NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2008
5820 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5J9
Fax: (905) 814-9217
Telephone: (905) 814-9216
In Flanders Fields
Principal
T. Cruz
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Vice Principal
M. MacDonald
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
Secretaries
D. Nolan
J. Harvey
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
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
Trustee
Esther O’Toole
Ward 9
Phone: 905-812-5163
Attendence Verification
Phone: 905-814-9216
Web Site
www.dpcdsb.org/OLMCY
We are the Dead. Short days ago
Principal’s Message
As we begin the month of November
we do so having celebrated the incredible weather for the Thanksgiving
weekend and looking forward to the
Indian summer God has blessed us
with. We are approaching November
11 and we do so taking the time to
pause to thank and reflect on the many
men and women who have died for the
freedoms that we enjoy. We attempt
to keep their memories alive by wearing a poppy and through liturgies that
commemorate the bravery of these
veterans. Our school will also be celebrating this day with numerous class
activities.
During the month of November, we
will be preparing for the next season in
our liturgical calendar, Advent. We
look forward with great anticipation to
all that the season of Advent brings
with it. God bless.
T. Cruz
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
Lt. John McCrae
P.A Day - Assessment and
Evaluation of Pupil Progress
Friday, November 14th, 2008
(No School for Students)
School Operations
Communication Updates
ARRIVING ON TIME FOR SCHOOL
INDOOR/OUTDOOR SHOES
Please ensure that your child arrives at school between
8:30 and 8:45 am so they are able to line up with their
class to enter the school in the morning.
LATES – Late for School –
Please, Report to the Office
To ensure safe arrival, late students
need to report to the office rather
than proceed to the back of the
school where students may find
themselves locked out! School
Hours begin at 8:45am.
In order to keep our students warm
and comfortable and to help keep
their workplace clean, please ensure
that your child has a pair of “indoor
shoes”. It will reduce the amount of
dirt and mud brought indoors. It will
also assist our custodial staff in keeping our school clean.
VALUABLES
Students are reminded not to bring valuables such as
electronic games, toys, or personal items of importance.
The school does not accept responsibility for the above.
DRESSING FOR COLD WEATHER
Inclement Weather and School Closure
Soon we will be experiencing cold weather and with winter on its way, we need to prepare. It is important for
students to come prepared to participate in all activities,
including outdoor recess. Please ensure that your child is
dressed appropriately for the forthcoming colder weather,
including having hats, boots and mittens/gloves as winter
approaches.
During the winter months inclement weather may
cause disruption of bus transportation and regular
school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation and/or to close schools is usually made by
6:00 a.m. and will be announced on the following
radio stations:
COLD AND FLU SEASON
In colder weather, we receive requests to allow children
to remain indoors when students have a cold or the flu.
Please note that we cannot comply, as we have neither
the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students.
Please use discretion in keeping your
child at home to recover if they are ill. A
child who is coughing, wheezing, etc. is
not in a state to learn and will only infect
others. If your child is well enough to
attend school, he/she should be well
enough to go outside at recess.
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Our procedure for school communication is for parents to
contact the classroom teacher or appropriate staff member first. Staff are directly involved with your child’s
program or a supervised activity and in most cases will
have the information to discuss and address your questions and concerns. If you wish to meet with a staff
member, we ask that you call to book an appointment as
staff are often involved in after school activities, meetings and professional development.
FAMILY ADVENT MASS
Everyone is invited to attend the Family Advent Mass on Monday, December 8th at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of
Mercy School. Come and join in our
Advent celebration!
CKFM 99.9
CHUM 1050
CFTR 680
CFNY 102.1
CFTO
CBC
CJCL 590
CHFI 98.1
CFRB 1010
CHEZ EZ Rock
CJBC (FR) 860
Z1-3.5
CHIN 100.7
FM/1540 CJEZ
CJMR/CHWO 1250
FOXY 88.5
The Weather Network
City Pulse
The message usually takes the following form:
“All buses for the Peel District School Board and the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board have
been canceled.”
Or to indicate school closures:
“The schools and offices for the Peel District School
Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board have been closed.”
If either of the above makes reference to the County
of Dufferin only, then there will be no closures or cancellations for Our Lady of Mery School.
KISS N’ RIDE & PARKING LOT
Please review the Kiss N’ Ride letter that was sent home
recently or review page 8 of your child’s agenda. Please
remember to drive up to the end of the lane in front of the
school doors before letting your children out. Do not let
them out at the beginning of the lane!
Virtue of
of the Month
Virtue
Toonie Tuesday
Toonie Tuesday - November 18, 2008
Eden Community Food Bank 3051 Battleford Road,
Mississauga, ON L5N 4Z9
Affirmation:
I listen to my conscience.
It guides me through the path of virtue and Godliness.
I do what I know is right.
What is Conscience?
Conscience is the sense of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of
one’s own actions, intentions, or character. It is combined with a
strong feeling of obligation to do right or be good. God gave us a conscience that includes the standards of how God desires for us to live.
We know right from wrong. Our conscience guides us in all we do.
Why practice being Conscientious?
A conscientious person is happy and cheerful. When you have a good
conscience you are more at ease, you have serenity, joy and happiness
in life. It prevents calamities, troubles, afflictions and miseries. There
is satisfaction of conscience when a good action is done, when virtue
is practiced and you lead a virtuous life.
How do you practice the virtue of Conscience?
You practice the virtue of Conscience by adhering to truth, righteousness and virtue. Conscience is the inner voice which says “yes” or
“no” when you are involved in a moral struggle. It is the call within to
do an act or avoid it. By listening to this inner voice and acknowledging our own acts and feelings as right or wrong, we are being conscientious.
You are practicing the Virtue of CONSCIENCE when
you…
• Do not steal, cheat, or lie because you know it’s wrong
• Obey your parents even when they are not watching
Phone: 905-785-3651
It is hard to imagine that there is
hunger right here in our own
backyards. Did you know that
the average yearly income for a
family using the food bank in
Peel region is $13,920? This is
much lower than the poverty line of $19,948. 73% of
their income is spent on paying their rent.
Eden Community Food Bank serves an average of 800
people per month, 45% are children who attend schools
in the L5N and L5M postal code areas.
As an independent non-profit organization, we receive no
Government Funding. We rely heavily on the community we operate in for monetary donations to cover our
operational expenses. Once again, both school boards
have agreed to join forces to help raise funds and support
this local endeavor.
“Toonie Tuesday” will be held November 18, 2008. We
are hoping that everyone who is able will show their support by donating a Toonie to help the hungry families in
our neighbourhood. If you have any questions about this
program, please contact the school,
or visit the website of Eden Community Food Bank at
www.edenfoodbank.org.
Together we do make a difference.
We thank you for your support and
look forward to a successful campaign.
• Are not swayed by others to do wrong
PEDICULOSIS
• Can be trusted to do what you are told
Head lice are parasites which have been common among
humans and are not connected with dirt or neglect. Anyone can be infested with them. We ask your cooperation
in following our school procedures for controlling these
pests. If cases are found in the school, we will inform
parents. We shall check friends and classmates of the
affected students. However, we request that you also
check your own children. If you find them to be infested,
we would ask that you let us know. Information on the
proper treatment can be obtained from a pharmacist or
the Peel Regional Health Dept. If your children have
head lice, we will ask you to keep them out of school until they have been treated with the correct shampoo and
they are entirely clear of lice and nits (eggs).
• Admit when you are wrong
• Obey the rules because it’s the right thing to do
You need more practice when you…
Steal, cheat or lie
Disobey your parents and teachers
Are easily swayed by peers to do wrong
Constantly break the rules
Do not admit to being at fault
School Council
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend our
School Council Meetings! It is a good place to hear
about some of the initiatives that are happening at Our
Lady of Mercy as well as an opportunity to connect and
meet with other parents in the community. Input is welcome so come and join us. General meetings begin at
6:30 p.m. The following are members of this year’s
school council:
Dates to Remember
November
1
Letter of Requests for Confirmation - 7p.m. Mass
11
Remembrance Day
13
Accommodation Review Committee report to
Board of Trustees - @ Catholic Education Centre
14
P.A. Day - No school for students - Evaluation
of Pupil Progress & Report Card Preparation
18
Toonie Tuesday - Eden Food Bank
18
HEP B for Grade 7’s and HPV for Grade 8 girls
19
Picture Retake Day
20
Grade 3’s to Black Creek Pioneer Village
27
Grade 7 & 8’s to Cawthra Park to see
Jesus Christ Superstar
30
Advent Begins
Gail Bellissimo
Chair
Megan Scott
Vice Chair
Kushi Perera
Treasurer
Lori Sell
Secretary
Michelle Landry
Fundraising Coordinator
Penny Valentini
Fundraising Coordinator
Terence Noronha
Parish Representative
Donna Wolczyk
Volunteer Coordinator
Patrick Mendes
OAPCE Representative
Kathy Kossak
Events Coordinator
Felicia LoRusso
Events Coordinator
Maureen Myers
Parent Rep
Angela Martino
Parent Rep
2
Reports go home
Darlene Cocciardi
Parent Rep
4
JK/SK trip to Living Arts Centre - a.m.
Angela Skura
Parent Rep
4
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
Tilia Cruz
Principal
Mike MacDonald
Vice Principal
Donna Jessome
Teacher Rep
Emily Armstrong
Non-Teaching Rep
The Next School Council Meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, November 20th at 6:30 p.m.
We are currently looking for volunteers in the following
areas of need:
• Kiss N’ Ride
• Literacy Room
• In-school Reading support
• Communication
If you can volunteer some of your time in one of these
areas, please contact the school and a member of the
School Council will contact you directly.
School Council is also collecting gently used games for
classrooms to be used on inclement weather recesses.
Such games include: chess, checkers, Trouble, cards and
Connect 4. If you have any of these with all the pieces
you can bring it into the school for redistribution to the
classrooms. Your donation is appreciated!
December
– after school and evening
5
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
– P.D. Day (No school for students)
8
Advent Mass - 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy
9
Pictures with Santa - 1:00 p.m.
9
Confirmation Confessions - 9 a.m. at school
19
Last day of school before Christmas Break
Junior Boys Win Gold Medals
Congratulations to the Intermediate Boys Volleyball
Team for advancing to the Family Tournament that took
place on October 23rd. After an exciting day of competition, they made it to the finals and won
gold for placing first. They will be competing in the Board tournament in the
first week of November. A great team
effort was put forth by all players. Way
to go boys and best of luck at the Boards!