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St Richard Community Newsletter
March 2024
St Richard Info
Principal: T. Brancalion
Head Secretary: G. Falotico
Superintendent of Schools: Laura Odo (905)-890-1221
Trustee: Brea Corbet (905)-301-9373
Parish: St. John of the Cross Parish (905) 821-1331
Email: RICHAInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/richa
Location: 7270 Copenhagen Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-826-5572
Twitter: @StRichardDPCDSB
Virtue of the Month: Kindeness
God wants us to give generously to others around us.
God wants us to be kind to everyone we meet.
Being kind is about more than just pretending to be nice.
It is about helping and playing with others because we want to and not because we feel we
have to.
God helps us to be kind to our family and friends because by being kind we are able to see God in every one we meet.
Lenten Prayer
Good and Gracious God,
You call your people back to You this Lent.
May this sacred season renew our desire to live fully the promises of our Baptism and to love You with a whole heart through more frequent prayer, Acts of charity and fasting,
May we remember that loving You and one another is the most important thing we can do.
In confidence, we ask these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
St John of the Cross Parish Info
St John of the Cross Parish Info
Pastoral Letter from the Most Rev. Francis Leo
Archbishop Francis Leo has released a Pastoral Letter to the Church of God in the Archdiocese of Toronto, entitled, “Seeking The Kingdom of God Above and Beyond All Other Things”.
This significant reflection from our spiritual shepherd is intended to offer a theological, spiritual, and pastoral meditation as we embark upon a New Year and our collective efforts to build and strengthen the Kingdom of God throughout our archdiocese.
Link to the letter: https://www.archtoronto.org/en/outreach/news/archdiocesan/pastoral-letter-from-the-most-rev.-francis-leo/
Easter Sunday March 31, 2024
First Communion Masses
Saturday April 13, 2024 10:30am @ Church
Sunday, April 14, 2024 2:00pm @ Church
Saturday, April 20, 2024 10:30am @ Church
Sunday, April 21, 2024 2:00pm @ Church
Confirmation Dates-Celebrant Fr. Joyson George
Tuesday, April 9th 2024 @ 7pm
Thursday, April 11th 2024 @ 7pm
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 @7pm
2023 Tax Receipts
2023 tax receipts are now available at the Parish office
Free Income Tax Filings
Free income tax preparation for low income individuals is offered by the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), coordinated by the Canada Revenue Agency
Contact the parish office to check eligibility and to book a 30 min appointment on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm during the months of March & April
Tax preparations can be done in-person or by telephone interview. Let the accountant know when they call you to confirm your schedule.
Please contact Muriel Haney at muriel1066@bell.net for more information
Stations of the Cross
There will be Stations of the Cross and Holy Mass every Friday during lent
Friday February 16th (and every Friday during Lent) at 7:00pm in the Church
Community Rosary starts at 6:30pm
Baby Bottle Campaign
The Knights of Columbus Council, in support of JFJ Hope Centre, encourage you to “fill a bottle, make a difference!”
The campaign runs from Saturday March 2nd until Sunday March 24th. Pick up a bottle after Mass and fill it with loose change, cash or a cheque.
You can also donate without filling a bottle by using this link: https://jfjhopecentre.ca/baby-bottle-campaign/
Taize Worship
The Jesus Youth Community invites you to a Taize prayer service
Friday March 8th after Stations of the Cross and Holy Mass
Parish Lenten Mission and Reconciliation
The Parish invites you to join our Lenten Mission led by Fr. Errol Fernandes SJ
Monday March 11th to Wednesday March 13th at 7:00pm in the Church
Reconciliation: Thursday March 14th at 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Church
CWL: Unique Call to Sanctity
The Catholic Women's League presents "Unique Call to Sanctity" with guest speaker Nikkieta D’Souza, Catholic Mindset Coach
Monday March 18th at 7:00 in the Rotunda
All are welcome. To register, please send an email to sjocrosscwl@archtoronto.org
KofC: Fish & Chips Knight
The Knights of Columbus will be holding their annual curbside pickup fish & chips event
Saturday March 23rd at 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Church
Cost is $13 per meal. To order please click here: https://forms.gle/f9ZqbBiQqPjKJHS97 OR
Contact Marlon Saldanha 647.624.8905 or Trevor Phillips 647.229.7356 and Etransfer to: eventskoc@gmail.com
Parish Women's Group Spiritual Study
The Parish Women's Group will be having a spiritual adventure study on Catholic morality for all the ladies in the parish
An 8-week adventure study every Tuesday starting April 2nd at 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Study material is $35. Please contact the parish office for registration details
Cross Camp: Save the Date
SJOC Parish will be holding its annual Cross Camp this summer for children entering grades one to six.
Weeks of July 15th to 19th and July 22nd to 26th
More information regarding registration, fees, and programming will be announced shortly
Catholic School Council
Catholic School Council 2023-2024
Our Catholic School Council met for our first meeting on Wednesday, September 20th 2023.
Welcome to our new members.
Neisma Peredo Chair
Magda Kaniewski Co-Chair
Renata Bieniek Treasurer
Lynn Rockett Secretary
David Randall Parish Representative
Cynthia Sudeyko Voting Member
Stephanie Giorgio Voting Member
Michael Freeze Voting Member
Milena Piasentin Voting Member
Please see below for our 2023-2024 Meeting Dates:
Wednesday, January 17th @ 6:30
Monday, February 12th @ 6:30
Wednesday, April 24th @ 6:30
Wednesday, May 8th @ 6:30
Please note all meetings will be hybrid. You can request the link the week before each meeting if you choose to join virtually
Soap for Hope - Lenten Soap Drive for Canadian Food for Children
St Richard will be participating in the Soap for Hope Fundraiser for Canadian Food for Children (Dr. Simone) for the month of March. We will be collecting soap bars, shampoo, and body wash.
There are medical purposes for providing soap to the communities that Dr. Simone visits. When a person does not have access to soap or cleaning products, they can be infected with skin diseases, pneumonia and other illnesses.
If you would like to donate please send all soap products to school with your child before March 28th.
Thank you in advance for your support with this fundraiser.
Coding with Intermediate Students. Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Reconciliation Grades 3 to 8 on Tuesday, March 5th in the afternoon
Great Big Crunch Thursday, March 7 2024
March Break Monday March 11th - Friday March 15th
World Down Syndrome Day March 21, 2024
On March 21st, choose some socks that are going to get noticed!
They might be mismatched socks or your most colourful socks, whatever takes your fancy!
The idea is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks you can tell them, “I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down syndrome”.
And then you can tell them everything you want them to know about Down syndrome.
Dr. Simone Shoe Drive March 18th - 22nd
As we prepare for the Easter Season, St. Richard is inviting you to help the people in need by participating in a gently used Shoe Drive for Dr. Simone’s Organization.
During your March Break, if you happen to do any Spring cleaning and come across any pair of shoes in good condition that you are no longer using, please donate them to our Drive.
Please make sure to tie the shoe laces of each pair or place each pair into a bag. Our Drive will begin on Monday, March 18, 2024 and will end on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Every donation counts! Even donating a single pair of shoes will make a difference to a person in need.
Thank you in advance for your generous support of our Drive.
Stations of the Cross March 28th
We will be having a Stations of the Cross Liturgy at 10:30am on Thursday, March 28th in our gym. All are welcome to attend.
Holy Thursday March 28th
We are excited to share that students will have the opportunity to enjoy a soft pretzel on Holy Thursday, March 28th. All students will be given a pretzel to enjoy that day.
The pretzels are provided by Dimpflmeir Bakery, and the ingredients are as follows:
Ingredients: unbleached wheat flour, natural spring water, non gmo canola oil, yeast, malt syrup, sea salt, sugar.
Hard copy permission forms will be sent home with your child.
Dear Lisgar Neigbours,
Please join us for our annual park cleanup. Please everyone help us keep Lisgar clean, safe & beautiful!
Date: Saturday May 11, 2024
Time: 10am to 12pm (noon)
Please choose from the four locations listed in the flyer at 10am.
1. Stonewood Park
(Meet near the parking lot off Sandhurst)
2. Trelawny Woods
(Doug Leavens & Trelawny Circle)
3. Tennis Courts
(Doug Leavens Blvd)
4. Osprey Marsh
(Entrance at Osprey Blvd at the flashing light crosswalk)
* FINISH at Basketball Courts next to Lisgar Middle School for a group photograph at 12 pm (noon)
This is a great opportunity for students to get volunteer community hours
*HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PLEASE remember to bring your community volunteer
paperwork to be signed by us.
We will be at each location to provide garbage bags.
I’m sending my sincere gratitude for making our Book Fair an outstanding success! Thanks to your contributions, we sold a total of $4600 dollars worth of books at our Fair. We raised over $1000 dollars for our school, which we’ll use to purchase new books in the fall.
My reward for hosting a Book Fair is watching your kids discover new books. All that joy wouldn’t be possible without student volunteers – you deserve my special thanks. I hope to see you and your child at our next Fair. Until then, happy reading!
Gratefully,
Ms. Tonkovic
Librarian/Planning Time
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations to our girls and boys junior basketball teams for making it the the board level basketball tournaments. Our girls came in first place in our family and our boys came in second place.
Tuck Shop every Tuesday and Friday at St Richard Catholic Elementary School
We are pleased to announce that Ms. Brathwaite and Ms. Rocha will be running tuck shop every Tuesday and Friday starting Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
This fundraising initiative is to raise money for various activities for our students throughout the year. (Guest Speakers, Technology, and to off set costs for our graduating class of 2024).
- Tuck Shop: Over the next 6 months Gr Ms. Brathwaite and Ms. Rocha will run a tuck shop for students from Kindergarten to 8 before lunch recess every Tuesday and Thursday.
- $2 Various Chips (Lays Regular, Cheetos, Doritos, All Dressed, and Ketchup, Crunchy Cheetos, Pringles)
- $2 Garden Veggie Straws
- $2 popcorn (sweet & Salty, White Cheddar, Butter and Salt)
- $2 Terra Cotta Cookies (Chocolate chip and Vanilla)
- $ 1 Lollipops
- $1 Pretzel Sticks
- $1Goldfish Crackers
- $1 Organic Apple Sauce Pouches
- $1 Rice Krispies
If your child has any food restrictions and you do not want them to participate please contact their teacher directly to let them know.
The Terra Cotta cookies do have a vegan and gluten free option available. Please let your child's teacher know if you would prefer they purchase either of those options instead.
Ingredients for all Terra Cotta Cookies
Fudge Chip DeLite
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), cocoa, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains: wheat, soy, egg.
Catholic Chip DeLite
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), soluble vegetable fiber (corn) baking soda.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
May contain milk.
Vanilla Snowman
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), rainbow sprinkles (icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, colour, gum arabic, carnauba wax), natural flavour.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
Vanilla Heart Cookies
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), colour, natural flavour.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
Vegan Chocolate Chip
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, anhydrous dextrose, soya lecithin, vanilla extract), water, soybean and palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce, milled flaxseed, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains: Wheat & Soy
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip
Brown sugar, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), rice flour, liquid whole egg, soy flour, cassava starch, vanilla extract, baking soda, xanthan gum.
Contains: soy, egg.
Chocolate Fundraiser Prizes
We would like to thank all of you for contributing to our Chocolate Fundraiser. Our sales have been fantastic! We would like to share the prizes that will be awarded for participating in the fundraiser.
Top Seller will win a Nintendo Switch!
Top sellers from 2nd to 6th place will win a $10 gift card for Tim Hortons and a $5 Gift Card for Kernels.
If you sold 2 boxes or more you will be eligible to win a $25 Gift Card for Amazon.
There will be a "Tuck Shop Party" for the class that raises the most money in each division. All students in the classes will be able to choose a snack from the tuck shop to celebrate.
Chocolate Fundraiser Friday February 9th - Monday March 18th
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School is excited to introduce our 2023/2024 Fundraiser.
We will be selling WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATES!
Chocolates will be distributed February 9th and Sales will end on March 18th
30 Items per box, $3 Each
· Caramel Whirls
· Mint Meltaways
· Chocolate Wafer Bars
· Chocolate Covered Raisins
· Crisp Bars and More!
WHY DO WE FUNDRAISE?
Your support helps the school in many positive ways! Including student agendas, technology, sacraments, field trips, and more!
Council is also fundraising for Single Post Shade Umbrellas in Our Yard
Not interested in chocolates no worries! Families also have the option to submit to a
Voluntary Donation Specifically to St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
SOME IMPORTANT TIPS!
· Please only sell the product to close neighbours, friends, and family members
· We do not encourage students soliciting door to door for safety reasons. If students are selling in their neighbourhood, they should be accompanied by a responsible adult.
· All money collected over the next few weeks should be returned to your child’s teacher or paid via School Cash Online
PRIZES
We will have exciting prizes for the top selling students!
SPECIAL DRAW - SELL 2 CASES AND BE ENTERED FOR THIS DRAW
PAYMENT CAN BE MADE VIA SCHOOL CASH ONLINE ONCE YOU HAVE SOLD YOUR CASE OR YOUR CHILD CAN BRING IN THE $90 CASH TO THEIR CLASSROOM TEACHER.
St Richard Catholic School Walking Routes
Winter Fun Safety Expectations
SNOW Safety Expectations
Now that the snow is here it is important to remind students that St. Richard has a strict rule of forbidding the throwing of snowballs and kicking of snow. Every student has been made aware of the importance of this rule in the preventing of injury to others.
S Snow stays on the ground
NO No standing, sitting, sliding down hills
W Winter wonder: building snow angels, snow people, snow forts!
Please review our Snow Safety Expectations with your children. Thank you for your support.
Cold Weather is Here!
Inclement Weather Reminders
Our winter season is here! At this time we would like to remind all students to dress appropriately for the season by wearing the proper winter attire which should include hats, gloves/mitts, winter coats and boots. When students are dressed properly for the winter conditions, they can go outside and enjoy some fresh air and activity in comfort. There will be a few times during the course of the year where a recess may be shortened or held indoors due to extreme cold temperatures. Our school board policy states that although consideration should be given for keeping students indoors during recesses when the wind chill reaches -20C, students are to be kept indoors during recesses when the wind chill reaches -22C.
In the colder weather, we receive numerous requests to allow children to remain indoors when students have a cold, the flu, etc. Please note that we cannot comply as we neither have the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students. Moreover, the health officials indicate that the fresh air is good for children, and not harmful as long as they are dressed appropriately.
Cold Weather Guidelines
According to Environment Canada, temperatures will dip to -18 C Tuesday, with the wind chill, and plummet again to near -30 C on Wednesday.
Following recommendations from Peel Health, the Peel District School Board and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board implemented cold-weather guidelines created to prevent students from suffering frostbite or other injuries caused by extreme cold.
Under the guidelines, applied to protect the board’s younger kindergarten to Grade 8 students, schools are advised to reduce the amount of time kids spend outdoors when the temperature hits -20 C or colder, with or without the wind chill.
When the thermometer falls to -25 C and lower, schools will typically keep recess and other activities indoors.
Pizza Days are Back!
Pizza Days are Back!
We are excited to let you know that pizza will also be available for purchase on pizza days. The cost of the pizza will be $2.50. Please try to send exact change with your child.
January
16, 18, 23, 25, 30
February
1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
March
5, 7, 19, 21, 26, 28
April
2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
May
2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
June
4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20
Lunch Lady Every Wednesday!
The Lunch Lady school lunch program is coming to St Richard on Wednesday's starting October 4th!
Please see the link below to set up an account. You will need to enter your child's name and select your child's teacher information as a part of your account information.
Lunch options include kid favourites such as pasta, burgers, grilled cheese, shepherd's pie, as well as many "breakfast for lunch", vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. There's even a specialized "Little Lunches" menu for our younger students to enjoy!
You can place or cancel your order by 8 am on the delivery date.
Once you create an account you can order every week or only for the days that suit your schedule.
Lunch Lady Every Wednesday!
The Lunch Lady school lunch program is coming to St Richard on Wednesday's starting October 4th!
Please see the link below to set up an account. You will need to enter your child's name and select your child's teacher information as a part of your account information.
Lunch options include kid favourites such as pasta, burgers, grilled cheese, shepherd's pie, as well as many "breakfast for lunch", vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. There's even a specialized "Little Lunches" menu for our younger students to enjoy!
You can place or cancel your order by 8 am on the delivery date.
Once you create an account you can order every week or only for the days that suit your schedule.
Subs and Harvey's at St Richard!
We are excited to share that we will be offering Sub sandwiches and Harvey's Burgers on alternating Fridays. Huge Thank you to our Catholic School Council for organizing!!
Harvey's Burger
January 19th
February 2nd
February 23rd
March 8th
Mr. Sub
January 12th
January 26th
February 9th
March 1st
March 22nd
Kiss and Ride Etiquette
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 school, park in the designated areas and wait in the designated pick-up/drop off locations.
- DO NOT stop or park in Bus Lane (side of the school).
- The same expectations apply during rain/snow. Do not stop or drop your children off at the side of the school. This is a Bus Lane only.
TVO Mathify Free Math Tutoring for grades 4-12 with Certified Teachers
No Dogs on School Property
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
MEDICAL ALERT– Sabrina’s Law (Anaphylaxis)
Sabrina’s Law is an Act to protect anaphylactic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. Named “Sabrina’s Law” in honour of an Ontario student who died following an anaphylactic reaction in 2003, this law requires that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy.
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. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date. There are various forms which need to be completed by you and your family doctor if it is necessary to store and dispense an EPI-pen or any other medication at school.
We continue to have both students and staff with severe, life threatening allergy to certain foods, such as peanuts and nuts. This is a medical condition that may cause severe and life threatening reactions to certain 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.
Please do not send food products to be shared in your child’s classroom. If you would like your child to share their special day/birthday with their classmates, we suggest that you consider non-food items such as pencils or stickers.
Asthma Friendly School Ryan's Law
Ryan’s Law is an Act to protect Asthmatic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. If your child has asthma please let the school know immediately. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date.
Ryan’s Law introduced policies and procedures that:
Allow your child to carry his/her asthma reliever (rescue) inhaler (with your permission).
Reduce your child’s contact with asthma triggers.
Develop an individual plan for every student with asthma, including recommendations from their health-care providers and current emergency contacts. This will be kept on file at the school.
If you have more questions about
Ryan’s Law?
Call The Lung Association Lung Health Information Line at 1-888-344-LUNG (5864), email info@on.lung.ca, or visit www.RyansLaw.ca.
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 in the classroom except for EpiPens and asthma inhalers.
It is highly encouraged that students who have an anaphylactic allergy or who have asthma, keep their epi-pen and/or inhaler on their person at all times. If able, it is recommended that your child bring two epipens and/or two asthma inhaler to the school. This would allow your child to keep this medication on their person as well as ensuring that the school office has an additional set of medication.
Please note that school staff cannot dispense medication of any kind without the proper physician authorization and a properly labeled container, (i.e. prescription bottle or original over the counter container).
Head Injury Policy
When a student receives an injury to the head, it is Board Policy that we inform parents. We will attempt to reach you even when it is a minor injury. Please try not to be too alarmed should you receive a call. Please remind your child to let a staff member know immediately, if they are hurt at school.
As in previous years, all head injuries will be logged and reported to parents/guardians directly. We ask that you please inform the school as soon as possible when your son/daughter sustains a concussion because of a school incident or because of an activity outside of school. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Main Office. Your cooperation and assistance are greatly appreciated.
Head Injury Policy
When a student receives an injury to the head, it is Board Policy that we inform parents. We will attempt to reach you even when it is a minor injury. Please try not to be too alarmed should you receive a call. Please remind your child to let a staff member know immediately, if they are hurt at school.
As in previous years, all head injuries will be logged and reported to parents/guardians directly. We ask that you please inform the school as soon as possible when your son/daughter sustains a concussion because of a school incident or because of an activity outside of school. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Main Office. Your cooperation and assistance are greatly appreciated.
Policy on cell phone and personal electronic devices
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has the following policy regarding Personal Electronic Devices in place for all schools.
The Board recognizes the importance of the use of PED’s by students at school and the benefits in their classroom. As part of our policy, students may bring their own device (B.Y.O.D.) for learning purposes. As part of our efforts to promote and maintain a positive Catholic climate in our schools, all PEDs must be kept out of sight, turned off, and not used within school premises or during school-sanctioned activities; unless the classroom teacher grants specific permission for use.
This policy applies to field trips, retreats, sporting events, etc. as well as daily classroom activities. Personal Electronic devices (PEDs) include, but are not limited to cell phones, iPods, iPads, cameras, ...
Please note that it is optional for students to bring their devices to school and it is their responsibility to follow the school and Board policies set out in the “Personal Electronic Device used with Wi-Fi Network Student Agreement.”