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Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary
Some notes for the starting school year
Divine Mercy Info
Principal- N. Tome Secretary- R. Panousis
@DivineMercyDP E-mail divinemercyinfo@dpcdsb.org Website https://www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
Trustees- Brea Corbet Ward 9 & 10 905-301-9373
Luz del Rosario-Ward 6 & 11 416-528-6447
Herman Viloria Ward 2 & 8 905-890-1221
Superintendent- Laura Odo 905-890-1221
Parish- Merciful Redeemer, Pastor: James (Seamus) Hogan, Associate Pastor: Rev. Iguintz Calixte
Parish Number 905.812.0030 Parish E-mail: mercifulredeemermi@archtoronto.org
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School. We are thrilled to have both new and returning students join us for another academic year. As the principal, I want to assure you that we have worked tirelessly to make sure that this transition back to school is seamless. This year's school theme is love, and we believe that it has the power to transform our lives and the world around us. Our goal is to explore the love of God, family, neighbours, and ourselves. We will also learn to appreciate diversity and celebrate the beauty of every human being created in God's image.
To reinforce this theme, we have planned a series of activities and initiatives to engage our students meaningfully. These activities may include community service projects, discussions on social justice issues, acts of kindness challenges, and opportunities for reflection and prayer. We believe that these experiences will have a positive impact on our students and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the transformative power of love.
Your involvement is crucial in nurturing an environment where love thrives. We encourage you to participate in various activities and events, volunteer, or join our Catholic School Council. Our partnerships with the Parish Team, Trustees Brea Corbet, Luz del Rosario, and Herman Veloria, as well as parents and guardians, are vital to our success.
Thank you for choosing Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School.
With love and gratitude,
Nuno Tome,
Acting Principal
FIRST DAY
Class Placements and Board Communication - An email and phone message indicating the class name and room number should be forthcoming this weekend. If you do not receive this information, please rest assured that upon arrival at school on Tuesday, a team of teachers will be here to ensure your child gets to where they need to be. We ask for everyone’s patience during this process.
First Day of School - Starting at 8:15am, as students arrive for the first day of school, they will be directed to their area on the pavement to meet their teacher (white box area). Students will be using this as their assigned exit at the end of the day.
Morning arrival from September 6th to June 30th for Grades 1 to 8:
- We will continue with regular entry this year. This means that students will access the school through the doors closest to kiss n ride starting at 8:15-8:30.
- Supervision will be present at kiss n ride and classrooms beginning at 8:15 a.m. each morning.
- Students are to arrive at school no sooner than 8:15 a.m. each morning.
End of day (September 5th to June 30th) for Grades 1 to 8:
- At 3:00 p.m. all students will exit out the doors according to the map above.
FDK Daily Arrival and Departure
- All FDK students are to be dropped at the FDK gate and will enter the school via the FDK yard.
- Year Two’s (SKs) start the first day of school and continue all day, every day.
- Year One FDK (JKs) will have a staggered entry for the first week of school. FDK teachers will be contacting families with the information in the coming days.
Busing
All students who qualify for busing will continue to be provided with the bus. We ask that you please visit stopr.ca, https://stopr.ca/Pages/default.aspx click Transportation Eligibility and follow the prompts. If you have more than one child, please complete this for each child. The bus eligibility changes depending on the grade of the child. You will require your child’s OEN (found on report card).
School Items and Supplies
Each student should arrive to school with a full, reusable water bottle along with snacks and lunch each day. If children will be going home for lunch, it is our expectation that your child will go directly to their own home and then return to school. Written permission will be asked of all students leaving the school for lunch.
Each child is welcome to come prepared with learning materials that may be suggested by their teacher. Communication from your child’s teacher will provide some guidelines regarding pens, pencils, crayons, etc. Should students require materials, they will be provided by the school.
Very excited to be returning to school,
N. Tome
Principal
CHILD SAFETY
Attendance
All students are expected to attend school regularly and punctually. In the event that your child will be late or absent, please use School Messenger -SafeArrival to notify the school. Parents can report daily or future absences in one of three ways:
App: Download and install the SchoolMessenger app.
Phone: 1-844-435-3440
All students who arrive through the front doors after 8:30 a.m. must obtain a Late Slip.
Kiss N Ride
DON'T
- DON'T Walk and cross anywhere and everywhere through the kiss ride and thru lanes to get to the parking lot.
- DON'T Leave your car in kiss n ride to wait outside for kids. If you want to greet them outside your car - find a parking spot in the lot or on the street. Kiss n' Ride is not a parking spot.
DO
- DO Pull up your car as close as you can to the end of kiss n' ride.
- DO Use the cross walk at the front end of Kiss n' ride to go from the parking lot to the school. Crossing between live lanes is unsafe.
- DO Kiss and hug your kids (in the car) and remind them that you love them when you drop them off and pick them up.
Food Allergies
We continue to have students and staff with severe, life-threatening allergies to certain foods, such as peanuts and nuts. This medical condition may cause severe and life-threatening reactions to specific allergens within minutes. Although this may or may not affect your child’s class directly, we require your continued cooperation in sending foods to school with your child that are free from peanuts, nuts, or their by-products.
If your child has a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, peanut by-products, bee/wasp stings, etc., please let the school know as soon as possible. The information you provide us with must be accurate and up-to-date. You and your family doctor must complete various forms if it is necessary to store and dispense an EPI pen or any other medication at school.
Please do not send food products to be shared in your child’s classroom. Consider non-food items such as pencils or stickers if you want your child to share their special day/birthday with their classmates.
Asthma
The school has created a package to assist children with asthma. This package has already been sent to parents whose children have been identified as having asthma in our records. Our board is dedicated to providing a secure and supportive environment for all students. As part of our asthma policies, we require parents or guardians to notify the school principal or designated staff member of their child's medical needs and provide any updated medical information. If your child has asthma and requires a puffer, please visit the office immediately. Parents of children with asthma are expected to comply with our policy and complete an Asthma Package.
Distribution and Storage of Medication
If a child is required to bring medication to school, procedures regarding the administration of medication shall only be adopted:
- when requested by the parents/guardians; and
- when authorized by a physician; and
- when medication must be provided during school hours
A designated staff member must administer medication; hence, a signed request/authorization form from the parents/guardians and the supervising physician must be obtained. These forms are available through the school office. The required authorization forms and the medication shall be delivered to the principal or designated person by the parents/guardians. All medication will be housed in a safe location. Medication must not be kept in the child’s possession or the classroom except for EpiPens and asthma inhalers.
Students with an anaphylactic allergy or asthma are highly encouraged to keep their epi-pen and/or inhaler on them at all times. If able, it is recommended that your child bring two EpiPens and two asthma inhalers to the school. This would allow your child to keep this medication on them and ensure that the school office has additional medications.
Please note that school staff can only dispense medication with physician authorization and a properly labeled container (i.e., prescription bottle or original over-the-counter container).
Custody
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 any custodial arrangements that may affect your child during school hours.
TIMES TO REMEMBER
School Schedule
8:15 - 8:30 Open entry (students to use doorway closest to Kiss n' Ride)
8:30- 10:36 Learning Block
10:36 - 10:51 Recess
10:51-11:31 Learning Block
11:31-12:31 Lunch
12:31-1:54 Learning Block
1:54-2:09 Recess
2:09 - 3:00 Learning Block
3:00 Dismissal
DATES AT A GLANCE
First Day of School
Tuesday, Sep 5, 2023, 08:15 AM
Welcome Back Student Assembly
Students only - Primary Students @ 9:00 a.m., Junior/Intermediate @ 9:30
Wednesday, Sep 6, 2023, 09:00 AM
Book Fair
Support BOOK FAIR SEPT 13-SEPT 22
Wednesday, Sep 13, 2023, 09:00 AM
Opening Mass
Parents are welcome to join us in our school opening mass happening in the gym of our school.
Thursday, Sep 21, 2023, 09:00 AM
OPEN HOUSE - ICE CREAM
We're excited to invite you to our "Ice Cream On Us" Open House night on Thursday, September 21st from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Our school team will be there to welcome you with open arms, and we'll be treating all our students and parents to some mouth-watering cones or slushies from our ice cream truck, which will be parked in our school yard.
You won't want to miss out on all the fun! You can drop by your child's classroom between 5:30 and 6:15 and then head over to our backfield where our volunteers will be waiting to hand out treats.
We can't wait to see you and your family there!
Thursday, Sep 21, 2023, 05:30 PM
Terry Fox Run
Again, this year we are proud to participate in the Annual Terry Fox Walk/Run for Cancer research. Please send in your toonies for this worthy cause to support cancer research. The event will take place on Friday, September 22, 2023. More information to follow.
Friday, Sep 22, 2023, 09:00 AM
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE BEGINS
Let's come together and make a difference in our community by contributing to our Thanksgiving Food Drive. Starting from Monday, September 25th to Friday, October 6th, we will be collecting food and toiletries for families in need. Your generous donations will go towards supporting those who require assistance through Eden Food for Change. Let's make this Thanksgiving a time to be grateful and give back to those who could use a helping hand. Please contribute whatever you can.
Monday, Sep 25, 2023, 09:00 AM
Orange Shirt Day
We will be participating in Orange Shirt Day on Friday September 29th to honour our commitment to Truth and reconciliation. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30th. It was chosen as a date because it falls during the time of year when Indigenous children were taken away to residential school.
Friday, Sep 29, 2023, 08:30 AM
Picture Day
Bring your smile:)
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023, 08:30 AM
PA Day
No school for students today.
Friday, Oct 6, 2023, 08:30 AM
PARISH INFORMATION
Click below to view weekly bulletin
SACRAMENTS SCHEDULE WITH MERCIFUL REDEEMER
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE FOR 2023 – 2024
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - PARENTS’ MEETING #1: IN PERSON
Wednesday 4 October 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
ONLINE PREP with HOPESTONE-
sessions 1-3: Released- November1-February 1
sessions 4-6: Released February 29-April 1.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - PARENTS’ MEETING #2: VIRTUALLY
Monday 22 January 2024 - 7:00 p.m.
FIRST CONFESSION: CHILDREN ALONG WITH PARENTS
Wednesday 28 February 2024 - 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Parents to bring their child and both will make their confession.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - PARENTS’ MEETING #3: VIRTUALLY
Wednesday 10 April 2024- 7:00 p.m. to 7:30p.m.
THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS WITH 1ST COMMUNICANTS
Sunday May 26, 2024 3:00 p.m.
CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE FOR 2023 - 2024
CONFIRMATION – PARENTS’ MEETING: IN PERSON
Wednesday November 22, 2023 at 7:00 pm
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION SCHEDULE
1. Meet and greet with Jane - to be booked at Registration
2. Hope Stone- 6 sessions ONLINE- January 1- March 31, 2024
3. Retreat- with Schools- Dates in April… to be announced.
CROSSES & CONFESSION
Wednesday March 6, 2024 - from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PARENTS’ INFORMATION MEETING - regarding Confirmation
Wednesday April 10, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. (Virtually)
CONFIRMATION MASS
Monday May 6, 2024 7:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
School Volunteers - Criminal Reference Checks
Just a reminder that if you are interested in volunteering within the school in any capacity, including field trips, student support, Catholic School Council member, etc., a valid Criminal Reference Check (CRC), with Vulnerable Sector Check - Level 3 is required. Please note that there is about a 3-4 week waiting period to process a CRC.
Please see the website below for more information on how to apply:
Also, please see the attached letter that will be required upon application for this background check.
Catholic School Council
Our Catholic School Councils offer an opportunity for parents and guardians to contribute their unique skills and abilities to the school community. Along with the goal to foster parental involvement, improve student achievement, and increase accountability, Catholic School Councils in the DPCDSB strive to uphold the vision, values, and sacraments of Catholic practices for our communities. If you are interested in joining the Divine Mercy Catholic School Council or holding a position, we invite you to complete and submit the nomination form below by Tuesday, September 19th. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend any Divine Mercy Catholic School Council meetings.
Cash Online
School Cash Online
School Cash Online allows parents and community members to pay school-related fees online safely, quickly, and easily. Parents can purchase items like spirit wear, lunches, and field trips - anytime, anywhere.
How do I register?
Please refer to these Registration Instructions for step-by-step details on how to get signed-up for online payments. To directly login or to register, visit School Cash Online.
What payment methods will be available?
Parent will be able to pay online using Visa, MasterCard and eCheque.