Email: St.ThereseoftheCJinfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: www.dpcdsb.org/TCHLD
Location: 6930 Forest Park Drive, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-785-0066
Twitter: @StThereseDPCDSB

Principal: C. Duke

Administrative Assistant: J. Lusk

Catholic School Council Chair: TBA

Superintendent of Mississauga West: L. Odo

Trustee Wards 9 & 10 Brea Corbet (905) 301-9373

St. John of the Cross Parish Information Website: http://www.saintjohnofthecross.com/

Reconciliation

Monday, November 25, 2024 7:00pm @ Church

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 7:00pm @ Church

First Communion Registration Meetings

Sunday, January 19, 2025 7:00pm @ Church

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:00pm @ Church

Enrolment Ceremony (All Masses)

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Sunday , January 26, 2025

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Ash Wednesday March 5, 2025

Easter Sunday April 20, 2025

First Communion Masses

Saturday May 3, 2025 10:30am @ Church

Sunday, May 4, 2025 2:00pm @ Church

Saturday, May 10, 2025 10:30am @ Church

Sunday, May 11, 2025 2:00pm @ Church

Confirmation Dates-Celebrant Fr. Joyson George

Tuesday, April 29th 2025 @ 7pm

Thursday, May 1st 2025 @ 7pm

Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 @7pm

Confirmation Preparation

Mandatory confirmation registration meeting for parents of students in grade 7 and above preparing for this sacrament

Sunday September 29th at 6:00pm OR Tuesday October 1st at 7:00pm at the church

Register for the meeting here: https://forms.gle/RgTDGigtZc1EB8B29

For what to bring with you to the meeting; https://stjohnofthecrossmi.archtoronto.org/en/our-community/services/confirmation-preparation/

God has given us the ability to form connections with each other – to live together. Empathy helps us to connect and live together in safe, caring, inclusive communities.

An empathetic person believes that we all share one Spirit; that we are many parts of one body because we are all created in the image and likeness of God.

• What empathetic people do:
• Listen attentively
• Watch people’s body language
• Notice and respond when someone is upset
• Can name her/ his feelings
• Can see a situation from another person’s point of view
• Know that different people may feel differently about the same thing

Catholic education views human life as an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in this vision, Catholic education fosters the search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest. The expectations of Catholic graduates, therefore, are described not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions. Vision of the Learner The Graduate is expected to be:

1. A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.

2. An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values

3. A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good. 4. A self- directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God -given potential.

5. A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.

6. A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community

7. A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.

On September 17th, Mrs. Donaher our Child and Youth Worker took a group of four Grade 8 students on a transformative journey that has left an indelible mark on the school community as a whole. At the Wellness Conference our ladies learned about various aspects of mental health, including the significance of self-care, strategies for managing stress, and the importance of open conversations around mental well-being. Inspired by what they learned, students have the goal of creating a mental health club for junior and intermediate students. Stay tuned for more information as our committee works to promote student wellbeing initiatives this school year.

On Tuesday, September 24th our school gathered as a faith community to celebrate mass with Father Joyson. Led by our Adult Faith Ambassadors, Mrs. Mills & Mrs. Ramlogan and our Youth Faith Ambassadors who did an excellent job making this celebration special. Joined by Mrs. Santi's Grade 5/6 class who sang in in the choir. Students gathered in faith along side staff and parents who were able to join us.

We had an incredible turnout this year at our School Open House. It was a pleasure to see so many families come together in community, visit the school, classrooms and teachers. We would like to also extended a heartfelt thank you to our School Council, parent and student volunteers for all their help in making the evening a successful one.

The Scholastic Book Fair held at our school was a huge success thanks to the efforts of Ms. Rainaldi and our parent volunteers. We are immensely grateful for their dedication and the countless hours they put in to ensure the smooth running of the event. We cannot thank our parent volunteers enough for their invaluable contributions to our school community. A special thanks to Ms. Donkor, Mrs. Kasza and student volunteers for their assistance during Open House. The fair was a great opportunity for our students to expand their reading horizons and discover new literary treasures. The sales at the fair were exceptional and money raised will benefit our school community. This will allow us to invest in new books and other resources that will enhance the educational experience of our students. We are already looking forward to next year's book fair and thank you for your continued support. Scholastic Draw Winners: Congratulations to the winning class: Mme. Falbo's Gr 6 EF class & to Natalia, our winning student.

For the Week of September 23rd - 27th, students and staff participated in a number of activities, videos and life learning sessions that focused on Truth & Reconciliation. Together classes worked towards understanding healing and unity as we acknowledge the truths of our history. So proud of our students! On Monday September 30th students acknowledged Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange and Every Child Matters shirts. Mrs. Mills & Mme. Falbo's students did a great presentation where students and parents gathered in the gym.

We welcome all community members to join us at our meetings!! You do not need to be a voting member to participate in council meetings. Your support, input and presence are all greatly appreciated. Our school council meetings will be held in person and also via Zoom.

Next Meeting:

*All meetings begin at 6:00pm in the school library or you can join virtually through the Zoom link provided through School Messenger.

Wednesday, October, 2nd, 2024

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international Catholic organization of lay people. Catholic in character, it is open to all who wish to live their faith by loving their neighbour in the person of the needy. It’s that time of year of again when St. Vincent DePaul reaches out to our faith community to ask for support to help those in need. This year, St. Vincent DePaul is asking members of our community to provide food donations to stock their shelves for Thanksgiving. They are also accepting grocery gift cards. Each classroom is focusing on bringing specific items requested by SVDP.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive will run from Friday, September 27th to Friday, October 10th. We are always grateful for your generosity and kindness.

TERRY Fox Marathon of Hope Walk/Run will be taking place on October 3rd, 2024 @ 9:45am. We are looking forward to a beautiful day enjoyed by all! All students will have an opportunity to win a prize. We are also encouraging all our students to wear red😃

Just a reminder that Friday October 11th is a PA day. There will be no school for children on that day.

The Rosary Apostolate has been been an instrument to bind Catholic schools, the Church, and community to greater unity. A school that prays the Rosary is a school that the Mother of God presses close to her Immaculate Heart. A school that prays together is a school that puts Christ at the centre of its routine - Who alone can fulfill every longing of every heart and Who alone can bring peace, love, and unity among the school body. By keeping prayer at the heart of Catholic Education, we continue to plant in the hearts of students, the key that opens to them, the Heart of Christ.

Students in Grades 4 to 8 in Mississauga North will be going to Erin Dale Park on Thursday, October 10th. If you would like to be a parent volunteer for this event, please be sure to reach out to your child's coach. Criminal Reference Checks are required. We are so proud of our students who have been practicing! Way to go Thunder😉

Thanksgiving is celebrated on Monday October 14, 2024 . Students do not attend school. We wish all students and families a very blessed and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

As you know, oral health is an important part of a child’s overall health. Untreated tooth decay can lead to pain and infection which may result in difficulty eating, speaking and learning. Peel Public Health is excited to work with you again to provide free dental screening for children in your school.

What is a Dental Screening?

Dental screening in Peel elementary schools is required by the Ontario Ministry of Health. It is a quick look in the child’s mouth by a Peel Public Health registered dental hygienist. A dental screening helps identify children who may need dental care. Oral health staff follow up with the parent/guardian of children identified with an urgent dental need to assist them with accessing dental services. If a parent is not able to afford dental care for their child, the child may be eligible for free dental services through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Photo Retake Day will be on Monday November 4th, 2024.

Students and staff will show off their School Spirit by wearing orange and/or black, or a costume on October 31, 2024.

When deciding on you costume ask yourself:

• Does this costume make fun of human traits, identities, cultures, or race?

• Does this costume reduce culture or identity to stereotypes?

• Who might be harmed by my choice of costume?

• Is this costume depicting and perpetuating a stereotype or stigma associated with a particular race, culture, gender, ability or religion?

• Does this costume include a replication of a garment that is a significant component of a particular religion or culture of which I do not identify with?

• Is this costume depicting a historical time-period where that look/costume is now considered offensive and discriminatory?

• Does this costume represent elements of a culture or cultural practice that is being commoditized for consumption?

• Can I confidently say that this costume choice would not be considered offensive to a particular race, ethnic origin, gender or religion?

Costume ideas should avoid the following: (Please note that this is not an exhaustive list)

Any cultural stereotype Body objectification

Blackface Animal cruelty

The Covid-19 pandemic Culturally specific references: e.g. Day of the Dead, Hula

A person with differing abilities A prisoner

People with mental illness Anything trivializing

Individuals experiencing homelessness Anything mocking gender identity

Body shaming Anything transphobic

Depictions of violence

Remember: Halloween can be a time for fun. Think critically and creatively when choosing a costume that honours the dignity of each human person, so that everyone can enjoy themselves.

Please feel free to click on the Translate button on the bottom of the newsletter to choose your language of preference! (Arabic, Spanish, Hausa, Portuguese, Taglog, Polish, Italian, Malayalam, Hindi etc.)

Are you interested in volunteering at St. Therese of the Child Jesus? Our volunteers support programs and activities at the school. We appreciate and rely on parents who can devote a small portion of their time to help. People who volunteer in schools and attend trips are required to have completed Vulnerable Sector Check -Level 3 ($40), which can be completed online at the link below. Please see the office for a letter requesting a CRC to take to your local police station.

Please note that if you have previously submitted a Criminal Reference Check, they have expired due to the pandemic time lapse, unless you have completed the Annual Declaration. Please connect with the main office if you are unsure.

Once the form is completed, your volunteer service can begin. We look forward to working with you for the betterment and support of all students.

We will continue our weekly Pizza and Sub days. This year we will have the choice of pepperoni pizza and cheese pizza. Also this year, we will be selling popcorn for a fun and healthy treat. Students have different flavours to choose from. All payments will be accepted through School Cash Online. No cash will be accepted at the school. Stay tuned for details! All money raised through food days go directly back into our school to support activities.

Tuesday -- Subs

Wednesday -- Popcorn

Thursday -- Pizza

Regular Morning, Lunch and Afternoon recess will be outdoors with supervision. As we draw closer to the season of fall and the temperature outside begins to drop, we ask that your child comes to school in appropriate clothing/ outerwear.

We ask that parents continue to support their children in their morning routines so that they can arrive to school on time. This ensures that your child learns an essential life skill, participates in the entire school day, and that disruptions to the learning environment are minimal.

Some of the students in our school have severe life threatening allergic reactions to nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils and any peanut by -products. For some children the smell of nuts can bring on a severe attack. We need your cooperation! We kindly ask that you DO NOT send snacks to school that contain nuts or any nut products.

Please note that to ensure the continued safety of all students, the Dufferin -Peel Catholic District School Board with the support of the Anaphylactic Society and the Peel Health Department has recommended that students not bring peanut butter alternatives (soy butter, sunflower butter) to school. We thank you for your cooperation in supporting student safety.

Please note that there are children who have allergies to animal hair, and who have a fear of dogs. In order to prevent a potential concern for our students, please do not bring your dog onto school property during school hours. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

The Dufferin -Peel Catholic District School Board acknowledges the value of the use of technology for learning. Students are permitted to register and use personal electronic devices (PEDs) on board premises and/ or board sanctioned events for educational purposes, under the direction of staff and only with parent/ guardian permission. Students may register their PED for the purpose of connecting to the board wireless network. Students are required to adhere to the student “Personal Electronic Device Used with WI - FI Network Student Agreement” (GF 337) and the “Network User Application and Agreement” (GF066). Please be advised that the Dufferin -Peel Catholic District School Board will not be responsible for any cost incurred through the use of personal data plans.

PEDs are to be used responsibly and should not interfere with learning; their use must comply with the Catholic Code of Conduct, board policies and procedures. Any personal communications (i.e. phone calls, text messages, etc.) will continue to be directed through the main office. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in a loss of PED privileges and/ or any other consequences deemed necessary by school administration.

The school principal may authorize limited acceptable uses of personal electronic devices during school -sanctioned activities for a specific designated purpose outside of instructional spaces and/ or in common areas. Students are responsible for the safety and security of PEDs at all times and the Board assumes no responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen devices.

The safety of our students, staff and visitors remains our number one priority. The following policies will be implemented to ensure the safety of all students, staff and visitors

Please review the following Kiss and Ride Safety Expectations:

• Keep traffic flowing. Proceed as far to the stop sign as possible before stopping your vehicle.
• Have your child exit from the right side (passenger doors) of your vehicle.
• NO PARKING in Kiss and Ride.
• If you wish to wait and see your child enter the yard, park in the designated areas and wait in the designated pick-up/drop off locations.
• DO NOT stop or park in Bus Lane (front of school).
• The same expectations apply during rain/snow. Do not stop or drop your children off at the front of the school. This is a Bus Lane only.
• PLEASE REMEMBER TO NOT PARK IN THE HANDICAPPED PARKING SPOTS IN THE KINDERGARTEN LOT

PASSWORD RESET TOOLS

You can now reset your password remotely by registering for the Password Reset Tool. You must know your old password to create a new one.

To reset your password remotely you must first register with the “Password Reset Tool”, which you can do by following one of these two steps:

Students: students.dpcdsb.org and select Password Reset

Staff: https://account.activedirectory.windowsazure.com/PasswordReset/Register.aspx ​

**Access to personal email/cell phone is required for registration.

Once you are registered, please follow the Password Reset Instructions

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.

App:

1. Download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Please note that SafeArrival uses the SchoolMessenger app.
2. Select Sign-Up. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
3. You will be prompted to enter your email (same email address your school has on file) and create a password.
4. The system will send a link to the same email address the school has on file, please click on the link you have received in your email to activate your account.

Phone:

1. Call the toll-free number 1-844-435-3440
2. Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence.
3. If the system doesn’t recognize your caller ID, you will be asked to enter the student’s home phone number or any phone number for the guardian that is on file with the school.

*Please note: If you are planning on signing your child out early from school, please ensure that these plans are communicated to the classroom teacher through the school agenda in advance where possible.

The school office is an incredibly busy place, and although all efforts are made the answer all phone calls, phone calls sometimes go to voicemail. To avoid frustration, please ensure that your child's teacher is aware of these arrangements.

October 2: 6:00pm - Catholic School Council Mtg/Elections

October 3: Terry Fox/Walk /Run - Marathon of Hope (Rain Date: Oct 4)

October 7: 6:30pm - Community Engagement Night OLMC SS - Dr. J. Clinton

October 8: Jr Boys Volleyball POD Tournament

October 9: Rosary of Apostolate Visit & JR Girls Volleyball POD Tournament hosted at St. Therese of the Child Jesus CES

October 10: Cross-Country Track Meet at Erindale Park

October 11: PA Day (No school for students)

October 14: Thanksgiving Day Long Weekend

October 18: Dental Screening

October 28 - Nov 1: Halloweek ShareLife Spirit Week (details coming soon)

October 31: Halloween Dance A Thon