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Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary
October Newsletter
Divine Mercy Info
Principal- N. Tome Secretary- R. Panousis
@DivineMercyDP E-mail divinemercyinfo@dpcdsb.org Website https://www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
Trustees- Brea Corbet Ward 9 & 10 905-301-9373
Luz del Rosario-Ward 6 & 11 416-528-6447
Herman Viloria Ward 2 & 8 905-890-1221
Superintendent- Laura Odo 905-890-1221
Parish- Merciful Redeemer, Pastor: James (Seamus) Hogan, Associate Pastor: Rev. Iguintz Calixte
Parish Number 905.812.0030 Parish E-mail: mercifulredeemermi@archtoronto.org
Dear Parents,
As we enter the beautiful autumn season at Divine Mercy, we have some exciting updates and events to share for October including a Thanksgiving Food Drive, 10 different clubs, Trips to Riverwood, Cross Country and Volleyball, our school Photo day, Retreats, our Halloween Dance Party and our Fall Fair.
We appreciate your continued support and involvement in our school community. Together, we can make October a month filled with faith, fun, and love.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to sharing these wonderful experiences with you and your children.
With Gratitude,
Divine Mercy Staff
Food Drive
Our local food bank, Eden Foods, is holding a Thanksgiving Food Drive and we would like to invite you to participate. Please encourage your child to bring non-perishable food items such as cooking oil, canned meats/fish (tuna, corned beef, sardines etc.), instant coffee, Kraft dinner, crackers/cookies, sugar, salt, peanut butter, canned tomatoes, chunky soup, Boost/ensure, gluten-free products, baby wipes and diapers (size 5 & 6 especially), laundry detergent and personal care items (deodorant, body wash, lotion etc.) to the school's front foyer every day until Thanksgiving weekend (last day for food donations is Thursday October 6).
Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help!
CHILD SAFETY
At times, school staff may become aware of students who are experiencing difficulties. It is not the school’s responsibility to investigate, evaluate or assign blame. It is everyone’s responsibility to help keep all children safe. Please see our policy below.
Food Allergies
We continue to have students and staff with severe, life-threatening allergies to certain foods, such as peanuts and nuts. This medical condition may cause severe and life-threatening reactions to specific 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. Consider non-food items such as pencils or stickers if you want your child to share their special day/birthday with their classmates.
CLUBS
We Need Your Help with Basket Prizes for our Fundraiser
Dear Parents,
As we gear up for our upcoming Halloween Dance Fundraiser, we need your support!
Each class will focus on a theme, and we aim to create gift baskets based on each theme.
Here's how you can help:
Donate New Items: If you have any new items related to the theme or anything that you believe would make a fantastic addition to our gift baskets, please consider donating them. Whether it's a new toy, a book, a decoration, an item you pick up at the dollar store, or anything else that fits the theme, we would be grateful for your contribution. Please bring them in by October 2, 2023, so we have them for our Fundraiser Kickoff.
Baking Basket(Mrs. Commisso, Mr. Collet)
Craft Basket (Mrs. Fernandes, Mrs. Symonds)
Boardgame Basket (Mrs. Harper)
Playdough Basket (Mrs. Van Der Ster)
Lego Basket (Mrs. Mitchell)
Gift cards (Mrs. O'Leary, Mrs. Pearce)
Movie theme (Ms. Stecki, Ms. Vaughan)
Sports Basket (Mrs. Costanzo)
Puzzle &Brain Teaser Basket (Mrs. De Maria)
Bookworm Basket (Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Becerra)
2-Candy (Mr. Demelo, Ms. Krosel)
Eco Dragons - Eco Team October Update
The Eco Dragons are back and aiming for another Gold Eco Schools certification this school year!
Our first Eco Team initiative is the “Battery Blitz!” We are asking students to bring in old/used batteries for collection and safe disposal.
Between October 2nd and October 17th, please bring in old/used batteries for the Eco Team to collect. We will bring these to a safe disposal centre at the end of the month.
How does this help our environment?
1. Preventing Pollution: Batteries contain toxic chemicals that can leak into the soil and water if not disposed of correctly. By collecting and disposing of them safely, we protect our local environment from contamination.
2. Energy Conservation: Recycling batteries helps conserve valuable resources like zinc, lithium, and nickel. This reduces the need for mining, which can have detrimental effects on ecosystems.
3. Reducing Landfill Waste: Batteries take a very long time to decompose in landfills. By recycling them, we lessen the burden on these already overcrowded waste disposal sites.
4. Teaching Responsibility: Battery Blitz also educates students about the importance of responsible waste management and the role they can play in preserving our planet for future generations.
Together, we can make a big difference! Join us in the Battery Blitz Initiative and be part of the solution. Help the Eco Dragons make a positive impact on the environment, one battery at a time!
DATES AT A GLANCE
Orange Shirt Day
We will be participating in Orange Shirt Day on Friday September 29th to honour our commitment to Truth and reconciliation. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30th. It was chosen as a date because it falls during the time of year when Indigenous children were taken away to residential school.
Friday, Sep 29, 2023, 08:30 AM
Parent Council Meeting
Monday, Oct 2, 2023, 05:30 PM
Online / at School
Picture Day
Bring your smile:)
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023, 08:30 AM
Pizza Day
Big thank you to Parent Council for organizing Pizza Lunch every Tuesday!
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023, 11:30 AM
Halloween Dance Fundraiser Kickoff
Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023, 09:00 AM
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - PARENTS’ MEETING
Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023, 07:00 PM
Merciful Redeemer Parish, Erin Centre Boulevard, Mississauga, ON, Canada
World Teacher Day
Thursday, Oct 5, 2023, 07:00 AM
Tuck Shop Thursday - Bring your loonies & toonies
Thursday, Oct 5, 2023, 01:30 PM
PA Day
No school for students today.
Friday, Oct 6, 2023, 08:30 AM
Thanksgiving - No School
Monday, Oct 9, 2023, 07:00 AM
Riverwood Trip - Gr 3/4 French
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023, 09:00 AM
Bus Safety Training for All Students
Thursday, Oct 12, 2023, 09:00 AM
Divine Mery
Gr 5-8 Mississauga North - Cross Country Meet
Friday, Oct 13, 2023, 08:00 AM
Erindale Park, Dundas Street West, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Riverwood Trip Gr 3/4 English
Friday, Oct 13, 2023, 09:00 AM
JR Girls & Boys Volleyball Tournament
Friday, Oct 20, 2023, 08:30 AM
Gr 8 Retreat
Thursday, Oct 26, 2023, 03:00 PM
Divine Mercy - Gym
Gr 7 Retreat
Opportunity for Grade 7 students to spend an evening of faith, food and fun together in retreat from 3-7:30. More information to come.
Monday, Oct 30, 2023, 03:00 PM
Fall Fair & Halloween Dance Party
Halloween can be a time for fun.
Students and staff will show off their School Spirit by wearing orange and/or black, or a costume on October 31, 2023. We ask that students think critically and creatively when choosing a costume that honours the dignity of each human person, so that everyone can enjoy themselves.
While students are having their dance party, families are invited to check out some student fall art work showcased in the meeting room at any point throught out the day from 9a.m - 2 p.m..
Tuesday, Oct 31, 2023, 08:30 AM
PARISH INFORMATION
Click below to view weekly bulletin
SACRAMENTS SCHEDULE WITH MERCIFUL REDEEMER
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE FOR 2023 – 2024
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - PARENTS’ MEETING #1: IN PERSON
Wednesday 4 October 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
ONLINE PREP with HOPESTONE-
sessions 1-3: Released- November1-February 1
sessions 4-6: Released February 29-April 1.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - PARENTS’ MEETING #2: VIRTUALLY
Monday 22 January 2024 - 7:00 p.m.
FIRST CONFESSION: CHILDREN ALONG WITH PARENTS
Wednesday 28 February 2024 - 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Parents to bring their child and both will make their confession.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - PARENTS’ MEETING #3: VIRTUALLY
Wednesday 10 April 2024- 7:00 p.m. to 7:30p.m.
THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS WITH 1ST COMMUNICANTS
Sunday May 26, 2024 3:00 p.m.
CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE FOR 2023 - 2024
CONFIRMATION – PARENTS’ MEETING: IN PERSON
Wednesday November 22, 2023 at 7:00 pm
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION SCHEDULE
1. Meet and greet with Jane - to be booked at Registration
2. Hope Stone- 6 sessions ONLINE- January 1- March 31, 2024
3. Retreat- with Schools- Dates in April… to be announced.
CROSSES & CONFESSION
Wednesday March 6, 2024 - from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PARENTS’ INFORMATION MEETING - regarding Confirmation
Wednesday April 10, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. (Virtually)
CONFIRMATION MASS
Monday May 6, 2024 7:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
School Volunteers - Criminal Reference Checks
Just a reminder that if you are interested in volunteering within the school in any capacity, including field trips, student support, Catholic School Council member, etc., a valid Criminal Reference Check (CRC), with Vulnerable Sector Check - Level 3 is required. Please note that there is about a 3-4 week waiting period to process a CRC.
Please see the website below for more information on how to apply:
Also, please see the attached letter that will be required upon application for this background check.
Cash Online
School Cash Online
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.
How do I register?
Please refer to these Registration Instructions for step-by-step details on how to get signed-up for online payments. To directly login or to register, visit School Cash Online.
What payment methods will be available?
Parent will be able to pay online using Visa, MasterCard and eCheque.