St. Edmund Catholic School
February 2024
1250 Melton Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L4Y 1L5
905-277-8962
"Mind, Body, Spirit"
Principal - T. Podobnik
Vice Principal - C. Fernandes
Secretary - C. Allen
Trustee - Mario Pascucci - Ward 1
Superintendent - D. Belchior
Parish - St. Patrick's Parish - Rev. Fr. J. Facey
St. Edmund School Hours
Supervision Begins 8:30 a.m.
School Begins 8:45 a.m.
Recess (a.m.) 10:51—11:06 a.m.
Lunch 11:46—12:46 p.m.
Recess (p.m.) 2:09—2:25 p.m.
Dismissal 3:15 p.m.
Prayer for the Virtue of Respect
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)
Administrator's Message
St. Edmund 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 15 (evening) and Friday, February 16 (which is a PA Day for students). An information sheet will be sent home, along with an option to indicate 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.
As a Catholic faith community, we will prepare to move into the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 14. 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 upcoming 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.
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.
Together in Christ,
T. Podobnik & C. Fernandes
In February, we celebrate the virtue of Respect:
A respectful person…
uses a positive tone of voice and body language
avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and inappropriate gestures
says ‘Excuse me’, ‘Please’, ‘Pardon me’
avoids gossip
We are Called to Love / Appelés à aimer
“If we love one another, God lives in us.”
(1 John 4:12)
First Communion & Confirmation 2023-2024
If you child is in Grade 2 and Grade 7 this year and would like to receive their Sacrament of First Communion (Grade 2) and Sacrament of Confirmation (Grade 7), please contact the St. Patrick Parish Office with your child's name, school, grade and with the email address you use regularly. Communication will primarily be via email.
National Sweater Day
Thursday, February 1st 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. Edmund.
The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
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.
Morning Procedures
Just a reminder that parents are asked to remain behind the Red lines marked by a Stop Sign on the pavement from 8:30 am to 8:45 am to allow students to play together safely, and for line of sight for our teachers on duty.
Report Cards
First term report cards for students in Grades 1-8 will be sent home on Tuesday, February 13th Along with the report card, you will receive a confirmation time for your interview. Interviews will take place the evening of Thursday, February 15 and during the day on Friday, February 16. Year One and Year 2 Kindergarten students will be receiving a Communication of Learning.
Shrove Tuesday (February 13)
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts.
Its a day of penitence, to clean the soul and a day of celebration as the last chance to feast before Lent begins. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up, and of giving of ourselves more. Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself and to use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving that Christians used to undergo in the past. In shriving, a person confesses their sins and receives absolution for them. During Lent there are many foods that some Christians historically and today would not eat: foods such as meat and fish, fats, eggs and milky foods. So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on shriving Tuesday and eat up all the foods that would not last the forty days of Lent. The need to eat up the fats gave rise to the French name “Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday.” Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday.
We are happy to share that each student will be provided with pancakes and syrup on Tuesday February 13.
Parent Volunteers will be preparing a morning breakfast snack for all students and staff at St. Edmund. The breakfast will consist of pancakes, syrup, breakfast sausage and orange slices.
Please address any food allergy concerns by reviewing the back of the sheet that was sent home, that lists the ingredients used to prepare this special snack. Please note that we will be offering a gluten free pancake; if your child requires this please indicate at the bottom of the form that was sent home.
Thank you to our Catholic School Council and the many volunteers who will help to make this a wonderful experience for our students.
We always need parent volunteers to help with the making and serving of the pancakes. Please indicate in the space provided at the bottom of the letter sent home if you are available to help.
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.
Valentine's Day
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.
Professional Activity Day (February 16)
Friday, February 16 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
Family Day (February 19)
Monday, February 19 is Family Day and there will be no school for students and staff. We hope that you enjoy the day with your family and loved ones.
Save the Date-First Time Rider
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 24, 2024.
Dogs on School Property
Please remember that from 8:15am to 3:30pm 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.
2024-25 EXTENDED FRENCH INFORMATION SESSION DETAILS
Grade 4 parents/guardians who wish to learn more about Extended French or wish to enroll their child in a Grade 5 Extended French program for September 2024, are invited to attend an information meeting at one of the following virtual parent evening sessions:
EF School Region Session Date & Time Zoom Meeting Information
BRAMPTON, CALEDON & DUFFERIN Holy Family (Caledon/Bolton) St. Andrew (Orangeville) St. Anne (Brampton West) St. Jean Brebeuf (Brampton East) St. Monica (Brampton Central) Tuesday February 6, 2024 7:00 p.m. Virtual Extended French Information Session #1
Microsoft Teams Live Meeting #1 Link
MISSISSAUGA San Lorenzo Ruiz (Miss. Central) St. Christopher (Miss. South) St. Philip (Miss. Southeast) St. Rose of Lima (Miss North Central) St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Miss. North) St. Thomas More (Miss. East) Thursday February 8, 2024 7:00 p.m. Virtual Extended French Information Session #2
Microsoft Teams Live Meeting #2 Link
Cold Weather is Here
Inclement Weather Reminders
Our winter season is here! At this time we would like to remind all students to dress appropriately for the season by wearing the proper winter attire which should include hats, gloves/mitts, winter coats and boots. When students are dressed properly for the winter conditions, they can go outside and enjoy some fresh air and activity in comfort. There will be a few times during the course of the year where a recess may be shortened or held indoors due to extreme cold temperatures. According to the school board policy, students are required to remain indoors when the wind chill reaches -25.
In the colder weather, we receive numerous requests to allow children to remain indoors when students have a cold, the flu, etc. Please note that we cannot comply as we neither have the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students. Moreover, the health officials indicate that the fresh air is good for children, and not harmful as long as they are dressed appropriately.
WINTER FUN SAFETY EXPECTATIONS
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. Edmund is Allergen Aware
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Some of the students in our school have severe life threatening allergic reactions to nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils and any peanut byproducts. For some children the smell of nuts can bring on a severe attack. We need your cooperation! We kindly ask that you DO NOT send snacks to school that contain nuts or any nut products.
Please note that to ensure the continued safety of all students, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board with the support of the Anaphylactic Society and the Peel Health Department has recommended that students not bring peanut butter alternatives (soy butter, sunflower butter) to school. We thank you for your cooperation in supporting student safety
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to Hold Public Information Sessions for 2024-2025 Extended French Program
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) will hold two online public information sessions on February 6 and 8 for parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in the DPCDSB Extended French Program for the 2024-2025 school year. The information sessions will provide an overview of the Extended French Program and application process.
2024-2025 Extended French Virtual Information Sessions
Brampton, Caledon & Dufferin Region
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.
Microsoft Teams Live Meeting #1 Link
Mississauga Region
Thursday, February 8, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.
Microsoft Teams Live Meeting #2 Link
The Extended French Program starts in Grade 5 and offers 50% of the total instruction in French. The program includes studies in French Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and one of either: Visual Arts, Music, Drama or Physical Education. The program leads into Extended French at the secondary school level, where French Language Arts, Geography, History and World Religions are offered.
Students in Extended French will receive a minimum of 2,670 hours of French instruction during their school career. When complete, students should also be able to participate in conversation and demonstrate their knowledge of French culture, society, and customs.
In cases where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available at a site, a random selection process will be held at a predetermined and advertised date, if required. In all other cases, students will be placed in the program, provided all required documentation is in order. The application package will be available online to all parents/guardians of Grade 4 students and can be found on the DPCDSB Extended French Webpage as of February 14. The site application links will be live from February 14 to February 28, 2024.
For more information, visit the Extended French webpage at dpcdsb.org.
Kindergarten Registration
The 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, 2024.
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.
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
St. Edmund Catholic School Council
Our Catholic School Council Meeting dates for this year.
Co-Chairs- S. Szasz and N. McKernan
Secretary-A. Oliveira
Treasurer-A. Long
February 1, 2024 at 6pm
April 4, 2024 at 6pm
June 6, 2024 at 6pm
All parents/guardians are invited to attend.
Password Reset Tools
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
Important Dates
February:
February 1: Second Term Begins
February 1: Catholic School Council Meeting at 6pm
February 13: SHROVE Tuesday (All students will receive a Pancake Breakfast from our Parent Council)
February 14: Ash Wednesday/Valentine's Day
February 13: Report Cards Sent Home
February 15: Interview Evening
February 16: PA Day - Interviews
February 19: Family Day - No School
February 20: Family Jr Basketball Tournament Boys AM, Girls PM
February 25: Speech Contest @ St. Patrick's Parish-1:30pm
March:
March 11-15: March Break
March 27: Grad Photos
March 28: Stations of the Cross
All images are taken from Freepik.