THE SABRES ROAR

St. Sofia Byzantine Catholic School

3540 Havenwood Dr. Mississauga, Ontario L4X2M9

(905) 625-0823

E-mail: stsofiainfo@dpcdsb.org

X (twitter): @StSofia_DPCDSB

Principal
S. Donaghue

Vice Principal
S. Rossi

Head Secretary

O. Tkaczyk

Assistant Secretary
R. Park

D.P.C.D.S.B Catholic Education Centre
905-890-1221

Website: www.dpcdsb.org/SOFIA

Superintendent Mississauga East
D. Belchior
Trustee
Mario Pascucci (Mississauga Ward 3)

People of hope….

Expect the best to happen for everyone

Hold on to their dreams

Always count on God to help them in tough situations

Trust that things will work out in God’s way

Look for something good to come out of problems

Are looking forward to life’s blessings Set and stick to their own goals.

Dec. 2 - Dec 6 Library is closed for Inventory please return all books

Dec 2 - 10:30am: St. Nicholas Concert Rehearsal

• Candy Cane Candy Gram Sales BEGIN

Dec. 3 - Father Jaroslaw visit

Dec. 4 - Last day to buy St. Nicholas photos

• Father Bohdan visit

Dec. 5 - Father Tom visit

• 6:00pm Doors Open for St. Nicholas Concert at John Cabot Secondary School
• 6:30pm St. Nicholas Concert begins
• Admission: Non-perishable food item /Donations for Dzerelo

Dec 6 - Feast of St Nicholas

• St Nicholas visits St Sofia /St. Nicholas Photos (School Cash Online)

Dec. 9 - Dec. 13 Scholastic Book Fair / Candy Cane CandyGram Sales / Peace Light

Peace Light from Bethlehem, Families are invited daily from 11:00-2:00 to light their family candle

Dec 9 - Bus Safety Presentations at St. Sofia

• AM Philip Pocock Guidance Visit

Dec 10 - Pizza

Dec. 11 -Father Michael Goetz Shadow Day

• 10:00 am Pre-Christmas Confessions
• 3:00 pm - 6:00pm Scholastic Book Fair
• 3:00 pm - 6:00pm Peace Light from Bethlehem (all families are invited to come & light a candle)

Dec 12 - Subway

Dec 13 - Wrap Day

• 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Final Scholastic Shopping
• Final Day for Candy Cane Candy Gram Sales

Dec.16 - Dec. 20: JINGLE all the Way to CHRISTMAS Spirit Week

Dec 16 - Wear your Comfy Cozies or Christmas Pajamas

• St. Sofia goes to the movies

Dec 17 - Christmas Sweater Day/ School Christmas Games

• Distribution of Candy Cane Candy Grams
• Christmas BINGO
• Classroom Christmas Wreath Decorating begins

Dec 18 - Holiday Headwear Day

• School-Wide Christmas Retreat Day
• Final day of Candy Cane CandyGram delivery

Dec. 19 -Represent your Super Hero Day! Wear your favourite Jersey

• SPECIAL Hero Burger LUNCH DAY (School Cash Online)
• Staff vs Student hockey game
• Christmas Wreath Judging

Dec. 20 - Christmas Colours Day! Wear Christmas Colours today

• Svichechka
• Christmas Karokee
• Last day before Christmas Holidays

You are invited to St. Sofia School to light your family candle during the week of December 9, 2024 - December 13, 2024 between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. You can also come by on December 13, 2024 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Looking forward to seeing all familes.

Pizza and sub orders are now posted on School Cash Online. Pizza days are on Tuesdays, sub days are on Thursdays, and we have no wraps this week.

Cookie sales continue and will be distributed every Wednesday.

The purpose of Catholic School Council is, through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. A Catholic School Council's primary means of achieving its purpose is by making recommendations in accordance with this policy and regulation to the principal of the school and to the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board.

Council members shall maintain a school-wide focus on all issues. Each member shall:

• Attend regularly and participate in council meetings;
• Participate in faith development, information and training programs;
• Act as a link between the Catholic school council and the school community;
• Encourage the participations of parents from all groups and of other people within the community

Catholic School Council Members:

Co Chairs - Eva Chalupa & Oksana Shavel

Secretary - Olga M. Doubinska

Treasurer - Nataliya Ryabchun

OAPCE - Ulyana Polovka

Parish Rep for St. Elias - Michael Bagan

Parish Rep for St. Mary - Oksana Volchuk

Oksana Didkovsky

Mariana Doubas

Katerina Downard

Stan Hankowski

Tania Iwaniura

Liliya Leheta

Marianna Pankiw

Yulia Yarema

Non Teaching Rep: Oksana Tkaczyk

Teaching Rep: Ola Holyk

Principal: Sandra Donaghue

Vice Principal: Susan Rossi

Catholic School Council Information

The next Catholic School Council meeting will be on Thurs. Jan. 16, 2025 at 6:30 pm. We strongly encourage all parents to come and be part of the discussions at our meetings.

If you have any agenda topic requests that you would like to be considered, please email them to our email address at: stsofiacsc@gmail.com no later than Tues. Jan. 14

Please be aware, that any issues related to Staff or students must be addressed with the school directly.

We look forward to our next meeting:

Thursday January 16, 2025 at 6:30 pm. All are welcome!

Meeting Dates for 2024-2025

February 20, 2025

April 10, 2025

June 5, 2025

When picking up your child(ren) throughout the school day PLEASE try to avoid the LUNCH HOUR & RECESS TIMES.

If you are planning on picking up your child(ren) during the lunch hour - please inform the school BEFORE 12:24 PM and we will have them in the office ready for you. If you are coming closer to 1:00PM your child(ren) will be in the office by 1:05PM. During the LUNCH HOUR the students are OUTSIDE from 12:24-1:04 - so please note that calling for your child while they are out on the yard - means a little more waiting on your end.

If we know they are being picked up early - we will have them ready for you in the office.

Please inform the office by 3:30 pm if you are picking up before end of day dismissal. Regular routines for dismissal will be followed if we are not informed in advance.

We appreciate your support on this process.

Please be reminded that once students have been dropped off that parents should not remain on the pavement area in the morning. This is for the safety of our students.

Please drop your students off at the entrance to the yard - we have staff on duty and we cannot allow parents on the yard - it is for the safety of all that we follow this rule.

Please refrain from bringing pets onto school property during school hours. Thank you.

The Solemn Holy Communion for Grade 2 students will take place on Saturday May 3rd, 2025 at St. Mary's Ukranian Catholic Church.

May 1 - Grade 2 First Confessions and Retreat at St. Elias Church in Brampton.

Updated Messaging:

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) continues to be dedicated to establishing a culture of respect and belonging that fosters safe and inclusive learning environments. Recognition of the human dignity of each person, created in the image of God, forms the foundation of equity and inclusive education. As a faith community we have a duty to examine all language and we must always be attentive and responsive to times when harmful or offensive words enter our learning spaces.

The collective goal is to create spaces that are safe and free of words that are rooted in racism and hatred. This messaging is in direct response to an increase in usage of the n-word within our schools. The DPCDSB is reminding all community members of the standing expectation on discriminatory language.

The DPCDSB expectation is that the n-word or any of its derivatives is never to be said or written within learning spaces and any instances of its use will be appropriately and immediately addressed in order to prioritize student, staff and community safety.

In our efforts to maintain safe and inclusive educational learning spaces we are sharing this information with parents/caregivers. As such we would ask that you enter into age appropriate conversations with your children surrounding the expectation that the n-word is not to be said or written within learning spaces. Together, we can continue our collective work in strengthening a community that models kindness, values compassion, and fosters educational spaces rooted in our Catholic Social Teachings.

As we continue the school year, we would like to remind you that St. Sofia is an allergen aware school. There are pupils and staff in attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to certain foods, such as dairy, peanut and nut products. Exposure to even the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. The most common allergen triggers are food, insect stings, medications, and latex. An anaphylactic reaction involves symptoms from two or more body systems. We at St. Sofia School would appreciate the cooperation of the entire school community by NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain nut or nut byproducts which could potentially harm a pupil. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of the food restrictions. Please do not send food for birthdays or special occasions. We look forward to your co-operation in making this a safe year for all of our pupils.

9:00: Supervision begins

9:15: School day begins

12:04: Lunch Begins: Nutrition Break in classrooms

12:24: Outdoor Recess

1:04: Afternoon classes begin

2:27: Recess Begins

2:42: Recess Ends

4:00: Dismissal

DPCDSB uses School Messenger to deliver text messages to your mobile phone with important information about school closings, safety alerts and more.

You can subscribe to this free service by sending a message of Y or Yes to DPCDSB's number: 978338 (for Canada-based numbers).

Whether it’s a medical appointment, an illness or other important event, there are times when students may need to be away from school. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District school board is introducing a new method for parents to report their child(ren)’s absences. Using the SafeArrival system, parents will be able to report daily or future absences in one of three ways:

Web:

1. Go to the SafeArrival website at go.schoolmessenger.ca
2. Select Sign Up to create your account. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
3. Select Attendance.
4. Select Report an Absence.

The Child and Family Services Act compel educators to report any issues that may compromise a child’s welfare. If a staff member suspects any issue that may affect a child’s safety, then the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) must be contacted. It is not the role of the educator to investigate. That is CAS’s role.

If your child has a medical condition, please ensure that the school is aware of it by submitting the proper forms and medication as soon as possible.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medications and forms are updated for any student who requires medication to be administered at school. If your child requires medication, please have the necessary forms completed and return them, along with any medication, to the office as soon as possible. Please remember to check the expiry dates of all medication before bringing them to school.

When a student receives an injury/bump to the head (however minor), it is a Board Policy that we inform parents. You will be contacted by phone, a phone message will be left at one of your contact numbers or a note will be left in your child’s agenda if you are unavailable. This is precautionary only and we ask that you check your child when they get home for any signs of a concussion or illness. Agenda’s should be checked by parents daily for this reason, as well as to check for any notes from the teacher or office. A copy of the concussion brochure is always available on our school website.

Don't Forget to Get yourself set up on School CashOnline

Please follow the link below to register online - it takes less than two minutes!

https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com

You will need your child’s name and date of birth. Use of student number is optional.

Should you encounter any difficulties, you can use the parent help desk at 1 (866) 961-1803 or the support link on the school cash online website.

PAY WITH: Credit Card or Debit Card

1. Create Your Profile:

Go to https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ and click on "Get Started Today".

2. Confirm Your Email:

Check your inbox for the email confirmation and click on the link inside. Sign in with your new login details.

3. Add a Student

Click "Add Student" and fill in the required fields with your child’s details:

1. School Board name

2. Select a school

3. Legal First Name

4. Legal Last Name

5. Birth Date (Month/Day/Year)