St Richard Community Newsletter

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

This month we celebrate the virtue of acceptance. God wants us to make friends with everyone no matter how different they may look or act. God has placed His creation, including people, in our care. We come to God asking for the grace to be accepting of others. God grants us the ability to see the light of Christ in one another. It is our hope that throughout May, we are ever mindful of those who have suffered tragedy through famine, war and natural disaster.

Let us pray for the virtue of acceptance- the strength to trust that God is at work in everyone’s life despite what we think.

St John of the Cross Parish Info

Happy Catholic Education Week!

Please read Archbishop Francis Leo's pastoral letter by clicking here

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.

1st Friday Holy Mass

1st Friday of the month Holy Mass followed by Adoration and Benediction

Friday May 3rd at 9:00am and 7:00pm in the Church

Bereavement Grief Sessions

The Parish invites you to bereavement sessions. The loss does not have to be current if you have never healed that grief.

6 week session starting Tuesday May 14th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Seminar Room

Please contact Muriel Haney at muriel1066@bell.net for more information.

Catholic Estate Planning

The Pairish invites you to a free Catholic estate planning presentation

Thursday May 16th at 7:00pm at the Church

Please contact the Parish office to register 905-821-1331

Women's Retreat: Save the Date

The Parish Women's Group is organizing a women's retreat

Saturday May18th from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Details to follow.

Ordination Bus

Bus to St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto to attend Deacon Candidate Ferdinand D’Souza’s ordination

Bus leaves on Saturday May 25th at 7:45am from the Parish parking lot and will leave St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica between 12:30pm-1:00pm

Cost is $15 per person

Please contact the Parish office to register 905-821-1331

Bundle Up for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul

The St. Vincent De Paul Society is holding their Bundle Up Clothing Collection

Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th in the church parking lot

Items being accepted: all clothing, all footwear, beddings, drapery, towels, and new only toys

Items not accepted: appliances, furniture, books, mattresses, dishes, construction materials, video tapes.

Knights of Columbus BBQ

The Knight of Columbus will be having a BBQ

Saturday May 25th after the 5pm Mass and Sunday May 26th after the 12pm Mass

Cost of a hamburger (no hotdogs) and pop/water is $5

Tickets will not be sold in advance

Pairsh Bible Study: Hebrews

Parishioners are invited to take this study on the book of Hebrews

Every Tuesday, starting May 28th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Registration deadline is April 29th. Cost of study materials $40

Please contact the Parish office to register 905-821-1331

Solemnity of Corpus Christi Procession

The Corpus Christi Procession is a centuries-old tradition of the Catholic faith to process the Real Presence of Jesus—the Eucharist —in public

Saturday June 1st after the 5pm Mass

Please join us as we process the Blessed Sacrament/Eucharist outdoors, around the church

Talent Through the Decades Talent Show

The Youth Group is hosting a talent show

Saturday June 8th at 6:30pm in the Nessinger Hall

All performers of all ages are welcome

Tickets are $15 each

Cross Camp: Registration is now open

SJOC Parish will be holding its annual Cross Camp this summer for children entering grades 1 to 6 in September

Weeks of July 15th to 19th and July 22nd to 26th. The camp runs daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm during these weeks.

Camp registration is $150 per child per week. Discounts are available for siblings who register together and for those who attend both weeks.

Registration is now open. Forms may be picked up from the parish office and returned once completed.

Childrens 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

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

During the week of May 5 to May 10, 2024, we will celebrate the significant contribution that Catholic Education has made to the community, the province and to Canada. Our Catholic Graduate Expectations challenge students to articulate in society those fundamental values that underpin Catholic education.

The theme for this year’s Catholic Education Week is:

Catholic Education: We are called to love

L’éducation catholique: Appelés à aimer

The theme for Catholic Education Week 2024 was inspired by the following considerations:

· With joyful anticipation of the Jubilee Year of 2025, we are inspired by Pope Francis announcing the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” With open hearts of love, we can continue to “fan the flame of hope” for a bright future.

· On the fifth anniversary of Renewing the Promise, we celebrate that Catholic Education is centred on our Christian call to love. This love permeates how we live in the world and as we act with love, we build a better future. As Pope Francis stated in 2023, “He wants us to be artisans of a new history, weavers of hope, builders of the future, peacemakers.”

· The theme of the synod, “Enlarge the Space of Your Tent,” invites us to listen in love, to be a healing presence to one another and to strengthen relationships.

· In his visit to Canada last summer, Pope Francis gave us hope for our continued work for Truth and Reconciliation. Through prayer and a commitment to love, stronger bonds are forming and a new way forward is emerging.

· Catholic Education Week comes at the same time as Mental Health Awareness Week. Through love and compassion, we continue to support each other’s wellbeing. God is love and we are always called to live out this love.

· In our continued work for Equity and Inclusion in Catholic schools, a focus on love reminds us that all God’s children are loved unconditionally.

We are excited to announce our Annual Food Drive which is taking place during Catholic Education Week from May 6th-10th. All items will be donated to Eden Food for Change.

Each classroom will be responsible for two specific items for our food drive. Please ask your teachers which items you are collecting for your classroom. All donations will be picked up from your classrooms on Friday, May 10th by the Food Drive Committee.

The class in each division with the most donations in each division will win a TUCK SHOP PARTY!

Thank you for all of your support St. Richard!

Please see file below to find your child's class so you know which 2 items are being requested.

Starting May 1st students will be able to purchase Ice Dawgs after last recess every Wednesday. All profits made from the sale of the Ice Dawgs will be to help offset the cost of our Grade 8 Graduation Trip. Please see below for ingredients list. The cost of the Ice Dawgs is $2.00

Ingredients:

Ice Cream: Fresh milk and/or fresh cream, Sugar (sugar, corn syrup solids, dextrose), Modified Milk ingredients, Mono and diglycerides, Guar gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Natural and/or artificial vanilla flavour, caramel colour

Cookie: Enriched wheat flour, Sugars (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), Baking soda, Vanilla extract.

Allergens: Wheat, Soy, Egg, Milk

Tuck Shop is still running every Tuesday and Friday after last recess.

This fundraising initiative is to raise money for various activities for our students throughout the year. (Guest Speakers, Technology, and to offset costs for field trips in 2024).

• $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
• $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.

Chocolate 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.

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.

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

Funetti DeLite

Ingredients:

Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, rainbow sprinkles (icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, colour, gum arabic, carnauba wax), liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil, margarine, unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.

Please join us on Friday, may 3rd at 12:45pm in our gym for the Crowing of Mary Celebration.

May is the month we dedicate to Mary, the mother of our Saviour, Jesus.

We celebrate Mary, who humbly and gladly accepted God’s will when she said “Yes” to our Lord. As we honour Mary and all mothers, we are reminded of the many blessings mothers bestow upon their children each and every day. Let us keep Mary and all mothers in our thoughts and prayers so that the honour and respect they deserve is not limited to one day or month in the year.

All new kindergarten families attending St Richard beginning September 2024, are invited to our Journey into Learning event being held at St Richard on Tuesday May 7th. We look

forward to welcoming you in September and hope that this presentation

is informative and helps with your child's transition to JK.

Catholic Education Week - Provincial Mass

We are pleased to announce that the Most Rev. Gerard Bergie, Bishop of St. Catharines and President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario., will be celebrating the Catholic Education Week Mass scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

All students, families, board staff, trustees, and the broader Catholic community are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Mass will be live-streamed from the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria beginning at 11:00 a.m. using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@stcatharinescathedral2914 (click on “Live Video” screen).

Please see schedule below. Everyone is welcome!

8:45 - 9:45 - JK - Gr 3

12:40 - 1:50 - Gr 4 - 8

This year marks the 13th Anniversary of The Shining Stars Special Olympic Event, hosted by The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board's Mississauga North Family of Schools. The event will take place on Thursday, May 9th at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School. Opening ceremonies start at 10:00 a.m.

Students from St. Aloysius Gonzaga will lead relay races, an obstacle course, a bean bag toss, and other Special Olympic activities.

There will be more than 60 participating students who will be put into teams and all participants will receive a ribbon, a t-shirt and a medal.

There will also be more than 30 intermediate volunteers from various schools who will also help lead the activities.

“Peel Public Health is providing free dental screening, as required by the Ontario Ministry of Health, for students in Grades JK, SK, 2, 4, 6, 8 on May 9, 10, 2024. Please note that dental screening may be completed earlier than the expected end date.

A dental screening is a quick assessment by a registered dental hygienist who will take a look inside your child's mouth. A separate, sterilized mouth mirror is used for each child. It identifies children who may be in need of dental care. After the dental screening, a form with the results will go home with every child screened. If a child is identified with a dental condition requiring immediate dental treatment, the parent may be contacted by a dental staff member. A re-screening may be required.

If you do not want your child to be screened, please visit http://www.peelregion.ca/dental/schoolscreening or call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 by May 8, 2024.

Our Goal for Jump Rope for Heart is $1300. All donations are greatly appreciated. More information about how to donate will follow.

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.

More information to follow

Junior Religion Retreat Hope Stone. Monday May 27th

More info to follow

DPCDSB has released its Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) for 2023-2027. As per Ministry of Education requirements, we'd like your feedback on the goals, action steps, and strategies associated with each of the MYSP values of Believe, Excel, Respect, Thrive, and Trust. The survey will close on Friday, June 14. Link to Survey.

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

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.

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

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

If you are First Nation (Status Indian or Non-Status Indian), Métis and/or Inuit you can self-identify as Indigenous. You do not need to produce any documentation or proof of ancestry. Self-identification is voluntary and confidential.

“This has been really important for us because of the sense of community and the connection to other Indigenous families.” ~ Melanie Cormier, parent

Self-identification will provide access to culture and language programs and monthly programming for students and families. Relevant information will be sent directly to you about upcoming cultural events and opportunities which help to build community and a sense of Indigenous pride in Dufferin-Peel.

To learn more about opportunities for Indigenous students and families please visit: https://www3.dpcdsb.org/students/indigenous-self-identification

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.

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

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

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.

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.”