NEWSLETTER
May 2008
5820 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5J9
Fax: (905) 814-9217
Telephone: (905) 814-9216
Principal’s Message
Principal
T. Cruz
Vice Principal
M. MacDonald
Secretaries
D. Nolan
J. Harvey
Superintendent
Mississauga North
M. Prospero
Parish
Merciful Redeemer Parish
Phone: 905-812-0030
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlassic
Associate Pastor
Fr. Ivan Camilleri
Fr. Mariush Runevich
School Council Chair
Gail Bellissimo
School Council Vice-chair
Megan Scott
Trustee
Esther O’Toole
Ward 9
Phone: 905-812-5163
Attendence Verification
Phone: 905-814-9216
Web Site
www.dpcdsb.org/OLMCY
May Reflections
O God, Creator of the seasons
We thank You for the warm air that will
Awaken sleeping buds
And fill our world, once again with colour
We ask you to be with us
as we celebrate this season.
We believe in Spring,
The fairest of seasons,
The green season of hope,
The cool season of life.
We believe in Spring,
The season of seeds and flowers,
Of buds that burst into leaves,
Of bulbs that burst into tulips,
Of caterpillars that burst into butterflies,
And of Jesus who burst from His grave and
put death to an end.
As we begin to look forward to the
many blessings given to us during
the summer months we also begin
preparations for the next school
year. It is incredible to think that 8
months have passed so quickly
since we came together as a new
community of learners. Over the
next few weeks our students will be
involved in many exciting and funfilled activities. During Catholic
Education week we have our celebration for our 10th anniversary.
Our grade 2 children received the
sacrament of First Holy Communion and our grade 8 students will
be confirmed shortly. Our grade 7
and 8 students have the added excitement of preparing for 3 days in
Ottawa while other grades have
various field trips to support their
learning in the classroom. We look
forward to the final phase of this
school year and hope God continues to bless all of our staff, students
and families as we begin this next
part of our school journey.
Happy 10th Anniversary
Our Lady of Mercy School
May 1st, 2008, 7-9 p.m.
Homework Survey
Dear parents/guardians,
As you may be aware, the issue of homework has garnered considerable media attention and discussion at the
provincial level. On the recommendation of the Board, a
process has been established to develop a Kindergarten to
Grade 12 Dufferin-Peel homework policy.
Currently, information is being gathered from a number
of system-stakeholders in order to guide the development
of the policy. As part of this data gathering, your input is
requested through an Internet survey.
10th Anniversary - May 1st
We will have a celebration of Our Lady of Mercy’s
10th Anniversary on May 1st from 7-9 p.m. Our
theme is “A Walk Down Memory Lane”. Displays,
banners and socializing will take place in the lower
floor hallways and in the gym. We will be serving
cake, cookies and juice (with coffee and tea available
for the adults). Former and current students, parents
and staff are invited to attend and reflect back on the
last 10 years at Our Lady of Mercy as well as renewing friendships.
Please take a few moments to complete the survey. It can
be found by visiting www.dpcdsb.org and clicking on the
Students & Parents link at the top of the page, then
clicking on the “Parent Homework Survey” link.
Internet access is available at the Catholic Education
Centre, 40 Matheson Blvd. W, and at your local public
library, if you are unable to complete the survey from
home. I thank you, in advance, for your contribution to
this important process,
Marianne Mazzorato
Superintendent of Program
Rosary Apostolate Celebration
On May 2 at 9:15 a.m., the Rosary Apostolate team will be presenting with our
primary students, the beautiful story of
Our Lady of Guadalupe and the newly
canonized Juan Diego. An impressive
international living rosary is planned with
flag procession for Grades 4-8 at 10:30 a.m. Parents
are welcome to attend both performances.
Volunteers - Criminal Record Checks
Anyone who has not previously submitted a Criminal
Record Check who is considering volunteering (for activities which may include school trips, coaching, reading
program, pizza days, etc.) is strongly encouraged to apply for a Criminal Record Check as soon as possible to
avoid delays. There is no cost involved for processing a
CRC for Volunteers/Parents.
Peel Regional Police will set up community stations on
Saturday, May 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at:
Clarkson Community Station
2057 Royal Windsor Drive, Unit 3
Located at the north/west corner of Southdown & Royal
Windsor (strip plaza)
Applicants must attend in person, and must produce
the two-sided “Police Records Search” form, available
only from the school, and two pieces of government issued identification (one must have a photograph).
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Parent Requests for Class Placement
We are in the process of determining an appropriate
placement for each student for September 2008. If you
wish to offer input on your child’s placement, please outline in writing, your child’s strengths, individual needs
and how they best learn. Requests for specific teachers
will not be considered as part of the criteria. Please submit this information to the office by May 31, 2008.
Are You Moving?
If you are planning to move before September 2008,
please notify the school office in writing so that we can
plan accordingly. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Virtue of the Month
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
A NOT TO BE MISSED SCHOOL WIDE
EVENT! PUT MAY 22nd ON YOUR
CALENDAR NOW!
Affirmation:
I am tolerant.
I forgive when other people make mistakes.
I appreciate differences.
I ask God to help me accept things I cannot change.
What is Acceptance and/or Tolerance?
Acceptance or Tolerance means being okay with things you
wish were different and not getting upset about it. When you
are accepting of others, you do not expect everyone to be just
like you, but are glad and celebrate the differences that exist.
Acceptance and Tolerance bring about harmony. You show
patience towards others and forgiveness when mistakes happen.
Why practice Acceptance and/or Tolerance?
People of different colour, countries, religions and ages are part
of one race – the human race. We were all created by God.
Without Acceptance and Tolerance differences scare people
and drive them apart. In many parts of the world prejudice
causes disharmony.
In a family, these virtues need to be present so that you are able
to help each other, listen to each other and enjoy the different
ways of being.
How do you practice Acceptance and/or Tolerance?
Differences do not have to hurt. God loves diversity. Acceptance and Tolerance within a family does not mean to act or
feel the same. When problems come up, you come together and
discuss the issues. You need to be able to listen and accept
ideas, decisions and feelings that others may have. At school,
you need to be inclusive and make sure that everyone around
you feels accepted and valued for who they are. You are a child
of God’s universe and you respect all life within it.
You are practicing ACCEPTANCE and/or TOLERANCE
when you…
• Treat all people as members of one human family
• See the gifts in differences
• Refuse to join in when others express prejudice
• Solve conflict through listening, and finding solutions
You need more practice when you…
Develop an us-against- them attitude
Avoid people who are different because you are afraid
Always try to have your own way
Blame others when they have different points of view
The school is buzzing with excitement as we begin another
exciting month at Mercy! As part of our arts program, students from JK-8 will be participating in our musical revue
titled, DANCE MUSIC: A TRIBUTE TO
THE DISCO ERA. The show will have commentary
throughout on those exciting times as well as singing and dancing from your favourite disco songs.
Please come and join us on Thursday, May 22nd at 1:00 or
7:00 p.m. in the school gym. The Thursday 1:00 p.m. performance will be for parents and relatives only. However,
there will be a dress rehearsal performance at 1:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, May 21st for all students. Tickets for the Thursday shows are on sale.
All tickets for the show are $5.00. The money raised will be
going towards our school and charity.
As there will be no assigned seats you are encouraged to arrive early if you would like preferred seating. Doors open at
12:30 and 6:30 p.m. respectively.
Please make all cheques payable to Our Lady of Mercy
School. You will receive your tickets in an envelope.
Don’t forget to mark the date on your calendar! Hope to see
you there.
Central Erin Mills (ARC)
Pupil Accommodation Review
The Dufferin-Peel C.D.S.B. is convening public meetings for
the Pupil Accommodation Review Process. This is a process
which undertakes the necessary steps to enable the board to
determine whether it should close schools in the future. The
following schools in the Central Erin Mills review area are in
an area of declining enrolment and should be considered under
the Pupil Accommodation Review process:
Blessed Trinity, Divine Mercy, Our Lady of Mercy, St. Joseph and St. Rose of Lima.
The first three Public Meetings for the Central Erin Mills ARC
have been held.
• Public Meeting # 4—May 20, 2008
All meetings are held at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary
School at 7 p.m. at 2800 Erin Centre Boulevard, Mississauga.
St. John of the Cross
Catholic School Council
Presents
Michael Reist
Dates to Remember
May
1
Our Lady of Mercy 10th Anniversary Celebration
1
Book Fair open this evening
2
Crowning of Mary Celebration
“Raising Kids in a New Kind of World”
Thursday, May 15, 2008
(International Day of the Rosary)
3
Confirmation Ceremony—2 p.m.
7
Fire truck visit with JK/SK (morning and afternoon)
7:30 pm
7
Heads Up - Junior Competition
St. John of the Cross School
8
Heads Up - Intermediate Competition
3180 Aquitaine Avenue
12-13 Hearing and Vision Screening
14-16 Intermediates trip to Ottawa
Raising Kids in a New Kind of World
From MSN to piercing, children and teenagers
are living in a social environment very different
from the one their parents grew up in. How do
we raise our children in such a new world?
What are the new rules? Do any of the old rules
still apply? This thought-provoking workshop
will deal with some of the most pressing issues
facing parents today: the internet, video games,
bullying, keeping the lines of communication
open – among many others.
Michael Reist is a teacher with over 25 years of experience in the classroom. He is a frequent speaker
to local parent groups and education conferences
where his workshops on bullying and how boys and
girls learn differently have drawn large crowds and
enthusiastic responses.
Dufferin-Peel parents, school volunteers, and
educators are invited to join us on May 15th .
Michael Reist
“Raising Kids in a New Kind of World”
Name(s):
____________________________________
____________________________________
PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL BY FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008.
20
Pupil Accommodation Review-Public Meeting #4
22
Dance Music: A Tribute to the Disco Era
- 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances
23
Peel Regional Police presentations
26
Meadowvale Theatre trip - JK/SK -Grade 2
28
EQAO begins for Grade 6’s
27
School Council meeting - 6 p.m.
June
3
EQAO begins for Grade 3’s
4
Peel Safety Village trip - Grade 1’s
10
Year End Mass - 9:30 a.m.
13
Track and Field - Family Meet
16
Grade 6 Living Arts trip
20
Track and Field - Board Meet
23
Grade 8 Mass - 10:00 a.m.
24
Grade 8 Graduation-6p.m. Portugese Cultural Ctr.
26
Grade 7/8 dance
26
Last day of School
Order Magazines Online
Go online at www.QSP.ca to order your new or renewal
magazine subscriptions. Use our school’s name and a
portion of your subscription goes to support our school.
If you buy a magazine online, you will also be entered in
a contest for a chance to win a Dell Laptop!