January 2016
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
ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE
Welcome back to all of our staff and students.
We hope that your Christmas holidays brought
peace and tranquility to you and that you were
able to enjoy some time with family and
friends. Another year has come upon us. Let
us look to Jesus as an example of how to take
on the challenges of a new year. Jesus set the
example by teaching right from wrong and by
teaching that love for each other is paramount.
Look to Him for guidance as we embark upon
a new year.
Let us work harder to improve ourselves.
Let us bring Jesus’ spirit into the lives of
others.
Let the New Year spark a renewal for the
love of learning, working hard and
achieving to the best of one’s ability.
Parish
Merciful Redeemer
2775 Erin Centre Blvd.
Miss., ON. L55 5W2
905-812-0030
To everyone in the Divine Mercy community,
it is our wish that the New Year brings you and
your family peace, happiness and good health.
Associate Pastor
Fr. Scott Birchall
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold,
wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
saying, "Where is he who has been born king
of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the
East, and have come to worship him." When
Herod the king heard this, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling
all the chief priests and scribes of the people,
he inquired of them where the Christ was to
be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of
Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
`And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of
Judah, are by no means least among the
rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a
ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"
Then Herod summoned the wise men
secretly and ascertained from them what
time the star appeared; and he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search
diligently for the child, and when you have
found him bring me word, that I too may
come and worship him." When they had
heard the king they went their way; and lo,
the star which they had seen in the East went
before them, till it came to rest over the
place where the child was. When they saw
the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great
joy; and going into the house they saw the
child with Mary his mother, and they fell
down and worshiped him. Then, opening
their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold
and frankincense and myrrh.
Let us love one another more than we did
last year.
Trustees
E. O’Toole-Ward 9
L. del Rosario-Ward 11
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
The Feast of the Epiphany
God Bless,
L. Calabrese
Principal
S. Krolewski
Vice Principal
Matthew 2: 1- 12
School Website
www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
1.
THE VIRTUE OF THE MONTH
During the month of January we will focus on the virtue of
SELF - CONTROL.
Self-control helps us to resist the temptation to do something
that will harm ourselves or others.
Self-control is one of the marks of a spiritually mature person.
When we all use self-control, we can be sure that our school will
be a safe, caring and inclusive place to live and learn.
A person with self-control…
• is patient
• knows how to wait his/her turn
• can calm himself/herself down and think before reacting to
situations
• knows how to avoid physical aggression (hitting, kicking,
pushing, fighting, etc.)
• works to include others
• can think things through and do what is best for everyone
Let us pray this month, for the grace and courage to be people of
self-control – people who will resist the temptation to cause
harm to ourselves or to others around us.
Thank you for supporting our efforts at home by reinforcing
with our children the 10 virtues which can be found in your
child’s agenda.
Mme. Costanzo, Mme. Makoudjou and Mrs. Sass classes have
been working hard on creating interactive bulletin boards for the
school to display the virtue of the month, self-control. The
bulletin board for the primary students will be located in the
front foyer and the bulletin board for the junior and intermediate
students will be located in the upstairs hallway, leading to the
grade 4 French Immersion classes hallway. These interactive
bulletin boards are designed to engage students in thinking about
self-control. Each class will visit the bulletin board during the
month of January and will complete the following activities:
1) Students will show how they can use either their hands,
words, thoughts or actions to demonstrate self-control at
home or at school by completing an insert for the bulletin
board.
God has given us the ability to choose. We are able to control
how we react to what happens around us.
We may feel pressure from inside or outside ourselves to react
violently to a situation. We’ve all “lost it” at one time or
another. We are never proud of those moments. As soon as they
happen, we make a promise that they will not happen again.
Through prayer and concentration, we can get better at
controlling our reactions. We can get better at showing selfcontrol.
Self-control helps us to resist the temptation to do something
that we will regret.
2) A scripture reading will be read to the students to give them
an opportunity to further understand the meaning of selfcontrol. This story describes how Jesus was tempted by the
devil and how he used the words of God to help him. Along
with the story, students will engage in a variety of
discussion questions that can be used after the story is read.
3) Students will explore the different elements of the bulletin
board that illustrate the values of self-control.
As a school, we learn and grow together with Jesus. We look
forward to seeing students demonstrate the virtue of self-control.
MERCIFUL REDEEMER PARISH
December food drive. Thank you to all who contributed nonperishable food items. Thank you Mr. Demelo and his class for
packing and sorting the food for pick up.
DIVINE MERCY ADVENT MASS
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!
For all events and full schedule, please visit our website:
http://mercifulredeemeryouth.blogspot.ca/
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAYS
Monday, January 18, 2016 is a Professional Activity Day for
staff. There will be no school for students. Staff will be
involved in assessment and evaluation of pupil progress.
Our Advent Mass was held on Monday,
December 7, 2015 at 9:35 AM at Merciful
Redeemer Parish. It was truly a wonderful
way to capture the “true meaning” of
Christmas with our families. We would like
to thank Father Scott for his spiritual
guidance. Our Liturgical Team and choir
worked tirelessly to arrange the mass, and to organize all the
details. The Liturgical Team and staff choir included: Mme.
Cenedese, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Mezgec, Mrs. Drake, Mlle.
Parsons, and Mrs. Lee.
A special thank you again to:
 Mme. Cenedese who worked with
our students to practise for the
mass
 To Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Mezgec and Alexandra who
shared their instrumental talents and angelic voices
 the parents and all the members of the Divine Mercy
School community for attending the Mass
 to Mrs. Langley for helping with the power-point
presentation
One of our goals as a Catholic school community is to
continuously strengthen our bond between school, parish and
home, so thank you for coming together as a community to
worship.
MARCH BREAK
The March Break will be Monday, March 14, 2016 to Friday,
March 18, 20156 Students and staff will return to school on
Monday, March 21, 2016 at 8:30 AM.
CHRISTMAS GIFT CARD FOR ST. VINCENT
DE
PAUL
SOCIETY
OF
MERCIFUL
REDEEMER PARISH
Divine Mercy collected gift cards for the needy
families of our community. On behalf of the
St. Vincent de Paul Society, thank you for all
of your generosity.
SAFE SCHOOL WELCOME PROGRAM
The province’s Safe School Welcome Program provided all
schools with the installation of front door speaker/buzzer/video
monitoring system. The installation of this system allows us to
proactively enhance the safety and security of students and staff
by locking all doors after classes begin. In keeping with the safe
schools program, as of Monday, January 18, 2016 PLASP
students will enter and exit through the kindergarten doors.
Students who arrive late to school will have to enter through the
front doors. On rainy days a staff member will be at the side
door to allow students into the building from kiss-n-ride. Thank
you in advance for your continued support and cooperation.
DUNCAN DELIVERY
EDEN FOOD FOR CHANGE
Divine Mercy raised 328kg (722
pounds) of food through our
During a one week period in
December, Mrs. Duncan's grade
seven class ran Duncan Delivery
Service where they collected
Christmas letters and cards from
the students at Divine Mercy and delivered them to the
appropriate classes each day. The students delivered
approximately 2835 letters during this time period.
Congratulations to all those who participated.
DIVIVE MERCY HOCKEY TEAM
The Intermediate Hockey Team is
busy preparing for the upcoming
All Saints Tournament at Iceland
at the end of January and
beginning of February. The team
is looking forward to their two onice practices and an exhibition
game against a combined school team from Our Lady of Mercy
and St. Joseph on January 20th. The coaches, Ms. Drake, Mr.
Martins, Mlle. Parsons, are proud to be leading such a talented
and dedicated group of boys and girls. Go Ice Dragons Go!
STEELHEADS COMMUNITY EVENING
The Divine Mercy Hockey team and Choir
have been asked to sing The National
Anthem for the Mississauga Steelheads on
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016.
The Mississauga Steelheads are a junior
ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey
League.
Prior to the game Divine Mercy students and
families will have the opportunity for a free skate at Hershey
Centre for 50 minutes from 4:30pm – 5:20pm. Please bring your
skates and helmets at that time. Hockey team and Choir family
members can purchase excellent seats for $10.00 each (plus tax
$11.30) to support our hockey team and choir. Prior to the
game, the Steelheads will present a pep rally on Tuesday,
January 12th, 2016 at 9:30am in the gym. Thank you Mrs.
Mezgec, Mrs. Drake, Ms. Parson and Mr. Martins.
CARNAVAL
Winter is here and with less than a month to go, Divine Mercy
will be hosting a school-wide Winter Carnaval on February 9th,
2016! It will be an action packed morning filled with fabulous
winter themed fun for all to enjoy. If you like crafts, physical
activity and team building exercises, then, Divine Mercy’s
Carnaval is the place to be! This year, we are thrilled to
announce that all classes will have the opportunity to meet and
take pictures with Bonhomme Carnaval! This year will also
feature an afternoon Carnaval presentation for the grade 1 to 5
students and an afternoon Carnval dance for grades 6 to 8 on
Friday February 12th, 2016. C’est fantastique! Thank you to
Mllle Parsons, Mme Doiron, and Mme. Bianchi-Wynne.
REPORT CARDS
First term report cards for
students in Grades 1 to 8 will be
sent
home
on
Tuesday,
February 2, 2016. Along with
the report card, you will receive
a confirmation time for your
report card conference. This
conference will include the
student, the teacher and the parents/guardians. Conference request
forms will be sent home Friday, January 22, 2016.
Junior and Senior Kindergarten students will receive their report
cards in June.
During this first conference, the teachers would like to see and
speak with all parents and students in JK-Grade 8, in order to
discuss the first term and also to make plans and set goals for the
second term.
Interviews will take place on the evening of Thursday, February
4, 2016.
SCHOOL HOURS
FRENCH CLUB
Bonjour! Our school’s French club is well underway! Students
from grades 4-6 who have signed up for the club, meet every
Wednesday at lunch recess to engage in activities that
complements their French learning. Recently, the students
learned how to draw the Eiffel Tower, one of the iconic
structures that represents France. Students were introduced to
how this structure was built using wrought iron lattice and how
the tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel. In the
upcoming months, The French club will be watching French
movies, signing French songs and will be learning cultural
dances of France. We look forward to “avoir du plaisir" in our
French club. Thank you Mme Costanzo, Mme Trica, Mme
Makoudjou.
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
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.
REMINDERS AND RESOURCES: COLD AND
FLU SEASON
your child. We thank you for your continued support in
following this procedure.
Cold and flu season is here. 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. 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.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
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.
Regional Health Unit Resources:
Please assist us by reviewing good hand washing procedures, as
well as other preventative measures, as outlined in the various
Peel Health 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 website, are the schedules of
local Flu Clinics.
For more information, visit the health unit websites:
Peel Health website: http://www.peelregion.ca/health
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 are still a number 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 8:30am or 12:30pm must obtain a
late slip from the office. This measure is to ensure the safety of
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 on file at the school office.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school!
It is going to take place at Divine Mercy’s library
on February 1-5, 2016. A variety of quality books
for all reading levels will be available for
purchase. Profits from the Book Fair helps to
provide resources for your child’s school library. Book Fair
flyers and book buying dates and times will be sent home with
your child(ren) by the end of January. Don’t forget to mark the
Book Fair dates on your calendar!
NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY:
The Forest of Reading is about to begin. The
students in FDK and Grades 1 to 3 are going to
be reading the Blue Spruce nominated books
during their library classes. Book Clubs at
Divine Mercy School this year will be: Le Prix
Peuplier (for our French Immersion students in grades 1-3).
Another book club for the French Immersion students this year
will be Le Prix Tamarac Express (for students in grades 3 and 4).
Other book clubs offered at our school are the Silver Birch
Express (grades 3 and 4), Silver Birch Fiction and Non Fiction
(grades 5 and 6) and Red Maple Fiction (grades 7 and 8).
Students from the Forest of Reading clubs are welcome to read
in the library during their scheduled lunch book club times. The
students from the Silver Birch and Red Maple groups will also
be given the opportunity to post comments onto the Forest wikis
by sharing their thoughts about the books they will be reading.
Voting Day takes place in April. For more information about the
Forest of Reading program visit www.accessola.com.
Students in the Silver Birch and Red Maple Book Clubs will be
introduced to a wiki. You may be wondering what a wiki is? A
wiki is an online virtual space that has been created using a free
education resource, PB Works. The wiki is a password
protected site to which students have access. It will be a place
where they may learn and collaborate together. If your child
comes home excitedly talking about wikis, ask them to show you
what it’s all about! Thank you Mrs. Casciaro for organzing
these events.
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.
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 by-products
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.
USE OF SCHOOL PHONES
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.
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.
BUSSING
STOPR(Student Transportation
of Peel Region)
Stopr
is
providing
bus
transportation services for the
Dufferin-Peel 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
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
/
MEDICATION
ADMINISTRATION
OF
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.
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 4pm to do so. They are to come back with their
parent, other family member, or guardian and report to the
school office.
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
The cold weather is upon us. Please ensure
that students dress accordingly. 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 –25
degrees Celsius, with the wind chill. As such, appropriate
clothing is essential. Please note that students should have
indoor shoes during the winter months. Thank you in advance
for your continued support and cooperation.
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.
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 with 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
information go to the following link:
http://www.peelregion.ca/health/topics/headlice/.
SCHOOL WEB SITE
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 Dufferin-Peel
Catholic students can stay up-to-date
with the latest board news and
information by following us on twitter on
the board website. 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.
DPCDSB is on Twitter! For the latest board news
and information, follow us @DPCDSBSchools.
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 our
alternate site, your child will remain at Our Lady of Mercy until
we are able to contact you and make arrangements for pick up.
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:
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? Take a break from packing lunch and
sign up today. Menus for the January - March term may be
viewed and ordered online.
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.
To place an order, view the menu and available dates visit:
www.kidssentials.com and log in or 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
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.
http://www.dpcdsb.org/GONZA/About+Gonzaga/
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.
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.
We are also encouraging our
students to pack a “Litterless
Lunch” and to try to use
refillable water bottles from
Jan. 18-22, 2016.
For more information about registration and the Kindergarten
program, call Divine Mercy School 905 812 5445 or visit
www.dpcdsb.org.
To find out which Catholic school is in your area, please contact
our Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.
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
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
What has been the history of Catholic education in the
Dufferin-Peel Region?
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
NATIONAL SWEATER DAY
At the present time, the above mentioned school is the
designated centre for our area.
REGISTRATION
FOR
KINDERGARTEN 2016-2017
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.
FULL
DAY
Registration for Kindergarten
for the 2016-17 school year,
will take place on:
As part of a Board
wide initiative, we
are turning down
the heat by 2% on
Thursday, February
4,
2016.
The
Theme of this day is “My Sweater has a Story Day”. Staff and
students will be given opportunities to share stories about their
sweaters. This day will provide us with an opportunity to learn
about the importance of saving energy, while at the same time,
reminding us to use less heat during the winter months. Our Eco
Team will be making announcements as a lead up to this day, so
make sure your child is dressed in a warm sweater- the Earth
thanks you!
CONCUSSIONS
Concussions are brain injuries caused by excessive, rapid
movement of the brain inside the skull. This movement causes
damage that changes how brain cells function, leading to
symptoms that can be physical (headaches, dizziness), cognitive
(problems remembering or concentrating), or emotional (feeling
depressed). A concussion can result from a blow to the head or
body in any number of activities including receiving a check in
hockey, falling from a jungle gym, or slipping on an icy
sidewalk. All head injuries can be difficult to diagnose, however,
a concussion is the most difficult head injury to diagnose. Brain
scans cannot determine if a concussion exists. The school calls
parents whenever a child has hit their head. It is important that
parents also keep the school informed if their child has had a
head injury during an extra-curricular activity. The school will
work with the family to set up a plan (in line with the Board’s
protocol) to assist the student in returning to normal physical
activity.
IMMUNIZE ON TIME REPORT EVERY TIME
Report all immunizations your child receives to Peel Public
Health.
**online at www.immunizepeel/.ca
** call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7000.
Student records are reviewed annually. Over an eleven week
period, students with incomplete records receive three letters
mailed directly to them to request immunization information. If
parents/students DO NOT provide the required immunization
information, the student will be suspended from school.
PLEASE NOTE: Please send the above information to Peel
Public Heath, not to the school. Thank you
SACRAMENTAL DATES
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 ConfirmationLetters 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
JANUARY
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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
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 Monday, January 4, 2016
School Resumes
Thursday, January 7, 2016 Gr 8 parent information
night for trip
 Friday, January 8th, 2016 Huddle
Up Leadership meeting with
Mrs. LaCroix
 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 Meeting
at 6:30 pm
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Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Extended French
Information Evening for Parents at St. Rose of
Lima
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 7:00pm at CEC room
301 Parent evening to support students with
different abilities into FDK
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Sister Diane visits
the Gr 2’s
Thursday, January 14, 2016 Gonzaga to visit gr 8’s
in the afternoon to work on myblue print
Monday January 18, 2016 PA Day No school for
Students
Tuesday January 19, 2016- Wednesday January
21, 2016 Youth Education Officer Visits
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 Exhibition hockey
game @ Vic Johnson Arena 8am
Monday January 25, 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
Wednesday January 27 or Thursday January 28
2016 Hockey Tournament at Iceland
Thursday January 28, 2016 Community Prayer 8:00
am and Rosary Apostolate
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FEBRUARY
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Monday, February 1, 2016 Term 2 Begins
Monday, February 1, 2016 Jr Basketball boys and
girls at St Therese of the Child Jesus
Monday, February 1 or 2, 2016 Hockey
Tournament at Iceland
Monday, February 1-5, 2016 Book Fair
Tuesday, February 2, 2016 Term 1 Reports go home
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Hockey Team and
Choir preform national anthem at Mississauga
Steelheads game 7pm
Thursday, February 4, 2016 Interview evening
Friday, February 5, 2016 PA Day Reporting to
Parents, no school for students
Saturday, February 6, 2016 Grade 7 and 8
Confirmation Lenten Promises at Merciful Redeemer
7:00pm
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Monday, February 8, 2016 Grade 7 &8
Confirmation retreat @ Merciful Redeemer Parish
Tuesday, February 9 2016 Shrove Tuesday
Tuesday, February 9 2016 Winter Carnival AM,
Carnival performer 12:30 pm in the gym
Tuesday, February 9 2016 Catholic School Council
meeting 6:30 pm in the library
Wednesday, February 10. 2016 10:30am Ash
Wednesday
Wednesday, February 10. 2016 Sr. Diane visiting
the Gr 2’s AM
Thursday, February 11, 2016 Mrs. Symonds, Mrs
Thomas’s classes at Living Arts Centre Excursion
Friday, February 12, 2016 Carnival Dance
11:30am-3:00pm Gr. 6-8 in the gym
Friday, February 12, 2016 Eric Walters Author visit
grade 5-8
Monday, February 15, 2016 Family Day No School
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 9:30am Grade 2 First
Reconciliation @ Merciful Redeemer Parish
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 Jr Basketball girls and
boys at St. Josephs
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Living Arts Center
excursion for Mme. Makoudjou, Mme Costanzo and
Mrs Sass’s classes.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Jr Basketball girls
and boys at St. Rose of Lima
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Sister Diane to visit
grade 2s
Thursday, February 25, 2016 Rosary Apostolate
and Community Prayer 8:00am in foyer
Thursday, February 25, 2016 Jr. Basketball Family
Tournament at St. Joan of Arc
Monday, February 29, 2016 Grade 7 and 8
Confirmation Confessions at Divine Mercy
Monday, February 29, 2016 Living Arts Center
excursion for Mrs. Mezgec and Mrs. Silvestri’s
classes
ATTACHMENTS:
 Archdiocese Notice 2016
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St. Ignatius Loyola Rc Parish January event planner
Scholastic Book Fair
International Student Programs
FDK Registration
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