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

God of power and mercy, give us the spirit of prayer and repentance, - with burning love for you and for all humankind.

Help us to work with you in making all things new in Christ, - and in spreading justice and peace throughout the world.

Teach us the meaning and value of creation, - so that we may join its voice to ours as we sing your praise.

Forgive us for failing to see Christ in the poor, the distressed and the troublesome.- and for our failure to reverence your Son in their persons.

Allow us to show kindness to all we dialogue with.- and to see the face of Christ in these encounters.

We ask through your Son, our Lord and Saviour,

AMEN

February was a fabulous, fun filled month. Black History Month was highlighted through classroom activities, lessons, daily announcements. We wore pink in support of Pink Shirt Day and learned more about it. We look forward to highlighting the virtue of kindness this month.

Classes also celebrated the 100th day of school. Students painted, wrote, coloured, and built all things to honour the number 100. We know that our students are 100 days smarter.

As a Catholic faith community, we entered into Lent with our Ash Wednesday Liturgy at St. Christopher's Parish. Lent is the time of the church year in which we are called to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As we turn inward, and self-reflect during these up-coming 40 days of Lent, we are ever-mindful of the examples set by Jesus Christ. These actions help prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Our students received their Term One report cards. Thank you to all the students and parents who connected with teachers through interviews. This was an excellent time to connect with your child’s teacher to discuss their progress and work together to reflect on new goals for Term Two. We encourage all our students to take the time to set new goals for Term Two, continuing to utilize their Growth Mindset!

Thank you to all our staff and students who continue to come to our school each day eager to work and learn with and from one another. Together we are dedicated to the success and well-being of everyone in our school community. May we continue to support a sense of community and belonging at St. Christopher as we embark on our Lenten Journey.

I. Sauve and C. Fernandes

In March, we celebrate the virtue of Kindness

A kind person…

• gives their time to help others

• stands by their friends in time of need

• shares with their friends

• is polite

• cares about other people’s feelings

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

Confirmation:

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

Confirmation Mass: Wednesday April 30th at 7pm

Vision of the Learner

The Graduate is expected to be:

• A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God's presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.
• An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.
• A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
• A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.
• A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.
• A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community.
• A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.

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.

Thank you very much to the many parents who safely use the parking lot and the Kiss’n’Ride drop-off and pick-up area! The patience and courtesy demonstrated by our community goes a long way in maintaining a safe environment for all!

A few reminders to help ensure a safe parking lot:

• 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 Wednesday February 12, the St. Christopher Dance Team showcased their talent at the Dance Showcase held at Iona Catholic High school. The students did an amazing job! We are so proud of them. Thank you to Ms. O'Dea and Ms. Sauve for all their hard work coaching our students.

On Wednesday February 19 and Thursday February 20, St. Christopher junior boys and girls participated in Family Pod tournament. Both team made it to the Family Tournament by showing great determination and commitment. Our Junior Boys came second place at the Family Tournament. Great job boys! We thank their coaches Mr. Carrabs and Ms. Comi for all their hard work to coach the team.

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)

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!

From March 3, 2025 to April 11, 2025, Earth Rangers and Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! are running a Battery Blitz School Mission contest, at St. Christopher.

Did you know that properly recycling your batteries can help protect wildlife?

Batteries contain toxic materials that can harm the environment if they end up in landfill. That’s why it’s important to properly recycle your batteries!

When you collect batteries at your school, you’re keeping them out of landfills and protecting wildlife.

You’re also helping to recover valuable materials that can be re-used to make new products, like new batteries, golf clubs, and the stainless steel pots and pans! The possibilities are endless.

Last year, the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program collected and recycled over 6.8 million kg of batteries. That’s about the weight of 850 African elephants!

Grad Photo Day is on Monday March 3, 2025. Come ready to smile!!

EQAO staff have added NEW dates to their free LIVE webinar series 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.

We invite you to share this information and the registration links with families in your school community.

Webinar Registration Links:

• Thursday, March 6, 2025 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 26, 2025 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

MARCH 10- 15: March Break. There will be no school for students during this week.

World Sleep Day is March 14

Why is sleep important?

Sleep hygiene, including a consistent bedtime and waketime, is important for healthy growth and development.

Good quality sleep:

• Is beneficial to mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life.
• Enhances learning and problem-solving skills.
• Is required to maintain the health of the body and brain. [Image Description: Child sleeping at a desk]

Children who consistently get a good night’s sleep:

• Are more creative.
• Can concentrate on tasks for longer.
• Have better problem-solving abilities.
• Are better able to make positive decisions.
• Are able to learn and remember new things.
• Have more energy during the day.
• Can create and maintain good relations with others.

Sleep tips:

• Keep to a schedule
• Develop healthy habits
• Avoid naps
• Create a relaxing routine
• Create a comfortable sleep environment

Visit SickKids | About Kids Health to learn more.

How much sleep does a child need?

The amount of sleep needed varies by age. Learn more by reviewing the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children & Youth. Guidelines for adults can be found here: Adults 18-64

The week of March 17, St. Christopher will be having a Spirit Week to celebrate Water Week. Check out events below.

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

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.

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

March

3 Grad Photos

4 Shrove Tuesday

5 Ash Wednesday- Mass at St. Christopher's Parish at 10:30am All parents/Guardians are welcomed

6 Rosary Apostolate Visit

9 Daylight Saving Time Ends-Spring forward your clock by 1 hour

10-14 March Break

17 St. Patrick's Day- All students are encouraged to wear Green today

20 Spring Begins

20 Tap Water Challenge Day 1

21 Tap Water Challenge Day 2

21 The Big Gulp

22 World Water Day

27 Elementary Skills Competition at St. Raymond

31 Virtue Assembly for Kindness

April

1 April's Fool Day

2 Mississauga South Film Fest for Gr. 7 & 8 students

4 Great Big Crunch

10 Rosary Apostolate Visit

13 Palm Sunday

13 Holy Week Begins

17 Holy Thursday: Stations of the Cross

18 Good Friday No school for students

20 Easter Sunday

21 Easter Monday No school for students

June

25 St. Christopher Graduation at St. Christopher's Parish