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 helps us to choose to be good people.

A person of conscience…

• chooses to do the right thing, even when it is hard

• takes time to think and pray before making decisions

• knows that their actions and decisions affect all those around them

• thinks of others before themselves

CONSCIENCE is the voice of God within us. As you develop your conscience, you will learn to make decisions that will make sure you will always have love in your life. Our conscience reminds us how to act towards other people and how to be a good friend. Sometimes it is hard for us to do the right thing, but we must always remember that the right thing to do is not always the easy thing to do.

To receive parish notifications, weekly bulletin & Sunday Mass link, please click https://bit.ly/SJOCAddme to signup

Message of His Grace Most Rev. Francis Leo

Please read the Archbishop's pastoral letter on World Youth Day 2024 (Solemnity of Christ the King) here

2024/2025 Sunday Missals

Next liturgical year's Sunday Missals are available in the Parish office for $5 each

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

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

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are now available in the Church hallway

Take one (or more) home to fill with Christmas gifts for a child in need around the world

Return your shoebox(es) on the weekend of Saturday November 16th & Sunday November 17th

Poinsettia Fundraiser

The Catholic Women's League are selling 8" potted poinsettia plants for Christmas

Order dates are November 16th to 24th for pickup on Saturday December 12th at 2:00pm

Cost is $30 per plant. Please complete an order form after any of the Sunday Masses

Pasta Knight

The Knights of Columbus are having their annual Pasta Knight (penne & meatballs) curbside pickup event

Saturday November 23rd at 2:00pm to 3:00pm in the Church parking lot

Cost is $12 per container for 1 to 2 meals, or $10 per container for 3 or more meals

To order your meals please click here

Christmas Bazaar

The Catholic Women's League will be holding their annual Christmas Bazaar

Saturday November 23rd & Sunday November 24th

More details to come

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

Pictures with Santa

The Parish Women's Group will be doing pictures with Santa

Saturday November 30th & Sunday December 1st

Cost is $30 for 4 poses

Register for a spot after any of the Sunday Masses next weekend (Nov 9th & 10th)

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

Christmas Gift Card Drive

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Christmas gift card drive

Please purchase a gift card, attach the receipt and drop it off to the Parish office or place it in the black drop box on the wall across from the parish office

Drop off donations by Sunday December 8th

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

Thursday, April 24th 2024 @ 6:30pm in our Library (Public Budget Information Webcast)

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

Please note all meetings will be hybrid.

We will be having a Remembracne Day Liturgy on Monday, November 11th at 10:45 in our gym. Everyone is welcome to join.

Progress reports will be sent home with your child on Tuesday, November 12th

Parent Teacher interviews will be on the evening of February 14th. Letters have come home letting you know whether an interview is requested by your child's teacher.

Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment.

During Bullying Awareness and Prevention - November 17 22, 2024, Ontario students, school staff, and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.

Friday November 22nd is a PA day. There is no school for students.

On Tuesday, November 26th Santa will be visiting our Primary Classes and reading stories with the students. All the students will then have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa. The Cost for the picture is $10. For an additional $5 we can give you the digital copy. Please login to School Cash Online to purchase your child's picture.

Day of Hope is an event organized by Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Every year they send out over 100 students to volunteer in the community at shelters, food banks, Vita Centre, Alzheimer's Peel , etc.

On Thursday, November 28th some of those chosen students from Mount Carmel will be coming to our school and helping to organize our fundraising for Dr Simone. They will also be here tro help Kindergarten students work on Christmas related crafts.

Our Youth Faith Ambassadors will be hosting the Virtue of Conscience Assembly.

On Friday, November 29th at 2:00 in our gym. All are welcome to join us and watch as our students have the opportunity to throw pies at our Teachers, Ms. Brancalion and our Catholic School Trustee Brea Corbet. This is a St Richard tradition as incentive for our families to raise money for Terry Fox. We have again raised over our $3000 goal. Thank you again for your continued generosity for this very worthy cause.

Please see attachment below for information on how to order Terra Cotta Cookies for our Catholic School Council Fundraiser. Orders are due by November 29th and the pick up date is December 13th

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.”