Divine Mercy Catholic School
2840 Duncairn Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5C6
(905) 812-5445 Fax# (905) 812-4922
Follow Us on Twitter@DPCDSBSchools
ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE
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
Trustees
E. O’Toole-Ward 9
L. del Rosario-Ward 11
Parish
Merciful Redeemer
2775 Erin Centre Blvd.
Miss., ON. L55 5W2
905-812-0030
LENTEN SEASON
The Easter Tree
Lent is a special time when you can share the
concepts of prayer and giving with your children.
Take family time each day to offer devotional
prayers. Consider as a family how you might help
others in need by giving of your time or
resources. Even very young children can
understand and will enjoy participating in the
process. Carve out time in your day for your own
special prayer time. This may involve early rising
or time spent away from a favorite hobby or
activity.
Lent is a good time to think about the blessings
we have. It may be a good time to give up
something we enjoy as a reminder of the true
meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice. We can also think of
a Lenten Promise we wish to make and strive to
do good to others as Jesus did to the many people
He met along His journey.
At a time of reflection, celebration and
anticipation, we thank you for your continued
support.
We would like to wish our students, staff and
families a very safe and enjoyable March Break.
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
Associate Pastor
Fr. Scott Birchall
School Website
www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
God Bless,
L. Calabrese
Principal
EMPATH
Y
S. Krolewski
Vice Principal
A wonderful story from medieval
times traces the wood of the cross on
which Jesus died, all the way back to
the Garden of Paradise, where God
made grow "every tree that is
pleasant to the sight and good for
food." (Genesis 2, 9) The great tree
of Paradise is the "tree of life."
Seeds from the tree of life, our story
goes, were planted from age to age,
until the time of Jesus, when a tree
produced from one of its seeds
provided wood for His cross. Once
again, God offers new life through
the cross of Jesus, His Son, and
invites the human family to return to
Paradise.
So, this is a story that may help us all
understand that, in spite of
appearances, the cross of Jesus
brings life and not death.
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
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.
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.
MERCIFUL REDEEMER PARISH
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 8:30am or 12:30pm 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.
THE VIRTUE OF THE MONTH
During the month of March we will focus on the virtue of
Kindness.
Please join us for our Virtue of Kindness Assembly on
Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 9:45am in our school gym.
All are welcome.
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!
Merciful
Redeemer
Parish
Youth
Ministry
News!
For all events and full schedule, please visit our website:
http://mercifulredeemeryouth.blogspot.ca/
EASTER HOLIDAY
HOLY THURSDAY
Friday, March 25, 2016 is Good Friday and Monday,
March 28th, 2016 is Easter Monday. There will be no school
for students on these two days.
Holy Thursday is the day on which Christ celebrated the Last
Supper with His disciples, four days after His triumphal entry
into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Only hours after the Last
Supper, Judas would betray Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane,
setting the stage for Christ's Crucifixion on Good Friday.
HOLY WEEK LITURGY
On Thursday, April 2, 2015, at 9:15am we will be having our
Holy week Liturgy. All are welcome.
PALM SUNDAY
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entrance of Christ
into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-9), when palm branches were
placed in His path, before His arrest on Holy Thursday and His
Crucifixion on Good Friday. It thus marks the beginning of Holy
Week, the final week of Lent, and the week in which Christians
celebrate the mystery of their salvation through Christ's Death
and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Beginning in the fourth century in Jerusalem, Palm Sunday was
marked by a procession of the faithful carrying palm branches,
representing the Jews who celebrated Christ's entrance into
Jerusalem. In the early centuries, the procession began on the
Mount of the Ascension and proceeded to the Church of the
Holy Cross.
As the practice spread throughout the Christian world by the
ninth century, the procession would begin in each church with
the blessing of palms, proceed outside the church, and then
return to the church for the reading of the Passion according to
the Gospel of Matthew. The faithful would continue to hold the
palms during the reading of the Passion. In this way, they would
recall that many of the same people who greeted Christ with
shouts of joy on Palm Sunday would call for His Death on Good
Friday, a powerful reminder of our own weakness and the
sinfulness that causes us to reject Christ.
In different parts of the Christian world, particularly where
palms were historically hard to obtain, branches of other bushes
and trees were used, including olive, box elder, spruce, and
various willows. Perhaps best known is the Slavic custom of
using pussy willows, which are among the earliest of plants to
bud out in the spring.
The faithful have traditionally decorated their houses with the
palms from Palm Sunday, and, in many countries, a custom
developed of weaving the palms into crosses that were placed on
home altars or other places of prayer. Since the palms have been
blessed, they should not simply be discarded; rather, the faithful
return them to their local parish in the weeks before Lent, to be
burned and used as the ashes for Ash Wednesday.
GOOD FRIDAY
In the Catholic Church, Good Friday is the day on which we
commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the act that
brought salvation to all who believe. It is the culmination of
Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday, and it takes place
two days before Easter Sunday.
HOLY SATURDAY
Holy Saturday is the final day of Lent, of Holy Week, and of the
Easter Triduum, the three days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday,
and Holy Saturday) immediately preceding Easter, during which
Christians commemorate the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ
and prepare for His Resurrection. As on Good Friday, there is no
Mass offered for Holy Saturday. The Easter Vigil Mass, which
takes place after sundown on Holy Saturday, properly belongs to
Easter Sunday, since liturgically, each day begins at sundown on
the previous day. (That is why Saturday vigil Masses can fulfill
our Sunday Duty.) Unlike on Good Friday, when Holy
Communion is distributed at the afternoon liturgy
commemorating Christ's Passion, on Holy Saturday the
Eucharist is only given to the faithful as viaticum—that is, only
to those in danger of death, to prepare their souls.
EASTER SUNDAY:
THE GREATEST CHRISTIAN FEAST
Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead. For Catholics, Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40
days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving known as Lent. Through
spiritual struggle and self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to
die spiritually with Christ on Good Friday, the day of His
Crucifixion, so that we can rise again with Him in new life on
Easter.
MARCH BREAK
The March Break will be from Monday,
March 14, 2016 to Friday, March 18,
2016. Students and staff will return to
school on Monday, March 21, 2016 at
8:30 AM.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
Catholic Education Week will
be the week of May 2nd – 6th,
2016.
As always, Catholic Education
Week begins on Sunday to
highlight the parish-home-school partnership that remains the
foundation of Catholic education.
We are pleased to announce the theme for 2016 is “Opening the
Doors of Mercy”.
There are five sub-themes for each day of Catholic Education
Week.
Monday, May 2- Mercy That Welcomes
Tuesday, May 3 - Mercy That Loves
Wednesday, May 4 - Mercy That Forgives –Crowning of Mary
AM in the gym
Thursday, May 5- Mercy That Lives the Gospel –Loretta Penny
Presentation, Welcome to Kindergarten 6:30pm at Divine Mercy
Friday, May 6 - Mercy That Rejoices
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
DAY: MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016
Terms of the recent contract settlement between the teacher
federations and the Ministry of Education included the provision
of an additional Professional Activity Day for the 2015-2016
school year for both elementary and secondary schools.
In the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, the
designated additional Professional Activity Day has been
scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2016.
Therefore, there will be no classes for either elementary or
secondary students on Monday, April 11, 2016.
MISSISSAUGA NORTH FAMILY OF
SCHOOLS
“We Are Called” Diversity, Equity And Inclusivity Conference
occurred on Friday, March 4th, 2016 at Merciful Redeemer
Parish. Thank you to Mme. Cenedese for accompanying our
Youth Faith Ambassadors to this event.
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, April 12, 2016 at 6:30pm.
Save the Date: April 20, 2016 Parent Presentation at Our
Lady of Mercy by the One Voice One Team @ 6:30pm.
Please mark down our School Council Meeting dates for the
remainder of the school year: May 10, 2016.
Next School Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 @ 6:30pm
All Divine Mercy School Parents
are invited to join us.
LIGHTS OFF FOR EARTH HOUR
Millions of people around the world switch off
their lights for Earth Hour at 8:30pm (20:30) in
their local times on the last Saturday of March
each year (March 19, 2016).
Make Earth Hour an event to share with your
friends and family!
We will be participating on Thursday, March 31, 2016.
COLD WEATHER DRESS
Parents are reminded to check that their
children come to school prepared to go outside
for recess play. This includes proper gloves,
hats, scarves, jackets 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.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
GRADE 3 and GRADE 6 EQAO
All Grades 3 and 6 students in Ontario will again be
participating in the Education Quality and Accountability Office
Provincial Assessments scheduled to take place between May
25, 2016 and June 8, 2016.
We ask that parents work family vacations, appointments and
other interruptions around these scheduled dates to maximize
their child’s potential during the assessment. More information
will be forthcoming.
IS YOUR CHILD STRESSED?
Stress can affect people of all ages. How
can you tell if your child is stressed?
Physical symptoms may be similar in
children as in adults. However, the way
children deal with these feelings could be
quite different. Causes of stress for
children can stem from school, home or
peers, with the symptoms varying with each child. Look for
signs such as inability to concentrate, sleep difficulty, a drop in
grades, toileting, eating concerns or isolation from family and
peer relationships.
Here are a few tips to help minimize stress in your child:
• Encourage your child to tell you if he or she feels
overwhelmed.
• Set a good example of how to deal with stress.
• Make your child aware of anticipated family changes, in an
age-appropriate way. Children will often think the worst about a
situation they do not understand.
• Help your child select appropriate extracurricular activities and
limit over scheduling.
• Encourage physical activity, good nutrition and rest.
• Encourage healthy and diverse friendships.
• Use encouragement and natural consequences when poor
decisions are made.
• Monitor television viewing, web browsing and video game use.
• Remind your child of his or her ability to get through tough
times, particularly with the love and support of family and
friends.
• Communicate with your child’s teacher for possible concerns.
• Seek the assistance of a physician, school psychologist, school
counselor, or school social worker if stress continues to be a
concern.
For more information: www.psychologyfoundation.org
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S PROGRESS
ENCOURAGE READING!
Good readers do better at school.
Buy books your child likes to read.
Read to your child. Visit the library.
Be a reader yourself and model
what you want your child to do.
ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBILITY!
Is there a place where school supplies are placed the night before
to be ready to go in the morning? Does your child keep an
accurate agenda as a reminder of tasks that require completion?
MONITOR HOMEWORK!
Is there ample time set aside to complete homework by the given
deadline? Is homework done in a fairly quiet place with good
lighting and few distractions?
BE REASONABLE IN YOUR EXPECTATIONS!
High marks do not guarantee success in life nor low marks
failure. However, self-confidence, perseverance, and willingness
to put forth enough effort to work through difficulties are
characteristics of achievers.
BE CONSISTENT …
If you only talk about school at reporting time, you are missing
golden opportunities to reinforce good work habits, and risk
sending the message that only the product counts, not the
process of learning.
PRAISE OFTEN, GUIDE FREQUENTLY, CRITICIZE
SELDOM!
There is a difference between helping your child do better and
responding quickly to him/her falling short. Positive suggestions
do help, but value-laden criticism hurts and diminishes one’s
dignity. When things are not going well is when we most need
an encouraging word.
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 on file at the school office.
HUDDLE UP BULLYING PROGRAM
The Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program is an opportunity
for a school population to focus on the impact they can have on
bullying in their own environment. The focus of the message is
to include information for both targets and bystanders, so
awareness and action can develop prior to situations turning
negative. As a result, the program is multi-faceted, and
committed to conveying the key messages necessary to assist
youth and empower them to take action towards preventing
bullying in their schools. The program includes having an
intermediate Leadership Committee Meeting who meet and
plan with Mrs. La Croix. The committee consists of a group of
10 students made up of a diverse student leaders as well as
students who have previous experience with bullying.
Committee members become empowered by the Huddle Up
message and lead the bullying prevention efforts in their school.
Next we had our Player Assembly, which occurred March 1,
2016, where the powerful testimony from both an Argos player
and staff member who have experienced bullying. The assembly
is designed to inspire students and provide the necessary tools to
deal with the issue. Lastly, a Student Summit will be held in
May. This culminating event provides an opportunity for the
Leadership committee of students to work together and learn
from each other, while sharing ideas with the players and
cheerleaders and other program supporters. Thank you to Mrs.
La Croix for all her work with this opportunity.
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.
SCHOOL SPORTS / CLUBS
BASKETBALL
Congratulations to the junior boys basketball
team! They've had an amazing season finishing
the round robin in second place. The boys
participated in the Mississauga North Family
Tournament on Thursday February 25th. Thank
you Fady, Steven, Charlie, Aidan, Matthew,
Michael, Leo, Jericho, Ryan, Adam, Jesse and Zein. Thank you
coaches, Mr. Lonardi, Mme. Ballard, Mlle. Parsons and Mr.
Tomas
CHESS
Primary/Junior/Intermediate Chess Teams are working hard to
get ready for the Mississauga North Family Chess
Tournament. The tournament will be held on Friday, March 4,
2016, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel S.S. Good Luck to our
Chess Teams! Check Mate!! Thank you coaches Mrs. Sass, Mr.
Tomas and Ms. Silvestri
DIVINE MERCY ICE DRAGONS HOCKEY
TEAM
The Divine Mercy Ice Dragons are hitting the road
this month for a tournament in Orangeville. The
Beacon Cup Tournament is scheduled for March 9
and 10 at the Alder Street Arena. The players are
excited to strap on the skates and take to the ice again. GO ICE
DRAGONS GO! Thank you to Ms. Parsons, Ms. Drake, Mr.
Martins.
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, we 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.
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.
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
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY RULES
The conduct of individual students on the bus directly affects the
safety of all the students on the bus. The driver’s attention needs
to be on the road. If students are misbehaving, this can distract
the driver.
We are requesting that all parents/guardians reinforce the School
Bus Safety Rules with their child (ren).
All Students Should:
 Be at the bus stop 5-10 minutes prior to their stop time.
Never play close to the road. Be ready to board the bus by
waiting in an orderly line.
 Board the bus in single file, use the handrail and sit down in
their seat as quickly as possible.
 Listen to the bus driver.
 Always remain seated while the bus is moving.
 Do not throw anything around the bus or out of the window.







Keep the aisles clear of all objects (back packs, lunches,
books etc.)
Do not shout or cause any other unnecessary noises. Be
especially quiet at railway crossings.
Never put any part of your body out an open window.
Be sure to look all ways before crossing the road.
Do not damage the bus in any way.
Do not throw garbage on the floor.
Do not consume any food or drink on the bus.
If students fail to follow the bus safety rules, the following
actions will be taken.



First Offence – child is warned by administration with a
phone call home
Second Offence – parents will be notified in writing and/or
a telephone call.
Third Offence – student may lose bus privilege.
Thank you for your support in ensuring that our students journey
safely to and from school.
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.
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.
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.
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. They are to come back with
their parent, other family member, or guardian and report to the
school office. If the office is closed they are to look for the
Custodian working on the first floor of the school who will assist
them.
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.
Thank you Mr. Martins for keeping our website up to date.
SIGN UP TODAY!
Parents and guardians of Dufferin-Peel
Catholic students can stay up-to-date
with the latest board news and
information by joining the 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.
DPCDSB is on Twitter! For the latest board news
and information, follow us @DPCDSB Schools.
Employment Opportunities: If you live in the
Oakville/Mississauga area and would like a part-time job
working while your child is in school, contact us today and
apply by phone or email.
Kidssentials may be contacted at: 905.855.1914
mail@kidssentials.com | http://www.kidssentials.com
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
school, your child will remain at Our Lady of Mercy until we are
able to contact you and make arrangements for pick up.
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.
GREAT BIG CRUNCH
PIZZA DAYS
On Friday, March 11th
Divine
Mercy
will
be
participating in THE GREAT
BIG CRUNCH. Every staff
and student is asked to bring in
an apple. At 2:30pm the whole
school will take a bite at the
same time celebrating healthy
eating. Thank you to the ECO
Students have been participating weekly in a
fabulous Pizza lunch, by Pizza Pizza. The
remaining dates are as follows:
March 1, 8, 22, 29,
April 5, 12, 19,26
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 June 7, 14, 21, 28
We would like to thank all of the parent volunteers and the
Divine Mercy School Council Pizza Committee for their hard
work and dedication
team and Mrs. van der Ster.
GREAT BIG GULP
KIDSSENTIALS
Kidssentials Hot Lunch for April – June will be available to
order online the first week of March.
Take a break from packing lunch and place an order
at: http://www.kidssentials.com
Field Trip Cancellation Policy Update for Kidssentials
Lunch Dates:
If you have ordered a Kidssentials lunch on a date your child
will be away on a field trip, please contact Kidssentials to cancel
the meal as soon as you receive the field trip form. Kindly
provide as much notice as possible – 2 business days’ notice or
more - to help them plan most efficiently. Last minute
cancellations are accepted until 8am on the day of the
cancellation.
On Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 Divine
Mercy will be participating in THE GREAT
BIG GULP. Every staff and student is asked to
bring water in a reusable container. At 2:30pm
the whole school will take a gulp at the same
time celebrating healthy living. Thank you
healthy schools team, Mrs van der Ster and Mrs Commisso.
LITTERLESS LUNCHES
We are also encouraging our
students to pack a “Litterless
Lunch” and to try to use refillable
water bottles.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
IMMUNIZE ON TIME REPORT EVERY TIME
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, complete a CASL (Canada’s Anti Spam
Legislation) form and you will be added to the distribution list.
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.
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL HERITAGE
How was the corporation tax issue solved?
In 1962, the Ontario Separate School Trustees’ Association
presented Premier John Robarts a brief which outlined the
probable bankruptcy of some separate school boards and the
inferior salaries, teacher qualifications, school accommodation
and programs compared with those of the public schools. The
government began providing to the separate school boards grants
which compensated for their lack of corporate assessment.
Separate school boards were able to erect new schools and
additions with gymnasiums, libraries, kindergarten rooms, and
special education facilities.
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 extracurricular 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.
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.
The School Health Winter Newsletter has now been released
on the SchoolHealth101.ca website! In it you will find
information regarding:
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How the Peel Action Team for Health (PATH) is
revolutionizing school environments
Changes to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act
Activities to bring to your school to gear up for
nutrition month in March
A delicious and easy spiced hot chocolate recipe
A new winter P.A.L.S. game to try on your school
playground
Online resources for quick physical activity breaks
throughout your day
A new provincial partnership, and its plans to help
children and youth meet Ontario’s goal of 60 minutes
of physical activity per day
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/
NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY:
Forest of Reading:
Forest of Reading titles have been
extremely popular this year, as there
has been an amazing response from all
of Divine Mercy’s students. The book
clubs include all age groups at Divine
Mercy School. Students MUST have
read 5 of the 10 titles on their book list
to vote in mid-April. We have just over a month to reach that
goal!!! Another reminder to students who are in the Silver Birch
Fiction, Silver Birch Non-Fiction, and Red Maple Book Clubs is
to keep posting on the Divine Mercy Forest of Reading Wiki
site. 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.
Scholastic Book Fair:
This year’s Book Fair was a huge success! We sold $8400.00 at
Scholastic’s Book Fair. Profits from the sales are used to
purchase new books for our school Library. We are currently
adding many new titles to our school collection. Students have
been patiently waiting for the many new titles that we have
purchased as a result of the sale. Thank you to all of the families
who have graciously supported the school Library through the
Scholastics Book Fair!
A very special Thank You to the parents who contributed books
to the Teacher’s Classroom Wish Lists. The Teachers had a good
response this year. These books have been added to the
classroom collections and will be enjoyed by all!
Book Donations:
We welcome all gently used children’s books to add to our
school library collection. If you have any books that your child
has outgrown, why not share them with our school community?
Please bring books to the school library so that we can process
and catalogue them for everyone to use.
VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE YOUR ANNUAL
DECLARATION
Volunteers, please pick up your Annual Criminal Offence
Declaration form at the school. If you have provided us with a
valid Criminal Reference check, then every year thereafter you
must complete a declaration. If there is a break in service for a
volunteer for a year and over, then the process of obtaining a
new CRC begins all over again.
CLASS PLACEMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2016
The Staff at Divine Mercy School will
meet over the upcoming months to
discuss class placements for students for
September 2016. When determining placement, some of the
criteria we consider are: academic ability, individual work
habits, study skills, maturity, and date of birth, social factors,
student needs and gender.
Due to our size, we are limited in our placement options and
the number of combined classes.
We appreciate your input concerning any special needs your
child (ren) may have. With this in mind, we ask that if you have
feedback for us, please provide it to us in writing. We ask that
you submit your feedback to the principal by Thursday, May 5,
2016.
Parents are asked to include the child’s strengths, needs and a
description of their learning style and any other intangibles that
you feel are pertinent, including the type of learning
environment that your child would experience the most success.
Please do not make specific requests for teachers as teaching
assignments are tentative and may change between now and
September.
When we meet to consider your input and the input of the
teachers, a decision can then be made on accommodating any
parental feedback. It is not always possible, given the variables
that go into devising a class, to accommodate all parental
requests. Hence, we ask for your understanding and flexibility.
Please rest assured that our decisions are made only after careful
deliberation and consideration of all the facts for the individual
good of the child and the common good of the school
community.
The hard cap of 20 students per primary class is out of our
control. All primary classes at Divine Mercy School cannot
exceed 20 students. The School Board’s Planning Department
must take direction from the Ministry of Education who has the
final say as to the number of students in the class and the
configuration of these classes. This decision will have an affect
across our school when configuring the makeup of our classes,
as will be the case in all schools in the province. Please note we
continue to decline in enrolment and as such, combined
classes at Divine Mercy School may continue to be a reality
for the upcoming school year. Until we finalize our enrolment
in September, all class arrangements are tentative. If you have
any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime.
Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.
SACRAMENTAL DATES
Grade 2s:
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 8’s:
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
MARCH
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Tuesday, March 1,
2016 Huddle Up Argos
Assembly 12:45pm in
the gym
 Thursday, March 3,
2016 Jr Basketball
Board Tournament at
Mt Carmel
 Thursday, March 3,
2016 Huddle Up Argos
Cheerleaders girls assembly gr 6-8 10am in the gym
Friday, March 4, 2016 Chess Tournament at Mt.
Carmel
Monday, March 7, 2016 Much Music Dance Prize
Assembly 1pm
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 RAID Peel Police Program
for the Grade 6s begins AM
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Sr. Diane visiting gr 2s
am
Thursday, March 10, 2016 Gr 4 Petits Cochions
Plays 11am room 204, Mme. Cenedese
Wednesday, March 9-Thursday, March 10, 2016
Divine Mercy Ice Dragons Hockey tournament in
Orangeville BECDM Cup
Friday, March 11, 2016 Big Crunch @ 2:15pm
Monday, March 14, 2016-Friday, March 18, 2016
March Break, No school
Monday, March 21, 2016 School Resumes 8:30am
Wednesday, March 23, 2016 9:45am Virtue of
Kindness Assembly
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
RAID Peel Police
Program Gr 6 AM
Thursday, March 24, 2016 Gr 2s Scientist in the
School AM
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Thursday, March 24, 2016 Holy Thursday Liturgy
9:15am
Friday, March 25, 2016 Good Friday No School
Monday, March 28, 2016 Easter Monday No School
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 RAID Peel Police Program
Gr 6
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 Gr 1 Scientists in the
School AM
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Gr. 2s Sister Diane visit
Thursday, March 31, 2016 Rosary Apostolate and
Community Prayer 8:00am
APRIL
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Friday, April 1, 2016 Safety Village Gr 2 FI 9:45am
Tuesday, April 4th Grade 8 Grad photos
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 RAID Peel Police Program Gr
6 AM
Friday, April 8, 2016 Art on Wheels Mrs. Costanzo,
Mrs. Makoudjou and Mrs. Sass’s classes @ Divine
Mercy
Monday, April 11, 2016 PA Day no school for
students
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 RAID Peel Police Program
Gr 6 AM
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 6:30pm SAC meeting in the
library
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Sr. Diane visiting gr 2s
am
Thursday, April 14, 2016 Art on Wheels Mrs.
Thomas and Mrs. Symonds’ classes @ Divine Mercy
Thursday, April 14, 2016 Hamilton Conservatory
Trip Felice and Duncan’s classes
Friday, April 15, 2016 Pioneer Village Mme. Ballard
and Mlle. Hedjes
Saturday, April 16, 2016 10:30am Gr 7
Confirmation, 1:00pm Gr 8 Confirmation at Merciful
Redeemer Parish, Group Photos will be taken that day
after mass
Monday, April 18, 2016 Silvercreek Trip Mrs.
Thomas and Mrs. Symonds’ classes
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Divine Mercy Team Photo
day @ Divine Mercy
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Parent Presentation
@Our Lady of Mercy 6:30pm
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Sr. Diane visiting gr 2s
am
Thursday, April 21, 2016 Riverwood Gr 4 Mrs.
Mezgec
Friday, April 22, 2016 Happy Secretary’s day Mrs.
Pelkey and Mrs. Persaud
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Friday April 22, 2016 Art on Wheels Mrs. Mezgec
and Ms. Silvestri@ Divine Mercy
Saturday, April 23, 2016 Grade 2 First Holy
Communion at Merciful Redeemer
Monday, April 25, 2016 Scientists in the classroom
Ms. Silvestri and Mrs. Symonds
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Silvercreek Ms. Silvestri
Thursday, April 28, 2016 Rosary Apostolate and
Community Prayer 8:00am
Thursday, April 28, 2016 Intermediate Family
Basketball Tournament at Gonzaga
Thursday, April 28, 2016 Mississauga North Catholic
Council Chairs Meeting and Mass at Merciful
Redeemer Parish
Attachments
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Math @ Home
CCCSC Conference and Marketplace Brochure
Letter from Thomas Cardinal Thomas Archbishop
of Toronto
See