NEWSLETTER
February 2014
Principal
D. Della Rossa
5820 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5J9
Telephone: (905) 814-9216
Fax: (905) 814-9217
Happy Valentine’s Day
Secretary
S. Droy
Superintendent
Mississauga North
T. Cruz
Remember to show love towards
others as we are all children of God
Parish
Merciful Redeemer Parish
Phone: 905-812-0030
Pastor
Fr. Vid Vlasic
Associate Pastor
Fr. Robert Mignella
School Council Co-Chair
Jennifer Rodrigo
School Council Co-Chair
Keith Mussar
Trustee
Esther O’Toole
Ward 9
Phone: 905-812-5163
Attendance Verification
Phone: 905-814-9216
Web Site
www.dpcdsb.org/OLMCY
DPCDSB is now on Twitter!
For the latest board
news and information,
follow us
Reflections on the Child
As in Nature—
No two trees or flowers, although
seeded at the same time, grow and
bloom at the same rate, at the same
height, or to the same degree of
colour - so also in
Children.
Although the same age, each child is
like an individual flower requiring
different amounts of light, water,
air and nurturing to grow to fullest
potential.
Given basic necessities, children will
survive, but it is important to determine what each needs to truly flourish. We are the true gardeners in
the greenhouse of learning.
Principal’s Message
As the cooler weather continues, we enjoy
our Canadian winters knowing that spring
is around the corner. We would like to take
this opportunity to thank the entire staff and
student community for their preparations
for our 15th Anniversary celebrations as we
prepare for a tribute to the musicals that
have come alive at Our Lady of Mercy. We
wish to thank the parent community for
their ongoing support and participation in
our school events. We are looking forward
to our French Winter Carnival on Friday,
February 14th.,weather permitting.
February is also the month we traditionally
celebrate Black History, but we will also
use this month to celebrate our wonderful
spirit of multiculturalism and appreciation
for the unique gifts of one another. Together, we stand as one.
We would like to congratulate the Grade 2
students and their families as they received
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We would
also like to wish Mrs. Sherri all the best as
she prepares for her maternity leave beginning Tuesday, February 18th.
On March 5th, we begin our Lenten journey of reflection and renewal. Lent is a
time to follow Jesus more closely. It brings
with it the call for penance and prayer. As
we approach the season of Lent may we use
the forty days to pray for peace and harmony in our world.
D. Della Rossa
Family Day
Monday, February 17th
School Operations
2014-2015
Kindergarten registration for the 2014-15 school year continues to
take place at all Catholic elementary schools .
Parents/Guardians should bring the following documents when
registering their child:
School Council
All Parents Are Invited
The Mississauga North and South Family of
Schools Catholic School Council
presents:
1.
Proof of age
2.
Original Catholic Baptismal Certificate of the Roman, Greek or
Ukrainian Rite, for parent (one) and child (if the child has not
been baptised, a letter of counselling with the parish priest, to
complete the process will be accepted).
3.
Updated immunization records
4.
Proof of Canadian citizenship or of Landed Immigrant status
5.
Proof of address (utility bill, bank or credit card statement.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School
For more information, contact your local Catholic school
or call the Admissions Department at 905-890-0708 ext.
24500.
Elementary School
Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School
welcomes French Immersion!
The French Immersion Program at Divine Mercy Elementary School
was established as a Grades 1 to 4 program with Our Lady of Mercy
Elementary School as the sister site that would continue the program
for students in Grades 5 to 8. We are excited to welcome the Grade 5
French Immersion Program and students at Our Lady of Mercy beginning September 2nd, 2014. Administrators of Divine Mercy and Our
Lady of Mercy will be working closely together to support a variety
of transition activities.
French Winter Carnival
On Friday, February 14th our school will
be participating in a French Winter Carnival. We are excited as le Bon Homme will
be visiting our school.. We wish to thank
our French teachers, Mde. Guzman and
Mde. Fang along with our parent volunteers
for making this possible.
Our Lady of Mercy - an ECO-SCHOOL!
The staff and students at Our Lady of Mercy will continue to work
towards promoting our silver certified Eco-School community.
Eco-Week Events
Turn off the Lights Tuesdays
Walk Bottle(Re-usable) Wednesday
Trash Free Thursdays
Fun Fact Fridays
GOOS Books $2.00
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Presentation Session 7:15-8:15 pm
Light Refreshments will be provided
Please RSVP to
Mr. Della Rossa by
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Cold Weather Guidelines
“It’s getting a little cold outside!” It is
important that students dress appropriately for the weather! Hats, mitts,
scarves, and snowpants are necessary
on most winter days. Having an additional pair of mitts and/or socks is also
appreciated as children play in the
snow and articles become wet. At times we reduce outdoor
play time according to wind chill temperatures:
- 25 or colder: students are kept indoors.
- 20 reduce amount of outdoor time
Punctuality
School begins at 8:45 am. in the mor ning and at 12:45 pm.
in the afternoon. Students should arrive at school on time to
line up with their appropriate class at the back of the school.
We have noticed that most students arriving late are students that are driven to school. Parents, we
would appreciate your support in stressing
the importance of being on time.
Punctuality and respect of time is an expectation for all students!
Communication Updates
Virtue of the Month
Inclement Weather and School Closure
Affirmation:
I am respectful.
I treat others and myself with respect.
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 and
television stations:
I show courtesy to everyone.
I learn from the wisdom of my elders.
What is Respect?
Respect is an attitude of honouring people and caring about their
rights. Being respectful is reflected in the courtesy with which we
treat one another, the way we speak, and the way we treat other
people’s belongings. Speaking and acting respectfully gives people the dignity they deserve. Respect includes honouring the rules
of your family and your school, behaving in a way which makes
life more peaceful and orderly. Being respectful includes selfrespect. Every woman, man and child was created by God and we
all deserve respect.
Why practice Respect?
Without respectfulness people’s privacy would be violated. Without respect people speak rudely to each other and treat others as if
they do not matter. Being respectful helps people feel valued.
When you treat yourself with respect, others respect you too.
Being respectful is expressing even your strongest feelings in a
peaceful way. It is expressing your opinion as an opinion, respectful of the fact that there is more than one way of seeing things.
Practicing self-respect is treating yourself as you feel others deserve to be treated. You deserve it too!
You are practicing the Virtue of RESPECT when you…

Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated

Treat the property of others with special care

Honour other people’s need for time and space to themselves

Speak courteously to everyone

Are receptive to the wisdom of elders

Honour the rules of your family and nation
 Expect respect for your body and your rights
You need more practice when you…






Treat others like they do not matter
Ignore the wisdom of elders
Use anything you want without the owner’s permission
Interrupt or barge in on anyone
Make fun or talk back to elders
Disobey the rules of your family or school
CHUM AM1050
CFTR AM680
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
CJCL AM590
CHFI FM98.1
CFRB AM1010
EZ ROCK FM97.3
CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Z103.5
FM93.1
FM Q107
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540
CBC99.1
CITYPULSE
GLOBAL NEWS
CTV
We will be communicating one of four standard messages to the radio
stations. The four announcements and their effect on the transportation system are as follows: (Please note that the highlighted text only
will be communicated by the radio stations).
1.
“DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
BUSES SERVINGST. ANDREW, ST. BENEDICT AND ST.
PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ANDR.F. HALL SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.”
2.
“THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND THE PEEL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON
AND THE COUNTY OF DUFFERIN ARE CANCELLED”.
How do you practice Respect?
A good way to practice respect is to think about how you would
like to be treated and then treat others that way. How would you
like others to treat your belongings, your right to privacy, your
need for dignity? You do not run around inside someone’s home
when there are breakables there. You treat their space and their
belongings with respect.
VIRGIN RADIOFM 99.9
This means that all runs listed under announcement #l PLUS the following are cancelled. All schools in the Town of Caledon and all
school runs that begin in the Town of Caledon. Individual schools
will be notified if this cancellation affects their school.
3. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL
BOARD BUSES ARE CANCELLED.”
This means that: ALL Transportation services provided by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and The Peel District
School Board, including buses, vans and taxis have been cancelled for
the entire day.
4.
“THE SCHOOLS AND OFFICES OF BOTH THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ARE
CLOSED.”
This means that: ALL Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board and Peel District School Board schools
and offices are closed to all students and staff.
Anaphylaxis
Dates to Remember
February
Our Lady of Mercy is an allergen aware school. There
are pupils in attendance who suffer from severe and
life threatening allergies to certain foods. Exposure to
the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threat-
3 to 7 Book Fair
4
First Tem Report Cards Go Home
6
Grade 2 Reconciliation 11am at the Church
6
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - evening
ening allergic reaction. The most common allergen
triggers are food, insect stings, medications, exercise,
and latex. An anaphylactic reaction involves symptoms from two or more body systems. Safety of all
our students is paramount.
7
Olympic Day -Read & White Day
10
Confirmation Confessions 11:00am at the school
10
Toronto Symphony Trip (Gr. 1-4)
14
Valentine’s Day, French Winter Carnival
15
Confirmation—Lenten Promises 7PM
We at Our Lady of Mercy, would appreciate the cooperation of the entire school community by NOT
17
Family Day - No school
18
Miss. North CSAC Event 7:15PM @ Gonzaga
20
School Advisory Council Meeting 6:30 pm
24
Bullying Presentation gr. 6—8 - 9:30 AM
sending any lunches or snacks that contain any ingredients identified as food allergens for students in your
child’s class.
Skills Ontario Visits Gr. 7, 8 1:00PM
Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers
are aware of the food restrictions. We also ask that
you review the letters that were sent home at the beginning of the school year that spoke to specific allergens in your child’s classroom.
25
We Are One Conference—Gr. 7s
26
Rosary Apostolate Visits
28
Anti-Bullying Awareness Pink Shirt Day
March 5 - Ash Wednesday Liturgy 1:20PM
For celebrations, we are once again asking that food
NOT be brought into the school since we cannot
control the ingredients in many baked items.
March 7 - No school
March Break - 10th to 14th
Our Catholic School Heritage
6. What sacrifices did Catholics have to make to send their children
If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s
teacher or to school staff. Your co-operation in helping to keep all our pupils safe is greatly appreciated.
to separate schools?
Because the United Legislature of Canada East and Canada West roughly had consisted of members advocating non-denominational common
schools and half were in favour of them, separate school legislation, for
about fifteen years, contained three obstacles to their existence:
 Catholics could establish and support a separate school, but had to
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is African American History

month. Since 1926, people have taken some
time during this month to remember the contributions that many African descendants have made to this
and other countries. This time of the year was chosen because it is the month of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln 
and Fredrick Douglas. Take time to look up these individuals to see what impact they had on our society. All students

are encouraged to do some extra reading and learn how
these individuals have impacted the world.
continue paying common school taxes. Thus, they paid tuition for their
children in the separate school;
The separate school had no permanence of existence. If the local
common school board hired a Catholic as one of its teachers, then the
separate school ceased to exist. Separate schools kept opening and
closing in the early years;
In the cities the separate school board required the permission of the
common school board to open a new or an additional separate school.
Sometimes the permission was not forthcoming.
The legislation required twelve Catholic heads of family resident within
a city, town or township common school section. The townships’ common school sections were so small that often there were not twelve
resident Catholic families.
Dufferin-Peel Catholic Institute for International Education
International Student Program
Now Accepting Applications
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is now accepting applications from international students who
wish to study in our outstanding elementary and secondary schools.
Education means the world to us.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is Ontario’s second largest Catholic school board operating 149 school facilities (including 123 elementary and 26 secondary schools) throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. Schools are connected to and supported by Catholic parishes and our faith.
Internationally recognized for excellence in education.
One of the truly defining characteristics of a Dufferin-Peel education is the diversity that comes with having a student body from over 150 countries. We celebrate both our internationalism and the uniqueness of each member of
our community - students, staff, parents, and parish. As a school community we are greatly enriched by this diversity.
Opening minds to a better world.
Located just west of the City of Toronto, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and less than a 90 minute drive to Niagara Falls and the U.S. border, Dufferin-Peel is home to the Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest airport with non-stop service to 180 destinations in 60 countries around the world. Plus, the region boasts an
extensive network of local and regional train and bus services with direct connections to 16 universities and colleges within a 60 kilometre radius.
Students wishing to apply to our International Education programs are encouraged to visit our website at
www.dpcdsb.org/CEC/Programs/International+Students/ or to contact:
Rita Borg, Principal of the International Student Program
rita.borg@dpcdsb.org
(905) 412-3341 Ext. 31460