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/

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

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

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

Blessed are You, O Lord our God,

You have made the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night.

Help us walk in your light. During the season of Lent, renew us through the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help us grow in faith, hope and love.

During this special time, we remember that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so that we might be free to love.

Help us grow to be the people you call us to be; letting go of old habits of selfishness, forgiving those who have hurt us, giving quality time to our families, spending time in quiet prayer.

Amen

• I am a peace-maker
• I am fair
• I am forgiving
• I follow rules and do my share
• I help the poor and care for people in need
• I stand up for what is right
• I know that all life is precious
• I respect and protect the world and all that is in it

Because I accept my responsibilities, I can make a difference, and will live my life like Jesus.

During the month of March, we will focus on the virtue of Kindness.

God wants us to give generously to others around us.

A kind person …

• is gentle and sensitive to others
• stands by their friends in time of need
• shares their time and talents
• says nice things about others from the heart
• always looks for ways to be helpful

God wants us to be kind to everyone we meet. We have all been given the fruit of the Holy Spirit called kindness, which is the act of loving and giving generously to others as God does. Our empathy for others is transformed into action that extends beyond concern for ourselves and allows us to see God in every face that we meet.

Let us now pray for the virtue of kindness so that everyone we meet will feel like we are looking out for their good. AMEN.

Co-chair: Deanna Catania

Co-chair: Vivian Correa-Pinto

Secretary: Johnson Lai

Treasurer: Michelle Ferreira

Parish Representative: Jessica Clayton

OAPCE Representative: Elaine Dantas

Teacher Representative: Laura Harper

Non-classroom Member: Marisa Brasil

Principal: Sandra Viola

Voting members: Dorislyn Fernandes, Lisa Bitonti-Bengert, Angela Trewartha, Katrina Vieira Reis, Jonathan Walker, Quynh Walker, Rossana Asencios

Remaining Council Dates for 2026

Thursday April 23rd, 2026-Public Budget Information Session/ More info to follow

Monday, May 25th, 2026- Final meeting with a potluck dinner

Take a look at all the amazing highlights and events showcased in our very first Council Newsletter! From special activities to community moments, this edition captures the spirit and energy of our school. Thank you to all the contributions of our Council and all parents in our school community.

INVITING ALL PARENTS to sign up and subscribe to the OAPCE (Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education) distribution list so you can receive important updates.

OAPCE is a parent advocacy organization in Ontario that supports Catholic education.

· To subscribe to the OAPCE mailing list. Click on direct link: 🔗 https://oapce.org/contact/ OR

· Visit the OAPCE website OAPCE website - Dufferin Peel Region(click here)

1. Select the Contact section (top right hand side) on the website.
2. Select “Subscribe”. There’s a form where you can enter your email to subscribe to receive emails from both your regional council (Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board) and the provincial association.
3. Enter Your Email Address on the subscription form on that page.
4. Submit – After you submit, you’ll start getting email updates from OAPCE. You can unsubscribe any time if you change your mind.

https://oapce.org/parents-4-parents/

Dear Divine Mercy Families,

Get ready for an exciting night on Friday, April 10th! The Parent Council is hosting a fun‑filled event with many activities, and a glow dance party with DJ Whims. You will be informed once this information is posted to SchoolCash Online and a notifcation will be sent. You will have to RSVP for the event and purchase tickets through SchoolCash online by April 1st.

Glow in the dark items will be for sale online through the Dj's website and also for sale the night of the event with cash.

It’s the perfect way to kick off your Friday! We look forward to seeing you there as we kick off a fantastic evening of entertainment and community spirit.

How Funds Are Used:

Thanks to the generous support of our school community, the funds raised by the School Council have helped provide many valuable resources and experiences for our students thus far, including:

• Scientists in the School
• Guelph Grotto
• Paul Davis presentation
• BRAVE school Presentations
• Transportation Costs
• Classroom indoor and outdoor games
• Extra funds for special crafts
• Contribution to the End-of-Year BBQ Community Event

All proceeds from this event will continue to benefit our students, supporting even more items and experiences throughout the school year.

Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to our special night!

Warm regards,
The Parent Council

On Thursday March 12th all classes will participate in activities to celebrate Canadian French-speaking culture. The activities range from art, face painting, dancing, bingo and making a noisemaker.

If you are already aware that your child(ren) will not be returning to Divine Mercy School in September, please notify the office as soon as possible. We will require the name of the new school that your child(ren) are attending so we can transfer their Ontario Student Record to the new school.

EQAO Literacy Sessions for Families – Focus on Reading and Focus on Writing:

Register for free live webinars where EQAO staff will discuss how EQAO assesses students’ reading and writing skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss reading and writing samples and questions from the Primary and Junior Reading assessments, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning. We invite you to share this information and the registration links with families in your school community.

Registration links:

· Parents/Guardians – Focus on Reading: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

· Parents/Guardians – Focus on Writing: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

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.

Being present and arriving on time plays a vital role in our students' success. When students attend school regularly and start their day on time, they can fully engage in lessons and build lasting academic and social connections. Often core subjects such as math and literacy are taught first thing in the morning when students are most alert. Therefore late arrivals, however, can disrupt the entire class and make it harder for students to catch up. To ensure a smooth and successful school day, here are some helpful strategies:

• Pack your backpack including a healthy lunch the night before to avoid rushing in the morning.
• Establish good sleep hygiene by creating a calming bedtime routine and going to bed early.
• Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier to allow extra time in the morning.
• Turn off screens at least an hour or two before bed to help your body wind down for restful sleep.

By following these tips, students will be well-prepared and ready to make the most of their school day. Consistent attendance and punctuality set the stage for learning and success – let’s make every day count!

Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) has established a new “weather zone” procedure for the purposes of monitoring and communicating school bus cancellations on inclement weather days.

School Bus cancellation options now include Zone 1, Zone 2, and/or Zone 3.

Please note that our School has been assigned to Weather Zone 1.

Therefore, all our parents/students should be checking the STOPR website and twitter account for Zone 1 cancellations this winter.

School Bus Cancellations will be communicated by “Weather Zone” through the STOPR website www.stopr.ca and the STOPR twitter account @STOPRinfo by 06:00 am each morning.

We also encourage all parents to log into the STOPR website www.stopr.ca and click on the “Inclement Weather” tab to review the STOPR weather zone map and all inclement weather procedures.

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

• Girls and boys Intermediate basketball
• Dance Team
• Well-being and health leaders/ representatives-Intermediates
• Intermediate Study Hall
• Primary basketball club
• ECO Team
• Primary/Junior Games club
• Primary Drawing club
• Soccer intramurals
• Boys club
• Choir
• Office helpers and washroom/hall monitors- grade 5, 6 and 8 leaders
• Library helpers
• Elementary Skills competitors

Please be reminded that this year, March Break will be from Monday, March 16th to Friday, March 20th. Students and staff will return to school on Monday, March 23rd.

Have a safe, fun filled, relaxing March Break with your loved ones!!!

March 16th-20th- March Break

Tuesday, March 17th-St. Patrick's Day

Friday, March 20th- SPRING begins!

Saturday, March 21st- World Down Syndrome Day/ School to celebrate on March 13th

Friday, March 27- Earth Hour and Big Gulp

Saturday, March 28-Earth Hour (Official day)

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!