St. Thomas More

3270 Tomken Road

Mississauga, ON., L4Y 2Y7

(905) 279-6472

Fax: (905) 279-3205

http://www.dpcdsb.org/TMORE

Principal

M. Noce

Vice-Principal

L. Moran

Administrative Staff

M. Shahbaz

F. Silva-Correia

Superintendent

D. Belchior

(905) 890-1221

Trustee

Mario Pascucci

Mississauga Wards 1 & 3

Catholic School Council Chair

R. D'Souza

Pastor

Rev. John Facey

St. Patrick’s Church

(905) 270-2301

Email: St.ThomasMoreInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: http://www.dpcdsb.org/TMORE
Location: 3270 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 9052796472
Twitter: @stthomasmore19

EDGE is a youth ministry for those in grades 6, 7 & 8, aimed to present the truths of the Catholic faith in a hand​​s-on and relevant format.

Twitter: @SPYGMississauga​

Instagram: ​​SPYGMississauga

Contact: Maria Espinoza, Youth Minister

stpatsyouthgroup@hotmail.com​

As we enter the month of May—a time of renewal and growth—we are reminded of its special significance in our Catholic faith as we honour Mary, our Mother. May invites us to pause, reflect, and deepen our faith as a school community. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26–27), reminding us that Mary lovingly walks with us and watches over our children.

Throughout the month, students will engage in meaningful experiences such as field trips, the Crowning of Mary liturgy, and learning opportunities that foster responsibility and appreciation for God’s creation.

Later in May, students in Grades 3 and 6 will participate in EQAO assessments. We encourage them to do their best, knowing they are supported and valued beyond any assessment.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. Together, we continue to build a faith‑filled community rooted in belonging and care. May Mary, our Mother, guide and watch over our STM community throughout the month.

Yours in Catholic Education,

M. Noce

God wants us to make friends with everyone no matter how different they may look or act..

An accepting person is…

● willing to treat everybody as a member of a group

● non-judgmental

● welcoming to those different than himself/herself

● loving and happy with who he/she is

The virtue of ACCEPTANCE means we accept ourselves and others just the way we are. God created all of us in His image, and God does not make mistakes. Being a part of God’s family means that we love and welcome everyone just the way Jesus did. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where it is easier to follow the crowd than to stand up for what we know is right. However, Jesus wants us to accept everyone even when it is hard.

OUR DAILY PRAYER FOR MAY

Let us now pray...for the virtue of acceptance the strength to trust that God is at work in everyone’s life despite what we think. AMEN

May is the Month of Mary. For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honour Mary, Mother of God. Not just a day in May, but the entire month. The Blessed Virgin Mary is honoured as the Mother of God because she conceived and gave birth to Christ, who is the incarnation of God the Son, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Ways We Can Honour Mary:

• Pray the Rosary
• Say the Hail Mary Prayer throughout the day
• Create a Prayer Corner, placing some representation of our Blessed Mother whether that be a photo, small statue, or Rosary beads.
• Create an outdoor space, flowers in honor of Mary

Anything you do, make it appealing and a real tribute to her beauty and virtue.

Why Should We Do This?

Not only because it is a long-standing tradition in the Church. Not only because there are special graces connected to it.

Do it because Mary is the Mother of Christ – your mother, everyone’s mother – and because she cares for all of us day-in-and-day-out without fail, interceding for us in even the tiniest matters. For that, she deserves an entire month in her honour.

Please join us for the Crowning of Mary celebration on May 21st @ 1:30 pm at St. Patrick's Church

• A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God's presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.
• An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.
• A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
• A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.
• A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.
• A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community.
• A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life

8:45 am -Staggered Entrance (students arrive and are directed straight to their classroom)

9:00 am -School starts

11:05 am -Morning Recess

12:00 pm -Lunch

1:00 pm -School starts

2:30 pm -Afternoon Recess

3:30pm -Dismissal

2025-2026 School Year

Friday, May 15th: PD Day -No School

Monday, May 18th: Victoria Day

Tuesday May, 19th, 2026: Track and Field Day for Grades 6,7, and 8 students

Monday, May 25th to Wednesday May 27th: Grade 3 EQAO Testing Widnow

Tuesday, June 2nd to Thursday June 4th: Garde 6 EQAO Testing WIndow

Monday: June 8th: PD Day-No School

Wednesday, June 10th: Miss. East Track and Field at St. Marcellinus

Thursday, June 18th: Board Track and Field

Monday, June 22nd: Grade 8 Graduation Mass

Tuesday, June 23rd: Reports Sent Home

Friday, June 26th: Last Day of School

Parents / Guardians can create their own accounts using EACH child’s unique Access ID and Access Password provided they meet the following criteria in PowerSchool:

• Marked as Guardians
• Have Access to Records
• Have an valid email address
• Student is under 18 years old

If a Parent / Guardian has more than one child in Dufferin-Peel, they will be able to link their account to EACH of their children.

Please create your account to access student record such as upcoming Progress Reports.

About this event: Supporting Your Child’s Well-being. A free, four-part webinar series created with parents/caregivers, for parents/caregivers.

Parents and caregivers across Ontario shared their top mental health and substance use health questions - and we listened. Each session will dive into important mental health and substance use health topics identified by families in Ontario - guided by subject matter experts who offer practical, evidence-informed strategies.

The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar. Parents and caregivers can submit their questions here: https://smha.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UI4DFh0gY95I8e. Submissions will close 10 days prior to each session.

4 Webinars. Real conversations. Practical strategies.

Link: Registration Link

Series dates and topics:

June 5 | 12 – 1 p.m. – Conversations about anxiety

Can’t make all four dates? No problem! Select one or more of the four sessions when you sign up.

Language: Each webinar will be offered in separate English and French language sessions. Dates listed above are for our English sessions.
Register here for our French language sessions: https://votreenfantwebinaires0306226-06042026.eventbrite.ca

St. Thomas More’s production of The Wizard of Oz was a true celebration of talent, teamwork, and school spirit. Both casts were absolutely wonderful, bringing energy, confidence, and heart to every performance. From Dorothy’s courage to the Scarecrow’s charm, the Tin Man’s warmth, and the Lion’s bravery, each cast put its own special sparkle on the stage. Watching two full groups of students rise to the challenge and shine so brilliantly was a joy for everyone in the audience.

A brief but heartfelt thank‑you goes out to the many teachers who helped bring this production to life in so many different ways. Your support behind the scenes made all the magic possible—bravo to all involved!

April was Autism Awareness Month, and St. Thomas More proudly took time to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the unique strengths of every member of our school community. Throughout the month, STM focused on promoting understanding, kindness, and acceptance—reminding students that everyone learns and experiences the world in their own way.

We ended the month with a Sensory Tools Open House in the library, where students had the opportunity to explore resources designed to support focus, comfort, and well‑being. It was a wonderful way to highlight the importance of inclusive supports and our shared commitment to celebrating everyone at STM.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. To support this, DPCDSB offers SafeVoice, a confidential Safe Schools Tool for students to share concerns about bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other issues. Students can access SafeVoice from the DPCDSB homepage, the Student Portal, their school website, or directly at https://dpcdsb.org/SafeVoice.

The form allows students to provide information about incidents they’ve experienced or witnessed, including details about who was involved and when and where it took place. Students may choose to remain anonymous or include their name and contact information if they wish to be contacted directly by a school administrator.

All submissions are reviewed by the school Principal and Vice-Principal, unless a concern involves a Principal or Vice-Principal, in which case it is directed to the Superintendent.

SafeVoice is one of the many ways DPCDSB works with students, staff, and families to foster safe, caring, inclusive, and faith-filled school communities. If you need to share information about a crime, please contact Crime Stoppers, Peel Regional Police, or the Ontario Provincial Police.

If you have questions, please contact your school Principal or Vice-Principal.

• Upholding dignity and rights: All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or identity.
• Diversity and inclusion: Respect extends to celebrating diversity and treating people fairly regardless of factors like race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Safety and non-violence: DPCDSB prohibits bullying in all its forms, including cyberbullying, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. This also includes restrictions on taking photos or videos of others without consent.
• Responsible behaviour: Respect is demonstrated through actions like coming to school on time, being prepared to learn, refraining from bringing prohibited items to school, and taking responsibility for one's own actions.

Demonstrating respect

• Verbal and non-verbal communication: Use appropriate language, tone of voice, and body language. Avoid swearing, name-calling, gossip, and put-downs.
• Respect for property: Treat school materials, such as textbooks, equipment, and facilities, with care.
• Respect for Catholic teachings: Support and participate in the liturgical life of the school and strive to live a virtuous life in accordance with Gospel value

The Catholic School Council is an integral part of every school community. If you are interested in being a part of the Catholic School Council this year, please join us for our first meeting. The details are posted below, along with required nomination forms and information about roles and responsibilities:

Our School Council is comprised of Parents/Guardians, School Staff, a student, and a Parish Representative. All are welcome to attend.

School Council Meeting of 2025-2026

Thursday, May 21st, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

In the School Library

Subway days is now on Mondays

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

PIZZA TUESDAYS ARE BACK!

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

Pita days are back, now on Wednesdays!

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

Now introducing Barburrito on Thursdays

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

We are doing 2 more Harvey's pop-up lunches

May 22, 2026

June 19, 2026

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, St. Thomas More, we will continue to follow the provincial cellphone and social media policy from the Ontario Ministry of Education, alongside our Board’s policy on Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs). These rules are in place to reduce distractions, protect student well-being, and support a safe Catholic learning environment.

Key Points ~

• Cellphones and PEDs should not be brought to school. If brought, they must remain off and out of sight during the school day.

• No social media access on school networks during school hours.

• Use for learning only: Devices may be used in class only if a teacher specifically permits them for academic purposes.

• Emergency communication: If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the school office. Students who need to contact a parent must use the office phone.

• Loss or damage: The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.

• Repeat violations: Continued misuse of a device will result in it being taken to the office. The student may pick it up at the end of the day. For repeated incidents, a parent/guardian will be asked to pick it up.

• Reflection and accountability: Students may be required to complete a short reflection activity if a violation occurs, helping them think about responsible use.

Why this matters:
This policy is not about punishment, but about focus, safety, and responsibility. By limiting cellphone and social media use during the school day, we are creating more opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth.

Thank you for working with us to support a healthy, distraction-free environment for all students

-Visit stopr.ca

-Select parent/student login

*if you do not have an account, please create an account by clicking 'create an account' on the bottom of the screen

-Enter your child's OEN number - this number can be found on the top portion of the report card.

-Once you've entered your child's OEN you will be able to view bus stop information

As the 2025-2026 school year comes to an end, some reminders for next years bussing.

Transportation is provided for FDK and Grade 1-8 students at St. Thomas More who meet the Board distance eligibility for busing. Students who are ELIGIBLE are automatically assigned to a BUS STOP.

Please be sure to arrive at the bus stop AT LEAST 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. You can get all busing information by signing into to STOPR (OEN is required to register and access child busing information and to receive late/cancelled notifications. OEN is on the students report card.)

Students are reminded that riding the bus is a privilege. They are expected to conduct themselves safely and appropriately. Bus meetings will be held in the first weeks of school to go over safety and appropriate bus behaviour.

Drivers are not able to change bus stops or times. Students from grades FDK-1will be provided with bus tags on the first days of school.

Parent Phone Line 905-890-6000 Ext #1 Big Bus Ext #2 Spec Ed

Parents must provide us with their child’s OEN or student # in order for us to access their busing information.

Students in JK, SK and Grade 1 must be met at the stop by a responsible adult. Please note that students will be returned to school if there is no one to meet them at the stop. Your child will be given a red bus tag, which must always be attached to their knapsack.

Please also note that eligibility is based on age and home address distance from the school as per the information provided by transportation:

• Kindergarten to Grade 1: 1.0 kilometres
• Grades 2 to 4: 1.6 kilometres
• Grades 5 to 8: 2.0 kilometres
• Grades 9 to 12: 3.8 kilometres
• 
  

Please double-check the new eligibility distance if your children are transitioning from:

• Grade 1 to grade 2
• Grade 4 to grade 5
• Grade 8 to grade 9

If your child rides the bus daily, it is important that they are aware of the safety rules on the bus. Students are required to:

• Listen to the Bus Driver at all times and report any problems or injuries to him/her
  
• Go directly to your seat and remain seated during the entire bus ride
• Do not eat, drink, swear, fight or chew gum on the bus
• Do not put arms out the window, or throw items or garbage out the window
• If any damage to the seat of bus is caused, students will be held responsible
• Be at least 5 minutes early at your bus stop to ensure that you don't miss the bus

Improper conduct on the bus will be dealt with at the Office. Repeated or serious incidents can result in busing privileges being suspended or removed. Please review these rules with your child. Taking the bus is a privilege, not a right.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

With the arrival of warmer temperatures and more time spent outdoors, we wanted to remind you how to protect yourself and your loved ones from Blacklegged Ticks, which are native to our region, live in wooded areas, tall grasses and bushes, and may carry Lyme Disease.

In this regard, we encourage you to read the fact sheet below from Health Ontario which indicates how to prevent tick bites when outdoors.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

M. Noce

2. Students must exit from the right hand side of the car (closest to the school) and parents should remain in the car. Parents may then proceed to exit.

3. If you need to walk your child, you must park in a parking spot at the front of the school or in the church parking lot. Please do NOT park in the drive through lane, the kiss & ride lane or the kindergarten pick up and drop off parking spots as moving traffic is dangerous to children in these locations.

4. If walking your child to school in the morning or picking them up at the end of the day, parents are asked to remain either behind the fence by the church parking lot, on the path closest to the school, or on the perimeter of the school pavement. This is for your child’s safety, as teachers on duty cannot distinguish parents from “strangers” in the yard.

5. Kindergarten students are released hand to hand. Those parents may park in the kindergarten pick up and drop off parking spots.

6. Only bus/daycare students exit at the end of the day through the front doors.

If you are First Nation (Status Indian or Non-Status Indian), Métis and/or Inuit you can self-identify as Indigenous. You do not need to produce any documentation or proof of ancestry. Self-identification is voluntary and confidential.

“This has been really important for us because of the sense of community and the connection to other Indigenous families.” ~ Melanie Cormier, parent

Self-identification will provide access to culture and language programs and monthly programming for students and families. Relevant information will be sent directly to you about upcoming cultural events and opportunities which help to build community and a sense of Indigenous pride in Dufferin-Peel.

To learn more about opportunities for Indigenous students and families please visit: https://www.dpcdsb.org/student-portal/indigenous-self-identification

The Catholic Code of Conduct sets standards of behaviour that promote, encourage and foster a shared commitment to gospel values in daily life, respect for the dignity of persons created in God’s image, responsible participation in the civic life of the school community, peaceful conflict resolution, respect for diversity, and a commitment to exemplary conduct, conscientious work, and service to others. At St. Thomas More, we continue to work together to provide a safe, caring, inclusive and healthy Catholic school community for all.

If you have not registered for SafeArrival, please review the registration procedure at https://www.dpcdsb.org/parents/absence-reporting

SafeArrival is an application within SchoolMessenger that will allow parents/guardians to report their children’s absences in one of the following three ways:

• SchoolMessenger App
• SchoolMessenger website https://go.schoolmessenger.ca
• Toll Free number 1-844-435-3440

St. Thomas More Catholic School is dedicated to helping your child develop the spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social and physical capabilities to live fully and to meet the future challenges of adult roles and responsibilities. The school can best contribute to your child’s education and development when you form a partnership with them.

As parents/guardians you have many responsibilities towards your child. One responsibility is to ensure that your child is in school every day, ready to learn. In fact, it is the law. The Provincial Education Act states that every child between the ages of 6 and 18 years is required to attend school every day from the first school day in September until the last school day in June.

We have a number of staff and students who have potentially fatal anaphylactic sensitivities to the above products. Community Letters regarding allergens in our school will be forthcoming.

Thank you for your commitment to keeping STM allergy aware!

If your child has any health problems of which the office is not aware, please notify us as soon as possible.

Please note, we cannot administer or store medication for your child (such as antibiotics, aspirin etc.) without board policy forms that are signed by a medical doctor. In the event your child requires medication at school, please have your medical doctor complete the form and we can proceed with administering the medication.

Every year, medical forms for puffers, epi-pens, or other medication are required to be filled out by the doctor for renewal. All returning students with medical conditions have been sent the forms via email. Please check your e-mail for the receipt of these forms. These forms must be returned to the office before medication can be administered.

A reminder that children are not allowed to keep ANY medication on their persons, in their desk, backpack or anywhere in their classroom, unless ordered by their doctor. In such case, documentation is necessary. All dispensing and storage of ANY medication must occur in the office. We appreciate your attention to this matter.

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