🔥The SFA Sizzler🔥

Feb 8 OCSGE/Virtue Assembly (Dec./Jan./Feb) @9am

Feb 12 Pizza Party and Cookie Day (to make up for Movie Day in December)

Feb 13 Shrove Tuesday/Valentine's Celebration – Pancakes and all Valentine's Activities

Feb 13 Report Cards sent home

Feb 14 Ash Wednesday Liturgy @9 am (Lent begins)

Feb 15 Interview Evening

Feb 16 PA Day – Reporting to Parents

Feb 19 Family Day – No school

Feb 22 Parents Reaching Out Event: See Me For Me - A Message of Inclusion

Feb 22 Catholic School Council Meeting at 6pm

Feb 23 Lenten Confessions at the parish

Mar 1 Grad Photos

Mar 8 Last day before March Break

Mar 11-15 MARCH BREAK

Mar 18 First day back after March Break

Mar 29 Good Friday - No school

Mar 31 Easter Sunday

Apr 1 Easter Monday - No school

Jun 20 Graduation Ceremony, Dinner and Dance @ Oasis Convention Centre -- 5pm

Jun 25 Year End Mass @1pm -- Parish

Click for DPCDSB Events

Principal (Acting): C. Pickering

Vice Principal: R. Commisso

Head Secretary: T. Van Stokkum

Superintendent of Education - Mississauga South: S. Gos - (905-890-1221)
Catholic School Trustee -- Wards 2 and 8: Herman Viloria -- (905-890-1221)

St Francis of Assisi School
2480 Thorn Lodge Drive, Mississauga, ON L5K 1K5
905-822-3183 www.dpcdsb.org/ASSIS

Twitter: @DpAssisi

Email: St.FrancisofAssisiInfo@dpcdsb.org

St. Francis of Assisi Parish
2473 Thorn Lodge Drive
Mississauga, ON

Tel: (905) 822-8132
Fax: (905) 822-6620
https://stfrancisofassisimi.archtoronto.org

Pastor
Rev. Damian Ali

MASS TIMES
Saturday Vigil:

5:00 PM (English)

Sunday:

8:30 AM (English)

In Febrary, we celebrate the virtue of respect. God wants us to treat all people with the respect they deserve.

A respectful person…

• uses a positive tone of voice and body language

• avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and inappropriate gestures

• says ‘Excuse me’, ‘Please’, ‘Pardon me’

• avoids gossip

We all deserve to be treated respectfully by others. However, in order to be respected we also have to respect ourselves. Everyone has a right to go to school/work free of gossip, name-calling, and put-downs. We should expect to be treated with respect by everyone we meet – our brothers and sisters in Jesus.

• Interview Request Forms sent home: February 1st
• Term 1 Reports & Confirmation of Interview sent home: February 13th
• Interview evening February 15th
• Interview during the day: February 16th

It is very important that parents/guardians adhere to the following drop off and pick up Kiss N Ride guidelines to ensure the safety of our students:

• Note the directional and fire route/bussing route signs on our property
• Refrain from parking/stopping in the bus route lane at the front of the school (lane closest to the building)
• Do not stop in the drive through lane, it is continuous movement – students exit cars only in the Kiss and Ride lane
• Do not park and exit your vehicles in the Kiss and Ride lane
• Students should independently exit the vehicle, please stay in your vehicle. Park on the street if you choose to exit your vehicle
• Please arrive to school on time. Supervision starts at 8:15am. The bell rings at 8:30am. We are encouraging all students to be punctual.

Thank you for your understanding and support..

Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities. We are Called To Love, is the 2024 theme for Catholic Education Week. With this in mind, the work of bell hooks on “Love As a Practice of Freedom” has been intentionally woven into this year's Black History Month theme of Sustaining Black Joy Through Responding to the Enduring Call to Love. It is love that underpins all that we do as a Catholic community and as bell hooks reminds us, “the moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom.” As such, the events planned for this month are rooted in the practice of love. Black History as a celebration must always be anchored in love, for what is a celebration if it is not first grounded in love.

At SFA, educators will be leading students in February through an intentional celebration of the rich history, contributions and achievements of Black communities. Although we celebrate Black excellence during the month of February, educators continue to share this learning year round.

The Lenten season serves as a holy period of preparation, reflection and almsgiving. As we wait in anticipation for the resurrection of the Lord, Our Saviour, we must take important steps that will help strengthen our faith and relationship with God. To show our outward love to others, St. Francis of Assisi Youth Faith Ambassadors are excited to announce a Lenten Food Drive that will be taking place between February 20th to March 28th, 2024.

This food drive will allow students to carry out acts of charity while building their compassion to help those in need within our community.

If you are willing and able, please provide a donation of non-perishable food items to support the Eden Food Bank. The following are some examples of items that can be given: canned goods, cereal, granola bars, pasta, rice, oatmeal, sauce, snacks, hygiene products, etc.

St. Francis of Assisi school community has a great history of generosity. We thank you in advance for supporting this worthy cause and answering the call to give.

Ms. Zapasek and Ms. Lence

Ash Wednesday marks the official beginning of our church season of Lent. This period before Easter is a time of increased prayer, penance, and charitable acts, ending with the Easter Triduum. The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus is perhaps the most selfless act of love, the ultimate sacrifice that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did for us.

This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. This is also the traditional day to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

At SFA, on February 14th, we will encourage staff and students to observe our Lenten traditions by:

• Gathering as a school community to distribute ashes.
• Observing a day of abstinence. This means no snacks, treats, or distribution of goodies.
• Gently encouraging students not to eat meat.
• Scheduling any Valentine’s Day inspired activities for Shrove Tuesday on February 13th. Any Valentine's cards and/or “treats” traditionally distributed on Valentine’s Day could be given out on the day before – February 13 – the eve of the celebration.

Hopefully the practices and observances of this day will help prepare our hearts and lives for the joy that comes with Easter. May we find our Lenten Season this year to be a rich and rewarding one.

Lent is the 40-day season of preparation for Easter that ends on Holy Thursday, three days before Easter Sunday. During Lent, Catholics recall their baptism and do penance – fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as they commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ.

During this time, our SFA Youth Ambassadors will be leading the way as we approach the Lenten season by assisting in our Easter Food Drive and My Lenten Promises activity. More information will be shared through the daily announcements and via School Messenger.

Grade 4 parents/guardians who wish to learn more about Extended French or wish to enroll their child in a Grade 5 Extended French program for September 2024, are invited to attend an information meeting at one of the following virtual parent evening sessions:

EF School Region

Session Date & Time

Zoom Meeting Information

MISSISSAUGA

San Lorenzo Ruiz (Miss. Central)

St. Christopher (Miss. South)

St. Philip (Miss. Southeast)

St. Rose of Lima (Miss North Central)

St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Miss. North)

St. Thomas More (Miss. East)

Thursday February 8, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Virtual Extended French Information Session #2
Microsoft Teams Live Meeting #2 Link

Thank you to all parents/guardians who have reviewed and signed the Personal Electronic Device Used With Wi-Fi Network Student Agreement (GF377) has been sent home for parents/guardians to review and sign. The PED guidelines were reviewed with all intermediate students in an assembly. Through several announcements, the whole student body have been reminded of appropriate use of Personal Electronic Devices. All students have been reminded that PEDS may be used during instructional time and in instructional space only with the permission of the classroom teacher and only in a manner that supports the teaching-learning process. If you have not sent in the signed form, kindly send it in with your child(ren) as soon as possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) schools is now open. The DPCDSB offers the Kindergarten program in 125 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.

Parents/guardians can register online at dpcdsb.org.

Registration is open to Catholic children and children of Catholic parents. Kindergarten students must be at least four (4) years of age by December 31, 2024.

The following documents are required to complete the registration process:

• Proof of age of the child
• Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or original baptismal certificate from a church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome or an Eastern Catholic Church.
• Immunization Reference #’s from the local Public Health Unit
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Proof of home address
• Proof of English Separate School Support

Please refer to the Register for School webpage for accepted forms of documentation.

Inquiries about home school locations/boundary areas should be directed to the DPCDSB Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440. To find out whether your child is eligible for transportation, click here.

For more information, parents/guardians should contact their local Catholic school, visit the DPCDSB website at dpcdsb.org, or call DPCDSB’s Admissions Department at 905-890-1221.

SEAC Parents Reaching Out Event “See Me For Me, A Message of Inclusion” Information

The following Parents Reaching Out Event (PROGrant) is hosted by DPCDSB’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). All families of students within DPCDSB are invited to participate in this online session hosted by Author, Dana Geall and the Special Education and Learning Services Department. The focus of the session will highlight Dana’s picture book entitled, “See Me For Me,” which is based on her personal and lived experience as a mother of triplets born with Cerebral Palsy. Dana will discuss the importance of equity, inclusion, and acceptance of all students as important members within our communities.

Parents/guardians are invited to pre-register to attend the evening event. Registered participants will receive a free copy of the picture book, “See Me for Me,” by Dana Geall. Capacity for the session will be reached at one hundred participants. Registration will be honoured on a first-come, first-serve basis. Staff are asked to forward the enclosed event flyer to families through their communication platforms.

Location: Microsoft Teams Online Meeting Platform

Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024.

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Registration: Participants are asked to self-register using the link or QR code by Thursday, February 8, 2024.

A virtual meeting invitation will be forwarded to registered participants.

Students can enjoy lunches from Tuesday to Friday as follows:

Tuesday -- Subway

Wednesday -- Gino's Pizza

Thursday -- Harvey's

Friday -- Fresh Burrito

Be sure to place your order on School Cash Online!

Do you have an hour to spare every weekday and would enjoy working with students? If so, SFA would love to hire you as a Student Monitor. If interested, please call the office or send an email to St.FrancisofAssisiInfo@dpcdsb.org.

Student monitors must have a Vulnerable Sector Check -Level 3 ($35).

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has implemented a student absence reporting system that will make it easier for you to report your child’s absence from school. This new system is called SafeArrival.

With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of the following three convenient options:

1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/home )

• The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account.
• Select Attendance then Report an Absence

2. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/home .

• The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account.
• Select Attendance then Report an Absence.

3. Call the toll-free number 1.844.435.3440 to report an absence using the automated phone system. For Student Being Late to School or Early Departure from School.

• The automated message will prompt you to enter ABSENCE for student, and will ask if the student be ABSENT today, tomorrow etc.
• To this question, please say ‘yes’ to absent as the next question will be to enter the type of absence and will give you options of full day, late, early departure leave and return.
• The above 3 options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
• Future absences can be reported at any time.

NOTE: For absences greater than five consecutive days, please call your child’s school directly.

Remember to: Please report absences in advance using SafeArrival instead of sending notes or calling/emailing the school.

Please note that our School has been assigned to Weather Zone 1. Therefore, all our parents/students should be checking the STOPR website and twitter account for Zone 1 cancellations this winter. School Bus Cancellations will be communicated by “Weather Zone” through the STOPR website and the STOPR twitter account @STOPRinfo by 6:00 am each morning. We encourage parents to visit the STOPR website at stopr.ca and click on the “Inclement Weather” tab to review the STOPR weather zone map and all inclement weather procedures.

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