St Richard Community Newsletter

Principal: T. Brancalion

Head Secretary: T. Hale

Superintendent of Schools: Peter Cusumano (905)-890-1221

Trustee: Brea Corbet (905)-301-9373

Parish: St. John of the Cross Parish (905) 821-1331

Email: RICHAInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/richa

School Website Calendar
Location: 7220 Copenhagen Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-826-5572

God has given us the ability to form connections with one another- to live together. Empathy helps us to connect and live together in a safe, caring and inclusive community. We know that God has given us the virtue of empathy so that we can learn to appreciate, accept and care for one another.

An empathetic person:

Listens when people speak.

Notices when someone is upset and tries to help.

Can see a situation from another person’s point of view.

Accepts that others have different perspectives.

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:39

1st Friday Holy Mass

1st Friday of the month Holy Mass followed by Adoration and Benediction

Friday October 2nd at 9:00am and 7:00pm in the Church

Children's Liturgy

The Liturgy of the Word for children during Mass is returning

The goal of this ministry is to help children understand the liturgical readings at their own level and connect them to their lives

During weekend Masses starting October 3rd & 4th

All children ages 4 to 8 years old are invited to join

Life Chain

Join millions across Canada and the world standing in peaceful and prayerful respect for all life from conception to natural death

Sunday October 4th after the noon Mass outside the Church along Glen Erin Drive

Placards will be available in the hallway after the noon Mass

Blessing of Pets

There will be a pets blessing on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi

Sunday October 4th at 2:00pm to 3:00pm at the Glen Erin side of the Church parking lot

You may bring your pets at this time. For the safety of everyone, the owner must be able to control their pet at all times.

Rosary Rally

Join Catholics across Canada as we come together on the same day and at the same time to pray the Holy Rosary for our nation. Saturday, October 10th at 12:00pm by the outdoor statues of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. John of the Cross

International Festival of Food

The Parish will be hosting the 4th annual International Festival of Foods

Saturday October 24th immediately following the 5:00pm Mass in the Nessinger Hall

Come celebrate the food, entertainment, customs, and traditions of the diverse cultures within our Parish. For more information contact Julia D'Souza 416-275-5646

Bundle Up Collection

The St. Vincent De Paul Society will be accepting donations of any condition of clothing, bedding & footwear; drapery & towels; and new toys

Saturday October 31st & Sunday November 1st in the Church parking lot

Night of Light

The Knights of Columbus invites you for a Night of Light, a beautiful initiative to reclaim Halloween for the Church

Saturday October 31st at 6:30pm to 8:45pm at the Church

There will be Adoration followed by engaging activities including games, songs, prizes, treats & loot bags.

Children and adults are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite saints or biblical characters or wear white.

There is no cost to attend, but you are kindly asked to bring non-perishable food items to support our local food bank. For more info please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

Book of Life

On All Souls Day and throughout the month of November, the Book of Life containing the names of deceased loved ones will be placed in front of the altar. Their souls will be prayed for on that day and in all Holy Masses throughout the month.

There are 2 ways to have the names of your loved ones be included in the Book of Life:

1. By picking up a purple sheet in the hallway of the church and bringing the sheet back once completed OR 2. By clicking here and listing the names of your loved ones on the form. The Parish office will print their names and add them to the Book of Life.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are now available in the Church hallway

Take one (or more) home to fill with Christmas gifts for a child in need around the world

Return your filled shoebox(es) by Sunday November 8th

Parish Children's Choir

The Parish Children's Choir invites all children from Grades 3-8 to join the choir

The choir will be practicing every Saturday at 10:00am and singing every other Sunday at the 10:00am Mass. Please contact Jade Coutinho at sjocchildrenschoir@gmail.com for more information

Children's Bible Study

The Jesus Youth Ministry invites all children in grades 2 to 5 to a God's Plan in Scripture (GPS) Bible study. Every other Friday at 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Parish

For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

Rise & Lead

The Catholic Women's League invites all youth 13 to 17 years old to an 8 week leadership and public speaking program

8 week session starting Sunday September 20th from 1:15pm to 2:45pm in the Carmel A Room

Cost is $90 for the program, handouts, & snacks. Please contact Marina Pereira at sjocrosscwl@archtoronto.org for more information

EDGE Youth Program

All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program

Make new friends and learn about Catholic teachings through interactive games, lessons, and many more fun activities.

Every other Thursday starting October 8th at 6:45pm to 8:45pm in the Nessinger Hall

For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

LIFE TEEN Youth Program

All youth in grades 9 to 12 are invited to join the LIFE TEEN program

Build lasting friendships, get involved in volunteer opportunities within the Church, and take part in engaging activities and discussions that deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

Every other Sunday starting October 25th at 1:15pm to 3:15pm in the Nessinger Hall

For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

That Man Is You!

The Men's Fraternity Group invites all men ages 18 and up to join their new TMIY sessions "Apostles of the New Springtime"

Every Saturday morning at 7:00am to 8:30am in the Nessinger Hall

The program is free of cost and breakfast is included

To learn more click here. To register click here.

Bible Study: Genesis

This study shows how God works through every generation and covenant promise to draw his people back into relationship with him and prepare the way for our salvation, a plan that continues to unfold in our lives today.

8 week session starting Tuesday October 13th at 7:00pm to 8:45pm in the Nessinger Hall

Cost including workbook is $42. Please contact the Parish office 905-821-1331 to sign up

Bereavement Sessions

If you have lost a loved one, even if not recently, the Parish invites you to bereavement sessions

6 week session starting Tuesday October 20th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Parish

Please contact Muriel Haney at muriel76mph@gmail.com for more information

First Communion registration meetings Part 1

Sunday, September 20/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

Tuesday, September 22/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

Reconciliation

Monday, November 23/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

Tuesday, November 24/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

First Communion Registration meetings Part 2

Sunday, January 17/27 7:00 p.m. @ church

Tuesday, January 19/27 7:00 p.m. @ church

Enrolment Ceremony

January 23/27 & January 24/27 and January 30/27 & January31/27

All masses

Ash Wednesday is February 10/27

Ester Sunday is March 28/27

First Communion masses

Saturday, April 10/27 10:30 a.m. @ church

Sunday, April 11/27 2:00 p.m. @ church

Saturday, April 17/27 10:30 a.m. @ church

Sunday, April 18/27 2:00 p.m. @ church

Schedule for Confimation 2026 - 2027

Confirmation - Parent Meetings

Sunday, September 27, 2026 6:00pm Church

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 7:00pm Church

Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at all Masses Saturday/Sunday

October 17/18 2026 & October 24/25 2026

Confirmation Dates for 2027 @ 7:00pm

Tuesday April 6, 2027

Thursday April 8, 2027

Tuesday April 13, 2027

Our Catholic School Councils provides an opportunity for parents and guardians to discern how their gifts and talents might serve the school community. As per the Ontario Regulation 612/00 and 298, the purpose of a school council is, through the active participation of the parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.

In addition to the purpose of school councils as identified in the regulation, the mission of the Catholic School Councils in the DPCDSB, is to promote, the vision, values, and sacramental life of Catholic practices for the Catholic communities we serve.

All parents/guardians are welcome to attend any St Richard Catholic Elementary School.

Khalisa McCooty-Edwards Chair/OAPCE Rep.

Danielle Spinelli Secretary

Renata Bieniek Treasurer

David Randall Parish Representative

Lynn Rockett Voting Member

Cynthia Sudeyko Voting Member

Stephanie Giorgio Voting Member

Milena Piasentin Voting Member

Magda Kaniewski Voting Member

Stephanie Ulman Voting Member

Melissa Larmour Voting Member

Patricia Achuo Voting Member

Meeting Dates:

Sept 21 2026 at 6:00pm

Nov 04, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Jan 13, 2027 at 6:00 pm

Mar 10, 2027 at 6:00 pm

April board budget meeting date/time to be confirmed- virtual

May 12, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Students participating in Cross country from Grades 4 to 8 in Mississauga West will be going to Erin Dale Park on Thursday, October 8th

On Monday October 12th we celebrate Thanksgiving. There will be no

school on this day. Thanksgiving Day is an annual Canadian holiday, held

on the second Monday in October, which celebrates the harvest and

other blessings of the past year.

Picture retake day Monday October 19th AM

Our grade 7 students will be receiving vaccines from Peel Health Nurses on Monday October 19th.

There is a PA Day on Monday, October 26th. There is no school for students.

On Friday, October 3oth students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 will have the opportunity to participate in our Dance-A-Thon. Big thank you to Ms. Tonkovic for organizing this event for our students!

Our grade 7 and 8 students will be going to The University of Toronto Campus for A ghost walk on Thursday, October 30th. They will be able to participate in the Dance-A-Thon when they get back to school at 2:00pm

https://order.lunchlady.ca/

Starting Tuesday, October 13th we will be having pizza days every Tuesday and Friday. We have chosen Little Ceasars Pizza as our provider this year. We are excited to let you know that pizza will also be available for purchase on pizza days. The cost of the pizza will be $3.00.

All sales must be made through School Cash Online. There will be no purchasing of food on Harveys days.

We are excited to share that beginning on Thursday October 15th, St. Richard will be offering Swiss Chalet lunches to all students every Thursday.

Students will have the option between:

• Quarter Chicken, dark meat
• Quarter Chicken, white meat
• Pierogies
• Chicken Strips

All meal options come with the choice of one side:

• Garden salad
• Cesear salad
• Mashed pototoes
• Rice
• Veggies

All the details are on SchoolCash online!

I am very excited to share that we will contiue the YMCA Nutrition Program this year. All students who need a healthy snack can come by the main office between 8:15-8:30 every morning to pick up a snack.

Anyone working with children as an employee or volunteer must have a Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Check completed by the Peel Police.

ALL volunteers including those going on one day school trips MUST have a Criminal Reference check. The Criminal Reference Check for volunteers may take a number of days for the paperwork to be processed and has to be done through Peel Police.

If you already have a Criminal Reference Check on file at the school, please ensure you have completed the yearly Criminal Offence Declaration form with the office.

https://rec-check.peelpolice.ca/

Emergency response procedures in the event of a fire, bomb threat, serious accident/injury or an intruder have been established and are revised on an ongoing basis. Each school within the DPCDSB is required to hold 9 emergency procedure drills over the course of the year.

These drills consist of three fire drills per term, one lockdown drill per term, and 1 hold and secure drill per year. During these drills staff review all emergency procedures with students to ensure all children are safe in the event of a real emergency.

In the event that it is necessary to evacuate the school, our site for relocation is St John of the Cross Church located at 6890 Glen Erin Drive.

St Richard Catholic School actively encourages and promotes regular and punctual attendance. Educational research has consistently shown that student progress and academic success are closely related to regular attendance and active participation in the day-to-day activities of the school. Frequent absences from school jeopardize a student’s successful completion of any level.

Ultimately, responsibility for attendance lies with the student and the parent.

Although trips and vacations may provide diverse learning experiences, the school does not support travel or vacations during class time. The content covered in each grade is important and requires attendance. While parents may choose to travel during the school year, the time missed from class is recorded as an absence and counted in the total absence record for the term and the year. Also, assessment and evaluation can become problematic.

What takes place in the classroom is the work. What occurs as a follow up is either completion of in-class work, or practice and review of the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.

Successful students attend all classes, consult with teachers, hand in assignments, take pride in themselves and their accomplishments, study and complete homework daily and set realistic goals.

Please use the school messenger app/website/phone number to report your child's absences.

https://go.schoolmessenger.ca

1-844-435-3440

Open communication between home and school is very important. Although we will be reporting to you formally during the year, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher at any time if you have questions or concerns. A phone call on the onset of a concern usually resolves itself before it becomes a problem. On our part, if we have any concerns about your child, we will also contact you at the earliest opportunity.

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.

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. The required authorization forms and the medication shall be delivered to the principal or designated person by the parents/guardians. 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).

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has the following policy regarding Personal Electronic Devices in place for all schools.

The Board recognizes the importance of the use of PED’s by students at school and the benefits in their classroom. As part of our policy, students may bring their own device (B.Y.O.D.) for learning purposes. As part of our efforts to promote and maintain a positive Catholic climate in our schools, all PEDs must be kept out of sight, turned off, and not used within school premises or during school-sanctioned activities; unless the classroom teacher grants specific permission for use.

This policy applies to field trips, retreats, sporting events, etc. as well as daily classroom activities. Personal Electronic devices (PEDs) include, but are not limited to cell phones, iPods, iPads, cameras, ...

Please note that it is optional for students to bring their devices to school and it is their responsibility to follow the school and Board policies set out in the “Personal Electronic Device used with Wi-Fi Network Student Agreement.”

When a student receives an injury to the head, it is Board Policy that we inform parents. We will attempt to reach you even when it is a minor injury. Please try not to be too alarmed should you receive a call. Please remind your child to let a staff member know immediately, if they are hurt at school.

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 when your son/daughter sustains a concussion because of a school incident or because of an activity outside of school. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Main Office. Your cooperation and assistance are greatly appreciated.