Email: st.ursulainfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: www.dpcdsb.org/URSUL
Location: 11 Dwellers Road, Brampton, ON, Canada
Phone: (905) 454-5213
Twitter: @StUrsulaDPCDSB

The mission of St. Ursula School community is to ensure that home, Church, and school are collaborative partners in the building of an environment that reflects the Catholic faith and values by celebrating each person as a member of the Body of Christ, and by challenging all to achieve excellence spiritually, socially and academically.

Head Secretary: A. Vitorino

Superintendant of Education, Brampton West: T.L. Peel

Trustee: Darryl D'Souza, Brampton Ward 5

St. Anne Parish Pastor: Rev. Joel Pabilona Jr.

Associate Pastor: Rev. Jobby Muppathiyil Joseph

During the month of March, we continue our devotion of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in this Holy season of Lent in preparation for Easter. Our Ash Wednesday liturgy marked the beginning of Lent, a time when we are asked to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel teachings. Coming to know our God more intimately through our relationship with Jesus and the people around us is the work of our lives.

Students are encouraged to renew their baptismal promises and their relationship with Jesus through acts of piety. Students will spend time in daily prayer and reflection, in giving up something that distracts them from knowing God, and by giving alms, which can mean time, money, or possessions to help people in need. God only wants us to change the things we do if it will make our hearts, souls and minds overflow with love for him and for our neighbours.

As always, thank you to everyone for your continued support. St. Ursula is a special school because of the many gifts that you and your children bring to it. We value your role as parents, and we look forward to continuing to work with you.

Mr. Daly

Principal

Mar 1 - Pizza Day!

Mar 5 - Tonino's Sandwich Lunch

Mar 6 - St. Ursula cheer on the Mississauga Steelheads! (Mr. Sub Lunch changed to Thursday)

Mar 7 - Mr. Sub Lunch* (Date change)

Mar 8 - Pizza Day!

Mar 11-15 - March Break (no school)

Mar 19 - Lenten Mass 11:00am (Parents welcome)

Mar 20 - Lenten Confessions (School wide)

Mar 19 - Tonino's Sandwich Lunch

Mar 20 - Mr. Sub Lunch

Mar 22 - Virtues Celebration -'Respect' 9:30am (Parents welcome)

Mar 22 - Pizza Day!

Mar 26 - Tonino's Sandwich Lunch

Mar 27 - Mr. Sub Lunch

Mar 28 - Holy Thursday/ Stations of the Cross Presentation

Mar 28- Pizza Day!* (Thursday)

Mar 29- Good Friday (no school)

This month we will celebrate the virtue of kindness. God has given us the gifts of friends and companions to keep us company along the way. Every person in our lives carries the Spirit of God – and so every person is our brother or sister through Jesus Christ. As brothers and sisters who share one Holy Spirit, we are valuable to God. We all deserve to be shown concern for our welfare and our feelings. We have all been given fruit of the Spirit called kindness. Kindness can only be seen through actions. It’s not enough to say I will be kind or I am kind. We must show that we are kind by our words and our actions. Through prayer and concentration, we can get better at showing kindness to everyone we meet.

A Kind person…

• Says nice things about others so they feel good about themselves
• Sticks up for people who are picked on or need help
• Refuses to join others who are insulting, intimidating, mean or hurtful

On February 9th, the students of Mrs. Morelli & Mrs. Croome's FDK class celebrated 100 days of learning the regal way!

A huge congratulations goes out to the St. Ursula Jr. Girls basketball team who had a very successful season. The girls represented St. Ursula in ture Royals fashion displaying excellent teachwork, positive attitude and sportsmanship. The girls won their invitational mini-tournament and advanced to the Family of Schools Tournament finishing in 3rd place! Your coaches Ms. Di Felice and Mr. Atkinson are extremely proud of your hard work and dedication throughout the entire season.

Congratulations to all our team members:

• Amara
• Michelle
• Victoria
• Rachael
• Mickela
• Deborah
• Kanyinsola
• Gbemisola
• Adrianna
• Zaneta
• Olasubomi

A huge congratulations goes out to the St. Ursula Jr. Boys basketball team who had a very successful season. The girls represented St. Ursula in ture Royals fashion displaying excellent teachwork, positive attitude and sportsmanship. Although they did not advance, we are so very proud of each and every player! Your coaches Ms. Da Cruz and Mr. Shillingford are extremely proud of your hard work and dedication throughout the entire season.

Congratulations to all of our team members:

Carter

Sean

Zhac

Uzodi

Alessandro

Francesco

Justin

Bertrand

Gerald

Lukas

Nathan

Pierce

Brian

Thank you to Ms. Lucic and Ms. Caroleo for leading the P.A.L.S (Playground Activity Leaders in Schools) is a student-led peer leadership program in which grade 4-6 students are trained to plan and lead fun and safe activities on the playground during lunch or at recess. The objectives of the program are to: Provide opportunities for student leadership. Increase students' sense of belonging and inclusion.

On February 28th, St. Ursula wore PINK to stand up to bullying to promote inclusivity, lift one another up and put an end to bullying. Remember we are all in this together

Last year, St. Ursula did a wonderful job of highlighting significant people, places and events throughout Canada during the month of February that drew focus to Black History in our country, because Black History is also Canadian History.

This year, we are celebrating Black Excellence. Our theme this year: Everyday Game Changers! Our students are working in collaboration to bring individuals to the spotlight who have been a positive influence to change their community, society, country and even the world. Everyday Game Changers will be featured in the display case at the front of our school and students will get to listen to the amazing, and hopefully inspirational, accomplishments of these individuals. Please feel free to check out the display case when you find yourself in the school!

We hope that the Everyday Game Changers' stories set an example and inspired our students in a way that they feel empowered to make a positive difference in the world they live in today, and tomorrow.

In addition to Game Changers, each division was given a link to the Black History Month videos from The Saidat Show. anthat will be shared in each classroom.

On February 13th, St. Ursula Catholic School Council held their Dance-A-Thon Fundraiser. We are happy to report that as a school community we raised a total of $ 7400.00. Thank you to the St. Ursula community for all your support!!!

St. Ursula will be going as a school to watch the Mississauga Steelheads School-Day OHL Hockey game on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga against the Brantford Bulldogs. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who have graciously offered to assist with supervision at the game.

PLEASE NOTE: Students not attending the game will remain at school and participate in numerous activities planned throughout the day.

The last C.S.C. was held on Wednesday, February 7th 2024. Minutes of this meeting will be posted on our school website.

This year’s 2023-2024 Catholic School Council members are:

Chair: Christina Calabrese

Treasurer: Alana McIntosh-Jacobs

Secretary: Anya Bruney- Francis

Parish Rep: Patti Rodrigues

OAPCE Rep: Dawn Cook

Parent Reps: Don Ouellette, Regina Ukwuoma

Teacher Rep: Ms. Fairclough/ Ms. Yousif

Non-Teaching Rep: Ms. Vitorino

Upcoming Meetings:

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 @ 6:30PM (Virtual)

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 @ 6:30PM (In-Person)

The next Catholic School Council Meeting will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 6:30. As always, all parents are welcomed to attend this open meeting. Please use the following link to join:

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 243 708 905 538
Passcode: FWZXLV

Download Teams | Join on the web

St. Ursula Catholic School Council will be having their one day DOUGH-Raiser on march 6, 2024. All proceeds will go towards classroom and student enhancements. Thank you for your continued support.

March Break is from Monday, March 11, 2024 to Friday, March 15, 2024. The students return to school on Monday, March 18, 2024. During the break the school will be closed and emails and phone calls will not be answered until we return on March 18, 2024

The PA Day originally scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2024 has been rescheduled to Monday, April 8, 2024.

This change has been made due to a total solar eclipse occurring on Monday, April 8. The eclipse is expected to begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. and end around 4:30 p.m., coinciding with student dismissal times.

As always, Catholic Education Week begins on Sunday to highlight the parish-home-school partnership that remains the foundation of Catholic education.

We are pleased to announce the theme for 2024 is:

"We Are Called To Love"

The five sub-themes for Catholic Education Week are:

Monday: As people of hope / Dans l’espérance

Tuesday: As people of faith / Dans la foi

Wednesday: As people of mercy / Avec compassion

Thursday: As people of justice / Dans la justice

Friday: As people of joy / Dans la joie

Catholic Education Week Prayer:

God who is love,

Love is our calling, and the goal for which you have made us.

As we celebrate Catholic Education Week,

may our love in action reveal to our world

that we are people of justice and mercy.

May our daily words and example show clearly

that we are people of faith and hope.

In the ways we reflect you daily,

may everyone recognize us as people of joy.

Help us to never forget how much you love us,

and to cherish your life within us,

which gives energy and direction to our loving.

May we hear your call to love generously and inclusively,

and may we call our world to be more loving also.

All of this we ask in the name of Jesus, our Friend and our Lord.

Amen.

As part of DPCDSB’s safety protocol, every school is required to hold three fire drills and one lockdown drill each term in order to familiarize students with procedures to follow in the case of emergency. We will schedule these drills in the upcoming weeks. To date, our students have demonstrated excellent skill during these practices.

We are pleased to share the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s 2022-23 Director’s Annual Report with you. This report outlines the goals of the Board of Trustees’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan and how we, as a system, strived to meet the goals of that plan.

Our profound gratitude goes out to our faculty and staff, administrators, senior management, trustees, parish priests, parents/guardians, and the many other community partners for all you do in helping us deliver a quality Catholic education to the thousands of students in our care.

Blessings to you all.

Starting Wednesday, October 2023, Catholic School Council ishappy to collaborate with Mr. Sub to offer a healthy andaffordable lunch option.

Students can enjoy a classic 6" sub with your choice of drink and a snack of Welch’s fruitsnacks or a classic 12" sub every Wednesday. Each month, you will be able to place your order for that month.

If your child is absent on Sub Day, please make arrangements for your order to be picked up by a sibling or parent by the end of the school day.

Refunds will not be given for those students who are absent.

** Order on school cash online only

Starring March 2024, we have changed our vendor and have now partnered with Family Pizza and the cost is $2.75/slice. Money raised will be used to pay for Guest speakers, and school/classroom presentations to supplement classroom programming.

In February we will be introducing the ability for those students who have not purchased pizza to purchase pizza on a first come first serve basis at the office for the price of $2.75/slice. This will be cash only and first come first serve basis as we will have limited quantity available to sell.

Please Note: During the lenten season, the month of March, our pizza orders will be cheese pizza only in order to recognize the Lenten Season.

Tonino's Sandwich Tuesdays are returning starting November 2023. We will be offering sandwiches (breaded chicken, breaded veal or steak) with or without cheese every Tuesday. Please check School CashOnline for ordering details. Money raised will be used to pay for Guest speakers, and school/classroom presentations to suppliment classroom programming.

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 There will be a table located at the front doors for parents/guardians who are dropping off items for theirchildren. Please label the item clearly with the CHILD’S NAME AND TEACHER.

If you plan on bringing your child’s lunch in the morning, let your children know that you will beleaving the lunch on the table at the front doors.

St. Ursula Grade 8 students will continue to sell popcorn in efforts to raise funds to go towards their graduation. Purchases can be made on SchoolCashOnline monthly. Popcorn will be delivered to classrooms for those who purchase every Tuesday and Thursday for last snack break. Thank you to all who purchase.

During the Lenten Season, our grade 8 students will be distributing pre-ordered pretzels from Dimpflmeier Bakery. Pretzels will be distributed every Thursday during last snack break.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - FR. SURESH INSTALLATION

Welcome our New Priest Fr. Xavier Suresh to St. Anne Parish! Following 12 noon Mass, their will be light refreshments and coffee to honour The Installation of Father Suresh to St. Anne's Parish. Let's celebrate!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 - FAMILY DAY PANCAKE DAY

Pancakes, syrup and cereal for kids!!! Following 10am Mass hosted by Catholic Women's League and Children's Liturgy Volunteers. Cost is $2 per person, coffee and juice included.

Catholic education views human life as an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in thisvision, Catholic education fosters the search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual andacademic quest. The expectations of Catholic graduates, therefore, are described not only interms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions. The OntarioCatholic School Graduate is expected to be:

1. A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs andsacred mystery of God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, refl ection andmoral living.

2. An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively,responding critically in light of gospel values

3. A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsibledecisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.

4. A self- directed,responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God -given potential.

5. A collaborative contributor who fi nds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respectsthe rights of all and contributes to the common good.

6. A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community

7. A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.

St. Ursula School staff would appreciate the co-operation of the entire school community in NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain peanuts, nuts or any other life threatening allergens, which could potentially harm a child. We would like to keep all classrooms allergen-aware. In an effort to do so, any child that brings a lunch into the classroom that contains any life threatening allergens will eat their lunch in another location in the school designated for that specific purpose. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of this request. We understand that students enjoy celebrating special occasions with others in the classroom; however, to ensure everyone’s safety, the policy at St. Ursula School is that non-edible treats only will be permitted to be shared. There are many alternatives to bringing in food for birthdays and special occasions. Some suggestions are: stickers, gift certificates, erasers, dollar store Some suggestions are: stickers, gift certificates, erasers, pensils etc. If you would like to discuss any other ideas, please talk to your child’s teacher or the school administration. We look forward to your understanding and co-operation in making our school safe for all students.

All students who have been formally diagnosed with asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, or epilepsy must have a plan of care completed. This only needs to be completed once and it will be kept in your child's OSR file.

• If your child has a new diagnosis or is new to St. Ursula, please email the school and we will send you the forms that need to be completed.
• Each year a GF35-Storage and Administration of Medication must be completed and returned to school. You would have received a GF 35 form recently, if not, please contact the office if one is needed.
• Epipens and puffers should be carried by your child and a second one can be stored in the main office.
• Nut free/ Scent Free School : We have a number of children in our school who have severe life threatening allergic reactions to nuts therefore please do not send any food items to school that may contain nuts or nut products. If there are other allergies specific to your child's class you will be notified. We need your cooperation in ensuring that no snacks or lunches be brought into the school that can put children at risk.

Daily attendance and puncutality are important. If your child will be absent, please the School Messenger application (School Messneger) or visit the website at go.schoolmessenger.ca or call the attendance line at 1-844-435-3440 to report your child's absence.

We are happy to bring SUISH (St. Ursula In School Happiness) and Feel Good Fridays back to St. Ursula and we are proud to have our new Grade 8 Leaders join us this year! Each Friday our SUISH leaders will continue to roll out our monthly initiatives to motivate and inspire their peer group. We love seeing our students and staff the first Friday of each month for our dance party and monthly goal roll out!

Kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) schools is now open. The DPCDSB offers the Kindergarten program in 125 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.

Parents/guardians can register online at dpcdsb.org.

The following documents are required to complete the registration process:

• Proof of age of the child
• Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or original baptismal certificate from a church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome or an Eastern Catholic Church.
• Immunization Reference #’s from the local Public Health Unit
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Proof of home address
• Proof of English Separate School Support
• 
  

Please refer to the Register for School webpage for accepted forms of documentation.

Inquiries about home school locations/boundary areas should be directed to the DPCDSB Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.

Students are encouraged to bring their own reusable waterbottle to school for water consumption. Although waterfountains are open, the water fi lling stations are also open andstudents will be able to refi ll their water bottles throughout theday. Please clearly label your child's water bottle.

We have a limited stock of reusable St. Ursula water bottlesfor sale. Please use the link below to get yours today.

Dufferin- Peel Catholic District School Board policies and procedures support the use of personal electronic devices for educational purposes. This agreement will be signed when your child registers to attend St Ursula. In compliance with the Catholic Code of Conduct and other board policies and procedures, any student opting to use a PED while on school premises for educational purposes must adhere to the policies in the agreement. Please check your inbox for a copy of the document.

Three highlighted policies are:

· Follow board and school policies and procedures regarding appropriate use of technology.

· Be a responsible digital citizen by adhering to guidelines regarding content, security, safety and ethical use through appropriate use of technology.

· Use PED during instructional time and instructional space only with the permission of the classroom teacher and/or staff and only in a manner that supports the teaching learning process.

Compliance with the agreement is mandatory.

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