December 2015
Divine Mercy Catholic School
2840 Duncairn Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 5C6
(905) 812-5445 Fax# (905) 812-4922
Follow Us on Twitter@DPCDSBSchools
Principal
L. Calabrese
Vice Principal
S. Krolewski
Head Secretary
C. Pelkey
Assistant Secretary
K. Persaud
School Council Chairs
D. Langley
B. Coady
Superintendent
T. Cruz
Mississauga North
Advent
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival."
The focus of the entire season is the celebration
of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First
Advent, and the anticipation of the return of
Christ the King in his Second Advent.
Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000
year-old event in history. It is celebrating a truth
about God, the revelation of God in Christ
whereby all of creation might be reconciled to
God. That is a process in which we now
participate and the consummation of which we
anticipate.
Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this
emphasis on the Second Advent, including
themes of accountability for faithfulness at His
coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal
life. Prayers and our attendance and participation
at Mass enrich our waiting for Jesus. May God
bless you all in this Holy Season.
Trustees
E. O’Toole-Ward 9
L. del Rosario-Ward 11
Parish
Merciful Redeemer
2775 Erin Blvd. Ctr.
Miss., Ont. L55 5W2
905-812-0030
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
Associate Pastor
Fr. Scott Birchall
School Website
www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
O God, as light comes from the
candles of our Advent wreath,
may the blessing of Jesus Christ
come to us, warming our hearts
and brightening our way. May
Christ our Savior bring life into
the darkness of this world, and
to us, as we wait for His coming.
Amen
An Advent Reflection
Come, long-expected Jesus.
Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom of
power of your Father and ours. Receive my
prayer as part of my service of the Lord who
enlists me in God’s own work for justice.
Come, long-expected Jesus.
Excite in me a hunger for peace; peace in the
world, peace in the home, peace in myself.
Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a
joy responsive to the Father’s joy. I seek His
will so I can serve with gladness, singing
and love.
Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me
the joy and love and peace it is right to bring
to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too,
sober reverence for the God who acted there,
hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and
spirited resolution to serve the Father and
Son.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose
advent I hail. Amen.
ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
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.
The season of Advent is upon us. Advent is
marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation,
of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning
for deliverance from the evils of the world,
first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as
they cried out from their bitter oppression. It
is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice
in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who hope of deliverance
by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought
deliverance.
Year after year, 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 see it
becoming more and more like the reign of God that Jesus
describes.
It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however
distant He sometimes seems, which brings to the world the
anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and
righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope
that once anticipated and now anticipates anew, the reign of an
Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and
righteousness to the world. May God bless all of us this holy
season!
At this time of the year we are also planning for the waiting season
of Advent leading to Christmas and the beginning of a new
liturgical year. Advent began on Sunday, November 29, 2015.
As a community we will gather together on Monday
December 7, 2015 to celebrate our Advent Mass. The mass
will be held at Merciful Redeemer Church at 9:30 am
(weather permitting). The celebration will focus on the sacred
aspects of this special season in the Church calendar.
“Many hands make for light work.” At this time we would like
to thank our School Council who continues to work very hard to
support our children and our community.
At a time of reflection, remembrance and anticipation, we thank
you for your continued support and consideration.
On behalf of the entire Divine Mercy Staff we wish you and your
families a very joyous, blessed Christmas and a wonderful New
Year! We’ll see you all in 2016!
God bless,
L. Calabrese, Principal
S. Krolewski, Vice Principal
THE VIRTUE OF THE MONTH
During the month of December we will
focus on the virtue of hope.
We believe that God comes to us as a real
human who can show us the way of life.
We understand that both the world and its
people are from God and so are essentially good. Furthermore,
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
Let us pray this month, for the grace and courage to be people of
hope – people who can see, participate in and contribute to God’s
goodness emerging around us.
We want to thank you for supporting our children the 10 virtues
which can be found in your child’s agenda.
Please join us for our Virtue Assembly on Hope on Friday,
December 11, 2015 at 9:30am in our school gym. Thank you
to Mme Ballard and Mlle Hedjes’s classes for preparing our
celebration of Hope.
MERCIFUL REDEEMER PARISH
EDEN FOOD FOR CHANGE
Divine Mercy raised $426.45 for the
Eden Community Food Bank this year.
The money will be used to buy food
for needy families in our community.
Thank you to all who donated to this
worthy cause. We will be running a food
drive during Christmas Spirit Week, please send in nonperishable
food items by Dec. 15th, 2015.
2775 Erin Centre Boulevard
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 5W2
Tel: (905) 812-0030
Fax: (905) 812-0011
Pastor: Father Vid Vlasic
Email: office@mercifulredeemer.org
Website: http://www.mercifulredeemer.org/index.html
YOUTH MASS at Merciful Redeemer Parish every Saturday at
7:00 p.m. Bring your friends and join us for an exciting
celebration!
CHRISTMAS GIFT CARD FOR ST. VINCENT
DE
PAUL
SOCIETY
OF
MERCIFUL
REDEEMER
Divine Mercy is collecting gift cards for the needy
families of our community. Please consider
donating gift cards from local stores this
Christmas. All donations will be given to the St.
Vincent de Paul Society.
SCHOOL HOURS
8:15 Supervision in the
yard
8:30 School Entry
10:30 – 10:45 Morning
Recess
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch
2:00 – 2:15 Afternoon
Recess
3:00 Dismissal
For all events and full schedule, please visit our website:
http://mercifulredeemeryouth.blogspot.ca/
COMMUNITY PRAYER
On Thursday, November 26, 2015, Divine
Mercy hosted its monthly before school
Community Prayer at 8am. Staff, Parents,
and the Rosary Apostolate gathered as a
community to pray together for peace
within ourselves, our community and the
world. Please join us in the front foyer on
Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 8 am
for our next community prayer.
Please note that supervision in the playground begins at 8:15 am.
Please do not leave your children unattended in the school
grounds before the teachers begin their duty. At 8:15, we would
ask all parents to leave the pavement area for the safety of all the
children.
DIVINE MERCY SCHOOL ADVENT MASS
Our Advent Mass was held on Monday,
December 7, 2015 at 9:30 am at
Merciful Redeemer Parish.. We want
to thank all parents who were able to
share in this spiritual celebration. It is
truly a wonderful way to capture the
“true meaning” of Christmas with your
family. Please record the date on your
calendars.
P.A. DAY JANUARY 18, 2016
There will be no school for students on Monday, January 18,
2016.
EQAO RESULTS FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL
YEAR
Grade 3 EQAO
Divine Mercy
DPCDSB
Reading Writing Math
85%
77%
73%
71%
76%
64%
Grade 6 EQAO
Divine Mercy
DPCDSB
Reading Writing Math
81% 91%
63%
81%
82%
53%
Thank you for your continued support and work around
preparing our students for the EQAO assessment. Individual
Reports were sent home with students in Grade 4 and Grade 7.
As parents or guardians, you care about your child’s progress in
school. EQAO assessments, along with classroom assessment,
can help ensure that your child is on the right track. Follow the
link below to learn more about your child’s EQAO assessment.
The primary division assessment tests the reading, writing and
mathematics skills students are expected to have learned by the
end of Grade 3. The junior division assessment tests the reading,
writing and mathematics skills students are expected to have
learned by the end of Grade 6. Both assessments are based on
The Ontario Curriculum.
http://eqao.com/parents/parents.aspx?Lang=E
SCHOOL WIDE
SPIRIT WEEK
Students will be involved in activities December 14-18, 2015.
Monday Dec 14:
Pajama Day-wear your Christmas Jammies
OVER your clothes
Tuesday Dec. 15: Bring in a non-perishable food items
Wednesday Dec 16: Favourite Christmas Sweater Day
Advent Retreat Day, Liturgy @2:20 pm
Thursday Dec. 17: Christmas Hat or Accessory
Friday Dec. 18:
White, Green and Red Day
PRIMARY CHRISTMAS FAMILY MOVIE
NIGHT
The students in the primary division (in grades
1, 2, and 3) are invited with their parents to a
Family Christmas Movie on Wednesday,
December 9, 2015 at 6:45 pm. Families will
be watching “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”
together in our school gym.
ATTENDANCE
Our attendance line is: 905-812-5445 (Press #1). Please call to
register an absence. You can call 24hrs a day including
weekends if you know your child will be absent from school.
An answering machine is available to take information.
Please provide the following information:
• Name(s) of student(s)
• Name of student’s teacher(s)
• Grade of student(s)
• Reason for absence
If an absence is not reported, our policy is to call home to verify
student absenteeism. A parent or guardian must sign out students
at the office who leave early.
All students are expected to attend school regularly and
punctually. There has been an increase of students coming to
school after 8:30am. This is particularly disruptive to the
school, the class, and the individual child who is late. It is most
difficult for a child to be fully engaged in a lesson when the
lesson has already begun without them.
All students who arrive after 8:30 am or 12:30 pm must obtain a
late slip from the office. This measure is to ensure the safety of
your child. We thank you for your continued support in following
this procedure.
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
The school will be closed for the
Christmas Holidays beginning Monday,
December 21, 2015 until Friday, January
1, 2016. School resumes Monday,
January 4, 2016 at 8:30 am. We wish you
and your families a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
On rare occasions, we are faced with difficult situations in which
non-custodial parents arrive at school asking to visit their child or
to take their child home after school. We are best able to serve
and protect students when we are made aware of legal custody
arrangements, visitation rights, and other special instructions. If
legal custody matters affect your family, please ensure that our
office and classroom teachers are aware of custodial arrangements
between parents that may affect your child during school hours.
Please ensure that a copy of the Court Order is filed at the school
office.
DUNCAN DELIVERY SERVICE
SCHOOL SPORTS
Divine Mercy is fortunate to once again have Mrs. Duncan’s
grade 7 class facilitate the Duncan Delivery Service throughout
the school from Wednesday, December 9 to Tuesday, December
15, 2015. The Students are invited to write Christmas cards/letters
to anyone in the school. For one week, Mrs. Duncan’s students
will be collecting mail each morning, sorting it in their classroom,
and then delivering it by the end of the day to anyone in the school.
Let’s together promote Literacy by encouraging our students to
write letters at home and then to bring them into the school for
delivery. Over the years, thousands of letters have been delivered,
and Divine Mercy is honoured to continue this worthy tradition.
VOLLEYBALL
Our girls intermediate volleyball
team had an awesome day on
Thursday, Dec 3. The girls were
in a tough pool winning two
games by only one point but
managed to come out on top of
the pool. In the Final they were
matched up against a talented
team from St. Therese of the
Child Jesus and fought through
two grueling games winning 25-22 and 25-21 to advance to next
week's Board Final at IONA Secondary School. Congrats to
Emily, Abby, Kristina, Keisha, Katia, Aubrey, Jia, Francine,
Waskoness, Olivia, Bianca, Isabella, Charlie, and Julianna.
The intermediate boys volleyball team had an amazing
season. They were undefeated during the season and advanced
to the Family Tournament in first place. Although the boys lost
two very close games in the semi finals, they showed us just how
far they've come. Their coaches, Mme. Ballard, M. Tomas and
Mlle Noble are very proud of them. Thank you to the following
boys for their commitment and dedication to the team: Marcel,
Robert, Luca, Oliver, Luca, Glenn, Brandon, Bryce, Ikenna,
Daniel and Evan.
DIVINE MERCY HOCKEY TEAM
Divine Mercy is proud to announce
the creation of the first ever
Intermediate Ice Hockey team. The
team will participate in a two day
tournament held in late January/early
February at Iceland Arena. The team
consists of 16 boys and girls from
both grade seven and eight. The
team is very excited about the
tournament and everyone is looking
forward to the challenge that lies
ahead. The coaches Mr. Martins,
Mrs. Drake, and Ms. Parsons are
very proud to be representing such a
committed and talented group of players. Go Ice Dragons Go!
FROM THE LIBRARY
The Forest of Reading titles have been
announced. The students are very excited
about the various reading programs,
which are run through the school library.
All students in FDK, and grades 1, 2 and
3 will be participating in the Blue Spruce
program through their visits to the school
library. Le Prix Peuplier books will be read to the French
Immersion classes by their classroom teachers. Children in the
other grades are invited to join the various book clubs offered
during lunch hours and recesses. The Silver Birch Express and
Le Prix Tamarac Express book clubs for grades 3 and 4; Silver
Birch- Fiction and Non Fiction for grades 5 and 6; and the Red
Maple-Fiction and for grades 7 and 8. For more information
about the Forest of Reading visit www.accessola.com and search
for the Forest of Reading section to view this year’s nominated
titles.
WIKIS FOR READING
Many of the students will be talking about the Forest of Reading
wiki. These wikis will be available to the students in the Silver
Birch and Red Maple Book Clubs (grades 5-8). Parents may
wonder… what is a wiki? A wiki is: “A Web site developed
collaboratively by a community of users, allowing any user to
add and edit content.” Mrs. Casciaro, the Teacher Librarian,
along with the classroom teachers will be monitoring these sites.
These sites are used to respond to other students at Divine Mercy
about the books that they will be reading. The wikis are
password protected. Only individuals invited into the wiki are
allowed to participate. The students will be taught how to be
responsible wiki users before it begins in January.
AUTHOR VISITS
Divine Mercy was very happy to host the author Ruth Ohi on
October 21, 2015. The grades 1-3 students were read the story
“Fox and Squirrel Make a Friend.” They were taught how a
book begins with an idea that the author imagines, which can be
edited several times before the final draft is put together into a
picture book. Her enthusiasm to create books that her own
children inspired her to write was well received by the students.
Angela Walker and her “Harry Purple Monkey Dishwasher”
visited Divine Mercy on November 4, 2015. The FDK classes
and grades 1-3 students enjoyed the storytelling presentation.
Angela Walker’s website that features her three books includes
character colouring pages, and games can be visited at
www.harrypurplemonkey.com. Her books can also be found in
our school library.
Please stay tuned for our upcoming Scholastics Book Fair in
January. More information to follow in the January 2016 Divine
Mercy Newsletter.
Please return all overdue library materials before the
Christmas Holidays, so that other students can borrow them.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
EXCURSIONS
ACTIVITIES
AND
Students will have the opportunity to take field trips and
participate in a number of extra-curricular activities. Permission
forms will be sent home to be filled out, signed and promptly
returned to school.
NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE ON
A TRIP OR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY WITHOUT
WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THEIR PARENT
/GUARDIAN. VERBAL CONSENT OVER THE
TELEPHONE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
No exceptions will be allowed. Teachers give ample notice for trip
consent forms.
We encourage parents to support these
educational opportunities by volunteering to assist and supervise
these excursions. For the safety of your child, excursions
lacking appropriate adult supervision will be cancelled.
USE OF SCHOOL PHONES
PALS
The PALS (Playground Activity
Leaders in Schools) is a playground
leadership program for schools and it
encourages children to participate in
activities during recess. The PALS program is well under way
at Divine Mercy, implemented by some of our students,
supported by Mme Trinca, Mme Costanzo and Mme
Makoudjou, who have been trained to work with our primary
students. The leaders are outside at lunch recess in the primary
yard where they allow our primary students to participate in
many fun, exciting and cooperative games. We thank the PALS
leaders for their dedication and commitment to the program.
The PALS motto is, “There is always room for one more”.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
If you would like to help with any of the special events, or would
like to have input on the various initiatives that are being planned
for this year, please join us at our next meeting on Tuesday,
January 12, 2016 at 6:30 pm.
Please mark down our School Council Meeting dates for the
remainder of the school year: February 9, 2016, April 12, 2016
and May 10, 2016.
Next School Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 @ 6:30pm
All Divine Mercy School Parents
are invited to join us.
ALLERGIES
We would like to inform you that Divine
Mercy School is an allergen aware
school. We have a number of students in
our school who have severe allergic life
threatening reactions to peanuts, peanut
butter, peanut oils, any peanut/nut byproducts and dairy products. As in the past, we are asking you to
not put any child at risk, therefore, are requesting that PEANUTS,
PEANUT BUTTER, PEANUT OILS, ANY PEANUT/NUT
BY-PRODUCTS NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE
SCHOOL. WE ASK THAT YOU READ THE LABELS OF
ALL FOOD ITEMS SENT TO SCHOOL. A letter was sent
home the first day of school which addressed this issue for each
particular class. We are asking parents not to send food items
to school when celebrating your child’s birthday since there
are many alternatives such as pencils, stickers, etc.
Students will only be permitted to use the school phone in
cases of emergency. An emergency is considered to be an illness
or injury. Calling home because it is raining, or for forgotten
shoes, wanting to go to a friend’s house or other minor issues, are
not considered emergencies.
BUSSING and COURTESY SEAT POLICY
STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region)
Stopr is providing bus transportation services for the DufferinPeel Catholic District School Board. The STOPR website address
is www.stopr.ca. This website provides access to up to date
information regarding delayed buses and bus cancellations due to
inclement weather. To check for eligibility for transportation,
please access the following website: businfo.stopr.ca.
STOPR Telephone Contact Information:
905-890-6000
Thank you to all parents who completed and followed the school
board process for the Courtesy Seat Bus Request. We tried to
accommodate as many students as possible for this year. Please
remember that this process must be conducted annually for
students not normally eligible to ride the bus.
TRANSPORTATION CANCELLATIONS
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
CHUM AM1050
CFTR AM680
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
CJCL AM590
CHFI FM98.1
NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK
FM97.3
CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Z103.5
FM93.1
FM Q107
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540
CBC99.1 CITYPULSE
GLOBAL NEWS
CTV
CANADA AM
We will be communicating one of six standard messages to the
radio stations. The two announcements that pertain to Divine
Mercy and their effect on the transportation system are as follows:
(Please note that the highlighted text only will be communicated
by the radio stations).
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE
PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES
IN THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA ARE
CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”
This means that ALL buses which operate into,
out of, and within the City of Mississauga are
cancelled for the entire day.
“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.
MOVING?
If you are planning to move out of the
Divine Mercy school area or change
address within our boundaries, please let
the office know as soon as possible.
Please keep us informed of any address, phone number or medical
changes for your children. It is of the utmost importance that our
records be up to date. If your child should get sick or hurt, we
must have accurate contact information.
REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
Interested in volunteering at Divine Mercy
School for 2016? During the school year,
volunteers support programs and activities at
the school. We appreciate and rely on parents
who can devote a small portion of their time
to help. You may pick up a Volunteer Form and a Criminal
Reference Check Form at the school office.
People who volunteer in schools and attend trips are required to
have completed Criminal Reference Checks, which can be picked
up from our school office and taken to Police Headquarters listed
on the form. Once the form is completed, your volunteer service
can begin. We look forward to working with you for the
betterment of all students at Divine Mercy School.
STORAGE/ADMINISTRATION OF
MEDICATION
Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medication and
forms are updated annually. If your child requires medication,
please have all pertinent forms completed and returned with the
medication to the office as soon as possible.
NO CHILD
PROGRAM
WITHOUT
MEDIC
ALERT
The No Child Without program offers a free MedicAlert
membership to students who attend our school and are between
the ages of 4 to 14. If your child has a medical condition, allergy,
or is required to take medication on a regular basis, then you
should consider a MedicAlert membership through this program.
For further information pick up a brochure at the school office, or
visit www.nochildwithout.ca. If your child is already part of the
program but his/her medical condition or contact information has
changed, call 1-866-479-3220 Ext.1.
AFTER HOURS SCHOOL ACCESS
When school closes at 3:00pm students should be
leaving with all the homework and books that they
may need for the evening. We strongly encourage
students to do this.
If they do need to return to the school for forgotten homework,
they have until 4:00pm to do so and they are to come back with
their parent, other family member, or guardian and report to the
school office.
KISS AND RIDE PROGRAM AND
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
The “Kiss and Ride” program takes place before
school and after school. A reminder to the
Divine Mercy community that our driveway is
one-way. Parents wishing to drop off children at
school must enter from the west driveway
only and exit from the east driveway only.
We have reserved for cars that drop and pick up students an area
by the side of the school next to the kindergarten play area. We
ask that when you enter the school’s parking area you follow the
yellow arrows on the asphalt. These arrows will lead you through
the parking area to the Kiss and Ride drop off. The arrow lane is
a drive through while the lane beside the asphalt is the drop off
lane. Please follow the arrow signs on the ground to exit. You
enter on the west side of the building by the park and exit on the
east side by the homes.
Kiss and Ride is just like the one at the Go Station. You stop, let
your child out and then drive away. Please DO NOT leave your
car in the Kiss and Ride. Please do not get out of your car.
THERE IS NO STOPPING IN THE DRIVE THROUGH
LANE (the lane with the arrows). The area beside the
kindergarten area is the only area where students are let off and
picked up in the school area.
information go to the following link:
http://www.peelregion.ca/health/topics/headlice/.
If you wish to walk your child into school, we ask that you either
park on Duncairn in front of the school (this will be a limited time
parking zone.) or in the designated parking lot.
SCHOOL WEB SITE
When walking your child into the school, please use either the
sidewalk on the east side and walk them to the asphalt at the back
of the school or the crosswalk on the driveway at the west side
and walk them past the kindergarten area to the asphalt at the
back.
We do need volunteers to help us run the program so if you have
some time before and after school please consider volunteering.
If you are able to volunteer, please let the office know.
We would also like to remind parents that schoolyard supervision
does not begin until 8:15 am. Students should not be arriving
before this time, as the playground is not supervised. Parents
are not permitted on the supervised yard during school hours.
Thank you for keeping our students safe.
We have updated our school website. This site will be
continually updated and has information for parents regarding
school calendar information, newsletters and school updates.
Visit www.dpcdsb.org and link onto the Elementary site at Divine
Mercy Elementary School @ www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY. A
special thank you to Mr. Martins for overseeing this site.
SIGN UP TODAY!
Parents and guardians of DufferinPeel Catholic students can stay up-todate with the latest board news and
information by joining the DufferinPeel 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.
LOST AND FOUND
We often find lost items at Divine Mercy
School. Items like shoes, socks, hats, jackets,
gloves etc. are collected and placed in the ‘lost
and found’ box. Please look through it to see
if any items belong to you. At the end of the
school year, all remaining items will be donated to charity.
COLD WEATHER DRESS
In anticipation of the weather getting
progressively colder, we ask that students begin
preparing for outdoor play. This includes
proper gloves, hats, scarves, jackets, coats and
boots. Board Guidelines indicate that students
will generally be outside for lunch and recess
when temperatures do not fall below –20 degrees Celsius, with
the wind chill. As such, appropriate clothing is essential. Please
note that students should have indoor shoes during the winter
months. We also suggest sending spare clothes for younger
students. Thank you in advance for your continued support and
cooperation.
PEDICULOSIS
Head Lice is a common problem which occurs at some time in
most schools at least once every year. Head lice are parasites
which have been common among human beings for centuries.
They are not connected in any way with dirt or neglect. If a case
is found in our schools, we shall inform parents of the students
in that classroom in a letter. We have had a number of cases so
we ask that you also check your own children regularly. If you
find them to be infested, please notify the office. For more
DPCDSB is on Twitter! For the latest Board news
and information, follow us @DPCDSBSchools.
ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA
SECONDARY SCHOOL
As part of our partnership with St. Aloysius
Gonzaga Secondary School we will, from time
to time, provide you with information about
important dates or events at Gonzaga. It is our
hope that through the sharing of this
information, to strengthen our ties to our Secondary School and to
assist the administration and staff of St. Aloysius Gonzaga in
keeping parents and the community informed of events that are
occurring at the high school. The link to the Secondary site at St.
Aloysius Gonzaga S.S. is www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN
In the unforeseen event that we should have an emergency at our
school, we will evacuate to:
Our Lady of Mercy School
5820 Glen Erin Drive
(905) 814-9216
Safety regulations and Board Policy require us to have this
contingency plan in place. In the event of an evacuation to the
high school, your child will remain at Our Lady of Mercy until we
are able to contact you and make arrangements for pick up.
We are also encouraging our students to pack a “Litterless
Lunch” using reusable containers to pack their lunch and snacks
and to try to use refillable water bottles.
PIZZA DAYS
Students have been participating weekly in a
fabulous Pizza lunch, by Pizza Pizza. There
will be 20 pizza lunches taking us from
September 22, 2015 to February 16, 2016. The
remaining dates are as follows:
December 1, 8, 15
January 5, 12, 19, 26
February 2, 9, 16
We would like to thank all of the parent volunteers and the Divine
Mercy School Council Pizza Committee for their hard work and
dedication
KIDSSENTIALS
Tired of Making Lunches? It’s not too late to order!
Kidssentials is very different from other companies. With an
emphasis on nutrition and kid-pleasing options, this full service
catering company serves the lunches fresh onsite to avoid soggy
or mushy meals. Lunches are mixed and prepared just minutes
before they are served to the children, using only the highest
quality ingredients and freshest produce.
Take a break from packing lunch and sign up today. Meals
offered in December are still available for ordering. Menus for
the January - March term may be viewed and ordered online.
To place an order, view the menu and available dates visit:
www.kidssentials.com/parents and create your family account.
For more information about Kidssentials meals and any allergy
related inquiries, visit the website at www.kidssentials.com.
Kidssentials can also be reached by phone at 905-855-1914 or
by e-mail at mail@kidssentials.com
HEALTHY EATING AND ECOSCHOOLS
At Divine Mercy School, we will be promoting Healthy Eating
throughout the school year by encouraging our students to bring
in healthy snacks and lunches. Students will be able to participate
in activities in their classrooms and projects that encourage
healthy eating.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
If you have not provided the office with your email address and
would like to receive school information via email, please contact
the main office to be added to the distribution list.
EXTENDED
MEETING
FRENCH
INFORMATION
Grade 4 parent(s)/guardian(s), who wish to enroll their child in a
Grade 5 Extended French class for September, 2016 are invited
to attend an information meeting at:
School: St. Rose of Lima
Address: 4590 The Gallops
Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Time: 7:00 pm
At the present time, the above mentioned school is the designated
centre for our area.
REGISTRATION
FOR
KINDERGARTEN 2016-2017
FULL
DAY
2016-17 Kindergarten Registration
Registration for Kindergarten for the
2016-17 school year, will take place
on:
Monday, January 25, 2016- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, January 28, 2016 -9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, January 29, 2016- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
* Snow Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
For more information about registration and the Kindergarten
program, call Divine Mercy School 905 812 5445 or visit
www.dpcdsb.org.
PARENT EVENING TO SUPPORT THE
TRANSITION OF STUDENTS WITH
DIFFERING ABILITIES INTO
KINDERGARTEN
Tuesday, January 12, 2016, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
(Snow Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016)
Catholic Education Centre – Room 301
INDOOR FOOTWEAR REQUESTED
Please ensure that students keep a pair of
running shoes or other appropriate
footwear at school so that their 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 classroom.
Peel Health and Wellington Dufferin Guelph (WDG) resources
available to you through their websites. As always, children who
are unwell, should be kept at home.
Flu Clinics: Also available on the Peel Health and WDG websites,
are the schedules of local Flu Clinics. For more information, visit
the health unit websites:
Peel Health website: http://www.peelregion.ca/health
Wellington Dufferin Guelph Health website:
www.wdgpublichealth.ca
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
What has been the history of Catholic education in the
Dufferin-Peel Region?
Catholic schools were fundamental in the early development of
our region. With the support of local parishes, bishops and
parents, Catholic schools were formed as an expansion of a world
view differing from other schools. In 1837 in Mono Township
(Dufferin County), a school was dedicated and housed at St.
Cyprian Church. Later, a log church housed a local Catholic
school at St. Patrick’s in Melanchthon Township. In 1864, the first
formal Catholic school was developed in Melanchthon Township.
In Peel, Catholic schools were formed well before confederation
as an expression of the Catholic communities developing in our
region.
REMINDERS AND RESOURCES FOR COLD
AND FLU SEASON
As cold and flu season approaches, the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board continues to be vigilant in ensuring
that our schools are clean and that our
school communities are educated regarding
good
hand
hygiene
and
cough
etiquette. These practices are promoted on
an ongoing basis, but as the prevalence of
colds and flu increases, our Board increases
the cleaning of contact surfaces, as well as reminds schools to
review cold and flu prevention with students and staff. Many
resources are utilized from our regional health units.
A reminder, as well, that communicable diseases can be
contracted in public places throughout the year. For example,
cold-related viruses, such as Enterovirus, are transferred from
person to person through hand contact. Cold and flu viruses
typically peak from December through February, but can start as
early as October.
Please assist us by reviewing good hand washing procedures, as
well as other preventative measures, as outlined in the various
Direct links to the above information can be found in the Parent
Section of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
website at www.dpcdsb.org
SACRAMENTAL DATES
Grade 2s:
Sept. 28, 2015
First Holy Communion Parent Meeting
and Registration
7:30 p.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Sun, October 18, 2015
First Holy Communion Presentation of Names at Any Mass
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Grade Two First Reconciliation
9:30 a.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Grade Two First Holy Communion
11:00 a.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Grade 7 & 8s:
September 30 and Oct 5th, 2015
Confirmation Parent Meeting and Registration
7:30 p.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Saturday, October 10, 2015 Confirmation-Letters of Request
7:00 p.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Confirmation- Presentation of Cards
7:00 p.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Confirmation Candidates will receive their crosses
7:00 p.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Lenten Offering Card
7:00 p.m. Merciful Redeemer
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sacrament of Reconciliation
9:00 a.m. Divine Mercy School
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Confirmation
Grade 7 10:30 a.m. Merciful Redeemer Church
Grade 8 1:00 p.m Merciful Redeemer Church
DIVINE MERCY DATES TO
REMEMBER
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December
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Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Grade 2 FI Riverwood
Excursion
Tuesday, December 1, 2015 FDK Scientists in the
School
Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Gr 1 FI Christmas Crafts
from Simply Creative
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 Sister Diane visits the
Gr 2’s
Thursday, December 3, 2015 Girls & Boys
Volleyball Family Tournament at Mt. Carmel 8:00 am
girls 11:30 am boys
Friday, December 4, 2015 9:30 am Gonzaga Music
Concert for Gr. 4-8 @ Divine Mercy
Friday, December 4, 2015 Gonzaga Guidance Dept.
to visit Gr. 8’s
Monday, December 7, 2015 9:30 am School Advent
Mass at Merciful Redeemer (weather permitting)
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Duncan Delivery
starts
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Gr. 3/4 Christmas
sewing 8:30 am-10:30 am
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Primary Movie Night
6:45 pm.
Thursday, December 10, 2015 Gr 4 Hamilton
Conservatory Excursion
Thursday, December 10, 2015 Girls volleyball Board
Tournament
Friday, December 11, 2015 Virtue of Hope Assembly
9:30 am in the gym
Monday December 14-Friday December 18, 2015
Christmas Spirit Week:
Monday Dec 14: Pajama Day
Tuesday Dec. 15: Eden Food Bank non-perishable Food items
Wednesday Dec 16: Christmas Sweater, Advent Retreat Day
Thursday Dec. 17: Christmas Hat or Accessory
Friday Dec. 18: White, Green and Red Day
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Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Morning Christmas
Craft Day with Parents in FDK
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Duncan Delivery ends
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Eden Food Drive for
non-perishable food items ends
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 School Wide
Advent Retreat Day, Liturgy 2:20 pm in the gym
Thursday, December 17, 2015 Rosary Apostolate
and Community Prayer 8:00 am
Thursday, December 17, 2015 Sister Diane visits the
Gr 2’s
Friday, December 18, 2015 Christmas Dance
Friday, December 18, 2015 Last day of classes for
Christmas
Monday December 21 2015 - Friday January 1,
2016 Christmas Holiday
JANUARY
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Monday, January 4, 2016 School Resumes
Saturday, January 9, 2016 Presentation of Crosses
Grade 7& 8 students at Merciful Redeemer Parish
at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 School Council Meetinat
6:30 pm
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Extended French
Information Evening for Parents at St. Rose of
Lima
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Sister Diane visits the
Gr 2’s
Monday January 18, 2016 PA Day No school for
Students
Tuesday January 19, 2016- Wednesday January 21,
2016 Youth Education Officer Visits
Monday January 25, 2016 FDK Registration @ 7:00
pm
Tuesday January 26, 2016 Snowdate for FDK
Registration
Wednesday January 27-29, 2016 FDK registration
9:00 am-3:00 pm.
Wednesday January 27, 2016 Sister Diane visits the
Gr 2 students
Thursday January 28, 2016 Community Prayer 8:00
am and Rosary Apostolate
ATTACHMENTS:
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Letter from Trustee Esther O’Toole
Supporting Diverse Leaners to Prepare for
Secondary School Literacy Test
Math @ Home
Transportation Cancellations