St Richard Community Update

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: 7220 Copenhagen Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-826-5572
Twitter: @StRichardDPCDSB

God has given us the ability to form connections with one another- to live together. Empathy helps us to connect and live together in a safe, caring and inclusive community. We know that God has given us the virtue of empathy so that we can learn to appreciate, accept and care for one another.

An empathetic person:

Listens when people speak.

Notices when someone is upset and tries to help.

Can see a situation from another person’s point of view.

Accepts that others have different perspectives.

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:39

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Archbishop Leo's message for October

Please read Archbishop Francis Leo's message for October: Month of the Holy Rosary and of the Missions here

Book of Life

On All Souls Day and throughout the month of November, the Book of Life containing the names of deceased loved ones will be placed in front of the altar. Their souls will be prayed for on that day and in all Holy Masses throughout the month.

There are 2 ways to have the names of your loved ones be included in the Book of Life:

1. By picking up a purple sheet in the hallway of the church and bringing the sheet back once completed OR

2. By clicking here and listing the names of your loved ones on the form. The Parish office will print their names and add them to the Book of Life.

Our Lady of the Cape Pilgrim Statue

The pilgrim statue of Our Lady of the Cape which is on its way to Rome for the Jubilee 2025 will be visiting our parish.

Children's Liturgy

The Liturgy of the Word for children during Mass has returned

Every weekend during the 5pm, 10am, 12pm & 4pm Masses

All children ages 5 to 8 years old are invited to join

Parish Prayer Group

The Parish Prayer Group invites all parishioners as their sessions reconvene

Every Thursday starting September 12th at 7:00pm in the Lisieux Room

All are welcome to attend

Children's Bible Study

The Jesus Youth Ontario Initiative will be hosting a God's Plan in Scripture (GPS) Bible study for children in grades 3 to 5

Friday September 13th at 6:00pm to 8:00pm for 12 classes on alternating Fridays at the Parish

Cost is $30 per child, or $50 for two siblings. Limited spaces are available.

For more information please email gps.ontario@jesusyouth.ca or call 647-989-0468

Men's Fraternity Group Fall Session

The Men's Fraternity Group invites all men ages 18 and up to join their Fall session "The Fight of Faith"

Every Saturday morning starting September 14th at 7:00am to 8:30am in the Nessinger Hall

To learn more click here. To register click here.

Parish Youth Group

The Parish Youth Group invites all youth Grades 7 to 12 to join the youth group

Every other Sunday at 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the Carmel Room in the basement

October 6th & 20th, November 3rd & 17th, December 1st & 15th

For more info please email sjoc-youthministry@archtoronto.org

Parish Children's Choir

The Parish Children's Choir invites all children from Grades 3 to 8 (8 to 13 years old) to join the choir

The choir practices every Saturday morning at 10:00am and sings every other Sunday at the 10:00am Mass

October 13th & 27th, November 10th & 24th, December 8th

For more info please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

Parish Children's Choir

The Parish Children's Choir invites all children from Grades 3 to 8 (8 to 13 years old) to join the choir

The choir practices every Saturday morning at 10:00am and sings every other Sunday at the 10:00am Mass

October 27th, November 10th & 24th, December 8th

For more info please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

Parish Youth Group

The Parish Youth Group invites all youth Grades 7 to 12 to join the youth group

Every other Sunday at 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the Carmel Room in the basement

October 20th, November 3rd & 17th, December 1st & 15th

For more info please email sjoc-youthministry@archtoronto.org

Night of Light

The Knights of Columbus invites you for a Night of Light, a beautiful initiative to reclaim Halloween for the Church

Thursday October 31st at 6:30pm to 8:15pm at the Church

There will be Adoration followed by engaging activities including action songs, quizzes, treats, and sparklers.

Children and adults are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite saints or biblical characters.

There is no cost to attend, but you are kindly asked to bring non-perishable food items to support our local food bank.

For more info please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

All Saints Day and All Souls Day

Friday November 1st at 9:00am Holy Mass followed by Adoration & Benediction

Friday November 1st at 7:00pm Commemoration Mass for the deceased who passed within the last year

Saturday November 2nd at 9:00am Holy Mass

Bundle Up Collection

The St. Vincent De Paul Society will be accepting donations of any condition of clothing, bedding & footwear; drapery & towels; and new toys

Saturday November 2nd & Sunday November 3rd in the Church parking lot

International Food Festival

You are invited to come celebrate our diverse community and share our culinary traditions

Saturday November 9th after the 5:00pm Mass in the Nessinger Hall

For more info or to donate/participate, contact Julia D'Souza 416-275-5646 or sjocmississauga@gmail.com

Young Adults Conference

RENEW Toronto, the Archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Youth (OCY) largest gathering of Young Adults, invites those ages 19 to 39 to deepen their Catholic faith

Saturday November 23rd

Attendees will enjoy keynote presentations, breakout sessions, praise & worship, Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration and fellowship

For details please click here or email youth@archtoronto.org

2024 – 2025 1ST COMMUNION & 1ST RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE

1st Communion Registration Meetings

Sunday, September 22nd 7:00pm @ the church

Tuesday, September 24th 7:00pm @ the church

Reconciliation

Monday, November 25th 7:00pm @ the church

Tuesday, November 26th 7:00pm @ the church

1st Communion Registration Meetings

Sunday, January 19th 7:00pm @ the church

Tuesday, January 21st 7:00pm @ the church

Enrolment Ceremony

January 25th & 26th, February 1st & February 2nd All Sunday Masses

Ash Wednesday is March 5th, 2025

Easter Sunday is April 20th, 2025

1st Communion Masses

Saturday, May 3rd 10:30am @ the church

Sunday, May 4th 2:00pm @ the church

Saturday, May 10th 10:30am @ the church

Sunday, May 11th 2:00pm @ the church

SCHEDULE FOR CONFIRMATION 2024 – 2025

Drop off Confirmation Package to Schools: Monday, September 9th

CONFIRMATION PARENT MEETINGS

Sunday, September 29th, 2024 6:00pm @ church

Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 7:00pm @ church

CONFIRMATION DATES

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Our Catholic School Council met for our first meeting on Wednesday, September 18th 2024.

Welcome to our new members.

Neisma Peredo Chair

Magda Kaniewski Co-Chair

Renata Bieniek Treasurer

Gina Falotico Secretary

Rachel Pinto OAPCE Representative

David Randall Parish Representative

Lynn Rockett Voting Member

Cynthia Sudeyko Voting Member

Stephanie Giorgio Voting Member

Michael Freeze Voting Member

Milena Piasentin Voting Member

Meeting Dates:

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Monday, October 21, 2024 @ 6:30pm in our Library

Monday, November 18, 2024 @ 6:30pm in our Library

Monday, January 13, 2024 @ 6:30pm in our Library

Monday, February 10, 2024 @ 6:30pm in our Library

Monday, April 14, 2024 @ 6:30pm in our Library

Monday, May 12, 2024 @ 6:30pm in our Library

Please note all meetings will be hybrid.

This year we will be celebrating Roll to School Week. Students are encouraged to rollerblade, skateboard, bike or scooter to school each day next week. Once again we will be giving away daily prizes as well as giving you a ballot to enter into the grand prize draw. Please come to the office every day for a ballot. And of course, don’t forget the most important piece of equipment, your he

Students participating in Cross country from Grades 5 to 8 in Mississauga West will be going to Erin Dale Park on Thursday, October 10th.

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

On Monday October 14th we celebrate Thanksgiving. There will be no

school on this day. Thanksgiving Day is an annual Canadian holiday, held

on the second Monday in October, which celebrates the harvest and

other blessings of the past year.

Photo Retake Day will be on Monday, October 21st

Please note paper copies of the permission form have been sent home with your child.

Every October, Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families through the provincial Dress Purple Day campaign.

This year, Dress Purple Day will take place on Friday, October 25th.

We are calling on all Ontarians to wear something purple to show children, youth, and families that they are here to help!

Year 2 Kindergarten parents/guardians who wish to learn more about French Immersion or wish to enroll their child in a Grade 1 French Immersion class for September 2025, are invited to attend an information meeting at one of the following virtual parent evening sessions:

School Region

Session Date & Time

Microsoft Meeting Information

BRAMPTON & MISSISSAUGA

Our Lady of Providence

St Angela Merici

St Joachim

St Pio of Pietrelcina

Monday, October 28, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Microsoft Teams Online Meeting

More information and Meeting Link can also be found on the website (https://www.dpcdsb.org/programs-services/languages/french-immersion)

MISSISSAUGA

All Saints

Divine Mercy

St Elizabeth Seton

St Gregory

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Microsoft Teams Online Meeting

More information and Meeting Link can also be found on the website (https://www.dpcdsb.org/programs-services/languages/french-immersion)

Note about Microsoft Teams: For optimal access, use a computer device (desktop, laptop or Chromebook) or use the Microsoft Teams App.

Halloween Movie Night for Sharelife! Please join us for Family Movie night on Wednesday, October 30th at 5:30. Popcorn, chips and cookies will be available for purchase. The cost of the popcorn is $3.00 and the cost of the chips and cookies is $2.00. All money raised will be for ShareLife.

On Thursday, October 31st students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will have the opportunity to participate in our Dance-A-Thon. Big thank you to Ms. Tonkovic for organizing this event for our students! More information about our Halloween Boogie-Thon will be shared soon

Our grade 7 and 8 students will be going to Toronto for A ghost walk on Thursday, October 31st

Monday, Oct. 29th – Wear orange or wear halloween socks

Tuesday, Oct. 29th – Wear Halloween or Autumn coloured sweaters

Wednesday, Oct. 30th – Halloween Hat and/or Accessories Day!

Thursday, Oct. 31st- Costumes (no masks or weapons)

Friday, November 1st– Angel Day (All Souls Day0 Wear White

The Lunch Lady program is offered every Monday at St Richard!

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.

https://order.lunchlady.ca/Security/Registration

Starting Tuesday, October 15th we will be having pizza days every Tuesday and Friday. We have chosen Dominos Pizza as our provider again this year. 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.

All orders must be placed through cash online. There will be no subs for purchasing on Sub days.

All sales must be made through School Cash Online. There will be no purchasing of food on Harveys days.

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 2025).

• Tuck Shop Items for purchase
• $2.50 Kernels Popcorn (Butter and Salt, White Cheddar, Dill Pickle, Salt and Vinegar, Caramel)
• $2 Various Chips (Lays Regular, Cheetos, Doritos, All Dressed, and Ketchup, Crunchy Cheetos, Pringles)
• $2 Garden Veggie Straws
• $2 Terra Cotta Cookies (Chocolate chip, Fudge chip, Vanilla, Vegan Cholocate Chip, Glutenf ree Choclolate chip)
• $2 Oatmeal Chocolate chip Bear Paws
• $2 Breton Veggie Crackers
• $1 Pretzel Sticks
• $1Goldfish Crackers
• $1 Organic Apple Sauce Pouches
• $1 Rice Krispies
• $1 Welch's Fruit Gummies
• $1 Sour keys

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 Butterfly

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.

Elementary Schools, including St. Sofia – Professional Activity Days

1. Monday, September 16, 2024 Principal’s Day: Re-organization/Faith Development

2. Friday, October 11, 2024 Provincial Priorities in a Catholic Context

3. Friday, November 22, 2024 Provincial Priorities in a Catholic Context

4. Monday, January 20, 2025 Term 1 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress

5. Friday, February 14, 2025 Reporting to Parents

6. Friday, May 16, 2025 Provincial Priorities in a Catholic Context

7. Monday, June 9, 2025 Term 2 Assessment and Evaluation of Pupil Progress

Thanksgiving Day Monday, October 14, 2024

Christmas Break Monday, December 23, 2024, to Friday, January 3, 2025 (inclusive)

Family Day Monday, February 17, 2025

Mid-Winter Break Monday, March 10, 2025, to Friday, March 14, 2025 (inclusive)

Good Friday Friday, April 18, 2025

Easter Monday Monday, April 21, 2025

Victoria Day Monday, May 19, 2025

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

Please see pdf below for information about School Cash Online.

Build your math skills and confidence with a personalized math coach. Tutors are available online Mondays-Fridays from 9am to 9pm ET and Sundays from 3:00pm to 9pm ET.

https://www.tvomathify.com/students

In accordance with Ministry regulations, three fire drills will be conducted in the fall and three in the spring. While we hope that a real fire or emergency situation never arises, this practice helps prepare our students in the event of an emergency.

Emergency response procedures in the event of a fire, bomb threat, serious accident/injury or an intruder have been established and are revised on an ongoing basis. Each school within the DPCDSB is required to hold 9 emergency procedure drills over the course of the year.

These drills consist of three fire drills per term, one lockdown drill per term, and 1 hold and secure drill per year. During these drills staff review all emergency procedures with students to ensure all children are safe in the event of a real emergency.

In the event that it is necessary to evacuate the school, our site for relocation is St John of the Cross Church located at 6890 Glen Erin Drive.

It is a policy in Dufferin-Peel CDSB that all of its schools conduct a “Lockdown Procedure” twice a year. This will be initiated should an emergency exist on school property or in the surrounding neighbourhood. Part of the process is to practice the “Lockdown Procedures” as well practice Fire drills. The procedures that we will follow have been recommended by the board.

Students will be instructed that when they hear the announcements “Initiate Lockdown Procedure” followed by the repeated ringing of the school bell, all staff and students will follow the following actions:

1. All students and staff inside the building will remain in their classrooms.

2. Students or staff in the hallways or washrooms will be expected to go to the closest classroom.

3. Students and staff will remain in the classroom until further instructions are given.

All students and staff who are outside the building are to quickly move as far away from the building as possible.

We have continued the soft entrance at St Richard this year. Which means the children's classroom are open to them from 8:15. Please make sure students are arriving before the bell so they can be ready for learning at 8:30.

St Richard Catholic School actively encourages and promotes regular and punctual attendance. Educational research has consistently shown that student progress and academic success are closely related to regular attendance and active participation in the day-to-day activities of the school. Frequent absences from school jeopardize a student’s successful completion of any level.

Ultimately, responsibility for attendance lies with the student and the parent.

Although trips and vacations may provide diverse learning experiences, the school does not support travel or vacations during class time. The content covered in each grade is important and requires attendance. While parents may choose to travel during the school year, the time missed from class is recorded as an absence and counted in the total absence record for the term and the year. Also, assessment and evaluation can become problematic.

What takes place in the classroom is the work. What occurs as a follow up is either completion of in-class work, or practice and review of the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.

Open communication between home and school is very important. Although we will be reporting to you formally during the year, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher at any time if you have questions or concerns. A phone call on the onset of a concern usually resolves itself before it becomes a problem. On our part, if we have any concerns about your child, we will also contact you at the earliest opportunity.

Anyone working with children as an employee or volunteer must have a Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Check completed by the Peel Police.

ALL volunteers including those going on one day school trips MUST have a Criminal Reference check. The Criminal Reference Check for volunteers may take a number of days for the paperwork to be processed and has to be done through Peel Police.

If you already have a Criminal Reference Check on file at the school, please ensure you have completed the yearly Criminal Offence Declaration form with the office.

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.

Letters will be sent home with the students whose classroom members have specific allergies. Please check with your child, and in their backpack, for letters regarding the type of allergy and products to avoid in your child’s classroom. Please pay careful consideration to school lunches and snacks while continuing to refrain from sending in items that are made of, or contain, nuts or peanuts. We offer our heartfelt thanks for your support in making our school a safer environment for all.

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.

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).

Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medication and forms are updated if there is a change to the medication for any student who requires medication to be administered at school. Forms are available at the school office or from your child’s teacher. Please check and note expiry dates on all medication.

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 per the Ministry of Education direction, our Board has a Concussion Protocol in place. ALL students who sustain a head injury during the school day, however minor, will receive a Concussions Are Serious pamphlet and accompanying paperwork to take home. We ask parents/guardians to review this pamphlet and seek medical attention for your son/daughter if you feel it is required.

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.

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.”