September 2015
Divine Mercy Catholic School
2840 Duncairn Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 5C6
(905) 812-5445 Fax# (905) 812-4922
Follow Us on Twitter@DPCDSBSchoolsg
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Principal
L. Calabrese
ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE
Prayer For The
Beginning Of The
New School Year
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 6
With each new school year, we embrace the wonder
and excitement that our children experience learning
together in a vibrant Catholic community. On behalf
of the entire staff, we would like to welcome you and
your children to the 2015-2016 school year at Divine
Mercy Catholic School that promises to bring new
experiences and new opportunities to learn and grow
as a vibrant Catholic community. To the many
families joining our school community for the first
time, we extend a special and warm welcome. We
would also like to extend a greeting of best wishes to
our Junior Kindergarten children who are starting
school for the first time and hope that they will develop
many happy memories of our school as they begin this
very important journey.
Dear Lord, as we begin this new
school year, we gather
once again as your community of
believers.
We thank you for the energy and
the spirit that you renewed
in us through the summer
months.
We thank you for the time to
enjoy our family and
friends and to reflect on what is
important in our lives.
Let this year be marked by
enthusiasm and love so that,
with the inspiration of your
Spirit, we may continue
to grow in our faith.
We would like to welcome a number of new faces to
our family at Divine Mercy School this year. We
would like to welcome M. Commisso who will be
teaching Planning Time, M. Parsons who will be
teaching Grade 1 French Immersion, L. Dziedizic and
M. Brasil Education Resource Workers, and S.
Krolewski Vice Principal to our Divine Mercy
community.
Help us to fulfill Your hope for
us with honest intentions
and works of faith.
Associate Pastor
Fr. Scott Birchall
We look forward to continuing to work with Mrs. T.
Cruz, our Superintendent of Mississauga North, who
is committed to Catholic Education.
We ask this in your name.
Amen
School Website
www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
Continued on next page….
Parish
Merciful Redeemer
2775 Erin Blvd. Ctr.
Miss., Ont. L55 5W2
905-812-0030
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
Let us be gentle with ourselves
and bring laughter, joy
and love to others.
ADMINISTRATORS’S MESSAGE CONTINUED
We also look forward to continuing to work closely with
our local trustees Mrs. O’Toole and Mrs. del Rosario and
welcome them back to another exciting school year. We
would like to thank them and the Board of Trustees for
their dedication to Divine Mercy Catholic School and to
Catholic Education. We are very fortunate to have such
extraordinary people at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board.
Thank you to all staff for the time and commitment given
over the summer to ensuring a successful beginning to the
school year. Our teachers have been extremely busy
organizing classrooms, taking courses and planning
curriculum. We would like to thank our dedicated staff for
their hard work in making all of our students feel welcome.
A special thank you to our custodial team, Mr. Decena and
Mr. Tigani for all of their hard work over the summer in
preparing our school.
A sincere thank you to Mrs. Pelkey and Mrs. Persaud for
their support in ensuring a smooth start to this school year.
The home, school and church function as a triangle. The
school and church are the sides of the triangle whereas the
home is the foundation of the triangle without which the
triangle could not stand. You, the parents, are the primary
educators of your children. Catholic schools and the church
can only extend and complement the educational process
that begins and continues from the home.
As parents, your contribution to the success of your
children cannot be over emphasized. For this, we urge you
to become an active participant in your child’s education
this year. For example, listen to your child read to you at
night, volunteer your talents and time at the school, help
your child with their homework, attend the School
Advisory Council meetings, go on a field trip with your
child’s class, try to participate in our Catholic school
community in any way you can.
Divine Mercy School is an active school that relies on
cooperation and teamwork. We are blessed to have a
devoted School Advisory Council. Please consider putting
in your nomination (nominations are due Thursday,
September 24, 2015) to become part of our council. A
copy of the nomination form may be picked up at the
office or see attachements. Nomination forms need
only be completed by those who wish to hold executive
council positions (i.e Chair, Treasurer, etc…). It is a
very important part of the life of our school. Our first
Council Meeting and election will be held Tuesday,
October 6, 2015 at 6:30 PM. We look forward to seeing
you there if you are able to attend.
The Divine Mercy Community is part of the Merciful
Redeemer Parish. We look forward to continuing our
very strong bond with Father Vid, Father Scott and their
parish team over the course of the year. We also look
forward in working along side them and their team this
school year. Please join us in celebrating the
Eucharist at Merciful Redeemer Parish on Thursday,
October 8, 2015 at 9:30 AM. We will be walking over
to the church (weather permitting) since it is very
close. If it is raining, Father Vid or Father Scott will
celebrate the Eucharist at Divine Mercy School. If
you are available to walk with us, please send a note
to your child’s teacher.
As a Catholic School Community, we will be successful
if we model our thoughts, words and actions after Christ.
Our staff is committed to working with our parents,
parish and community partners as they support the
children in their quest for knowledge and spiritual
development.
We realize that this newsletter may be a bit lengthy,
however, we urge you to read through it as there is very
important information that you will need throughout the
school year.
We wish you good health and happiness and look
forward to seeing you at our Open House on Thursday,
September 24, 2015 at 6:00 PM. More information will
be sent home shortly.
God bless,
L. Calabrese
Principal
S. Krolewski
Vice Principal
COMMUNICATION
Open communication between home and school is very
important. Although we will be reporting to you formally
during the year, please do not hesitate to contact us at
any time if you have questions or concerns. A phone call
on the onset of a concern usually resolves itself before it
becomes a problem. On our part, if we have any concerns
about your child, we will also contact you at the earliest
opportunity.
VIRTUES INITIATIVE
A key aspect of the Board’s strategic direction is the
continued development of safe, caring, inclusive
Catholic school communities. As a Catholic
Community, we are called to learn, grow and become
more like Jesus in the way we see and treat others.
Catholic education provides us the opportunity to
integrate the virtues into our students’ daily activities. A
Catholic Faith Community is rooted in a set of common
beliefs which are inspired by the life, mission and teaching
of Jesus.
FAITH
Our Catholic faith plays an important role in helping us
shape schools that are safe, caring and inclusive. Divine
Mercy School will again focus our attention on the
Catholic Virtues. This program is designed to help us
nurture virtue and character development in the lives of our
students. Each month, the entire school will focus on a
different virtue. Classroom and school wide activities will
all focus on the nurturing of a specific virtue. We would
appreciate your support in discussing these virtues with
your child and encouraging behaviours that demonstrate
these virtues. Here is a list of the virtues we will be
nurturing this school year.
Faith is the great virtue of believing in God and trusting
that God is with us.
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
Faith
Empathy
Conscience
Hope
Self Control
Respect
Kindness
Love
Acceptance
Fairness
During the month of September, we will focus on the
virtue of faith.
A faithful person believes that we are created, guided by
and destined to be reunited with God.
A faithful person believes that God’s plan for us includes
the right to be safe, especially at school.
A faithful person…
• prays regularly and reverently
• learns from Scripture stories
• honours people’s God-given names
• assumes that there is good in everyone
• accepts the God-given worth of themselves and others
Let us pray this month for the grace and courage to be
people of faith – people who can truly believe that God’s
plan for us includes the right to be safe at school.
We want to thank you for supporting our efforts at home
in reinforcing with our children the 10 virtues which can
be found in your child’s agenda.
Merciful Redeemer Parish
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!
The Life Teen Mass: Saturday 7:00 p.m.
Life Nights: 8:00-9:45 p.m.
Following the Mass, trained youth ministers and core
members lead the teens deeper into their Catholic faith
in the Life Night experience. Teens grow as a faith
community, increasing in understanding of what it
means to be young and Catholic in today’s world.
PRIME TIME CLUB begins Wednesday, September 16
after the noon Mass. For more information call Jo 905569-2229.
BIBLE STUDY begins Tuesday, September 22 –
December 15, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. For more information
email Rosie Uy at ruy2930@gmail.com
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.
FIRST SCHOOL MASS
Our first School Mass will be held at 9:30 A.M. on
Thursday, October 8, 2015. Please join us at Merciful
Redeemer Church to celebrate our new school year and
Thanksgiving (weather permitting).
All students are expected to attend school regularly and
punctually. All students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. or
12:30 p.m. 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.
OUR PARISH TEAM
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Father Vid
and Father Scott and the Parish Team for all of their
hard work and above all their dedication to the entire
Divine Mercy Community. We look forward to working
with Fr. Vid and the Parish Team of Merciful Redeemer
Church. We look forward to their spiritual guidance with
our staff and students!
SCHOOL HOURS
STUDENT
VERIFICATION,
STUDENT
EMERGENCY AND EARLY DISMISSAL FORMS
Student verification forms will be sent home by the end
of the month. These forms are very important and should
be updated and returned to the school. We rely on this
information in cases of emergencies. More information
will follow. Please fill them out carefully. If any
information changes throughout the year, please let Ms.
Pelkey or Mrs. Persaud know so that we may update our
files.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
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.
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.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAY
DIVINE MERCY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Friday, September 18, 2015 is a Professional Activity
Day for teachers. There will be no school for students.
Teachers will be involved in Adult Faith Development
and reorganization of classes if necessary.
Please reserve Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 6:00
P.M. for Divine Mercy’s Open House. At this time you
will be given the opportunity to meet the school
administration and your child’s teacher. Families are
invited to visit the classrooms where students can
introduce their parents to their teachers and receive
important curriculum information. More information
will be sent home shortly.
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
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.
PICTURE DAY
CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECK
Our picture day is on Thursday,
September 24, 2015. All Grades will
have their pictures taken throughout
the day. If your child should happen
to be absent that day, a picture retake day session for only
those students will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2015.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
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 ADVISORY COUNCIL
We would like to thank the Divine Mercy School Advisory
Council for all of their support last year. Their fundraising
initiatives have supported many programs in the school.
If you are interested in being a member of the 2015-2016
Divine Mercy School Advisory Council, a very important
group in our school, or would like to nominate an excellent
candidate in the community, please complete the
nomination form attached. Nomination forms and a
brief biography (one or two paragraphs) are due back
in the school office no later than Thursday September
24, 2015 at 4:00 PM.
Should the number of candidates be less than or equal to
the number of positions, the candidates shall be acclaimed.
Should an election be necessary a vote will take place.
Elections to the Divine Mercy School Advisory Council
will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2015. Eligible
voters must vote in person. Proxy voting is not permitted.
The first 2015-2016 Divine Mercy School Advisory
Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6,
2015 at 6:30 PM.
Please note that if you are interested in being an
executive member of the School Advisory Council,
legislation makes it mandatory that everyone submit a
Criminal Reference Check. Criminal Reference
Check application forms can be picked up at the school
and dropped off at the Peel Police Headquarters
indicated on the form.
If however, you have a Criminal Reference Check on
file at the school, then you do not need a new one but
will need to sign a Criminal Offence Declaration
Waiver which can be completed in the school office.
If you are not sure what is involved, please ask one of
the present Council Members, or contact the Principal,
Ms. Calabrese or Vice Principal, Mrs. Krolewski, for
information. Everyone has something to contribute and
offer to Divine Mercy School and we need you!
On behalf of the school community, a special thank you
is extended to last year’s School Advisory Council
members for their outstanding work during the course of
the year. We are confident that students will continue to
benefit from their dedication and commitment.
VALUABLES
Please keep your child’s valuables at home. Staff cannot
be responsible for any valuables that your child brings to
school. Money, jewelry, electronics, toys etc. should be
kept at home.
LUNCH POLICY
We have sent home the Lunch
Permission Form and we ask that you
return it to your child’s teacher if you
have not already done so. This will
ensure that the school is aware of
where you prefer your child (ren) to be over the lunch
hour. Any changes to the agreement throughout the year
must be submitted in writing to the teacher and or office.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Once children have arrived at school, they must remain
on school property. They are not permitted to leave
school property without written permission. This
includes appointments and lunch.
Students who are staying for lunch should bring a
lunch to school. A table has been placed in the foyer for
lunches. If you are dropping off a lunch for your child
please park your vehicle in a designated parking spot
and not in front of the school, as this is a fire route.
Please clearly label your child’s name and teacher’s name
on the outside of the lunch and place it on the lunch table.
We would appreciate it if you do not ask your children
to meet you outside in front of the school as this area
must remain clear for safety reasons. Classes are not to
be interrupted for students to pick up lunches. Please
advise your child(ren) to expect a lunch to be dropped off.
They will be allowed to come down and pick up their lunch
at 11:30 AM. If they are unaware that a lunch will be
dropped off we will call them down at 11:30 AM.
PIZZA DAYS
We are about to begin our Pizza Tuesday Luncheons.
Starting Tuesday, September 22, 2015, students can
participate 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 dates are
as follows:
September 22, 29
October 6, 13, 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17, 24
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
Take a much-needed break from making lunches!
Kidssentials is the fresh, hot lunch provider at our
school.
ORDER ONLINE TODAY at
www.kidssentials.com
Our Hot Lunch Program Starts Wednesday Sept. 23rd
- Kids LOVE Kidssentials! Are you tired of making lunch,
but still want your child to receive a warm, healthy homestyle meal? Take a break by ordering from our school’s
unique, fresh-served, eco-friendly lunch program! To view
the school’s menu and meal schedule, click on ‘place your
order’
at
www.kidssentials.com
or
contact
905.855.1914/mail@kidssentials.com.
Cancellation
Policy: If your child will be away at lunchtime on a
Kidssentials lunch day, please contact Kidssentials directly
by phone/email/website before 8:00am and a credit will be
applied to your online account. Bon appétit
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. All dispensing and storage of medication must
occur in the office except in cases where epi-pens must
be kept with the student or in the classroom.
ALLERGIES
As we begin the new school year, 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,
peanut/nut by-products, sesame seeds, seafood, fish
(salmon, basa, cod), shellfish, strawberries, pineapples,
egg, soy, mangos, seaweed, and dairy. As in the past we
are asking you to not put any child at risk, therefore, are
requesting that PEANUTS, PEANUT BUTTER,
PEANUT OILS AND ANY PEANUT/NUT BYPRODUCTS NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE
SCHOOL. Should these students come into contact
with these foods, these students may go into anaphylactic
shock. We want to do everything in our power to avoid
this situation.
If your child has classmates in their class who has a life
threatening allergy to a specific type of food, you would
have received an additional letter outlining what exactly
those allergens are. We are asking that you DO NOT
send your child with a snack or lunch that may
contain those allergens. We appreciate the difficulty
this may pose on making lunch, however, the safety of
all of our children is our first priority. Please also do not
send any food items as gifts intended for the entire class
in celebration of birthdays, etc. as they will not be
distributed to students. Non-edible items such as pencils
or erasers are appropriate substitutes.
Picture taking is not permitted by the public or media
without signed parental consent. Please be aware that no
pictures of students are posted by the school on the
internet or the school website.
NO CHILD WITHOUT MEDIC ALERT PROGRAM
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.
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. A reminder that students
should not bring cell phones or pagers to school.
TEXTBOOKS
School textbooks are school property and are loaned to the
students annually. The expectation is that textbooks will
be returned at the end of the school year. Students are
responsible for these textbooks and will be asked to pay if
these books go missing or have been vandalized.
RECESS MONITORS
Last year we had student volunteers who helped teachers
on yard duty to patrol students using the washroom, getting
drinks or entering the school at recess. These dedicated
volunteers have helped keep our school safe by monitoring
students as they enter the building at high volume times.
We look forward to our intermediate students volunteering
for this program again this year.
STUDENT AGENDAS
Student agendas have been ordered and distributed for
students in Grades JK-8. The agenda is a very useful tool
to help them organize and track assignments, homework
reminders and special events. The student agenda is also
an excellent tool to support parent/teacher communication.
These agendas have been funded by the School Council.
We wish to express our thanks to the School Council
for supporting this important learning tool. Please read
your child’s agenda on a regular basis. It is a valuable tool
in communicating between home and school. Please
review our school policies, in the agenda with your
child.
PICTURE TAKING
From time to time we take pictures of school events to
display in our school. If you do not want your child’s
picture displayed at school, please ensure you let your
child’s teacher know in writing.
PED (PERSONAL
POLICY
ELECTRONIC
DEVICES)
As part of our efforts to promote and maintain a positive
Catholic climate in our schools, the Board approved a
policy regarding Personal Electronic Devices (PEDS) on
school property. In this regard, all PEDs must be kept
out of sight, turned off and not used within school
premises or during school-sanctioned activities, such as
retreats, field trips, sports events, etc. To prevent the loss
or damage of PEDs, we encourage students to leave their
PEDs at home as the school cannot be responsible for
their safe keeping. Parental support is requested and
greatly appreciated.
ECO SCHOOL
As we begin a new school year, we continue to have the
opportunity to be a part of a successful Ontario Eco-School
Club. In 2015, we attained a Silver medal standing in Ontario.
We are continuing to strive toward a goal of a Gold medal. WE
NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
In order to minimize our ecological footprint, Divine Mercy
will continue to encourage our students to have Waste-free
Lunch, where students bring in snacks and lunches that are
packed in reusable containers instead of containing any
disposable waste (For example: plastic bags, wrappers, saran
wrap etc.)
Tips For An Eco-Friendly Back to School:
Reusable Water Bottles: Avoid all of the wasteful plastic and
pollution that is created from single use plastic water bottles.
The tap water in our schools is safe, tasty and free! Help us
turn our throw-away culture into a culture of conservation.
Active and Safe Routes to School: It is encouraged that if
you live close enough, and are able to, consider walking
with your child to school or allowing your child to ride a
bike to and from school by following the Walk to School
Route signs posted in the neighborhood. This will
encourage a healthy and active living for all.
Paper Usage: Consider implementing a GOOS (Good On
One Side) bin in your home to ensure that paper is used on
both sides. Check notebooks from last year to see if they
contain empty pages and can be used again.
Idle Free Zone: If you will be driving your child to and
from school, please keep in mind that idling cars are
harmful to the lungs of our students and our planet. Please
turn off your car while waiting. Help us keep our air clean.
We will keep you informed over the course of the year as
initiatives are being implemented and update you on our
progress.
BUSSING and COURTESY RIDER POLICY
Transportation eligibility is
determined by a student’s home
address. Only students eligible
for transportation will be
provided bussing. Students who are not eligible for
bussing, yet live in the school boundaries may apply to the
Vice Principal, Mrs. Krolewski, through the courtesy rider
policy for permission to ride the bus. Students who have
not been granted permission to ride the bus must not do so.
Please note that any “Courtesy Rider Seats” will be
assigned from youngest to oldest students in October if
there is availability on our buses.
At Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, the
only students eligible for bussing are the Kindergarten
Students and Grade 1 students who live more than 1
KM from the school, Grade 2 to 4 students who are 1.6
KM from the school, and Grades 5 to 8 students who
live beyond 2.0 KM from the school. Please note the
distances. Please note all buses are large buses.
Once the school receives a letter from parents requesting
permission to ride, the Transportation Department will be
contacted to determine whether there are seats available on
the bus and a response to the parent/guardian will be
provided in writing.
Please be aware that no seats will be granted until the
Transportation Department completely finalizes the
bus routes in October. We would like to thank you for
your understanding and cooperation in this matter. If
you have any questions with regards to transportation
please contact them directly at 905-890-6000 or use the
stopr website @ www.stopr.ca .
BUSSING INFORMATION
Please be advised that the following website,
www.businfo.stopr.ca is now available to students,
parents, school administrators, and school bus operators.
This website provides basic information for students and
parents, specific to what school do I attend and am I
eligible for transportation? Also, parents of students who
are eligible for transportation will be able to login to the
www.businfo.stopr.ca site and access the specific
details of only their child’s transportation arrangements
using their OEN number.
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 then 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. 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.
Please avoid parking on both sides of Duncairn, and only
park within the areas permitted by the city signs. Do not
drop off your children along the road in the middle of
traffic. When possible, encourage your children to walk
to school.
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.
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.
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 2015/2016 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 Criminal Reference Check Form at our Open
House on Thursday, September 24, 2015 or anytime
that you are in the school.
People who volunteer in schools are required to have
completed Criminal Reference Checks, which can be
picked up from our school office or from Peel Police
Headquarters in Brampton. If you have already handed in
your CRC, you must sign your Criminal Offence
Declaration. Once the form is completed, your volunteer
service can begin. If you are interested in participating in
such a vital program, please do not hesitate to contact Ms.
Calabrese or Mrs. Krolewski. 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 3:00p.m 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 4:00 p.m. 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. We would
like to avoid disturbing our custodial staff who have
much to do and so little time to complete their work, and
would appreciate limiting the interruptions after school
hours.
PLASP
BEFORE /LUNCH/AFTER SCHOOL CARE
The Before School Program operates from 7:30 a.m. and
continues until school begins. A nutritious breakfast is
served daily. PLASP is once again running a lunch
program from 11:30-12:30. The After School Program
begins once school is dismissed and continues until 6:00
p.m. Children participate in recreational activities,
served a nutritious snack daily and have time for
homework. To register your child, visit the PLASP
Program Director Before/Lunch or After School. For
further information, call 905-890-1711 or visit the
website at www.plasp.com .
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 then 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 leave. Please DO NOT
leave your car in this area. 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.
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.
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.
VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS
Once again we are reminding everyone that when visiting
or volunteering at the school or picking up your child, you
must report to the school office. All visitors/volunteers are
required to sign in at the office and obtain a Visitor or
Volunteer badge which you are required to wear when you
are in the school or in the schoolyard.
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’ boxes, one
on each floor. Please look through them to
see if any items belong to you. At the end of the school
year, all remaining items will be donated to charity.
CANADA’S ANTI-SPAM LEGISLATION (CASL)
The CASL Consent forms were sent home on the first day
of school. If you did not return the forms signed, you will
not be receiving the school newsletters via email. If you
require another consent form, please ask your child’s
teacher to send another form home.
TERRY FOX DAY WALK
On Monday, September 28, 2015 9:00 AM (rain date
is Thursday, October 1, 2015) students and staff will
have an opportunity to remember Terry Fox and his
courageous fight against cancer. This day has been
designated as Terry Fox Day at Divine Mercy School.
All funds will be donated to the Terry Fox Cancer
Foundation. The students and staff will be asked to
donate monies to support this great cause. Students will
participate in a walk/run and should dress appropriately.
More information will be sent home shortly.
ACCIDENT INSURANCE FORMS
As required by the Education Act and the Ministry of
Education, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board annually provides parents with information about
cost-effective student accident insurance coverage via
student courier. Although enrolment is voluntary, the
board strongly encourages parents to take advantage of
the inexpensive insurance coverage, especially if their
child/children participate in sports, excursions/field
trips, or, if parents do not have dental insurance
coverage.
Enrolment is required in writing so there are two options
for enrolment: 1) Complete the traditional form and mail
it in or 2) apply online at www.insuremykids.com. If you
have any questions please phone 1-800-463-KIDS
(5437). Parents alone have the right to insure their
children. These forms were sent out the first day of
school. If you did not receive one, please ask your child
or call the school.
PEDICULOSIS
Although it is early in the school year, it is important to
bring to your attention the 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 school, we
shall inform parents of the students in that classroom.
We will be checking friends and other siblings. We ask
that you also check your own children regularly. If you
find them to be infested, please notify the office.
HEPATITIS/ MENINGITIS/HPV CLINIC
CATHOLIC CODE OF CONDUCT
Peel Health will continue to offer free immunization
against Hepatitis B/Meningititis for students in Grade 7
and for Grade 8 students that missed the Grade 7
vaccination. It is given as a series of two injections over a
period of six months. Also available is the non-compulsory
immunization of HPV for Grade 8 female students. This is
a series of three injections given throughout the year. The
first date is scheduled for October 29, 2015. More
information will be sent home. If you have any questions
please call the Peel Health Department at (905) 799-7700.
Health Departments, by law, must keep a current record of
your child’s immunizations. It is the responsibility of
parents to keep their child’s records up-to-date.
The Catholic Code of Conduct can be found in the front
of your child’s agenda.
SCHOOL WEB SITE
We are continually working to update 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.
http://www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
SCHOOL BOARD ADMINISTRATION
The Director of Education for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board is J. Kostoff and the Associate
Directors are S. McWatters and J. Hrajnik. The
Superintendent for the Mississauga North Family of
Schools is T. Cruz. All of these administrators can be
reached at:
The Catholic Education Centre
40 Matheson Blvd. W.
Mississauga, ON L5R 1C5
(905) 890-1221
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.
All provisions of Bill 212: an act to amend the Education
Act in respect to behaviour, discipline and safety – came
into affect on February 1, 2008. Please review this
information with your child/children.
SAFE
SCHOOLS:
DUFFERIN-PEEL
–
PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE AND SCHOOL
SAFETY (BILL 212)
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s initiative
to create safe, caring, inclusive and healthy school
communities is rooted in our Catholic identity, in
particular, our shared belief in: the dignity of all persons
created in God’s image; Jesus’ model of discipleship, as
the supreme exemplar of how to live faithfully in
community; the importance of cultivating a culture of
respect; the Catholic values of Christian service and
concern for the common good; our obligation to the
weak, the marginalized, the hurt and the lost; our call to
be the “face of Christ,” especially to the most
challenging and disengaged learner; the importance of
offering students opportunities to change, to make
amends, restore relationships and be welcomed back
with love, forgiveness and support; a philosophy of
discipline that focuses on the spirit of Jesus’ law of love,
rather than the letter of the law.
MULTICULTURAL
SETTLEMENT
EDUCATION PROGRAM
AND
Welcome to Divine Mercy Elementary School! As we
begin an important school year, I would like to introduce
myself, my name is Adela Rivera and I am the school
settlement worker at Divine Mercy. The Multicultural
Settlement and Education Program has partnered with
Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board to assist and
support new families in Canada within their community
and their local school. We know that the first new years
in Canada can be difficult and challenging. Settling into
a new country is a long process that takes time to
assimilate and understand the new way of life. The
MSEP is a school-based program that helps new students
and parents to smooth the path towards integration into
the Canadian society. You can find help about the
education system, the language instruction for newly
arrived families, the Canadian government applications,
and community based youth programs, among other
settlement needs. The day of service at school is every
other Monday and you can reach me at 416-471-0203 or
arivera@polycultural.org I look forward to the
opportunity to meet you.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Following consultation with system stakeholders, a
Dufferin-Peel homework policy document (Kindergarten
to Grade 12) was adopted to foster consistency across the
board in this area. Please see your child’s agenda for
information about the homework policy. The homework
policy
may
be
viewed
in
full
at
www.dpcdsb.org/homework .
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
Beginning in October, the school Newsletter will be sent
out via email to parents/guardians and will also be posted
on our website. In order to maintain our ECO SCHOOL
DESIGNATION paper copies will not be distributed to
students but a limited number of copies will be available in
the office for pick-up. If you have not provided the office
with your email address and would like to receive school
information via email, please complete the CASL Consent
form and return it to the main office to be added to the
distribution list.
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL STAFF 2015-2016 –
TENTATIVE
Grade
FDK
FDK
DECE
DECE
Grade 1
Grade 1/2
Grade 2/3
Grade 3/4
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 5/6
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 7/8
Grade 8
Grade 8
French Imm.1
French Imm.1
French Imm.2
French Imm.2
French Imm.3
French Imm.3
French Imm. 4
French Imm. 4
Teacher
Mathers L.
Dilorito A.
D’Onofrio, M.
Leermakers, P.
Lee J.
McKinnon, S.
Tomas P.
Sass C.
Mezgec, D.
Silvestri, G.
Symonds, T.
Thomas, S.
Duncan, C
Felice, S.
Martins, M.
Lonardi, J.
Trinca, J.
Parsons, M
Noble, S.
Bianchi-Wynne, M.
Ballard, J.
Hedjes, C.
Costanzo, J.
Makoudjou, M.
Spec. Ed.
Spec. Ed.
Demelo, M.
Drake, L.
Spec. Ed.
Spec. Ed./Planning
time
Eng. Lang. Learner /
Spec. Ed.
French as a second
Language/Planning
Time
French as a second
Language / Planning
Time
Planning Time
Planning Time
Librarian / Planning
Time
Edu. Res. Worker
Edu. Res. Worker
Edu. Res. Worker
Edu. Res. Worker
Edu. Res. Worker
Edu. Res. Worker
Edu. Res. Worker
Head Custodian
Night Custodian
Night Custodian
Head Secretary
Asst. Secretary
SAT Teacher
Psychologist
Social Worker
Speech Path.
Child and Youth
Settlement Worker
Vice Principal
Principal
Pejak, K.
Dunn, L.
Fera, A.
Doiron, C.
Cenedese, T.
Commisso, M.
Van der Ster, M.
Casciaro, M.
Amankwah P.
Banson, B.
Dziedic, L.
Piotto, L.
Brasil, M
Armstrong, E.
Cronin, B.
Azevedo, D
Decena, A.
Tigani, M.
Pelkey, C.
Persaud, K.
Worboys, J
Stubbs, A.
Barker-Thomas, L.
Patterson, P.
La Croix, R.
Rivera, A.
Krolewski, S.
Calabrese, L.
The beginning of each school year is always marked by
unexpected changes which require all of us to be
understanding, accommodating and flexible. The
September school organization is based on projected
enrolment prepared by the Board’s Planning
Department. Such enrolment projection determines the
number of teachers assigned to the school and
consequently, the grade and class configurations. In the
event that student enrolment falls below or above
projections, an adjustment to the number of teachers
assigned to the school follows, which may affect the
placement of your child.
As we start the new school year, staffing and student
class placements are still tentative. Therefore, please
note that your child’s class is not final until after
reorganization occurs. If your child’s placement or
classroom teacher changes, you will be notified in
writing on Thursday, September 17, 2015. Classroom
placement changes will be in effect as of Monday,
September 21, 2015.
SACRAMENTAL DATES





Tuesday, October 6, 2015… School Council
Elections and Meeting 6:30 P.M.
Thursday, October 8, 2015…School Opening
/Thanksgiving Mass at Merciful Redeemer Parish
at 9:30 AM
Monday, October 12, 2015…Thanksgiving Day
(No School)
Tuesday, October 27, 2015…Picture Retake Day
Saturday, October 31, 2015…Halloween
Grade 2s:
FIRST COMMUNION MANDITORY PARENTS’
MEETING
7:00 pm - Monday. September 28, 2015
The Divine Mercy Message
and Devotion
Grade 8s:
The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that
God loves us — all of us. And, he wants us to recognize
that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will
call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it
flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share
His joy.
CONFIRMATION MANDITORY PARENTS’
MEETING
7:00 pm – Wednesday, Sept 30, 2015 or
7:00 pm - Monday, October 5, 2015
DATES TO REMEMBER
SEPTEMBER











September 7, 2015…Labour Day (no school)
Tuesday, September 8, 2015…School Resumes
Friday, September 18, 2015… P.A. Day
Principal’s Day: Faith & Curriculum
Development and Reorganization (No School)
Wednesday, September 30, 2015…Terry Fox Walk
Thursday, October 1st, 2015…Terry Fox Walk Rain
Date
Thursday, September 24, 2015…School Council
Nominations Due by 4:00 PM
Thursday, September 24, 2015…Picture Day
Thursday, September 24, 2015…Open
House 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Divine Mercy
School…More Information to follow.
Monday, September 28th, 2015 Terry Fox Walk,
(rain date Thursday, Oct. 1st, 2015) 9:00AM
Monday, September 28, 2015…First Communion
Parent Meeting at Merciful Redeemer 7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 30, 2015…Confirmation
Parent Meeting Merciful Redeemer 7:00 PM
The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind
simply by remembering ABC:
A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him
in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking
Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole
world.
B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and
let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend
love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.
C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that
the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust.
The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.
This message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy
is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an
uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual
director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the
revelations she received about God's mercy. Even before
her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had
begun to spread.
ATTACHMENTS:
OCTOBER
 Wednesday, October 5, 2015 Confirmation Parent
Meeting 7:00pm
 Monday, October 5, 2015…World Teachers
Day…Thank You teachers at Divine Mercy School
 Tuesday, October 6, 2015… School Council
Elections and Meeting 6:30 P.M.
1. Message from Trustees E. O’Toole and L. del Rosario
2. 2015/2016 School Year Calendar
3. Duty to Report/Child in Need of Protection-Annual
Notice
4. School Council Nomination Forms