NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2009
Principal
T. Cruz
Vice Principal
M. MacDonald
5820 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5J9
Telephone: (905) 814-9216
Fax: (905) 814-9217
Autumn Prayer
Lord, we come before you in Thanksgiving
For the gifts you have given
The colour of the season reminds us
of the beauty
You alone can create.
Secretaries
D. Nolan
J. Harvey
Superintendent
Mississauga North
D. Oude-Reimerink
We are thankful for the food you provide
in the harvest.
You have filled the earth with your gifts.
You have blessed us.
We are ever grateful!
Parish
Merciful Redeemer Parish
Phone: 905-812-0030
Associate Pastor
Fr. Peter Jae Choi
Volunteers Make it Happen
Trustee
Esther O’Toole
Ward 9
Phone: 905-812-5163
Attendance Verification
Phone: 905-814-9216
Web Site
www.dpcdsb.org/OLMCY
At Our Lady of Mercy, the month of
October will be filled with wonderful
moments of giving, reflecting and supporting. Our school community continues to do a wonderful job collecting
food for the food bank as part of our
Thanksgiving food drive. Our staff
and students have also been involved
in learning more about Parkinsons
and how it affects people. “Pass the
Baton” was a huge success and raised
money to support research to find a
cure for this disease.
The virtue of Empathy will be a strong
part of our focus during October and
especially for Thanksgiving. Our first
school mass this year will provide time
for our school community to reflect on
what we are most grateful for and
what we need to do to give back to our
communities.
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
School Council Chair
Gail Bellissimo
Principal’s Message
Our Lady of Mercy has many volunteer positions available. Some ongoing ways that
you can contribute include the All Star Reading Program, Kiss & Ride, food days and
classroom/library assistant. As well, we
have various special events that occur
throughout the year such as fundraising,
school concerts, religious and seasonal
celebrations. Any amount of time you can
offer would be greatly appreciated. If you
are interested in volunteering, please let the
school know and a volunteer coordinator
will contact you. Thank you to those who
have already signed up to volunteer!
Thanksgiving
There will be no school on this day. Our
Lady of Mercy Staff would like to wish your
family a Happy Thanksgiving and a safe
and bountiful holiday weekend!
The entire community has modeled
well, the lessons Jesus taught us
through his examples. Thank you for
providing us with such wonderful opportunities.
T. Cruz
School Operations
Communication Updates
VISITORS TO SCHOOL
& CONTACTING STAFF MEMBERS
KISS N’ RIDE
Parents and visitors to the school are required to come to the
office first before entering the school. This policy is for the
safety of our students and staff and will be enforced. If you
wish to speak to a staff member, we request that you call and
book an appointment. This enables our staff to plan ahead to
meet you without disrupting any planned activities during or
after school.
STUDENT VERIFICATION SHEETS
Thank you to all who have completed and returned the Student
Verification Sheet which you received from the classroom
teacher in early September. The information requested is essential for communication with home in the event of an emergency. If you have not returned this information, please do so
as soon as possible. Please notify the office of any changes
throughout the year.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
& EXCURSIONS
This year your child will have the opportunity to participate in
a variety of field trips and extra-curricular activities. In preparation for these events, permission forms will be sent home. It
is essential that these forms be filled out and promptly returned
to the school. No student will be allowed on any trip or activity without a signed permission form. Thank you for your cooperation.
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
To ensure school security for students and teachers, the Board
policy requires that all visitors (including parents) and volunteers must report to the office when entering the school. Please
enter through the main doors only. Identification stickers are
required to be worn when visitors are in the school.
Volunteers are welcome and appreciated in the school. If you
wish to volunteer, you must complete a criminal reference
check. If you completed a criminal reference check last year,
and submitted a copy to the school, you are requested to complete an Offence Declaration Form this year. Please contact the
school office for more information.
Lunch Students & Leaving School Grounds
The school lunch hour is 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. When
children stay for lunch, they eat with their classmates and
remain on school property throughout the lunch period.
Supervision is provided by staff and a lunch supervisor. For
safety reasons, students either stay for lunch or leave for
lunch every day. Changes to this routine are done only with
written permission by a parent/guardian. Students are not
allowed to call home to go out for lunch. The office is very
busy at this time and phones are needed for office communication and emergency phone calls. Parents accept the responsibility for conduct, safety and the well being of students when they are given permission to leave school property. Thank you for continuing to support this safety routine.
Thank you to those parents who drive to the very end of the
lane close to the Kindergarten fenced area and the front
doors before letting their children out to be helped by the
supervisors. Some parents continue to stop immediately
after entering the lane. There are many cars behind waiting
to enter and this causes congestion on Glen Erin. As well,
there is the danger of other drivers having to go around them
to drop off their children in the appropriate spot.
The bus lanes are completely off limits to cars and vans. Only school
buses can use these lanes or the vans
that come from community daycares.
OPEN HOUSE
Many thanks goes out to all those who attended our Open
House on Wednesday, September 23rd. The evening was a
great success. During classroom visits, copies of Curriculum at a Glance for Parents were distributed. Please keep
them for future reference.
VALUABLES
Students are reminded not to bring valuables such as electronic games, toys, personal items of importance, or money
to school. The school does not accept responsibility for the
above. Wherever possible, personal items should be marked
with the child’s name. Students will be asked to have parents pick up from the office any inappropriate items brought
to the school.
SCHOOL DRESS CODE – Cooler Weather
in-
Students are expected to adhere to standards of modesty, neatness and good taste
in their attire within our school. As temperatures drop, students need to dress
warmly and have an additional pair of
pants handy for unexpected playground
splashes. Please remember to bring a pair of
door shoes to keep mud and sand at bay.
Toonie Tuesday
The Eden Community Food Bank is ready to launch their
5th annual “Toonie Tuesday Event” to raise funds for the
Food Bank. Please mark Tuesday, November 17, 2009
on your calendar. ECFB has been servicing the L5L,
L5M and L5N postal code area. The number of families
that the food bank services has increased 47% over the
prior year and 45% have children attend our schools.
We encourage you to dedicate November 17 to make this
the most successful “Toonie Tuesday ever. The simple
donation from students, parents and staff will make a
huge difference in the lives of those served. Thank you
in advance for your donation on Toonie Tuesday.
Peel Children’s Centre
Fall Groups
Peel Children’s Centre is pleased to offer the 2009
Fall Group Series. These groups are designed to provide information for parents on specific issues, give
opportunities to parents and/or children to interact
and learn from each other, and help parents and children develop strategies for coping with concerns in
their lives.
All groups are offered free of charge. Groups are facilitated by Peel Children’s Centre staff and childcare is
available for most groups. Childcare groups provide
structured activities focused on encouraging cooperation, enhancing social skills, problem solving, and social skills. All sessions are located at Peel Children’s
Centre at 85A Aventura Court (SE corner of Derry Road
and Hurontario) and are held in the evening, unless
otherwise noted below.
Girl Greatness Starts Here
Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada (GGC)
stands for what it has always stood for - fun, friendship
and adventure. GGC is a safe, accepting environment
with diverse and exciting programs and activities that
offers girls the chance to learn, grow and discover
through age-appropriate programming.
From sports, camping and science to eco-activities,
fashion design and community projects, Guiding's girlcentred programming has something for everyone.
Guiding is bold, fun, energetic and gives girls the tools
and resources they need to achieve greatness.
Registrations for new girl members are being accepted
now.
We're always looking for Guide Leaders and you can
join anytime throughout the year.
For more information call 1-800-565-8111
 Parenting Children Through Separation and Divorce
Thursdays: Oct. 15 - Dec. 3 (6:30-8:00 p.m.)
 Parenting Your Teen
Wednesdays: Nov. 11—Dec. 16 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
 Learning about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) - Thursdays: Sept 24—Oct. 29 (6:30-8:00 p.m.)
 COPEing with Challenging Behaviour
Tuesdays: Sept. 22—Nov. 24 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
 COPEing with Toddler Behaviour—at Bramalea OEYC
Fridays: Oct. 2—Nov. 20 (1:00-3:00 p.m.)
 Temper Taming for Boys (10-13 years old) and Parents
Tuesdays: Oct. 6—Dec. 8 (6:00-7:30 p.m.)
 The Incredible Years (managing 3-6 year old behaviours)
Wednesdays: Sept. 16—Dec. 2 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
 Feeling Good about Being You (A Group for Moms)
Tuesdays: Sept. 29—Dec. 1 (10:00-11:30 a.m.)
 C.A.L.M. (Combat Anxiety and Learn to Manage)
(for 10—13 year old children and parents)
Thursdays: Oct. 1—Dec. 3 (6:00-7:30 p.m.)
Peanut Allergies and Hallowe’en
Hallowe’en is coming soon.
Many children will be receiving
treats on October 31st. As we
have students in our school
who have severe food allergies, we again ask that you
please refrain from sending
Hallowe’en snacks to school
as it is difficult for us to identify
their contents. Edible items that children receive
at Hallowe’en should be enjoyed at home where
they may not pose a risk to others. As well,
please do not send food for birthdays or special
occasions. Pencils, erasers and stickers are
items that children enjoy and can share with their
classmates.
Your co-operation in helping to
keep all our students safe from
food allergens is greatly appreciated.
 Teen Talk (girls 14 - 16 years)
Tuesdays: Nov. 10—Dec. 15 (6:00-7:30 p.m.)
How can you find out more about our groups?
You can find out more about our groups by calling our Centralized Intake Services at 905-451-4655.
The Loyola School Council is presenting Michael Reist on Thursday November 26 at
7:00pm at Loyola. His topic is “Raising Kids in
a New Kind of World” This presentation is free
and is open to parents, teachers, trustees and
administrators in Dufferin-Peel.
Virtue of the Month
Affirmation:
I understand other’s feelings and difficulties.
I am able to share in the joy of others.
I can sense the hurt around me.
I care about who is in trouble or has made a mistake.
Liturgical Celebrations
Students in Grade 2 receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Students in Grade 8 receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation
for these sacraments is a shared responsibility between parents, the parish and the school. Dates for various
liturgical celebrations and activities
are as follows:
I am a loyal and committed friend.
What is Empathy?
Empathy is the ability to experience and respond to another
person's feelings. Empathy is widely recognized as a universal
virtue, closely related to many other virtues, such as love, compassion, kindness, tolerance, respect, and acceptance. When
you have empathy you understand the emotions and difficulties
of others around you and respond in a positive way. This helps
others see your moral character and helps you influence people
and win friends.
Why practice Empathy?
You need empathy to survive and succeed in the world. By
experiencing empathy we can understand how certain actions
and words can hurt others. This understanding stops us from
hurting those around us. Without empathy, we travel down the
road of violence and destruction. You will find happiness and
serenity only in caring for others.
How do you practice Empathy?
DATE
October 5, 2009
Parent’s Meeting for:
7:00 p.m. @ Church
Grade 2 Sacraments
October 14, 2009
Opening School Mass
1:30 p.m. @ School
October 24/25, 2009
Sat., November 7, 2009
7:00 p.m. Mass
December 7, 2009
Sat., January 23, 2010
7:00 pm Youth Mass
You are practicing the Virtue of EMPATHY when you…
11:00 a.m. @ School
Advent Mass
Presentation of Cards for
Confirmation
Ash Wednesday Mass
@ School
Sat., February 20, 2010
Crosses
7:00 pm @ Church
March 2, 2010

Notice when someone is hurt or needs a friend

March 9, 2010
Care enough about her/him to stop what you are doing
and let her know you care
10:45 am @ Church

Listen and try to understand

Saturday April 17, 2010
Forgive when you are hurt and give those around you
another chance to be your friend instead of hurting
back
11:00 a.m. @ Church
Saturday May 15, 2010
Confirmation Confessions
First Reconciliation
First Holy Communion
Confirmation
11:00 a.m. @ Church
having problems
June 8, 2010
Think what you are doing is more important than what is
1:00 p.m. @ School
Don’t stop to listen or show you care
Judge or criticize
Hurt others back because you are angry
June 24, 2010
happening to others
Letter of Request for Confirmation
9:30 a.m. at school
February 17, 2010
Do not notice that people or animals around you are sad or
First Holy Communion Inscription
Any Parish Mass
Before you do anything or make any decision, simply ask yourself: How will it affect others? Will it have a negative impact
on their well-being? If I were in their shoes, how would I react?
This practice is basically the gold rule. Instead of being preoccupied with your own self-interest, everyday ask yourself:
What can I do to reduce other people's suffering? How can I
bring some sunshine to someone's life? How can I make a difference in my corner of the world, here and now?
 Help people and animals in need
You need more practice when you…
CELEBRATION
9:30 a.m. @ School
Year End Mass
Graduation Mass
Health and Safety
SAFETY OF STUDENTS
A number of procedures have been established to ensure the
safety of our school community. These include:


All doors are locked including the front doors. To gain
access to the school, you must use the buzzer to contact the
office. Office staff will respond and release the lock on to
allow you to enter. You must then report to the office.
Visitors, including parents, are expected to report to the
office when visiting the school for any reason.
Emergency response procedures in the event of a fire, bomb
threat or serious accident or injury have been established and
are reviewed on a regular basis. Our fire drill procedures are
necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in the school. In the event of a fire,
it is important that we all leave the building as quickly and safely as possible.
PEDICULOSIS
Head lice are parasites which have been common among humans for centuries. They are not connected in any way 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
and 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 Department. 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 their head is entirely clear of lice and nits (eggs).
Dates to Remember
October
5
1st Communion Parent Meeting - 7 p.m.
6
School Council Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
8
Cross Country Family Meet
12
Thanksgiving
14
Opening School Mass - 1:30 p.m. in Gym
15
Sportswear Measurement - 9 a.m.
15
CCCSC Central Committee of Catholic School
Councils Meeting. @ Philip Pocock at 7:00p.m.
20
Mrs. Adamkowski’s SK’s walk to Longos
22
School Photo Day
30
Intermediate Dance - p.m.
31
Hallowe’en
November
10
Primary Students to Sharon and Bram Concert
11
Remembrance Day
16
P.A. Day - No school for students - Evaluation
of Pupil Progress & Report Card Preparation
17
Toonie Tuesday - Eden Food Bank
General Interest Courses for Adults
18
Picture Retake Day
Discover a new talent, explore a new interest, put a hop in your
dance step… come join us! Various General Interest courses
are available… look for General Interest information in our Adult
& Continuing Education flyer or call the Adult & Continuing Education department at 905-891-9263. Courses begin October 5.
20
Grade 8 Retreat to Merciful Redeemer Parish
26
Book Fair arrives
International Language Classes
Language ability is of growing importance in our international
community! International Language classes are available Saturday mornings to students in grades JK to 8 (non-credit
courses) and grades 9 to 12 (credit courses). No prior language experience is necessary. International Language programs comply with the Ministry of Education curriculum. Please
contact the Adult & Continuing Education office at 905-8919263 for information regarding language offerings at specific
International Language sites.
ESL Programs for Adults
The Adult & Continuing Education department offers a variety of
ESL, Citizenship and Coop Programs for Adults throughout
Mississauga and Brampton. Registration is on-going for many
of our programs. Please see our Fall 2009 Catalogue posted
on the board website at www.dpcdsb.org/CEC/CNE/ or call 905891-9263.
HALLOWE’EN
Students have the option to wear costumes to school on Friday, Oct. 30th. For safety reasons they must follow these
guidelines:
 Do not bring weapon replicas such as swords, knives,
guns or objects that could injure others.
 Do not wear costumes that may be too gory or scary.
We have young children who may be frightened.
 Masks may not be worn in hallways or outside as they
pose a safety risk with such a large number of children.
Make up is a better option.
 Costumes may get damaged at school. Please ensure
that you are prepared with a back up for the evening.
 For those who do not wish to wear a costume, we encourage them to wear black and orange.
Have a fun and safe Hallowe’en!