Divine Mercy Messenger

Principal: S. Viola

Administrative Assistant: R. Panousis

Superintendent of Mississauga West: Peter Cusumano

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

8:15 - 8:30 Open entry (students to use doorway closest to Kiss n' Ride)

8:30- 10:36 Learning Block

10:36 - 10:51 Recess

10:51-11:31 Learning Block

11:31-12:31 Lunch

12:31-1:54 Learning Block

1:54-2:09 Recess

2:09 - 3:00 Learning Block

3:00 Dismissal

Whether it’s a medical appointment, an illness or other important event, there are times when students may need to be away from school. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District school board has introduced a new method for parents to report their child(ren)’s absences. Using the Safe Arrival system, parents are able to report daily or future absences in one of three ways. Please click on the link below for further details.

https://www.dpcdsb.org/parents/absence-reporting

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.)

• I speak, write and listen as Jesus would want me to
• I care about others and speak up for them
• I am honest
• I think carefully before I react or speak
• I respect all people and their languages
• I listen to the Word of God

Because I have a voice, I will use it lovingly, and I will live my life like Jesus.

The virtue of the month of October is empathy.

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 perspective.

Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful. (Sir. 31:15)

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily because the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7. It was instituted to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful. That is why Pope Francis has invited all the faithful to pray the Holy Rosary every day in October.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is providing an opportunity for students to self-identify their First Nation, Métis and/or Inuit ancestry in a voluntary and confidential manner. This program will allow the Board to provide expanded supports, events and opportunities to First Nation, Inuit and Métis students. Indigenous students and families will have access to culture and language programs, funding opportunities through potential scholarships and bursaries, and monthly programming for students and families. Relevant information will be sent directly to students and families about upcoming cultural events and opportunities which help to build community and a sense of Indigenous pride in DPCDSB.

Watch what Indigenous students and family members have to say about their experience:

https://youtu.be/7-fagv-27rQ

For more information and how to self-identify please visit: https://www3.dpcdsb.org/students/indigenous-self-identification

Congratulations to our newly elected Catholic School Council for the 2025-2026 year:

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

Community Member: Marisa Brasil

Principal: Sandra Viola

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

Our first pizza day is right around the corner. Students have been asking for pizza days for weeks. Our first pizza day will take place on Tuesday, October 7th. We thank the parents and grade 8's for helping deliver the pizza. The attached information was sent out a few weeks ago.

Dear Divine Mercy Families:

Welcome back to school, we hope you have settled in! We are running our first session for our Subway lunch program. The Subway lunch program will run weekly on Thursdays. We offer 6” and 12” inch subs with select toppings and sauce options. Unfortunately, the gluten-free option is being discontinued.

We will have three (3) sessions of Subway deliveries for the 2025-2026 school year. The first Subway delivery session will run from Thursday, October 9, 2025, until Thursday, December 18, 2025 (11 weeks in total). The funds raised go towards many activities for the school community to enjoy, including retreats, speakers, sacramental and graduation celebrations, and programs like Scientists in the Classroom. These funds also go towards supplies for our school library, student clubs, teams and tech equipment.

Through School Cash Online, orders and payments can be made online from September 19, to October 2, 2025. Since no paper forms will be sent home, all ordering records will be processed through the School Cash Online system. There will be no cash sales for subs. When submitting your order through School Case Online, please select the sub of your choice and list the bread, cheese and topping options to complete your order.

Thank you very much to all families who visited our Open House on September 18th. It was a lovely community event. We appreciate all of your purchases at the Book Fair. You helped raise almost $2000.00 that will go towards more books/ products for our school library that all students will be able to enjoy. We hope everyone was able to enjoy a delicious ice cream treat!

We are so blessed to have Father John lead us in mass this year and join us at the school for regular visits on alternate Tuesdays. Brother Ivan willl also be making regular visits on alternate Tuesdays.

Our Terry Fox 'Walk of Hope' took place on Friday, September 19, 2025. The staff and students had a beautiful day to walk together for a great cause. We at Divine Mercy are very proud to have reached our school goal of $1000.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation this year, almost doubled from last year. Thank you to all who donated! Thank you for continuing your generous support this year and over the many years. It is greatly appreciated!

Truth and Reconciliation took place from September 22nd-30th and Orange Shirt Day took place on September 30th. Orange Shirt Day is an indigenous led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of 'Every Child Matters." The orange shirt is a symbol of stripping away culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by indigenous children over generations.

Photo day will take place on Thursday, October 16th. Make sure to bring your smiles for this very special day!

Divine Mercy is holding a Food Drive from September 29th-October 9th. All non-perishable foods collected will be donated to Eden Food for Change, which serves over 500 low-income families every month through their Food Bank programs. Please review the attached list for items needed. Thank you for your support!

This will be the school's only major fundraising event throughout the year and will cover all events indictated on our poster and additionally, many other school events, presentations and offset some transportation costs. Thanks for your support.

A preview of what's to come for our first event:

-Grade 8 students will visit classes on Friday, October 3rd and promote our fundraiser. Posters will also be given out. Parents/guardians can donate anytime using the link.

-All day Halloween dance fundraising party on Friday, October 31st.

All happening the week of Monday, October 27th-31st.

-themed baskets created by each class

-pumpkin decorating

-Viewing of our Spooktacular Art Gallery

Fundraising link:

https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/4/146/false/true

We will be having our annual CCAT Testing for all grade 4 students soon. All information with set dates of testing will be sent in the next few weeks. The Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT) is administered system-wide annually with Grade 4 students as part of the gifted screening process. Additionally, the CCAT test results provide valuable information for all students and can be used to help identify at-risk students and adapt instruction.

CCAT is a test that measures:

• Critical thinking
• Problem solving skills
• Learning ability
• Ability to digest and apply new information

The CCAT testing will be administered using an online assessment . Students completing the testing will require a Chromebook that will be provided in class. More information will be coming soon!

Divine Mercy is an allergen aware school. There are pupils and staff in attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to certain foods, such as dairy, peanut and nut products. Exposure to even the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. The most common allergen triggers are food, insect stings, medications, and latex. An anaphylactic reaction involves symptoms from two or more body systems. We would appreciate the cooperation of the entire school community by NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain nut or nut by products which could potentially harm a pupil. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of the food restrictions. Students are also encouraged daily to wash their hands before and after eating meals. Please do not send food for birthdays or special occasions . We look forward to your co-operation in making this a safe year for all of our pupils

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has developed a Concussion Policy and Guidelines for students who have been diagnosed with a concussion by either a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. School staff cannot diagnose a concussion. Anytime a student reports to the office with a head injury, the parent/guardian will be contacted and the incident will be entered into the school’s “Documentation of Head Injuries” log. This is precautionary only, and we ask that you check your child when he/she gets home for any signs of a concussion or illness. We will also encourage you to go onto our school website, where a brochure containing information about Concussions is provided. Again this is a precautionary measure and for information purposes.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and adherence to our Kiss and Ride policies and procedures. Please be reminded NOT TO PARK OR STOP your car for an extended period in the Kiss & Ride lane at anytime. Please also do your best to move up in the Kiss & Ride lane to allow for as many cars as possible. If you need to park, then you are able to access our parking lot.

Although the Kiss and Ride is adjacent to kindergarten classes, parents of our FDK students are still required to park in the parking lot, rather than parking in the 'kiss and ride lane' and walking your child to class which holds up other families.

Thank you for families who continue to make efforts to utilize our crosswalk rather than crossing in front of moving cars which poses a serious safety concern.

All procedures are in place to ensure the safety of all our students and families.

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.

Arrival

Students will be provided access to the school beginning at 8:15 am each morning. Please note that there is no teacher supervision of students in the school yard prior to this time. Parents are not permitted to enter the school doors with their child(ren). Doors will be locked again after the bell. If students arrive late, they must go directly to the office for a late slip.

Dismissal:

We will be dismissing students at the conclusion of the school day, at 3:00pm. If you have a child in the primary grades, teachers will wait with them until they are directly given to an adult listed on his/ her pick up list. If you have an older child, please ensure that they know how they are getting home and with whom. Bus students will begin loading the bus right at the bell.

Make a plan!

It is so important for families to always establish a plan for how children are getting home and students are leaving school by 3:00 pm. Please be sure to share this plan with your child's teacher. If the plan should change, please be sure to let the school know, so we are aware.

Please ensure that your child arrives at school with all the items they need for the day. We realize that there will be occasions where students forget something at home. You can ring the doorbell outside for the office, and parents/guardians who are dropping off items/lunches for their children can leave at the front table upon entering the school. Please label the item clearly with your child's name and class.

Children need frequent reminders that name-calling, put-downs and violence are never appropriate responses to disagreements or arguments, regardless of the provocation. Parents are urged to rehearse assertiveness skills with their children such as saying firmly, ― “Please Stop”, “I don’t like it when..” “Leave me alone”

Playground Safety Rules:

* Respect each other by being polite, friendly and co-operative

* Keep hands and feet to yourself

* Allow others to join in your games

* Play fairly and safely

* Play with acceptable toys and equipment

* Respect school property

* Line up quietly when the bell rings

* Avoid conflicts and injuries

* NO standing in the middle or walking through active games

* NO leaving school property

* NO name-calling or making fun of others, using inappropriate language or gestures

* NO fighting, pushing, tripping, lifting, grabbing, body-checking, scratching, pinching, spitting or biting

* NO unsafe or rough games: wrestling, tackling, play fighting

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

• Cross Country
• Junior Volleyball (Intermediate volleyball to follow)
• Soccer
• Well-being and health leaders/ representatives-Intermediates
• Thanksgiving Food Drive Committee
• PALS
• Intermediate homework club
• Choir
• Office helpers and washroom/hall monitors- grade 5, 6 and 8 leaders

The school is closed to students on Friday, October 10th, 2025 for our PA Day, and on Monday, October 13th for Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, October 1st- Holy Communion meeting with parents @ 7:00 pm

Monday, October 6th: Council elections

Wednesday, October 8th- Confirmation meeting for parents @ 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 9th- Family Cross Country Meet

Friday, October 10th- PA Day: Provincial priorities

Monday, October 13th- Thanksgiving/ No school

Thursday, October 16th- PICTURE DAY!

Tuesday, October 21st-Teen Ranch for Intermediates

Wednesday, October 22rd- Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Tuesday, October 24th- Board Cross Country Meet

Friday, October 31st-HALLOWEEN/ Dance-a-thon