St Richard Community Newsletter
November 2025
St Richard Info
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
Location: 7220 Copenhagen Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-826-5572
Instagram: richadpcdsb
Virtue of the Month: Conscience
God helps us to choose to be good people.
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
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.
St John of the Cross Information
2025 / 2026 Sunday Missals
The new Liturgical year begins on the 1st Sunday of Advent, November 30th, 2025
Sunday Missals are now available for purchase in the Parish office for $5 each
Children's Liturgy
The Liturgy of the Word for children during Mass has returned
Every weekend during the Saturday 5pm and Sunday 10am, 12pm & 4pm Masses
All children ages 4 to 8 years old are invited to join .
Parish Children's Choir
The Parish Children's Choir invites all children from Grades 2-8 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 will be hosting a God's Plan in Scripture (GPS) Bible study for children in grades 2 to 5
Every other Friday from September 26th to March 27th at 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Parish
For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331
EDGE Youth Program
All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program
Every other Thursday at 6:45pm to 8:45pm this Fall at the Parish
Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.
To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information
Parish Prayer Group
The Prayer Group invites everyone to join their sessions
Every Friday at 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Parish
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 "Thy Kingdom Come"
Every Saturday morning starting September 13th 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.
EDGE Youth Program
All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program
Every other Thursday from October 16th to June 11th at 6:45pm to 8:45pm at the Parish
Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.
To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information
LIFE TEEN Youth Program
All youth in grades 9 to 12 are invited to join the LIFE TEEN program
Every other Sunday from October 19th to June 14th at 5:15pm to 7:15pm at the Parish
Navigate the challenges of adolescence such as peer pressure, academic stress, and family issues while building a deeper relationship with God.
To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information
All Saints Day and All Souls Day
Saturday November 1st at 9:00am Holy Mass followed by Adoration & Benediction
Saturday November 1st at 5:00pm Commemoration Mass for the deceased who passed within the last year
Young Adults Conference
RENEW Toronto, the Archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Youth (OCY) largest gathering of Young Adults, invites those ages 19 to 39 to deepen their Catholic faith
Saturday November 22nd and Sunday November 23rd
Attendees will enjoy keynote presentations, breakout sessions, Mass & Adoration, praise & worship, and fellowship. For details please click here
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.
1st Friday Holy Mass
1st Friday of the month Holy Mass followed by Adoration and Benediction
Friday November 7th at 9:00am and 7:00pm in the Church
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 Saturday November 8th
Pasta Knight
The Knights of Columbus are having their annual Pasta Knight (penne & meatballs) curbside pickup event
Saturday November 8th at 2:00pm to 3:00pm in the Church parking lot
Cost is $12 per container for 1 to 2 meals, or $10 per container for 3 or more meals
To order your meals before November 4th please click here
Christmas Joy Market
The Catholic Women's League will be hosting a Christmas Joy Market
Saturday November 22nd from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday November 23rd from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Any vendors who are interested in participating please contact Barbara Godfrey 437-776-0284. Any vendors who are interested in participating please contact Barbara Godfrey 437-776-0284
Prime Time Club Christmas Party
The Prime Time Club invites those those 55 years and above to their Christmas party
Friday November 28th at 6:30pm in the Nessinger Hall
Cost is $20 for members or $30 for non-members which includes 1 year membership
Contact and etransfer Jules at jcoutinho@archtoronto.org
Church Cleanup Day
The Parish Women's Group invites all ladies & their families to help clean our place of worship
Saturday November 29th at 10:30am to 2:00pm in the Church
Bring your gloves, brush, buckets, cloth rags, and vacuum cleaners if you have them. We also need high reaching dusters for hard to reach areas
Please contact the parish office at 905-821-1331 to signup
Christmas Concert
The Parish's music ministries will be putting on a Christmas concert to raise funds for a new sound system. Saturday November 29th at 7:00pm in the Church
Tickets will be on sale for the next 2 weekends and are $5 per person or $15 for a family of 4
Pictures with Santa
The Parish Women's Group will be holding their 4th annual pictures with Santa
Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th
Signups for photo time slots will be open soon
Christmas Gift Card Drive
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Christmas gift card drive in order to provide Christmas hampers to those in need within our local community
Please purchase a gift card, attach the receipt and drop it off to the Parish office or place it in the black drop box on the wall across from the parish office
Drop off donations by Sunday December 7th
Parish Prayer Group
The Prayer Group invites everyone to join their sessions
Every Friday at 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Parish
For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331
Sacramental Preparation Meetings
First Communion: Sunday September 21st at 7:00pm OR Tuesday September 23rd at 7:00pm in the Church
Confirmation: Sunday September 28th at 6:00pm OR Tuesday September 30th at 7:00pm in the Church
For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331
Schedule for First Holy Communion 2025 - 2026
First Communion Registration Part 1
Sunday, 21, 2025 7:00pm @ Church
Tuesday, September 23 2025 7:00pm @ Church
Reconciliation
Monday, November 24, 2025 7:00pm @ Church
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 7:00pm @ Church
First Communion Registration Meeting Part 2
Sunday, January 18 2026 7:00pm @ Church
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 7:00 @ Church
Enrolment Ceremony
January 31st, February 1st, February 14th & February 15th All Masses
First Communion Masses
Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:30am @ Church
Sunday, April 18, 2026 2:00pm @ Church
Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:30am @ Church
Sunday, April 26, 2026 2:00PM @ Church
Confirmation - Parent Meetings
Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m. church
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 7:00 p.m. church
Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at all Masses Saturday/Sunday
October 18/19, 2025 & Oct 25/26, 2025
5 Classes / Sessions 9 am – 12 Noon (Saturdays only)
November 08th, 2025
December 6th, 13th, 2025
Jan 17th & 31st, 2026
Confirmation Retreat Saturday 9 am – 11:30 am
February 28TH 2026, OR March 07TH, 2026
Confirmation Dates for 2026 @ 7pm
Tuesday 14, April 2026
Thursday 16, April 2026
Tuesday 21 April 2026
Catholic School Council
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.
Neisma Peredo Chair
Melissa Larmour Secretary
Renata Bieniek Treasurer
Rachel Pinto OAPCE Representative
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
Khalisa McCooty-Edwards Voting Member
Monday, September 22, 2025 6:30
Thursday, October 23, 2025 5:30 (Catholic Council Chair Meeting)
Monday, November 17, 2025 6:30
Monday, January 12, 2026 6:30
Monday, February 23, 2026 6:30
Thursday, April 23rd 2026 Budget Meeting online
Monday, May 11, 2026 6:30
Monday, June 1 2026 6:30
YMCA Nutrition Program
I am very excited to share that we have been accepted into the YMCA Nutrition Program. 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.
Dairy Farmers of Canada Presentations November 4th and 5th
On November 4th and 5th your child will have the opportunity to particpate in various presntations from the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
Remembrance Day Liturgy Tuesday November 11th
We will be having a Remembrance Day Liturgy on Tuesday, November 11th at 10:45 in our gym. Everyone is welcome to join.
Progress Reports November 17th
Progress reports will be sent home on Tuesday, November 17th
Parent Teacher Interview Night Thursday, November 20th
Parent Teacher interviews will be on the evening of November 20th Letters will come home letting you know whether an interview is requested by your child's teacher.
Santa Photos Tuesday, November 25th
On Tuesday, November 25th Santa will be visiting some of our Primary Classes and reading stories with the students. All the students will then have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa. The Cost for the 5x7 picture including a digitial copy is $15.00
PA Day Reminder Friday November 28th
Pizza Days are Back!
Starting Tuesday, October 14th 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.
Lunch Lady Program Monday's
The Lunch Lady school lunch program is coming to St Richard on Monday starting September 22nd.
Please see the link below to set up an account. You will need to enter your child's name and select your child's teacher information as a part of your account information.
Lunch options include kid favourites such as pasta, burgers, grilled cheese, shepherd's pie, as well as many "breakfast for lunch", vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. There's even a specialized "Little Lunches" menu for our younger students to enjoy!
You can place or cancel your order by 8 am on the delivery date.
Once you create an account you can order every week or only for the days that suit your schedule.
We are excited to share that beginning on Thursday October 16th, 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!
Mr Sub is back Every Monday starting November 3rd
All orders must be placed through cash online. There will be no subs for purchasing on Sub days.
Harveys is back every Wednesday starting November 5th
All sales must be made through School Cash Online. There will be no purchasing of food on Harveys days.
Snack Shack Every Friday Starting Friday, October 3rd
This fundraising initiative is to raise money for various activities for our students throughout the year. (Guest Speakers, Technology, and to off set costs for our graduating class of 2025).
- Tuck Shop Items for purchase
- $2.50 Kernels Popcorn (Butter and Salt, White Cheddar, Dill Pickle, Salt and Vinegar, Caramel)
- $2 Various Chips (Lays Regular, Cheetos, Doritos, All Dressed, and Ketchup, Crunchy Cheetos, Pringles)
- $2 Garden Veggie Straws
- $2 Terra Cotta Cookies (Chocolate chip, Fudge chip, Vanilla, Vegan Cholocate Chip, Glutenf ree Choclolate chip)
- $2 Breton Veggie Crackers
- $1 Pretzel Sticks
- $1Goldfish Crackers
- $1 Organic Apple Sauce Pouches
- $1 Rice Krispies
- $1 Welch's Fruit Gummies
- $1 Sour keys
- $1 Red Lolipops ( Ingredients: Sugars (sugar, glucose, syrup), Water, Artificial flavour, Titanium dioxide, Allura red)
- $1 Fruit Roll ups
If your child has any food restrictions and you do not want them to participate please contact their teacher directly to let them know.
The Terra Cotta cookies do have a vegan and gluten free option available. Please let your child's teacher know if you would prefer they purchase either of those options instead.
Ingredients for all Terra Cotta Cookies
Fudge Chip DeLite
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), cocoa, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains: wheat, soy, egg.
Catholic Chip DeLite
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), soluble vegetable fiber (corn) baking soda.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
May contain milk.
Vanilla Butterfly
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), rainbow sprinkles (icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, colour, gum arabic, carnauba wax), natural flavour.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
Vanilla Heart Cookies
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), colour, natural flavour.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
Vegan Chocolate Chip
Ingredients:
Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, anhydrous dextrose, soya lecithin, vanilla extract), water, soybean and palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce, milled flaxseed, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains: Wheat & Soy
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip
Brown sugar, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), rice flour, liquid whole egg, soy flour, cassava starch, vanilla extract, baking soda, xanthan gum.
Contains: soy, egg.
Criminal Reference Checks
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.
Emergency Protocol
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.
Attendance
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.
1-844-435-3440
Communication
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.
MEDICAL ALERT– Sabrina’s Law (Anaphylaxis)
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.
Asthma Friendly School Ryan's Law
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.
Distribution and Storage of Medication
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).
Policy on cell phone and personal electronic devices
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.”
Head Injury Policy
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 per the Ministry of Education direction, our Board has a Concussion Protocol in place. ALL students who sustain a head injury during the school day, however minor, will receive a Concussions Are Serious pamphlet and accompanying paperwork 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 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.
