyuk, we thank them
for providing our students with this opportunity.
CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX CAMPAIGN
St. Richard and the Youth Faith Ambassadors would like
to thank all the families that gave generously this season
to the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Campaign.
It was through your generosity that we were able to
exceed our goal of filling up 30 shoeboxes. We are so
thrilled to let you know that we will be providing 32
shoeboxes to be shared with children less fortunate this
Christmas.
This opportunity allowed the students to be involved in
giving to others and focusing on the true meaning of
Christmas. The money collected filled up boxes with
such things as books, school supplies, toys, socks, soaps
and toothbrushes. Thanks again for your kindness!
GATHER CLUB
The Gather Club is an extra-curricular club open to all
students in grades 1 to 5. Students involved plan and
organize social justice initiatives and participate in a
Scripture based craft once a month. Students meet
twice a month during the student lunch hour for
approximately 30 minutes. Student voice is very
important in the planning and implementation of our
projects and activities each session. Our focus is
providing a safe, inclusive, Catholic community
environment for students where they can interact with
one another in a fun, faith filled atmosphere. During
Term 1, students have participated in the following
social justice / outreach initiatives: Thanksgiving food
drive for the Eden Food For Change food bank,
Shoe drive for the St. Vincent de Paul society (in
partnership with St. Joseph Secondary School),
Hallowe’en candy collection for Dr. Simone’s
Canadian Food for Children, Toys for Tots for
Peel Regional Police and Dufferin-Peel Social
Workers. Gather Club members will also create
crafts with the following scriptural themes: Spiritual
armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), Peace, Advent.
Thank you for Mrs. Lesniewski for providing our Grade
1 to 5 students with these opportunities to live their
faith and to be of service.
CELEBRATING ADVENT
The season of Advent begins with the fourth Sunday
before Christmas. This year, the liturgical season of
Advent begins Sunday, November 29, 2015. “Advent” is
a Latin word meaning “the coming”. During the season
of Advent, Christians across the world prepare for the
celebration of the coming of the Lord into the world
through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Advent is a
time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness, as
symbolized best by the Advent Wreath.
At St. Richard we emphasize the implications of the
birth of our Saviour through our Christian actions. We
ensure that Advent is a time where we highlight charity
and social justice. It is a time to prepare the way, to
connect with God each and every day through prayer,
charity and social justice. The following activities
provide a small window into how the staff and students
at St. Richard are the arms, legs, and hands of God.
SCHOOL ADVENT MASS
The
St.
Richard
school
community will celebrate an
Advent Mass on Tuesday,
December 15th, 2015; 7PM at St.
John of the Cross Church. The
offering of the mass provides an
opportunity to celebrate the
Eucharist together as a school
and parish community. Following the Mass, families
are invited to gather in the Nessinger Hall for
refreshments. This fellowship is organized and
sponsored by our Catholic School Advisory
Council.
CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE, GIFT CARDS
FOR CHRISTMAS BASKETS & CANADIAN
TIRE MONEY
The Gather Club is organizing a Toy Drive for
“Toys for Tots” which is a charitable endeavour
initiated by the Peel Regional Police in 1993. In
addition, the Gather Club is seeking donations for
Christmas baskets for families in need within our
school communities of Mississauga North in our
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District Schools. We are
seeking donations for the following venues:
Walmart, Payless Shoes, Food Basics, Osh
Kosh/Carter Children’s Store, Winners, Toys R Us,
Cineplex, Metro.
Donations of new hats,
mittens/gloves, scarves, socks, would also be
welcomed. In addition, you are welcome to
contribute Canadian Tire money, as this money will
be used to purchase specific items to support the
families basic needs. Items collected will be
packaged up for four families in need and delivered
by our school Social Worker directly to the
families in need. Your generous support will help
to provide a special Christmas for these families.
Thank you and may God continue to bless you.
BLESSING OF THE NATIVITY SCENE
Read from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-8
God of every nation and people, from
the very beginning of creation you
have made known your love. When
our need for a Saviour was great you
sent your Son to be born of the Virgin
Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice,
mercy and love.
Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it
remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up
our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and
Saviour of all, and who lives and reigns forever and
ever. Amen.
BLESSING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Read from the Letter of Paul to Titus 3:4-7
Lord our God,
We praise you for the light of
creation: The sun, the moon
and the stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of
Israel: The Law, the prophets
and the wisdom of the
Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ,
your Son: He is Emmanuel,
God-with-us, the Prince of
Peace, who fills us with the wonder of your love.
Lord God,
Let your blessing come upon us as we light this
tree. May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of
the joy that fills our hearts. May all who delight in
this tree come to the knowledge and joy of
salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PRAYER BEFORE CHRISTMAS DINNER
God of all gifts, we thank you for the many ways
you have blessed us this day. We are grateful for
each of those who are gathered around this table.
We ask you to bless us and our food and to bless
those we love who are not with us today. In our
gratitude and love, we remember your humble
birth into our lives and pray for those who are
without enough to eat. We remember the stable
in which you were born and pray for those who
have no place to live. We remember your
challenging message of caring and giving and we
pray for peace in families and
nations throughout the world. We
bless you and give you thanks in
your Spirit who brings our hearts
to life this Christmas Day and
forever. Amen.
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS
PARISH CHRISTMAS MASS
SCHEDULE
Confessions:
Monday, Dec. 14th ONLY – 7PM to 9PM
Candlelight Carol Service
Sunday, December 20th, 2015 – 6:30PM
Take some time to share scripture, quiet
time, festive music and fellowship.
school council, staff and students appreciate your
support of all fundraisers which, through your
generous support, will continue to allow for
improvements and to access additional technology
for our students.
Friday, Dec. 25th – 10:00AM and 12:00PM
(NOTE: There will NOT be a Mass at
8:00AM or 4:00PM)
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETINGS
All parents/guardians are
welcome to join us at our
next
School
Council
meeting scheduled for
Wednesday, February
3rd, 2016 at 6:30PM. The
meeting will be held in our
school library. Dates for upcoming meetings are
April 6th, and May 11th. Everyone is welcome to
attend these meetings. All meetings begin at
6:30PM and are held in our school library.
New Year Schedule
Thursday, December 31st, 2015 (Mary
Mother of God Feast Day) – 5:00PM
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION FOR 2016-2017
Friday, January 1st, 2016
10:00AM and 12:00PM
Registration for Full-Day Kindergarten for the 2016-17
school year will take place at St. Richard Catholic
Elementary School on the following days:
Christmas Mass Schedule 2015
Thursday, Dec. 24th – 4:00PM, 6:00PM,
8:00PM, 10:00PM and 12:00AM (Midnight)
To contact the Parish Rectory, please call
(905)821-1331.
FUNDRAISING NEWS
The two major fundraising efforts that are the
initiative of our Catholic School Council are the
(1)weekly “Food Friday Lunches” (2)chocolate
sales coming soon. The School Council would like
to thank all families who supported the QSP
magazine subscription fundraiser. If you would like
to help our school council in delivering “Food
Friday Lunches” to students, helping to organizing a
Family Movie Night and/or a Family BINGO Night,
securing prize donations, or, if you have time to
volunteer, please contact our school office at 905826-5572.
Fundraising efforts result in the betterment of our
school by providing financial resources for ongoing
and new educational programs and equipment. A
portion of funds raised will be allocated to yearly
on-going commitments, “wish list” items. Our
Monday, January 25*, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Friday, January 29, 2016
7 PM – 9 PM
9 AM – 3 PM
9 AM – 3 PM
9 AM – 3 PM
*Snow Date:
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
7 PM – 9 PM
For more information about registration,
parents/guardians should contact our school office at
905-826-5572, visit the Board website at
www.dpcdsb.org, or call the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board at 905-890-1221.
INDOOR FOOTWEAR
Please ensure that your child
keeps a pair of running shoes or
other appropriate footwear at
school so that his/her feet
remain dry and clean at all
times. As well, because so many
areas of our schoolyard can be
quite muddy at certain times of the year, this would
really help in keeping mud and dirt out of the
classrooms.
PARENT EVENING TO SUPPORT THE
TRANSITION OF CHILDREN WITH
DIFFERING ABILITIES INTO
KINDERGARTEN
On Tuesday, January 12, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board’s Special Education and
Support Services Department will host a
Kindergarten entry planning information session for
parents and guardians of children with differing
abilities which affect their learning, such as vision,
hearing, speech, autism, physical/medical and/or
developmental delays in the cognitive and/or motor
areas, who are entering Kindergarten in September
2016. The meeting will be held at the:
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board -Catholic Education Centre, Room 301
40 Matheson Boulevard West,
Mississauga
*Tuesday, January 12, 2016
7:00-8:30 p.m.
*Snow Date: January 13, 2016
For more information about this session, please call
905-890-0708 ext. 24011.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are also reminded to register
their child at our school office. Official registration
dates are January 25th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.,
January 27th, 28th and 29th, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. Snow Date is January 26th, 2016 from 7 p.m.
to 9 p.m.
ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION
Cold and Flu season are here. We need your help
in making our attendance verification work
efficiently. Please call the school office at (905)
826-5572 ext 1. Leave a detailed message when
reporting student absences – including your child’s
first and last name, grade, teacher’s name and
reason for absence. We have voice mail available
24 hours a day for your convenience. A note to the
classroom teacher explaining the absence is
expected upon the student’s return to school.
TRANSPORTATION CANCELLATIONS /
SCHOOL CLOSURES
A decision to cancel school transportation and/or
close schools, due to inclement weather, is usually
made by 6:00 AM. Only the Director of Education
has the authority to cancel transportation and/or
close schools. If buses are cancelled in the
morning, they do not run in the afternoon.
Please listen for DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD cancellations or
closures.
Announcements are made on the
following radio stations:
VIRGIN RADIO –
99.9
CJCL – 590 AM
CHIN FM 100.7
CFTR - 680 AM
EZ ROCK 97.3
FM 93.1
CHUM AM 1050
CFNY – FM 102.1
CFRB – AM 1010
FM Z103.5
FM Q 107
CHFI – FM 98.1
CJBC (Fr.) AM 860
AM 640, AM 1540
Announcements are made on the following TV
stations: CITY PULSE
GLOBAL NEWS
CBC
CFTO
CATHOLIC RATEPAYERS – Check your
Tax Bill to Ensure Proper Tax Support
If you are a Catholic ratepayer, we urge you to
check your property tax bill to ensure that your
support is directed to your local Catholic school
board, in our case, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board. If you are a tenant, you can
verify your support by contacting our Admissions
Department at (905) 890-0708, ext. 24511, 24512,
or 24519, or your local municipal office. By
ensuring that you are accurately recorded as a
Catholic school supporter, you can help deliver a
powerful message to the government about the
level of support for publically-funded Catholic
education in Ontario. Also, in order to be eligible
to vote for your local Catholic school board
trustee, you must be registered as a separate
school supporter.
EXTENDED FRENCH INFORMATION
MEETINGS
Information meetings for parents/guardians of Grade 4
students who wish to enroll their child in a Grade 5
Extended French program for September 2016 are
invited to attend an information meeting:
Tuesday, January 12, 2016; 7:00PM
St. Rose of Lima 905-828-4076
4590 The Gallops, Mississauga
Presently, St. Rose of Lima School is the designated
Extended French School for Grade 4 students attending
St. Richard. Applications to the Extended French
program will be available at the information session.
“FOOD” FRIDAYS
A reminder to all parents that on “Food” Friday lunch
days, students eat their lunches at 11:30AM and have
their outdoor recess (weather permitting) from
11:50AM-12:30PM
HEALTHY SNACKS
Healthy Snacks have returned again this year and will be
available to all students on Tuesdays and Thursdays until
the end of May. Students may enjoy a healthy snack
immediately after the afternoon recess break. No
registration is necessary. There is no fee charged to
students in order to receive the healthy snacks.
Donations to help fund the program are welcome.
DPCDSB is now on Twitter! For the latest
board news and information, follow us
@DPCDSBSchools.
WINTER CLOTHING
Soon we will be experiencing cold weather and with
winter on its way, we need to be prepared. 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.
ECO NEWS
St. Richard School will once again be working towards
our ECO Schools Certification! Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle!!! Our ECO team, under the direction of Mrs.
Jordan, is committed to help reduce our carbon
footprint by reducing, reusing and recycling. Our ECO
team is encouraging all of us to be eco heroes by
supporting initiatives around the school and the local
community that promote a greener lifestyle. St.
Richard’s Eco Team is challenging all students to bring
lunch, beverages and snacks to school in reusable
containers in the hopes of eliminating the need to
throw wrappers, etc, in the garbage, and to eliminate
the need to recycle at school. Please support this
initiative and assist our school in our quest to a GOLD
Eco Schools Certification! Thank you.
DATES TO REMEMBER - DECEMBER
(Dates may be subject to change)
Dec. 1: Toy Drive and Gift Card Drive begins
Dec. 1: Grade 3s to River Grove Pool for Swim
to Survive Program; AM
Dec. 2: Virtues Assembly; 10:15AM
Dec. 2: School Council Meeting; 6:30PM in school
library – All Are Welcome!
Dec. 4: Rosary Apostolate
Dec. 4: Pizza Lunch
Dec. 6: Second Sunday of Advent
Dec. 8: Holy Year of Mercy begins
Dec. 8: Grade 3s to River Grove Pool for Swim
to Survive Program; AM
Dec. 11: Toy Drive and Gift Card Drive ends
Dec. 11: Pizza Lunch
Dec. 15: Grade 3s to River Grove Pool for Swim
to Survive Program; AM
Dec. 15: Family Advent Mass; 7PM at St. John of
the Cross Church – All Are Welcome!
Dec. 17: Christmas Concert in school gymnasium;
two performance times to choose
from: 9:00AM OR 1:00PM
Dec. 18: Sub Lunch
Dec. 18: Last day of classes before Christmas
Break
Dec. 21 – Jan. 3: Christmas Break
(No classes for students)
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve
Dec. 25: Merry Christmas!
Jan. 1: Happy New Year!
Jan. 4: Welcome Back! - Classes Resume
DATES TO REMEMBER - JANUARY
(Dates may be subject to change)
Jan. 1: Happy New Year!
Jan. 4: Welcome Back! – Classes Resume
Jan. 6: Epiphany
Jan. 6: Virtues Assembly; 10:15AM
Jan. 8: Rosary Apostolate
Jan. 8: Pizza Lunch
Jan. 12: Extended French Information Meeting for
parents/guardians of students currently in
Grade 4 at St. Rose of Lima School; 7PM
Jan. 12: Kindergarten Entry Planning for Students
with Special Needs at CEC 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Jan. 13: Snow date for Kindergarten Entry
Planning for Students with Special Needs
Jan. 15: Pizza Lunch
Jan. 18: PA DAY (No Pupil Attendance)
Jan. 22: Pizza Lunch
Jan. 25: Kindergarten Registration Evening;
7:00PM – 9:00PM at St. Richard
Jan. 26: Snow date for Kindergarten
Registration 7:00-9:00PM
Jan. 26 – 29: Kindergarten Registration
9:11AM; 1-3PM
Jan. 29: Sub Lunch
FOOD FRIDAYS (February – June)
Feb. 5: PA Day (No pupil attendance)
Feb. 12: Pizza Lunch
Feb. 19: Pizza Lunch
Feb. 26: Sub Lunch
Mar. 4: Pizza Lunch
Mar. 11: Pizza Lunch
Mar. 14 – 18 MARCH BREAK
Mar. 25: GOOD FRIDAY
(No pupil attendance)
Apr. 1: Pizza Lunch
Apr. 8: Pizza Lunch
Apr. 15: Pizza Lunch
Apr. 22: Pizza Lunch
Apr. 29: Sub Lunch
May 6: Pizza Lunch
May 13: PA Day (No pupil attendance)
May 20: Pizza Lunch
May 27: Sub Lunch
June 3: Pizza Lunch
June 10: Pizza Lunch
June 17: Pizza Lunch
June 24: Sub Lunch
From the Staff of St. Richard
Catholic Elementary School
May you have great joy this Christmas,
And may the miracle of Christmas continue to shine within your heart all year.
S. Pereira
J. McPhail-Smith
S. Tannus, C. Voisin
J. Polom, M. Sarek, K. Scherer
M.A. Debono, N. Lysyuk
S. Lesniewski, J. Malison, L. Everson
D. Shanks, R. DiBiase, H. Christy, S. Tonkovic
K. Jordan, T. Ditaranto
J. Wu, E. McHutchon, J. Lecky, N. Fines
P. Silva, L. Sturgeon, M. Roma, M. Polcz, L. Mausser
G. Falotico, D. Tucciarone, A. Walker, C. Wigglesworth
Have a Blessed
Christmas and
a prosperous
New Year.