Divine Mercy Messenger

Principal: S. Viola

Administrative Assistant: R. Panousis

Superintendent of Mississauga West: Peter Cusumano

Catholic School Council Co-chairs 2025-2026: Deanna Catania and Vivian Correa-Pinto

Parish- Merciful Redeemer Pastor: Rev. James (Seamus) Hogan, Associate Pastors: Rev. John Sutka and Rev. Adam Pantaleo

Parish Number 905.812.0030 Parish E-mail: https://mercifulredeemermi.archtoronto.org/

Contact Information:

Email: divinemercyinfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
Location: 2840 Duncairn Dr, Mississauga L5M 5C6
Phone: 905-812-5445
Twitter: @DivineMercyDP

8:15 - 8:30 Open entry (students to use doorway closest to Kiss n' Ride)

8:30- 10:36 Learning Block

10:36 - 10:51 Recess

10:51-11:31 Learning Block

11:31-12:31 Lunch

12:31-1:54 Learning Block

1:54-2:09 Recess

2:09 - 3:00 Learning Block

3:00 Dismissal

Please feel free to click on the Translate button on the newsletter to choose your language of preference! (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Vietnamese, Hindi etc.)

First Confession (Parent and Child): Wednesday, February 11th 2026 from 4:00-6:00 pm

Rite of Confirmation: Wednesday, May 6th 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.

First Communion: Sunday, April 26th 2026@ 3:00 p.m.

• I have thoughts and opinions that matter
• I make good choices
• I have hope for the future
• I solve problems with knowledge, understanding and prayer
• I know we are all equal and special

Because I have ideas, I have a purpose, and I will live my life like Jesus.

The virtue of the month of November is conscience.

CONSCIENCE is the voice of God within us. As you develop your conscience, you will learn to make decisions that will make sure you will always have love in your life. Our conscience reminds us how to act towards other people and how to be a good friend. Sometimes it is hard for us to do the right thing, but we must always remember that the right thing to do is not always the easy thing to do.

A person of conscience…

• chooses to do the right thing, even when it is hard
• takes time to think and pray before making decisions
• knows that their actions and decisions affect all those around them
• thinks of others before themselves

Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people. (Acts 24:16)

O God of Love, We thank you for what you have given us to enjoy; For healthy minds and bodies, for love, for family, for friendship; For every gift of happiness.

We praise you for those who help us by their example and encouragement, especially those who have given their lives to the cause of justice and freedom. Help us, for whom their efforts were given, to make their sacrifice worthwhile by the way we live our lives in loving others.

May we always strive to follow your example and work towards creating a peaceful world. Help us have peace through full reconciliation and cooperation with God’s will for us and all those with whom we live.

We ask this in Jesus’ name,

AMEN

A special thank you goes out to No Frills on 620 Eglington for donating a whole lot of gluesticks and playdough to our school that will be put to great use for classrooms. Thank you to Ms. Perras for the special delivery to our school.

If parents/guardians that are not voting members on a school’s Catholic School Council wish to communicate a suggestion/idea to members of Catholic School Council, this can be facilitated by parents/guardians sending an email to our Catholic School Council Info email account that we’ve been provided with at dmrcycscinfo@educ.dpcdsb.org. This account has been created to support the work of our Catholic School Council and to manage communication. At such time, the Principal and Catholic School Council co-chairs will review items submitted and discuss appropriate items for the Catholic School Council Meeting Agenda. At the meeting, the items on the agenda are then discussed and addressed by the nominated members of the Catholic School Council. You can also approach Council members parents in the community to provide suggested items.

Our next Catholic School Council Meeting will be on Monday, November 10th @ 5:30 pm. Join us in person or virtually. Here is the link:

Topic: Catholic School Council Meeting

Time: Nov 10, 2025 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92669832556?pwd=eqK0K5bGdTNaqgAkJwy9wBefDpxoGI.1

Meeting ID: 926 6983 2556

Passcode: 3iVtEP

Our school is deeply committed to supporting the well-being of every student. This year, we are proud to offer Brave Education workshops, which align with our school’s strategic plan, as well as the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum 169 and PPM 144. These workshops will help our students develop essential social-emotional skills, promoting healthier relationships and fostering positive interactions throughout our school community.

Workshops
Setting Healthy Boundaries: Grades 4-6
Building Emotional Regulation: Grades K-3, 7 & 8

Please see the PDF for detailed information about what students will be learning. For at-home resources, please visit Brave’s resource page.

Divine Mercy has partnered with Region of Peel Health in order to bring many healthy programs to our students. The program PALs for short stands for Playground Activity Leaders in Schools. Several students received hours of instruction from a registered nurse with Peel Health on how to play healthy games and to help problem solve conflicts on the playground with younger primary students (grades 1-3). Our grade 5 junior students are already developing leadership skills as they design games, actively promote the program and have been starting to play games with primary students at recess time. A special thank you to Mr. Grave, our CYCP and to Ms. Corda, Public Health Nurse from the Region of Peel for helping to bring amazing initiatives and programs to our school.

All information regarding these programs have been sent via School Messenger and posted on classroom sites. You can also always access new program information on the Board site. A review of all necessary information has been attached.

Reading is a foundational skill critical to student success, both in the classroom and beyond. Our school will be administering annual early reading screenings for all students in Year 2 of Kindergarten through Grade 2 on Tuesday, November 4th, 2025. Early reading screening is newly mandated by the Ministry of Education through Policy/Program Memorandum 168. Information to all parents has been sent via school messenger and posted in classrooms.

Dear Divine Mercy Elementary School Families,

Peel Public Health will offer a free immunization clinic for Grade 7 and 8 students attending Divine Mercy Elementary School on Monday, November 24, 2025, starting at approximately 8:30 am until 11:30 am. Please note: the team may leave earlier if all eligible students have been seen. This will be the first clinic visit for the school year.

· If you have not yet provided consent, visit School vaccination program at peelregion.ca/immunize to download, print, and complete the consent form. The completed consent form must be returned to the school with your child on or before the day of the clinic.

***Please read attachmements below for the complete information.

In 2016, Ontario passed the first legislation of its kind in Canada declaring the first full week of November as Treaties Recognition Week.

This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Treaties Recognition Week represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The week was launched in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (PDF) to increase treaty awareness and provide students and the public with an important opportunity to learn why treaties matter.

The first week in November is Treaties Recognition Week was introduced to recognize and understand the importance of treaty education and to help everyone in Ontario learn about treaty.

• Treaties are legal agreements made between two or more Nations.
• Treaty-making preceded North American settlement and has allowed for the peaceful settlement of Canada.
• Treaty outlines the terms, relationship and conditions of settlement in Indigenous Territories.
• Both Settler and Indigenous Nations have a responsibility for knowing and upholding the Treaty obligations.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes, “the urgent need to respect and promote the rights of Indigenous peoples affirmed in treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements with States” Did you know that we are on the shared lands of the Michizaagiig (Mississaugas of the Credit) who are part of the Anishinaabek Nation?

Progress Report cards will be sent home on on Tuesday November 18th. The Progress Report is designed to show a student’s development of learning skills and work habits, as well as a student’s general progress in working towards the achievement of curriculum expectations in all subject areas.

We have moved to a new website for school interviews, used by over 5000 schools worldwide, that allows parents to book online using their computer or cell phone for any school event. It only takes a few minutes to set up your school booking format. All the necessary information will be sent home next week by classroom teachers. Interviews will be held, upon request of either the teacher or the parent, on the evening of Thursday, November 20th. Teachers will send all necessary information starting next week.

We ask that parents continue to support their children in their morning routines so that they can arrive to school on time. This ensures that your child learns an essential life skill, participates in the entire school day, and that disruptions to the learning environment are minimal.

Please be reminded that the front of the school is designated as a “Bus Loading Zone.” Parents/guardians are not permitted to pick up or drop off students in this zone. The safety of our students is our priority. Please drop off or pick up students in the designated school parking lot or the Kiss and Ride area.

The days are getting colder and pretty soon winter will arrive. It is important for students to come prepared to participate in all activities, including outdoor recess. We ask that students dress appropriately for colder weather by having coats, hats, scarves, boots and mittens or gloves. For health reasons, and to keep the school clean, we ask all students to have indoor shoes. Please note that in the event of an emergency evacuation, students will not have the opportunity to put boots on. Thank you for your support in this matter.

The students should have a pair of indoor shoes to wear at school in class and for gym. Outdoor shoes/ boots will be kept for outdoor use only and out of the classrooms in order to reduce the amount of dirt and mud brought indoors. This will assist our custodial staff in keeping the school clean and safe. Thank you for your co-operation.

Thank you to all the staff and students that continue to dedicate their time and committment to allow for many additional learning opportunities outside the classroom. Activities that are already underway include:

• Intermediate volleyball-starting soon
• Well-being and health leaders/ representatives-Intermediates
• PALS-grade 5 leaders
• Junior and Intermediate basketball club
• Primary Games/lego club
• Primary dodegball club
• Grade 3 and 4 French club
• Grades 1-8 Beyblade club
• Intermediate Homework club
• Grade 4-8 Dance Club
• Primary/Junior Art club
• Choir (as needed)
• Office helpers and washroom/hall monitors- grade 5, 6 and 8 leaders
• Library helpers

Monday, Novemer 3rd- Picture retake day

Monday, November 10th- Catholic School Council Meeting

Tuesday, November 18th- Progress Reports sent home

Wednesday, November 19th- BRAVE presentations/all classes

Thursday, November 20th - Santa Claus is coming to Divine Mercy-

Parent/Teacher Interview Evening as requested

Monday, November 24th- Grade 7 and 8 vaccinations

Friday, November 28th- PA Day/ Provincial Priorities