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

To begin the new school year, we will focus our attention on the first of our virtues – faith. Faith is the great virtue of believing in God and trusting that God is with us.

A faithful person believes that we are created, guided by and destined to be reunited with God. A faithful person believes that God’s plan for us includes the right to be safe, especially at school.

A Faithful Person…

Prays regularly and reverently

Learns from Scripture stories

Honours people’s God-given names

Assumes that there is good in everyone

Accepts the God-given worth of themselves and others

Let us pray this month for the grace and courage to be people of faith – people who can truly believe that God’s plan for us includes the right to be safe at school.

Good and Gracious God, as a new school year begins,

Fill the hearts of our students with an eagerness to learn:

About the world You have created,

About themselves and

Most of all about You!

Bless our teachers with the gifts of wisdom and patience,

That they may help students find the truth.

Give our parents generous hearts,

To encourage and support their sons and daughters.

Help us all work together to form a community of learning

That teaches not only skills for material success,

but all that we need

To live our faith fully in this world.

Amen

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.

International Festival of Foods

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

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

St Richard Catholic School is truly an outstanding and welcoming school. Our School Council continues to make a very positive contribution on behalf of all our students to ensure that our school is a remarkable place to work, to learn and to play.

A special thank you is extended to the teaching staff who have been working diligently over the past few weeks preparing classrooms and curriculum for students. A heartfelt thank you is extended to our office staff, Mrs. Hale and to our custodians, Ms. Cuadro and Mr. Huertas for spending endless hours preparing our school for the new year.

We look forward to the opportunity to continue working with the students and parents of our community. Together with a dedicated staff, we will do our very best to help all students experience spiritual, academic, social and emotional growth throughout the school year.

I look forward to working with all of you this year and look forward to meeting all parents and guardians at our Open House on Thursday, September 24th at 5:30pm

To all, our best wishes for a very successful school year!

T. Brancalion

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

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

Wednesday, September 25th @10:30 in our gym. All are welcome!

St. Richard Catholic Elementary School is proud to take part in Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. It will be held on Friday, September 25th at 9:30 a.m. This year our walking route will be around the paved path behind our school field. All students are encouraged to wear red and white to support a true Canadian hero, Terry Fox. Also, please make sure your child is dressed for the weather, hat, sunscreen etc. Our rain date is scheduled for Monday September 28th.

This year, donations will be made on-line only. Please help show your support by donating to:

https://schools.terryfox.ca/StRichardCESMississauga

Our goal this year is to raise $3000 dollars. If we raise this amount, we will have a pie throwing event in the gym. The top six students who raise the most money get to throw a pie at a teacher!

Thank you in advance for supporting our school in the fight against cancer and continuing Terry’s legacy! #terryfoxschoolrun @terryfoxfoundation.

This year, donations will be made on-line only. Please help show your support by donating to:

https://schools.terryfox.ca/StRichardCESMississauga

Our goal this year is to raise $3000 dollars. If we raise this amount, we will have a pie throwing event in the gym. The top six students who raise the most money get to throw a pie at a teacher!

Thank you in advance for supporting our school in the fight against cancer and continuing Terry’s legacy! #terryfoxschoolrun @terryfoxfoundation.

Orange Shirt Day - The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on. More Information.

Bracelets have been purchased for all students.

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.