St. Veronica
February 2026
St. Veronica Catholic Elementary School
St. Veronica Catholic Elementary School
Trustees: L. del Rosario and T. Thomas
Superintendent: P. Cusumano
Principal: N. Laporte
Head Secretary: L. Magi
Email: VeronInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/VERONLocation: 680 Novo Star Dr., Mississauga, ON L5W 1C7
Phone: 905-696-6980
The Respect Prayer
God our Father,
I know that I have much to learn
from other people
who reflect Your image and likeness
in different ways.
Inspire me to respect others fully
as my equals,
seeing and loving in them
what you see and love in them.
Amen.
Adminstrator's Message
St. Veronica continues to be a vibrant, active, and faith-filled community, and this month brings many opportunities for us to celebrate, reflect, grow, and pray together. Throughout February, we look forward to deepening our learning about Black History Month, recognizing St. Valentine’s Day, and continuing to support our mental health and well‑being. We will be providing students with meaningful opportunities to contribute to their faith and to the wider community with thoughtfulness and compassion.
As we conclude Term 1 and move into the second half of the school year, we are proud of the growth we have seen in our students. We look forward to a successful Term 2 in which students continue to strive to be the best they can be—spiritually, academically, and socially.
February is also a time for reflection and gratitude. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the many blessings within our St. Veronica community:
OUR STUDENTS – for their enthusiasm, laughter, and spirit, and for their continued hard work, determination, and perseverance.
OUR PARENTS/GUARDIANS – for your ongoing cooperation, commitment, and support in your child's learning and development.
OUR STAFF – for their dedication to student achievement and well‑being and for ensuring that our school remains a safe, caring, and inclusive Catholic environment.
OUR MRS. MAGI – for attending to the daily needs of our students, families, and staff, for her genuine care when students are hurt, and for her endless patience in responding to questions and concerns.
OUR CUSTODIAL STAFF – for keeping our school safe, clean, and welcoming for all who learn and work here.
OUR SUPERINTENDENT, Mr. Cusumano – for their continued leadership, guidance, and support.
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL – for their tireless work in providing meaningful enhancements for students and enriching our school community.
OUR PARISH TEAM – for their spiritual leadership and the faith celebrations they continue to share with us.
As we journey through February, may we continue to find ways to open our hearts to one another and to recognize the many blessings within our community.
Take care and God bless.
N. Laporte
Principal
Catholic School Council Update
Our Catholic School Council continues to work hard to provide wonderful opportunities for the students and families of St. Veronica.
This year’s Christmas Market was a tremendous success! Families enjoyed a festive evening filled with poinsettia sales, hot chocolate, a variety of local vendors, and a super‑fun photo booth that was a hit with students and adults alike. Thank you to everyone who supported this joyful community event.
We are thrilled to be planning another family movie night:
Family Movie Night – Friday, March 6
🎬All families are invited!
See below for details.
In addition to event planning, the CSC has been actively fundraising to support student activities. They recently wrapped up the card fundraiser and are now preparing for our spring fundraiser—and yes, we hope you like cookies!
Our next Catholic School Council meeting will be held:
Thursday, February 19
6:30 PM
All are welcome to attend.
🎬 Family Movie Night – Friday, March 6! 🍿
Get ready for a wildly fun evening—because we’re rolling out the red carpet for Zootopia 2 at St. Veronica!
Doors open at 5:30pm. Movie to start at 6:00 pm
Bring your family, your cozy blankets, chairs, drinks and your best movie‑night energy as we gather for a night of laughs, snacks, and community fun.
Dinner & Snacks
- Pizza slices – $2.50 each
Must be pre‑purchased on School Cash Online. - Popcorn & Sour Keys
Available for purchase at the door!
Don’t forget to RSVP!
Please use the link provided to let us know you’re coming—it helps us plan the perfect evening.
Who Can Attend?
This event is open to current St. Veronica students and their families. Students must be accompanied by an adult or family member for the entire event.
A huge thank you to our amazing Catholic School Council for hosting and making this community night possible!
We can’t wait to see you there! 🐰🦊
Student Participation in Morning Announcements
As a faith community, we value opportunities for our students to share their gifts and take part in the life of our school. We invite students, either individually or in small groups, to record themselves singing or playing O Canada or sharing the Land Acknowledgement, to be used during our morning announcements.
These contributions help us begin each day with gratitude, respect, and a sense of belonging, as we honour our country, acknowledge the land on which we learn, and give thanks for the gifts God has entrusted to us.
Recordings may be submitted in video or audio format; however, please note that only the audio will be played during announcements.
Recordings can be:
- Uploaded to the attached Google Slides, or
- Emailed to our information account at veroninfo@dpcdsb.org
We look forward to celebrating our students’ voices as we come together each morning in faith and community.
Junior Girls and Boys Basketball
We would like to thank Mr. Aleong and Mr. Hilario for coaching our students.
Therapy Dog Visit
Our Kindergarten to Grade 2 students greatly enjoyed a recent visit from Elora, a therapy dog with St. John's Ambulance. The visit brought many smiles and provided a wonderful opportunity for students to experience joy, calm, and connection in a supportive environment. Photos from the visit are available on our school website.
We look forward to welcoming Elora back in the future to visit our older students as well.
Bell Let's Talk Day
Our school recognized Bell Let’s Talk Day on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Students and staff wore blue or Bell Let’s Talk hats to show their support for mental health awareness.
In the days leading up to Bell Let’s Talk Day, classes participated in a Talk Bubble Activity, where students shared messages through writing and/or drawings based on grade‑level prompts about friendship, self‑care, and recognizing when they feel overwhelmed. These reflections were proudly displayed outside classrooms.
We are grateful for the members of the Wellness Committee who supported Primary classes with this activity.
Black History Month Announcements
Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month celebrations that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities, remembering and acknowledging contributions and achievements both past and present.
The 2026 theme, Black History 365: Inspiring Hope - Reclaiming Narratives, challenges us to move beyond a single month of recognition and embrace a continuous, year-round commitment to truth, representation, and celebration. This theme identifies a call to action and an opportunity to reclaim narratives that centre the voices of Black individuals and communities, and to offer counter narratives that reflect the depth, diversity, and richness of Black history and heritage. By uplifting these stories, we offer a chance for students to remember the narratives that depict the presence of Black communities across Canada, to redefine the narratives that have been told through a narrow lens and to rejoice in the narratives that showcase truth, joy and resistance.
Black History Month Liturgy and Presentation
We are thrilled to have our Youth Faith Ambassadors lead us in a Black History Month presentation and liturgy on Friday, February 2 at 1:15pm. The theme of the presentation will be '"Inspiring Hope - Reclaiming Narratives."
This theme aligns with the 2026 theme for Catholic Education Week: Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness where we have been invited to rediscover the theme of hope and the meaning of hope in our lives. As such, the events planned for this month are rooted in the virtue of Hope. Our YFAs will lead students through an intentional celebration of the rich history, contributions and achievements of Black communities. We look forward to what the YFAs will share with the school community.
We encourage all families to attend this important presentation.
Scholastic Book Fair - February 9 - 13
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to St. Veronica! Mark your calendars for Monday, February 9 to Friday, February 13!
Follow this link for more information and book previews.
Kindergarten to grade 4
- Students will visit the fair to create wish lists. If you would like to send money to school, they will be able to purchase items that have been approved by you on the following days and times.
- Tuesday - Thursday 11:00 - 11:30
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:10 - 3:00
Grade 5 to 8 students
- Students will be assisting younger students with wish lists.
- Students may come to the fair during open shopping times to make any purchases. Students will be trusted to make their own purchases, and we will not check for wish lists.
- Tuesday - Thursday 11:00 - 11:30
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:10 - 3:00
Families
- We are happy to be able to welcome families back to the fair this year!
- The fair will be open after school and during parent-teacher interview night on Thursday, February 12th from 3-7:30 pm.
- Credit and debit cards are accepted!
Students can enter the Book Fair Draw for a chance to win $25 in free books, plus $25 for their classroom teacher!
All purchases from the book fair help to support our St. Veronica students and staff. We appreciate your support!
Blue Spruce
We have started our Blue Spruce (part of the Forest of Reading) program for this year. Primary and kindergarten students will read 10 books together and we will vote on our favourite story at the end. The books are all written by Canadian authors. More information about the program can be found at forestofreading.com
The Forest of Reading program helps foster a love of reading in our students and to “celebrate Canadian books, publishers, authors and illustrators.” It is a great opportunity to explore books from our own country and to experience new authors, genres and styles of books.
Thank you to Ms. de Leon for organizing these amazing reading opportunities for our students.
National Sweater Day
Thursday, February 5, 2026 we are celebrating National Sweater Day
National Sweater Day is a WWF campaign that raises awareness around energy conservation.
Since 2010, more than a million Canadians have shown their support for limiting global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius by turning down their thermostats by the same amount (or more!) and wear their favourite sweater to stay warm.
Students are encouraged to wear their favourite sweater onThursday to help raise awareness to climate change!
Families can also participate at home by turning down the thermostat and wearing your favourite sweaters.
Bullying Awareness and Prevention
Celebrating Pink Shirt Day
Graduation Photos
St. Francis Xavier Parish
Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm
Sunday Mass: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm
Daily Masses
Monday to Friday Mass 8:00 am, 7:00 pm
Saturday Mass 8:00 am
Email: stfrancisxaviermi@archtoronto.org
Website: https://stfrancisxaviermi.archtoronto.org/en/
Location: 5650 Mavis Road, Mississauga, ON L5V 2N6
Phone: 905-890-5290
If you are new to the community, you are encouraged to register with the Parish.
Our Virtue of the Month - RESPECT
God wants us to treat all people with the respect they deserve.
A respectful person ....
- sees God's presence in themselves and others
- uses a positive tone of voice and body language
- avoids gossip, swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and inappropriate gestures
- says 'Excuse me,' 'Please,' 'Thank you'
We all deserve to be treated respectfully by others. However, in order to be respected, it is important to RESPECT ourselves. Everyone has a right to go to a school where they feel safe and included. We should expect to be treated with respect by everyone we meet - our brothers and sisters in Jesus. Mutual respect is the way we live in harmony with one another. Respect for others, their property and the environment is our responsibility.
Let us now pray for the virtue of respect so that everyone we meet will feel like we are their brother or sister in Christ. AMEN.
Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations
- I use my gifts and talents given to me by God
- I always do my best
- I build on my strengths and weaknesses
- I set goals
- I accept change
- I am proud of the good things I do
- I am thankful for the gifts of others
Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my dreams, by living my life like Jesus.
Shrove Tuesday - February 17
We are excited to celebrate Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with a special treat for our students! Thanks to the generous support of our Catholic School Council, students will enjoy a pancake breakfast consisting of two pancakes with syrup.
If you would like to know the ingredients used, they are available upon request.
Students are encouraged to bring their own drink to enjoy with their pancakes.
Thank you for your continued support in making this celebration possible!
Term 1 Report Cards, FDK Communication of Learning
First term report cards and FDK communication of learning will be available through the Parent Portal as of Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
We are transitioning to an electronic delivery system. This means that your child’s progress report cards will be posted in the Parent Portal instead of being emailed to students’ board email accounts. This process aims to provide you with quicker and more convenient access to your child's academic updates.
Family Day
Math at Home
Math at Home
Are you looking for ways to engage your family in math activities at home? Connect learning between school and home with the Board's Math@Home newsletters.
This month the focus is on mental math. Have fun trying out the suggested activities at home.
Safe Drop Off and Pick-Up Procedures
It is essential that all families follow our procedures without exception to ensure the safety of every student and staff member.
1. The front of the school is not a drop-off or pick-up area.
The front lane is designated exclusively for school buses. Students are not to be dropped off in this area unless they arrive late and entering through the main office. When cars enter the bus lane, it creates unsafe conditions and disrupts the busing process.
2. Morning arrival: Students must use their designated doors.
All students are expected to enter through their assigned entry door each morning. Only students who are late should be entering through the front doors. Students entering the wrong doors disrupt supervision and compromise safe arrival routines.
3. Do NOT honk at buses.
We have received reports of drivers honking at buses to get them to move. This is unacceptable. Buses follow a strict safety protocol that includes ensuring every student exits safely before the bus proceeds. Honking is disruptive, unsafe, and will not make the buses move any faster.
4. Pick-up must occur at the Kiss & Ride.
All student pick-ups must take place at the Kiss & Ride located at the side of the building. Picking students up at the front of the school interferes with bus dismissal and creates significant safety risks.
Our top priority is student safety. When drop-off and pick-up procedures are ignored, children are put at risk. Staff will be monitoring the front of the building, and any vehicles attempting to use the bus lane for drop-off or pick-up will be redirected.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe.
Kiss and Ride
Please:
- Drive your vehicle to the top of the Kiss and Ride Lane,
- Fully stop your vehicle,
- Have your child/ren exit the vehicle by the right-hand side door only
- Only kindergarten families are allowed to exit their vehicle to assist in removing child/ren from car seats,
- Cautiously proceed into the Drive-Thru Lane once all children have left your vehicle and leave the Kiss and Ride area.
Please Do Not park or leave your vehicle unattended in the Kiss & Ride lanes.
We kindly ask that you park your car in our parking lot and walk your child to the school yard if you wish to accompany your child to the playground. Please ensure that your child is never allowed to cross through the parking lot and/or kiss and ride alone.
Please note that the front of the school driveway is designated for school buses only. Children should not be dropped off or picked up at the front of the school - unless they are late or leaving early.
We thank you for your continued support in making our kiss & ride a safe and effective process.
March Break
Registering Your Child for School - September 2026
First Time Bus Riders
Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate by bringing your kindergarten children and elementary age siblings to a one-hour safety session. A bus ride, on-board instruction and a school bus safety video are part of this informative, fun safety program. Sessions start at 9:00 am and run every 30 minutes until 12:00 noon.
More information is available in the spring.
Appropriate Dress - Cold Weather
- winter hat
- mittens/gloves
- scarf/neck warmer
- winter boots
- snow pants (highly recommended for primary and junior students)
- winter jacket
We have a variety of hats, mittens, gloves and scarves available at the office to share with students should they forget these items at home. Students are encouraged to stop by the office to get them as needed.
To be allowed on the field when there is snow:
- K-6 Grades - MUST wear snow pants, snow boots, gloves and a winter jacket. If they are missing any one of these items they are to remain on the asphalt
- 7-8 Grades - MUST wear snow boots and a winter jacket. If they are missing any one of these items they are to remain on the asphalt.
For health and safety reasons, students must wear their indoor shoes while inside the school. Students cannot walk through the school with wet boots or shoes. For their safety and comfort they need to have indoor shoes. Please note that in the event of an emergency evacuation, students will not have the opportunity to put boots on.
Where possible, please put identification on your child’s belongings. Throughout the winter the lost and found box fills up with unidentified clothing.
Winter Weather Concerns
During the winter season, the school receives calls from concerned parents as to how we determine when children will or will not be allowed outside for recess. Dufferin‐Peel CDSB Policy uses a Wind Chill factor of ‐20 C as the determining temperature. Students will not be sent outside for recess if it is colder than this.
We also receive numerous requests to allow children to remain indoors when students have a cold, flu, etc. Please note that we cannot comply, as we neither have the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students. If your child is not feeling well we encourage you to keep them home to avoid the spread of illness. The expectation is that all children will go outdoors for recess and the lunch break.
Outdoor Play
Snow season is here. Please ensure that your child is properly dressed for outdoor play in winter. It is a school expectation that all students go outside for recess and outdoor learning for exercise and fresh air. If your child is unable to go outside for recess because of illness, please consider keeping them home until they are feeling better.
We would appreciate your support in reinforcing the school rule that all snow stays on the ground. For everyone’s safety we do not allow snowballs, kicking snow, or any other snow\ice activity that could lead to potential harm or injury. Also, no one owns the snow.
Inclement Weather - Bus Cancellations
Please note: we are in zone 1.
If there is a full system closure, where all DPCDSB schools and facilities are closed to students and staff, there is no switch to synchronous learning for the day.
Similar to bus cancellation days, students can access learning activities posted in Google Classroom specifically for inclement weather days that provide opportunities for consolidation, curriculum enrichment or practice of skills already taught.
Reporting Student Absences
Daily attendance and punctuality are very important and all students should be prepared to start their day of learning on time and with their classmates.
Thank you to all parents who have been calling the school and using the Safe Arrival website or app when your child has been absent due to an illness or an appointment.
To use the Safe Arrival School Messenger program, use the link provided below or you can down load and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Please note that SafeArrival uses the SchoolMessenger app.
Alternatively, you can call the toll-free number 1-844-435-3440. Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence.
Student Punctuality - A Shared Responsibility
At St. Veronica, we strive to begin each school day in a calm and purposeful way, grounded in our shared faith and commitment to learning. Recently, we have become increasingly concerned about the number of students arriving late to school each morning.
While occasional lateness is understandable, chronic lateness affects a child’s ability to fully engage in learning, disrupts classroom routines, and can impact the wellbeing of both the student and their peers. A timely start allows students to settle, connect with others, and begin the day feeling confident and ready to learn.
As a faith community, we are called to support one another and to help our children develop responsibility, respect, and strong habits that will serve them throughout life. We kindly ask families to work with us to ensure students arrive on time and prepared for the day ahead, so each child can make the most of the gifts God has given them.
Thank you for your continued partnership, care, and commitment to the wellbeing and growth of every child at St. Veronica.
Allergies
St. Veronica is an allergen aware school. We have a number of students in our school who have severe, life threatening allergies to peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils, any peanut/nut by-products and dairy products. As in the past, we are asking you to not put any child at risk. Therefore, we are asking that peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils, and peanut/but by-products not be brought into the school.
We are also asking parents not to send food items to school when celebrating your child's birthday. If you would like to send something, please consider alternatives such as pencils, stickers, etc.
We thank you for your continued understanding and support of the safety and well-being of all students.
Head Injuries
Even when it appears insignificant, we inform parents/guardians of all reported head injuries at school. We do this in recognition of the potential danger of any injury involving the head area.
Our intent is not to alarm you, but to keep you informed. Please remind your child to let a staff member know if they bump their head or they get hurt at school.
Moving?
If you are planning to move out of the St. Veronica area or you change your address within our boundaries, please let the office know as soon as possible.
Please keep us informed of any address, phone number or medical changes for your children. It is of the upmost importance that our records be up to date. If your child should get sick or hurt, we must have accurate contact information.