St. Christopher School

1195 Clarkson Road North

Mississauga ON , L5J 2W1

905 822-0721

Email:St.ChristopherInfo@dpcdsb.org

Principal - I. Sauve

Vice Principal - C. Fernandes

Secretary -T. Lanceta

Trustee - Herman Viloria (Mississauga Ward 2)

Superintendent - D. Radic

Parish - St. Christopher's Parish

Priest-Fr. Steven Kwon

St. Christopher School Hours

Supervision Begins 8:00 a.m.

School Begins 8:15 a.m.

Recess (a.m.) 9:38-9:53

Lunch:11:16-12:16

Recess (p.m.)1:39-1:54

Dismissal 2:45 p.m.

1171 Clarkson Road North
Mississauga, ON
L5J 2W1
t: 905.822.1171
e: stchristophersmi@archtoronto.org

Sweet Jesus, we kneel before you

Respecting your will, plan and judgement.

You overcame all earthly temptations,

Maintaining self-respect to the end.

Jesus, you are our ultimate code of conduct;

We strive to live by the Beatitudes you gave us,

Teach us all we need to know about respect,

Help us to live our lives through your example.

May we listen to others allowing them to share

Their opinions.

May our respect towards other human beings

Truly reflect Your love towards all!

Amen.

(source: Lilia D’Ovidio, January 2008)

St. Christopher continues to be a vibrant, active, faith filled community. This week marks the end of January, and as we say goodbye to the Virtue of Self-Control, we now prepare for the commemoration of Black History Month. The month of February brings us many opportunities to celebrate, reflect, grow, and pray as we highlight the Virtue of Respect and look forward to learning more as we celebrate Black History Month, Chinese New Year and St. Valentine’s Day.

Parent-Teacher interviews will be on Thursday, February 13 (evening) and Friday, February 14 (which is a PA Day for students). This reporting session we will be using School Interviews. Please see the information below to sign up for a day/time to meet, and your preference for the interview (phone, in-person, virtual meeting). These interviews are an excellent opportunity to support our students in some reflection and goal planning for Term Two. We look forward to the opportunity to build on and share student success as we connect for interviews discussing Term One achievement and next steps.

Although the days are getting a bit longer, we continue to experience wintry weather. We ask that you please ensure your child(ren) come to school prepared for the weather conditions. As well, please do check regularly for weather-related bus cancellations (we are in Zone 1) and possible school closures. We continue to monitor the weather, pavement and field conditions to ensure the safety of our students.

May your lives be filled with peace and serenity as we share Christ’s love with others this month.

I. Sauve and C. Fernandes

In January, we celebrate the virtue of Self-Control

A person with self-control…

• is patient

• knows how to wait his/her turn

• can calm him/herself down and think before reacting to situations

• knows how to avoid physical aggression (hitting, kicking, pushing, etc.)

• can think things through

“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us.”
(Letter on the Jubilee Year of Hope, February 11, 2022)

First Communion classes will begin in January. Information sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 24, and Wednesday, September 25, at 7 p.m. in the main church. Your child must be in grade 2 or seven years old or older to participate in the preparation classes.

Confirmation classes will begin in November. Information sessions will be held on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27, at 7 p.m. in the main church. Your child must be in grade 7 or 12 years old or older to participate in the preparation classes.

Confirmation:

Reconciliation: Saturday April 26-8:45-4:00pm

Confirmation Mass: Wednesday April 30th at 7pm

School starts at 8:15am and all late arrivals have to sign in at the Main Office. Just a reminder teacher supervision begins at 8:00 am to 8:15 am. School finishes at 2:45pm.

If Dismissal/pickup procedure for their child has changed for a day or specific reason, to avoid confusion, Please either

1) write a note in the Student Agenda or

2) email the school info mailbox.

Please do not leave a voicemail as that may not always be checked on time.

• Please do not let your child out of the driver's side door. Students need to exit from the passenger side.
• Please do not let your child out at the stop sign and please use the Kiss & Ride Lane
• If your child needs assistance with exiting the vehicle, please park in the parking lot to assist your child.

Please remember that from 8:00a.m to 3:00pm dogs are not allowed on school property. This includes small dogs being carried. Please be respectful of the fact that some of our students have a fear of dogs. We thank you for your continued understanding and support.

On January 13, all school in Dufferin-Peel participated in Rubber Ducky Day. Students participated in literacy and math activities throughout the day.

Thank you to our Knights of Columbus, for organizing Free Throw event. Students had a great time!

On January 16-17, a number of our classes participated in the Wilfred Buck Planterium Indigenous Star Knowledge. Students were introduced to the incredible astronomical knowledge that Indigenous people carry.

Thursday, February 6 is National Sweater Day which is an energy conservation campaign initiated by WWF to raise awareness around climate change and energy!

Our school can help by turning down the heat on National Sweater Day and raising awareness to do our little part. All students and staff are encouraged to wear a warm sweater, hoodie or something comfy cozy on this day. Thank you for supporting our Eco initiatives at St. Christopher.

Our St. Christopher School choir, will be performing the national anthem at the Toronto Marlies vs. Laval Rocket hockey game! We look forward to seeing everyone who purchased tickets for the game!

Just some reminders:

• Coca-Cola Coliseum, 19 Nunavut Rd, Toronto https://www.coca-colacoliseum.com/
  
• Friday, February 7, 2025
  
• Time: Puck drop at 7:00pm
  
• Choir to be dropped off at 5:15pm for sound check, orientation, and practice.

During the Week of January 20-24, students participated in activities to support Bell Let's Talk Day. Check out the pictures.

In the month of February we celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine was a bishop who bravely died for his faith. The name Valentine means “Valiant” or “Strong”. This day is connected with love because of the legend that birds pick their mates on February 14th. Secret notes of love and friendship sent on this day are called Saint Valentine’s notes or valentines. Please refrain from sending in any food items to share with classmates.

Students who are interested in joining the St. Christopher Chess Club are asked to come with some knowledge and experience prior to joining our club. Thanksgiving weekend may be a great time to sharpen those skills and learn to play at home. There are a number of web-based videos and resources for parents to access, where instructions can also be downloaded.

More information will follow with details of how students can join.

Special thanks to Ms. Alcasid for running the Chess Club once again here at St. Christopher school.

Please be mindful of the weather conditions and dress children appropriately. As the weather starts to change, students are encouraged to wear layers for the cooler mornings and warmer afternoons. Students will be asked to have indoor shoes at school, especially once the weather changes as wet and soiled boots and shoes will remain in the hallways to keep the classrooms clean!

Term One report cards will be distributed electronically to student emails on Tuesday, February 11th. We will ensure that all students know how to log into their school email accounts.

Parent-Teacher interviews will take place on Thursday, February 13th in the evening, and Friday, February 14th during the PD Day.

Information regarding utilizing the online booking system for interviews will be sent to all families.

Friday, February 14 is a Professional Activity Day for staff. There will be no school for students. Staff will be involved in reporting to parents on evaluation of pupil progress

Monday February 17 is Family Day. There will be no school for students. Have a happy Family Day!

First Time Rider is an educational and awareness program designed to familiarize young children, new riders, and parents with school buses. This informative program includes a safety video, on-board instruction, and a fun bus ride.

Attached please see the preliminary announcement flyer for the STOPR First Time Rider program scheduled on Saturday August 23, 2025.

We are hosting the Art Hive, a free, inclusive art program for youth of all skill levels. It’s a chance to explore creativity, connect with others, and have fun. All materials are provided by the Art Gallery of Mississauga.

We are hosting the Art Hive, a free, inclusive art program for youth of all skill levels. It’s a chance to explore creativity, connect with others, and have fun. All materials are provided by the Art Gallery of Mississauga.

Denise Wild's Sewing Studio is coming to our school with a specialty program like you’ve never seen before — a dynamic, engaging sewing workshop that breaks the creative mold! The Sewing Studio’s stereotype-busting mentors guide each student through success, teaching the entire school how to sew with a sewing machine. Each child will gain confidence, develop their growth mindset, and complete a project from start to finish while being motivated and inspired. Not only does sewing get you hands-on and help you flex your creative muscles, it also helps you feel joyful, mindful, and focused. SEW COOL!

When: February 10, 2025 for our Junior/Intermediate Classes

To learn more about the Sewing Studio programs, click here and also here. Denise Wild is a TV host and sewing expert who appears regularly on CP24, Cityline, The Morning Show, and Breakfast Television. To learn more about Denise, click here.

SNOW Safety Expectations

Now that the snow is here it is important to remind students that St. Edmund 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, snowpeople, snow forts!

Please review our Snow Safety Expectations with your children. Thank you for your support

St. Christopher's Book Fair will be returning on February 10-14, 2025.

EQAO staff are hosting free LIVE webinars for parents and guardians.

Staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from the past three years of assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

Webinar Registration Link: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Pink shirt day started in Canada in 2007 after a grade 9 student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. To take a stand against bullying, a group of grade 12 students bought pink shirts for every boy in their school. This annual event raises awareness about bullying online, at home, in workplaces and schools.

Wear something pink on February 26

Pink Shirt Day (pinkshirtday.ca)

At different times throughout the year, especially in the winter when students are wearing hats and hoodies, schools experience an increase in the number of cases of head lice. In an effort to be proactive, we ask that your child’s hair be checked periodically to ensure that they do not have head lice. Should you discover the presence of lice or nits, we would appreciate being informed. Helpful information can also be obtained from a pharmacist or the local Public Health Department. Head lice is spread only by direct contact with a 'case', often through the sharing of combs and brushes, exchanging of hats, etc.

Communication between home and school is greatly enhanced by parental involvement with the Catholic School Council. Please note that our Council is comprised of parents, school staff as well as community and parish representatives. The aim of the Catholic School Council is to support school activities and students through involvement and fund raising. The School Council also provides a forum for parents to meet and share information and ideas concerning the school community.

A reminder that if you are interested in volunteering within the school in any capacity, a Valid Criminal Reference Check (CRC), with Vulnerable Sector and Local Records Check completed by Peel Regional Police is required. The cost is $35. Please note that there may be some time required to process a CRC, thus waiting for an announced volunteer opportunity to obtain your CRC may not provide sufficient time for processing. Once the school has a valid CRC on file, we will not need a new CRC yearly, rather, a yearly Offence Declaration will suffice.

Thank you,

St. Christopher Catholic School Council

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the introduction of School Cash Online. As school move toward being cash less, School Cash Online allows parents and community members to pay school-related fees online safely, quickly, and easily. Parents can purchase items like spirit wear, lunches, and field trips - anytime, anywhere. For more information and to set up an account, please click the link below.

During the school year we will be rehearsing and will continue to rehearse with students a number of emergency response situations including lock down and fire drills. All schools are required by Board policy to practice these procedures throughout the year. We have these ‘practice drills’ for precautionary purposes only so that in the event of an actual emergency, students will be prepared to respond in a safe and responsible manner. We will also be practicing a Lock Down Drill. During this drill, the outer doors will be locked and the office will be unavailable during the time of the drill. No one will be allowed to enter or exit during the drill while the emergency protocol is being followed. The day will continue as normal following the drill. Thank you for your patience.

As per Ministry of Education direction, our Board has a Concussion Protocol in place. Again this school year, ALL students who sustain a head injury during the school day, however minor, will receive a Concussions Are Serious pamphlet 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 if and when your son/daughter sustains a concussion as a result of a school incident or as a result of an activity outside of school. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Main Office. Your cooperation and assistance in this regard are appreciated.

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 have been 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. Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medication and forms are updated annually. If your child requires medication please have all pertinent forms completed and returned with the medication to the office as soon as possible

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).

​Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) schools is now open. DPCDSB offers the Kindergarten program in 125 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.

Parents/guardians can register online at dpcdsb.org.

Registration is open to Catholic children and children of Catholic parents. Kindergarten students must be at least four (4) years of age by December 31, 2025.

The following documents are required to complete the registration process:

• Proof of age of the child
• Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or original baptismal certificate from a church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome or an Eastern Catholic Church.
• Immunization Reference #’s from the local Public Health Unit
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Proof of home address
• Proof of English Separate School Support

Please refer to the Register for School webpage for accepted forms of documentation.

Inquiries about home school locations/boundary areas should be directed to the DPCDSB Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.

For more information, parents/guardians should contact their local Catholic school, visit the DPCDSB website at dpcdsb.org, or call DPCDSB’s Admissions Department at 905-890-1221.

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

• By directing your tax support to the Separate (Catholic) School System:

  • You may vote for Catholic School Trustees in Municipal elections
  • Your children may attend Catholic elementary schools
  • You show your support for the Catholic school system

  To verify that you are registered as an English Separate (Catholic) school supporter:

  • Check the assessment section of your Tax Bill or Property Assessment Notice
  • Check your Voter Information Card received during an election year (2022)

  Have you moved?

  Even if you have been an English Separate (Catholic) School Supporter in the past, the designation DOES NOT follow you when you relocate. By default, your property taxes support your municipality's English public school board. Every time you move or if there is a change of ownership, it is essential that you register yourself as an English Separate (Catholic) school supporter.
  
  To register as an English Separate (Catholic) School Supporter or change your Direction of School Support, please contact the DPCDSB Admissions Department by phone at 905-890-0708 ext. 24512 or by email at admissions@dpcdsb.org.
  
  Learn More:

  • Visit the Direction of School Support webpage
  • Watch our Direction of School Support video

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

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

Students: students.dpcdsb.org and select Password Reset

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

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

Once you are registered, please follow the Password Reset Instruction

February

1 Term 2 Begins

2 Groundhog Day

4 National Sweater Day

5 Winter Walk to School Day

7 Toronto Marlies Games at 7pm Coca Cola Coliseum

10-14 Scholastic Book Fair

10 The Sewing Studio- Junior and Intermediate students

11 Report Cards Go Home

12 Catholic School Council Meeting at 6:00pm in the library. All parents are welcomed

13 Rosary Apostolate

13 Parent teacher interviews

14 PA Day/Valentine's Day

17 Family Day

20 Mississauga South Speech Competition for Junior/Intermediate Division

25 Junior Girls Basketball Family tournament

26 Pink Shirt Day

27 Junior Boys Basketball Family tournament

March

3 Grad Photos

4 Shrove Tuesday

5 Ash Wednesday- Mass at St. Christopher's Parish at 10:00am All parents/Guardians are welcomed

10-14 March Break

17 St. Patrick's Day

**All images are taken from Freepik**